Chapter 5 Summary

The treacherous guide was wounded but not caught. Heyward wanted to pursue. The hunter and scout convinced him to stay, as they would be running into a larger band of enemies. Heyward, noting the darkening sky, asks the two Indians and the scout to help lead the group to safety.

The three agree, with two conditions. One, that they be silent. The second is to tell no one of the secret place to which they will be led. Cora and Alice are placed in a canoe with the scout on one side and Heyward on the other. They float down the river for "many rods." The rest of the party takes the horses downstream. The canoe is used to ferry three people at a time to the "secret place." There, they are safe for a time.

Chapter 5 Analysis

A rod equals 16.5 feet, or...