It was Tom Ross who arose, and a cry of relief, low, but very deep, broke from each of the spectators. But Tom had not gone unscathed. The blade of the warrior had ripped open all the clothing on his left shoulder and had also cut deep into the flesh. Already the black blood was dripping upon the leaves.
"Bound to weaken me, an' I must stop somewhar to tie it up," said Tom tersely. "You two go on."
"We'll come back for you, too, Tom," said Henry, deeply moved, knowing how much it cost Silent Tom Ross to fall by the way.
"I turn to the east," said Tom. "I'll be restin' somewhar in the woods."
He slid away through the bushes and in an instant was gone. Henry, in order to keep the pursuit in the main channel and let the departure of Tom Ross pass unnoticed, sent back a fierce and challenging cry, the first that the fugitives had given forth that night. It was answered instantly from a point very near, the triumphant shout issuing from the throats of men who believed their victory sure and at hand.
"We must reach the Ohio, Sol," said Henry, "you and I, or you or I."
"Both or one," said Shif'less Sol. "Come on."
His face was upturned a little and, although there was no moonlight now, Henry saw it clearly. There was nothing of listlessness or despair in the face of the shiftless one. The look of exaltation that sometimes came upon him shone from his eyes. Dauntless and true, he would remain to the last.
"Thar's a gleam among the trees," he said ten minutes later, "an' it looks like water."
"It must be the Ohio! It surely is the Ohio!" said Henry. "We must swim for it, Sol."