Our journey back appeared very long, for I was weak and tired, and from the exertion I had undergone, every muscle in my body ached.  We met Cousin Silas coming to look for us; for he had become anxious at not seeing Jerry return at all events, and feared something might have happened to us.  Ben Yool had set off in the other direction to search for me.  Therefore, instead of gaining a great deal of credit, as we expected, by the feat we had accomplished, we found that we had caused our friends no little trouble and anxiety.  It was a lesson to me ever afterwards not to attempt to perform any useless undertaking simply because it might be difficult or dangerous.  Many people have lost their lives by such folly.