Uncle George took Jonas forward alone, until they were out of sight, and

presently returned without him
Uncle George took Jonas forward alone, until they were out of sight, and
presently returned without him. Rollo asked where Jonas was gone, and
his uncle told him that that was a secret at present. They heard, soon
after, the strokes of his hatchet in the woods, on before them, but
could not imagine what he could be doing.