more till we saw the stream
ahead of us, running placid as before. Kakaik, going down into the
water, placed his canoe gently on the surface, and then helped to take
Mike's off his shoulders. The goods we had brought were next placed in
them, and the Indian sat down on the bank to watch them while we went
back for the remainder.

"Suppose some hostile Indians or prowling bear should have paid a visit
to the landing-place, and carried off our property," said Reuben.

"We will hope for the best," I answered, laughing; "but I will take my
gun, in case of accidents."

CHAPTER FIVE.

AN INTRUDER--WE ARRIVE AT KEPENAU'S CAMP--ASHATEA INQUIRES KINDLY AFTER
LILY AND DORA--DEER-HUNTING--THE STRANGE INDIANS--KEPENAU'S
PRECAUTIONS--MIKE AMUSES THE CAMP WITH HIS FIDDLE--OUR FAREWELL--
KAKAIK'S ADVICE WITH REGARD TO RAPID-SHOOTING--THE TREACHEROUS INDIAN ON
SHORE--MIKE AND I PADDLE DESPERATELY--THE CANOE IS UPSET--CARRIED DOWN
THE STREAM--A NATURAL PLACE OF CONCEALMENT IN A HOLLOW TRUNK--MY TERROR
ON PERCEIVING THE INDIANS--FORCED BY HUNGER TO LEAVE MY CONCEALMENT, I
AM TAKEN PRISONER BY FOUR INDIANS.

On arriving at the foot of the falls we found our goods safe; but just
as we were about to shoulder them we heard a rustling among the bushes.
Advancing cautiously towards the spot, not knowing what might be there,
I caught sight of a dark hairy form. It was a brown bear, which in
another minute would in all likelihood have been examining our property
with no delicate fingers. I hesitated to fire, for I was sure that I
should be unable to hit any vital part; and as even a brown bear, if
wounded, will turn furiously on his pursuers, before I could have
reloaded the beast might have been upon me. In another instant Bruin
had plunged in among the thick underwood, and was concealed from view;
but I heard him making his way rapidly from us, doubtless considering
that discretion was the better part of valour.

Having taken up our goods, and looked carefully round to see that
nothing was left behind, we set off towards the canoes. Kakaik by this
time had them both secured alongside the bank, so that we quickly
reloaded them and recommenced our voyage up the stream.

I asked Mike to sing one of his Irish songs: this he was never loath to
do, and he soon made the banks echo with his melody. As soon as he had
ceased, the Indian took up the strain with one of his native songs. It
was melancholy in the extreme, and contrasted