n, I succeeded in striking this animal as I had done the
first.

In the meantime the other canoe was paddling away in chase of two more
deer, which had made towards the further end of the lake.

While we were occupied as I have described, I saw a third canoe, paddled
by two strangers, darting out from behind a point in pursuit of another
deer. Whether the people were friends or foes, I could not tell; but as
soon as Kakaik saw them he declared that they were the latter, and that
we must be prepared for an attack should they have many companions in
the neighbourhood.

"Then let us at once tow our deer up the lake towards the camp, where we
can obtain assistance," I said.

I now observed that those who had been unable to embark in the canoe
were making their way in that direction. They had probably caught sight
of the strange Indians. My fear was that Kepenau and Reuben might be
attacked on their return. I made signs to my companion that we would
land the deer and then go to the assistance of our friends. As Reuben
and I had our rifles, and the strange Indians were probably without
firearms, we might easily keep them in check or put them to flight; or
should they venture to attack us, we might sink their canoes, even if we
did not kill them with our rifle-bullets, before they got up to us.

As we reached the shore at the end of the lake, we found Mike and
several of the Indians standing ready to receive us.

Mike was fall of fight. "Arrah! be aisy, Masther Roger," he said.
"Sure, if the inimy come, I will sind them to the right-about wid me
firelock, and they'll not be afther taking our venison from us in a
hurry."

He and the Indians taking charge of the deer, which they immediately set
about cutting up, Kakaik and I paddled off again down the lake to the
assistance of our friends. The strange Indians had succeeded in
capturing one of the deer; but as we considered that it was their lawful
prize, although we had driven it into the water, we did not interfere
with them.

Seeing another deer still swimming, though at considerable distance, I
fired at it, for the purpose of showing the strange Indians, in case
they should not have heard our other shots, that we had firearms, and
thus probably prevent them attacking us. Whether or not my shot had
taken effect I could not tell, as the deer continued to swim on towards
the bank.

We now directed our course for our friends, who had killed the two deer
of whi