ch they had gone in chase. I told them of the strangers we had
seen; and Kakaik, in his own language, gave a long account to Kepenau of
the matter.

"We will let them alone, if they do not molest us," answered Kepenau,
after expressing his approval of my conduct.

Having secured the bodies of the two deer to ropes,--Kepenau and Reuben
towing one, and Kakaik and I the other,--we began to paddle back towards
the end of the lake from which we had come.

As we passed the part of the shore near which I had shot the last deer,
we observed several Indians, who had seized the animal as it landed, and
were now employed in cutting it up. They had evidently only one canoe
with them, and were therefore afraid of coming off to attack us,
whatever may have been their disposition. We might, therefore, consider
ourselves masters of the seas.

Kepenau was well pleased with the success of our expedition, and having
made up his mind to live at peace with his neighbours, he was very glad
to avoid a collision with the strangers, even though we might come off
victorious. "We must, however, be on the watch for them as we return
homewards," he observed. "They may possibly greatly outnumber our
party; and though our firearms will keep them in check, they may try to
overcome us by stratagem."

The deer we had first killed were soon cut up, and all the best parts
made ready for transportation to the camp. Those we had now towed on
shore were treated in the same manner; and each man being loaded with as
much as he could possibly carry, we set off for the camp. Here we found
a blazing fire ready for cooking the venison, of which our friends ate
an enormous quantity--with the exception of Kepenau, who was as moderate
as we were.

Knowing that we had foes in the neighbourhood sentinels were posted, two
of whom kept watch all the night round the camp; but the strangers,
seeing us prepared, did not make their appearance, and on the following
morning we started, an hour before dawn, on our return. Kepenau kept in
the rear, turning round very frequently to ascertain if we were
followed. He also gave his people directions to keep a look-out on
either hand. Once he caught sight of a warrior's plume in the distance,
but although his eyes were of the sharpest he could not discover whether
his foe approached nearer. Before evening we arrived safely at his
lodges; the ample supply of food we brought affording great
satisfaction. The chief, h