and.

For a few moments they heeded not the mirth of Kent at his joke, in
their mutual congratulations. Then they turned and heard him say:

"What a couple of fools."

They appreciated his rough kindness too well to make any reply. The boat
was out in the river, and under the long, powerful impulses that the
hunter gave it, was moving rapidly downward.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE CAPTIVE.

Leland and Leslie conversed and recounted to each other their adventures
until those were exhausted, when they endeavored to keep off the chill
by taking turns at the oars. Morning at length began to appear. In a
short time darkness lifted from the water, and the bright rays of the
morning sun pierced the foliage of the forest and rested upon the
stream.

About the middle of the forenoon, Kent ran in under the bank and sprung
ashore. The day was quite warm, and it was a pleasure for the three to
step upon the land and stretch themselves in the genial sunshine. They
had, however, halted for consultation, and to determine upon the plan to
pursue in order to rescue Rosalind.

"One more job finished and we'll rest a while," said Kent.

"And as we have depended upon and been guided and saved by your wisdom,"
said Leslie, "of course, in this most important case your advice must be
followed."

"Let's hear what you chaps have got to say first, 'cause p'raps you
might accidentally say somethin' smart without knowin' it. I'll decide
it after we all get through."

"What seems to me the most feasible is this," commenced Leland. "Let all
three of us follow the savages which have taken my sister, and after
reaching their vicinity, by stratagem recover her. If it be impossible
to do it in this way, make a bold dash and venture among them, and take
her at all events."

"Killin' first 'bout one hundred Injins, just to get 'em out the way,
you know," said Kent, with mock gravity. "Come, Leslie, it's your turn;
and bein' you're so much interested, I 'spects to hear somethin' awful
grand."

Leslie, to save his life, could not prevent a blush at this allusion. As
might be expected, he had thought of more than one plan, long before
asked for it, and replied without hesitation:

"What I say is, _rescue_ her at all events, as George has said. Of
course, it's out of the question to do it by force, and we must outwit
the savages. This I think possible, for the good reason that it has so
often been done. All three of us, or perhaps, what woul