eads on the water must mean
something, I hope; yet I'm afraid I hope too much."

The foremost of the swimming figures raised a hand out of the water, and
held it high in token of amity. Instantly the four behind did the same
thing.

"Most amazing," said Adolphe Drouillard. "Ees eet possible that they are
friends?"

"I think it not only possible, but probable," said Adam Colfax with a
rising tone of joy in his voice. "They are near now, and that first head
looks familiar to me. I devoutly hope that I'm not mistaken."

The leader's head, propelled by the powerful strokes of the arms below,
came within a yard or two of the _Independence_, and some stray rays of
the moon, falling upon it, brought it from dusk into light. It was the
face of a young river god, strong features cut cleanly, a massive
projecting chin, and long yellow hair from which the water flowed in
streams.

The head was raised from the water, the hands grasped the edge of the
boat, and the figure sprang lightly on board, standing perfectly erect
for a moment, while the water ran from his fringed hunting shirt, his
moccasins, the knife and tomahawk at his belt, and flowed away over the
boards.

"Henry Ware alive!" exclaimed Adam Colfax, springing forward and seizing
the hand which dripped water from the tip of every finger.

"An' don't furgit me," said Shif'less Sol, as he leaped aboard and stood
beside Henry, a tiny cataract pouring from every seam of his clothing.

"Nor me," said Tom Ross briefly, taking his place with his comrades.

"An' I'm here, too," said Jim Hart, uprearing his thin six feet four.

"So am I," said Paul, as he drew himself over the rail of the
_Independence_.

"All of you alive and well!" exclaimed Adam Colfax, departing for once
from his New Hampshire calm. "All returned from the dead together! I
feel as if an army had come to our relief!"

"We ain't been dead," said Shif'less Sol. "An' we ain't been havin' sech
a hard time, either. It's true three o' us hev been troubled by Injun
bullets, but Jim Hart thar spent his time inventin' a new way o' cookin'
rabbits, which will keep him happy for the next five years."

"And he could not spend his spare time in a better way," said Adolphe
Drouillard. "Ze man who invents a new wholesome dish ees a blessing to
hees country."

"Shake, friend," said Long Jim, holding out a huge hand still dripping
with portions of the Ohio, and Adolphe Drouillard, without hesitation,
shook.