of the
paddles prevented the sound we made in passing along from reaching the
ears of the people in the canoe. Of course we could easily have shot
the two men, but as we had no proof of their being enemies, such an act
would have been unjust. They shoved in carefully, for fear of knocking
the bows against any logs or branches beneath the surface, and then one
of them stepped out. As he stood up, with the moonlight pouring full
upon him, we saw that he was a white man, with a broad-brimmed hat, a
brace of pistols in his belt, and a rifle in his hand. The other person
was an Indian, who, after his companion had secured the canoe by a rope
to the trunk of a sapling, remained seated, as if waiting his return.
The white man looked about him, but did not appear to discover the signs
of our having been there. It was a wonder, however, that he did not see
us, probably his eyes were dazzled by the bright moonlight. Had the
Indian landed, there could be little doubt that he would have perceived
us, though we all three sat as motionless as the objects around.

The white man whistled shrilly several times, but receiving no response
to his signal, he began to make his way in the direction from whence we
had first come, as if he expected to meet his associates. I was
doubtful whether the Dominie would follow and attempt to seize him, or
would wait until he had got out of hearing and then endeavour to capture
the Indian. This would not be a very easy undertaking, unless he was
less watchful than is usually the case with his people. At last the
Dominie touched my arm as a signal to me to be prepared for instant
action; he then began to creep cautiously forward, so as to get round
the bush and close to the canoe, before making the rush which would
indicate our presence. I imitated his example, and had no doubt that
Rose was creeping after us. Should the Indian possess a rifle, he would
probably have time to fire it and recall his companion to his
assistance, even if he failed to hit either of us; and at all events he
would cry out, and we must master him quickly to be in time to deal with
the other man, who would not probably stand on ceremony about using his
weapons. On we crept: I could hear my own heart beating, and expected
every moment that the Indian would discover us. Presently we saw him
stand up in the attitude of listening, as if he had heard some
suspicious sounds; his eyes were directed towards the very spot whe