ow thought that we could with prudence
take the gag out of his mouth, to try and learn from him what object he
and his companion had in view, though we had little doubt about the
matter. Mr Tidey made signs that if he cried out, it would be the
worse for him. Rose then carefully pulled out the handkerchief. Not a
word, however, could we elicit from him; he seemed to suppose that we
were going to put him to death, and, stoically resigned to his fate,
nothing we could say had any effect.

"Perhaps he doesn't understand English," observed Mr Tidey; "and as he
has not his hands at liberty, he cannot make signs; our only safe
course, however, is to treat him as an enemy, and keep him bound. Rose,
we will leave him under your charge, while we go back and try and tackle
his companion. You will not let him escape?"

"No, massa, no fear ob dat," answered Rose, stuffing the handkerchief
back into the Indian's mouth, "if he try to move, I soon make him keep
quiet."

As the white man might be returning, we hastened back to be ready for
him. I suggested that we should haul up the canoe, and knock a hole in
her, to prevent the stranger, should he escape us, from getting off; but
Mr Tidey thought that she might be of use to us, and advised instead
that we should hide the paddles, which would answer the purpose equally
well.

We listened as we drew near the spot where the canoe lay, but we could
hear no one approaching. Without hesitation, therefore, drawing her to
the bank, I stepped into her, and searched about to ascertain what she
contained. I soon discovered several pieces of rope, a basket of
provisions, and a bottle of rum. It was possible that the Indian's
apparent stupidity had arisen from his having drunk a portion of the
latter. The rope confirmed us in our belief that the men in the canoe
had come for the purpose of making a prisoner of some one or other.
Bringing the rope and paddles, I returned on shore. Scarcely had we
hidden them in the bushes than, hearing footsteps approaching, we
hurriedly concealed ourselves. Presently the white man we had before
seen emerged from the gloom of the trees. We saw him looking towards
the canoe.

"What can have become of the rascals?" he exclaimed with an oath,
speaking to himself.

He was advancing towards the canoe, expecting probably to find the
Indian asleep within her, when Mr Tidey and I sprang so rapidly on him,
that before he had even time to turn round, we