. So in another minute Donald and his
newly acquired friend had set forth on their long journey. Both
wielded paddles, for Ensign Christie had already seen enough of service
in America to have gained a fair degree of skill in canoeing.

For hours these two paddled, poled, and tracked their way against the
swift current of the Mohawk, until utter darkness barred their further
progress. Then they made a blind landing, groped about for a few
sticks, kindled a small fire over which to make a pot of tea, and flung
themselves down for a few hours of sleep on the bare ground. The next
morning they were up, had eaten breakfast, and were off by daybreak.
Before dark of that day they had crossed the portage, and were floating
with the current of Wood creek. Only pausing at the blockhouse to
deliver a despatch from Sir William, they crossed Oneida lake in
darkness, and spent the night at Fort Brewerton. The following night
found them well past Oswego and camped on the shore of Lake Ontario.

[Illustration: "These two paddled their way against the swift current
of the Mohawk."]

In all this ceaseless labor, Ensign Christie proved of the greatest
assistance, and heartily commended himself to his companion by his
unflagging cheerfulness. He was always ready to jump overboard, at the
first intimation that such a move was necessary, to use a push-pole or
paddle, gather wood, or to perform any service that lay within his
power. Often, as the young men made their swift way along the south
shore of the great lake, did they talk of Paymaster Bullen and wonder
what had become of him. Donald was inclined to believe that he had
either returned to New York, or still remained where they had left him;
but Christie only smiled, and said Bullen was such a queer fish that
there was no predicting what he might or might not do.

On the evening of the third day after leaving Oswego, shortly before
sunset, and aided by a strong breeze blowing up the lake, they ran
alongside the canoe landing at Fort Niagara. Major Wilkins, the
commandant, and several of his officers met them as they stepped from
their craft, when a rapid exchange of introductions and news was at
once begun.

Suddenly some one exclaimed, "What boat is that following so close
after you?" and, looking in the direction indicated, all saw a small
craft driven at a high rate of speed by both sail and paddle, rapidly
approaching the landing.

No one could imagine who it was,