ut in a peculiar way, for the lads saw the men take aim high
up in the air, so that their arrows turned far on high and fell with
lightning-like rapidity upon certain shiny spots just flush with the
surface of the water; and while Rob was wondering the guide whispered,--

"Shooting turtles! They're wonderful clever at it. If they fired
straight, the arrows would start off. This way they come down, go
through the rough hide, and kill the turtle."

Of this they had proof again and again as they rowed slowly on, their
course taking them close to one canoe whose owner had gone off from near
the shore to recover a turtle that he had shot.

This Shaddy tried to obtain, offering something by way of barter, but
the man bent down to his paddle with a face full of mistrust, and forced
his light vessel toward where his companions had gathered to watch the
strangers.

"I don't like that," muttered Shaddy in Rob's hearing, and at the same
moment Joe whispered,--

"They don't mean to be friends, and we shall have to look out."

As he spoke he stretched out his hand for his gun, and began to examine
it carefully, a proceeding that was imitated by the others, but in a
quiet unostentatious way, so as not to take the attention of the
Indians.

A few moments' counsel ended in a determination not to try again to make
advances, by no means to halt for the midday rest, but to keep steadily
on without paying any heed to the Indians, who followed slowly as the
oars were plied, and at a respectful distance.

"How far does this smooth water go, Naylor?" asked Brazier.

"Six or seven miles, sir."

"And is there a long rapid at the end?"

"Yes, sir, as long as any we have passed."

"Where they could take us at a disadvantage?"

"Yes, sir," said Shaddy, grimly indeed. "If it's to come to a fight, we
had better have it out here in the open, where we can shelter ourselves
in the boat."

"Then you think it will come to an encounter?"

"I'm afraid so, sir, if you must have the truth."

"What about your men?"

"Oh, they'll fight for their lives if they're driven to it, sir; but the
worst of it is, these sort of fellows fight in a cowardly way, either
with poisoned arrows or by shooting their arrows up straight in the air
so that they come down upon you when you least expect it and can't
shelter against them."

"A false alarm!" cried Rob joyously, for the Indians had all ceased
paddling, and after a minute or two, as if by one