dlers projecting from the
front.

Almost directly after the intentions of the Indians were shown not to be
peaceful, for a straggling flight of arrows came whistling through the
air, several of the missiles falling just astern, some in front, but for
the most part striking the boat and sticking in the awning and the
shelter made astern.

"Any one hurt?" shouted Shaddy sternly, and receiving an answer in the
negative, he muttered as he thrust the double gun he held through an
opening,--

"That's because they're on the move and we're on the move. If we'd been
standing still, and them too, every shot would have told. Look out;
they're going to fire again. My turn first. Pull, my lads; don't you
mind me."

As the words left his lips he fired at intervals of about a quarter of a
minute both barrels of the fowling-piece; and at the flash of fire,
followed by smoke curling up slowly and hiding the boat, the Indians
stopped paddling and sat watching.

"That has beaten them off," cried Rob eagerly. "Was it blank cartridge,
Shaddy?"

"Yes, my lad. Next's going to be number six if they come on after us."

The men pulled hard and increased the distance between them and the
canoes rapidly, while the travellers' hopes grew high. But all of a
sudden there was a yell, paddles splashed again, and satisfied of the
harmlessness of the fire and smoke, the Indians took up the pursuit
again.

"Oh, very well, if you will be hurt," said Shaddy, "it's your fault, not
mine," and he thrust the barrels once more through the opening in the
barrier of boxes.

"How long will it take us to reach the next rapid, Naylor?" asked
Brazier excitedly.

"Half 'hour, sir, but we must beat 'em off before we can land, or
they'll stick us so full of arrows, we shall look like hedgehogs. Hi!
sit and lie close, every one. Look out! Arrows!"

But the flight was not discharged until the Indians had gained a good
deal more ground. Then the whistling was heard, accompanied or followed
by sharp raps, but again, in answer to Shaddy's inquiry, there came a
cheery "No!"

"Now then," he said, "let's see what they say to us, sir, and how far
the charge will scatter and carry."

As he spoke he took careful aim a little to his right and fired quite
low, changed the position of his piece, and fired again a little to his
left.

The smoke hung so heavily for a minute or two that there was quite a
screen between them, beyond which shouts, savage yel