d it to circumstances.

"Look, look! Little Bill," he exclaimed, eagerly, pointing right over
the Indian's head at a flock of geese that opportunely appeared at the
moment in the far distance. "Crouch, Bill, lie low, I'll call them.
Steer a little more to the left and keep her so."

Thereupon he began a vociferous imitation of the sounds with which
Indians are wont to call to geese that may chance to be flying past at a
distance. The obedient Billie steered as directed, and thus the canoe
was slowly sheered off a little from the shore. It was cleverly done.
Whether the savage was deceived or not we cannot tell, but he showed no
sign of intention to move or act, though he was within easy range of the
boys.

"Little Bill," said Archie, in a low voice, such as one might use when
anxious not to alarm game, "can you do what you're bid _at once_ and
_exactly_?"

"I can try," was the quiet answer.

"Well, then, try your best, Little Bill; for our lives may depend on our
action now. Keep your eyes fixed on that flock o' geese as long as
they're in sight. _Don't_ look at the shore, whatever I do or say.
Look at anything you like, but _not at the shore_. There's a Red-skin
there. I've seen him, though he thinks I haven't. Now, steer right
round and go back the way we have just come, only keep always edging a
little off-shore."

As he said this Archie raised himself from his crouching attitude, laid
down his gun and resumed his paddle, and in his ordinary free-and-easy
tones exclaimed--

"We've lost that chance, Little Bill--more's the pity."

"Never mind," answered Billie in the same tone, being resolved to act
his part well, "there's lot's more where these came from. Better luck
next time. Where away now?"

"Keep her just as you go, you're far enough out now. We should start
some ducks here."

Thus speaking, and with the air of a leisurely man enjoying himself--
with infinite contentment on his ruddy countenance, and with much
concern in his agitated soul--Archie took the canoe straight past the
very spot where the Indian lay concealed. He felt that audacity was the
safest line of action, for he knew that if the savage meant mischief, to
pretend absolute ignorance of his existence would be less likely to draw
a shot than sudden flight--which, however swiftly carried out, could by
no means equal the flight of a bullet. Besides, it was of the utmost
importance that he should reach the encampment and repo