rt what he had
seen without the Indian becoming aware that he had been discovered.

In order to effect his purpose, he not only repassed the hiding-place of
the savage but actually shot and picked up another duck while still
within range of the enemy's gun. Then he directed his brother to steer
still more off the island, but very slowly.

"We're in no hurry, you see, Little Bill; you haven't looked at the
shore, I hope?"

"Never once."

"Ha! ha!" laughed Archie in high glee at the success of this his first
experiment in backwoods warfare; "you're a trump, Little Bill!"

"I'd rather be a trump than a trumpet, Archie. If there are more
Red-skins about, laughing like that will be sure to rouse them."

"Never fear, Billie, my boy. You do as I tell 'ee. We must keep up the
game a bit longer yet. It won't do to hurry back till the sun is lower,
so we'll go over to that small island there an' have a try for another
duck. There's sure to be nobody on such a small island as that.
Afterwards we'll drop down in an off-hand, idle-like way to the
encampment. It'll be natural to do this when the evenin's beginning to
set in, an' so we'll stump them Red-skins at their own game. D'ee
understand?"

"Yes. You're a clever chap, Archie."

In pursuance of this deeply laid plan, the brothers crossed over to the
small islet referred to, and, after apparently amusing themselves there
for a short time, dropped down stream in a leisurely way, reaching the
encampment before the evening had fairly set in.

A council of war was immediately held.

"You were right in your guess, Okematan," said Davidson. "The reptiles
will be down on us to-night no doubt. What course does the Cree chief
advise?"

"Okematan advises that the kettle be boiled, the duck roasted, and a
good big supper eaten."

"It iss fery pleasant advice, no doubt," said Fergus with a broad and
rather sarcastic grin, "but it iss not warlike!"

"It seems not a bad preparation for war, anyhow," said Dan; "and what
after that?"

"The two boys will sleep and rest while food is preparing," continued
the chief. "The moon will set before we have done eating, and it will
be very dark. The Saulteaux will not attack while the light lasts.
When it is quite dark we will go."

"If we fix to leave and they chance to attack at the same time, it iss
meetin' them we will be, Okematan," said Fergus.

To this remark the Indian vouchsafed no reply.

"Well, well, Muster Ok