rs on the ground."

"While the boat goes along so well, two of us might sleep, for it is
only necessary to have one at the helm."

"I kin stand it without much sleep, miss. I kin ketch a nap while I set
here. I've often slep standin' up agin a tree when the wolves was thick
about me. Old Rattleshag is tough and hard."

"Now your bed is ready, Fanny," said Ethan, coming aft.

"Thank you, Ethan; you are very kind, and I am tired enough to sleep
like a log. Now, if you will take the tiller, I will see what kind of
work you make of it."

Ethan took the helm, and at first made the usual miscalculations of an
unexperienced steersman; but Fanny soon instructed him so that he
steered very well, and she went forward to her couch. In a whisper she
said the prayer which she never omitted, and covering herself with
blankets, was soon fast asleep.

After dark, the wind was very light and baffling, but the river was not
so tortuous in its course, and the progress of the boat was rather more
satisfactory than it had been during the afternoon. Ethan was very
considerate of his fair companion, and neglected her injunction to call
her in a few hours. He had given the helm to Rattleshag in the middle
of the night, and gone to sleep himself. At daylight the trapper was at
his post, and both the young exiles were still sleeping away the
fatigues of the preceding day. The boat had not yet come up with the
escort, who had probably gone more than the fifteen miles agreed upon.

Rattleshag sat at the helm, gazing fixedly down the river. He looked
like a statue, and he sat so still that it was hard to believe he ever
had moved, or ever would do so. His long rifle lay at his side, at rest
like himself.

The bateau was approaching a clump of trees which grew on the bank of
the river, when the crack of a rifle was heard, and a bullet whizzed
over the water. Rattleshag started, sprang to his feet, and grasped the
tiller with his left hand, while the blood trinkled down the ends of
his fingers from a wound in his right arm. He glanced hastily around
him, and then, putting the helm up, ran the boat alongside the shore
opposite that from which the shot had come. The bateau grounded in the
shallow water, and her grating upon the gravel roused Ethan from his
slumber.

"The Injins is firin' on us," said Rattleshag, coolly, as he took up
his long rifle.

"Whar be they?" demanded Ethan, seizing his weapons.

"Over thar," replied the trapper, p