a subdued human voice. Raising his head very
cautiously above the side of the canoe, Rene caught a glimpse, at the
mouth of the little lagoon in which his own craft was concealed, of
another canoe, in which were seated two Indians. It was headed
up-stream, but its occupants had paused in their paddling, and from
their gestures were evidently considering the exploration of the very
place in which he lay hidden from them. In one of them Rene recognized
the unwelcome face of Chitta the Snake, but the other he had never
before seen.

With a loudly beating heart and almost without breathing he watched
them, thankful enough for the shelter of broad lily-leaves that raised
their green barrier in front of him. He was fully conscious that upon
the result of the conversation the two were holding, in such low tones
that he could not distinguish a word, depended his own fate. He knew,
from what Has-se had told him, that Chitta regarded him as an enemy,
and he knew also that for his enemies an Indian reserves but one fate,
and will kill them if he can.

Thus it was with the feeling that he had escaped a mortal peril, and
with a long-drawn sigh of relief, that he saw the discussion come to an
end, and the strange canoe continue on its course up-stream. It
disappeared in the direction from which he and Has-se had come before
encountering the moccasin. Then he became feverishly impatient to
leave a place that seemed so full of danger, and he longed eagerly for
Has-se's return.

Although Rene watched anxiously for Has-se, he also cast frequent
glances towards the stream, fearful lest Chitta and his companion
should again appear. Thus he was not looking when his friend emerged
from the forest, and did not hear the light tread of his moccasined
feet. Nor was he aware of any presence near him, until a low laugh,
which so startled him that he almost upset the canoe, gave the first
hint of his friend's return.

"Oh, Has-se!" he exclaimed, in a whisper rendered hoarse by his
excitement, "glad am I to see thee once more. Chitta is in pursuit of
us, and with him is as evil-looking an Indian as ever I saw, but large
and powerful withal."

Then he related the whole incident of the appearance of the strange
canoe, to which Has-se listened with grave attention.

When Rene had finished he said, "Has-se also has something to tell.
Far down the river, on the side opposite the end of the trail, he heard
the sound of many voices, and