arance of their friends they began at once the
distribution of supplies among the tilts, for September was nearly
spent and winter would be upon them by mid-October, when ice in the
lakes would render the canoe useless.

Therefore, with all haste they proceeded with their first canoe-load
of provisions to the farthest tilt, built upon the shores of the lake
expansion above the falls.

It was mid-forenoon of a beautiful, transparent September day when
they reached the tilt. The supplies were quickly stowed beneath the
bunks, the tent stove erected, and, halting only long enough to make
tea, they launched their canoe for the return.

"We'll be makin' th' river tilt before we sleeps," said Bob. "They's a
moon, an' we'll finish by moonlight, an' to-morrow we'll be gettin'
out with th' next load. If we travels fast we can make th' river tilt
before midnight, whatever!"

The portage trail left the river at a point some ten miles below the
tilt, and as previously stated, at the lower end of the lake, where
the current began to gather strength for its final tumultuous rush
toward the falls.

They had paddled the distance in two hours, and were congratulating
themselves upon their good progress as they turned the canoe toward
the portage landing, when suddenly they were startled by a burst of
wild, bloodcurdling whoops, and a half-dozen strange Indians, guns
levelled, rose upon the shore.

"Mingens!" exclaimed Bob.

A warning in the Indian tongue was shouted at them that they must not
attempt to land. A shot was fired over their heads to emphasise the
fact that the savages were in earnest, and with no alternative, and
taken wholly by surprise, Shad at the steersman's paddle astern, swung
the canoe out into the stream, still continuing down the river.

"Upstream! Upstream! Turn about!" shouted Bob.

In the excitement and confusion that followed the first few moments
after the attack, much valuable time had been lost in ineffectual
manoeuvres, and when the canoe was finally turned about they were far
out into the stream, and it was found that the insidious current had
caught them. Bob was the first to recognise the danger, and in a
sharp, tense voice he commanded:

"Quick! Work for your life! If th' rapid gets us, 'twill carry us over
th' falls!"

Then they paddled--paddled as none had ever paddled before. But
already the powerful current had them in its grip. Slowly--slowly--but
with increasing speed they were drif