The probability was that the latter would take
precisely the same course that we have seen the Huron take, that is, if
he believed the coast clear; but as there was no certainty of this, the
Miami was compelled to keep watch both up-stream and down-stream, and
it was thus it happened that his back was turned to Oonomoo at the very
moment he came around the edge of the rock.

The different methods by which the Miami could be disposed of occurred
to the Huron with electric quickness. To the first--that of passing
over the rock and tomahawking him, there was one objection so important
as to make it a fatal one. In the bright moonlight, he would offer too
fine a target to the other Miamis concealed along the bank. Without
the responsibility of his white friend's safety, Oonomoo felt it would
be hardly short of suicide, for it would be affording his deadliest
enemies the opportunity of capturing or killing him as they preferred.
He had but the choice of two plans: that of pressing forward and
engaging the Miami, or of instantly returning to the shore, and
proceeding to the Shawnee village by land. He chose the former.

Everything depended now upon the quickness of the Huron's movements.
The Miami being compelled to watch both directions, it was certain he
would turn his head in a moment, when, if Oonomoo was still in the
water, his fate would be pretty certain. Accordingly he shot rapidly
forward, and was so close when he halted, that, do his utmost, he could
not prevent his head from striking the prow of the canoe. Slight as
was the shock, it did not escape the notice of the Miami, who instantly
turned his head, and approaching the prow, leaned over and looked in
the water.

The Huron had been expecting this movement, and to guard against its
consequences, sunk quietly beneath the surface, and allowed the current
to carry him just the length of the canoe, when he again rose, with his
head beneath its stem. Resting here a moment, with his nose and eyes
just in sight, he commenced drifting down-stream, inch by inch, until
he caught a glimpse of the Miami's head over the edge of the canoe when
he returned to his former position under the stern and gathered his
energies for the struggle.

Sustaining himself by his feet alone, he reached his hands upward,
grasped the canoe in such a manner that it was firmly held on each
side. Holding it thus only long enough to make his hold sure, he
pressed the stern quickly down