ward, and then by a sudden wrench threw
the Miami upon his back in the water. Letting go his hold, the Huron
made a dash at him, and closing in the deadly embrace, the two went
down--down--down--till their feet struck the soft bottom, when they
shot up again like two corks.

Imminent as was the peril of Oonomoo, his greatest fear was that their
struggles would carry them below the rock, where the moonlight would
discover them to the Miamis on the bank. With a skill as wonderful as
it was rare even among his own people, he _regulated_ his movements
while submerged, in such a manner that they operated to carry both
combatants _up_-stream, had there been no current, so that when they
came to the surface, it was very nearly in the same spot that they had
gone down.

But Oonomoo and the Miami had whipped out their knives, and they raised
them aloft at the same instant. But neither descended. They were
still in the air, when the one spoke the simple word. "Heigon!" and
the other simultaneously with him uttered the name of "Oonomoo," and
the hands of both dropped beside them. Without speaking, the Miami
grasped the edge of the rock and clambered to the surface, and beckoned
for the Huron to follow; but the latter held back, and whispered, in
the tongue of his companion:

"Miamis on shore wait to make Oonomoo a prisoner."

"Oonomoo is the friend of Heigon, and the Miamis will not injure him."

[Illustration: But Oonomoo and the Miami had whipped out their knives.]

The Huron hesitated no longer, but the next moment stood beside the
Miami on the broad mass of stone. Heigon gave a short peculiar whoop,
which was instantly followed by the appearance of the other canoe with
its four inmates, who impelled it forward with great rapidity, and in
almost a twinkling were also upon the rock. Each held a glittering
knife in hand, and they gazed upon their victim with exulting eyes, who
stood firm, unmoved, and returned their glances with as proud and
defiant an air as a king would have looked upon the vassals beneath
him. They were about to proceed to violence, when Heigon simply said:
"He is my friend." Instantly every knife was sheathed, and the
gloating expression of the Miamis changed to one of interest and
pleasure. They gathered more closely around the Huron, and looked to
their companion for some further explanation.

"When the snow was upon the ground," said he, "Heigon was hunting, and
he became weak and feeble