eared Raymon, the latter said cheeringly,
"Me help you--they get canoe all right," and, taking the heavy firearm
from the boy, swam as easily with it as if it were a walking-stick.

Meanwhile the paddlers, with a skill that astonished Donalblane,
proceeded to right the canoe, free it of water, and clamber in, Raymon
following their example and then assisting the young Scotsman to do
likewise. Donalblane took it for granted that the untoward upset put
an end to the manatee hunt, but Raymon had no such notion.

"Manatee soon die--we go after him," he said, and, after a keen
scrutiny of the surrounding water, he gave directions to the paddlers,
who resumed their work as stolidly as if nothing had happened.
Donalblane thought it would be very much like hunting for a needle in a
hay-stack, but kept his own counsel while the canoe sped shoreward.

They were more than half-way thither when Raymon, who had fastened the
remainder of the rope on to a small spear, showed signs of excitement.

"Me see him!" he exclaimed in a stage whisper. "We get him this time."

Sure enough, just as he spoke, the ugly grey head of the manatee rose
above the water, and it was evident from the slowness of its movements
that its strength was fast failing.

Steadily the canoe gained, until once more it was within striking
distance, and Raymon hurled his spear with no less accuracy than he had
the harpoon. The poor manatee made one furious plunge forward as the
sharp steel reached a vital part, and then all motion ceased. The hunt
was ended.

One of the paddlers instantly sprang into the water and caught the end
of the severed harpoon line, which was at once secured to the canoe,
for otherwise the great body would sink and all the trouble be in vain.
Then the bulky prize was towed ashore, and Donalblane had the
satisfaction of having taken part in a successful manatee hunt, even if
he had been denied the privilege of getting a shot.

The Indians had good reason to be proud of their quarry, for he was a
monster of his kind, and would afford a fine supply of excellent meat.
As he would prove altogether too heavy a cargo for the light canoe, the
paddlers were dispatched to the settlement for assistance, while
Donalblane and Raymon remained on guard, the former taking the
opportunity to dry his dripping clothes, and feeling very well pleased
with the success of the hunt.

Indeed, he had enjoyed it so keenly that he went again and again in the