he larger portion of
which had been broken off either by a storm or lightning, the boughs
having sprung out of the remainder--forming, indeed, a natural pollard.
No concealment could have been more perfect; for even an Indian's eye
would fail to penetrate through the bark. By slipping down I was
concealed on all sides, while at the same time a slit in the trunk
afforded me a "look-out" through the boughs in the direction of the
river. Here, therefore, I considered that I was safe for the present.
The difficulty would be to get away; although I might remain concealed
as long as I should desire, hunger would at length compel me to leave my
hiding-place in search of food. I remained crouched down, listening
anxiously for any sounds which might indicate the whereabouts of the
Indians. Mike, I felt sure, had he escaped drowning, would be captured
by them; but I had hopes that Reuben and his companion, by being so much
ahead, might escape altogether.

The ground was excessively rough; numerous high rocky ridges, and
intervening spaces filled by trees and dense underwood, abounded.

The fact that the Indians had been so long shouting to each other
convinced me that they had not up to that time captured the first canoe.
As I heard no one approaching, I should not have been afraid of leaving
my hiding-place; but then I knew that my footsteps would betray me.

I must have remained an hour or more, when I heard voices in the
distance. The sounds came nearer, and I knew that the Indians were
returning. I scarcely dared to draw breath. They passed close to the
tree in which I lay concealed; but I did not venture to look out, lest
they should discover me. I was sure as they went along that they were
trying to discover my trail. I knew, too, by the voices, that there was
only a small party. What had become of the rest?

I calculated, by the direction their voices came from, that they were
making their way up the stream. Some distance off, the low cliffs
between which the river forced its way were surmounted by trees, which
formed a natural bridge. I knew, therefore, that should they wish to
get to the opposite side they might easily pass over.

Nearly another anxious hour went by, when I again heard their voices
coming across the stream; and looking through the slit, I saw three
painted savages standing together in the shallow water, narrowly
examining the bank on both sides. Presently one of them stopped and
pointed