shaking his head; "_that_ is something I
didn't expect to see."

The progress of the canoe by this time was checked, and it was drifting
with the current. The two young men had no desire for a nearer approach
to the apparently formidable contrivance.

"Can't either one of you two chaps make out what sort of ship that is
coming down-stream?"

Both Leland and Leslie were considerably puzzled, when they saw Rosalind
smile, as if enjoying their stupidity.

"If you can't tell, just ask the gal," added the hunter, bursting into a
loud laugh.

"Why, George I thought you had lived long enough in the western country
to recognize a _flat-boat_!"

"What dunces we both are. How could any one imagine that to be anything
else than a genuine flat-boat? Let us approach it and make the
acquaintance of those on board."

"Sart'in, boys," said the hunter, dipping his paddles deep into the
water and impelling the canoe rapidly forward.

"A cheer for them!" exclaimed Leslie, rising in the boat and swinging
his hat over his head.

How unspeakably thankful were the hearts of the fugitives, as their
salutation was returned by more than one voice! Friends indeed were
near, and their dangers were over.

A few moments later the canoe was beside the flat-boat.

"Thank God! thank God!" fervently uttered Leland, as he clasped his
sister in his arms and realized that they were now safe, safe! For the
first time in weeks he felt the sweet consciousness of safety.

"It is almost worth the sufferings we have undergone!" said he. "This
sweet consciousness that we are really beyond the reach of our foes is
an enjoyment that we have not experienced for a long time."

"Do not forget the all-sustaining Hand that has brought us out of the
very jaws of death."

"Forget it? May He forget me when I fail to remember Him. Great Father,"
said Leland, meekly uncovering and bowing his head, while the tears fell
like rain down his face, "Great Father, for this and all other mercies I
thank thee!"

"I join in thanksgiving with theirs," said Leslie, in the same reverent
manner, as he approached brother and sister.

The flat-boat was no other than the celebrated expedition under Major
Taylor, which established such a firm and prosperous settlement upon the
northern bank of the Ohio. He had about thirty souls on board, a dozen
of whom were men. The true cause of the astonishing success of this
company was that both the leader and his comrades fully und