round and scanned the shore more closely and searchingly.
Seeing nothing suspicious, he was about to resume rowing again, when,
from an overhanging cluster of bushes came the sharp crack of a rifle,
and a bullet split one of the oars, a few inches below his hand. Seizing
his rifle, he turned toward the point from which the shot had come, but
could see no person. The thin wreath of smoke curling slowly up from the
bushes showed the point from which it had been given; but whoever the
person might be, he kept himself well concealed. In a moment another
shot was given, which glanced over the water a few feet from the stern.

Leslie began to think that he was in rather a close situation, and
clutching his rifle nervously, endeavored to ascertain the point from
which the shot had come, determined to return one at all hazards. He did
not dare to pass over to the opposite side, for he had a suspicion that
they were intended for that purpose. He believed that his person had not
been aimed at, but the balls had been intended to pass closely enough to
alarm him and cause him to seek safety by pulling for the other shore,
where, probably, a foe was waiting. While he sat undetermined what
course to pursue, a form stepped out in full view upon the bank, and
accosted him.

"Frightened any?"

"Well, I should think I ought to be. Why, is that you, George?"

"I believe so. Come in and take me aboard."

"What reason had you for firing upon me?" asked Leslie, approaching him.

"Well, not any. I saw you coming down-stream, and an idea seized me to
learn if you were easily frightened."

"I felt rather nervous when that shot came," returned Leslie, pointing
at the hole in his oar.

"It was a close rub; but, of course, I took good care not to make it too
close."

"What is the news? What reason have you for being here?" asked Leslie,
interrupting him.

"News enough," returned Leland, gloomily.

"Step in the boat and let me hear it."

As they passed down-stream, Leland narrated his story, and when he had
finished, remarked:

"Roland, I have sought you for advice and assistance, and I trust both
will be given."

"Gladly! Do you think, George, that I could rest as long as your sister
is in the hands of those savages?"

"Pardon me," returned Leland, "if I at all doubted. This affliction
weighs heavily upon me."

"I suspected this state of things," continued Leslie, "and it is the
reason that I hurried down-stream. Yet the uncer