ober moments, would have only excited his ridicule.

Strange as it may seem for such a person to have been guilty of such an
idea, Leslie had not pondered upon the absorbing topic for any length of
time before he deliberately came to the conclusion to rescue Rosalind in
the course of three days, to rebuild her old home, and settle down with
her for the rest of his life! Of course the savages would never disturb
him, and he should be, without doubt, the happiest mortal in existence!

He was suddenly awakened from his reverie by the faint report of
Leland's rifle. It sounded fully a mile distant, and the certainty of
his danger made him tremble with apprehension. George, as he feared, had
forgotten the warning given him, and, in the excitement, had
unconsciously wandered to a greater distance than he supposed. In all
probability he was lost, and would be obliged to seek the river and
follow it in order to find Leslie. This would require time, and he had
already exposed himself to danger by firing his gun.

Although Roland had promised to fire upon hearing Leland, yet he
forebore to do it. The difference which a half-hour would make in the
probability of Kent's hearing his own gun, would be in his favor. He
supposed that Leland, upon discharging his piece, had instantly set out
to return, and he wished to give him almost sufficient time to reach
him.

Anxiously and painfully Roland listened, with his finger upon the
trigger of his gun; and, as minute after minute wore away without a
sound reaching him, he began to hope that Leland could be at no great
distance.

A few more minutes were passed, when Roland concluded that the time for
firing his signal had arrived. It would serve to guide Leland, and, had
he not deceived himself, would reach the ears of Kent. Standing up in
the boat, he raised the gun above his head, and was already pressing the
trigger, when he paused, as he heard the sharp crack of Leland's rifle
at no great distance. He waited a few seconds, until the echo had died
away, and then discharged his own.

He remained stationary a moment, as though to permit the sound to escape
entirely from his rifle. Then, reseating himself, proceeded to reload
it. This done, he impatiently listened for a returning signal. He had
placed a great deal of reliance and hope upon that shot, and, as he now
was so soon to learn whether it had accomplished what he wished, he
could not keep down his fearful anxiety.

He was ne