business. The only
thing I see for it is to make right out beyond sight of land, and then
push on as fast as we can. Fortunately they don't know anything about
our sail, and as they left us so fast just now they will reckon that we
cannot make much more than two miles an hour; while, when we get the
wind, we can go six if we help with the paddles. We may as well keep on
as we are at present, as if determined to keep near the land till, at
any rate, we are some distance past the mouth of the river. There is not
likely to be another of their camps for some distance along, for, of
course, they would always be near a river, as they must have water for
themselves and their reindeer."

Paddling quietly, they continued on their course until they had passed
the mouth of the river. When they had gone half a mile they saw nine
canoes, each containing one man, come out from the river and follow
them.

"They mean to stick to us," Godfrey said uneasily. "I'm afraid we are
going to have a lot of trouble with them, Luka."

After paddling for another two hours they turned their heads seaward.
The canoes did the same. In four hours more the land had almost
disappeared, but the clump of canoes still maintained their position
behind them.

"It is of no use going out any further, Luka. We are a long way out of
sight of any one on shore now. Now let us head west again." An hour
later one of the canoes left the group and paddled rapidly towards the
land.

"That is what their game is," Godfrey said. "They have sent off to tell
their friends ashore the course we are taking, and do what we will they
will keep them informed of it. We may have a fleet of canoes out at any
moment after us. Do you think we could leave them behind if we were to
cast off the boat?"

Luka shook his head decidedly. "No; their canoes are very small; paddle
quick, much quicker than we could."

"She is very fast, Luka."

"Yes; but too many things on board. If we threw over everything--food,
and kettles, and dog, and furs--we might go as fast as they could; but
even then I think they would beat us."

"Well, we won't try that anyhow, Luka; I would rather risk a fight than
that. I don't see anything to do but to wait for the wind. It is not
often calm like this long, and we have had it three or four days
already. If we do get a wind we can certainly beat them by cutting loose
the boat."

"Beat them anyhow," Luka said. "With wind and paddles they might keep up