reach it in a few
moments, but he stirred not. In the interval of his absence Onontio
might leave the island, and go, he knew not whither, and his watch for
the day would be in vain. And now the lengthening shadows were falling
towards the east. The middle of the afternoon had arrived.

It was then Ohquamehud saw Holden, or Onontio, as he called him, leave
his cabin and enter the canoe. Its bow was turned toward that bank of
the river on which the Indian was concealed, but somewhat higher up
the stream, and, impelled by a vigorous arm, the light boat skimmed
rapidly over the water. It passed so near to the Indian, that a bullet
sent from a steady aim must have brought inevitable death, and the
thought crossed the mind of the lurking spy, whether it were not
better to fire from his ambush, but the recollection of his adventure
on the island, and of his offering to the Manito of the Falls,
occurred to him, and he allowed the tempting opportunity to escape.

Holden having run the canoe upon a sandy beach that curved in between
two rocks, fastened it by a rope to a heavy stone, and pursued his
course along the shore in the direction of the village. The Indian
followed at a distance in the woods, taking care to keep his own
person concealed, but that of the pursued in sight. Ohquamehud had no
means of determining from the movements of Holden, for a considerable
time, what were his intentions, whether to enter the village or go to
the Falls, but when he reached the spot where, if his design had been
to do the latter, he would have turned to the left, to the Indian's
bitter disappointment, he advanced up the road to the right.
Ohquamehud pretty much gave up all hope of succeeding in his design
that day, but, notwithstanding, still continued his observation.
Holden did not proceed far before he entered a small house that stood
by the roadside. (This delay, as we shall presently observe, was
attended with important consequences.) The person whom the Solitary
wanted to see was, probably, not at home, but whatever may have been
the reason, he presently left the house, and retracing his steps,
struck off, to the delight of Ohquamehud, across the fields, and in a
direction towards the Yaupaae. The Indian waited until Holden was out
of sight, hidden by the woods on the opposite side of the field, when
he slowly followed, looking around, as if in search of game. Having
reached the woods, he seemed to think it necessary to use greater