"You call them savages," observed Canochet; "but remember, except that
they do not possess firearms, they are as brave and warlike as you are;
and as they know the country and are full of cunning, they are not to be
despised. Take my advice: do not be tempted to quit your present
position till I return with my people. Depend on it, it will be their
endeavour to draw you away, so that they may attack you when you are
encamping in the forest or open ground."

"Your advice seems good, my friend," answered Rolfe; "but suppose you
are delayed? We shall starve here, unless we can procure food."

"Trust to my return before that time arrives," answered Canochet; "I
will endeavour to supply your wants. I must no longer delay, as every
moment is precious. It is my belief that you will be attacked this
night, so be on the watch. However hard pressed by numbers, do not
yield."

"You may depend on our holding out to the last," answered Rolfe; and the
Indian, without further remark, descended the hill, making his way down
among the rocks, so that, had any one been watching at a distance, he
could not have been discovered. Almost before he had reached the bottom
of the hill he had disappeared, and even Gilbert's keen eyes could not
detect him as he rapidly penetrated into the forest.

"If Canochet has spoken the truth, we have had a narrow escape,"
observed Vaughan. "We shall do well to take his advice and to remain
here, whether we are attacked or not, till his return."

To the wisdom of this, Rolfe and Roger Layton agreed, eager as they were
to hasten to the rescue of Captain Smith. Having completed their
fortifications as far as their materials would permit, six of their
party were told off to keep watch, while the rest lay down to sleep.

Roger took command of the first watch, for he suspected that the Indians
would attack them during the early part of the night. On going round to
the sentries, he found them standing upright, their figures clearly
discernible against the sky to any one approaching on the plain below.
Pointing out to them the danger to which they thus exposed themselves,
he directed them to crouch down, so that an enemy might have no mark at
which to aim.

"I fear, sir, that some of our fellows may be apt to fall asleep,"
observed Ben Tarbox, who was one of those in the first watch.

"Do not trouble yourselves about that," answered Roger; "I will take
good care that they keep awake. If any one