rom which he could easily step on board without
being seen. "I will tell you more when we are away," she added, "but if
any one is awake and asks where you are going, you can let them
understand that you are about to fish in the stream, and my people will
not be surprised, as it is my chief occupation. I have no pleasure in
working with the squaws, who have little love for me, because I am the
favourite of my grandfather, who allows me to do what I like."

Such, in substance, was what the young girl said to Oliver. He promised
faithfully to obey her injunctions, and to be ready to accompany her at
the time she had fixed on. He had some difficulty in going to sleep for
thinking of the expedition he was to make on the morrow, but he at
length succeeded in dropping off. After sleeping for some time he
opened his eyes, and feeling broad awake, crept out of the hut, thinking
that it was time to set out; but as he could see the sentries at their
posts--for Roger judged it wise to place men on the watch lest the
Indians might play them false--he waited till the one next him had moved
to the end of his beat, and then keeping under the shade of the huts,
stole down towards the river's bank. Moving on cautiously, he soon
reached the spot at which the girl had told him to wait for her.
Sitting down, he gazed at the stream which rippled by in front of him,
ere it joined the broad river on his right. The murmuring of the water
as it sounded in his ears soon had the not unusual effect of sending him
off again to sleep. He awoke with a start on hearing a gentle voice
calling to him. Rubbing his eyes as he looked round, he saw the shadowy
form of the maiden standing up in her canoe, just below his feet.
Forgetting its frail structure, he was about to leap into it, when she,
observing his intention, exclaimed in a louder voice than she would
otherwise have used--

"Stay, stay, or you will break through the canoe, and put a stop to our
expedition."

Oliver, taking her hand, which she extended to him, stepped carefully
into the canoe, and seated himself at her bidding. As he did so, she
turned the canoe away from the bank, and the next instant they were in
the broader river.

"We will first steer down the stream," she whispered, "and then cross to
the opposite side, lest any one should have seen us. Take the paddle
you will find at your feet."

Oliver looked towards the shore, but could see no one, and felt
therefore sati