ered made his companions
look in the same direction.

"We shall have to try your plan, Fenton," he said in a tone which lacked
not cheerfulness. "Father, under your eye we shall fight with
confidence."

"We have time, at all events, to choose our ground," said Captain
Audley, looking round; "yonder tree by the river's bank will serve our
purpose, and at the last, should your ammunition fail, and my arrows all
be shot away, we may plunge into the stream and swim along it till we
gain the opposite bank, whence we can float down the current on a raft
till we meet our countrymen, encamped, as I hear, some leagues on--
though I know not their exact position." This was said as they were
making their way towards a huge tree the roots of which projecting far
into the water, left the ground on the near side sufficiently smooth to
enable them to slip round it for the purpose of firing. As they had
seen the Indians, they knew that they must themselves have been
discovered. They had but little time to wait, for the savages with loud
cries were rapidly approaching, exhibiting on their spears the scalps
they had that morning taken from their unsuspecting foes, surprised in
the village.

Gilbert and Fenton quickly loaded and stood ready to fire directly an
arrow should be drawn against them. The savages, however, having got
almost, within range of their pieces, halted, unwilling to expose
themselves to the deadly balls, of whose searching power they had so
much dread. Gilbert, who lay sheltered by a high root, observed the
larger portion of them moving away to the left, evidently with the
intention of surrounding the tree which now afforded them shelter.

"The cunning redskins think they have us in a trap," he said; "but the
tree will still serve our purpose and those who approach will pay dear
for their boldness."

The Indians, however, still kept at a distance, though he caught sight
of them moving round the clumps of trees towards the east. He and
Fenton stood ready with their pieces to pick off the first who should
venture near enough to be reached. At length they appeared, advancing
under such shelter as the trees afforded, each Indian with an arrow in
his bow ready to shoot.

"Now," cried Gilbert, "my piece covers one of their chief men; have you
marked another?"

The Indians at that instant set up one of those fearful yells which they
use to intimidate their foes. It was replied to by a cheer which could
come