our-footed beasts; his
lake into a beaver pond; his cataract into a dam, constructed by those
industrious and ingenious quadrupeds; and a suspected enemy into his
tried friend, David Gamut, the master of psalmody. The presence of the
latter created so many unexpected hopes relative to the sisters that,
without a moment's hesitation, the young man broke out of his ambush,
and sprang forward to join the two principal actors in the scene.

The merriment of Hawkeye was not easily appeased. Without ceremony, and
with a rough hand, he twirled the supple Gamut around on his heel, and
more than once affirmed that the Hurons had done themselves great credit
in the fashion of his costume. Then, seizing the hand of the other, he
squeezed it with a grip that brought tears into the eyes of the placid
David, and wished him joy of his new condition.

"You were about opening your throat-practisings among the beavers, were
ye?" he said. "The cunning devils know half the trade already, for they
beat the time with their tails, as you heard just now; and in good time
it was, too, or 'killdeer' might have sounded the first note among
them. I have known greater fools, who could read and write, than an
experienced old beaver; but as for squalling, the animals are born dumb!
What think you of such a song as this?"

David shut his sensitive ears, and even Heyward apprised as he was of
the nature of the cry, looked upward in quest of the bird, as the cawing
of a crow rang in the air about them.

"See!" continued the laughing scout, as he pointed toward the remainder
of the party, who, in obedience to the signal, were already approaching;
"this is music which has its natural virtues; it brings two good rifles
to my elbow, to say nothing of the knives and tomahawks. But we see that
you are safe; now tell us what has become of the maidens."

"They are captives to the heathen," said David; "and, though greatly
troubled in spirit, enjoying comfort and safety in the body."

"Both!" demanded the breathless Heyward.

"Even so. Though our wayfaring has been sore and our sustenance scanty,
we have had little other cause for complaint, except the violence done
our feelings, by being thus led in captivity into a far land."

"Bless ye for these very words!" exclaimed the trembling Munro; "I shall
then receive my babes, spotless and angel-like, as I lost them!"

"I know not that their delivery is at hand," returned the doubting
David; "the leader of