pairs of arms, no
matter how strong or expert, are no match for twelve, and the hunter
frowned as he glanced back now and then.

"Only three rifleshots now," he muttered, "and before long it will be
but two. But we have better weapons than theirs, and ours can speak
fast. Easy now, lads! We mustn't wear ourselves out!"

Robert made his strokes slower. The perspiration was standing on his
face, and his breath was growing painful, but he remembered in time the
excellence of Willet's advice. The gain of the long canoe increased more
rapidly, but the three were accumulating strength for a great spurt. The
pursuit and flight, hitherto, had been made in silence, but now the
Hurons, for such their paint proved them to be, uttered a long war
whoop, full of anticipation and triumph, a cry saying plainly that they
expected to have three good scalps soon. It made Robert's pulse leap
with anger.

"They haven't taken us yet," he said.

Willet laughed.

"Don't let 'em make you lose your temper," he said. "No, they haven't
taken us, and we've escaped before from such places just as tight. They
make faster time than we can, Robert, but our three rifles here will
have a word or two to say."

After the single war whoop the warriors relapsed into silence and plied
their paddles, sure now of their prey. They were experts themselves and
their paddles swept the water in perfect unison, while the long canoe
gradually cut down the distance between it and the little craft ahead.

"Two rifle shots," said the hunter, "and when it becomes one, as it
surely will, I'll have to give 'em a hint with a bullet."

"It's possible,"' said Robert, "that a third power will intervene."

"What do you mean?" asked Willet.

"The storm's coming back. Look up!"

It was true. The sky was darkening again, and the clouds were gathering
fast over the mountains on the west. Already lightning was quivering
along the slopes, and the forest was beginning to rock with the wind.
The air rapidly grew heavier and darker. Their own canoe was quivering,
and Robert saw that the long canoe was rising and falling with the
waves.

"Looks as if it might be a question of skill with the paddles rather
than with the rifles," said Willet tersely.

"But they are still gaining," said Tayoga, "even though the water is so
rough."

"Aye," said Willet, "and unless the storm bursts in full power they'll
soon be within rifle shot."

He watched with occasional keen backward