looks, and in a few minutes he
snatched up his rifle, took a quick aim and fired. The foremost man in
the long canoe threw up his arms, and fell sideways into the water. The
canoe stopped entirely for a moment or two, but then the others,
uttering a long, fierce yell of rage, bent to their paddles with a
renewed effort. The three had made a considerable gain during their
temporary check, but it could not last long. Willet again looked for a
chance to land, but the cliffs rose above them sheer and impossible.

"We are in the hands of Manitou," said Tayoga, gravely. "He will save
us. Look, how the storm gathers! Perhaps it was sent back to help us."

The Onondaga spoke with the utmost earnestness. It was not often that a
storm returned so quickly, and accepting the belief that Manitou
intervened in the affairs of earth, he felt that the second convulsion
of nature was for their benefit. Owing to the great roughness of the
water their speed now decreased, but not more than that of the long
canoe, the rising wind compelling them to use their paddles mostly for
steadiness. The spray was driven like sleet in their faces, and they
were soon wet through and through, but they covered the rifles and
ammunition with their blankets, knowing that when the storm passed they
would be helpless unless they were kept dry.

The Hurons fired a few shots, all of which fell short or wide, and then
settled down with all their numbers to the management of their canoe,
which was tossing dangerously. Robert noticed their figures were growing
dim, and then, as the storm struck with full violence for the second
time, the darkness came down and hid them.

"Now," shouted Willet, as the wind whistled and screamed in their ears,
"we'll make for the middle of the lake!"

Relying upon their surpassing skill with the paddle, they chose a most
dangerous course, so far as the risk of wreck was concerned, but they
intended that the long canoe should pass them in the dusk, and then they
would land in the rear. The waves were higher as they went toward the
center of the lake, but they were in no danger of being dashed against
the cliffs, and superb work with the paddles kept them from being
swamped. Luckily the darkness endured, and, as they were able to catch
through it no glimpse of the long canoe, they had the certainty of being
invisible themselves.

"Why not go all the way across to the eastern shore?" shouted Robert.
"We may find anchorage there,