paused many times to gaze on the leaping surges and awful
billows that raged in fury two hundred feet beneath them, or to listen,
awe-struck, to the ceaseless thunder of falling waters, with which
earth and air quivered. Now, within three miles of the cataract, they
paused again on the brink of a lateral rent in the sheer wall of rock,
so deep and black as to have won for itself the name of Devil's Hole.
The road winding around the brink of this abyss was skirted on its
further side by a steep and densely wooded slope. It was indeed a
deadly place for an ambuscade, as several bodies of British troops
subsequently discovered to their sorrow, and the young soldiers
shuddered as they reflected upon its possibilities.

Suddenly, as they stood motionless and silent, Christie was amazed to
have his companion spring from his side as though he had been shot,
dart across the road, and disappear in the bushes beyond. There was a
momentary sound of crackling sticks and swishing branches, and then all
was still. Unable to account for this mysterious proceeding, and not
knowing what action to take, Ensign Christie stood motionless, where he
was left, for some minutes. Then Donald reappeared, walking down the
road as calmly as though nothing extraordinary had happened, though
breathing heavily from his recent exertions.

"The rascal was too quick for me," he said, as he rejoined his
companion.

"What rascal? What do you mean?" asked the bewildered ensign.

"I don't know; wish I did. All I know is that it was an Indian, and
that he was watching us. I noticed his tracks some distance back, and
also noticed that just before we reached this point they turned
abruptly into the underbrush. As we stood looking down that hole, I
heard a twig snap, and knew he was close at hand. I thought I might
surprise him, but, as I said, he was too quick for me, and I only
caught a flying glimpse of him as he disappeared."

"Well, it seems curious," meditated Christie, "but I neither noticed
any footprints nor heard a sound, save the thunder of yonder waters."

"It doesn't strike me so," replied Donald; "for if I had not been born
and brought up in the woods, I should not be apt to notice such things
either. As it is, I should feel very much ashamed not to have noticed
them. Now, I think we had best wait here for the rest of the party.
It is possible there may be mischief afoot. I wouldn't say anything to
needlessly alarm the paymaster