he had decided the events which had occurred and
the course we had pursued, and was thus able to look for us in the right
direction. Had he not found us there, he would have visited other
places which he mentioned, where we might have taken refuge. As he was
leaving the hills the farmer's wife had given him a supply of food for
us, and on his producing it our hunger was soon satisfied. We now told
him of our anxiety about our father and Sam Dawes. He listened
attentively, and then shook his head.

"They and the cattle never reached the hills," he observed. "We will
search for them. There are still some hours of daylight. If the house
has held together, they will be found much further down than this."

I fancied by the Indian's manner that his hopes were slight. We now
shoved off from the little island which had afforded us so valuable a
refuge, and Sigenok and his companion paddled off at a rapid rate to the
north. Anxious as I was, I soon fell asleep, and so I believe did
Malcolm for a short time. I was aroused by a shout from Sigenok. I
lifted up my head and saw a dark object in the distance rising above the
water.

"It is our house!" exclaimed Malcolm, "Sigenok says so. Oh, that our
father may be there!"

We kept our eyes anxiously fixed on the distant object. It was growing
dusk. Malcolm said that he saw something moving on it.

"Man there, alive!" observed Sigenok.

Our hopes were raised; but he spoke only of one man. How long the time
appeared occupied in reaching the spot! Even through the gloom we could
now distinguish the outline of our log hut, which had grounded on a bank
among some strong fences and brushwood, and was now fixed securely,
partly tilted over.

"Who is there? who is there?" we shouted. "Father, father! we are
Malcolm and Harry!"

"Woe's me, young masters, your father is not here," said a voice which,
hollow and husky as it was, we recognised as that of Sam Dawes. We were
soon up to our hut, to the roof of which Sam was clinging. The Indians
lifted him into the canoe, for he had scarcely strength to help himself.

"But our father, Sam! our father!" we exclaimed. "Where is he? what has
happened?"

"He no speak till he eat," observed Sigenok, after he had secured the
canoe to the hut.

We took the hint, and gave him some food. In a short time he revived,
and told us that our father, after we went away, would not believe that
the water would rise higher, and that