the Canadian, who, advancing with a long stick in his
hand, resolved to push it underwater; but just as he was about to risk
this attempt, what he had predicted took place. A shower of balls and
arrows flew towards them; though these shots seemed rather intended to
terrify than to kill them.

"They are determined," said Bois-Rose, "only to take us alive!"

The fire almost touched the island, a few minutes and it would be
alight, when with the rapidity of lightning, Bois-Rose glided into the
water and disappeared. Shouts rose from each side of the river, when
the Indians, as well as Fabian and Pepe, saw the floating mass tremble
under his powerful grasp. The fire blazed up brightly for a moment,
then the water hissed and the mass of flame was extinguished in foam,
until darkness and fog once more spread their sombre covering over the
river. The blackened tree, turned from its course, passed by the
island, while, amidst the howls of the Indians Bois-Rose rejoined his
friends. The whole island shook under his efforts to get back upon it.

"Howl at your ease," cried he, "you have not captured as yet; but," he
added, in a more serious tone, "shall we be always as lucky?"

Indeed, although this danger was surmounted, how many remained to be
conquered! Who could foresee what new stratagems the Indians might
employ against them? These reflections damped their first feeling of
triumph. All at once Pepe started up, crying out as he did so:

"Bois-Rose, Fabian, we are saved!"

"Saved!" said Bois-Rose, "what do you mean?"

"Did you not remark how a few hours ago the whole islet trembled under
our hands when we tore away some branches to fortify ourselves with, and
how you yourself made it shake just now? well, I thought once of making
a raft, but now I believe we three can uproot the whole island and set
it floating. The fog is thick, the night dark and to-morrow--"

"We shall be far from here!" cried Bois-Rose. "To work! to work! we
have no time to spare, for the rising wind indicates the approach of
morning, and the river does not run more than three knots an hour."

"So much the better, the movement will be less visible."

The brave Canadian grasped the hands of his comrades as he rose to his
feet.

"What are you going to do?" said Fabian, "cannot we three uproot the
island, as Pepe said?"

"Doubtless, Fabian, but we risk breaking, it in pieces, and our safety
depends upon keeping it together. It is, per