the breeze for a few seconds, the foremost animal took
the water, and commenced swimming towards the opposite shore of the
lake, which at this particular spot was narrow. It was followed by
seven others. After sufficient time was permitted to elapse to render
their being cut off, in an attempt to return, quite certain, the three
canoes darted from the shelter of the overhanging bushes, and sprang
lightly over the water in pursuit.

"Don't hurry, and strike sure," cried Jacques to his young friends, as
they came up with the terrified deer that now swam for their lives.

"Ay, ay," was the reply.

In another moment they shot in among the struggling group. Harry
Somerville stood up, and seizing the Indian's spear, prepared to strike,
while his companions directed their course towards others of the herd.
A few seconds sufficed to bring him up with it. Leaning backwards a
little, so as to give additional force to the blow, he struck the spear
deep into the animal's back. With a convulsive struggle, it ceased to
swim, its head sank slowly, and in another second it lay dead upon the
water. Without waiting a moment, the Indian immediately directed the
canoe towards another deer; while the remainder of the party, now
considerably separated from each other, dispatched the whole herd by
means of axes and knives.

"Ha!" exclaimed Jacques, as they towed their booty to the shore, "that's
a good stock o' meat, Mister Charles. It will help to furnish the
larder for the winter pretty well."

"It was much wanted, Jacques: we've a good many mouths to feed, besides
_treating_ the Indians now and then. And this fellow, I think, will
claim the most of the hunt as his own. We should not have got the deer
but for him."

"True, true, Mister Charles. They belong to the redskin by rights,
that's sartin."

After this exploit, another night was passed under the trees; and at
noon on the day following they ran their canoe alongside the wooden
wharf at Stoney Creek.

"Good-day to you, gentlemen," said Mr Whyte to Harry and Hamilton as
they landed; "I've been looking out for you these two weeks past. Glad
you've come at last, however. Plenty to do, and no time to lose. You
have dispatches, of course. Ah! that's right," (Harry drew a sealed
packet from his bosom and presented it with a bow), "that's right. I
must peruse these at once.--Mr Kennedy, you will show these gentlemen
their quarters. We dine in half an hour." So sayin