s blow on the
head with his paddle. The weapon, however, was made of light wood, and,
instead of felling him to the ground, broke into shivers. Springing
upon each other, they immediately engaged in a fierce struggle, in which
poor Harry learned, when too late, that his wounded shoulder was almost
powerless. Meanwhile, the Canadian, having been assaulted by three
Indians at once, floored one at the onset, and immediately began an
impromptu war-dance round the other two, dealing them occasionally a
kick or a blow, which would speedily have rendered them _hors de
combat_, had they not succeeded in closing upon him, when all three fell
heavily to the ground. Jacques and Charley, having succeeded in
overcoming their respective opponents, immediately hastened to his
rescue. In the meantime, Harry and his foe had struggled to a
considerable distance from the others, gradually edging towards the
river's bank. Feeling faint from his wound, the former at length sank
under the weight of his powerful antagonist, who endeavoured to thrust
him over a kind of cliff which they had approached. He was on the point
of accomplishing his purpose, when Charley and his friends perceived
Harry's imminent danger, and rushed to the rescue. Quickly though they
ran, however, it seemed likely that they would be too late. Harry's
head already overhung the bank, and the Indian was endeavouring to
loosen the gripe of the young man's hand from his throat, preparatory to
tossing him over, when a wild cry rang through the forest, followed by
the reports of a double-barrelled gun, fired in quick succession.
Immediately after, young Hamilton bounded like a deer down the slope,
seized the Indian by the legs, and tossed him over the cliff, where he
turned a complete somersault in his descent, and fell with a sounding
splash into the water.

"Well done, cleverly done, lad!" cried Jacques, as he and the rest of
the party came up and crowded round Harry, who lay in a state of partial
stupor on the bank.

At this moment Redfeather hastily but silently approached; his broad
chest was heaving heavily, and his expanded nostrils quivering with the
exertions he had made to reach the scene of action in time to succour
his friends.

"Thank God," said Hamilton, softly, as he kneeled beside Harry and
supported his head, while Charley bathed his temples--"thank God that I
have been in time! Fortunately I was walking by the river considerably
in advance of R