d ascended it a good distance before they reached
it; and, unlike the shrewd Huron, they were deceived by the artifice he
had practiced, believing that he had either crossed the stream, or gone
down it. In this manner he gained a start sufficient to accomplish all
he desired.

O'Hara was just on the point of framing his mouth to ask a suppressed
question, when Oonamoo, who was several feet in advance, suddenly
paused and raised his hand over his head, as a signal that silence and
caution were now necessary.

CHAPTER X.

THE PURSUIT OF THE PURSUERS.

The red-breast, perched in arbor green,
Sad minstrel of the quiet scene,
While hymning, for the dying sun,
Strains like a broken-hearted one,
Raised not her mottled wings to fly,
As swept those silent warriors by.--W. H. C. HOSMER.

The Huron stood a moment as motionless as a statue; then, bending
slowly forward, still holding one hand partly raised as a signal for
the hunter to retain his immobility, he took several steps forward, so
lightly and cautiously that there was absolutely no sound at all
produced. He then sunk slowly downward, and seemed to concentrate all
his faculties into the single one of sight. This lasted but a moment,
when he arose to the upright position, and, turning his head, signified
to O'Hara that he might approach. The latter did so, and immediately
saw the cause of his cautious movements. Drawn up on the bank, so as to
be entirely free of the water, with the bottom turned upward, lay an
Indian's canoe. It was made of bark, beautifully shaped, and it was
evident had not been used for a considerable time.

They silently surveyed this object for some time, when Oonamoo, who had
also been examining the earth around it gave vent to a chuckling,
guttural laugh--a sure sign that he had made some discovery which
delighted him hugely. It would have been an amusing sight for any one
to have seen this expression of pleasure upon the dark, stoical face of
the Huron. There was scarcely a change of his features, but such as was
perceptible would have been mistaken by an ordinary observer as an
evidence that he was undergoing some physical pain.

"What is the matter? what is it that pleases you, Oonamoo?" asked
O'Hara, considerably puzzled to understand the cause.

"Shawnee fool--Miami fool--don't know notting."

"What makes you think so?"

"_He come out dere!_" he replied, pointing at the end of the canoe
which lay n