earest the water, and then indulging his characteristic
chuckle again.

As we have hinted in the preceding pages, O'Hara was a most skillful
backwoodsman, having few superiors among those of his own color. When
he chose to exercise his wood-craft, the true cause of his being termed
a lucky hunter was apparent, it being nothing more than his wonderful
skill and shrewdness. But, remarkable as were those qualities in him,
he was by no means equal to the Huron. Those signs, invisible in the
deep labyrinths of the woods to common eyes, were as plain to him as
the printed pages of the book to the scholar. In the preceding chapter,
we have endeavored to give some idea of the skill he displayed when
these qualities were called into requisition. O'Hara, understanding
perfectly the superior ability of his dusky friend, relied upon him to
solve all difficulties that might arise, scarcely making any effort
himself to do so. This will account for his apparent ignorance of the
secrets of the forest, which, perhaps has been noticed by the reader.

"Shawnee fool--Miami fool--don't know notting," repeated the Huron.

"They don't know as much as you, that's sartin; but I've found more
than once they knowed enough to satisfy me."

"_He come out dere_," said Oonamoo, again.

Finding there was little chance of gaining what information he wished
from the Indian, O'Hara set about solving the difficulty himself. The
former having announced that Dernor had left the creek at this point,
it now remained for him to determine by what means he had thrown his
pursuers off the scent, as it was very manifest he had done. The ground
around the canoe was quite wet and spongy, showing the numerous
footprints with considerable distinctness. Among these, it was very
easy to distinguish that of the leader of the Riflemen. The instant
O'Hara saw this, he became aware of the curious fact that it was more
_recent than those of the Indian_, proving that Dernor had _followed
them_, instead of they having followed him! How this was accomplished,
the hunter was at a loss to determine, although, from the expression of
the Indian's face, he knew it was all plain to him.

"Lew has gone over this ground last," said O'Hara, "but how he has done
it, I can't see just now. How was it?"

"_Look under canoe_," said Oonamoo.

O'Hara's eyes opened, as he began to comprehend matters. He carefully
raised one end of the canoe, and saw at once that his leader had lain
ben