"Some Injin deviltry!" muttered the older Smith, as he lay on his face
with the other settlers. "It'll be dangerous to be too curious. Jest
keep an eye on the concern, from where you lie, and if you see a
top-knot, blaze away."

At this moment, a low whistle from the scouts on the opposite bank
warned all that this was no time for carelessness; and ceasing their
whispered remarks, the men turned their whole attention toward the
object in question. The children were all lying down in the wagon, and
the women crouched so low that no stray shot could reach them. The
greatest worriment was over the oxen. As they stood, lazily chewing
their cuds, their horns and eyes could be plainly seen from the creek,
so that any foes concealed in the raft could shoot one or all of them,
and thus inflict an irreparable injury upon the whites. Although it was
possible that such an occurrence might take place, yet it was hardly
probable the shots would be expended upon such "small" game.

When directly opposite the settlers, the logs in question underwent a
most searching scrutiny from both shores, the result of which was the
conviction that no human being was nearer the suspicious object than
those engaged in scrutinizing it. Whatever had been the intention of
the Indians--for Indians undoubtedly they were who had formed the
raft--they had declined to risk their own persons upon it, as it
drifted down the current. This was so plain, that Laughlin called out:

"You needn't be skeart, boys, there's no Injin _thar_; so jest drive in
and cross."

"Take another look first," cried out one of the settlers. "There are
Indians _somewhere_ in these parts, for those trees never grew together
like that."

The advice of the settler was so sensible and timely, that Laughlin and
Smith acted upon it at once, withdrawing some yards from the stream and
proceeding some distance up it, with the same caution that had
characterized all their movements. The result of this reconnoissance
was the same as the other. If there were any savages at all in the
vicinity, they were so carefully concealed that the skill of the two
whites could avail nothing in discovering them. This being reported,
preparations were resumed for crossing.

It should be remarked, that the creek, a short distance above the
fording-place, made a bend, thus limiting the view of the whites
considerably. This being the case, the other son of Smith stationed
himself at this curve, to give