rtion as they
discovered that of the Indians diminishing, and the proposal was made
by one to wade over to the contrivance and demolish it. The better
sense of the others, however, prevailed, and they maintained the
defensive only.

As the raft came down-stream, it continued veering over to the shore so
much, that if it passed the wagon at all, it would do so by a safe
distance. All at once, as the expectant settlers were looking at it
with the most acute attention, some one called out:

"Look _under_ the concern."

All, of course, did so, and all distinctly saw in the clear water,
directly under the raft, some ten or twelve human feet walking along on
the bottom. Not only the feet themselves, but the legs, as far up as
the knees, could be seen, and they formed a most curious sight mixing
promiscuously together, as it seemed, while moving forward. The raft
thus had the appearance of some great aquatic monster, whose ridged
back floated on the surface, while his feet traversed the bottom. The
bodies of the Indians, of course, were above the current; but being
prone, the logs being arranged for that especial purpose, they were
effectually concealed from view.

In a moment, the raft floated over that portion of the river which had
been muddied by the passage of the wagon, and the feet of the Indians
became invisible. When they had crossed it, they were too far down to
be seen, and thus the logs went onward, moving so much faster than the
current that they left a wake behind them.

"All together now--once more!" said the older Smith, catching hold of
one of the wheels. The others did the same, and the oxen having had
sufficient rest the combined strength of all started the wagon, and a
few moments later it went up the bank on dry land and entered the
woods.

With a want of foresight that was unaccountable, the settlers had
failed to pay any further attention to the raft after it was fairly
below them. Perhaps it was the recollection of this that led the elder
Smith and one of his friends to walk down to the bank and look for it.
They descried it, lying against their own side of the creek, not more
than two hundred yards distant, and, at the very moment their eyes
rested upon it, they caught a shadowy glimpse of an Indian, as he
flitted noiselessly from it into the wood. As they waited and saw no
more, they rightly judged that he was the last one, the others having
landed entirely unobserved.

"That looks bad," sai