every precaution to maintain his physical powers. He did not dress, but
he rubbed thoroughly every part of his body that he could reach. Then he
flexed and tensed his muscles until he had thrown off every chance of
chill, after which he lowered himself into the water, and pushed out
with his raft once more.

He turned the angle of land and entered the Licking, a narrow, deep, and
muddy stream, lined there, like all the other rivers of that region,
with high and thick forests. Ahead of him, he saw in the stream a half
dozen boats with warriors, yet he continued his course towards the
cordon, keeping his float very close to the western banks. It is said
that fortune favors the daring, and Henry had often proved the truth of
it. Once more the saying held good. Clouds heavier and thicker than any
of the others floated up and plunged river and shores into deeper
obscurity. Henry believed that if he could avoid all noise, he might, by
hugging the bank, get by.

He went in so close to the shore that he could wade, but finding that he
was likely to become tangled among bushes and vines, thus making sounds
which the warriors would not fail to hear, he returned to deeper water.
Now the most critical moment of the river gauntlet was approaching. He
saw about one hundred yards before him, and directly across his course,
a boat containing two warriors. The space between this boat and the
western shore was not more than thirty yards. Could he pass them,
unseen? The chances were against it, but he resolved to try.

Swimming silently, he approached the opening. He had sunk deep in the
water again, with only one hand on the float, and there was yet nothing
from the boat to indicate that the two warriors had either seen or heard
him. Despite all his experience, his heart beat very fast, and his hand
on the float trembled. But he had no thought of going back. Now he was
almost parallel with the boat. Now, he was parallel, and the watchful
eye of one of the warriors caught a glimpse of the darker object on the
surface of the dark water. He stared a moment in surprise, and then with
a yell of warning to his comrade, raised his rifle and fired at the
swimming head.

Henry had seen the upraised rifle, and diving instantly, he swam with
all his might up stream. As he went down, he heard the bullet go zip
upon the water. Knowing that he could not save his little craft, he had
loosed his hold upon it and swam under water as long as he could.