o thick that they formed a canopy, and, as
he heard the drops fall upon them, it was like the rain on a roof, that
soothes the one beneath its shelter.

Distant lightning flared once or twice, and low thunder rolled along the
southern horizon, but both soon ceased, and then a rain, not hard, but
cold and persistent, began to fall, coming straight down. Henry saw that
it might last all night, but he merely eased himself a little in the
canoe, drew the edges of the blanket around his chin, and let his
eyelids droop.

The rain was now seeping through the leafy canopy of green, but he did
not care. It could not penetrate the close fiber of the blanket, and the
fur cap drawn far down on his head met the blanket. Only his face was
uncovered, and when a cold drop fell upon it, it was to him, hardened by
forest life, cool and pleasant to the touch.

Although the eyelids still drooped, he did not yet feel the tendency to
sleep. It was merely a deep, luxurious rest, with the body completely
relaxed, but with the senses alert. The wind ceased to blow, and the
rain came down straight with an even beat that was not unmusical. No
other sound was heard in the forest, as the ripple of the river at the
edges was merged into it. Henry began to feel the desire for sleep by
and by, and, laying the paddle across the boat in such a way that it
sheltered his face, he closed his eyes. In five minutes he would have
been sleeping as soundly as a man in a warm bed under a roof, but with
a quick motion he suddenly put the paddle aside and raised himself a
little in the canoe, while one hand slipped down under the folds of the
blanket to the hammer of his rifle.

His ear had told him in time that there was a new sound on the river. He
heard it faintly above the even beat of the rain, a soft sound, long and
sighing, but regular. He listened, and then he knew it. It was made by
oars, many of them swung in unison, keeping admirable time.

Henry did not yet feel fear, although it must be a long boat full of
Indian warriors, as it was not likely, that anybody else would be abroad
upon these waters at such a time. He made no attempt to move. Where he
lay it was black as the darkest cave, and his cool judgment told him
that there was no need of flight.

The regular rhythmic beat of the oars came nearer, and presently as he
looked through the covert of leaves the dusky outline of a great war
canoe came into view. It contained at least twenty warriors