short distance from them. Her heart sank with grief. She felt the
probability that her father had been cut off with the rest of the brave
Tamoyos. Just then one of the Indians exclaimed, "See, see! a canoe
approaches." Constance cast a glance across the waters, and caught a
glimpse of a canoe emerging from the darkness. It rapidly approached
the beach. The shouts of the Indians showed that friends were on board.
Their hails were answered. In another moment Nigel leapt on shore.
Tecumah recognised him.

"Save her first--care not for me," he exclaimed.

Nigel was not likely to disobey such a command, and, taking Constance in
his arms, he bore her to the canoe.

"Oh, save our brave friend," she cried, as she pressed her lips to her
husband's, who immediately sprang back to the beach, and, listening not
to Tecumah's request to be allowed to die where he lay, he carried him,
with the assistance of the Indians who still had strength to exert
themselves, to the canoe.

Holding the steering paddle in her hands, stood Cora. The instant her
brother and Nigel were on board, she gave it a dexterous turn, and the
canoe shot away from the shore, impelled by the strokes of two lads who
formed the crew. Nigel and an Indian seized two other paddles, and with
all their strength urged on the canoe. There was no time to be lost;
already they could see a number of dark forms emerging from the wood,
while numerous bullets splashed into the water astern. The veil of
night would prove their best protection, and every effort was made to
get ahead. Cora, believing that they could no longer be seen, directed
the canoe on a different course, to one side parallel with the shore,
thus avoiding the bullets which were fired in the direction it had last
been seen. After going on for some distance, she again steered directly
for the opposite shore, which her keen sight could distinguish through
the darkness. Meantime, Constance, seated at the bottom of the canoe,
supported Tecumah's head. He gently took her hand, and pressed it to
his lips.

"I have more to thank you for than I can express by words," he
whispered, in a low, faltering voice. "I first followed a shadow, but
you showed me the glorious reality, and led me to Him, whom to know is
life eternal. I die happy, resting in His love, with the thought also
that I have preserved your life to be a blessing to one who is worthy of
you. I am going quickly, but do not mourn aloud,