Howard, as the
Newfoundland sprung into the larger boat and nestled down near the
stern.

Our friends were not long in imitating the action of the dog. Tim made
as if to step into the Indian's boat, but he motioned him back, and took
his seat in the front of the larger canoe. The savage now produced a
cord, probably the tendon of some wild animal, with which he speedily
fastened the prow of the larger canoe to the stem of his own.

This done he turned the head down stream and began using his paddle with
the same wonderful dexterity he had displayed during the afternoon. The
boys watched and admired his skill for a long time. The faint moon
barely revealed the shores on either hand, stretching away in misty
gloom, while all before and behind them was darkness.

The muscular arms of Shasta appeared to be as tireless as the
piston-rods of an engine, and at last our friends grow weary of watching
him. The boys became drowsy, and they finally lay down in the bottom of
the boat, with their blanket over them, and went to sleep.

In the course of an hour Tim did the same, and the Pah Utah was this
left alone to ply the canoe, the Newfoundland now and then raising his
head and looking over the edge as if to satisfy himself that all was
right.

Once near the middle of the night Elwood awoke, and pushing his blanket
from his face, raised himself on his elbow and looked around. The same
picture met his eye--the dark-hued Shasta, his long hair streaming over
his shoulders, the blanket down to his waist, and his bronzed arms
working with the silence, skill and regularity of a perfect machine.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

A PAH UTAH'S METHOD OF FISHING.

The gray light of dawn was spreading over the wood and river when Elwood
Brandon again opened his eyes. He was somewhat startled to see nothing
of the Pah Utah, although his canoe was still in the advance; but a
second look showed that they were resting against the bank, and the
Indian lay asleep in the front of his boat, his body and face covered
entirely by his somber-hued blanket.

"No doubt he needs rest, and so I will not wake him!" was Elwood's
thought, as he carefully raised himself to the sitting position. But he
had scarcely moved when the end of Shasta's blanket was raised, and the
boy saw his dark eyes fixed inquiringly upon him. Satisfied that there
was nothing wrong the blanket dropped again and all was still.

Elwood now looked around. Howard was sleeping sound