he had
been standing, and then sprung out into the deeper water, sinking like
a stone from sight. When he came to the surface, he brought something
with him, which proved to be a canoe. With this he swam to the tree,
where he righted and turned the water from it. A paddle was secured in
it. Taking his seat, the canoe went skimming like a swallow over the
water toward the opposite swamp.

Reaching this, he shot in among the trees, avoiding them with as much
ease and dexterity as would a bird on the wing. Going a hundred yards
in this manner, he arose in his canoe and looked around. A shade of
displeasure crossed his face, apparently of disappointment at not
discovering some person or object for whom he was looking. Waiting a
moment, he placed his thumb on his mouth, and gave utterance to a low,
tremulous whistle, an exact imitation of a bird often found in the
American swamps. A moment later, there came a response exactly the
same, except that it sounded fainter and a considerable distance away.
The moment it caught the ear of the Huron, he reseated himself and
folded his arms in the attitude of patient waiting.

Scarce five minutes had elapsed, when the plash of another paddle was
heard, and a second canoe made its appearance, carefully approaching
that of the Huron. In it was seated an Indian boy, not more than
twelve years of age, who handled it with a skill scarcely second to
that of his father, Oonomoo.

"Niniotan, my son, is late," said the latter, sternly, as the boy came
alongside.

[Illustration: "Niniotan, my son, is late."]

"I was chasing a deer this morning, and was carried further in the
woods than I thought," meekly replied the boy.

"Has the Moravian missionary given Niniotan two tongues that he should
think Oonomoo speaks idle words?"

"Niniotan does not think so," said the son, in a humble voice of
thrilling sweetness.

"Oonomoo said when the sun was over yonder tree-top he would be waiting
for his boy Niniotan. He waited, but Niniotan was not here."

The son of the Huron warrior bowed his head as if he had nothing to say
to the merited rebuke. The father took his seat in the canoe of his
son, who carried him rapidly forward through the swamp, for perhaps a
quarter of a mile further, when the ground became so solid that they
landed and walked upon it. The grass was green and luxuriant, the
trees stood close together, and in some places the shrubbery seemed
almost impenetrable.