taking us by surprise; but, when he saw you joined us, he would send
back for perhaps a couple more."

"Then what I would suggest," James said, "is, that we should at once
stroll down to our canoe, put it in the water, and paddle out a few
hundred yards, and there let down the lines we have got on board, and
begin to fish. As long as we are quiet there, the redskins may not
interfere with us, and, when it gets dark, we can make off. At the
worst, we have a chance for it, and it seems to me anything would be
better than this sort of wandering about, when we know that, at any
time, we may have them down upon us."

"Perhaps that is the best plan," Nat said. "What do you think,
Jonathan?"

Jonathan gave an assenting grunt, and they turned their faces towards
the lake, still walking at the same leisurely pace. Not once did any of
the three look back. As they neared the water, James found the
temptation very strong to do so, but he restrained it, and sauntered
along as carelessly as ever.

The canoe was lifted from its hiding place and put in the water. As
they were about to step in, the bushes parted, and the Owl stood beside
them.

"Where are my brothers going?" he asked quietly.

"We are going fishing," Nat answered. "The noise in the woods will have
frightened game away."

"There is food in the camp," the Owl said. "The French give food to
their brothers, the redskins."

"My white brother wants fish," Nat said quietly, "and we have told him
we will catch him some. Will the Owl go with us?"

The Indian shook his head, and in a moment the canoe put off from the
shore, the Indian standing, watching them, at the edge of the water.

"That's a badly puzzled redskin," Nat said, with a low laugh. "His
braves have not come up yet, or he would not have let us start.

"There, that is far enough. We are out of the range of Indian guns.
Now, lay in your paddles, and begin to fish. There are several canoes
fishing further out, and the redskin will feel safe. He can cut us off,
providing we don't go beyond them."

The Indian was, as Nat had said, puzzled. That something was wrong he
was sure; but, as he was alone, he was unable to oppose their
departure. He watched them closely, as they paddled out, in readiness
to give a war whoop, which would have brought down the fishing canoes
outside, and given warning to every Indian within sound of his voice;
but, when he saw them stop and begin to fish, he hesitated. If he gave
t