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, of what tribe he could not tell, but they were wet, and
they looked cold and miserable. Soon they were opposite him, and
he saw the outline of every figure. Scalp locks drooped in the
rain, and he knew that the warriors, hardy as they might be, were
suffering.

Henry expected to see the long boat pass on, but it was turned
toward a shelving bank fifty or sixty yards below, and they
beached it there. Then all sprang out, drew it up on the land,
and, after turning it over, propped it up at an angle. When this
was done they sat under it in a close group, sheltered from the
rain. They were using their great canoe as a roof, after the
habit of Shawnees and Wyandots.

The boy watched them for a long time through one of the little
openings in the bushes, and he believed that they would remain as
they were all night, but presently he saw a movement among them,
and a little flash of light. He understood it. They were trying
to kindle a fire-with flint and steel, under the shelter of the
boat. He continued to watch them 'lazily and without alarm.

Their fire, if they succeeded in making it, would cast no light
upon him in the dense covert, but they would be outlined against
the flame, and he could see them better, well enough, perhaps, to
tell to what tribe they belonged.

He watched under his lowered eyelids while the warriors, gathered