and instinctively grasped their rifles.

"What is it, Tayoga?" exclaimed the startled Willet.

"The attack of the savage warriors," replied the Onondaga. "One came
floating on a tree. He thought to slay us as we slept and take away our
scalps, but the river that brought him living has borne him away dead."

"And so they know we're here," said the hunter, "and your watchfulness
has saved us. Well, Tayoga, it's one more deed for which we have to
thank you, but I think you'd better get back on the shelf. They can fire
from the other side, farther up, and although it would be at random, a
bullet or two might strike here."

The Onondaga swung himself back and all three flattened themselves
against the rock. After Tayoga's triumphant shout there was no sound
save those of the river and the rain. But Robert expected it. He knew
the horde would be quiet for a while, hoping for a surprise the second
time after the first one had failed.

"It was bold," he said, "for a single warrior to come floating down the
stream in search of us."

"But it would have succeeded if Tayoga hadn't been awake," said the
hunter. "One warrior could have knifed us all at his leisure."

"Where do you think they are now?"

"They must be crouched in the shelter of rocks. If they had nothing over
them the storm would take the fighting spirit for the time out of