waited. In a short time the Indian canoes reappeared.

"Say, they've surely got th' dry goods!" commented Dick, amused.

In the short interval that had elapsed, the Indians had intercepted
their women, unpacked their baggage, and arrayed themselves in their
finest dress of ceremony. Buckskin elaborately embroidered with beads
and silks in the flower pattern, ornaments of brass and silver, sacred
skins of the beaver, broad dashes of ochre and vermilion on the naked
skin, twisted streamers of coloured wool--all added to the barbaric
gorgeousness of the old-time savage in his native state. Each bowsman
carried a long brass-bound forty-five "trade-gun," warranted to kill up
to ten yards.

"It's surely a nifty outfit!" commented Sam, half admiringly.

A half dozen of the younger men were landed. At once they disappeared in
the underbrush. Although the two white men strained their keen senses
they were unable to distinguish by sight or sound the progress of the
party through the bushes.

"I guess they're hunters, all right," conceded Dick.

The other men waited like bronze statues. After a long interval a
pine-warbler uttered its lisping note. Immediately the paddles dipped in
the silent deer-stalker's stroke, and the cavalcade crept forward around
the point.

Dick swept the shore with his eye, but saw nothing. Then all heard
plainly a half-smothered grunt of satisfaction, followed by a deep drawn