Having thus taken measures to inform his uncle of his departure and the
mission on which he had set forth, Réné tightened his belt, shouldered
his cross-bow, and turned into the dark pine forest. He made his way
swiftly down the river-bank towards the appointed place of meeting,
where he hoped to find Has-se still waiting for him, though it was
already past the hour that the latter had mentioned. On the way he
stopped and recovered the package of trinkets that he had hidden in the
forest that afternoon.

As he neared the little stream on the bank of which the Indian lad had
promised to await his coming, he uttered the cry of Hup-pe the great
owl, which was the signal Has-se had taught him. To his joy it was
immediately answered from a short distance in advance. In another
moment he stood beside his friend, who without a word led him to where
a canoe was hidden beneath some overhanging branches. They stepped
in, a few strong strokes of the paddles shot them clear of the creek,
the bow of their craft was turned down-stream, and ere a word had been
spoken between them, they were gliding swiftly down the glassy moonlit
surface of the great river towards its mouth.




CHAPTER VI

THE JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF FOOD

As the paddles flashed brightly in the moonshine, and the light craft