stream. Nor was this done suddenly, or in the incautious manner in
which a civilized man would have been apt to attempt the artifice,
but warily, and so gradually that the Iroquois at the bow fancied
at first he was merely struggling against the strength of the
current. Of course, while acted on by these opposing efforts, the
canoe drifted down stream, and in about a minute it was floating
in still deeper water at the foot of the rift. Here, however, the
Iroquois was not slow in finding that something unusual retarded
their advance, and, looking back; he first learned that he was
resisted by the efforts of his companions.

That second nature which grows up through habit instantly told
the young Iroquois that he was alone with enemies. Dashing the
water aside, he sprang at the throat of Chingachgook, and the two
Indians, relinquishing their hold of the canoe, seized each other
like tigers. In the midst of the darkness of that gloomy night, and
floating in an element so dangerous to man when engaged in deadly
strife, they appeared to forget everything but their fell animosity
and their mutual desire to conquer.

Jasper had now complete command of the canoe, which flew off like
a feather impelled by the breath under the violent reaction of the
struggles of the two combatants. The first impulse of the youth
was to swim to the aid of the Delaware, but the importance of
securing the boat presented itself with tenfold force, while he
listened to the heavy breathings of the warriors as they throttled
each other, and he proceeded as fast as possible towards the
western shore. This he soon reached; and after a short search he
succeeded in discovering the remainder of the party and in procuring
his clothes. A few words sufficed to explain the situation in