of the rifle be heard except in the last resort, since all the rest
of the miscreants are still within hearing. Jasper, boy, in case
of any movement behind us on the bank, I trust to you to run out the
canoe with the Sergeant's daughter, and to pull for the garrison,
by God's leave."

The Pathfinder had no sooner given these directions than the near
approach of their enemies rendered profound silence necessary. The
Iroquois in the river were slowly descending the stream; keeping
of necessity near the bushes which overhung the water, while the
rustling of leaves and the snapping of twigs soon gave fearful
evidence that another party was moving along the bank, at an equally
graduated pace; and directly abreast of them. In consequence of the
distance between the bushes planted by the fugitives and the true
shore, the two parties became visible to each other when opposite
that precise point. Both stopped, and a conversation ensued, that
may be said to have passed directly over the heads of those who
were concealed. Indeed, nothing sheltered the travellers but the
branches and leaves of plants, so pliant that they yielded to every
current of air, and which a puff of wind a little stronger than
common would have blown away. Fortunately the line of sight carried
the eyes of the two parties of savages, whether they stood in the
water or on the land, above the bushes, and the leaves appeared
blended in a way to excite no suspicion. Perhaps the very boldness
of the expedient alone prevented an immediate exposure. The
conversation which took place was conducted earnestly, but in guarded
tones, as if those who spoke wished to defeat the intentions of
any listeners. It was in a dialect that both the Indian warriors
beneath, as well as the Pathfinder, understood. Even Jasper
comprehended a portion of what was said.