this rift, he should be compelled to approach a point where the
Iroquois had posted themselves, for the current was irresistible,
and the rocks allowed no other safe passage, while death or
captivity would be the probable result of the attempt. All his
efforts, therefore, were turned toward reaching the western shore,
the foe being all on the eastern side of the river; but the exploit
surpassed human power, and to attempt to stem the stream would at
once have so far diminished the motion of the canoe as to render
aim certain. In this exigency the guide came to a decision with
his usual cool promptitude, making his preparations accordingly.
Instead of endeavoring to gain the channel, he steered towards
the shallowest part of the stream, on reaching which he seized his
rifle and pack, leaped into the water, and began to wade from rock
to rock, taking the direction of the western shore. The canoe
whirled about in the furious current, now rolling over some slippery
stone, now filling, and then emptying itself, until it lodged on
the shore, within a few yards of the spot where the Iroquois had
posted themselves.

In the meanwhile the Pathfinder was far from being out of danger;
for the first minute, admiration of his promptitude and daring,
which are so high virtues in the mind of an Indian, kept his
enemies motionless; but the desire of revenge, and the cravings
for the much-prized trophy, soon overcame this transient feeling,
and aroused them from their stupor. Rifle flashed after rifle,
and the bullets whistled around the head of the fugitive, amid the
roar of the waters. Still he proceeded like one who bore a charmed
life; for, while his rude frontier garments were more than once
cut, his skin was not razed.