in the rift, while both the savages had stretched themselves in
its bottom, as the only means of preserving the equilibrium. This
natural expedient soon failed them; for, striking a rock, the
light draft rolled over, and the two warriors were thrown into the
river. The water is seldom deep on a rift, except in particular
places where it may have worn channels; and there was little to
be apprehended from drowning, though their arms were lost; and the
two savages were fain to make the best of their way to the friendly
shore, swimming and wading as circumstances required. The canoe
itself lodged on a rock in the centre of the stream, where for the
moment it became useless to both parties.

"Now is our time, Pathfinder," cried Jasper, as the two Iroquois
exposed most of their persons while wading in the shallowest part
of the rapids: "the fellow up stream is mine, and you can take the
lower."

So excited had the young man become by all the incidents of the
stirring scene, that the bullet sped from his rifle as he spoke,
but uselessly, as it would seem, for both the fugitives tossed
their arms in disdain. The Pathfinder did not fire.

"No, no, Eau-douce," he answered; "I do not seek blood without a
cause; and my bullet is well leathered and carefully driven down,
for the time of need. I love no Mingo, as is just, seeing how
much I have consorted with the Delawares, who are their mortal and
natural enemies; but I never pull trigger on one of the miscreants
unless it be plain that his death will lead to some good end. The
deer never leaped that fell by my hand wantonly. By living much
alone with God in the wilderness a man gets to feel the justice