to the bow of the boat, and at a single bound cleared
the intervening space to the very stern.

Several heavy splashes in the water.--a muttered curse
from the corporal--some confusion among his men, and the
savage was seen nearly half-way across the river, swimming
like an eel to the opposite shore.

"Damn the awkward brute!" exclaimed the former, angrily.
"How many muskets are there overboard, Jackson?"

"Only three--and two cartouch boxes."

"ONLY three indeed! I wish the fellow had been at old
Nick, instead of coming here to create all this confusion.
Is the water deep at the stern?"

"Nearly a fathom I reckon," was the reply.

"Then, my lads, you must look out for other fish to-day.
Jackson, can you see the muskets at the bottom?"

"Not a sign of them, corporal," answered the man, as
lying flat on the boat, he peered intently into the water.
"The bottom is covered with weeds, and I can just see
the tails of two large pikes wriggling among them. By
Gemini, I think if I had my rod here, I could take them
both!"

"Never mind them," resumed the corporal, again delivering