astern, and two dark spots could be seen on the water about halfway
between them and it.

"You can paddle, my lads," Peter Lambton said to the distant foes,
"but you'll never ketch us. I wouldn't heed you if it weren't for the
other varmint ahead."

He stood up in the canoe and looked anxiously over the lake.

"It's all clear as far as I can see at present," he said.

"Can't we land, Peter, and make our way back on foot?"

"Bless you," Peter said, "there aint a native along the shore there
but has got his eye on this canoe. We might as well take her straight
back to the island as try to land. Better; for we should get a few
hours before they tried and shot us there, while the Injuns would not
give us a minute. No, we must just keep to the water; and now paddle
on again, but take it quietly. It's no odds to let them varmints
behind gain on us a little. You needn't think about them. When the
danger comes we shall want every ounce of our strength."

For half an hour they paddled steadily on. The pursuing canoes were
now less than a mile behind them.

"I'd give a good deal," muttered the scout, "for a few black clouds
over the moon; we'd make for shore then and risk it. It will be
getting daylight before long. Ah!" he exclaimed, pausing suddenly as
the chief stopped rowing, "a canoe on each side is rowing out to cut
us off."