"Well, then, we must paddle out into the lake so as to be well out of
sight. When it gets quite dark we can paddle in again and sleep
safely anywhere a mile or two from the house."

An hour passed without change. Then Nelly said: "There is a movement
in the bushes near the canoe." Presently an arm was extended and
proceeded to haul the canoe toward the shore by its head-rope. As it
touched the bank an Indian rose from the bushes and was about to step
in, while a number of puffs of smoke burst out along the shore and
the bullets skipped over the water toward the canoe, one of them
striking it with sufficient force to penetrate the thin bark a few
inches above the water's edge. Harold had not moved, but as the
savage stepped into the canoe he fired, and the Indian fell heavily
into the water, upsetting the canoe as he did so.

A yell of rage broke from his comrades.

"I don't think they will try that game again as long as it is
daylight," Harold said. "Paddle a little further out again, Nelly. If
that bullet had hit you it would have given you a nasty blow, though
I don't think it would have penetrated; still we may as well avoid
accidents."

After another hour passed the fire round the house ceased.

"Do you think the Indians have gone away?" Nelly asked.

"I am afraid there is no chance of that," Harold said. "I expect they
are going to wait till night and then try again. They are not fond of