The sun sank, and as dusk was coming on the anxious watchers saw the
canoe paddle out far into the lake.

"An old frontiersman couldn't do better," Pearson exclaimed. "He's
kept them out of the canoe as long as daylight lasted; now he has
determined to paddle away and is making down the lake," he went on
presently. "It's a pity he turned so soon, as they can see the course
he's taking."

They watched until it was completely dark; but, before the light
quite faded, they saw another canoe put out from shore and start in
the direction taken by the fugitives.

"Will they catch them, do you think?" Mrs. Welch asked.

"No, ma'am," Pearson said confidently. "The boy's got sense enough to
have changed his course after it gets dark, though whether he'll make
for shore or go out toward the other side is more than I can say. You
see, they'll know that the Injuns are all along this side of the
lake; but then, on the other hand, they'll be anxious about us and
'll want to keep close at hand. Besides, the lad knows nothing of the
other side; there may be Injuns there, for aught he knows, and it's a
skeary thing for a young un to take to the forest, especially with a
gal in his charge. There aint no saying what he'll do. And now we've
got to look after ourselves; don't let us think about 'em at present.
The best thing as we can do for them, as well as for ourselves, is to
hold this here place. If they live they'll come back to it sooner or
later, and it 'll be better for 'em to find it standing, and you here
to welcome 'em, than to get back to a heap of ruins and some dead