How Canada was Won

t by

w-pitched tones. They had already taken their evening meal, and were ready to set out at any moment. But so far there was not a sign of preparation. To the casual or the curious onlooker, the little party seemed

aring out, boys," said Judge Mainwaring, as he stared round at his co

e. "I suppose that if Albany were filled wit

no sayin' that these Dutchmen wouldn't help us ef we went to 'em. But they ain't here to fight. Reckon they're fer t

though I believe they are certainly on our side and opposed to the French and their Indians, yet at the present time even that is not too certain. We've got to depend on ourselves. We might wait here for a week, but this

out we killed,"

to-morrow morning, and then they will watch us al

is fire, but thar's that 'ere redskin watchin'. It 'ud take him an hour

he land, with very few settlements, and still fewer log huts. In time past many and many a pioneer and trapper had forced his way far on into the valley of the Ohio, that promised land, and had there erected his rough shelter. But there were competitors in the field. France was not content with that huge stretch of America to the north of the St. Lawrence and the great lakes. She was pushing south, building forts and peopling the land. For some years, as the reader will have alr

ing his red head into the full light of the fire. "They have sat there loike two logs

manded Jim, breaking into the Mo

e must go. But this scout must die before we venture from th

ne of the party, grunted a

rother. He must die,"

l turn in,

figure was hardly distinguishable even against the dull light of the fire, but all knew that the Indian watcher had his eyes on him. And so two hours passed, till the embers were drenched, and the night was very dark. Not till then was there a movement in the tiny shanty. Steve sat up beside Silver

owled Jim. "Reckon though that they heard somethi

d. First came the loud hoot of an owl, and then away in the forest was heard the so

ho watched the camp hangs at my belt, but

oice was the first thing that warned the occupants of his presence.

"We must pack and paddle for our lives. That band will neve

ds in the smaller one. Then they took their places, and at a word from Tom they pushed out from the bank, Steve sitting in the second canoe, his musket across his thighs and his eyes glued on the bank. The five in the leading canoe grasped their paddles and used them with a will, Tom

e they had left Albany. "The sky is clearer, and the rain no longer falls. At present the

m critters is afte

of our departure," was the slow answ

nough that the alarm must have reached the camp of the enemy within a very little while of their

left. Reckon the varmint air well on the road. They'll have canoes hid somewhere's within reach, and it won't be long

st we'll have to lave these canoes and the things, and for what is the use of

als have been walking and running. Their arms will be unwearied. They will certainly overhaul us. There is nothing for it, I

bank. It was lighter now, though the mist still hid them, an occasional gust of wind blowing a portion of it away, for all the world as if it were a cur

a minute

m, they saw the long figure of the young trapper stretched in the small canoe, his musket still

n the lowest tone. "Wait

e his friends backed water, he drove his paddle into the river and swung his canoe round till it lay alongside the

e seen the very spot. The wind blew the mist aside suddenly, and I saw a tiny inlet. It is blocked with weed

Mac nodded approvingly. "Reckon we'll git across to t

d by the others, and would have swung the can

he had inherited his father's quiet and judicial ma

was 'cute. They ain't got no way left of followin', unless they r

ow that if their boats are discovered they are helpless. It seems to me that they may very well have

ake of his head. "Reckon, boys, that what he says air true as gospel. Them critters wi

he canoe away from Steve, but t

for Jules Lapon lives near there. We can't go on like this for the next ten days, and if we don't st

from him. All stared eagerly into his sun-tan

ea," said Tom. "Ou

t had lifted still further. The sun would be up very soon, and at any moment it might be clear from sho

sight of the bows of the one of which I spoke. Listen! This wind and the rustling of the leaves will have drowned the sound of our paddles. Even if the redskins are now on the far bank I doubt whether they have heard us. But they are not there. We have come faster than a man can walk, and you must remem

. Reckon you ain't in it with Ste

t, while Silver Fox, who could unders

gster," said Tom, a note of triumph in his vo

m was perhaps the exception. But now there was no need for chatter, and little time for delay. The paddles plunged into the stream again, Steve pushed out from the large canoe, and

is voice hardly a whisper, whil

suddenly, his hand went up. There was a bank of reeds and osiers, with a patch of wild rice clinging to the edge, and a gust of wind happening to blow across the water at that momen

The bank is bare of brush and all trampled.

frothing alongside the frail vessels, for exciteme

long any time," said Jim impati

pointing to the bank. "There is a ro

ree feet of water beside the rock, which was bare and brown. It ran up

agin the rock, nor a paddle splash it. Them varmint'd spot it in a jif

shing out from the rock, made off across the river, the smaller canoe with its load of stores trailing after him. In a little while he was lost in the mist, while none could hear the dip of his paddle. But presen

ad shook it loose from the mud and floated it out. These critters will see it right off, and will try to sli

ovement to him, and I think we all agree that he has had good experience of th

swung himself into a tree, a branch of which overhung their position. They wat

t, and will guess that once they are out in the river they will be seen. But remember that our canoes are supposed to be hidden away. If we were over yonder, lying up in the bushes, we should keep under cover

n," exclaimed J

making too much noise. They will try to let it appear that they have not seen our

and would have growled out something more

hat direction. Then this tree commands their boats, and has the advantage of being very thick. Supposing we divide forces, two going into the reeds,

not have made better suggestions," excl

river, which came to their waists, and wading along entered the reeds. There they took up a position which enabled them to command the canoes, while they could see, and be seen by, their friends. And as they crouched in their lairs the sun rose higher and higher

ly, as a pigeon darted over the water and flew past their hidi

n his coolness. But on this occasion, do what he would, his heart would thump heavily against his ribs, while his pulse throbbed in an unusual and disturbing manner. He stood in the lowest fork of the tree, his back supported by the trunk, his musket in his hands, and his eye roaming hither and thither. His lips were slightly parted, and there was a determined look on his sun-browned features. He felt no actual fear, only unusual excitement, and a vague wonder as to what would be the end of this conflict. All through the night as he lay in the canoe he had been

ce of taking them by surprise, and an ambush is just the thing to upset these

once more, and was looking to the opposite bank. Then Steve saw something of what was happening. A minute earlier the tip of the bows of their own canoe was alone showing, a bait to catch the enemy. But now the whole canoe was in si

d as Steve looked he signalled with his hand to those in the tree. His long finger shot out, and for a few seconds he pointed to the forest on their ow

of the Mohawk," gasp

e of the river was suddenly startled by a sharp and loud report, which sent the birds soaring from the branches. A bullet flew from the far side of the river and long before the report had died down Talking Bear crumpled up as if he had been struck on the head with an enormous hammer, and sprawled out in the bo

ll flashing across his brain. "Then they will embark, and no matter how ma

of this momentous engagement. If they were taken the little band of trappers would have the w

His tomahawk flew from his belt to his mouth, where he gripped it between his teeth. Then, light and active as a cat, he dropped on to the r