Now the sound of their paddles becomes less, now it is faint and now it is gone wholly.

They have missed us once more! Let us summon up the last of our strength and overtake the canoe." They put all their energy into a final effort and presently drew up by the side of the canoe.

Tayoga steadied it with his hands while Robert was the first to climb into it.

The Onondaga followed and the two lay for a few minutes exhausted on the bottom.

Then Tayoga sat up and said in a full voice: "Lo, Dagaeoga, let us give thanks to Manitou for our wonderful escape, because we have looked into the face of death." Robert, awed by time and circumstance, shared fully the belief of Tayoga that their escape was a miracle.