It's only canoes we have got to be afraid of, and, as to them, it's just a chance.

They might see us out in the light waters, in the middle; but, under the trees, they can't make us out thirty yards off.

They will be lying there, quiet, if they are there at all, and we shall either get past them safe, or we shall pretty nigh run into them.
It's just chance, and there's nothing to do for it but to paddle as noiselessly as fish, and trust to our luck." Having crossed the lake to the left shore, they entered the narrows.
The paddles were dipped so quietly into the water, that even James could scarcely hear their sound.

Every few strokes the scouts stopped paddling altogether, and sat listening intently.

They were keeping close to the trees, so close that, at times, it seemed to James that, by stretching out his hands, he could touch the bushes.
After an hour's paddling they stopped longer than usual.
"What is it ?" James whispered in Jonathan's ear, for Nat had taken the bow paddle.
"There are men ahead," the scout whispered back.