James and his companions went on with their fishing, as if they did not notice the approach of the other canoe, until one of the Indians spoke.
"Have my Indian brothers caught many fish ?" "A goodish few," Nat replied.

"One or two of them are large ones.
"See here," and he stooped as if to select a large fish.
"Now," he said suddenly.
In an instant, the three rifles were levelled to the shoulder, and pointed at the Indians.

The latter, taken completely by surprise, and finding themselves with three barrels levelled at them, as by one accord dived overboard.
"Now your paddles," Nat exclaimed.
Three strokes sent the canoe dancing up to that which the Indians had just left.

It struck it on the broadside, and rolled it instantly over.
"Those redskin guns are out of the way, anyhow," Nat said.

"Now we have got to row for it." He gave a sharp turn to the canoe as he spoke, and it bounded away towards the right, thereby throwing those outside it on their quarter.
Simultaneously with the upset of the canoe, half a dozen rifles rang out from the shore, an Indian war whoop rose at the edge of the woods, and, a minute later, half a dozen canoes shot out from shore..