Likely enough there may be canoes out upon the lake--there are sure to be Indians in the wood." "I don't think there's much fear, captain," Nat whispered.

"There's no tiring a redskin when he's out on the scout on his own account, but when he's acting with the whites he's just as lazy as a hog, and, as they must be sure the fort can't hold out many hours longer, they will be too busy feasting, and counting the scalps they mean to take, to think much about scouting tonight." "We shall go very slowly.

Let every man stop paddling the instant the canoe ahead of him stops," were James's last instructions, as he stepped into the stern of a canoe, while Nat and Jonathan took the paddles.

Edwards was to take his place in the last canoe in the line.
Without the slightest sound, the canoes paddled out into the lake, and then made for the east shore.

They were soon close to the trees, and, slowly and noiselessly, they kept their way just outside the screen afforded by the boughs drooping down, almost into the water.