Page:Edward Ellis--Seth Jones.djvu/56

Rh lighted candle floating upon the surface of the stream. It was a small point of light, which at intervals glowed with a fuller redness, and which for the time completely confounded our friends. On it came as noiselessly as death, gliding forrard with such a smooth, regular motion as to show that it was certainly borne by the current.

"What in the name of"

"Stop!" cried Haldidge; "that's the canoe we're after! It's the light of one of their pipes we see. Are your guns ready?"

"Yes," replied the two, just loud enough for him to hear.

"Make right toward it, then, and fire the instant you see your mark. Now!"

At the same instant he released his hold upon the limb, and the two threw all their force on their oars. The canoe bounded like a ball directly ahead, and seemed about to cut the other in twain. A minute after, the shadowy outlines of three forms could be dimly seen, and the avenging rifles were already raised, when the beacon-light was suddenly extinguished, and the Indian canoe vanished as if by magic.

"It's one of their tricks!" excitedly exclaimed Haldidge. "Dash ahead! Curse them; they can't be far off."

The two dropped their rifles, and again seized the oars, and Haldidge sheered it abruptly up stream, for he fancied they had turned in that direction. He bent his head forward, expecting each moment to see the forms of their enemies loom up to view in the mist, but he was mistaken; no savages greeted his anxious vision. He guided his boat in every direction—across the stream—up and down, but all to no purpose. They had surely lost their prey this time. The Indians had undoubtedly heard the pursuers—had muffled their own oars, and so had proceeded as silently as their pursuers.

"Hold a minute!" commanded Haldidge.

As they rested, they listened deeply and intently.

"Do you hear any thing?" he asked, leaning breathlessly forward. "There! listen again."

They could distinguish the ripple of water, growing fainter and fainter, each minute.

"They are below us again, and now for a trial of speed." The two needed no more incentives, and for a time the canoe skimmed over the water with astonishing speed. The