“And darkness is our best friend,” said Robert.

“So it is, and in their pursuit of the canoe our foes are likely to relax their vigilance on this part of the lake.  Can you see our little boat now, Robert?”

“Just faintly, and I think it’s a last glimpse.  I hope the wind behind it will stay so strong that Tandakora will never overtake it.  I should hate to think that a canoe that has been such a friend to us has been compelled to serve our enemies.  There it goes, leading straight ahead, and now it’s gone!  Farewell, brave and loyal canoe!  Now what do you intend to do, Dave?”

“Swim to the mainland as soon as those fires sink a little more.  We have got to decide when the head of a swimming man won’t show to chance warriors in the bushes, and then make a dash for it, because, if Tandakora overtakes the canoe, he’ll be coming back.”

“In a quarter of an hour it will be dark enough for us to risk it,” said the Onondaga.

Again came the thick dusk so necessary to those who flee for life.  Two fires on the high cliffs blazed far in the south, but the light from them did not reach the island where the three lay, where peril had grazed them before going on.  The water all about them and the nearer shores lay in shadow.

“The time to go has come,” said the hunter.  “We’ll swim to the western side and climb through that dip between the high cliffs.”

“How far would you say it is?” asked Robert.

“About a half mile.”

“Quite a swim even for as good swimmers as we are, when you consider we have to carry our equipment.  Why not launch one of those fallen trees that lie near the water’s edge and make it carry us?”

“A good idea, Robert!  A happy thought does come now and then into that young head of yours.”

“Dagaeoga is wiser than he looks,” said the Onondaga.

“I wish I could say the same for you, Tayoga,” retorted young Lennox.

“Oh, you’ll both learn,” laughed Willet.

As in the ancient wood everywhere, there were fallen trees on the island and they rolled a small one about six inches through at the stem into the lake.  They chose it because it had not been down long and yet had many living branches, some with young leaves on them.

“There is enough foliage left to hide our heads and shoulders,” said Willet.  “The tree will serve a double purpose.  It’s our ship and also our refuge.”

They took off all their clothing and fastened it and the arms, ammunition and knapsacks of food on the tree.  Then, they pushed off, with a caution from the hunter that they must not allow their improvised raft to turn in the water, as the wetting of the ammunition could easily prove fatal.

With a prayer that fortune which had favored them so much thus far would still prove kind, they struck out.

CHAPTER III

IN THE CLIFF