His rage became intense.  He had been shot at many times in battle, and many times he had fired his pistols into the opposing masses, but here upon this river a man sought his life, as the savages of old sought the hunter.  Another glance showed him that pursuer had closed up half the distance between them, and, snatching one of the pistols from his belt, he fired.  He knew that he had missed, as he saw the water spurt up beside the boat, but he thought that his bullet and the probability of more might delay the pursuit.  Nevertheless the man came on as boldly and as fast as ever.  If he fired a third time he could scarcely miss at such short range.

It seemed to Harry the gift of Heaven, that a whole pack of clouds should drift above them at that moment, deepening the obscurity and making the pursuing boat, although it was so near, a shapeless form in the mist.  He could not see the features of the man, but he was able to discern his large and powerful figure, and he noticed the rhythmic manner in which his arms and shoulders worked at the oars.  Obviously he had no chance to escape him by flight, and drawing his second pistol he fired.  The bullet struck the boat but did no damage.  The man came on faster than ever.  Harry took a desperate resolution, and, whirling his boat about, he rowed it straight at his pursuer, who was now almost level with him.  He intended to ram and take his chances.  His movement was so quick and unexpected that it succeeded.  The bow of his boat, helped perhaps by a wave, struck the other with such violence that both were shattered and sank instantly.

Harry went down with his craft, but in a few seconds came up again, his mouth and eyes full of muddy water.  He was a splendid swimmer, and his eyes clearing in a moment he looked toward the northern shore, seeking an easy place for landing.  They encountered ten feet away a large sun-browned face and two burning eyes.

“Shepard!” Harry gasped.

“And so it was you, Lieutenant Kenton.  Perhaps if I had known it was you I wouldn’t have fired upon you.”

“Don’t let that deter you.  We’re enemies.”

“I merely said ‘perhaps!’ I like you, but that wouldn’t keep me from stopping you by any method I could from reaching Lee.”

“I’m sure it wouldn’t.  I like you, too, Mr. Shepard, but we’re enemies here in this river, deadly enemies, and I mean to beat you off.”

“One may mean to do a thing and yet not do it.  I’m the larger and the more powerful.  Besides, I’m toughened by superior age.  You’d better surrender, Mr. Kenton.  I don’t want to do you any bodily harm.”

“I admit that you’re larger and stronger, but on land only.  I’m the better swimmer.  We’re both floating now, but if you’ll make a comparison, Mr. Shepard, you’ll find that I’m doing it with the greatest ease.  Take my advice, and swim to the southern bank of the river while I go to the northern.  I say it in all good faith.”