Holden having run the canoe upon a sandy beach that curved in between two rocks, fastened it by a rope to a heavy stone, and pursued his course along the shore in the direction of the village.  The Indian followed at a distance in the woods, taking care to keep his own person concealed, but that of the pursued in sight.  Ohquamehud had no means of determining from the movements of Holden, for a considerable time, what were his intentions, whether to enter the village or go to the Falls, but when he reached the spot where, if his design had been to do the latter, he would have turned to the left, to the Indian’s bitter disappointment, he advanced up the road to the right.  Ohquamehud pretty much gave up all hope of succeeding in his design that day, but, notwithstanding, still continued his observation.  Holden did not proceed far before he entered a small house that stood by the roadside. (This delay, as we shall presently observe, was attended with important consequences.) The person whom the Solitary wanted to see was, probably, not at home, but whatever may have been the reason, he presently left the house, and retracing his steps, struck off, to the delight of Ohquamehud, across the fields, and in a direction towards the Yaupaae.  The Indian waited until Holden was out of sight, hidden by the woods on the opposite side of the field, when he slowly followed, looking around, as if in search of game.  Having reached the woods, he seemed to think it necessary to use greater precaution in his further approach, the nearer he came to his enemy.  With this view, he moved slowly, carefully avoiding stepping on any dry sticks or fallen branches, and stopping if, by any chance, he made the slightest noise.  One would have supposed such extreme caution unnecessary, for so loud was the incessant roar of the cataract, that where the Indian stood the keenest hearing could not, even within a few rods, have detected the noise made by walking.  It is probable that habit, quite as much as reflection, determined the proceeding of the Indian.

With stealthy tread, creeping like the catamount of his native forests, when he is about to leap upon his prey, the wily and revengeful Indian stole along, holding his rifle in his hand, while each sense was quickened and strained to the utmost.  The wood extended quite to the margin of the Falls, so that he was enabled to come near without exposing his person.  At length, from behind a large oak, one of the original Sachems of the wood, he beheld his foe.  Holden was unarmed, for though, at certain times of the year, when game was in season, he often carried a gun, it was not an uniform practice with him.  He stood, unconscious of danger, with his back to the Indian, his arms folded, and gazing upon the water, that roared and tumbled below.  The eyes of Ohquamehud gleamed with ferocious satisfaction as he beheld his foe in his power.  Thrice he raised the rifle to his shoulder, after carefully examining the priming, and