“How-de-do, brudder?” asked the foremost, extending his hand.  The soldier exchanged similar greetings with the others, when at a signal the five seated themselves upon the ground, and he followed suit.  A pipe, the “calumet of peace,” was produced and passed from mouth to mouth, each one smoking slowly and solemnly a few whiffs.

This tedious ceremony occupied fully a half-hour, during which it was nearly impossible for the young Lieutenant to conceal his impatience.  It seemed to him nothing but a sheer waste of time, and he wondered how Oonomoo could take it so composedly.  At length the last smoker had taken what he evidently believed the proper number of whiffs, and they arose and embarked again in their canoes.

In the boat, which really belonged to the Huron, were seated himself, Lieutenant Canfield, and Heigon, who insisted upon using the paddle himself.  For a moment they glided along under the shadow of the wooded bank, and then, coming out on the clear, moonlit surface of the river, they shot downstream like swallows upon the wing.

It was not quite ten miles to the Shawnee town, and, as it was now in the neighborhood of midnight, their destination would be easily reached in time.

All went well for some four or five miles, when an exclamation from the canoe in advance attracted the attention of Oonomoo and the soldier.

“What is it?” inquired the latter.

“Ugh! nudder canoe comin’—­Shawnees.”

Such proved to be the case.  A large war-canoe, containing over a score of painted warriors, was coming up the river, nearly in the center of the stream, while the Miamis were nearer the right bank.  When nearly opposite each other, the war-canoe paused while that which contained the four Miamis went over to it, somewhat after the manner that two friendly ships come to anchor in the midst of the ocean, and exchange congratulations and news.

During the interview, Heigon prudently kept at a safe distance, but from the gesticulations and words of the Shawnees it was evident they were making inquiries in regard to the inmates of his boat.  The replies proved satisfactory, for a moment later, the canoes separated, and each party proceeded on his way.  Little did the Shawnees dream that the very foe for whom they were searching—­he whose scalp was worth that of a hundred warriors, whose death they would have nearly given their own life to secure—­little did they dream, we say, that this very man was within a few rods of them—­so close that he recognized the features of every one of their number!

Several miles further, and Oonomoo spoke to Heigon.  They were now in the vicinity of the Shawnee village, and he wished to land.  Heigon instantly turned the prow of his canoe toward shore, and the others, understanding the cause, followed.  A moment later, Lieutenant Canfield and the Huron stood upon terra firma.  They were compelled again to shake hands all around with their curiously-made friends, when they separated—­the latter to go down the river as brothers to the warlike Shawnees, and the former to go to the same destination as their deadly enemies!