Without seeming to understand that his cry had been productive of general and intense alarm throughout the vessel, the Indian had viewed the sudden rushing of the crew towards him as an act of gratuitous hostility; and, without shrinking from the attack, had once more resumed his original air of dogged sullenness.  It was evident to him, from the discussion going on, that some violence, about to be offered to his person, had only been prevented by the interference of the officer.  With the natural haughtiness of his savage nature, he therefore rejected the overtures of the sailor, whose hand he had observed among the first that were raised against him.

While the angry boatswain was yet rolling his quid within his capacious jaws, racking his brain for the strongest language wherein to give vent to his indignation, his ears were suddenly saluted by a low but clear “Hilloa!” from the bows of the schooner.

“Ay, ay!” was the brief response.

“There’s something approaching us ahead, on the weather fore quarter,” continued the same voice, which was that of the man on the look-out.

The most profound silence now pervaded the deck.  Every individual, including Captain de Haldimar and the boatswain, had flown to the gangway of the quarter indicated, which was on the side occupied by the couch of the unfortunate Clara.  Presently a noise like that produced by a single paddle rapidly dividing the water, was heard by every anxious ear.  Night had long since thrown her mantle over the surrounding waste; and all that was to be seen reflected from the bosom of the gradually darkening river, scarcely ruffled by the yet incipient breeze, were a few straggling stars, that here and there appeared in the overcast heavens.  Hitherto no object could be discovered by those who strained their eyes eagerly and painfully through the gloom, although the sounds became at each moment more distinct.  It was evident the party, guided by the noise of the rippling waves that fell from the bows of the schooner, was enabled to follow up a course, the direct clue to which had been indicated by the cry of the captive.  Every man stood near his gun on the starboard battery, and the burning matches hanging over their respective buckets ready to be seized at a moment’s notice.  Still, but little room for apprehension existed; for the practised ear of the mariners could easily tell that a solitary bark alone approached; and of one, or even ten, they entertained no fear.  Suddenly, as the course of the vessel was now changed a point to windward, —­a movement that brought her bows more off the adjacent shore,—­the sound, in which all were more or less interested, was heard not more than twenty yards off, and in a line with the gangway at which the principal of the crew were assembled.  In the next minute the low hull of a canoe came in sight, and then a tall and solitary human figure was seen in the stern, bending alternately to the right and to the left, as the paddle was rapidly and successively changed from side to side.