The shot had evidently taken effect, for two other Indians were now seen going to the assistance of their comrade, whom they raised from the ground (where all had secreted themselves after the yell), and hurried to the rear.

A loud cheer burst from the lips of Collins, which was answered immediately by the whole of the savages, who, from various contiguous points, sprang again to their feet, and vociferating the war-whoop, dashed into the river nearly up to their necks, seemingly thirsting to overcome the only obstacle which prevented them from getting at their desired victims.

But, at the very moment, when several of them were holding their rifles aloft with their right hand, securing their powder-horns between their teeth, while Corporal Nixon issued to his men injunctions, not to pull another trigger until the savages should begin to swim, to the astonishment of all, came the sullen and unusual booming of the cannon from the Fort.

For a moment, the men, taking their eyes off the sights of their muskets, listened attentively for a repetition of the shot, but no second report reached their ears.

“That,” said Green, “was a warnin’ for us.”

“It was,” observed the corporal.  “Had the danger been there, they would have fired again.  Depend upon it, my lads, there’s more going on about here than we think.  So don’t throw away your ammunition.  Every bullet you send must tell!”

“Well, we can but sell our scalps as dearly as possible,” interposed Collins, who had again loaded, and was now in the act of raising and supporting his, musket against the tree.  “But look—­see how the fellows are stealing off?”

“Don’t fire, then, don’t fire,” hastily enjoined the corporal.  “If they will go quietly, let them.  We must not lose our time dallying here, but make our way back to the Fort.  That gun was meant to recall us, as well as to warn us, and luckily it has frightened the Indians, so they won’t care to attack us again.”

Meanwhile the band of Winnebagoes, obeying, as it seemed, the command of their leader, whom Collins swore he could identify from his figure, even at that distance, to be the man who had attempted to carry off the boat, quitted the river for the cover of the woods, and, after an earnest consultation, retreated slowly in the direction of the prairie, without clamor of any description.

“Well rid of them, if they are gone,” exclaimed the corporal, not a little relieved by their departure.  “We must keep a sharp look out though, and see if they return.”

“How many of them are there?” asked Jackson; “can you give a guess, Collins?”

“About a dozen I should say—­indeed I counted as many as they passed through the small patch of clearing made by Eph.  Giles’s axe.”

“Can they have started for the farm?” observed the corporal musingly; “if so, my lads, we had better get away as soon as possible, for there they will find canoes to cross.”