There was a short silence. They had nothing with which Goodbrand could work among the seamy rocks except knives and hatchets.
CHAPTER XII.
AGAIN!
They did not pause long. True, the chance of Goodbrand’s doing any thing was small even should he succeed in reaching the spot. But it was better than no chance at all and something else might occur to him by which to assist his friends.
The canoes were again made ready, and the party, with their weapons in good order, entered. They could quite plainly see the canoes of the Indians outside, while they knew it was impossible for themselves to be seen until they should approach quite near the entrance.
Slowly they stole forward, making no noise that could be heard outside, above the monotonous roar of the channel.
As they advanced they could see the Indians more plainly. There were three canoes of them, and a constant stream of inquiries and answers was kept up with those on shore.
They evidently feared the rangers were preparing to make some desperate attempt to dash out. They had had abundant evidence of their power of resource in danger, and meant to leave no way open.
The rangers understood this, and felt it was all the more favorable for the success of their plan.
The foremost canoe, directed by Scarred Eagle, at last came to a stop. Twenty yards further would reveal them to those outside.
For a moment the rangers consulted in low tones on the chances of actually making a dash past their enemies. The three canoes of the Indians were somewhat to the left of the entrance. But if they should get past these there were enough Indians standing along the banks to riddle them before they could get any thing of a start. So they gave it up, and Goodbrand prepared for his desperate work.