“Crack! crack-crack!”
“Now row with y’ur stocks—my God, quick, it’ll help some.”
Already Goodbrand and Moorooine had turned the canoe and were propelling it with all their might, not ceasing for a moment, though both of them had been struck by the arrows. To cease from their exertions now would be certain capture, and setting their teeth hard, the whole party worked on, taking the risk of being struck by those now rushing down to the banks.
By some accident the torch in the prow of the foremost canoe of the pursuers had been extinguished, again enveloping the scene in darkness. A perfect Babel of shouts filled the air, as if the Indians, aware that nearly all the fugitives were before them, were concentrating all their energies to the work of ending the protracted search at once. In the midst of the din the pursued heard a splashing toward their right, showing that a number had sprung into the water in their infuriated surprise and eagerness, and a moment or two—just enough for the contrast to disappear—the fugitives became conscious daylight was dawning upon them.
“These jest behind ain’t gainin’ on us—push on, an’ courage!” cried Brom.
“Ef we kin git inter the current furder out—ah, good God, t’others are cuttin’ across that way!”
“Turn it, Goodbrand—turn it quick! We’ll work harder ter strike the current furder down!”
“Luk out, the bows are coomin’ intil us. Murdher!”
The Irishman got an arrow through the back of his neck, and it passed into the arm of Brom. The rest escaped the volley as by a miracle, and the moment it passed sprung to their task again.
All this time the space to the left and right, as well as behind them, rung with malignant, crazy yells, defying description. But having struck the main current they were now making rapid headway, determined not to be diverted for a second. They occasionally cast glances back, but not at the expense of relaxing labor; yet they could not see that those in the nearest canoe had lightened their craft by the exit of three warriors, leaving three more to make accelerated speed.