"They must have heard that shot, and they will be on their guard. As they too are among the trees and bushes, they will have an equal chance of fighting."
On whizzed the ice-boat, and those on board continue to scan the shore. The wind was increasing, and they were bowling along twice as fast as ever before.
"Look! look!" cried James Morris, a few minutes later.
He pointed ahead, and gazing in that direction, the others saw a band of at least twenty Indians coming from the heavy timber that lined the shore at that point. The red men ran out on the ice and looked up and down. Evidently the shot had alarmed them.
"They see us!" cried Henry, a moment later. "Wonder what they will do."
"Get your guns ready," came from the trader. "I'm afraid we've got an ugly crowd to deal with now."
As soon as the red men saw the whites on the ice-boat they set up a blood-curdling war-whoop. Then, with guns and arrows ready for use, they ran out still further on the ice, directly in the path of the oncoming craft.
CHAPTER XVII
THE ARRIVAL AT FORT PITT
"They are coming for us!" cried Henry.