As soon as it was daylight, they turned into shore, and pulled the canoe out of sight among the bushes. Then followed breakfast, and after that a sleep lasting until nightfall.
Thus four days and nights were passed, and slowly but surely they drew closer to the western extremity of Lake Erie.
"We'll have to risk sailing northward to-morrow night," said Barringford, at the end of that time. "It's too much of a journey to go around the western shore o' the lake."
It was a clear night, and the old frontiersman felt that he could guide their course by the stars. They set off early, realizing that a journey of forty miles or more lay before them.
"There are some islands around here, so I was told," said the old frontiersman. "They may be used by those redskins. We'll have to steer clear o' 'em," and whenever an island appeared, they gave it a wide berth.
It was just growing daylight, and they were still some miles from the shore, when Dave uttered an exclamation.
"What is it, lad?"
"I see some strange lights over there, Sam," and the youth pointed to their right.
"You are right—an' they are coming this way," returned the old frontiersman.
"It must be a ship!"