All was still save the soft wash of the current against the side of the flat-boat.
Waiting but a moment, he leaped lightly over and came down upon the deck. Even then he was somewhat apprehensive of danger. It was not until he had traveled every portion of it, that he felt entirely free from a shivering anticipation of a blow from behind. Firmly convinced at length that he was alone upon the unlucky craft, he called his companions to approach. By their united efforts they loosened the cumbersome roof of the cabin, and let it into the water. It was their intention to let it down easily, but its great weight precipitated it into a loud splash that caused each to start with alarm.
“We must be expeditious,” said McGowan, who seemed to be in a constant dread of the return of the Indians. “They’ll begin to suspect something is going on, and there’ll be half a hundred over here before we know it.”
“Don’t be too skeart,” said Napyank, who was ever cool and collected.
All three busied themselves in collecting the driftwood. A large portion of this consisted of goodly-sized trees, which had lain in the sun until thoroughly dried, and was therefore as buoyant as cork. These were secured together by withes until a goodly-sized craft was constructed.
“It will take more wood than we can get to float all of us.”
“What shall we do?”
“We have enough to float the two women. The rest of us must keep in the water and swim along with it.”
To test the structure all three got upon it and floated downward by the island. It bore them well, and gave them considerable confidence in it. At the lower portion it was drawn upon the beach, and Smith remained to watch it, while the others went into the wood in quest of their friends.
The latter were found quiet and patient, waiting for the summons to take them from the island. No time was lost by delay, and it seemed to the silent Abram that his comrades had been gone scarcely five minutes, when they all came silently out of the wood and stood beside him.