"I hope it is so; but the best thing we can do, is to calk'late as how it ain't agwine to be there for some hours yet and making our arrangements accordingly. Eh, Waring?"
"You are right, I admit. In fact, we can do nothing else. We are going it blind now—knowing only that we are going down the Ohio."
"Do you think, that is, if you have no objection to tell, do you think that these Indians will try the same method of attacking us?"
"It is not to be supposed they will, unless their party is large enough to insure them victory. Nevertheless, we must be on the lookout for their devilments. I say, Pat, ahead there, don't forget to keep a sharp lookout for mischief."
"Aye, aye, that I will, barring it isn't possible to look out at all. Be the Hooly Virgin! I see something now, sure."
Hezekiah was at his side in an instant. Looking ahead, he saw a dark mass looming up in the darkness directly before them, as if it was approaching.
"It's one of them islands," he exclaimed. "The all-fired thing is afloat, and is running into us. Quick, Waring, the oar."
As he spoke, he and Pat seized the sweep of the oar, and commenced using it with all their energy. Close as they were upon the land, they would have cleared it, had they not, in their hurry and excitement, committed the blunder of working against each other; that is, while Pat and Hezekiah did their utmost to veer the boat toward the Ohio shore, Waring struggled to clear the island by going on the Kentucky side. The consequence of these efforts was, that ere they had taken a dozen strokes, the flat-boat grated upon the gravelly bottom, and went broad side upon the island.
As the current was quite rapid at this portion of the river the raft was driven with such force upon the beach that Waring saw at once that it would be impossible to get it off again, unless it was lighted of its entire load. Springing down upon the island, he took a hasty survey of its situation, so far as the darkness would permit, and as Hezekiah and Pat joined him, mentioning the plan that we have stated, he said—
"There is no other help for it, and we must make quick work of it. The moon at the very farthest will be up in twenty minutes, and it won't do for any of the savages to discover us, but, to get off, it will be necessary for your father to come ashore. Is he awake?"