These reflections, which we have recorded at some length, occupied Waring but a few seconds. He saw everything with a hunter's eye, and, with a shake of his head, stepped back a pace or two, and resumed his position beside the Irishman and Hezekiah.
"What's the matter?" asked the latter.
"It won't do—it won't do."
"What won't do? Do you mean to go out there and pick your rifle?"
"Yes, that is what I mean."
"What is to hinder?"
"I don't like the looks of that flat-boat."
"Whew!" blew Hezekiah, surveying the object in question as though he had never seen it. "If you've no objection, might I inquire why you don't like it?"
"I am afraid there are Indians concealed upon it. I saw them there last night."