“Into a pitfall or a hole in the ground,” replied Graham. “It’s my opinion, too, that it will be very easy with this noise we are making to stumble into the Mohawks’ hands.”
“I should think you ought to know that I didn’t fall,” retorted Seth angrily. “I happened to see sumthin’, and I stepped forward to see if it would hold my weight. What you are laughing at, I should like to know!”
“What is it that you have stepped into?” asked Haverland.
“Why, nothing less than a boat, dragged up here by the varmints, I ’spose.”
Such indeed was the case. There was a very large-sized canoe directly before them, and not a sign of the presence of others beside themselves. Not a more fortunate thing could have happened. Upon examination, the boat was found to be of unusual length and breadth, and amply sufficient to carry twenty men. It was quickly pushed back into the stream.
“Come, tumble in and we’ll set sail,” said Seth.
The fugitives without any hesitation entered the boat, and Seth and Haldidge, bending their shoulders to it, shoved it into the river, and sprang in as it floated away.