“But my experience tells me you are mistaken this time. Ina’s captors are now at no great distance, and the shortest course to them, you will find, is in a direct line from here, across the open prairie, the other side the river.”
“At any rate, we will cross to the opposite bank; so step in.”
“Wait a minute. What does that mean?”
As Graham spoke, he pointed quickly up the river. From the position of the two within the boat, they could discern nothing.
“Jump ashore, quick, and pull the boat out of sight. There’s something a-foot, and you musn’t be seen,” exclaimed Graham excitedly, in an undertone, as he stooped and grasped the prow of the canoe. The men sprang ashore, and in an instant the vessel was hauled up out of sight, while the three made themselves invisible, and from their hiding-places eagerly watched the river.
The object which had arrested the attention of Graham, was a second canoe, which was just making its appearance round the bend above, which had first brought his friends to view. This latter one was of about the same size, and could be seen to hold either three or four persons. The dark-tufted heads of the occupants, rising like statues in the boat, showed unmistakably that they were Indians.
As it came nearer and nearer, Haldidge whispered there was a fourth person in the stern, and she was a female! Haverland and Graham breathed hard, for a wild hope filled the heart of each, but as the canoe came abreast of them, while they could plainly distinguish the features of the three savages, they could not gain a glimpse of the fourth person. She was covered by an Indian shawl, and her head was bowed low upon her bosom, as though in deep and painful thought.
“Let us fire and send these three dogs to eternity,” whispered Graham.
Haldidge raised his hand.
“’Twon’t do, there may be others about, and if that other one is Ina, it may only be the means of her destruction. Alf, do you think that is her?”