"Such a proceeding would insure her instant death," said Mr. Finley.
"And why? Boone can guide us to the direct spot, so there will be no mistake about that, and a quick rally and charge will decide it."
"You forget, George," responded the missionary, in his fatherly way, "that though The Panther has established his camp on the other side of the gulch, all his warriors are not there; some of them are watching us, as best they can, from the shore; by the time we turned about, and long before we could reach land, it would be known to The Panther, or the ambuscade he formed hours ago would be made as effective as though you had all pressed on without halt."
"Boone said a few minutes ago that if we had daylight instead of darkness to help us, there would be hope."
"And he is wise, as he always is, for we should have put back at once; and doing so, immediately on the heels of our flight, the Shawanoes would not have been given time to prepare a surprise for us; it is too late now, and the circumstances prevent any attempt of that nature."
"Then we can do nothing at all—nothing except to wait until Kenton makes his report," remarked the father, despairingly.
Instead of replying, the missionary turned to Boone, at his elbow, and whispered something. The pioneer answered in the same guarded manner, and the conversation, inaudible to others, continued for some minutes.
Meanwhile two of the rangers kept toiling at the sweeps, so gently that it did not interfere with what was said and done by the others, and the craft slowly approached the Ohio shore.
Starting up, the missionary looked around and inquired:
"What has become of the canoe Jethro and I brought with us?"