"This reason. He saw me fall, and was obliged to leave me for a time, as the pursuers were close at hand. I am certain that, as soon as he eluded and escaped them, he would return to the place for me."
"And find you gone and give you up."
"No; he would search the place, and seeing my trail, would follow it. I left a pretty plain one, and he will meet with no difficulty."
"But suppose the ranger is captured himself?"
"There is no supposition in the case," rejoined Leslie, with an air of assurance.
"Well, admitting what you say," continued Leland, "did you leave a trail after getting in the boat, that will be easy for him to follow?"
"Easy enough. He knows what course I would take, and, consequently, he knows what one to pursue."
"But, even then, can he overtake you?"
"I have not come very rapidly, and I think that he can. I believe that at this moment he is on the way."
"Well, Roland, we have probably speculated enough upon our chances of meeting him. In the meantime, what do you propose that we do with ourselves?"