"Have you seen anything amiss?" asked Bertram.
"Naught whatever. How is it with you?"
"A few yards in front of us a canoe has halted, but it is so dimly seen that I am in doubt whether to fire or not. What do you make of it?"
With one hand on the shoulder of his friend, Smith leaned as far over as he could, and gazed into the gloom.
"It is there," he whispered; "and, if I am not mistaken, it is full of warriors."
"Then I will do as the Captain commanded."
"And I will await the result before I fire."
The hammer of Bertram's gun being already raised, he softly brought the stock to his shoulder, first dropping the blanket so as to leave his arm free. He sighted carefully, but was checked by the same difficulty as before; as he fixed his vision on the target it seemed to melt in the darkness, and he could not make sure of his aim.
"I cannot see it," he muttered in vexation. "Do you fire."
"It is idle; it has gone."