The next task would be to select the proper boat. The one he grasped was too large for his purpose, the second too small. He dropped down till his hand rested upon the one he desired. He ran his hand and eye over it, felt the depth and capacity, assured himself no one was within, and at once pronounced it his own. Yet David was doomed to disappointment.
Cautiously moving near the middle of the boat, his foot struck something which a gentle pressure assured him was firm. Thinking it might be the ground, he rested upon it, and continued his onward movement. As ill-luck would have it, instead of stepping upon the river-bottom, the scout had planted his feet upon a large log, which had become partially imbedded there. He was not aware of the mistake until his foot slipped from the slimy wood, and, with a “plash,” he fell into the disturbed flood.
Quickly recovering his equilibrium, the swimmer glided from the spot, and reached the shadow of one of the large boats. Scarcely had he disappeared when a dusky visage might have been seen peering over the edge of a canoe near by. A single guttural exclamation soon brought half a dozen companions, who proceeded to a careful survey of the craft and water about.
Luckily the Indians were not deeply interested, merely supposing the disturbance caused by some aquatic animal, of which they sought traces only from idle curiosity. Finding nothing to reward their search, the savages seated themselves in the neighbouring boat, to await the reappearance of the nocturnal disturbant. A stealthy glance revealed to David the new position of his foes, and assured him that all further operations in that quarter were utterly impracticable.
It was a hundred yards or more to the further end of the flotilla, and, as attraction now tended this way, it was but reasonable to suppose he might succeed there. Sinking beneath the waters David swam a long distance, till compelled to come to the surface for air. He was gratified to find that he had passed more than half the distance, and was beyond the line of vision of the savages.
Striking out in an oblique direction he approached the boats. This time he moved with redoubled caution, and, as the deep shadow was in his favour, he soon selected a promising craft. In a few minutes he had cut the rope, towed it into the current, and was floating it gently downward.
No sooner was the scout satisfied of his security, than he threw himself into the boat, and groped about for the paddles. His heart gave a great leap—then stood still. He had no means of propelling or guiding his boat!
For a moment David was confounded; then his natural daring came to his aid. Leaping at once into the water, he gave the boat a vigorous push down the stream. Then he turned and paddled hastily toward the flotilla. Again he reached it unobserved, and selected a second boat, very similar to the other in size and construction.
Assuring himself that this contained the requisite number of paddles, he cut it loose and was soon drifting down the current as before.
It was not a pleasant thought to the brothers, that of their isolated condition and their peril, which would force itself upon them, after the departure of the scout. As time passed, and the possibility that he might have failed, even in his moment of confidence, would force itself upon them, they realized how much their fate was bound up in his—how very essential his welfare and success were to their own.