In less than half an hour the canoe rounded an abrupt bend in the stream, and but a few rods in advance of them Flick saw the Indian that he had sent adrift sitting up in the canoe and gesticulating in an excited manner with one hand, while with the other he was trying to paddle the little craft up the stream. Quick as a flash Flick arose to his feet and pointed in an excited manner toward the savage. The two guards turned quickly around to see what the mute wished to call their attention to; and at that instant the Irishman drew his shillalah from under his coat, and, reaching forward over the captives’ heads, dealt the savages a blow on the head that sent them heels over head into the Medicine Bow. And then he uttered a yell, and springing over the captives’ heads, served the two oarsmen a blow on the head that caused them to release their hold on the oars and sink down quietly and unconscious at his feet.
“Ay, now,” exclaimed the supposed mute Indian, turning to the wondering captives; “it was a lick on the head wid me shillalah that made mees known to the rhed bla’guards, and shill mees make meeself known to yees blind jackasses the same?”
“Flick, as I’m a confounded fool!” exclaimed Frank.
“And it’s a purty mess yees hev got into,” said the Irishman, cutting their bonds.
In the mean time, the real mute Indian had succeeded in reaching the shore and making his escape.
Flick now pitched the two unconscious oarsman out into the water, and taking the paddle sent the craft flying down the stream.
In a few minutes an island densely covered with timber was reached and the party landed and drew the canoe up on the beach.
The trio did not strike a fire for fear of attracting the attention of the Indians, should any be lurking in the vicinity; and so they were compelled to go without supper.
Seating themselves in the shadow of the undergrowth, where they could not be seen, they entered into conversation, but this was soon interrupted by the sound of paddles.
Rising to their feet and looking up-stream, they discovered a canoe containing four men coming down toward the island.