THE NIGHT-WATCH
Quickly the canoes were drawn to the bank and hidden amongst the overhanging bushes. A moment later a rustling was heard amongst the branches, and Wabeno stood before them.
"What has my red brother seen?" asked the major.
"Wabeno has seen the trail of a serpent!" replied the chief.
"Had the serpent moccasins?"
"Yes! The moccasins of the Iroquois."
"Humph! How many?"
The Algonquin held up seven fingers, to indicate how many footprints he had seen.
"'Tis only a small scalping party, then, which has passed this way. We'd better camp here for the night."
Wabeno insisted, however, that there was probably a larger party of Iroquois in the neighbourhood, and was for resting only until sunset, and then travelling rapidly through the night in order to reach the lakes as soon as possible. He seemed to think, also, that for several days past they had been watched by the scouts of the enemy.