“Now, Bob!” and hardly had the words been spoken by the trapper than the second report rang out.
Sandy was already feverishly reloading, when Pat followed with a third shot.
“I wonder what the Indians will think when they hear that volley?” Bob remarked.
“It’s going to puzzle them a lot to make it out,” Sandy declared. “But what if those at the boat shouldn’t hear our signal, Pat?”
“There do be no danger at all av that, son,” replied the trapper, readily. “Becase we did not turrn up be darrk, they are likely listenin’ for signs. And, av yees notice, the night wind is crapin’ up the river, comin’ from the west; so that the sound av the guns was kerried straight away to the camp. Ready, Sandy? Thin let fly!”
Once again was the programme carried out as before, the three shots punctuating the stillness of the night.
“And now ’tis away we go, headin’ for the idge av the river,” said Pat, again shouldering that prized venison, which, if once taken safely on board the boat, would be well earned, indeed.
They soon came to the bank of the river, and just as had been expected, found that the walking was better if they kept close to the water’s edge. In places they might have to push through some dense copse that persisted in growing to the water’s edge; but, on the whole, it proved to be a wise move.
Of course they headed down-stream. This was done in order to put as great a distance as possible between the Indians and themselves; for later on they hoped to have an opportunity to get aboard the flatboat; and it meant a good deal to them all if the enemy at that time happened to be some distance away.
All the while the boys were anxiously listening for sounds from the rear. Naturally they were picturing all sorts of terrible things as happening to the crew and passengers of the floating home on the water.