We were not more than three or four minutes in reaching the bank, and we at once glided in so as to create no splash.
“Strike out towards the middle of the river,” he whispered; “but do so as gently as possible.”
I followed his directions, and found that I could swim without any pain to my ankle.
“Now throw yourself on your back, and we will float down with the current,” he said.
We could all this time hear the voice of the Indian addressing the assembly of warriors. So intent were they in listening to what he was saying, that they had evidently not discovered my escape.
“Can nothing be done to save my companions?” I asked, thinking of the dreadful fate which might await Reuben and Mike.
“Others will look after them,” he answered. “Don’t speak, lest the water should convey your voice to the shore.”
After we had gone some distance he told me to turn round again and swim, so that we might make more progress.
“Now make for the shore,” he said.
In a short time we gained a spot where the trees grew close down to the bank. Climbing up there, he led me through the wood. On the further side I found a man holding three horses.