"But it is not safe to encamp here," the Indian added, "for Ottawa Indians hunt in these woods, and they will scalp an Englishman wherever they find him. But if you will go to my cabin you are safe."
"And where is your cabin?" inquired Gist.
"So near that we could hear a gun if fired there now," the Indian replied.
Although strongly suspicious of his designs, both followed him for a distance, steering in a more northerly direction. Gist grew uneasy, and stopping, said, "I will go no farther."
"A whoop could be heard at my cabin now," the Indian insisted. "We shall soon be there."
They traveled two miles farther, when Washington remarked:
"I shall stop at the next place we find water, and you must stop, too," addressing the Indian. This was said in a decisive manner. In a few moments they emerged from the woods into a long meadow. The Indian was three or four rods in advance of them. Suddenly stopping and turning about, the treacherous savage aimed his gun at Gist, and fired.
"Are you shot?" cried Washington, rushing forward to his companion. "Are you shot?"
"No; but it is what I feared from the time we employed the rascal to guide us," answered Gist. The shot missed.
The Indian ran behind a large white oak, Washington and Gist following after him. Approaching the tree, they discovered that he was reloading his gun.