I remember a black log bearing silently down upon me, and how I shrank from contact with it, fearful lest it might conceal some human thing.

Soon after it had swirled by, my feet touched the shelving bank, and I crept cautiously up into the overhanging shadow.
Burns was there, and had already reconnoitred our position; for my first knowledge of his presence came when he slowly lowered himself down the bank until he lay close beside me.
"They're thar," he said, soberly.

"Thought most likely they wud be." "Indians ?" I asked, doubtfully,--for I had an impression the factory might be garrisoned by some of our own people.
"Sure; I heerd as how the sojers hed been drawed in, an' naturally reckoned the Injuns would n't be over-long findin' it out.

'Nother fool thing fer the sojers ter dew." He paused, listening intently.

In the silence, above the slight sound of the running water, I felt sure I could distinguish voices speaking not far distant.
"It 's no place yere ter stay," he whispered, his lips close at my ear.
"Reckon best thing we kin dew now is to find one o' the sojers' root-caves somewhar along the bank, an' crawl in thar till daylight.
The Injuns ain't so likely to bother us when the guards kin see 'em from the Fort.