"Don't move," I whispered to Mr. Gracewood.
"But the current is carrying us upon them," he replied, his anxiety apparent in his tones.
"If you can work her farther in shore without making any noise, do so," I added.
In paddling the dugout the Indians all faced ahead, instead of astern as in rowing. We were under the shadow of the high bank of the river, which was covered with wood. Mr. Gracewood carefully worked the barge nearer to the bank, until I was able to grasp the branch of a tree which had fallen down as the earth caved off beneath its roots. I held it there, and in a moment more the dugout disappeared in the gloom.
"They are not looking for us," said Mr. Gracewood.
"No; but they have not come down here for nothing," I replied.
"They fired at us as we were coming down the river. Possibly they followed us, and saw us go up the Big Fish. Perhaps they think now that there is no one at the Castle, and they can plunder it without opposition. They will soon discover their blunder."
"They may capture her if she is in the Castle, while the soldiers are encamped in the rear, not expecting an enemy on the river side."
"We need not stay here any longer," I added, letting go the branch, and permitting the current to carry the barge down the stream. "Don't make any noise with the oars, Mr. Gracewood."
"We must hurry forward and alarm the soldiers. They have no suspicion that there are any Indians within many miles of them."
"What's the matter, father?" cried Ella, waking with a start.
"Hush! Ella. Don't make any noise. We are safe, and there is no danger."
"What has happened?" she whispered, trembling with fear.
"Nothing has happened; but we saw three Indians go down the river. They did not discover us, and there is nothing to fear. Don't be alarmed."
The barge floated down to the mouth of the Fish, and Mr. Gracewood, using the oars very carefully, guided it to the landing, where we went on shore. I hastened up the rising ground to ascertain if there was any demonstration against the Castle. On the way, I heard old Firefly neigh; and then I remembered that I had left him there when I started to follow the Indians. The old fellow was very glad to see me, for he probably did not like to be excluded from his warm stable, and robbed of his supper.