The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-10-29
CHAPTER XVI.
A LONG CHASE.

CHAPTER XVI.
LONG CHASE.
"Now the first thing to do is to take
in the sails, for it won't do to have them
tapping like that and giving notice to
the redskins where to find US. But hold
on! They've lost the wind too, haven't t
they?" They're q long way astern,"
replied Jabe, land they've lowered
their blankets; but their paddles will
bring them on fast enough"
"In five minutes they won't be able
to see us at ALL" said Eph. "But there's
o little island on our starboard bow.
Dye make 1t out?'
Jabe said he did.
"Well, we'll get the boat out and tow
our craft behind that island and lay
there all snug till the fog lifts and the
wind comes up again. But mind, every
thing must be done as silent as II our
lives depended on it-which they do"
The fog, which gathers with great
rapidity and disappears as quickly, had
now settled down upon them. The sails
were lowered to the deck, and the small
boat eased into the water.
The next difficulty arose from the
weak condition Of the men, who had all
been taken from the hospital ward Of
the fort.
''I'll take your place, Jabe," said his
wife. 81 know how to row, and so does
Mrs. Knowles. Wen wrap our aprons
round the oars to stop the noise, and
one Of you men can steer"
Jabe looked at his wife with admira-
ton, but there was no time for words.
The two women got into the boat, and
Eph took the helm. The tow line be-
came taut, and the gunboat began to
move slowly through the water.
Ephraim calculated that it would take
the redskins an hour to overhaul them,
and by that time he hoped to reach tho
shelter Of the island, we'll knowing that
on the open lake, the savages being
nearer the surface Of the water, might
distinguish their upper rigging in the
thinner and lighter atmosphere above.
On the same principle he became aware
that they had entered their haven by
observing the tops Of trees on either
side OF the narrow channel. Silence
was now their best defence. The
women returned to the gun-boat, but
Eph. remained to guard against sur
prise. He sat there in the dead silence.
Not leaf stirred. Not wavelet
rippled on the shore; not bird chirped
on the trees, while all around hung an
impenetrable curtain Of mist. So ac-
customed did he become to the chaotic
stiffness and so sensitive bis auricular
nerve, that he was sure he heard q
movement on the island. Thon came a
sound Of flying steps approaching
through the forest, q plunge in the
water, and the painting breath Of o
swimmer. 1t was coming straight to
him. 1t passed 80 near that no dis
tingulshed the antlered head OF stag
making for the mainland, where he heard
itland, and by calculating the time Of
its passage, concluded that he was too
near the island. Gently dropping
an oar into the water, and
using 1t as a paddle, he towed the gun
boat across the strait until he found
himself In shallow water. Having thus
widened the distance between him and
the enemy, he sat down to await the
breeze which would raise the misty
curtain. Night came attended by the
same oppressive silence, and Eph, worn
out with anxiety and fatigue, dropped
into uneasy slumber in which his senses
retained their vigilance while his nerves
relaxed their tension. How long he re-
mained in this state he did not know,
but a soft, balmy touch aroused him.
The stars were shining above and the
wind signing through the tall tree
branches. He stopped for moment to
listen for other sounds, and sought tho
deck OF the gun-boat Jabe was on
guard.
"Get all the help you can to hoist the
sails" said Eph, "while / tow her q
little of shore"
When the sun arose the little vessel
was dancing over the waves with a
strong breeze on her quarter. But far
astern Jabe made out the blanket sails
Of their pursuers.
"We're safer here than anywhere else
with those red devils on our trail, said
Eph, "and as long as they follow us
well have TO keep TO the water, where
ever II carries us to-"
ave must be near the entrance TO the
ST. Lawrence" observed Jabe, land
well have TO look out for rapids and do
some fine steering among the islands.
But we can hide there or fight to better
At noon they found the current in
,reasing and met few rocky isles, the
advance guard, as 1t were, Of that nu-
host which evokes the admira-
ton Of the tourist Of to-day. Every
the situation became more
serious. The foresail was lowered and
still the little vessel rushed on with un-
impaired velocity. Eph, grasping the
siller with both hands, found It difficult
10 elude the rocky obstacles which arose
As II by magic In his path, threatening
instant destruction rs the price Of con-
tact with their iron crests.
"Theres barge ashore, over thorei"
cried Jabe, who was fully impressed
with the peril Of the situation. Say,
Eph, do you see it?"
Eph did soc 1t. The beach OF the lit
lie island had n pentie slope which con-