It was not a pleasant thought to the brothers, that of their isolated condition and their peril, which would force itself upon them, after the departure of the scout. As time passed, and the possibility that he might have failed, even in his moment of confidence, would force itself upon them, they realized how much their fate was bound up in his—how very essential his welfare and success were to their own. At length Alfred, who stood upon the brink of the river, earnestly listening for the approach of the scout, saw something which bore a resemblance to the expected boat. It was gliding gently along, and was quite near before he had discerned it. Satisfying himself as to its character, he addressed his brother. In a moment Charles was beside him. “Look there?” whispered Alfred, pointing in the direction of the boat; “Davy is coming, at length.” To their surprise, the object continued upon its course, and passed the point upon which they were standing. The young men looked at each other in mute surprise. Alfred was the first to speak. “Can it be that he has mistaken the place where he left us?” he whispered. Charles shook his head perplexedly. In a moment more the strange object had passed from view. “What does it mean?” asked the younger. “It is all a mystery to me,” replied the other. “I am almost sure it can not be Davy. He would hardly have mistaken the rendezvous.” “Indians?” suggested Alfred, in a tone which spoke more than the word itself implied. “Hardly; though if it be so we shall soon hear from them. I could see no person in the craft, nor did its motions seem to indicate that it was loaded.” “It can not be that the scout has been—” “Hist! Do not even mention that—it is too horrible for thought! Heaven only knows what our position would be, should harm come to him.” Charles moved back to his former position, a few yards in the rear of his brother, to keep watch that no foe should steal upon them from that direction. The mind of each was filled with the most stirring apprehensions, and every moment they really expected to see their murderous foes stealing upon them, or hear their horrid yells. Some minutes passed, when Alfred fancied he saw something move above them. His heart gave a great bound of joy, as he thought that the scout might be coming, and then a thrill of excitement passed over his frame, as he reflected that it might be their savage foes. He listened intently. This time the regular “dip” of paddles gave assurance that something of life was within the canoe. Signaling his brother, they silently awaited the approach of the floating object. They were not long in suspense. The boat was quite near the shore, and heading directly toward the point upon which they stood. As it came nearer they could discern an upright figure, guiding it toward the land. In another moment it grated upon the sand, and David sprung out.