Henry, looking back, saw that the long canoes had turned and were making for the southern shore. Great as was the prize they sought, they would not dare the falls, and half the battle was won. "They don't follow!" he shouted at the top of his voice. "And now for the miracle that will keep us afloat!" The canoe raced down the watery slope and the spray continued to drench them, though they had taken the precaution to cover up their rifles and ammunition. But their surpassing skill had its reward. The descent soon became more gradual, the torrents of white water sank, and then they slid forward in the rapids, still going at a great rate, but no longer in danger. "An' we've left the enemy behind!" sang the shiftless one, looking back at the white masses. "He thought he had us, but he hadn't! He turned back at the steep slope, but we came on! Thar's nothin' like havin' a fall between you an' a lot o' pursuin' Injun canoes, is thar, Paul?" Paul laughed, half in amusement and half in nervous relief. "No, Sol, there isn't, at least not now," he replied. "It looks as if these falls had been put here especially to save us." "I like to think so, too," said the shiftless one. The river was still very wide and they kept the canoe in its center, although they no longer dreaded Indian shots, feeling quite sure that no warriors were on either shore below the falls. So they went on three or four miles, until Paul asked what was the next plan. "We must talk it over, all of us," said Henry. "The canoe is of no particular use to us except as a way of escape from immediate danger." "But it and the falls together saved us," said Shif'less Sol. "Oh, it's a good boat, a fine boat, a friendly boat!" "I hate to desert a friend." "It must be done. We can't stay forever on the river in a canoe. That would merely invite destruction. The Indians can take their canoes out of the water, carry them around the falls and resume the pursuit." "O' course I know you're right, Henry. I wuz jest droppin' a tear or two over the partin' with our faithful canoe. We make fur the north bank, I s'pose." "That seems to me to be the right course, because the warriors will be thicker on the south side. We'll keep our policy of defense against them by resuming the offense. What say you, Paul?" "I choose the north bank." "And you, Jim?" "North, uv course." "And you, Tom?" "North." "And Sol and I have already spoken. We'll make for the low point across there, sink the canoe and go into the forest. The Indians will be sure in time to pick up our trail and follow us, but we'll escape 'em as we've escaped twice already." "Red Eagle and Yellow Panther will come for us now," said Paul. "It's their turn next." "Let 'em," said Long Jim in sanguine tones. "They can't beat us."