'Twas but the toss of a biscuit to shore, and we had gained it ere our enemies were come within gunshot. Running swiftly along the strip of beach that skirted the steep, we put the shoulder of the cape between, and were safe from observation for a few minutes. "To the woods, M'sieu!" cried Tamin, in a suppressed voice. "No!" said I, sternly. "Straight along the beach, till I give the word to turn in! Follow me!" "'Tis the one chance, to get out of sight now!" grumbled Tamin, running beside me, and clutching at his wet sack of bread. "Don't you suppose he knows what he is doing, my Tamin?" interrupted Marc. "'Tis for you and me to obey orders!" Tamin growled, but said no more. "Now in with you to cover," I commanded, waving my salt fish as it had been a marshal's baton. At the same moment I turned, ran up the wet slope where a spring bubbled out of the wood's edge and spread itself over the stones, and sprang behind a thick screen of viburnums. My companions were beside me on the instant,--but it was not an instant too soon. As we paused to look back, there were the canoes coming furiously around the point. Staying not long to observe them, I led the way straight into the darkness of the woods, aiming for the seashore at the other side of the point. But Tamin was not satisfied. "Our road lies straight up yon river," said he. "My friend," said I, "we must e'en find another road to Shulie. Those fellows will be sure to agree that we have gone that way. Knowing that I am a cunning woodsman, they will say, 'He will make them to run in the water, and so leave no trail.' And they will give hot chase up the river." "But there be two rivers," objected Tamin. "Bien," said I, "they will divide their party, and give hot chase up two rivers!" "And in the meanwhile?" inquired Marc. "I'll find the way to Shulie," said I. "The stars and the sun are guide enough! I know the main lay of all these coasts." Chapter VI Grul The undergrowth into which we had now come was thick and hindering, so there was no further chance of speech. A few minutes more and we came out upon the seaward slope of the point. We pushed straight down to the water, here sheltered from the wind and little troubled. That our footprints might be hidden, at least for a time, we ran, one behind the other, along the lip of the tide, where the water was about ankle deep. In the stillness our splashing sounded dangerously loud, and Tamin, yet in a grumbling humour, spoke of it. "But you forget, my friend," said I, gently, "that there is noise and to spare where our enemies are,--across there in the wind!" In a moment Tamin spoke again, pointing some little way ahead.