He, however, seldom speaking, but ever acting, kept watch and ward continually. At every bend of the stream his eyes were alert to catch the first sight of a down-coming canoe in time to conceal Chip, as he decided must be done. When night camps were made, a site at the head of the lagoon or up some tributary stream was selected, and while not even hinting his reason for this, he felt it wise. As they drew near to Tim's Place, it began to occur to Martin that Chip's presence had best be concealed until that point was passed. He also desired to learn the situation there. He had always halted at this clearing in all his up-river journeys, so far, usually to buy pork and potatoes, and he now intended to do so again. He also felt it imperative to conceal Chip in Ray's canoe, before they reached Tim's Place, and let Ray paddle slowly on while the halt was made. But Levi dissented. "'Tain't best," he said, "to let Tim know there's two canoes of us and one not stoppin'. It'll make him s'picious o' suthin, 'n' what he 'spects, Pete'll find out. I callate we'd best pass thar in the night, leave the wimmen above, 'n' you 'n' I go back 'n' git what we want." "But what about the Canucks following us with the bateau?" returned Martin. "They'll tell who is with us, won't they?" "They didn't see us start," answered Levi, "'n' can't swear wimmen came. We'll say we're alone, 'n' bein' so'll make it plausible, 'n' you might say we're goin' to build a camp 'n' 'nother season fetch our wimmen in." "But how about our men, on the return trip, after finding we have women at the camp?" rejoined Martin. "They will be sure to tell all they know on the way back." "We've got to keep the wimmen shady, an' fool 'em," answered Levi. And so his plan was adopted. It was in the early hours of morning when the two canoes crept noiselessly past Tim's Place. The stars barely outlined the river's course, the frame dwelling, log cabin, and stump-dotted slope back of them. All the untidiness existent about this dwelling was hid in darkness, and only the faint sounds and odors betrayed these conditions. But every eye and ear in the two canoes was alert, paddles were dipped without sound, and Chip's heart was beating so loudly that it seemed to her Tim and all his family must be awakened. Her recent escape from this spot and all the reasons forcing it, the fear that both her father and the half-breed might even now be there, added dread; and not until a bend hid even the shadowy view of this plague spot did she breathe easier. "I was nigh skeered to death," she whispered to Ray when safety seemed assured, "an' if ever Pete finds I'm up whar the folks is goin', I'm a goner." "Oh, we'll take care of you," returned that boy, with the boundless confidence of youth; "my uncle can shoot as well as any one, and then Old Cy is up at the camp, and he's a wonder with a rifle. Why, I've seen him hit a crow a half-mile off!"