The distance seemed to lengthen and grow interminable, and their pace, although rapid, was to Robert like that of a snail. Yet the longest journey must come to an end. The new island rose at last before them, larger than the others but like the rest covered throughout with heavy forest. They were almost in its shelter, when a faint cry came from the lofty cliff on the west. It was a low, whining sound, very distant, but singularly penetrating, a sinister note with which Robert was familiar, the Indian war whoop. He recognized it, and understood its significance. Warriors had seen the canoe and knew that it marked the flight of the three. "What do you think we'd better do?" he said. "We'll stop for a moment or two at the island and take a look around us," replied Willet. They moored the canoe, and waded to the shore. Far behind them was the Indian fleet, about twenty canoes, coming in the formation of an arrow, while the bonfires on the cliffs towered toward the sky. A rising wind swept the waves down and they crumbled one after another, as they broke upon the island. "It looks like a trap with us inside of it," said the hunter. "That shout meant that they've seen our canoe, as you lads know. Warriors have already gone below to head us off, and maybe they've got another fleet, which, answering their signals, will come up from the south, shutting us between two forces." "We are in their trap," admitted Robert, "but we can break out of it. We've been in traps before, but none of them ever held us." "So we can, lad. I didn't mean to be discouraging. I was just stating the situation as it now is. We're a long way from being taken." "The path has been opened to us," said the Onondaga. "What do you mean?" asked Robert. "Lo, Dagaeoga, the wind grows strong, and it sweeps toward the south the way we were going." "I hear, Tayoga, but I don't understand." "We will send the canoe with wind and waves, but we will stay here." "Put 'em on a false scent!" exclaimed the hunter. "It's a big risk, but it's the only thing to be done. As the bird saved Robert so the wind may save us! The waves are running pretty fast toward the south now and the canoe will ride 'em like a thing of life. They're too far away to tell whether we are in it." It was a daring thing to do but Robert too felt that it must be done, and they did not delay in the doing of it. They took out their clothing, weapons, and ammunition, Willet gave the canoe a mighty shove, and it sailed gallantly southward on the crest of the high waves. "I feel as if I were saying good-by to a faithful friend," said Robert. "It's more than a friend," said Willet. "It's an ally that will draw the enemy after it, and leave us here in safety."