"No; he would search the place, and seeing my trail, would follow it. I left a pretty plain one, and he will meet with no difficulty." "But suppose the ranger is captured himself?" "There is no supposition in the case," rejoined Leslie, with an air of assurance. "Well, admitting what you say," continued Leland, "did you leave a trail after getting in the boat, that will be easy for him to follow?" "Easy enough. He knows what course I would take, and, consequently, he knows what one to pursue." "But, even then, can he overtake you?" "I have not come very rapidly, and I think that he can. I believe that at this moment he is on the way." "Well, Roland, we have probably speculated enough upon our chances of meeting him. In the meantime, what do you propose that we do with ourselves?" "As to that, I am hardly decided. There is great danger in our remaining on the river, and yet I see no means which will be so apt to bring us in communication with Kent." "This gliding down the Ohio in broad daylight, when we know the woods on both sides are full of our enemies, is rather dangerous business, although it may possess some advantages for us." "I leave the matter with you," said Leslie. "The stream is very broad for a considerable distance, and both of us ought to understand enough of woodcraft to prevent running into danger." "We _ought_ to understand enough," said Leland, significantly, "but the fact is, we do _not_. There are so many contrivances these cunning rascals devise for a white man's destruction, that one needs to have a schooling of years in their ways to understand them. However," he added, in a whisper, "I understand _that_ contrivance yonder." "What is that?" inquired his companion, in some excitement. "Take a careful look down-stream and tell me whether you see anything unusual." "No--I don't know as I do," slowly repeated Leslie. "Hold on--yes, I do--yonder is a log, or more likely two or three of them--a raft. I suppose, Leland, it is for our benefit." "Undoubtedly. It was constructed for the benefit of the white race generally; and, as we come first we are to be served first." "Let us cut in to shore and give them the slip." "It may be the very thing they wish us to do. The action of the savages, so far, shows that they are more anxious to take prisoners than to slay men. So keep quiet and don't allow yourself to become nervous." CHAPTER VI. THE RAFT. Slowly, silently and gently the boat glided onward--both Leslie and Leland as motionless as death, yet with hearts throbbing wildly and fearfully. The former stooped and whispered: "There are three Indians on it, upon the opposite side from us. We must pass beyond the log before they will be in range of our guns. They will not fire until we begin to pass them. Take a quick but sure aim, and drop down in the bottom of the boat the instant your gun is discharged."