A silence of a few moments followed, when he repeated the call. To the surprise of both it was answered. "That you, Kent?" came a voice as if its owner had just waked. "Wal, I rather guess so; and it's my private opinion that you'd better tumble yourself in here in short order," returned Kent. A dark form arose to all appearance from the ground, and pitching awkwardly forward, exclaimed: "You don't suppose a fellow would be in the boat through all that rain, do you? Oh! is Leland there?" he asked, pausing and collecting his senses. "No! Poor fellow's scalped and burned at the stake. Had to kill nine of them to save my own hair." Leslie made no reply, but stepped silently into the boat. Making his way toward the stern, he encountered the very person of whom he had been speaking. "Hey! who is this?" he exclaimed, starting back. "A dead red-skin that I cotched," answered Kent. "Leland, sure as I live!" said Leslie, joyously catching his hand. For a few moments they heeded not the mirth of Kent at his joke, in their mutual congratulations. Then they turned and heard him say: "What a couple of fools." They appreciated his rough kindness too well to make any reply. The boat was out in the river, and under the long, powerful impulses that the hunter gave it, was moving rapidly downward. CHAPTER XIII. THE CAPTIVE. Leland and Leslie conversed and recounted to each other their adventures until those were exhausted, when they endeavored to keep off the chill by taking turns at the oars. Morning at length began to appear. In a short time darkness lifted from the water, and the bright rays of the morning sun pierced the foliage of the forest and rested upon the stream. About the middle of the forenoon, Kent ran in under the bank and sprung ashore. The day was quite warm, and it was a pleasure for the three to step upon the land and stretch themselves in the genial sunshine. They had, however, halted for consultation, and to determine upon the plan to pursue in order to rescue Rosalind. "One more job finished and we'll rest a while," said Kent. "And as we have depended upon and been guided and saved by your wisdom," said Leslie, "of course, in this most important case your advice must be followed." "Let's hear what you chaps have got to say first, 'cause p'raps you might accidentally say somethin' smart without knowin' it. I'll decide it after we all get through." "What seems to me the most feasible is this," commenced Leland. "Let all three of us follow the savages which have taken my sister, and after reaching their vicinity, by stratagem recover her. If it be impossible to do it in this way, make a bold dash and venture among them, and take her at all events." "Killin' first 'bout one hundred Injins, just to get 'em out the way, you know," said Kent, with mock gravity. "Come, Leslie, it's your turn; and bein' you're so much interested, I 'spects to hear somethin' awful grand."