"But suppose he had not come up with us, how would he have lived in these woods? It is a mercy that he has fallen in with us," said Captain Sinclair. John slapped the barrel of his rifle, which was lying by him, and which Captain Sinclair had not perceived. "You don't think that John would come into the woods without his rifle, sir, do you?" said Malachi. "I did not perceive that he had it with him," said Captain Sinclair, "but I certainly ought to have known John better." John having finished his supper, they all lay down to rest, one keeping watch that they might not be surprised. At daylight they made their breakfast, and then went down again to the borders of the lake, where the trail had been lost. After a long examination, Malachi called the Strawberry, and pointing to the edge of the water, asked her to look there. The Strawberry did so, and at last decided that there was the mark of the bottom of a canoe which had been grounded. "Yes, I thought so," said Malachi. "They have had their canoe all ready, and have crossed the water. Now, we must walk quite round the lake to discover the trail again, and that will give them half-a-day's start of us." They immediately set off coasting the shores of the lake, until they arrived at the other side, carefully examining the ground as they went. This took them till noon, by which time they had arrived at that part of the lake which was opposite to the large rock behind which they had kindled their fire the night before; but no traces were to be perceived. "They have not crossed over in a straight line," said Captain Sinclair, "that is evident; we must now try more to the northward."