226 A MYSTERY UNRAVELLED. 



The mystery, however, was soon unravelled. On 

 running his eye closely down one bank of the river, he 

 suddenly discerned a canoe on the margin of the water, 

 while a thin column of smoke ascended from a fire 

 under the edge of the forest. Two figures sat by the 

 blaze ; and although the distance was several hundred 

 yards, Gaultier had no difficulty in perceiving that they 

 were Indians. 



Recollecting the unpleasant episode of the preceding 

 evening, the young trapper kept himself carefully con- 

 cealed, and watched from his ambush the motions of 

 the savages. These presently rose, and having extin- 

 guished their fire, they got into their canoe and crossed 

 to his side of the river. Here they disembarked, and 

 lifting the canoe from the water, they carried it into 

 the woods, and placed it behind a bush scarcely fifty 

 yards from the spot where Ga*ultier lay hidden. 



Having accomplished this to their satisfaction, they 

 took their rifles, and with the utmost caution they ad- 

 vanced in the direction of the camp. Gaultier's heart 

 beat quickly as they passed his ambush ; but evidently 

 they did not suspect his presence, as they walked along 

 noiselessly and swiftly, keeping under cover of the woods. 



From the secret and stealthy mode of their advance 

 so near the camp, Gaultier became convinced of their 

 hostile intentions. He was the more sure of this, as 

 in one of them he recognized their visitor of the pre- 

 vious evening. Filled with fear for the safety of old 

 Jake if these skulking enemies should ambush him at 



