A NARROW ESCAPE. 229 



neither beast nor Indian. The old hunter's plan was 

 simply to throw himself at ease upon the river 

 bank, and thus to invite a further advance of his 

 treacherous foes. Thus, when they were once in the 

 open, he could deal with one, while Gaultier attacked 

 the other. 



This stratagem had the desired effect. No sooner 

 did the lurking savages see the trapper throw himself 

 upon the ground with his back towards them, than 

 with stealthy steps they crept swiftly towards him, 

 their rifles thrown forward, cocked and ready. Gaul- 

 tier's excitement was now intense. He could no longer 

 delay his interference without great danger to his com- 

 rade. He therefore raised his rifle, and with a steady 

 aim at the foremost Indian, pressed the trigger. At 

 the report, the savage plunged forward on his face, 

 stone-dead; and before his companion could realize 

 what had occurred, old Jake sprang to his feet, and 

 with a well-directed bullet from Plumcentre stretched 

 him lifeless on the ground. 



Gaultier ran forward to the spot and joined the old 

 hunter in examining the bodies. 



" This is the very coon kem last night an' wasted my 

 powder," said Jake. " I'd swar to his ugly pictur any- 

 wheres. I guess he didn't think he wur bringin' this 

 child powder o' purpose to shoot himself. No ! that 

 he didn't. Only fur yer seem' the skunks, lad," he 

 continued, " they'd 'a throwed me whur I wur fishin' ; 

 that's likely enuff, I allow." 



