THE END OF A " BRAVED 265 



At this moment the murmur of voices fell upon his 

 ear, and presently from his ambush the hunter could 

 see his enemies gesticulating excitedly, as they held a 

 council by the verge of the creek. One of the number 

 pointed backwards through the trees, as if to emphasize 

 a statement that the trapper had escaped in that 

 direction, while the others from their manner appeared 

 to imagine that he had gone down the creek towards 

 the Athabasca. 



They now approached the spot where they had left 

 the raft. 



"Thur'll be lightnin' around loose now," thought 

 Jake, " when the critters find the raft gone." 



A sudden halt, and an ejaculation of surprise and 

 disappointment from each simultaneously announced 

 the discovery. Then like hounds on a lost scent they 

 divided. Two ran down the creek towards the Atha- 

 basca, while the third searched the upward course of 

 the stream. 



" I guess I sweeps stakes this time," exclaimed Jake, 

 raising his rifle. The third savage was now plainly 

 visible as he stood close by the verge of the water and 

 gazed earnestly down the stream. 



A sharp report, a frantic cry, and a heavy splash 

 startled the echoes. The Indian fell forward into the 

 creek, the waves made by his fall gradually subsided, 

 and again the moonbeams rested peacefully on the 

 quiet surface of the water. 



" The niggur brought it on hisself," muttered Jake 



