UNPLEASANT COMPANION. 347 



we had two guns to his one would have its due effect on 

 even an ugly customer. Still, if he had a double-bar- 

 relled gun, it would not take him long to knock us, who 

 were armed, over ; and before "Chet," who was a small, 

 slight man, and slow withal, could recover from his 

 astonishment and spring forward and disentangle our 

 guns from our bodies, the savage would be aboard of 

 the boat and easily dispatch him. His purpose once 

 accomplished, there would not have been the slightest 

 chance of detection, for no mortal but himself knew he 



had been there. 



Although ashamed of myself at the time, all these 

 thoughts passed through my head, and I kept close watch 

 of him, determined, if I saw him lay down his paddle, 

 to snatch my companion's double-barrelled gun, loaded 

 with buck-shot, from him, and be ready if he should 

 raise his piece. Accustomed to shoot on the wing and 

 in thick cover, I would not have asked but a single 

 second to have covered the swarthy rascal. But the 

 strokes of his paddle continued to fall steady and strong, 

 and he kept on silent as ever, till we reached the river, 

 when he turned down stream and soon disappeared in 

 the gloom. I was not at all sorry to see him leave, and 

 could not help saying mentally, " Good night, my fine 



