BOEDER LIFE IN THE WEST. 233 



cut-throats and robbers, and we give you fair warning that 

 the first man of you who touches the boat which is fastened 

 to the river shore down there, I will shoot, and with an aim 

 that never misses remember that." 



The rascals slunk away into the dark along with the re- 

 pudiated Kelpie of the desolate river, and we were quickly 

 left alone. 



To barricade the door with trunks and all the cord- wood 

 we had at command, was the first movement, and then to 

 take my position as sentinel at the port-hole window, which 

 overlooked the place of the boat, was the next. Not a word 

 passed between my friend and myself. He resumed his seat 

 next the door upon his trunk, and there he continued stol- 

 idly to sit. 



The long rifle of which I had considered myself justified in 

 depriving my treacherous host, lay rested upon the port-hole, 

 and bearing upon the precious boat which was to rescue us 

 from this terrible isolation amidst ruffianism in the morning. 



Oh, a long, long time passed God only knows how long 

 it was ! and still I was standing watching the poor little 

 canoe for I could yet distinguish that frail craft the posi- 

 tion of which I had jealously marked, having directed that it 

 should be at the foot of a tall sepulchral sycamore, that stood 

 out with its white bark as a relief against the dreary gloom. 



At last, I saw two shadows creeping along the dim shore, 

 the cold, misty twilight, as the sombre morning crept on- 

 wards, making them more vague. 



I had shivered and stood uncertain, anxious and distrustful 

 so long, through this weary night, that everything seemed 

 at last now that nature was giving out unreal, and when 

 I saw palpably before my eyes two men enter this boat, and 

 heard immediately the beat of oars or paddles, what could I 

 do other than fire at the objects in the boat? A shriek told 

 all the story, and the boat was instantly whirled down the 

 stream. 



The only immediate consolation that I ever received from 



