A REUNION. 203 
" Cast off the moment the other raft comes in sight 
around the end of the island," commanded Dick. " They'll 
follow us " — 
His confident remarks were cut short by a loud report 
from the shore, and a musket ball imbedded itself in one 
of the logs, just grazing the bare leg of the foremost 
Chilkat. In an instant, as if by magic, the woods on 
either bank fairly swarmed with dark forms. 
The lieutenant, who had served through all the late 
war, tossed his head up like a war-horse. Seizing his 
Winchester, he sighted carefully on the nearest of the 
enemies, who was just preparing to swim out from their 
late camping-ground, and pulled trigger. The Indian 
clapped his hand to his left arm, and howled with terror 
and pain. At the same moment Peeschee picked off an 
especially prominent assailant on the opposite shore. 
And now a splendid volley, from three pieces, roared 
out like an echo, as Raft No. 2 swept around the end of 
the island. 
" To the rescue ! " shouted the boys, waving their hats. 
"Hurrah!" returned the lieutenant, raising his piece 
for another shot. But where were the living targets that 
had thronged the shores but a moment before ? 
Gone ! The forest was apparently as lonely and quiet 
as it had been for weeks before. The cowardly foe had 
melted away into its depths at the first fire. Even the 
man hit by Peeschee had picked himself up and limped 
off, with apparently only a flesh-wound. 
