At length, reaching the shelter of a tree, and cautiously peering around, the Huron caught sight of the stern of his canoe.  One glance and his dark eyes flashed fire!  The Shawnees had been there!

What sign caught the notice of Oonomoo?  What kindled the fire in his dark eye?  What caused one hand to close over his knife, and the other to grasp his rifle?  It was a sign of his enemy.  Too well the sagacious Huron knew that the Shawnee was lying in wait for him.

The canoe, which Oonomoo left behind him, during his interview with Hans Vanderbum, lay precisely as it was first deposited.  Not a surrounding limb, shrub or leaf had, so far as he could see, been disturbed since he left the spot.  And yet the evidence which presented itself to the eyes of the Indian was as palpable and unmistakable as would have been the appearance of enemies themselves.

Oonomoo had carefully drawn his bark canoe up the river-bank and concealed it as well as the circumstances would admit.  He had then deposited his long Indian paddle in it, leaving the blade projecting over the stern.  The paddle was now several inches further to one side than it had been left by him!

This was the entire evidence.  It was abundantly sufficient to satisfy the Huron.  He did not doubt for an instant.  His only uncertainty was in regard to the precise location of his foes.  A few minutes’ observation satisfied him that they were not between the canoe and the river.  His course of action was accordingly determined.  It would have been the easiest matter in the world for him to have escaped by swimming the river; but as an opportunity for a contest of skill with his enemies was offered, he was too proud not to embrace it at once.  Retreating several rods, he continued his way upstream in his usual cautious manner, until he had gone perhaps a furlong above his canoe, when he approached and entered the stream.

The Miami, at this point, was so heavily wooded, that it was impossible to pass close under its shore without entering the water.  Once within this and in a stooping position, a person would be invisible to any one on the same bank, although he could be plainly seen from the opposite shore.  Oonomoo now commenced his descent of the river with the intention of recovering his canoe.  This was necessarily a tedious and prolonged operation, as a single misstep, a slip or splash of the water might betray him to his enemies.  But, he was equal to the task, and never hesitated for a moment except to listen for some sign of his enemies.

The Shawnees, by the merest accident, had discovered the Huron’s canoe and examined it.  Satisfied that it belonged to none of their tribe, and most probably had been left there by some hostile scout, they carefully allowed it to remain as they had found it, and endeavored to restore everything around to its natural position, so as not to arouse the suspicion of the owner upon his return.  This done, they withdrew and awaited with loaded rifles for his reappearance.  We have shown how a most trifling error in regard to the paddle placed the Huron on his guard.