The river shore was only some twenty or thirty feet
distant, and from where Oonomoo lay, the way was almost entirely clear
to it, so that when he chose to make any sudden dash or movement, no
hindering cause could possibly offer itself.
One of the Shawnees chanced to glance at the canoe. At the same
instant, his keen eye detected its changed position, imperceptible
almost as it was. With a guttural exclamation he arose and moved
toward it, followed by his two companions. They had taken scarcely a
step, when they saw the boat slide swiftly forward several feet, and
then suddenly rising to the perpendicular position, whisk off through
the bush at a still more rapid rate. Two twinkling moccasins, that
looked as if they were its support, as they doubled over each other,
fully explained to the Shawnees the cause of this singular scene.
With a loud yell, the three dashed forward, while the Huron ran at the
top of his speed over the slight distance that lay between him and the
river. Reaching the shore, he changed the canoe from his rear to his
front, and holding it like a shield above and before him. With one
foot in the edge of the water, he concentrated all his strength for the
effort and leaped far out in the stream--the canoe falling with a loud
splash perfectly flat upon the surface. The impetus thus given caused
it to shoot like an arrow for a long distance, when the Huron,
inclining his body to the left, careened it so much, that his own
person was concealed from any who might be upon the shore, while, by
reaching his hand over into the current, he was enabled to use it as a
paddle, and continue his onward motion.
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