Oonomoo was fully aware that the delicate structure of the canoe was no
obstruction at all against a rifle-shot. Accordingly, while descending
the river, he had taken precaution to insure his safety, in case of
such an occurrence as had now transpired. A large, rotten limb, hardly
the length of his own body, was carried with him. At the moment of
lifting the canoe from the ground, the limb was placed within it, and
thus was carried back to the edge of the river. Lying flat upon his
face, this limb was about the thickness of the Huron's waist, and by
skillfully balancing the boat, it was interposed directly between him
and his foes. The only parts of his person which possibly could be
struck were his feet and the arm stretched over the side of the canoe.
The former necessarily being in the stern, it was hardly probable that
they would be wounded. There was such risk of the arm that Oonomoo
drew it within the boat for a few moments. He had scarcely done so,
when the reports of two rifles, and the peculiar zip of the bullets as
they cut through the side of the canoe and buried themselves in the
rotten wood, proved how wise was the precaution he had taken.
Quick as thought, the hand of the Huron was in the water again, where,
as he vigorously used it, it flashed like some fish at play. The
Shawnees, who plainly discerned the two holes their bullets had made,
could scarcely believe their daring foe had escaped injury.
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