"We ought to hev more'n that," said Shif'less Sol. Ef the worst
comes to the worst, we've got to land somewhar an' shoot a deer."
"But not yet," said Henry in a whisper, lest he wake the
sleepers. "I think we'll come into the Susquehanna pretty soon,
and its width will be a good thing for us. I wish we were there
now. I don't like this narrow stream. Its narrowness affords
too good an ambush."
"Anyway, the creek is broadenin' out fast," said the shiftless
one, "an' that is a good sign., What's that you see ahead,
Henry-ain't it a river?"
"It surely is," replied Henry, who caught sight of a broad
expanse of water, "and it's the Susquehanna. Pull hard, Sol! In
five more minutes we'll be in the river."
It was less than five when they turned into the current of the
Susquehanna, and less than five more when they heard a shout
behind them, and saw at least a dozen canoes following. The
canoes were filled with Indians and Tories, and they had spied
the fugitives.
"Keep the women and the children down, Paul," cried Henry.
All knew that Henry and Shif'less Sol were the best shots, and,
without a word, Long Jim and Tom, both powerful and skilled
watermen, swung heavily on the oars, while Henry and Shif'less
Sol sat in the rear with their rifles ready.
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