I now observed that those who had been unable to embark in the canoe were making their way in that direction.  They had probably caught sight of the strange Indians.  My fear was that Kepenau and Reuben might be attacked on their return.  I made signs to my companion that we would land the deer and then go to the assistance of our friends.  As Reuben and I had our rifles, and the strange Indians were probably without firearms, we might easily keep them in check or put them to flight; or should they venture to attack us, we might sink their canoes, even if we did not kill them with our rifle-bullets, before they got up to us.