Just then what was my dismay to see a number of red-skins rush out from the forest towards the bank.  They were those, I had no doubt, from whom we were endeavouring to escape.  They must have seen the canoe, and were rejoicing in the thoughts of the capture they were about to make. Hugh's youth would not save him from the cruel sufferings to which they were wont to put their prisoners, should they get hold of him, and that they would do this seemed too probable.  I almost wished, rather than he should have had to endure so cruel a fate, that he had sunk to the bottom.  Even now the Indian might come up with the canoe, but would it be possible for him to tow it to the west bank, or support Hugh while swimming in the same direction.  Though the rock was slippery I at length managed to stand up on it, and as I did so I gave as shrill a shout as I could utter.  One of the Indians in Corney's canoe glanced at me for a moment.  He at once saw what had happened, and I guessed from his gestures was telling Pierre as well as Corney of the accident.  In an instant the poles were thrown in, and the Indians seizing their paddles, the canoes, their heads turned round, were gliding like air bubbles down the torrent.