We had just drawn up the canoes among the bushes and formed our camp in an open spot near the middle of the island, when one of the men who was on the lookout brought word that he saw a large number of savages passing on the east bank.  We were, however, perfectly concealed from their keen eyes.  Watching them attentively, we guessed by their gestures that they were looking for us, and not seeing our canoes, fancied that we had passed on.  Night was now approaching.  We were afraid of lighting a fire, lest its glare might betray our position to our pursuers.  They would, however, on not discovering us, turn back, so that we should thus meet them, and Uncle Donald resolved, therefore, to remain where we were, until they had retreated to the southward.  Even should they discover us we might defend the island more easily than any other spot we could select.  We had plenty of provisions, so that we could remain there without inconvenience for several days, except that we should thus delay our passage over the mountains.  Hugh and I were, much to our satisfaction, appointed by Uncle Donald to keep watch, Hugh on one side of the island and I on the other, for fear lest, should the red-skins find out where we were, they might attempt, by swimming across, to take us by surprise.