en he was told that the stern of the scow was within fifteen or
eighteen feet of the desired spot.

In executing this maneuver, Deerslayer had proceeded promptly; for
while he did not in the least doubt that he was both watched and
followed by the foe, he believed he had distracted their movements by
the apparent uncertainly of his own, and he knew they could have no
means of ascertaining that the rock was his aim, unless, indeed, one of
the prisoners had betrayed him--a chance so improbable in itself as to
give him no concern. Notwithstanding the celerity and decision of his
movements, he did not, however, venture so near the shore without
taking due precautions to effect a retreat, in the event of its
becoming necessary. He held the line in his hand, and Judith was
stationed at a loop on the side of the cabin next the shore, where she
could watch the beach and the rocks and give timely notice of the
approach of either friend or foe. Hetty was also placed on watch, but
it was to keep the trees overhead in view, lest some enemy might ascend
one, and, by completely commanding the interior of the scow, render the
defenses of the hut or cabin useless.

The sun had disappeared from the lake and valley when Deerslayer
checked the ark in the manner mentioned. Still it wanted a few minutes
to the true sunset, and he knew Indian punctuality too well to
anticipate any unmanly haste in his friend. The great question was,
whether, surrounded by enemies as he was known to be, he had escaped
their toils. The occurrences of the last twenty-four hours must be a
secret to him, and, like himself, Chingachgook was yet young on a
war-path. It was true he came prepared to encounter the party that
withheld his promised bride, but he had no means of ascertaining the
extent of the danger he ran or the precise positions occupied by either
friends or foes. In a word, the trained sagacity and untiring caution
of an Indian were all he had to rely on amid the critical risks he
unavoidably ran.

"Is the rock empty, Judith?" inquired Deerslayer, as soon as he had
checked the drift of the ark, deeming it imprudent to venture
unnecessarily near. "Is any thing to be seen of the Delaware chief?"

"Nothing, Deerslayer. Neither rock, shore, tree, nor lake seems to
have ever held a human form."

"Keep close, Judith--keep close, Hetty--a rifle has a prying eye, a
nimble foot, and a desperate fatal tongue. Keep close, then, but keep
up act_y