he suddenly ceased paddling, as if
uncertain in what direction next to steer.

"It is possible that the old chap has dropped into the river," said
Hurry, after looking carefully along the whole of the eastern shore,
which was about a mile distant, and open to his scrutiny for more than
half its length; "for he has taken to trapping considerable, of late,
and, barring flood-wood, he might drop down it a mile or so; though he
would have a most scratching time in getting back again!"

"Where is this outlet?" asked Deerslayer; "I see no opening in the
banks or the trees, that looks as if it would let a river like the
Susquehannah run through it."

"Ay, Deerslayer, rivers are like human mortals; having small beginnings,
and ending with broad shoulders and wide mouths. You don't see the
outlet, because it passes atween high, steep banks; and the pines, and
hemlocks and bass-woods hang over it, as a roof hangs over a house. If
old Tom is not in the 'Rat's Cove,' he must have burrowed in the river;
we'll look for him first in the cove, and then we'll cross to the
outlet."

As they proceeded, Hurry explained that there was a shallow bay, formed
by a long, low point, that had got the name of the "Rat's Cove," from
the circumstance of its being a favorite haunt of the muskrat; and which
offered so complete a cover for the "ark," that its owner was fond of
lying in it, whenever he found it convenient.

"As a man never knows who may be his visitors, in this part of the
country," continued Hurry, "it's a great advantage to get a good look
at 'em afore they come too near. Now it's war, such caution is more than
commonly useful, since a Canada man or a Mingo might get into his hut
afore he invited 'em. But Hutter is a first-rate look-outer, and can
pretty much scent danger, as a hound scents the deer."

"I should think the castle so open, that it would be sartain to draw
inimies, if any happened to find the lake; a thing onlikely enough, I
will allow, as it's off the trail of the forts and settlements."

"Why, Deerslayer, I've got to believe that a man meets with inimies
easier than he meets with fri'nds. It's skearful to think for how many
causes one gets to be your inimy, and for how few your fri'nd. Some take
up the hatchet because you don't think just as they think; other some
because you run ahead of 'em in the same idees; and I once know'd a
vagabond that quarrelled with a fri'nd because he didn't think him
handsome. Now,