man of-war, since the castle will not be
easily taken by swimming. Now, there are but five canoes remaining in
these parts, two of which are mine, and one is Hurry's. These three
we have with us here; one being fastened in the canoe-dock beneath the
house, and the other two being alongside the scow. The other canoes
are housed on the shore, in hollow logs, and the savages, who are such
venomous enemies, will leave no likely place unexamined in the morning,
if they 're serious in s'arch of bounties-"

"Now, friend Hutter," interrupted Hurry, "the Indian don't live that
can find a canoe that is suitably wintered. I've done something at this
business before now, and Deerslayer here knows that I am one that can
hide a craft in such a way that I can't find it myself."

"Very true, Hurry," put in the person to whom the appeal had been made,
"but you overlook the sarcumstance that if you couldn't see the trail of
the man who did the job, I could. I'm of Master Hutter's mind, that
it's far wiser to mistrust a savage's ingenuity, than to build any great
expectations on his want of eye-sight. If these two canoes can be got
off to the castle, therefore, the sooner it's done the better."

"Will you be of the party that's to do it?" demanded Hutter, in a way to
show that the proposal both surprised and pleased him.

"Sartain. I'm ready to enlist in any enterprise that's not ag'in a white
man's lawful gifts. Natur' orders us to defend our lives, and the lives
of others, too, when there's occasion and opportunity. I'll follow you,
Floating Tom, into the Mingo camp, on such an arr'nd, and will strive to
do my duty, should we come to blows; though, never having been tried in
battle, I don't like to promise more than I may be able to perform. We
all know our wishes, but none know their might till put to the proof."

"That's modest and suitable, lad," exclaimed Hurry. "You've never
yet heard the crack of an angry rifle; and, let me tell you, 'tis as
different from the persuasion of one of your venison speeches, as the
laugh of Judith Hutter, in her best humor, is from the scolding of a
Dutch house keeper on the Mohawk. I don't expect you'll prove much of a
warrior, Deerslayer, though your equal with the bucks and the does don't
exist in all these parts. As for the ra'al sarvice, however, you'll turn
out rather rearward, according to my consait."

"We'll see, Hurry, we'll see," returned the other, meekly; so far as
human eye could dis