n the last
fluttered about in the shades of the trees, as if unwilling to encounter
the heat of a sultry afternoon. All the nearest points, in particular,
were subjected to severe scrutiny, in order to make certain that no raft
was in preparation; the result everywhere giving the same picture of
calm solitude. A few words will explain the greatest embarrassment
belonging to the situation of our party. Exposed themselves to the
observation of any watchful eyes, the movements of their enemies were
concealed by the drapery of a dense forest. While the imagination would
be very apt to people the latter with more warriors than it really
contained, their own weakness must be too apparent to all who might
chance to cast a glance in their direction.

"Nothing is stirring, howsever," exclaimed Deerslayer, as he finally
lowered the glass, and prepared to enter the ark. "If the vagabonds do
harbor mischief in their minds, they are too cunning to let it be seen;
it's true, a raft may be in preparation in the woods, but it has not
yet been brought down to the lake. They can't guess that we are about to
quit the castle, and, if they did, they've no means of knowing where we
intend to go."

"This is so true, Deerslayer," returned Judith, "that now all is ready,
we may proceed at once, boldly, and without the fear of being followed;
else we shall be behind our time."

"No, no; the matter needs management; for, though the savages are in the
dark as to Chingachgook and the rock, they've eyes and legs, and will
see in what direction we steer, and will be sartain to follow us. I
shall strive to baffle 'em, howsever, by heading the scow in all manner
of ways, first in one quarter and then in another, until they get to be
a-leg-weary, and tired of tramping a'ter us."

So far as it was in his power, Deerslayer was as good as his word. In
less than five minutes after this speech was made, the whole party was
in the ark, and in motion. There was a gentle breeze from the north, and
boldly hoisting the sail, the young man laid the head of the unwieldy
craft in such a direction, as, after making a liberal but necessary
allowance for leeway, would have brought it ashore a couple of miles
down the lake, and on its eastern side. The sailing of the ark was
never very swift, though, floating as it did on the surface, it was not
difficult to get it in motion, or to urge it along over the water at the
rate of some three or four miles in the hour. The