The Solitary stood, as before, with eyes fixed steadfastly upon the kindling east.  Could it be possible that an expectation, which had been so often disappointed, should still be cherished; that no experience, no arguments could dissipate the delusion?  It would seem so.  By that subtle process, whereby minds possessed by an engrossing idea convert facts, and language, and any circumstances, however trifling, and which, to well-balanced intellects, would seem but little adapted to the purpose, into proofs incontrovertible of their opinions, had he, by dwelling upon certain texts of Scripture, which, with a mad shrewdness, he had collated, imparted to them gigantic proportions, and a peculiar coloring, which dominated and threw light upon the context, but received no qualification or disparagement in return.  Without the necessity of repetition, various passages will occur to the reader, which, taken out of connection with what precedes and follows, may easily be made to support a theory of the kind he had adopted.

Holden stood as before, obedient to the command to watch, and verily do we believe, that had he, indeed, seen the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven, the magnificent vision would have impressed him with as much joy as solemnity.  But in vain he looked, and having waited until the yellow sunshine, like a shower of gold, fell all around him, he retired into his hut.  Not unobserved, however.  The Indian, Ohquamehud, with his rifle by his side, from his place of concealment, on the right shore, had been watching all his motions.  There had he lain in ambush ever since the stars had deserted the sky.  Patiently he lay, with his eyes fixed on the little island.  The sun mounted higher; hour after hour passed away, and yet he moved not.  The time for the noonday meal arrived, but he heeded it not.  The hut of Peena was scarcely more than a couple of miles distant, and he might reach it in a few moments, but he stirred not.  In the interval of his absence Onontio might leave the island, and go, he knew not whither, and his watch for the day would be in vain.  And now the lengthening shadows were falling towards the east.  The middle of the afternoon had arrived.

It was then Ohquamehud saw Holden, or Onontio, as he called him, leave his cabin and enter the canoe.  Its bow was turned toward that bank of the river on which the Indian was concealed, but somewhat higher up the stream, and, impelled by a vigorous arm, the light boat skimmed rapidly over the water.  It passed so near to the Indian, that a bullet sent from a steady aim must have brought inevitable death, and the thought crossed the mind of the lurking spy, whether it were not better to fire from his ambush, but the recollection of his adventure on the island, and of his offering to the Manito of the Falls, occurred to him, and he allowed the tempting opportunity to escape.