When distant some two or three hundred feet from the shore Deerslayer took in his sail, and he dropped his grapnel as soon as he found the ark had drifted in a line that was directly to windward of the rock.  The motion of the scow was then checked, when it was brought head to wind by the action of the breeze.  As soon as this was done Deerslayer “paid out line,” and suffered the vessel to “set down” upon the rock as fast as the light air would force it to leeward.  Floating entirely on the surface, this was soon affected, and the young man checked the drift when 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_ve looks, and be on the alart.  ’Twould grieve me to the heart did any harm befall either of you.”