Still the silence was unbroken, and they all embarked
with the caution that had been used in coming ashore.
Hutter now steered broad off towards the centre of the lake. Having
got a sufficient distance from the shore, he cast his prize loose,
knowing that it would drift slowly up the lake before the light
southerly air, and intending to find it on his return. Thus relieved
of his tow, the old man held his way down the lake, steering towards
the very point where Hurry had made his fruitless attempt on the
life of the deer. As the distance from this point to the outlet
was less than a mile, it was like entering an enemy's country; and
redoubled caution became necessary. They reached the extremity
of the point, however, and landed in safety on the little gravelly
beach already mentioned. Unlike the last place at which they had
gone ashore, here was no acclivity to ascend, the mountains looming
up in the darkness quite a quarter of a mile farther west, leaving
a margin of level ground between them and the strand. The point
itself, though long, and covered with tall trees, was nearly flat,
and for some distance only a few yards in width. Hutter and Hurry
landed as before, leaving their companion in charge of the boat.
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