" There was not a shadow of doubt that this fire
had been kindled at an encampment of the Indians. The situation,
sheltered from observation on all sides but one, and even on that
except for a very short distance, proved that more care had been
taken to conceal the spot than would be used for ordinary purposes,
and Hutter, who knew that a spring was near at hand, as well as
one of the best fishing-stations on the lake, immediately inferred
that this encampment contained the women and children of the party.
"That's not a warrior's encampment," he growled to Hurry; "and
there's bounty enough sleeping round that fire to make a heavy
division of head-money. Send the lad to the canoes, for there'll
come no good of him in such an onset, and let us take the matter
in hand at once, like men."
"There's judgment in your notion, old Tom, and I like it to the
backbone. Deerslayer, do you get into the canoe, lad, and paddle
off into the lake with the spare one, and set it adrift, as we
did with the other; after which you can float along shore, as near
as you can get to the head of the bay, keeping outside the point,
howsever, and outside the rushes, too. You can hear us when we
want you; and if there's any delay, I'll call like a loon-yes,
that'll do it- the call of a loon shall be the signal.
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