You mean well enough, but what can you do? You're no
great matter in the best of times, and such a person is not likely
to turn out a miracle in the worst. If there's one savage on this
lake shore, there's forty, and that's an army you ar'n't the man to
overcome. The best way, in my judgment, will be to make a straight
course to the castle; get the gals into the canoe, with a few
eatables; then strike off for the corner of the lake where we came
in, and take the best trail for the Mohawk. These devils won't
know where to look for you for some hours, and if they did, and
went off hot in the pursuit, they must turn either the foot or the
head of the lake to get at you. That's my judgment in the matter;
and if old Tom here wishes to make his last will and testament in
a manner favorable to his darters, he'll say the same."
"'Twill never do, young man," rejoined Hutter. "The enemy has
scouts out at this moment, looking for canoes, and you'll be seen
and taken. Trust to the castle; and above all things, keep clear
of the land. Hold out a week, and parties from the garrisons will
drive the savages off."
"'Twon't be four-and-twenty hours, old fellow, afore these foxes
will be rafting off to storm your castle," interrupted Hurry, with
more of the heat of argument than might be expected from a man who
was bound and a captive, and about whom nothing could be called free
but his opinions and his tongue.
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