The savage started at this ready and
decided expedient, and his companion saw that he cast a hurried
and fierce glance at his own canoe, or that which contained the
paddles. The change of manner, however, was but momentary, and
then the Iroquois resumed his air of friendliness, and a smile of
satisfaction.
"Good!" he repeated, with stronger emphasis than ever. "Young head,
old mind. Know how to settle quarrel. Farewell, brother. He go
to house in water-muskrat house - Injin go to camp; tell chiefs no
find canoe."
Deerslayer was not sorry to hear this proposal, for he felt anxious
to join the females, and he took the offered hand of the Indian
very willingly. The parting words were friendly, and while the red
man walked calmly towards the wood, with the rifle in the hollow of
his arm, without once looking back in uneasiness or distrust, the
white man moved towards the remaining canoe, carrying his piece in
the same pacific manner, it is true, but keeping his eye fastened
on the movements of the other. This distrust, however, seemed to
be altogether uncalled for, and as if ashamed to have entertained
it, the young man averted his look, and stepped carelessly up to
his boat.
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