Soliloquy and reflection received a startling interruption,
however, by the sudden appearance of a second Indian on the lake
shore, a few hundred yards from the point. This man, evidently
another scout, who had probably been drawn to the place by
the reports of the rifles, broke out of the forest with so little
caution that Deerslayer caught a view of his person before he was
himself discovered. When the latter event did occur, as was the
case a moment later, the savage gave a loud yell, which was answered
by a dozen voices from different parts of the mountainside. There
was no longer any time for delay; in another minute the boat was
quitting the shore under long and steady sweeps of the paddle.
As soon as Deerslayer believed himself to be at a safe distance he
ceased his efforts, permitting the little bark to drift, while he
leisurely took a survey of the state of things. The canoe first
sent adrift was floating before the air, quite a quarter of a mile
above him, and a little nearer to the shore than he wished, now
that he knew more of the savages were so near at hand. The canoe
shoved from the point was within a few yards of him, he having
directed his own course towards it on quitting the land.
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