Deerslayer understood the whole
artifice at a glance. A savage had swum off to the boat while he
was occupied with his enemy on the point, got possession, and was
using these means to urge it to the shore.
Satisfied that the man in the canoe could have no arms, Deerslayer
did not hesitate to dash close alongside of the retiring boat,
without deeming it necessary to raise his own rifle. As soon as
the wash of the water, which he made in approaching, became audible
to the prostrate savage, the latter sprang to his feet, and uttered
an exclamation that proved how completely he was taken by surprise.
"If you've enj'yed yourself enough in that canoe, red-skin,"
Deerslayer coolly observed, stopping his own career in sufficient
time to prevent an absolute collision between the two boats, - "if
you've enj'yed yourself enough in that canoe, you'll do a prudent
act by taking to the lake ag'in. I'm reasonable in these matters,
and don't crave your blood, though there's them about that would
look upon you more as a due-bill for the bounty than a human mortal.
Take to the lake this minute, afore we get to hot words."
The savage was one of those who did not understand a word of
English, and he was indebted to the gestures of Deerslayer, and
to the expression of an eye that did not often deceive, for an
imperfect comprehension of his meaning.
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