By sheering first to one side of the lake, and then to
the other, Deerslayer managed to create an uncertainty as to his
object; and, doubtless, the savages, who were unquestionably watching
his movements, were led to believe that his aim was to communicate
with them, at or near this spot, and would hasten in that direction,
in order to be in readiness to profit by circumstances. This
artifice was well managed; since the sweep of the bay, the curvature
of the lake, and the low marshy land that intervened, would probably
allow the ark to reach the rock before its pursuers, if really
collected near this point, could have time to make the circuit that
would be required to get there by land. With a view to aid this
deception, Deerslayer stood as near the western shore as was at all
prudent; and then causing Judith and Hetty to enter the house, or
cabin, and crouching himself so as to conceal his person by the
frame of the scow, he suddenly threw the head of the latter round,
and began to make the best of his way towards the outlet. Favored
by an increase in the wind, the progress of the ark was such as
to promise the complete success of this plan, though the crab-like
movement of the craft compelled the helmsman to keep its head looking
in a direction very different from that in which it was actually
moving.
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