Finding that both her companions were watching her movements, in
grave silence, Judith placed a hand on the lid and endeavored to
raise it. Her strength, however, was insufficient, and it appeared
to the girl, who was fully aware that all the fastenings were
removed, that she was resisted in an unhallowed attempt by some
supernatural power.
"I cannot raise the lid, Deerslayer!" she said - "Had we not better
give up the attempt, and find some other means of releasing the
prisoners?"
"Not so - Judith; not so, gal. No means are as sartain and easy,
as a good bribe," answered the other. "As for the lid, 'tis held
by nothing but its own weight, which is prodigious for so small a
piece of wood, loaded with iron as it is."
As Deerslayer spoke, he applied his own strength to the effort,
and succeeded in raising the lid against the timbers of the house,
where he took care to secure it by a sufficient prop. Judith
fairly trembled as she cast her first glance at the interior, and
she felt a temporary relief in discovering that a piece of canvas,
that was carefully tucked in around the edges, effectually concealed
all beneath it. The chest was apparently well stored, however,
the canvas lying within an inch of the lid.
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