For a
few minutes, both the men thought of sinking the Ark in the shallow
water, of bringing the canoes into the house, and of depending
altogether on the castle for protection. But reflection satisfied
them that, in the end, this expedient would fail. It was so easy
to collect logs on the shore, and to construct a raft of almost any
size, that it was certain the Iroquois, now they had turned their
attention to such means, would resort to them seriously, so long
as there was the certainty of success by perseverance. After
deliberating maturely, and placing all the considerations fairly
before them, the two young beginners in the art of forest warfare
settled down into the opinion that the Ark offered the only available
means of security. This decision was no sooner come to, than it
was communicated to Judith. The girl had no serious objection to
make, and all four set about the measures necessary to carrying
the plan into execution.
The reader will readily understand that Floating Tom's worldly goods
were of no great amount. A couple of beds, some wearing apparel,
the arms and ammunition, a few cooking utensils, with the mysterious
and but half examined chest formed the principal items.
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