It was perhaps
fortunate for him that the keen and bright eyes of Judith were as
vigilant as ever. At the instant when the young man was least on
his guard, and his enemy was the most on the alert, she called out
in a warning voice to the former, most opportunely giving the alarm.
"Be on your guard, Deerslayer," the girl cried - "I see rifles with
the glass, beneath the hemlock brush, and the Iroquois is loosening
them with his feet!"
It would seem that the enemy had carried their artifices so far as
to Employ an agent who understood English. The previous dialogue
had taken place in his own language, but it was evident by the sudden
manner in which his feet ceased their treacherous occupation, and
in which the countenance of Rivenoak changed from sullen ferocity
to a smile of courtesy, that the call of the girl was understood.
Signing to his companion to cease his efforts to set the logs in
motion, he advanced to the end of the raft which was nearest to
the platform, and spoke.
"Why should Rivenoak and his brother leave any cloud between them,"
he said. "They are both wise, both brave, and both generous; they
ought to part friends. One beast shall be the price of one prisoner.
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