Deerslayer felt convinced that
his conjecture was true. The sail being down, the ark had not
drifted far; and ere many minutes he heard Chingachgook, in a low,
quiet tone, directing Hutter how to steer in order to reach it.
In less time than it takes to tell the fact, the canoe touched the
scow, and the adventurers entered the latter. Neither Hutter nor
Hurry spoke of what had occurred. But the Delaware, in passing
his friend, merely uttered the words "fire's out," which, if not
literally true, sufficiently explained the truth to his listener.
It was now a question as to the course to be steered. A short
surly conference was held, when Hutter decided that the wisest way
would be to keep in motion as the means most likely to defeat any
attempt at a surprise - announcing his own and March's intention
to requite themselves for the loss of sleep during their captivity,
by lying down. As the air still baffled and continued light, it was
finally determined to sail before it, let it come in what direction
it might, so long as it did not blow the ark upon the strand. This
point settled, the released prisoners helped to hoist the sail, and
they threw themselves upon two of the pallets, leaving Deerslayer
and his friend to look after the movements of the craft.
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