As neither
of the latter was disposed to sleep, on account of the appointment
with Hist, this arrangement was acceptable to all parties. That
Judith and Hetty remained up also, in no manner impaired the
agreeable features of this change.
For some time the scow rather drifted than sailed along the western
shore, following a light southerly current of the air. The progress
was slow - not exceeding a couple of miles in the hour - but the
two men perceived that it was not only carrying them towards the
point they desired to reach, but at a rate that was quite as fast
as the hour yet rendered necessary. But little more was said the
while even by the girls; and that little had more reference to the
rescue of Hist than to any other subject. The Indian was calm to
the eye, but as minute after minute passed, his feelings became
more and more excited, until they reached a state that might have
satisfied the demands of even the most exacting mistress. Deerslayer
kept the craft as much in the bays as was prudent, for the double
purpose of sailing within the shadows of the woods, and of detecting
any signs of an encampment they might pass on the shore. In this
manner they doubled one low point, and were already in the bay that
was terminated north by the goal at which they aimed.
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