Then all the
torches but one were extinguished - a measure of prudence; and
the melancholy train that bore the body to the camp was just to be
distinguished by the glimmering light that remained. Judith sighed
heavily and shuddered, as her paddle again dipped, and the canoe
moved cautiously around the point. A sight had afflicted her senses,
and now haunted her imagination, that was still harder to be borne,
than even the untimely fate and passing agony of the deceased girl.
She had seen, under the strong glare of all the torches, the erect
form of Deerslayer, standing with commiseration, and as she thought,
with shame depicted on his countenance, near the dying female. He
betrayed neither fear nor backwardness himself; but it was apparent
by the glances cast at him by the warriors, that fierce passions
were struggling in their bosoms. All this seemed to be unheeded
by the captive, but it remained impressed on the memory of Judith
throughout the night. No canoe was met hovering near the point.
A stillness and darkness, as complete as if the silence of the
forest had never been disturbed, or the sun had never shone on that
retired region, now reigned on the point, and on the gloomy water,
the slumbering woods, and even the murky sky.
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