As soon as the light was sufficiently strong to allow of a distinct
view of the lake, and more particularly of its shores, Hutter turned
the head of the Ark directly towards the castle, with the avowed
intention of taking possession, for the day at least, as the place
most favorable for meeting his daughters and for carrying on his
operations against the Indians. By this time, Chingachgook was
up, and Hist was heard stirring among the furniture of the kitchen.
The place for which they steered was distant only a mile, and the air
was sufficiently favorable to permit it to be reached by means of
the sail. At this moment, too, to render the appearances generally
auspicious, the canoe of Judith was seen floating northward in the
broadest part of the lake; having actually passed the scow in the
darkness, in obedience to no other power than that of the elements.
Hutter got his glass, and took a long and anxious survey,
to ascertain if his daughters were in the light craft or not, and
a slight exclamation like that of joy escaped him, as he caught a
glimpse of what he rightly conceived to be a part of Judith's dress
above the top of the canoe. At the next instant the girl arose
and was seen gazing about her, like one assuring herself of her
situation.
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