The canoe departed and not a wandering
glance rewarded her solicitude.
Nor were the Delaware's care and gravity misplaced, under the
impressions with which he proceeded on this enterprise. If the
enemy had really gained possession of the building he was obliged
to put himself under the very muzzles of their rifles, as it were,
and this too without the protection of any of that cover which forms
so essential an ally in Indian warfare. It is scarcely possible
to conceive of a service more dangerous, and had the Serpent been
fortified by the experience of ten more years, or had his friend
the Deerslayer been present, it would never have been attempted;
the advantages in no degree compensating for the risk. But the
pride of an Indian chief was acted on by the rivalry of colour,
and it is not unlikely that the presence of the very creature from
whom his ideas of manhood prevented his receiving a single glance,
overflowing as he was with the love she so well merited, had no
small influence on his determination.
Chingachgook paddled steadily towards the palisades, keeping his eyes
on the different loops of the building. Each instant he expected
to see the muzzle of a rifle protruded, or to hear its sharp crack;
but he succeeded in reaching the piles in safety.
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