Chingachgook obeyed, and by the time he had reached the head of
the scow, Hurry was on the platform, stamping his feet, like one
glad to touch what, by comparison, might be called terra firma,
and proclaiming his indifference to the whole Huron tribe in his
customary noisy, dogmatical manner. Hutter had hauled a canoe up
to the head of the scow, and was already about to undo the fastenings
of the gate, in order to enter within the 'dock.' March had no other
motive in landing than a senseless bravado, and having shaken the
door in a manner to put its solidity to the proof, he joined Hutter
in the canoe and began to aid him in opening the gate. The reader
will remember that this mode of entrance was rendered necessary by
the manner in which the owner of this singular residence habitually
secured it, whenever it was left empty; more particularly at
moments when danger was apprehended. Hutter had placed a line in
the Delaware's hand, on entering the canoe, intimating that the
other was to fasten the Ark to the platform and to lower the sail.
Instead of following these directions, however, Chingachgook left
the sail standing, and throwing the bight of the rope over the
head of a pile, he permitted the Ark to drift round until it lay
against the defences, in a position where it could be entered only
by means of a boat, or by passing along the summits of the palisades;
the latter being an exploit that required some command of the feet,
and which was not to be attempted in the face of a resolute enemy.
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