In consequence of this change in the position of the scow, which
was effected before Hutter had succeeded in opening the gate
of his dock, the Ark and the Castle lay, as sailors would express
it, yard-arm and yard-arm, kept asunder some ten or twelve feet by
means of the piles. As the scow pressed close against the latter,
their tops formed a species of breast work that rose to the height
of a man's head, covering in a certain degree the parts of the scow
that were not protected by the cabin. The Delaware surveyed this
arrangement with great satisfaction and, as the canoe of Hutter
passed through the gate into the dock, he thought that he might defend
his position against any garrison in the castle, for a sufficient
time, could he but have had the helping arm of his friend Deerslayer.
As it was, he felt comparatively secure, and no longer suffered
the keen apprehensions he had lately experienced in behalf of Hist.
A single shove sent the canoe from the gate to the trap beneath
the castle. Here Hutter found all fast, neither padlock nor chain
nor bar having been molested. The key was produced, the locks
removed, the chain loosened, and the trap pushed upward. Hurry
now thrust his head in at the opening; the arms followed, and the
colossal legs rose without any apparent effort.
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