This quick witted creature
comprehended it at a glance. His ankles were bound with several
turns of stout bark rope, and his arms, above the elbows, were
similarly secured behind his back; barely leaving him a little play
of the hands and wrists. Putting her mouth near a loop she said
in a low but distinct voice - "Why you don't roll here, and fall
in scow? Chingachgook shoot Huron, if he chase!"
"By the Lord, gal, that's a judgematical thought, and it shall be
tried, if the starn of your scow will come a little nearer. Put
a bed at the bottom, for me to fall on."
This was said at a happy moment, for, tired of waiting, all the
Indians made a rapid discharge of their rifles, almost simultaneously,
injuring no one; though several bullets passed through the loops.
Hist had heard part of Hurry's words, but most of what he said was
lost in the sharp reports of the firearms. She undid the bar of
the door that led to the stern of the scow, but did not dare to
expose her person. All this time, the head of the Ark hung, but
by a gradually decreasing hold as the other end swung slowly round,
nearer and nearer to the platform. Hurry, who now lay with his
face towards the Ark, occasionally writhing and turning over like
one in pain, evolutions he had performed ever since he was secured,
watched every change, and, at last, he saw that the whole vessel
was free, and was beginning to grate slowly along the sides of the
piles.
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