The motion aided in keeping his face above the surface
of the water, and it would have been possible for one accustomed
to endurance to have been towed a mile in this singular but simple
manner.
It has been said that the Hurons did not observe the sudden
disappearance of Hurry. In his present situation he was not only
hid from view by the platform, but, as the Ark drew slowly ahead,
impelled by a sail that was now filled, he received the same friendly
service from the piles. The Hurons, indeed, were too intent on
endeavoring to slay their Delaware foe, by sending a bullet through
some one of the loops or crevices of the cabin, to bethink them
at all of one whom they fancied so thoroughly tied. Their great
concern was the manner in which the Ark rubbed past the piles,
although its motion was lessened at least one half by the friction,
and they passed into the northern end of the castle in order to
catch opportunities of firing through the loops of that part of
the building. Chingachgook was similarly occupied, and remained
as ignorant as his enemies of the situation of Hurry. As the Ark
grated along the rifles sent their little clouds of smoke from
one cover to the other, but the eyes and movements of the opposing
parties were too quick to permit any injury to be done.
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