At length
one side had the mortification and the other the pleasure of seeing
the scow swing clear of the piles altogether, when it immediately
moved away, with a materially accelerated motion, towards the north.
Chingachgook now first learned from Hist the critical condition
of Hurry. To have exposed either of their persons in the stern of
the scow would have been certain death, but fortunately the sheet
to which the man clung led forward to the foot of the sail. The
Delaware found means to unloosen it from the cleet aft, and Hist,
who was already forward for that purpose, immediately began to pull
upon the line. At this moment Hurry was towing fifty or sixty feet
astern, with nothing but his face above water. As he was dragged
out clear of the castle and the piles he was first perceived by the
Hurons, who raised a hideous yell and commenced a fire on, what may
very well be termed the floating mass. It was at the same instant
that Hist began to pull upon the line forward - a circumstance that
probably saved Hurry's life, aided by his own self-possession and
border readiness. The first bullet struck the water directly on the
spot where the broad chest of the young giant was visible through
the pure element, and might have pierced his heart had the angle
at which it was fired been less acute.
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