Still they were sufficiently expressive to
be understood by one whose ears had not escaped all the rumours
that had been circulated to her reputed father's discredit, and
whose comprehension was as quick as her faculties were attentive.
During the whole of the painful hour that succeeded, neither of
the sisters bethought her sufficiently of the Hurons to dread their
return. It seemed as if their desolation and grief placed them
above the danger of such an interruption, and when the sound of
oars was at length heard, even Judith, who alone had any reason to
apprehend the enemy, did not start, but at once understood that the
Ark was near. She went upon the platform fearlessly, for should
it turn out that Hurry was not there, and that the Hurons were
masters of the scow also, escape was impossible. Then she had the
sort of confidence that is inspired by extreme misery. But there
was no cause for any new alarm, Chingachgook, Hist, and Hurry all
standing in the open part of the scow, cautiously examining the
building to make certain of the absence of the enemy. They, too,
had seen the departure of the Hurons, as well as the approach of
the canoe of the girls to the castle, and presuming on the latter
fact, March had swept the scow up to the platform.
Pages:
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617