He knew where it lay; could it
be reached, he had only to run the gauntlet of a few rifles, and
success would be certain. None of the warriors had kept their
weapons, which would have retarded their speed, and the risk would
come either from the uncertain hands of the women, or from those
of some well grown boy; though most of the latter were already out
in hot pursuit. Everything seemed propitious to the execution of
this plan, and the course being a continued descent, the young man
went over the ground at a rate that promised a speedy termination
to his toil.
As Deerslayer approached the point, several women and children were
passed, but, though the former endeavoured to cast dried branches
between his legs, the terror inspired by his bold retaliation on
the redoubted Panther was so great, that none dared come near enough
seriously to molest him. He went by all triumphantly and reached
the fringe of bushes. Plunging through these, our hero found
himself once more in the lake, and within fifty feet of the canoe.
Here he ceased to run, for he well understood that his breath was
now all important to him. He even stooped, as he advanced, and
cooled his parched mouth by scooping water up in his hand to drink.
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