As was usual in such craft, a large, round, smooth
stone was in each end of the canoe, for the double purpose of seats
and ballast; one of these was within reach of his feet. This stone
he contrived to get so far between his legs as to reach it with his
hands, and then he managed to roll it to the side of its fellow in
the bows, where the two served to keep the trim of the light boat,
while he worked his own body as far aft as possible. Before quitting
the shore, and as soon as he perceived that the paddles were gone,
Deerslayer had thrown a bit of dead branch into the canoe, and this
was within reach of his arm. Removing the cap he wore, he put it
on the end of this stick, and just let it appear over the edge of
the canoe, as far as possible from his own person. This ruse was
scarcely adopted before the young man had a proof how much he had
underrated the intelligence of his enemies. In contempt of an
artifice so shallow and common place, a bullet was fired directly
through another part of the canoe, which actually raised his skin.
He dropped the cap, and instantly raised it immediately over his
head, as a safeguard. It would seem that this second artifice was
unseen, or what was more probable, the Hurons feeling certain of
recovering their captive, wished to take him alive.
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