recumbent on the ground, or sat with their backs reclining against
trees, so many types of indolent repose. Their arms were near
them all, sometimes leaning against the same trees as themselves,
or were lying across their bodies in careless preparation. But
the group that most attracted the attention of Deerslayer was that
composed of the women and children. A1l the females appeared to
be collected together, and, almost as a matter of course, their
young were near them. The former laughed and chatted in their
rebuked and quiet manner, though one who knew the habits of the
people might have detected that everything was not going on in its
usual train. Most of the young women seemed to be light-hearted
enough; but one old hag was seated apart with a watchful soured
aspect, which the hunter at once knew betokened that some duty of
an unpleasant character had been assigned her by the chiefs. What
that duty was, he had no means of knowing; but he felt satisfied it
must be in some measure connected with her own sex, the aged among
the women generally being chosen for such offices and no other.

As a matter of course, Deerslayer looked eagerly and anxiously
for the form of Hist. She was nowhere visible though the light
penetrated to considerable distances in all directions around the
fire. Once or twice he started, as he thought he recognized her
laugh; but his ears were deceived by the soft melody that is so
common to the Indian female voice. At length the old woman spoke
loud and angrily, and then he caught a glimpse of one or two dark
figures in the background of trees, which turned as if obedient
to the rebuke, and walked more within the circle of the light. A
young warrior's form first came fairly into view; then followed
two youthful females, one of whom proved to be the Delaware girl.
Deerslayer now comprehended it all. Hist was watched, possibly