tiger prowling around the fold. Taking all things into consideration,
therefore, he came to the conclusion it would be better to rejoin
his friend, and endeavour to temper his impetuosity by some of his
own coolness and discretion. It required but a minute or two to
put this plan in execution, the canoe returning to the strand some
ten or fifteen minutes after it had left it.

Contrary to his expectations, perhaps, Deerslayer found the Indian
at his post, from which he had not stirred, fearful that his betrothed
might arrive during his absence. A conference followed, in which
Chingachgook was made acquainted with the state of things in the
camp. When Hist named the point as the place of meeting, it was
with the expectation of making her escape from the old position,
and of repairing to a spot that she expected to find without any
occupants; but the sudden change of localities had disconcerted
all her plans. A much greater degree of vigilance than had been
previously required was now necessary; and the circumstance that
an aged woman was on watch also denoted some special grounds of
alarm. All these considerations, and many more that will readily
suggest themselves to the reader, were briefly discussed before
the young men came to any decision. The occasion, however, being
one that required acts instead of words, the course to be pursued
was soon chosen.

Disposing of the canoe in such a manner that Hist must see it,
should she come to the place of meeting previously to their return,
the young men looked to their arms and prepared to enter the wood.
The whole projection into the lake contained about two acres of
land; and the part that formed the point, and on which the camp was
placed, did not compose a surface of more than half that size. It