was principally covered with oaks, which, as is usual in the American
forests, grew to a great height without throwing out a branch, and
then arched in a dense and rich foliage. Beneath, except the fringe
of thick bushes along the shore, there was very little underbrush;
though, in consequence of their shape, the trees were closer
together than is common in regions where the axe has been freely
used, resembling tall, straight, rustic columns, upholding the
usual canopy of leaves. The surface of the land was tolerably even,
but it had a small rise near its centre, which divided it into a
northern and southern half. On the latter, the Hurons had built
their fire, profiting by the formation to conceal it from their
enemies, who, it will be remembered, were supposed to be in the
castle, which bore northerly. A brook also came brawling down the
sides of the adjacent hills, and found its way into the lake on the
southern side of the point. It had cut for itself a deep passage
through some of the higher portions of the ground, and, in later
days, when this spot has become subjected to the uses of civilization,
by its windings and shaded banks, it has become no mean accessory
in contributing to the beauty of the place. This brook lay west
of the encampment, and its waters found their way into the great
reservoir of that region on the same side, and quite near to
the spot chosen for the fire. All these peculiarities, so far as
circumstances allowed, had been noted by Deerslayer, and explained
to his friend.

The reader will understand that the little rise in the ground,
that lay behind the Indian encampment, greatly favoured the secret
advance of the two adventurers. It prevented the light of the fire
diffusing itself on the ground directly in the rear, although the
land fell away towards the water, so as to leave what might be