that was uttered perfectly intelligible to the Delaware and his
betrothed; and the whole party left the spot, some continuing the
pursuit after Hist, along the beach, though most proceeded to the
light. Here Deerslayer's antagonist so far recovered his breath and
his recollection, for he had been throttled nearly to strangulation,
as to relate the manner in which the girl had got off. It was
now too late to assail the other fugitives, for no sooner was his
friend led into the bushes than the Delaware placed his paddle into
the water, and the light canoe glided noiselessly away, holding its
course towards the centre of the lake until safe from shot, after
which it sought the Ark. When Deerslayer reached the fire, he found
himself surrounded by no less than eight grim savages, among whom
was his old acquaintance Rivenoak. As soon as the latter caught a
glimpse of the captive's countenance, he spoke apart to his companions,
and a low but general exclamation of pleasure and surprise escaped
them. They knew that the conqueror of their late friend, he who
had fallen on the opposite side of the lake, was in their hands,
and subject to their mercy, or vengeance. There was no little
admiration mingled in the ferocious looks that were thrown on the
prisoner; an admiration that was as much excited by his present
composure, as by his past deeds. This scene may be said to
have been the commencement of the great and terrible reputation
that Deerslayer, or Hawkeye, as he was afterwards called, enjoyed
among all the tribes of New York and Canada; a reputation that was
certainly more limited in its territorial and numerical extent,
than those which are possessed in civilized life, but which was
compensated for what it wanted in these particulars, perhaps, by
its greater justice, and the total absence of mystification and
management.