 warriors interfered to put a stop to this scene, and
this so much the more, because preparations were now seriously making for the
commencement of the real tortures, or that which would put the fortitude of the
sufferer to the test of severe bodily pain. A sudden and unlocked for
announcement, that proceeded from one of the look-outs, a boy ten or twelve
years old, however, put a momentary check to the whole proceedings. As this
interruption has a close connection with the dénouement of our story, it shall
be given in a separate chapter.
 

                                  Chapter XXX

 »So deem'st thou - so each mortal deems
 Of that which is from that which seems;
 But other harvest here
 Than that which peasant's scythe demands,
 Was gather'd in by sterner hands,
 With bayonet, blade, and spear.«
                                         Scott, »The Field of Waterloo,« V. 1-6.
 
It exceeded Deerslayer's power to ascertain what had produced the sudden pause
in the movements of his enemies, until the fact was revealed in the due course
of events. He perceived that much agitation prevailed among the women in
particular, while the warriors rested on their arms, in a sort of dignified
expectation. It was plain no alarm was excited, though it was not equally
apparent that a friendly occurrence produced the delay. Rivenoak was evidently
apprised of all, and by a gesture of his arm he appeared to direct the circle to
remain unbroken, and for each person to await the issue in the situation he, or
she, then occupied. It required but a minute or two, to bring an explanation of
this singular and mysterious pause, which was soon terminated by the appearance
of Judith on the exterior of the line of bodies, and her ready admission within
its circle.
    If Deerslayer was startled by this unexpected arrival, well knowing that the
quick witted girl could claim none of that exemption from the penalties of
captivity, that was so cheerfully accorded to her feebler minded sister, he was
equally astonished at the guise in which she came. All her ordinary forest
attire, neat and becoming as this usually was, had been laid aside for the
brocade that has been already mentioned, and which had once before wrought so
great and magical an effect in her appearance. Nor was this all. Accustomed to
see the ladies of the garrison, in the formal, gala attire of the day, and
familiar with the more critical niceties of these matters, the girl had managed
to complete her dress, in a way to leave nothing strikingly defective in its
details, or even to betray
