 future proceedings. Should he remain however, much longer where he
was, there was great danger that the impatience of his friend, would drive him
into some act of imprudence. At each instant, indeed, he expected to see the
swarthy form of the Delaware, appearing in the back-ground, like the 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 endeavor 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 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
