. Unlike the Serpent,
whose imagination had acted through his traditions, until he was ready to
perceive an artificial, in a natural stillness, the others saw nothing to
apprehend in a tranquility that, in truth, merely denoted the repose of
inanimate objects. The accessories of the scene, too, were soothing and calm,
rather than exciting. The day had not yet advanced so far as to bring the sun
above the horizon, but the heavens, the atmosphere, and the woods and lake were
all seen under that softened light which immediately precedes his appearance,
and which perhaps is the most witching period of the four and twenty hours. It
is the moment, when every thing is distinct, even the atmosphere seeming to
possess a liquid lucidity; the hues appearing gray and softened, with the
outlines of objects defined, and the perspective just as moral truths, that are
presented in their simplicity, without the meretricious aids of ornament, or
glitter. In a word, it is the moment when the senses seem to recover their
powers, in the simplest and most accurate forms, like the mind emerging from the
obscurity of doubts, into the tranquility and peace of demonstration. Most of
the influence that such a scene is apt to produce on those who are properly
constituted in a moral sense, was lost on Hutter and Hurry; but both the
Delawares, though too much accustomed to witness the loveliness of morning-tide,
to stop to analyze their feelings, were equally sensible of the beauties of the
hour, though it was probably in a way unknown to themselves. It disposed the
young warrior to peace, and never had he felt less longings for the glory of the
combat, than when he joined Hist in the cabin, the instant the scow rubbed
against the side of the platform. From the indulgence of such gentle emotions,
however, he was aroused by a rude summons from Hurry, who called on him to come
forth, and help to take in the sail, and to secure the Ark.
    Chingachgook obeyed, and by the time he had reached the head of the scow,
Hurry was on the platform, stamping his feet, like one glad to touch what, by
comparison, might be called terra firma, and proclaiming his indifference to the
whole Huron tribe, in his customary noisy, dogmatical, manner. Hutter had hauled
a canoe up to the head of the scow, and was already about to undo the fastenings
of the gate, in order to enter within the dock. March had no other motive in
landing than a senseless bravado, and having shaken the door, in
