, »I have swam
like a fish, in my day and I can do it again, when there is need; nor do I much
regard the weather. But I question if you get Nelly to sit a horse, with this
water whirling like a mill-race before her eyes - besides it is manifest the
thing is not to be done dry shod.«
    »Ah! the lad is right! We must to our inventions, therefore, or the river
cannot be crossed.« Cutting the discourse short, he turned to the Pawnee, and
explained to him the difficulty which existed in relation to the women. The
young warrior listened gravely, and throwing the buffaloe skin from his shoulder
he immediately commenced, assisted by the occasional aid of the understanding
old man, the preparations necessary to effect this desirable object.
    The hide was soon drawn into the shape of an umbrella top or an inverted
parachute, by thongs of deer-skin, with which both the laborers were well
provided. A few light sticks served to keep the parts from collapsing or falling
in. When this simple and natural expedient was arranged, it was placed on the
water, the Indian making a sign that it was ready to receive its freight. Both
Inez and Ellen hesitated to trust themselves in a bark of so frail a
construction, nor would Middleton or Paul consent that they should do so, until
each had assured himself by actual experiment that the vessel was capable of
sustaining a load much heavier than it was destined to receive. Then, indeed,
their scruples were reluctantly overcome, and the skin was made to receive its
precious burthen.
    »Now, leave the Pawnee to be the pilot,« said the trapper, »my hand is not
so steady as it used to be, but he has limbs like toughened hickory. Leave all
to the wisdom of the Pawnee.«
    The husband and lover could not well do otherwise, and they were fain to
become, deeply interested it is true, but passive spectators of this primitive
species of ferrying. The Pawnee selected the beast of Mahtoree, from among the
three horses, with a readiness that proved he was far from being ignorant of the
properties of that noble animal, and throwing himself upon its back, he rode
into the margin of the river. Thrusting an end of his lance into the hide, he
bore the light vessel up against the stream, and giving his steed the rein, they
push'd boldly into the current. Middleton and Paul followed, pressing as nigh
the bark, as prudence would at all warrant. In this manner,