hour having arrived when it became prudent to
move the ark further from the land.
    It was quite dark, the heavens having become clouded, and the stars hid. The
north wind had ceased, as was usual, with the setting of the sun, and a light
air arose from the south. This change favouring the design of Deerslayer, he
lifted his grapnel, and the scow immediately and quite perceptibly began to
drift more into the lake. The sail was set, when the motion of the craft
increased to a rate not much less than two miles in the hour. As this superseded
the necessity of rowing - an occupation that an Indian would not be likely to
desire - Deerslayer, Chingachgook and Judith seated themselves in the stern of
the scow, where the first governed its movements by holding the oar. Here they
discoursed on their future movements, and on the means that ought to be used in
order to effect the liberation of their friends.
    In this dialogue Judith held a material part; the Delaware readily
understanding all she said, while his own replies and remarks, both of which
were few and pithy, were occasionally rendered into English by his friend.
Judith rose greatly in the estimation of her companions, in the half hour that
followed. Prompt of resolution and firm of purpose, her suggestions and
expedients partook of her spirit and sagacity, both of which were of a character
to find favour with men of the frontier. The events that had occurred since
their meeting, as well as her isolated and dependent situation, induced the girl
to feel towards Deerslayer like the friend of a year, instead of an acquaintance
of a day; and so completely had she been won by his guileless truth of character
and of feeling - pure novelties in our sex, as respected her own experience -
that his peculiarities excited her curiosity, and created a confidence that had
never been awakened by any other man. Hitherto she had been compelled to stand
on the defensive, in her intercourse with men, - with what success was best
known to herself; but here had she been suddenly thrown into the society, and
under the protection of a youth, who evidently as little contemplated evil
towards herself, as if he had been her brother. The freshness of his integrity,
the poetry and truth of his feelings, and even the quaintness of his forms of
speech, all had their influence, and aided in awakening an interest that she
found as pure as it was sudden and deep. Hurry's fine face and manly form had
never compensated for his boisterous and vulgar tone; and her intercourse with
the officers