ahead, the great breadth of the scow
preventing its sinking into the water, and from offering much resistance to the
progress of the swift element beneath its bottom. Hutter, too, had adopted a
precaution, suggested by experience, which might have done credit to a seaman,
and which completely prevented any of the annoyances and obstacles which,
otherwise, would have attended the short turns of the river. As the Ark
descended, heavy stones, attached to the line, were dropped in the centre of the
stream, forming local anchors, each of which was kept from dragging by the
assistance of those above it, until the uppermost of all was reached, which got
its backing from the anchor, or grapnel, that lay well out in the lake. In
consequence of this expedient, the Ark floated clear of the incumbrances of the
shore, against which it would otherwise have been unavoidably hauled at every
turn, producing embarrassments that Hutter, single-handed, would have found it
very difficult to overcome.
    Favored by this foresight, and stimulated by the apprehensions of discovery,
Floating Tom and his two athletic companions hauled the Ark ahead, with quite as
much rapidity as comported with the strength of the line. At every turn in the
stream a stone was raised from the bottom, when the direction of the scow
changed to one that pointed towards the stone that lay above. In this manner,
with the channel buoyed out for him, as a sailor might term it, did Hutter move
forward, occasionally urging his friends in a low and guarded voice, to increase
their exertions, and, then, as occasions offered, warning them against efforts
that might, at particular moments, endanger all by too much zeal. In spite of
their long familiarity with the woods, the gloomy character of the shaded river
added to the uneasiness that each felt, and when the Ark reached the first bend
in the Susquehannah, and the eye caught a glimpse of the broader expanse of the
lake, all felt a relief, that perhaps none would have been willing to confess.
Here the last stone was raised from the bottom, and the line led directly
towards the grapnel, which, as Hutter had explained, was dropped above the
suction of the current.
    »Thank God!« ejaculated Hurry, »there is day- and we shall soon have a
chance of seeing our inimies, if we are to feel 'em.«
    »That is more than you, or any man can say,« growled Hutter. »There is no
spot so likely to harbor a party, as the shore around the outlet