English. "The risky fellow has been in the midst of them, and has
brought us back their whole history. Speak, Chingachgook, and I
will make our friends as knowing as ourselves."

The Delaware now related in a low earnest manner the substance of
all his discoveries, since he was last seen struggling with his
foe in the river. Of the fate of his antagonist he said no more,
it not being usual for a warrior to boast in his more direct and
useful narratives. As soon as he had conquered in that fearful
strife, however, he swam to the eastern shore, landed with caution,
and wound his way in amongst the Iroquois, concealed by the darkness,
undetected, and, in the main, even unsuspected. Once, indeed, he
had been questioned; but answering that he was Arrowhead, no further
inquiries were made. By the passing remarks, he soon ascertained
that the party was out expressly to intercept Mabel and her uncle,
concerning whose rank, however, they had evidently been deceived.
He also ascertained enough to justify the suspicion that Arrowhead
had betrayed them to their enemies, for some motive that it was
not now easy to reach, as he had not yet received the reward of
his services.

Pathfinder communicated no more of this intelligence to his companions
than he thought might relieve their apprehensions, intimating, at
the same time, that now was the moment for exertion, the Iroquois
not having yet entirely recovered from the confusion created by
their losses.

"We shall find them at the rift, I make no manner of doubt,"
continued he; "and there it will be our fate to pass them, or to
fall into their hands. The distance to the garrison will then be