A better spot could not have been found for the purpose. The bushes
were thick, and overhung the water, forming a complete canopy of
leaves. There was a small gravelly strand at the bottom of the
little bay, where most of the party landed to be more at their ease,
and the only position from which they could possibly be seen was
a point on the river directly opposite. There was little danger,
however, of discovery from that quarter, as the thicket there was
even denser than common, and the land beyond it was so wet and
marshy as to render it difficult to be trodden.

"This is a safe cover," said the Pathfinder, after he had taken a
scrutinizing survey of his position; "but it may be necessary to
make it safer. Master Cap, I ask nothing of you but silence, and
a quieting of such gifts as you may have got at sea, while the
Tuscarora and I make provision for the evil hour."

The guide then went a short distance into the bushes, accompanied
by the Indian, where the two cut off the larger stems of several
alders and other bushes, using the utmost care not to make a noise.
The ends of these little trees were forced into the mud, outside
of the canoes, the depth of the water being very trifling; and in
the course of ten minutes a very effectual screen was interposed
between them and the principal point of danger. Much ingenuity
and readiness were manifested in making this simple arrangement,
in which the two workmen were essentially favored by the natural
formation of the bank, the indentation in the shore, the shallowness
of the water, and the manner in which the tangled bushes dipped
into the stream. The Pathfinder had the address to look for bushes
which had curved stems, things easily found in such a place; and