Jasper advanced rapidly, but noiselessly, to the canoe, and with a
gentle violence induced Mabel to place herself in such an attitude
as concealed her entire body, though it would have probably exceeded
his means to induce the girl so far to lower her head that she could
not keep her gaze fastened on their enemies. He then took his own
post near her, with his rifle cocked and poised, in readiness to
fire. Arrowhead and Chingachgook crawled to the cover, and lay in
wait like snakes, with their arms prepared for service, while the
wife of the former bowed her head between her knees, covered it
with her calico robe, and remained passive and immovable. Cap
loosened both his pistols in their belt, but seemed quite at a
loss what course to pursue. The Pathfinder did not stir. He had
originally got a position where he might aim with deadly effect
through the leaves, and where he could watch the movements of his
enemies; and he was far too steady to be disconcerted at a moment
so critical.

It was truly an alarming instant. Just as Mabel touched the shoulder
of her guide, three of the Iroquois had appeared in the water, at
the bend of the river, within a hundred yards of the cover, and
halted to examine the stream below. They were all naked to the
waist, armed for an expedition against their foes, and in their
warpaint. It was apparent that they were undecided as to the
course they ought to pursue in order to find the fugitives. One
pointed down the river, a second up the stream, and the third
towards the opposite bank. They evidently doubted.



CHAPTER V