The day that followed proved to be melancholy, though one of much activity.
The soldiers, who had so lately been employed in interring their victims, were now called on to bury their own dead.
The scene of the morning had left a saddened feeling on all the gentlemen of the party, and the rest felt the influence of a similar sensation, in a variety of ways and from many causes.
Hour dragged on after hour until evening arrived, and then came the last melancholy offices in honor of poor Hetty Hutter.
Her body was laid in the lake, by the side of that of the mother she had so loved and reverenced, the surgeon, though actually an unbeliever, so far complying with the received decencies of life as to read the funeral service over her grave, as he had previously done over those of the other Christian slain. It mattered not; that all seeing eye which reads the heart, could not fail to discriminate between the living and the dead, and the gentle soul of the unfortunate girl was already far removed beyond the errors, or deceptions, of any human ritual. These simple rites, however, were not wholly wanting in suitable accompaniments.
The tears of Judith and Hist were shed freely, and Deerslayer gazed upon the limpid water, that now flowed over one whose spirit was even purer than its own mountain springs, with glistening eyes.
Even the Delaware turned aside to conceal his weakness, while the common men gazed on the ceremony with wondering eyes and chastened feelings. The business of the day closed with this pious office.
By order of the commanding officer, all retired early to rest, for it was intended to begin the march homeward with the return of light.
One party, indeed, bearing the wounded, the prisoners, and the trophies, had left the castle in the middle of the day under the guidance of Hurry, intending to reach the fort by shorter marches.
It had been landed on the point so often mentioned, or that described in our opening pages, and, when the sun set, was already encamped on the brow of the long, broken, and ridgy hills, that fell away towards the valley of the Mohawk.
The departure of this detachment had greatly simplified the duty of the succeeding day, disencumbering its march of its baggage and wounded, and otherwise leaving him who had issued the order greater liberty of action.
Judith held no communications with any but Hist, after the death of her sister, until she retired for the night.
Her sorrow had been respected, and both the females had been left with the body, unintruded on, to the last moment.
The rattling of the drum broke the silence of that tranquil water, and the echoes of the tattoo were heard among the mountains, so soon after the ceremony was over as to preclude the danger of interruption.
That star which had been the guide of Hist, rose on a scene as silent as if the quiet of nature had never yet been disturbed by the labors or passions of man.
One solitary sentinel, with his relief, paced the platform throughout the night, and morning was ushered in, as usual, by the martial beat of the reveille.
Military precision succeeded to the desultory proceedings of border men, and when a hasty and frugal breakfast was taken, the party began its movement towards the shore with a regularity and order that prevented noise or confusion.
Of all the officers, Warley alone remained.
Craig headed the detachment in advance, Thornton was with the wounded, and Graham accompanied his patients as a matter of course.
Even the chest of Hutter, with all the more valuable of his effects, was borne away, leaving nothing behind that was worth the labor of a removal.
Judith was not sorry to see that the captain respected her feelings, and that he occupied himself entirely with the duty of his command, leaving her to her own discretion and feelings.
It was understood by all that the place was to be totally abandoned; but beyond this no explanations were asked or given.
The soldiers embarked in the Ark, with the captain at their head.
He had enquired of Judith in what way she chose to proceed, and understanding her wish to remain with Hist to the last moment, he neither molested her with requests, nor offended her with advice.
There was but one safe and familiar trail to the Mohawk, and on that, at the proper hour, he doubted not that they should meet in amity, if not in renewed intercourse.
When all were on board, the sweeps were manned, and the Ark moved in its sluggish manner towards the distant point.
Deerslayer and Chingachgook now lifted two of the canoes from the water, and placed them in the castle.
The windows and door were then barred, and the house was left by means of the trap, in the manner already described.
On quitting the palisades, Hist was seen in the remaining canoe, where the Delaware immediately joined her, and paddled away, leaving Judith standing alone on the platform.
Owing to this prompt proceeding, Deerslayer found himself alone with the beautiful and still weeping mourner.
Too simple to suspect anything, the young man swept the light boat round, and received its mistress in it, when he followed the course already taken by his friend.
The direction to the point led diagonally past, and at no great distance from, the graves of the dead.
As the canoe glided by, Judith for the first time that morning spoke to her companion.
She said but little; merely uttering a simple request to stop, for a minute or two, ere she left the place.
"I may never see this spot again, Deerslayer," she said, "and it contains the bodies of my mother and sister!
Is it not possible, think you, that the innocence of one of these beings may answer in the eyes of God for the salvation of both?"
"I don't understand it so, Judith, though I'm no missionary, and am but poorly taught.
Each spirit answers for its own backslidings, though a hearty repentance will satisfy God's laws."
"Then must my poor poor mother be in heaven!
Bitterly, bitterly has she repented of her sins, and surely her sufferings in this life ought to count as something against her sufferings in the next!"
"All this goes beyond me, Judith.
I strive to do right, here, as the surest means of keeping all right, hereafter.
Hetty was oncommon, as all that know'd her must allow, and her soul was as fit to consart with angels the hour it left its body, as that of any saint in the Bible!"
"I do believe you only do her justice!
Alas! Alas! that there should be so great differences between those who were nursed at the same breast, slept in the same bed, and dwelt under the same roof!
But, no matter - move the canoe, a little farther east, Deerslayer - the sun so dazzles my eyes that I cannot see the graves.
This is Hetty's, on the right of mother's?"
"Sartain - you ask'd that of us, and all are glad to do as you wish, Judith, when you do that which is right."
The girl gazed at him near a minute, in silent attention; then she turned her eyes backward, at the castle.
"This lake will soon be entirely deserted," she said, "and this, too, at a moment when it will be a more secure dwelling place than ever.