"
"Ah, the lad is right. We must to our inventions, therefore, or the
river cannot be crossed." Then, cutting the discourse short, he turned
to the Pawnee, and explained to him the difficulty which existed in
relation to the women. The young warrior listened gravely, and
throwing the buffaloe-skin from his shoulder he immediately commenced,
assisted by the occasional aid of the understanding old man, the
preparations necessary to effect this desirable object.
The hide was soon drawn into the shape of an umbrella top, or an
inverted parachute, by thongs of deer-skin, with which both the
labourers were well provided. A few light sticks served to keep the
parts from collapsing, or falling in. When this simple and natural
expedient was arranged, it was placed on the water, the Indian making
a sign that it was ready to receive its freight. Both Inez and Ellen
hesitated to trust themselves in a bark of so frail a construction,
nor would Middleton or Paul consent that they should do so, until each
had assured himself, by actual experiment, that the vessel was capable
of sustaining a load much heavier than it was destined to receive.
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