CHAPTER VIII.
THE EXPLOIT OF HANS VANDERBUM.
God forgive me, (Marry and amen!) how sound is she asleep! -- ROMEO AND JULIET.
Hans Vanderbum loitered on his way back to the village, to avoid giving the impression to any who might chance to see him that there was anything unusual upon his mind.

The precious substance handed to him by the Huron--a sort of gum--he wrapped in a leaf and stowed away in his bosom, guarding it with the most jealous care.

Upon it depended his hopes for the success of his cherished scheme.
After several hours' intense thought, he decided upon his programme of action.

He would go fishing about the middle of the forenoon, giving his wife to understand that he would be back with what he had caught in time for dinner, so that she would rely upon him for that meal; but, instead of doing so, he would keep out of sight until toward night, by which time he rightly concluded his spouse and children would be so ravenously hungry that they would devour the fish without noticing any peculiar taste about them.
It was also necessary to place Miss Prescott on her guard against eating them, as it would seriously inconvenience him if she should fall into a deadly stupor at the very time when she would most need her senses.

All this was not definitively provided for until a long time after his return to his wigwam.
The more fully to carry out his plans, Hans feigned sickness shortly after his return, so that Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, who really had a sort of affection for him, allowed him to remain inside, while she busied herself with the corn-planting.