midnight
`` That 's the way of the world , old Tom , '' returned Hurry . `` Every man must meet his own debts , and answer for his own sins . I 'm amazed , howsever , that a lad as skilful and watchful as Deerslayer should have been caught in such a trap ! Did n't he know any better than to go prowling about a Huron camp at midnight , with no place to retreat to but a lake ? or did he think himself a buck , that by taking to the water could throw off the scent and swim himself out of difficulty ? I had a better opinion of the boy 's judgment , I 'll own ; but we must overlook a little ignorance in a raw hand . I say , Master Hutter , do you happen to know what has become of the gals -- I see no signs of Judith , or Hetty , though I 've been through the Ark , and looked into all its living creatur 's . ''