The cunning of a drifter, perhaps (5)
I believe the answer is:
craft
'the cunning' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for craft that I've seen before include "Cunning; boat, ship" , "Creative activity" , "Boat, artifice or skills" , "Cunning - vessels" , "Cunning - ability" .)