James Fenimore Cooper
The Deerslayer or
The First WarPath
A Tale
Preface
This book has not been written without many misgivings as to its probable
reception To carry one and the same character through five several works would
seem to be a wilful over drawing on the good nature of the public and many
persons may very reasonably suppose it an act of itself that ought to invite a
rebuke To this natural objection the author can only say that if he has
committed a grave fault on this occasion his readers are in some measure
answerable for it The favorable manner in which the more advanced career and
the death of Leather Stocking were received has created in the mind of the
author at least a sort of necessity for giving some account of his younger
days In short the pictures of his life such as they are were already so
complete as to excite some little desire to see the study from which they have
all been drawn
»The LeatherStocking Tales« form now something like a drama in five acts
complete as to material and design though quite probably very incomplete as to
execution Such as they are the reading world has them before it Their author
hopes should it decide that this particular act the last in execution though
the first in the order of perusal is not the best of the series it will also
come to the conclusion that it is not absolutely the worst More than once he
has been tempted to burn his manuscript and to turn to some other subject
though he has met with an encouragement in the course of his labors of a
character so singular as to be worth mentioning An anonymous letter from
England has reached him written as he thinks by a lady in which he is urged
to do almost the very thing he had already more than half executed a request
that he has been willing enough to construe into a sign that his attempt will be
partially forgiven if not altogether commended
Little need be said concerning the characters and scenery of this Tale The
former are fictitious as a matter of course but the latter is as true to
nature as an intimate knowledge of the present appearance of the region
described and such probable conjectures concerning its ancient state as could
be furnished by the imagination enabled the writer to render it The lake
mountains valley and forests are all believed to be sufficiently exact while
the river rock and shoal are faithful transcripts from nature Even the points
exist a little altered by civilization but so nearly answering to the
descriptions as to be easily recognised by all who are familiar with the
scenery of the particular region in question
As to the accuracy of the incidents of this Tale in whole or in part it
is the intention of the author to stand on his rights and say no more than he
deems to be necessary In the great struggle for veracity that is carrying on
between History and Fiction the latter has so often the best of it that he is
quite willing to refer the reader to his own researches by way of settling this
particular point Should it appear on inquiry that any professed historian the
public documents or even the local traditions contradict the statements of
this book the writer is ready to admit that the circumstance has entirely
escaped his observation and to confess his ignorance On the other hand should
it be found that the annals of America do not contain a syllable in opposition
to what has been now laid before the world as he firmly believes investigation
will show to be the case he shall claim for his legend just as much authority
as it deserves
There is a respectable class of novelreaders respectable for numbers
quite as much as for every thing else who have often been likened to the man
that sings when he reads and reads when he sings These persons are exceedingly
imaginative in all matters of fact and as literal as a school boys
translation in every thing that relates to poetry For the benefit of all such
persons it is explicitly stated that Judith Hutter is Judith Hutter and not
Judith any one else and generally that wherever a coincidence may occur in a
christian name or in the color of hair nothing more is meant than can properly
be inferred from a coincidence in a christian name or in the color of hair
Long experience has taught the writer that this portion of his readers is much
the most difficult to please and he would respectfully suggest for the benefit
of both parties that they try the experiment of reading works of the
imagination as if they were intended for matters of fact Such a plan might
possibly enable them to believe in the possibility of fiction
There is another class of readers less important certainly in a
republican country inasmuch as it is materially in the minority which is
addicted to taking things as they are offered and of understanding them as they
are meant These persons are advised to commence at chapter first and to read
consecutively just as far as the occupation may prove agreeable to themselves
and not a page beyond it Should any of this class reach the end of the book
and fancy the time spent in the perusal not entirely thrown away the
circumstance will afford its author sincere gratification
Preface to The LeatherStocking Tales
This series of Stories which has obtained the name of »The LeatherStocking
Tales« has been written in a very desultory and inartificial manner The order
in which the several books appeared was essentially different from that in which
they would have been presented to the world had the regular course of their
incidents been consulted In »The Pioneers« the first of the series written
the LeatherStocking is represented as already old and driven from his early
haunts in the forest by the sound of the axe and the smoke of the settler
»The Last of the Mohicans« the next book in the order of publication carried
the readers back to a much earlier period in the history of our hero
representing him as middleaged and in the fullest vigor of manhood In »The
Prairie« his career terminates and he is laid in his grave There it was
originally the intention to leave him in the expectation that as in the case
of the human mass he would soon be forgotten But a latent regard for this
character induced the author to resuscitate him in »The Pathfinder« a book that
was not long after succeeded by »The Deerslayer« thus completing the series as
it now exists
While the five books that have been written were originally published in the
order just mentioned that of the incidents insomuch as they are connected with
the career of their principal character is as has been stated very different
Taking the life of the LeatherStocking as a guide »The Deerslayer« should have
been the opening book for in that work he is seen just emerging into manhood
to be succeeded by »The Last of the Mohicans« »The Pathfinder« »The Pioneers«
and »The Prairie« This arrangement embraces the order of events though far
from being that in which the books at first appeared »The Pioneers« was
published in 1823 »The Deerslayer« in 1841 making the interval between them
eighteen years Whether these progressive years have had a tendency to lessen
the value of the lastnamed book by lessening the native fire of its author or
of adding somewhat in the way of improved taste and a more matured judgment is
for others to decide
If anything from the pen of the writer of these romances is at all to
outlive himself it is unquestionably the series of »The LeatherStocking
Tales« To say this is not to predict a very lasting reputation for the series
itself but simply to express the belief it will outlast any or all of the
works from the same hand
It is undeniable that the desultory manner in which »The LeatherStocking
Tales« were written has in a measure impaired their harmony and otherwise
lessened their interest This is proved by the fate of the two books last
published though probably the two most worthy an enlightened and cultivated
readers notice If the facts could be ascertained it is probable the result
would show that of all those in America in particular who have read the three
first books of the series not one in ten has a knowledge of the existence even
of the two last Several causes have tended to produce this result The long
interval of time between the appearance of »The Prairie« and that of »The
Pathfinder« was itself a reason why the later books of the series should be
overlooked There was no longer novelty to attract attention and the interest
was materially impaired by the manner in which events were necessarily
anticipated in laying the last of the series first before the world With the
generation that is now coming on the stage this fault will be partially removed
by the edition contained in the present work in which the several tales will be
arranged solely in reference to their connexion with each other
The author has often been asked if he had any original in his mind for the
character of LeatherStocking In a physical sense different individuals known
to the writer in early life certainly presented themselves as models through
his recollections but in a moral sense this man of the forest is purely a
creation The idea of delineating a character that possessed little of
civilization but its highest principles as they are exhibited in the uneducated
and all of savage life that is not incompatible with these great rules of
conduct is perhaps natural to the situation in which Natty was placed He is
too proud of his origin to sink into the condition of the wild Indian and too
much a man of the woods not to imbibe as much as was at all desirable from his
friends and companions In a moral point of view it was the intention to
illustrate the effect of seed scattered by the way side To use his own
language his gifts were white gifts and he was not disposed to bring on them
discredit On the other hand removed from nearly all the temptations of
civilized life placed in the best associations of that which is deemed savage
and favorably disposed by nature to improve such advantages it appeared to the
writer that his hero was a fit subject to represent the better qualities of both
conditions without pushing either to extremes
There was no violent stretch of the imagination perhaps in supposing one
of civilized associations in childhood retaining many of his earliest lessons
amid the scenes of the forest Had these early impressions however not been
sustained by continued though casual connexion with men of his own color if
not of his own caste all our information goes to show he would soon have lost
every trace of his origin It is believed that sufficient attention was paid to
the particular circumstances in which this individual was placed to justify the
picture of his qualities that has been drawn The Delawares early attracted the
attention of the missionaries and were a tribe unusually influenced by their
precepts and example In many instances they became Christians and cases
occurred in which their subsequent lives gave proof of the efficacy of the great
moral changes that had taken place within them
A leading character in a work of fiction has a fair right to the aid which
can be obtained from a poetical view of the subject It is in this view rather
than in one more strictly circumstantial that LeatherStocking has been drawn
The imagination has no great task in portraying to itself a being removed from
the everyday inducements to err which abound in civilized life while he
retains the best and simplest of his early impressions who sees God in the
forest hears him in the winds bows to him in the firmament that oercanopies
all submits to his sway in a humble belief of his justice and mercy in a word
a being who finds the impress of the Deity in all the works of nature without
any of the blots produced by the expedients and passion and mistakes of man
This is the most that has been attempted in the character of LeatherStocking
Had this been done without any of the drawbacks of humanity the picture would
have been in all probability more pleasing than just In order to preserve the
vraisemblable therefore traits derived from the prejudices tastes and even
the weaknesses of his youth have been mixed up with these higher qualities and
longings in a way it is hoped to represent a reasonable picture of human
nature without offering to the spectator a monster of goodness
It has been objected to these books that they give a more favorable picture
of the red man than he deserves The writer apprehends that much of this
objection arises from the habits of those who have made it One of his critics
on the appearance of the first work in which Indian character was portrayed
objected that its »characters were Indians of the school of Heckewelder rather
than of the school of nature« These words quite probably contain the substance
of the true answer to the objection Heckewelder was an ardent benevolent
missionary bent on the good of the red man and seeing in him one who had the
soul reason and characteristics of a fellowbeing The critic is understood to
have been a very distinguished agent of the government one very familiar with
Indians as they are seen at the councils to treat for the sale of their lands
where little or none of their domestic qualities come in play and where
indeed their evil passions are known to have the fullest scope As just would
it be to draw conclusions of the general state of American society from the
scenes of the capital as to suppose that the negotiating of one of these
treaties is a fair picture of Indian life
It is the privilege of all writers of fiction more particularly when their
works aspire to the elevation of romances to present the beauidéal of their
characters to the reader This it is which constitutes poetry and to suppose
that the red man is to be represented only in the squalid misery or in the
degraded moral state that certainly more or less belongs to his condition is
we apprehend taking a very narrow view of an authors privileges Such
criticism would have deprived the world of even Homer
Preface to The Deerslayer
As has been stated in the preface to the series of the LeatherStocking Tales
»The Deerslayer« is properly the first in the order of reading though the last
in that of publication In this book the hero is represented as just arriving at
manhood with the freshness of feeling that belongs to that interesting period
of life and with the power to please that properly characterizes youth As a
consequence he is loved and what denotes the real waywardness of humanity
more than it corresponds with theories and moral propositions perhaps he is
loved by one full of art vanity and weakness and loved principally for his
sincerity his modesty and his unerring truth and probity The preference he
gives to the high qualities named over beauty delirious passion and sin it
is hoped will offer a lesson that can injure none This portion of the book is
intentionally kept down though it is thought to be sufficiently distinct to
convey its moral
The intention has been to put the sisters in strong contrast one admirable
in person clever filled with the pride of beauty erring and fallen the
other barely provided with sufficient capacity to know good from evil
instinct notwithstanding with the virtues of woman reverencing and loving
God and yielding only to the weakness of her sex in admiring personal
attractions in one too coarse and unobservant to distinguish or to understand
her quiet gentle feeling in his favor
As for the scene of this tale it is intended for and believed to be a
close description of the Otsego prior to the year 1760 when the first rude
settlement was commenced on its banks at that time only an insignificant
clearing near the outlet with a small hut of squared logs for the temporary
dwelling of the Deputy Superintendent of Indian affairs The recollections of
the writer carry him back distinctly to a time when nine tenths of the shores of
this lake were in the virgin forest a peculiarity that was owing to the
circumstance of the roads running through the first range of valleys removed
from the water side The woods and the mountains have ever formed a principal
source of beauty with this charming sheet of water enough of the former
remaining to this day to relieve the open grounds from monotony and tameness
In most respects the descriptions of scenery in the tale are reasonably
accurate The rock appointed for the rendezvous between the Deerslayer and his
friend the Delaware still remains bearing the name of the Otsego Rock The
shoal on which Hutter is represented as having built his castle is a little
misplaced lying in fact nearer to the northern end of the lake as well as to
the eastern shore than is stated in this book Such a shoal however exists
surrounded on all sides by deep water In the dryest seasons a few rocks are
seen above the surface of the lake and rushes at most periods of the year
mark its locality In a word in all but precise position even this feature of
the book is accurate The same is true of the several points introduced of the
bays of the river of the mountains and all the other accessories of the place
The legend is purely fiction no authority existing for any of its facts
characters or other peculiarities beyond that which was thought necessary to
secure the semblance of reality Truth compels us to admit that the book has
attracted very little notice and that if its merits are to be computed by its
popularity the care that has been bestowed on this edition might as well be
spared Such at least has been its fate in America whether it has met with
better success in any other country we have no means of knowing
Chapter I
»There is a pleasure in the pathless woods
There is a rapture on the lonely shore
There is society where none intrudes
By the deep sea and music in its roar
I love not man the less but nature more
From these our interviews in which I steal
From all I may be or have been before
To mingle with the universe and feel
What I can neer express yet cannot all conceal«
Byron Childe Harolds Pilgrimage IVclxxviii
On the human imagination events produce the effects of time Thus he who has
travelled far and seen much is apt to fancy that he has lived long and the
history that most abounds in important incidents soonest assumes the aspect of
antiquity In no other way can we account for the venerable air that is already
gathering around American annals When the mind reverts to the earliest days of
colonial history the period seems remote and obscure the thousand changes that
thicken along the links of recollections throwing back the origin of the nation
to a day so distant as seemingly to reach the mists of time and yet four lives
of ordinary duration would suffice to transmit from mouth to mouth in the form
of tradition all that civilized man has achieved within the limits of the
republic Although NewYork alone possesses a population materially exceeding
that of either of the four smallest kingdoms of Europe or materially exceeding
that of the entire Swiss Confederation it is little more than two centuries
since the Dutch commenced their settlement rescuing the region from the savage
state Thus what seems venerable by an accumulation of changes is reduced to
familiarity when we come seriously to consider it solely in connection with
time
This glance into the perspective of the past will prepare the reader to
look at the pictures we are about to sketch with less surprise than he might
otherwise feel and a few additional explanations may carry him back in
imagination to the precise condition of society that we desire to delineate It
is matter of history that the settlements on the eastern shores of the Hudson
such as Claverack Kinderhook and even Poughkeepsie were not regarded as safe
from Indian incursions a century since and there is still standing on the banks
of the same river and within musket shot of the wharves of Albany a residence
of a younger branch1 of the van Rensselaers that has loopholes constructed for
defence against the same crafty enemy although it dates from a period scarcely
so distant Other similar memorials of the infancy of the country are to be
found scattered through what is now deemed the very centre of American
civilization affording the plainest proofs that all we possess of security from
invasion and hostile violence is the growth of but little more than the time
that is frequently filled by a single human life
The incidents of this tale occurred between the years 1740 and 1745 when
the settled portions of the Colony of NewYork were confined to the four
Atlantic counties a narrow belt of country on each side of the Hudson
extending from its mouth to the falls near its head and to a few advanced
neighborhoods on the Mohawk and the Schoharie Broad belts of the virgin
wilderness not only reached the shores of the first river but they even
crossed it stretching away into New England and affording forest cover to the
noiseless moccasin of the native warrior as he trod the secret and bloody
warpath A birds eye view of the whole region east of the Mississippi must
then have offered one vast expanse of woods relieved by a comparatively narrow
fringe of cultivation along the sea dotted by the glittering surfaces of lakes
and intersected by the waving lines of rivers In such a vast picture of solemn
solitude the district of country we design to paint sinks into insignificance
though we feel encouraged to proceed by the conviction that with slight and
immaterial distinctions he who succeeds in giving an accurate idea of any
portion of this wild region must necessarily convey a tolerably correct notion
of the whole
Whatever may be the changes produced by man the eternal round of the
seasons is unbroken Summer and winter seed time and harvest return in their
stated order with a sublime precision affording to man one of the noblest of
all the occasions he enjoys of proving the high powers of his far reaching mind
in compassing the laws that control their exact uniformity and in calculating
their never ending revolutions Centuries of summer suns had warmed the tops of
the same noble oaks and pines sending their heats even to the tenacious roots
when voices were heard calling to each other in the depths of a forest of
which the leafy surface lay bathed in the brilliant light of a cloudless day in
June while the trunks of the trees rose in gloomy grandeur in the shades
beneath The calls were in different tones evidently proceeding from two men
who had lost their way and were searching in different directions for their
path At length a shout proclaimed success and presently a man of gigantic
mould broke out of the tangled labyrinth of a small swamp emerging into an
opening that appeared to have been formed partly by the ravages of the wind and
partly by those of fire This little area which afforded a good view of the
sky although it was pretty well filled with dead trees lay on the side of one
of the high hills or low mountains into which nearly the whole surface of the
adjacent country was broken
»Here is room to breathe in« exclaimed the liberated forester as soon as
he found himself under a clear sky shaking his huge frame like a mastiff that
has just escaped from a snow bank »Hurrah Deerslayer here is daylight at
last and yonder is the lake itself«
These words were scarcely uttered when the second forester dashed aside the
bushes of the swamp and appeared in the area After making a hurried adjustment
of his arms and disordered dress he joined his companion who had already begun
his dispositions for a halt
»Do you know this spot« demanded the one called Deerslayer »or do you
shout at the sight of the sun«
»Both lad both I know the spot and am not sorry to see so useful a
friend as the sun Now we have got the pints of the compass in our minds once
more and twill be our own faults if we let any thing turn them topsy turvy
agin as has just happened My name is not Hurry Harry if this be not the very
spot where the landhunters camped the last summer and passed a week See
yonder are the dead bushes of their bower and here is the spring Much as I
like the sun boy Ive no occasion for it to tell me it is noon this stomach
of mine is as good a timepiece as is to be found in the colony and it already
pints to half past twelve So open the wallet lad and let us wind up for
another six hours run«
At this suggestion both set themselves about making the preparations
necessary for their usual frugal but hearty meal We will profit by this pause
in the discourse to give the reader some idea of the appearance of the men each
of whom is destined to enact no insignificant part in our legend It would not
have been easy to find a more noble specimen of vigorous manhood than was
offered in the person of him who called himself Hurry Harry His real name was
Henry March but the frontiermen having caught the practice of giving
sobriquets from the Indians the appellation of Hurry was far oftener applied
to him than his proper designation and not unfrequently he was termed Hurry
Skurry a nickname he had obtained from a dashing reckless offhand manner
and a physical restlessness that kept him so constantly on the move as to cause
him to be known along the whole line of scattered habitations that lay between
the province and the Canadas The stature of Hurry Harry exceeded six feet four
and being unusually well proportioned his strength fully realized the idea
created by his gigantic frame The face did no discredit to the rest of the man
for it was both goodhumoured and handsome His air was free and though his
manner necessarily partook of the rudeness of a border life the grandeur that
pervaded so noble a physique prevented it from becoming altogether vulgar
Deerslayer as Hurry called his companion was a very different person in
appearance as well as in character In stature he stood about six feet in his
moccasins but his frame was comparatively light and slender showing muscles
however that promised unusual agility if not unusual strength His face would
have had little to recommend it except youth were it not for an expression that
seldom failed to win upon those who had leisure to examine it and to yield to
the feeling of confidence it created This expression was simply that of
guileless truth sustained by an earnestness of purpose and a sincerity of
feeling that rendered it remarkable At times this air of integrity seemed to
be so simple as to awaken the suspicion of a want of the usual means to
discriminate between artifice and truth but few came in serious contact with
the man without losing this distrust in respect for his opinions and motives
Both these frontiermen were still young Hurry having reached the age of six
or eight and twenty while Deerslayer was several years his junior Their attire
needs no particular description though it may be well to add that it was
composed in no small degree of dressed deer skin and had the usual signs of
belonging to those who passed their time between the skirts of civilized society
and the boundless forests There was notwithstanding some attention to
smartness and the picturesque in the arrangements of Deerslayers dress more
particularly to the part connected with his arms and accoutrements His rifle
was in perfect condition the handle of his hunting knife was neatly carved his
powder horn was ornamented with suitable devices lightly cut into the material
and his shotpouch was decorated with wampum On the other hand Hurry Harry
either from constitutional recklessness or from a secret consciousness how
little his appearance required artificial aids wore every thing in a careless
slovenly manner as if he felt a noble scorn for the trifling accessories of
dress and ornaments Perhaps the peculiar effect of his fine form and great
stature was increased rather than lessened by this unstudied and disdainful
air of indifference
»Come Deerslayer fall to and prove that you have a Delaware stomach as
you say you have had a Delaware edication« cried Hurry setting the example by
opening his mouth to receive a slice of cold venison steak that would have made
an entire meal for a European peasant »Fall to lad and prove your manhood on
this poor devil of a doe with your teeth as youve already done with your
rifle«
»Nay nay Hurry theres little manhood in killing a doe and that too
out of season though there might be some in bringing down a painter or a
catamount« returned the other disposing himself to comply »The Delawares have
given me my name not so much on account of a bold heart as on account of a
quick eye and an actyve foot There may not be any cowardyce in overcoming a
deer but sartain it is theres no great valour«
»The Delawares themselves are no heroes« muttered Hurry through his
teeth the mouth being too full to permit it to be fairly opened »or they
would never have allowed them loping vagabonds the Mingos to make them women«
»That matter is not rightly understood has never been rightly explained«
said Deerslayer earnestly for he was as zealous a friend as his companion was
dangerous as an enemy »The Mengwe fill the woods with their lies and
misconstruct words and treaties I have now lived ten years with the Delawares
and know them to be as manful as any other nation when the proper time to
strike comes«
»Harkee Master Deerslayer since we are on the subject we may as well open
our minds to each other in a man to man way answer me one question you have
had so much luck among the game as to have gotten a title it would seem but
did you ever hit any thing human or intelligible did you ever pull trigger on
an inimy that was capable of pulling one upon you«
This question produced a singular collision between mortification and
correct feeling in the bosom of the youth that was easily to be traced in the
workings of his ingenuous countenance The struggle was short however
uprightness of heart soon getting the better of false pride and frontier
boastfulness
»To own the truth I never did« answered Deerslayer »seeing that a fitting
occasion never offered The Delawares have been peaceable since my sojourn with
em and I hold it to be onlawful to take the life of man except in open and
ginerous warfare«
»What Did you never find a fellow thieving among your traps and skins
and do the law on him with your own hands by way of saving the magistrates
trouble in the settlements and the rogue himself the costs of the suit«
»I am no trapper Hurry« returned the young man proudly »I live by the
rifle a wepon at which I will not turn my back on any man of my years atween
the Hudson and the St Lawrence I never offer a skin that has not a hole in
its head besides them which natur made to see with or to breathe through«
»Ay ay this is all very well in the animal way though it makes but a
poor figure along side of scalps and andbushes Shooting an Indian from an
andbush is acting up to his own principles and now we have what you call a
lawful war on our hands the sooner you wipe that disgrace off your character
the sounder will be your sleep if it only come from knowing there is one inimy
the less prowling in the woods I shall not frequent your society long friend
Natty unless you look higher than four footed beasts to practyse your rifle
on«
»Our journey is nearly ended you say Master March and we can part
tonight if you see occasion I have a frind waiting for me who will think it
no disgrace to consart with a fellow creatur that has never yet slain his
kind«
»I wish I knew what has brought that skulking Delaware into this part of the
country so early in the season« muttered Hurry to himself in a way to show
equally distrust and a recklessness of its betrayal »Where did you say the
young chief was to give you the meeting«
»At a small round rock near the foot of the lake where they tell me the
tribes are given to resorting to make their treaties and to bury their
hatchets This rock have I often heard the Delawares mention though lake and
rock are equally strangers to me The country is claimed by both Mingos and
Mohicans and is a sort of common territory to fish and hunt through in times
of peace though what it may become in wartime the Lord only knows«
»Common territory« exclaimed Hurry laughing aloud »I should like to know
what Floating Tom Hutter would say to that He claims the lake as his own
property in vartue of fifteen years possession and will not be likely to give
it up to either Mingo or Delaware without a battle for it«
»And what will the Colony say to such a quarrel all this country must have
some owner the gentry pushing their cravings into the wilderness even where
they never dare to ventur in their own parsons to look at the land they own«
»That may do in other quarters of the colony Deerslayer but it will not do
here Not a human being the Lord excepted owns a foot of sile in this part
of the country Pen was never put to paper consarning either hill or valley
hereaway as Ive heard old Tom say time and agin and so he claims the best
right to it of any man breathing and what Tom claims hell be very likely to
maintain«
»By what Ive heard you say Hurry this Floating Tom must be an oncommon
mortal neither Mingo Delaware nor Pale Face His possession too has been
long by your tell and altogether beyond frontier endurance Whats the mans
history and human natur«
»Why as to old Toms human natur it is not much like other mens human
natur but more like a muskrats human natur seeing that he takes more to the
ways of that animal than to the ways of any other fellow creatur Some think he
was a free liver on the saltwater in his youth and a companion of a sartain
Kidd who was hanged for piracy long afore you and I were born or acquainted
and that he came up into these regions thinking that the Kings cruisers could
never cross the mountains and that he might enjoy the plunder peaceably in the
woods«
»There he was wrong Hurry very wrong A man can enjoy plunder peaceably no
where«
»Thats much as his turn of mind may happen to be Ive known them that
never could enjoy it at all unless it was in the midst of a jollification and
them agin that enjoyed it best in a corner Some men have no peace if they
dont find plunder and some if they do Human natur is crooked in these
matters Old Tom seems to belong to neither set as he enjoys his if plunder he
has really got with his darters in a very quiet and comfortable way and
wishes for no more«
»Ay he has darters too Ive heard the Delawares whove hunted
thisaway tell their histories of these young women Is there no mother
Hurry«
»There was once as in reason but she has now been dead and sunk these two
good years«
»Anan« said Deerslayer looking up at his companion in a little surprise
»Dead and sunk I say and I hope thats good English The old fellow
lowered his wife into the lake by way of seeing the last of her as I can
testify being an eyewitness of the ceremony but whether Tom did it to save
digging which is no easy job among roots or out of a consait that water washes
away sin sooner than arth is more than I can say«
»Was the poor woman oncommon wicked that her husband should take so much
pains with her body«
»Not onreasonable though she had her faults I consider Judith Hutter to
have been as graceful and about as likely to make a good ind as any woman who
had lived so long beyond the sound of church bells and I conclude old Tom sunk
her as much by way of saving pains as by way of taking it There was a little
steel in her temper its true and as old Hutter is pretty much flint they
struck out sparks once and awhile but on the whole they might be said to live
amicable like When they did kindle the listeners got some such insights into
their past lives as one gets into the darker parts of the woods when a stray
gleam of sunshine finds its way down to the roots of the trees But Judith I
shall always esteem as its recommend enough to one woman to be the mother of
such a creatur as her darter Judith Hutter«
»Ay Judith was the name the Delawares mentioned though it was pronounced
after a fashion of their own From their discourse I do not think the girl would
much please my fancy«
»Thy fancy« exclaimed March taking fire equally at the indifference and at
the presumption of his companion »what the devil have you to do with a fancy
and that too consarning one like Judith You are but a boy a sapling that has
scarce got root Judith has had men among her suitors ever since she was
fifteen which is now near five years and will not be apt to cast even a look
upon a half grown creatur like you«
»It is June and there is not a cloud atween us and the sun Hurry so all
this heat is not wanted« answered the other altogether undisturbed »any one
may have a fancy and a squirrel has a right to make up his mind touching a
catamount«
»Ay but it might not be wise always to let the catamount know it«
growled March »But youre young and thoughtless and Ill overlook your
ignorance Come Deerslayer« he added with a goodnatured laugh after pausing
a moment to reflect »come Deerslayer we are sworn frinds and will not
quarrel about a lightminded jilting jade just because she happens to be
handsome more especially as you have never seen her Judith is only for a man
whose teeth show the full marks and its foolish to be afeard of a boy What
did the Delawares say of the hussy for an Indian after all has his notions
of womankind as well as a white man«
»They said she was fair to look on and pleasant of speech but overgiven
to admirers and lightminded«
»They are devils incarnate After all what schoolmaster is a match for an
Indian in looking into natur Some people think they are only good on a trail
or the warpath but I say that they are philosophers and understand a man as
well as they understand a beaver and a woman as well as they understand either
Now thats Judiths character to a riband To own the truth to you Deerslayer
I should have married the gal two years since if it had not been for two
particular things one of which was this very lightmindedness«
»And what may have been the other« demanded the hunter who continued to
eat like one that took very little interest in the subject
»T other was an insartainty about her having me The hussy is handsome and
she knows it Boy not a tree that is growing in these hills is straighter or
waves in the wind with an easier bend nor did you ever see the doe that bounded
with a more natral motion If that was all every tongue would sound her
praises but she has such failings that I find it hard to overlook them and
sometimes I swear Ill never visit the lake agin«
»Which is the reason that you always come back Nothing is ever made more
sure by swearing about it«
»Ah Deerslayer you are a novelty in these particlars keeping as true to
edication as if you had never left the settlements With me the case is
different and I never want to clinch an idee that I do not feel a wish to
swear about it If you knowd all that I know consarning Judith youd find a
justification for a little cussing Now the officers sometimes stray over to
the lake from the forts on the Mohawk to fish and hunt and then the creatur
seems beside herself You can see it in the manner in which she wears her
finery and the airs she gives herself with the gallants«
»That is unseemly in a poor mans darter« returned Deerslayer gravely »the
officers are all gentry and can only look on such as Judith with evil
intentions«
»Theres the unsartainty and the damper I have my misgivings about a
particular captain and Jude has no one to blame but her own folly if Im
wrong On the whole I wish to look upon her as modest and becoming and yet the
clouds that drive among these hills are not more unsartain Not a dozen white
men have ever laid eyes upon her since she was a child and yet her airs with
two or three of these officers are extinguishers«
»I would think no more of such a woman but turn my mind altogether to the
forest that will not deceive you being ordered and ruled by a hand that never
wavers«
»If you knowd Judith you would see how much easier it is to say this than
it would be to do it Could I bring my mind to be easy about the officers I
would carry the gal off to the Mohawk by force make her marry me in spite of
her whiffling and leave old Tom to the care of Hetty his other child who if
she be not as handsome or as quickwitted as her sister is much the most
dutiful«
»Is there another bird in the same nest« asked Deerslayer raising his eyes
with a species of halfawakened curiosity »The Delawares spoke to me only of
one«
»Thats natral enough when Judith Hutter and Hetty Hutter are in question
Hetty is only comely while her sister I tell thee boy is such another as is
not to be found atween this and the sea Judith is as full of wit and talk and
cunning as an old Indian orator while poor Hetty is at the best but compass
meant us«
»Anan« inquired again the Deerslayer
»Why what the officers call compass meant us which I understand to
signify that she means always to go in the right direction but sometimes
doesnt know how Compass for the pint and meant us for the intention No
poor Hetty is what I call on the varge of ignorance and sometimes she stumbles
on one side of the line and sometimes on tother«
»Them are beings that the Lord has in his special care« said Deerslayer
solemnly »for he looks carefully to all who fall short of their proper share of
reason The Redskins honor and respect them who are so gifted knowing that the
Evil Spirit delights more to dwell in an artful body than in one that has no
cunning to work upon«
»Ill answer for it then that he will not remain long with poor Hetty
for the child is just compass meant us as I have told you Old Tom has a
feeling for the gal and so has Judith quick witted and glorious as she is
herself else would I not answer for her being altogether safe among the sort of
men that sometimes meet on the lake shore«
»I thought this water an onknown and little frequented sheet« observed the
Deerslayer evidently uneasy at the idea of being too near the world
»Its all that lad the eyes of twenty white men never having been laid on
it still twenty true bred frontiermen hunters and trappers and scouts and
the like can do a deal of mischief if they try Twould be an awful thing to
me Deerslayer did I find Judith married after an absence of six months«
»Have you the gals faith to incourage you to hope otherwise«
»Not at all I know not how it is Im goodlooking boy that much I can
see in any spring on which the sun shines and yet I could never get the hussy
to a promise or even a cordial willing smile though she will laugh by the
hour If she has dared to marry in my absence shell be like to know the
pleasures of widowhood afore she is twenty«
»You would not harm the man she had chosen Hurry simply because she found
him more to her liking than yourself«
»Why not If an inimy crosses my path will I not beat him out of it Look
at me am I a man like to let any sneaking crawling skintrader get the
better of me in a matter that touches me as near as the kindness of Judith
Hutter Besides when we live beyond law we must be our own judges and
executioners And if a man should be found dead in the woods who is there to
say who slew him even admitting that the Colony took the matter in hand and
made a stir about it«
»If that man should be Judith Hutters husband after what has passed I
might tell enough at least to put the Colony on the trail«
»You Halfgrown venison hunting bantling You dare to think of
informing against HurryHarry in so much as a matter touching a mink or a
woodchuck«
»I would dare to speak truth Hurry consarning you or any man that ever
lived«
March looked at his companion for a moment in silent amazement then
seizing him by the throat with both hands he shook his comparatively slight
frame with a violence that menaced the dislocation of some of the bones Nor
was this done jocularly for anger flashed from the giants eyes and there were
certain signs that seemed to threaten much more earnestness than the occasion
would appear to call for Whatever might be the real intention of March and it
is probable there was none settled in his mind it is certain that he was
unusually aroused and most men who found themselves throttled by one of a mould
so gigantic in such a mood and in a solitude so deep and helpless would have
felt intimidated and tempted to yield even the right Not so however with
Deerslayer His countenance remained unmoved his hand did not shake and his
answer was given in a voice that did not resort to the artifice of louder tones
even by way of proving its owners resolution
»You may shake Hurry until you bring down the mountain« he said quietly
»but nothing beside truth will you shake from me It is probable that Judith
Hutter has no husband to slay and you may never have a chance to way lay one
else would I tell her of your threat in the first conversation I held with the
gal«
March released his gripe and sat regarding the other in silent
astonishment
»I thought we had been friends« he at length added »but youve got the
last secret of mine that will ever enter your ears«
»I want none if they are to be like this I know we live in the woods
Hurry and are thought to be beyond human laws and perhaps we are so in fact
whatever it may be in right but there is a law and a law maker that rule
across the whole continent He that flies in the face of either need not call
me frind«
»Damme Deerslayer if I do not believe you are at heart a Moravian and
no fair minded plain dealing hunter as youve pretended to be«
»Fair minded or not Hurry you will find me as plaindealing in deeds as I
am in words But this giving way to sudden anger is foolish and proves how
little you have sojourned with the red men Judith Hutter no doubt is still
single and you spoke but as the tongue ran and not as the heart felt Theres
my hand and we will say and think no more about it«
Hurry seemed more surprised than ever then he burst forth in a loud
goodnatured laugh which brought tears to his eyes After this he accepted the
offered hand and the parties became friends
»Twould have been foolish to quarrel about an idee« March cried as he
resumed his meal »and more like lawyers in the towns than like sensible men in
the woods They tell me Deerslayer much ill blood grows out of idees among
the people in the lower counties and that they sometimes get to extremities
upon them«
»That do they that do they and about other matters that might better be
left to take care of themselves I have heard the Moravians say that there are
lands in which men quarrel even consarning their religion and if they can get
their tempers up on such a subject Hurry the Lord have marcy on em Howsever
there is no occasion for our following their example and more especially about
a husband that this Judith Hutter may never see or never wish to see For my
part I feel more curosity about the feeblewitted sister than about your
beauty Theres something that comes close to a mans feelins when he meets
with a fellow creatur that has all the outward show of an accountable mortal
and who fails of being what he seems only through a lack of reason This is bad
enough in a man but when it comes to a woman and she a young and maybe a
winning creatur it touches all the pitiful thoughts his natur has God knows
Hurry that such poor things be defenceless enough with all their wits about
em but its a cruel fortun when that great protector and guide fails em«
»Harkee Deerslayer you know what the hunters and trappers and peltrymen
in general be and their best friends will not deny that they are headstrong
and given to having their own way without much bethinking em of other peoples
rights or feelins and yet I dont think the man is to be found in all this
region who would harm Hetty Hutter if he could no not even a red skin«
»Therein frind Hurry you do the Delawares at least and all their allied
tribes only justice for a red skin looks upon a being thus struck by Gods
power as especially under his care I rejoice to hear what you say howsever I
rejoice to hear it but as the sun is beginning to turn towards the aternoons
sky had we not better strike the trail agin and make forward that we may get
an opportunity of seeing these wonderful sisters«
Harry March giving a cheerful assent the remnants of the meal were soon
collected then the travellers shouldered their packs resumed their arms and
quitting the little area of light they again plunged into the deep shadows of
the forest
Chapter II
»Thourt passing from the lakes green side
And the hunters hearth away
For the time of flowers for the summers pride
Daughter Thou canst not stay«
Mrs Hemans »Edith A Tale of
the Woods« ll 19194
Our two adventurers had not far to go Hurry knew the direction as soon as he
had found the open spot and the spring and he now led on with the confident
step of a man assured of his object The forest was dark as a matter of course
but it was no longer obstructed by under brush and the footing was firm and
dry After proceeding near a mile March stopped and began to cast about him
with an inquiring look examining the different objects with care and
occasionally turning his eyes on the trunks of the fallen trees with which the
ground was well sprinkled as is usually the case in an American wood
especially in those parts of the country where timber has not yet become
valuable
»This must be the place Deerslayer« March at length observed »Here is a
beech by the side of a hemlock with three pines at hand and yonder is a white
birch with a broken top and yet I see no rock nor any of the branches bent
down as I told you would be the case«
»Broken branches are onskilful landmarks as the least experenced know
that branches dont often break of themselves« returned the other »and they
also lead to suspicion and discoveries The Delawares never trust to broken
branches unless it is in friendly times and on an open trail As for the
beeches and pines and hemlocks why they are to be seen on all sides of us
not only by two and threes but by forties and fifties and hundreds«
»Very true Deerslayer but you never calcilate on positions Here is a
beech and a hemlock «
»Yes and there is another beech and a hemlock as loving as two brothers
or for that matter more loving than some brothers and yonder are others for
neither tree is a rarity in these woods I fear me Hurry you are better at
trapping beaver and shooting bears than at leading on a blindish sort of a
trail ha Theres what you wish to find ater all«
»Now Deerslayer this is one of your Delaware pretensions for hang me if
I see any thing but these trees which do seem to start up around us in a most
onaccountable and perplexing manner«
»Look thisaway Hurry here in a line with the black oak dont you see
the crooked sapling that is hooked up in the branches of the basswood near it
now that sapling was once snowridden and got the bend by its weight but it
never straightened itself and fastened itself in among the basswood branches
in the way you see The hand of man did that act of kindness for it«
»That hand was mine« exclaimed Hurry »I found the slender young thing bent
to the airth like an unfortunate creatur borne down by misfortune and stuck
it up where you see it After all Deerslayer I must allow youre getting to
have an oncommon good eye for the woods«
»Tis improving Hurry tis improving I will acknowledge but tis still
only a childs eye compared to some I know Theres Tamenund now though a man
so old that few remember when he was in his prime Tamenund lets nothing escape
his look which is more like the scent of a hound than the sight of an eye
Then Uncas2 the father of Chingachgook and the lawful chief of the Mohicans
is another that it is almost hopeless to pass unseen Im improving I will
allow Im improving but far from being parfect as yet«
»And who is this Chingachgook of whom you talk so much Deerslayer« asked
Hurry as he moved off in the direction of the righted sapling »a loping red
skin at the best I make no question«
»Not so Hurry but the best of loping redskins as you call em If he had
his rights he would be a great chief but as it is he is only a brave and
just minded Delaware respected and even obeyed in some things tis true but
of a fallen race and belonging to a fallen people Ah Harry March twould
warm the heart within you to sit in their lodges of a winters night and
listen to the traditions of the ancient greatness and power of the Mohicans«
»Harkee frind Nathaniel« said Hurry stopping short to face his
companion in order that his words might carry greater weight with them »if a
man believed all that other people choose to say in their own favor he might
get an oversized opinion of them and an undersized opinion of himself These
redskins are notable boasters and I set down more than half of their
traditions as pure talk«
»There is truth in what you say Hurry Ill not deny it for Ive seen it
and believe it They do boast but then that is a gift from natur and its
sinful to withstand natral gifts See this is the spot you come to find«
This remark cut short the discourse and both the men now gave all their
attention to the object immediately before them Deerslayer pointed out to his
companion the trunk of a huge linden or basswood as it is termed in the
language of the country which had filled its time and fallen by its own
weight This tree like so many millions of its brethren lay where it had
fallen and was mouldering under the slow but certain influence of the seasons
The decay however had attacked its centre even while it stood erect in the
pride of vegetation hollowing out its heart as disease sometimes destroys the
vitals of animal life even while a fair exterior is presented to the observer
As the trunk lay stretched for near a hundred feet along the earth the quick
eye of the hunter detected this peculiarity and from this and other
circumstances he knew it to be the tree of which March was in search
»Ay here we have what we want« cried Hurry looking in at the larger end
of the linden »every thing is as snug as if it had been left in an old womans
cupboard Come lend me a hand Deerslayer and well be afloat in half an
hour«
At this call the hunter joined his companion and the two went to work
deliberately and regularly like men accustomed to the sort of thing in which
they were employed In the first place Hurry removed some pieces of bark that
lay before the large opening in the tree and which the other declared to be
disposed in a way that would have been more likely to attract attention than to
conceal the cover had any straggler passed that way The two then drew out a
bark canoe containing its seats paddles and other appliances even to fishing
lines and rods This vessel was by no means small but such was its comparative
lightness and so gigantic was the strength of Hurry that the latter shouldered
it with seeming ease declining all assistance even in the act of raising it to
the awkward position in which he was obliged to hold it
»Lead ahead Deerslayer« said March »and open the bushes the rest I can
do for myself«
The other obeyed and the men left the spot Deerslayer clearing the way for
his companion and inclining to the right or to the left as the latter
directed In about ten minutes they both broke suddenly into the brilliant
light of the sun on a low gravelly point that was washed by water on quite
half of its outline
An exclamation of surprise broke from the lips of Deerslayer an exclamation
that was low and guardedly made however for his habits were much more
thoughtful and regulated than those of the reckless Hurry when on reaching the
margin of the lake he beheld the view that unexpectedly met his gaze It was in
truth sufficiently striking to merit a brief description On a level with the
point lay a broad sheet of water so placid and limpid that it resembled a bed
of the pure mountain atmosphere compressed into a setting of hills and woods
Its length was about three leagues while its breadth was irregular expanding
to half a league or even more opposite to the point and contracting to less
than half that distance more to the southward Of course its margin was
irregular being indented by bays and broken by many projecting low points
At its northern or nearest end it was bounded by an isolated mountain lower
land falling off east and west gracefully relieving the sweep of the outline
Still the character of the country was mountainous high hills or low
mountains rising abruptly from the water on quite nine tenths of its circuit
The exceptions indeed only served a little to vary the scene and even beyond
the parts of the shore that were comparatively low the background was high
though more distant
But the most striking peculiarities of this scene were its solemn solitude
and sweet repose On all sides wherever the eye turned nothing met it but the
mirrorlike surface of the lake the placid void of heaven and the dense
setting of wood So rich and fleecy were the outlines of the forest that scarce
an opening could be seen the whole visible earth from the rounded
mountaintop to the waters edge presenting one unvaried hue of unbroken
verdure As if vegetation were not satisfied with a triumph so complete the
trees overhung the lake itself shooting out towards the light and there were
miles along its eastern shore where a boat might have pulled beneath the
branches of dark Rembrandtlooking hemlocks quivering aspens and melancholy
pines In a word the hand of man had never yet defaced or deformed any part of
this native scene which lay bathed in the sunlight a glorious picture of
affluent forest grandeur softened by the balminess of June and relieved by the
beautiful variety afforded by the presence of so broad an expanse of water
»This is grand Tis solemn Tis an edication of itself to look upon«
exclaimed Deerslayer as he stood leaning on his rifle and gazing to the right
and left north and south above and beneath in whichever direction his eye
could wander »Not a tree disturbed even by red skin hand as I can discover
but every thing left in the ordering of the Lord to live and die according to
his own designs and laws Hurry your Judith ought to be a moral and well
disposed young woman if she has passed half the time you mention in the centre
of a spot so favored«
»Thats a naked truth and yet the gal has her vagaries All her time has
not been passed here howsever old Tom having the custom afore I knowd him
of going to spend the winters in the neighborhood of the settlers or under the
guns of the forts No no Jude has caught more than is for her good from the
settlers and especially from the gallantifying officers«
»If she has if she has Hurry this is a school to set her mind right
agin But what is this I see off here abreast of us that seems too small for
an island and too large for a boat though it stands in the midst of the
water«
»Why that is what these gallanting gentry from the forts call Muskrat
Castle and old Tom himself will grin at the name though it bears so hard on
his own natur and character Tis the stationary house there being two this
which never moves and the other that floats being sometimes in one part of the
lake and sometimes in another The last goes by the name of the Ark though
what may be the meaning of the word is more than I can tell you«
»It must come from the missionaries Hurry whom I have heard speak and read
of such a thing They say that the arth was once covered with water and that
Noah with his children was saved from drowning by building a vessel called an
Ark in which he embarked in season Some of the Delawares believe this
tradition and some deny it but it behoves you and me as white men born to
put our faith in its truth Do you see any thing of this ark«
»Tis down south no doubt or anchored in some of the bays But the canoe is
ready and fifteen minutes will carry two such paddles as yourn and mine to
the castle«
At this suggestion Deerslayer helped his companion to place the different
articles in the canoe which was already afloat This was no sooner done than
the two frontiermen embarked and by a vigorous push sent the light bark some
eight or ten rods from the shore Hurry now took the seat in the stern while
Deerslayer placed himself forward and by leisurely but steady strokes of the
paddles the canoe glided across the placid sheet towards the extraordinary
looking structure that the former had styled Muskrat Castle Several times the
men ceased paddling and looked about them at the scene as new glimpses opened
from behind points enabling them to see farther down the lake or to get
broader views of the wooded mountains The only changes however were in the
new forms of the hills the varying curvature of the bays and the wider reaches
of the valley south the whole earth apparently being clothed in a gala dress of
leaves
»This is a sight to warm the heart« exclaimed Deerslayer when they had
thus stopped for the fourth or fifth time »The lake seems made to let us get an
insight into the noble forests and land and water alike stand in the beauty
of Gods Providence Do you say Hurry that there is no man who calls himself
lawful owner of all these glories«
»None but the King lad He may pretend to some right of that natur but he
is so far away that his claim will never trouble old Tom Hutter who has got
possession and is like to keep it as long as his life lasts Tom is no
squatter not being on land I call him a floater«
»I invy that man I know its wrong and I strive agin the feelin but I
invy that man Dont think Hurry that Im consarting any plan to put myself
in his moccasins for such a thought does not harbor in my mind but I cant
help a little invy Tis a natral feelin and the best of us are but natral
ater all and give way to such feelins at times«
»Youve only to marry Hetty to inherit half the estate« cried Hurry
laughing »The gal is comely nay if it was nt for her sisters beauty she
would be even handsome and then her wits are so small that you may easily
convart her into one of your own way of thinking in all things Do you take
Hetty off the old fellows hands and Ill engage hell give you an interest in
every deer you can knock over within five miles of his lake«
»Does game abound« suddenly demanded the other who paid but little
attention to Marchs raillery
»It has the country to itself Scarce a trigger is pulled on it and as for
the trappers this is not a region they greatly frequent I ought not to be so
much here myself but Jude pulls one way while the beaver pulls another More
than a hundred Spanish dollars has that creatur cost me the two last seasons
and yet I could not forego the wish to look upon her face once more«
»Do the redmen often visit this lake Hurry« continued Deerslayer
pursuing his own train of thought
»Why they come and go sometimes in parties and sometimes singly The
country seems to belong to no native tribe in particular and so it has fallen
into the hands of the Hutter tribe The old man tells me that some sharp ones
have been wheedling the Mohawks for an Indian deed in order to git a title out
of the Colony but nothing has come of it seeing that no one heavy enough for
such a trade has yet meddled with the matter The hunters have a good life
lease still of this wilderness«
»So much the better so much the better Hurry If I was King of England
the man that fell one of these trees without good occasion for the timber
should be banished to a desarted and forlorn region in which no four footed
animal ever trod Right glad am I that Chingachgook appinted our meeting on
this lake for hitherto eye of mine never looked on such a glorious
spectacle«
»Thats because youve kept so much among the Delawares in whose country
there are no lakes Now further north and farther west these bits of water
abound and youre young and may yet live to see em But though there be
other lakes Deerslayer theres no other Judith Hutter«
At this remark his companion smiled and then he dropped his paddle into the
water as if in consideration of a lovers haste Both now pulled vigorously
until they got within a hundred yards of the castle as Hurry familiarly called
the house of Hutter when they again ceased paddling the admirer of Judith
restraining his impatience the more readily as he perceived that the building
was untenanted at the moment This new pause was to enable Deerslayer to survey
the singular edifice which was of a construction so novel as to merit a
particular description
Muskrat Castle as the house had been facetiously named by some waggish
officer stood in the open lake at a distance of fully a quarter of a mile from
the nearest shore On every other side the water extended much farther the
precise position being distant about two miles from the northern end of the
sheet and near if not quite a mile from its eastern shore As there was not
the smallest appearance of any island but the house stood on piles with the
water flowing beneath it and Deerslayer had already discovered that the lake
was of a great depth he was fain to ask an explanation of this singular
circumstance Hurry solved the difficulty by telling him that on this spot
alone a long narrow shoal which extended for a few hundred yards in a north
and south direction rose within six or eight feet of the surface of the lake
and that Hutter had driven piles into it and placed his habitation on them for
the purpose of security
»The old fellow was burnt out three times atween the Indians and the
hunters and in one affray with the red skins he lost his only son since which
time he has taken to the water for safety No one can attack him here without
coming in a boat and the plunder and scalps would scarce be worth the trouble
of digging out canoes Then its by no means sartain which would whip in such
a skrimmage for old Tom is well supplied with arms and ammunition and the
castle as you may see is a tight breastwork agin light shot«
Deerslayer had some theoretical knowledge of frontier warfare though he had
never yet been called on to raise his hand in anger against a fellow creature
He saw that Hurry did not overrate the strength of this position in a military
point of view since it would not be easy to attack it without exposing the
assailants to the fire of the besieged A good deal of art had also been
manifested in the disposition of the timber of which the building was
constructed and which afforded a protection much greater than was usual to the
ordinary log cabins of the frontier The sides and ends were composed of the
trunks of large pines cut about nine feet long and placed upright instead of
being laid horizontally as was the practice of the country These logs were
squared on three sides and had large tennons on each end Massive sills were
secured on the heads of the piles with suitable grooves dug out of their upper
surfaces which had been squared for the purpose and the lower tennons of the
upright pieces were placed in these grooves giving them a secure fastening
below Plates had been laid on the upper ends of the upright logs and were kept
in their places by a similar contrivance the several corners of the structure
being well fastened by scarfing and pinning the sills and plates The floors
were made of smaller logs similarly squared and the roof was composed of light
poles firmly united and well covered with bark The effect of this ingenious
arrangement was to give its owner a house that could be approached only by
water the sides of which were composed of logs closely wedged together which
were two feet thick in their thinnest parts and which could be separated only by
a deliberate and laborious use of human hands or by the slow operation of time
The outer surface of the building was rude and uneven the logs being of unequal
sizes but the squared surfaces within gave both the sides and floors as
uniform an appearance as was desired either for use or show The chimney was
not the least singular portion of the castle as Hurry made his companion
observe while he explained the process by which it had been made The material
was a stiff clay properly worked which had been put together in a mould of
sticks and suffered to harden a foot or two at a time commencing at the
bottom When the entire chimney had thus been raised and had been properly
bound in with outward props a brisk fire was kindled and kept going until it
was burned to something like a brick red This had not been an easy operation
nor had it succeeded entirely but by dint of filling the cracks with fresh
clay a safe fireplace and chimney had been obtained in the end This part of
the work stood on the log floor secured beneath by an extra pile There were a
few other peculiarities about this dwelling which will better appear in the
course of the narrative
»Old Tom is full of contrivances« added Hurry »and he set his heart on the
success of his chimney which threatened more than once to give out
altogether but parseverance will even overcome smoke and now he has a
comfortable cabin of it though it did promise at one time to be a chinky sort
of a flue to carry flames and fire«
»You seem to know the whole history of the castle Hurry chimney and
sides« said Deerslayer smiling »Is love so overcoming that it causes a man to
study the story of his sweethearts habitation«
»Partly that lad and partly eye sight« returned the good natured giant
laughing »There was a large gang of us in at the lake the summer the old
fellow built and we helped him along with the job I raised no small part of
the weight of them uprights with my own shoulders and the axes flew I can
inform you Master Natty while we were beeing it among the trees ashore The
old devil is no way stingy about food and as we had often eat at his hearth we
thought we would just house him comfortably afore we went in to Albany with our
skins Yes many is the meal Ive swallowed in Tom Hutters cabins and Hetty
though so weak in the way of wits has a wonderful particular way about a frying
pan or a gridiron«
While the parties were thus discoursing the canoe had been gradually
drawing nearer to the castle and was now so close as to require but a single
stroke of a paddle to reach the landing This was at a floored platform in front
of the entrance that might have been some twenty feet square
»Old Tom calls this sort of a wharf his dooryard« observed Hurry as he
fastened the canoe after he and his companion had left it »and the gallants
from the forts have named it the castle court though what a court can have to
do here is more than I can tell you seeing that there is no law Tis as I
supposed not a soul within but the whole family is off on a vyge of
discovery«
While Hurry was bustling about the door yard examining the fishing spears
rods nets and other similar appliances of a frontier cabin Deerslayer whose
manner was altogether more rebuked and quiet entered the building with a
curiosity that was not usually exhibited by one so long trained in Indian
habits The interior of the castle was as faultlessly neat as its exterior was
novel The entire space some twenty feet by forty was subdivided into several
small sleeping rooms the apartment into which he first entered serving equally
for the ordinary uses of its inmates and for a kitchen The furniture was of
the strange mixture that it is not uncommon to find in the remotely situated log
tenements of the interior Most of it was rude and to the last degree rustic
but there was a clock with a handsome case of dark wood in a corner and two
or three chairs with a table and bureau that had evidently come from some
dwelling of more than usual pretension The clock was industriously ticking but
its leadenlooking hands did no discredit to their dull aspect for they pointed
to the hour of eleven though the sun plainly showed it was some time past the
turn of the day There was also a dark massive chest The kitchen utensils were
of the simplest kind and far from numerous but every article was in its place
and showed the nicest care in its condition
After Deerslayer had cast a look about him in the outer room he raised a
wooden latch and entered a narrow passage that divided the inner end of the
house into two equal parts Frontier usages being no way scrupulous and his
curiosity being strongly excited the young man now opened a door and found
himself in a bedroom A single glance sufficed to show that the apartment
belonged to females The bed was of the feathers of wild geese and filled
nearly to overflowing but it lay in a rude bunk raised only a foot from the
floor On one side of it were arranged on pegs various dresses of a quality
much superior to what one would expect to meet in such a place with ribbons and
other similar articles to correspond Pretty shoes with handsome silver
buckles such as were then worn by females in easy circumstances were not
wanting and no less than six fans of gay colours were placed half open in a
way to catch the eye by their conceits and hues Even the pillow on this side of
the bed was covered with finer linen than its companion and it was ornamented
with a small ruffle A cap coquettishly decorated with ribbons hung above it
and a pair of long gloves such as were rarely used in those days by persons of
the laboring classes were pinned ostentatiously to it as if with an intention
to exhibit them there if they could not be shown on the owners arms
All this Deerslayer saw and noted with a degree of minuteness that would
have done credit to the habitual observation of his friends the Delawares Nor
did he fail to perceive the distinction that existed between the appearances on
the different sides of the bed the head of which stood against the wall On
that opposite to the one just described every thing was homely and uninviting
except through its perfect neatness The few garments that were hanging from the
pegs were of the coarsest materials and of the commonest forms while nothing
seemed made for show Of ribbons there was not one nor was there either cap or
kerchief beyond those which Hutters daughters might be fairly entitled to
wear
It was now several years since Deerslayer had been in a spot especially
devoted to the uses of females of his own colour and race The sight brought
back to his mind a rush of childish recollections and he lingered in the room
with a tenderness of feeling to which he had long been a stranger He bethought
him of his mother whose homely vestments he remembered to have seen hanging on
pegs like those which he felt must belong to Hetty Hutter and he bethought him
of a sister whose incipient and native taste for finery had exhibited itself
somewhat in the manner of that of Judith though necessarily in a lesser degree
These little resemblances opened a long hidden vein of sensations and as he
quitted the room it was with a saddened mien He looked no farther but
returned slowly and thoughtfully towards the dooryard
»Old Tom has taken to a new calling and has been trying his hand at the
traps« cried Hurry who had been coolly examining me borderers implements »If
that is his humour and youre disposed to remain in these parts we can make an
oncommon comfortable season of it for while the old man and I outknowledge the
beaver you can fish and knock down the deer to keep body and soul together We
always give the poorest hunters half a share but one as actyve and sartain as
yourself might expect a full one«
»Thankee Hurry thankee with all my heart but I do a little beavering
for myself as occasions offer Tis true the Delawares call me Deerslayer but
its not so much because Im pretty fatal with the venison as because that
while I kill so many bucks and does Ive never yet taken the life of a fellow
creatur They say their traditions do not tell of another who had shed so much
blood of animals that had not shed the blood of man«
»I hope they dont account you chickenhearted lad A fainthearted man is
like a notailed beaver«
»I dont believe Hurry that they account me as outoftheway timoursome
even though they may not account me as outoftheway brave But Im not
quarrelsome and that goes a great way towards keeping blood off the hands
among the hunters and redskins and then Harry March it keeps blood off the
conscience too«
»Well for my part I account game a red skin and a Frenchman as pretty
much the same thing though Im as onquarrelsome a man too as there is in all
the colonies I despise a quarreller as I do a cur dog but one has no need to
be over scrupulsome when its the right time to show the flint«
»I look upon him as the most of a man who acts nearest the right Hurry
But this is a glorious spot and my eyes never aweary looking at it«
»Tis your first acquaintance with a lake and these idees come over us all
at such times Lakes have a general character as I say being pretty much
water and land and points and bays«
As this definition by no means met the feelings that were uppermost in the
mind of the young hunter he made no immediate answer but stood gazing at the
dark hills and the glassy water in silent enjoyment
»Have the governors or the Kings people given this lake a name« he
suddenly asked as if struck with a new idea »If theyve not begun to blaze
their trees and set up their compasses and line off their maps its likely
theyve not bethought them to disturb natur with a name«
»Theyve not got to that yet and the last time I went in with skins one of
the kings surveyors was questioning me consarning all the region hereabouts
He had heard that there was a lake in this quarter and had got some general
notions about it such as that there was water and hills but how much of
either he knowd no more than you know of the Mohawk tongue I didnt open the
trap any wider than was necessary giving him but poor encouragement in the way
of farms and clearings In short I left on his mind some such opinion of this
country as a man gets of a spring of dirty water with a path to it that is so
muddy that one mires afore he sets out He told me they hadnt got the spot
down yet on their maps though I conclude that is a mistake for he showed me
his parchment and there is a lake down on it where there is no lake in fact
and which is about fifty miles from the place where it ought to be if they
meant it for this I dont think my account will encourage him to mark down
another by way of improvement«
Here Hurry laughed heartily such tricks being particularly grateful to a
set of men who dreaded the approaches of civilization as a curtailment of their
own lawless empire The egregious errors that existed in the maps of the day
all of which were made in Europe were moreover a standing topic of ridicule
among them for if they had not science enough to make any better themselves
they had sufficient local information to detect the gross blunders contained in
those that existed Any one who will take the trouble to compare these
unanswerable evidences of the topographical skill of our fathers a century
since with the more accurate sketches of our own times will at once perceive
that the men of the woods had sufficient justification for all their criticism
on this branch of the skill of the colonial governments which did not at all
hesitate to place a river or a lake a degree or two out of the way even
though they lay within a days march of the inhabited parts of the country
»Im glad it has no name« resumed Deerslayer »or at least no pale face
name for their christenings always foretel waste and destruction No doubt
howsever the red skins have their modes of knowing it and the hunters and
trappers too they are likely to call the place by something reasonable and
resembling«
»As for the tribes each has its own tongue and its own way of calling
things and they treat this part of the world just as they treat all the others
Among ourselves weve got to calling the place the Glimmerglass seeing that its
whole basin is so often fringed with pines cast upward from its face as if it
would throw back the hills that hang over it«
»There is one outlet I know for all lakes have outlets and the rock at
which I am to meet Chingachgook stands near an outlet Has that no Colony name
yet«
»In that particular theyve got the advantage of us Having one end and
that the biggest in their own keeping theyve given it a name which has found
its way up to its source names natrally working up stream No doubt
Deerslayer youve seen the Susquehannah down in the Delaware country«
»That have I and hunted along its banks a hundred times«
»That and this are the same in fact and I suppose the same in sound I am
glad theyve been compelled to keep the red mens name for it would be too hard
to rob them of both land and names«
Deerslayer made no answer but he stood leaning on his rifle gazing at the
view which so much delighted him The reader is not to suppose however that it
was the picturesque alone which so strongly attracted his attention The spot
was very lovely of a truth and it was then seen in one of its most favorable
moments the surface of the lake being as smooth as glass and limpid as pure
air throwing back the mountains clothed in dark pines along the whole of its
eastern boundary the points thrusting forward their trees even to nearly
horizontal lines while the bays were seen glittering through an occasional arch
beneath left by a vault fretted with branches and leaves It was the air of
deep repose the solitudes that spoke of scenes and forests untouched by the
hands of man the reign of nature in a word that gave so much pure delight to
one of his habits and turn of mind Still he felt though it was unconsciously
like a poet also He found a pleasure in studying this large and to him
unusual opening into the mysteries and forms of the woods as one is gratified
in getting broader views of any subject that has long occupied his thoughts He
was not insensible to the innate loveliness of such a landscape either but
felt a portion of that soothing of the spirit which is a common attendant of a
scene so thoroughly pervaded by the holy calm of nature
Chapter III
»Come shall we go and kill us venison
And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools
Being native burghers of this desert city
Should in their own confines with forked heads
Have their round haunches gored«
As You Like It IIi2125
Hurry Harry thought more of the beauties of Judith Hutter than of those of the
Glimmerglass and its accompanying scenery As soon as he had taken a
sufficiently intimate survey of Floating Toms implements therefore he
summoned his companion to the canoe that they might go down the lake in quest
of the family Previously to embarking however Hurry carefully examined the
whole of the northern end of the water with an indifferent ships glass that
formed a part of Hutters effects In this scrutiny no part of the shore was
overlooked the bays and points in particular being subjected to a closer
inquiry than the rest of the wooded boundary
»Tis as I thought« said Hurry laying aside the glass »The old fellow is
drifting about the south end this fine weather and has left the castle to
defend itself Well now we know that he is not up thisaway twill be but a
small matter to paddle down and hunt him up in his hiding place«
»Does Master Hutter think it necessary to burrow on this lake« inquired
Deerslayer as he followed his companion into the canoe »To my eye it is such
a solitude as one might open his whole soul in and fear no one to disarrange
his thoughts or his worship«
»You forget your friends the Mingos and all the French savages Is there a
spot on arth Deerslayer to which them disquiet rogues dont go Where is the
lake or even the deer lick that the blackguards dont find out and having
found out dont sooner or later discolour its water with blood«
»I hear no good character of em sartainly friend Hurry though Ive never
been called on yet to meet them or any other mortal on the warpath I dare
to say that such a lovely spot as this would not be likely to be overlooked by
such plunderers for though Ive not been in the way of quarrelling with them
tribes myself the Delawares give me such an account of em that Ive pretty
much set em down in my own mind as thorough miscreants«
»You may do that with a safe conscience or for that matter any other
savage you may happen to meet«
Here Deerslayer protested and as they went paddling down the lake a hot
discussion was maintained concerning the respective merits of the palefaces and
the redskins Hurry had all the prejudices and antipathies of a white hunter
who generally regards the Indian as a sort of natural competitor and not
unfrequently as a natural enemy As a matter of course he was loud clamorous
dogmatical and not very argumentative Deerslayer on the other hand manifested
a very different temper proving by the moderation of his language the fairness
of his views and the simplicity of his distinctions that he possessed every
disposition to hear reason a strong innate desire to do justice and an
ingenuousness that was singularly indisposed to have recourse to sophisms to
maintain an argument or to defend a prejudice Still he was not altogether free
from the influence of the latter feeling This tyrant of the human mind which
rushes on its prey through a thousand avenues almost as soon as men begin to
think and feel and which seldom relinquishes its iron sway until they cease to
do either had made some impression on even the just propensities of this
individual who probably offered in these particulars a fair specimen of what
absence from bad example the want of temptation to go wrong and native good
feeling can render youth
»You will allow Deerslayer that a Mingo is more than half devil« cried
Hurry following up the discussion with an animation that touched closely on
ferocity »though you want to overpersuade me that the Delaware tribe is pretty
much made up of angels Now I gainsay that proposal consarning white men even
All white men are not faultless and therefore all Indians cant be faultless
And so your argument is out at the elbow in the start But this is what I call
reason Heres three colours on arth white black and red White is the
highest colour and therefore the best man black comes next and is put to live
in the neighborhood of the white man as tolerable and fit to be made use of
and red comes last which shows that those that made em never expected an
Indian to be accounted as more than half human«
»God made all three alike Hurry «
»Alike Do you call a nigger like a white man or me like an Indian«
»You go off at halfcock and dont hear me out God made us all white
black and red and no doubt had his own wise intentions in colouring us
differently Still he made us in the main much the same in feelins though
Ill not deny that he gave each race its gifts A white mans gifts are
christianized while a red skins are more for the wilderness Thus it would be
a great offence for a white man to scalp the dead whereas its a signal vartue
in an Indian Then agin a white man cannot amboosh women and children in war
while a red skin may Tis cruel work Ill allow but for them its lawful work
while for us it would be a grievous sin«
»That depends on your inimy As for scalping or even skinning a savage I
look upon them pretty much the same as cutting off the ears of wolves for the
bounty or stripping a bear of its hide And then youre out significantly as
to taking the poll of a red skin in hand seeing that the very Colony has
offered a bounty for the job all the same as it pays for wolves ears and
crows heads«
»Ay and a bad business it is Hurry Even the Indians themselves cry
shame on it seeing its agin a white mans gifts I do not pretend that all
that white men do is properly christianized and according to the lights given
them for then they would be what they ought to be which we know they are not
but I will maintain that tradition and use and colour and laws make such a
difference in races as to amount to gifts I do not deny that there are tribes
among the Indians that are natrally pervarse and wicked as there are nations
among the whites Now I account the Mingos as belonging to the first and the
Frenchers in the Canadas to the last In a state of lawful warfare such as we
have lately got into it is a duty to keep down all compassionate feelins so
far as life goes agin either but when it comes to scalps its a very
different matter«
»Just hearken to reason if you please Deerslayer and tell me if the
colony can make an onlawful law Isnt an onlawful law more agin natur than
scalpin a savage A law can no more be onlawful than truth can be a lie«
»That sounds reasonable but it has a most onreasonable bearing Hurry Laws
dont all come from the same quarter God has given us hisn and some come from
the colony and other some from the King and parliament When the colonys laws
or even the kings laws run agin the laws of God they get to be onlawful and
ought not to be obeyed I hold to a white mans respecting white laws so long
as they do not cross the track of a law comin from a higher authority and for
a red man to obey his own redskin usages under the same privilege But tis
useless talking as each man will think for himself and have his say agreeable
to his thoughts Let us keep a good lookout for your friend Floating Tom lest
we pass him as he lies hidden under this bushy shore«
Deerslayer had not named the borders of the lake amiss Along their whole
length the smaller trees overhung the water with their branches often dipping
in the transparent element The banks were steep even from the narrow strand
and as vegetation invariably struggles toward the light the effect was
precisely that at which the lover of the picturesque would have aimed had the
ordering of this glorious setting of forest been submitted to his control The
points and bays too were sufficiently numerous to render the outline broken
and diversified As the canoe kept close along the western side of the lake
with a view as Hurry had explained to his companion of reconnoitring for
enemies before he trusted himself too openly in sight the expectations of the
two adventurers were kept constantly on the stretch as neither could foretel
what the next turning of a point might reveal Their progress was swift the
gigantic strength of Hurry enabling him to play with the light bark as if it had
been a feather while the skill of his companion almost equalized their
usefulness notwithstanding the disparity in natural means
Each time the canoe passed a point Hurry turned a look behind him
expecting to see the Ark anchored or beached in the bay He was fated to be
disappointed however and they had got within a mile of the southern end of the
lake or a distance of quite two leagues from the castle which was now hidden
from view by half a dozen intervening projections of the land when he suddenly
ceased paddling as if uncertain in what direction next to steer
»It is possible that the old chap has dropped into the river« said Hurry
often looking carefully along the whole of the eastern shore which was about a
mile distant and open to his scrutiny for more than half its length »for he
has taken to trapping considerable of late and barring floodwood he might
drop down it a mile or so though he would have a most scratching time in
getting back again«
»Where is this outlet« asked Deerslayer »I see no opening in the banks or
the trees that looks as if it would let a river like the Susquehannah run
through it«
»Ay Deerslayer rivers are like human mortals having small beginnings and
ending with broad shoulders and wide mouths You dont see the outlet because
it passes atween high steep banks and the pines and hemlocks and basswoods
hang over it as a roof hangs over a house If old Tom is not in the Rats
Cove he must have burrowed in the river well look for him first in the Cove
and then well cross to the outlet«
As they proceeded Hurry explained that there was a shallow bay formed by a
long low point that had gotten the name of the Rats Cove from the
circumstance of its being a favorite haunt of the muskrat and which offered so
complete a cover for the ark that its owner was fond of lying in it whenever he
found it convenient
»As a man never knows who may be his visiters in this part of the country«
continued Hurry »its a great advantage to get a good look at em before they
come too near Now its war such caution is more than commonly useful since a
Canada man or a Mingo might get into his hut afore he invited em But Hutter
is a first rate lookouter and can pretty much scent danger as a hound scents
the deer«
»I should think the castle so open that it would be sartan to draw inimies
if any happened to find the lake a thing onlikely enough I will allow as its
off the trail of the forts and settlements«
»Why Deerslayer Ive got to believe that a man meets with inimies easier
than he meets with frinds Its skearful to think for how many causes one gets
to be your inimy and for how few your frind Some take up the hatchet because
you do nt think just as they think other some because you run ahead of em in
the same idees and I once knowd a vagabond that quarrelled with a frind
because he did nt think him handsome Now youre no monument in the way of
beauty yourself Deerslayer and yet you would nt be so onreasonable as to
become my inimy for just saying so«
»Im as the Lord made me and I wish to be accounted no better nor any
worse Good looks I may not have that is to say to a degree that the light
minded and vain crave but I hope Im not altogether without some ricommend in
the way of good conduct Theres few nobler looking men to be seen than
yourself Hurry and I know that I am not to expect any to turn their eyes on
me when such a one as you can be gazed on but I do not know that a hunter is
less expart with the rifle or less to be relied on for food because he
doesnt wish to stop at every shining spring he may meet to study his own
countenance in the water«
Here Hurry burst into a fit of loud laughter for while he was too reckless
to care much about his own manifest physical superiority he was well aware of
it and like most men who derive an advantage from the accidents of birth or
nature he was apt to think complacently on the subject whenever it happened to
cross his mind
»No no Deerslayer youre no beauty as you will own yourself if youll
look over the side of the canoe« he cried »Jude will say that to your face if
you start her for a parter tongue is not to be found in any gals head in or
out of the settlements if you provoke her to use it My advice to you is never
to aggravate Judith though you may tell any thing to Hetty and shell take it
as meek as a lamb No Jude will be just as like as not to tell you her opinion
consarning your looks«
»And if she does Hurry she will tell me no more than you have said
already«
»Youre not thickning up about a small remark I hope Deerslayer when no
harm is meant You are not a beauty as you must know and why shouldnt
frinds tell each other these little trifles If you was handsome or ever like
to be Id be one of the first to tell you of it and that ought to content you
Now if Jude was to tell me that Im as ugly as a sinner Id take it as a sort
of obligation and try not to believe her«
»Its easy for them that natur has favored to jest about such matters
Hurry though it is sometimes hard for others Ill not deny but Ive had my
cravings towards good looks yes I have but then Ive always been able to get
them down by considering how many Ive known with fair outsides who have had
nothing to boast of inwardly Ill not deny Hurry that I often wish Id been
created more comely to the eye and more like such a one as yourself in them
particulars but then I get the feelin under by remembering how much better off
I am in a great many respects than some fellow mortals I might have been born
lame and onfit even for a squirrel hunt or blind which would have made me a
burthen on myself as well as on my frinds or without hearing which would
have totally onqualified me for ever campaigning or scouting which I look
forward to as part of a mans duty in troublesome times Yes yes its not
pleasant I will allow to see them thats more comely and more sought ater
and honored than yourself but it may all be borne if a man looks the evil in
the face and dont mistake his gifts and his obligations«
Hurry in the main was a good hearted as well as goodnatured fellow and
the self abasement of his companion completely got the better of the passing
feeling of personal vanity He regretted the allusion he had made to the others
appearance and endeavored to express as much though it was done in the uncouth
manner that belonged to the habits and opinions of the frontier
»I meant no harm Deerslayer« he answered in a deprecating manner »and
hope youll forget what Ive said If youre not downright handsome youve a
sartain look that says plainer than any words that alls right within Then you
set no valie by looks and so will the sooner forgive any little slight to your
appearance I will not say that Jude will greatly admire you for that might be
to raise hopes that would only breed disappintment but theres Hetty now
would be just as likely to find satisfaction in looking at you as in looking at
any other man Then youre altogether too grave and considerate like to care
much about Judith for though the gal is oncommon she is so general in her
admiration that a man need not be exalted because she happens to smile I
sometimes think the hussy loves herself better than she does any thing else
breathin«
»If she did Hurry shed do no more Im afeard than most queens on their
thrones and ladies in the towns« answered Deerslayer smiling and turning
back towards his companion with every trace of feeling banished from his
honestlooking and frank countenance »I never yet knowd even a Delaware of
whom you might not say that much But here is the end of the long pint you
mentioned and the Rats Cove cant be far off«
This point instead of thrusting itself forward like all the others ran in
a line with the main shore of the lake which here swept within it in a deep
and retired bay circling round south again at the distance of a quarter of a
mile and crossed the valley forming the southern termination of the water In
this bay Hurry felt almost certain of finding the Ark since anchored behind
the trees that covered the narrow strip of the point it might have lain
concealed from prying eyes an entire summer So complete indeed was the cover
in this spot that a boat hauled close to the beach within the point and near
the bottom of the bay could by possibility be seen from only one direction and
that was from a densely wooded shore within the sweep of the water where
strangers would be little apt to go
»We shall soon see the Ark« said Hurry as the canoe glided round the
extremity of the point where the water was so deep as actually to appear black
»he loves to burrow up among the rushes and we shall be in his nest in five
minutes although the old fellow may be off among the traps himself«
March proved a false prophet The canoe completely doubled the point so as
to enable the two travellers to command a view of the whole cove or bay for it
was more properly the last and no object but those that nature had placed
there became visible The placid water swept round in a graceful curve the
rushes bent gently towards its surface and the trees overhung it as usual but
all lay in the soothing and sublime solitude of a wilderness The scene was such
as a poet or an artist would have delighted in but it had no charm for Hurry
Harry who was burning with impatience to get a sight of his lightminded
beauty
The motion of the canoe had been attended with little or no noise the
frontiermen from habit getting accustomed to caution in most of their
movements and it now lay on the glassy water appearing to float in air
partaking of the breathing stillness that seemed to pervade the entire scene At
this instant a dry stick was heard cracking on the narrow strip of land that
concealed the bay from the open lake Both the adventurers started and each
extended a hand towards his rifle the weapon never being out of reach of the
arm
»Twas too heavy for any light creatur« whispered Hurry »and it sounded
like the tread of a man«
»Not so not so « returned Deerslayer »twas as you say too heavy for
one but it was too light for the other Put your paddle in the water and send
the canoe in to that log Ill land and cut off the creaturs retreat up the
pint be it a Mingo or be it only a muskrat«
As Hurry complied Deerslayer was soon on the shore advancing into the
thicket with a moccasined foot and a caution that prevented the least noise In
a minute he was in the centre of the narrow strip of land and moving slowly
down towards its end the bushes rendering extreme watchfulness necessary Just
as he reached the centre of the thicket the dried twigs cracked again and the
noise was repeated at short intervals as if some creature having life walked
slowly towards the point Hurry heard these sounds also and pushing the canoe
off into the bay he seized his rifle to watch the result A breathless minute
succeeded after which a noble buck walked out of the thicket proceeded with a
stately step to the sandy extremity of the point and began to slake his thirst
from the water of the lake Hurry hesitated an instant and then raising his
rifle hastily to his shoulder he took sight and fired The effect of this
sudden interruption of the solemn stillness of such a scene was not its least
striking peculiarity The report of the weapon had the usual sharp short sound
of the rifle but when a few moments of silence had succeeded the sudden crack
during which the noise was floating in air across the water it reached the
rocks of the opposite mountain where the vibrations accumulated and were
rolled from cavity to cavity for miles along the hills seeming to awaken the
sleeping thunders of the woods The buck merely shook his head at the report of
the rifle and the whistling of the bullet for never before had he come in
contact with man but the echoes of the hills awakened his distrust and leaping
forward with his four legs drawn under his body he fell at once into deep
water and began to swim towards the foot of the lake Hurry shouted and dashed
forward in chase and for one or two minutes the water foamed around the pursuer
and the pursued The former was dashing past the point when Deerslayer appeared
on the sand and signed to him to return
»Twas inconsiderate to pull a trigger afore we had reconnitred the shore
and made sartain that no inimies harbored near it« said the latter as his
companion slowly and reluctantly complied »This much I have larned from the
Delawares in the way of schooling and traditions even though Ive never yet
been on a warpath And moreover venison can hardly be called in season now
and we do not want for food They call me Deerslayer Ill own and perhaps I
desarve the name in the way of understanding the creaturs habits as well as
for some sartainty in the aim but they cant accuse me of killing an animal
when there is no occasion for the meat or the skin I may be a slayer its
true but Im no slaughterer«
»Twas an awful mistake to miss that buck« exclaimed Hurry doffing his cap
and running his fingers through his handsome but matted curls as if he would
loosen his tangled ideas by the process »Ive not done so onhandy a thing since
I was fifteen«
»Never lament it as the creaturs death could have done neither of us any
good and might have done us harm Them echoes are more awful in my ears than
your mistake Hurry for they sound like the voice of natur calling out agin a
wasteful and onthinking action«
»Youll hear plenty of such calls if you tarry long in this quarter of the
world lad« returned the other laughing »The echoes repeat pretty much all
that is said or done on the Glimmerglass in this calm summer weather If a
paddle falls you hear of it sometimes agin and agin as if the hills were
mocking your clumsiness and a laugh or a whistle comes out of them pines
when theyre in the humour to speak in a way to make you believe they can
rally convarse«
»So much the more reason for being prudent and silent I do not think the
inimy can have found their way into these hills yet for I dont know what they
are to gain by it but all the Delawares tell me that as courage is a warriors
first vartue so is prudence his second One such call from the mountains is
enough to let a whole tribe into the secret of our arrival«
»If it does no other good it will warn old Tom to put the pot over and let
him know visiters are at hand Come lad get into the canoe and we will hunt
the ark up while there is yet day«
Deerslayer complied and the canoe left the spot Its head was turned
diagonally across the lake pointing towards the southeastern curvature of the
sheet In that direction the distance to the shore or to the termination of
the lake on the course the two were now steering was not quite a mile and
their progress being always swift it was fast lessening under the skilful but
easy sweeps of the paddles When about half way across a slight noise drew the
eyes of the men towards the nearest land and they saw that the buck was just
emerging from the lake and wading towards the beach In a minute the noble
animal shook the water from his flanks gazed upward at the covering of trees
and bounding against the bank plunged into the forest
»That creatur goes off with gratitude in his heart« said Deerslayer »for
natur tells him he has escaped a great danger You ought to have some of the
same feelins Hurry to think your eye wasnt true or that your hand was
onsteady when no good could come of a shot that was intended onmeaningly
rather than in reason«
»I deny the eye and the hand« cried March with some heat »Youve got a
little character down among the Delawares there for quickness and sartainty
at a deer but I should like to see you behind one of them pines and a full
painted Mingo behind another each with a cockd rifle and astriving for the
chance Thems the situations Nathaniel to try the sight and the hand for
they begin with trying the narves I never look upon killing a creatur as an
explite but killing a savage is The time will come to try your hand now weve
got to blows agin and we shall soon know what a venson repitation can do in
the field I deny that either hand or eye was onsteady it was all a
miscaculation on the buck which stood still when he ought to have kept in
motion and so I shot ahead of him«
»Have it your own way Hurry all I contend for is that its lucky I dare
say I shall not pull upon a human mortal as steadily or with as light a heart
as I pull upon a deer «
»Whos talking of mortals or of human beings at all Deerslayer I put the
matter to you on the suppersition of an Injin I dare say any man would have his
feelins when it got to be life or death agin another human mortal but there
would be no such scruples in regard to an Injin nothing but the chance of his
hitting you or the chance of you hitting him«
»I look upon the red men to be quite as human as we are ourselves Hurry
They have their gifts and their religion its true but that makes no
difference in the end when each will be judged according to his deeds and not
according to his skin«
»Thats downright missionary and will find little favor up in this part of
the country where the Moravians dont congergate Now skin makes the man This
is reason else how are people to judge of each other The skin is put on over
all in order that when a creatur or a mortal is fairly seen you may know at
once what to make of him You know a bear from a hog by his skin and a grey
squirrel from a black«
»True Hurry« said the other looking back and smiling »nevertheless they
are both squirrels«
»Who denies it But youll not say that a red man and a white man are both
Injins«
»No but I do say they are both men Men of different races and colours and
having different gifts and traditions but in the main with the same naturs
Both have souls and both will be held accountable for their deeds in this life«
Hurry was one of those theorists who believed in the inferiority of all of
the human race who were not white His notions on the subject were not very
clear nor were his definitions at all well settled but his opinions were none
the less dogmatical or fierce His conscience accused him of sundry lawless
acts against the Indians and he had found it an exceedingly easy mode of
quieting it by putting the whole family of red men incontinently without the
category of human rights Nothing angered him sooner than to deny his
proposition more especially if the denial were accompanied by a show of
plausible argument and he did not listen to his companions remarks with much
composure of either manner or feeling
»Youre a boy Deerslayer mislead and misconsaited by Delaware arts and
Missionary ignorance« he exclaimed with his usual indifference to the forms of
speech when excited »You may account yourself as a red skins brother but I
hold em all to be animals with nothing human about em but cunning That they
have Ill allow but so has a fox or even a bear Im older than you and have
lived longer in the woods or for that matter have lived always there and
am not to be told what an Injin is or what he is not If you wish to be
considered a savage youve only to say so and Ill name you as such to Judith
and the old man and then well see how youll like your welcome«
Here Hurrys imagination did his temper some service since by conjuring
up the reception his semi aquatic acquaintance would be likely to bestow on one
thus introduced he burst into a hearty fit of laughter Deerslayer too well
knew the uselessness of attempting to convince such a being of any thing against
his prejudices to feel a desire to undertake the task and he was not sorry
that the approach of the canoe to the south eastern curve of the lake gave a
new direction to his ideas They were now indeed quite near to the place that
March had pointed out for the position of the outlet and both began to look for
it with a curiosity that was increased by the expectation of finding the Ark
It may strike the reader as a little singular that the place where a stream
of any size passed through banks that had an elevation of some twenty feet
should be a matter of doubt with men who could not now have been more than two
hundred yards distant from the precise spot It will be recollected however
that the trees and bushes here as elsewhere fairly overhung the water making
such a fringe to the lake as to conceal any little variations from its general
outline
»Ive not been down at this end of the lake these two summers« said Hurry
standing up in the canoe the better to look about him »Ay Theres the rock
showing its chin above the water and I know that the river begins in its
neighborhood«
The men now plied the paddles again and they were presently within a few
yards of the rock floating towards it though their efforts were suspended
This rock was not large being merely some five or six feet high only half of
which elevation rose above the lake The incessant washing of the water for
centuries had so rounded its summit that it resembled a large beehive in
shape its form being more than usually regular and even Hurry remarked as they
floated slowly past that this rock was well known to all the Indians in that
part of the country and that they were in the practice of using it as a mark to
designate their place of meeting when separated by their hunts and marches
»And here is the river Deerslayer« he continued »though so shut in by
trees and bushes as to look more like an andbush than the outlet of such a
sheet as the Glimmerglass«
Hurry had not badly described the place which did truly seem to be a stream
lying in ambush The high banks might have been a hundred feet asunder but on
the western side a small bit of low land extended so far forward as to
diminish the breadth of the stream to half that width As the bushes hung in the
water beneath and pines that had the stature of church steeples rose in tall
columns above all inclining towards the light until their branches
intermingled the eye at a little distance could not easily detect any opening
in the shore to mark the egress of the water In the forest above no traces of
this outlet were to be seen from the lake the whole presenting the same
connected and seemingly interminable carpet of leaves As the canoe slowly
advanced sucked in by the current it entered beneath an arch of trees through
which the light from the heavens struggled by casual openings faintly
relieving the gloom beneath
»This is a natral andbush« halfwhispered Hurry as if he felt that the
place was devoted to secrecy and watchfulness »and depend on it old Tom has
burrowed with the Ark somewhere in this quarter We will drop down with the
current a short distance and ferret him out«
»This seems no place for a vessel of any size« returned the other »and it
appears to me that we shall have hardly room enough for the canoe«
Hurry laughed at this suggestion and as it soon appeared with reason for
the fringe of bushes immediately on the shore of the lake was no sooner passed
than the adventurers found themselves in a narrow stream of a sufficient depth
of limpid water with a strong current and a canopy of leaves upheld by arches
composed of the limbs of hoary trees Bushes lined the shores as usual but
they left sufficient space between them to admit the passage of any thing that
did not exceed twenty feet in width and to allow of a perspective ahead of
eight or ten times that distance
Neither of our two adventurers used his paddle except to keep the light bark
in the centre of the current but both watched each turning of the stream of
which there were two or three within the first hundred yards with jealous
vigilance Turn after turn however was passed and the canoe had dropped down
with the current some little distance when Hurry caught a bush and arrested
its movement so suddenly and silently as to denote some unusual motive for the
act Deerslayer laid his hand on the stock of his rifle as soon as he noted
this proceeding but it was quite as much with a hunters habit as from any
feeling of alarm
»There the old fellow is« whispered Hurry pointing with a finger and
laughing heartily though he carefully avoided making a noise »Ratting it
away just as I supposed up to his knees in the mud and water looking to the
traps and the bait But for the life of me I can see nothing of the Ark
though Ill bet every skin I take this season Jude isnt trusting her pretty
little feet in the neighborhood of that black mud The gals more likely to be
braiding her hair by the side of some spring where she can see her own good
looks and collect scornful feelings agin us men«
»You overjudge young women yes you do Hurry who as often bethink them of
their failings as they do of their perfections I dare to say this Judith now
is no such admirer of herself and no such scorner of our sex as you seem to
think and that she is quite as likely to be sarving her father in the house
wherever that may be as he is to be sarving her among the traps«
»Its a pleasure to hear truth from a mans tongue if it be only once in a
girls life« cried a pleasant rich and yet soft female voice so near the
canoe as to make both the listeners start »As for you Master Hurry fair
words are so apt to choak you that I no longer expect to hear them from your
mouth the last you uttered sticking in your throat and coming near to death
But Im glad to see you keep better society than formerly and that they who
know how to esteem and treat women are not ashamed to journey in your company«
As this was said a singularly handsome and youthful female face was thrust
through an opening in the leaves within reach of Deerslayers paddle Its owner
smiled graciously on the young man and the frown that she then cast on Hurry
though simulated and pettish had the effect to render her beauty more striking
by exhibiting the play of an expressive but capricious countenance one that
seemed to change from the soft to the severe the mirthful to the reproving
with facility and indifference
A second look explained the nature of the surprise Unwittingly the men had
dropped along side of the Ark which had been purposely concealed in bushes cut
and arranged for the purpose and Judith Hutter had merely pushed aside the
leaves that lay before a window in order to show her face and speak to them
Chapter IV
»And that timid fawn starts not with fear
When I steal to her secret bower
And that young May violet to me is dear
And I visit the silent streamlet near
To look on the lovely flower«
Bryant »An Indian Story« ll 1115
The Ark as the floating habitation of the Hutters was generally called was a
very simple contrivance A large flat or scow composed the buoyant part of the
vessel and in its centre occupying the whole of its breadth and about two
thirds of its length stood a low fabric resembling the castle in construction
though made of materials so light as barely to be bulletproof As the sides of
the scow were a little higher than usual and the interior of the cabin had no
more elevation than was necessary for comfort this unusual addition had neither
a very clumsy nor a very obtrusive appearance It was in short little more
than a modern canal boat though more rudely constructed of greater breadth
than common and bearing about it the signs of the wilderness in its
barkcovered posts and roof The scow however had been put together with some
skill being comparatively light for its strength and sufficiently manageable
The cabin was divided into two apartments one of which served for a parlor and
the sleepingroom of the father and the other was appropriated to the uses of
the daughters A very simple arrangement sufficed for the kitchen which was in
one end of the scow and removed from the cabin standing in the open air the
Ark being altogether a summer habitation
The andbush as Hurry in his ignorance of English termed it is quite as
easily explained In many parts of the lake and river where the banks were
steep and high the smaller trees and larger bushes as has been already
mentioned fairly overhung the stream their branches not unfrequently dipping
into the water In some instances they grew out in nearly horizontal lines for
thirty or forty feet The water being uniformly deepest near the shores where
the banks were highest and the nearest to a perpendicular Hutter had found no
difficulty in letting the Ark drop under one of these covers where it had been
anchored with a view to conceal its position security requiring some such
precautions in his view of the case Once beneath the trees and bushes a few
stones fastened to the ends of the branches had caused them to bend sufficiently
to dip into the river and a few severed bushes properly disposed did the
rest The reader has seen that this cover was so complete as to deceive two men
accustomed to the woods and who were actually in search of those it concealed
a circumstance that will be easily understood by those who are familiar with the
matted and wild luxuriance of a virgin American forest more especially in a
rich soil
The discovery of the Ark produced very different effects on our two
adventurers As soon as the canoe could be got round to the proper opening
Hurry leaped on board and in a minute was closely engaged in a gay and a sort
of recriminating discourse with Judith apparently forgetful of the existence of
all the rest of the world Not so with Deerslayer He entered the Ark with a
slow cautious step examining every arrangement of the cover with curious and
scrutinizing eyes It is true he cast one admiring glance at Judith which was
extorted by her brilliant and singular beauty but even this could detain him
but a single instant from the indulgence of his interest in Hutters
contrivances Step by step did he look into the construction of the singular
abode investigate its fastenings and strength ascertain its means of defence
and make every inquiry that would be likely to occur to one whose thoughts dwelt
principally on such expedients Nor was the cover neglected Of this he examined
the whole minutely his commendation escaping him more than once in audible
comments Frontier usages admitting of this familiarity he passed through the
rooms as he had previously done at the Castle and opening a door issued into
the end of the scow opposite to that where he had left Hurry and Judith Here he
found the other sister employed at some coarse needlework seated beneath the
leafy canopy of the cover
As Deerslayers examination was by this time ended he dropped the butt of
his rifle and leaning on the barrel with both hands he turned towards the
girl with an interest the singular beauty of her sister had not awakened He had
gathered from Hurrys remarks that Hetty was considered to have less intellect
than ordinarily falls to the share of human beings and his education among
Indians had taught him to treat those who were thus afflicted by Providence
with more than common tenderness Nor was there any thing in Hetty Hutters
appearance as so often happens to weaken the interest her situation excited
An idiot she could not properly be termed her mind being just enough enfeebled
to lose most of those traits that are connected with the more artful qualities
and to retain its ingenuousness and love of truth It had often been remarked of
this girl by the few who had seen her and who possessed sufficient knowledge
to discriminate that her perception of the right seemed almost intuitive while
her aversion to the wrong formed so distinctive a feature of her mind as to
surround her with an atmosphere of pure morality peculiarities that are not
infrequent with persons who are termed feebleminded as if God had forbidden
the evil spirits to invade a precinct so defenceless with the benign purpose of
extending a direct protection to those who had been left without the usual aids
of humanity Her person too was agreeable having a strong resemblance to that
of her sisters of which it was a subdued and humble copy If it had none of
the brilliancy of Judiths the calm quiet almost holy expression of her meek
countenance seldom failed to win on the observer and few noted it long that
did not begin to feel a deep and lasting interest in the girl She had no
colour in common nor was her simple mind apt to present images that caused her
cheek to brighten though she retained a modesty so innate that it almost
raised her to the unsuspecting purity of a being superior to human infirmities
Guileless innocent and without distrust equally by nature and from her mode
of life providence had nevertheless shielded her from harm by a halo of
moral light as it is said to temper the wind to the shorn lamb
»You are Hetty Hutter« said Deerslayer in the way one puts a question
unconsciously to himself assuming a kindness of tone and manner that were
singularly adapted to win the confidence of her he addressed »Hurry Harry has
told me of you and I know you must be the child«
»Yes Im Hetty Hutter« returned the girl in a low sweet voice which
nature aided by some education had preserved from vulgarity of tone and
utterance »Im Hetty Judith Hutters sister and Thomas Hutters youngest
daughter«
»I know your history then for Hurry Harry talks considerable and he is
free of speech when he can find other peoples consarns to dwell on You pass
most of your life on the lake Hetty«
»Certainly Mother is dead father is gone atrapping and Judith and I stay
at home Whats your name«
»Thats a question more easily asked than it is answered young woman
seeing that Im so young and yet have borne more names than some of the
greatest chiefs in all America«
»But youve got a name you dont throw away one name before you come
honestly by another«
»I hope not gal I hope not My names have come natrally and I suppose
the one I bear now will be of no great lasting since the Delawares seldom
settle on a mans raal title until such time as he has an opportunity of
showing his true natur in the council or on the warpath which has never
behappened me seeing firstly because Im not born a red skin and have no right
to sit in their councillings and am much too humble to be called on for
opinions from the great of my own colour and secondly because this is the
first war that has befallen in my time and no inimy has yet inroaded far enough
into the colony to be reached by an arm even longer than mine«
»Tell me your names« added Hetty looking up at him artlessly »and maybe
Ill tell you your character«
»There is some truth in that Ill not deny though it often fails Men are
deceived in other mens characters and frequently give em names they by no
means desarve You can see the truth of this in the Mingo names which in their
own tongue signify the same things as the Delaware names at least so they
tell me for I know little of that tribe unless it be by report and no one
can say they are as honest or as upright a nation I put no great dependence
therefore on names«
»Tell me all your names« repeated the girl earnestly for her mind was too
simple to separate things from professions and she did attach importance to a
name »I want to know what to think of you«
»Well sartain Ive no objection and you shall hear them all In the first
place then Im christian and white born like yourself and my parents had a
name that came down from father to son as is a part of their gifts My father
was called Bumppo and I was named after him of course the given name being
Nathaniel or Natty as most people saw fit to tarm it «
»Yes yes Natty and Hetty « interrupted the girl quickly and looking
up from her work again with a smile »You are Natty and Im Hetty though
you are Bumppo and Im Hutter Bumppo isnt as pretty as Hutter is it«
»Why thats as people fancy Bumppo has no lofty sound I admit and yet men
have bumped through the world with it I did not go by this name howsever very
long for the Delawares soon found out or thought they found out that I was
not given to lying and they called me firstly Straighttongue«
»Thats a good name« interrupted Hetty again earnestly and in a positive
manner »Dont tell me theres no virtue in names«
»I do not say that for perhaps I desarved to be so called lies being no
favorites with me as they are with some After a while they found out that I
was quick of foot and then they called me The Pigeon which you know has a
swift wing and flies in a direct line«
»That was a pretty name« exclaimed Hetty »pigeons are pretty birds«
»Most things that God has created are pretty in their way my good gal
though they get to be deformed by mankind so as to change their naturs as
well as their appearances From carrying messages and striking blind trails I
got at last to following the hunters when it was thought I was quicker and
surer at finding the game than most lads and then they called me the Lapear
as they said I partook of the sagacity of a hound«
»Thats not so pretty « answered Hetty »I hope you didnt keep that name
long«
»Not after I was rich enough to buy a rifle« returned the other betraying
a little pride through his usually quiet and subdued manner »Then it was seen I
could keep a wigwam in venson and in time I got the name of Deerslayer
which is that I now bear homely as some will think it who set more valie on
the scalp of a fellow mortal than on the horns of a buck«
»Well Deerslayer Im not one of them« answered Hetty simply »Judith
likes soldiers and flaring coats and fine feathers but theyre all nought to
me She says the officers are great and gay and of soft speech but they make
me shudder for their business is to kill their fellow creatures I like your
calling better and your last name is a very good one better than Natty
Bumppo«
»This is natral in one of your turn of mind Hetty and much as I should
have expected They tell me your sister is handsome uncommon for a mortal
and beauty is apt to seek admiration«
»Did you never see Judith« demanded the girl with quick earnestness »If
you never have go at once and look at her Even Hurry Harry isnt more
pleasant to look at though she is a woman and he is a man«
Deerslayer regarded the girl for a moment with concern Her pale face had
flushed a little and her eye usually so mild and serene brightened as she
spoke in the way to betray the inward impulses
»Ay Hurry Harry« he muttered to himself as he walked through the cabin
towards the other end of the boat »this comes of good looks if a light tongue
has had no consarn in it Its easy to see which way that poor creaturs
feelins are leanin whatever may be the case with your Judes«
But an interruption was put to the gallantry of Hurry the coquetry of his
mistress the thoughts of Deerslayer and the gentle feelings of Hetty by the
sudden appearance of the canoe of the Arks owner in the narrow opening among
the bushes that served as a sort of moat to his position It would seem that
Hutter or Floating Tom as he was familiarly called by all the hunters who knew
his habits recognised the canoe of Hurry for he expressed no surprise at
finding him in the scow On the contrary his reception was such as to denote
not only gratification but a pleasure mingled with a little disappointment at
his not having made his appearance some days sooner
»I lookd for you last week« he said in a half grumbling half welcoming
manner »and was disappointed uncommonly that you didnt arrive There came a
runner through to warn all the trappers and hunters that the Colony and the
Canadas were again in trouble and I felt lonesome up in these mountains with
three scalps to see to and only one pair of hands to protect them«
»Thats reasonable« returned March »and twas feelin like a parent No
doubt if I had two such darters as Judith and Hetty my experence would tell
the same story though in ginral I am just as well satisfied with having the
nearest neighbor fifty miles off as when he is within call«
»Notwithstanding you didnt choose to come into the wilderness alone now
you knew that the Canada savages are likely to be stirring « returned Hutter
giving a sort of distrustful and at the same time enquiring glance at
Deerslayer
»Why should I They say a bad companion on a journey helps to shorten the
path and this young man I account to be a reasonably good one This is
Deerslayer old Tom a noted hunter among the Delawares and christian born and
christian edicated too like you and me The lad is not parfect perhaps but
theres worse men in the country that he came from and its likely hell find
some thats no better in this part of the world Should we have occasion to
defend our traps and the territory hell be useful in feeding us all for hes
a reglar dealer in venson«
»Young man you are welcome« growled Tom thrusting a hard bony hand
towards the youth as a pledge of his sincerity »in such times a white face is
a friends and I count on you as a support Children sometimes make a stout
heart feeble and these two daughters of mine give me more concern than all my
traps and skins and rights in the country«
»Thats natral« cried Hurry »Yes Deerslayer you and I dont know it
yet by experence but on the whole I consider that as natral If we had
darters its more than probable we should have some such feelins and I honor
the man that owns em As for Judith old man I enlist at once as her
soldier and here is Deerslayer to help you to take care of Hetty«
»Many thanks to you Master March« returned the beauty in a full rich
voice and with an accuracy of intonation and utterance that she shared in
common with her sister and which showed that she had been better taught than
her fathers life and appearance would give reason to expect »many thanks to
you but Judith Hutter has the spirit and the experience that will make her
depend more on herself than on goodlooking rovers like you Should there be
need to face the savages do you land with my father instead of burrowing in
the huts under the show of defending us females and «
»Girl girl « interrupted the father »quiet that glib tongue of thine
and hear the truth There are savages on the lake shore already and no man can
say how near to us they may be at this very moment or when we may hear more
from them«
»If this be true Master Hutter« said Hurry whose change of countenance
denoted how serious he deemed the information though it did not denote any
unmanly alarm »if this be true your Ark is in a most misfortinate position
for though the cover did deceive Deerslayer and myself it would hardly be
overlooked by a fullblooded Injin who was out seriously in sarch of scalps«
»I think as you do Hurry and wish with all my heart we lay any where
else at this moment than in this narrow crooked stream which has many
advantages to hide in but which is almost fatal to them that are discovered
The savages are near us moreover and the difficulty is to get out of the
river without being shot down like deer standing at a lick«
»Are you sartain Master Hutter that the red skins you dread are raal
Canadas« asked Deerslayer in a modest but earnest manner »Have you seen any
and can you describe their paint«
»I have fallen in with the signs of their being in the neighborhood but
have seen none of em I was down stream a mile or so looking to my traps
when I struck a fresh trail crossing the corner of a swamp and moving
northward The man had not passed an hour and I knowd it for an Indian
footstep by the size of the foot and the intoe even before I found a worn
moccasin which its owner had dropped as useless For that matter I found the
spot where he halted to make a new one which was only a few yards from the
place where he had dropped the old one«
»That doesnt look much like a red skin on the war path« returned the
other shaking his head »An experenced warrior at least would have burned or
buried or sunk in the river such signs of his passage and your trail is
quite likely a peaceable trail But the moccasin may greatly relieve my mind
if you bethought you of bringing it off Ive come here to meet a young chief
myself and his course would be much in the direction youve mentioned The
trail may have been hisn«
»Hurry Harry youre well acquainted with this young man I hope who has
meetings with savages in a part of the country where he has never been before«
demanded Hutter in a tone and in a manner that sufficiently indicated the
motive of the question these rude beings seldom hesitating on the score of
delicacy to betray their feelings »Treachery is an Indian virtue and the
whites that live much in their tribes soon catch their ways and practices«
»True true as the gospel Old Tom but not personable to Deerslayer
whos a young man of truth if he has no other riccommend Ill answer for his
honesty whatever I may do for his valor in battle«
»I should like to know his errand in this strange quarter of the country«
»That is soon told Master Hutter« said the young man with the composure
of one who kept a clean conscience »I think moreover youve a right to ask
it The father of two such darters who occupies a lake after your fashion has
just the same right to inquire into a strangers business in his neighborhood
as the Colony would have to demand the reason why the Frenchers put more
rijiments than common along the lines No no Ill not deny your right to
know why a stranger comes into your habitation or country in times as serious
as these«
»If such is your way of thinking friend let me hear your story without
more words«
»Tis soon told as I said afore and shall be honestly told Im a young
man and as yet have never been on a war path but no sooner did the news come
among the Delawares that wampum and a hatchet was about to be sent in to the
tribe than they wished me to go out among the people of my own colour and get
the exact state of things for em This I did and after delivering my talk to
the chiefs on my return I met an officer of the crown on the Schoharie who
had messages to send to some of the frindly tribes that live farther west This
was thought a good occasion for Chingachgook a young chief who has never struck
a foe and myself to go on our first war path in company and an appintment
was made for us by an old Delaware to meet at the rock near the foot of this
lake Ill not deny that Chingachgook has another object in view but it has no
consarn with any here and is his secret and not mine therefore Ill say no
more about it «
»Tis something about a young woman« interrupted Judith hastily then
laughing at her own impetuosity and even having the grace to colour a little
at the manner in which she had betrayed her readiness to impute such a motive
»If tis neither war nor a hunt it must be love«
»Ay it comes easy for the young and handsome who hear so much of them
feelins to suppose that they lie at the bottom of most proceedins but on
that head I say nothin Chingachgook is to meet me at the rock an hour afore
sunset tomorrow evening after which we shall go our way together molesting
none but the kings inimies who are lawfully our own Knowing Hurry of old who
once trapped in our hunting grounds and falling in with him on the Schoharie
just as he was on the pint of starting for his summer hants we agreed to
journey in company not so much from fear of the Mingos as from good
fellowship and as he says to shorten a long road«
»And you think the trail I saw may have been that of your friend ahead of
his time« said Hutter
»Thats my idee which may be wrong but which may be right If I saw the
moccasin howsever I could tell in a minute whether it is made in the
Delaware fashion or not«
»Here it is then« said the quick witted Judith who had already gone to
the canoe in quest of it »Tell us what it says friend or enemy You look
honest and I believe all you say whatever father may think«
»Thats the way with you Jude forever finding out friends where I
distrust foes« grumbled Tom »but speak out young man and tell us what you
think of the moccasin«
»Thats not Delaware made« returned Deerslayer examining the worn and
rejected covering for the foot with a cautious eye »Im too young on a warpath
to be positive but I should say that moccasin has a northern look and comes
from beyond the Great Lakes«
»If such is the case we ought not to lie here a minute longer than is
necessary« said Hutter glancing through the leaves of his cover as if he
already distrusted the presence of an enemy on the opposite shore of the narrow
and sinuous stream »It wants but an hour or so of night and to move in the
dark will be impossible without making a noise that would betray us Did you
hear the echo of a piece in the mountains half an hour since«
»Yes old man and heard the piece itself« answered Hurry who now felt the
indiscretion of which he had been guilty »for the last was fired from my own
shoulder«
»I feared it came from the French Indians still it may put them on the
lookout and be a means of discovering us You did wrong to fire in wartime
unless there was good occasion«
»So I begin to think myself uncle Tom and yet if a man cant trust
himself to let off his rifle in a wilderness that is a thousand miles square
lest some inimy should hear it wheres the use in carrying one«
Hutter now held a long consultation with his two guests in which the
parties came to a true understanding of their situation He explained the
difficulty that would exist in attempting to get the Ark out of so swift and
narrow a stream in the dark without making a noise that could not fail to
attract Indian ears Any strollers in their vicinity would keep near the river
or the lake but the former had swampy shores in many places and was both so
crooked and so fringed with bushes that it was quite possible to move by
daylight without incurring much danger of being seen More was to be
apprehended perhaps from the ear than from the eye especially as long as they
were in the short straitened and canopied reaches of the stream
»I never drop down into this cover which is handy to my traps and safer
than the lake from curious eyes without providing the means of getting out
agin« continued this singular being »and that is easier done by a pull than a
push My anchor is now lying above the suction in the open lake and here is a
line you see to haul us up to it Without some such help a single pair of
hands would make heavy work in forcing a scow like this up stream I have a
sort of a crab too that lightens the pull on occasion Jude can use the oar
astarn as well as myself and when we fear no enimy to get out of the river
gives us but little trouble«
»What should we gain Master Hutter by changing the position« asked
Deerslayer with a good deal of earnestness »This is a safe cover and a stout
defence might be made from the inside of this cabin Ive never fout unless in
the way of traditions but it seems to me we might beat off twenty Mingos with
palisades like these afore us«
»Ay ay youve never fought except in traditions thats plain enough
young man Did you ever see as broad a sheet of water as this above us before
you came in upon it with Hurry«
»I cant say that I ever did« Deerslayer answered modestly »Youth is the
time to larn and Im far from wishing to raise my voice in council afore it
is justified by experence«
»Well then Ill teach you the disadvantage of fighting in this position
and the advantage of taking to the open lake Here you may see the savages
will know where to aim every shot and it would be too much to hope that some
would not find their way through the crevices of the logs Now on the other
hand we should have nothing but a forest to aim at Then we are not safe from
fire here the bark of this roof being little better than so much kindling
wood The Castle too might be entered and ransacked in my absence and all my
possessions overrun and destroyed Once in the lake we can be attacked only in
boats or on rafts shall have a fair chance with the enemy and can protect the
Castle with the Ark Do you understand this reasoning youngster«
»It sounds well yes it has a rational sound and Ill not gainsay it«
»Well old Tom« cried Hurry »if we are to move the sooner we make a
beginning the sooner we shall know whether we are to have our scalps for
nightcaps or not«
As this proposition was selfevident no one denied its justice The three
men after a short preliminary explanation now set about their preparations to
move the Ark in earnest The slight fastenings were quickly loosened and by
hauling on the line the heavy craft slowly emerged from the covers It was no
sooner free from the incumbrance of the branches than it swung into the stream
sheering quite close to the western shore by the force of the current Not a
soul on board heard the rustling of the branches as the cabin came against the
bushes and trees of the western bank without a feeling of uneasiness for no
one knew at what moment or in what place a secret and murderous enemy might
unmask himself Perhaps the gloomy light that still struggled through the
impending canopy of leaves or found its way through the narrow ribandlike
opening which seemed to mark in the air above the course of the river that
flowed beneath aided in augmenting the appearance of the danger for it was
little more than sufficient to render objects visible without giving up all
their outlines at a glance Although the sun had not absolutely set it had
withdrawn its direct rays from the valley and the hues of evening were
beginning to gather around objects that stood uncovered rendering those within
the shadows of the woods still more sombre and gloomy
No interruption followed the movement however and as the men continued to
haul on the line the Ark passed steadily ahead the great breadth of the scow
preventing its sinking into the water and from offering much resistance to the
progress of the swift element beneath its bottom Hutter too had adopted a
precaution suggested by experience which might have done credit to a seaman
and which completely prevented any of the annoyances and obstacles which
otherwise would have attended the short turns of the river As the Ark
descended heavy stones attached to the line were dropped in the centre of the
stream forming local anchors each of which was kept from dragging by the
assistance of those above it until the uppermost of all was reached which got
its backing from the anchor or grapnel that lay well out in the lake In
consequence of this expedient the Ark floated clear of the incumbrances of the
shore against which it would otherwise have been unavoidably hauled at every
turn producing embarrassments that Hutter singlehanded would have found it
very difficult to overcome
Favored by this foresight and stimulated by the apprehensions of discovery
Floating Tom and his two athletic companions hauled the Ark ahead with quite as
much rapidity as comported with the strength of the line At every turn in the
stream a stone was raised from the bottom when the direction of the scow
changed to one that pointed towards the stone that lay above In this manner
with the channel buoyed out for him as a sailor might term it did Hutter move
forward occasionally urging his friends in a low and guarded voice to increase
their exertions and then as occasions offered warning them against efforts
that might at particular moments endanger all by too much zeal In spite of
their long familiarity with the woods the gloomy character of the shaded river
added to the uneasiness that each felt and when the Ark reached the first bend
in the Susquehannah and the eye caught a glimpse of the broader expanse of the
lake all felt a relief that perhaps none would have been willing to confess
Here the last stone was raised from the bottom and the line led directly
towards the grapnel which as Hutter had explained was dropped above the
suction of the current
»Thank God« ejaculated Hurry »there is day and we shall soon have a
chance of seeing our inimies if we are to feel em«
»That is more than you or any man can say« growled Hutter »There is no
spot so likely to harbor a party as the shore around the outlet and the moment
we clear these trees and get into open water will be the most trying time
since it will leave the enemy a cover while it puts us out of one Judith
girl do you and Hetty leave the oar to take care of itself and go within the
cabin and be mindful not to show your faces at a window for they who will look
at them wont stop to praise their beauty And now Hurry well step into this
outer room ourselves and haul through the door where we shall all be safe
from a surprise at least Friend Deerslayer as the current is lighter and the
line has all the strain on it that is prudent do you keep moving from window to
window taking care not to let your head be seen if you set any value on your
life No one knows when or where we shall hear from our neighbors«
Deerslayer complied with a sensation that had nothing in common with fear
but which had all the interest of a perfectly novel and a most exciting
situation For the first time in his life he was in the vicinity of enemies or
had good reason to think so and that too under all the thrilling circumstances
of Indian surprises and Indian artifices As he took his stand at a window the
Ark was just passing through the narrowest part of the stream a point where the
water first entered what was properly termed the river and where the trees
fairly interlocked overhead causing the current to rush into an arch of
verdure a feature as appropriate and peculiar to the country perhaps as that
of Switzerland where the rivers come rushing literally from chambers of ice
The Ark was in the act of passing the last curve of this leafy entrance as
Deerslayer having examined all that could be seen of the eastern bank of the
river crossed the room to look from the opposite window at the western His
arrival at this aperture was most opportune for he had no sooner placed his eye
at a crack than a sight met his gaze that might well have alarmed a sentinel so
young and inexperienced A sapling overhung the water in nearly half a circle
having first grown towards the light and then been pressed down into this form
by the weight of the snows a circumstance of common occurrence in the American
woods On this tree no less than six Indians had already appeared others
standing ready to follow them as they left room each evidently bent on running
out on the trunk and dropping on the roof of the Ark as it passed beneath
This would have been an exploit of no great difficulty the inclination of the
tree admitting of an easy passage the adjoining branches offering ample support
for the hands and the fall being too trifling to be apprehended When
Deerslayer first saw this party it was just unmasking itself by ascending the
part of the tree nearest to the earth or that which was much the most difficult
to overcome and his knowledge of Indian habits told him at once that they
were all in their war paint and belonged to a hostile tribe
»Pull Hurry« he cried »pull for your life and as you love Judith Hutter
Pull man pull«
This call was made to one that the young man knew had the strength of a
giant It was so earnest and solemn that both Hutter and March felt it was not
idly given and they applied all their force to the line simultaneously and at
a most critical moment The scow redoubled its motion and seemed to glide from
under the tree as if conscious of the danger that was impending over head
Perceiving that they were discovered the Indians uttered the fearful warwhoop
and running forward on the tree leaped desperately towards their fancied prize
There were six on the tree and each made the effort All but their leader fell
into the river more or less distant from the Ark as they came sooner or later
to the leaping place The chief who had taken the dangerous post in advance
having an earlier opportunity than the others struck the scow just within the
stern The fall proving so much greater than he had anticipated he was slightly
stunned and for a moment he remained half bent and unconscious of his
situation At this instant Judith rushed from her cabin her beauty heightened
by the excitement that produced the bold act which flushed her cheek to
crimson and throwing all her strength into the effort she pushed the intruder
over the edge of the scow headlong into the river This decided feat was no
sooner accomplished than the woman resumed her sway Judith looked over the
stern to ascertain what had become of the man and the expression of her eyes
softened to concern next her cheek crimsoned between shame and surprise at her
own temerity and then she laughed in her own merry and sweet manner All this
occupied less than a minute when the arm of Deerslayer was thrown around her
waist and she was dragged swiftly within the protection of the cabin This
retreat was not effected too soon Scarcely were the two in safety when the
forest was filled with yells and bullets began to patter against the logs
The Ark being in swift motion all this while it was beyond the danger of
pursuit by the time these little events had occurred and the savages as soon
as the first burst of their anger had subsided ceased firing with the
consciousness that they were expending their ammunition in vain When the scow
came up over her grapnel Hutter tripped the latter in a way not to impede the
motion and being now beyond the influence of the current the vessel continued
to drift ahead until fairly in the open lake though still near enough to the
land to render exposure to a riflebullet dangerous Hutter and March got out
two small sweeps and covered by the cabin they soon urged the Ark far enough
from the shore to leave no inducement to their enemies to make any further
attempt to injure them
Chapter V
»Why let the strucken deer go weep
The hart ungalled play
For some must watch while some must sleep
Thus runs the world away«
Hamlet IIIii27174
Another consultation took place in the forward part of the scow at which both
Judith and Hetty were present As no danger could now approach unseen immediate
uneasiness had given place to the concern which attended the conviction that
enemies were in considerable force on the shores of the lake and that they
might be sure no practicable means of accomplishing their own destruction would
be neglected As a matter of course Hutter felt these truths the deepest his
daughters having an habitual reliance on his resources and knowing too little
to appreciate fully all the risks they ran while his male companions were at
liberty to quit him at any moment they saw fit His first remark showed that he
had an eye to the latter circumstance and might have betrayed to a keen
observer the apprehension that was just then uppermost
»Weve a great advantage over the Iroquois or the enemy whoever they are
in being afloat« he said »Theres not a canoe on the lake that I dont know
where its hid and now yours is here Hurry there are but three more on the
land and theyre so snug in hollow logs that I dont believe the Indians
could find them let them try ever so long«
»Theres no telling that no one can say that« put in Deerslayer »A hound
is not more sartain on the scent than a redskin when he expects to get any
thing by it Let this party see scalps afore em or plunder or honor
accordin to their idees of what honor is and twill be a tight log that hides
a canoe from their eyes«
»Youre right Deerslayer« cried Harry March »youre downright gospel in
this matter and I rejice that my bunch of bark is safe enough here within
reach of my arm I calcilate theyll be at all the rest of the canoes afore
tomorrow night if they are in raal arnest to smoke you out old Tom and we
may as well overhaul our paddles for a pull«
Hutter made no immediate reply He looked about him in silence for quite a
minute examining the sky the lake and the belt of forest which enclosed it
as it might be hermetically like one consulting their signs Nor did he find
any alarming symptoms The boundless woods were sleeping in the deep repose of
nature the heavens were placid but still luminous with the light of the
retreating sun while the lake looked more lovely and calm than it had before
done that day It was a scene altogether soothing and of a character to lull
the passions into a species of holy calm How far this effect was produced
however on the party in the Ark must appear in the progress of our narrative
»Judith« called out the father when he had taken this close but short
survey of the omens »night is at hand find our friends food a long march
gives a sharp appetite«
»Were not starving Master Hutter« March observed »for we filled up just
as we reached the lake and for one I prefar the company of Jude even to her
supper This quiet evening is very agreeable to sit by her side«
»Natur is natur« objected Hutter »and must be fed Judith see to the
meal and take your sister to help you Ive a little discourse to hold with
you friends« he continued as soon as his daughters were out of hearing »and
wish the girls away You see my situation and I should like to hear your
opinions concerning what is best to be done Three times have I been burnt out
already but that was on the shore and Ive considered myself as pretty safe
ever since I got the castle built and the Ark afloat My other accidents
however happened in peaceable times being nothing more than such flurries as a
man must meet with in the woods but this matter looks serious and your ideas
would greatly relieve my mind«
»Its my notion old Tom that you and your huts and your traps and your
whole possessions hereaway are in desperate jiparday« returned the
matteroffact Hurry who saw no use in concealment »accordin to my idees of
valie theyre altogether not worth half as much today as they was yesterday
nor would I give more for em taking the pay in skins«
»Then Ive children « continued the father making the allusion in a way
that it might have puzzled even an indifferent observer to say was intended as a
bait or as an exclamation of paternal concern »Daughters as you know Hurry
and good girls too I may say though I am their father«
»A man may say any thing Master Hutter particularily when pressed by time
and circumstances Youve darters as you say and one of them hasnt her equal
on the frontiers for goodlooks whatever she may have for good behaviour As
for poor Hetty shes Hetty Hutter and thats as much as one can say about the
poor thing Give me Jude if her conduct was only equal to her looks«
»I see Harry March I can only count on you as a fair weather friend and I
suppose that your companion will be of the same way of thinking « returned the
other with a slight show of pride that was not altogether without dignity
»well I must depend on Providence which will not turn a deaf ear perhaps to
a fathers prayers«
»If youve understood Hurry here to mean that he intends to desart you«
said Deerslayer with an earnest simplicity that gave double assurance of its
truth »I think you do him injustice as I know you do me in supposing I would
follow him was he so ontruehearted as to leave a family of his own colour in
such a strait as this Ive come on this lake Master Hutter to rendevous a
frind and I only wish he was here himself as I make no doubt he will be at
sunset tomorrow when youd have another rifle to aid you an inexperenced
one Ill allow like my own but one that has proved true so often agin the
game big and little that Ill answer for its sarvice agin mortals«
»May I depend on you to stand by me and my daughters then Deerslayer«
demanded the old man with a fathers anxiety in his countenance
»That may you Floating Tom if thats your name and as a brother would
stand by a sister a husband his wife or a suitor his sweetheart In this
strait you may count on me through all advarsities and I think Hurry does
discredit to his natur and wishes if you cant count on him«
»Not he« cried Judith thrusting her handsome face out of the door »his
nature is hurry as well as his name and hell hurry off as soon as he thinks
his fine figure in danger Neither old Tom nor his gals will depend much on
Master March now they know him but you they will rely on Deerslayer for your
honest face and as honest heart tell us that what you promise you will
perform«
This was said as much perhaps in affected scorn for Hurry as in sincerity
still it was not said without feeling The fine face of Judith sufficiently
proved the latter circumstance and if the conscious March fancied that he had
never seen in it a stronger display of contempt a feeling in which the beauty
was apt to indulge than while she was looking at him it certainly seldom
exhibited more of womanly softness and sensibility than when her speaking blue
eyes were turned on his travelling companion
»Leave us Judith« Hutter ordered sternly before either of the young men
could reply »Leave us and do not return until you come with the venison and
fish The girl has been spoilt by the flattery of the officers who sometimes
find their way up here Master March and youll not think any harm of her silly
words«
»You never said truer syllable old Tom« retorted Hurry who smarted under
Judiths observations »The deviltongued youngsters of the garrisons have
proved her undoing I scarce know Jude any longer and shall soon take to
admiring her sister who is getting to be much more to my fancy«
»Im glad to hear this Harry and look upon it as a sign that youre coming
to your right senses Hetty would make a much safer and more rational companion
than Jude and would be much the most likely to listen to your suit as the
officers have I greatly fear unsettled her sisters mind«
»No man need a safer wife than Hetty« said Hurry laughing »though Ill
not answer for her being of the most rational But no matter Deerslayer has
not misconceived me when he told you I should be found at my post Ill not quit
you uncle Tom just now whatever may be my feelins and intentions respecting
your eldest darter«
Hurry had a respectable reputation for prowess among his associates and
Hutter heard this pledge with a satisfaction that was not concealed Even the
great personal strength of such an aid became of moment in moving the Ark as
well as in the species of hand to hand conflicts that were not unfrequent in the
woods and no commander who was hard pressed could feel more joy at hearing of
the arrival of reinforcements than this borderer experienced at being told this
important auxiliary was not about to quit him A minute before Hutter would
have been well content to compromise his danger by entering into a compact to
act only on the defensive but no sooner did he feel some security on this
point than the restlessness of man induced him to think of the means of
carrying the war into the enemys country
»High prices are offered for scalps on both sides« he observed with a grim
smile as if he felt the force of the inducement at the very time he wished to
affect a superiority to earning money by means that the ordinary feelings of
those who aspire to be civilized men repudiated even while they were adopted
»It isnt right perhaps to take gold for human blood and yet when mankind is
busy in killing one another there can be no great harm in adding a little bit
of skin to the plunder Whats your sentiments Hurry touching these pints«
»That youve made a vast mistake old man in calling savage blood human
blood at all I think no more of a red skins scalp than I do of a pair of
wolfs ears and would just as lief finger money for the one as for the other
With white people tis different for theyve a natral avarsion to being
scalped whereas your Indian shaves his head in readiness for the knife and
leaves a lock of hair by way of braggadocia that one can lay hold of in the
bargain«
»Thats manly however and I felt from the first that we had only to get
you on our side to have you heart and hand« returned Tom losing all his
reserve as he gained a renewed confidence in the dispositions of his
companions »Something more may turn up from this inroad of the red skins than
they have bargained for Deerslayer I conclude youre of Hurrys way of
thinking and look upon money arned in this way as being as likely to pass as
money arned in trapping or hunting«
»Ive no such feelin nor any wish to harbor it not I« returned the
other »My gifts are not scalpers gifts but such as belong to my religion and
colour Ill stand by you old man in the Ark or in the castle the canoe or
the woods but Ill not unhumanize my natur by falling into ways that God
intended for another race If you and Hurry have got any thoughts that lean
towards the colonys gold go by yourselves in sarch of it and leave the
females to my care Much as I must differ from you both on all gifts that do
not properly belong to a white man we shall agree that it is the duty of the
strong to take care of the weak especially when the last belong to them that
natur intended man to protect and console by his gentleness and strength«
»Hurry Harry that is a lesson you might learn and practise on to some
advantage« said the sweet but spirited voice of Judith from the cabin a proof
that she had overheard all that had hitherto been said
»No more of this Jude« called out the father angrily »Move further off
we are about to talk of matters unfit for a woman to listen to«
Hutter did not take any steps however to ascertain whether he was obeyed
or not but dropping his voice a little he pursued the discourse
»The young man is right Hurry« he said »and we can leave the children in
his care Now my idea is just this and I think youll agree that it is
rational and correct Theres a large party of these savages on the shore and
though I didnt tell it before the girls for theyre womanish and apt to be
troublesome when any thing like real work is to be done theres women among
em This I know from moccasin prints and tis likely they are hunters after
all who have been out so long that they know nothing of the war or of the
bounties «
»In which case old Tom why was their first salute an attempt to cut all
our throats«
»We dont know that their design was so bloody Its natural and easy for
an Indian to fall into ambushes and surprises and no doubt they wished to get
on board the Ark first and to make their conditions afterwards That a
disappinted savage should fire at us is in rule and I think nothing of that
Besides how often have they burned me out and robbed my traps ay and pulled
trigger on me in the most peaceful times«
»The blackguards will do such things I must allow and we pay em off
pretty much in their own cine Women would not be on the warpath sartainly
and so far theres reason in your idee«
»Nor would a hunter be in his warpaint« returned Deerslayer »I saw the
Mingos and know that they are out on the trail of mortal men and not for
beaver or deer«
»There you have it agin old fellow« said Hurry »In the way of an eye
now Id as soon trust this young man as trust the oldest settler in the colony
and if he says paint why paint it was«
»Then a hunting party and a warparty have met for women must have been
with em Its only a few days since the runner went through with the tidings of
the troubles and it may be that warriors have come out to call in their women
and children and to get an early blow«
»That would stand the courts and is just the truth« cried Hurry »Youve
got it now old Tom and I should like to hear what you mean to make out of it«
»The bounty « returned the other looking up at his attentive companion in
a cool sullen manner in which however heartless cupidity and indifference
to the means were far more conspicuous than any feelings of animosity or
revenge »If theres women theres children and big and little have scalps
the Colony pays for all alike«
»More shame to it that it should do so« interrupted Deerslayer »more
shame to it that it dont understand its gifts and pay greater attention to
the will of God«
»Hearken to reason lad and dont cry out afore you understand a case«
returned the unmoved Hurry »The savages scalp your frinds the Delawares or
Mohicans whichever they may be among the rest and why shouldnt we scalp I
will own it would be agin right for you and I now to go into the settlements
and bring out scalps but its a very different matter as consarns Indians A
man shouldnt take scalps if he isnt ready to be scalped himself on
fitting occasions One good turn desarves another all the world over Thats
reason and I believe it to be good religion«
»Ay Master Hurry« again interrupted the rich voice of Judith »is it
religion to say that one bad turn deserves another«
»Ill never reason agin you Judy for you beat me with beauty if you
cannt with sense Heres the Canadas paying their Injins for scalps and why
not we pay «
»Our Indians« exclaimed the girl laughing with a sort of melancholy
merriment »Father Father Think no more of this and listen to the advice
of Deerslayer who has a conscience which is more than I can say or think of
Harry March«
Hutter now rose and entering the cabin he compelled his daughters to go
into the adjoining room when he secured both the doors and returned Then he
and Hurry pursued the subject but as the purport of all that was material in
this discourse will appear in the narrative it need not be related here in
detail The reader however can have no difficulty in comprehending the
morality that presided over their conference It was in truth that which in
some form or other rules most of the acts of men and in which the controlling
principle is that one wrong will justify another Their enemies paid for scalps
and this was sufficient to justify the colony for retaliating It is true the
French used the same argument a circumstance as Hurry took occasion to observe
in answer to one of Deerslayers objections that proved its truth as mortal
enemies would not be likely to have recourse to the same reason unless it were
a good one But neither Hutter nor Hurry was a man likely to stick at trifles
in matters connected with the rights of the aborigines since it is one of the
consequences of aggression that it hardens the conscience as the only means of
quieting it In the most peaceable state of the country a species of warfare
was carried on between the Indians especially those of the Canadas and men of
their caste and the moment an actual and recognised warfare existed it was
regarded as the means of lawfully revenging a thousand wrongs real and
imaginary Then again there was some truth and a good deal of expediency in
the principle of retaliation of which they both availed themselves in
particular to answer the objections of their juster minded and more scrupulous
companion
»You must fight a man with his own wepons Deerslayer« cried Hurry in his
uncouth dialect and in his dogmatical manner of disposing of all moral
propositions »If hes ferce you must be fercer if hes stout of heart you
must be stouter This is the way to get the better of christian or savage by
keepin up to this trail youll get soonest to the ind of your journey«
»Thats not Moravian doctrine which teaches that all are to be judged
according to their talents or larning the Injin like an Injin and the
whiteman like a whiteman Some of their teachers say that if youre struck on
the cheek its a duty to turn the other side of the face and take another
blow instead of seeking revenge whereby I understand «
»Thats enough« shouted Hurry »Thats all I want to prove a mans
doctrine How long would it take to kick a man through the colony in at one
ind and out at the other on that principle«
»Dont mistake me March« returned the young hunter with dignity »I
dont understand by this any more than that its best to do this if possible
Revenge is an Injin gift and forgiveness a whitemans Thats all Overlook
all you can is whats meant and not revenge all you can As for kicking
Master Hurry « Deerslayers sun burnt cheek flushed as he continued »into
the colony or out of the colony thats neither here nor there seeing no one
proposes it and no one would be likely to put up with it What I wish to say is
that a red skins scalping dont justify a pale faces scalping«
»Do as youre done by Deerslayer thats even the christian parsons
doctrine«
»No Hurry Ive asked the Moravians consarning that and its altogether
different Do as you would be done by they tell me is the true saying while
men practyse the false They think all the colonies wrong that offer bounties
for scalps and believe no blessing will follow the measures Above all things
they forbid revenge«
»That for your Moravians« cried March snapping his fingers »Theyre the
next thing to quakers and if youd believe all they tell you not even a rat
would be skinned out of marcy Who ever heard of marcy on a muskrat«
The disdainful manner of Hurry prevented a reply and he and the old man
resumed the discussion of their plans in a more quiet and confidential manner
This conference lasted until Judith appeared bearing the simple but savory
supper March observed with a little surprise that she placed the choicest
bits before Deerslayer and that in the little nameless attentions it was in her
power to bestow she quite obviously manifested a desire to let it be seen that
she deemed him the honored guest Accustomed however to the waywardness and
coquetry of the beauty this discovery gave him little concern and he ate with
an appetite that was in no degree disturbed by any moral causes The easily
digested food of the forests offering the fewest possible obstacles to the
gratification of this great animal indulgence Deerslayer notwithstanding the
hearty meal both had taken in the woods was in no manner behind his companions
in doing justice to the viands
An hour later the scene had greatly changed The lake was still placid and
glassy but the gloom of the hour had succeeded to the soft twilight of a summer
evening and all within the dark setting of the woods lay in the quiet repose of
night The forests gave up no song or cry or even murmur but looked down from
the hills on the lovely basin they encircled in solemn stillness and the only
sound that was audible was the regular dip of the sweeps at which Hurry and
Deerslayer lazily pushed impelling the Ark towards the Castle Hutter had
withdrawn to the stern of the scow in order to steer but finding that the
young men kept even strokes and held the desired course by their own skill he
had permitted the oar to drag in the water taken a seat on the end of the
vessel and lighted his pipe He had not been thus placed many minutes ere Hetty
came stealthily out of the cabin or house as they usually termed that part of
the Ark and placed herself at his feet on a little bench that she had brought
with her As this movement was by no means unusual in his feeble minded child
the old man paid no other attention to it than to lay his hand kindly on her
head in an affectionate and approving manner an act of grace that the girl
received in meek silence
After a pause of several minutes Hetty began to sing Her voice was low and
tremulous but it was earnest and solemn The words and the tune were of the
simplest form the first being a hymn that she had been taught by her mother
and the last one of those natural melodies that find favor with all classes in
every age coming from and being addressed to the feelings Hutter never
listened to this simple strain without finding his heart and manner softened
facts that his daughter well knew and by which she had often profited through
the sort of holy instinct that enlightens the weak of mind more especially in
their aims toward good
Hettys low sweet tones had not been raised many moments when the dip of
the oars ceased and the holy strain arose singly on the breathing silence of
that wilderness As if she gathered courage with her theme her powers appeared
to increase as she proceeded and though nothing vulgar or noisy mingled in her
melody its strength and melancholy tenderness grew on the ear until the air
was filled with this simple homage of a soul that seemed almost spotless That
the men forward were not indifferent to this touching interruption was proved by
their inaction nor did their oars again dip until the last of the sweet sounds
had actually died among the remarkable echoes which at that witching hour
would waft even the lowest modulations of the human voice more than a mile
Hutter was much affected for rude as he was by early habits and even ruthless
as he had got to be by long exposure to the practices of the wilderness his
nature was of that fearful mixture of good and evil that so generally enters
into the moral composition of man
»You are sad tonight child« said the father whose manner and language
usually assumed some of the gentleness and elevation of the civilized life he
had led in youth when he thus communed with this particular child »We have
just escaped from enemies and ought rather to rejoice«
»You can never do it father« said Hetty in a low remonstrating manner
taking his hard knotty hand into both her own »You have talked long with Harry
March but neither of you have the heart to do it«
»This is going beyond your means foolish child you must have been naughty
enough to have listened or you could know nothing of our talk«
»Why should you and Hurry kill people especially women and children«
»Peace girl peace We are at war and must do to our enemies as our
enemies would do to us«
»Thats not it father I heard Deerslayer say how it was You must do to
your enemies as you wish your enemies would do to you No one wishes his
enemies to kill him«
»We kill our enemies in war girl lest they should kill us One side or the
other must begin and them that begin first are most apt to get the victory You
know nothing about these things poor Hetty and had best say nothing«
»Judith says it is wrong father and Judith has sense though I have none«
»Jude understands better than to talk to me of these matters for she has
sense as you say and knows Ill not bear it Which would you prefer Hetty to
have your own scalp taken and sold to the French or that we should kill our
enemies and keep them from harming us«
»Thats not it father Dont kill them nor let them kill us Sell your
skins and get more if you can but dont sell human blood«
»Come come child let us talk of matters you understand Are you glad to
see our old friend March back again You like Hurry and must know that one
day he may be your brother if not something nearer«
»That cant be father « returned the girl after a considerable pause
»Hurry has had one father and one mother and people never have two«
»So much for your weak mind Hetty When Jude marries her husbands father
will be her father and her husbands sister her sister If she should marry
Hurry then he will be your brother«
»Judith will never have Hurry« returned the girl mildly but positively
»Judith dont like Hurry«
»Thats more than you can know Hetty Harry March is the handsomest and
the strongest and the boldest young man that ever visits the lake and as Jude
is the greatest beauty I dont see why they shouldnt come together He has
as much as promised that he will enter into this job with me on condition that
Ill consent«
Hetty began to move her body back and forth and otherwise to express mental
agitation but she made no answer for more than a minute Her father accustomed
to her manner and suspecting no immediate cause of concern continued to smoke
with the apparent phlegm which would seem to belong to that particular species
of enjoyment
»Hurry is handsome father « said Hetty with a simple emphasis that she
might have hesitated about using had her mind been more alive to the inferences
of others
»I told you so child« muttered old Hutter without removing the pipe from
between his teeth »Hes the likeliest youth in these parts and Jude is the
likeliest young woman Ive met with since her poor mother was in her best days«
»Is it wicked to be ugly father«
»One might be guilty of worse things but youre by no means ugly though
not as comely as Jude«
»Is Judith any happier for being so handsome«
»She may be child and she may not be But talk of other matters now for
you hardly understand these poor Hetty How do you like our new acquaintance
Deerslayer«
»He isnt handsome father Hurry is far handsomer than Deerslayer«
»Thats true but they say he is a noted hunter His fame had reached me
before I ever saw him and I did hope he would prove to be as stout a warrior
as he is dexterous with the deer All men are not alike howsever child and it
takes time as I know by experience to give a man a true wilderness heart«
»Have I got a wilderness heart father and Hurry is his heart true
wilderness«
»You sometimes ask queer questions Hetty Your heart is good child and
fitter for the settlements than for the woods while your reason is fitter for
the woods than for the settlements«
»Why has Judith more reason than I father«
»Heaven help thee child This is more than I can answer God gives sense
and appearance and all these things and he grants them as he seeth fit Dost
thou wish for more sense«
»Not I The little I have troubles me for when I think the hardest then I
feel the unhappiest I dont believe thinking is good for me though I do wish
I was as handsome as Judith«
»Why so poor child Thy sisters beauty may cause her trouble as it
caused her mother before her Its no advantage Hetty to be so marked for any
thing as to become an object of envy or to be sought after more than others«
»Mother was good if she was handsome« returned the girl the tears
starting to her eyes as usually happened when she adverted to her deceased
parent
Old Hutter if not equally affected was moody and silent at this allusion
to his wife He continued smoking without appearing disposed to make any
answer until his simpleminded daughter repeated her remark in a way to show
that she felt uneasiness lest he might be inclined to deny her assertion Then
he knocked the ashes out of his pipe and laying his hand in a sort of rough
kindness on the girls head he made her a reply
»Thy mother was too good for this world« he said »though others might not
think so Her good looks did not befriend her and you have no occasion to mourn
that you are not as much like her as your sister Think less of beauty child
and more of your duty and youll be as happy on this lake as you could be in
the Kings palace«
»I know it father but Hurry says beauty is every thing in a young woman«
Hutter made an ejaculation expressive of dissatisfaction and went forward
passing through the house in order to do so Hettys simple betrayal of her
weakness in behalf of March gave him uneasiness on a subject concerning which he
had never felt before and he determined to come to an explanation at once with
his visiter for directness of speech and decision in conduct were two of the
best qualities of this rude being in whom the seeds of a better education
seemed to be constantly struggling upward to be choked by the fruits of a life
in which his hard struggles for subsistence and security had steeled his
feelings and indurated his nature When he reached the forward end of the scow
he manifested an intention to relieve Deerslayer at the oar directing the
latter to take his own place aft By these changes the old man and Hurry were
again left alone while the young hunter was transferred to the other end of the
Ark
Hetty had disappeared when Deerslayer reached his new post and for some
little time he directed the course of the slowmoving craft by himself It was
not long however before Judith came out of the cabins as if disposed to do
the honors of the place to a stranger engaged in the service of her family The
starlight was sufficient to permit objects to be plainly distinguished when
near at hand and the bright eyes of the girl had an expression of kindness in
them when they met those of the youth that the latter was easily enabled to
discern Her rich hair shaded her spirited and yet soft countenance even at
that hour rendering it the more beautiful as the rose is loveliest when
reposing amid the shadows and contrasts of its native foliage Little ceremony
is used in the intercourse of the woods and Judith had acquired a readiness of
address by the admiration that she so generally excited which if it did not
amount to forwardness certainly in no degree lent to her charms the aid of that
retiring modesty on which poets love to dwell
»I thought I should have killed myself with laughing Deerslayer« the
beauty abruptly but coquettishly commenced »when I saw that Indian dive into
the river He was a goodlooking savage too « the girl always dwelt on
personal beauty as a sort of merit »And yet one coulnt stop to consider
whether his paint would stand water«
»And I thought they would have killed you with their wepons Judith«
returned Deerslayer »for it was an awful risk for a female to run in the face
of a dozen Mingos«
»Did that make you come out of the cabin in spite of their rifles too«
asked the girl with more real interest than she would have cared to betray
though with an indifference of manner that was the result of a good deal of
practice united to native readiness
»Men arent apt to see females in danger and not come to their assistance
Even a Mingo knows that«
This sentiment was uttered with as much simplicity of manner as of feeling
and Judith rewarded it with a smile so sweet that even Deerslayer who had
imbibed a prejudice against the girl in consequence of Hurrys suspicions of
her levity felt its charm notwithstanding half its winning influence was lost
in the feeble light It at once created a sort of confidence between them and
the discourse was continued on the part of the hunter without the lively
consciousness of the character of this coquette of the wilderness with which it
had certainly commenced
»You are a man of deeds and not of words I see plainly Deerslayer«
continued the beauty taking her seat near the spot where the other stood »and
I foresee we shall be very good friends HurryHarry has a tongue and giant as
he is he talks more than he performs«
»March is your frind Judith and frinds should be tender of each other
when apart«
»We all know what Hurrys friendship comes to Let him have his own way in
every thing and hes the best fellow in the colony but head him off as you
say of the deer and he is master of every thing near him but himself Hurry is
no favorite of mine Deerslayer and I dare say if the truth was known and his
conversation about me repeated it would be found that he thinks no better of
me than I own I do of him«
The latter part of this speech was uttered not without uneasiness Had the
girls companion been more sophisticated he might have observed the averted
face the manner in which the pretty little foot was agitated and other signs
that for some reason unexplained the opinions of March were not quite as much
matter of indifference to her as she thought fit to pretend Whether this was no
more than the ordinary working of female vanity feeling keenly even where it
affected not to feel at all or whether it proceeded from that deeply seated
consciousness of right and wrong which God himself has implanted in our breasts
that we may know good from evil will be made more apparent to the reader as we
proceed in the tale Deerslayer felt embarrassed He well remembered the cruel
imputations left by Marchs distrust and while he did not wish to injure his
associates suit by exciting resentment against him his tongue was one that
literally knew no guile To answer without saying more or less than he wished
was consequently a delicate duty
»March has his say of all things in natur whether of frind or foe«
slowly and cautiously rejoined the hunter »Hes one of them that speak as they
feel while the tongues agoing and thats sometimes different from what
theyd speak if they took time to consider Give me a Delaware Judith for one
that reflects and rumernates on his idees Inmity has made em thoughtful and a
loose tongue is no riccommend at their Council Fires«
»I dare say Marchs tongue goes free enough when it gets on the subject of
Judith Hutter and her sister« said the girl rousing herself as if in careless
disdain »Young womens good names are a pleasant matter of discourse with some
that wouldnt dare to be so open mouthed if there was a brother in the way
Master March may find it pleasant to traduce us but sooner or later hell
repent«
»Nay Judith this is taking the matter up too much in arnest Hurry has
never whispered a syllable agin the goodname of Hetty to begin with «
»I see how it is I see how it is « impetuously interrupted Judith »I am
the one he sees fit to scorch with his withering tongue Hetty indeed Poor
Hetty « she continued her voice sinking into low husky tones that seemed
nearly to stifle her in the utterance »She is beyond and above his slanderous
malice Poor Hetty If God has created her feebleminded the weakness lies
altogether on the side of errors which she seems to know nothing about The
earth never held a purer being than Hetty Hutter Deerslayer«
»I can believe it yes I can believe that Judith and I hope arnestly
that the same can be said of her handsome sister«
There was a soothing sincerity in the voice of Deerslayer which touched the
girls feelings nor did the allusion to her beauty lessen the effect with one
who only knew too well the power of her personal charms Nevertheless the
still small voice of conscience was not hushed and it prompted the answer
which she made after giving herself time to reflect
»I dare say Hurry had some of his vile hints about the people of the
garrisons « she added »He knows they are gentlemen and can never forgive any
one for being what he feels he can never become himself«
»Not in the sense of a Kings officer Judith sartainly for March has no
turn thataway but in the sense of reality why may not a beaverhunter be as
respectable as a governor Since you speak of it yourself Ill not deny that
he did complain of one as humble as you being so much in the company of scarlet
coats and silken sashes But twas jealousy that brought it out of him and I do
think that he mourned over his own thoughts as a mother would have mourned over
her child«
Perhaps Deerslayer was not aware of the full meaning that his earnest
language conveyed It is certain he did not see the colour that crimsoned the
whole of Judiths fine face nor detect the uncontrollable distress that
immediately after changed its hue to a deadly paleness A minute or two elapsed
in profound stillness the splash of the water seeming to occupy all the avenues
of sound and then Judith arose and grasped the hand of the hunter almost
convulsively with one of her own
»Deerslayer« she said hurriedly »Im glad the ice is broke between us
They say that sudden friendships lead to long enmities but I do not believe it
will turn out so with us I know not how it is but you are the first man I
ever met who did not seem to wish to flatter to wish my ruin to be an enemy
in disguise never mind say nothing to Hurry and another time well talk
together again«
As the girl released her grasp she vanished in the house leaving the
astonished young man standing at the steeringoar as motionless as one of the
pines on the hills So abstracted indeed had his thoughts become that he was
hailed by Hutter to keep the scows head in the right direction before he
remembered his actual situation
Chapter VI
»So spake th apostate Angel though in pain
Vaunting aloud but racked with deep despair«
Paradise Lost I12526
Shortly after the disappearance of Judith a light southerly air arose and
Hutter set a large square sail that had once been the flying topsail of an
Albany sloop but which having become threadbare in catching the breezes of
Tappan had been condemned and sold He had a light tough spar of tamarack that
he could raise on occasion and with a little contrivance his duck was spread
to the wind in a sufficiently professional manner The effect on the Ark was
such as to supersede the necessity of rowing and in about two hours the
Castle was seen in the darkness rising out of the black water at the distance
of a hundred yards The sail was then lowered and by slow degrees the scow
drifted up to the building and was secured
No one had visited the house since Hurry and his companion left it The
place was found in the quiet of midnight a sort of type of the solitude of a
wilderness As an enemy was known to be near Hutter directed his daughters to
abstain from the use of lights luxuries in which they seldom indulged during
the warm months lest they might prove beacons to direct their foes where they
might be found
»In open daylight I shouldnt fear a host of savages behind these stout
logs and they without any cover to skulk into« added Hutter when he had
explained to his guests the reason why he forbade the use of lights »for Ive
three or four trusty weapons always loaded and Killdeer in particular is a
piece that never misses But its a different thing at night A canoe might get
upon us unseen in the dark and the savages have so many cunning ways of
attacking that I look upon it as bad enough to deal with em under a bright
sun I built this dwelling in order to have em at arms length in case we
should ever get to blows again Some people think its too open and exposed
but Im for anchoring out here clear of underbrush and thickets as the surest
means of making a safe berth«
»You was once a sailor they tell me old Tom« said Hurry in his abrupt
manner struck by one or two expressions that the other had just used »and some
people believe you could give us strange accounts of inimies and ship wrecks if
youd a mind to come out with all you know«
»There are people in this world Hurry« returned the other evasively »who
live on other mens thoughts and some such often find their way into the woods
What Ive been or what Ive seen in youth is of less matter now than what the
savages are Its of more account to find out what will happen in the next
twenty four hours than to talk over what happened twenty four years since«
»Thats judgment Deerslayer yes thats sound judgment Heres Judith and
Hetty to take care on to say nothing of our own topknots and for my part I
can sleep as well in the dark as I could under a noon day sun To me its no
great matter whether there is light or not to see to shut my eyes by«
As Deerslayer seldom thought it necessary to answer his companions peculiar
vein of humour and Hutter was evidently indisposed to dwell longer on the
subject its discussion ceased with this remark The latter had something more
on his mind however than recollections His daughters had no sooner left them
with an expressed intention of going to bed than he invited his two companions
to follow him again into the scow Here the old man opened his project keeping
back the portions that he had reserved for execution by Hurry and himself
»The great object for people posted like ourselves is to command the
water« he commenced »So long as there is no other craft on the lake a bark
canoe is as good as a manofwar since the castle will not be easily taken by
swimming Now there are but five canoes remaining in these parts two of which
are mine and one is Hurrys These three we have with us here one being
fastened in the canoedock beneath the house and the other two being along side
the scow The other canoes are housed on the shore in hollow logs and the
savages who are such venomous enemies will leave no likely place unexamined in
the morning if theyre serious in sarch of bounties«
»Now friend Hutter« interrupted Hurry »the Indian dont live that can
find a canoe that is suitably wintered Ive done something at this business
before now and Deerslayer here knows that I am one that can hide a craft in
such a way that I cant find it myself«
»Very true Hurry« put in the person to whom the appeal had been made »but
you overlook the sarcumstance that if you couldnt see the trail of the man who
did the job I could Im of Master Hutters mind that its far wiser to
mistrust a savages ingenuerty than to build any great expectations on his want
of eyesight If these two canoes can be got off to the castle therefore the
sooner its done the better«
»Will you be of the party thats to do it« demanded Hutter in a way to
show that the proposal both surprised and pleased him
»Sartain Im ready to enlist in any interprise thats not agin a white
mans lawful gifts Natur orders us to defend our lives and the lives of
others too when theres occasion and oppertunity Ill follow you Floating
Tom into the Mingo camp on such an arnd and will strive to do my duty
should we come to blows though never having been tried in battle I dont
like to promise more than I may be able to perform We all know our wishes but
none know their might till put to the proof«
»Thats modest and suitable lad« exclaimed Hurry »Youve never yet heard
the crack of an angry rifle and let me tell you tis as different from the
persuasion of one of your venison speeches as the laugh of Judith Hutter in
her best humour is from the scolding of a Dutch housekeeper on the Mohawk I
dont expect youll prove much of a warrior Deerslayer though your equal with
the bucks and the does dont exist in all these parts As for the raal
sarvice howsever youll turn out rather rearward according to my consait«
»Well see Hurry well see« returned the other meekly and so far as
human eye could discover not at all disturbed by these expressed doubts
concerning his conduct on a point on which men are uniformly sensitive
precisely in the degree that they feel the consciousness of demerit »having
never been tried Ill wait to know before I form any opinion myself and then
therell be sartainty instead of bragging Ive heard of them that was valiant
afore the fight who did little in it and of them that waited to know their own
tempers and found that they werent as bad as some expected when put to the
proof«
»At any rate we know you can use a paddle young man« said Hutter »and
thats all we shall ask of you tonight Let us waste no more time but get into
the canoe and do in place of talking«
As Hutter led the way in the execution of his project the boat was soon
ready with Hurry and Deerslayer at the paddles Before the old man embarked
himself however he held a conference of several minutes with Judith entering
the house for that purpose then returning he took his place in the canoe
which left the side of the Ark at the next instant
Had there been a temple reared to God in that solitary wilderness its
clock would have told the hour of midnight as the party set forth on their
expedition The darkness had increased though the night was still clear and
the light of the stars sufficed for all the purposes of the adventurers Hutter
alone knew the places where the canoes were hid and he directed the course
while his two athletic companions raised and dipped their paddles with proper
caution lest the sound should be carried to the ears of their enemies across
that sheet of placid water in the stillness of deep night But the bark was too
light to require any extraordinary efforts and skill supplying the place of
strength in about half an hour they were approaching the shore at a point
near a league from the Castle
»Lay on your paddles men« said Hutter in a low voice »and let us look
about us for a moment We must now be all eyes and ears for these vermin have
noses like blood hounds«
The shores of the lake were examined closely in order to discover any
glimmering of light that might have been left in a camp and the men strained
their eyes in the obscurity to see if some thread of smoke was not still
stealing along the mountainside as it arose from the dying embers of a fire
Nothing unusual could be traced and as the position was at some distance from
the outlet or the spot where the savages had been met it was thought safe to
land The paddles were plied again and the bows of the canoe ground up on the
gravelly beach with a gentle motion and a sound barely audible Hutter and
Hurry immediately landed the former carrying his own and his friends rifle
leaving Deerslayer in charge of the canoe
The hollow log lay at a little distance up the side of the mountain and the
old man led the way towards it using so much caution as to stop at every third
or fourth step to listen if any tread betrayed the presence of a foe The same
death like stillness however reigned on the midnight scene and the desired
place was reached without an occurrence to induce alarm
»This is it« whispered Hutter laying a foot on the trunk of a fallen
linden »hand me the paddles first and draw the boat out with care for the
wretches may have left it for a bait after all«
»Keep my rifle handy butt towards me old fellow« answered March »If
they attack me loaded I shall want to unload the piece at em at least And
feel if the pan is full«
»Alls right « muttered the other »Move slow when you get your load and
let me lead the way«
The canoe was drawn out of the log with the utmost care raised by Hurry to
his shoulder and the two began to return to the shore moving but a step at a
time lest they should tumble down the steep declivity The distance was not
great but the descent was extremely difficult and towards the end of their
little journey Deerslayer was obliged to land and meet them in order to aid in
lifting the canoe through the bushes With his assistance the task was
successfully accomplished and the light craft soon floated by the side of the
other canoe This was no sooner done than all three turned anxiously toward the
forest and the mountain as if expecting an enemy to break out of the one or to
come rushing down the other Still the silence was unbroken and they all
embarked with the caution that had been used in coming ashore
Hutter now steered broad off towards the centre of the lake Having got a
sufficient distance from the shore he cast his prize loose knowing that it
would drift slowly up the lake before the light southerly air and intending to
find it on his return Thus relieved of his tow the old man held his way down
the lake steering towards the very point where Hurry had made his fruitless
attempt on the life of the deer As the distance from this point to the outlet
was less than a mile it was like entering an enemys country and redoubled
caution became necessary They reached the extremity of the point however and
landed in safety on the little gravelly beach already mentioned Unlike the
last place at which they had gone ashore here was no acclivity to ascend the
mountains looming up in the darkness quite a quarter of a mile further west
leaving a margin of level ground between them and the strand The point itself
though long and covered with tall trees was nearly flat and for some
distance only a few yards in width Hutter and Hurry landed as before leaving
their companion in charge of the boat
In this instance the dead tree that contained the canoe of which they had
come in quest lay about half way between the extremity of this narrow slip of
land and the place where it joined the main shore and knowing that there was
water so near him on his left the old man led the way along the eastern side of
the belt with some confidence walking boldly though still with caution He had
landed at the point expressly to get a glimpse into the bay and to make certain
that the coast was clear otherwise he would have come ashore directly abreast
of the hollow tree There was no difficulty in finding the latter from which
the canoe was drawn as before and instead of carrying it down to the place
where Deerslayer lay it was launched at the nearest favorable spot As soon as
it was in the water Hurry entered it and paddled down to the point whither
Hutter also proceeded following the beach As the three men had now in their
possession all the boats on the lake their confidence was greatly increased
and there was no longer the same feverish desire to quit the shore or the same
necessity for extreme caution Their position on the extremity of the long
narrow bit of land added to the feeling of security as it permitted an enemy to
approach in only one direction that in their front and under circumstances
that would render discovery with their habitual vigilance almost certain The
three now landed together and stood grouped in consultation on the gravelly
point
»Weve fairly treed the scamps« said Hurry chuckling at their success
»and if they wish to visit the castle let em wade or swim Old Tom that idee
of yourn in burrowing out in the lake was high proof and carries a fine bead
There be men who would think the land safer than the water but after all reason
shows it isnt the beavers and rats and other larned creaturs taking to
the last when hard pressed I call our position now entrenched and set the
Canadas at defiance«
»Let us paddle along this south shore« said Hutter »and see if theres no
signs of an encampment but first let me have a better look into the bay for
no one has been far enough round the inner shore of the point to make sure of
that quarter yet«
As Hutter ceased speaking all three moved in the direction he had named
Scarce had they fairly opened the bottom of the bay when a general start proved
that their eyes had lighted on a common object at the same instant It was no
more than a dying brand giving out its flickering and failing light but at
that hour and in that place it was at once as conspicuous as a good deed in a
naughty world There was not a shadow of doubt that this fire had been kindled
at an encampment of the Indians The situation sheltered from observation on
all sides but one and even on that except for a very short distance proved
that more care had been taken to conceal the spot than would be used for
ordinary purposes and Hutter who knew that a spring was near at hand as well
as one of the best fishing stations on the lake immediately inferred that this
encampment contained the women and children of the party
»Thats not a warriors encampment« he growled to Hurry »and theres a
bounty enough sleeping round that fire to make a heavy division of headmoney
Send the lad to the canoes for therell come no good of him in such an onset
and let us take the matter in hand at once like men«
»Theres judgment in your notion old Tom and I like it to the backbone
Deerslayer do you get into the canoe lad and paddle off into the lake with
the spare one and set it adrift as we did with the other after which you can
float along shore as near as you can get to the head of the bay keeping
outside the point howsever and outside the rushes too You can hear us when we
want you and if theres any delay Ill call like a loon yes thatll do it
the call of a loon shall be the signal If you hear rifles and feel like
sogering why you may close in and see if you can make the same hand with the
savages that you do with the deer«
»If my wishes could be followed this matter would not be undertaken Hurry
«
»Quite true no body denies it boy but your wishes cant be followed
and that inds the matter So just canoe yourself off into the middle of the
lake and by the time you get back therell be movements in that camp«
The young man set about complying with great reluctance and a heavy heart
He knew the prejudices of the frontier men too well however to attempt a
remonstrance The latter indeed under the circumstances might prove
dangerous as it would certainly prove useless He paddled the canoes
therefore silently and with the former caution to a spot near the centre of the
placid sheet of water and set the boat just recovered adrift to float towards
the castle before the light southerly air This expedient had been adopted in
both cases under the certainty that the drift could not carry the light barks
more than a league or two before the return of light when they might easily be
overtaken In order to prevent any wandering savage from using them by swimming
off and getting possession a possible but scarcely a probable event all the
paddles were retained
No sooner had he set the recovered canoe adrift than Deerslayer turned the
bows of his own towards the point on the shore that had been indicated by Hurry
So light was the movement of the little craft and so steady the sweep of its
masters arm that ten minutes had not elapsed ere it was again approaching the
land having in that brief time passed over fully half a mile of distance As
soon as Deerslayers eye caught a glimpse of the rushes of which there were
many growing in the water a hundred feet from the shore he arrested the motion
of the canoe and anchored his boat by holding fast to the delicate but
tenacious stem of one of the drooping plants Here he remained awaiting with an
intensity of suspense that can be easily imagined the result of the hazardous
enterprise
It would be difficult to convey to the minds of those who have never
witnessed it the sublimity that characterizes the silence of a solitude as deep
as that which now reigned over the Glimmerglass In the present instance this
sublimity was increased by the gloom of night which threw its shadowy and
fantastic forms around the lake the forest and the hills It is not easy
indeed to conceive of any place more favorable to heighten these natural
impressions than that Deerslayer now occupied The size of the lake brought all
within the reach of human senses while it displayed so much of the imposing
scene at a single view giving up as it might be at a glance a sufficiency to
produce the deepest impressions As has been said this was the first lake
Deerslayer had ever seen Hitherto his experience had been limited to the
courses of rivers and smaller streams and never before had he seen so much of
that wilderness which he so well loved spread before his gaze Accustomed to
the forest however his mind was capable of portraying all its hidden
mysteries as he looked upon its leafy surface This was also the first time he
had been on a trail when human lives depended on the issue His ears had often
drunk in the traditions of frontier warfare but he had never yet been
confronted with an enemy
The reader will readily understand therefore how intense must have been
the expectation of the young man as he sat in his solitary canoe endeavoring
to catch the smallest sound that might denote the course of things on the shore
His training had been perfect so far as theory could go and his
selfpossession notwithstanding the high excitement that was the fruit of
novelty would have done credit to a veteran The visible evidences of the
existence of the camp or of the fire could not be detected from the spot where
the canoe lay and he was compelled to depend on the sense of hearing alone He
did not feel impatient for the lessons he had heard taught him the virtue of
patience and most of all inculcated the necessity of wariness in conducting any
covert assault on the Indians Once he thought he heard the cracking of a dried
twig but expectation was so intense it might mislead him In this manner
minute after minute passed until the whole time since he left his companions
was extended to quite an hour Deerslayer knew not whether to rejoice in or to
mourn over this cautious delay for if it augured security to his associates it
foretold destruction to the feeble and innocent
It might have been an hour and a half after his companions and he had
parted when Deerslayer was aroused by a sound that filled him equally with
concern and surprise The quavering call of a loon arose from the opposite side
of the lake evidently at no great distance from its outlet There was no
mistaking the note of this bird which is so familiar to all who know the sounds
of the American lakes Shrill tremulous loud and sufficiently prolonged it
seems the very cry of warning It is often raised also at night an exception
to the habits of most of the other feathered inmates of the wilderness a
circumstance which had induced Hurry to select it as his own signal There had
been sufficient time certainly for the two adventurers to make their way by
land from the point where they had been left to that whence the call had come
but it was not probable that they would adopt such a course Had the camp been
deserted they would have summoned Deerslayer to the shore and did it prove to
be peopled there could be no sufficient motive for circling it in order to
reembark at so great a distance Should he obey the signal and be drawn away
from the landing the lives of those who depended on him might be the forfeit
and should he neglect the call on the supposition that it had been really made
the consequences might be equally disastrous though from a different cause In
this indecision he waited trusting that the call whether feigned or natural
would be speedily renewed Nor was he mistaken A very few minutes elapsed
before the same shrill warning cry was repeated and from the same part of the
lake This time being on the alert his senses were not deceived Although he
had often heard admirable imitations of this bird and was no mean adept himself
in raising its notes he felt satisfied that Hurry to whose efforts in that way
he had attended could never so completely and closely follow nature He
determined therefore to disregard that cry and to wait for one less perfect
and nearer at hand
Deerslayer had hardly come to this determination when the profound
stillness of night and solitude was broken by a cry so startling as to drive
all recollection of the more melancholy call of the loon from the listeners
mind It was a shriek of agony that came either from one of the female sex or
from a boy so young as not yet to have attained a manly voice This appeal could
not be mistaken Heart rending terror if not writhing agony was in the
sounds and the anguish that had awakened them was as sudden as it was fearful
The young man released his hold of the rush and dashed his paddle into the
water to do he knew not what to steer he know not whither A very few
moments however removed his indecision The breaking of branches the cracking
of dried sticks and the fall of feet were distinctly audible the sounds
appearing to approach the water though in a direction that led diagonally
towards the shore and a little farther north than the spot that Deerslayer had
been ordered to keep near Following this clue the young man urged the canoe
ahead paying but little attention to the manner in which he might betray its
presence He had reached a part of the shore where its immediate bank was
tolerably high and quite steep Men were evidently threshing through the bushes
and trees on the summit of this bank following the line of the shore as if
those who fled sought a favorable place for descending Just at this instant
five or six rifles flashed and the opposite hills gave back as usual the
sharp reports in prolonged rolling echoes One or two shrieks like those
which escape the bravest when suddenly overcome by unexpected anguish and alarm
followed and then the threshing among the bushes was renewed in a way to show
that man was grappling with man
»Slippery devil« shouted Hurry with the fury of disappointment »his
skins greased I shant grapple Take that for your cunning«
The words were followed by the fall of some heavy object among the smaller
trees that fringed the bank appearing to Deerslayer as if his gigantic
associate had hurled an enemy from him in this unceremonious manner Again the
flight and pursuit were renewed and then the young man saw a human form break
down the hill and rush several yards into the water At this critical moment
the canoe was just near enough to the spot to allow this movement which was
accompanied by no little noise to be seen and feeling that there he must take
in his companions if anywhere Deerslayer urged the canoe forward to the
rescue His paddle had not been raised twice when the voice of Hurry was heard
filling the air with imprecations and he rolled on the narrow beach literally
loaded down with enemies While prostrate and almost smothered with his foes
the athletic frontierman gave his looncall in a manner that would have
excited laughter under circumstances less terrific The figure in the water
seemed suddenly to repent his own flight and rushed to the shore to aid his
companion but was met and immediately overpowered by half a dozen fresh
pursuers who just then came leaping down the bank
»Let up you painted riptyles let up« cried Hurry too hard pressed to
be particular about the terms he used »isnt it enough that Im withed like a
sawlog that ye must choke too«
This speech satisfied Deerslayer that his friends were prisoners and that
to land would be to share their fate He was already within a hundred feet of
the shore when a few timely strokes of the paddle not only arrested his
advance but forced him off to six or eight times that distance from his
enemies Luckily for him all of the Indians had dropped their rifles in the
pursuit or this retreat might not have been effected with impunity though no
one had noted the canoe in the first confusion of the mêlée
»Keep off the land lad« called out Hutter »The girls depend only on you
now you will want all your caution to escape these savages Keep off and God
prosper you as you aid my children«
There was little sympathy in general between Hutter and the young man but
the bodily and mental anguish with which this appeal was made served at the
moment to conceal from the latter all the formers faults He saw only the
father in his sufferings and resolved at once to give a pledge of fidelity to
his interests and to be faithful to his word
»Put your heart at ease Master Hutter« he called out »The gals shall be
lookd to as well as the castle The inimy has got the shore tis no use to
deny but he hasnt got the water Providence has the charge of all and no one
can say what will come of it but if good will can sarve you and yourn depend
on that much My experence is small but my will is good«
»Ay ay Deerslayer « returned Hurry in his stentorian voice which was
losing some of its heartiness notwithstanding »Ay ay Deerslayer you mean
well enough but what can you do Youre no great matter in the best of times
and such a person is not likely to turn out a miracle in the worst If theres
one savage on this lake shore theres forty and thats an army you ant the
man to overcome The best way in my judgment will be to make a straight course
to the castle get the gals into the canoe with a few eatables then strike off
for the corner of the lake where we came in and take the best trail for the
Mohawk These devils wont know where to look for you for some hours and if
they did and went off hot in the pursuit they must turn either the foot or
the head of the lake to get at you Thats my judgment in the matter and if
old Tom here wishes to make his last will and testament in a manner favorable
to his darters hell say the same«
»Twill never do young man« rejoined Hutter »The enemy has scouts out at
this moment looking for canoes and youll be seen and taken Trust to the
castle and above all things keep clear of the land Hold out a week and
parties from the garrisons will drive the savages off«
»Twont be four and twenty hours old fellow afore these foxes will be
rafting off to storm your castle« interrupted Hurry with more of the heat of
argument than might be expected from a man who was bound and a captive and
about whom nothing could be called free but his opinions and his tongue »Your
advice has a stout sound but it will have a fatal tarmination If you or I
was in the house we might hold out a few days but remember that this lad has
never seen an inimy afore tonight and is what you yourself called
settlementconscienced though for my part I think the consciences in the
settlements pretty much the same as they are out here in the woods These
savages are making signs Deerslayer for me to incourage you to come ashore
with the canoe but that Ill never do as its agin reason and natur As for
old Tom and myself whether theyll scalp us tonight keep us for the torture
by fire or carry us to Canada is more than any one knows but the Devil that
advises them how to act Ive such a big and bushy head that its quite likely
theyll indivor to get two scalps off it for this bounty is a tempting thing
or old Tom and I wouldnt be in this scrape Ay there they go with their
signs agin but if I advise you to land may they eat me as well as roast me
No no Deerslayer do you keep off where you are and after daylight on no
account come within two hundred yards «
This injunction of Hurrys was stopped by a hands being rudely slapped
against his mouth the certain sign that some one in the party understood
English sufficiently to have at length detected the drift of his discourse
Immediately after the whole group entered the forest Hutter and Hurry
apparently making no resistance to the movement Just as the sounds of the
cracking bushes were ceasing however the voice of the father was again heard
»As youre true to my children God prosper you young man« were the words
that reached Deerslayers ears after which he found himself left to follow the
dictates of his own discretion
Several minutes elapsed in deathlike stillness after the party on the
shore had disappeared in the woods Owing to the distance rather more than two
hundred yards and the obscurity Deerslayer had been able barely to distinguish
the group and to see it retiring but even this dim connection with human
forms gave an animation to the scene that was strongly in contrast to the
absolute solitude that remained Although the young man leaned forward to
listen holding his breath and condensing every faculty in the single sense of
hearing not another sound reached his ears to denote the vicinity of human
beings It seemed as if a silence that had never been broken reigned on the
spot again and for an instant even that piercing shriek which had so lately
broken the stillness of the forest or the execrations of March would have been
a relief to the feeling of desertion to which it gave rise
This paralysis of mind and body however could not last long in one
constituted mentally and physically like Deerslayer Dropping his paddle into
the water he turned the head of the canoe and proceeded slowly as one walks
who thinks intently towards the centre of the lake When he believed himself to
have reached a point in a line with that where he had set the last canoe adrift
he changed his direction northward keeping the light air as nearly on his back
as possible After paddling a quarter of a mile in this direction a dark object
became visible on the lake a little to the right and turning on one side for
the purpose he had soon secured his last prize to his own boat Deerslayer now
examined the heavens the course of the air and the position of the two canoes
Finding nothing in either to induce a change of plan he lay down and prepared
to catch a few hours sleep that the morrow might find him equal to its
exigencies
Although the hardy and the tired sleep profoundly even in scenes of danger
it was some time before Deerslayer lost his recollection His mind dwelt on what
had passed and his half conscious faculties kept figuring the events of the
night in a sort of waking dream Suddenly he was up and alert for he fancied
he heard the preconcerted signal of Hurry summoning him to the shore But all
was still as the grave again The canoes were slowly drifting northward the
thoughtful stars were glimmering in their mild glory over his head and the
forest bound sheet of water lay embedded between its mountains as calm and
melancholy as if never troubled by the winds or brightened by a noonday sun
Once more the loon raised his tremulous cry near the foot of the lake and the
mystery of the alarm was explained Deerslayer adjusted his hard pillow
stretched his form in the bottom of the canoe and slept
Chapter VII
»Clear placid Leman Thy contrasted lake
With the wild world I dwelt in is a thing
Which warns me with its stillness to forsake
Earths troubled waters for a purer spring
This quiet sail is as a noiseless wing
To waft me from distraction once I lovd
Torn oceans roar but thy soft murmuring
Sounds sweet as if a sisters voice reproved
That I with stern delights should ere have been so movd«
Byron Childe Harolds Pilgrimage IIIlxxxv
Day had fairly dawned before the young man whom we have left in the situation
described in the last chapter again opened his eyes This was no sooner done
than he started up and looked about him with the eagerness of one who suddenly
felt the importance of accurately ascertaining his precise position His rest
had been deep and undisturbed and when he awoke it was with a clearness of
intellect and a readiness of resources that were much needed at that particular
moment The sun had not risen it is true but the vault of heaven was rich with
the winning softness that brings and shuts the day while the whole air was
filled with the carols of birds the hymns of the feathered tribe These sounds
first told Deerslayer the risks he run The air for wind it could scarce be
called was still light it is true but it had increased a little in the course
of the night and as the canoes were mere feathers on the water they had
drifted twice the expected distance and what was still more dangerous had
approached so near the base of the mountain that here rose precipitously from
the eastern shore as to render the carols of the birds plainly audible This
was not the worst The third canoe had taken the same direction and was slowly
drifting towards a point where it must inevitably touch unless turned aside by
a shift of wind or human hands In other respects nothing presented itself to
attract attention or to awaken alarm The Castle stood on its shoal nearly
abreast of the canoes for the drift had amounted to miles in the course of the
night and the Ark lay fastened to its piles as both had been left so many
hours before
As a matter of course Deerslayers attention was first given to the canoe
ahead It was already quite near the point and a very few strokes of the paddle
sufficed to tell him that it must touch before he could possibly overtake it
Just at this moment too the wind inopportunely freshened rendering the drift
of the light craft much more rapid and certain Feeling the impossibility of
preventing a contact with the land the young man wisely determined not to heat
himself with unnecessary exertions but first looking to the priming of his
piece he proceeded slowly and warily towards the point taking care to make a
little circuit that he might be exposed on only one side as he approached
The canoe adrift being directed by no such intelligence pursued its proper
way and grounded on a small sunken rock at the distance of three or four yards
from the shore Just at that moment Deerslayer had got abreast of the point
and turned the bows of his own boat to the land first casting loose his tow
that his movements might be unencumbered The canoe hung an instant on the rock
then it rose a hairs breadth on an almost imperceptible swell of the water
swung round floated clear and reached the strand All this the young man
noted but it neither quickened his pulses nor hastened his hand If any one
had been lying in wait for the arrival of the waif he must be seen and the
utmost caution in approaching the shore became indispensable If no one was in
ambush hurry was unnecessary The point being nearly diagonally opposite to the
Indian encampment he hoped the last though the former was not only possible
but probable for the savages were prompt in adopting all the expedients of
their particular modes of warfare and quite likely had many scouts searching
the shores for craft to carry them off to the castle As a glance at the lake
from any height or projection would expose the smallest object on its surface
there was little hope that either of the canoes could pass unseen and Indian
sagacity needed no instruction to tell which way a boat or a log would drift
when the direction of the wind was known
As Deerslayer drew nearer and nearer to the land the stroke of his paddle
grew slower his eye became more watchful and his ears and nostrils almost
dilated with the effort to detect any lurking danger Twas a trying moment for
a novice nor was there the encouragement which even the timid sometimes feel
when conscious of being observed and commended He was entirely alone thrown on
his own resources and was cheered by no friendly eye emboldened by no
encouraging voice Notwithstanding all these circumstances the most experienced
veteran in forest warfare could not have behaved better Equally free from
recklessness and hesitation his advance was marked by a sort of philosophical
prudence that appeared to render him superior to all motions but those which
were best calculated to effect his purpose Such was the commencement of a
career in forest exploits that afterwards rendered this man in his way and
under the limits of his habits and opportunities as renowned as many a hero
whose name has adorned the pages of works more celebrated than legends simple as
ours can ever become
When about a hundred yards from the shore Deerslayer rose in the canoe
gave three or four vigorous strokes with the paddle sufficient of themselves to
impel the bark to land and then quickly laying aside the instrument of labor
he seized that of war He was in the very act of raising the rifle when a sharp
report was followed by the buzz of a bullet that passed so near his body as to
cause him involuntarily to start The next instant Deerslayer staggered and
fell his whole length in the bottom of the canoe A yell it came from a single
voice followed and an Indian leaped from the bushes upon the open area of
the point bounding towards the canoe This was the moment the young man
desired He rose on the instant and levelled his own rifle at his uncovered
foe but his finger hesitated about pulling the trigger on one whom he held at
such a disadvantage This little delay probably saved the life of the Indian
who bounded back into the cover as swiftly as he had broken out of it In the
mean time Deerslayer had been swiftly approaching the land and his own canoe
reached the point just as his enemy disappeared As its movements had not been
directed it touched the shore a few yards from the other boat and though the
rifle of his foe had to be loaded there was not time to secure his prize and
to carry it beyond danger before he would be exposed to another shot Under the
circumstances therefore he did not pause an instant but dashed into the woods
and sought a cover
On the immediate point there was a small open area partly in native grass
and partly beach but a dense fringe of bushes lined its upper side This narrow
belt of dwarf vegetation passed one issued immediately into the high and
gloomy vaults of the forest The land was tolerably level for a few hundred
feet and then it rose precipitously in a mountain side The trees were tall
large and so free from underbrush that they resembled vast columns
irregularly scattered upholding a dome of leaves Although they stood tolerably
close together for their ages and size the eye could penetrate to considerable
distances and bodies of men even might have engaged beneath their cover with
concert and intelligence
Deerslayer knew that his adversary must be employed in reloading unless he
had fled The former proved to be the case for the young man had no sooner
placed himself behind a tree than he caught a glimpse of the arm of the Indian
his body being concealed by an oak in the very act of forcing the leathered
bullet home Nothing would have been easier than to spring forward and decide
the affair by a close assault on his unprepared foe but every feeling of
Deerslayer revolted at such a step although his own life had just been
attempted from a cover He was as yet unpractised in the ruthless expedients of
savage warfare of which he knew nothing except by tradition and theory and it
struck him as an unfair advantage to assail an unarmed foe His colour had
heightened his eye frowned his lips were compressed and all his energies were
collected and ready but instead of advancing to fire he dropped his rifle to
the usual position of a sportsman in readiness to catch his aim and muttered to
himself unconscious that he was speaking
»No no that may be redskin warfare but its not a christians gifts
Let the miscreant charge and then well take it out like men for the canoe he
must not and shall not have No no let him have time to load and then God
will take care of the right«
All this time the Indian had been so intent on his own movements that he
was even ignorant that his enemy was in the wood His only apprehension was that
the canoe would be recovered and carried away before he might be in readiness
to prevent it He had sought the cover from habit but was within a few feet of
the fringe of bushes and could be at the margin of the forest in readiness to
fire in a moment The distance between him and his enemy was about fifty yards
and the trees were so arranged by nature that the line of sight was not
interrupted except by the particular tree behind which each party stood
His rifle was no sooner loaded than the savage glanced around him and
advanced incautiously as regarded the real but stealthily as respected the
fancied position of his enemy until he was fairly exposed Then Deerslayer
stepped from behind his own cover and hailed him
»Thisaway redskin thisaway if youre looking for me« he called out
»Im young in war but not so young as to stand on an open beach to be shot down
like an owl by daylight It rests on yourself whether its peace or war
atween us for my gifts are white gifts and Im not one of them that thinks it
valiant to slay human mortals singly in the woods«
The savage was a good deal startled by this sudden discovery of the danger
he run He had a little knowledge of English however and caught the drift of
the others meaning He was also too well schooled to betray alarm but dropping
the butt of his rifle to the earth with an air of confidence he made a gesture
of lofty courtesy All this was done with the ease and self possession of one
accustomed to consider no man his superior In the midst of this consummate
acting however the volcano that raged within caused his eyes to glare and
his nostrils to dilate like those of some wild beast that is suddenly
prevented from taking the fatal leap
»Two canoe« he said in the deep guttural tones of his race holding up the
number of fingers he mentioned by way of preventing mistakes »one for you
one for me«
»No no Mingo that will never do You own neither and neither shall you
have as long as I can prevent it I know its war atween your people and mine
but thats no reason why human mortals should slay each other like savage
creaturs that meet in the woods go your way then and leave me to go mine
The world is large enough for us both and when we meet fairly in battle why
the Lord will order the fate of each of us«
»Good« exclaimed the Indian »My brother missionary great talk all
about Manitou«
»Not so not so warrior Im not good enough for the Moravians and am too
good for most of the other vagabonds that preach about in the woods No no
Im only a hunter as yet though afore the peace is made tis like enough
therell be occasion to strike a blow at some of your people Still I wish it to
be done in fair fight and not in a quarrel about the ownership of a miserable
canoe«
»Good My brother very young but he very wise Little warrior great
talker Chief sometime in council«
»I dont know this nor do I say it Injin« returned Deerslayer colouring
a little at the ill concealed sarcasm of the others manner »I look forward to
a life in the woods and I only hope it may be a peaceable one All young men
must go on the war path when theres occasion but war isnt needfully
massacre Ive seen enough of the last this very night to know that providence
frowns on it and I now invite you to go your own way while I go mine and hope
that we may part frinds«
»Good My brother has two scalp gray hair under t other Old wisdom
young tongue«
Here the savage advanced with confidence his hand extended his face
smiling and his whole bearing denoting amity and respect Deerslayer met his
offered friendship in a proper spirit and they shook hands cordially each
endeavoring to assure the other of his sincerity and desire to be at peace
»All have his own« said the Indian »my canoe mine your canoe yourn
Go look if yourn you keep if mine my keep«
»Thats just redskin though you must be wrong in thinking the canoe your
property Howsever seein is believin and well go down to the shore where
you may look with your own eyes for its likely youll object to trustin
altogether to mine«
The Indian uttered his favorite exclamation of »good« and then they walked
side by side towards the shore There was no apparent distrust in the manner of
either the Indian moving in advance as if he wished to show his companion that
he did not fear turning his back to him As they reached the open ground the
former pointed towards Deerslayers boat and said emphatically
»No mine Pale face canoe this red mans No want other mans canoe
want his own«
»Youre wrong redskin youre altogether wrong This canoe was left in old
Hutters keeping and is hisn according to all law red or white till its
owner comes to claim it Heres the seats and the stitching of the bark to speak
for themselves no man ever knowd an Injin to turn off such work«
»Good my brother little ole big wisdom Injin no make him White mans
work«
»Im glad you think so for holding out to the contrary might have made ill
blood atween us Every one having a right to take possession of his own Ill
just shove the canoe out of reach of dispute at once as the quickest way of
settling difficulties«
While Deerslayer was speaking he put a foot against the end of the light
boat and giving a vigorous shove he sent it out into the lake a hundred feet
or more where taking the true current it would necessarily float past the
point and be in no further danger of coming ashore The savage started at this
ready and decided expedient and his companion saw that he cast a hurried and
fierce glance at his own canoe or that which contained the paddles The change
of manner however was but momentary and then the Iroquois resumed his air of
friendliness and a smile of satisfaction
»Good« he repeated with stronger emphasis than ever »Young head old mind
Know how to settle quarrel Farewell brother He go to house in water muskrat
house Injin go to camp tell chief no find canoe«
Deerslayer was not sorry to hear this proposal for he felt anxious to join
the females and he took the offered hand of the Indian very willingly The
parting words were friendly and while the red man walked calmly towards the
wood with his rifle in the hollow of his arm without once looking back in
uneasiness or distrust the white man moved towards the remaining canoe
carrying his piece in the same pacific manner it is true but keeping his eyes
fastened on the movements of the other This distrust however seemed to be
altogether uncalled for and as if ashamed to have entertained it the young
man averted his look and stepped carelessly up to his boat Here he began to
push the canoe from the shore and to make his other preparations for departing
He might have been thus employed a minute when happening to turn his face
towards the land his quick and certain eye told him at a glance the imminent
jeopardy in which his life was placed The black ferocious eyes of the savage
were glaring on him like those of the crouching tiger through a small opening
in the bushes and the muzzle of his rifle seemed already to be opening in a
line with his own body
Then indeed the long practice of Deerslayer as a hunter did him good
service Accustomed to fire with the deer on the bound and often when the
precise position of the animals body had in a manner to be guessed at he used
the same expedients here To cock and poise his rifle were the acts of a single
moment and a single motion then aiming almost without sighting he fired into
the bushes where he knew a body ought to be in order to sustain the appalling
countenance which alone was visible There was not time to raise the piece any
higher or to take a more deliberate aim So rapid were his movements that both
parties discharged their pieces at the same instant the concussions mingling in
one report The mountains indeed gave back but a single echo Deerslayer
dropped his piece and stood with head erect steady as one of the pines in the
calm of a June morning watching the result while the savage gave the yell that
has become historical for its appalling influence leaped through the bushes
and came bounding across the open ground flourishing a tomahawk Still
Deerslayer moved not but stood with his unloaded rifle fallen against his
shoulder while with a hunters habits his hands were mechanically feeling for
the powder horn and charger When about forty feet from his enemy the savage
hurled his keen weapon but it was with an eye so vacant and a hand so unsteady
and feeble that the young man caught it by the handle as it was flying past
him At that instant the Indian staggered and fell his whole length on the
ground
»I knowd it I knowed it« exclaimed Deerslayer who was already preparing
to force a fresh bullet into his rifle »I knowd it must come to this as soon
as I had got the range from the creaturs eyes A man sights suddenly and fires
quick when his own lifes in danger yes I knowd it would come to this I was
about the hundredth part of a second too quick for him or it might have been
bad for me The riptyles bullet has just grazed my side but say what you will
for or agin em a redskin is by no means as sartain with powder and ball as
a white man Their gifts dont seem to lie thataway Even Chingachgook great
as he is in other matters is not downright deadly with the rifle«
By this time the piece was reloaded and Deerslayer after tossing the
tomahawk into the canoe advanced to his victim and stood over him leaning on
his rifle in melancholy attention It was the first instance in which he had
seen a man fall in battle it was the first fellow creature against whom he had
ever seriously raised his own hand The sensations were novel and regret with
the freshness of our better feelings mingled with his triumph The Indian was
not dead though shot directly through the body He lay on his back motionless
but his eyes now full of consciousness watched each action of his victor as
the fallen bird regards the fowler jealous of every movement The man probably
expected the fatal blow which was to precede the loss of his scalp or perhaps
he anticipated that this latter act of cruelty would precede his death
Deerslayer read his thoughts and he found a melancholy satisfaction in
relieving the apprehensions of the helpless savage
»No no redskin« he said »Youve nothing more to fear from me I am of
a christian stock and scalping is not of my gifts Ill just make sartain of
your rifle and then come back and do you what sarvice I can Though here I
cant stay much longer as the crack of three rifles will be apt to bring more
of your devils upon me«
The close of this was said in a sort of a soliloquy as the young man went
in quest of the fallen rifle The piece was found where its owner had dropped
it and was immediately put into the canoe Laying his own rifle at its side
Deerslayer then returned and stood over the Indian again
»All inmity atween you and mes at an ind redskin« he said »and you may
set your heart at rest on the score of the scalp or any further injury My
gifts are white as Ive told you and I hope my conduct will be white also«
Could looks have conveyed all they meant it is probable Deerslayers
innocent vanity on the subject of colour would have been rebuked a little but
he comprehended the gratitude that was expressed in the eyes of the dying
savage without in the least detecting the bitter sarcasm that struggled with
the better feeling
»Water « ejaculated the thirsty and unfortunate creature »give poor Injin
water «
»Ay water you shall have if you drink the lake dry Ill just carry you
down to it that you may take your fill This is the way they tell me with all
wounded people water is their greatest comfort and delight«
So saying Deerslayer raised the Indian in his arms and carried him to the
lake Here he first helped him to take an attitude in which he could appease his
burning thirst after which he seated himself on a stone and took the head of
his wounded adversary in his own lap and endeavored to soothe his anguish in
the best manner he could
»It would be sinful in me to tell you your time hadnt come warrior« he
commenced »and therefore Ill not say it Youre passed the middle age
already and considerin the sort of lives ye lead your days have been pretty
well filled The principal thing now is to look forward to what comes next
Neither red skin nor pale face on the whole calculates much on sleepin
forever but both expect to live in another world Each has his gifts and will
be judged by em and I suppose youve thought these matters over enough not to
stand in need of sarmons when the trial comes Youll find your happy hunting
grounds if youve been a just Injin and if an onjust youll meet your desarts
in another way Ive my own idees about these things but youre too old and
experenced to need any explanations from one as young as I«
»Good« ejaculated the Indian whose voice retained its depth even as life
ebbed away »Young head ole wisdom«
»Its sometimes a consolation when the ind comes to know that them weve
harmed or tried to harm forgive us I suppose natur seeks this relief by way
of getting a pardon on arth as we never can know whether He pardons who is
all in all till judgment itself comes Its soothing to know that any pardon
at such times and that I conclude is the secret Now as for myself I overlook
altogether your designs agin my life first because no harm came of em next
because its your gifts and natur and trainin and I ought not to have
trusted you at all and finally and chiefly because I can bear no ill will to
a dying man whether heathen or christian So put your heart at ease so far as
Im consarned you know best what other matters ought to trouble you or what
ought to give you satisfaction in so trying a moment«
It is probable that the Indian had some of the fearful glimpses of the
unknown state of being which God in mercy seems at times to afford to all
the human race but they were necessarily in conformity with his habits and
prejudices Like most of his people and like too many of our own he thought
more of dying in a way to gain applause among those he left than to secure a
better state of existence hereafter While Deerslayer was speaking his mind
was a little bewildered though he felt that the intention was good and when he
had done a regret passed over his spirit that none of his own tribe were
present to witness his stoicism under extreme bodily suffering and the
firmness with which he met his end With the high innate courtesy that so often
distinguishes the Indian warrior before he becomes corrupted by too much
intercourse with the worst class of the white men he endeavored to express his
thankfulness for the others good intentions and to let him understand that
they were appreciated
»Good« he repeated for this was an English word much used by savages
»good young head young heart too Old heart tough no shed tear Hear Indian
when he die and no want to lie what he call him«
»Deerslayer is the name I bear now though the Delawares have said that when
I get back from this warpath I shall bear a more manly title provided I can
arn one«
»That good name for boy poor name for warrior Get better quick No fear
there « the savage had strength sufficient under the strong excitement he
felt to raise a hand and tap the young man on his breast »eye sartain
finger lightening aim death Great warrior soon No Deerslayer Hawkeye
Hawkeye Hawkeye Shake hand«
Deerslayer or Hawkeye as the youth was then first named for in after
years he bore the appellation throughout all that region Deerslayer took the
hand of the savage whose last breath was drawn in that attitude gazing in
admiration at the countenance of a stranger who had shewn so much readiness
skill and firmness in a scene that was equally trying and novel When the
reader remembers it is the highest gratification an Indian can receive to see
his enemy betray weakness he will be better able to appreciate the conduct
which had extorted so great a concession at such a moment
»His spirit has fled« said Deerslayer in a suppressed melancholy voice
»Ahs me Well to this we must all come sooner or later and he is
happiest let his skin be of what colour it may who is best fitted to meet it
Here lies the body of no doubt a brave warrior and the soul is already flying
towards its heaven or hell whether that be a happy hunting ground or a place
scant of game regions of glory according to Moravian doctrine or flames of
fire So it happens too as regards other matters Here have old Hutter and
Hurry Harry got themselves into difficulty if they havent got themselves into
torment and death and all for a bounty that luck offers to me in what many
would think a lawful and suitable manner But not a farthing of such money shall
cross my hand White I was born and white will I die clinging to colour to the
last even though the Kings Majesty his governors and all his councils both
at home and in the colonies forget from what they come and where they hope to
go and all for a little advantage in warfare No no warrior hand of mine
shall never molest your scalp and so your soul may rest in peace on the pint
of making a decent appearance when the body comes to join it in your own land
of spirits«
Deerslayer arose as soon as he had spoken Then he placed the body of the
dead man in a sitting posture with its back against the little rock taking
the necessary care to prevent it from falling or in any way settling into an
attitude that might be thought unseemly by the sensitive though wild notions
of a savage When this duty was performed the young man stood gazing at the
grim countenance of his fallen foe in a sort of melancholy abstraction As was
his practice however a habit gained by living so much alone in the forest he
then began to give utterance to his thoughts and feelings aloud
»I didnt wish your life redskin« he said »but you left me no choice
atween killing or being killed Each party acted according to his gifts I
suppose and blame can light on neither You were treacherous according to your
natur in war and I was a little oversightful as Im apt to be in trusting
others Well this is my first battle with a human mortal though its not
likely to be the last I have fout most of the creaturs of the forest such as
bears wolves painters and catamounts but this is the beginning with
redskins If I was Injin born now I might tell of this or carry in the
scalp and boast of the explite afore the whole tribe or if my inimy had only
been even a bear twould have been natral and proper to let every body know
what had happened but I dont well see how Im to let even Chingachgook into
this secret so long as it can be done only by boasting with a white tongue And
why should I wish to boast of it ater all Its slaying a human although he
was a savage and how do I know that he was a just Injin and that he has not
been taken away suddenly to any thing but happy hunting grounds When its
onsartain whether good or evil has been done the wisest way is not to be
boastful still I should like Chingachgook to know that I havent discredited
the Delawares or my training«
Part of this was uttered aloud while part was merely muttered between the
speakers teeth his more confident opinions enjoying the first advantage while
his doubts were expressed in the latter mode Soliloquy and reflections received
a startling interruption however by the sudden appearance of a second Indian
on the lake shore a few hundred yards from the point This man evidently
another scout who had probably been drawn to the place by the reports of the
rifles broke out of the forest with so little caution that Deerslayer caught a
view of his person before he was himself discovered When the latter event did
occur as was the case a moment later the savage gave a loud yell which was
answered by a dozen voices from different parts of the mountainside There was
no longer any time for delay and in another minute the boat was quitting the
shore under long and steady sweeps of the paddle
As soon as Deerslayer believed himself to be at a safe distance he ceased
his efforts permitting the little bark to drift while he leisurely took a
survey of the state of things The canoe first sent adrift was floating before
the air quite a quarter of a mile above him and a little nearer to the shore
than he wished now that he knew more of the savages were so near at hand The
canoe shoved from the point was within a few yards of him he having directed
his own course towards it on quitting the land The dead Indian lay in grim
quiet where he had left him the warrior who had shown himself from the forest
had already vanished and the woods themselves were as silent and seemingly as
deserted as the day they came fresh from the hands of their great creator This
profound stillness however lasted but a moment When time had been given to
the scouts of the enemy to reconnoitre they burst out of the thicket upon the
naked point filling the air with yells of fury at discovering the death of
their companion These cries were immediately succeeded by shouts of delight
when they reached the body and clustered eagerly around it Deerslayer was a
sufficient adept in the usages of the natives to understand the reason of the
change The yell was the customary lamentation at the loss of a warrior the
shout a sign of rejoicing that the conqueror had not been able to secure the
scalp the trophy without which a victory was never considered complete The
distance at which the canoes lay probably prevented any attempts to injure the
conqueror the American Indian like the panther of his own woods seldom making
any effort against his foe unless tolerably certain it is under circumstances
that may be expected to prove effective
As the young man had no longer any motive to remain near the point he
prepared to collect his canoes in order to tow them off to the castle That
nearest was soon in tow when he proceeded in quest of the other which was all
this time floating up the lake The eye of Deerslayer was no sooner fastened on
this last boat than it struck him that it was nearer to the shore than it would
have been had it merely followed the course of the gentle current of air He
began to suspect the influence of some unseen current in the water and he
quickened his exertions in order to regain possession of it before it could
drift in to a dangerous proximity to the woods On getting nearer he thought
that the canoe had a perceptible motion through the water and as it lay
broadside to the air that this motion was taking it towards the land A few
vigorous strokes of the paddle carried him still nearer when the mystery was
explained Something was evidently in motion on the off side of the canoe or
that which was furthest from himself and closer scrutiny showed that it was a
naked human arm An Indian was lying in the bottom of the canoe and was
propelling it slowly but certainly to the shore using his hand as a paddle
Deerslayer understood the whole artifice at a glance A savage had swam off to
the boat while he was occupied with his enemy on the point got possession and
was using these means to urge it to the shore
Satisfied that the man in the canoe could have no arms Deerslayer did not
hesitate to dash close along side of the retiring boat without deeming it
necessary to raise his own rifle As soon as the wash of the water which he
made in approaching became audible to the prostrate savage the latter sprang
to his feet and uttered an exclamation that proved how completely he was taken
by surprise
»If youve enjyed yourself enough in that canoe redskin« Deerslayer
coolly observed stopping his own career in sufficient time to prevent an
absolute collision between the two boats »if youve enjyed yourself enough in
that canoe youll do a prudent act by taking to the lake agin Im reasonable
in these matters and dont crave your blood though theres them about that
would look upon you more as a duebill for the bounty than a human mortal Take
to the lake this minute afore we get to hot words«
The savage was one of those who did not understand a word of English and he
was indebted to the gestures of Deerslayer and to the expression of an eye that
did not often deceive for an imperfect comprehension of his meaning Perhaps
too the sight of the rifle that lay so near the hand of the white man quickened
his decision At all events he crouched like a tiger about to take his leap
uttered a yell and the next instant his naked body disappeared in the water
When he rose to take breath it was at a distance of several yards from the
canoe and the hasty glance he threw behind him denoted how much he feared the
arrival of a fatal messenger from the rifle of his foe But the young man made
no indication of any hostile intention Deliberately securing the canoe to the
others he began to paddle from the shore and by the time the Indian reached
the land and had shaken himself like a spaniel on quitting the water his
dreaded enemy was already beyond rifle shot on his way to the castle As was so
much his practice Deerslayer did not fail to soliloquize on what had just
occurred while steadily pursuing his course towards the point of destination
»Well well « he commenced »twould have been wrong to kill a human
mortal without an object Scalps are of no account with me and life is sweet
and ought not to be taken marcilessly by them that have white gifts The savage
was a Mingo its true and I make no doubt he is and will be as long as he
lives a raal riptyle and vagabond but thats no reason I should forget my
gifts and colour No no let him go if ever we meet agin rifle in hand
why then twill be seen which has the stoutest heart and the quickest eye
Hawkeye Thats not a bad name for a warrior sounding much more manful and
valiant than Deerslayer Twouldnt be a bad title to begin with and it has
been fairly arned If twas Chingachgook now he might go home and boast of
his deeds and the chiefs would name him Hawkeye in a minute but it dont
become white blood to brag and tisnt easy to see how the matter can be known
unless I do Well well every thing is in the hands of Providence this
affair as well as another and Ill trust to that for getting my desarts in all
things«
Having thus betrayed what might be termed his weak spot the young man
continued to paddle in silence making his way diligently and as fast as his
tows would allow him towards the castle By this time the sun had not only
risen but it had appeared over the eastern mountains and was shedding a flood
of glorious light on this as yet unchristened sheet of water The whole scene
was radiant with beauty and no one unaccustomed to the ordinary history of the
woods would fancy it had so lately witnessed incidents so ruthless and
barbarous As he approached the building of old Hutter Deerslayer thought or
rather felt that its appearance was in singular harmony with all the rest of
the scene Although nothing had been consulted but strength and security the
rude massive logs covered with their rough bark the projecting roof and the
form would contribute to render the building picturesque in almost any
situation while its actual position added novelty and piquancy to its other
points of interest
When Deerslayer drew nearer to the castle however objects of interest
presented themselves that at once eclipsed any beauties that might have
distinguished the scenery of the lake and the site of the singular edifice
Judith and Hetty stood on the platform awaiting his approach with manifest
anxiety the former from time to time taking a survey of his person and of the
canoes through the old ships spy glass that has been already mentioned Never
probably did this girl seem more brilliantly beautiful than at that moment the
flush of anxiety and alarm increasing her colour to its richest tints while the
softness of her eyes a charm that even poor Hetty shared with her was deepened
by intense concern Such at least without pausing or pretending to analyze
motives or to draw any other very nice distinctions between cause and effect
were the opinions of the young man as his canoes reached the side of the Ark
where he carefully fastened all three before he put his foot on the platform
Chapter VIII
»His words are bonds his oaths are oracles
His love sincere his thoughts immaculate
His tears pure messengers sent from his heart
His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth«
Two Gentlemen of Verona IIvii7578
Neither of the girls spoke as Deerslayer stood before them alone his
countenance betraying all the apprehension he felt on account of the two absent
members of their party
»Father« Judith at length exclaimed succeeding in uttering the word as it
might be by a desperate effort
»Hes met with misfortune and theres no use in concealing it« answered
Deerslayer in his direct and simpleminded manner »He and Hurry are in Mingo
hands and Heaven only knows whats to be the tarmination Ive got all the
canoes safe and thats a consolation since the vagabonds will have to swim for
it or raft off to come near this place At sunset well be reinforced by
Chingachgook if I can manage to get him into a canoe and then I think we two
can answer for the ark and the castle till some of the officers in the
garrisons hear of this warpath which sooner or later must be the case when
we may look for succour from that quarter if from no other«
»The officers« exclaimed Judith impatiently her colour deepening and her
eye expressing a lively but passing emotion »Who thinks or speaks of the
heartless gallants now We are sufficient of ourselves to defend the castle
but what of my father and of poor Hurry Harry«
»Tis natural you should feel this consarn for your own parent Judith and
I suppose its equally so that you should feel it for Hurry Harry too«
Deerslayer then commenced a succinct but clear narrative of all that
occurred during the night in no manner concealing what had befallen his two
companions or his own opinion of what might prove to be the consequences The
girls listened with profound attention but neither betrayed that feminine
apprehension and concern which would have followed such a communication when
made to those who were less accustomed to the hazards and incidents of a
frontier life To the surprise of Deerslayer Judith seemed the most distressed
Hetty listening eagerly but appearing to brood over the facts in melancholy
silence rather than betraying any outward signs of feeling The formers
agitation the young man did not fail to attribute to the interest she felt in
Hurry quite as much as to her filial love while Hettys apparent indifference
was ascribed to that mental darkness which in a measure obscured her
intellect and which possibly prevented her from foreseeing all the
consequences Little was said however by either Judith and her sister busying
themselves in making their preparations for the morning meal as they who
habitually attend to such matters toil on mechanically even in the midst of
suffering and sorrow The plain but nutritious breakfast was taken by all three
in sombre silence The girls ate little but Deerslayer gave proof of possessing
one material requisite of a good soldier that of preserving his appetite in the
midst of the most alarming and embarrassing circumstances The meal was nearly
ended before a syllable was uttered then however Judith spoke in the
convulsive and hurried manner in which feeling breaks through restraint after
the latter has become more painful than even the betrayal of emotions
»Father would have relished this fish« she exclaimed »he says the salmon
of the lakes is almost as good as the salmon of the sea«
»Your father has been acquainted with the sea they tell me Judith«
returned the young man who could not forbear throwing a glance of inquiry at
the girl for in common with all who knew Hutter he had some curiosity on the
subject of his early history »Hurry Harry tells he was once a sailor«
Judith first looked perplexed then influenced by feelings that were novel
to her in more ways than one she became suddenly communicative and seemingly
much interested in the discourse
»If Hurry knows any thing of fathers history I would he had told it to
me« she cried »Sometimes I think too he was once a sailor and then again I
think he was not If that chest were open or if it could speak it might let us
into his whole history But its fastenings are too strong to be broken like
packthread«
Deerslayer turned to the chest in question and for the first time examined
it closely Although discolored and bearing proofs of having received much ill
treatment he saw that it was of materials and workmanship altogether superior
to any thing of the same sort he had ever before beheld The wood was dark
rich and had once been highly polished though the treatment it had received
left little gloss on its surface and various scratches and indentations proved
the rough collisions that it had encountered with substances still harder than
itself The corners were firmly bound with steel elaborately and richly
wrought while the locks of which it had no less than three and the hinges
were of a fashion and workmanship that would have attracted attention even in a
warehouse of curious furniture This chest was quite large and when Deerslayer
arose and endeavored to raise an end by its massive handle he found that the
weight fully corresponded with the external appearance
»Did you never see that chest opened Judith« the young man demanded with
frontier freedom for delicacy on such subjects was little felt among the people
on the verge of civilization in that age even if it be today
»Never Father has never opened it in my presence if he ever opens it at
all No one here has ever seen its lid raised unless it be father nor do I
even know that he has ever seen it«
»Now youre wrong Judith« Hetty quietly answered »Father has raised the
lid and Ive seen him do it«
A feeling of manliness kept the mouth of Deerslayer shut for while he
would not have hesitated about going far beyond what would be thought the bounds
of propriety in questioning the elder sister he had just scruples about taking
what might be thought an advantage of the feeble intellect of the younger
Judith being under no such restraint however turned quickly to the last
speaker and continued the discourse
»When and where did you ever see that chest opened Hetty«
»Here and again and again Father often opens it when you are away
though he dont in the least mind my being by and seeing all he does as well
as hearing all he says«
»And what is it that he does and what does he say«
»That I cannot tell you Judith « returned the other in a low but resolute
voice »Fathers secrets are not my secrets«
»Secrets This is stranger still Deerslayer that father should tell them
to Hetty and not tell them to me«
»Theres good reason for that Judith though youre not to know it
Fathers not here to answer for himself and Ill say no more about it«
Judith and Deerslayer looked surprised and for a minute the first seemed
pained But suddenly recollecting herself she turned away from her sister as
if in pity for her weakness and addressed the young man
»Youve told but half your story« she said »breaking off at the place
where you went to sleep in the canoe or rather where you rose to listen to
the cry of the loon We heard the call of the loons too and thought their cries
might bring a storm though we are little used to tempests on this lake at this
season of the year«
»The winds blow and the tempests howl as God pleases sometimes at one
season and sometimes at another« answered Deerslayer »and the loons speak
accordin to their natur Better would it be if men were as honest and frank
After I rose to listen to the birds finding it could not be Hurrys signal I
lay down and slept When the day dawned I was up and stirring as usual and
then I went in chase of the two canoes lest the Mingos should lay hands on
em«
»You have not told us all Deerslayer« said Judith earnestly »We heard
rifles under the eastern mountain the echoes were full and long and came so
soon after the reports that the pieces must have been fired on or quite near to
the shore Our ears are used to these signs and are not to be deceived«
»Theyve done their duty gal this time yes theyve done their duty
Rifles have been sighted this morning ay and triggers pulled too though not
as often as they might have been One warrior has gone to his happy hunting
grounds and thats the whole of it A man of white blood and white gifts is
not to be expected to boast of his explites and to flourish scalps«
Judith listened almost breathlessly and when Deerslayer in his quiet
modest manner seemed disposed to quit the subject she rose and crossing the
room took a seat by his side The manner of the girl had nothing forward about
it though it betrayed the quick instinct of a females affection and the
sympathizing kindness of a womans heart She even took the hard hand of the
hunter and pressed it in both her own unconsciously to herself perhaps while
she looked earnestly and even reproachfully into his sun burned face
»You have been fighting the savages Deerslayer singly and by yourself«
she said »In your wish to take care of us of Hetty of me perhaps youve
fought the enemy bravely with no eye to encourage your deeds or to witness
your fall had it pleased Providence to suffer so great a calamity«
»Ive fout Judith yes I have fout the inimy and that too for the
first time in my life These things must be and they bring with em a mixd
feelin of sorrow and triumph Human natur is a fightin natur I suppose as
all nations and colours kill in battle and we must be true to our rights and
gifts What has yet been done is no great matter but should Chingachgook come
to the rock this evening as is agreed atween us and I get him off it
onbeknown to the savages or if known to them agin their wishes and designs
then may we all look to something like warfare afore the Mingos shall get
possession of either the castle or the Ark or yourselves«
»Who is this Chingachgook from what place does he come and why does he
come here«
»The questions are natral and right I suppose though the youth has a
great name already in his own part of the country Chingachgook is a Mohican
by blood consorting with the Delawares by usage as is the case with most of
his tribe which has long been broken up by the increase of our colour He is of
the family of the great chiefs Uncas his father having been the
considerablest warrior and counsellor of his people Even old Tamenund honors
Chingachgook though he is thought to be yet too young to lead in war and then
the nation is so disparsed and diminished that chieftainship among em has got
to be little more than a name Well this war having commenced in arnest the
Delaware and I rendezvousd an appintment to meet this evening at sunset on
the rendezvousrock at the foot of this very lake intending to come out on our
first hostile expedition agin the Mingos Why we come exactly thisaway is
our own secret but thoughtful young men on a warpath as you may suppose do
nothing without a calculation and a design«
»A Delaware can have no unfriendly intentions towards us« said Judith
after a moments hesitation »and we know you to be friendly«
»Treachery is the last crime I hope to be accused of« returned Deerslayer
hurt at the gleam of distrust that had shot through Judiths mind »and least
of all treachery to my own colour«
»No one suspects you Deerslayer« the girl impetuously cried »No no
your honest countenance would be a sufficient surety for the truth of a
thousand hearts If all men had as honest tongues and no more promised what
they did not mean to perform there would be less wrong done in the world and
fine feathers and scarlet cloaks would not be thought excuses for baseness and
deception«
The girl spoke with strong nay even with convulsed feeling and her fine
eyes usually so soft and alluring flashed fire as she concluded Deerslayer
could not but observe this extraordinary emotion but with the tact of a
courtier he avoided not only any allusion to the circumstance but succeeded in
concealing the effect of his discovery on himself Judith gradually grew calm
again and as she was obviously anxious to appear to advantage in the eyes of
the young man she was soon able to renew the conversation as composedly as if
nothing had occurred to disturb her
»I have no right to look into your secrets or the secrets of your friends
Deerslayer« she continued »and am ready to take all you say on trust If we
can really get another male ally to join us at this trying moment it will aid
us much and I am not without hopes that when the savages find we are able to
keep the lake they will offer to give up their prisoners in exchange for skins
or at least for the keg of powder that we have in the house«
The young man had the words scalps and bounty on his lips but a reluctance
to alarm the feelings of the daughters prevented him from making the allusion
he had intended to the probable fate of their father Still so little was he
practised in the arts of deception that his expressive countenance was of
itself understood by the quick witted Judith whose intelligence had been
sharpened by the risks and habits of her forest life
»I understand what you mean« she continued hurriedly »and what you would
say but for the fear of hurting me us I mean for Hetty loves her father
quite as well as I do But this is not as we think of Indians They never scalp
an unhurt prisoner but would rather take him away alive unless indeed the
fierce wish for torturing should get the mastery of them I fear nothing for my
fathers scalp and little for his life Could they steal on us in the night
we should all probably suffer in this way but men taken in open strife are
seldom injured not at least until the time of torture comes«
»Thats tradition Ill allow and its accordin to practise but Judith
do you know the arnd on which your father and Hurry went agin the savages«
»I do and a cruel errand it was But what will you have Men will be men
and some even that flaunt in their gold and silver and carry the kings
commission in their pockets are not guiltless of equal cruelty « Judiths eye
again flashed but by a desperate struggle she resumed her composure »I get
warm when I think of all the wrong that men do« she added affecting to smile
an effort in which she only succeeded indifferently well »All this is silly
What is done is done and it cannot be mended by complaints But the Indians
think so little of the shedding of blood and value men so much for the boldness
of their undertakings that did they know the business on which their prisoners
came they would be more likely to honor than to injure them for it«
»For a time Judith yes I allow that for a time But when that feelin
dies away then will come the love of revenge We must indivour Chingachgook
and I we must indivour to see what we can do to get Hurry and your father
free for the Mingos will no doubt hover about this lake some days in order to
make the most of their success«
»You think this Delaware can be depended on Deerslayer« demanded the girl
thoughtfully
»As much as I can myself You say you do not suspect me Judith«
»You« taking his hand again and pressing it between her own with a warmth
that might have awakened the vanity of one less simpleminded and more disposed
to dwell on his own good qualities »I would as soon suspect a brother I have
known you but a day Deerslayer but it has awakened the confidence of a year
Your name however is not unknown to me for the gallants of the garrisons
frequently speak of the lessons you have given them in hunting and all proclaim
your honesty«
»Do they ever talk of the shooting gal « inquired the other eagerly
after however laughing in a silent but heartfelt manner »Do they ever talk
of the shooting I want to hear nothing about my own for if that isnt
sartified to by this time in all these parts theres little use in being
skilful and sure but what do the officers say of their own yes what do they
say of their own Arms as they call it is their trade and yet theres some
among em that know very little how to use em«
»Such I hope will not be the case with your friend Chingachgook as you
call him what is the English of his Indian name«
»Big Sarpent So called for his wisdom and cunning Uncas is his raal
name all his family being called Uncas until they get a title that has been
arned by deeds«
»If he has all this wisdom we may expect a useful friend in him unless his
own business in this part of the country should prevent him from serving us«
»I see no great harm in telling you his arnd ater all and as you may
find means to help us I will let you and Hetty into the whole matter trusting
that youll keep the secret as if it was your own You must know that
Chingachgook is a comely Injin and is much lookd upon and admired by the young
women of his tribe both on account of his family and on account of himself
Now there is a chief that has a darter called WahtaWah which is intarpreted
into HistohHist in the English tongue the rarest gal among the Delawares
and the one most sought ater and craved for a wife by all the young warriors
of the nation Well Chingachgook among others took a fancy to WahtaWah and
WahtaWah took a fancy to him« Here Deerslayer paused an instant for as he
got thus far in his tale Hetty Hutter arose approached and stood attentive
at his knee as a child draws near to listen to the legends of its mother »Yes
he fancied her and she fancied him« resumed Deerslayer casting a friendly and
approving glance at the innocent and interested girl »and when that is the
case and all the elders are agreed it does not often happen that the young
couple keep apart Chingachgook couldnt well carry off such a prize without
making inimies among them that wanted her as much as he did himself A sartain
Briarthorn as we call him in English or Yocommon as he is tarmed in Injin
took it most to heart and we mistrust him of having a hand in all that
followed WahtaWah went with her father and mother two moons ago to fish
for salmon on the western streams where it is agreed by all in these parts
that fish most abounds and while thus emplyd the gal vanished For several
weeks we could get no tidings of her but here ten days since a runner that
came through the Delaware country brought us a message by which we larn that
WahtaWah was stolen from her people we think but do not know it by
Briarthorns sarcumventions and that she was now with the inimy who had
adopted her and who wanted her to marry a young Mingo chief The message said
that the party intended to hunt and forage through this region for a month or
two afore it went back into the Canadas and that if we could contrive to get
on a scout in this quarter something might turn up that would lead to our
getting the maiden off«
»And how does that concern you Deerslayer« demanded Judith a little
anxiously
»It consarns me as all things that touches a frind consarn a frind Im
here as Chingachgooks aid and helper and if we can get the young maiden he
likes back agin it will give me almost as much pleasure as if Id got back my
own sweetheart«
»And where then is your sweetheart Deerslayer«
»Shes in the forest Judith hanging from the boughs of the trees in a
soft rain in the dew on the open grass the clouds that float about in the
blue heavens the birds that sing in the woods the sweet springs where I
slake my thirst and in all the other glorious gifts that come from Gods
Providence«
»You mean that as yet youve never loved one of my sex but love best
your haunts and your own manner of life«
»Thats it thats just it I am white have a white heart and cant in
reason love a red skinned maiden who must have a redskin heart and feelins
No no Im sound enough in them particlars and hope to remain so at
least till this war is over I find my time too much taken up with
Chingachgooks affair to wish to have one of my own on my hands afore that is
settled«
»The girl that finally wins you Deerslayer will at least win an honest
heart one without treachery or guile and that will be a victory that most of
her sex ought to envy«
As Judith uttered this her beautiful face had a resentful frown on it
while a bitter smile lingered around a mouth that no derangement of the muscles
could render any thing but handsome Her companion observed the change and
though little skilled in the workings of the female heart he had sufficient
native delicacy to understand that it might be well to drop the subject
As the hour when Chingachgook was expected still remained distant
Deerslayer had time enough to examine into the state of the defences and to
make such additional arrangements as were in his power and the exigency of the
moment seemed to require The experience and foresight of Hutter had left little
to be done in these particulars still several precautions suggested themselves
to the young man who may be said to have studied the art of frontier warfare
through the traditions and legends of the people among whom he had so long
lived The distance between the castle and the nearest point on the shore
prevented any apprehensions on the subject of rifle bullets thrown from the
land The house was within musket shot in one sense it was true but aim was
entirely out of the question and even Judith professed a perfect disregard of
any danger from that source So long then as the party remained in possession of
the fortress they were safe unless their assailants could find the means to
come off and carry it by fire or storm or by some of the devices of Indian
cunning and Indian treachery Against the first source of danger Hutter had made
ample provision and the building itself the bark roof excepted was not very
combustible The floor was scuttled in several places and buckets provided with
ropes were in daily use in readiness for any such emergency One of the girls
could easily extinguish any fire that might be lighted provided it had not time
to make much headway Judith who appeared to understand all her fathers
schemes of defence and who had the spirit to take no unimportant share in the
execution of them explained all these details to the young man who was thus
saved much time and labor in making his investigations
Little was to be apprehended during the day In possession of the canoes
and of the Ark no other vessel was to be found on the lake Nevertheless
Deerslayer well knew that a raft was soon made and as dead trees were to be
found in abundance near the water did the savages seriously contemplate the
risks of an assault it would not be a very difficult matter to find the
necessary means The celebrated American axe a tool that is quite unrivalled in
its way was then not very extensively known and the savages were far from
expert in the use of its hatchetlike substitute still they had sufficient
practice in crossing streams by this mode to render it certain they would
construct a raft should they deem it expedient to expose themselves to the
risks of an assault The death of their warrior might prove a sufficient
incentive or it might act as a caution but Deerslayer thought it more than
possible that the succeeding night would bring matters to a crisis and in this
precise way This impression caused him to wish ardently for the presence and
succour of his Mohican friend and to look forward to the approach of sunset
with an increasing anxiety
As the day advanced the party in the castle matured their plans and made
their preparations Judith was active and seemed to find a pleasure in
consulting and advising with her new acquaintance whose indifference to danger
manly devotion to herself and sister guilelessness of manner and truth of
feeling had won rapidly on both her imagination and her affections Although the
hours appeared long in some respects to Deerslayer Judith did not find them so
and when the sun began to descend towards the pineclad summits of the western
hills she felt and expressed her surprise that the day should so soon be
drawing to a close On the other hand Hetty was moody and silent She was never
loquacious or if she occasionally became communicative it was under the
influence of some temporary excitement that served to arouse her
unsophisticated mind but for hours at a time in the course of this
allimportant day she seemed to have absolutely lost the use of her tongue Nor
did apprehension on account of their father materially affect the manner of
either sister Neither appeared seriously to dread any evil greater than
captivity and once or twice when Hetty did speak she intimated the
expectation that Hutter would find the means to liberate himself Although
Judith was less sanguine on this head she too betrayed the hope that
propositions for a ransom would come when the Indians discovered that the
castle set their expedients and artifices at defiance Deerslayer however
treated these passing suggestions as the ill digested fancies of girls making
his own arrangements as steadily and brooding over the future as seriously as
if they had never fallen from their lips
At length the hour arrived when it became necessary to proceed to the place
of rendezvous appointed with the Mohican or Delaware as Chingachgook was more
commonly called As the plan had been matured by Deerslayer and fully
communicated to his companions all three set about its execution in concert
and intelligently Hetty passed into the ark and fastening two of the canoes
together she entered one and paddled up to a sort of gateway in the
palisadoes that surrounded the building through which she carried both
securing them beneath the house by chains that were fastened within the
building These palisadoes were trunks of trees driven firmly into the mud and
served the double purpose of a small enclosure that was intended to be used in
this very manner and to keep any enemy that might approach in boats at arms
length Canoes thus docked were in a measure hid from sight and as the gate
was properly barred and fastened it would not be an easy task to remove them
even in the event of their being seen Previously however to closing the gate
Judith also entered within the enclosure with the third canoe leaving
Deerslayer busy in securing the door and windows inside the building over her
head As every thing was massive and strong and small saplings were used as
bars it would have been the work of an hour or two to break into the building
when Deerslayer had ended his task even allowing the assailants the use of any
tools but the axe and to be unresisted This attention to security arose from
Hutters having been robbed once or twice by the lawless whites of the
frontiers during some of his many absences from home
As soon as all was fast in the inside of the dwelling Deerslayer appeared
at a trap from which he descended into the canoe of Judith When this was done
he fastened the door with a massive staple and stout padlock Hetty was then
received in the canoe which was shoved outside of the palisadoes The next
precaution was to fasten the gate and the keys were carried into the Ark The
three were now fastened out of the dwelling which could only be entered by
violence or by following the course taken by the young man in quitting it
The glass had been brought outside as a preliminary step and Deerslayer
next took a careful survey of the entire shore of the lake as far as his own
position would allow Not a living thing was visible a few birds excepted and
even the last fluttered about in the shade of the trees as if unwilling to
encounter the heat of a sultry afternoon All the nearest points in particular
were subjected to a severe scrutiny in order to make certain that no raft was
in preparation the result every where giving the same picture of calm solitude
A few words will explain the greatest embarrassment belonging to the situation
of our party Exposed themselves to the observation of any watchful eyes the
movements of their enemies were concealed by the drapery of a dense forest
While the imagination would be very apt to people the latter with more warriors
than it really contained their own weakness must be too apparent to all who
might choose to cast a glance in their direction
»Nothing is stirring howsever« exclaimed Deerslayer as he finally lowered
the glass and prepared to enter the Ark »If the vagabonds do harbor mischief
in their minds they are too cunning to let it be seen its true a raft may be
in preparation in the woods but it has not yet been brought down to the lake
They cant guess that we are about to quit the castle and if they did theyve
no means of knowing where we intend to go«
»This is so true Deerslayer« returned Judith »that now all is ready we
may proceed at once boldly and without the fear of being followed Else we
shall be behind our time«
»No no the matter needs management for though the savages are in the
dark as to Chingachgook and the rock theyve eyes and legs and will see in
what direction we steer and will be sartain to follow us I shall strive to
baffle em howsever by heading the scow in all manner of ways first in one
quarter and then in another until they get to be alegweary and well tired
of tramping ater us«
So far as it was in his power Deerslayer was as good as his word In less
than five minutes after this speech was made the whole party was in the Ark
and in motion There was a gentle breeze from the north and boldly hoisting the
sail the young man laid the head of the unwieldy craft in such a direction as
after making a liberal but necessary allowance for leeway would have brought
it ashore a couple of miles down the lake and on its eastern side The sailing
of the Ark was never very swift though floating as it did on the surface it
was not difficult to get it in motion or to urge it along over the water at
the rate of some three or four miles in the hour The distance between the
Castle and the Rock was a little more than two leagues Knowing the punctuality
of an Indian Deerslayer had made his calculations closely and had given
himself a little more time than was necessary to reach the place of rendezvous
with a view to delay or to press his arrival as might prove most expedient
When he hoisted the sail the sun lay above the western hills at an elevation
that promised rather more than two hours of day and a few minutes satisfied him
that the progress of the scow was such as to equal his expectations
It was a glorious June afternoon and never did that solitary sheet of water
seem less like an arena of strife and bloodshed The light air scarce descended
as low as the bed of the lake hovering over it as if unwilling to disturb its
deep tranquility or to ruffle its mirrorlike surface Even the forests
appeared to be slumbering in the sun and a few piles of fleecy clouds had lain
for hours along the northern horizon like fixtures in the atmosphere placed
there purely to embellish the scene A few aquatic fowls occasionally skimmed
along the water and a single raven was visible sailing high above the trees
and keeping a watchful eye on the forest beneath him in order to detect any
thing having life that the mysterious woods might offer as prey
The reader will probably have observed that amidst the frankness and
abruptness of manner which marked the frontier habits of Judith her language
was superior to that used by her male companions her own father included This
difference extended as well to pronunciation as to the choice of words and
phrases Perhaps nothing so soon betrays the education and association as the
modes of speech and few accomplishments so much aid the charm of female beauty
as a graceful and even utterance while nothing so soon produces the
disenchantment that necessarily follows a discrepancy between appearance and
manner as a mean intonation of voice or a vulgar use of words Judith and her
sister were marked exceptions to all the girls of their class along that whole
frontier the officers of the nearest garrison having often flattered the former
with the belief that few ladies of the towns acquitted themselves better than
herself in this important particular This was far from being literally true
but it was sufficiently near the fact to give birth to the compliment The girls
were indebted to their mother for this proficiency having acquired from her in
childhood an advantage that no subsequent study or labor can give without a
drawback if neglected beyond the earlier periods of life Who that mother was
or rather had been no one but Hutter knew She had now been dead two summers
and as was stated by Hurry she had been buried in the lake whether in
indulgence of a prejudice or from a reluctance to take the trouble to dig her
grave had frequently been a matter of discussion between the rude beings of
that region Judith had never visited the spot but Hetty was present at the
interment and she often paddled a canoe about sunset or by the light of the
moon to the place and gazed down into the limpid water in the hope of being
able to catch a glimpse of a form that she had so tenderly loved from infancy
to the sad hour of their parting
»Must we reach the rock exactly at the moment the sun sets« Judith
demanded of the young man as they stood near each other Deerslayer holding the
steeringoar and she working with a needle at some ornament of dress that much
exceeded her station in life and was altogether a novelty in the woods »Will a
few minutes sooner or later alter the matter it will be very hazardous to
remain long as near the shore as that Rock«
»Thats it Judith thats the very difficulty The Rocks within pint
blank for a shotgun and twill never do to hover about it too close and too
long When you have to deal with an Injin you must calculate and manage for a
red natur dearly likes sarcumvention Now you see Judith that I do not steer
towards the rock at all but here to the eastward of it whereby the savages
will be tramping off in that direction and get their legs awearied and all for
no advantage«
»You think then they see us and watch our movements Deerslayer I was in
hopes they might have fallen back into the woods and left us to ourselves for
a few hours«
»Thats altogether a womans consait Theres no letup in an Injins
watchfulness when hes fairly on a war path and eyes are on us at this minute
though the lake presarves us We must draw near the rock on a calculation and
indivour to get the miscreants on a false scent The Mingos have good noses
they tell me but a white mans reason ought always to equalize their instinct«
Judith now entered into a desultory discourse with Deerslayer in which the
girl betrayed her growing interest in the young man an interest that his
simplicity of mind and her decision of character sustained as it was by the
consciousness awakened by the consideration her personal charms so universally
produced rendered her less anxious to conceal than might otherwise have been
the case She was scarcely forward in her manner though there was sometimes a
freedom in her glances that it required all the aids of her exceeding beauty to
prevent from awakening suspicions unfavorable to her discretion if not to her
morals With Deerslayer however these glances were rendered less obnoxious to
so unpleasant a construction for she seldom looked at him without discovering
much of the sincerity and nature that accompany the purest emotions of woman It
was a little remarkable that as his captivity lengthened neither of the girls
manifested any great concern for her father but as has been said already
their habits gave them confidence and they looked forward to his liberation by
means of a ransom with a confidence that might in a great degree account for
their apparent indifference Once before Hutter had been in the hands of the
Iroquois and a few skins had readily effected his release This event however
unknown to the sisters had occurred in a time of peace between England and
France and when the savages were restrained instead of being encouraged to
commit their excesses by the policy of the different colonial governments
While Judith was loquacious and caressing in her manner Hetty remained
thoughtful and silent Once indeed she drew near to Deerslayer and questioned
him a little closely as to his intentions as well as concerning the mode of
effecting his purpose but her wish to converse went no farther As soon as her
simple queries were answered and answered they all were in the fullest and
kindest manner she withdrew to her seat and continued to work on a coarse
garment that she was making for her father sometimes humming a low melancholy
air and frequently sighing
In this manner the time passed away and when the sun was beginning to glow
behind the fringe of pines that bounded the western hill or about twenty
minutes before it actually set the Ark was nearly as low as the point where
Hutter and Hurry had been made prisoners By sheering first to one side of the
lake and then to the other Deerslayer managed to create an uncertainty as to
his object and doubtless the savages who were unquestionably watching his
movements were led to believe that his aim was to communicate with them at or
near this spot and would hasten in that direction in order to be in readiness
to profit by circumstances This artifice was well managed since the sweep of
the bay the curvature of the lake and the low marshy land that intervened
would probably allow the Ark to reach the rock before its pursuers if really
collected near the point could have time to make the circuit that would be
required to get there by land With a view to aid this deception Deerslayer
stood as near the western shore as was at all prudent and then causing
Judith and Hetty to enter the house or cabin and crouching himself so as to
conceal his person by the frame of the scow he suddenly threw the head of the
latter round and began to make the best of his way towards the outlet Favored
by an increase in the wind the progress of the Ark was such as to promise the
complete success of this plan though the crablike movement of the craft
compelled the helmsman to keep its head looking in a direction very different
from that in which it was actually moving
Chapter IX
»Yet art thou prodigal of smiles
Smiles sweeter than thy frowns are stern
Earth sends from all her thousand isles
A shout at thy return
The glory that comes down from thee
Bathes in deep joy the land and sea«
Bryant »The Firmament« ll1924
It may assist the reader in understanding the events we are about to record if
he has a rapidly sketched picture of the scene placed before his eyes at a
single view It will be remembered that the lake was an irregularly shaped
basin of an outline that in the main was oval but with bays and points to
relieve its formality and ornament its shores The surface of this beautiful
sheet of water was now glittering like a gem in the last rays of the evening
sun and the setting of the whole hills clothed in the richest forest verdure
was lighted up with a sort of radiant smile that is best described in the
beautiful lines we have placed at the head of this chapter As the banks with
few exceptions rose abruptly from the water even where the mountain did not
immediately bound the view there was a nearly unbroken fringe of leaves
overhanging the placid lake the trees starting out of the acclivities
inclining to the light until in many instances they extended their long limbs
and straight trunks some forty or fifty feet beyond the line of the
perpendicular In these cases we allude only to the giants of the forest pines
of a hundred or a hundred and fifty feet in height for of the smaller growth
very many inclined so far as to steep their lower branches in the water
In the position in which the Ark had now got the castle was concealed from
view by the projection of a point as indeed was the northern extremity of the
lake itself A respectable mountain forest clad and rounded like all the
rest limited the view in that direction stretching immediately across the
whole of the fair scene with the exception of a deep bay that passed its
western end lengthening the basin for more than a mile The manner in which
the water flowed out of the lake beneath the leafy arches of the trees that
lined the sides of the stream has already been mentioned and it has also been
said that the rock which was a favorite place of rendezvous throughout all that
region and where Deerslayer now expected to meet his friend stood near this
outlet and at no great distance from the shore It was a large isolated stone
that rested on the bottom of the lake apparently left there when the waters
tore away the earth from around it in forcing for themselves a passage down the
river and which had obtained its shape from the action of the elements during
the slow progress of centuries The height of this rock could scarcely equal six
feet and as has been said its shape was not unlike that which is usually
given to beehives or to a haycock The latter indeed gives the best idea
not only of its form but of its dimensions It stood and still stands for we
are writing of real scenes within fifty feet of the bank and in water that was
only two feet in depth though there were seasons in which its rounded apex if
such a term can properly be used was covered by the lake Many of the trees
stretched so far forward as almost to blend the rock with the shore when seen
from a little distance and one tall pine in particular overhung it in a way to
form a noble and appropriate canopy to a seat that had held many a forest
chieftain during the long succession of unknown ages in which America and all
it contained had existed apart in mysterious solitude a world by itself
equally without a familiar history and without an origin that the annals of man
can reach
When distant some two or three hundred feet from the shore Deerslayer took
in his sail He dropped his grapnel as soon as he found the Ark had drifted in
a line that was directly to windward of the rock The motion of the scow was
then checked when it was brought head to wind by the action of the breeze As
soon as this was done Deerslayer paid out line and suffered the vessel to set
down upon the rock as fast as the light air could force it to leeward Floating
entirely on the surface this was soon effected and the young man checked the
drift when he was told that the stern of the scow was within fifteen or eighteen
feet of the desired spot
In executing this manoeuvre Deerslayer had proceeded promptly for while
he did not in the least doubt that he was both watched and followed by the foe
he believed he had distracted their movements by the apparent uncertainty of
his own and he knew they could have no means of ascertaining that the rock was
his aim unless indeed one of their prisoners had betrayed him a chance so
improbable in itself as to give him no concern Notwithstanding the celerity
and decision of his movements he did not however venture so near the shore
without taking due precautions to effect a retreat in the event of its becoming
necessary He held the line in his hand and Judith was stationed at a loop on
the side of the cabin next the shore where she could watch the beach and the
rock and give timely notice of the approach of either friend or foe Hetty was
also placed on watch but it was to keep the trees over head in view lest some
enemy might ascend one and by completely commanding the interior of the scow
render the defences of the hut or cabin useless
The sun had disappeared from the lake and valley when Deerslayer checked
the Ark in the manner mentioned Still it wanted a few minutes to the true
sunset and he knew Indian punctuality too well to anticipate any unmanly haste
in his friend The great question was whether surrounded by enemies as he was
known to be he had escaped their toils The occurrences of the last twentyfour
hours must be a secret to him and like himself Chingachgook was yet young on a
warpath It was true he came prepared to encounter the party that withheld his
promised bride but he had no means of ascertaining the extent of the danger he
run or the precise positions occupied by either friends or foes In a word
the trained sagacity and untiring caution of an Indian were all he had to rely
on amid the critical risks he unavoidably ran
»Is the rock empty Judith« enquired Deerslayer as soon as he had checked
the drift of the Ark deeming it imprudent to venture unnecessarily near the
shore »Is any thing to be seen of the Delaware chief«
»Nothing Deerslayer Neither rock shore trees nor lake seems to have
ever held a human form«
»Keep close Judith keep close Hetty a rifle has a prying eye a nimble
foot and a desperate fatal tongue Keep close then but keep up actyve looks
and be on the alart T would grieve me to the heart did any harm befal either
of you«
»And you Deerslayer « exclaimed Judith turning her handsome face from the
loop to bestow a gracious and grateful look on the young man »do you keep
close and have a proper care that the savages do not catch a glimpse of you A
bullet might be as fatal to you as to one of us and the blow that you felt
would be felt by us all«
»No fear of me Judith no fear of me my good gal Do not look thisaway
although you look so pleasant and comely but keep your eyes on the rock and
the shore and the «
Deerslayer was interrupted by a slight exclamation from the girl who in
obedience to his hurried gestures as much as in obedience to his words had
immediately bent her looks again in the opposite direction
»What ist What ist Judith« he hastily demanded »Is any thing to be
seen«
»There is a man on the rock An Indian warrior in his paint and armed«
»Where does he wear his hawks feather« eagerly added Deerslayer relaxing
his hold of the line in readiness to drift nearer to the place of rendezvous
»Is it fast to the warlock or does he carry it above the left ear«
»Tis as you say above the left ear he smiles too and mutters the word
Mohican«
»God be praised tis the Sarpent at last« exclaimed the young man
suffering the line to slip through his hands until hearing a light bound in
the other end of the craft he instantly checked the rope and began to haul it
in again under the assurance that his object was effected
At that moment the door of the cabin was opened hastily and a warrior
darting through the little room stood at Deerslayers side simply uttering the
exclamation »hughh« At the next instant Judith and Hetty shrieked and the air
was filled with the yell of twenty savages who came leaping through the
branches down the bank some actually falling headlong into the water in their
haste
»Pull Deerslayer« cried Judith hastily barring the door in order to
prevent an inroad by the passage through which the Delaware had just entered
»pull for life and death the lake is full of savages wading after us«
The young men for Chingachgook immediately came to his friends assistance
needed no second bidding but they applied themselves to their task in a way
that showed how urgent they deemed the occasion The great difficulty was in
suddenly overcoming the vis inertia of so large a mass for once in motion it
was easy to cause the scow to skim the water with all the necessary speed
»Pull Deerslayer for Heavens sake« cried Judith again at the loop
»These wretches rush into the water like hounds following their prey Ah the
scow moves and now the water deepens to the armpits of the foremost but
they reach forward and will seize the Ark«
A slight scream and then a joyous laugh followed from the girl the first
produced by a desperate effort of their pursuers and the last by its failure
the scow which had now got fairly in motion gliding ahead into deep water with
a velocity that set the designs of their enemies at nought As the two men were
prevented by the position of the cabin from seeing what passed astern they
were compelled to enquire of the girls into the state of the chase
»What now Judith What next Do the Mingos still follow or are we quit
of em for the present« demanded Deerslayer when he felt the rope yielding as
if the scow was going fast ahead and heard the scream and the laugh of the
girl almost in the same breath
»They have vanished One the last is just burying himself in the
bushes of the bank There he has disappeared in the shadows of the trees You
have got your friend and we are all safe«
The two men now made another great effort pulled the Ark up swiftly to the
grapnel tripped it and when the scow had shot some distance and lost its way
they let the anchor drop again Then for the first time since their meeting
they ceased their efforts As the floating house now lay several hundred feet
from the shore and offered a complete protection against bullets there was no
longer any danger or any motive for immediate exertion
The manner in which the two friends now recognised each other was highly
characteristic Chingachgook a noble tall handsome and athletic young Indian
warrior first examined his rifle with care opening the pan to make sure that
the priming was not wet and assured of this important fact he next cast
furtive but observant glances around him at the strange habitation and at the
two girls Still he spoke not and most of all did he avoid the betrayal of a
womanish curiosity by asking questions
»Judith and Hetty « said Deerslayer with an untaught natural courtesy
»this is the Mohican chief of whom youve heard me speak Chingachgook as he is
called which signifies Big Sarpent so named for his wisdom and prudence and
cunning and my arliest and latest frind I knowd it must be he by the
hawks feather over the left ear most other warriors wearing em on the
warlock«
As Deerslayer ceased speaking he laughed heartily excited more perhaps by
the delight of having got his friend safe at his side under circumstances so
trying than by any conceit that happened to cross his fancy and exhibiting
this outbreaking of feeling in a manner that was a little remarkable since his
merriment was not accompanied by any noise Although Chingachgook both
understood and spoke English he was unwilling to communicate his thoughts in
it like most Indians and when he had met Judiths cordial shake of the hand
and Hettys milder salute in the courteous manner that became a chief he
turned away apparently to await the moment when it might suit his friend to
enter into an explanation of his future intentions and to give a narrative of
what had passed since their separation The other understood his meaning and
discovered his own mode of reasoning in the matter by addressing the girls
»This wind will soon die away altogether now the sun is down« he said
»and there is no need for rowing agin it In half an hour or so it will
either be a flat calm or the air will come off from the south shore when we
will begin our journey back agin to the castle in the mean while the Delaware
and I will talk over matters and get correct idees of each others notions
consarning the course we ought to take«
No one opposed this proposition and the girls withdrew into the cabin to
prepare the evening meal while the two young men took their seats on the head
of the scow and began to converse The dialogue was in the language of the
Delawares As that dialect however is but little understood even by the
learned we shall not only on this but on all subsequent occasions render
such parts as it may be necessary to give closely into liberal English
preserving as far as possible the idioms and peculiarities of the respective
speakers by way of presenting the pictures in the most graphic forms to the
minds of the readers
It is unnecessary to enter into the details first related by Deerslayer who
gave a brief narrative of the facts that are already familiar to those who have
read our pages In relating these events however it may be well to say that
the speaker touched only on the outlines more particularly abstaining from
saying any thing about his encounter with and victory over the Iroquois as
well as to his own exertions in behalf of the two deserted young women When
Deerslayer ended the Delaware took up the narrative in turn speaking
sententiously and with grave dignity His account was both clear and short nor
was it embellished by any incidents that did not directly concern the history of
his departure from the villages of his people and his arrival in the valley of
the Susquehannah On reaching the latter which was at a point only half a mile
south of the outlet he had soon struck a trail which gave him notice of the
probable vicinity of enemies Being prepared for such an occurrence the object
of the expedition calling him directly into the neighborhood of the party of
Iroquois that was known to be out he considered the discovery as fortunate
rather than the reverse and took the usual precautions to turn it to account
First following the river to its source and ascertaining the position of the
rock he met another trail and had actually been hovering for hours on the
flanks of his enemies watching equally for an opportunity to meet his mistress
and to take a scalp and it may be questioned which he most ardently desired He
kept near the lake and occasionally he ventured to some spot where he could
get a view of what was passing on its surface The Ark had been seen and
watched from the moment it hove in sight though the young chief was
necessarily ignorant that it was to be the instrument of his effecting the
desired junction with his friend The uncertainty of its movements and the fact
that it was unquestionably managed by white men soon led him to conjecture the
truth however and he held himself in readiness to get on board whenever a
suitable occasion might offer As the sun drew near the horizon he repaired to
the rock where on emerging from the forest he was gratified in finding the
Ark lying apparently in readiness to receive him The manner of his appearance
and of his entrance into the craft is known
Although Chingachgook had been closely watching his enemies for hours their
sudden and close pursuit as he reached the scow was as much a matter of
surprise to himself as it had been to his friend He could only account for it
by the fact of their being more numerous than he had at first supposed and by
their having out parties of the existence of which he was ignorant Their
regular and permanent encampment if the word permanent can be applied to the
residence of a party that intended to remain out in all probability but a few
weeks was not far from the spot where Hutter and Hurry had fallen into their
hands and as a matter of course near a spring
»Well Sarpent« asked Deerslayer when the other had ended his brief but
spirited narrative speaking always in the Delaware tongue which for the
readers convenience only we render into the peculiar vernacular of the speaker
»Well Sarpent as youve been scouting around these Mingos have you any
thing to tell us of their captyves the father of these young women and of
another who I somewhat conclude is the lovyer of one of em«
»Chingachgook has seen them An old man and a young warrior the falling
hemlock and the tall pine«
»Youre not so much out Delaware youre not so much out Old Hutter is
decaying of a sartainty though many solid blocks might be hewn out of his
trunk yet and as for Hurry Harry so far as heighth and strength and
comliness go he may be called the pride of the human forest Were the men
bound or in any manner suffering torture I ask on account of the young
women who I dare to say would be glad to know«
»It is not so Deerslayer The Mingos are too many to cage their game Some
watch some sleep some scout some hunt The pale faces are treated like
brothers today tomorrow they will lose their scalps«
»Yes thats red natur and must be submitted to Judith and Hetty heres
comforting tidings for you the Delaware telling me that neither your father nor
Hurry Harry is in suffering but bating the loss of liberty as well off as we
are ourselves Of course they are kept in the camp otherwise they do much as
they please«
»I rejoice to hear this Deerslayer« returned Judith »and now we are
joined by your friend I make no manner of question that we shall find an
opportunity to ransom the prisoners If there are any women in the camp I have
articles of dress that will catch their eyes and should the worst come to the
worst we can open the great chest which I think will be found to hold things
that may tempt the chiefs«
»Judith« said the young man looking up at her with a smile and an
expression of earnest curiosity that spite of the growing obscurity did not
escape the watchful looks of the girl »can you find it in your heart to part
with your own finery to release prisoners even though one be your own father
and the other is your sworn suitor and lovyer«
The flush on the face of the girl arose in part from resentment but more
perhaps from a gentler and a novel feeling that with the capricious
waywardness of taste had been rapidly rendering her more sensitive to the good
opinion of the youth who questioned her than to that of any other person
Suppressing the angry sensation with instinctive quickness she answered with a
readiness and truth that caused her sister to draw near to listen though the
obtuse intellect of the latter was far from comprehending the workings of a
heart as treacherous as uncertain and as impetuous in its feelings as that of
the spoiled and flattered beauty
»Deerslayer« answered Judith after a moments pause »I shall be honest
with you I confess that the time has been when what you call finery was to me
the dearest thing on earth but I begin to feel differently Though Hurry Harry
is nought to me nor ever can be I would give all I own to set him free If I
would do this for blustering bullying talking Hurry who has nothing but good
looks to recommend him you may judge what I would do for my own father«
»This sounds well and is according to womans gifts Ahs me The same
feelins is to be found among the young women of the Delawares Ive known em
often and often sacrifice their vanity to their hearts Tis as it should be
tis as it should be I suppose in both colours Woman was created for the
feelins and is pretty much ruled by feelin«
»Would the savages let father go if Judith and I give them all our best
things« demanded Hetty in her innocent mild manner
»Their women might interfere good Hetty yes their women might interfere
with such an ind in view But tell me Sarpent how is it as to squaws among
the knaves have they many of their own women in the camp«
The Delaware heard and understood all that passed though with Indian
gravity and finesse he had sat with averted face seemingly inattentive to a
discourse in which he had no direct concern Thus appealed to however he
answered his friend in his ordinary sententious manner
»Six « he said holding up all the fingers of one hand and the thumb of
the other »beside this« The last number denoted his betrothed whom with the
poetry and truth of nature he described by laying his hand on his own heart
»Did you see her chief did you get a glimpse of her pleasant countenance
or come close enough to her ear to sing in it the song she loves to hear«
»No Deerslayer the trees were too many and leaves covered their boughs
like clouds hiding the heavens in a storm But« and the young warrior turned
his dark face towards his friend with a smile on it that illuminated its
fiercelooking paint and naturally stern lineaments with a bright gleam of
human feeling »Chingachgook heard the laugh of WahtaWah and knew it from
the laugh of the women of the Iroquois It sounded in his ears like the chirp
of the wren«
»Ay trust a lovyers ear for that and a Delawares ear for all sounds that
are ever heard in the woods I know not why it is so Judith but when young men
and I dares to say it may be all the same with young women too but when
they get to have kind feelins towards each other its wonderful how pleasant
the laugh or the speech becomes to the other person Ive seen grim warriors
listening to the chattering and the laughing of young gals as if it was church
music such as is heard in the old Dutch church that stands in the great street
of Albany where Ive been more than once with peltry and game«
»And you Deerslayer« said Judith quickly and with more sensibility than
marked her usually light and thoughtless manner »have you never felt how
pleasant it is to listen to the laugh of the girl you love«
»Lord bless you gal Why Ive never lived enough among my own colour to
drop into them sort of feelins no never I dares to say they are natral
and right but to me theres no music so sweet as the sighing of the wind in the
tree tops and the rippling of a stream from a full sparkling natyve fountain
of pure forest water unless indeed« he continued dropping his head for an
instant in a thoughtful manner »unless indeed it be the open mouth of a
sartain hound when Im on the track of a fat buck As for unsartain dogs I
care little for their cries seein they are as likely to speak when the deer is
not in sight as when it is«
Judith walked slowly and pensively away nor was there any of her ordinary
calculating coquetry in the light tremulous sigh that unconsciously to
herself arose to her lips On the other hand Hetty listened with guileless
attention though it struck her simple mind as singular that the young man
should prefer the melody of the woods to the songs of girls or even to the
laugh of innocence and joy Accustomed however to defer in most things to
her sister she soon followed Judith into the cabin where she took a seat and
remained pondering intensely over some occurrence or resolution or opinion
which was a secret to all but herself Left alone Deerslayer and his friend
resumed their discourse
»Has the young paleface hunter been long on this lake« demanded the
Delaware after courteously waiting for the other to speak first
»Only since yesterday noon Sarpent though that has been long enough to see
and do much«
The gaze that the Indian fastened on his companion was so keen that it
seemed to mock the gathering darkness of the night As the other furtively
returned his look he saw the two black eyes glistening on him like the balls
of the panther or those of the penned wolf He understood the meaning of this
glowing gaze and answered evasively as he fancied would best become the
modesty of a white mans gifts
»Tis as you suspect Sarpent yes tis somewhat thataway I have fell in
with the inimy and I suppose it may be said Ive fout them too«
An exclamation of delight and exultation escaped the Indian and then laying
his hand eagerly on the arm of his friend he asked if there were any scalps
taken
»That I will maintain in the face of all the Delaware tribe old Tamenund
and your own father the great Uncas as well as the rest is agin white gifts
My scalp is on my head as you can see Sarpent and that was the only scalp
that was in danger when one side was altogether Christian and white«
»Did no warrior fall Deerslayer did not get his name by being slow of
sight or clumsy with the rifle«
»In that particular chief youre nearer reason and therefore nearer being
right I may say one Mingo fell«
»A chief« demanded the other with startling vehemence
»Nay thats more than I know or can say He was artful and treacherous
and stouthearted and may well have gained popularity enough with his people to
be named to that rank The man fout well though his eye wasnt quick enough
for one who had had his schooling in your company Delaware«
»My brother and friend struck the body«
»That was uncalled for seeing that the Mingo died in my arms The truth may
as well be said at once he fout like a man of red gifts and I fout like a
man with gifts of my own colour God gave me the victory I coulnt fly in the
face of his Providence by forgetting my birth and natur White he made me and
white I shall live and die«
»Good Deerslayer is a pale face and has paleface hands A Delaware will
look for the scalp and hang it on a pole and sing a song in his honour when
we go back to our people The glory belongs to the tribe it must not be lost«
»This is easy talking but twill not be as easy doing The Mingos body is
in the hands of his frinds and no doubt is hid in some hole where Delaware
cunning will never be able to get at the scalp«
The young man then gave his friend a succinct but clear account of the
event of the morning concealing nothing of any moment and yet touching on
every thing modestly and with a careful attention to avoid the Indian habit of
boasting Chingachgook again expressed his satisfaction at the honour won by his
friend and then both arose the hour having arrived when it became prudent to
move the ark further from the land
It was quite dark the heavens having become clouded and the stars hid The
north wind had ceased as was usual with the setting of the sun and a light
air arose from the south This change favouring the design of Deerslayer he
lifted his grapnel and the scow immediately and quite perceptibly began to
drift more into the lake The sail was set when the motion of the craft
increased to a rate not much less than two miles in the hour As this superseded
the necessity of rowing an occupation that an Indian would not be likely to
desire Deerslayer Chingachgook and Judith seated themselves in the stern of
the scow where the first governed its movements by holding the oar Here they
discoursed on their future movements and on the means that ought to be used in
order to effect the liberation of their friends
In this dialogue Judith held a material part the Delaware readily
understanding all she said while his own replies and remarks both of which
were few and pithy were occasionally rendered into English by his friend
Judith rose greatly in the estimation of her companions in the half hour that
followed Prompt of resolution and firm of purpose her suggestions and
expedients partook of her spirit and sagacity both of which were of a character
to find favour with men of the frontier The events that had occurred since
their meeting as well as her isolated and dependent situation induced the girl
to feel towards Deerslayer like the friend of a year instead of an acquaintance
of a day and so completely had she been won by his guileless truth of character
and of feeling pure novelties in our sex as respected her own experience
that his peculiarities excited her curiosity and created a confidence that had
never been awakened by any other man Hitherto she had been compelled to stand
on the defensive in her intercourse with men with what success was best
known to herself but here had she been suddenly thrown into the society and
under the protection of a youth who evidently as little contemplated evil
towards herself as if he had been her brother The freshness of his integrity
the poetry and truth of his feelings and even the quaintness of his forms of
speech all had their influence and aided in awakening an interest that she
found as pure as it was sudden and deep Hurrys fine face and manly form had
never compensated for his boisterous and vulgar tone and her intercourse with
the officers had prepared her to make comparisons under which even his great
natural advantages suffered But this very intercourse with the officers who
occasionally came upon the lake to fish and hunt had an effect in producing her
present sentiments towards the young stranger With them while her vanity had
been gratified and her selflove strongly awakened she had many causes deeply
to regret the acquaintance if not to mourn over it in secret sorrow for it
was impossible for one of her quick intellect not to perceive how hollow was the
association between superior and inferior and that she was regarded as the
plaything of an idle hour rather than as an equal and a friend by even the
best intentioned and least designing of her scarletclad admirers Deerslayer
on the other hand had a window in his breast through which the light of his
honesty was ever shining and even his indifference to charms that so rarely
failed to produce a sensation piqued the pride of the girl and gave him an
interest that another seemingly more favoured by nature might have failed to
excite
In this manner half an hour passed during which time the ark had been
slowly stealing over the water the darkness thickening around it though it was
easy to see that the gloom of the forest at the southern end of the lake was
getting to be distant while the mountains that lined the sides of the beautiful
basin were overshadowing it nearly from side to side There was indeed a
narrow stripe of water in the centre of the lake where the dim light that was
still shed from the heavens fell upon its surface in a line extending north and
south and along this faint track a sort of inverted milkyway in which the
obscurity was not quite as dense as in other places the scow held her course
he who steered well knowing that it led in the direction he wished to go The
reader is not to suppose however that any difficulty could exist as to the
course This would have been determined by that of the air had it not been
possible to distinguish the mountains as well as by the dim opening to the
south which marked the position of the valley in that quarter above the plain
of tall trees by a sort of lessened obscurity the difference between the
darkness of the forest and that of the night as seen only in the air The
peculiarities at length caught the attention of Judith and the Deerslayer and
the conversation ceased to allow each to gaze at the solemn stillness and deep
repose of nature
»Tis a gloomy night « observed the girl after a pause of several minutes
»I hope we may be able to find the castle«
»Little fear of our missing that if we keep this path in the middle of the
lake« returned the young man »Natur has made us a road here and dim as it
is therell be little difficulty in following it«
»Do you hear nothing Deerslayer It seemed as if the water was stirring
quite near us«
»Sartainly something did move the water oncommon like it must have been a
fish Them creaturs prey upon each other like men and animals on the land one
has leaped into the air and fallen hard back into his own element Tis of
little use Judith for any to strive to get out of their elements since its
natur to stay in em and natur will have its way Ha That sounds like a
paddle used with more than common caution«
At this moment the Delaware bent forward and pointed significantly into the
boundary of gloom as if some object had suddenly caught his eye Both
Deerslayer and Judith followed the direction of his gesture and each got a view
of a canoe at the same instant The glimpse of this startling neighbor was dim
and to eyes less practised it might have been uncertain though to those in the
Ark the object was evidently a canoe with a single individual in it the
latter standing erect and paddling How many lay concealed in its bottom of
course could not be known Flight by means of oars from a bark canoe impelled
by vigorous and skilful hands was utterly impracticable and each of the men
seized his rifle in expectation of a conflict
»I can easily bring down the paddler« whispered Deerslayer »but well
first hail him and ask his arnd« Then raising his voice he continued in a
solemn manner »hold If ye come nearer I must fire though contrary to my
wishes and then sartain death will follow Stop paddling and answer«
»Fire and slay a poor defenceless girl« returned a soft tremulous female
voice »And God will never forgive you Go your way Deerslayer and let me go
mine«
»Hetty« exclaimed the young man and Judith in a breath and the former
sprang instantly to the spot where he had left the canoe they had been towing
It was gone and he understood the whole affair As for the fugitive frightened
at the menace she ceased paddling and remained dimly visible resembling a
spectral outline of a human form standing on the water At the next moment the
sail was lowered to prevent the Ark from passing the spot where the canoe lay
This last expedient however was not taken in time for the momentum of so
heavy a craft and the impulsion of the air soon set her by bringing Hetty
directly to windward though still visible as the change in the positions of
the two boats now placed her in that species of milky way which has been
mentioned
»What can this mean Judith« demanded Deerslayer »Why has your sister
taken the canoe and left us«
»You know she is feebleminded poor girl and she has her own ideas of
what ought to be done She loves her father more than most children love their
parents and then «
»Then what gal This is a trying moment one in which truth must be
spoken«
Judith felt a generous and womanly regret at betraying her sister and she
hesitated ere she spoke again But once more urged by Deerslayer and conscious
herself of all the risks the whole party was running by the indiscretion of
Hetty she could refrain no longer
»Then I fear poor weakminded Hetty has not been altogether able to see
all the vanity and rudeness and folly that lie hid behind the handsome face
and fine form of Hurry Harry She talks of him in her sleep and sometimes
betrays the inclination in her waking moments«
»You think Judith that your sister is now bent on some mad scheme to serve
her father and Hurry which will in all likelihood give them riptyles the
Mingos the mastership of a canoe«
»Such I fear will turn out to be the fact Deerslayer Poor Hetty has
hardly sufficient cunning to outwit a savage«
All this while the canoe with the form of Hetty erect in one end of it
was dimly perceptible though the greater drift of the Ark rendered it at each
instant less and less distinct It was evident no time was to be lost lest it
should altogether disappear The rifles were now laid aside as useless the two
men seizing the oars and sweeping the head of the scow round in the direction
of the canoe Judith accustomed to the office flew to the other end of the
Ark and placed herself at what might be called the helm Hetty took the alarm
at these preparations which could not be made without noise and started off
like a bird that had been suddenly put up by the approach of unexpected danger
As Deerslayer and his companion rowed with the energy of those who felt the
necessity of straining every nerve and Hettys strength was impaired by a
nervous desire to escape the chase would have quickly terminated in the capture
of the fugitive had not the girl made several short and unlookedfor deviations
in her course These turnings gave her time and they had also the effect of
gradually bringing both canoe and Ark within the deeper gloom cast by the
shadows from the hills They also gradually increased the distance between the
fugitive and her pursuers until Judith called out to her companions to cease
rowing for she had completely lost sight of the canoe
When this mortifying announcement was made Hetty was actually so near as to
understand every syllable her sister uttered though the latter had used the
precaution of speaking as low as circumstances would allow her to do and to
make herself heard Hetty stopped paddling at the same moment and waited the
result with an impatience that was breathless equally from her late exertions
and her desire to land A dead silence immediately fell on the lake during
which the three in the Ark were using their senses differently in order to
detect the position of the canoe Judith bent forward to listen in the hope of
catching some sound that might betray the direction in which her sister was
stealing away while her two companions brought their eyes as near as possible
to a level with the water in order to detect any object that might be floating
on its surface All was vain however for neither sound nor sight rewarded
their efforts All this time Hetty who had not the cunning to sink into the
canoe stood erect a finger pressed on her lips gazing in the direction in
which the voices had last been heard resembling a statue of profound and timid
attention Her ingenuity had barely sufficed to enable her to seize the canoe
and to quit the Ark in the noiseless manner related and then it appeared to be
momentarily exhausted Even the doublings of the canoe had been as much the
consequence of an uncertain hand and of nervous agitation as of any
craftiness or calculation
The pause continued several minutes during which Deerslayer and the
Delaware conferred together in the language of the latter Then the oars
dipped again and the Ark moved away rowing with as little noise as possible
It steered westward a little southerly or in the direction of the encampment
of the enemy Having reached a point at no great distance from the shore and
where the obscurity was intense on account of the proximity of the land it lay
there near an hour in waiting for the expected approach of Hetty who it was
thought would make the best of her way to that spot as soon as she believed
herself released from the danger of pursuit No success rewarded this little
blockade however neither appearance nor sound denoting the passage of the
canoe Disappointed at this failure and conscious of the importance of getting
possession of the fortress before it could be seized by the enemy Deerslayer
now took his way towards the castle with the apprehension that all his
foresight in securing the canoes would be defeated by this unguarded and
alarming movement on the part of the feeble minded Hetty
Chapter X
» But who in this wild wood
May credit give to either eye or ear
From rocky precipice or hollow cave
Midst the confused sound of rustling leaves
And creaking boughs and cries of nightly birds
Returning seeming answer«
Joanna Baillie Rayner A Tragedy IIi34 69
Fear as much as calculation had induced Hetty to cease paddling when she
found that her pursuers did not know in which direction to proceed She remained
stationary until the Ark had pulled in near the encampment as has been related
in the preceding chapter when she resumed the paddle and with cautious strokes
made the best of her way towards the western shore In order to avoid her
pursuers however who she rightly suspected would soon be rowing along that
shore themselves the head of the canoe was pointed so far north as to bring
her to land on a point that thrust itself into the lake at the distance of near
a league from the outlet Nor was this altogether the result of a desire to
escape for feeble minded as she was Hetty Hutter had a good deal of that
instinctive caution which so often keeps those whom God has thus visited from
harm She was perfectly aware of the importance of keeping the canoes from
falling into the hands of the Iroquois and long familiarity with the lake had
suggested one of the simplest expedients by which this great object could be
rendered compatible with her own purpose
The point in question was the first projection that offered on that side of
the lake where a canoe if set adrift with a southerly air would float clear of
the land and where it would be no great violation of probabilities to suppose
it might even hit the castle the latter lying above it almost in a direct line
with the wind Such then was Hettys intention and she landed on the extremity
of the gravelly point beneath an overhanging oak with the express intention of
shoving the canoe off from the shore in order that it might drift up towards
her fathers insulated abode She knew too from the logs that occasionally
floated about the lake that did it miss the castle and its appendages the
wind would be likely to change before the canoe could reach the northern
extremity of the lake and that Deerslayer might have an opportunity of
regaining it in the morning when no doubt he would be earnestly sweeping the
surface of the water and the whole of its wooded shores with the glass In all
this too Hetty was less governed by any chain of reasoning than by her
habits the latter often supplying the defects of mind in human beings as they
perform the same office for animals of the inferior classes
The girl was quite an hour finding her way to the point the distance and
the obscurity equally detaining her but she was no sooner on the gravelly
beach than she prepared to set the canoe adrift in the manner mentioned While
in the act of pushing it from her she heard low voices that seemed to come
from among the trees behind her Startled at this unexpected danger Hetty was
on the point of springing into the canoe again in order to seek safety in
flight when she thought she recognised the tones of Judiths melodious voice
Bending forward so as to catch the sounds more directly they evidently came
from the water and then she understood that the Ark was approaching from the
south and so close in with the western shore as necessarily to cause it to
pass the point within twenty yards of the spot where she stood Here then was
all she could desire the canoe was shoved off into the lake leaving its late
occupant alone on the narrow strand
When this act of selfdevotion was performed Hetty did not retire The
foliage of the overhanging trees and bushes would have almost concealed her
person had there been light but in that obscurity it was utterly impossible
to discover any object thus shaded at the distance of a few feet Flight too
was perfectly easy as twenty steps would effectually bury her in the forest
She remained therefore watching with intense anxiety the result of her
expedient intending to call the attention of the others to the canoe with her
voice should they appear to pass without observing it The Ark approached under
its sail again Deerslayer standing in its bow with Judith near him and the
Delaware at the helm It would seem that in the bay below it had got too close
to the shore in the lingering hope of intercepting Hetty for as it came
nearer the latter distinctly heard the directions that the young man forward
gave to his companion aft in order to clear the point
»Lay her head more off the shore Delaware« said Deerslayer for the third
time speaking in English that his fair companion might understand his words
»Lay her head well off shore We have got embayed here and needs keep the mast
clear of the trees Judith theres a canoe«
The last words were uttered with great earnestness and Deerslayers hand
was on his rifle ere they were fairly out of his mouth But the truth flashed
on the mind of the quickwitted girl and she instantly told her companion that
the boat must be that in which her sister had fled
»Keep the scow straight Delaware steer as straight as your bullet flies
when sent agin a buck There I have it«
The canoe was seized and immediately secured again to the side of the Ark
At the next moment the sail was lowered and the motion of the Ark arrested by
means of the oars
»Hetty« called out Judith concern even affection betraying itself in her
tones »Are you within hearing sister for Gods sake answer and let me hear
the sound of your voice again Hetty dear Hetty«
»Im here Judith here on the shore where it will be useless to follow
me as I will hide in the woods«
»Oh Hetty what ist you do Remember tis drawing near midnight and that
the woods are filled with savages and wild beasts«
»Neither will harm a poor halfwitted girl Judith God is as much with me
here as he would be in the Ark or in the hut I am going to help my father and
poor Hurry Harry who will be tortured and slain unless some one cares for
them«
»We all care for them and intend tomorrow to send them a flag of truce to
buy their ransom Come back then sister trust to us who have better heads
than you and who will do all we can for father«
»I know your head is better than mine Judith for mine is very weak to be
sure but I must go to father and poor Hurry Do you and Deerslayer keep the
castle sister leave me in the hands of God«
»God is with us all Hetty in the castle or on the shore father as well
as ourselves and it is sinful not to trust to his goodness You can do nothing
in the dark will lose your way in the forest and perish for want of food«
»God will not let that happen to a poor child that goes to serve her father
sister I must try and find the savages«
»Come back for this night only in the morning we will put you ashore and
leave you to do as you may think right«
»You say so Judith and you think so but you would not Your heart would
soften and youd see tomahawks and scalping knives in the air Besides Ive
got a thing to tell the Indian chief that will answer all our wishes and Im
afraid I may forget it if I dont tell it to him at once Youll see that he
will let father go as soon as he hears it«
»Poor Hetty What can you say to a ferocious savage that will be likely to
change his bloody purpose«
»That which will frighten him and make him let father go « returned the
simple minded girl positively »Youll see sister youll see how soon it
will bring him to like a gentle child«
»Will you tell me Hetty what you intend to say« asked Deerslayer »I know
the savages well and can form some idee how far fair words will be likely or
not to work on their bloody naturs If its not suited to the gifts of a red
skin twill be of no use for reason goes by gifts as well as conduct«
»Well then« answered Hetty dropping her voice to a low confidential
tone for the stillness of the night and the nearness of the Ark permitted her
to do this and still to be heard »Well then Deerslayer as you seem a good
and honest young man I will tell you I mean not to say a word to any of the
savages until I get face to face with their head chief let them plague me with
as many questions as they please no Ill answer none of them unless it be
to tell them to lead me to their wisest man Then Deerslayer Ill tell him
that God will not forgive murder and thefts and that if father and Hurry did
go after the scalps of the Iroquois he must return good for evil for so the
bible commands else he will go into everlasting punishment When he hears this
and feels it to be true as feel it he must how long will it be before he sends
father and Hurry and me to the shore opposite the castle telling us all
three to go our way in peace«
The last question was put in a triumphant manner and then the simple minded
girl laughed at the impression she never doubted that her project had made on
her auditors Deerslayer was dumbfounded at this proof of guileless feebleness
of mind but Judith had suddenly bethought her of a means of counteracting this
wild project by acting on the very feelings that had given it birth Without
adverting to the closing question or the laugh therefore she hurriedly called
to her sister by name as one suddenly impressed with the importance of what she
had to say But no answer was given to the call
By the snapping of twigs and the rustling of leaves Hetty had evidently
quitted the shore and was already burying herself in the forest To follow
would have been bootless since the darkness as well as the dense cover that
the woods every where offered would have rendered her capture next to
impossible and there was also the never ceasing danger of falling into the
hands of their enemies After a short and melancholy discussion therefore the
sail was again set and the Ark pursued its course towards its habitual
moorings Deerslayer silently felicitating himself on the recovery of the canoe
and brooding over his plans for the morrow The wind rose as the party quitted
the point and in less than an hour they reached the castle Here all was found
as it had been left and the reverse of the ceremonies had to be taken in
entering the building that had been used on quitting it Judith occupied a
solitary bed that night bedewing the pillow with her tears as she thought of
the innocent and hitherto neglected creature who had been her companion from
childhood and bitter regrets came over her mind from more causes than one as
the weary hours passed away making it nearly morning before she lost her
recollection in sleep Deerslayer and the Delaware took their rest in the Ark
where we shall leave them enjoying the deep sleep of the honest the healthful
and fearless to return to the girl we have last seen in the midst of the
forest
When Hetty left the shore she took her way unhesitatingly into the woods
with a nervous apprehension of being followed Lucidly this course was the best
she could have hit on to effect her own purpose since it was the only one that
led her from the point The night was so intensely dark beneath the branches of
the trees that her progress was very slow and the direction she went
altogether a matter of chance after the first few yards The formation of the
ground however did not permit her to deviate far from the line in which she
desired to proceed On one hand it was soon bounded by the acclivity of the
hill while the lake on the other served as a guide For two hours did this
singlehearted and simpleminded girl toil through the mazes of the forest
sometimes finding herself on the brow of the bank that bounded the water and at
others struggling up an ascent that warned her to go no farther in that
direction since it necessarily ran at right angles to the course on which she
wished to proceed Her feet often slid from beneath her and she got many falls
though none to do her injury but by the end of the period mentioned she had
become so weary as to want strength to go any farther Rest was indispensable
and she set about preparing a bed with the readiness and coolness of one to
whom the wilderness presented no unnecessary terrors She knew that wild beasts
roamed through all the adjacent forest but animals that preyed on the human
species were rare and of dangerous serpents there were literally none These
facts had been taught her by her father and whatever her feeble mind received
at all it received so confidingly as to leave her no uneasiness from any
doubts or scepticism To her the sublimity of the solitude in which she was
placed was soothing rather than appalling and she gathered a bed of leaves
with as much indifference to the circumstances that would have driven the
thoughts of sleep entirely from the minds of most of her sex as if she had been
preparing her place of nightly rest beneath the paternal roof
As soon as Hetty had collected a sufficient number of the dried leaves to
protect her person from the damps of the ground she kneeled beside the humble
pile clasped her raised hands in an attitude of deep devotion and in a soft
low but audible voice repeated the Lords Prayer This was followed by those
simple and devout verses so familiar to children in which she recommended her
soul to God should it be called away to another state of existence ere the
return of morning This duty done she lay down and disposed herself to sleep
The attire of the girl though suited to the season was sufficiently warm for
all ordinary purposes but the forest is ever cool and the nights of that
elevated region of country have always a freshness about them that renders
clothing more necessary than is commonly the case in the summers of a low
latitude This had been foreseen by Hetty who had brought with her a coarse
heavy mantle which when laid over her body answered all the useful purposes
of a blanket Thus protected she dropped asleep in a few minutes as
tranquilly as if watched over by the guardian care of that mother who had so
recently been taken from her forever affording in this particular a most
striking contrast between her own humble couch and the sleepless pillow of her
sister
Hour passed after hour in a tranquility as undisturbed and a rest as sweet
as if angels expressly commissioned for that object watched around the bed of
Hetty Hutter Not once did her soft eyes open until the grey of the dawn came
struggling through the tops of the trees falling on their lids and united to
the freshness of a summers morning giving the usual summons to awake
Ordinarily Hetty was up ere the rays of the sun tipped the summits of the
mountains but on this occasion her fatigue had been so great and her rest was
so profound that the customary warnings failed of their effect The girl
murmured in her sleep threw an arm forward smiled as gently as an infant in
its cradle but still slumbered In making this unconscious gesture her hand
fell on some object that was warm and in the half unconscious state in which
she lay she connected the circumstance with her habits At the next moment a
rude attack was made on her side as if a rooting animal were thrusting its
snout beneath with a desire to force her position and then uttering the name
of Judith she awoke As the startled girl arose to a sitting attitude she
perceived that some dark object sprang from her scattering the leaves and
snapping the fallen twigs in its haste Opening her eyes and recovering from
the first confusion and astonishment of her situation Hetty perceived a cub of
the common American brown bear balancing itself on its hinder legs and still
looking towards her as if doubtful whether it would be safe to trust itself
near her person again The first impulse of Hetty who had been mistress of
several of these cubs was to run and seize the little creature as a prize but
a loud growl warned her of the danger of such a procedure Recoiling a few
steps the girl looked hurriedly round and perceived the dam watching her
movements with fiery eyes at no great distance A hollow tree that had once
been the home of bees having recently fallen the mother with two more cubs
was feasting on the dainty food that this accident had placed within her reach
while the first kept a jealous eye on the situation of its truant and reckless
young
It would exceed all the means of human knowledge to pretend to analyze the
influences that govern the acts of the lower animals On this occasion the dam
though proverbially fierce when its young is thought to be in danger manifested
no intention to attack the girl It quitted the honey and advanced to a place
within twenty feet of her where it raised itself on its hind legs and balanced
its body in a sort of angry growling discontent but approached no nearer
Happily Hetty did not fly On the contrary though not without terror she
knelt with her face towards the animal and with clasped hands and uplifted
eyes repeated the prayer of the previous night This act of devotion was not
the result of alarm but it was a duty she never neglected to perform ere she
slept and when the return of consciousness awoke her to the business of the
day As the girl arose from her knees the bear dropped on its feet again and
collecting its cubs around her permitted them to draw their natural sustenance
Hetty was delighted with this proof of tenderness in an animal that has but a
very indifferent reputation for the gentler feelings and as a cub would quit
its mother to frisk and leap about in wantonness she felt a strong desire again
to catch it up in her arms and play with it But admonished by the growl she
had self command sufficient not to put this dangerous project in execution and
recollecting her errand among the hills she tore herself away from the group
and proceeded on her course along the margin of the lake of which she now
caught glimpses again through the trees To her surprise though not to her
alarm the family of bears arose and followed her steps keeping a short
distance behind her apparently watching every movement as if they had a near
interest in all she did
In this manner escorted by the dam and cubs the girl proceeded nearly a
mile thrice the distance she had been able to achieve in the darkness during
the same period of time She then reached a brook that had dug a channel for
itself into the earth and went brawling into the lake between steep and high
banks covered with trees Here Hetty performed her ablutions then drinking of
the pure mountain water she went her way refreshed and lighter of heart still
attended by her singular companions Her course now lay along a broad and nearly
level terrace which stretched from the top of the bank that bounded the water
to a low acclivity that rose to a second and irregular platform above This was
at a part of the valley where the mountains ran obliquely forming the
commencement of a plain that spread between the hills southward of the sheet of
water Hetty knew by this circumstance that she was getting near to the
encampment and had she not the bears would have given her warning of the
vicinity of human beings Snuffing the air the dam refused to follow any
further though the girl looked back and invited her to come by childish signs
and even by direct appeals made in her own sweet voice It was while making her
way slowly through some bushes in this manner with averted face and eyes
riveted on the immovable animals that the girl suddenly found her steps
arrested by a human hand that was laid lightly on her shoulder
»Where go « said a soft female voice speaking hurriedly and in concern
»Indian redman savage wicked warrior thataway«
This unexpected salutation alarmed the girl no more than the presence of the
fierce inhabitants of the woods It took her a little by surprise it is true
but she was in a measure prepared for some such meeting and the creature who
stopped her was as little likely to excite terror as any who ever appeared in
the guise of an Indian It was a girl not much older than herself whose smile
was sunny as Judiths in her brightest moments whose voice was melody itself
and whose accents and manner had all the rebuked gentleness that characterizes
the sex among a people who habitually treat their women as the attendants and
servitors of the warriors Beauty among the women of the aboriginal Americans
before they have become exposed to the hardships of wives and mothers is by no
means uncommon In this particular the original owners of the country were not
unlike their more civilized successors nature appearing to have bestowed that
delicacy of mien and outline that forms so great a charm in the youthful female
but of which they are so early deprived and that too as much by the habits of
domestic life as from any other cause
The girl who had so suddenly arrested the steps of Hetty was dressed in a
calico mantle that effectually protected all the upper part of her person while
a short petticoat of blue cloth edged with gold lace that fell no lower than
her knees leggings of the same and moccasins of deerskin completed her
attire Her hair fell in long dark braids down her shoulders and back and was
parted above a low smooth forehead in a way to soften the expression of eyes
that were full of archness and natural feeling Her face was oval with delicate
features the teeth were even and white while the mouth expressed a melancholy
tenderness as if it wore this peculiar meaning in intuitive perception of the
fate of a being who was doomed from birth to endure a womans sufferings
relieved by a womans affections Her voice as has been already intimated was
soft as the sighing of the night air a characteristic of the females of her
race but which was so conspicuous in herself as to have produced for her the
name of WahtaWah which rendered into English means HistohHist
In a word this was the betrothed of Chingachgook who having succeeded in
lulling their suspicions was permitted to wander around the encampment of her
captors This indulgence was in accordance with the general policy of the red
man who well knew moreover that her trail could have been easily followed in
the event of flight It will also be remembered that the Iroquois or Hurons as
it would be better to call them were entirely ignorant of the proximity of her
lover a fact indeed that she did not know herself
It is not easy to say which manifested the most selfpossession at this
unexpected meeting the pale face or the redgirl But though a little
surprised Wahta was the most willing to speak and far the readier in
foreseeing consequences as well as in devising means to avert them Her father
during her childhood had been much employed as a warrior by the authorities of
the Colony and dwelling for several years near the forts she had caught a
knowledge of the English tongue which she spoke in the usual abbreviated
manner of an Indian but fluently and without any of the ordinary reluctance of
her people
»Where go « repeated WahtaWah returning the smile of Hetty in her own
gentle winning manner »wicked warrior thataway good warrior far off«
»Whats your name« asked Hetty with the simplicity of a child
»WahtaWah I no Mingo good Delaware Yengeese friend Mingo cruel and
love scalp for blood Delaware love him for honor Come here where no eyes«
WahtaWah now led her companion towards the lake descending the bank so
as to place its overhanging trees and bushes between them and any probable
observers Nor did she stop until they were both seated side by side on a
fallen log one end of which actually lay buried in the water
»Why you come for« the young Indian eagerly inquired »Where you come
for«
Hetty told her tale in her own simple and truthloving manner She explained
the situation of her father and stated her desire to serve him and if possible
to procure his release
»Why your fader come to Mingo camp in night« asked the Indian girl with a
directness which if not borrowed from the other partook largely of its
sincerity »He know it wartime and he no boy he no want beard no want to be
told Iroquois carry tomahawk and knife and rifle Why he come night time
seize me by hair and try to scalp Delaware girl«
»You« said Hetty almost sickening with horror »Did he seize you did he
try to scalp you«
»Why no Delaware scalp sell for much as Mingo scalp Governor no tell
difference Wicked ting for pale face to scalp No his gifts as the good
Deerslayer alway tell me«
»And do you know the Deerslayer« said Hetty coloring with delight and
surprise forgetting her regrets at the moment in the influence of this new
feeling »I know him too He is now in the Ark with Judith and a Delaware who
is called the Big Serpent A bold and handsome warrior is this Serpent too«
Spite of the rich deep colour that nature had bestowed on the Indian beauty
the telltale blood deepened on her cheeks until the blush gave new animation
and intelligence to her jetblack eyes Raising a finger in an attitude of
warning she dropped her voice already so soft and sweet nearly to a whisper
as she continued the discourse
»Chingachgook« returned the Delaware girl sighing out the harsh name in
sounds so softly guttural as to cause it to reach the ear in melody »His
father Uncas great chief of the Mahicanni next to old Tamenund More as
warrior not so much gray hair and less at Council Fire You know Serpent«
»He joined us last evening and was in the Ark with me for two or three
hours before I left it Im afraid Hist « Hetty could not pronounce the Indian
name of her new friend but having heard Deerslayer give her this familiar
appellation she used it without any of the ceremony of civilized life »Im
afraid Hist he has come after scalps as well as my poor father and Hurry
Harry«
»Why he shouldnt ha Chingachgook red warrior very red scalp make
his honor Be sure he take him«
»Then« said Hetty earnestly »he will be as wicked as any other God will
not pardon in a redman what he will not pardon in a white man«
»No true « returned the Delaware girl with a warmth that nearly amounted
to passion »No true I tell you The Manitou smile and pleased when he see
young warrior come back from the war path with two ten hundred scalp on a
pole Chingachgook father take scalp grandfather take scalp all old chief
take scalp and Chingachgook take as many scalp as he can carry himself«
»Then Hist his sleep of nights must be terrible to think of No one can
be cruel and hope to be forgiven«
»No cruel plenty forgiven « returned WahtaWah stamping her little
foot on the stony strand and shaking her head in a way to show how completely
feminine feeling in one of its aspects had gotten the better of feminine
feeling in another »I tell you Serpent brave he go home this time with
four yes two scalp«
»And is that his errand here Did he really come all this distance
across mountain and valley rivers and lakes to torment his fellow creatures
and do so wicked a thing«
This question at once appeased the growing ire of the halfoffended Indian
beauty It completely got the better of the prejudices of education and turned
all her thoughts to a gentler and more feminine channel At first she looked
around her suspiciously as if distrusting eavesdroppers then she gazed
wistfully into the face of her attentive companion after which this exhibition
of girlish coquetry and womanly feeling terminated by her covering her face
with both her hands and laughing in a strain that might well be termed the
melody of the woods Dread of discovery however soon put a stop to this naïve
exhibition of feeling and removing her hands this creature of impulses gazed
again wistfully into the face of her companion as if inquiring how far she
might trust a stranger with her secret Although Hetty had no claims to her
sisters extraordinary beauty many thought her countenance the most winning of
the two It expressed all the undisguised sincerity of her character and it was
totally free from any of the unpleasant physical accompaniments that so
frequently attend mental imbecility It is true that one accustomed to closer
observations than common might have detected the proofs of her feebleness of
intellect in the language of her sometimes vacant eyes but they were signs that
attracted sympathy by their total want of guile rather than by any other
feeling The effect on Hist to use the English and more familiar translation of
the name was favorable and yielding to an impulse of tenderness she threw her
arms around Hetty and embraced her with an outpouring emotion so natural that
it was only equalled by its warmth
»You good « whispered the young Indian »you good I know it so long
since WahtaWah have a friend a sister any body to speak her heart to You
Hist friend dont I say trut«
»I never had a friend« answered Hetty returning the warm embrace with
unfeigned earnestness »Ive a sister but no friend Judith loves me and I
love Judith but thats natural and as we are taught in the bible but I
should like to have a friend Ill be your friend with all my heart for I like
your voice and your smile and your way of thinking in every thing except about
the scalps «
»No tink more of him no say more of scalp « interrupted Hist soothingly
»You pale face I red skin we bring up different fashion Deerslayer and
Chingachgook great friend and no the same colour Hist and what your name
pretty pale face«
»I am called Hetty though when they spell the name in the bible they
always spell it Esther«
»What that make no good no harm No need to spell name at all Moravian
try to make WahtaWah spell but no wont let him No good for Delaware girl
to know too much know more than warrior some time that great shame My name
WahtaWah that say Hist in your tongue you call him Hist I call him
Hetty«
These preliminaries settled to their mutual satisfaction the two girls
began to discourse of their several hopes and projects Hetty made her new
friend more fully acquainted with her intentions in behalf of her father and
to one in the least addicted to prying into the affairs Hist would have
betrayed her own feelings and expectations in connection with the young warrior
of her own tribe Enough was revealed on both sides however to let each party
get a tolerable insight into the views of the other though enough still
remained in mental reservation to give rise to the following questions and
answers with which the interview in effect closed As the quickest witted Hist
was the first with her interrogatories Folding an arm about the waist of Hetty
she bent her head so as to look up playfully into the face of the other and
laughing as if her meaning were to be extracted from her looks she spoke more
plainly
»Hetty got broder as well as fader « she said »Why no talk of broder
as well as fader«
»I have no brother Hist I had one once they say but he is dead many a
year and lies buried in the lake by the side of my mother«
»No got broder got a young warrior Love him almost as much as fader
eh Very handsome and bravelooking fit to be chief if he good as he seem to
be«
»Its wicked to love any man as well as I love my father and so I strive
not to do it Hist« returned the conscientious Hetty who knew not how to
conceal an emotion by an approach to an untruth as venial as an evasion though
powerfully tempted by female shame to err »though I sometimes think wickedness
will get the better of me if Hurry comes so often to the lake I must tell you
the truth dear Hist because you ask me but I should fall down and die in the
woods if he knew it«
»Why he no ask you himself Brave looking why not bold speaking Young
warrior ought to ask young girl no make young girl speak first Mingo girls too
shame for that«
This was said indignantly and with the generous warmth a young female of
spirit would be apt to feel at what she deemed an invasion of her sexs most
valued privilege It had little influence on the simpleminded but also
justminded Hetty who though inherently feminine in all her impulses was much
more alive to the workings of her own heart than to any of the usages with
which convention has protected the sensitiveness of her sex
»Ask me what« the startled girl demanded with a suddenness that proved how
completely her fears had been aroused »Ask me if I like him as well as I do my
own father Oh I hope he will never put such a question to me for I should
have to answer and that would kill me«
»No no no kill quite almost« returned the other laughing in spite
of herself »Make blush come make shame come too but he no stay great while
then feel happier than ever Young warrior must tell young girl he want to make
wife else never can live in his wigwam«
»Hurry dont want to marry me No body will ever want to marry me Hist«
»How you can know Praps every body want to marry you and byandbye
tongue say what heart feel Why nobody want to marry you«
»I am not full witted they say Father often tells me this and so does
Judith sometimes when she is vexed but I shouldnt so much mind them as I
did mother She said so once and then she cried as if her heart would break
and so I know Im not full witted«
Hist gazed at the gentle simple girl for quite a minute without speaking
and then the truth appeared to flash all at once on the mind of the young Indian
maid Pity reverence and tenderness seemed struggling together in her breast
and then rising suddenly she indicated a wish to her companion that she would
accompany her to the camp which was situated at no great distance This
unexpected change from the precautions that Hist had previously manifested a
desire to use in order to prevent being seen to an open exposure of the person
of her friend arose from the perfect conviction that no Indian would harm a
being whom the Great Spirit had disarmed by depriving it of its strongest
defence reason In this respect nearly all unsophisticated nations resemble
each other appearing to offer spontaneously by a feeling creditable to human
nature that protection by their own forbearance which has been withheld by the
inscrutable wisdom of Providence WahtaWah indeed knew that in many
tribes the mentally imbecile and the mad were held in a species of religious
reverence receiving from these untutored inhabitants of the forest respect and
honors instead of the contumely and neglect that it is their fortune to meet
with among the more pretending and sophisticated
Hetty accompanied her new friend without apprehension or reluctance It was
her wish to reach the camp and sustained by her motives she felt no more
concern for the consequences than did her companion herself now the latter was
apprized of the character of the protection that the pale face maiden carried
with her Still as they proceeded slowly along a shore that was tangled with
overhanging bushes Hetty continued the discourse assuming the office of
interrogating which the other had instantly dropped as soon as she ascertained
the character of the mind to which her questions had been addressed
»But you are not halfwitted« said Hetty »and theres no reason why the
Serpent should not marry you«
»Hist prisoner and Mingo got big ear No speak of Chingachgook when they
by Promise Hist that good Hetty«
»I know I know « returned Hetty halfwhispering in her eagerness to let
the other see she understood the necessity of caution »I know Deerslayer and
the Serpent mean to get you away from the Iroquois and you wish me not to tell
the secret«
»How you know« said Hist hastily vexed at the moment that the other was
not even more feeble minded than was actually the case »How you know Better
not talk of any but fader and Hurry Mingo understand dat he no understand
tudder Promise you no talk about what you no understand«
»But I do understand this Hist and so I must talk about it Deerslayer as
good as told father all about it in my presence and as nobody told me not to
listen I overheard it all as I did Hurry and fathers discourse about the
scalps«
»Very bad for pale faces to talk about scalps and very bad for young woman
to hear Now you love Hist I know Hetty and so among Injins when love
hardest never talk most«
»Thats not the way among white people who talk most about them they love
best I suppose its because Im only halfwitted that I dont see the reason
why it should be so different among red people«
»That what Deerslayer call gift One gift to talk tudder gift to hold
tongue Hold tongue your gift among Mingos If Sarpent want to see Hist so
Hetty want to see Hurry Good girl never tell secret of friend«
Hetty understood this appeal and she promised the Delaware girl not to make
any allusion to the presence of Chingachgook or to the motive of his visit to
the lake
»Maybe he get off Hurry and fader as well as Hist if let him have his
way« whispered WahtaWah to her companion in a confiding flattering way
just as they got near enough to the encampment to hear the voices of several of
their own sex who were apparently occupied in the usual toils of women of their
class »Tink of dat Hetty and put two twenty finger on mouth No get friend
free without Sarpent do it«
A better expedient could not have been adopted to secure the silence and
discretion of Hetty than that which was now presented to her mind As the
liberation of her father and the young frontier man was the great object of her
adventure she felt the connection between it and the services of the Delaware
and with an innocent laugh she nodded her head and in the same suppressed
manner promised a due attention to the wishes of her friend Thus assured Hist
tarried no longer but immediately and openly led the way into the encampment of
her captors
Chapter XI
»The great King of Kings
Hath in the table of his law commanded
That thou shalt do no murder
Take heed for he holds vengeance in his hand
To hurl upon their heads that break his law«
Richard III Iiv19597 199200
That the party to which Hist compulsorily belonged was not one that was
regularly on the war path was evident by the presence of females It was a
small fragment of a tribe that had been hunting and fishing within the English
limits where it was found by the commencement of hostilities and after
passing the winter and spring by living on what was strictly the property of its
enemies it chose to strike a hostile blow before it finally retired There was
also deep Indian sagacity in the manoeuvre which had led them so far into the
territory of their foes When the runner arrived who announced the breaking out
of hostilities between the English and French a struggle that was certain to
carry with it all the tribes that dwelt within the influence of the respective
belligerents this particular party of the Iroquois were posted on the shores
of the Oneida a lake that lies some fifty miles nearer to their own frontier
than that which is the scene of our tale To have fled in a direct line for the
Canadas would have exposed them to the dangers of a direct pursuit and the
chiefs had determined to adopt the expedient of penetrating deeper into a region
that had now become dangerous in the hope of being able to retire in the rear
of their pursuers instead of having them on their trail The presence of the
women had induced the attempt at this ruse the strength of these feebler
members of the party being unequal to the effort of escaping from the pursuit of
warriors When the reader remembers the vast extent of the American wilderness
at that early day he will perceive that it was possible for even a tribe to
remain months undiscovered in particular portions of it nor was the danger of
encountering a foe the usual precautions being observed as great in the woods
as it is on the high seas in a time of active warfare
The encampment being temporary it offered to the eye no more than the rude
protection of a bivouac relieved in some slight degree by the ingenious
expedients which suggested themselves to the readiness of those who passed their
lives amid similar scenes One fire that had been kindled against the roots of
a living oak sufficed for the whole party the weather being too mild to
require it for any purpose but cooking Scattered around this centre of
attraction were some fifteen or twenty low huts or perhaps kennels would be a
better word into which their different owners crept at night and which were
also intended to meet the exigencies of a storm These little huts were made of
the branches of trees put together with some ingenuity and they were uniformly
topped with bark that had been stripped from fallen trees of which every virgin
forest possesses hundreds in all stages of decay Of furniture they had next to
none Cooking utensils of the simplest sort were lying near the fire a few
articles of clothing were to be seen in or around the huts rifles horns and
pouches leaned against the trees or were suspended from the lower branches and
the carcases of two or three deer were stretched to view on the same natural
shambles
As the encampment was in the midst of a dense wood the eye could not take
in its tout ensemble at a glance but hut after hut started out of the gloomy
picture as one gazed about him in quest of objects There was no centre unless
the fire might be so considered no open area where the possessors of this rude
village might congregate but all was dark covert and cunning like its owners
A few children strayed from hut to hut giving the spot a little of the air of
domestic life and the suppressed laugh and low voices of the women
occasionally broke in upon the deep stillness of the sombre forest As for the
men they either ate slept or examined their arms They conversed but little
and then usually apart or in groups withdrawn from the females whilst an air
of untiring innate watchfulness and apprehension of danger seemed to be
blended even with their slumbers
As the two girls came near the encampment Hetty uttered a slight
exclamation on catching a view of the person of her father He was seated on
the ground with his back to a tree and Hurry stood near him indolently
whittling a twig Apparently they were as much at liberty as any others in or
about the camp and one unaccustomed to Indian usages would have mistaken them
for visiters instead of supposing them to be captives WahtaWah led her new
friend quite near them and then modestly withdrew that her own presence might
be no restraint on her feelings But Hetty was not sufficiently familiar with
caresses or outward demonstrations of fondness to indulge in any outbreaking
of feeling She merely approached and stood at her fathers side without
speaking resembling a silent statue of filial affection The old man expressed
neither alarm nor surprise at her sudden appearance In these particulars he
had caught the stoicism of the Indians well knowing that there was no more
certain mode of securing their respect than by imitating their selfcommand Nor
did the savages themselves betray the least sign of surprise at this sudden
appearance of a stranger among them In a word this arrival produced much less
visible sensation though occurring under circumstances so peculiar than would
be seen in a village of higher pretensions to civilization did an ordinary
traveller drive up to the door of its principal inn Still a few warriors
collected and it was evident by the manner in which they glanced at Hetty as
they conversed together that she was the subject of their discourse and
probable that the reasons of her unlookedfor appearance were matters of
discussion This phlegm of manner is characteristic of the North American Indian
some say of his white successor also but in this case much should be
attributed to the peculiar situation in which the party was placed The force in
the Ark the presence of Chingachgook excepted was well known no tribe or body
of troops was believed to be near and vigilant eyes were posted round the
entire lake watching day and night the slightest movement of those whom it
would not be exaggerated now to term the besieged
Hutter was inwardly much moved by the conduct of Hetty though he affected
so much indifference of manner He recollected her gentle appeal to him before
he left the Ark and misfortune rendered that of weight which might have been
forgotten amid the triumph of success Then he knew the simple singlehearted
fidelity of his child and understood why she had come and the total disregard
of self that reigned in all her acts
»This is not well Hetty« he said deprecating the consequences to the girl
herself more than any other evil »These are fierce Iroquois and are as little
apt to forget an injury as a favor«
»Tell me father « returned the girl looking furtively about her as if
fearful of being overheard »did God let you do the cruel errand on which you
came I want much to know this that I may speak to the Indians plainly if he
did not«
»You should not have come hither Hetty these brutes will not understand
your nature or your intentions«
»How was it father neither you nor Hurry seems to have any thing that
looks like scalps«
»If that will set your mind at peace child I can answer you no I had
caught the young creatur who came here with you but her screeches soon brought
down upon me a troop of the wild cats that was too much for any single
christian to withstand If that will do you any good we are as innocent of
having taken a scalp this time as I make no doubt we shall also be innocent of
receiving the bounty«
»Thank god for that father Now I can speak boldly to the Iroquois and
with an easy conscience I hope Hurry too has not been able to harm any of the
Indians«
»Why as to that matter Hetty« returned the individual in question
»youve put it pretty much in the native character of the religious truth Hurry
has not been able and that is the long and short of it Ive seen many squalls
old fellow both on land and on the water but never did I feel one as lively
and as snappish as that which come down upon us night afore last in the shape
of an Indian hurrahboys Why Hetty youre no great matter at a reason or an
idee that lies a little deeper than common but youre human and have some
human notions now Ill just ask you to look at them circumstances Here was
old Tom your father and myself bent on a legal operation as is to be seen in
the words of the law and the proclomation thinking no harm when we were set
upon by critturs that were more like a pack of hungry wolves than mortal
savages even and there they had us tethered like two sheep in less time than
it has taken me to tell you the story«
»You are free now Hurry« returned Hetty glancing timidly at the fine
unfettered limbs of the young giant »You have no cords or withes to pain
your arms or legs now«
»Not I Hetty Natur is natur and freedom is natur too My limbs have a
free look but thats pretty much the amount of it sin I cant use them in the
way I should like Even these trees have eyes ay and tongues too for was the
old man here or I to start one single rod beyond our gaol limits sarvice
would be put on the bail afore we could gird up our loins for a race and like
as not four or five rifle bullets would be travelling arter us carrying so
many invitations to curb our impatience There isnt a gaol in the colony as
tight as this we are now in for Ive tried the vartues of two or three on em
and I know the materals they are made of as well as the men that made em
takin down being the next step in schoolin to puttin up in all such
fabrications«
Lest the reader should get an exaggerated opinion of Hurrys demerits from
this boastful and indiscreet revelation it may be well to say that his offences
were confined to assaults and batteries for several of which he had been
imprisoned when as he has just said he often escaped by demonstrating the
flimsiness of the constructions in which he was confined by opening for himself
doors in spots where the architects had neglected to place them But Hetty had
no knowledge of gaols and little of the nature of crimes beyond what her
unadulterated and almost instinctive perceptions of right and wrong taught her
and this sally of the rude being who had spoken was lost upon her She
understood his general meaning however and answered in reference to that
alone
»Its so best Hurry« she said »It is best father and you should be quiet
and peaceable till I have spoken to the Iroquois when all will be well and
happy I dont wish either of you to follow but leave me to myself As soon as
all is settled and you are at liberty to go back to the castle I will come and
let you know it«
Hetty spoke with so much simple earnestness seemed so confident of success
and wore so high an air of moral feeling and truth that both the listeners felt
more disposed to attach an importance to her mediation than might otherwise
have happened When she manifested an intention to quit them therefore they
offered no obstacle though they saw she was about to join the group of chiefs
who were consulting apart seemingly on the manner and motive of her own sudden
appearance
When Hist for so we love best to call her quitted her companion she
strayed near one or two of the elder warriors who had shown her most kindness
in her captivity the principal man of whom had even offered to adopt her as
his child if she would consent to become a Huron In taking this direction the
shrewd girl did so to invite inquiry She was too well trained in the habits of
her people to obtrude the opinions of one of her sex and years on men and
warriors but nature had furnished a tact and ingenuity that enabled her to
attract the attention she desired without wounding the pride of those to whom
it was her duty to defer and respect Even her affected indifference stimulated
curiosity and Hetty had hardly reached the side of her father before the
Delaware girl was brought within the circle of the warriors by a secret but
significant gesture Here she was questioned as to the person of her companion
and the motives that had brought her to the camp This was all that Hist
desired She explained the manner in which she had detected the weakness of
Hettys reason rather exaggerating than lessening the deficiency in her
intellect and then she related in general terms the object of the girl in
venturing among her enemies The effect was all that the speaker expected her
account investing the person and character of their visitor with a sacredness
and respect that she well knew would prove her protection As soon as her own
purpose was attained Hist withdrew to a distance where with female
consideration and a sisterly tenderness she set about the preparation of a
meal to be offered to her new friend as soon as the latter might be at liberty
to partake of it While thus occupied however the ready girl in no degree
relaxed in her watchfulness noting every change of countenance among the
chiefs every movement of Hettys and the smallest occurrence that could be
likely to affect her own interests or that of her new friend
As Hetty approached the chiefs they opened their little circle with an
ease and deference of manner that would have done credit to men of more courtly
origin A fallen tree lay near and the oldest of the warriors made a quiet sign
for the girl to be seated on it taking his place at her side with the
gentleness of a father The others arranged themselves around the two with
grave dignity and then the girl who had sufficient observation to perceive
that such a course was expected of her began to reveal the object of her visit
The moment she opened her mouth to speak however the old chief gave a gentle
sign for her to forbear said a few words to one of his juniors and then waited
in silent patience until the latter had summoned Hist to the party This
interruption proceeded from the chiefs having discovered that there existed a
necessity for an interpreter few of the Hurons present understanding the
English language and they but imperfectly
WahtaWah was not sorry to be called upon to be present at the interview
and least of all in the character in which she was now wanted She was aware of
the hazards she run in attempting to deceive one or two of the party but was
none the less resolved to use every means that offered and to practice every
artifice that an Indian education could supply to conceal the facts of the
vicinity of her betrothed and of the errand on which he had come One
unpractised in the expedients and opinions of savage life would not have
suspected the readiness of invention the wariness of action the high
resolution the noble impulses the deep selfdevotion and the feminine
disregard of self when the affections were concerned that lay concealed beneath
the demure looks the mild eyes and the sunny smiles of this young Indian
beauty As she approached them the grim old warriors regarded her with
pleasure for they had a secret pride in the hope of engrafting so rare a scion
on the stock of their own nation adoption being as regularly practised and as
distinctly recognized among the tribes of America as it ever had been among
those nations that submit to the sway of the Civil Law
As soon as Hist was seated by the side of Hetty the old chief desired her
to ask the fair young paleface what had brought her among the Iroquois and
what they could do to serve her
»Tell them Hist who I am Thomas Hutters youngest daughter Thomas
Hutter the oldest of their two prisoners he who owns the castle and the Ark
and who has the best right to be thought the owner of these hills and that
lake since he has dwelt so long and trapped so long and fished so long among
them Theyll know whom you mean by Thomas Hutter if you tell them that And
then tell them that Ive come here to convince them they ought not to harm
father and Hurry but let them go in peace and to treat them as brethren
rather than as enemies Now tell them all this plainly Hist and fear nothing
for yourself or me God will protect us«
WahtaWah did as the other desired taking care to render the words of her
friend as literally as possible into the Iroquois tongue a language she used
with a readiness almost equal to that with which she spoke her own The chiefs
heard this opening explanation with grave decorum the two who had a little
knowledge of English intimating their satisfaction with the interpreter by
furtive but significant glances of the eyes
»And now Hist« continued Hetty as soon as it was intimated to her that
she might proceed »and now Hist I wish you to tell these red men word for
word what I am about to say Tell them first that father and Hurry came here
with an intention to take as many scalps as they could for the wicked governor
and the province have offered money for scalps whether of warriors or women
men or children and the love of gold was too strong for their hearts to
withstand it Tell them this dear Hist just as you have heard it from me word
for word«
WahtaWah hesitated about rendering this speech as literally as had been
desired but detecting the intelligence of those who understood English and
apprehending even a greater knowledge than they actually possessed she found
herself compelled to comply Contrary to what a civilized man would have
expected the admission of the motives and of the errands of their prisoners
produced no visible effect on either the countenances or the feelings of the
listeners They probably considered the act meritorious and that which neither
of them would have hesitated to perform in his own person he would not be apt
to censure in another
»And now Hist« resumed Hetty as soon as she perceived that her first
speeches were understood by the chiefs »you can tell them more They know that
father and Hurry did not succeed and therefore they can bear them no grudge for
any harm that has been done If they had slain their children and wives it
would not alter the matter and Im not certain that what I am about to tell
them would not have more weight had there been mischief done But ask them
first Hist if they know there is a God who reigns over the whole earth and
is ruler and chief of all who live let them be red or white or what color
they may«
WahtaWah looked a little surprised at this question for the idea of the
Great Spirit is seldom long absent from the mind of an Indian girl She put the
question as literally as possible however and received a grave answer in the
affirmative
»This is right« continued Hetty »and my duty will now be light This Great
Spirit as you call our God has caused a book to be written that we call a
bible and in this book have been set down all his commandments and his holy
will and pleasure and the rules by which all men are to live and directions
how to govern the thoughts even and the wishes and the will Here this is one
of these holy books and you must tell the chiefs what I am about to read to
them from its sacred pages«
As Hetty concluded she reverently unrolled a small English bible from its
envelope of coarse calico treating the volume with the sort of external respect
that a Romanist would be apt to show to a religious relic As she slowly
proceeded in her task the grim warriors watched each movement with riveted eyes
and when they saw the little volume appear a slight expression of surprise
escaped one or two of them But Hetty held it out towards them in triumph as if
she expected the sight would produce a visible miracle and then without
betraying either surprise or mortification at the Stoicism of the Indian she
turned eagerly to her new friend in order to renew the discourse
»This is the sacred volume Hist« she said »and these words and lines
and verses and chapters all came from God«
»Why Great Spirit no send book to Injin too« demanded Hist with the
directness of a mind that was totally unsophisticated
»Why« answered Hetty a little bewildered by a question so unexpected
»Why Ah you know the Indians dont know how to read«
If Hist was not satisfied with this explanation she did not deem the point
of sufficient importance to be pressed Simply bending her body in a gentle
admission of the truth of what she heard she sat patiently awaiting the further
arguments of the paleface enthusiast
»You can tell these chiefs that throughout this book men are ordered to
forgive their enemies to treat them as they would brethren and never to injure
their fellow creatures more especially on account of revenge or any evil
passions Do you think you can tell them this so that they will understand it
Hist«
»Tell him well enough but he no very easy to understand«
Hist then conveyed the ideas of Hetty in the best manner she could to the
attentive Indians who heard her words with some such surprise as an American
of our own times would be apt to betray at a suggestion that the great modern
but vacillating ruler of things human public opinion might be wrong One or
two of their number however having met with missionaries said a few words in
explanation and then the group gave all its attention to the communications
that were to follow Before Hetty resumed she enquired earnestly of Hist if the
chiefs had understood her and receiving an evasive answer was fain to be
satisfied
»I will now read to the warriors some of the verses that it is good for them
to know« continued the girl whose manner grew more solemn and earnest as she
proceeded »and they will remember that they are the very words of the Great
Spirit First then ye are commanded to love thy neighbor as thyself Tell them
that dear Hist«
»Neighbor for Injin no mean pale face« answered the Delaware girl with
more decision than she had hitherto thought it necessary to use »Neighbor mean
Iroquois for Iroquois Mohican for Mohican Pale face for pale face No need
tell chief any thing else«
»You forget Hist these are the words of the Great Spirit and the chiefs
must obey them as well as others Here is another commandment Whosoever shall
smite thee on the right cheek turn to him the other also«
»What that mean« demanded Hist with the quickness of lightning
Hetty explained that it was an order not to resent injuries but rather to
submit to receive fresh wrongs from the offender
»And hear this too Hist« she added »Love your enemies bless them that
curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully
use you and persecute you«
By this time Hetty had become excited her eye gleamed with the earnestness
of her feelings her cheeks flushed and her voice usually so low and
modulated became stronger and more impressive With the bible she had been
early made familiar by her mother and she now turned from passage to passage
with surprising rapidity taking care to cull such verses as taught the sublime
lessons of christian charity and christian forgiveness To translate half she
said in her pious earnestness WahtaWah would have found impracticable had
she made the effort but wonder held her tongue tied equally with the chiefs
and the young simpleminded enthusiast had fairly become exhausted with her own
efforts before the other opened her mouth again to utter a syllable Then
indeed the Delaware girl gave a brief translation of the substance of what had
been both read and said confining herself to one or two of the more striking of
the verses those that had struck her own imagination as the most paradoxical
and which certainly would have been the most applicable to the case could the
uninstructed minds of the listeners embrace the great moral truths they
conveyed
It will be scarcely necessary to tell the reader the effect that such novel
duties would be likely to produce among a group of Indian warriors with whom it
was a species of religious principle never to forget a benefit or to forgive an
injury Fortunately the previous explanations of Hist had prepared the minds of
the Hurons for something extravagant and most of that which to them seemed
inconsistent and paradoxical was accounted for by the fact that the speaker
possessed a mind that was constituted differently from those of most of the
human race Still there were one or two old men who had heard similar doctrines
from the missionaries and these felt a desire to occupy an idle moment by
pursuing a subject that they found so curious
»This is the Good Book of the pale faces« observed one of these chiefs
taking the volume from the unresisting hands of Hetty who gazed anxiously at
his face while he turned the leaves as if she expected to witness some visible
results from the circumstance »This is the law by which my white brethren
professes to live«
Hist to whom this question was addressed if it might be considered as
addressed to any one in particular answered simply in the affirmative adding
that both the French of the Canadas and the Yengeese of the British provinces
equally admitted its authority and affected to revere its principles
»Tell my young sister« said the Huron looking directly at Hist »that I
will open my mouth and say a few words«
»The Iroquois chief go to speak My pale face friend listen« said Hist
»I rejoice to hear it« exclaimed Hetty »God has touched his heart and he
will now let father and Hurry go«
»This is the pale face law« resumed the chief »It tells him to do good to
them that hurt him and when his brother asks him for his rifle to give him the
powder horn too Such is the pale face law«
»Not so not so « answered Hetty earnestly when these words had been
interpreted »There is not a word about rifles in the whole book and powder
and bullets give offence to the Great Spirit«
»Why then does the pale face use them If he is ordered to give double to
him that asks only for one thing why does he take double from the poor Indian
who ask for no thing He comes from beyond the rising sun with this book in his
hand and he teaches the red man to read it but why does he forget himself all
it says When the Indian gives he is never satisfied and now he offers gold
for the scalps of our women and children though he calls us beasts if we take
the scalp of a warrior killed in open war My name is Rivenoak«
When Hetty had got this formidable question fairly presented to her mind in
the translation and Hist did her duty with more than usual readiness on this
occasion it scarcely need be said that she was sorely perplexed Abler heads
than that of this poor girl have frequently been puzzled by questions of a
similar drift and it is not surprising that with all her own earnestness and
sincerity she did not know what answer to make
»What shall I tell them Hist« she asked imploringly »I know that all I
have read from the book is true and yet it wouldnt seem so would it by the
conduct of those to whom the book was given«
»Give em paleface reason« returned Hist ironically »that always good
for one side though he bad for tother«
»No no Hist there cant be two sides to truth and yet it does seem
strange Im certain I have read the verses right and no one would be so wicked
as to print the word of God wrong That can never be Hist«
»Well to poor Injin girl it seem every thing can be to pale faces«
returned the other coolly »One time ey say white and one time ey say black
Why never can be«
Hetty was more and more embarrassed until overcome with the apprehension
that she had failed in her object and that the lives of her father and Hurry
would be the forfeit of some blunder of her own she burst into tears From that
moment the manner of Hist lost all its irony and cool indifference and she
became the fond caressing friend again Throwing her arms around the afflicted
girl she attempted to soothe her sorrows by the scarcely ever failing remedy
of female sympathy
»Stop cry no cry « she said wiping the tears from the face of Hetty as
she would have performed the same office for a child and stopping to press her
occasionally to her own warm bosom with the affection of a sister »Why you so
trouble You no make he book if he be wrong and you no make he pale face if he
wicked There wicked red man and wicked white man no colour all good no
colour all wicked Chiefs know that well enough«
Hetty soon recovered from this sudden burst of grief and then her mind
reverted to the purpose of her visit with all its singlehearted earnestness
Perceiving that the grim looking chiefs were still standing around her in grave
attention she hoped that another effort to convince them of the right might be
successful
»Listen Hist« she said struggling to suppress her sobs and to speak
distinctly »Tell the chiefs that it matters not what the wicked do right is
right The words of The Great Spirit are the words of The Great Spirit and no
one can go harmless for doing an evil act because another has done it before
him Render good for evil says this book and that is the law for the red man
as well as for the white man«
»Never hear such law among Delaware or among Iroquois « answered Hist
soothingly »No good to tell chiefs any such laws as dat Tell em someting
they believe«
Hist was about to proceed notwithstanding when a tap on the shoulder from
the finger of the oldest chief caused her to look up She then perceived that
one of the warriors had left the group and was already returning to it with
Hutter and Hurry Understanding that the two last were to become parties in the
inquiry she became mute with the unhesitating obedience of an Indian woman In
a few seconds the prisoners stood face to face with the principal men of the
captors
»Daughter« said the senior chief to the young Delaware »ask this grey
beard why he came into our camp«
The question was put by Hist in her own imperfect English but in a way
that was easy to be understood Hutter was too stern and obdurate by nature to
shrink from the consequences of any of his acts and he was also too familiar
with the opinions of the savages not to understand that nothing was to be gained
by equivocation or an unmanly dread of their anger Without hesitating
therefore he avowed the purpose with which he had landed merely justifying it
by the fact that the government of the province had bid high for scalps This
frank avowal was received by the Iroquois with evident satisfaction not so
much however on account of the advantage it gave them in a moral point of
view as by its proving that they had captured a man worthy of occupying their
thoughts and of becoming a subject of their revenge Hurry when interrogated
confessed the truth though he would have been more disposed to concealment than
his sterner companion did the circumstances very well admit of its adoption
But he had tact enough to discover that equivocation would be useless at that
moment and he made a merit of necessity by imitating a frankness which in the
case of Hutter was the offspring of habits of indifference acting on a
disposition that was always ruthless and reckless of personal consequences
As soon as the chiefs had received the answers to their questions they
walked away in silence like men who deemed the matter disposed of all Hettys
dogmas being thrown away on beings trained in violence from infancy to manhood
Hetty and Hist were now left alone with Hutter and Hurry no visible restraint
being placed on the movements of either though all four in fact were
vigilantly and unceasingly watched As respects the men care was had to prevent
them from getting possession of any of the rifles that lay scattered about
their own included and there all open manifestations of watchfulness ceased
But they who were so experienced in Indian practices knew too well how great
was the distance between appearances and reality to become the dupes of this
seeming carelessness Although both thought incessantly of the means of escape
and this without concert each was aware of the uselessness of attempting any
project of the sort that was not deeply laid and promptly executed They had
been long enough in the encampment and were sufficiently observant to have
ascertained that Hist also was a sort of captive and presuming on the
circumstance Hutter spoke in her presence more openly than he might otherwise
have thought it prudent to do inducing Hurry to be equally unguarded by his
example
»Ill not blame you Hetty for coming on this errand which was well meant
if not very wisely planned« commenced the father seating himself by the side
of his daughter and taking her hand a sign of affection that this rude being
was accustomed to manifest to this particular child »But preaching and the
bible are not the means to turn an Indian from his ways Has Deerslayer sent
any message or has he any scheme by which he thinks to get us free«
»Ay thats the substance of it« put in Hurry »If you can help us gal to
half a mile of freedom or even a good start of a short quarter Ill answer for
the rest Perhaps the old man may want a little more but for one of my height
and years that will meet all objections«
Hetty looked distressed turning her eyes from one to the other but she had
no answer to give to the question of the reckless Hurry
»Father« she said »neither Deerslayer nor Judith knew of my coming until
I had left the Ark They are afraid the Iroquois will make a raft and try to
get off to the hut and think more of defending that than of coming to aid
you«
»No no no « said Hist hurriedly though in a low voice and with her
face bent towards the earth in order to conceal from those whom she knew to be
watching them the fact of her speaking at all »No no no Deerslayer
different man He no tink of defending self with friend in danger Help one
another and all get to hut«
»This sounds well old Tom« said Hurry winking and laughing though he too
used the precaution to speak low »Give me a ready witted squaw for a frind
and though Ill not downright defy an Iroquois I think I would defy the devil«
»No talk loud« said Hist »Some Iroquois got Yengeese tongue and all got
Yengeese ear«
»Have we a friend in you young woman« enquired Hutter with an increasing
interest in the conference »If so you may calculate on a solid reward and
nothing will be easier than to send you to your own tribe if we can once fairly
get you off with us to the castle Give us the Ark and the canoes and we can
command the lake spite of all the savages in the Canadas Nothing but artillery
could drive us out of the castle if we can get back to it«
»Spose ey come ashore to take scalp« retorted Hist with cool irony at
which the girl appeared to be more expert than is common for her sex
»Ay ay that was a mistake but there is little use in lamentations and
less still young woman in flings«
»Father« said Hetty »Judith thinks of breaking open the big chest in
hopes of finding something in that which may buy your freedom of the savages«
A dark look came over Hutter at the announcement of this fact and he
muttered his dissatisfaction in a way to render it intelligible enough
»What for no break open chest« put in Hist »Life sweeter than old chest
scalp sweeter than old chest If no tell darter to break him open WahtaWah
no help him to run away«
»Ye know not what ye ask ye are but silly girls and the wisest way for ye
both is to speak of what ye understand and to speak of nothing else I little
like this cold neglect of the savages Hurry its a proof that they think of
something serious and if we are to do any thing we must do it soon Can we
count on this young woman think you«
»Listen « said Hist quickly and with an earnestness that proved how much
her feelings were concerned »WahtaWah no Iroquois All over Delaware got
Delaware heart Delaware feeling She prisoner too One prisoner help tudder
prisoner No good to talk more now Darter stay with fader WahtaWah come
and see friend all look right Then tell what he do«
This was said in a low voice but distinctly and in a manner to make an
impression As soon as it was uttered the girl arose and left the group
walking composedly towards the hut she occupied as if she had no further
interest in what might pass between the palefaces
Chapter XII
»She speaks much of her father says she hears
Theres tricks i the world and hems and beats her breast
Spurns enviously at straws speaks things in doubt
That carry but half sense her speech is nothing
Yet the unshaped use of it doth move
The hearers to collection «
Hamlet IVv49
We left the occupants of the castle and the ark buried in sleep Once or
twice in the course of the night it is true Deerslayer or the Delaware
arose and looked out upon the tranquil lake when finding all safe each
returned to his pallet and slept like a man who was not easily deprived of his
natural rest At the first signs of the dawn the former arose however and
made his personal arrangements for the day though his companion whose nights
had not been tranquil or without disturbances of late continued on his
blanket until the sun had fairly risen Judith too was later than common that
morning for the earlier hours of the night had brought her little of either
refreshment or sleep But ere the sun had shown himself over the eastern hills
these too were up and afoot even the tardy in that region seldom remaining on
their pallets after the appearance of the great luminary
Chingachgook was in the act of arranging his forest toilet when Deerslayer
entered the cabin of the Ark and threw him a few coarse but light summer
vestments that belonged to Hutter
»Judith hath given me them for your use chief« said the latter as he cast
the jacket and trousers at the feet of the Indian »for its agin all prudence
and caution to be seen in your war dress and paint Wash off all them fiery
streaks from your cheeks put on these garments and here is a hat such as it
is that will give you an awful oncivilized sort of civilization as the
missionaries call it Remember that Hist is at hand and what we do for the
maiden must be done while we are doing for others I know its agin your gifts
and your natur to wear clothes unless they are cut and carried in a red mans
fashion but make a vartue of necessity and put these on at once even if they
do rise a little in your throat«
Chingachgook or the Serpent eyed the vestments with strong disgust but he
saw the usefulness of the disguise if not its absolute necessity Should the
Iroquois discover a redman in or about the Castle it might indeed place
them more on their guard and give their suspicions a direction towards their
female captive Any thing was better than a failure as it regarded his
betrothed and after turning the different garments round and round examining
them with a species of grave irony affecting to draw them on in a way that
defeated itself and otherwise manifesting the reluctance of a young savage to
confine his limbs in the usual appliances of civilized life the chief submitted
to the directions of his companion and finally stood forth so far as the eye
could detect a red man in colour alone Little was to be apprehended from this
last peculiarity however the distance from the shore and the want of glasses
preventing any very close scrutiny and Deerslayer himself though of a
brighter and fresher tint had a countenance that was burnt by the sun to a hue
scarcely less red than that of his Mohican companion The awkwardness of the
Delaware in his new attire caused his friend to smile more than once that day
but he carefully abstained from the use of any of those jokes which would have
been bandied among white men on such an occasion the habits of a chief the
dignity of a warrior on his first path and the gravity of the circumstances in
which they were placed uniting to render so much levity out of season
The meeting at the morning meal of the three islanders if we may use the
term was silent grave and thoughtful Judith showed by her looks that she had
passed an unquiet night while the two men had the future before them with its
unseen and unknown events A few words of courtesy passed between Deerslayer and
the girl in the course of the breakfast but no allusion was made to their
situation At length Judith whose heart was full and whose novel feelings
disposed her to entertain sentiments more gentle and tender than common
introduced the subject and this in a way to show how much of her thoughts it
had occupied in the course of the last sleepless night
»It would be dreadful Deerslayer« the girl abruptly exclaimed »should any
thing serious befall my father and Hetty We cannot remain quietly here and
leave them in the hands of the Iroquois without bethinking us of some means of
serving them«
»Im ready Judith to sarve them and all others who are in trouble could
the way to do it be pinted out Its no trifling matter to fall into redskin
hands when men set out on an arnd like that which took Hutter and Hurry
ashore that I know as well as another and I wouldnt wish my worst inimy in
such a strait much less them with whom Ive journeyed and eat and slept Have
you any scheme that you would like to have the Sarpent and me indivour to
carry out«
»I know of no other means to release the prisoners than by bribing the
Iroquois They are not proof against presents and we might offer enough
perhaps to make them think it better to carry away what to them will be rich
gifts than to carry away poor prisoners if indeed they should carry them
away at all«
»This is well enough Judith yes its well enough if the inimy is to be
bought and we can find articles to make the purchase with Your father has a
convenient lodge and it is most cunningly placed though it doesnt seem
overstockd with riches that will be likely to buy his ransom Theres the piece
he calls Killdeer might count for something and I understand theres a keg of
powder about which might be a make weight sartain and yet two able bodied men
are not to be bought off for a trifle besides «
»Besides what« demanded Judith impatiently observing that the other
hesitated to proceed probably from a reluctance to distress her
»Why Judith the Frenchers offer bounties as well as our own side and the
price of two scalps would purchase a keg of powder and a rifle though Ill not
say one of the latter altogether as good as Killdeer there which your father
vants as oncommon and onequalled like But fair powder and a pretty sartain
rifle then the red men are not the expartest in fire arms and dont always
know the difference atwixt that which is raal and that which is seeming«
»This is horrible« muttered the girl struck by the homely manner in which
her companion was accustomed to state his facts »But you overlook my own
clothes Deerslayer and they I think might go far with the women of the
Iroquois«
»No doubt they would no doubt they would Judith« returned the other
looking at her keenly as if he would ascertain whether she were really capable
of making such a sacrifice »But are you sartain gal you could find it in
your heart to part with your own finery for such a purpose Many is the man who
has thought he was valiant till danger stared him in the face Ive known them
too that consaited they were kind and ready to give away all they had to the
poor when theyve been listening to other peoples hard heartedness but whose
fists have clenchd as tight as the riven hickory when it came to downright
offerings of their own Besides Judith youre handsome oncommon in that way
one might obsarve and do no harm to the truth and they that have beauty like
to have that which will adorn it Are you sartain you could find it in your
heart to part with your own finery«
The soothing allusion to the personal charms of the girl was well timed to
counteract the effect produced by the distrust that the young man expressed of
Judiths devotion to her filial dudes Had another said as much as Deerslayer
the compliment would most probably have been overlooked in the indignation
awakened by the doubts but even the unpolished sincerity that so often made
this simple minded hunter bare his thoughts had a charm for the girl and
while she colored and for an instant her eyes flashed fire she could not find
it in her heart to be really angry with one whose very soul seemed truth and
manly kindness Look her reproaches she did but conquering the desire to
retort she succeeded in answering in a mild and friendly manner
»You must keep all your favorable opinions for the Delaware girls
Deerslayer if you seriously think thus of those of your own colour« she said
affecting to laugh »But try me if you find that I regret either ribband or
feather silk or muslin then may you think what you please of my heart and say
what you think«
»Thats justice The rarest thing to find on arth is a truly just man
So says Tamenund the wisest prophet of the Delawares and so all must think
that have occasion to see and talk and act among mankind I love a just man
Sarpent His eyes are never covered with darkness towards his inimies while
they are all sunshine and brightness toward his frinds He uses the reason that
God has given him and he uses it with a feelin of his being ordered to look
at and to consider things as they are and not as he wants them to be Its
easy enough to find men who call themselves just but its wonderful oncommon to
find them that are the very thing in fact How often have I seen Indians gal
who believed they were lookin into a matter agreeable to the will of the Great
Spirit when in truth they were only striving to act up to their own will and
pleasure and this half the time with a temptation to go wrong that could no
more be seen by themselves than the stream that runs in the next valley can be
seen by us through yonder mountain though any looker on might have discovered
it as plainly as we can discover the parch that are swimming around this hut«
»Very true Deerslayer« rejoined Judith losing every trace of displeasure
in a bright smile »very true and I hope to see you act on this love of
justice in all matters in which I am concerned Above all I hope you will
judge for yourself and not believe every evil story that a prating idler like
Hurry Harry may have to tell that goes to touch the good name of any young
woman who may not happen to have the same opinion of his face and person that
the blustering gallant has of himself«
»Hurry Harrys idees do not pass for gospel with me Judith but even worse
than he may have eyes and ears« returned the other gravely
»Enough of this« exclaimed Judith with flashing eye and a flush that
mounted to her temples »and more of my father and his ransom Tis as you say
Deerslayer the Indians will not be likely to give up their prisoners without a
heavier bribe than my clothes can offer and fathers rifle and powder There is
the chest «
»Ay there is the chist as you say Judith and when the question gets to
be between a secret and a scalp I should think most men would prefar keeping
the last Did your father ever give you any downright commands consarning that
chist«
»Never He has always appeared to think its locks and its steel bands and
its strength its best protection«
»Tis a rare chist and altogether of curious build« returned Deerslayer
rising and approaching the thing in question on which he seated himself with a
view to examine it with greater ease »Chingachgook this is no wood that comes
of any forest that you or I have ever trailed through Tisnt the black
walnut and yet its quite as comely if not more so did the smoke and the
treatment give it fair play«
The Delaware drew near felt of the wood examined its grain endeavored to
indent the surface with a nail and passed his hand curiously over the steel
bands the heavy padlocks and the other novel peculiarities of the massive box
»No nothing like this grows in these regions « resumed Deerslayer »Ive
seen all the oaks both the maples the elms the bass woods all the walnuts
the butternuts and every tree that has a substance and colour wrought into
some form or other but never have I before seen such a wood as this Judith
the chist itself would buy your fathers freedom or Iroquois curosity isnt
as strong as red skin curosity in general especially in the matter of woods«
»The purchase might be cheaper made perhaps Deerslayer The chest is full
and it would be better to part with half than to part with the whole Besides
father I know not why but father values that chest highly«
»He would seem to prize what it holds more than the chist itself judging
by the manner in which he treats the outside and secures the inside Here are
three locks Judith is there no key«
»Ive never seen one and yet key there must be since Hetty told us she
had often seen the chest opened«
»Keys no more lie in the air or float on the water than humans gal if
there is a key there must be a place in which it is kept«
»That is true and it might not be difficult to find it did we dare to
search«
»This is for you Judith it is altogether for you The chist is yourn or
your fathers and Hutter is your father not mine Curosity is a womans and
not a mans failing and there you have got all the reasons before you If the
chist has articles for ransom it seems to me they would be wisely used in
redeeming their owners life or even in saving his scalp but that is a matter
for your judgment and not for ourn When the lawful owner of a trap or a buck
or a canoe isnt present his next of kin becomes his riprisentyve by all the
laws of the woods We therefore leave you to say whether the chist shall or
shall not be opened«
»I hope you do not believe I can hesitate when my fathers lifes in
danger Deerslayer«
»Why its pretty much putting a scolding agin tears and mourning Its not
onreasonable to foretell that old Tom may find fault with what youve done when
he sees himself once more in his hut here but theres nothing unusual in
mens falling out with what has been done for their own good I dare to say that
even the moon would seem a different thing from what it now does could we look
at it from the other side«
»Deerslayer if we can find the key I will authorize you to open the chest
and to take such things from it as you may think will buy fathers ransom«
»First find the key gal well talk of the rest aterwards Sarpent youve
eyes like a fly and a judgment thats seldom out can you help us in
calculating where Floating Tom would be apt to keep the key of a chist that he
holds to be as private as this«
The Delaware had taken no part in the discourse until he was thus directly
appealed to when he quitted the chest which had continued to attract his
attention and cast about him for the place in which a key would be likely to be
concealed under such circumstances As Judith and Deerslayer were not idle the
while the whole three were soon engaged in an anxious and spirited search As
it was certain that the desired key was not to be found in any of the common
drawers or closets of which there were several in the building none looked
there but all turned their enquiries to those places that struck them as
ingenious hiding places and more likely to be used for such a purpose In this
manner the outer room was thoroughly but fruitlessly examined when they entered
the sleeping apartment of Hutter This part of the rude building was better
furnished than the rest of the structure containing several articles that had
been especially devoted to the service of the deceased wife of its owner but
as Judith had all the rest of the keys it was soon rummaged without bringing
to light the particular key desired
They now entered the bed room of the daughters Chingachgook was immediately
struck with the contrast between the articles and the arrangement of that side
of the room that might be called Judiths and that which more properly belonged
to Hetty A slight exclamation escaped him and pointing in each direction he
alluded to the fact in a low voice speaking to his friend in the Delaware
tongue
»Tis as you think Sarpent« answered Deerslayer whose remarks we always
translate into English preserving as much as possible of the peculiar
phraseology and manner of the man »Tis just so as any one may see and tis
all founded in natur One sister loves finery some say overmuch while tother
is as meek and lowly as God ever created goodness and truth Yet after all I
dare say that Judith has her vartues and Hetty has her failins«
»And the FeebleMind has seen the chist opened« inquired Chingachgook with
curiosity in his glance
»Sartain that much Ive heard from her own lips and for that matter so
have you It seems her father doesnt misgive her discretion though he does
that of his eldest darter«
»Then the key is hid only from the Wild Rose« for so Chingachgook had
begun gallantly to term Judith in his private discourse with his friend
»Thats it Thats just it One he trusts and the other he doesnt
Theres red and white in that Sarpent all tribes and nations agreeing in
trusting some and refusing to trust other some It depends on character and
judgment«
»Where could a key be put so little likely to be found by the Wild Rose as
among coarse clothes«
Deerslayer started and turning to his friend with admiration expressed in
every lineament of his face he fairly laughed in his silent but hearty manner
at the ingenuity and readiness of the conjecture
»Your names well bestowed Sarpent yes tis well bestowed Sure enough
where would a lover of finery be so little likely to sarch as among garments
as coarse and onseemly as these of poor Hettys I dares to say Judiths
delicate fingers havent touched a bit of cloth as rough and oncomely as that
petticoat now since she first made acquaintance with the officers Yet who
knows The key may be as likely to be on the same peg as in any other place
Take down the garment Delaware and let us see if you are raally a prophet«
Chingachgook did as desired but no key was found A coarse pocket
apparently empty hung on the adjoining peg and this was next examined By this
time the attention of Judith was called in that direction and she spoke
hurriedly and like one who wished to save unnecessary trouble
»Those are only the clothes of poor Hetty dear simple girl« she said
»nothing we seek would be likely to be there«
The words were hardly out of the handsome mouth of the speaker when
Chingachgook drew the desired key from the pocket Judith was too quick of
apprehension not to understand the reason a hiding place so simple and exposed
had been used The blood rushed to her face as much with resentment perhaps as
with shame and she bit her lip though she continued silent Deerslayer and his
friend now discovered the delicacy of men of native refinement neither smiling
or even by a glance betraying how completely he understood the motives and
ingenuity of this clever artifice The former who had taken the key from the
Indian led the way into the adjoining room and applying it to a lock
ascertained that the right instrument had actually been found There were three
padlocks each of which however was easily opened by this single key
Deerslayer removed them all loosened the hasps raised the lid a little to make
certain it was loose and then he drew back from the chest several feet
signing to his friend to follow
»This is a family chist Judith« he said »and tis like to hold family
secrets The Sarpent and I will go into the Ark and look to the canoes and
paddles and oars while you can examine it by yourself and find out whether
any thing that will be a make weight in a ransom is or is not among the
articles When youve got through give us a call and well all sit in council
together touching the valie of the articles«
»Stop Deerslayer« exclaimed the girl as he was about to withdraw »Not a
single thing will I touch I will not even raise the lid unless you are
present Father and Hetty have seen fit to keep the inside of this chest a
secret from me and I am much too proud to pry into their hidden treasures
unless it were for their own good But on no account will I open the chest
alone Stay with me then I want witnesses of what I do«
»I rather think Sarpent that the gal is right Confidence and reliance
beget security but suspicion is like to make us all wary Judith has a right to
ask us to be present and should the chist hold any of Master Hutters secrets
they will fall into the keeping of two as close mouthed young men as are to be
found We will stay with you Judith but first let us take a look at the lake
and the shore for this chist will not be emptied in a minute«
The two men now went out on the platform and Deerslayer swept the shore
with the glass while the Indian gravely turned his eye on the water and the
woods in quest of any sign that might betray the machinations of their enemies
Nothing was visible and assured of their temporary security the three
collected around the chest again with the avowed object of opening it
Judith had held this chest and its unknown contents in a species of
reverence as long as she could remember Neither her father nor her mother
ever mentioned it in her presence and there appeared to be a silent
convention that in naming the different objects that occasionally stood near
it or even lay on its lid care should be had to avoid any allusion to the
chest itself Habit had rendered this so easy and so much a matter of course
that it was only quite recently the girl had began even to muse on the
singularity of the circumstance But there had never been sufficient intimacy
between Hutter and his eldest daughter to invite confidence At times he was
kind but in general with her more especially he was stern and morose Least
of all had his authority been exercised in a way to embolden his child to
venture on the liberty she was about to take without many misgivings of the
consequences although the liberty proceeded from a desire to serve himself
Then Judith was not altogether free from a little superstition on the subject
of this chest which had stood a sort of tabooed relic before her eyes from
childhood to the present hour Nevertheless the time had come when it would seem
that this mystery was to be explained and that under circumstances too which
left her very little choice in the matter
Finding that both her companions were watching her movements in grave
silence Judith placed a hand on the lid and endeavored to raise it Her
strength however was insufficient and it appeared to the girl who was fully
aware that all the fastenings were removed that she was resisted in an
unhallowed attempt by some supernatural power
»I cannot raise the lid Deerslayer« she said »Had we not better give up
the attempt and find some other means of releasing the prisoners«
»Not so Judith not so gal No means are as sartain and easy as a good
bribe« answered the other »As for the lid tis held by nothing but its own
weight which is prodigious for so small a piece of wood loaded with iron as it
is«
As Deerslayer spoke he applied his own strength to the effort and
succeeded in raising the lid against the timbers of the house where he took
care to secure it by a sufficient prop Judith fairly trembled as she cast her
first glance at the interior and she felt a temporary relief in discovering
that a piece of canvass that was carefully tucked in around the edges
effectually concealed all beneath it The chest was apparently well stored
however the canvass lying within an inch of the lid
»Heres a full cargo« said Deerslayer eyeing the arrangement »and we had
needs go to work leisurely and at our ease Sarpent bring some stools while I
spread this blanket on the floor and then well begin work orderly and in
comfort«
The Delaware complied Deerslayer civilly placed a stool for Judith took
one himself and commenced the removal of the canvas covering This was done
deliberately and in as cautious a manner as if it were believed that fabrics
of a delicate construction lay hidden beneath When the canvass was removed the
first articles that came in view were some of the habiliments of the male sex
They were of fine materials and according to the fashions of the age were gay
in colours and rich in ornaments One coat in particular was of scarlet and
had button holes worked in gold thread Still it was not military but was part
of the attire of a civilian of condition at a period when social rank was
rigidly respected in dress Chingachgook could not refrain from an exclamation
of pleasure as soon as Deerslayer opened this coat and held it up to view
for notwithstanding all his trained selfcommand the splendor of the vestment
was too much for the philosophy of an Indian Deerslayer turned quickly and he
regarded his friend with momentary displeasure as this burst of weakness
escaped him and then he soliloquized as was his practice whenever any strong
feeling suddenly got the ascendant
»Tis his gift yes tis the gift of a redskin to love finery and he is
not to be blamed This is an extrornary garment too and extrornary things
get up extrornary feelins I think this will do Judith for the Indian heart
is hardly to be found in all America that can withstand colours like these
and glitter like that If this coat was ever made for your father youve come
honestly by the taste for finery you have«
»That coat was never made for father« answered the girl quickly »it is
much too long while father is short and square«
»Cloth was plenty if it was and glitter cheap« answered Deerslayer with
his silent joyous laugh »Sarpent this garment was made for a man of your
size and I should like to see it on your shoulders«
Chingachgook nothing loth submitted to the trial throwing aside the
coarse and thread bare jacket of Hutter to deck his person in a coat that was
originally intended for a gentleman The transformation was ludicrous but as
men are seldom struck with incongruities in their own appearance any more than
in their own conduct the Delaware studied this change in a common glass by
which Hutter was in the habit of shaving with grave interest At that moment he
thought of Hist and we owe it to truth to say though it may militate a little
against the stern character of a warrior to avow it that he wished he could be
seen by her in his present improved aspect
»Off with it Sarpent off with it« resumed the inflexible Deerslayer
»Such garments as little become you as they would become me Your gifts are for
paint and hawks feathers and blankets and wampum and mine are for doublets
of skins tough leggings and sarviceable moccasins I say moccasins Judith
for though white living as I do in the woods its necessary to take to some of
the practyces of the woods for comforts sake and cheapness«
»I see no reason Deerslayer why one man may not wear a scarlet coat as
well as another« returned the girl »I wish I could see you in this handsome
garment«
»See me in a coat fit for a Lord Well Judith if you wait till that day
youll wait until you see me beyond reason and memory No no gal my gifts
are my gifts and Ill live and die in em though I never bring down another
deer or spear another salmon What have I done that you should wish to see me
in such a flaunting coat Judith«
»Because I think Deerslayer that the falsetongued and falsehearted young
gallants of the garrisons ought not alone to appear in fine feathers but that
truth and honesty have their claims to be honored and exalted«
»And what exaltification « the reader will have remarked that Deerslayer
had not very critically studied his dictionary »and what exaltification would
it be to me Judith to be bedizzened and bescarleted like a Mingo chief that
has just got his presents up from Quebec No no Im well as I am and if
not I can be no better Lay the coat down on the blanket Sarpent and let us
look farther into the chist«
The tempting garment one surely that was never intended for Hutter was
laid aside and the examination proceeded The male attire all of which
corresponded with the coat in quality was soon exhausted and then succeeded
female A beautiful dress of brocade a little the worse from negligent
treatment followed and this time open exclamations of delight escaped the lips
of Judith Much as the girl had been addicted to dress and favorable as had
been her opportunities of seeing some little pretension in that way among the
wives of the different commandants and other ladies of the forts never before
had she beheld a tissue or tints to equal those that were now so unexpectedly
placed before her eyes Her rapture was almost childish nor would she allow the
enquiry to proceed until she had attired her person in a robe so unsuited to
her habits and her abode With this end she withdrew into her own room where
with hands practised in such offices she soon got rid of her own neat gown of
linen and stood forth in the gay tints of the brocade The dress happened to
fit the fine full person of Judith and certainly it had never adorned a
being better qualified by natural gifts to do credit to its really rich hues
and fine texture When she returned both Deerslayer and Chingachgook who had
passed the brief time of her absence in taking a second look at the male
garments arose in surprise each permitting exclamations of wonder and pleasure
to escape him in a way so unequivocal as to add new lustre to the eyes of
Judith by flushing her cheeks with a glow of triumph Affecting however not
to notice the impression she had made the girl seated herself with the
stateliness of a queen desiring that the chest might be looked into further
»I dont know a better way to treat with the Mingos gal« cried
Deerslayer »than to send you ashore as you be and to tell em that a queen
has arrived among em Theyll give up old Hutter and Hurry and Hetty too at
such a spectacle«
»I thought your tongue too honest to flatter Deerslayer« returned the
girl gratified at this admiration more than she would have cared to own »One
of the chief reasons of my respect for you was your love for truth«
»And tis truth and solemn truth Judith and nothing else Never did eyes
of mine gaze on as glorious a lookin creatur as you be yourself at this very
moment Ive seen beauties in my time too both white and red and them that was
renowned and talkd of far and near but never have I beheld one that could
hold any comparison with what you are at this blessed instant Judith never«
The glance of delight which the girl bestowed on the frankspeaking hunter
in no degree lessened the effect of her charms and as the humid eyes blended
with it a look of sensibility perhaps Judith never appeared more truly lovely
than at what the young man had called that blessed instant He shook his head
held it suspended a moment over the open chest like one in doubt and then
proceeded with the examination
Several of the minor articles of female dress came next all of a quality to
correspond with the gown These were laid at Judiths feet in silence as if
she had a natural claim to their possession One or two such as gloves and
lace the girl caught up and appended to her already rich attire in affected
playfulness but with the real design of decorating her person as far as
circumstances would allow When these two remarkable suits male and female they
might be termed were removed another canvass covering separated the remainder
of the articles from the part of the chest which they had occupied As soon as
Deerslayer perceived this arrangement he paused doubtful of the propriety of
proceeding any further
»Every man has his secrets I suppose« he said »and all men have a right
to their enjyment Weve got low enough in this chist in my judgment to answer
our wants and it seems to me we should do well by going no farther and by
letting Master Hutter have to himself and his own feelins all thats beneath
this cover«
»Do you mean Deerslayer to offer these clothes to the Iroquois as
ransom« demanded Judith quickly
»Sartain What are we prying into another mans chist for but to sarve its
owner in the best way we can This coat alone would be very apt to gain over
the head chief of the riptyles and if his wife or darter should happen to be
out with him that there gownd would soften the heart of any woman that is to be
found atween Albany and Montreal I do not see that we want a larger stock in
trade than them two articles«
»To you it may seem so Deerslayer« returned the disappointed girl »but of
what use could a dress like this be to any Indian woman She could not wear it
among the branches of the trees the dirt and smoke of the wigwam would soon
soil it and how would a pair of red arms appear thrust through these short
laced sleeves«
»All very true gal and you might go on and say it is altogether out of
time and place and season in this region at all What is it to us how the
finery is treated so long as it answers our wishes I do not see that your
father can make any use of such clothes and its lucky he has things that are
of no valie to himself that will bear a high price with others We can make no
better trade for him than to offer these duds for his liberty Well throw in
the light frivolties and get Hurry off in the bargain«
»Then you think Deerslayer that Thomas Hutter has no one in his family
no child no daughter to whom this dress may be thought becoming and whom you
could wish to see in it once and awhile even though it should be at long
intervals and only in playfulness«
»I understand you Judith yes I now understand your meaning and I think
I can say your wishes That you are as glorious in that dress as the sun when
it rises or sets in a soft October day Im ready to allow and that you
greatly become it is a good deal more sartain than that it becomes you Theres
gifts in clothes as well as in other things Now I do not think that a warrior
on his first path ought to lay on the same awful paints as a chief that has had
his virtue tried and knows from experence he will not disgrace his
pretensions So it is with all of us red or white You are Thomas Hutters
darter and that gownd was made for the child of some governor or a lady of
high station and it was intended to be worn among fine furniture and in rich
company In my eyes Judith a modest maiden never looks more becoming than
when becomingly clad and nothing is suitable that is out of character Besides
gal if theres a creator in the colony that can afford to do without finery
and to trust to her own good looks and sweet countenance its yourself«
»Ill take off the rubbish this instant Deerslayer« cried the girl
springing up to leave the room »and never do I wish to see it on any human
being again«
»So it is with em all Sarpent« said the other turning to his friend and
laughing as soon as the beauty had disappeared »They like finery but they
like their natyve charms most of all Im glad the gal has consented to lay
aside her furbelows howsever for its agin reason for one of her class to
wear em and then she is handsome enough as I call it to go alone Hist would
show oncommon likely too in such a gownd Delaware«
»WahtaWah is a red skin girl Deerslayer« returned the Indian »like the
young of the pigeon she is to be known by her own feathers I should pass by
without knowing her were she dressed in such a skin Its wisest always to be
so clad that our friends need not ask us for our names The Wild Rose is very
pleasant but she is no sweeter for so many colours«
»Thats it thats natur and the true foundation for love and
protection When a man stoops to pick a wild strawberry he does not expect to
find a melon and when he wishes to gather a melon hes disappinted if it
proves to be a squash though squashes be often brighter to the eye than melons
Thats it and it means stick to your gifts and your gifts will stick to you«
The two men had now a little discussion together touching the propriety of
penetrating any farther into the chest of Hutter when Judith reappeared
divested of her robes and in her own simple linen frock again
»Thank you Judith« said Deerslayer taking her kindly by the hand »for I
know it went a little agin the natral cravings of woman to lay aside so much
finery as it might be in a lump But youre more pleasing to the eye as you
stand you be than if you had a crown on your head and jewels dangling from
your hair The question now is whether to lift this covering to see what will
be raally the best bargain we can make for Master Hutter for we must do as we
think he would be willing to do did he stand here in our places«
Judith looked very happy Accustomed as she was to adulation the homely
homage of Deerslayer had given her more true satisfaction than she had ever yet
received from the tongue of man It was not the terms in which this admiration
had been expressed for they were simple enough that produced so strong an
impression nor yet their novelty or their warmth of manner nor any of those
peculiarities that usually give value to praise but the unflinching truth of
the speaker that carried his words so directly to the heart of the listener
This is one of the great advantages of plain dealing and frankness The habitual
and wily flatterer may succeed until his practises recoil on himself and like
other sweets his aliment cloys by its excess but he who deals honestly though
he often necessarily offends possesses a power of praising that no quality but
sincerity can bestow since his words go directly to the heart finding their
support in the understanding Thus it was with Deerslayer and Judith So soon
and so deeply did this simple hunter impress those who knew him with a
conviction of his unbending honesty that all he uttered in commendation was as
certain to please as all he uttered in the way of rebuke was as certain to
rankle and excite enmity where his character had not awakened a respect and
affection that in another sense rendered it painful In after life when the
career of this untutored being brought him in contact with officers of rank and
others entrusted with the care of the interests of the state this same
influence was exerted on a wider field even generals listening to his
commendations with a glow of pleasure that it was not always in the power of
their official superiors to awaken Perhaps Judith was the first individual of
his own colour who fairly submitted to this natural consequence of truth and
fairdealing on the part of Deerslayer She had actually pined for his praise
and she had now received it and that in the form which was most agreeable to
her weaknesses and habits of thought The result will appear in the course of
the narrative
»If we knew all that chest holds Deerslayer« returned the girl when she
had a little recovered from the immediate effect produced by his commendations
of her personal appearance »we could better determine on the course we ought to
take«
»Thats not onreasonable gal though its more a paleface than a redskin
gift to be prying into other peoples secrets«
»Curiosity is natural and it is expected that all human beings should have
human failings Whenever Ive been at the garrisons Ive found that most in
and about them had a longing to learn their neighbors secrets«
»Yes and sometimes to fancy them when they couldnt find em out Thats
the difference atween an Indian gentleman and a white gentleman The Sarpent
here would turn his head aside if he found himself onknowingly lookin into
another chiefs wigwam whereas in the settlements while all pretend to be
great people most prove theyve got betters by the manner in which they talk
of their consarns Ill be bound Judith you wouldnt get the Sarpent there
to confess there was another in the tribe so much greater than himself as to
become the subject of his idees and to emply his tongue in conversations about
his movements and ways and food and all the other little matters that occupy
a man when hes not emplyd in his greater duties He who does this is but
little better than a blackguard in the grain and them that encourages him is
pretty much of the same kidney let them wear coats as fine as they may or of
what dye they please«
»But this is not another mans wigwam it belongs to my father these are
his things and they are wanted in his service«
»Thats true gal thats true and it carries weight with it Well when
all is before us we may indeed best judge which to offer for the ransom and
which to withhold«
Judith was not altogether as disinterested in her feelings as she affected
to be She remembered that the curiosity of Hetty had been indulged in
connection with this chest while her own had been disregarded and she was not
sorry to possess an opportunity of being placed on a level with her less gifted
sister in this one particular It appearing to be admitted all round that the
enquiry into the contents of the chest ought to be renewed Deerslayer proceeded
to remove the second covering of canvass
The articles that lay uppermost when the curtain was again raised on the
secrets of the chest were a pair of pistols curiously inlaid with silver
Their value would have been considerable in one of the towns though as
weapons in the woods they were a species of arms seldom employed never
indeed unless it might be by some officer from Europe who visited the
colonies as many were then wont to do so much impressed with the superiority
of the usages of London as to fancy they were not to be laid aside on the
frontiers of America What occurred on the discovery of these weapons will
appear in the succeeding chapter
Chapter XIII
»An oaken broken elbowchair
A caudlecup without an ear
A battered shattered ash bedstead
A box of deal without a lid
A pair of tongs but out of joint
A backsword poker without point
A dish which might good meat afford once
An Ovid and an old Concordance«
Thomas Sheridan »A True and Faithful
Inventory of the Goods belonging to
Dr Swift« ll 16 1314
No sooner did Deerslayer raise the pistols than he turned to the Delaware and
held them up for his admiration
»Child gun« said the Serpent smiling while he handled one of the
instruments as if it had been a toy
»Not it Sarpent not it twas made for a man and would satisfy a giant
if rightly used But stop white men are remarkable for their carelessness in
putting away fire arms in chists and corners Let me look if care has been
given to these«
As Deerslayer spoke he took the weapon from the hand of his friend and
opened the pan The last was filled with priming caked like a bit of cinder by
time moisture and compression An application of the ramrod showed that both
the pistols were charged although Judith could testify that they had probably
lain for years in the chest It is not easy to portray the surprise of the
Indian at this discovery for he was in the practice of renewing his priming
daily and of looking to the contents of his piece at other short intervals
»This is white neglect« said Deerslayer shaking his head »and scarce a
season goes by that some one in the settlements does nt suffer from it Its
extrornary too Judith yes its downright extrornary that the owner shall
fire his piece at a deer or some other game or perhaps at an inimy and twice
out of three times hell miss but let him catch an accident with one of these
forgotten charges and he makes it sartain death to a child or a brother or a
frind Well we shall do a good turn to the owner if we fire these pistols for
him and as theyre novelties to you and me Sarpent well try our hands at a
mark Freshen that priming and Ill do the same with this and then well see
who is the best man with a pistol as for the rifle thats long been settled
atween us«
Deerslayer laughed heartily at his own conceit and in a minute or two
they were both standing on the platform selecting some object in the Ark for
their target Judith was led by curiosity to their side
»Stand back gal stand a little back these wepons have been long loaded«
said Deerslayer »and some accident may happen in the discharge«
»Then you shall not fire them Give them both to the Delaware or it would
be better to unload them without firing«
»Thats agin usage and some people say agin manhood though I hold to
no such silly doctrine We must fire em Judith yes we must fire em though
I foresee that neither will have any great reason to boast of his skill«
Judith in the main was a girl of great personal spirit and her habits
prevented her from feeling any of the terror that is apt to come over her sex
at the report of fire arms She had discharged many a rifle and had even been
known to kill a deer under circumstances that were favorable to the effort She
submitted therefore falling a little back by the side of Deerslayer giving the
Indian the front of the platform to himself Chingachgook raised the weapon
several times endeavored to steady it by using both hands changed his
attitude from one that was awkward to another still more so and finally drew
the trigger with a sort of desperate indifference without having in reality
secured any aim at all The consequence was that instead of hitting the knot
which had been selected for the mark he missed the ark altogether the bullet
skipping along the water like a stone that was thrown by hand
»Well done Sarpent well done « cried Deerslayer laughing with his
noiseless glee »youve hit the lake and thats an explite for some men I
knowd it and as much as said it here to Judith for your short wepons
dont belong to red skin gifts Youve hit the lake and thats better than
only hitting the air Now stand back and let us see what white gifts can do
with a white wepon A pistol isnt a rifle but colour is colour«
The aim of Deerslayer was both quick and steady and the report followed
almost as soon as the weapon rose Still the pistol hung fire as it is termed
and fragments of it flew in a dozen directions some falling on the roof of the
castle others in the Ark and one in the water Judith screamed and when the
two men turned anxiously towards the girl she was as pale as death trembling
in every limb
»Shes wownded yes the poor gals wownded Sarpent though one couldnt
foresee it standing where she did Well lead her in to a seat and we must do
the best for her that our knowledge and skill can afford«
Judith allowed herself to be supported to a seat swallowed a mouthful of
the water that the Delaware offered her in a gourd and after a violent fit of
trembling that seemed ready to shake her fine frame to dissolution she burst
into tears
»The pain must be borne poor Judith yes it must be borne« said
Deerslayer soothingly »though I am far from wishing you not to weep for
weeping often lightens galish feelins Where can she be hurt Sarpent I see
no signs of blood nor any rent of skin or garments«
»I am uninjured Deerslayer « stammered the girl through her tears »Its
fright nothing more I do assure you and God be praised no one I find has
been harmed by the accident«
»This is extrornary« exclaimed the unsuspecting and simple minded hunter
»I thought Judith youd been above settlement weaknesses and that you was a
gal not to be frightened by the sound of a bursting wepon No I didnt think
you so skeary Hetty might well have been startled but youve too much judgment
and reason to be frightened when the dangers all over Theyre pleasant to the
eye chief and changeful but very unsartain in their feelins«
Shame kept Judith silent There had been no acting in her agitation but all
had fairly proceeded from sudden and uncontrollable alarm an alarm that she
found almost as inexplicable to herself as it proved to be to her companions
Wiping away the traces of tears however she smiled again and was soon able to
join in the laugh at her own folly
»And you Deerslayer« she at length succeeded in saying »are you indeed
altogether unhurt It seems almost miraculous that a pistol should have burst in
your hand and you escape without the loss of a limb if not of life«
»Such wonders arnt oncommon at all among worn out arms The first rifle
they gave me playd the same trick and yet I livd through it though not as
onharmless as Ive got out of this affair Thomas Hutter is master of one pistol
less than he was this morning but as it happened in trying to sarve him
theres no ground of complaint Now draw near and let us look farther into the
inside of the chist«
Judith by this time had so far gotten the better of her agitation as to
resume her seat and the examination went on The next article that offered was
enveloped in cloth and on opening it it proved to be one of the mathematical
instruments that were then in use among seamen possessing the usual ornaments
and fastenings in brass Deerslayer and Chingachgook expressed their admiration
and surprise at the appearance of the unknown instrument which was bright and
glittering having apparently been well cared for
»This goes beyond the surveyors Judith« Deerslayer exclaimed after
turning the instrument several times in his hands »Ive seen all their tools
often and wicked and heartless enough are they for they never come into the
forest but to lead the way to waste and destruction but none of them have as
designing a look as this I fear me after all that Thomas Hutter has journeyed
into the wilderness with no fair intentions towards its happiness Did you ever
see any of the cravings of a surveyor about your father gal«
»He is no surveyor Deerslayer nor does he know the use of that instrument
though he seems to own it Do you suppose that Thomas Hutter ever wore that
coat It is as much too large for him as this instrument is beyond his
learning«
»Thats it that must be it Sarpent and the old fellow by some onknown
means has fallen heir to another mans goods They say he has been a mariner
and no doubt this chist and all it holds ha What have we here This far
out does the brass and black wood of the tool«
Deerslayer had opened a small bag from which he was taking one by one the
pieces of a set of chessmen They were of ivory much larger than common and
exquisitely wrought Each piece represented the character or thing after which
it is named the knights being mounted the castles stood on elephants and even
the pawns possessed the heads and busts of men The set was not complete and a
few fractures betrayed bad usage but all that was left had been carefully put
away and preserved Even Judith expressed wonder as these novel objects were
placed before her eyes and Chingachgook fairly forgot his Indian dignity in
admiration and delight The latter took up each piece and examined it with
never tiring satisfaction pointing out to the girl the more ingenious and
striking portions of the workmanship But the elephants gave him the greatest
pleasure The Hughs that he uttered as he passed his fingers over their
trunks and ears and tails were very distinct nor did he fail to note the
pawns which were armed as archers This exhibition lasted several minutes
during which time Judith and the Indian had all the rapture to themselves
Deerslayer sate silent thoughtful and even gloomy though his eyes followed
each movement of the two principal actors noting every new peculiarity about
the pieces as they were held up to view Not an exclamation of pleasure nor a
word of condemnation passed his lips At length his companions observed his
silence and then for the first time since the chess men had been discovered
did he speak
»Judith« he asked earnestly but with a concern that amounted almost to
tenderness of manner »did your parents ever talk to you of religion«
The girl coloured and the flashes of crimson that passed over her beautiful
countenance were like the wayward tints of a Neapolitan sky in November
Deerslayer had given her so strong a taste for truth however that she did not
waver in her answer replying simply and with sincerity
»My mother did often« she said »my father never I thought it made my
mother sorrowful to speak of our prayers and duties but my father has never
opened his mouth on such matters before or since her death«
»That I can believe that I can believe He has no God no such God as it
becomes a man of white skin to worship or even a redskin Them things are
idols«
Judith started and for a moment she seemed seriously hurt Then she
reflected and in the end she laughed »And you think Deerslayer that these
ivory toys are my fathers Gods I have heard of idols and know what they are«
»Them are idols« repeated the other positively »Why should your father
keep em if he doesnt worship em«
»Would he keep his gods in a bag and locked up in a chest No no
Deerslayer my poor father carries his God with him wherever he goes and that
is in his own cravings These things may really be idols I think they are
myself from what I have heard and read of idolatry but they have come from
some distant country and like all the other articles have fallen into Thomas
Hutters hands when he was a sailor«
»Im glad of it I am downright glad to hear it Judith for I do not think
I could have mustered the resolution to strive to help a white idolater out of
his difficulties The old man is of my colour and nation and I wish to sarve
him but as one who denied all his gifts in the way of religion it would have
come hard to do so That animal seems to give you great satisfaction Sarpent
though its an idolatrous beast at the best«
»It is an elephant« interrupted Judith »Ive often seen pictures of such
animals at the garrisons and mother had a book in which there was a printed
account of the creature Father burnt that with all the other books for he said
Mother loved reading too well This was not long before mother died and Ive
sometimes thought that the loss hastened her end«
This was said equally without levity and without any very deep feeling It
was said without levity for Judith was saddened by her recollections and yet
she had been too much accustomed to live for self and for the indulgence of her
own vanities to feel her mothers wrongs very keenly It required extraordinary
circumstances to awaken a proper sense of her situation and to stimulate the
better feelings of this beautiful but misguided girl and those circumstances
had not yet occurred in her brief existence
»Elephant or no elephant tis an idol« returned the hunter »and not fit
to remain in christian keeping«
»Good for Iroquois« said Chingachgook parting with one of the castles with
reluctance as his friend took it from him to replace it in the bag »Elephon
buy whole tribe Buy Delaware almost«
»Ay that it would as any one who comperhends redskin natur must know«
answered Deerslayer »but the man that passes false money Sarpent is as bad as
he who makes it Did you ever know a just Injin that wouldnt scorn to sell a
coon skin for the true marten or to pass off a mink for a beaver I know that
a few of these idols perhaps one of them elephants would go far towards buying
Thomas Hutters liberty but it goes agin conscience to pass such counterfeit
money Perhaps no Injin tribe hereaway is downright idolaters but theres some
that come so near it that white gifts ought to be particular about encouraging
them in their mistake«
»If idolatry is a gift Deerslayer and gifts are what you seem to think
them idolatry in such people can hardly be a sin« said Judith with more
smartness than discrimination
»God grants no such gifts to any of his creaturs Judith« returned the
hunter seriously »He must be adored under some name or other and not
creaturs of brass or ivory It matters not whether the Father of All is called
God or Manitou Deity or Great Spirit he is none the less our common maker and
master nor does it count for much whether the souls of the just go to Paradise
or Happy Hunting Grounds since He may send each his own way as suits his own
pleasure and wisdom but it curdles my blood when I find human mortals so bound
up in darkness and consait as to fashion the arth or wood or bones things
made by their own hands into motionless senseless iffigies and then fall down
afore them and worship em as a Deity«
»After all Deerslayer these pieces of ivory may not be idols at all I
remember now to have seen one of the officers at the garrison with a set of
fox and geese made in some such a design as these and here is something hard
wrapped in cloth that may belong to your idols«
Deerslayer took the bundle the girl gave him and unrolling it he found the
board within Like the pieces it was large rich and inlaid with ebony and
ivory Putting the whole in conjunction the hunter though not without many
misgivings slowly came over to Judiths opinion and finally admitted that the
fancied idols must be merely the curiously carved men of some unknown game
Judith had the tact to use her victory with great moderation nor did she once
even in the most indirect manner allude to the ludicrous mistake of her
companion
This discovery of the uses of the extraordinarylooking little images
settled the affair of the proposed ransom It was agreed generally and all
understood the weaknesses and tastes of Indians that nothing could be more
likely to tempt the cupidity of the Iroquois than the elephants in particular
Luckily the whole of the castles were among the pieces and these four
towerbearing animals it was finally determined should be the ransom offered
The remainder of the men and indeed all the rest of the articles in the
chest were to be kept out of view and to be resorted to only as a last appeal
As soon as these preliminaries were settled every thing but those intended for
the bribe was carefully replaced in the chest all the covers were tucked in as
they had been found and it was quite possible could Hutter have been put in
possession of the castle again that he might have passed the remainder of his
days in it without even suspecting the invasion that had been made on the
privacy of the chest The rent pistol would have been the most likely to reveal
the secret but this was placed by the side of its fellow and all were pressed
down as before some half a dozen packages in the bottom of the chest not having
been opened at all When this was done the lid was lowered the padlocks
replaced and the key turned The latter was then replaced in the pocket from
which it had been taken
More than an hour was consumed in settling the course proper to be pursued
and in returning every thing to its place The pauses to converse were frequent
and Judith who experienced a lively pleasure in the open undisguised
admiration with which Deerslayers honest eyes gazed at her handsome face
found the means to prolong the interview with a dexterity that seems to be
innate in female coquetry Deerslayer indeed appeared to be the first who was
conscious of the time that had been thus wasted and to call the attention of
his companions to the necessity of doing something towards putting the plan of
ransoming into execution Chingachgook had remained in Hutters bed room where
the elephants were laid to feast his eyes with the images of animals so
wonderful and so novel Perhaps an instinct told him that his presence would
not be as acceptable to his companions as this holding himself aloof for
Judith had not much reserve in the manifestations of her preferences and the
Delaware had not got so far as one betrothed without acquiring some knowledge of
the symptoms of the master passion
»Well Judith« said Deerslayer rising after the interview had lasted much
longer than even he himself suspected »tis pleasant convarsing with you and
settling all these matters but duty calls us another way All this time Hurry
and your father not to say Hetty «
The word was cut short in the speakers mouth for at that critical moment
a light step was heard on the platform or courtyard a human figure darkened
the doorway and the person last mentioned stood before him The low
exclamation that escaped Deerslayer and the slight scream of Judith were hardly
uttered when an Indian youth between the ages of fifteen and seventeen stood
beside her These two entrances had been made with moccasined feet and
consequently almost without noise but unexpected and stealthy as they were
they had not the effect to disturb Deerslayers self possession His first
measure was to speak rapidly in Delaware to his friend cautioning him to keep
out of sight while he stood on his guard the second was to step to the door to
ascertain the extent of the danger No one else however had come and a simple
contrivance in the shape of a raft that lay floating at the side of the Ark
at once explained the means that had been used in bringing Hetty off Two dead
and dry and consequently buoyant logs of pine were bound together with pins
and withes and a little platform of riven chestnut had been rudely placed on
their surfaces Here Hetty had been seated on a billet of wood while the young
Iroquois had rowed the primitive and slowmoving but perfectly safe craft
from the shore As soon as Deerslayer had taken a close survey of this raft and
satisfied himself nothing else was near he shook his head and muttered in his
soliloquizing way
»This comes of prying into another mans chist Had we been watchful and
keen eyed such a surprise could never have happened and getting this much
from a boy teaches us what we may expect when the old warriors set themselves
fairly about their sarcumventions It opens the way howsever to a treaty for
the ransom and I will hear what Hetty has to say«
Judith as soon as her surprise and alarm had a little abated discovered a
proper share of affectionate joy at the return of her sister She folded her to
her bosom and kissed her as had been her wont in the days of their childhood
and innocence Hetty herself was less affected for to her there was no
surprise and her nerves were sustained by the purity and holiness of her
purpose At her sisters request she took a seat and entered into an account of
her adventures since they had parted Her tale commenced just as Deerslayer
returned and he also became an attentive listener while the young Iroquois
stood near the door seemingly as indifferent to what was passing as one of its
posts
The narrative of the girl was sufficiently clear until she reached the time
where we left her in the camp after the interview with the chiefs and at the
moment when Hist quitted her in the abrupt manner already related The sequel
of the story may be told in her own language
»When I read the texts to the chiefs Judith you could not have seen that
they made any changes on their minds« she said »but if seed is planted it
will grow God planted the seeds of all these trees «
»Ay that did he that did he « muttered Deerslayer »and a goodly harvest
has followed«
»God planted the seeds of all these trees« continued Hetty after a
moments pause »and you see to what a height and shade they have grown So it
is with the bible You may read a verse this year and forget it and it will
come back to you a year hence when you least expect to remember it«
»And did you find any thing of this among the savages poor Hetty«
»Yes Judith and sooner and more fully than I had even hoped I did not
stay long with father and Hurry but went to get my breakfast with Hist As soon
as we had done the chiefs came to us and then we found the fruits of the seed
that had been planted They said what I had read from the good book was right
it must be right it sounded right like a sweet bird singing in their ears
and they told me to come back and say as much to the great warrior who had slain
one of their braves and to tell it to you and to say how happy they should be
to come to church here in the castle or to come out in the sun and hear me
read more of the sacred volume and to tell you that they wish you would lend
them some canoes that they can bring father and Hurry and their women to the
castle that we might all sit on the platform there and listen to the singing
of the Pale Face Manitou There Judith did you ever know of any thing that so
plainly shows the power of the bible as that«
»If it were true t would be a miracle indeed Hetty But all this is no
more than Indian cunning and Indian treachery striving to get the better of us
by management when they find it is not to be done by force«
»Do you doubt the bible sister that you judge the savages so harshly«
»I do not doubt the bible poor Hetty but I much doubt an Indian and an
Iroquois What do you say to this visit Deerslayer«
»First let me talk a little with Hetty« returned the party appealed to
»Was the raft made ater you had got your breakfast gal and did you walk from
the camp to the shore opposite to us here«
»Oh no Deerslayer The raft was ready made and in the water could that
have been by a miracle Judith«
»Yes yes an Indian miracle « rejoined the hunter »Theyre expart
enough in them sort of miracles And you found the raft ready made to your
hands and in the water and in waiting like for its cargo«
»It was all as you say The raft was near the camp and the Indians put me
on it and had ropes of bark and they dragged me to the place opposite to the
castle and then they told that young man to row me off here«
»And the woods are full of the vagabonds waiting to know what is to be the
upshot of the miracle We comperhend this affair now Judith but Ill first
get rid of this young Canada blood sucker and then well settle our own course
Do you and Hetty leave us together first bringing me the elephants which the
Sarpent is admiring for twill never do to let this loping deer be alone a
minute or hell borrow a canoe without asking«
Judith did as desired first bringing the pieces and rearing with her
sister into their own room Deerslayer had acquired some knowledge of most of
the Indian dialects of that region and he knew enough of the Iroquois to hold a
dialogue in the language Beckoning to the lad therefore he caused him to take
a seat on the chest when he placed two of the castles suddenly before him Up
to that moment this youthful savage had not expressed a single intelligible
emotion or fancy There were many things in and about the place that were
novelties to him but he had maintained his selfcommand with philosophical
composure It is true Deerslayer had detected his dark eye scanning the
defences and the arms but the scrutiny had been made with such an air of
innocence in such a gaping indolent boyish manner that no one but a man who
had himself been taught in a similar school would have even suspected his
object The instant however the eyes of the savage fell upon the wrought
ivory and the images of the wonderful unknown beasts surprise and admiration
got the mastery of him The manner in which the natives of the South Sea Islands
first beheld the toys of civilized life has been often described but the reader
is not to confound it with the manner of an American Indian under similar
circumstances In this particular case the young Iroquois or Huron permitted
an exclamation of rapture to escape him and then he checked himself like one
who had been guilty of an indecorum After this his eyes ceased to wander but
became riveted on the elephants one of which after a short hesitation he even
presumed to handle Deerslayer did not interrupt him for quite ten minutes
knowing that the lad was taking such note of the curiosities as would enable
him to give the most minute and accurate description of their appearance to his
seniors on his return When he thought sufficient time had been allowed to
produce the desired effect the hunter laid a finger on the naked knee of the
youth and drew his attention to himself
»Listen « he said »I want to talk with my young friend from the Canadas
Let him forget that wonder for a minute«
»Where tother pale brother« demanded the boy looking up and letting the
idea that had been most prominent in his mind previously to the introduction of
the chess men escape him involuntarily
»He sleeps or if he isnt fairly asleep he is in the room where the
men do sleep « returned Deerslayer »How did my young friend know there was
another«
»See him from the shore Iroquois have got long eyes see beyond the clouds
see the bottom of the Great Spring«
»Well the Iroquois are welcome Two pale faces are prisoners in the camp of
your fathers boy«
The lad nodded treating the circumstance with great apparent indifference
though a moment after he laughed as if exulting in the superior address of his
own tribe
»Can you tell me boy what your chiefs intend to do with these captives or
havent they yet made up their minds«
The lad looked a moment at the hunter with a little surprise Then he
coolly put the end of his fore finger on his own head just above the left ear
and passed it round his crown with an accuracy and readiness that showed how
well he had been drilled in the peculiar art of his race
»When « demanded Deerslayer whose gorge rose at this cool demonstration of
indifference to human life »And why not take them to your wigwams«
»Road too long and full of pale faces Wigwam full and scalps sell high
Small scalp much gold«
»Well that explains it yes that does explain it Theres no need of being
any plainer Now you know lad that the oldest of your prisoners is the
father of these two young women and the other is the suitor of one of them The
gals natrally wish to save the scalps of such frinds and they will give them
two ivory creaturs as ransom One for each scalp Go back and tell this to
your chiefs and bring me the answer before the sun sets«
The boy entered zealously into this project and with a sincerity that left
no doubt of his executing his commission with intelligence and promptitude For
a moment he forgot his love of honor and all his clannish hostility to the
British and their Indians in his wish to have such a treasure in his tribe and
Deerslayer was satisfied with the impression he had made It is true the lad
proposed to carry one of the elephants with him as a specimen of the other but
to this his brother negotiator was too sagacious to consent well knowing that
it might never reach its destination if confided to such hands This little
difficulty was soon arranged and the boy prepared to depart As he stood on the
platform ready to step aboard of the raft he hesitated and turned short with
a proposal to borrow a canoe as the means most likely to shorten the
negotiations Deerslayer quietly refused the request and after lingering a
little longer the boy rowed slowly away from the castle taking the direction
of a thicket on the shore that lay less than half a mile distant Deerslayer
seated himself on a stool and watched the progress of the ambassador sometimes
closely scanning the whole line of shore as far as eye could reach and then
placing an elbow on a knee he remained a long time with his chin resting on the
hand
During the interview between Deerslayer and the lad a different scene took
place in the adjoining room Hetty had enquired for the Delaware and being told
why and where he remained concealed she joined him The reception which
Chingachgook gave his visitor was respectful and gentle He understood her
character and no doubt his disposition to be kind to such a being was
increased by the hope of learning some tidings of his betrothed As soon as the
girl entered she took a seat and invited the Indian to place himself near her
then she continued silent as if she thought it decorous for him to question
her before she consented to speak on the subject she had on her mind But as
Chingachgook did not understand this feeling he remained respectfully attentive
to any thing she might be pleased to tell him
»You are Chingachgook the Great Serpent of the Delawares arnt you«
the girl at length commenced in her own simple way losing her selfcommand in
the desire to proceed but anxious first to make sure of the individual
»Chingachgook« returned the Delaware with grave dignity »That say Great
Sarpent in Deerslayer tongue«
»Well that is my tongue Deerslayer and father and Judith and I and
poor Hurry Harry do you know Henry March Great Serpent I know you dont
however or he would have spoken of you too«
»Did any tongue name Chingachgook DroopingLily« for so the chief had
named poor Hetty »Was his name sung by a little bird among Iroquois«
Hetty did not answer at first but with that indescribable feeling that
awakens sympathy and intelligence among the youthful and unpractised of her sex
she hung her head and the blood suffused her cheek ere she found her tongue It
would have exceeded her stock of intelligence to explain this embarrassment
but though poor Hetty could not reason on every emergency she could always
feel The colour slowly receded from her cheeks and the girl looked up archly
at the Indian smiling with the innocence of a child mingled with the interest
of a woman
»My sister the Drooping Lily hear such bird« Chingachgook added and this
with a gentleness of tone and manner that would have astonished those who
sometimes heard the discordant cries that often came from the same throat these
transitions from the harsh and guttural to the soft and melodious not being
infrequent in ordinary Indian dialogues »My sisters ears were open has she
lost her tongue«
»You are Chingachgook you must be for there is no other red man here and
she thought Chingachgook would come«
»Chin gach gook « pronouncing the name slowly and dwelling on each
syllable »Great Sarpent Yengeese3 tongue«
»Chin gach gook « repeated Hetty in the same deliberate manner »Yes
so Hist called it and you must be the chief«
»Wah ta Wah « added the Delaware
»Wah ta Wah or Hist oh Hist I think Hist prettier than Wah and
so I call her Hist«
»Wah very sweet in Delaware ears«
»You make it sound differently from me But never mind I did hear the bird
you speak of sing Great Serpent«
»Will my sister say words of song What she sing most how she look often
she laugh«
»She sang Chingachgook oftener than any thing else and she laughed
heartily when I told how the Iroquois waded into the water after us and
couldnt catch us I hope these logs havent ears Serpent«
»No fear logs fear sister next room No fear Iroquois Deerslayer stuff
his eyes and ears with strange beast«
»I understand you Serpent and I understood Hist Sometimes I think Im not
half as feeble minded as they say I am Now do you look up at the roof and
Ill tell you all But you frighten me you look so eager when I speak of Hist«
The Indian controlled his looks and affected to comply with the simple
request of the girl
»Hist told me to say in a very low voice that you mustnt trust the
Iroquois in any thing They are more artful than any Indians she knows Then she
says that there is a large bright star that comes over the hill about an hour
after dark Hist had pointed out the planet Jupiter without knowing it
and just as that star comes in sight she will be on the point where I landed
last night and that you must come for her in a canoe«
»Good Chingachgook understand well enough now but he understand better
if my sister sing him agin«
Hetty repeated her words more fully explaining what star was meant and
mentioning the part of the point where he was to venture ashore She now
proceeded in her own unsophisticated way to relate her intercourse with the
Indian maid and to repeat several of her expressions and opinions that gave
great delight to the heart of her betrothed She particularly renewed her
injunctions to be on their guard against treachery a warning that was scarcely
needed however as addressed to men as wary as those to whom it was sent She
also explained with sufficient clearness for on all such subjects the mind of
the girl seldom failed her the present state of the enemy and the movements
they had made since morning Hist had been on the raft with her until it
quitted the shore and was now somewhere in the woods opposite to the castle
and did not intend to return to the camp until night approached when she hoped
to be able to slip away from her companions as they followed the shore on their
way home and conceal herself on the point No one appeared to suspect the
presence of Chingachgook though it was necessarily known that an Indian had
entered the Ark the previous night and it was suspected that he had since
appeared in and about the castle in the dress of a paleface Still some
little doubt existed on the latter point for as this was the season when white
men might be expected to arrive there was some fear that the garrison of the
castle was increasing by these ordinary means All this had Hist communicated to
Hetty while the Indians were dragging them along shore the distance which
exceeded six miles affording abundance of time
»Hist dont know herself whether they suspect her or not or whether
they suspect you but she hopes neither is the case And now Serpent since I
have told you so much from your betrothed« continued Hetty unconsciously
taking one of the Indians hands and playing with the fingers as a child is
often seen to play with those of a parent »you must let me tell you something
from myself When you marry Hist you must be kind to her and smile on her as
you do now on me and not look cross as some of the chiefs do at their squaws
Will you promise this«
»Always good to Wah too tender to twist hard else she break«
»Yes and smile too you dont know how much a girl craves smiles from
them she loves Father scarce smiled on me once while I was with him and
Hurry yes Hurry talked loud and laughed but I dont think he smiled once
either You know the difference between a smile and a laugh«
»Laugh best Hear Wah laugh think bird sing«
»I know that her laugh is pleasant but you must smile And then Serpent
you mustnt make her carry burthens and hoe corn as so many Indians do but
treat her more as the pale faces treat their wives«
»WahtaWah no pale face got red skin red heart red feelins All red
no pale Must carry papoose«
»Every woman is willing to carry her child« said Hetty smiling »and there
is no harm in that But you must love Hist and be gentle and good to her for
she is gentle and good herself«
Chingachgook gravely bowed and then he seemed to think this part of the
subject might be dismissed Before there was time for Hetty to resume her
communications the voice of Deerslayer was heard calling on his friend in the
outer room At this summons the Serpent arose to obey and Hetty joined her
sister
Chapter XIV
»A stranger animal cries one
Sure never livd beneath the sun
A lizards body lean and long
A fishs head a serpents tongue
Its foot with triple claw disjoined
And what a length of tail behind«
James Merrick
»The Chameleon« ll 2126
The first act of the Delaware on rejoining his friend was to proceed gravely
to disencumber himself of his civilized attire and to stand forth an Indian
warrior again The protest of Deerslayer was met by his communicating the fact
that the presence of an Indian in the hut was known to the Iroquois and that
maintaining the disguise would be more likely to direct suspicions to his real
object than if he came out openly as a member of a hostile tribe When the
latter understood the truth and was told that he had been deceived in supposing
the chief had succeeded in entering the Ark undiscovered he cheerfully
consented to the change since further attempt at concealment was useless A
gentler feeling than the one avowed however lay at the bottom of the Indians
desire to appear as a son of the forest He had been told that Hist was on the
opposite shore and nature so far triumphed over all distinctions of habit and
tribes and people as to reduce this young savage warrior to the level of a
feeling which would have been found in the most refined inhabitant of a town
under similar circumstances There was a mild satisfaction in believing that she
he loved could see him and as he walked out on the platform in his scanty
native attire an Apollo of the wilderness a hundred of the tender fancies that
fleet through lovers brains beset his imagination and softened his heart
All this was lost on Deerslayer who was no great adept in the mysteries of
Cupid but whose mind was far more occupied with the concerns that forced
themselves on his attention than with any of the truant fancies of love He
soon recalled his companion therefore to a sense of their actual condition by
summoning him to a sort of council of war in which they were to settle their
future course In the dialogue that followed the parties mutually made each
other acquainted with what had passed in their several interviews Chingachgook
was told the history of the treaty about the ransom and Deerslayer heard the
whole of Hettys communications The latter listened with generous interest to
his friends hopes and promised cheerfully all the assistance he could lend
»Tis our main arnd Sarpent as you know this battling for the castle and
old Hutters darters coming in as a sort of accident Yes yes Ill be acty
ve in helping little Hist whos not only one of the best and handsomest maidens
of the tribe but the very best and handsomest Ive always encouraged you
chief in that liking and its proper too that a great and ancient race like
yourn shouldnt come to an end If a woman of red skin and red gifts could get
to be near enough to me to wish her for a wife Id sarch for just such
another but that can never be no that can never be Im glad Hetty has met
with Hist howsever for though the first is a little short of wit and
understanding the last has enough for both Yes Sarpent « laughing heartily
»put em together and two smarter gals isnt to be found in all York Colony«
»I will go to the Iroquois camp« returned the Delaware gravely »No one
knows Chingachgook but Wah and a treaty for lives and scalps should be made by
a chief Give me the strange beasts and let me take a canoe«
Deerslayer dropped his head and played with the end of a fishpole in the
water as he sate dangling his legs over the edge of the platform like a man
who was lost in thought by the sudden occurrence of a novel idea Instead of
directly answering the proposal of his friend he began to soliloquize a
circumstance however that in no manner rendered his words more true as he was
remarkable for saying what he thought whether the remarks were addressed to
himself or to any one else
»Yes yes « he said »this must be what they call love Ive heard say
that it sometimes upsets reason altogether leaving a young man as helpless as
to calculation and caution as a brute beast To think that the Sarpent should
be so lost to reason and cunning and wisdom We must sartainly manage to get
Hist off and have em married as soon as we get back to the tribe or this war
will be of no more use to the chief than a hunt a little oncommon extrornary
Yes yes hell never be the man he was till this matter is off his mind and
he comes to his senses like all the rest of mankind Sarpent you cant be in
airnest and therefore I shall say but little to your offer But youre a chief
and will soon be sent out on the warpath at head of the parties and Ill just
ask if youd think of putting your forces into the inimys hands afore the
battle is fout«
»Wah« ejaculated the Indian
»Ay Wah I know well enough its Wah and altogether Wah Raally
Sarpent Im consarned and mortified about you I never heard so weak an idee
come from a chief and he too one thats already got a name for being wise
young and inexperenced as he is Canoe you shant have so long as the vice
of frindship and warning can count for any thing«
»My paleface friend is right A cloud came over the face of Chingachgook
and weakness got into his mind while his eyes were dim My brother has a good
memory for good deeds and a weak memory for bad He will forget«
»Yes thats easy enough Say no more about it chief but if another of them
clouds blow near you do your endivours to get out of its way Clouds are bad
enough in the weather but when they come to the reason it gets to be serious
Now sit down by me here and let us calculate our movements a little for we
shall soon either have a truce and a peace or we shall come to an actyve and
bloody war You see the vagabonds can make logs sarve their turn as well as the
best raftsmen on the rivers and it would be no great explite for them to
invade us in a body Ive been thinking of the wisdom of putting all old Toms
stores into the Ark of barring and locking up the Castle and of taking to the
Ark altogether That is moveable and by keeping the sail up and shifting
places we might worry through a great many nights without them Canada wolves
finding a way into our sheep fold«
Chingachgook listened to this plan with approbation Did the negotiation
fail there was now little hope that the night would pass without an assault
and the enemy had sagacity enough to understand that in carrying the castle
they would probably become masters of all it contained the offered ransom
included and still retain the advantages they had hitherto gained Some
precaution of the sort appeared to be absolutely necessary for now the numbers
of the Iroquois were known a night attack could scarcely be successfully met
It would be impossible to prevent the enemy from getting possession of the
canoes and the Ark and the latter itself would be a hold in which the
assailants would be as effectually protected against bullets as were those in
the building For a few minutes both the men thought of sinking the Ark in the
shallow water of bringing the canoes into the house and of depending
altogether on the castle for protection But reflection satisfied them that in
the end this expedient would fail It was so easy to collect logs on the shore
and to construct a raft of almost any size that it was certain the Iroquois
now they had turned their attention to such means would resort to them
seriously so long as there was the certainty of success by perseverance After
deliberating maturely and placing all the considerations fairly before them
the two young beginners in the art of forest warfare settled down into the
opinion that the Ark offered the only available means of security This decision
was no sooner come to than it was communicated to Judith The girl had no
serious objection to make and all four set about the measures necessary to
carrying the plan into execution
The reader will readily understand that Floating Toms worldly goods were of
no great amount A couple of beds some wearing apparel the arms and
ammunition a few cooking utensils with the mysterious and but half examined
chest formed the principal items These were all soon removed the Ark having
been hauled on the eastern side of the building so that the transfer could be
made without being seen from the shore It was thought unnecessary to disturb
the heavier and coarser articles of furniture as they were not required in the
Ark and were of but little value in themselves As great caution was necessary
in removing the different objects most of which were passed out of a window
with a view to conceal what was going on it required two or three hours before
all could be effected By the expiration of that time the raft made its
appearance moving from the shore Deerslayer immediately had recourse to the
glass by the aid of which he perceived that two warriors were on it though
they appeared to be unarmed The progress of the raft was slow a circumstance
that formed one of the great advantages that would be possessed by the scow in
any future collision between them the movements of the latter being
comparatively swift and light As there was time to make the dispositions for
the reception of the two dangerous visiters every thing was prepared for them
long before they had got near enough to be hailed The Serpent and the girls
retired into the building where the former stood near the door well provided
with rifles while Judith watched the proceedings without through a loop As for
Deerslayer he had brought a stool to the edge of the platform at the point
towards which the raft was advancing and taken his seat with his rifle leaning
carelessly between his legs
As the raft drew nearer every means possessed by the party in the castle
was resorted to in order to ascertain if their visiters had any fire arms
Neither Deerslayer nor Chingachgook could discover any but Judith unwilling to
trust to simple eyesight thrust the glass through the loop and directed it
towards the hemlock boughs that lay between the two logs of the raft forming a
sort of flooring as well as a seat for the use of the rowers When the heavy
moving craft was within fifty feet of him Deerslayer hailed the Hurons
directing them to cease rowing it not being his intention to permit them to
land Compliance of course was necessary and the two grimlooking warriors
instantly quitted their seats though the raft continued slowly to approach
until it had driven in much nearer to the platform
»Are ye chiefs« demanded Deerslayer with dignity »Are ye chiefs Or
have the Mingos sent me warriors without names on such an arnd If so the
sooner ye go back the sooner them will be likely to come that a warrior can
talk with«
»Hugh« exclaimed the elder of the two on the raft rolling his glowing eyes
over the different objects that were visible in and about the Castle with a
keenness that showed how little escaped him »My brother is very proud but
Rivenoak we use the literal translation of the term writing as we do in
English is a name to make a Delaware turn pale«
»Thats true or its a lie Rivenoak as it may be but I am not likely to
turn pale seeing that I was born pale Whats your arnd and why do you come
among light bark canoes on logs that are not even dug out«
»The Iroquois are not ducks to walk on water Let the pale faces give them
a canoe and theyll come in a canoe«
»Thats more rational than likely to come to pass We have but four canoes
and being four persons thats only one for each of us We thank you for the
offer howsever though we ask leave not to accept it You are welcome
Iroquois on your logs«
»Thanks My young pale face warrior he has got a name how do the chiefs
call him«
Deerslayer hesitated a moment and a gleam of pride and human weakness came
over him He smiled muttered between his teeth and then looking up proudly he
said
»Mingo like all who are young and actyve Ive been known by different
names at different times One of your warriors whose spirit started for the
Happy Grounds of your people as lately as yesterday morning thought I desarved
to be known by the name of Hawkeye and this because my sight happened to be
quicker than his own when it got to be life or death atween us«
Chingachgook who was attentively listening to all that passed heard and
understood this proof of passing weakness in his friend and on a future
occasion he questioned him more closely concerning the transaction on the point
where Deerslayer had first taken human life When he had got the whole truth he
did not fail to communicate it to the tribe from which time the young hunter
was universally known among the Delawares by an appellation so honorably
earned As this however was a period posterior to all the incidents of this
tale we shall continue to call the young hunter by the name under which he has
been first introduced to the reader Nor was the Iroquois less struck with the
vaunt of the white man He knew of the death of his comrade and had no
difficulty in understanding the allusion the intercourse between the conqueror
and his victim on that occasion having been seen by several savages on the
shore of the lake who had been stationed at different points just within the
margin of bushes to watch the drifting canoes and who had not time to reach the
scene of action ere the victor had retired The effect on this rude being of
the forest was an exclamation of surprise then such a smile of courtesy and
wave of the hand succeeded as would have done credit to Asiatic diplomacy The
two Iroquois spoke to each other in low tones and both drew near the end of
the raft that was closest to the platform
»My brother Hawkeye has sent a message to the Hurons« resumed Rivenoak
»and it has made their hearts very glad They hear he has images of beasts with
two tails Will he show them to his friends«
»Inimies would be truer« returned Deerslayer »but sound is nt sense and
does little harm Here is one of the images I toss it to you under faith of
treaties If its not returned the rifle will settle the pint atween us«
The Iroquois seemed to acquiesce in the conditions and Deerslayer arose and
prepared to toss one of the elephants to the raft both parties using all the
precaution that was necessary to prevent its loss As practice renders men
expert in such things the little piece of ivory was soon successfully
transferred from one hand to the other and then followed another scene on the
raft in which astonishment and delight got the mastery of Indian stoicism
These two grim old warriors manifested even more feeling as they examined the
curiously wrought chessman than had been betrayed by the boy for in the case
of the latter recent schooling had interposed its influence while the men
like all who are sustained by well established characters were not ashamed to
let some of their emotions be discovered For a few minutes they apparently lost
the consciousness of their situation in the intense scrutiny they bestowed on a
material so fine work so highly wrought and an animal so extraordinary The
lip of the moose is perhaps the nearest approach to the trunk of the elephant
that is to be found in the American forest but this resemblance was far from
being sufficiently striking to bring the new creature within the range of their
habits and ideas and the more they studied the image the greater was their
astonishment Nor did these children of the forest mistake the structure on the
back of the elephant for a part of the animal They were familiar with horses
and oxen and had seen towers in the Canadas and found nothing surprising in
creatures of burthen Still by a very natural association they supposed the
carving meant to represent that the animal they saw was of a strength
sufficient to carry a fort on its back a circumstance that in no degree
lessened their wonder
»Has my pale face brother any more such beasts« at last the senior of the
Iroquois asked in a sort of petitioning manner
»Theres more where them came from Mingo« was the answer »one is enough
howsever to buy off fifty scalps«
»One of my prisoners is a great warrior tall as a pine strong as the
moose active as a deer fierce as the panther Some day hell be a great
chief and lead the army of King George«
»Tut tut Mingo Hurry Harry is Hurry Harry and youll never make more
than a corporal of him if you do that Hes tall enough of a sartainty but
thats of no use as he only hits his head agin the branches as he goes through
the forest Hes strong too but a strong body isnt a strong head and the
kings generals are not chosen for their sinews hes swift if you will but a
rifle bullet is swifter and as for ferceness its no great ricommend to a
soldier they that think they feel the stoutest often givin out at the pinch
No no youll niver make Hurrys scalp pass for more than a good head of
curly hair and a rattle pate beneath it«
»My old prisoner very wise king of the lake great warrior wise
counsellor«
»Well theres them that might gainsay all this too Mingo A very wise man
wouldnt be apt to be taken in so foolish a manner as befel Master Hutter and
if he gives good counsel he must have listened to very bad in that affair
Theres only one king of this lake and hes a long way off and isnt likely
ever to see it Floating Tom is some such king of this region as the wolf that
prowls through the woods is king of the forest A beast with two tails is well
worth two such scalps«
»But my brother has another beast He will give two « holding up as many
fingers »for old father«
»Floating Tom is no father of mine but hell fare none the worse for that
As for giving two beasts for his scalp and each beast with two tails it is
quite beyond reason Think yourself well off Mingo if you make a much worse
trade«
By this time the selfcommand of Rivenoak had got the better of his wonder
and he began to fall back on his usual habits of cunning in order to drive the
best bargain he could It would be useless to relate more than the substance of
the desultory dialogue that followed in which the Indian manifested no little
management in endeavoring to recover the ground lost under the influence of
surprise He even affected to doubt whether any original for the image of the
beast existed and asserted that the oldest Indian had never heard a tradition
of any such animal Little did either of them imagine at the time that long
ere a century elapsed the progress of civilization would bring even much more
extraordinary and rare animals into that region as curiosities to be gazed at
by the curious and that the particular beast about which the disputants
contended would be seen laving its sides and swimming in the very sheet of
water on which they had met4 As is not uncommon on such occasions one of the
parties got a little warm in the course of the discussion for Deerslayer met
all the arguments and prevarication of his subtle opponent with his own cool
directness of manner and unmoved love of truth What an elephant was he knew
little better than the savage but he perfectly understood that the carved
pieces of ivory must have some such value in the eyes of an Iroquois as a bag
of gold or a package of beaver skins would in those of a trader Under the
circumstances therefore he felt it to be prudent not to concede too much at
first since there existed a nearly unconquerable obstacle to making the
transfers even after the contracting parties had actually agreed upon the
terms Keeping this difficulty in view he held the extra chessmen in reserve
as a means of smoothing any difficulty in the moment of need
At length the savage pretended that further negotiation was useless since
he could not be so unjust to his tribe as to part with the honor and emoluments
of two excellent full grown male scalps for a consideration so trifling as a
toy like that he had seen and he prepared to take his departure Both parties
now felt as men are wont to feel when a bargain that each is anxious to
conclude is on the eve of being broken off in consequence of too much
pertinacity in the way of management The effect of the disappointment was very
different however on the respective individuals Deerslayer was mortified and
filled with regret for he not only felt for the prisoners but he also felt
deeply for the two girls The conclusion of the treaty therefore left him
melancholy and full of regret With the savage his defeat produced the desire
of revenge In a moment of excitement he had loudly announced his intention to
say no more and he felt equally enraged with himself and with his cool
opponent that he had permitted a pale face to manifest more indifference and
selfcommand than an Indian chief When he began to urge his raft away from the
platform his countenance lowered and his eye glowed even while he affected a
smile of amity and a gesture of courtesy at parting
It took some little time to overcome the vis inertio of the logs and while
this was being done by the silent Indian Rivenoak stalked over the hemlock
boughs that lay between the logs in sullen ferocity eyeing keenly the while
the hut the platform and the person of his late disputant Once he spoke in
low quick tones to his companion and he stirred the boughs with his feet like
an animal that is restive At that moment the watchfulness of Deerslayer had a
little abated for he sat musing on the means of renewing the negotiation
without giving too much advantage to the other side It was perhaps fortunate
for him that the keen and bright eyes of Judith were as vigilant as ever At the
instant when the young man was least on his guard and his enemy was the most on
the alert she called out in a warning voice to the former most opportunely
giving the alarm
»Be on your guard Deerslayer« the girl cried »I see rifles with the
glass beneath the hemlock brush and the Iroquois is loosening them with his
feet«
It would seem that the enemy had carried their artifices so far as to employ
an agent who understood English The previous dialogue had taken place in his
own language but it was evident by the sudden manner in which his feet ceased
their treacherous occupation and in which the countenance of Rivenoak changed
from sullen ferocity to a smile of courtesy that the call of the girl was
understood Signing to his companion to cease his efforts to set the logs in
motion he advanced to the end of the raft which was nearest to the platform
and spoke
»Why should Rivenoak and his brother leave any cloud between them« he said
»They are both wise both brave and both generous they ought to part friends
One beast shall be the price of one prisoner«
»And Mingo« answered the other delighted to renew the negotiations on
almost any terms and determined to clinch the bargain if possible by a little
extra liberality »youll see that a pale face knows how to pay a full price
when he trades with an open heart and an open hand Keep the beast that you had
forgotten to give back to me as you was about to start and which I forgot to
ask for on account of consarn at parting in anger Show it to your chiefs When
you bring us our frinds two more shall be added to it and « hesitating a
moment in distrust of the expediency of so great a concession then deciding in
its favor »and if we see them afore the sun sets we may find a fourth to
make up an even number«
This settled the matter Every gleam of discontent vanished from the dark
countenance of the Iroquois and he smiled as graciously if not as sweetly as
Judith Hutter herself The piece already in his possession was again examined
and an ejaculation of pleasure showed how much he was pleased with this
unexpected termination of the affair In point of fact, both he and Deerslayer
had momentarily forgotten what had become of the subject of their discussion in
the warmth of their feelings but such had not been the case with Rivenoaks
companion This man retained the piece and had fully made up his mind were it
claimed under such circumstances as to render its return necessary to drop it
in the lake trusting to his being able to find it again at some future day
This desperate expedient however was no longer necessary and after repeating
the terms of agreement and professing to understand them the two Indians
finally took their departure moving slowly towards the shore
»Can any faith be put in such wretches« asked Judith when she and Hetty
had come out on the platform and were standing at the side of Deerslayer
watching the dull movement of the logs »Will they not rather keep the toy they
have and send us off some bloody proofs of their getting the better of us in
cunning by way of boasting Ive heard of acts as bad as this«
»No doubt Judith no manner of doubt if it wasnt for Indian natur But
Im no judge of a red skin if that two taild beast doesnt set the whole
tribe in some such stir as a stick raises in a beehive Now theres the
Sarpent a man with narves like flint and no more curosity in every day
consarns than is befitting prudence why he was so overcome with the sight of
the creatur carved as it is in bone that I felt ashamed for him Thats just
their gifts howsever and one cant well quarrel with a man for his gifts when
they are lawful Chingachgook will soon get over his weakness and remember that
hes a chief and that he comes of a great stock and has a renowned name to
support and uphold but as for yonder scamps therell be no peace among em
until they think theyve got possession of every thing of the natur of that bit
of carved bone thats to be found among Thomas Hutters stores«
»They only know of the elephants and can have no hopes about the other
things«
»Thats true Judith still covetousness is a craving feelin Theyll say
if the pale faces have these curous beasts with two tails who knows but
theyve got some with three or for that matter with four Thats what the
schoolmasters call natral arithmetic and twill be sartain to beset the
feelins of savages Theyll never be easy till the truth is known«
»Do you think Deerslayer« inquired Hetty in her simple and innocent
manner »that the Iroquois wont let father and Hurry go I read to them
several of the very best verses in the whole bible and you see what they have
done already«
The hunter as he always did listened kindly and even affectionately to
Hettys remarks then he mused a moment in silence There was something like a
flush on his cheek as he answered after quite a minute had passed
»I dont know whether a white man ought to be ashamed or not to own he
cant read but such is my case Judith You are skilful I find in all such
matters while I have only studied the hand of God as it is seen in the hills
and the valleys the mountaintops the streams the forests and the springs
Much larning may be got in this way as well as out of books and yet I
sometimes think it is a white mans gift to read When I hear from the mouths of
the Moravians the words of which Hetty speaks they raise a longing in my mind
and I then think I will know how to read em myself but the game in summer and
the traditions and lessons in war and other matters have always kept me
behind hand«
»Shall I teach you Deerslayer« asked Hetty earnestly »Im weakminded
they say but I can read as well as Judith It might save your life to know how
to read the bible to the savages and it will certainly save your soul for
mother told me that again and again«
»Thankee Hetty yes thankee with all my heart These are like to be too
stirring times for much idleness but after its peace and I come to see you
agin on this lake then Ill give myself up to it as if twas pleasure and
profit in a single business Perhaps I ought to be ashamed Judith that tis
so but truth is truth As for these Iroquois tisnt very likely theyll
forget a beast with two tails on account of a varse or two from the bible I
rather expect theyll give up the prisoners and trust to some sarcumvention or
other to get em back agin with us and all in the castle and the Ark in the
bargain Howsever we must humour the vagabonds first to get your father and
Hurry out of their hands and next to keep the peace atween us until such time
as the Sarpent there can make out to get off his betrothed wife If theres any
sudden outbreakin of anger and ferocity the Indians will send off all their
women and children to the camp at once whereas by keeping em calm and
trustful we may manage to meet Hist at the spot she has mentioned Rather than
have the bargain fall through now Id throw in half a dozen of them effigy
bowandarrow men such as weve in plenty in the chist«
Judith cheerfully assented for she would have resigned even the flowered
brocade rather than not redeem her father and please Deerslayer
The prospects of success were now so encouraging as to raise the spirits of
all in the castle though a due watchfulness of the movements of the enemy was
maintained Hour passed after hour notwithstanding and the sun had once more
begun to fall towards the summits of the western hills and yet no signs were
seen of the return of the raft By dint of sweeping the shore with the glass
Deerslayer at length discovered a place in the dense and dark woods where he
entertained no doubt the Iroquois were assembled in considerable numbers It
was near the thicket whence the raft had issued and a little rill that trickled
into the lake announced the vicinity of a spring Here then the savages were
probably holding their consultation and the decision was to be made that went
to settle the question of life or death for the prisoners There was one ground
for hope in spite of the delay however that Deerslayer did not fail to place
before his anxious companions It was far more probable that the Indians had
left their prisoners in the camp than that they had encumbered themselves by
causing them to follow through the woods a party that was out on a merely
temporary excursion If such was the fact it required considerable time to send
a messenger the necessary distance and to bring the two white men to the spot
where they were to embark Encouraged by these reflections a new stock of
patience was gathered and the declension of the sun was viewed with less alarm
The result justified Deerslayers conjecture Not long before the sun had
finally disappeared the two logs were seen coming out of the thicket again
and as it drew near Judith announced that her father and Hurry both of them
pinioned lay on the bushes in the centre As before the two Indians were
rowing The latter seemed to be conscious that the lateness of the hour demanded
unusual exertions and contrary to the habits of their people who are ever
averse to toil they labored hard at the rude substitutes for oars In
consequence of this diligence the raft occupied its old station in about half
the time that had been taken in the previous visits
Even after the conditions were so well understood and matters had proceeded
so far the actual transfer of the prisoners was not a duty to be executed
without difficulty The Iroquois were compelled to place great reliance on the
good faith of their foes though it was reluctantly given and was yielded to
necessity rather than to confidence As soon as Hutter and Hurry should be
released the party in the castle numbered two to one as opposed to those on
the raft and escape by flight was out of the question as the former had three
bark canoes to say nothing of the defences of the house and the Ark All this
was understood by both parties and it is probable the arrangement never could
have been completed had not the honest countenance and manner of Deerslayer
wrought their usual effect on Rivenoak
»My brother knows I put faith in him « said the latter as he advanced with
Hutter whose legs had been released to enable the old man to ascend to the
platform »One scalp one more beast«
»Stop Mingo « interrupted the hunter »keep your prisoner a moment I
have to go and seek the means of payment«
This excuse however though true in part was principally a fetch
Deerslayer left the platform and entering the house he directed Judith to
collect all the arms and to conceal them in her own room He then spoke
earnestly to the Delaware who stood on guard as before near the entrance of
the building put the three remaining castles in his pocket and returned
»You are welcome back to your old abode Master Hutter« said Deerslayer
as he helped the other up on the platform slily passing into the hand of
Rivenoak at the same time another of the castles »Youll find your darters
right glad to see you and heres Hetty come herself to say as much in her own
behalf«
Here the hunter stopped speaking and broke out into a hearty fit of his
silent and peculiar laughter Hurrys legs were just released and he had been
placed on his feet So tightly had the ligatures been drawn that the use of his
limbs was not immediately recovered and the young giant presented in good
sooth a very helpless and a somewhat ludicrous picture It was this unusual
spectacle particularly the bewildered countenance that excited the merriment
of Deerslayer
»You look like a girdled pine in a clearin Hurry Harry that is rocking in
a gale« said Deerslayer checking his unseasonable mirth more from delicacy to
the others than from any respect to the liberated captive »Im glad howsever
to see that you havent had your hair dressed by any of the Iroquois barbers
in your late visit to their camp«
»Harkee Deerslayer« returned the other a little fiercely »it will be
prudent for you to deal less in mirth and more in friendship on this occasion
Act like a christian for once and not like a laughing gal in a country
school when the masters back is turned and just tell me whether theres any
feet or not at the end of these legs of mine I think I can see them but as
for feelin they might as well be down on the banks of the Mohawk as be where
they seem to be«
»Youve come off whole Hurry and thats not a little« answered the other
secretly passing to the Indian the remainder of the stipulated ransom and
making an earnest sign at the same moment for him to commence his retreat
»Youve come off whole feet and all and are only a little numb from a tight
fit of the withes Naturll soon set the blood in motion and then you may begin
to dance to celebrate what I call a most wonderful and onexpected deliverance
from a den of wolves«
Deerslayer released the arms of his friends as each landed and the two
were now stamping and limping about on the platform growling and uttering
denunciations as they endeavored to help the returning circulation They had
been tethered too long however to regain the use of their limbs in a moment
and the Indians being quite as diligent on their return as on their advance
the raft was fully a hundred yards from the castle when Hurry turning
accidentally in that direction discovered how fast it was getting beyond the
reach of his vengeance By this time he could move with tolerable facility
though still numb and awkward Without considering his own situation however
he seized the rifle that leaned against the shoulder of Deerslayer and
attempted to cock and present it The young hunter was too quick for him
Seizing the piece he wrenched it from the hands of the giant not however
until it had gone off in the struggle when pointed directly upward It is
probable that Deerslayer could have prevailed in such a contest on account of
the condition of Hurrys limbs but the instant the gun went off the latter
yielded and stumped towards the house raising his legs at each step quite a
foot from the ground from an uncertainty of the actual position of his feet
But he had been anticipated by Judith The whole stock of Hutters arms which
had been left in the building as a resource in the event of a sudden
outbreaking of hostilities had been removed and were already secreted
agreeably to Deerslayers directions In consequence of this precaution no
means offered by which March could put his designs in execution
Disappointed in his vengeance Hurry seated himself and like Hutter for
half an hour he was too much occupied in endeavoring to restore the
circulation and in regaining the use of his limbs to indulge in any other
reflections By the end of this time the raft had disappeared and night was
beginning to throw her shadows once more over the whole silvan scene Before
darkness had completely set in and while the girls were preparing the evening
meal Deerslayer related to Hutter an outline of events that had taken place
and gave him a history of the means he had adopted for the security of his
children and property
Chapter XV
»As long as Edwarde rules thys lande
Ne quiet you wylle know
Your sonnes and husbandes shall be slayne
And brookes with blowde shall flowe
You leave youre goode and lawfulle kynge
Whenne ynne aduersitye
Like mee untoe the true cause stycke
And for the true cause dye«
Chatterton »Bristowe Tragedie« ll 35764
The calm of evening was again in singular contrast to while its gathering gloom
was in as singular unison with the passions of men The sun was set and the
rays of the retiring luminary ceased to gild the edges of the few clouds that
had sufficient openings to admit the passage of its fading light The canopy
overhead was heavy and dense promising another night of darkness but the
surface of the lake was scarcely disturbed by a ripple There was a little air
though it scarce deserved to be termed wind Still being damp and heavy it had
a certain force The party in the castle were as gloomy and silent as the scene
The two ransomed prisoners felt humbled and dishonored but their humility
partook of the rancor of revenge They were far more disposed to remember the
indignity with which they had been treated during the last few hours of their
captivity than to feel grateful for the previous indulgence Then that
keensighted monitor conscience by reminding them of the retributive justice of
all they had endured goaded them rather to turn the tables on their enemies
than to accuse themselves As for the others they were thoughtful equally from
regret and joy Deerslayer and Judith felt most of the former sensation though
from very different causes while Hetty for the moment was perfectly happy The
Delaware had also lively pictures of felicity in the prospect of so soon
regaining his betrothed Under such circumstances and in this mood all were
taking the evening meal
»Old Tom« cried Hurry bursting into a fit of boisterous laughter »you
lookd amazinly like a tethered bear as you was stretched on them hemlock
boughs and I only wonder you did nt growl more Well its over and syths
and lamentations wont mend the matter Theres the blackguard Rivenoak he that
brought us off has an oncommon scalp and Id give as much for it myself as
the colony Yes I feel as rich as the governor in these matters now and will
lay down with em doubloon for doubloon Judith darling did you mourn for me
much when I was in the hands of the Philipsteins«
The last were a family of German descent on the Mohawk to whom Hurry had a
great antipathy and whom he had confounded with the enemies of Judea
»Our tears have raised the lake Harry March as you might have seen by the
shore« returned Judith with a feigned levity she was far from feeling »That
Hetty and I should have grieved for father was to be expected but we fairly
rained tears for you«
»We were sorry for poor Hurry as well as for father Judith« put in her
innocent and unconscious sister
»True girl true but we feel sorrow for every body thats in trouble you
know« returned the other in a quick admonitory manner and a low tone
»Nevertheless we are glad to see you Master March and out of the hands of the
Philipsteins too«
»Yes theyre a bad set and so is the other brood of em down on the
river Its a wonderment to me how you got us off Deerslayer and I forgive
you the interference that prevented my doin justice on that vagabond for this
small sarvice Let us into the secret that we may do you the same good turn at
need Was it by lying or by coaxing«
»By neither Hurry but by buying We paid a ransom for you both and that
too at a price so high you had well be on your guard agin another capty
vement lest our stock of goods shouldnt hold out«
»A ransom Old Tom has paid the fiddler then for nothing of mine would
have bought off the hair much less the skin I didnt think men as keen set as
them vagabonds would let a fellow up so easy when they had him fairly at a
close hug and floored But money is money and somehow its unnatral hard to
withstand Injin or White man tis pretty much the same It must be owned
Judith theres a considerable of human natur in mankind ginirally arter all«
Hutter now rose and signing to Deerslayer he led him to an inner room
where in answer to his questions he first learned the price that had been paid
for his release The old man expressed neither resentment nor surprise at the
inroad that had been made on his chest though he did manifest some curiosity to
know how far the investigation of its contents had been carried He also
inquired where the key had been found The habitual frankness of Deerslayer
prevented any prevarication and the conference soon terminated by the return of
the two to the outer room or that which served for the double purpose of parlor
and kitchen
»I wonder if its peace or war between us and the savages« exclaimed
Hurry just as Deerslayer who had paused for a single instant listened
attentively and was passing through the outer door without stopping »This
givin up captives has a friendly look and when men have traded together on a
fair and honorable footing they ought to part frinds for that occasion at
least Come back Deerslayer and let us have your judgment for Im beginnin
to think more of you since your late behaviour than I used to do«
»Theres an answer to your question Hurry since youre in such haste to
come agin to blows«
As Deerslayer spoke he threw on the table on which the other was reclining
with one elbow a sort of miniature faggot composed of a dozen sticks bound
tightly together with a deerskin thong March seized it eagerly and holding it
close to a blazing knot of pine that lay on the hearth and which gave out all
the light there was in the room ascertained that the ends of the several sticks
had been dipped in blood
»If this isnt plain English« said the reckless frontier man »its plain
Injin Heres what they call a dicliration of war down at York Judith How did
you come by this defiance Deerslayer«
»Fairly enough It lay not a minut since in what you call Floatin Toms
door yard«
»How came it there It never fell from the clouds Judith as little toads
sometimes do and then it dont rain You must prove where it come from
Deerslayer or we shall suspect some design to skear them that would have lost
their wits long ago if fear could drive em away«
Deerslayer had approached a window and cast a glance out of it on the dark
aspect of the lake As if satisfied with what he beheld he drew near Hurry and
took the bundle of sticks into his own hand examining it attentively
»Yes this is an Indian dicliration of war sure enough« he said »and its
a proof how little youre suited to be on the path it has travelled Harry
March that it has got here and you never the wiser as to the means The
savages may have left the scalp on your head but they must have taken off the
ears else youd have heard the stirring of the water made by the lad as he come
off agin on his two logs His arnd was to throw these sticks at our door
as much as to say weve struck the war post since the trade and the next
thing will be to strike you«
»The prowling wolves But hand me that rifle Judith and Ill send an answer
back to the vagabonds through their messenger«
»Not while I stand by Master March« coolly put in Deerslayer motioning
for the other to forbear »Faith is faith whether given to a redskin or to a
Christian The lad lighted a knot and came off fairly under its blaze to give
us this warning and no man here should harm him while emplyed on such an
arnd Theres no use in words for the lad is too cunning to leave the knot
burning now his business is done and the night is already too dark for a rifle
to have any sartainty«
»That may be true enough as to a gun but theres virtue still in a canoe«
answered Hurry passing towards the door with enormous strides carrying a rifle
in his hands »The being doesnt live that shall stop me from following and
bringing back that riptyles scalp The more on em that you crush in the egg
the fewer theyll be to dart at you in the woods«
Judith trembled like the aspen she scarce knew why herself though there
was the prospect of a scene of violence for if Hurry was fierce and
overbearing in the consciousness of his vast strength Deerslayer had about him
the calm determination that promises greater perseverance and a resolution more
likely to effect its object It was the stern resolute eye of the latter
rather than the noisy vehemence of the first that excited her apprehensions
Hurry soon reached the spot where the canoe was fastened but not before
Deerslayer had spoken in a quick earnest voice to the Serpent in Delaware The
latter had been the first in truth to hear the sounds of the oars and he had
gone upon the platform in jealous watchfulness The light satisfied him that a
message was coming and when the boy cast his bundle of sticks at his feet it
neither moved his anger nor induced surprise He merely stood at watch rifle
in hand to make certain that no treachery lay behind the defiance As
Deerslayer now called to him he stepped into the canoe and quick as thought
removed the paddles Hurry was furious when he found that he was deprived of the
means of proceeding He first approached the Indian with loud menaces and even
Deerslayer stood aghast at the probable consequences March shook his
sledgehammer fists and flourished his arms as he drew near the Indian and
all expected he would attempt to fell the Delaware to the earth one of them at
least was well aware that such an experiment would be followed by immediate
bloodshed But even Hurry was awed by the stern composure of the chief and he
too knew that such a man was not to be outraged with impunity he therefore
turned to vent his rage on Deerslayer where he foresaw no consequences so
terrible What might have been the result of this second demonstration if
completed is unknown since it was never made
»Hurry« said a gentle soothing voice at his elbow »its wicked to be so
angry and God will not overlook it The Iroquois treated you well and they did
nt take your scalp though you and father wanted to take theirs«
The influence of mildness on passion is well known Hetty too had earned a
sort of consideration that had never before been enjoyed by her through the
selfdevotion and decision of her recent conduct Perhaps her established mental
imbecility by removing all distrust of a wish to control aided her influence
Let the cause be as questionable as it might the effect was sufficiently
certain Instead of throttling his old fellow traveller Hurry turned to the
girl and poured out a portion of his discontent if none of his anger on her
attentive ears
»Tis too bad Hetty« he exclaimed »as bad as a county gaol or a lack of
beaver to get a creatur into your very trap and then to see it get off As
much as six first quality skins in valie has paddled off on them clumsy logs
when twenty strokes of a well turned paddle would overtake em I say in valie
for as to the boy in the way of natur he is only a boy and is worth neither
more nor less than one Deerslayer youve been ontrue to your frinds in
letting such a chance slip through my fingers as well as your own«
The answer was given quietly but with a voice as steady as a fearless
nature and the consciousness of rectitude could make it
»I should have been ontrue to the right had I done otherwise « returned
the Deerslayer steadily »and neither you nor any other man has authority to
demand that much of me The lad came on a lawful business and the meanest
redskin that roams the woods would be ashamed of not respecting his arnd
But hes now far beyond your reach Master March and theres little use in
talking like a couple of women of what can no longer be helped«
So saying Deerslayer turned away like one resolved to waste no more words
on the subject while Hutter pulled Hurry by the sleeve and led him into the
Ark There they sat long in private conference In the mean time the Indian
and his friend had their secret consultation for though it wanted some three
or four hours to the rising of the star the former could not abstain from
canvassing his scheme and from opening his heart to the other Judith too
yielded to her softer feelings and listened to the whole of Hettys artless
narrative of what occurred after she had landed The woods had few terrors for
either of these girls educated as they had been and accustomed as they were to
look out daily at their rich expanse or to wander beneath their dark shades
but the elder sister felt that she would have hesitated about thus venturing
alone into an Iroquois camp Concerning Hist Hetty was not very communicative
She spoke of her kindness and gentleness and of the meeting in the forest but
the secret of Chingachgook was guarded with a shrewdness and fidelity that many
a sharper witted girl might have failed to display
At length the several conferences were broken up by the reappearance of
Hutter on the platform Here he assembled the whole party and communicated as
much of his intentions as he deemed expedient Of the arrangement made by
Deerslayer to abandon the castle during the night and to take refuge in the
Ark he entirely approved It struck him as it had the others as the only
effectual means of escaping destruction Now that the savages had turned their
attention to the construction of rafts no doubt could exist of their at least
making an attempt to carry the building and the message of the bloody sticks
sufficiently showed their confidence in their own success In short the old man
viewed the night as critical and he called on all to get ready as soon as
possible in order to abandon the dwelling temporarily at least if not
forever
These communications made every thing proceeded promptly and with
intelligence The castle was secured in the manner already described the canoes
were withdrawn from the dock and fastened to the Ark by the side of the other
the few necessaries that had been left in the house were transferred to the
cabin the fire was extinguished and all embarked
The vicinity of the hills with their drapery of pines had the effect to
render nights that were obscure darker than common on the lake As usual
however a belt of comparative light was stretched through the centre of the
sheet while it was within the shadows of the mountains that the gloom rested
most heavily on the water The island or castle stood in this belt of
comparative light but still the night was so dark as to cover the departure of
the Ark At the distance of an observer on the shore her movements could not be
seen at all more particularly as a back ground of dark hillside filled up the
perspective of every view that was taken diagonally or directly across the
water The prevalent winds on the lakes of that region are west but owing to
the avenues formed by the mountains it is frequently impossible to tell the
true direction of the currents as they often vary within short distances and
brief differences of time This is truer in light fluctuating puffs of air
than in steady breezes though the squalls of even the latter are familiarly
known to be uncertain and baffling in all mountainous regions and narrow waters
On the present occasion Hutter himself as he shoved the Ark from her berth at
the side of the platform was at a loss to pronounce which way the wind blew In
common this difficulty was solved by the clouds which floating high above the
hill tops as a matter of course obeyed the true currents but now the whole
vault of heaven seemed a mass of gloomy wall Not an opening of any sort was
visible and Chingachgook was already trembling lest the nonappearance of the
star might prevent his betrothed from being punctual to her appointment Under
these circumstances Hutter hoisted his sail seemingly with the sole intention
of getting away from the castle as it might be dangerous to remain much longer
in its vicinity The air soon filled the cloth and when the scow was got under
command and the sail was properly trimmed it was found that the direction was
southerly inclining towards the eastern shore No better course offering for
the purposes of the party the singular craft was suffered to skim the surface
of the water in this direction for more than an hour when a change in the
currents of the air drove them over towards the camp
Deerslayer watched all the movements of Hutter and Hurry with jealous
attention At first he did not know whether to ascribe the course they held to
accident or to design but he now began to suspect the latter Familiar as
Hutter was with the lake it was easy to deceive one who had little practice on
the water and let his intentions be what they might it was evident ere two
hours had elapsed that the Ark had got over sufficient space to be within a
hundred rods of the shore directly abreast of the known position of the camp
For a considerable time previously to reaching this point Hurry who had some
knowledge of the Algonquin languages had been in close conference with the
Indian and the result was now announced by the latter to Deerslayer who had
been a cold not to say distrusted lookeron of all that passed
»My old father and my young brother the Big Pine « for so the Delaware
had named March »want to see Huron scalps at their belts« said Chingachgook to
his friend »There is room for some on the girdle of the Serpent and his people
will look for them when he goes back to his village Their eyes must not be left
long in a fog but they must see what they look for I know that my brother has
a white hand he will not strike even the dead He will wait for us when we
come back he will not hide his face from shame for his friend The Great Serpent
of the Mohicans must be worthy to go on the warpath with Hawkeye«
»Ay ay Sarpent I see how it is that names to stick and in time I
shall get to be known by it« returned Deerslayer »Well if such honors will
come the humblest of us all must be willing to abide by em As for you looking
for scalps it belongs to your gifts and I see no harm in it Be marciful
Sarpent howsever be marciful I beseech of you It surely can do no harm to a
red skins honor to show a little marcy As for the old man the father of two
young women who might ripen better feelins in his heart and Harry March here
who pine as he is might better bear the fruit of a more christianized tree as
for them two I leave em in the hands of the white mans god Wasnt it for
the bloody sticks no man should go agin the Mingos this night seein that it
would dishonor our faith and characters but them that crave blood cant
complain if blood is shed at their call Still Sarpent you can be marciful
Dont begin your career with the wails of women and the cries of children
Bear yourself so that Hist will smile and not weep when she meets you Go
then and the Manitou presarve you«
»My brother will stay here with the scow Wah will soon be standing on the
shore waiting and Chingachgook must hasten«
The Indian then joined his two coadventurers and first lowering the sail
they all three entered a canoe and left the side of the Ark Neither Hutter nor
March spoke to Deerslayer concerning their object or the probable length of
their absence All this had been confided to the Indian who had acquitted
himself of the trust with characteristic brevity As soon as the canoe was out
of sight and that occurred ere the paddles had given a dozen strokes
Deerslayer made the best dispositions he could to keep the Ark as nearly
stationary as possible and then he sat down in the end of the scow to chew the
cud of his own bitter reflections It was not long however before he was
joined by Judith who now sought every occasion to be near him managing her
attack on his affections with the address that was suggested by native coquetry
aided by no little practice but which received much of its most dangerous
power from the touch of feeling that threw around her manner voice accents
thoughts and acts the indescribable witchery of natural tenderness Leaving the
young hunter exposed to these dangerous assailants it has become our more
immediate business to follow the party in the canoe to the shore
The controlling influence that led Hutter and Hurry to repeat their
experiment against the camp was precisely that which had induced the first
attempt a little heightened perhaps by the desire of revenge But neither of
these two rude beings so ruthless in all things that touched the rights and
interests of the red man though possessing veins of human feeling on other
matters was much actuated by any other desire than a heartless longing for
profit Hurry had felt angered at his sufferings when first liberated it is
true but that emotion soon disappeared in the habitual love of gold which he
sought with the reckless avidity of a needy spendthrift rather than with the
ceaseless longings of a miser In short the motive that urged them both so soon
to go against the Hurons was an habitual contempt of their enemy acting on the
unceasing cupidity of prodigality The additional chances of success however
had their place in the formation of the second enterprise It was known that a
large portion of the warriors perhaps all were encamped for the night
abreast of the castle and it was hoped that the scalps of helpless victims
would be the consequence To confess the truth Hutter in particular he who
had just left two daughters behind him expected to find few besides women and
children in the camp This fact had been but slightly alluded to in his
communications with Hurry and with Chingachgook it had been kept entirely out
of view If the Indian thought of it at all it was known only to himself
Hutter steered the canoe Hurry had manfully taken his post in the bows and
Chingachgook stood in the centre We say stood for all three were so skilled in
the management of that species of frail bark as to be able to keep erect
positions in the midst of the darkness The approach to the shore was made with
great caution and the landing effected in safety The three now prepared their
arms and began their tigerlike approach upon the camp The Indian was on the
lead his two companions treading in his footsteps with a stealthy cautiousness
of manner that rendered their progress almost literally noiseless Occasionally
a dried twig snapped under the heavy weight of the gigantic Hurry or the
blundering clumsiness of the old man but had the Indian walked on air his step
could not have seemed lighter The great object was first to discover the
position of the fire which was known to be the centre of the whole encampment
At length the keen eye of Chingachgook caught a glimpse of this important guide
It was glimmering at a distance among the trunks of trees There was no blaze
but merely a single smouldering brand as suited the hour the savages usually
retiring and rising with the revolutions of the sun
As soon as a view was obtained of this beacon the progress of the
adventurers became swifter and more certain In a few minutes they got to the
edge of the circle of little huts Here they stopped to survey their ground and
to concert their movements The darkness was so deep as to render it difficult
to distinguish any thing but the glowing brand the trunks of the nearest trees
and the endless canopy of leaves that veiled the clouded heaven It was
ascertained however that a hut was quite near and Chingachgook attempted to
reconnoitre its interior The manner in which the Indian approached the place
that was supposed to contain enemies resembled the wily advances of the cat on
the bird As he drew near he stooped to his hands and knees for the entrance
was so low as to require this attitude even as a convenience Before trusting
his head inside however he listened long to catch the breathings of sleepers
No sound was audible and this human Serpent thrust his head in at the door or
opening as another serpent would have peered in at the nest Nothing rewarded
the hazardous experiment for after feeling cautiously with a hand the place
was found to be empty
The Delaware proceeded in the same guarded manner to one or two more of the
huts finding all in the same situation He then returned to his companions and
informed them that the Hurons had deserted their camp A little further enquiry
corroborated this fact and it only remained to return to the canoe The
different manner in which the adventurers bore the disappointment is worthy of
a passing remark The chief who had landed solely with the hope of acquiring
renown stood stationary leaning against a tree waiting the pleasure of his
companions He was mortified and a little surprised it is true but he bore all
with dignity falling back for support on the sweeter expectations that still
lay in reserve for that evening It was true he could not now hope to meet his
mistress with the proofs of his daring and skill on his person but he might
still hope to meet her and the warrior who was zealous in the search might
always hope to be honored On the other hand Hutter and Hurry who had chiefly
been instigated by the basest of all human motives the thirst of gain could
scarce control their feelings They went prowling among the huts as if they
expected to find some forgotten child or careless sleeper and again and
again did they vent their spite on the insensible huts several of which were
actually torn to pieces and scattered about the place Nay they even
quarrelled with each other and fierce reproaches passed between them It is
possible some serious consequences might have occurred had not the Delaware
interfered to remind them of the danger of being so unguarded and of the
necessity of returning to the Ark This checked the dispute and in a few
minutes they were paddling sullenly back to the spot where they hoped to find
that vessel
It has been said that Judith took her place at the side of Deerslayer soon
after the adventurers departed For a short time the girl was silent and the
hunter was ignorant which of the sisters had approached him but he soon
recognised the rich full spirited voice of the elder as her feelings escaped in
words
»This is a terrible life for women Deerslayer« she exclaimed »Would to
Heaven I could see an end of it«
»The life is well enough Judith« was the answer »being pretty much as it
is used or abused What would you wish to see in its place«
»I should be a thousand times happier to live nearer to civilized beings
where there are farms and churches and houses built as it might be by christian
hands and where my sleep at night would be sweet and tranquil A dwelling near
one of the forts would be far better than this dreary place where we live«
»Nay Judith I cant agree too lightly in the truth of all this If forts
are good to keep off inimies they sometimes hold inimies of their own I dont
think twould be for your good or the good of Hetty to live near one and if I
must say what I think Im afeard you are a little too near as it is«
Deerslayer went on in his own steady earnest manner for the darkness
concealed the tints that coloured the checks of the girl almost to the
brightness of crimson while her own great efforts suppressed the sounds of the
breathing that nearly choked her »As for farms they have their uses and
theres them that like to pass their lives on em but what comfort can a man
look for in a clearin that he cant find in double quantities in the forest
If air and room and light are a little craved the windrows and the streams
will furnish em or here are the lakes for such as nave bigger longings in that
way but where are you to find your shades and laughing springs and leaping
brooks and vinerable trees a thousand years old in a clearin You dont
find them but you find their disabled trunks marking the arth like
headstones in a grave yard It seems to me that the people who live in such
places must be always thinkin of their own inds and of univarsal decay and
that too not of the decay that is brought about by time and natur but the
decay that follows waste and violence Then as to churches they are good I
suppose else wouldnt good men uphold em But they are not altogether
necessary They call em the temples of the Lord but Judith the whole arth
is a temple of the Lords to such as have the right minds Neither forts nor
churches make people happier of themselves Moreover all is contradiction in
the settlements while all is concord in the woods Forts and churches almost
always go together and yet theyre downright contradictions churches being for
peace and forts for war No no give me the strong places of the wilderness
which is the trees and the churches too which are arbors raised by the hand
of natur«
»Woman is not made for scenes like these Deerslayer scenes of which we
shall have no end as long as this war lasts«
»If you mean women of white colour I rather think youre not far from the
truth gal but as for the females of the red men such visitations are quite in
character Nothing would make Hist now the bargained wife of yonder Delaware
happier than to know that he is at this moment prowling around his natral
inimies striving after a scalp«
»Surely surely Deerslayer she cannot be a woman and not feel concern
when she thinks the man she loves is in danger«
»She doesnt think of the danger Judith but of the honor and when the
heart is desperately set on such feelins why there is little room to crowd in
fear Hist is a kind gentle laughin pleasant creatur but she loves honor
as well as any Delaware gal I ever knowd Shes to meet the Sarpent an hour
hence on the pint where Hetty landed and no doubt she has her anxiety about
it like any other woman but shed be all the happier did she know that her
lovyer was at this moment waylaying a Mingo for his scalp«
»If you really believe this Deerslayer no wonder you lay so much stress on
gifts Certain am I that no white girl could feel any thing but misery while
she believed her betrothed in danger of his life Nor do I suppose even you
unmoved and calm as you ever seem to be could be at peace if you believed your
Hist in danger«
»Thats a different matter tis altogether a different matter Judith
Woman is too weak and gentle to be intended to run such risks and man must feel
for her Yes I rather think thats as much red natur as its white But I
have no Hist nor am I like to have for I hold it wrong to mix colours any way
except in friendship and sarvices«
»In that you act and feel as a white man should As for Hurry Harry I do
think it would be all the same to him whether his wife were a squaw or a
governors daughter provided she was a little comely and could help to keep
his craving stomach full«
»You do March injustice Judith yes you do The poor fellow dotes on you
and when a man has raally set his heart on such a creator it isnt a Mingo
or even a Delaware gal thatll be likely to unsettle his mind You may laugh at
such men as Hurry and I for were rough and unteached in the way of books and
other knowledge but weve our good pints as well as our bad ones An honest
heart is not to be despised gal even though it be not varsed in all the
niceties that please a female fancy«
»You Deerslayer And do you can you for an instant suppose I place
you by the side of Harry March No no I am not as far gone in dulness as
that No one man or woman could think of naming your honest heart manly
nature and simple truth with the boisterous selfishness greedy avarice and
overbearing ferocity of Henry March The very best that can be said of him is
to be found in his name of Hurry Skurry which if it means no great harm means
no great good Even my father following his feelings with the other as he is
doing at this moment well knows the difference between you This I know for
he has said as much to me in plain language«
Judith was a girl of quick sensibilities and of impetuous feelings and
being under few of the restraints that curtail the manifestations of maiden
emotions among those who are educated in the habits of civilized life she
sometimes betrayed the latter with a freedom that was so purely natural as to
place it as far above the wiles of coquetry as it was superior to its
heartlessness She had now even taken one of the hard hands of the hunter and
pressed it between both her own with a warmth and earnestness that proved how
sincere was her language It was perhaps fortunate that she was checked by the
very excess of her feelings since the same power might have urged her on to avow
all that her father had said the old man not having been satisfied with making
a comparison favorable to Deerslayer as between the hunter and Hurry but
having actually in his blunt rough way briefly advised his daughter to cast
off the latter entirely and to think of the former as a husband Judith would
not willingly have said this to any other man but there was so much confidence
awakened by the guileless simplicity of Deerslayer that one of her nature found
it a constant temptation to overstep the bounds of habit She went no farther
however immediately relinquishing the hand and falling back on a reserve that
was more suited to her sex and indeed to her natural modesty
»Thankee Judith thankee with all my heart« returned the hunter whose
humility prevented him from placing any flattering interpretation on either the
conduct or the language of the girl »Thankee as much as if it all was true
Harrys sightly yes hes as sightly as the tallest pine of these mountains
and the Sarpent has named him accordingly howsever some fancy good looks and
some fancy good conduct only Hurry has one advantage and it depends on
himself whether hell have the tother or Hark Thats your fathers voice
gal and he speaks like a man whos riled at something«
»God save us from any more of these horrible scenes« exclaimed Judith
bending her face to her knees and endeavoring to exclude the discordant sounds
by applying her hands to her ears »I sometimes wish I had no father«
This was bitterly said and the repinings which extorted the words were
bitterly felt It is impossible to say what might next have escaped her had not
a gentle low voice spoken at her elbow
»Judith I ought to have read a chapter to father and Hurry« said the
innocent but terrified speaker »and that would have kept them from going again
on such an errand Do you call to them Deerslayer and tell them I want them
and that it will be good for them both if theyll return and hearken to my
words«
»Ahs me poor Hetty you little know the cravins for gold and revenge if
you believe they are so easily turned aside from their longins But this is an
oncommon business in more ways than one Judith I hear your father and Hurry
growling like bears and yet no noise comes from the mouth of the young chief
Theres an ind of secrecy and yet his whoop which ought to ring in the
mountains accordin to rule in such sarcumstances is silent«
»Justice may have alighted on him and his death have saved the lives of the
innocent«
»Not it not it the Sarpent is not the one to suffer if thats to be the
law Sartainly there has been no onset and tis most likely that the camps
deserted and the men are coming back disappinted That accounts for the growls
of Hurry and the silence of the Sarpent«
Just at this instant a fall of a paddle was heard in the canoe for vexation
had made March reckless and Deerslayer felt convinced that his conjecture was
true The sail being down the Ark had not drifted far and ere many minutes he
heard Chingachgook in a low quiet tone directing Hutter how to steer in order
to reach it In less time than it takes to tell the fact the canoe touched the
scow and the adventurers entered the latter Neither Hutter nor Hurry spoke of
what had occurred But the Delaware in passing his friend merely uttered the
words fires out which if not literally true sufficiently explained the truth
to his listener
It was now a question as to the course to be steered A short surly
conference was held when Hutter decided that the wisest way would be to keep in
motion as the means most likely to defeat any attempt at a surprise announcing
his own and Marchs intention to requite themselves for the loss of sleep
during their captivity by lying down As the air still baffled and continued
light it was finally determined to sail before it let it come in what
direction it might so long as it did not blow the Ark upon the strand This
point settled the released prisoners helped to hoist the sail and then they
threw themselves on two of the pallets leaving Deerslayer and his friend to
look after the movements of the craft As neither of the latter was disposed to
sleep on account of the appointment with Hist this arrangement was acceptable
to all parties That Judith and Hetty remained up also in no manner impaired
the agreeable features of this change
For some time the scow rather drifted than sailed along the western shore
following a light southerly current of the air The progress was slow not
exceeding a couple of miles in the hour but the two men perceived that it was
not only carrying them towards the point they desired to reach but at a rate
that was quite as fast as the hour yet rendered necessary But little was said
the while even by the girls and that little had more reference to the rescue
of Hist than to any other subject The Indian was calm to the eye but as
minute after minute passed his feelings became more and more excited until
they reached a state that might have satisfied the demands of even the most
exacting mistress Deerslayer kept the craft as much in the bays as was
prudent for the double purpose of sailing within the shadows of the woods and
of detecting any signs of an encampment they might pass on the shore In this
manner they doubled one low point and were already in the bay that was
terminated north by the goal at which they aimed The latter was still a
quarter of a mile distant when Chingachgook came silently to the side of his
friend and pointed to a place directly ahead A small fire was glimmering just
within the verge of the bushes that lined the shore on the southern side of the
point leaving no doubt that the Indians had suddenly removed their camp to the
very place or at least to the very projection of land where Hist had given
them the rendezvous
Chapter XVI
»I hear thee babbling to the vale
Of sunshine and of flowers
But unto me thou bringst a tale
Of visionary hours«
Wordsworth
»To the Cuckoo« ll 912
The discovery mentioned at the close of the preceding chapter was of great
moment in the eyes of Deerslayer and his friend In the first place there was
the danger almost the certainty that Hutter and Hurry would make a fresh
attempt on this camp should they awake and ascertain its position Then there
was the increased risk of landing to bring off Hist and there were the general
uncertainty and additional hazards that must follow from the circumstance that
their enemies had begun to change their position As the Delaware was aware that
the hour was near when he ought to repair to the rendezvous he no longer
thought of trophies torn from his foes and one of the first things arranged
between him and his associate was to permit the two others to sleep on lest
they should disturb the execution of their plans by substituting some of their
own The Ark moved slowly and it would have taken fully a quarter of an hour to
reach the point at the rate at which they were going thus affording time for a
little forethought The Indians in the wish to conceal their fire from those
who were thought to be still in the Castle had placed it so near the southern
side of the point as to render it extremely difficult to shut it in by the
bushes though Deerslayer varied the direction of the scow both to the right
and to the left in the hope of being able to effect that object
»Theres one advantage Judith in finding that fire so near the water« he
said while executing these little manoeuvres »since it shows the Mingos
believe we are in the hut and our coming on em from this quarter will be an
onlooked for event But tis lucky Harry March and your father are asleep else
we should have em prowling after scalps agin Ha There The bushes are
beginning to shut in the fire and now it cant be seen at all«
Deerslayer waited a little to make certain that he had at last gained the
desired position when he gave the signal agreed on and Chingachgook let go the
grapnel and lowered the sail
The situation in which the Ark now lay had its advantages and its
disadvantages The fire had been hid by sheering towards the shore and the
latter was nearer perhaps than was desirable Still the water was known to be
very deep further off in the lake and anchoring in deep water under the
circumstances in which the party was placed was to be avoided if possible It
was also believed no raft could be within miles and though the trees in the
darkness appeared almost to overhang the scow it would not be easy to get off
to her without using a boat The intense darkness that prevailed so close in
with the forest too served as an effectual screen and so long as care was had
not to make a noise there was little or no danger of being detected All these
things Deerslayer pointed out to Judith instructing her as to the course she
was to follow in the event of an alarm for it was thought to the last degree
inexpedient to arouse the sleepers unless it might be in the greatest
emergency
»And now Judith as we understand one another it is time the Sarpent and I
had taken to the canoe« the hunter concluded »The star has not risen yet its
true but it soon must though none of us are likely to be any the wiser for it
tonight on account of the clouds Howsever Hist has a ready mind and shes
one of them that doesnt always need to have a thing afore her to see it Ill
warrant you shell not be either two minutes or two feet out of the way unless
them jealous vagabonds the Mingos have taken the alarm and put her as a stool
pigeon to catch us or have hid her away in order to prepare her mind for a
Huron instead of a Mohican husband«
»Deerslayer « interrupted the girl earnestly »This is a most dangerous
service why do you go on it at all«
»Anan Why you know gal we go to bring off Hist the Sarpents betrothed
The maid he means to marry as soon as we get back to the tribe«
»That is all right for the Indian but you do not mean to marry Hist you
are not betrothed and why should two risk their lives and liberties to do that
which one can just as well perform«
»Ah now I understand you Judith yes now I begin to take the idee You
think as Hist is the Sarpents betrothed as they call it and not mine its
altogether his affair and as one man can paddle a canoe he ought to be left to
go after his gal alone But you forget this is our arnd here on the lake and
it would not tell well to forget an arnd just at the pinch Then if love does
count for so much with some people particularly with young women frindship
counts for something too with other some I dares to say the Delaware can
paddle a canoe by himself and can bring off Hist by himself and perhaps he
would like that quite as well as to have me with him but he couldnt
sarcumvent sarcumventions or stir up an ambushment or fight with the savages
and get his sweetheart off at the same time as well by himself as if he had a
frind with him to depend on even if that frind is no better than myself No
no Judith you wouldnt desart one that counted on you at such a moment and
you cant in reason expect me to do it«
»I fear I believe you are right Deerslayer yet I wish you were not to
go Promise me one thing at least and that is not to trust yourself among the
savages or to do anything more than to save the girl That will be enough for
once and with that you ought to be satisfied«
»Lord bless you gal one would think it was Hetty thats talking and not
the quick witted and wonderful Judith Hutter But flight makes the wise silly
and the strong weak Yes Ive seen proofs of that time and agin Well its
kind and soft hearted in you Judith to feel this consarn for a fellow
creatur and I shall always say that you are kind and of true feelins let
them that invy your good looks tell as many idle stories of you as they may«
»Deerslayer« hastily said the girl interrupting him though nearly choked
by her emotions »do you believe all you hear about a poor motherless girl
Is the foul tongue of Hurry Harry to blast my life«
»Not it Judith not it Ive told Hurry it wasnt manful to backbite them
he couldnt win by fair means and that even an Indian is always tender
touching a young womans good name«
»If I had a brother he wouldnt dare to do it« exclaimed Judith with
eyes flashing fire »But finding me without any protector but an old man whose
ears are getting to be as dull as his feelings he has his way as he pleases«
»Not exactly that Judith no not exactly that neither No man brother or
stranger would stand by and see as fair a gal as yourself hunted down without
saying a word in her behalf Hurrys in arnest in wanting to make you his wife
and the little he does let out agin you comes more from jealousy like than
from any thing else Smile on him when he awakes and squeeze his hand only half
as hard as you squeezed mine a bit ago and my life on it the poor fellow will
forget every thing but your comeliness Hot words dont always come from the
heart but oftener from the stomach than any where else Try him Judith when
he wakes and see the vartue of a smile«
Deerslayer laughed in his own manner as he concluded and then he
intimated to the patient looking but really impatient Chingachgook his
readiness to proceed As the young man entered the canoe the girl stood
immovable as stone lost in the musings that the language and manner of the
other were likely to produce The simplicity of the hunter had completely put
her at fault for in her narrow sphere Judith was an expert manager of the
other sex though in the present instance she was far more actuated by impulses
in all she had said and done than by calculation We shall not deny that some
of Judiths reflections were bitter though the sequel of the tale must be
referred to in order to explain how merited or how keen were her sufferings
Chingachgook and his pale face friend set forth on their hazardous and
delicate enterprise with a coolness and method that would have done credit to
men who were on their twentieth instead of being on their first warpath As
suited his relation to the pretty fugitive in whose service they were engaged
the Indian took his place in the head of the canoe while Deerslayer guided its
movements in the stern By this arrangement the former would be the first to
land and of course the first to meet his mistress The latter had taken his
post without comment but in secret influenced by the reflection that one who
had so much at stake as the Indian might not possibly guide the canoe with the
same steadiness and intelligence as another who had more command of his
feelings From the instant they left the side of the Ark the movements of the
two adventurers were like the manoeuvres of highly drilled soldiers who for the
first time were called on to meet the enemy in the field As yet Chingachgook
had never fired a shot in anger and the debût of his companion in warfare is
known to the reader It is true the Indian had been hanging about his enemys
camp for a few hours on his first arrival and he had even once entered it as
related in the last chapter but no consequences had followed either experiment
Now it was certain that an important result was to be effected or a mortifying
failure was to ensue The rescue or the continued captivity of Hist depended on
their enterprise In a word it was virtually the maiden expedition of these two
ambitious young forest soldiers and while one of them set forth impelled by
sentiments that usually carry men so far both had all their feelings of pride
and manhood enlisted in their success
Instead of steering in a direct line to the point then distant from the Ark
less than a quarter of a mile Deerslayer laid the head of his canoe diagonally
towards the centre of the lake with a view to obtain a position from which he
might approach the shore having his enemies in his front only The spot where
Hetty had landed and where Hist had promised to meet them moreover was on the
upper side of the projection rather than on the lower and to reach it would
have required the adventurers to double nearly the whole point close in with
the shore had not this preliminary step been taken So well was the necessity
for this measure understood that Chingachgook quietly paddled on although it
was adopted without consulting him and apparently was taking him in a direction
nearly opposite to that one might think he most wished to go A few minutes
sufficed however to carry the canoe the necessary distance when both the
young men ceased paddling as it were by instinctive consent and the boat became
stationary
The darkness increased rather than diminished but it was still possible
from the place where the adventurers lay to distinguish the outlines of the
mountains In vain did the Delaware turn his head eastward to catch a glimpse
of the promised star for notwithstanding the clouds broke a little near the
horizon in that quarter of the heavens the curtain continued so far drawn as
effectually to conceal all behind it In front as was known by the formation of
land above and behind it lay the point at a distance of about a thousand feet
No signs of the castle could be seen nor could any movement in that quarter of
the lake reach the ear The latter circumstance might have been equally owing to
the distance which was several miles or to the fact that nothing was in
motion As for the Ark though scarcely farther from the canoe than the point
it lay so completely buried in the shadows of the shore that it would not have
been visible even had there been many degrees more of light than actually
existed
The adventurers now held a conference in low voices consulting together as
to the probable time Deerslayer thought it wanted yet some minutes to the
rising of the star while the impatience of the chief caused him to fancy the
night further advanced and to believe that his betrothed was already waiting
his appearance on the shore As might have been expected the opinion of the
latter prevailed and his friend disposed himself to steer for the place of
rendezvous The utmost skill and precaution now became necessary in the
management of the canoe The paddles were lifted and returned to the water in a
noiseless manner and when within a hundred yards of the beach Chingachgook
took in his altogether laying his hand on his rifle in its stead As they got
still more within the belt of darkness that girded the woods it was seen that
they were steering too far north and the course was altered accordingly The
canoe now seemed to move by instinct so cautious and deliberate were all its
motions Still it continued to advance until its bows grated on the gravel of
the beach at the precise spot where Hetty had landed and whence her voice had
issued the previous night as the Ark was passing There was as usual a
narrow strand but bushes fringed the woods and in most places overhung the
water
Chingachgook stepped upon the beach and cautiously examined it for some
distance on each side of the canoe In order to do this he was often obliged
to wade to his knees in the lake but no Hist rewarded his search When he
returned he found his friend also on the shore They now conferred in whispers
the Indian apprehending that they must have mistaken the place of rendezvous
But Deerslayer thought it more probable they had mistaken the hour While he was
yet speaking he grasped the arm of the Delaware caused him to turn his head in
the direction of the lake and pointed towards the summits of the eastern
mountains The clouds had broken a little apparently behind rather than above
the hills and the selected star was glittering among the branches of a pine
This was every way a flattering omen and the young men leaned on their rifles
listening intently for the sound of approaching footsteps Voices they often
heard and mingled with them were the suppressed cries of children and the low
but sweet laugh of Indian women As the native Americans are habitually
cautious and seldom break out in loud conversation the adventurers knew by
these facts that they must be very near the encampment It was easy to perceive
that there was a fire within the woods by the manner in which some of the upper
branches of the trees were illuminated but it was not possible where they
stood to ascertain exactly how near it was to themselves Once or twice it
seemed as if stragglers from around the fire were approaching the place of
rendezvous but these sounds were either altogether illusion or those who had
drawn near returned again without coming to the shore A quarter of an hour was
passed in this state of intense expectation and anxiety when Deerslayer
proposed that they should circle the point in the canoe and by getting a
position close in where the camp could be seen reconnoitre the Indians and
thus enable themselves to form some plausible conjectures for the nonappearance
of Hist The Delaware however resolutely refused to quit the spot plausibly
enough offering as a reason the disappointment of the girl should she arrive
in his absence Deerslayer felt for his friends concern and offered to make
the circuit of the point by himself leaving the latter concealed in the bushes
to await the occurrence of any fortunate event that might favor his views With
this understanding then the parties separated
As soon as Deerslayer was at his post again in the stern of the canoe he
left the shore with the same precautions and in the same noiseless manner as
he had approached it On this occasion he did not go far from the land the
bushes affording a sufficient cover by keeping as close in as possible Indeed
it would not have been easy to devise any means more favorable to reconnoitring
round an Indian camp than those afforded by the actual state of things The
formation of the point permitted the place to be circled on three of its sides
and the progress of the boat was so noiseless as to remove any apprehensions
from an alarm through sound The most practised and guarded foot might stir a
bunch of leaves or snap a dried stick in the dark but a bark canoe could be
made to float over the surface of smooth water almost with the instinctive
readiness and certainly with the noiseless movements of an aquatic bird
Deerslayer had got nearly in a line between the camp and the Ark before he
caught a glimpse of the fire This came upon him suddenly and a little
unexpectedly at first causing an alarm lest he had incautiously ventured
within the circle of light it cast But perceiving at a second glance that he
was certainly safe from detection so long as the Indians kept near the centre
of the illumination he brought the canoe to a state of rest in the most
favorable position he could find and commenced his observations
We have written much but in vain concerning this extraordinary being if
the reader require now to be told that untutored as he was in the learning of
the world and simple as he ever showed himself to be in all matters touching
the subtleties of conventional taste he was a man of strong native poetical
feeling He loved the woods for their freshness their sublime solitudes their
vastness and the impress that they every where bore of the divine hand of their
creator He rarely moved through them without pausing to dwell on some peculiar
beauty that gave him pleasure though seldom attempting to investigate the
causes and never did a day pass without his communing in spirit and this too
without the aid of forms or language with the infinite source of all he saw
felt and beheld Thus constituted in a moral sense and of a steadiness that no
danger could appal or any crisis disturb it is not surprising that the hunter
felt a pleasure at looking on the scene he now beheld that momentarily caused
him to forget the object of his visit This will more fully appear when we
describe it
The canoe lay in front of a natural vista not only through the bushes that
lined the shore but of the trees also that afforded a clear view of the camp
It was by means of this same opening that the light had been first seen from the
Ark In consequence of their recent change of ground the Indians had not yet
retired to their huts but had been delayed by their preparations which
included lodging as well as food A large fire had been made as much to answer
the purpose of torches as for the uses of their simple cookery and at this
precise moment it was blazing high and bright having recently received a large
supply of dried brush The effect was to illuminate the arches of the forest
and to render the whole area occupied by the camp as light as if hundreds of
tapers were burning Most of the toil had ceased and even the hungriest child
had satisfied its appetite In a word the time was that moment of relaxation
and general indolence which is apt to succeed a hearty meal and when the labors
of the day have ended The hunters and the fishermen had been equally
successful and food that one great requisite of savage life being abundant
every other care appeared to have subsided in the sense of enjoyment dependant
on this all important fact
Deerslayer saw at a glance that many of the warriors were absent His
acquaintance Rivenoak however was present being seated in the foreground of a
picture that Salvator Rosa would have delighted to draw his swarthy features
illuminated as much by pleasure as by the torchlike flame while he showed
another of the tribe one of the elephants that had caused so much sensation
among his people A boy was looking over his shoulder in dull curiosity
completing the group More in the background eight or ten warriors lay half
recumbent on the ground or sat with their backs inclining against trees so
many types of indolent repose Their arms were near them sometimes leaning
against the same trees as themselves or were lying across their bodies in
careless preparation But the group that most attracted the attention of
Deerslayer was that composed of the women and children All the females appeared
to be collected together and almost as a matter of course their young were
near them The former laughed and chatted in their rebuked and quiet manner
though one who knew the habits of the people might have detected that every
thing was not going on in its usual train Most of the young women seemed to be
light hearted enough but one old hag was seated apart with a watchful soured
aspect which the hunter at once knew betokened that some duty of an unpleasant
character had been assigned her by the chiefs What that duty was he had no
means of knowing but he felt satisfied it must be in some measure connected
with her own sex the aged among the women generally being chosen for such
offices and for no other
As a matter of course Deerslayer looked eagerly and anxiously for the form
of Hist She was nowhere visible though the light penetrated to considerable
distances in all directions around the fire Once or twice he started as he
thought he recognised her laugh but his ears were deceived by the soft melody
that is so common to the Indian female voice At length the old woman spoke loud
and angrily and then he caught a glimpse of one or two dark figures in the
back ground of trees which turned as if obedient to the rebuke and walked more
within the circle of the light A young warriors form first came fairly into
view then followed two youthful females one of whom proved to be the Delaware
girl Deerslayer now comprehended it all Hist was watched possibly by her
young companion certainly by the old woman The youth was probably some suitor
of either hers or her companions but even his discretion was distrusted under
the influence of his admiration The known vicinity of those who might be
supposed to be her friends and the arrival of a strange redman on the lake
had induced more than the usual care and the girl had not been able to slip
away from those who watched her in order to keep her appointment Deerslayer
traced her uneasiness by her attempting once or twice to look up through the
branches of the trees as if endeavoring to get glimpses of the star she had
herself named as the sign for meeting All was vain however and after
strolling about the camp a little longer in affected indifference the two
girls quitted their male escort and took seats among their own sex As soon as
this was done the old sentinel changed her place to one more agreeable to
herself a certain proof that she had hitherto been exclusively on watch
Deerslayer now felt greatly at a loss how to proceed He well knew that
Chingachgook could never be persuaded to return to the Ark without making some
desperate effort for the recovery of his mistress and his own generous feelings
well disposed him to aid in such an undertaking He thought he saw the signs of
an intention among the females to retire for the night and should he remain
and the fire continue to give out its light he might discover the particular
hut or arbor under which Hist reposed a circumstance that would be of infinite
use in their future proceedings Should he remain however much longer where he
was there was great danger that the impatience of his friend would drive him
into some act of imprudence At each instant indeed he expected to see the
swarthy form of the Delaware appearing in the background like the tiger
prowling around the fold Taking all things into consideration therefore he
came to the conclusion it would be better to rejoin his friend and endeavor to
temper his impetuosity by some of his own coolness and discretion It required
but a minute or two to put this plan in execution the canoe returning to the
strand some ten or fifteen minutes after it had left it
Contrary to his expectations perhaps Deerslayer found the Indian at his
post from which he had not stirred fearful that his betrothed might arrive
during his absence A conference followed in which Chingachgook was made
acquainted with the state of things in the camp When Hist named the point as
the place of meeting it was with the expectation of making her escape from the
old position and of repairing to a spot that she expected to find without any
occupants but the sudden change of localities had disconcerted all her plans A
much greater degree of vigilance than had been previously required was now
necessary and the circumstance that an aged woman was on watch also denoted
some special grounds of alarm All these considerations and many more that will
readily suggest themselves to the reader were briefly discussed before the
young men came to any decision The occasion however being one that required
acts instead of words the course to be pursued was soon chosen
Disposing of the canoe in such a manner that Hist must see it should she
come to the place of meeting previously to their return the young men looked
to their arms and prepared to enter the wood The whole projection into the
lake contained about two acres of land and the part that formed the point and
on which the camp was placed did not compose a surface of more than half that
size It was principally covered with oaks which as is usual in the American
forests grew to a great height without throwing out a branch and then arched
in a dense and rich foliage Beneath except the fringe of thick bushes along
the shore there was very little underbrush though in consequence of their
shape the trees were closer together than is common in regions where the axe
has been freely used resembling tall straight rustic columns upholding the
usual canopy of leaves The surface of the land was tolerably even but it had a
small rise near its centre which divided it into a northern and southern half
On the latter the Hurons had built their fire profiting by the formation to
conceal it from their enemies who it will be remembered were supposed to be in
the castle which bore northerly A brook also came brawling down the sides of
the adjacent hills and found its way into the lake on the southern side of the
point It had cut for itself a deep passage through some of the higher portions
of the ground and in later days when this spot has become subjected to the
uses of civilization by its windings and shaded banks it has become no mean
accessory in contributing to the beauty of the place This brook lay west of the
encampment and its waters found their way into the great reservoir of that
region on the same side and quite near to the spot chosen for the fire All
these peculiarities so far as circumstances allowed had been noted by
Deerslayer and explained to his friend
The reader will understand that the little rise in the ground that lay
behind the Indian encampment greatly favored the secret advance of the two
adventurers It prevented the light of the fire diffusing itself on the ground
directly in the rear although the land fell away towards the water so as to
leave what might be termed the left or eastern flank of the position
unprotected by this covering We have said unprotected though that is not
properly the word since the knoll behind the huts and the fire offered a cover
for those who were now stealthily approaching rather than any protection to the
Indians Deerslayer did not break through the fringe of bushes immediately
abreast of the canoe which might have brought him too suddenly within the
influence of the light since the hillock did not extend to the water but he
followed the beach northerly until he had got nearly on the opposite side of the
tongue of land which brought him under the shelter of the low acclivity and
consequently more in shadow
As soon as the friends emerged from the bushes they stopped to reconnoitre
The fire was still blazing behind the little ridge casting its light upward
into the tops of the trees producing an effect that was more pleasing than
advantageous Still the glare had its uses for while the back ground was in
obscurity the foreground was in strong light exposing the savages and
concealing their foes Profiting by the latter circumstance the young men
advanced cautiously towards the ridge Deerslayer in front for he insisted on
this arrangement lest the Delaware should be led by his feelings into some
indiscretion It required but a moment to reach the foot of the little ascent
and then commenced the most critical part of the enterprise Moving with
exceeding caution and trailing his rifle both to keep its barrel out of view
and in readiness for service the hunter put foot before foot until he had got
sufficiently high to overlook the summit his own head being alone brought into
the light Chingachgook was at his side and both paused to take another close
examination of the camp In order however to protect themselves against any
straggler in the rear they placed their bodies against the trunk of an oak
standing on the side next the fire
The view that Deerslayer now obtained of the camp was exactly the reverse
of that he had perceived from the water The dim figures which he had formerly
discovered must have been on the summit of the ridge a few feet in advance of
the spot where he was now posted The fire was still blazing brightly and
around it were seated on logs thirteen warriors which accounted for all whom
he had seen from the canoe They were conversing with much earnestness among
themselves the image of the elephant passing from hand to hand The first burst
of savage wonder had abated and the question now under discussion was the
probable existence the history and habits of so extraordinary an animal We
have not leisure to record the opinions of these rude men on a subject so
peculiar to their lives and experience but little is hazarded in saying that
they were quite as plausible and far more ingenious than half the conjectures
that precede the demonstrations of science However much they may have been at
fault as to their conclusions and inferences it is certain that they discussed
the questions with a zealous and most undivided attention For the time being
all else was forgotten and our adventurers could not have approached at a more
fortunate instant
The females were collected near each other much as Deerslayer had last seen
them nearly in a line between the place where he now stood and the fire The
distance from the oak against which the young men leaned and the warriors was
about thirty yards the women may have been half that number of yards nigher
The latter indeed were so near as to make the utmost circumspection as to
motion and noise indispensable Although they conversed in their low soft
voices it was possible in the profound stillness of the woods even to catch
passages of the discourse and the light hearted laugh that escaped the girls
might occasionally have reached the canoe Deerslayer felt the tremor that
passed through the frame of his friend when the latter first caught the sweet
sounds that issued from the plump pretty lips of Hist He even laid a hand on
the shoulder of the Indian as a sort of admonition to command himself As the
conversation grew more earnest each leaned forward to listen
»The Hurons have more curious beasts than that« said one of the girls
contemptuously for like the men they conversed of the elephant and his
qualities »The Delawares will think this creature wonderful but tomorrow no
Huron tongue will talk of it Our young men will find him if the animal dares
to come near our wigwams«
This was in fact addressed to WahtaWah though she who spoke uttered her
words with an assumed diffidence and humility that prevented her looking at the
other
»The Delawares are so far from letting such creatures come into their
country« returned Hist »that no one has even seen their images there Their
young men would frighten away the images as well as the beasts«
»The Delaware young men the nation is women even the deer walk when they
hear their hunters coming Who has ever heard the name of a young Delaware
warrior«
This was said in good humour and with a laugh but it was also said
bitingly That Hist so felt it was apparent by the spirit betrayed in her
answer
»Who has ever heard the name of a young Delaware« she repeated earnestly
»Tamenund himself though now as old as the pines on the hill or as the eagles
in the air was once young his name was heard from the great salt lake to the
sweet waters of the west What is the family of Uncas Where is another as
great though the pale faces have ploughed up its graves and trodden on its
bones Do the eagles fly as high is the deer as swift or the panther as brave
Is there no young warrior of that race Let the Huron maidens open their eyes
wider and they may see one called Chingachgook who is as stately as a young
ash and as tough as the hickory«
As the girl used her figurative language and told her companions to »open
their eyes and they would see« the Delaware Deerslayer thrust his fingers into
the side of his friend and indulged in a fit of his hearty but silent
laughter The other smiled but the language of the speaker was so flattering
and the tones of her voice too sweet for him to be led away by any accidental
coincidence however ludicrous The speech of Hist produced a retort and the
dispute though conducted in good humour and without any of the coarse violence
of tone and gesture that often impairs the charms of the sex in what is called
civilized life grew warm and slightly clamorous In the midst of this scene
the Delaware caused his friend to stoop so as completely to conceal himself
and then he made a noise so closely resembling the little chirrup of the
smallest species of the American squirrel that Deerslayer himself though he
had heard the imitation a hundred times actually thought it came from one of
the little animals skipping about over his head The sound is so familiar in
the woods that none of the Hurons paid it the least attention Hist however
instantly ceased talking and sate motionless Still she had sufficient
selfcommand to abstain from turning her head She had heard the signal by
which her lover so often called her from the wigwam to a stolen interview and
it came over her senses and her heart as the serenade affects the maiden in the
land of song
From that moment Chingachgook felt certain that his presence was known
This was effecting much and he could now hope for a bolder line of conduct on
the part of his mistress than she might dare to adopt under an uncertainty of
his situation It left no doubt of her endeavoring to aid him in his effort to
release her Deerslayer arose as soon as the signal was given and though he
had never held that sweet communion which is known only to lovers he was not
slow to detect the great change that had come over the manner of the girl She
still affected to dispute though it was no longer with spirit and ingenuity
but what she said was uttered more as a lure to draw her antagonists on to an
easy conquest than with any hopes of succeeding herself Once or twice it is
true her native readiness suggested a retort or an argument that raised a
laugh and gave her a momentary advantage but these little rallies the
offspring of mother wit served the better to conceal her real feelings and to
give to the triumph of the other party a more natural air than it might have
possessed without them At length the disputants became wearied and they rose
in a body as if about to separate It was now that Hist for the first time
ventured to turn her face in the direction whence the signal had come In doing
this her movements were natural but guarded and she stretched her arms and
yawned as if overcome with a desire to sleep The chirrup was again heard and
the girl felt satisfied as to the position of her lover though the strong light
in which she herself was placed and the comparative darkness in which the
adventurers stood prevented her from seeing their heads the only portions of
their forms that appeared above the ridge at all The tree against which they
were posted had a dark shadow cast upon it by the intervention of an enormous
pine that grew between it and the fire a circumstance which alone would have
rendered objects within its cloud invisible at any distance This Deerslayer
well knew and it was one of the reasons why he had selected this particular
tree
The moment was near when it became necessary for Hist to act She was to
sleep in a small hut or bower that had been built near the spot where she
stood and her companion was the aged hag already mentioned Once within the
hut with this sleepless old woman stretched across the entrance as was her
nightly practice the hope of escape was nearly destroyed and she might at any
moment be summoned to her bed Luckily at this instant one of the warriors
called to the old woman by name and bade her bring him water to drink There
was a delicious spring on the northern side of the point and the hag took a
gourd from a branch and summoning Hist to her side she moved towards the
summit of the ridge intending to descend and cross the point to the natural
fountain All this was seen and understood by the adventurers and they fell
back into the obscurity concealing their persons by trees until the two
females had passed them In walking Hist was held tightly by the hand As she
moved by the tree that hid Chingachgook and his friend the former felt for his
tomahawk with the intention to bury it in the brain of the woman But the other
saw the hazard of such a measure since a single scream might bring all the
warriors upon them and he was averse to the act on the considerations of
humanity His hand therefore prevented the blow Still as the two moved past
the chirrup was repeated and the Huron woman stopped and faced the tree whence
the sounds seemed to proceed standing at the moment within six feet of her
enemies She expressed her surprise that a squirrel should be in motion at so
late an hour and said it boded evil Hist answered that she had heard the same
squirrel three times within the last twenty minutes and that she supposed it
was waiting to obtain some of the crumbs left from the late supper This
explanation appeared satisfactory and they moved towards the spring the men
following stealthily and closely The gourd was filled and the old woman was
hurrying back her hand still grasping the wrist of the girl when she was
suddenly seized so violently by the throat as to cause her to release her
captive and to prevent her making any other sound than a sort of gurgling
suffocating noise The Serpent passed his arm round the waist of his mistress
and darted through the bushes with her on the north side of the point Here he
immediately turned along the beach and ran towards the canoe A more direct
course could have been taken but it might have led to a discovery of the place
of embarking
Deerslayer kept playing on the throat of the old woman like the keys of an
organ occasionally allowing her to breathe and then compressing his fingers
again nearly to strangling The brief intervals for breath however were well
improved and the hag succeeded in getting out a screech or two that served to
alarm the camp The tramp of the warriors as they sprung from the fire was
plainly audible and at the next moment three or four of them appeared on the
top of the ridge drawn against the back ground of light resembling the dense
shadows of the phantasmagoria It was now quite time for the hunter to retreat
Tripping up the heels of his captive and giving her throat a parting squeeze
quite as much in resentment at her indomitable efforts to sound the alarm as
from any policy he left her on her back and moved towards the bushes his
rifle at a poise and his head over his shoulders like a lion at bay
Chapter XVII
»There ye wise saints behold your light your star
Ye would be dupes and victims and ye are
Is it enough or must I while a thrill
Lives in your sapient bosoms cheat you still«
Thomas Moore Lalla Rookh
»The Veiled Prophet of Khorassan« ll 195457
The fire the canoe and the spring near which Deerslayer commenced his
retreat would have stood in the angles of a triangle of tolerably equal sides
The distance from the fire to the boat was a little less than the distance from
the fire to the spring while the distance from the spring to the boat was
about equal to that between the two points first named This however was in
straight lines a means of escape to which the fugitives could not resort They
were obliged to have recourse to a détour in order to get the cover of the
bushes and to follow the curvature of the beach Under these disadvantages
then the hunter commenced his retreat disadvantages that he felt to be so much
the greater from his knowledge of the habits of all Indians who rarely fail in
cases of sudden alarms more especially when in the midst of cover immediately
to throw out flankers with a view to meet their foes at all points and if
possible to turn their rear That some such course was now adopted he believed
from the tramp of feet which not only came up the ascent as related but were
also heard under the first impulse diverging not only towards the hill in the
rear but towards the extremity of the point in a direction opposite to that he
was about to take himself Promptitude consequently became a matter of the last
importance as the parties might meet on the strand before the fugitive could
reach the canoe
Notwithstanding the pressing nature of the emergency Deerslayer hesitated a
single instant ere he plunged into the bushes that lined the shore His
feelings had been awakened by the whole scene and a sternness of purpose had
come over him to which he was ordinarily a stranger Four dark figures loomed
on the ridge drawn against the brightness of the fire and an enemy might have
been sacrificed at a glance The Indians had paused to gaze into the gloom in
search of the screeching hag and with many a man less given to reflection than
the hunter the death of one of them would have been certain Luckily he was
more prudent Although the rifle dropped a little towards the foremost of his
pursuers he did not aim or fire but disappeared in the cover To gain the
beach and to follow it round to the place where Chingachgook was already in the
canoe with Hist anxiously waiting his appearance occupied but a moment
Laying his rifle in the bottom of the canoe Deerslayer stooped to give the
latter a vigorous shove from the shore when a powerful Indian leaped through
the bushes alighting like a panther on his back Every thing was now suspended
by a hair a false step ruining all With a generosity that would have rendered
a Roman illustrious throughout all time but which in the career of one so
simple and humble would have been forever lost to the world but for this
unpretending legend Deerslayer threw all his force into a desperate effort
shoved the canoe off with a power that sent it a hundred feet from the shore as
it might be in an instant and fell forward into the lake himself face
downward his assailant necessarily following him
Although the water was deep within a few yards of the beach it was not more
than breast high as close in as the spot where the two combatants fell Still
this was quite sufficient to destroy one who had sunk under the great
disadvantages in which Deerslayer was placed His hands were free however and
the savage was compelled to relinquish his hug to keep his own face above the
surface For half a minute there was a desperate struggle like the floundering
of an alligator that has just seized some powerful prey and then both stood
erect grasping each others arms in order to prevent the use of the deadly
knife in the darkness What might have been the issue of this severe personal
struggle cannot be known for half a dozen savages came leaping into the water
to the aid of their friend and Deerslayer yielded himself a prisoner with a
dignity that was as remarkable as his selfdevotion
To quit the lake and lead their new captive to the fire occupied the
Indians but another minute So much engaged were they all with the struggle and
its consequences that the canoe was unseen though it still lay so near the
shore as to render every syllable that was uttered perfectly intelligible to
the Delaware and his betrothed and the whole party left the spot some
continuing the pursuit after Hist along the beach though most proceeded to the
light Here Deerslayers antagonist so far recovered his breath and his
recollection for he had been throttled nearly to strangulation as to relate
the manner in which the girl had got off It was now too late to assail the
other fugitives for no sooner was his friend led into the bushes than the
Delaware placed his paddle into the water and the light canoe glided
noiselessly away holding its course towards the centre of the lake until safe
from shot after which it sought the Ark
When Deerslayer reached the fire he found himself surrounded by no less
than eight grim savages among whom was his old acquaintance Rivenoak As soon
as the latter caught a glimpse of the captives countenance he spoke apart to
his companions and a low but general exclamation of pleasure and surprise
escaped them They knew that the conqueror of their late friend he who had
fallen on the opposite side of the lake was in their hands and subject to
their mercy or vengeance There was no little admiration mingled in the
ferocious looks that were thrown on the prisoner an admiration that was as much
excited by his present composure as by his past deeds This scene may be said
to have been the commencement of the great and terrible reputation that
Deerslayer or Hawkeye as he was afterwards called enjoyed among all the
tribes of New York and Canada a reputation that was certainly more limited in
its territorial and numerical extent than those which are possessed in
civilized life but which was compensated for what it wanted in these
particulars perhaps by its greater justice and the total absence of
mystification and management
The arms of Deerslayer were not pinioned and he was left the free use of
his hands his knife having been first removed The only precaution that was
taken to secure his person was untiring watchfulness and a strong rope of bark
that passed from ancle to ancle not so much to prevent his walking as to place
an obstacle in the way of his attempting to escape by any sudden leap Even this
extra provision against flight was not made until the captive had been brought
to the light and his character ascertained It was in fact a compliment to
his prowess and he felt proud of the distinction That he might be bound when
the warriors slept he thought probable but to be bound in the moment of
capture showed that he was already and thus early attaining a name While the
young Indians were fastening the rope he wondered if Chingachgook would have
been treated in the same manner had he too fallen into the hands of the enemy
Nor did the reputation of the young pale face rest altogether on his success in
the previous combat or in his discriminating and cool manner of managing the
late negotiation for it had received a great accession by the occurrences of
the night Ignorant of the movements of the Ark and of the accident that had
brought their fire into view the Iroquois attributed the discovery of their new
camp to the vigilance of so shrewd a foe The manner in which he ventured upon
the point the abstraction or escape of Hist and most of all the selfdevotion
of the prisoner united to the readiness with which he had sent the canoe
adrift were so many important links in the chain of facts on which his growing
fame was founded Many of these circumstances had been seen some had been
explained and all were understood
While this admiration and these honors were so unreservedly bestowed on
Deerslayer he did not escape some of the penalties of his situation He was
permitted to seat himself on the end of a log near the fire in order to dry
his clothes his late adversary standing opposite now holding articles of his
own scanty vestments to the heat and now feeling his throat on which the marks
of his enemys fingers were still quite visible The rest of the warriors
consulted together near at hand all those who had been out having returned to
report that no signs of any other prowlers near the camp were to be found In
this state of things the old woman whose name was Shebear in plain English
approached Deerslayer with her fists clenched and her eyes flashing fire
Hitherto she had been occupied with screaming an employment at which she had
played her part with no small degree of success but having succeeded in
effectually alarming all within reach of a pair of lungs that had been
strengthened by long practice she next turned her attention to the injuries her
own person had sustained in the struggle These were in no manner material
though they were of a nature to arouse all the fury of a woman who had long
ceased to attract by means of the gentler qualities and who was much disposed
to revenge the hardships she had so long endured as the neglected wife and
mother of savages on all who came within her power If Deerslayer had not
permanently injured her he had temporarily caused her to suffer and she was
not a person to overlook a wrong of this nature on account of its motive
»Skunk of the palefaces « commenced this exasperated and semipoetic fury
shaking her fist under the nose of the impassable hunter »you are not even a
woman Your friends the Delawares are only women and you are their sheep Your
own people will not own you and no tribe of red men would have you in their
wigwams you skulk among petticoated warriors You slay our brave friend who has
left us No his great soul scorned to fight you and left his body rather
than have the shame of slaying you But the blood that you spilt when the spirit
was not looking on has not sunk into the ground It must be buried in your
groans What music do I hear Those are not the wailings of a red man no red
warrior groans so much like a hog They come from a pale face throat a
Yengeese bosom and sound as pleasant as girls singing Dog skunk
woodchuck mink hedgehog pig toad spider yengee «
Here the old woman having expended her breath and exhausted her epithets
was fain to pause a moment though both her fists were shook in the prisoners
face and the whole of her wrinkled countenance was filled with fierce
resentment Deerslayer looked upon these impotent attempts to arouse him as
indifferently as a gentleman in our own state of society regards the
vituperative terms of a blackguard the one party feeling that the tongue of an
old woman could never injure a warrior and the other knowing that mendacity and
vulgarity can only permanently affect those who resort to their use but he was
spared any further attack at present by the interposition of Rivenoak who
shoved aside the hag bidding her quit the spot and prepared to take his seat
at the side of his prisoner The old woman withdrew but the hunter well
understood that he was to be the subject of all her means of annoyance if not
of positive injury so long as he remained in the power of his enemies for
nothing rankles so deeply as the consciousness that an attempt to irritate has
been met by contempt a feeling that is usually the most passive of any that is
harbored in the human breast Rivenoak quietly took the seat we have mentioned
and after a short pause he commenced a dialogue which we translate as usual
for the benefit of those readers who have not studied the North American
languages
»My paleface friend is very welcome« said the Indian with a familiar nod
and a smile so covert that it required all Deerslayers vigilance to detect and
not a little of his philosophy to detect unmoved »he is welcome The Hurons
keep a hot fire to dry the white mans clothes by«
»I thank you Huron or Mingo as I most like to call you « returned the
other »I thank you for the welcome and I thank you for the fire Each is good
in its way and the last is very good when one has been in a spring as cold as
the Glimmerglass Even Huron warmth may be pleasant at such a time to a man
with a Delaware heart«
»The paleface but my brother has a name So great a warrior would not have
lived without a name«
»Mingo« said the hunter a little of the weakness of human nature
exhibiting itself in the glance of his eye and the colour on his cheek
»Mingo your brave called me Hawkeye I suppose on account of a quick and
sartain aim when he was lying with his head in my lap afore his spirit started
for the Happy Hunting Grounds«
»Tis a good name The hawk is sure of his blow Hawkeye is not a woman why
does he live with the Delawares«
»I understand you Mingo but we look on all that as a sarcumvention of some
of your subtle devils and deny the charge Providence placed me among the
Delawares young and bating what christian usages demand of my colour and
gifts I hope to live and die in their tribe Still I do not mean to throw away
altogether my natyve rights and shall strive to do a pale faces duty in red
skin society«
»Good a Huron is a red skin as well as a Delaware Hawkeye is more of a
Huron than of a woman«
»I suppose you know Mingo your own meaning if you dont I make no
question tis well known to Satan But if you wish to get any thing out of me
speak plainer for bargains can not be made blindfolded or tongue tied«
»Good Hawkeye has not a forked tongue and he likes to say what he thinks
He is an acquaintance of the Muskrat« this was the name by which all the
Indians designated Hutter »and has lived in his wigwam But he is not a
friend He wants no scalps like a miserable Indian but fights like a
stouthearted pale face The Muskrat is neither white nor red Neither a beast
nor a fish He is a water snake sometimes in the spring and sometimes on the
land He looks for scalps like an outcast Hawkeye can go back and tell him
how he has outwitted the Hurons how he has escaped and when his eyes are in a
fog when he cant see as far as from his cabin to the shore then Hawkeye can
open the door for the Hurons And how will the plunder be divided Why Hawkeye
will carry away the most and the Hurons will take what he may choose to leave
behind him The scalps can go to Canada for a paleface has no satisfaction in
them«
»Well well Rivenoak for so I hear em tarm you This is plain English
enough though spoken in Iroquois I understand all you mean now and must say
it outdevils even Mingo deviltry No doubt twould be easy enough to go back
and tell the Muskrat that I had got away from you and gain some credit too
by the explite«
»Good That is what I want the paleface to do«
»Yes yes Thats plain enough I know what you want me to do without
more words When inside the house and eating the Muskrats bread and laughing
and talking with his pretty darters I might put his eyes into so thick a fog
that he couldnt even see the door much less the land«
»Good Hawkeye should have been born a Huron His blood is not more than
half white«
»There youre out Huron yes there youre as much out as if you mistook a
wolf for a catamount Im white in blood heart natur and gifts though a
little red skin in feelins and habits But when old Hutters eyes are well
befogged and his pretty darters perhaps in a deep sleep and Hurry Harry the
Great Pine as you Indians tarm him is dreaming of any thing but mischief and
all suppose Hawkeye is acting as a faithful sentinel all I have to do is to set
a torch somewhere in sight for a signal open the door and let in the Hurons
to knock em all on the head«
»Surely my brother is mistaken he cannot be white He is worthy to be a
great chief among the Hurons«
»That is true enough I dares to say if he could do all this Now harkee
Huron and for once hear a few honest words from the mouth of a plain man I am
christian born and them that come of such a stock and that listen to the words
that were spoken to their fathers and will be spoken to their children until
arth and all it holds perishes can never lend themselves to such wickedness
Sarcumventions in war may be and are lawful but sarcumventions and deceit
and treachery among frinds are fit only for the paleface devils I know that
there are white men enough to give you this wrong idee of our natur but such
are ontrue to their blood and gifts and ought to be if they are not out casts
and vagabonds No upright paleface could do what you wish and to be as plain
with you as I wish to be in my judgment no upright Delaware either With a
Mingo it may be different«
The Huron listened to this rebuke with obvious disgust but he had his ends
in view and was too wily to lose all chance of effecting them by a precipitate
avowal of resentment Affecting to smile he seemed to listen eagerly and he
then pondered on what he had heard
»Does Hawkeye love the Muskrat« he abruptly demanded »Or does he love his
daughters«
»Neither Mingo Old Tom is not a man to gain my love and as for the
darters they are comely enough to gain the liking of any young man but theres
reason agin any very great love for either Hetty is a good soul but natur
has laid a heavy hand on her mind poor thing«
»And the Wild Rose« exclaimed the Huron for the fame of Judiths beauty
had spread among those who could travel the wilderness as well as the highway
by means of old eagles nests rocks and riven trees known to them by report
and tradition as well as among the white borderers »And the Wild Rose is she
not sweet enough to be put in the bosom of my brother«
Deerslayer had far too much of the innate gentleman to insinuate aught
against the fair fame of one who by nature and position was so helpless and as
he did not choose to utter an untruth he preferred being silent The Huron
mistook the motive and supposed that disappointed affection lay at the bottom
of his reserve Still bent on corrupting or bribing his captive in order to
obtain possession of the treasures with which his imagination filled the Castle
he persevered in his attack
»Hawkeye is talking with a friend« he continued »He knows that Rivenoak is
a man of his word for they have traded together and trade opens the soul My
friend has come here on account of a little string held by a girl that can
pull the whole body of the sternest warrior«
»You are nearer the truth now Huron than youve been afore since we
began to talk This is true But one end of that string was not fast to my
heart nor did the Wild Rose hold the other«
»This is wonderful Does my brother love in his head and not in his heart
And can the Feeble Mind pull so hard against so stout a warrior«
»There it is agin sometimes right and sometimes wrong The string you
mean is fast to the heart of a great Delaware one of Mohican stock in fact
living among the Delawares since the disparsion of his own people and of the
family of Uncas Chingachgook by name or Great Sarpent He has come here led
by the string and Ive followed or rather come afore for I got here first
pulled by nothing stronger than frindship which is strong enough for such as
are not niggardly of their feelins and are willing to live a little for their
fellow creaturs as well as for themselves«
»But a string has two ends one is fast to the mind of a Mohican and the
other«
»Why the other was here close to the fire half an hour since WahtaWah
held it in her hand if she didnt hold it to her heart«
»I understand what you mean my brother« returned the Indian gravely for
the first time catching a direct clue to the adventures of the evening »The
Great Serpent being strongest pulled the hardest and Hist was forced to leave
us«
»I dont think there was much pulling about it« answered the other
laughing always in his silent manner with as much heartiness as if he were not
a captive and in danger of torture or death »I dont think there was much
pulling about it no I dont Lord help you Huron He likes the gal and the
gal likes him and it surpassed Huron sarcumventions to keep two young people
apart where there was so strong a feelin to bring em together«
»And Hawkeye and Chingachgook came into our camp on this errand only«
»Thats a question thatll answer itself Mingo Yes if a question could
talk it would answer itself to your parfect satisfaction For what else should
we come And yet it isnt exactly so neither for we didnt come into your
camp at all but only as far as that pine there that you see on the other side
of the ridge where we stood watching your movements and conduct as long as we
liked When we were ready the Sarpent gave his signal and then all went just
as it should down to the moment when yonder vagabond leaped upon my back
Sartain we come for that and for no other purpose and we got what we come
for theres no use in pretending otherwise Hist is off with a man whos the
next thing to her husband and come what will to me thats one good thing
detarmined«
»What sign or signal told the young maiden that her lover was nigh« asked
the Huron with more curiosity than it was usual for him to betray
Deerslayer laughed again and seemd to enjoy the success of the exploit
with as much glee as if he had not been its victim
»Your squirrels are great gadabouts Mingo« he cried still laughing »yes
theyre sartainly great gadabouts When other folks squirrels are at home and
asleep yourn keep in motion among the trees and chirrup and sing in a way
that even a Delaware gal can understand their musick Well theres four legged
squirrels and theres two legged squirrels and give me the last when theres
a good tight string atween two hearts If one brings em together tother tells
when to pull hardest«
The Huron lookd vexed though he succeeded in suppressing any violent
exhibition of resentment He now quitted his prisoner and joining the rest of
the warriors he communicated the substance of what he had learned As in his
own case admiration was mingled with anger at the boldness and success of
their enemies Three or four of them ascended the little acclivity and gazed at
the tree where it was understood the adventurers had posted themselves and one
even descended to it and examined for foot prints around its roots in order to
make sure that the statement was true The result confirmed the story of the
captive and they all returned to the fire with increased wonder and respect
The messenger who had arrived with some communication from the party above
while the two adventurers were watching the camp was now despatched with some
answer and doubtless bore with him the intelligence of all that had happened
Down to this moment the young Indian who had been seen walking in company
with Hist and another female had made no advances to any communication with
Deerslayer He had held himself aloof from his friends even passing near the
bevy of younger women who were clustering together apart as usual and
conversed in low tones on the subject of the escape of their late companion
Perhaps it would be true to say that these last were pleased as well as vexed
at what had just occurred Their female sympathies were with the lovers while
their pride was bound up in the success of their own tribe It is possible too
that the superior personal advantages of Hist rendered her dangerous to some of
the younger part of the group and they were not sorry to find she was no longer
in the way of their own ascendency On the whole however the better feeling
was most prevalent for neither the wild condition in which they lived the
clannish prejudices of tribes nor their hard fortunes as Indian women could
entirely conquer the inextinguishable leaning of their sex to the affections
One of the girls even laughed at the disconsolate look of the swain who might
fancy himself deserted a circumstance that seemed suddenly to arouse his
energies and induce him to move towards the log on which the prisoner was
still seated drying his clothes
»This is Catamount« said the Indian striking his hand boastfully on his
naked breast as he uttered the words in a manner to show how much weight he
expected them to carry
»This is Hawkeye « quietly returned Deerslayer adopting the name by which
he knew he would be known in future among all the tribes of the Iroquois »My
sight is keen is my brothers leap long«
»From here to the Delaware villages Hawkeye has stolen my wife he must
bring her back or his scalp will hang on a pole and dry in my wigwam«
»Hawkeye has stolen nothing Huron He doesnt come of a thieving breed
nor has he thieving gifts Your wife as you call WahtaWah will never be the
wife of any red skin of the Canadas her mind is in the cabin of a Delaware and
her body has gone to find it The catamount is actyve I know but its legs cant
keep pace with a womans wishes«
»The Serpent of the Delawares is a dog he is a poor bullpout that keeps
in the water he is afraid to stand on the hard earth like a brave Indian«
»Well well Huron thats pretty impudent considering its not an hour
since the Sarpent stood within a hundred feet of you and would have tried the
toughness of your skin with a rifle bullet when I pointed you out to him
hadnt I laid the weight of a little judgment on his hand You may take in
timersome gals in the settlements with your catamount whine but the ears of a
man can tell truth from ontruth«
»Hist laughs at him She sees he is lame and a poor hunter and he has
never been on a war path She will take a man for a husband and not a fish«
»How do you know that Catamount how do you know that« returned Deerslayer
laughing »She has gone into the lake you see and may be she prefars a trout
to a mongrel cat As for war paths neither the Sarpent nor I have much
experence we are ready to own but if you do nt call this one you must tarm
it what the gals in the settlements tarm it the high road to matrimony Take
my advice Catamount and sarch for a wife among the Huron women youll never
get one with a willing mind from among the Delawares«
Catamounts hand felt for his tomahawk and when the fingers reached the
handle they worked convulsively as if their owner hesitated between policy and
resentment At this critical moment Rivenoak approached and by a gesture of
authority induced the young man to retire assuming his former position
himself on the log at the side of Deerslayer Here he continued silent for a
little time maintaining the grave reserve of an Indian chief
»Hawkeye is right « the Iroquois at length began »his sight is so strong
that he can see truth in a dark night and our eyes have been blinded He is an
owl darkness hiding nothing from him He ought not to strike his friends He is
right«
»Im glad you think so Mingo« returned the other »for a traitor in my
judgment is worse than a coward I care as little for the Muskrat as one pale
face ought to care for another but I care too much for him to ambush him in
the way you wished In short according to my idees any sarcumventions except
openwar sarcumventions are agin both law and what we whites call gospel
too«
»My paleface brother is right he is no Indian to forget his Manitou and
his colour The Hurons know that they have a great warrior for their prisoner
and they will treat him as one If he is to be tortured his torments shall be
such as no common man can bear if he is to be treated as a friend it will be
the friendship of chiefs«
As the Huron uttered this extraordinary assurance of consideration his eye
furtively glanced at the countenance of his listener in order to discover how
he stood the compliment though his gravity and apparent sincerity would have
prevented any man but one practised in artifices from detecting his motives
Deerslayer belonged to the class of the unsuspicious and acquainted with the
Indian notions of what constitutes respect in matters connected with the
treatment of captives he felt his blood chill at the announcement even while
he maintained an aspect so steeled that his quick sighted enemy could discover
in it no signs of weakness
»God has put me in your hands Huron« the captive at length answered »and
I suppose you will act your will on me I shall not boast of what I can do
under torment for Ive never been tried and no man can say till he has been
but Ill do my endivours not to disgrace the people among whom I got my
training Howsever I wish you now to bear witness that Im altogether of white
blood and in a natral way of white gifts too so should I be overcome and
forget myself I hope youll lay the fault where it properly belongs and in no
manner put it on the Delawares or their allies and friends the Mohicans Were
all created with more or less weakness and Im afeard its a pale faces to
give in under great bodily torment when a red skin will sing his songs and
boast of his deeds in the very teeth of his foes«
»We shall see Hawkeye has a good countenance and he is tough But why
should he be tormented when the Hurons love him He is not born their enemy
and the death of one warrior will not cast a cloud between them forever«
»So much the better Huron so much the better Still I dont wish to owe
any thing to a mistake about each others meaning It is so much the better that
you bear no malice for the loss of a warrior who fell in war and yet it is
ontrue that there is no inmity lawful inmity I mean atween us So far as I
have red skin feelins at all Ive Delaware feelins and I leave you to judge
for yourself how far they are likely to be frindly to the Mingos«
Deerslayer ceased for a sort of spectre stood before him that put a stop
to his words and indeed caused him for a moment to doubt the fidelity of his
boasted vision Hetty Hutter was standing at the side of the fire as quietly as
if she belonged to the tribe
As the hunter and the Indian sat watching the emotions that were betrayed in
each others countenance the girl had approached unnoticed doubtless ascending
from the beach on the southern side of the point or that next to the spot where
the Ark had anchored and had advanced to the fire with the fearlessness that
belonged to her simplicity and which was certainly justified by the treatment
formerly received from the Indians As soon as Rivenoak perceived the girl she
was recognised and calling to two or three of the younger warriors the chief
sent them out to reconnoitre lest her appearance should be the forerunner of
another attack He then motioned to Hetty to draw near
»I hope your visit is a sign that the Sarpent and Hist are in safety
Hetty« said Deerslayer as soon as the girl had complied with the Hurons
request »I dont think youd come ashore agin on the arnd that brought you
here afore«
»Judith told me to come this time Deerslayer« Hetty replied »she paddled
me ashore herself in a canoe as soon as the Serpent had shown her Hist and
told his story How handsome Hist is tonight Deerslayer and how much happier
she looks than when she was with the Hurons«
»Thats natur gal yes that may be set down as human natur Shes with
her betrothed and no longer fears a Mingo husband In my judgment Judith
herself would lose most of her beauty if she thought she was to bestow it all
on a Mingo Content is a great fortifier of good looks and Ill warrant you
Hist is contented enough now she is out of the hands of these miscreants and
with her chosen warrior Did you say that Judith told you to come ashore why
should your sister do that«
»She bid me come to see you and to try and persuade the savages to take
more elephants to let you off but Ive brought the bible with me that will do
more than all the elephants in fathers chest«
»And your father good little Hetty and Hurry did they know of your
arnd«
»Not they Both are asleep and Judith and the Serpent thought it best they
should not be woke lest they might want to come again after scalps when Hist
had told them how few warriors and how many women and children there were in
the camp Judith would give me no peace till I had come ashore to see what had
happened to you«
»Well thats remarkable as consarns Judith Why should she feel so much
unsartainty about me Ah I see how it is now yes I see into the whole
matter now You must understand Hetty that your sister is oneasy lest Harry
March should wake and come blundering here into the hands of the inimy agin
under some idee that being a travelling comrade he ought to help me in this
matter Hurry is a blunderer I will allow but I do nt think hed risk as much
for my sake as he would for his own«
»Judith do nt care for Hurry though Hurry cares for her« replied Hetty
innocently but quite positively
»Ive heard you say as much as that afore yes Ive heard that from you
afore gal and yet it is nt true One dont live in a tribe not to see
something of the way in which liking works in a womans heart Though no way
given to marrying myself Ive been a looker on among the Delawares and this is
a matter in which paleface and red skin gifts are all as one as the same When
the feelin begins the young woman is thoughtful and has no eyes or ears
onless for the warrior that has taken her fancy then follows melancholy and
sighing and such sort of actions after which especially if matters dont come
to plain discourse she often flies round to back biting and fault finding
blaming the youth for the very things she likes best in him Some young
creaturs are forward in this way of showing their love and Im of opinion
Judith is one of em Now Ive heard her as much as deny that Hurry was
goodlooking and the young woman who could do that must be far gone indeed«
»The young woman who liked Hurry would own that he is handsome I think
Hurry very handsome Deerslayer and Im sure every body must think so that has
eyes Judith do nt like Harry March and thats the reason she finds fault with
him«
»Well well my good little Hetty have it your own way If we should talk
from now till winter each would think as at present and theres no use in
words I must believe that Judith is much wrapped up in Hurry and that sooner
or later shell have him and this too all the more from the manner in which
she abuses him and I dare to say you think just the contrary But mind what I
now tell you gal and pretend not to know it « continued this being who was
so obtuse on a point on which men are usually quick enough to make discoveries
and so acute in matters that would baffle the observation of much the greater
portion of mankind »I see how it is with them vagabonds Rivenoak has left us
you see and is talking yonder with his young men and though too far to be
heard I can see what he is telling them Their orders is to watch your
movements and to find where the canoe is to meet you to take you back to the
Ark and then to seize all and what they can Im sorry Judith sent you for I
suppose she wants you to go back agin«
»All thats settled Deerslayer« returned the girl in a low confidential
and meaning manner »and you may trust me to outwit the best Indian of them
all I know I am feeble minded but Ive got some sense and youll see how Ill
use it in getting back when my errand is done«
»Ahs me poor girl Im afeard all thats easier said than done Theyre a
venomous set of riptyles and their pisons none the milder for the loss of
Hist Well Im glad the Sarpent was the one to get off with the gal for now
therell be two happy at least whereas had he fallen into the hands of the
Mingos thered been two miserable and another far from feelin as a man likes
to feel«
»Now you put me in mind of a part of my errand that I had almost forgotten
Deerslayer Judith told me to ask you what you thought the Hurons would do with
you if you couldnt be bought off and what she had best do to serve you Yes
this was the most important part of the errand what she had best do in order
to serve you«
»Thats as you think Hetty but its no matter Young women are apt to lay
most stress on what most touches their feelins but no matter have it your own
way so you be but careful not to let the vagabonds get the mastery of a canoe
When you get back to the Ark tell em to keep close and to keep moving too
most especially at night Many hours cant go by without the troops on the
river hearing of this party and then your frinds may look for relief Tis but
a days march from the nearest garrison and true soldiers will never lie idle
with the foe in their neighborhood This is my advice and you may say to your
father and Hurry that scalphunting will be a poor business now as the Mingos
are up and awake and nothing can save em till the troops come except
keeping a good belt of water atween em and the savages«
»What shall I tell Judith about you Deerslayer I know she will send me
back again if I dont bring her the truth about you«
»Then tell her the truth I see no reason Judith Hutter should nt hear the
truth about me as well as a lie Im a captyve in Indian hands and Providence
only knows what will come of it Harkee Hetty « dropping his voice and
speaking still more confidentially »you are a little weak minded it must be
allowed but you know something of Injins Here I am in their hands after
having slain one of their stoutest warriors and theyve been endivouring to
work upon me through fear of consequences to betray your father and all in the
Ark I understand the blackguards as well as if theyd told it all out plainly
with their tongues They hold up avarice afore me on one side and fear on
tother and think honesty will give way atween em both But let your father
and Hurry know tis all useless as for the Sarpent he knows it already«
»But what shall I tell Judith She will certainly send me back if I dont
satisfy her mind«
»Well tell Judith the same No doubt the savages will try the torments to
make me give in and to revenge the loss of their warrior but I must hold out
agin natral weakness in the best manner I can You may tell Judith to feel no
consarn on my account it will come hard I know seeing that a white mans
gifts dont run to boasting and singing under torment for he generally feels
smallest when he suffers most but you may tell her not to have any consarn I
think I shall make out to stand it and she may rely on this let me give in as
much as I may and prove completely that I am white by wailings and howlings
and even tears yet Ill never fall so far as to betray my frinds When it gets
to burning holes in the flesh with heated ramrods and to hacking the body and
tearing the hair out by the roots natur may get the upperhand so far as
groans and complaints are consarned but there the triumph of the vagabonds
will ind nothing short of gods abandoning him to the devils can make an
honest man ontrue to his colour and duty«
Hetty listened with great attention and her mild but speaking countenance
manifested a strong sympathy in the anticipated agony of the supposititious
sufferer At first she seemed at a loss how to act then taking a hand of
Deerslayers she affectionately recommended to him to borrow her bible and to
read it while the savages were inflicting their torments When the other
honestly admitted that it exceeded his power to read she even volunteered to
remain with him and to perform this holy office in person The offer was gently
declined and Rivenoak being about to join them Deerslayer requested the girl
to leave him first enjoining her again to tell those in the Ark to have full
confidence in his fidelity Hetty now walked away and approached the group of
females with as much confidence and selfpossession as if she were a native of
the tribe On the other hand the Huron resumed his seat by the side of his
prisoner the one continuing to ask questions with all the wily ingenuity of a
practised Indian counsellor and the other baffling him by the very means that
are known to be the most efficacious in defeating the finesse of the more
pretending diplomacy of civilisation or by confining his answers to the truth
and the truth only
Chapter XVIII
»Thus died she never more on her
Shall sorrow light or shame She was not made
Through years or moons the inner weight to bear
Which colder hearts endure till they are laid
By age in earth her days and pleasures were
Brief but delightful such as had not stayed
Long with her destiny but she sleeps well
By the sea shore whereon she loved to dwell«
Byron Don Juan IVlxxi
The young men who had been sent out to reconnoitre on the sudden appearance of
Hetty soon returned to report their want of success in making any discovery
One of them had even been along the beach as far as the spot opposite to the
Ark but the darkness completely concealed that vessel from his notice Others
had examined in different directions and every where the stillness of night was
added to the silence and solitude of the woods It was consequently believed
that the girl had come alone as on her former visit and on some similar
errand The Iroquois were ignorant that the Ark had left the Castle and there
were movements projected if not in the course of actual execution by this time
which also greatly added to the sense of security A watch was set therefore
and all but the sentinels disposed themselves to sleep
Sufficient care was had to the safe keeping of the captive without
inflicting on him any unnecessary suffering and as for Hetty she was
permitted to find a place among the Indian girls in the best manner she could
She did not find the friendly offices of Hist though her character not only
bestowed impunity from pain and captivity but it procured for her a
consideration and an attention that placed her on the score of comfort quite on
a level with the wild but gentle beings around her She was supplied with a
skin and made her own bed on a pile of boughs a little apart from the huts
Here she was soon in a profound sleep like all around her
There were now thirteen men in the party and three kept watch at a time
One remained in shadow not far from the fire however His duty was to guard
the captive to take care that the fire neither blazed up so as to illuminate
the spot nor yet became wholly extinguished and to keep an eye generally on
the state of the camp Another passed from one beach to the other crossing the
base of the point while the third kept moving slowly around the strand on its
outer extremity to prevent a repetition of the surprise that had already taken
place that night This arrangement was far from being usual among savages who
ordinarily rely more on the secrecy of their movements than on vigilance of
this nature but it had been called for by the peculiarity of the circumstances
in which the Hurons were now placed Their position was known to their foes and
it could not easily be changed at an hour which demanded rest Perhaps too
they placed most of their confidence on the knowledge of what they believed to
be passing higher up the lake and which it was thought would fully occupy the
whole of the palefaces who were at liberty with their solitary Indian ally
It was also probable Rivenoak was aware that in holding his captive he had in
his own hands the most dangerous of all his enemies
The precision with which those accustomed to watchfulness or lives of
disturbed rest sleep is not the least of the phenomena of our mysterious
being The head is no sooner on the pillow than consciousness is lost and yet
at a necessary hour the mind appears to arouse the body as promptly as if it
had stood sentinel over it the while There can be no doubt that they who are
thus roused awake by the influence of thought over matter though the mode in
which this influence is exercised must remain hidden from our curiosity until
it shall be explained should that hour ever arrive by the entire enlightenment
of the soul on the subject of all human mysteries Thus it was with Hetty
Hutter Feeble as the immaterial portion of her existence was thought to be it
was sufficiently active to cause her to open her eyes at midnight At that hour
she awoke and leaving her bed of skin and boughs she walked innocently and
openly to the embers of the fire stirring the latter as the coolness of the
night and the woods in connection with an exceedingly unsophisticated bed had
a little chilled her As the flame shot up it lighted the swarthy countenance
of the Huron on watch whose dark eyes glistened under its light like the balls
of the panther that is pursued to his den with burning brands But Hetty felt no
fear and she approached the spot where the Indian stood Her movements were so
natural and so perfectly devoid of any of the stealthiness of cunning or
deception that he imagined she had merely arisen on account of the coolness of
the night a common occurrence in a bivouac and the one of all others perhaps
the least likely to excite suspicion Hetty spoke to him but he understood no
English She then gazed near a minute at the sleeping captive and moved slowly
away in a sad and melancholy manner
The girl took no pains to conceal her movements Any ingenious expedient of
this nature quite likely exceeded her powers still her step was habitually
light and scarcely audible As she took the direction of the extremity of the
point or the place where she had landed in her first adventure and where Hist
had embarked the sentinel saw her light form gradually disappear in the gloom
without uneasiness or changing his own position He knew that others were on
the lookout and he did not believe that one who had twice come into the camp
voluntarily and had already left it openly would take refuge in flight In
short the conduct of the girl excited no more attention than that of any person
of feeble intellect would excite in civilized society while her person met with
more consideration and respect
Hetty certainly had no very distinct notions of the localities but she
found her way to the beach which she reached on the same side of the point as
that on which the camp had been made By following the margin of the water
taking a northern direction she soon encountered the Indian who paced the
strand as sentinel This was a young warrior and when he heard her light tread
coming along the gravel he approached swiftly though with any thing but menace
in his manner The darkness was so intense that it was not easy to discover
forms within the shadows of the woods at the distance of twenty feet and
quite impossible to distinguish persons until near enough to touch them The
young Huron manifested disappointment when he found whom he had met for truth
to say he was expecting his favorite who had promised to relieve the ennui of
a midnight watch with her presence This man was also ignorant of English but
he was at no loss to understand why the girl should be up at that hour Such
things were usual in an Indian village and camp where sleep is as irregular as
the meals Then poor Hettys known imbecility as in most things connected with
the savages stood her friend on this occasion Vexed at his disappointment and
impatient of the presence of one he thought an intruder the young warrior
signed for the girl to move forward holding the direction of the beach Hetty
complied but as she walked away she spoke aloud in English in her usual
soft tones which the stillness of the night made audible at some little
distance
»If you took me for a Huron girl warrior« she said »I do nt wonder you
are so little pleased I am Hetty Hutter Thomas Hutters daughter and have
never met any man at night for mother always said it was wrong and modest
young women should never do it modest young women of the palefaces I mean
for customs are different in different parts of the world I know No no Im
Hetty Hutter and would nt meet even Hurry Harry though he should fall down on
his knees and ask me Mother said it was wrong«
By the time Hetty had said this she reached the place where the canoes had
come ashore and owing to the curvature of the land and the bushes would have
been completely hid from the sight of the sentinel had it been broad day But
another footstep had caught the lovers ear and he was already nearly beyond
the sound of the girls silvery voice Still Hetty bent only on her own
thoughts and purposes continued to speak though the gentleness of her tones
prevented the sounds from penetrating far into the woods On the water they were
more widely diffused
»Here I am Judith« she added »and there is no one near me The Huron on
watch has gone to meet his sweetheart who is an Indian girl you know and
never had a christian mother to tell her how wrong it is to meet a man at night
«
Hettys voice was hushed by a »hist« that came from the water and then
she caught a dim view of the canoe which approached noiselessly and soon
grated on the shingle with its bow The moment the weight of Hetty was felt in
the light craft the canoe withdrew stern foremost as if possessed of life and
volition until it was a hundred yards from the shore Then it turned and
making a wide sweep as much to prolong the passage as to get beyond the sound
of voices it held its way towards the Ark For several minutes nothing was
uttered but believing herself to be in a favorable position to confer with her
sister Judith who alone sat in the stern managing the canoe with a skill
little short of that of a man began a discourse which she had been burning to
commence ever since they quitted the point
»Here we are safe Hetty« she said »and may talk without the fear of being
overheard You must speak low however for sounds are heard far on the water
in a still night I was so close to the point some of the time while you were
on it that I heard the voices of the warriors and I heard your shoes on the
gravel of the beach even before you spoke«
»I do nt believe Judith the Hurons know I have left them«
»Quite likely they do not for a lover makes a poor sentry unless it be to
watch for his sweetheart But tell me Hetty did you see and speak with
Deerslayer«
»Oh yes There he was seated near the fire with his legs tied though
they left his arms free to move them as he pleased«
»Well what did he tell you child Speak quick I am dying to know what
message he sent me«
»What did he tell me Why what do you think Judith he told me that he
could nt read Only think of that a white man and not know how to read his
bible even He never could have had a mother sister«
»Never mind that Hetty All men cant read though mother knew so much and
taught us so much father knows very little about books and he can barely read
the bible you know«
»Oh I never thought fathers could read much but mothers ought all to read
else how can they teach their children Depend on it Judith Deerslayer could
never have had a mother else he would know how to read«
»Did you tell him I sent you ashore Hetty and how much concern I felt for
his misfortune« asked the other impatiently
»I believe I did Judith but you know I am feebleminded and I may have
forgotten I did tell him you brought me ashore And he told me a great deal
that I was to say to you which I remember well for it made my blood run cold
to hear him He told me to say that his friends I suppose you are one of them
sister«
»How can you torment me thus Hetty Certainly I am one of the truest
friends he has on earth«
»Torment you yes now I remember all about it I am glad you used that
word Judith for it brings it all back to my mind Well he said he might be
tormented by the savages but he would try to bear it as becomes a christian
whiteman and that no one need be afeard why does Deerslayer call it afeard
when mother always taught us to say afraid«
»Never mind dear Hetty never mind that now« cried the other almost
gasping for breath »Did Deerslayer really tell you that he thought the savages
would put him to the torture Recollect now well Hetty for this is a most
awful and serious thing«
»Yes he did and I remembered it by your speaking about my tormenting you
Oh I felt very sorry for him and Deerslayer took all so quietly and without
noise Deerslayer is not as handsome as Hurry Harry Judith but he is more
quiet«
»Hes worth a million Hurrys Yes hes worth all the young men who ever
came upon the lake put together« said Judith with an energy and positiveness
that caused her sister to wonder »He is true There is no lie about Deerslayer
You Hetty may not know what a merit it is in a man to have truth but when you
get no I hope you will never know it Why should one like you be ever made
to learn the hard lesson to distrust and hate«
Judith bowed her face dark as it was and unseen as she must have been by
any eye but that of omniscience between her hands and groaned This sudden
paroxysm of feeling however lasted but for a moment and she continued more
calmly still speaking frankly to her sister whose intelligence and whose
discretion in any thing that related to herself she did not in the least
distrust Her voice however was low and husky instead of having its former
clearness and animation
»It is a hard thing to fear truth Hetty« she said »and yet do I more
dread Deerslayers truth than any enemy One cannot tamper with such truth so
much honesty such obstinate uprightness But we are not altogether unequal
sister Deerslayer and I He is not altogether my superior«
It was not usual for Judith so far to demean herself as to appeal to
Hettys judgment Nor did she often address her by the title of sister a
distinction that is commonly given by the junior to the senior even where there
is perfect equality in all other respects As trifling departures from habitual
deportment oftener strike the imagination than more important changes Hetty
perceived the circumstances and wondered at them in her own simple way
Her ambition was a little quickened and the answer was as much out of the
usual course of things as the question the poor girl attempting to refine
beyond her strength
»Superior Judith« she repeated with pride »In what can Deerslayer be your
superior Are you not mothers child and does he know how to read and was
nt mother before any woman in all this part of the world I should think so far
from supposing himself your superior he would hardly believe himself mine You
are handsome and he is ugly«
»No not ugly Hetty « interrupted Judith »Only plain But his honest
face has a look in it that is far better than beauty In my eyes Deerslayer is
handsomer than Hurry Harry«
»Judith Hutter You frighten me Hurry is the handsomest mortal in the world
even handsomer than you are yourself because a mans good looks you know
are always better than a womans good looks«
This little innocent touch of natural taste did not please the elder sister
at the moment and she did not scruple to betray it
»Hetty you now speak foolishly and had better say no more on this
subject« she answered »Hurry is not the handsomest mortal in the world by
many and there are officers in the garrisons « Judith stammered at the words
»there are officers in the garrisons near us far comelier than he But why do
you think me the equal of Deerslayer speak of that for I do not like to hear
you show so much admiration of a man like Hurry Harry who has neither feelings
manners nor conscience You are too good for him and he ought to be told it
at once«
»I Judith how you forget Why I am not beautiful and am feeble minded«
»You are good Hetty and that is more than can be said of Henry March He
may have a face and a body but he has no heart But enough of this for the
present Tell me what raises me to an equality with Deerslayer«
»To think of you asking me this Judith He can nt read and you can He do
nt know how to talk but speaks worse than Hurry even for sister Harry
does nt always pronounce his words right Did you ever notice that«
»Certainly He is as coarse in speech as in every thing else But I fear
you flatter me Hetty when you think I can be justly called the equal of a man
like Deerslayer It is true I have been better taught in one sense am more
comely and perhaps might look higher but then his truth his truth makes a
fearful difference between us Well I will talk no more of this and we will
bethink us of the means of getting him out of the hands of the Hurons We have
fathers chest in the Ark Hetty and might try the temptation of more
elephants though I fear such baubles will not buy the liberty of a man like
Deerslayer I am afraid Father and Hurry will not be as willing to ransom
Deerslayer as Deerslayer was to ransom them«
»Why not Judith Hurry and Deerslayer are friends and friends should
always help one another«
»Alas poor Hetty you little know mankind Seeming friends are often more
to be dreaded than open enemies particularly by females But youll have to
land in the morning and try again what can be done for Deerslayer Tortured he
shall not be while Judith Hutter lives and can find means to prevent it«
The conversation now grew desultory and was drawn out until the elder
sister had extracted from the younger every fact that the feeble faculties of
the latter permitted her to retain and to communicate When Judith was
satisfied though she could never be said to be satisfied whose feelings
seemed to be so interwoven with all that related to the subject as to have
excited a nearly inappeasable curiosity but when Judith could think of no
more questions to ask without resorting to repetition the canoe was paddled
towards the scow The intense darkness of the night and the deep shadows which
the hills and forest cast upon the water rendered it difficult to find the
vessel anchored as it had been as close to the shore as a regard to safety
rendered prudent Judith was expert in the management of a bark canoe the
lightness of which demanded skill rather than strength and she forced her own
little vessel swiftly over the water the moment she had ended her conference
with Hetty and had come to the determination to return Still no Ark was seen
Several times the sisters fancied they saw it looming up in the obscurity like
a low black rock but on each occasion it was found to be either an optical
illusion or some swell of the foliage on the shore After a search that lasted
half an hour the girls were forced to the unwelcome conviction that the Ark had
departed
Most young women would have felt the awkwardness of their situation in a
physical sense under the circumstances in which the sisters were left more
than any apprehensions of a different nature Not so with Judith however and
even Hetty felt more concern about the motives that might have influenced her
father and Hurry than any fears for her own safety
»It cannot be Hetty« said Judith when a thorough search had satisfied
them both that no Ark was to be found »it cannot be that the Indians have
rafted or swam off and surprised our friends as they slept«
»I do nt believe that Hist and Chingachgook would sleep until they had
told each other all they had to say after so long a separation do you sister«
»Perhaps not child There was much to keep them awake but one Indian may
have been surprised even when not asleep especially as his thoughts may have
been on other things Still we should have heard a noise for in a night like
this an oath of Hurry Harrys would have echoed in the eastern hills like a
clap of thunder«
»Hurry is sinful and thoughtless about his words Judith« Hetty meekly and
sorrowfully answered
»No no tis impossible the Ark could be taken and I not hear the noise
It is not an hour since I left it and the whole time I have been attentive to
the smallest sound And yet it is not easy to believe a father would willingly
abandon his children«
»Perhaps Father has thought us in our cabin asleep Judith and has moved
away to go home You know we often move the Ark in the night«
»This is true Hetty and it must be as you suppose There is a little more
southern air than there was and they have gone up the lake «
Judith stopped for as the last word was on her tongue the scene was
suddenly lighted though only for a single instant by a flash The crack of a
rifle succeeded and then followed the roll of the echo along the eastern
mountains Almost at the same moment a piercing female cry arose in the air in
a prolonged shriek The awful stillness that succeeded was if possible more
appalling than the fierce and sudden interruption of the deep silence of
midnight Resolute as she was both by nature and habit Judith scarce breathed
while poor Hetty hid her face and trembled
»That was a womans cry Hetty« said the former solemnly »and it was a cry
of anguish If the Ark has moved from this spot it can only have gone north
with this air and the gun and shriek came from the point Can any thing have
befallen Hist«
»Let us go and see Judith she may want our assistance for besides
herself there are none but men in the Ark«
It was not a moment for hesitation and ere Judith had ceased speaking her
paddle was in the water The distance to the point in a direct line was not
great and the impulses under which the girls worked were too exciting to allow
them to waste the precious moments in useless precautions They paddled
incautiously for them but the same excitement kept others from noting their
movements Presently a glare of light caught the eye of Judith through an
opening in the bushes and steering by it she so directed the canoe as to keep
it visible while she got as near the land as was either prudent or necessary
The scene that was now presented to the observation of the girls was within
the woods on the side of the acclivity so often mentioned and in plain view
from the boat Here all in the camp were collected some six or eight carrying
torches of fatpine which cast a strong but funereal light on all beneath the
arches of the forest With her back supported against a tree and sustained on
one side by the young sentinel whose remissness had suffered Hetty to escape
sate the female whose expected visit had produced his delinquency By the glare
of the torch that was held near her face it was evident that she was in the
agonies of death while the blood that trickled from her bared bosom betrayed
the nature of the injury she had received The pungent peculiar smell of
gunpowder too was still quite perceptible in the heavy damp night air There
could be no question that she had been shot Judith understood it all at a
glance The streak of light had appeared on the water a short distance from the
point and either the rifle had been discharged from a canoe hovering near the
land or it had been fired from the Ark in passing An incautious exclamation
or laugh may have produced the assault for it was barely possible that the aim
had been assisted by any other agent than sound As to the effect that was soon
still more apparent the head of the victim dropping and the body sinking in
death Then all the torches but one were extinguished a measure of prudence
and the melancholy train that bore the body to the camp was just to be
distinguished by the glimmering light that remained
Judith sighed heavily and shuddered as her paddle again dipped and the
canoe moved cautiously around the point A sight had afflicted her senses and
now haunted her imagination that was still harder to be borne than even the
untimely fate and passing agony of the deceased girl She had seen under the
strong glare of all the torches the erect form of Deerslayer standing with
commiseration and as she thought with shame depicted on his countenance near
the dying female He betrayed neither fear nor backwardness himself but it
was apparent by the glances cast at him by the warriors that fierce passions
were struggling in their bosoms All this seemed to be unheeded by the captive
but it remained impressed on the memory of Judith throughout the night
No canoe was met hovering near the point A stillness and darkness as
complete as if the silence of the forest had never been disturbed or the sun
had never shone on that retired region now reigned on the point and on the
gloomy water the slumbering woods and even the murky sky No more could be
done therefore than to seek a place of safety and this was only to be found
in the centre of the lake Paddling in silence to that spot the canoe was
suffered to drift northerly while the girls sought such repose as their
situation and feelings would permit
Chapter XIX
»Stand to your arms and guard the door alls lost
Unless that fearful bell be silenced soon
The officer hath missd his path or purpose
Or met some unforeseen and hideous obstacle
Anselmo with thy company proceed
Straight to the tower the rest remain with me«
Byron Marino Faliero IVii23035
The conjecture of Judith Hutter concerning the manner in which the Indian girl
had met her death was accurate in the main After sleeping several hours her
father and March awoke This occurred a few minutes after she had left the Ark
to go in quest of her sister and when of course Chingachgook and his betrothed
were on board From the Delaware the old man learned the position of the camp
and the recent events as well as the absence of his daughters The latter gave
him no concern for he relied greatly on the sagacity of the elder and the
known impunity with which the younger passed among the savages Long familiarity
with danger too had blunted his sensibilities Nor did he seem much to regret
the captivity of Deerslayer for while he knew how material his aid might be in
a defence the difference in their views on the morality of the woods had not
left much sympathy between them He would have rejoiced to know the position of
the camp before it had been alarmed by the escape of Hist but it would be too
hazardous now to venture to land and he reluctantly relinquished for the night
the ruthless designs that cupidity and revenge had excited him to entertain In
this mood Hutter took a seat in the head of the scow where he was quickly
joined by Hurry leaving the Serpent and Hist in quiet possession of the other
extremity of the vessel
»Deerslayer has shown himself a boy in going among the savages at this
hour and letting himself fall into their hands like a deer that tumbles into a
pit« growled the old man perceiving as usual the mote in his neighbors eyes
while he overlooked the beam in his own »if he is left to pay for his stupidity
with his own flesh he can blame no one but himself«
»Thats the way of the world old Tom« returned Hurry »Every man must meet
his own debts and answer for his own sins Im amazed howsever that a lad as
skilful and watchful as Deerslayer should have been caught in such a trap Did
nt 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 boys judgment Ill 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
Ive been through the Ark and looked into all its living creaturs«
Hutter briefly explained the manner in which his daughters had taken to the
canoe as it had been related by the Delaware as well as the return of Judith
after landing her sister and her second departure
»This comes of a smooth tongue Floating Tom« exclaimed Hurry grating his
teeth in pure resentment »This comes of a smooth tongue and a silly gals
inclinations and you had best look into the matter You and I were both
prisoners « Hurry could recal that circumstance now »you and I were both
prisoners and yet Judith never stirred an inch to do us any sarvice She is
bewitched with this lanklooking Deerslayer and he and she and you and all
of us had best look to it I am not a man to put up with such a wrong quietly
and I say all the parties had best look to it Lets up kedge old fellow and
move nearer to this pint and see how matters are getting on«
Hutter had no objections to this movement and the Ark was got under way in
the usual manner care being taken to make no noise The wind was passing
northward and the sail soon swept the scow so far up the lake as to render the
dark outlines of the trees that clothed the point dimly visible Floating Tom
steered and he sailed along as near the land as the depth of the water and
the overhanging branches would allow It was impossible to distinguish any thing
that stood within the shadows of the shore but the forms of the sail and of the
hut were discerned by the young sentinel on the beach who has already been
mentioned In the moment of sudden surprise a deep Indian exclamation escaped
him In that spirit of recklessness and ferocity that formed the essence of
Hurrys character this man dropped his rifle and fired The ball was sped by
accident or by that overruling providence which decides the fates of all and
the girl fell Then followed the scene with the torches which has just been
described
At the precise moment when Hurry committed this act of unthinking cruelty
the canoe of Judith was within a hundred feet of the spot from which the Ark had
so lately moved Her own course has been described and it has now become our
office to follow that of her father and his companions The shriek announced the
effects of the random shot of March and it also proclaimed that the victim was
a woman Hurry himself was startled at these unlooked for consequences and for
a moment he was sorely disturbed by conflicting sensations At first he laughed
in reckless and rudeminded exultation and then conscience that monitor
planted in our breasts by God and which receives its more general growth from
the training bestowed in the tillage of childhood shot a pang to his heart For
a minute the mind of this creature equally of civilization and of barbarism
was a sort of chaos as to feeling not knowing what to think of its own act and
then the obstinacy and pride of one of his habits interposed to assert their
usual ascendency He struck the butt of his rifle on the bottom of the scow
with a species of defiance and began to whistle a low air with an affectation
of indifference All this time the Ark was in motion and it was already opening
the bay above the point and was consequently quitting the land
Hurrys companions did not view his conduct with the same indulgence as
that with which he appeared disposed to regard it himself Hutter growled out
his dissatisfaction for the act led to no advantage while it threatened to
render the warfare more vindictive than ever and none censure motiveless
departures from the right more severely than the mercenary and unprincipled
Still he commanded himself the captivity of Deerslayer rendering the arm of the
offender of double consequence to him at that moment Chingachgook arose and
for a single instant the ancient animosity of tribes was forgotten in a feeling
of colour but he recollected himself in season to prevent any of the fierce
consequences that for a passing moment he certainly meditated Not so with
Hist Rushing through the hut or cabin the girl stood at the side of Hurry
almost as soon as his rifle touched the bottom of the scow and with a
fearlessness that did credit to her heart she poured out her reproaches with
the generous warmth of a woman
»What for you shoot« she said »What Huron gal do dat you kill him What
you tink Manitou say What you tink Manitou feel What Iroquois do No get
honour no get camp no get prisoner no get battle no get scalp no get
noting at all Blood come after blood How you feel your wife killed Who pity
you when tear come for moder or sister You big as great pine Huron gal
little slender birch why you fall on her and crush her You tink Huron forget
it No red skin never forget Never forget friend never forget enemy Red man
Manitou in dat Why you so wicked great paleface«
Hurry had never been so daunted as by this close and warm attack of the
Indian girl It is true that she had a powerful ally in his conscience and
while she spoke earnestly it was in tones so feminine as to deprive him of any
pretext for unmanly anger The softness of her voice added to the weight of her
remonstrance by lending to the latter an air of purity and truth Like most
vulgar minded men he had only regarded the Indians through the medium of their
coarser and fiercer characteristics It had never struck him that the affections
are human that even high principles modified by habits and prejudices but
not the less elevated within their circle can exist in the savage state and
that the warrior who is most ruthless in the field can submit to the softest
and gentlest influences in the moments of domestic quiet In a word it was the
habit of his mind to regard all Indians as being only a slight degree removed
from the wild beasts that roamed the woods and to feel disposed to treat them
accordingly whenever interest or caprice supplied a motive or an impulse
Still though daunted by these reproaches the handsome barbarian could hardly
be said to be penitent He was too much rebuked by conscience to suffer an
outbreak of temper to escape him and perhaps he felt that he had already
committed an act that might justly bring his manhood in question Instead of
resenting or answering the simple but natural appeal of Hist he walked away
like one who disdained entering into a controversy with a woman
In the mean while the Ark swept onward and by the time the scene with the
torches was enacting beneath the trees it had reached the open lake Floating
Tom causing it to sheer further from the land with a sort of instinctive dread
of retaliation An hour now passed in gloomy silence no one appearing disposed
to break it Hist had retired to her pallet and Chingachgook lay sleeping in
the forward part of the scow Hutter and Hurry alone remained awake the former
at the steering oar while the latter brooded over his own conduct with the
stubbornness of one little given to a confession of his errors and the secret
goadings of the worm that never dies This was at the moment when Judith and
Hetty reached the centre of the lake and had lain down to endeavor to sleep in
their drifting canoe
The night was calm though so much obscured by clouds The season was not
one of storms and those which did occur in the month of June on that embedded
water though frequently violent were always of short continuance Nevertheless
there was the usual current of heavy damp night air which passing over the
summits of the trees scarcely appeared to descend as low as the surface of the
glassy lake but kept moving a short distance above it saturated with the
humidity that constantly arose from the woods and apparently never proceeding
far in any one direction The currents were influenced by the formation of the
hills as a matter of course a circumstance that rendered even fresh breezes
baffling and which reduced the feebler efforts of the night air to be a sort of
capricious and fickle sighings of the woods Several times the head of the Ark
pointed east and once it was actually turned towards the south again but on
the whole it worked its way north Hutter making always a fair wind if wind it
could be called his principal motive appearing to be a wish to keep in motion
in order to defeat any treacherous design of his enemies He now felt some
little concern about his daughters and perhaps as much about the canoe but on
the whole this uncertainty did not much disturb him as he had the reliance
already mentioned on the intelligence of Judith
It was the season of the shortest nights and it was not long before the
deep obscurity which precedes the day began to yield to the returning light If
any earthly scene could be presented to the senses of man that might soothe his
passions and temper his ferocity it was that which grew upon the eyes of Hutter
and Hurry as the hours advanced changing night to morning There were the
usual soft tints of the sky in which neither the gloom of darkness nor the
brilliancy of the sun prevails and under which objects appear more unearthly
and we might add holy than at any other portion of the twenty four hours The
beautiful and soothing calm of even tide has been extolled by a thousand poets
and yet it does not bring with it the farreaching and sublime thoughts of the
half hour that precedes the rising of a summer sun In the one case the panorama
is gradually hid from the sight while in the other its objects start out from
the unfolding picture first dim and misty then marked in in solemn back
ground next seen in the witchery of an increasing a thing as different as
possible from the decreasing twilight and finally mellow distinct and
luminous as the rays of the great centre of light diffuse themselves in the
atmosphere The hymns of birds too have no moral counterpart in the retreat to
the roost or the flight to the nest and these invariably accompany the advent
of the day until the appearance of the sun itself
»Bathes in deep joy the land and sea«
All this however Hutter and Hurry witnessed without experiencing any of that
calm delight which the spectacle is wont to bring when the thoughts are just
and the aspirations pure They not only witnessed it but they witnessed it
under circumstances that had a tendency to increase its power and to heighten
its charms Only one solitary object became visible in the returning light that
had received its form or uses from human taste or human desires which as often
deform as beautify a landscape This was the castle all the rest being native
and fresh from the hand of God That singular residence too was in keeping
with the natural objects of the view starting out from the gloom quaint
picturesque and ornamental Nevertheless the whole was lost on the observers
who knew no feeling of poetry had lost their sense of natural devotion in lives
of obdurate and narrow selfishness and had little other sympathy with nature
than that which originated with her lowest wants
As soon as the light was sufficiently strong to allow of a distinct view of
the lake and more particularly of its shores Hutter turned the head of the Ark
directly towards the castle with the avowed intention of taking possession for
the day at least as the place most favorable for meeting his daughters and for
carrying on his operations against the Indians By this time Chingachgook was
up and Hist was heard stirring among the furniture of the kitchen The place
for which they steered was distant only a mile and the air was sufficiently
favorable to permit it to be reached by means of the sail At this moment too
to render the appearances generally auspicious the canoe of Judith was seen
floating northward in the broadest part of the lake having actually passed the
scow in the darkness in obedience to no other power than that of the elements
Hutter got his glass and took a long and anxious survey to ascertain if his
daughters were in the light craft or not and a slight exclamation like that of
joy escaped him as he caught a glimpse of what he rightly conceived to be a
part of Judiths dress above the top of the canoe At the next instant the girl
arose and was seen gazing about her like one assuring herself of her
situation A minute later Hetty was seen on her knees in the other end of the
canoe repeating the prayers that had been taught her in childhood by a
misguided but repentant mother As Hutter laid down the glass still drawn to
its focus the Serpent raised it to his eye and turned it towards the canoe It
was the first time he had ever used such an instrument and Hist understood by
his »hugh« the expression of his face and his entire mien that something
wonderful had excited his admiration It is well known that the American
Indians more particularly those of superior characters and stations singularly
maintain their selfpossession and stoicism in the midst of the flood of
marvels that present themselves in their occasional visits to the abodes of
civilization and Chingachgook had imbibed enough of this impassibility to
suppress any very undignified manifestation of surprise With Hist however no
such law was binding and when her lover managed to bring the glass in a line
with a canoe and her eye was applied to the smaller end the girl started back
in alarm then she clapped her hands with delight and a laugh the usual
attendant of untutored admiration followed A few minutes sufficed to enable
this quick witted girl to manage the instrument for herself and she directed it
at every prominent object that struck her fancy Finding a rest in one of the
windows she and the Delaware first surveyed the lake then the shores the
hills and finally the castle attracted their attention After a long steady
gaze at the latter Hist took away her eye and spoke to her lover in a low
earnest manner Chingachgook immediately placed his eye to the glass and his
look even exceeded that of his betrothed in length and intensity Again they
spoke together confidentially appearing to compare opinions after which the
glass was laid aside and the young warrior quitted the cabin to join Hutter and
Hurry
The Ark was slowly but steadily advancing and the castle was materially
within half a mile when Chingachgook joined the two white men in the stern of
the scow His manner was calm but it was evident to the others who were
familiar with the habits of the Indians that he had something to communicate
Hurry was generally prompt to speak and according to custom he took the lead
on this occasion
»Out with it redskin« he cried in his usual rough manner »Have you
discovered a chipmunk in a tree or is there a salmontrout swimming under the
bottom of the scow You find what a paleface can do in the way of eyes now
Sarpent and must nt wonder that they can see the land of the Indians from afar
off«
»No good to go to Castle« put in Chingachgook with emphasis the moment the
other gave him an opportunity of speaking »Huron there«
»The devil he is If this should turn out to be true Floating Tom a
pretty trap were we about to pull down on our heads Huron there Well this
may be so but no signs can I see of any thing near or about the old hut but
logs water and bark bating two or three windows and one door«
Hutter called for the glass and took a careful survey of the spot before
he ventured an opinion at all then he somewhat cavalierly expressed his
dissent from that given by the Indian
»Youve got this glass wrong end foremost Delaware« continued Hurry
»Neither the old man nor I can see any trail in the lake«
»No trail water make no trail« said Hist eagerly »Stop boat no go too
near Huron there«
»Ay thats it Stick to the same tale and more people will believe you
I hope Sarpent you and your gal will agree in telling the same story arter
marriage as well as you do now Huron there Whereabouts is he to be seen
in the padlock or the chains or the logs There is nt a gaol in the colony
that has a more lock up look about it than old Toms chientè and I know
something about gaols from experence«
»No see moccasin « said Hist impatiently »why no look and see him«
»Give me the glass Harry« interrupted Hutter »and lower the sail It is
seldom that an Indian woman meddles and when she does there is generally a
cause for it There is truly a moccasin floating against one of the piles and
it may or may not be a sign that the castle has nt escaped visitors in our
absence Moccasins are no rarities however for I wear em myself and
Deerslayer wears em and you wear em March and for that matter so does
Hetty quite as often as she wears shoes though I never yet saw Judith trust
her pretty foot in a moccasin«
Hurry had lowered the sail and by this time the Ark was within two hundred
yards of the castle setting in nearer and nearer each moment but at a rate
too slow to excite any uneasiness Each now took the glass in turn and the
castle and every thing near it was subjected to a scrutiny still more rigid
than ever There the moccasin lay beyond a question floating so lightly and
preserving its form so well that it was scarcely wet It had caught by a piece
of the rough bark of one of the piles on the exterior of the waterpalisade
that formed the dock already mentioned which circumstance alone prevented it
from drifting away before the air There were many modes however of accounting
for the presence of the moccasin without supposing it to have been dropped by
an enemy It might have fallen from the platform even while Hutter was in
possession of the place and drifted to the spot where it was now seen
remaining unnoticed until detected by the acute vision of Hist It might have
drifted from a distance up or down the lake and accidentally become attached
to the pile or palisade It might have been thrown from a window and alighted
in that particular place or it might certainly have fallen from a scout or an
assailant during the past night who was obliged to abandon it to the lake in
the deep obscurity which then prevailed
All these conjectures passed from Hutter to Hurry the former appearing
disposed to regard the omen as a little sinister while the latter treated it
with his usual reckless disdain As for the Indian he was of opinion that the
moccasin should be viewed as one would regard a trail in the woods which might
or might not equally prove to be threatening Hist however had something
available to propose She declared her readiness to take a canoe to proceed to
the palisade and bring away the moccasin when its ornaments would show whether
it came from the Canadas or not Both the white men were disposed to accept this
offer but the Delaware interfered to prevent the risk If such a service was to
be undertaken it best became a warrior to expose himself in its execution and
he gave his refusal to let his betrothed proceed much in the quiet but brief
manner in which an Indian husband issues his commands
»Well then Delaware go yourself if youre so tender of your squaw« put in
the unceremonious Hurry »That moccasin must be had or Floating Tom will keep
off here at arms length till the hearth cools in his cabin Its but a
little deerskin ater all and cut thisaway or thataway its not a
skearcrow to frighten true hunters from their game What say you Sarpent
shall you or I canoe it«
»Let red man go Better eyes than paleface know Huron trick better
too«
»That Ill gainsay to the hour of my death A white mans eyes and a white
mans nose and for that matter his sight and ears are all better than an
Injins when fairly tried Time and agin have I put that to the proof and what
is proved is sartain Still I suppose the poorest vagabond going whether
Delaware or Huron can find his way to yonder hut and back agin and so
Sarpent use your paddle and welcome«
Chingachgook was already in the canoe and he dipped the implement the other
named into the water just as Hurrys limber tongue ceased WahtaWah saw the
departure of her warrior on this occasion with the submissive silence of an
Indian girl but with most of the misgivings and apprehensions of her sex
Throughout the whole of the past night and down to the moment when they used
the glass together in the hut Chingachgook had manifested as much manly
tenderness towards his betrothed as one of the most refined sentiment could
have shown under similar circumstances but now every sign of weakness was lost
in an appearance of stern resolution Although Hist timidly endeavored to catch
his eye as the canoe left the side of the Ark the pride of a warrior would not
permit him to meet her fond and anxious looks The canoe departed and not a
wandering glance rewarded her solicitude
Nor were the Delawares care and gravity misplaced under the impressions
with which he proceeded on this enterprise If the enemy had really gained
possession of the building he was obliged to put himself under the very muzzles
of their rifles as it were and this too without the protection of any of that
cover which forms so essential an ally in Indian warfare It is scarcely
possible to conceive of a service more dangerous and had the Serpent been
fortified by the experience of ten more years or had his friend the Deerslayer
been present it would never have been attempted the advantages in no degree
compensating for the risk But the pride of an Indian chief was acted on by the
rivalry of colour and it is not unlikely that the presence of the very creature
from whom his ideas of manhood prevented his receiving a single glance
overflowing as he was with the love she so well merited had no small influence
on his determination
Chingachgook paddled steadily towards the palisades keeping his eyes on the
different loops of the building Each instant he expected to see the muzzle of a
rifle protruded or to hear its sharp crack but he succeeded in reaching the
piles in safety Here he was in a measure protected having the heads of the
palisades between him and the hut and the chances of any attempt on his life
while thus covered were greatly diminished The canoe had reached the piles
with its head inclining northward and at a short distance from the moccasin
Instead of turning to pick up the latter the Delaware slowly made the circuit
of the whole building deliberately examining every object that should betray
the presence of enemies or the commission of violence Not a single sign could
he discover however to confirm the suspicions that had been awakened The
stillness of desertion pervaded the building not a fastening was displaced not
a window had been broken The door looked as secure as at the hour when it was
closed by Hutter and even the gate of the dock had all the customary
fastenings In short the most wary and jealous eye could detect no other
evidence of the visit of enemies than that which was connected with the
appearance of the floating moccasin
The Delaware was now greatly at a loss how to proceed At one moment as he
came round in front of the castle he was on the point of stepping up on the
platform and of applying his eye to one of the loops with a view of taking a
direct personal inspection of the state of things within but he hesitated
Though of little experience in such matters himself he had heard so much of
Indian artifices through traditions had listened with such breathless interest
to the narration of the escapes of the elder warriors and in short was so
well schooled in the theory of his calling that it was almost as impossible for
him to make any gross blunder on such an occasion as it was for a well grounded
scholar who had commenced correctly to fail in solving his problem in
mathematics Relinquishing the momentary intention to land the chief slowly
pursued his course round the palisades As he approached the moccasin having
now nearly completed the circuit of the building he threw the ominous article
into the canoe by a dexterous and almost imperceptible movement of his paddle
He was now ready to depart but retreat was even more dangerous than the
approach as the eye could no longer be riveted on the loops If there was
really any one in the castle the motive of the Delaware in reconnoitring must
be understood and it was the wisest way however perilous it might be to
retire with an air of confidence as if all distrust were terminated by the
examination Such accordingly was the course adopted by the Indian who
paddled deliberately away taking the direction of the Ark suffering no nervous
impulse to quicken the motions of his arms or to induce him to turn even a
furtive glance behind him
No tender wife reared in the refinements of the highest civilization ever
met a husband on his return from the field with more of sensibility in her
countenance than Hist discovered as she saw the Great Serpent of the
Delawares step unharmed into the Ark Still she repressed her emotion though
the joy that sparkled in her dark eyes and the smile that lighted her pretty
mouth spoke a language that her betrothed could understand
»Well Sarpent« cried Hurry always the first to speak »what news from the
muskrats Did they shew their teeth as you surrounded their dwelling«
»I no like him « sententiously returned the Delaware »Too still So still
can see silence«
»Thats downright Injin as if any thing could make less noise than
nothing If youve no better reason than this to give old Tom had better hoist
his sail and go and get his breakfast under his own roof What has become of
the moccasin«
»Here« returned Chingachgook holding up his prize for the general
inspection
The moccasin was examined and Hist confidently pronounced it to be Huron
by the manner in which the porcupines quills were arranged on its front Hutter
and the Delaware too were decidedly of the same opinion Admitting all this
however it did not necessarily follow that its owners were in the castle The
moccasin might have drifted from a distance or it might have fallen from the
foot of some scout who had quitted the place when his errand was accomplished
In short it explained nothing while it awakened so much distrust
Under the circumstances Hutter and Hurry were not men to be long deterred
from proceeding by proofs as slight as that of the moccasin They hoisted the
sail again and the Ark was soon in motion heading towards the castle The
wind or air continued light and the movement was sufficiently slow to allow
of a deliberate survey of the building as the scow approached The same
deathlike silence reigned and it was difficult to fancy that any thing
possessing animal life could be in or around the place Unlike the Serpent
whose imagination had acted through his traditions until he was ready to
perceive an artificial in a natural stillness the others saw nothing to
apprehend in a tranquility that in truth merely denoted the repose of
inanimate objects The accessories of the scene too were soothing and calm
rather than exciting The day had not yet advanced so far as to bring the sun
above the horizon but the heavens the atmosphere and the woods and lake were
all seen under that softened light which immediately precedes his appearance
and which perhaps is the most witching period of the four and twenty hours It
is the moment when every thing is distinct even the atmosphere seeming to
possess a liquid lucidity the hues appearing gray and softened with the
outlines of objects defined and the perspective just as moral truths that are
presented in their simplicity without the meretricious aids of ornament or
glitter In a word it is the moment when the senses seem to recover their
powers in the simplest and most accurate forms like the mind emerging from the
obscurity of doubts into the tranquility and peace of demonstration Most of
the influence that such a scene is apt to produce on those who are properly
constituted in a moral sense was lost on Hutter and Hurry but both the
Delawares though too much accustomed to witness the loveliness of morningtide
to stop to analyze their feelings were equally sensible of the beauties of the
hour though it was probably in a way unknown to themselves It disposed the
young warrior to peace and never had he felt less longings for the glory of the
combat than when he joined Hist in the cabin the instant the scow rubbed
against the side of the platform From the indulgence of such gentle emotions
however he was aroused by a rude summons from Hurry who called on him to come
forth and help to take in the sail and to secure the Ark
Chingachgook obeyed and by the time he had reached the head of the scow
Hurry was on the platform stamping his feet like one glad to touch what by
comparison might be called terra firma and proclaiming his indifference to the
whole Huron tribe in his customary noisy dogmatical manner Hutter had hauled
a canoe up to the head of the scow and was already about to undo the fastenings
of the gate in order to enter within the dock March had no other motive in
landing than a senseless bravado and having shaken the door in a manner to put
its solidity to the proof he joined Hutter in the canoe and began to aid him
in opening the gate The reader will remember that this mode of entrance was
rendered necessary by the manner in which the owner of this singular residence
habitually secured it whenever it was left empty more particularly at moments
when danger was apprehended Hutter had placed a line in the Delawares hand on
entering the canoe intimating that the other was to fasten the Ark to the
platform and to lower the sail Instead of following these directions however
Chingachgook left the sail standing and throwing the bight of the rope over the
head of a pile he permitted the Ark to drift round until it lay against the
defences in a position where it could be entered only by means of a boat or by
passing along the summits of the palisades the latter being an exploit that
required some command of the feet and which was not to be attempted in the face
of a resolute enemy
In consequence of this change in the position of the scow which was
effected before Hutter had succeeded in opening the gate of his dock the Ark
and the Castle lay as sailors would express it yardarm and yardarm kept
asunder some ten or twelve feet by means of the piles As the scow pressed
close against the latter their tops formed a species of breast work that rose
to the height of a mans head covering in a certain degree the parts of the
scow that were not protected by the cabin The Delaware surveyed this
arrangement with great satisfaction and as the canoe of Hutter passed through
the gate into the dock he thought that he might defend his position against
any garrison in the castle for a sufficient time could he but have had the
helping arm of his friend Deerslayer As it was he felt comparatively secure
and no longer suffered the keen apprehensions he had lately experienced in
behalf of Hist
A single shove sent the canoe from the gate to the trap beneath the castle
Here Hutter found all fast neither pad lock nor chain nor bar having been
molested The key was produced the locks removed the chain loosened and the
trap pushed upward Hurry now thrust his head in at the opening the arms
followed and the colossal legs rose without any apparent effort At the next
instant his heavy foot was heard stamping in the passage above that which
separated the chambers of the father and daughters and into which the trap
opened He then gave a shout of triumph
»Come on old Tom« the reckless woodsman called out from within the
building »heres your tenement safe and sound ay and as empty as a nut that
has passed half an hour in the paws of a squirrel The Delaware brags of being
able to see silence let him come here and he may feel it in the bargain«
»Any silence where you are Hurry Harry« returned Hutter thrusting his
head in at the hole as he uttered the last word which instantly caused his
voice to sound smothered to those without »Any silence where you are ought to
be both seen and felt for its unlike any other silence«
»Come come old fellow hoist yourself up and well open doors and
windows and let in the fresh air to brighten up matters Few words in
troublesome times make men the best frinds Your darter Judith is what I call
a misbehaving young woman and the hold of the whole family on me is so much
weakened by her late conduct that it would nt take a speech as long as the ten
commandments to send me off to the river leaving you and your traps your Ark
and your children your man servants and your maid servants your oxen and your
asses to fight this battle with the Iroquois by yourselves Open that window
Floating Tom and Ill blunder through and do the same job to the front door«
A moment of silence succeeded and a noise like that produced by the fall of
a heavy body followed A deep execration from Hurry succeeded and then the
whole interior of the building seemed alive The noises that now so suddenly
and we may add so unexpectedly even to the Delaware broke the stillness within
could not be mistaken They resembled those that would be produced by a struggle
between tigers in a cage Once or twice the Indian yell was given but it seemed
smothered and as if it proceeded from exhausted or compressed throats and in
a single instance a deep and another shockingly revolting execration came from
the throat of Hurry It appeared as if bodies were constantly thrown upon the
floor with violence as often rising to renew the struggle Chingachgook felt
greatly at a loss what to do He had all the arms in the Ark Hutter and Hurry
having proceeded without their rifles but there was no means of using them or
of passing them to the hands of their owners The combatants were literally
caged rendering it almost as impossible under the circumstances to get out as
to get into the building Then there was Hist to embarrass his movements and to
cripple his efforts With a view to relieve himself from this disadvantage he
told the girl to take the remaining canoe and to join Hutters daughters who
were incautiously but deliberately approaching in order to save herself and to
warn the others of their danger But the girl positively and firmly refused to
comply At that moment no human power short of an exercise of superior
physical force could have induced her to quit the Ark The exigency of the
moment did not admit of delay and the Delaware seeing no possibility of serving
his friends cut the line and by a strong shove forced the scow some twenty feet
clear of the piles Here he took the sweeps and succeeded in getting a short
distance to windward if any direction could be thus termed in so light an air
but neither the time nor his skill at the oars allowed the distance to be
great When he ceased rowing the Ark might have been a hundred yards from the
platform and half that distance to the southward of it the sail being lowered
Judith and Hetty had now discovered that something was wrong and were
stationary a thousand feet farther north
All this while the furious struggle continued within the house In scenes
like these events thicken in less time than they can be related From the
moment when the first fall was heard within the building to that when the
Delaware ceased his awkward attempts to row it might have been three or four
minutes but it had evidently served to weaken the combatants The oaths and
execrations of Hurry were no longer heard and even the struggles had lost some
of their force and fury Nevertheless they still continued with unabated
perseverance At this instant the door flew open and the fight was transfered
to the platform the light and the open air
A Huron had undone the fastenings of the door and three or four of his
tribe rushed after him upon the narrow space as if glad to escape from some
terrible scene within The body of another followed pitched headlong through
the door with terrific violence Then March appeared raging like a lion at
bay and for an instant freed from his numerous enemies Hutter was already a
captive and bound There was now a pause in the struggle which resembled a lull
in a tempest The necessity of breathing was common to all and the combatants
stood watching each other like mastiffs that have been driven from their holds
and are waiting for a favorable opportunity of renewing them We shall profit by
this pause to relate the manner in which the Indians had obtained possession of
the castle and this the more willingly because it may be necessary to explain
to the reader why a conflict which had been so close and fierce should have
also been so comparatively bloodless
Rivenoak and his companion particularly the latter who had appeared to be a
subordinate and occupied solely with his raft had made the closest observations
in their visits to the castle Even the boy had brought away minute and valuable
information By these means the Hurons obtained a general idea of the manner in
which the place was constructed and secured as well as of details that enabled
them to act intelligently in the dark Notwithstanding the care that Hutter had
taken to drop the Ark on the east side of the building when he was in the act of
transferring the furniture from the former to the latter he had been watched in
a way to render the precaution useless Scouts were on the lookout on the
eastern as well as on the western shore of the lake and the whole proceeding
had been noted As soon as it was dark rafts like that already described
approached from both shores to reconnoitre and the Ark had passed within fifty
feet of one of them without its being discovered the men it held lying at
their length on the logs so as to blend themselves and their slow moving
machine with the water When these two sets of adventurers drew near the castle
they encountered each other and after communicating their respective
observations they unhesitatingly approached the building As had been expected
it was found empty The rafts were immediately sent for a reinforcement to the
shore and two of the savages remained to profit by their situation These men
succeeded in getting on the roof and by removing some of the bark in entering
what might be termed the garret Here they were found by their companions
Hatchets now opened a hole through the squared logs of the upper floor through
which no less than eight of the most athletic of the Indians dropped into the
rooms beneath Here they were left well supplied with arms and provisions
either to stand a siege or to make a sortie as the case might require The
night was passed in sleep as is usual with Indians in a state of inactivity
The returning day brought them a view of the approach of the Ark through the
loops the only manner in which light and air were now admitted the windows
being closed most effectually with plank rudely fashioned to fit As soon as it
was ascertained that the two white men were about to enter by the trap the
chief who directed the proceedings of the Hurons took his measures accordingly
He removed all the arms from his own people even to the knives in distrust of
savage ferocity when awakened by personal injuries and he hid them where they
could not be found without a search Ropes of bark were then prepared and
taking their stations in the three different rooms they all waited for the
signal to fall upon their intended captives As soon as the party had entered
the building men without replaced the bark of the roof removed every sign of
their visit with care and then departed for the shore It was one of these who
had dropped his moccasin which he had not been able to find again in the
dark Had the death of the girl been known it is probable nothing could have
saved the lives of Hurry and Hutter but that event occurred after the ambush
was laid and at a distance of several miles from the encampment near the
castle Such were the means that had been employed to produce the state of
things we shall continue to describe
Chapter XX
»Now all is done that man can do
And all is done in vain
My love my native land adieu
For I must cross the main
My dear
For I must cross the main«
Robert Burns »It was a for
our Rightfu King« ll 712
In the last chapter we left the combatants breathing in their narrow lists
Accustomed to the rude sports of wrestling and jumping then so common in
America more especially on the frontiers Hurry possessed an advantage in
addition to his prodigious strength that had rendered the struggle less unequal
than it might otherwise appear to be This alone had enabled him to hold out so
long against so many enemies for the Indian is by no means remarkable for his
skill or force in athletic exercises As yet no one had been seriously hurt
though several of the savages had received severe falls and he in particular
who had been thrown bodily upon the platform might be said to be temporarily
hors de combat Some of the rest were limping and March himself had not
entirely escaped from bruises though want of breath was the principal loss that
both sides wished to repair
Under circumstances like those in which the parties were placed a truce
let it come from what cause it might could not well be of long continuance The
arena was too confined and the distrust of treachery too great to admit of
this Contrary to what might be expected in his situation Hurry was the first
to recommence hostilities Whether this proceeded from policy an idea that he
might gain some advantage by making a sudden and unexpected assault or was the
fruit of irritation and his undying hatred of an Indian it is impossible to
say His onset was furious however and at first it carried all before it He
seized the nearest Huron by the waist raised him entirely from the platform
and hurled him into the water as if he had been a child In half a minute two
more were at his side one of whom received a grave injury by falling on the
friend who had just preceded him But four enemies remained and in a hand to
hand conflict in which no arms were used but those which nature had furnished
Hurry believed himself fully able to cope with that number of redskins
»Hurrah Old Tom« he shouted »The rascals are taking to the lake and
Ill soon have em all swimming« As these words were uttered a violent kick in
the face sent back the injured Indian who had caught at the edge of the
platform and was endeavoring to raise himself to its level helplessly and
hopelessly into the water When the affray was over his dark body was seen
through the limpid element of the Glimmerglass lying with outstretched arms
extended on the bottom of the shoal on which the Castle stood clinging to the
sands and weeds as if life were to be retained by this frenzied grasp of death
A blow sent into the pit of anothers stomach doubled him up like a worm that
had been trodden on and but two able bodied foes remained to be dealt with One
of these however was not only the largest and strongest of the Hurons but he
was also the most experienced of their warriors present and that one whose
sinews were the best strung in fights and by marches on the warpath This man
fully appreciated the gigantic strength of his opponent and had carefully
husbanded his own He was also equipped in the best manner for such a conflict
standing in nothing but his breechcloth the model of a naked and beautiful
statue of agility and strength To grasp him required additional dexterity and
unusual force Still Hurry did not hesitate but the kick that had actually
destroyed one fellow creature was no sooner given than he closed in with this
formidable antagonist endeavoring to force him into the water also The
struggle that succeeded was truly frightful So fierce did it immediately
become and so quick and changeful were the evolutions of the athletæ that the
remaining savage had no chance for interfering had he possessed the desire but
wonder and apprehension held him spell bound He was an inexperienced youth and
his blood curdled as he witnessed the fell strife of human passions exhibited
too in an unaccustomed form
Hurry first attempted to throw his antagonist With this view he seized him
by the throat and an arm and tripped with the quickness and force of an
American borderer The effect was frustrated by the agile movements of the
Huron who had clothes to grasp by and whose feet avoided the attempt with a
nimbleness equal to that with which it was made Then followed a sort of mêlée
if such a term can be applied to a struggle between two in which no efforts
were distinctly visible the limbs and bodies of the combatants assuming so many
attitudes and contortions as to defeat observation This confused but fierce
rally lasted less than a minute however when Hurry furious at having his
strength baffled by the agility and nakedness of his foe made a desperate
effort which sent the Huron from him hurling his body violently against the
logs of the hut The concussion was so great as momentarily to confuse the
latters faculties The pain too extorted a deep groan an unusual concession
to agony to escape a red man in the heat of battle Still he rushed forward
again to meet his enemy conscious that his safety rested on his resolution
Hurry now seized the other by the waist raised him bodily from the platform
and fell with his own great weight on the form beneath This additional shock so
far stunned the sufferer that his gigantic white opponent now had him
completely at his mercy Passing his hands round the throat of his victim he
compressed them with the strength of a vice fairly doubling the head of the
Huron over the edge of the platform until the chin was uppermost with the
infernal strength he expended An instant sufficed to show the consequences The
eyes of the sufferer seemed to start forward his tongue protruded and his
nostrils dilated nearly to splitting At this instant a rope of bark having an
eye was passed dexterously within the two arms of Hurry the end threaded the
eye forming a noose and his elbows were drawn together behind his back with a
power that all his gigantic strength could not resist Reluctantly even under
such circumstances did the exasperated borderer see his hands drawn from their
deadly grasp for all the evil passions were then in the ascendant Almost at
the same instant a similar fastening secured his ancles and his body was
rolled to the centre of the platform as helplessly and as cavalierly as if it
were a log of wood His rescued antagonist however did not rise for while he
began again to breathe his head still hung helplessly over the edge of the
logs and it was thought at first that his neck was dislocated He recovered
gradually only and it was hours before he could walk Some fancied that neither
his body nor his mind ever totally recovered from this near approach to death
Hurry owed his defeat and capture to the intensity with which he had
concentrated all his powers on his fallen foe While thus occupied the two
Indians he had hurled into the water mounted to the heads of the piles along
which they passed and joined their companion on the platform The latter had so
far rallied his faculties as to have gotten the ropes which were in readiness
for use as the others appeared and they were applied in the manner related as
Hurry lay pressing his enemy down with his whole weight intent only on the
horrible office of strangling him Thus were the tables turned in a single
moment he who had been so near achieving a victory that would have been
renowned for ages by means of traditions throughout all that region lying
helpless bound and a captive So fearful had been the efforts of the pale face
and so prodigious the strength he exhibited that even as he lay tethered like
a sheep before them they regarded him with respect and not without dread The
helpless body of their stoutest warrior was still stretched on the platform
and as they cast their eyes towards the lake in quest of the comrade that had
been hurled into it so unceremoniously and of whom they had lost sight in the
confusion of the fray they perceived his lifeless form clinging to the grass on
the bottom as already described These several circumstances contributed to
render the victory of the Hurons almost as astounding to themselves as a
defeat
Chingachgook and his betrothed witnessed the whole of this struggle from
the Ark When the three Hurons were about to pass the cords around the arms of
the prostrate Hurry the Delaware sought his rifle but before he could use it
the white man was bound and the mischief was done He might still bring down an
enemy but to obtain the scalp was impossible and the young chief who would so
freely risk his own life to obtain such a trophy hesitated about taking that
of a foe without such an object in view A glance at Hist and the recollection
of what might follow checked any transient wish for revenge The reader has
been told that Chingachgook could scarcely be said to know how to manage the
oars of the Ark at all however expert he might be in the use of the paddle
Perhaps there is no manual labor at which men are so bungling and awkward as
in their first attempts to pull an oar even the experienced mariner or boat
man breaking down in his efforts to figure with the celebrated rullock of the
gondolier In short it is temporarily an impracticable thing for a new
beginner to succeed with a single oar but in this case it was necesary to
handle two at the same time and those of great size Sweeps or large oars
however are sooner rendered of use by the raw hand than lighter implements
and this was the reason that the Delaware had succeeded in moving the Ark as
well as he did in a first trial That trial notwithstanding sufficed to
produce distrust and he was fully aware of the critical situation in which Hist
and himself were now placed should the Hurons take to the canoe that was still
lying beneath the trap and come against them At one moment he thought of
putting Hist into the canoe in his own possession and of taking to the eastern
mountain in the hope of reaching the Delaware villages by direct flight But
many considerations suggested themselves to put a stop to this indiscreet step
It was almost certain that scouts watched the lake on both sides and no canoe
could possibly approach the shore without being seen from the hills Then a
trail could not be concealed from Indian eyes and the strength of Hist was
unequal to a flight sufficiently sustained to outstrip the pursuit of trained
warriors This was a part of America in which the Indians did not know the use
of horses and every thing would depend on the physical energies of the
fugitives Last but far from being least were the thoughts connected with the
situation of Deerslayer a friend who was not to be deserted in his extremity
Hist in some particulars reasoned and even felt differently though she
arrived at the same conclusions Her own danger disturbed her less than her
concern for the two sisters in whose behalf her womanly sympathies were now
strongly enlisted The canoe of the girls by the time the struggle on the
platform had ceased was within three hundred yards of the castle and here
Judith ceased paddling the evidences of strife first becoming apparent to the
eyes She and Hetty were standing erect anxiously endeavoring to ascertain what
had occurred but unable to satisfy their doubts from the circumstance that the
building in a great measure concealed the scene of action
The parties in the Ark and in the canoe were indebted to the ferocity of
Hurrys attack for their momentary security In any ordinary case the girls
would have been immediately captured a measure easy of execution now the
savages had a canoe were it not for the rude check the audacity of the Hurons
had received in the recent struggle It required some little time to recover
from the effects of this violent scene and this so much the more because the
principal man of the party in the way of personal prowess at least had been so
great a sufferer Still it was of the last importance that Judith and her sister
should seek immediate refuge in the Ark where the defences offered a temporary
shelter at least and the first step was to devise the means of inducing them to
do so Hist showed herself in the stern of the scow and made many gestures and
signs in vain in order to induce the girls to make a circuit to avoid the
Castle and to approach the Ark from the eastward But these signs were
distrusted or misunderstood It is probable Judith was not yet sufficiently
aware of the real state of things to put full confidence in either party
Instead of doing as desired she rather kept more aloof paddling slowly back to
the north or into the broadest part of the lake where she could command the
widest view and had the fairest field for flight before her At this instant
the sun appeared above the pines of the eastern range of mountains and a light
southerly breeze arose as was usual enough at that season and hour
Chingachgook lost no time in hoisting the sail Whatever might be in reserve
for him there could be no question that it was every way desirable to get the
Ark at such a distance from the castle as to reduce his enemies to the
necessity of approaching the former in the canoe which the chances of war had
so inopportunely for his wishes and security thrown into their hands The
appearance of the opening duck seemed first to arouse the Hurons from their
apathy and by the time the head of the scow had fallen off before the wind
which it did unfortunately in the wrong direction bringing it within a few
yards of the platform Hist found it necessary to warn her lover of the
importance of covering his person against the rifles of his foes This was a
danger to be avoided under all circumstances and so much the more because the
Delaware found that Hist would not take to the cover herself so long as he
remained exposed Accordingly Chingachgook abandoned the scow to its own
movements forced Hist into the cabin the doors of which he immediately
secured and then he looked about him for the rifles
The situation of the parties was now so singular as to merit a particular
description The Ark was within sixty yards of the castle a little to the
southward or to windward of it with its sail full and the steering oar
abandoned The latter fortunately was loose so that it produced no great
influence on the crab like movements of the unwieldy craft The sail being set
as sailors term it flying or having no braces the air forced the yard
forward though both sheets were fast The effect was threefold on a boat with a
bottom that was perfectly flat and which drew merely some three or four inches
of water It pressed the head slowly round to leeward it forced the whole
fabric bodily in the same direction at the same time and the water that
unavoidably gathered under the lee gave the scow also a forward movement All
these changes were exceedingly slow however for the wind was not only light
but it was baffling as usual and twice or thrice the sail shook Once it was
absolutely taken aback
Had there been any keel to the Ark it would inevitably have run foul of the
platform bows on when it is probable nothing could have prevented the Hurons
from carrying it more particularly as the sail would have enabled them to
approach under cover As it was the scow wore slowly round barely clearing
that part of the building The piles projecting several feet they were not
cleared but the head of the slow moving craft caught between two of them by
one of its square corners and hung At this moment the Delaware was vigilantly
watching through a loop for an opportunity to fire while the Hurons kept
within the building similarly occupied The exhausted warrior reclined against
the hut there having been no time to remove him and Hurry lay almost as
helpless as a log tethered like a sheep on its way to the slaughter near the
middle of the platform Chingachgook could have slain the first at any moment
but his scalp would have been safe and the young chief disdained to strike a
blow that could lead to neither honor nor advantage
»Run out one of the poles Sarpent if Sarpent you be« said Hurry amid the
groans that the tightness of the ligatures was beginning to extort from him
»run out one of the poles and shove the head of the scow off and youll drift
clear of us and when youve done that good turn for yourself just finish
this gagging blackguard for me«
The appeal of Hurry however had no other effect than to draw the
attention of Hist to his situation This quick witted creature comprehended it
at a glance His ancles were bound with several turns of stout bark rope and
his arms above the elbows were similarly secured behind his back barely
leaving him a little play of the hands and wrists Putting her mouth near a loop
she said in a low but distinct voice
»Why you do nt roll here and fall in scow Chingachgook shoot Huron if he
chace«
»By the Lord gal thats a judgematical thought and it shall be tried if
the starn of your scow will come a little nearer Put a bed at the bottom for
me to fall on«
This was said at a happy moment for tired of waiting all the Indians made
a rapid discharge of their rifles almost simultaneously injuring no one
though several bullets passed through the loops Hist had heard part of Hurrys
words but most of what he said was lost in the sharp reports of the fire arms
She undid the bar of the door that led to the stern of the scow but did not
dare to expose her person All this time the head of the Ark hung but by a
gradually decreasing hold as the other end swung slowly round nearer and nearer
to the platform Hurry who now lay with his face towards the Ark occasionally
writhing and turning over like one in pain evolutions he had performed ever
since he was secured watched every change and at last he saw that the whole
vessel was free and was beginning to grate slowly along the sides of the piles
The attempt was desperate but it seemed to be the only chance for escaping
torture and death and it suited the reckless daring of the mans character
Waiting to the last moment in order that the stern of the scow might fairly rub
against the platform he began to writhe again as if in intolerable suffering
execrating all Indians in general and the Hurons in particular and then he
suddenly and rapidly rolled over and over taking the direction of the stern of
the scow Unfortunately Hurrys shoulders required more space to revolve in
than his feet and by the time he reached the edge of the platform his
direction had so far changed as to carry him clear of the Ark altogether and
the rapidity of his revolutions and the emergency admitting of no delay he fell
into the water At this instant Chingachgook by an understanding with his
betrothed drew the fire of the Hurons again not a man of whom saw the manner
in which one whom they knew to be effectually tethered had disappeared But
Hists feelings were strongly interested in the success of so bold a scheme and
she watched the movements of Hurry as the cat watches the mouse The moment he
was in motion she foresaw the consequences and this the more readily as the
scow was now beginning to move with some steadiness and she bethought her of
the means of saving him With a sort of instinctive readiness she opened the
door at the very moment the rifles were ringing in her ears and protected by
the intervening cabin she stepped into the stern of the scow in time to
witness the fall of Hurry into the lake Her foot was unconsciously placed on
the end of one of the sheets of the sail which was fastened aft and catching
up all the spare rope with the awkwardness but also with the generous
resolution of a woman she threw it in the direction of the helpless Hurry The
line fell on the head and body of the sinking man and he not only succeeded in
grasping separate parts of it with his hands but he actually got a portion of
it between his teeth Hurry was an expert swimmer and tethered as he was he
resorted to the very expedient that philosophy and reflection would have
suggested He had fallen on his back and instead of floundering and drowning
himself by desperate efforts to walk on the water he permitted his body to sink
as low as possible and was already submerged with the exception of his face
when the line reached him In this situation he might possibly have remained
until rescued by the Hurons using his hands as fishes use their fins had he
received no other succour but the movement of the Ark soon tightened the rope
and of course he was dragged gently ahead holding even pace with the scow The
motion aided in keeping his face above the surface of the water and it would
have been possible for one accustomed to endurance to have been towed a mile in
this singular but simple manner
It has been said that the Hurons did not observe the sudden disappearance of
Hurry In his present situation he was not only hid from view by the platform
but as the Ark drew slowly ahead impelled by a sail that was now filled he
received the same friendly service from the piles The Hurons indeed were too
intent on endeavoring to slay their Delaware foe by sending a bullet through
some one of the loops or crevices of the cabin to bethink them at all of one
whom they fancied so thoroughly tied Their great concern was the manner in
which the Ark rubbed past the piles although its motion was lessened at least
one half by the friction and they passed into the northern end of the castle
in order to catch opportunities of firing through the loops of that part of the
building Chingachgook was similarly occupied and remained as ignorant as his
enemies of the situation of Hurry As the Ark grated along the rifles sent
their little clouds of smoke from one cover to the other but the eyes and
movements of the opposing parties were too quick to permit any injury to be
done At length one side had the mortification and the other the pleasure of
seeing the scow swing clear of the piles altogether when it immediately moved
away with a materially accelerated motion towards the north
Chingachgook now first learned from Hist the critical condition of Hurry
To have exposed either of their persons in the stern of the scow would have
been certain death but fortunately the sheet to which the man clung led
forward to the foot of the sail The Delaware found means to unloosen it from
the cleet aft and Hist who was already forward for that purpose immediately
began to pull upon the line At this moment Hurry was towing fifty or sixty feet
astern with nothing but his face above water As he was dragged out clear of
the castle and the piles he was first perceived by the Hurons who raised a
hideous yell and commenced a fire on what may very well be termed the
floating mass It was at the same instant that Hist began to pull upon the line
forward a circumstance that probably saved Hurrys life aided by his own
selfpossession and border readiness The first bullet struck the water directly
on the spot where the broad chest of the young giant was visible through the
pure element and might have pierced his heart had the angle at which it was
fired been less acute Instead of penetrating the lake however it glanced
from its smooth surface rose and actually buried itself in the logs of the
cabin near the spot at which Chingachgook had shown himself the minute before
while clearing the line from the cleet A second and a third and a fourth
bullet followed all meeting with the same resistance from the surface of the
water though Hurry sensibly felt the violence of the blows they struck upon the
lake so immediately above and so near his breast Discovering their mistake
the Hurons now changed their plan and aimed at the uncovered face but by this
time Hist was pulling on the line the target advanced and the deadly missiles
still fell upon the water In another moment the body was dragged past the end
of the scow and became concealed As for the Delaware and Hist they worked
perfectly covered by the cabin and in less time than it requires to tell it
they had hauled the huge frame of Hurry to the place they occupied Chingachgook
stood in readiness with his keen knife and bending over the side of the scow
he soon severed the bark that bound the limbs of the borderer To raise him high
enough to reach the edge of the boat and to aid him in entering were less easy
tasks as Hurrys arms were still nearly useless but both were done in time
when the liberated man staggered forward and fell exhausted and helpless into
the bottom of the scow Here we shall leave him to recover his strength and the
due circulation of his blood while we proceed with the narrative of events that
crowd upon us too fast to admit of any postponement
The moment the Hurons lost sight of the body of Hurry they gave a common
yell of disappointment and three of the most active of their number ran to the
trap and entered the canoe It required some little delay however to embark
with their weapons to find the paddles and if we may use a phrase so purely
technical to get out of dock By this time Hurry was in the scow and the
Delaware had his rifles again in readiness As the Ark necessarily sailed
before the wind it had got by this time quite two hundred yards from the
castle and was sliding away each instant farther and farther though with a
motion so easy as scarcely to stir the water The canoe of the girls was quite a
quarter of a mile distant from the Ark obviously keeping aloof in ignorance of
what had occurred and in apprehension of the consequences of venturing too
near They had taken the direction of the eastern shore endeavoring at the same
time to get to windward of the Ark and in a manner between the two parties as
if distrusting which was to be considered a friend and which an enemy The
girls from long habit used the paddles with great dexterity and Judith in
particular had often sportively gained races in trials of speed with the
youths that occasionally visited the lake
When the three Hurons emerged from behind the palisades and found
themselves on the open lake and under the necessity of advancing unprotected on
the Ark if they persevered in the original design their ardor sensibly cooled
In a bark canoe they were totally without cover and Indian discretion was
entirely opposed to such a sacrifice of life as would most probably follow any
attempt to assault an enemy entrenched as effectually as the Delaware Instead
of following the Ark therefore these three warriors inclined towards the
eastern shore keeping at a safe distance from the rifles of Chingachgook But
this manoeuvre rendered the position of the girls exceedingly critical It
threatened to place them if not between two fires at least between two dangers
or what they conceived to be dangers and instead of permitting the Hurons to
enclose her in what she fancied a sort of net Judith immediately commenced her
retreat in a southern direction at no very great distance from the shore She
did not dare to land if such an expedient were to be resorted to at all she
could only venture on it in the last extremity At first the Indians paid
little or no attention to the other canoe for fully apprised of its contents
they deemed its capture of comparatively little moment while the Ark with its
imaginary treasures the persons of the Delaware and of Hurry and its means of
movement on a large scale was before them But this Ark had its dangers as well
as its temptations and after wasting near an hour in vacillating evolutions
always at a safe distance from the rifle the Hurons seemed suddenly to take
their resolution and began to display it by giving eager chase to the girls
When this last design was adopted the circumstances of all parties as
connected with their relative positions were materially changed The Ark had
sailed and drifted quite half a mile and was nearly that distance due north of
the castle As soon as the Delaware perceived that the girls avoided him unable
to manage his unwieldy craft and knowing that flight from a bark canoe in the
event of pursuit would be a useless expedient if attempted he had lowered his
sail in the hope it might induce the sisters to change their plan and to seek
refuge in the scow This demonstration produced no other effect than to keep the
Ark nearer to the scene of action and to enable those in her to become
witnesses of the chase The canoe of Judith was about a quarter of a mile south
of that of the Hurons a little nearer to the east shore and about the same
distance to the southward of the castle as it was from the hostile canoe a
circumstance which necessarily put the last nearly abreast of Hutters fortress
With the several parties thus situated the chase commenced
At the moment when the Hurons so suddenly changed their mode of attack their
canoe was not in the best possible racing trim There were but two paddles
and the third man was so much extra and useless cargo Then the difference in
weight between the sisters and the other two men more especially in vessels so
extremely light almost neutralized any difference that might proceed from the
greater strength of the Hurons and rendered the trial of speed far from being
as unequal as it might seem Judith did not commence her exertions until the
near approach of the other canoe rendered the object of the movement certain
and then she exhorted Hetty to aid her with her utmost skill and strength
»Why should we run Judith« asked the simple minded girl »The Hurons have
never harmed me nor do I think they ever will«
»That may be true as to you Hetty but it will prove very different with
me Kneel down and say your prayer and then rise and do your utmost to help
escape Think of me dear girl too as you pray«
Judith gave these directions from a mixed feeling first because she knew
that her sister ever sought the support of her great ally in trouble and next
because a sensation of feebleness and dependance suddenly came over her own
proud spirit in that moment of apparent desertion and trial The prayer was
quickly said however and the canoe was soon in rapid motion Still neither
party resorted to their greatest exertions from the outset both knowing that
the chase was likely to be arduous and long Like two vessels of war that are
preparing for an encounter they seemed desirous of first ascertaining their
respective rates of speed in order that they might know how to graduate their
exertions previously to the great effort A few minutes sufficed to show the
Hurons that the girls were expert and that it would require all their skill and
energies to overtake them
Judith had inclined towards the eastern shore at the commencement of the
chase with a vague determination of landing and flying to the woods as a last
resort but as she approached the land the certainty that scouts must be
watching her movements made her reluctance to adopt such an expedient
unconquerable Then she was still fresh and had sanguine hopes of being able to
tire out her pursuers With such feelings she gave a sweep with her paddle and
sheered off from the fringe of dark hemlocks beneath the shades of which she was
so near entering and held her way again more towards the centre of the lake
This seemed the instant favorable for the Hurons to make their push as it gave
them the entire breadth of the sheet to do it in and this too in the widest
part as soon as they had got between the fugitives and the land The canoes now
flew Judith making up for what she wanted in strength by her great dexterity
and self command For half a mile the Indians gained no material advantage but
the continuance of so great exertions for so many minutes sensibly affected all
concerned Here the Indians resorted to an expedient that enabled them to give
one of their party time to breathe by shifting their paddles from hand to hand
and this too without sensibly relaxing their efforts Judith occasionally looked
behind her and she saw this expedient practised It caused her immediately to
distrust the result since her powers of endurance were not likely to hold out
against those of men who had the means of relieving each other Still she
persevered allowing no very visible consequences immediately to follow the
change
As yet the Indians had not been able to get nearer to the girls than two
hundred yards though they were what seamen would term in their wake or in a
direct line behind them passing over the same track of water This made the
pursuit what is technically called a stern chase which is proverbially a long
chase the meaning of which is that in consequence of the relative positions of
the parties no change becomes apparent except that which is a direct gain in
the nearest possible approach Long as this species of chase is admitted to be
however Judith was enabled to perceive that the Hurons were sensibly drawing
nearer and nearer before she had gained the centre of the lake She was not a
girl to despair but there was an instant when she thought of yielding with the
wish of being carried to the camp where she knew the Deerslayer to be a captive
but the considerations connected with the means she hoped to be able to employ
in order to procure his release immediately interposed in order to stimulate
her to renewed exertions Had there been any one there to note the progress of
the two canoes he would have seen that of Judith flying swiftly away from its
pursuers as the girl gave it freshly impelled speed while her mind was thus
dwelling on her own ardent and generous schemes So material indeed was the
difference in the rate of going between the two canoes for the next five
minutes that the Hurons began to be convinced all their powers must be exerted
or they would suffer the disgrace of being baffled by women Making a furious
effort under the mortification of such a conviction one of the strongest of
their party broke his paddle at the very moment when he had taken it from the
hand of a comrade to relieve him This at once decided the matter a canoe
containing three men and having but one paddle being utterly unable to overtake
fugitives like the daughters of Thomas Hutter
»There Judith« exclaimed Hetty who saw the accident »I hope now you
will own that praying is useful The Hurons have broke a paddle and they never
can overtake us«
»I never denied it poor Hetty and sometimes wish in bitterness of spirit
that I had prayed more myself and thought less of my beauty As you say we are
now safe and need only go a little south and take breath«
This was done the enemy giving up the pursuit as suddenly as a ship that
has lost an important spar the instant the accident occurred Instead of
following Judiths canoe which was now lightly skimming over the water towards
the south the Hurons turned their bows towards the castle where they soon
arrived and landed The girls fearful that some spare paddles might be found
in or about the buildings continued on nor did they stop until so distant
from their enemies as to give them every chance of escape should the chase be
renewed It would seem that the savages meditated no such design but at the end
of an hour their canoe filled with men was seen quitting the castle and
steering towards the shore The girls were without food and they now drew
nearer to the buildings and the Ark having finally made up their minds from
its manoeuvres that the latter contained friends
Notwithstanding the seeming desertion of the castle Judith approached it
with extreme caution The Ark was now quite a mile to the northward but
sweeping up towards the buildings and this too with a regularity of motion
that satisfied Judith a white man was at the oars When within a hundred yards
of the building the girls began to encircle it in order to make sure that it
was empty No canoe was nigh and this emboldened them to draw nearer and
nearer until they had gone round the piles and reached the platform
»Do you go into the house Hetty« said Judith »and see that the savages
are gone They will not harm you and if any of them are still here you can
give me the alarm I do not think they will fire on a poor defenceless girl and
I at least may escape until I shall be ready to go among them of my own
accord«
Hetty did as desired Judith retiring a few yards from the platform the
instant her sister landed in readiness for flight But the last was
unnecessary not a minute elapsing before Hetty returned to communicate that all
was safe
»Ive been in all the rooms Judith« said the latter earnestly »and they
are empty except fathers he is in his own chamber sleeping though not as
quietly as we could wish«
»Has any thing happened to father« demanded Judith as her foot touched the
platform speaking quick for her nerves were in a state to be easily alarmed
Hetty seemed concerned and she looked furtively about her as if unwilling
any one but a child should hear what she had to communicate and even that she
should learn it abruptly
»You know how it is with father sometimes Judith« she said »When
overtaken with liquor he does nt always know what he says or does and he
seems to be overtaken with liquor now«
»That is strange Would the savages have drunk with him and then leave
him behind But tis a grievous sight to a child Hetty to witness such a
failing in a parent and we will not go near him till he wakes«
A groan from the inner room however changed this resolution and the girls
ventured near a parent whom it was no unusual thing for them to find in a
condition that lowers a man to the level of brutes He was seated reclining in
a corner of the narrow room with his shoulders supported by the angle and his
head fallen heavily on his chest Judith moved forward with a sudden impulse
and removed a canvass cap that was forced so low on his head as to conceal his
face and indeed all but his shoulders The instant this obstacle was taken
away the quivering and raw flesh the bared veins and muscles and all the
other disgusting signs of mortality as they are revealed by tearing away the
skin showed he had been scalped though still living
Chapter XXI
»Lightly theyll talk of the spirit thats gone
And oer his cold ashes upbraid him
But nothing hell reck if theyll let him sleep on
In the grave where a Briton has laid him«
Charles Wolfe »The Burial
of Sir John Moore« vi
The reader must imagine the horror that daughters would experience at
unexpectedly beholding the shocking spectacle that was placed before the eyes of
Judith and Esther as related in the close of the last chapter We shall pass
over the first emotions the first acts of filial piety and proceed with the
narrative by imagining rather than relating most of the revolting features of
the scene The mutilated and ragged head was bound up the unseemly blood was
wiped from the face of the sufferer the other appliances required by
appearances and care were resorted to and there was time to enquire into the
more serious circumstances of the case The facts were never known until years
later in all their details simple as they were but they may as well be
related here as it can be done in a few words In the struggle with the Hurons
Hutter had been stabbed by the knife of the old warrior who had used the
discretion to remove the arms of every one but himself Being hard pushed by his
sturdy foe his knife had settled the matter This occurred just as the door was
opened and Hurry burst out upon the platform as has been previously related
This was the secret of neither partys having appeared in the subsequent
struggle Hutter having been literally disabled and his conqueror being ashamed
to be seen with the traces of blood about him after having used so many
injunctions to convince his young warriors of the necessity of taking their
prisoners alive When the three Hurons returned from the chase and it was
determined to abandon the castle and join the party on the land Hutter was
simply scalped to secure the usual trophy and was left to die by inches as
has been done in a thousand similar instances by the ruthless warriors of this
part of the American continent Had the injury of Hutter been confined to his
head he might have recovered however for it was the blow of the knife that
proved mortal
There are moments of vivid consciousness when the stern justice of God
stands forth in colours so prominent as to defy any attempts to veil them from
the sight however unpleasant they may appear or however anxious we may be to
avoid recognising it Such was now the fact with Judith and Hetty who both
perceived the decrees of a retributive Providence in the manner of their
fathers suffering as a punishment for his own recent attempts on the Iroquois
This was seen and felt by Judith with the keenness of perception and sensibility
that were suited to her character while the impression made on the simpler mind
of her sister was perhaps less lively though it might well have proved more
lasting
»Oh Judith « exclaimed the weak minded girl as soon as their first care
had been bestowed on the sufferer »Father went for scalps himself and now
where is his own The bible might have foretold this dreadful punishment«
»Hush Hetty hush poor sister He opens his eyes he may hear and
understand you Tis as you say and think but tis too dreadful to speak of«
»Water « ejaculated Hutter as it might be by a desperate effort that
rendered his voice frightfully deep and strong for one as near death as he
evidently was »Water foolish girls will you let me die of thirst«
Water was brought and administered to the sufferer the first he had tasted
in hours of physical anguish It had the double effect of clearing his throat
and of momentarily reviving his sinking system His eyes opened with that
anxious distended gaze which is apt to accompany the passage of a soul
surprised by death and he seemed disposed to speak
»Father « said Judith inexpressibly pained by his deplorable situation
and this so much the more from her ignorance of what remedies ought to be
applied »Father can we do any thing for you Can Hetty and I relieve your
pain«
»Father« slowly repeated the old man »No Judith no Hetty Im no
father She was your mother but Im no father Look in the chest Tis all
there give me more water«
The girls complied and Judith whose early recollections extended farther
back than her sisters and who on every account had more distinct impressions
of the past felt an uncontrollable impulse of joy as she heard these words
There had never been much sympathy between her reputed father and herself and
suspicions of this very truth had often glanced across her mind in consequence
of dialogues she had overheard between Hutter and her mother It might be going
too far to say she had never loved him but it is not so to add that she
rejoiced it was no longer a duty With Hetty the feeling was different
Incapable of making all the distinctions of her sister her very nature was full
of affection and she had loved her reputed parent though far less tenderly
than the real parent and it grieved her now to hear him declare he was not
naturally entitled to that love She felt a double grief as if his death and
his words together were twice depriving her of parents Yielding to her
feelings the poor girl went aside and wept
The very opposite emotions of the two girls kept both silent for a long
time Judith gave water to the sufferer frequently but she forbore to urge him
with questions in some measure out of consideration for his condition but if
truth must be said quite as much lest something he should add in the way of
explanation might disturb her pleasing belief that she was not Thomas Hutters
child At length Hetty dried her tears and came and seated herself on a stool
by the side of the dying man who had been placed at his length on the floor
with his head supported by some coarse vestments that had been left in the
house
»Father « she said »you will let me call you father though you say you
are not one Father shall I read the bible to you mother always said the
bible was good for people in trouble She was often in trouble herself and then
she made me read the bible to her for Judith was nt as fond of the bible as I
am and it always did her good Many is the time Ive known mother begin to
listen with the tears streaming from her eyes and end with smiles and gladness
Oh father you do nt know how much good the bible can do for youve never
tried it Now Ill read a chapter and it will soften your heart as it
softened the hearts of the Hurons«
While poor Hetty had so much reverence for and faith in the virtues of the
bible her intellect was too shallow to enable her fully to appreciate its
beauties or to fathom its profound and sometimes mysterious wisdom That
instinctive sense of right which appeared to shield her from the commission of
wrong and even cast a mantle of moral loveliness and truth around her
character could not penetrate abstrusities or trace the nice affinities
between cause and effect beyond their more obvious and indisputable connection
though she seldom failed to see all the latter and to defer to all their just
consequences In a word she was one of those who feel and act correctly
without being able to give a logical reason for it even admitting revelation as
her authority Her selections from the bible therefore were commonly
distinguished by the simplicity of her own mind and were oftener marked for
containing images of known and palpable things than for any of the higher cast
of moral truths with which the pages of that wonderful book abound wonderful
and unequalled even without referring to its divine origin as a work replete
with the profoundest philosophy expressed in the noblest language Her mother
with a connection that will probably strike the reader had been fond of the
book of Job and Hetty had in a great measure learned to read by the frequent
lessons she had received from the different chapters of this venerable and
sublime poem now believed to be the oldest book in the world On this occasion
the poor girl was submissive to her training and she turned to that well known
part of the sacred volume with the readiness with which the practised counsel
would cite his authorities from the stores of legal wisdom In selecting the
particular chapter she was influenced by the caption and she chose that which
stands in our English version as »Job excuseth his desire of death« This she
read steadily from beginning to end in a sweet low and plaintive voice
hoping devoutly that the allegorical and abstruse sentences might convey to the
heart of the sufferer the consolation he needed It is another peculiarity of
the comprehensive wisdom of the bible that scarce a chapter unless it be
strictly narration can be turned to that does not contain some searching truth
that is applicable to the condition of every human heart as well as to the
temporal state of its owner either through the workings of that heart or even
in a still more direct form In this instance the very opening sentence »Is
there not an appointed time to man on earth« was startling and as Hetty
proceeded Hutter applied or fancied he could apply many aphorisms and figures
to his own worldly and mental condition As life is ebbing fast the mind clings
eagerly to hope when it is not absolutely crushed by despair The solemn words »
I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men Why hast thou
set me as a mark against thee so that I am a burden to myself« struck Hutter
more perceptibly than the others and though too obscure for one of his blunted
feelings and obtuse mind either to feel or to comprehend in their fullest
extent they had a directness of application to his own state that caused him to
wince under them
»Do nt you feel better now father« asked Hetty closing the volume
»Mother was always better when she had read the bible«
»Water « returned Hutter »give me water Judith I wonder if my tongue
will always be so hot Hetty is nt there something in the bible about cooling
the tongue of a man who was burning in Hell fire«
Judith turned away shocked but Hetty eagerly sought the passage which she
read aloud to the conscience stricken victim of his own avaricious longings
»Thats it poor Hetty yes thats it My tongue wants cooling now
what will it be here after«
This appeal silenced even the confiding Hetty for she had no answer ready
for a confession so fraught with despair Water so long as it could relieve the
sufferer it was in the power of the sisters to give and from time to time it
was offered to the lips of the sufferer as he asked for it Even Judith prayed
As for Hetty as soon as she found that her efforts to make her father listen to
her texts were no longer rewarded with success she knelt at his side and
devoutly repeated the words which the Saviour has left behind him as a model
for human petitions This she continued to do at intervals as long as it
seemed to her that the act could benefit the dying man Hutter however
lingered longer than the girls had believed possible when they first found him
At times he spoke intelligibly though his lips oftener moved in utterance of
sounds that carried no distinct impressions to the mind Judith listened
intently and she heard the words husband death pirate law scalps
and several others of similar import though there was no sentence to tell the
precise connection in which they were used Still they were sufficiently
expressive to be understood by one whose ears had not escaped all the rumours
that had been circulated to her reputed fathers discredit and whose
comprehension was as quick as her faculties were attentive
During the whole of the painful hour that succeeded neither of the sisters
bethought her sufficiently of the Hurons to dread their return It seemed as if
their desolation and grief placed them above the danger of such an interruption
and when the sound of oars was at length heard even Judith who alone had any
reason to apprehend the enemy did not start but at once understood that the
Ark was near She went upon the platform fearlessly for should it turn out that
Hurry was not there and that the Hurons were masters of the scow also escape
was impossible Then she had the sort of confidence that is inspired by extreme
misery But there was no cause for any new alarm Chingachgook Hist and Hurry
all standing in the open part of the scow cautiously examining the building to
make certain of the absence of the enemy They too had seen the departure of
the Hurons as well as the approach of the canoe of the girls to the castle and
presuming on the latter fact March had swept the scow up to the platform A
word sufficed to explain that there was nothing to be apprehended and the Ark
was soon moored in her old berth
Judith said not a word concerning the condition of her father but Hurry
knew her too well not to understand that something was more than usually wrong
He led the way though with less of his confident bold manner than usual into
the house and penetrating to the inner room found Hutter lying on his back
with Hetty sitting at his side fanning him with pious care The events of the
morning had sensibly changed the manner of Hurry Notwithstanding his skill as a
swimmer and the readiness with which he had adopted the only expedient that
could possibly save him the helplessness of being in the water bound hand and
foot had produced some such effect on him as the near approach of punishment
is known to produce on most criminals leaving a vivid impression of the horrors
of death upon his mind and this too in connection with a picture of bodily
helplessness the daring of this man being far more the offspring of vast
physical powers than of the energy of the will or even of natural spirit Such
heroes invariably lose a large portion of their courage with the failure of
their strength and though Hurry was now unfettered and as vigorous as ever
events were too recent to permit the recollection of his late deplorable
condition to be at all weakened Had he lived a century the occurrences of the
few momentous minutes during which he was in the lake would have produced a
chastening effect on his character if not always on his manner
Hurry was not only shocked when he found his late associate in this
desperate situation but he was greatly surprised During the struggle in the
building he had been far too much occupied himself to learn what had befallen
his comrade and as no deadly weapon had been used in his particular case but
every effort had been made to capture him without injury he naturally believed
that Hutter had been overcome while he owed his own escape to his great bodily
strength and to a fortunate concurrence of extraordinary circumstances Death
in the silence and solemnity of a chamber was a novelty to him Though
accustomed to scenes of violence he had been unused to sit by the bedside and
watch the slow beating of the pulse as it gradually grew weaker and weaker
Notwithstanding the change in his feelings the manners of a life could not be
altogether cast aside in a moment and the unexpected scene extorted a
characteristic speech from the borderer
»How now old Tom« he said »have the vagabonds got you at an advantage
where youre not only down but are likely to be kept down I thought you a
captyve its true but never supposed you so hard run as this«
Hutter opened his glassy eyes and stared wildly at the speaker A flood of
confused recollections rushed on his wavering mind at the sight of his late
comrade It was evident that he struggled with his own images and knew not the
real from the unreal
»Who are you« he asked in a husky whisper his failing strength refusing to
aid him in a louder effort of his voice »Who are you You look like the mate
of The Snow he was a giant too and near overcoming us«
»Im your mate Floating Tom and your comrade but have nothing to do with
any snow Its summer now and Harry March always quits the hills as soon after
the frosts set in as is convenient«
»I know you Hurry Skurry Ill sell you a scalp a sound one and of a
full grown man Whatll you give«
»Poor Tom That scalp business has nt turned out at all profitable and
Ive pretty much concluded to give it up and to follow a less bloody calling«
»Have you got any scalp Mines gone How does it feel to have a scalp I
know how it feels to lose one Fire and flames about the brain and a
wrenching at the heart no no kill first Hurry and scalp afterwards«
»What does the old fellow mean Judith He talks like one that is getting
tired of the business as well as myself Why have you bound up his head or
have the savages tomahawked him about the brains«
»They have done that for him which you and he Harry March would have so
gladly done for them His skin and hair have been torn from his head to gain
money from the governor of Canada as you would have torn theirs from the heads
of the Hurons to gain money from the governor of York«
Judith spoke with a strong effort to appear composed but it was neither in
her nature nor in the feeling of the moment to speak altogether without
bitterness The strength of her emphasis indeed as well as her manner caused
Hetty to look up reproachfully
»These are high words to come from Thomas Hutters darter as Thomas Hutter
lies dying before her eyes« retorted Hurry
»God be praised for that whatever reproach it may bring on my poor
mother I am not Thomas Hutters daughter«
»Not Thomas Hutters darter Dont disown the old fellow in his last
moments Judith for thats a sin the Lord will never overlook If youre not
Thomas Hutters darter whose darter be you«
This question rebuked the rebellious spirit of Judith for in getting rid
of a parent whom she felt it was a relief to find she might own she had never
loved she overlooked the important circumstance that no substitute was ready to
supply his place
»I cannot tell you Harry who my father was« she answered more mildly »I
hope he was an honest man at least«
»Which is more than you think was the case with old Hutter Well Judith
Ill not deny that hard stories were in circulation consarning Floating Tom but
who is there that does nt get a scratch when an inimy holds the rake Theres
them that say hard things of me and even you beauty as you be do nt always
escape«
This was said with a view to set up a species of community of character
between the parties and as the politicians are wont to express it with
ulterior intentions What might have been the consequences with one of Judiths
known spirit as well as her assured antipathy to the speaker it is not easy to
say for just then Hutter gave unequivocal signs that his last moment was
nigh Judith and Hetty had stood by the dying bed of their mother and neither
needed a monitor to warn them of the crisis and every sign of resentment
vanished from the face of the first Hutter opened his eyes and even tried to
feel about him with his hands a sign that sight was failing A minute later
his breathing grew ghastly a pause totally without respiration followed and
then succeeded the last long drawn sigh on which the spirit is supposed to
quit the body This sudden termination of the life of one who had hitherto
filled so important a place in the narrow scene on which he had been an actor
put an end to all discussion
The day passed by without further interruption the Hurons though possessed
of a canoe appearing so far satisfied with their success as to have
relinquished all immediate designs on the castle It would not have been a safe
undertaking indeed to approach it under the rifles of those it was now known
to contain and it is probable that the truce was more owing to this
circumstance than to any other In the mean while the preparations were made for
the interment of Hutter To bury him on the land was impracticable and it was
Hettys wish that his body should lie by the side of that of her mother in the
lake She had it in her power to quote one of his speeches in which he himself
had called the lake the family burying ground and luckily this was done without
the knowledge of her sister who would have opposed the plan had she known it
with unconquerable disgust But Judith had not meddled with the arrangement and
every necessary disposition was made without her privity or advice
The hour chosen for the rude ceremony was just as the sun was setting and
a moment and a scene more suited to paying the last offices to one of calm and
pure spirit could not have been chosen There are a mystery and a solemn dignity
in death that dispose the living to regard the remains of even a malefactor
with a certain degree of reverence All wordly distinctions have ceased it is
thought that the veil has been removed and that the character and destiny of
the departed are now as much beyond human opinions as they are beyond human
ken In nothing is death more truly a leveller than in this since while it may
be impossible absolutely to confound the great with the low the worthy with the
unworthy the mind feels it to be arrogant to assume a right to judge of those
who are believed to be standing at the judgment seat of God When Judith was
told that all was ready she went upon the platform passive to the request of
her sister and then she first took heed of the arrangement The body was in the
scow enveloped in a sheet and quite a hundred weight of stones that had been
taken from the fire place were enclosed with it in order that it might sink
No other preparation seemed to be thought necessary though Hetty carried her
bible beneath her arm
When all were on board the Ark the singular habitation of the man whose
body it now bore to its final abode was set in motion Hurry was at the oars
In his powerful hands indeed they seemed little more than a pair of sculls
which were wielded without effort and as he was expert in their use the
Delaware remained a passive spectator of the proceedings The progress of the
Ark had something of the stately solemnity of a funeral procession the dip of
the oars being measured and the movement slow and steady The wash of the
water as the blades rose and fell kept time with the efforts of Hurry and
might have been likened to the measured tread of mourners Then the tranquil
scene was in beautiful accordance with a rite that ever associates with itself
the idea of God At that instant the lake had not even a single ripple on its
glassy surface and the broad panorama of woods seemed to look down on the holy
tranquillity of the hour and ceremony in melancholy stillness Judith was
affected to tears and even Hurry though he hardly knew why was troubled
Hetty preserved the outward signs of tranquillity but her inward grief greatly
surpassed that of her sister since her affectionate heart loved more from habit
and long association than from the usual connections of sentiment and taste
She was sustained by religious hope however which in her simple mind usually
occupied the space that worldly feelings filled in that of Judith and she was
not without an expectation of witnessing some open manifestation of divine
power on an occasion so solemn Still she was neither mystical nor exaggerated
her mental imbecility denying both Nevertheless her thoughts had generally so
much of the purity of a better world about them that it was easy for her to
forget earth altogether and to think only of heaven Hist was serious
attentive and interested for she had often seen the interments of the
palefaces though never one that promised to be as peculiar as this while the
Delaware though grave and also observant in his demeanor was stoical and
calm
Hetty acted as pilot directing Hurry how to proceed to find that spot in
the lake which she was in the habit of terming mothers grave The reader will
remember that the castle stood near the southern extremity of a shoal that
extended near half a mile northerly and it was at the farthest end of this
shallow water that Floating Tom had seen fit to deposit the remains of his wife
and child His own were now in the course of being placed at their side Hetty
had marks on the land by which she usually found the spot although the position
of the buildings the general direction of the shoal and the beautiful
transparency of the water all aided her the latter even allowing the bottom to
be seen By these means the girl was enabled to note their progress and at the
proper time she approached March whispering
»Now Hurry you can stop rowing We have passed the stone on the bottom and
mothers grave is near«
March ceased his efforts immediately dropping the kedge and taking the
warp in his hand in order to check the scow The Ark turned slowly round under
this restraint and when it was quite stationary Hetty was seen at its stern
pointing into the water the tears streaming from her eyes in ungovernable
natural feeling Judith had been present at the interment of her mother but she
had never visited the spot since This neglect proceeded from no indifference to
the memory of the deceased for she had loved her mother and bitterly
bitterly had she found occasion to mourn her loss but she was averse to the
contemplation of death and there had been passages in her own life since the
day of that interment which increased this feeling and rendered her if
possible still more reluctant to approach the spot that contained the remains of
one whose severe lessons of female morality and propriety had been deepened and
rendered doubly impressive by remorse for her own failings With Hetty the case
had been very different To her simple and innocent mind the remembrance of her
mother brought no other feeling than one of gentle sorrow a grief that is so
often termed luxurious even because it associates with itself the images of
excellence and the purity of a better state of existence For an entire summer
she had been in the habit of repairing to the place after nightfall and
carefully anchoring her canoe so as not to disturb the body she would sit and
hold fancied conversations with the deceased sing sweet hymns to the evening
air and repeat the orisons that the being who now slumbered below had taught
her in infancy Hetty had passed her happiest hours in this indirect communion
with the spirit of her mother the wildness of Indian traditions and Indian
opinions unconsciously to herself mingling with the christian lore received in
childhood Once she had even been so far influenced by the former as to have
bethought her of performing some of those physical rites at her mothers grave
which the red men are known to observe but the passing feeling had been
obscured by the steady though mild light of christianity which never ceased
to burn in her gentle bosom Now her emotions were merely the natural
outpourings of a daughter that wept for a mother whose love was indelibly
impressed on the heart and whose lessons had been too earnestly taught to be
easily forgotten by one who had so little temptation to err
There was no other priest than nature at that wild and singular funeral
rite March cast his eyes below and through the transparent medium of the clear
water which was almost as pure as air he saw what Hetty was accustomed to call
mothers grave It was a low straggling mound of earth fashioned by no spade
out of a corner of which gleamed a bit of the white cloth that formed the
shroud of the dead The body had been lowered to the bottom and Hutter brought
earth from the shore and let it fall upon it until all was concealed In this
state the place had remained until the movement of the waters revealed the
solitary sign of the uses of the spot that has just been mentioned Even the
most rude and brawling are chastened by the ceremonies of a funeral March felt
no desire to indulge his voice in any of its coarse outbreakings and was
disposed to complete the office he had undertaken in decent sobriety Perhaps he
reflected on the retribution that had alighted on his late comrade and
bethought him of the frightful jeopardy in which his own life had so lately been
placed He signified to Judith that all was ready received her directions to
proceed and with no other assistant than his own vast strength raised the body
and bore it to the end of the scow Two parts of a rope were passed beneath the
legs and shoulders as they are placed beneath coffins and then the corpse was
slowly lowered beneath the surface of the lake
»Not there Harry March no not there« said Judith shuddering
involuntarily »do not lower it quite so near the spot where mother lies«
»Why not Judith« asked Hetty earnestly »They lived together in life
and should lie together in death«
»No no Harry March further off further off Poor Hetty you know not
what you say Leave me to order this«
»I know I am weak minded Judith and that you are clever but surely a
husband should be placed near a wife Mother always said that this was the way
they bury in christian church yards«
This little controversy was conducted earnestly but in smothered voices as
if the speakers feared that the dead might overhear them Judith could not
contend with her sister at such a moment but a significant gesture from her
induced March to lower the body at a little distance from that of his wife
when he withdrew the cords and the act was performed
»Theres an end of Floating Tom« exclaimed Hurry bending over the scow
and gazing through the water at the body »He was a brave companion on a scout
and a notable hand with traps Do nt weep Judith do nt be overcome Hetty
for the righteousest of us all must die and when the time comes lamentations
and tears cant bring the dead to life Your father will be a loss to you no
doubt most fathers are a loss especially to onmarried darters but theres a
way to cure that evil and youre both too young and handsome to live long
without finding it out When its agreeable to hear what an honest and
onpretending man has to say Judith I should like to talk a little with you
apart«
Judith had scarce attended to this rude attempt of Hurrys at consolation
although she necessarily understood its general drift and had a tolerably
accurate notion of its manner She was weeping at the recollection of her
mothers early tenderness and painful images of long forgotten lessons and
neglected precepts were crowding her mind The words of Hurry however recalled
her to the present time and abrupt and unseasonable as was their import they
did not produce those signs of distaste that one might have expected from the
girls character On the contrary she appeared to be struck with some sudden
idea gazed intently for a moment at the young man dried her eyes and led the
way to the other end of the scow signifying her wish for him to follow Here
she took a seat and motioned for March to place himself at her side The
decision and earnestness with which all this was done a little intimidated her
companion and Judith found it necessary to open the subject herself
»You wish to speak to me of marriage Harry March« she said »and I have
come here over the grave of my parents as it might be no no over the
grave of my poor dear dear mother to hear what you have to say«
»This is oncommon and you have a skearful way with you this evening
Judith« answered Hurry more disturbed than he would have cared to own »but
truth is truth and it shall come out let what will follow You well know gal
that Ive long thought you the comeliest young woman my eyes ever beheld and
that Ive made no secret of that fact either here on the lake out among the
hunters and trappers or in the settlements«
»Yes yes Ive heard this before and I suppose it to be true« answered
Judith with a sort of feverish impatience
»When a young man holds such language of any particular young woman its
reasonable to calculate he sets store by her«
»True true Hurry all this youve told me again and again«
»Well if its agreeable I should think a woman coulnt hear it too often
They all tell me this is the way with your sex that nothing pleases them more
than to repeat over and over for the hundredth time how much you like em
unless it be to talk to em of their good looks«
»No doubt we like both on most occasions but this is an uncommon moment
Hurry and vain words should not be too freely used I would rather hear you
speak plainly«
»You shall have your own way Judith and I some suspect you always will
Ive often told you that I not only like you better than any other young woman
going or for that matter better than all the young women going but you must
have obsarved Judith that Ive never asked you in up and down tarms to marry
me«
»I have observed both« returned the girl a smile struggling about her
beautiful mouth in spite of the singular and engrossing intentness which caused
her cheeks to flush and lighted her eyes with a brilliancy that was almost
dazzling »I have observed both and have thought the last remarkable for a man
of Harry Marchs decision and fearlessness«
»Theres been a reason gal and its one that troubles me even now nay
do nt flush up so and look fiery like for there are thoughts which will stick
long in any mans mind as there be words that will stick in his throat but
then agin theres feelins that will get the better of em all and to these
feelins I find I must submit Youve no longer a father or a mother Judith
and its morally impossible that you and Hetty could live here alone allowing
it was peace and the Iroquois was quiet but as matters stand not only would
you starve but youd both be prisoners or scalped afore a week was out Its
time to think of a change and a husband and if youll accept of me all thats
past shall be forgotten and theres an end ont«
Judith had difficulty in repressing her impatience until this rude
declaration and offer were made which she evidently wished to hear and which
she now listened to with a willingness that might well have excited hope She
hardly allowed the young man to conclude so eager was she to bring him to the
point and so ready to answer
»There Hurry thats enough « she said raising a hand as if to stop him
»I understand you as well as if you were to talk a month You prefer me to
other girls and you wish me to become your wife«
»You put it in better words than I can do Judith and I wish you to fancy
them said just as you most like to hear em«
»Theyre plain enough Harry and tis fitting they should be so This is no
place to trifle or deceive in Now listen to my answer which shall be in
every tittle as sincere as your offer There is a reason March why I should
never «
»I suppose I understand you Judith but if Im willing to overlook that
reason its no ones consarn but mine Now do nt brighten up like the sky at
sundown for no offence is meant and none should be taken«
»I do not brighten up and will not take offence« said Judith struggling
to repress her indignation in a way she had never found it necessary to exert
before »There is a reason why I should not cannot ever be your wife Hurry
that you seem to overlook and which it is my duty now to tell you as plainly
as you have asked me to consent to become so I do not and I am certain that I
never shall love you well enough to marry you No man can wish for a wife who
does not prefer him to all other men and when I tell you this frankly I
suppose you yourself will thank me for my sincerity«
»Ah Judith them flaunting gay scarletcoated officers of the garrisons
have done all this mischief«
»Hush March do not calumniate a daughter over her mothers grave Do not
when I only wish to treat you fairly give me reason to call for evil on your
head in bitterness of heart Do not forget that I am a woman and that you are a
man and that I have neither father nor brother to revenge your words«
»Well there is something in the last and Ill say no more Take time
Judith and think better on this«
»I want no time my mind has long been made up and I have only waited for
you to speak plainly to answer plainly We now understand each other and there
is no use in saying any more«
The impetuous earnestness of the girl awed the young man for never before
had he seen her so serious and determined In most of their previous interviews
she had met his advances with evasion or sarcasm but these Hurry had mistaken
for female coquetry and had supposed might easily be converted into consent
The struggle had been with himself about offering nor had he ever seriously
believed it possible that Judith would refuse to become the wife of the
handsomest man on all that frontier Now that the refusal came and that in
terms so decided as to put all cavilling out of the question if not absolutely
dumbfounded he was so much mortified and surprised as to feel no wish to
attempt to change her resolution
»The Glimmerglass has now no great call for me« he exclaimed after a
minutes silence »Old Tom is gone the Hurons are as plenty on the shore as
pigeons in the woods and altogether it is getting to be an onsuitable place«
»Then leave it You see it is surrounded by dangers and there is no reason
why you should risk your life for others Nor do I know that you can be of any
service to us Go tonight well never accuse you of having done any thing
forgetful or unmanly«
»If I do go twill be with a heavy heart on your account Judith I would
rather take you with me«
»That is not to be spoken of any longer March but I will land you in one
of the canoes as soon as it is dark and you can strike a trail for the nearest
garrison When you reach the fort if you send a party «
Judith smothered the words for she felt that it was humiliating to be thus
exposing herself to the comments and reflections of one who was not disposed to
view her conduct in connection with all in those garrisons with an eye of
favor Hurry however caught the idea and without perverting it as the girl
dreaded he answered to the purpose
»I understand what you would say and why you do nt say it« he replied
»If I get safe to the fort a party shall start on the trail of these vagabonds
and Ill come with it myself for I should like to see you and Hetty in a
place of safety before we part forever«
»Ah Harry March had you always spoken thus felt thus my feelings towards
you might have been different«
»Is it too late now Judith Im rough and a woodsman but we all change
under different treatment from what we have been used to«
»It is too late March I can never feel towards you or any other man but
one as you would wish to have me There Ive said enough surely and you will
question me no further As soon as it is dark I or the Delaware will put you
on the shore You will make the best of your way to the Mohawk and the nearest
garrison and send all you can to our assistance And Hurry we are now
friends and I may trust in you may I not«
»Sartain Judith though our frindship would have been all the warmer
could you look upon me as I look upon you«
Judith hesitated and some powerful emotion was struggling within her Then
as if determined to look down all weaknesses and accomplish her purposes at
every hazard she spoke more plainly
»You will find a captain of the name of Warley at the nearest post« she
said pale as death and even trembling as she spoke »I think it likely he will
wish to head the party but I would greatly prefer it should be another If
Captain Warley can be kept back t would make me very happy«
»Thats easier said than done Judith for these officers do pretty much as
they please The Major will order and captains and lieutenants and ensigns
must obey I know the officer you mean a red faced gay oh be joyful sort of
a gentleman who swallows madeira enough to drown the Mohawk and yet a pleasant
talker All the gals in the valley admire him and they say he admires all the
gals I do nt wonder he is your dislike Judith for hes a very ginral lover
if he is nt a ginral officer«
Judith did not answer though her frame shook and her colour changed from
pale to crimson and from crimson back again to the hue of death
»Alas my poor mother« she ejaculated mentally instead of uttering it
aloud »we are over thy grave but little dost thou know how much thy lessons
have been forgotten thy care neglected thy love defeated«
As this goading of the worm that never dies was felt she arose and
signified to Hurry that she had no more to communicate
Chapter XXII
» That point
In misery which makes the oppressed man
Regardless of his own life makes him too
Lord of the oppressors «
Coleridge Remorse Vi 20104
All this time Hetty had remained seated in the head of the scow looking
sorrowfully into the water which held the body of her mother as well as that of
the man whom she had been taught to consider her father Hist stood near her in
gentle quiet but had no consolation to offer in words The habits of her people
taught her reserve in this respect and the habits of her sex induced her to
wait patiently for a moment when she might manifest some soothing sympathy by
means of acts rather than of speech Chingachgook held himself a little aloof
in grave reserve looking like a warrior but feeling like a man
Judith joined her sister with an air of dignity and solemnity it was not her
practice to show and though the gleamings of anguish were still visible on her
beautiful face when she spoke it was firmly and without tremor At that instant
Hist and the Delaware withdrew moving towards Hurry in the other end of the
boat
»Sister« said Judith kindly »I have much to say to you we will get into
this canoe and paddle off to a distance from the Ark The secrets of two
orphans ought not to be heard by every ear«
»Certainly Judith by the ears of their parents Let Hurry lift the grapnel
and move away with the Ark and leave us here near the graves of father and
mother to say what we may have to say«
»Father« repeated Judith slowly the blood for the first time since her
parting with March mounting to her cheeks »He was no father of ours Hetty
That we had from his own mouth and in his dying moments«
»Are you glad Judith to find you had no father He took care of us and
fed us and clothed us and loved us a father could have done no more I dont
understand why he wasnt a father«
»Never mind dear child but let us do as you have said It may be well to
remain here and let the Ark move a little away Do you prepare the canoe and I
will tell Hurry and the Indians our wishes«
This was soon and simply done the Ark moving with measured strokes of the
sweeps a hundred yards from the spot leaving the girls floating seemingly in
air above the place of the dead so buoyant was the light vessel that held
them and so limpid the element by which it was sustained
»The death of Thomas Hutter« Judith commenced after a short pause had
prepared her sister to receive her communications »has altered all our
prospects Hetty If he was not our father we are sisters and must feel alike
and live together«
»How do I know Judith that you would nt be as glad to find I am not your
sister as you are in finding that Thomas Hutter as you call him was not your
father I am only half witted and few people like to have halfwitted
relations and then Im not handsome at least not as handsome as you and
you may wish a handsomer sister«
»No no Hetty You and you only are my sister my heart and my love for
you tell me that and mother was my mother of that too am I glad and proud
for she was a mother to be proud of but father was not father«
»Hush Judith His spirit may be near it would grieve it to hear his
children talking so and that too over his very grave Children should never
grieve parents mother often told me and especially when they are dead«
»Poor Hetty They are happily removed beyond all cares on our account
Nothing that I can do or say will cause mother any sorrow now there is some
consolation in that at least and nothing you can say or do will make her
smile as she used to smile on your good conduct when living«
»You do nt know that Judith Spirits can see and mother may see as well
as any spirit She always told us that God saw all we did and that we should do
nothing to offend him and now she has left us I strive to do nothing that can
displease her Think how her spirit would mourn and feel sorrow Judith did it
see either of us doing what is not right and spirits may see after all
especially the spirits of parents that feel anxious about their children«
»Hetty Hetty you know not what you say« murmured Judith almost livid
with emotion »The dead cannot see and know nothing of what passes here But
we will not talk of this any longer The bodies of Mother and Thomas Hutter lie
together in the lake and we will hope that the spirits of both are with God
That we the children of one of them remain on earth is certain it is now
proper to know what we are to do in future«
»If we are not Thomas Hutters children Judith no one will dispute our
right to his property We have the castle and the Ark and the canoes and the
woods and the lakes the same as when he was living and what can prevent us
from staying here and passing our lives just as we ever have done«
»No no poor sister this can no longer be Two girls would not be safe
here even should these Hurons fail in getting us into their power Even father
had as much as he could sometimes do to keep peace upon the lake and we should
fail altogether We must quit this spot Hetty and remove into the
settlements«
»I am sorry you think so Judith« returned Hetty dropping her head on her
bosom and looking thoughtfully down at the spot where the funeral pile of her
mother could just be seen »I am very sorry to hear it I would rather stay
here where if I was nt born Ive passed my life I do nt like the
settlements they are full of wickedness and heart burnings while God dwells
unoffended in these hills I love the trees and the mountains and the lake
and the springs all that his bounty has given us and it would grieve me
sorely Judith to be forced to quit them You are handsome and not at all
halfwitted and one day you will marry and then you will have a husband and I
a brother to take care of us if women cant really take care of themselves in
such a place as this«
»Ah if this could be so Hetty then indeed I could now be a thousand
times happier in these woods than in the settlements Once I did not feel
thus but now I do Yet where is the man to turn this beautiful place into such
a garden of Eden for us«
»Harry March loves you sister« returned poor Hetty unconsciously picking
the bark off the canoe as she spoke »He would be glad to be your husband Im
sure and a stouter and a braver youth is not to be met with the whole country
round«
»Harry March and I understand each other and no more need be said about
him There is one but no matter It is all in the hands of providence and we
must shortly come to some conclusion about our future manner of living Remain
here that is remain here alone we cannot and perhaps no occasion will
ever offer for remaining in the manner you think of It is time too Hetty we
should learn all we can concerning our relations and family It is not probable
we are altogether without relations and they may be glad to see us The old
chest is now our property and we have a right to look into it and learn all we
can by what it holds Mother was so very different from Thomas Hutter that now
I know we are not his children I burn with a desire to know whose children we
can be There are papers in that chest I am certain and those papers may tell
us all about our parents and natural friends«
»Well Judith you know best for you are cleverer than common mother
always said and I am only halfwitted Now father and mother are dead I do nt
much care for any relation but you and do nt think I could love them I never
saw as well as I ought If you do nt like to marry Hurry I do nt see who you
can choose for a husband and then I fear we shall have to quit the lake after
all«
»What do you think of Deerslayer Hetty« asked Judith bending forward like
her unsophisticated sister and endeavoring to conceal her embarrassment in a
similar manner »Would he not make a brotherinlaw to your liking«
»Deerslayer« repeated the other looking up in unfeigned surprise »Why
Judith Deerslayer is nt in the least comely and is altogether unfit for one
like you«
»He is not illlooking Hetty and beauty in a man is not of much matter«
»Do you think so Judith I know that beauty is of no great matter in man
or woman in the eyes of God for mother has often told me so when she thought
I might have been sorry I was not as handsome as you though she need nt have
been uneasy on that account for I never coveted any thing that is yours
sister but tell me so she did still beauty is very pleasant to the eye
in both I think if I were a man I should pine more for good looks than I do
as a girl A handsome man is a more pleasing sight than a handsome woman«
»Poor child You scarce know what you say or what you mean Beauty in our
sex is something but in men it passes for little To be sure a man ought to
be tall but others are tall as well as Hurry and active and I think I know
those that are more active and strong well he has nt all the strength in
the world and brave I am certain I can name a youth who is braver«
»This is strange Judith I did nt think the earth held a handsomer or a
stronger or a more active or a braver man than Hurry Harry Im sure I never
met his equal in either of these things«
»Well well Hetty say no more of this I dislike to hear you talking in
this manner Tis not suitable to your innocence and truth and warmhearted
sincerity Let Harry March go He quits us tonight and no regret of mine
will follow him unless it be that he has staid so long and to so little
purpose«
»Ah Judith that is what Ive long feared and I did so hope he might be
my brotherinlaw«
»Never mind it now Let us talk of our poor mother and of Thomas Hutter«
»Speak kindly then sister for you cant be quite certain that spirits do
nt both hear and see If father was nt father he was good to us and gave us
food and shelter We cant put any stones over their graves here in the water
to tell people all this and so we ought to say it with our tongues«
»They will care little for that girl Tis a great consolation to know
Hetty that if mother ever did commit any heavy fault when young she lived
sincerely to repent of it no doubt her sins were forgiven her«
»Tis nt right Judith for children to talk of their parents sins We had
better talk of our own«
»Talk of your sins Hetty If there ever was a creature on earth without
sin it is you I wish I could say or think the same of myself but we shall
see No one knows what changes affection for a good husband can make in a
womans heart I do nt think child I have even now the same love for finery I
once had«
»It would be a pity Judith if you did think of clothes over your parents
graves We will never quit this spot if you say so and will let Hurry go where
he pleases«
»I am willing enough to consent to the last but cannot answer for the
first Hetty We must live in future as becomes respectable young women and
cannot remain here to be the talk and jest of all the rude and foul tongud
trappers and hunters that may come upon the lake Let Hurry go by himself and
then Ill find the means to see Deerslayer when the future shall be soon
settled Come girl the sun has set and the Ark is drifting away from us let
us paddle up to the scow and consult with our friends This night I shall look
into the chest and tomorrow shall determine what we are to do As for the
Hurons now we can use our stores without fear of Thomas Hutter they will be
easily bought off Let me get Deerslayer once out of their hands and a single
hour shall bring things to an understanding«
Judith spoke with decision and she spoke with authority a habit she had
long practised towards her feebleminded sister But while thus accustomed to
have her way by the aid of manner and a readier command of words Hetty
occasionally checked her impetuous feelings and hasty acts by the aid of those
simple moral truths that were so deeply engrafted in all her own thoughts and
feelings shining through both with a mild and beautiful lustre that threw a
sort of holy halo around so much of what she both said and did On the present
occasion this healthful ascendancy of the girl of weak intellect over her of a
capacity that in other situations might have become brilliant and admired was
exhibited in the usual simple and earnest manner
»You forget Judith what has brought us here« she said reproachfully
»This is mothers grave and we have just laid the body of father by her side
We have done wrong to talk so much of ourselves at such a spot and ought now to
pray God to forgive us and ask him to teach us where we are to go and what we
are to do«
Judith involuntarily laid aside her paddle while Hetty dropped on her
knees and was soon lost in her devout but simple petitions Her sister did not
pray This she had long ceased to do directly though anguish of spirit
frequently wrung from her mental and hasty appeals to the great source of
benevolence for support if not for a change of spirit Still she never beheld
Hetty on her knees that a feeling of tender recollection as well as of
profound regret at the deadness of her own heart did not come over her Thus
had she herself done in childhood and even down to the hour of her ill fated
visits to the garrisons and she would willingly have given worlds at such
moments to be able to exchange her present sensations for the confiding faith
those pure aspirations and the gentle hope that shone through every lineament
and movement of her otherwise less favored sister All she could do however
was to drop her head to her bosom and assume in her attitude some of that
devotion in which her stubborn spirit refused to unite
When Hetty rose from her knees her countenance had a glow and serenity that
rendered a face that was always agreeable positively handsome Her mind was at
peace and her conscience acquitted her of a neglect of duty
»Now you may go if you want to Judith« she said »for God has been kind
to me and lifted a burden off my heart Mother had many such burdens she used
to tell me and she always took them off in this way Tis the only way sister
such things can be done You may raise a stone or a log with your hands but
the heart must be lightened by prayer I do nt think you pray as often as you
used to do when younger Judith«
»Never mind never mind child « answered the other huskily »tis no
matter now Mother is gone and Thomas Hutter is gone and the time has come
when we must think and act for ourselves«
As the canoe moved slowly away from the place under the gentle impulsion of
the elder sisters paddle the younger sat musing as was her wont whenever her
mind was perplexed by any idea more abstract and difficult of comprehension than
common
»I do nt know what you mean by future Judith« she at length suddenly
observed »Mother used to call Heaven the future but you seem to think it means
next week or tomorrow«
»It means both dear sister every thing that is yet to come whether in
this world or another It is a solemn word Hetty and most so I fear to them
that think the least about it Mothers future is eternity ours may yet mean
what will happen while we live in this world Is not that a canoe just passing
behind the castle here more in the direction of the point I mean it is hid
now but certainly I saw a canoe stealing behind the logs«
»Ive seen it some time« Hetty quietly answered for the Indians had few
terrors for her »but I did nt think it right to talk about such things over
mothers grave The canoe came from the camp Judith and was paddled by a
single man He seemed to be Deerslayer and no Iroquois«
»Deerslayer« returned the other with much of her native impetuosity
»That cannot be Deerslayer is a prisoner and I have been thinking of the means
of setting him free Why did you fancy it Deerslayer child«
»You can look for yourself sister for there comes the canoe in sight
again on this side of the hut«
Sure enough the light boat had passed the building and was now steadily
advancing towards the Ark the persons on board of which were already collecting
in the head of the scow to receive their visiter A single glance sufficed to
assure Judith that her sister was right and that Deerslayer was alone in the
canoe His approach was so calm and leisurely however as to fill her with
wonder since a man who had effected his escape from enemies by either artifice
or violence would not be apt to move with the steadiness and deliberation with
which his paddle swept the water By this time the day was fairly departing and
objects were already seen dimly under the shores In the broad lake however
the light still lingered and around the immediate scene of the present
incidents which was less shaded than most of the sheet being in its broadest
part it cast a glow that bore some faint resemblance to the warm tints of an
Italian or Grecian sunset The logs of the hut and Ark had a sort of purple hue
blended with the growing obscurity and the bark of the hunters boat was losing
its distinctness in colours richer but more mellowed than those it showed
under a bright sun As the two canoes approached each other for Judith and her
sister had plied their paddles so as to intercept the unexpected visiter ere he
reached the Ark even Deerslayers sunburned countenance wore a brighter
aspect than common under the pleasing tints that seemed to dance in the
atmosphere Judith fancied that delight at meeting her had some share in this
unusual and agreeable expression She was not aware that her own beauty appeared
to more advantage than common from the same natural cause nor did she
understand what it would have given her so much pleasure to know that the
young man actually thought her as she drew nearer the loveliest creature of
her sex his eyes had ever dwelt on
»Welcome welcome Deerslayer« exclaimed the girl as the canoes floated
at each others side »we have had a melancholy a frightful day but your
return is at least one misfortune the less Have the Hurons become more human
and let you go or have you escaped from the wretches by your own courage and
skill«
»Neither Judith neither one nor tother The Mingos are Mingos still and
will live and die Mingos it is not likely their naturs will ever undergo much
improvement Well Theyve their gifts and weve ourn Judith and it doesnt
much become either to speak ill of what the Lord has created though if the
truth must be said I find it a sore trial to think kindly or to talk kindly of
them vagabonds As for outwitting them that might have been done and it was
done too atween the Sarpent yonder and me when we were on the trail of Hist
« here the hunter stopped to laugh in his own silent fashion »but its no
easy matter to sarcumvent the sarcumvented Even the faans get to know the
tricks of the hunters afore a single season is over and an Indian whose eyes
have once been opened by a sarcumvention never shuts them agin in precisely the
same spot Ive known whites to do that but never a red skin What they larn
comes by practice and not by books and of all schoolmasters experence gives
lessons that are the longest remembered«
»All this is true Deerslayer but if you have not escaped from the savages
how came you here«
»Thats a natral question and charmingly put You are wonderful handsome
this evening Judith or Wild Rose as the Sarpent calls you and I may as well
say it since I honestly think it You may well call them Mingos savages too
for savage enough do they feel and savage enough will they act if you once
give them an opportunity They feel their loss here in the late skrimmage to
their hearts cores and are ready to revenge it on any creatur of English
blood that may fall in their way Nor for that matter do I much think they
would stand at taking their satisfaction out of a Dutch man«
»They have killed father that ought to satisfy their wicked cravings for
blood« observed Hetty reproachfully
»I know it gal I know the whole story partly from what Ive seen from
the shore since they brought me up from the point and partly from their
threats agin myself and their other discourse Well life is unsartain at the
best and we all depend on the breath of our nostrils for it from day to day
If youve lost a staunch frind as I make no doubt you have Providence will
raise up new ones in his stead and since our acquaintance has begun in this
oncommon manner I shall take it as a hint that it will be a part of my duty in
futur should the occasion offer to see you do nt suffer for want of food in
the wigwam I cant bring the dead to life but as to feeding the living
theres few on all this frontier can outdo me though I say it in the way of
pity and consolation like and in no particular in the way of boasting«
»We understand you Deerslayer« returned Judith hastily »and take all
that falls from your lips as it is meant in kindness and friendship Would to
Heaven all men had tongues as true and hearts as honest«
»In that respect men do differ of a sartainty Judith Ive known them that
was nt to be trusted any farther than you can see them and others agin whose
messages sent with a small piece of wampum perhaps might just as much be
depended on as if the whole business was finished afore your face Yes Judith
you never said truer word than when you said some men might be depended on and
other some might not«
»You are an unaccountable being Deerslayer« returned the girl not a
little puzzled with the childish simplicity of character that the hunter so
often betrayed a simplicity so striking that it frequently appeared to place
him nearly on a level with the fatuity of poor Hetty though always relieved by
the beautiful moral truth that shone through all that this unfortunate girl both
said and did »You are a most unaccountable man and I often do not know how to
understand you But never mind just now you have forgotten to tell us by what
means you are here«
»I Oh Thats not very onaccountable if I am myself Judith Im out on
furlough«
»Furlough That word has a meaning among the soldiers that I understand
but I cannot tell what it signifies when used by a prisoner«
»It means just the same Youre right enough the soldiers do use it and
just in the same way as I use it A furlough is when a man has leave to quit a
camp or a garrison for a sartain specified time at the end of which he is to
come back and shoulder his musket or submit to his torments just as he may
happen to be a soldier or a captyve Being the last I must take the chances of
a prisoner«
»Have the Hurons suffered you to quit them in this manner without watch or
guard«
»Sartain I woulnt have come in any other manner unless indeed it had
been by a bold rising or a sarcumvention«
»What pledge have they that you will ever return«
»My word« answered the hunter simply »Yes I own I gave em that and big
fools would they have been to let me come without it Why in that case I should
nt have been obliged to go back and ondergo any deviltries their fury may
invent but might have shouldered my rifle and made the best of my way to the
Delaware villages But Lord Judith they knowd this just as well as you and
I do and would no more let me come away without a promise to go back than
they would let the wolves dig up the bones of their fathers«
»Is it possible you mean to do this act of extraordinary selfdestruction
and recklessness«
»Anan«
»I ask if it can be possible that you expect to be able to put yourself
again in the power of such ruthless enemies by keeping your word«
Deerslayer looked at his fair questioner for a moment with stern
displeasure Then the expression of his honest and guileless face suddenly
changed lighting as by a quick illumination of thought after which he laughed
in his ordinary manner
»I did nt understand you at first Judith no I did nt You believe that
Chingachgook and Hurry Harry wont suffer it but you do nt know mankind
thoroughly yet I see The Delaware would be the last man on arth to offer any
objections to what he knows is a duty and as for March he does nt care
enough about any creatur but himself to spend many words on such a subject If
he did twould make no great difference howsever but not he for he thinks
more of his gains than of even his own word As for my promises or yourn
Judith or any body elses they give him no consarn Dont be under any
oneasiness therefore gal I shall be allowed to go back according to the
furlough and if difficulties was made Ive not been brought up and edicated
as one may say in the woods without knowing how to look em down«
Judith made no answer for some little time All her feelings as a woman and
as a woman who for the first time in her life was beginning to submit to that
sentiment which has so much influence on the happiness or misery of her sex
revolted at the cruel fate that she fancied Deerslayer was drawing down upon
himself while the sense of right which God has implanted in every human
breast told her to admire an integrity as indomitable and as unpretending as
that which the other so unconsciously displayed Argument she felt would be
useless nor was she at that moment disposed to lessen the dignity and high
principle that were so striking in the intentions of the hunter by any attempt
to turn him from his purpose That something might yet occur to supersede the
necessity for this self immolation she tried to hope and then she proceeded to
ascertain the facts in order that her own conduct might be regulated by her
knowledge of circumstances
»When is your furlough out Deerslayer« she asked after both canoes were
heading towards the Ark and moving with scarcely a perceptible effort of the
paddles through the water
»Tomorrow noon not a minute afore and you may depend on it Judith I
shant quit what I call christian company to go and give myself up to them
vagabonds an instant sooner than is downright necessary They begin to fear a
visit from the garrisons and would nt lengthen the time a moment and its
pretty well understood atween us that should I fail in my arnd the torments
are to take place when the sun begins to fall that they may strike upon their
home trail as soon as it is dark«
This was said solemnly as if the thought of what was believed to be in
reserve duly weighed on the prisoners mind and yet so simply and without a
parade of suffering as rather to repel than to invite any open manifestations
of sympathy
»Are they bent on revenging their losses« Judith asked faintly her own
high spirit yielding to the influence of the others quiet but dignified
integrity of purpose
»Downright if I can judge of Indian inclinations by the symptoms They
think howsever I do nt suspect their designs I do believe but one that has
lived so long among men of red skin gifts is no more likely to be misled in
Injin feelins than a true hunter is like to lose his trail or a stanch hound
his scent My own judgment is greatly agin my own escape for I see the women
are a good deal enraged on behalf of Hist though I say it perhaps that should
nt say it seein that I had a considerable hand myself in getting the gal off
Then there was a cruel murder in their camp last night and that shot might just
as well have been fired into my breast Howsever come what will the Sarpent
and his wife will be safe and that is some happiness in any case«
»Oh Deerslayer they will think better of this since they have given you
until tomorrow noon to make up your mind«
»I judge not Judith yes I judge not An Injin is an Injin gal and its
pretty much hopeless to think of swarving him when hes got the scent and
follows it with his nose in the air The Delawares now are a half
christianized tribe not that I think such sort of christians much better than
your whole blooded onbelievers but nevertheless what good half
christianizing can do to a man some among em have got and yet revenge clings
to their hearts like the wild creepers here to the tree Then I slew one of the
best and boldest of their warriors they say and it is too much to expect that
they should captivate the man who did this deed in the very same scouting on
which it was performed and they take no account of the matter Had a month or
so gone by their feelins would have been softened down and we might have met
in a more friendly way but it is as it is Judith this is talking of nothing
but myself and my own consarns when you have had trouble enough and may want
to consult a frind a little about your own matters Is the old man laid in the
water where I should think his body would like to rest«
»It is Deerslayer« answered Judith almost inaudibly »That duty has just
been performed You are right in thinking that I wish to consult a friend and
that friend is yourself Hurry Harry is about to leave us when he is gone and
we have got a little over the feelings of this solemn office I hope you will
give me an hour alone Hetty and I are at a loss what to do«
»Thats quite natral coming as things have suddenly and fearfully But
heres the Ark and well say more of this when there is a better opportunity«
Chapter XXIII
»The winde is great upon the highest hilles
The quiet life is in the dale below
Who tread on ice shall slide against their willes
They want not cares that curious arts should know
Who lives at ease and can content him so
Is perfect wise and sets us all to schoole
Who hates this lore may well be called a foole«
Thomas Churchyard »Shores Wife« xlvii
The meeting between Deerslayer and his friends in the Ark was grave and anxious
The two Indians in particular read in his manner that he was not a successful
fugitive and a few sententious words sufficed to let them comprehend the nature
of what their friend had termed his furlough Chingachgook immediately became
thoughtful while Hist as usual had no better mode of expressing her sympathy
than by those little attentions which mark the affectionate manner of woman
In a few minutes however something like a general plan for the proceedings
of the night was adopted and to the eye of an uninstructed observer things
would be thought to move in their ordinary train It was now getting to be dark
and it was decided to sweep the Ark up to the castle and secure it in its
ordinary berth This decision was come to in some measure on account of the
fact that all the canoes were again in the possession of their proper owners
but principally from the security that was created by the representations of
Deerslayer He had examined the state of things among the Hurons and felt
satisfied that they meditated no further hostilities during the night the loss
they had met having indisposed them to further exertions for the moment Then
he had a proposition to make the object of his visit and if this were
accepted the war would at once terminate between the parties and it was
improbable that the Hurons would anticipate the failure of a project on which
their chiefs had apparently set their hearts by having recourse to violence
previously to the return of their messenger
As soon as the Ark was properly secured the different members of the party
occupied themselves in their several peculiar manners haste in council or in
decision no more characterizing the proceedings of these border whites than it
did those of their red neighbors The women busied themselves in preparations
for the evening meal sad and silent but ever attentive to the first wants of
nature Hurry set about repairing his moccasins by the light of a blazing knot
Chingachgook seated himself in gloomy thought while Deerslayer proceeded in a
manner equally free from affectation and concern to examine Killdeer the rifle
of Hutter that has been already mentioned and which subsequently became so
celebrated in the hands of the individual who was now making a survey of its
merits The piece was a little longer than usual and had evidently been turned
out from the work shops of some manufacturer of a superior order It had a few
silver ornaments though on the whole it would have been deemed a plain piece
by most frontier men its great merit consisting in the accuracy of its bore
the perfection of the details and the excellence of the metal Again and again
did the hunter apply the breech to his shoulder and glance his eye along the
sights and as often did he poise his body and raise the weapon slowly as if
about to catch an aim at a deer in order to try the weight and to ascertain
its fitness for quick and accurate firing All this was done by the aid of
Hurrys torch simply but with an earnestness and abstraction that would have
been found touching by any spectator who happened to know the real situation of
the man
»Tis a glorious wepon Hurry« Deerslayer at length exclaimed »and it may
be thought a pity that it has fallen into the hands of women The hunters have
told me of its explites and by all I have heard I should set it down as
sartain death in experenced hands Hearken to the tick of this lock a wolf
trap hasnt a livelier spring pan and cock speak together like two singing
masters undertaking a psalm in meetin I never did see so true a bore Hurry
thats sartain«
»Ay Old Tom used to give the piece a character though he was nt the man
to particularize the raal natur of any sort of fire arms in practise«
returned March passing the deers thongs through the moccasin with the coolness
of a cobbler »He was no marksman that we must all allow but he had his good
pints as well as his bad ones I have had hopes that Judith might consait the
idee of giving Killdeer to me«
»Theres no saying what young women may do thats a truth Hurry and I
suppose youre as likely to own the rifle as another Still when things are so
very near perfection its a pity not to reach it entirely«
»What do you mean by that Would not that piece look as well on my
shoulder as on any mans«
»As for looks I say nothing You are both goodlooking and might make what
is called a goodlooking couple But the true pint is as to conduct More deer
would fall in one day by that piece in some mans hands than would fall in a
week in yourn Hurry Ive seen you try yes remember the buck tother day«
»That buck was out of season and who wishes to kill venison out of season
I was merely trying to frighten the creatur and I think you will own that he
was pretty well skeared at any rate«
»Well well have it as you say But this is a lordly piece and would make
a steady hand and quick eye the King of the Woods«
»Then keep it Deerslayer and become King of the Woods« said Judith
earnestly who had heard the conversation and whose eye was never long averted
from the honest countenance of the hunter »It can never be in better hands than
it is at this moment and there I hope it will remain these fifty years«
»Judith you cant be in arnest« exclaimed Deerslayer taken so much by
surprise as to betray more emotion than it was usual for him to manifest on
ordinary occasions »Such a gift would be fit for a raal King to make yes and
for a raal King to receive«
»I never was more in earnest in my life Deerslayer and I am as much in
earnest in the wish as in the gift«
»Well gal well well find time to talk of this agin You must nt be
down hearted Hurry for Judith is a sprightly young woman and she has a quick
reason she knows that the credit of her fathers rifle is safer in my hands
than it can possibly be in yourn and therefore you must nt be down hearted
In other matters more to your liking too youll find shell give you the
preference«
Hurry growled out his dissatisfaction but he was too intent on quitting the
lake and in making his preparations to waste his breath on a subject of this
nature Shortly after the supper was ready and it was eaten in silence as is
so much the habit of those who consider the table as merely a place of animal
refreshment On this occasion however sadness and thought contributed their
share to the general desire not to converse for Deerslayer was so far an
exception to the usages of men of his cast as not only to wish to hold
discourse on such occasions but as often to create a similar desire in his
companions
The meal ended and the humble preparations removed the whole party
assembled on the platform to hear the expected intelligence from Deerslayer on
the subject of his visit It had been evident he was in no haste to make his
communication but the feelings of Judith would no longer admit of delay Stools
were brought from the Ark and the hut and the whole six placed themselves in a
circle near the door watching each others countenances as best they could
by the scanty means that were furnished by a lovely starlight night Along the
shores beneath the mountains lay the usual body of gloom but in the broad
lake no shadow was cast and a thousand mimic stars were dancing in the limpid
element that was just stirred enough by the evening air to set them all in
motion
»Now Deerslayer« commenced Judith whose impatience resisted further
restraint »now Deerslayer tell us all the Hurons have to say and the reason
why they have sent you on parole to make us some offer«
»Furlough Judith furlough is the word and it carries the same meaning
with a captyve at large as it does with a soldier who has leave to quit his
colors In both cases the word is past to come back and now I remember to have
heard thats the raal signification furlough meaning a word passed for the
doing of any thing of the like Parole I rather think is Dutch and has
something to do with the tattoos of the garrisons But this makes no great
difference since the vartue of a pledge lies in the idee and not in the word
Well then if the message must be given it must and perhaps there is no use
in putting it off Hurry will soon be wanting to set out on his journey to the
river and the stars rise and set just as if they cared for neither Injin nor
message Ahs me Tis nt a pleasant and I know its a useless arnd but it
must be told«
»Harkee Deerslayer« put in Hurry a little authoritatively »Youre a
sensible man in a hunt and as good a fellow on a march as a sixtymileraday
could wish to meet with but youre oncommon slow about messages especially
them that you think wont be likely to be well received When a thing is to be
told why tell it and do nt hang back like a Yankee lawyer pretending he cant
understand a Dutchmans English just to get a double fee out of him«
»I understand you Hurry and well are you named tonight seeing youve no
time to lose But let us come at once to the pint seeing thats the object of
this council for council it may be called though women have seats among us
The simple fact is this When the party came back from the castle the Mingos
held a council and bitter thoughts were uppermost as was plain to be seen by
their gloomy faces No one likes to be beaten and a red skin as little as a
pale face Well when they had smoked upon it and made their speeches and
their council fire had burnt low the matter came out It seems the elders among
em consaited I was a man to be trusted on a furlough Theyre wonderful
obsarvant them Mingos that their worst inimies must allow but they consaited
I was such a man and it is nt often « added the hunter with a pleasing
consciousness that his previous life justified this implicit reliance on his
good faith »it isnt often they consait any thing so good of a pale face but
so they did with me and therefore they did nt hesitate to speak their minds
which is just this You see the state of things The lake and all on it they
fancy lie at their marcy Thomas Hutter is deceased and as for Hurry theyve
got the idee he has been near enough to death today not to wish to take
another look at him this summer Therefore they account all your forces as
reduced to Chingachgook and the two young women and while they know the
Delaware to be of a high race and a born warrior they know hes now on his
first war path As for the gals of course they set them down much as they do
women in ginral«
»You mean that they despise us« interrupted Judith with eyes that flashed
so brightly as to be observed by all present
»That will be seen in the ind They hold that all on the lake lies at their
marcy and therefore they send by me this belt of wampum« showing the article
in question to the Delaware as he spoke »with these words Tell the Sarpent
they say that he has done well for a beginner he may now strike across the
mountains for his own villages and no one shall look for his trail If he has
found a scalp let him take it with him for the Huron braves have hearts and
can feel for a young warrior who does nt wish to go home emptyhanded If he is
nimble he is welcome to lead out a party in pursuit Hist howsever must go
back to the Hurons for when she left them in the night she carried away by
mistake that which does nt belong to her «
»That cant be true« said Hetty earnestly »Hist is no such girl but one
that gives every body his due «
How much more she would have said in remonstrance cannot be known
inasmuch as Hist partly laughing and partly hiding her face in shame past her
own hand across the speakers mouth in a way to check the words
»You do nt understand Mingo messages poor Hetty « resumed Deerslayer
»which seldom mean what lies exactly uppermost Hist has brought away with her
the inclinations of a young Huron and they want her back again that the poor
young man may find them where he last saw them The Sarpent they say is too
promising a young warrior not to find as many wives as he wants but this one he
cannot have Thats their meaning and nothing else as I understand it«
»They are very obliging and thoughtful in supposing a young woman can
forget all her own inclinations in order to let this unhappy youth find his«
said Judith ironically though her manner became more bitter as she proceeded
»I suppose a woman is a woman let her colour be white or red and your chiefs
know little of a womans heart Deerslayer if they think it can ever forgive
when wronged or ever forget when it fairly loves«
»I suppose thats pretty much the truth with some women Judith though
Ive known them that could do both The next message is to you They say the
Muskrat as they called your father has dove to the bottom of the lake that he
will never come up again and that his young will soon be in want of wigwams if
not of food The Huron huts they think are better than the huts of York and
they wish you to come and try them Your colour is white they own but they
think young women whove lived so long in the woods would lose their way in the
clearins A great warrior among them has lately lost his wife and he would be
glad to put the Wild Rose on her bench at his fireside As for the Feeble Mind
she will always be honored and taken care of by red warriors Your fathers
goods they think ought to go to enrich the tribe but your own property which
is to include every thing of a female natur will go like that of all wives
into the wigwam of the husband Moreover theyve lost a young maiden by
violence lately and twill take two pale faces to fill her seat«
»And do you bring such a message to me« exclaimed Judith though the tone
in which the words were uttered had more in it of sorrow than of anger »Am I a
girl to be an Indians slave«
»If you wish my honest thoughts on this pint Judith I shall answer that I
do nt think youll willingly ever become any mans slave redskin or white
Youre not to think hard howsever of my bringing the message as near as I
could in the very words in which it was given to me Them was the conditions on
which I got my furlough and a bargain is a bargain though it is made with a
vagabond Ive told you what theyve said but Ive not yet told you what I
think you ought one and all to answer«
»Ay lets hear that Deerslayer« put in Hurry »My curosity is up on that
consideration and I should like right well to hear your idees of the
reasonableness of the reply For my part though my own mind is pretty much
settled on the pint of my own answer which shall be made known as soon as
necessary«
»And so is mine Hurry on all the different heads and on no one is it more
sartainly settled than on yourn If I was you I should say Deerslayer tell
them scamps they dont know Harry March He is human and having a white skin
he has also a white natur which natur wont let him desart females of his own
race and gifts in their greatest need So set me down as one that will refuse
to come into your treaty though you should smoke a hogshead of tobacco over
it«
March was a little embarrassed at this rebuke which was uttered with
sufficient warmth of manner and with a point that left no doubt of the meaning
Had Judith encouraged him he would not have hesitated about remaining to defend
her and her sister but under the circumstances a feeling of resentment rather
urged him to abandon them At all events there was not a sufficiency of
chivalry in Hurry Harry to induce him to hazard the safety of his own person
unless he could see a direct connection between the probable consequences and
his own interests It is no wonder therefore that his answer partook equally
of his intention and of the reliance he so boastingly placed on his gigantic
strength which if it did not always make him courageous usually made him
impudent as respects those with whom he conversed
»Fair words make long friendships Master Deerslayer« he said a little
menacingly »Youre but a stripling and you know by experence what you are in
the hands of a man As youre not me but only a go between sent by the savages
to us christians you may tell your emplyers that they do know Harry March
which is a proof of their sense as well as his Hes human enough to follow
human natur and that tells him to see the folly of one mans fighting a whole
tribe If females desart him they must expect to be desarted by him whether
theyre of his own gifts or another mans gifts Should Judith see fit to
change her mind shes welcome to my company to the river and Hetty with her
but should nt she come to this conclusion I start as soon as I think the
enemys scouts are beginning to nestle themselves in among the brush and leaves
for the night«
»Judith will not change her mind and she does not ask your company Master
March« returned the girl with spirit
»That pints settled then« resumed Deerslayer unmoved by the others
warmth »Hurry Harry must act for himself and do that which will be most likely
to suit his own fancy The course he means to take will give him an easy race
if it dont give him an easy conscience Next comes the question with Hist
what say you gal Will you desart your duty too and go back to the Mingos
and take a Huron husband and all not for the love of the man youre to marry
but for the love of your own scalp«
»Why you talk so to Hist« demanded the girl halfoffended »You tink a
redskin girl made like captains lady to laugh and joke with any officer that
come«
»What I think Hist is neither here nor there in this matter I must carry
back your answer and in order to do so it is necessary that you should send it
A faithful messenger gives his arnd word for word«
Hist no longer hesitated to speak her mind fully In the excitement she rose
from her bench and naturally recurring to that language in which she expressed
herself the most readily she delivered her thoughts and intentions beautifully
and with dignity in the tongue of her own people
»Tell the Hurons Deerslayer« she said »that they are as ignorant as
moles they do nt know the wolf from the dog Among my people the rose dies on
the stem where it budded the tears of the child fall on the graves of its
parents the corn grows where the seed has been planted The Delaware girls are
not messengers to be sent like belts of wampum from tribe to tribe They are
honeysuckles that are sweetest in their own woods their own young men carry
them away in their bosoms because they are fragrant they are sweetest when
plucked from their native stems Even the robin and the martin come back year
after year to their old nests shall a woman be less true hearted than a bird
Set the pine in the clay and it will turn yellow the willow will not flourish
on the hill the tamarack is healthiest in the swamp the tribes of the sea love
best to hear the winds that blow over the salt water As for a Huron youth what
is he to a maiden of the Lenni Lenape He may be fleet but her eyes do not
follow him in the race they look back towards the lodges of the Delawares He
may sing a sweet song for the girls of Canada but there is no music for Wah
but in the tongue she has listened to from childhood Were the Huron born of the
people that once owned the shores of the salt lake it would be in vain unless
he were of the family of Uncas The young pine will rise to be as high as any of
its fathers WahtaWah has but one heart and it can love but one husband«
Deerslayer listened to this characteristic message which was given with an
earnestness suited to the feelings from which it sprung with undisguised
delight meeting the ardent eloquence of the girl as she concluded with one of
his own heartfelt silent and peculiar fits of laughter
»Thats worth all the wampum in the woods« he exclaimed »You dont
understand it I suppose Judith but if youll look into your feelins and
fancy that an inimy had sent to tell you to give up the man of your chice and
to take up with another that was nt the man of your chice youll get the
substance of it Ill warrant Give me a woman for raal eloquence if theyll
only make up their minds to speak what they feel By speakin I do nt mean
chatterin howsever for most of them will do that by the hour but comin out
with their honest deepest feelins in proper words And now Judith having
got the answer of a red skin girl it is fit I should get that of a pale face
if indeed a countenance that is as blooming as yourn can in any wise so be
tarmed You are well named the Wild Rose and so far as colour goes Hetty ought
to be called the Honeysuckle«
»Did this language come from one of the garrison gallants I should deride
it Deerslayer but coming from you I know it can be depended on« returned
Judith deeply gratified by his unmeditated and characteristic compliments »It
is too soon however to ask my answer the Great Serpent has not yet spoken«
»The Sarpent Lord I could carry back his speech without hearing a word of
it I did nt think of putting the question to him at all I will allow though
twould be hardly right either seeing that truth is truth and Im bound to
tell these Mingos the fact and nothing else So Chingachgook let us hear your
mind on this matter are you inclined to strike across the hills towards your
village to give up Hist to a Huron and to tell the chiefs at home that if
theyre actyve and successful they may possibly get on the end of the Iroquois
trail some two or three days ater the inimy has got off of it«
Like his betrothed the young chief arose that his answer might be given
with due distinctness and dignity Hist had spoken with her hands crossed upon
her bosom as if to suppress the emotions within but the warrior stretched an
arm before him with a calm energy that aided in giving emphasis to his
expressions
»Wampum should be sent for wampum« he said »a message must be answered by
a message Hear what the Great Serpent of the Delawares has to say to the
pretended wolves from the great lakes that are howling through our woods They
are no wolves they are dogs that have come to get their tails and ears cropped
by the hands of the Delawares They are good at stealing young women bad at
keeping them Chingachgook takes his own where he finds it he asks leave of no
cur from the Canadas If he has a tender feeling in his heart it is no business
of the Hurons He tells it to her who most likes to know it he will not bellow
it in the forest for the ears of those that only understand yells of terror
What passes in his lodge is not for the chiefs of his own people to know still
less for Mingo rogues «
»Call em vagabonds Sarpent « interrupted Deerslayer unable to restrain
his delight »yes just call em upanddown vagabonds which is a word easily
intarpreted and the most hateful of all to their ears its so true Never fear
me Ill give em your message syllable for syllable sneer for sneer idee for
idee scorn for scorn and they desarve no better at your hands only call em
vagabonds once or twice and that will set the sap mounting in em from their
lowest roots to the uppermost branches«
»Still less for Mingo vagabonds« resumed Chingachgook quite willingly
complying with his friends request »Tell the Huron dogs to howl louder if
they wish a Delaware to find them in the woods where they burrow like foxes
instead of hunting like warriors When they had a Delaware maiden in their camp
there was a reason for hunting them up now they will be forgotten unless they
make a noise Chingachgook do nt like the trouble of going to his villages for
more warriors he can strike their runaway trail unless they hide it under
ground he will follow it to Canada alone He will keep WahtaWah with him to
cook his game they two will be Delawares enough to scare all the Hurons back to
their own country«
»Thats a grand despatch as the officers call them things« cried
Deerslayer »twill set all the Huron blood in motion most particularily that
part where he tells em Hist too will keep on their heels till theyre
fairly driven out of the country Ahs me big words arnt always big deeds
notwithstanding The Lord send that we be able to be only one half as good as we
promise to be And now Judith its your turn to speak for them miscreants
will expect an answer from each person poor Hetty perhaps excepted«
»And why not Hetty Deerslayer She often speaks to the purpose the Indians
may respect her words for they feel for people in her condition«
»That is true Judith and quickthoughted in you The redskins do respect
misfortunes of all kinds and Hettys in particular So Hetty if you have any
thing to say Ill carry it to the Hurons as faithfully as if it was spoken by a
schoolmaster or a missionary«
The girl hesitated a moment and then she answered in her own gentle soft
tones as earnestly as any who had preceded her
»The Hurons cant understand the difference between white people and
themselves« she said »or they would nt ask Judith and me to go and live in
their villages God has given one country to the red men and another to us He
meant us to live apart Then mother always said that we should never dwell with
any but christians if possible and that is a reason why we cant go This lake
is ours and we wont leave it Father and Mothers graves are in it and even
the worst Indians love to stay near the graves of their fathers I will come and
see them again if they wish me to and read more out of the bible to them but
I cant quit fathers and mothers graves«
»That will do that will do Hetty just as well as if you sent em a
message twice as long« interrupted the hunter »Ill tell em all youve said
and all you mean and Ill answer for it that theyll be easily satisfied Now
Judith your turn comes next and then this part of my arnd will be
tarminated for the night«
Judith manifested a reluctance to give her reply that had awakened a little
curiosity in the messenger Judging from her known spirit he had never supposed
the girl would be less true to her feelings and principles than Hist or Hetty
and yet there was a visible wavering of purpose that rendered him slightly
uneasy Even now when directly required to speak she seemed to hesitate nor
did she open her lips until the profound silence told her how anxiously her
words were expected Then indeed she spoke but it was doubtingly and with
reluctance
»Tell me first tell us first Deerslayer« she commenced repeating the
words merely to change the emphasis »what effect will our answers have on your
fate If you are to be the sacrifice of our spirit it would have been better
had we all been more wary as to the language we use What then are likely to
be the consequences to yourself«
»Lord Judith you might as well ask me which way the wind will blow next
week or what will be the age of the next deer that will be shot I can only say
that their faces look a little dark upon me but it does nt thunder every time
a black cloud rises nor does every puff of wind blow up rain Thats a
question therefore much more easily put than answered«
»So is this message of the Iroquois to me« answered Judith rising as if
she had determined on her own course for the present »My answer shall be given
Deerslayer after you and I have talked together alone when the others have
laid themselves down for the night«
There was a decision in the manner of the girl that disposed Deerslayer to
comply and this he did the more readily as the delay could produce no material
consequences one way or the other The meeting now broke up Hurry announcing
his resolution to leave them speedily During the hour that was suffered to
intervene in order that the darkness might deepen before the frontierman took
his departure the different individuals occupied themselves in their customary
modes the hunter in particular passing most of the time in making further
enquiries into the perfection of the rifle already mentioned
The hour of nine soon arrived however and then it had been determined that
Hurry should commence his journey Instead of making his adieus frankly and in
a generous spirit the little he thought it necessary to say was uttered
sullenly and in coldness Resentment at what he considered Judiths obstinacy
was blended with mortification at the career he had run since reaching the
lake and as is usual with the vulgar and narrowminded he was more disposed
to reproach others with his failures than to censure himself Judith gave him
her hand but it was quite as much in gladness as with regret while the two
Delawares were not sorry to find he was leaving them Of the whole party Hetty
alone betrayed any real feeling Bashfulness and the timidity of her sex and
character kept even her aloof so that Hurry entered the canoe where
Deerslayer was already waiting for him before she ventured near enough to be
observed Then indeed the girl came into the Ark and approached its end just
as the little bark was turning from it with a movement so light and steady as
to be almost imperceptible An impulse of feeling now overcame her timidity and
Hetty spoke
»Good bye Hurry « she called out in her sweet voice »good bye dear
Hurry Take care of yourself in the woods and do nt stop once till you reach
the garrison The leaves on the trees are scarcely plentier than the Hurons
round the lake and theyll not treat a strong man like you as kindly as they
treat me«
The ascendency which March had obtained over this feebleminded but
rightthinking and rightfeeling girl arose from a law of nature Her senses
had been captivated by his personal advantages and her moral communications
with him had never been sufficiently intimate to counteract an effect that must
have been otherwise lessened even with one whose mind was as obtuse as her own
Hettys instinct of right if such a term can be applied to one who seemed
taught by some kind spirit how to steer her course with unerring accuracy
between good and evil would have revolted at Hurrys character on a thousand
points had there been opportunities to enlighten her but while he conversed
and trifled with her sister at a distance from herself his perfection of form
and feature had been left to produce their influence on her simple imagination
and naturally tender feelings without suffering by the alloy of his opinions
and coarseness It is true she found him rough and rude but her father was
that and most of the other men she had seen and that which she believed to
belong to all of the sex struck her less unfavorably in Hurrys character than
it might otherwise have done Still it was not absolutely love that Hetty felt
for Hurry nor do we wish so to portray it but merely that awakening
sensibility and admiration which under more propitious circumstances and
always supposing no untoward revelations of character on the part of the young
man had supervened to prevent it might soon have ripened into that engrossing
feeling She felt for him an incipient tenderness but scarcely any passion
Perhaps the nearest approach to the latter that Hetty had manifested was to be
seen in the sensitiveness which had caused her to detect Marchs predilection
for her sister for among Judiths many admirers this was the only instance in
which the dull mind of the girl had been quickened into an observation of the
circumstances
Hurry received so little sympathy at his departure that the gentle tones of
Hetty as she thus called after him sounded soothingly He checked the canoe
and with one sweep of his powerful arm brought it back to the side of the Ark
This was more than Hetty whose courage had risen with the departure of her
hero expected and she now shrunk timidly back at this unexpected return
»Youre a good gal Hetty and I cant quit you without shaking hands« said
March kindly »Judith ater all is nt worth as much as you though she may be
a trifle better looking As to wits if honesty and fair dealing with a young
man is a sign of sense in a young woman youre worth a dozen Judiths ay and
for that matter most young women of my acquaintance«
»Dont say any thing against Judith Harry« returned Hetty imploringly
»Fathers gone and mothers gone and nobodys left but Judith and me and it
is nt right for sisters to speak evil or to hear evil of each other Fathers
in the lake and so is mother and we should all fear God for we do nt know
when we may be in the lake too«
»That sounds reasonable child as does most you say Well if we ever meet
agin Hetty youll find a frind in me let your sister do what she may I was
no great frind of your mother Ill allow for we did nt think alike on most
pints but then your father Old Tom and I fitted each other as remarkably as
a buckskin garment will fit any reasonablebuilt man Ive always been unanimous
of opinion that Old Floating Tom Hutter at the bottom was a good fellow and
will maintain that agin all inimies for his sake as well as for yourn«
»Good bye Hurry« said Hetty who now wanted to hasten the young man off
as ardently as she had wished to keep him only the moment before though she
could give no clearer account of the latter than of the former feeling »good
bye Hurry take care of yourself in the woods do nt halt till you reach the
garrison Ill read a chapter in the bible for you before I go to bed and
think of you in my prayers«
This was touching a point on which March had no sympathies and without more
words he shook the girl cordially by the hand and reentered the canoe In
another minute the two adventurers were a hundred feet from the Ark and half a
dozen had not elapsed before they were completely lost to view Hetty sighed
deeply and rejoined her sister and Hist
For some time Deerslayer and his companion paddled ahead in silence It had
been determined to land Hurry at the precise point where he is represented in
the commencement of our tale as having embarked not only as a place little
likely to be watched by the Hurons but because he was sufficiently familiar
with the signs of the woods at that spot to thread his way through them in the
dark Thither then the light craft proceeded being urged as diligently and
as swiftly as two vigorous and skilful canoemen could force their little
vessel through or rather over the water Less than a quarter of an hour
sufficed for the object and at the end of that time being within the shadows
of the shore and quite near the point they sought each ceased his efforts in
order to make their parting communications out of ear shot of any straggler who
might happen to be in the neighborhood
»You will do well to persuade the officers at the garrison to lead out a
party agin these vagabonds as soon as you git in Hurry« Deerslayer
commenced »and youll do better if you volunteer to guide it up yourself You
know the paths and the shape of the lake and the natur of the land and can
do it better than a common ginralizing scout Strike at the Huron camp first
and follow the signs that will then show themselves A few looks at the hut and
the Ark will satisfy you as to the state of the Delaware and the women and at
any rate therell be a fine opportunity to fall on the Mingo trail and to make
a mark on the memories of the blackguards that theyll be apt to carry with em
a long time It wont be likely to make much difference with me since that
matter will be detarmined afore tomorrows sun has set but it may make a great
change in Judith and Hettys hopes and prospects«
»And as for yourself Nathaniel« Hurry enquired with more interest than he
was accustomed to betray in the welfare of others »And as for yourself what
do you think is likely to turn up«
»The Lord in his wisdom only can tell Henry March The clouds look black
and threatening and I keep my mind in a state to meet the worst Vengeful
feelins are uppermost in the hearts of the Mingos and any little
disappintment about the plunder or the prisoners or Hist may make the
torments sartain The Lord in his wisdom can only detarmine my fate or
yourn«
»This is a black business and ought to be put a stop to in some way or
other « answered Hurry confounding the distinctions between right and wrong
as is usual with selfish and vulgar men »I heartily wish old Hutter and I had
scalped every creatur in their camp the night we first landed with that
capital object Had you not held back Deerslayer it might have been done and
then you would nt have found yourself at the last moment in the desperate
condition you mention«
»Twould have been better had you said you wished you had never attempted to
do what it little becomes any white mans gifts to undertake in which case not
only might we have kept from coming to blows but Thomas Hutter would now have
been living and the hearts of the savages would be less given to vengeance The
death of that young woman too was oncalled for Henry March and leaves a
heavy load on our names if not on our consciences«
This was so apparent and it seemed so obvious to Hurry himself at the
moment that he dashed his paddle into the water and began to urge the canoe
towards the shore as if bent only on running away from his own lively remorse
His companion humoured this feverish desire for change and in a minute or two
the bows of the boat grated lightly on the shingle of the beach To land
shoulder his pack and rifle and to get ready for his march occupied Hurry but
an instant and with a growling adieu he had already commenced his march when
a sudden twinge of feeling brought him to a dead stop and immediately after to
the others side
»You cannot mean to give yourself up agin to them murdering savages
Deerslayer« he said quite as much in angry remonstrance as with generous
feeling »Twould be the act of a madman or a fool«
»Theres them that thinks it madness to keep their words and theres them
that dont Hurry Harry You may be one of the first but Im one of the last
No red skin breathing shall have it in his power to say that a Mingo minds his
word more than a man of white blood and white gifts in any thing that consarns
me Im out on a furlough and if Ive strength and reason Ill go in on a
furlough afore noon tomorrow«
»Whats an Injin or a word passed or a furlough taken from creaturs like
them that have neither souls nor reason«
»If theyve got neither souls nor reason you and I have both Henry March
and one is accountable for the other This furlough is not as you seem to
think a matter altogether atween me and the Mingos seeing it is a solemn
bargain made atween me and God He who thinks that he can say what he pleases
in his distress and that twill all pass for nothing because tis uttered in
the forest and into red mens ears knows little of his situation and hopes
and wants The woods are but the ears of the Almighty the air is his breath
and the light of the sun is little more than a glance of his eye Farewell
Harry we may not meet agin but I would wish you never to treat a furlough or
any other solemn thing that your christian God has been called on to witness
as a duty so light that it may be forgotten according to the wants of the body
or even accordin to the cravings of the spirit«
March was now glad again to escape It was quite impossible that he could
enter into the sentiments that ennobled his companion and he broke away from
both with an impatience that caused him secretly to curse the folly that could
induce a man to rush as it were on his own destruction Deerslayer on the
contrary manifested no such excitement Sustained by his principles inflexible
in the purpose of acting up to them and superior to any unmanly apprehension
he regarded all before him as a matter of course and no more thought of making
any unworthy attempt to avoid it than a Mussulman thinks of counteracting the
decrees of Providence He stood calmly on the shore listening to the reckless
tread with which Hurry betrayed his progress through the bushes shook his head
in dissatisfaction at the want of caution and then stepped quietly into his
canoe Before he dropped the paddle again into the water the young man gazed
about him at the scene presented by the starlit night This was the spot where
he had first laid his eyes on the beautiful sheet of water on which he floated
If it was then glorious in the bright light of a summers noontide it was now
sad and melancholy under the shadows of night The mountains rose around it like
black barriers to exclude the outer world and the gleams of pale light that
rested on the broader parts of the basin were no bad symbols of the faintness
of the hopes that were so dimly visible in his own future Sighing heavily he
pushed the canoe from the land and took his way back with steady diligence
towards the Ark and the castle
Chapter XXIV
»Thy secret pleasure turns to open shame
Thy private feasting to a public fast
Thy smoothing titles to a ragged name
Thy sugard tongue to bitter worm wood taste
Thy violent vanities can never last«
Shakespeare Rape of Lucrece ll 89094
Judith was waiting the return of Deerslayer on the platform with stifled
impatience when the latter reached the hut Hist and Hetty were both in a deep
sleep on the bed usually occupied by the two daughters of the house and the
Delaware was stretched on the floor of the adjoining room his rifle at his
side and a blanket over him already dreaming of the events of the last few
days There was a lamp burning in the Ark for the family was accustomed to
indulge in this luxury on extraordinary occasions and possessed the means the
vessel being of a form and material to render it probable it had once been an
occupant of the chest
As soon as the girl got a glimpse of the canoe she ceased her hurried walk
up and down the platform and stood ready to receive the young man whose return
she had now been anxiously expecting for some time She helped him to fasten the
canoe and by aiding in the other little similar employments manifested her
desire to reach a moment of liberty as soon as possible When this was done in
answer to an inquiry of his she informed him of the manner in which their
companions had disposed of themselves He listened attentively for the manner
of the girl was so earnest and impressive as to apprise him that she had
something on her mind of more than common concern
»And now Deerslayer« Judith continued »you see I have lighted the lamp
and put it in the cabin of the Ark That is never done with us unless on great
occasions and I consider this night as the most important of my life Will you
follow me and see what I have to show you hear what I have to say«
The hunter was a little surprised but making no objections both were soon
in the scow and in the room that contained the light Here two stools were
placed at the side of the chest with the lamp on another and a table near by
to receive the different articles as they might be brought to view This
arrangement had its rise in the feverish impatience of the girl which could
brook no delay that it was in her power to obviate Even all the padlocks were
removed and it only remained to raise the heavy lid again to expose all the
treasures of this long secreted hoard
»I see in part what all this means« observed Deerslayer »yes I see
through it in part But why is not Hetty present now Thomas Hutter is gone
she is one of the owners of these curosities and ought to see them opened and
handled«
»Hetty sleeps « answered Judith huskily »Happily for her fine clothes
and riches have no charms Besides she has this night given her share of all
that the chest may hold to me that I may do with it as I please«
»Is poor Hetty composs enough for that Judith« demanded the justminded
young man »Its a good rule and a righteous one never to take when them that
give dont know the valie of their gifts and such as god has visited heavily in
their wits ought to be dealt with as carefully as children that have nt yet
come to their understandings«
Judith was hurt at this rebuke coming from the person it did but she would
have felt it far more keenly had not her conscience fully acquitted her of any
unjust intentions towards her feebleminded but confiding sister It was not a
moment however to betray any of her usual mountings of the spirit and she
smothered the passing sensation in the desire to come to the great object she
had in view
»Hetty will not be wronged« she mildly answered »she even knows not only
what I am about to do Deerslayer but why I do it So take your seat raise the
lid of the chest and this time we will go to the bottom I shall be
disappointed if something is not found to tell us more of the history of Thomas
Hutter and my mother«
»Why Thomas Hutter Judith and not your father The dead ought to meet with
as much reverence as the living«
»I have long suspected that Thomas Hutter was not my father though I did
think he might have been Hettys but now we know he was the father of neither
He acknowledged that much in his dying moments I am old enough to remember
better things than we have seen on this lake though they are so faintly
impressed on my memory that the earlier part of my life seems like a dream«
»Dreams are but miserable guides when one has to detarmine about realities
Judith« returned the other admonishingly »Fancy nothing and hope nothing on
their account though Ive known chiefs that thought em useful«
»I expect nothing for the future from them my good friend but cannot help
remembering what has been This is idle however when half an hour of
examination may tell us all or even more than I want to know«
Deerslayer who comprehended the girls impatience now took his seat and
proceeded once more to bring to light the different articles that the chest
contained As a matter of course all that had been previously examined were
found where they had been last deposited and they excited much less interest
or comment than when formerly exposed to view Even Judith laid aside the rich
brocade with an air of indifference for she had a far higher aim before her
than the indulgence of vanity and was impatient to come at the still hidden or
rather unknown treasures
»All these we have seen before« she said »and will not stop to open The
bundle under your hand Deerslayer is a fresh one that we will look into God
send it may contain something to tell poor Hetty and myself who we really are«
»Ay if some bundles could speak they might tell wonderful secrets«
returned the young man deliberately undoing the folds of another piece of course
canvass in order to come at the contents of the roll that lay on his knees
»though this doesnt seem to be one of that family seeing tis neither more nor
less than a sort of flag though of what nation it passes my larnin to say«
»That flag must have some meaning to it « Judith hurriedly interposed
»Open it wider Deerslayer that we may see the colours«
»Well I pity the ensign that has to shoulder this cloth and to parade it
about on the field Why tis large enough Judith to make a dozen of them
colours the Kings officers set so much store by These can be no ensigns
colours but a ginrals«
»A ship might carry it Deerslayer and ships I know do use such things
Have you never heard any fearful stories about Thomas Hutters having once been
concerned with the people they call buccaneers«
»Buckahnear Not I not I I never heard him mentioned as good at a buck
far off or near by Hurry Harry did till me something about its being supposed
that he had formerly in some way or other dealings with sartain sea robbers
but Lord Judith it cant surely give you any satisfaction to make out that
agin your mothers own husband though he isnt your father«
»Any thing will give me satisfaction that tells me who I am and helps to
explain the dreams of childhood My mothers husband Yes he must have been
that though why a woman like her should have chosen a man like him is more
than mortal reason can explain You never saw mother Deerslayer and cant feel
the vast vast difference there was between them«
»Such things do happen howsever yes they do happen though why
providence lets them come to pass is more than I understand Ive knew the
fercest warriors with the gentlest wives of any in the tribe and awful scolds
fall to the lot of Injins fit to be missionaries«
»That was not it Deerslayer that was not it Oh if it should prove that
no I can not wish she should not have been his wife at all That no daughter
can wish for her own mother Go on now and let us see what the square looking
bundle holds«
Deerslayer complied and he found that it contained a small trunk of pretty
workmanship but fastened The next point was to find a key but search proving
ineffectual it was determined to force the lock This Deerslayer soon effected
by the aid of an iron instrument and it was found that the interior was nearly
filled with papers Many were letters some fragments of manuscripts
memorandums accounts and other similar documents The hawk does not pounce
upon the chicken with a more sudden swoop than Judith sprang forward to seize
this mine of hitherto concealed knowledge Her education as the reader will
have perceived was far superior to her situation in life and her eye glanced
over page after page of the letters with a readiness that her schooling
supplied and with an avidity that found its origin in her feelings At first
it was evident that the girl was gratified and we may add with reason for the
letters written by females in innocence and affection were of a character to
cause her to feel proud of those with whom she had every reason to think she was
closely connected by the ties of blood It does not come within the scope of our
plan to give more of these epistles however than a general idea of their
contents and this will best be done by describing the effect they produced on
the manner appearance and feeling of her who was so eagerly perusing them
It has been said already that Judith was much gratified with the letters
that first met her eye They contained the correspondence of an affectionate and
intelligent mother to an absent daughter with such allusions to the answers
as served in a great measure to fill up the vacuum left by the replies They
were not without admonitions and warnings however and Judith felt the blood
mounting to her temples and a cold shudder succeeding as she read one in which
the propriety of the daughters indulging in as much intimacy as had evidently
been described in one of the daughters own letters with an officer »who came
from Europe and who could hardly be supposed to wish to form an honorable
connection in America« was rather coldly commented on by the mother What
rendered it singular was the fact that the signatures had been carefully cut
from every one of these letters and wherever a name occurred in the body of the
epistles it had been erased with so much diligence as to render it impossible
to read it They had all been enclosed in envelopes according to the fashion of
the age and not an address either was to be found Still the letters themselves
had been religiously preserved Judith thought she could discover traces of tears
remaining on several She now remembered to have seen the little trunk in her
mothers keeping previously to her death and she supposed it had first been
deposited in the chest along with the other forgotten or concealed objects
when the letters could no longer contribute to that parents grief or happiness
Next came another bundle and these were filled with the protestations of
love written with passion certainly but also with that deceit which men so
often think it justifiable to use to the other sex Judith had shed tears
abundantly over the first packet but now she felt a sentiment of indignation
and pride better sustaining her Her hand shook however and cold shivers again
passed through her frame as she discovered a few points of strong resemblance
between these letters and some it had been her own fate to receive Once
indeed she laid the packet down bowed her head to her knees and seemed nearly
convulsed All this time Deerslayer sat a silent but attentive observer of
every thing that passed As Judith read a letter she put it into his hands to
hold until she could peruse the next but this served in no degree to enlighten
her companion as he was totally unable to read Nevertheless he was not
entirely at fault in discovering the passions that were contending in the bosom
of the fair creature by his side and as occasional sentences escaped her in
murmurs he was nearer the truth in his divinations or conjectures than the
girl would have been pleased at discovering
Judith had commenced with the earliest letters luckily for a ready
comprehension of the tale they told for they were carefully arranged in
chronological order and to any one who would take the trouble to peruse them
would have revealed a sad history of gratified passion coldness and finally of
aversion As she obtained the clue to their import her impatience would not
admit of delay and she soon got to glancing her eyes over a page by way of
coming at the truth in the briefest manner possible By adopting this
expedient one to which all who are eager to arrive at results without
encumbering themselves with details are so apt to resort Judith made a rapid
progress in these melancholy revelations of her mothers failing and punishment
She saw that the period of her own birth was distinctly referred to and even
learned that the homely name she bore was given her by the father of whose
person she retained so faint an impression as to resemble a dream This name was
not obliterated from the text of the letters but stood as if nothing was to be
gained by erasing it Hettys birth was mentioned once and in that instance the
name was the mothers but ere this period was reached came the signs of
coldness shadowing forth the desertion that was so soon to follow It was in
this stage of the correspondence that her mother had recourse to the plan of
copying her own epistles They were but few but were eloquent with the feelings
of blighted affection and contrition Judith sobbed over them until again and
again she felt compelled to lay them aside from sheer physical inability to see
her eyes being literally obscured with tears Still she returned to the task
with increasing interest and finally succeeded in reaching the end of the
latest communication that had probably ever passed between her parents
All this occupied fully an hour for near a hundred letters were glanced at
and some twenty had been closely read The truth now shone clear upon the acute
mind of Judith so far as her own birth and that of Hetty were concerned She
sickened at the conviction and for the moment the rest of the world seemed to
be cut off from her and she had now additional reasons for wishing to pass the
remainder of her life on the lake where she had already seen so many bright and
so many sorrowing days
There yet remained more letters to examine Judith found these were a
correspondence between her mother and Thomas Hovey The originals of both
parties were carefully arranged letter and answer side by side and they told
the early history of the connection between the illassorted pair far more
plainly than Judith wished to learn it Her mother made the advances towards a
marriage to the surprise not to say horror of her daughter and she actually
found a relief when she discovered traces of what struck her as insanity or a
morbid desperation bordering on that dire calamity in the earlier letters of
that illfated woman The answers of Hovey were coarse and illiterate though
they manifested a sufficient desire to obtain the hand of a woman of singular
personal attractions and whose great error he was willing to overlook for the
advantage of possessing one every way so much his superior and who it also
appeared was not altogether destitute of money The remainder of this part of
the correspondence was brief and it was soon confined to a few communications
on business in which the miserable wife hastened the absent husband in his
preparations to abandon a world which there was a sufficient reason to think
was as dangerous to one of the parties as it was disagreeable to the other But
a sincere expression had escaped her mother by which Judith could get a clue to
the motives that had induced her to marry Hovey or Hutter and this she found
was that feeling of resentment which so often tempts the injured to inflict
wrongs on themselves by way of heaping coals on the heads of those through whom
they have suffered Judith had enough of the spirit of that mother to
comprehend this sentiment and for a moment did she see the exceeding folly
which permitted such revengeful feelings to get the ascendancy
There what may be called the historical part of the papers ceased Among
the loose fragments however was an old newspaper that contained a proclamation
offering a reward for the apprehension of certain freebooters by name among
which was that of Thomas Hovey The attention of the girl was drawn to the
proclamation and to this particular name by the circumstance that black lines
had been drawn under both in ink Nothing else was found among the papers that
could lead to a discovery of either the name or the place of residence of the
wife of Hutter All the dates signatures and addresses had been cut from the
letters and wherever a word occurred in the body of the communications that
might furnish a clue it was scrupulously erased Thus Judith found all her
hopes of ascertaining who her parents were defeated and she was obliged to
fall back on her own resources and habits for every thing connected with the
future Her recollection of her mothers manners conversation and sufferings
filled up many a gap in the historical facts she had now discovered and the
truth in its outlines stood sufficiently distinct before her to take away all
desire indeed to possess any more details Throwing herself back in her seat
she simply desired her companion to finish the examination of the other articles
in the chest as it might yet contain something of importance
»Ill do it Judith Ill do it« returned the patient Deerslayer »but if
theres many more letters to read we shall see the sun agin afore youve got
through with the reading of them Two good hours have you been looking at them
bits of papers«
»They tell me of my parents Deerslayer and have settled my plans for life
A girl may be excused who reads about her own father and mother and that too
for the first time in her life I am sorry to have kept you waiting«
»Never mind me gal never mind me It matters little whether I sleep or
watch but though you be pleasant to look at and are so handsome Judith it
is not altogether agreeable to sit so long to behold you shedding tears I know
that tears do nt kill and that some people are better for shedding a few now
and then especially women but Id rather see you smile any time Judith than
see you weep«
This gallant speech was rewarded with a sweet though a melancholy smile
and then the girl again desired her companion to finish the examination of the
chest The search necessarily continued some time during which Judith collected
her thoughts and regained her composure She took no part in the search
leaving every thing to the young man looking listlessly herself at the
different articles that came uppermost Nothing further of much interest or
value however was found A sword or two such as were then worn by gentlemen
some buckles of silver or so richly plated as to appear silver and a few
handsome articles of female dress composed the principal discoveries It struck
both Judith and the Deerslayer notwithstanding that some of these things might
be made useful in effecting a negotiation with the Iroquois though the latter
saw a difficulty in the way that was not so apparent to the former The
conversation was first renewed in connection with this point
»And now Deerslayer« said Judith »we may talk of yourself and of the
means of getting you out of the hands of the Hurons Any part or all of what
you have seen in the chest will be cheerfully given by me and Hetty to set you
at liberty«
»Well thats ginerous yes tis downright freehearted and freehanded
and ginerous This is the way with women when they take up a frindship they
do nothing by halves but are as willing to part with their property as if it
had no valie in their eyes Howsever while I thank you both just as much as if
the bargain was made and Rivenoak or any of the other vagabonds was here to
accept and close the treaty theres two principal reasons why it can never come
to pass which may be as well told at once in order no onlikely expectations
may be raised in you or any onjustifiable hopes in me«
»What reason can there be if Hetty and I are willing to part with the
trifles for your sake and the savages are willing to receive them«
»Thats it Judith youve got the idees but theyre a little out of their
places as if a hound should take the backard instead of the leading scent
That the Mingos will be willing to receive them things or any more like em
you may have to offer is probable enough but whether theyll pay valie for em
is quite another matter Ask yourself Judith if any one should send you a
message to say that for such or such a price you and Hetty might have that
chist and all it holds whether youd think it worth your while to waste many
words on the bargain«
»But this chest and all it holds are already ours there is no reason why
we should purchase what is already our own«
»Just so the Mingos caculate They say the chist is theirn already or as
good as theirn and theyll not thank anybody for the key«
»I understand you Deerslayer surely we are yet in possession of the lake
and we can keep possession of it until Hurry sends troops to drive off the
enemy This we may certainly do provided you will stay with us instead of
going back and giving yourself up a prisoner again as you now seem determined
on«
»That Hurry Harry should talk in thisaway is natral and according to the
gifts of the man He knows no better and therefore he is little likely to
feel or to act any better but Judith I put it to your heart and conscience
would you could you think of me as favorably as I hope and believe you now do
was I to forget my furlough and not go back to the camp«
»To think more favorably of you than I now do Deerslayer would not be
easy but I might continue to think as favorably at least it seems so I hope
I could for a world would nt tempt me to let you do any thing that might
change my real opinion of you«
»Then do nt try to entice me to overlook my furlough gal A furlough is
a sacred thing among warriors and men that carry their lives in their hands as
we of the forests do and what a grievous disappontment would it be to old
Tamenund and to Uncas the father of the Sarpent and to my other frinds in
the tribe if I was so to disgrace myself on my very first warpath This you
will pairceive moreover Judith is without laying any stress on natral gifts
and a white mans duties to say nothing of conscience The last is king with
me and I try never to dispute his orders«
»I believe you are right Deerslayer« returned the girl after a little
reflection and in a saddened voice »a man like you ought not to act as the
selfish and dishonest would be apt to act you must indeed go back We will
talk no more of this then Should I persuade you to any thing for which you
would be sorry hereafter my own regret would not be less than yours You shall
not have it to say Judith I scarce know by what name to call myself now«
»And why not Why not gal Children take the names of their parents
natrally and by a sort of gift like and why should nt you and Hetty do as
others have done afore ye Hutter was the old mans name and Hutter should be
the name of his darters at least until you are given away in lawful and holy
wedlock«
»I am Judith and Judith only« returned the girl positively »until the
law gives me a right to another name Never will I use that of Thomas Hutter
again nor with my consent shall Hetty Hutter was not even his own name I
find but had he a thousand rights to it it would give none to me He was not
my father thank heaven though I may have no reason to be proud of him that was
«
»This is strange« said Deerslayer looking steadily at the excited girl
anxious to know more but unwilling to inquire into matters that did not
properly concern him »yes this is very strange and oncommon Thomas Hutter was
nt Thomas Hutter and his darters were nt his darters Who then could Thomas
Hutter be and who are his darters«
»Did you never hear any thing whispered against the former life of this
person Deerslayer« demanded Judith »Passing as I did for his child such
reports reached even me«
»Ill not deny it Judith no Ill not deny it Sartain things have been
said as Ive told you but Im not very credible as to reports Young as I am
Ive lived long enough to larn theres two sorts of characters in the world
them that is arned by deeds and them that is arned by tongues and so I
prefar to see and judge for myself instead of letting every jaw that chooses to
wag become my judgment Hurry Harry spoke pretty plainly of the whole family as
we journeyed thisaway and he did hint something consarning Thomas Hutters
having been a freeliver on the water in his younger days By freeliver I
mean that he made free to live on other mens goods«
»He told you he was a pirate there is no need of mincing matters between
friends Read that Deerslayer and you will see that he told you no more than
the truth This Thomas Hovey was the Thomas Hutter you knew as is seen by these
letters«
As Judith spoke with a flushed cheek and eyes dazzling with the brilliancy
of excitement she held the newspaper towards her companion pointing to the
proclamation of a Colonial Governor already mentioned
»Bless you Judith« answered the other laughing »you might as well ask me
to print that or for that matter to write it My edication has been
altogether in the woods the only book I read or care about reading is the one
which God has opened afore all his creaturs in the noble forests broad lakes
rolling rivers blue skies and the winds and tempests and sunshine and other
glorious marvels of the land This book I can read and I find it full of wisdom
and knowledge«
»I crave your pardon Deerslayer« said Judith earnestly more abashed than
was her wont in finding that she had inadvertently made an appeal that might
wound her companions pride »I had forgotten your manner of life and least of
all did I wish to hurt your feelings«
»Hurt my feelins Why should it hurt my feelins to ask me to read when
I cant read Im a hunter and I may now begin to say a warrior and no
missionary and therefore books and papers are of no account with such as I
No no Judith« and here the young man laughed cordially »not even for wads
seeing that your true deerkiller always uses the hide of a faan if hes got
one or some other bit of leather suitably prepared Theres some that do say
all that stands in print is true in which case Ill own an unlarned man must
be somewhat of a loser nevertheless it cant be truer than that which God has
printed with his own hand in the sky and the woods and the rivers and the
springs«
»Well then Hutter or Hovey was a pirate and being no father of mine I
cannot wish to call him one His name shall no longer be my name«
»If you dislike the name of that man theres the name of your mother
Judith Hern may sarve you just as good a turn«
»I do not know it Ive lookd through those papers Deerslayer in the hope
of finding some hint by which I might discover who my mother was but there is
no more trace of the past in that respect than the bird leaves in the air«
»Thats both oncommon and onreasonable Parents are bound to give their
offspring a name even though they give em nothing else Now I come of a humble
stock though we have white gifts and a white natur but we are not so poorly
off as to have no name Bumppo we are called and Ive heard it said « a touch
of human vanity glowing on his cheek »that the time has been when the Bumppos
had more standing and note among mankind than they have just now«
»They never deserved them more Deerslayer and the name is a good one
either Hetty or myself would a thousand times rather be called Hetty Bumppo
or Judith Bumppo than to be called Hetty or Judith Hutter«
»Thats a moral impossible« returned the hunter goodhumouredly »onless
one of you should so far demean herself as to marry me«
Judith could not refrain from smiling when she found how simply and
naturally the conversation had come round to the very point at which she had
aimed to bring it Although far from unfeminine or forward either in her
feelings or her habits the girl was goaded by a sense of wrongs not altogether
merited incited by the hopelessness of a future that seemed to contain no
resting place and still more influenced by feelings that were as novel to her
as they proved to be active and engrossing The opening was too good therefore
to be neglected though she came to the subject with much of the indirectness
and perhaps justifiable address of a woman
»I do not think Hetty will ever marry Deerslayer« she said »and if your
name is to be borne by either of us it must be borne by me«
»Theres been handsome women too they tell me among the Bumppos Judith
afore now and should you take up with the name oncommon as you be in this
particular them that knows the family wont be altogether surprised«
»This is not talking as becomes either of us Deerslayer for whatever is
said on such a subject between man and woman should be said seriously and in
sincerity of heart Forgetting the shame that ought to keep girls silent until
spoken to in most cases I will deal with you as frankly as I know one of your
generous nature will most like to be dealt by Can you do you think
Deerslayer that you could be happy with such a wife as a woman like myself
would make«
»A woman like you Judith But wheres the sense in trifling about such a
thing A woman like you that is handsome enough to be a captains lady and
fine enough and so far as I know edicated enough would be little apt to think
of becoming my wife I suppose young gals that feel themselves to be smart and
know themselves to be handsome find a sartain satisfaction in passing their
jokes agin them thats neither like a poor Delaware hunter«
This was said good naturedly but not without a betrayal of feeling which
showed that some thing like mortified sensibility was blended with the reply
Nothing could have occurred more likely to awaken all Judiths generous regrets
or to aid her in her purpose by adding the stimulant of a disinterested desire
to atone to her other impulses and cloaking all under a guise so winning and
natural as greatly to lessen the unpleasant feature of a forwardness unbecoming
the sex
»You do me injustice if you suppose I have any such thought or wish« she
answered earnestly »Never was I more serious in my life or more willing to
abide by any agreement that we may make tonight I have had many suitors
Deerslayer nay scarce an unmarried trapper or hunter has been in at the Lake
these four years who has not offered to take me away with him and I fear some
that were married too «
»Ay Ill warrant that« interrupted the other »Ill warrant all that
Take em as a body Judith arth dont hold a set of men more given to
theirselves and less given to God and the law«
»Not one of them would I could I listen to happily for myself perhaps
has it been that such was the case There have been well looking youths among
them too as you may have seen in your acquaintance Henry March«
»Yes Harry is sightly to the eye though to my idees less so to the
judgment I thought at first you meant to have him Judith I did but afore
he went it was easy enough to verify that the same lodge would nt be big
enough for you both«
»You have done me justice in that at least Deerslayer Hurry is a man I
could never marry though he were ten times more comely to the eye and a
hundred times more stout of heart than he really is«
»Why not Judith why not I own Im curous to know why a youth like Hurry
should nt find favor with a maiden like you«
»Then you shall know Deerslayer« returned the girl gladly availing
herself of the opportunity of indirectly extolling the qualities which had so
strongly interested her in her listener hoping by these means covertly to
approach the subject nearest her heart »In the first place looks in a man are
of no importance with a woman provided he is manly and not disfigured or
deformed«
»There I cant altogether agree with you« returned the other thoughtfully
for he had a very humble opinion of his own personal appearance »I have noticed
that the comeliest warriors commonly get the bestlooking maidens of the tribe
for wives and the Sarpent yonder who is sometimes wonderful in his paint is
a gineral favorite with all the Delaware young women though he takes to Hist
himself as if she was the only beauty on arth«
»It may be so with Indians but it is different with white girls So long as
a young man has a straight and manly frame that promises to make him able to
protect a woman and to keep want from the door it is all they ask of the
figure Giants like Hurry may do for grenadiers but are of little account as
lovers Then as to the face an honest look one that answers for the heart
within is of more value than any shape or colour or eyes or teeth or trifles
like them The last may do for girls but who thinks of them at all in a
hunter or a warrior or a husband If there are women so silly Judith is not
among them«
»Well this is wonderful I always thought that handsome liked handsome as
riches love riches«
»It may be so with you men Deerslayer but it is not always so with us
women We like stouthearted men but we wish to see them modest sure on a
hunt or the warpath ready to die for the right and unwilling to yield to the
wrong Above all we wish for honesty tongues that are not used to say what the
mind does not mean and hearts that feel a little for others as well as for
themselves A truehearted girl could die for such a husband while the boaster
and the doubletongued suitor gets to be as hateful to the sight as he is to
the mind«
Judith spoke bitterly and with her usual force but her listener was too
much struck with the novelty of the sensations he experienced to advert to her
manner There was something so soothing to the humility of a man of his
temperament to hear qualities that he could not but know he possessed himself
thus highly extolled by the loveliest female he had ever beheld that for the
moment his faculties seemed suspended in a natural and excusable pride Then it
was that the idea of the possibility of such a creature as Judith becoming his
companion for life first crossed his mind The image was so pleasant and so
novel that he continued completely absorbed by it for more than a minute
totally regardless of the beautiful reality that was seated before him watching
the expression of his upright and truthtelling countenance with a keenness that
gave her a very fair if not an absolutely accurate clue to his thoughts Never
before had so pleasing a vision floated before the minds eye of the young
hunter but accustomed most to practical things and little addicted to
submitting to the power of his imagination even while possessed of so much true
poetical feeling in connection with natural objects in particular he soon
recovered his reason and smiled at his own weakness as the fancied picture
faded from his mental sight and left him the simple untaught but highly moral
being he was seated in the Ark of Thomas Hutter at midnight with the lovely
countenance of its late owners reputed daughter beaming on him with anxious
scrutiny by the light of the solitary lamp
»Youre wonderful handsome and enticing and pleasing to look on Judith«
he exclaimed in his simplicity as fact resumed its ascendency over fancy
»Wonderful I do nt remember ever to have seen so beautiful a gal even among
the Delawares and Im not astonished that Hurry Harry went away soured as well
as disappinted«
»Would you have had me Deerslayer become the wife of such a man as Henry
March«
»Theres that which is in his favor and theres that which is agin him To
my taste Hurry would nt make the best of husbands but I fear that the tastes
of most young women hereaway would nt be so hard upon him«
»No no Judith without a name would never consent to be called Judith
March Any thing would be better than that«
»Judith Bumppo would nt sound as well gal and theres many names that
would fall short of March in pleasing the ear«
»Ah Deerslayer the pleasantness of the sound in such cases does nt come
through the ear but through the heart Every thing is agreeable when the heart
is satisfied Were Natty Bumppo Henry March and Henry March Natty Bumppo I
might think the name of March better than it is or were he you I should fancy
the name of Bumppo horrible«
»Thats just it yes thats the reason of the matter Now Im natrally
avarse to sarpents and I hate even the word which the missionaries tell me
comes from human natur on account of a sartain sarpent at the creation of the
arth that outwitted the first woman yet ever since Chingachgook has arned
the title he bears why the sound is as pleasant to my ears as the whistle of
the whippoorwill of a calm evening it is The feelins make all the
difference in the world Judith in the natur of sounds ay even in that of
looks too«
»This is so true Deerslayer that I am surprised you should think it
remarkable a girl who may have some comeliness herself should not think it
necessary that her husband should have the same advantage or what you fancy an
advantage To me looks in a man are nothing provided his countenance be as
honest as his heart«
»Yes honesty is a great advantage in the long run and they that are the
most apt to forget it in the beginning are the most apt to larn it in the
ind Nevertheless theres more Judith that look to present profit than to
the benefit that is to come after a time One they think a sartainty and the
other an onsartainty Im glad howsever that you look at the thing in its true
light and not in the way in which so many is apt to deceive themselves«
»I do thus look at it Deerslayer« returned the girl with emphasis still
shrinking with a womans sensitiveness from a direct offer of her hand »and
can say from the bottom of my heart that I would rather trust my happiness to
a man whose truth and feelings may be depended on than to a falsetongued and
false hearted wretch that had chests of gold and houses and lands yes though
he were even seated on a throne«
»These are brave words Judith yes theyre downright brave words but do
you think that the feelins would keep em company did the chice actually lie
afore you If a gay gallant in a scarlet coat stood on one side with his head
smelling like a deers foot his face smooth and blooming as your own his hands
as white and soft as if god had nt bestowed em that man might live by the
sweat of his brow and his step as lofty as dancing teachers and a light heart
could make it and on the other side stood one that has passed his days in the
open air till his forehead is as red as his cheek had cut his way through
swamps and bushes till his hand was as rugged as the oaks he slept under had
trodden on the scent of game till his step was as stealthy as the catamounts
and had no other pleasant odour about him than such as natur gives in the free
air and the forest now if both these men stood here as suitors for your
feelins which do you think would win your favor«
Judiths fine face flushed for the picture that her companion had so simply
drawn of a gay officer of the garrisons had once been particularly grateful to
her imagination though experience and disappointment had not only chilled all
her affections but given them a backward current and the passing image had a
momentary influence on her feelings but the mounting colour was succeeded by a
paleness so deadly as to make her appear ghastly
»As God is my judge« the girl solemnly answered »did both these men stand
before me as I may say one of them does my choice if I know my own heart
would be the latter I have no wish for a husband who is any way better than
myself«
»This is pleasant to listen to and might lead a young man in time to
forget his own onworthiness Judith Howsever you hardly think all that you
say A man like me is too rude and ignorant for one that has had such a mother
to teach her Vanity is natral I do believe but vanity like that would
surpass reason«
»Then you do not know of what a womans heart is capable Rude you are not
Deerslayer nor can one be called ignorant that has studied what is before his
eyes as closely as you have done When the affections are concerned all things
appear in their pleasantest colors and trifles are overlooked or are
forgotten When the heart feels sunshine nothing is gloomy even dull looking
objects seeming gay and bright and so it would be between you and the woman
who should love you even though your wife might happen in some matters to
possess what the world calls the advantage over you«
»Judith you come of people altogether above mine in the world and onequal
matches like onequal frindships cant often tarminate kindly I speak of this
matter altogether as a fanciful thing since its not very likely that you at
least would be apt to treat it as a matter that can ever come to pass«
Judith fastened her deep blue eyes on the open frank countenance of her
companion as if she would read his soul Nothing there betrayed any covert
meaning and she was obliged to admit to herself that he regarded the
conversation as argumentative rather than positive and that he was still
without any active suspicion that her feelings were seriously involved in the
issue At first she felt offended then she saw the injustice of making the
selfabasement and modesty of the hunter a charge against him and this novel
difficulty gave a piquancy to the state of affairs that rather increased her
interest in the young man At that critical instant a change of plan flashed on
her mind and with a readiness of invention that is peculiar to the quickwitted
and ingenious she adopted a scheme by which she hoped effectually to bind him
to her person This scheme partook equally of her fertility of invention and of
the decision and boldness of her character That the conversation might not
terminate too abruptly however or any suspicion of her design exist she
answered the last remark of Deerslayer as earnestly and as truly as if her
original intention remained unaltered
»I certainly have no reason to boast of parentage after what I have seen
this night« said the girl in a saddened voice »I had a mother it is true
but of her name even I am ignorant and as for my father it is better
perhaps that I should never know who he was lest I speak too bitterly of him«
»Judith« said Deerslayer taking her hand kindly and with a manly
sincerity that went directly to the girls heart »tis better to say no more
tonight Sleep on what youve seen and felt in the morning things that now
look gloomy may look more cherful Above all never do any thing in
bitterness or because you feel as if youd like to take revenge on yourself
for other peoples backslidings All that has been said or done atween us
this night is your secret and shall never be talked of by me even with the
Sarpent and you may be sartain if he cant get it out of me no man can If your
parents have been faulty let the darter be less so remember that youre young
and the youthful may always hope for better times that youre more quickwitted
than usual and such ginrally get the better of difficulties and that as for
beauty youre oncommon which is an advantage with all It is time to get a
little rest for tomorrow is like to prove a trying day to some of us«
Deerslayer arose as he spoke and Judith had no choice but to comply The
chest was closed and secured and they parted in silence she to take her place
by the side of Hist and Hetty and he to seek a blanket on the floor of the
cabin he was in It was not five minutes ere the young man was in a deep sleep
but the girl continued awake for a long time She scarce knew whether to lament
or to rejoice at having failed in making herself understood On the one hand
were her womanly sensibilities spared on the other was the disappointment of
defeated or at least of delayed expectations and the uncertainty of a future
that looked so dark Then came the new resolution and the bold project for the
morrow and when drowsiness finally shut her eyes they closed on a scene of
success and happiness that was pictured by the fancy under the influence of a
sanguine temperament and a happy invention
Chapter XXV
»But mother now a shade has past
Athwart my brightest visions here
A cloud of darkest gloom has wrapt
The remnant of my brief career
No song no echo can I win
The sparkling fount has died within«
Margaret Davidson
»To my Mother« ll 712
Hist and Hetty arose with the return of light leaving Judith still buried in
sleep It took but a minute for the first to complete her toilet Her long
coalblack hair was soon adjusted in a simple knot the calico dress belted
tight to her slender waist and her little feet concealed in their gaudily
ornamented moccasins When attired she left her companion employed in household
affairs and went herself on the platform to breathe the pure air of the
morning Here she found Chingachgook studying the shores of the lake the
mountains and the heavens with the sagacity of a man of the woods and the
gravity of an Indian
The meeting between the two lovers was simple but affectionate The chief
showed a manly kindness equally removed from boyish weakness and haste while
the girl betrayed in her smile and half averted looks the bashful tenderness
of her sex Neither spoke unless it were with the eyes though each understood
the other as fully as if a vocabulary of words and protestations had been poured
out Hist seldom appeared to more advantage than at that moment for just from
her rest and ablutions there was a freshness about her youthful form and face
that the toils of the wood do not always permit to be exhibited by even the
juvenile and pretty Then Judith had not only imparted some of her own skill in
the toilet during their short intercourse but she had actually bestowed a few
well selected ornaments from her own stores that contributed not a little to
set off the natural graces of the Indian maid All this the lover saw and felt
and for a moment his countenance was illuminated with a look of pleasure but it
soon grew grave again and became saddened and anxious The stools used the
previous night were still standing on the platform placing two against the
walls of the hut he seated himself on one making a gesture to his companion to
take the other This done he continued thoughtful and silent for quite a
minute maintaining the reflecting dignity of one born to take his seat at the
Council Fire while Hist was furtively watching the expression of his face
patient and submissive as became a woman of her people Then the young warrior
stretched his arm before him as if to point out the glories of the scene at
that witching hour when the whole panorama as usual was adorned by the mellow
distinctness of early morning sweeping with his hand slowly over lake hills
and heavens The girl followed the movement with pleased wonder smiling as each
new beauty met her gaze
»Hugh« exclaimed the chief in admiration of a scene so unusual even to
him for this was the first lake he had ever beheld »this is the country of
the Manitou It is too good for Mingos Hist but the curs of that tribe are
howling in packs through the woods They think that the Delawares are asleep
over the mountains«
»All but one of them is Chingachgook There is one here and he is of the
blood of Uncas«
»What is one warrior against a tribe The path to our villages is very
long and crooked and we shall travel it under a cloudy sky I am afraid too
Honeysuckle of the Hills that we shall travel it alone«
Hist understood the allusion and it made her sad though it sounded sweet
to her ears to be compared by the warrior she so loved to the most fragrant
and the pleasantest of all the wildflowers of her native woods Still she
continued silent as became her when the allusion was to a grave interest that
men could best control though it exceeded the power of education to conceal the
smile that gratified feeling brought to her pretty mouth
»When the sun is thus« continued the Delaware pointing to the zenith by
simply casting upward a hand and finger by a play of the wrist »the great
hunter of our tribe will go back to the Hurons to be treated like a bear that
they roast and skin even on full stomachs«
»The Great Spirit may soften their hearts and not suffer them to be so
bloody minded I have lived among the Hurons and know them They have hearts
and will not forget their own children should they fall into the hands of the
Delawares«
»A wolf is forever howling a hog will always eat They have lost warriors
even their women will call out for vengeance The pale face has the eyes of an
eagle and can see into a Mingos heart he looks for no mercy There is a cloud
over his spirit though it is not before his face«
A long thoughtful pause succeeded during which Hist stealthily took the
hand of the chief as if seeking his support though she scarce ventured to
raise her eyes to a countenance that was now literally becoming terrible under
the conflicting passions and stern resolution that were struggling in the
breast of its owner
»What will the Son of Uncas do« the girl at length timidly asked »He is a
chief and is already celebrated in council though so young what does his
heart tell him is wisest does the head too speak the same words as the
heart«
»What does WahtaWah say at a moment when my dearest friend is in such
danger The smallest birds sing the sweetest it is always pleasant to hearken
to their songs I wish I could hear the Wren of the Woods in my difficulty its
note would reach deeper than the ear«
Again Hist experienced the profound gratification that the language of
praise can always awaken when uttered by those we love The Honeysuckle of the
Hills was a term often applied to the girl by the young men of the Delawares
though it never sounded so sweet in her ears as from the lips of Chingachgook
but the latter alone had ever styled her the Wren of the Woods With him
however it had got to be a familiar phrase and it was past expression pleasant
to the listener since it conveyed to her mind the idea that her advice and
sentiments were as acceptable to her future husband as the tones of her voice
and modes of conveying them were agreeable uniting the two things most prized
by an Indian girl as coming from her betrothed admiration for a valued
physical advantage with respect for her opinion She pressed the hand she held
between both her own and answered
»WahtaWah says that neither she nor the Great Serpent could ever laugh
again or ever sleep without dreaming of the Hurons should the Deerslayer die
under a Mingo tomahawk and they do nothing to save him She would rather go
back and start on her long path alone than let such a dark cloud pass before
her happiness«
»Good The husband and the wife will have but one heart they will see with
the same eyes and feel with the same feelings«
What further was said need not be related here That the conversation was
of Deerslayer and his hopes has been seen already but the decision that was
come to will better appear in the course of the narrative The youthful pair
were yet conversing when the sun appeared above the tops of the pines and the
light of a brilliant American day streamed down into the valley bathing in deep
joy the lake the forests and the mountain sides Just at this instant
Deerslayer came out of the cabin of the Ark and stepped upon the platform His
first look was at the cloudless heavens then his rapid glance took in the
entire panorama of land and water when he had leisure for a friendly nod at his
friends and a cheerful smile for Hist
»Well« he said in his usual composed manner and pleasant voice »he that
sees the sun set in the west and wakes arly enough in the morning will be
sartain to find him coming back agin in the east like a buck that is hunted
round his hant I dare say now Hist youve beheld this time and agin and
yet it never entered into your galish mind to ask the reason«
Both Chingachgook and his betrothed looked up at the luminary with an air
that betokened sudden wonder and then they gazed at each other as if to seek
the solution of the difficulty Familiarity deadens the sensibilities even as
connected with the gravest natural phenomena and never before had these simple
beings thought of enquiring into a movement that was of daily occurrence
however puzzling it might appear on investigation When the subject was thus
suddenly started it struck both alike and at the same instant with some such
force as any new and brilliant proposition in the natural sciences would strike
the scholar Chingachgook alone saw fit to answer
»The palefaces know every thing« he said »can they tell us why the sun
hides his face when he goes back at night«
»Ay that is downright redskin larnin« returned the other laughing
though he was not altogether insensible to the pleasure of proving the
superiority of his race by solving the difficulty which he set about doing in
his own peculiar manner »Harkee Sarpent« he continued more gravely though
too simply for affectation »this is easierly explained than an Indian brain may
fancy The sun while he seems to keep travelling in the heavens never budges
but it is the arth that turns round and any one can understand if he is
placed on the side of a millwheel for instance when its in motion that he
must some times see the heavens while he is at other times under water Theres
no great secret in that but plain natur the difficulty being in setting the
arth in motion«
»How does my brother know that the earth turns round« demanded the Indian
»Can he see it«
»Well thats been a puzzler I will own Delaware for Ive often tried
but never could fairly make it out Sometimes Ive consaited that I could and
then agin Ive been obliged to own it an onpossibility Howsever turn it
does as all my people say and you ought to believe em since they can foretel
eclipses and other prodigies that used to fill the tribes with terror
according to your own traditions of such things«
»Good This is true no redman will deny it When a wheel turns my eyes
can see it they do not see the earth turn«
»Ay thats what I call sense obstinacy Seeing is believing they say and
what they cant see some men wont in the least give credit to Nevertheless
chief that is nt quite as good reason as it may at first seem You believe in
the Great Spirit I know and yet I conclude it would puzzle you to show where
you see him«
»Chingachgook can see Him every where every where in good things the
Evil Spirit in bad Here in the lake there in the forest yonder in the
clouds in Hist in the Son of Uncas in Tamenund in Deerslayer The Evil
Spirit is in the Mingos That I see I do not see the earth turn round«
»I do nt wonder they call you the Sarpent Delaware no I do nt Theres
always a meaning in your words and theres often a meaning in your countenance
too Notwithstanding your answers does nt quite meet my idee That God is
obsarvable in all natral objects is allowable but then he is not parceptible
in the way I mean You know there is a Great Spirit by his works and the pale
faces know that the arth turns round by its works This is the reason of the
matter though how it is to be explained is more than I can exactly tell you
This I know all my people consait that fact and what all the palefaces
consait is very likely to be true«
»When the sun is in the top of that pine tomorrow where will my brother
Deerslayer be«
The hunter started and he looked intently though totally without alarm at
his friend Then he signed for him to follow and led the way into the Ark
where he might pursue the subject unheard by those whose feelings he feared
might get the mastery over their reason Here he stopped and pursued the
conversation in a more confidential tone
»Twas a little onreasonable in you Sarpent« he said »to bring up such a
subject afore Hist and when the young women of my own colour might overhear
what was said Yes twas a little more onreasonable than most things that you
do No matter Hist did nt comprehind and the other did nt hear Howsever
the question is easier put than answered No mortal can say where he will be
when the sun rises tomorrow I will ask you the same question Sarpent and
should like to hear what answer you can give«
»Chingachgook will be with his friend Deerslayer If he be in the land of
spirits the Great Serpent will crawl at his side if beneath yonder sun its
warmth and light shall fall on both«
»I understand you Delaware« returned the other touched with the simple
selfdevotion of his friend »Such language is as plain in one tongue as in
another It comes from the heart and goes to the heart too Tis well to think
so and it may be well to say so for that matter but it would not be well to
do so Sarpent You are no longer alone in life for though you have the lodges
to change and other ceremonies to go through afore Hist becomes your lawful
wife yet are you as good as married in all that bears on the feelins and
joy and misery No no Hist must not be desarted because a cloud is passing
atween you and me a little onexpectedly and a little darker than we may have
looked for«
»Hist is a daughter of the Mohicans She knows how to obey her husband
Where he goes she will follow Both will be with the Great Hunter of the
Delawares when the sun shall be in the pine tomorrow«
»The Lord bless and protect you Chief this is downright madness Can
either or both of you alter a Mingo natur Will your grand looks or Hists
tears and beauty change a wolf into a squirrel or make a catamount as innocent
as a faan No Sarpent you will think better of this matter and leave me in
the hands of God Ater all its by no means sartain that the scamps design the
torments for they may yet be pitiful and bethink them of the wickedness of
such a course though it is but a hopeless expectation to look forward to a
Mingos turning aside from evil and letting marcy get uppermost in his heart
Nevertheless no one knows to a sartainty what will happen and young creaturs
like Hist ant to be risked on onsartainties This marrying is altogether a
different undertaking from what some young men fancy Now if you was single or
as good as single Delaware I should expect you to be active and stirring about
the camp of the vagabonds from sunrise to sunset sarcumventing and contriving
as restless as a hound off the scent and doing all manner of things to help me
and to distract the inimy but two are oftener feebler than one and we must
take things as they are and not as we want em to be«
»Listen Deerslayer« returned the Indian with an emphasis so decided as to
show how much he was in earnest »If Chingachgook was in the hands of the
Hurons what would my paleface brother do Sneak off to the Delaware villages
and say to the chiefs and old men and young warriors see here is
WahtaWah she is safe but a little tired and here is the Son of Uncas not
as tired as the Honeysuckle being stronger but just as safe Would he do
this«
»Well thats oncommon ingenous its cunning enough for a Mingo himself
The Lord only knows what put it into your head to ask such a question What
would I do Why in the first place Hist would nt be likely to be in my
company at all for she would stay as near you as possible and therefore all
that part about her could nt be said without talking nonsense As for her
being tired that would fall through too if she did nt go and no part of
your speech would be likely to come from me so you see Sarpent reason is
agin you and you may as well give it up since to hold out agin reason is no
way becoming a chief of your character and repitation«
»My brother is not himself he forgets that he is talking to one who has sat
at the Council Fire of his nation« returned the other kindly »When men speak
they should say that which does not go in at one side of the head and out at the
other Their words should nt be feathers so light that a wind which does not
ruffle the water can blow them away He has not answered my question when a
chief puts a question his friend should not talk of other things«
»I understand you Delaware I understand well enough what you mean and
truth wont allow me to say otherwise Still its not as easy to answer as you
seem to think for this plain reason You wish me to say what I would do if I
had a betrothed as you have here on the lake and a frind yonder in the Huron
camp in danger of the torments Thats it is nt it«
The Indian bowed his head silently and always with unmoved gravity though
his eye twinkled at the sight of the others embarrassment
»Well I never had a betrothed never had the kind of feelins toward any
young woman that you have towards Hist though the Lord knows my feelins are
kind enough towards em all still my heart as they call it in such matters
is nt touched and therefore I cant say what I would do A frind pulls
strong that I know by experence Sarpent but by all that Ive seen and heard
consarning love Im led to think that a betrothed pulls stronger«
»True but the betrothed of Chingachgook does not pull towards the lodges of
the Delawares she pulls towards the camp of the Hurons«
»Shes a noble gal for all her little feet and hands that ant bigger than
a childs and a voice that is as pleasant as a mockers shes a noble gal and
like the stock of her sires Well what is it Sarpent for I conclude she has
nt changed her mind and means to give herself up and turn Huron wife What is
it you want«
»WahtaWah will never live in the wigwam of an Iroquois« answered the
Delaware drily »She has little feet but they can carry her to the villages of
her people she has small hands too but her mind is large My brother will see
what we can do when the time shall come rather than let him die under Mingo
torments«
»Attempt nothing heedlessly Delaware« said the other earnestly »I suppose
you must and will have your way and on the whole its right you should for
youd neither be happy unless something was undertaken But attempt nothing
heedlessly I did nt expect youd quit the lake while my matter remained in
unsartainty but remember Sarpent that no torments that Mingo ingenuity can
invent no tantings and revilings no burnings and roastings and
nailtearings nor any other onhuman contrivances can so soon break down my
spirit as to find that you and Hist have fallen into the power of the inimy
in striving to do something for my good«
»The Delawares are prudent The Deerslayer will not find them running into a
strange camp with their eyes shut«
Here the dialogue terminated Hetty announced that the breakfast was ready
and the whole party was soon seated around the simple board in the usual
primitive manner of borderers Judith was the last to take her seat pale
silent and betraying in her countenance that she had passed a painful if not a
sleepless night At this meal scarce a syllable was exchanged all the females
manifesting want of appetities though the two men were unchanged in this
particular It was early when the party arose and there still remained several
hours before it would be necessary for the prisoner to leave his friends The
knowledge of this circumstance and the interest all felt in his welfare
induced the whole to assemble on the platform again in the desire to be near
the expected victim to listen to his discourse and if possible to show their
interest in him by anticipating his wishes Deerslayer himself so far as
human eyes could penetrate was wholly unmoved conversing cheerfully and
naturally though he avoided any direct allusions to the expected and great
event of the day If any evidence could be discovered of his thoughts reverting
to that painful subject at all it was in the manner in which he spoke of death
and the last great change
»Grieve not Hetty« he said for it was while consoling this simpleminded
girl for the loss of her parents that he thus betrayed his feelings »since God
has appinted that all must die Your parents or them you fancied your parents
which is the same thing have gone afore you this is only in the order of
natur my good gal for the aged go first and the young follow But one that
had a mother like yourn Hetty can be at no loss to hope the best as to how
matters will turn out in another world The Delaware here and Hist believe in
happy hunting grounds and have idees befitting their notions and gifts as red
skins but we who are of white blood hold altogether to a different doctrine
Still I rather conclude our heaven is their land of spirits and that the path
which leads to it will be travelled by all colours alike Tis onpossible for
the wicked to enter on it I will allow but frinds can scarce be separated
though they are not of the same race on arth Keep up your spirits poor Hetty
and look forward to me day when you will meet your mother agin and that
without pain or sorrowing«
»I do expect to see mother« returned the truthtelling and simple girl
»but what will become of father«
»Thats a nonplusser Delaware« said the hunter in the Indian dialect
»yes that is a downright nonplusser The Muskrat was not a saint on arth
and its fair to guess hell not be much of one here after Howsever Hetty«
dropping into the English by an easy transition »howsever Hetty we must all
hope for the best That is wisest and it is much the easiest to the mind if
one can only do it I ricommend to you trusting to God and putting down all
misgivings and fainthearted feelins Its wonderful Judith how different
people have different notions about the futur some fancying one change and
some fancying another Ive known white teachers that have thought all was
spirit hereafter and them agin that believed the body will be transported
to another world much as the redskins themselves imagine and that we shall
walk about in the flesh and know each other and talk together and be frinds
there as weve been frinds here«
»Which of these opinions is most pleasing to you Deerslayer« asked the
girl willing to indulge his melancholy mood and far from being free from its
influence herself »Would it be disagreeable to think that you should meet all
who are now on this platform in another world Or have you known enough of us
here to be glad to see us no more«
»The last would make death a bitter portion yes it would Its eight good
years since the Sarpent and I began to hunt together and the thought that we
were never to meet agin would be a hard thought to me He looks forward to the
time when he shall chase a sort of spiritdeer in company on plains where
theres no thorns or brambles or marshes or other hardships to overcome
whereas I cant fall into all these notions seeing that they appear to be agin
reason Spirits cant eat nor have they any use for clothes and deer can only
rightfully be chased to be slain or slain unless it be for the venison or the
hides Now I find it hard to suppose that blessed spirits can be put to chasing
game without an object tormenting the dumb animals just for the pleasure and
agreeableness of their own amusements I never yet pulled a trigger on buck or
doe Judith unless when food or clothes was wanting«
»The recollection of which Deerslayer must now be a great consolation to
you«
»It is the thought of such things my frinds that enables a man to keep
his furlough It might be done without it I own for the worst red skins
sometimes do their duty in this matter but it makes that which might otherwise
be hard easy if not altogether to our liking Nothing truly makes a bolder
heart than a light conscience«
Judith turned paler than ever but she struggled for selfcommand and
succeeded in obtaining it The conflict had been severe however and it left
her so little disposed to speak that Hetty pursued the subject This was done
in the simple manner natural to the girl
»It would be cruel to kill the poor deer« she said »in this world or any
other when you do nt want their venison or their skins No good whiteman
and no good red man would do it But its wicked for a christian to talk about
chasing any thing in heaven Such things are not done before the face of God
and the missionary that teaches these doctrines cant be a true missionary He
must be a wolf in sheeps clothing I suppose you know what a sheep is
Deerslayer«
»That I do gal and a useful creatur it is to such as like cloths better
than skins for winter garments I understand the natur of sheep though Ive
had but little to do with em and the natur of wolves too and can take the
idee of a wolf in the fleece of a sheep though I think it would be like to
prove a hot jacket for such a beast in the warm months«
»And sin and hypocrisy are hot jackets as they will find who put them
on« returned Hetty positively »so the wolf would be no worse off than the
sinner Spirits do nt hunt nor trap nor fish nor do any thing that vain men
undertake since theyve none of the longings of this world to feed Oh Mother
told me all that years ago and I dont wish to hear it denied«
»Well my good Hetty in that case youd better not broach your doctrine to
Hist when she and you are alone and the young Delaware maiden is inclined to
talk religion Its her fixed idee I know that the good warriors do nothing
but hunt and fish in the other world though I do nt believe that she fancies
any of them are brought down to trapping which is no emplyment for a brave
But of hunting and fishing accordin to her notion theyve their fill and
that too over the most agreeablest hunting grounds and among game that is
never out of season and which is just actyve and instinctyve enough to give a
pleasure to death So I would nt ricommend it to you to start Hist on that
idee«
»Hist cant be so wicked as to believe any such thing« returned the other
earnestly »No Indian hunts after he is dead«
»No wicked Indian I grant you no wicked Indian sartainly He is obliged
to carry the ammunition and to look on without sharing in the sport and to
cook and to light the fires and to do every thing that is nt manful Now
mind I do nt tell you these are my idees but they are Hists idees and
therefore for the sake of peace the less you say to her agin em the better«
»And what are your ideas of the fate of an Indian in the other world«
demanded Judith who had just found her voice
»Ah gal any thing but that I am too christianized to expect any thing so
fanciful as hunting and fishing after death nor do I believe there is one
Manitou for the red skin and another for a pale face You find different colours
on arth as any one may see but you do nt find different naturs Different
gifts but only one natur«
»In what is a gift different from a nature Is not nature itself a gift from
God«
»Sartain thats quickthoughted and creditable Judith though the main
idee is wrong A natur is the creatur itself its wishes wants idees and
feelins as all are born in him This natur never can be changed in the main
though it may undergo some increase or lessening Now gifts come of
sarcumstances Thus if you put a man in a town he gets town gifts in a
settlement settlement gifts in a forest gifts of the woods A soldier has
soldierly gifts and a missionary preaching gifts All these increase and
strengthen until they get to fortify natur as it might be and excuse a
thousand acts and idees Still the creatur is the same at the bottom just as a
man who is clad in regimentals is the same as the man that is clad in skins The
garments make a change to the eye and some change in the conduct perhaps but
none in the man Herein lies the apology for gifts seein that you expect
different conduct from one in silks and satins from one in homespun though the
Lord who did nt make the dresses but who made the creaturs themselves looks
only at his own work This is nt raal missionary doctrine but its as near
it as a man of white colour need be Ahs me little did I think to be talking
of such matters today but its one of our weaknesses never to know what will
come to pass Step into the Ark with me Judith for a minute I wish to
convarse with you«
Judith complied with a willingness she could scarce conceal Following the
hunter into the cabin she took a seat on a stool while the young man brought
Killdeer the rifle she had given him out of a corner and placed himself on
another with the weapon laid upon his knees After turning the piece round and
round and examining its lock and its breech with a sort of affectionate
assiduity he laid it down and proceeded to the subject which had induced him to
desire the interview
»I understand you Judith to say that you gave me this rifle« he said »I
agreed to take it because a young woman can have no particular use for
firearms The wepon has a great name and it desarves it and ought of right
to be carried by some known and sure hand for the best repitation may be lost
by careless and thoughtless handling«
»Can it be in better hands than those in which it is now Deerslayer Thomas
Hutter seldom missed with it with you it must turn out to be «
»Sartain death« interrupted the hunter laughing »I once knowd a
beaverman that had a piece he called by that very name but twas all
boastfulness for Ive seen Delawares that were as true with arrows at a short
range Howsever Ill not deny my gifts for this is a gift Judith and not
natur but Ill not deny my gifts and therefore allow that the rifle could
nt well be in better hands than it is at present But how long will it be
likely to remain there Atween us the truth may be said though I should nt
like to have it known to the Sarpent and Hist but to you the truth may be
spoken since your feelins will not be as likely to be tormented by it as
those of them that have known me longer and better How long am I like to own
this rifle or any other That is a serious question for our thoughts to rest on
and should that happen which is so likely to happen Killdeer would be without
an owner«
Judith listened with apparent composure though the conflict within came
near overpowering her Appreciating the singular character of her companion
however she succeeded in appearing calm though had not his attention been
drawn exclusively to the rifle a man of his keenness of observation could
scarce have failed to detect the agony of mind with which the girl had hearkened
to his words Her great selfcommand notwithstanding enabled her to pursue the
subject in a way still to deceive him
»What would you have me do with the weapon« she asked »should that which
you seem to expect take place«
»Thats just what I wanted to speak to you about Judith thats just it
Theres Chingachgook now though far from being parfect sartainty with a rifle
for few red skins ever get to be that though far from being parfect
sartainty he is respectable and is coming on Nevertheless he is my frind
and all the better frind perhaps because there never can be any hard feelins
atween us touchin our gifts hisn bein red and mine bein altogether white
Now I should like to leave Killdeer to the Sarpent should any thing happen to
keep me from doing credit and honor to your precious gift Judith«
»Leave it to whom you please Deerslayer The rifle is your own to do with
as you please Chingachgook shall have it should you never return to claim it
if that be your wish«
»Has Hetty been consulted in this matter Property goes from the parent to
the children and not to one child in particlar«
»If you place your right on that of the law Deerslayer I fear none of us
can claim to be the owner Thomas Hutter was no more the father of Esther than
he was the father of Judith Judith and Esther we are truly having no other
name«
»There may be law in that but theres no great reason gal Accordin to
the custom of families the goods are yourn and theres no one here to gainsay
it If Hetty would only say that she is willing my mind would be quite at ease
in the matter Its true Judith that your sister has neither your beauty nor
your wit but we should be the tenderest of the rights and welfare of the most
weakminded«
The girl made no answer but placing herself at a window she summoned her
sister to her side When the question was put to Hetty that simpleminded and
affectionate creature cheerfully assented to the proposal to confer on
Deerslayer a full right of ownership to the muchcoveted rifle The latter now
seemed perfectly happy for the time being at least and after again examining
and reexamining his prize he expressed a determination to put its merits to a
practical test before he left the spot No boy could have been more eager to
exhibit the qualities of his trumpet or his crossbow than this simple
forester was to prove those of his rifle Returning to the platform he first
took the Delaware aside and informed him that this celebrated piece was to
become his property in the event of any thing serious befalling himself
»This is a new reason why you should be wary Sarpent and not run into any
oncalculated danger« the hunter added »for it will be a victory of itself to
a tribe to own such a piece as this The Mingos will turn green with envy and
what is more they will not ventur heedlessly near a village where it is known
to be kept So look well to it Delaware and remember that youve now to watch
over a thing that has all the valie of a creatur without its failins Hist
may be and should be precious to you but Killdeer will have the love and
veneration of your whole people«
»One rifle like another Deerslayer« returned the Indian in English the
language used by the other a little hurt at his friends lowering his betrothed
to the level of a gun »All kill all wood and iron Wife dear to heart rifle
good to shoot«
»And what is a man in the woods without something to shoot with a
miserable trapper or a forlorn broom and basket maker at the best Such a man
may hoe corn and keep soul and body together but he can never know the savory
morsels of venison or tell a bears ham from a hogs Come my frind such
another occasion may never offer agin and I feel a strong craving for a trial
with this celebrated piece You shall bring out your own rifle and I will just
sight Killdeer in a careless way in order that we may know a few of its secret
vartues«
As this proposition served to relieve the thoughts of the whole party by
giving them a new direction while it was likely to produce no unpleasant
results every one was willing to enter into it the girls bringing forth the
firearms with an alacrity bordering on cheerfulness Hutters armory was well
supplied possessing several rifles all of which were habitually kept loaded
in readiness to meet any sudden demand for their use On the present occasion
it only remained to freshen the primings and each piece was in a state for
service This was soon done as all assisted in it the females being as expert
in this part of the system of defence as their male companions
»Now Sarpent well begin in a humble way using Old Toms commoners first
and coming to your wepon and Killdeer as the winding up observations« said
Deerslayer delighted to be again weapon in hand ready to display his skill
»Heres birds in abundance some in and some over the lake and they keep at
just a good range hovering round the hut Speak your mind Delaware and pint
out the creatur you wish to alarm Heres a diver nearest in off to the
eastward and thats a creatur that buries itself at the flash and will be
like enough to try both piece and powder«
Chingachgook was a man of few words No sooner was the bird pointed out to
him than he took his aim and fired The duck dove at the flash as had been
expected and the bullet skipped harmlessly along the surface of the lake first
striking the water within a few inches of the spot where the bird had so lately
swam Deerslayer laughed cordially and naturally but at the same time he
threw himself into an attitude of preparation and stood keenly watching the
sheet of placid water Presently a dark spot appeared and then the duck arose
to breathe and shook its wings While in this act a bullet passed directly
through its breast actually turning it over lifeless on its back At the next
moment Deerslayer stood with the breech of his rifle on the platform as
tranquil as if nothing had happened though laughing in his own peculiar manner
»Theres no great trial of the pieces in that« he said as if anxious to
prevent a false impression of his own merit »No that proofs neither for nor
agin the rifles seeing it was all quickness of hand and eye I took the bird
at a disadvantage or he might have got under again afore the bullet reached
him But the Sarpent is too wise to mind such tricks having long been used to
them Do you remember the time chief when you thought yourself sartain of the
wildgoose and I took him out of your very eyes as it might be with a little
smoke Howsever such things pass for nothing atween frinds and young folk
will have their fun Judith Ay heres just the bird we want for its as good
for the fire as it is for the aim and nothing should be lost that can be
turned to just account There further north Delaware«
The latter looked in the required direction and he soon saw a large black
duck floating in stately repose on the water At that distant day when so few
men were present to derange the harmony of the wilderness all the smaller lakes
with which the interior of New York so abounds were places of resort for the
migratory aquatic birds and this sheet like the others had once been much
frequented by all the varieties of the duck by the goose the gull and the
loon On the appearance of Hutter the spot was comparatively deserted for other
sheets more retired and remote though some of each species continued to resort
thither as indeed they do to the present hour At that instant a hundred birds
were visible from the castle sleeping on the water or laving their feathers in
the limpid element though no other offered so favorable a mark as that
Deerslayer had just pointed out to his friend Chingachgook as usual spared his
words and proceeded to execution This time his aim was more careful than
before and his success in proportion The bird had a wing crippled and
fluttered along the water screaming materially increasing its distance from its
enemies
»That bird must be put out of pain« exclaimed Deerslayer the moment the
animal endeavored to rise on the wing »and this is the rifle and the eye to do
it«
The duck was still floundering along when the fatal bullet overtook it
severing the head from the neck as neatly as if it had been done with an axe
Hist had indulged in a low cry of delight at the success of the young Indian
but now she affected to frown and resent the greater skill of his friend The
chief on the contrary uttered the usual exclamation of pleasure and his smile
proved how much he admired and how little he envied
»Never mind the gal Sarpent never mind Hists feelins which will neither
choke nor drown slay nor beautify« said Deerslayer laughing »Tis natral
for women to enter into their husbands victories and defeats and you are as
good as man and wife so far as prejudice and frindship go Here is a bird over
head that will put the pieces to the proof I challenge you to an upward aim
with a flying target Thats a raal proof and one that needs sartain rifles
as well as sartain eyes«
The species of eagle that frequents the water and lives on fish was also
present and one was hovering at a considerable height above the hut greedily
watching for an opportunity to make a swoop its hungry young elevating their
heads from a nest that was in sight in the naked summit of a dead pine
Chingachgook silently turned a new piece against this bird and after carefully
watching his time fired A wider circuit than common denoted that the
messenger had passed through the air at no great distance from the bird though
it missed its object Deerslayer whose aim was not more true than it was quick
fired as soon as it was certain his friend had missed and the deep swoop that
followed left it momentarily doubtful whether the eagle was hit or not The
marksman himself however proclaimed his own want of success calling on his
friend to seize another rifle for he saw signs on the part of the bird of an
intention to quit the spot
»I made him wink Sarpent I do think his feathers were ruffled but no
blood has yet been drawn nor is that old piece fit for so nice and quick a
sight Quick Delaware youve now a better rifle and Judith bring out
Killdeer for this is the occasion to try his merits if he has em«
A general movement followed each of the competitors got ready and the
girls stood in eager expectation of the result The eagle had made a wide
circuit after his low swoop and fanning his way upward once more hovered
nearly over the hut at a distance even greater than before Chingachgook gazed
at him and then expressed his opinion of the impossibility of striking a bird
at that great height and while he was so nearly perpendicular as to the range
But a low murmur from Hist produced a sudden impulse and he fired The result
showed how well he had calculated the eagle not even varying his flight
sailing round and round in his airy circle and looking down as if in contempt
at his foes
»Now Judith« cried Deerslayer laughing with glistening and delighted
eyes »well see if Killdeer is nt Killeagle too Give me room Sarpent and
watch the reason of the aim for by reason any thing may be larned«
A careful sight followed and was repeated again and again the bird
continuing to rise higher and higher Then followed the flash and the report
The swift messenger sped upward and at the next instant the bird turned on
its side and came swooping down now struggling with one wing and then with the
other sometimes whirling in a circuit next fanning desperately as if conscious
of its injury until having described several complete circles around the spot
it fell heavily into the end of the Ark On examining the body it was found
that the bullet had pierced it about half way between one of its wings and the
breastbone
Chapter XXVI
»Upon two stony tables spread before her
She leand her bosom more than stony hard
There slept th impartial judge and strict restorer
Of wrong or right with pain or with reward
There hung the score of all our debts the card
Where good and bad and life and death were painted
Was never heart of mortal so untainted
But when the roll was read with thousand terrors fainted«
Giles Fletcher Christs Victory in Heaven Ixv
»Weve done an unthoughtful thing Sarpent yes Judith weve done an
unthoughtful thing in taking life with an object no better than vanity«
exclaimed Deerslayer when the Delaware held up the enormous bird by its wings
and exhibited the dying eyes riveted on its enemies with the gaze that the
helpless ever fasten on their destroyers »Twas more becomin two boys to
gratify their feelins in this onthoughtful manner than two warriors on a war
path even though it be their first Ahs me well as a punishment Ill quit
you at once and when I find myself alone with them bloodyminded Mingos its
more than like Ill have occasion to remember that life is sweet even to the
beasts of the woods and the fowls of the air There Judith theres Killdeer
take him back agin and keep him for some hand thats more desarving to own
such a piece«
»I know of none as deserving as your own Deerslayer« answered the girl in
haste »none but yours shall keep the rifle«
»If it depended on skill you might be right enough gal but we should know
when to use firearms as well as how to use em I have nt larnt the first
duty yet it seems so keep the piece till I have The sight of a dyin and
distressed creatur even though it be only a bird brings wholesome thoughts to
a man who dont know how soon his own time may come and who is pretty sartain
that it will come afore the sun sets Id give back all my vain feelins and
rejicins in hand and eye if that poor eagle was only on its nest agin with
its young praisin the Lord for any thing that we can know about the matter
for health and strength«
The listeners were confounded with this proof of sudden repentance in the
hunter and that too for an indulgence so very common that men seldom stop to
weigh its consequences or the physical suffering it may bring on the
unoffending and helpless The Delaware understood what was said though he
scarce understood the feelings which had prompted the words and by way of
disposing of the difficulty he drew his keen knife and severed the head of the
sufferer from its body
»What a thing is power« continued the hunter »and what a thing it is to
have it and not to know how to use it Its no wonder Judith that the great
so often fail of their duties when even the little and the humble find it so
hard to do whats right and not to do whats wrong Then how one evil acts
brings others ater it Now wasnt it for this furlough of mine which must
soon take me back to the Mingos Id find this creaturs nest if I travelled
the woods a forthnight though an eagles nest is soon found by them that
understands the birds natur but Id travel a forthnight rather than not
find it just to put the young too out of their pain«
»Im glad to hear you say this Deerslayer« observed Hetty »and God will
be more apt to remember your sorrow for what youve done than the wickedness
itself I thought how wicked it was to kill harmless birds while you were
shooting and meant to tell you so but I do nt know how it happened I was
so curious to see if you could hit an eagle at so great a height that I forgot
altogether to speak till the mischief was done«
»Thats it thats just it my good Hetty We can all see our faults and
mistakes when its too late to help them Howsever Im glad you did nt speak
for I do nt think a word or two would have stopped me just at that moment and
so the sin stands in its nakedness and not aggravated by any unheeded calls to
forbear Well well bitter thoughts are hard to be borne at all times but
theres times when theyre harder than at others«
Little did Deerslayer know while thus indulging in feelings that were
natural to the man and so strictly in accordance with his own unsophisticated
and just principles that in the course of the inscrutable providence which so
uniformly and yet so mysteriously covers all events with its mantle the very
fault he was disposed so severely to censure was to be made the means of
determining his own earthly fate The mode and the moment in which he was to
feel the influence of this interference it would be premature to relate but
both will appear in the course of the succeeding chapters As for the young man
he now slowly left the Ark like one sorrowing for his misdeeds and seated
himself in silence on the platform By this time the sun had ascended to some
height and its appearance taken in connection with his present feelings
induced him to prepare to depart The Delaware got the canoe ready for his
friend as soon as apprised of his intention while Hist busied herself in
making the few arrangements that were thought necessary to his comfort All this
was done without ostentation but in a way that left Deerslayer fully acquainted
with and equally disposed to appreciate the motive When all was ready both
returned to the side of Judith and Hetty neither of whom had moved from the
spot where the young hunter sat
»The best frinds must often part« the last began when he saw the whole
party grouped around him »yes frindship cant alter the ways of Providence
and let our feelins be as they may we must part Ive often thought theres
moments when our words dwell longer on the mind than common and when advice is
remembered just because the mouth that gives it is nt likely to give it
agin No one knows what will happen in this world and therefore it may be
well when frinds separate under a likelihood that the parting may be long to
say a few words in kindness as a sort of keepsakes If all but one will go into
the Ark Ill talk to each in turn and what is more Ill listen to what you
may have to say back agin for its a poor counsellor that wont take as well
as give«
As the meaning of the speaker was understood the two Indians immediately
withdrew as desired leaving the sisters however still standing at the young
mans side A look of Deerslayers induced Judith to explain
»You can advise Hetty as you land« she said hastily »for I intend that she
shall accompany you to the shore«
»Is this wise Judith Its true that under common sarcumstances a
feeblemind is a great protection among redskins but when their feelins are
up and theyre bent on revenge its hard to say what may come to pass Besides
«
»What were you about to say Deerslayer« asked Judith whose gentleness of
voice and manner amounted nearly to tenderness though she struggled hard to
keep her emotions and apprehensions in subjection
»Why simply that there are sights and doins that one even as little gifted
with reason and memory as Hetty here might better not witness So Judith you
would do well to let me land alone and to keep your sister back«
»Never fear for me Deerslayer« put in Hetty who comprehended enough of
the discourse to know its general drift »Im feeble minded and that they say
is an excuse for going any where and what that wont excuse will be overlooked
on account of the bible I always carry It is wonderful Judith how all sorts
of men the trappers as well as the hunters redmen as well as white Mingos as
well as Delawares do reverence and fear the bible«
»I think you have not the least ground to fear any injury Hetty« answered
the sister »and therefore I shall insist on your going to the Huron camp with
our friend Your being there can do no harm not even to yourself and may do
great good to Deerslayer«
»This is not a moment Judith to dispute and so have the matter your own
way« returned the young man »Get yourself ready Hetty and go into the canoe
for Ive a few parting words to say to your sister which can do you no good«
Judith and her companion continued silent until Hetty had so far complied
as to leave them alone when Deerslayer took up the subject as if it had been
interrupted by some ordinary occurrence and in a very matter of fact way
»Words spoken at parting and which may be the last we ever hear from a
frind are not soon forgotten« he repeated »and so Judith I intend to speak
to you like a brother seein Im not old enough to be your father In the first
place I wish to caution you agin your inimies of which two may be said to
hant your very footsteps and to beset your ways The first is oncommon
goodlooks which is as dangerous a foe to some young women as a whole tribe of
Mingos could prove and which calls for great watchfulness not to admire and
praise but to distrust and sarcumvent Yes good looks may be sarcumvented
and fairly outwitted too In order to do this youve only to remember that they
melt like the snows and when once gone they never come back agin The
seasons come and go Judith and if we have winter with storms and frosts and
spring with chills and leafless trees we have summer with its sun and glorious
skies and fall with its fruits and a garment thrown over the forest that no
beauty of the town could rummage out of all the shops in America Arth is in an
etarnal round the goodness of God bringing back the pleasant when weve had
enough of the onpleasant But its not so with good looks They are lent for a
short time in youth to be used and not abused and as I never met with a young
woman to whom providence has been as bountiful as it has to you Judith in
this particlar I warn you as it might be with my dyin breath to beware of
the inimy frind or inimy as we deal with the gift«
It was so grateful to Judith to hear these unequivocal admissions of her
personal charms that much would have been forgiven to the man who made them
let him be who he might But at that moment and from a far better feeling it
would not have been easy for Deerslayer seriously to offend her and she
listened with a patience which had it been foretold only a week earlier it
would have excited her indignation to hear
»I understand your meaning Deerslayer« returned the girl with a meekness
and humility that a little surprised her listener »and hope to be able to
profit by it But you have mentioned only one of the enemies I have to fear
who or what is the other«
»The other is givin way afore your own good sense and judgment I find
Judith yes hes not as dangerous as I supposed Howsever havin opened the
subject it will be as well to end it honestly The first inimy you have to be
watchful of as Ive already told you Judith is oncommon goodlooks and the
next is an oncommon knowledge of the sarcumstance If the first is bad the last
does nt in any way mend the matter so far as safety and peace of mind are
consarned«
How much longer the young man would have gone on in his simple and
unsuspecting but well intentioned manner it might not be easy to say had he
not been interrupted by his listeners bursting into tears and giving way to an
outbreak of feeling which was so much the more violent from the fact that it
had been with so much difficulty suppressed At first her sobs were so violent
and uncontrollable that Deerslayer was a little appalled and he was abundantly
repentant from the instant that he discovered how much greater was the effect
produced by his words than he had anticipated Even the austere and exacting
are usually appeased by the signs of contrition but the nature of Deerslayer
did not require proofs of intense feelings so strong in order to bring him down
to a level with the regrets felt by the girl herself He arose as if an adder
had stung him and the accents of the mother that soothes her child were
scarcely more gentle and winning than the tones of his voice as he now
expressed his contrition at having gone so far
»It was well meant Judith« he said »but it was not intended to hurt your
feelins so much I have overdone the advice I see yes Ive overdone it and
I crave your pardon for the same Frindships an awful thing Sometimes it
chides us for not having done enough and then agin it speaks in strong words
for havin done too much Howsever I acknowledge Ive overdone the matter and
as Ive a raal and strong regard for you I rejice to say it inasmuch as it
proves how much better you are than my own vanity and consaits had made you
out to be«
Judith now removed her hands from her face her tears had ceased and she
unveiled a countenance so winning with the smile which rendered it even radiant
that the young man gazed at her for a moment with speechless delight
»Say no more Deerslayer« she hastily interposed »it pains me to hear you
find fault with yourself I know my own weakness all the better now I see that
you have discovered it the lesson bitter as I have found it for a moment
shall not be forgotten We will not talk any longer of these things for I do
not feel myself brave enough for the undertaking and I should not like the
Delaware or Hist or even Hetty to notice my weakness Farewell Deerslayer
may God bless and protect you as your honest heart deserves blessings and
protection and as I must think he will«
Judith had so far regained the superiority that properly belonged to her
better education high spirit and surpassing personal advantages as to
preserve the ascendancy she had thus accidentally obtained and effectually
prevented any return to the subject that was as singularly interrupted as it
had been singularly introduced The young man permitted her to have every thing
her own way and when she pressed his hard hand in both her own he made no
resistance but submitted to the homage as quietly and with quite as matter of
course a manner as a sovereign would have received a similar tribute from a
subject or the mistress from her suitor Feeling had flushed the face and
illuminated the whole countenance of the girl and her beauty was never more
resplendant than when she cast a parting glance at the youth That glance was
filled with anxiety interest and gentle pity At the next instant she darted
into the hut and was seen no more though she spoke to Hist from a window to
inform her that their friend expected her appearance
»You know enough of red skin natur and red skin usages WahtaWah to
see the condition I am in on account of this furlough« commenced the hunter in
Delaware as soon as the patient and submissive girl of that people had moved
quietly to his side »you will therefore best onderstand how onlikely I am ever
to talk with you agin Ive but little to say but that little comes from long
livin among your people and from havin obsarved and noted their usages The
life of a woman is hard at the best but I must own though Im not opinionated
in favor of my own colour that it is harder among the red men than it is among
the pale faces This is a pint on which christians may well boast if boasting
can be set down for christianity in any manner or form which I rather think it
cannot Howsever all women have their trials Red women have theirn in what I
should call the natral way while white women take em innoculated like Bear
your burthen Hist becomingly and remember if it be a little toilsome how
much lighter it is than that of most Indian women I know the Sarpent well
what I call cordially and he will never be a tyrant to any thing he loves
though he will expect to be treated himself like a Mohican Chief There will be
cloudy days in your lodge I suppose for they happen under all usages and among
all people but by keepin the windows of the heart open there will always be
room for the sunshine to enter You come of a great stock yourself and so does
Chingachgook Its not very likely that either will ever forget the
sarcumstance and do any thing to disgrace your forefathers Nevertheless
likin is a tender plant and never thrives long when watered with tears Let
the arth around your married happiness be moistened by the dews of kindness«
»My pale brother is very wise Wah will keep in her mind all that his wisdom
tells her«
»Thats judicious and womanly Hist Care in listening and
stoutheartedness in holding to good counsel is a wifes great protection And
now ask the Sarpent to come and speak with me for a moment and carry away
with you all my best wishes and prayers I shall think of you Hist and of your
intended husband let what may come to pass and always wish you well here and
hereafter whether the last is to be according to Indian idees or christian
doctrines«
Hist shed no tear at parting She was sustained by the high resolution of
one who had decided on her course but her dark eyes were luminous with the
feelings that glowed within and her pretty countenance beamed with an
expression of determination that was in marked and singular contrast to its
ordinary gentleness It was but a minute ere the Delaware advanced to the side
of his friend with the light noiseless tread of an Indian
»Come thisaway Sarpent here more out of sight of the women« commenced
the Deerslayer »for Ive several things to say that must nt so much as be
suspected much less overheard You know too well the natur of furloughs and
Mingos to have any doubts or misgivins consarnin what is like to happen when
I get back to the camp On them two pints therefore a few words will go a
great way In the first place chief I wish to say a little about Hist and the
manner in which you red men treat your wives I suppose its accordin to the
gifts of your people that the women should work and the men hunt but theres
such a thing as moderation in all matters As for huntin I see no good reason
why any limits need to be set to that but Hist comes of too good a stock to
toil like a common drudge One of your means and standin need never want for
corn or potatoes or any thing that the fields yield therefore I hope the hoe
will never be put into the hands of any wife of yourn You know I am not quite a
beggar and all I own whether in ammunition skins arms or calicoes I give
to Hist should I not come back to claim them by the end of the season This
will set the maiden up and will buy labor for her for a long time to come I
suppose I need nt tell you to love the young woman for that you do already
and whomsoever the man raally loves hell be likely enough to cherish
Nevertheless it can do no harm to say that kind words never rankle while
bitter words do I know youre a man Sarpent that is less apt to talk in his
own lodge than to speak at the Council Fire but forgetful moments may overtake
us all and the practyse of kind doin and kind talkin is a wonderful
advantage in keepin peace in a cabin as well as on a hunt«
»My ears are open« returned the Delaware gravely »the words of my brother
have entered so far that they never can fall out again They are like rings
that have no end and cannot drop Let him speak on the song of the wren and
the voice of a friend never tire«
»I will speak a little longer chief but you will excuse it for the sake of
old companionship should I now talk about myself If the worst comes to the
worst its not likely therell be much left of me but ashes so a grave would
be useless and a sort of vanity On that score Im no way particlar though it
might be well enough to take a look at the remains of the pile and should any
bones or pieces be found twould be more decent to gather them together and
bury them than to let them lie for the wolves to gnaw at and howl over These
matters can make no great difference in the ind but men of white blood and
christian feelins have rather a gift for graves«
»It shall be done as my brother says« returned the Indian gravely »If his
mind is full let him empty it in the bosom of a friend«
»I thank you Sarpent my minds easy enough yes its tolerable easy
Idees will come uppermost that Im not apt to think about in common its true
but by striving agin some and lettin other some out all will come right in
the long run Theres one thing howsever chief that does seem to me to be on
reasonable and agin natur though the missionaries say its true and bein
of my religion and colour I feel bound to believe them They say an Injin may
torment and tortur the body to his hearts content and scalp and cut and
tear and burn and consume all his inventions and deviltries until nothin is
left but ashes and they shall be scattered to the four winds of heaven yet
when the trumpet of God shall sound all will come together agin and the man
will stand forth in his flesh the same creatur as to looks if not as to
feelins that he was afore he was harmed«
»The missionaries are good men mean well« returned the Delaware
courteously »they are not great medicines They think all they say Deerslayer
that is no reason why warriors and orators should be all ears When Chingachgook
shall see the father of Tamenund standing in his scalp and paint and war lock
then will he believe the missionaries«
»Seein is believin of a sartainty ahs me and some of us may see these
things sooner than we thought I comprehind your meanin about Tamenunds
father Sarpent and the idees a close idee Tamenund is now an elderly man
say eighty every day of it and his father was scalped and tormented and
burnt when the present prophet was a youngster Yes if one could see that come
to pass there would nt be much difficulty in yieldin faith to all that the
missionaries say Howsever I am not agin the opinion now for you must know
Sarpent that the great principle of christianity is to believe without seeing
and a man should always act up to his religion and principles let them be what
they may«
»That is strange for a wise nation« said the Delaware with emphasis »The
red man looks hard that he may see and understand«
»Yes thats plauserble and is agreeable to mortal pride but its not as
deep as it seems If we could understand all we see Sarpent there might be not
only sense but safety in refusin to give faith to any one thing that we might
find oncomprehensible but when theres so many things about which it may be
said we know nothin at all why theres little use and no reason in bein
difficult touchin any one in particlar For my part Delaware all my thoughts
have nt been on the game when outlyin in the hunts and scoutins of our
youth Manys the hour Ive passed pleasantly enough too in what is tarmed
conterplation by my people On such occasions the mind is actyve though the
body seems lazy and listless An open spot on a mountain side where a wide look
can be had at the heavens and the arth is a most judicious place for a man to
get a just idee of the power of the Manitou and of his own littleness At such
times there is nt any great disposition to find fault with little
difficulties in the way of comperhension as there are so many big ones to hide
them Believin comes easy enough to me at such times and if the Lord made
man first out of arth as they tell me it is written in the bible then turns
him into dust at death I see no great difficulty in the way to bringin him
back in the body though ashes be the only substance left These things lie
beyond our understandin though they may and do lie so close to our feelins
But of all the doctrines Sarpent that which disturbs me and disconsarts my
mind the most is the one which teaches us to think that a pale face goes to one
heaven and a red skin to another it may separate in death them which lived
much together and loved each other well in life«
»Do the missionaries teach their white brethren to think it is so« demanded
the Indian with serious earnestness »The Delawares believe that good men and
brave warriors will hunt together in the same pleasant woods let them belong to
whatever tribe they may that all the unjust Indians and cowards will have to
sneak in with the dogs and the wolves to get venison for their lodges«
»Tis wonderful how many consaits mankind have consarnin happiness and
misery here after« exclaimed the hunter borne away by the power of his own
thoughts »Some believe in burnins and flames and some think punishment is to
eat with the wolves and dogs Then agin some fancy heaven to be only the
carryin out of their own arthly longins while others fancy it all gold and
shinin lights Well Ive an idee of my own in that matter which is just
this Sarpent Whenever Ive done wrong Ive ginirally found twas owin to
some blindness of the mind which hid the right from view and when sight has
returned then has come sorrow and repentance Now I consait that after death
when the body is laid aside or if used at all is purified and without its
longins the spirit sees all things in their raal lights and never becomes
blind to truth and justice Such bein the case all that has been done in life
is beheld as plainly as the sun is seen at noon the good brings joy while the
evil brings sorrow Theres nothin onreasonable in that but its agreeable to
every mans experence«
»I thought the pale faces believed all men were wicked who then could ever
find the white mans heaven«
»Thats ingenous but it falls short of the missionary teachins Youll be
christianized one day I make no doubt and then twill all come plain enough
You must know Sarpent that theres been a great deed of salvation done that
by Gods help enables all men to find a pardon for their wickednesses and that
is the essence of the white mans religion I cant stop to talk this matter
over with you any longer for Hettys in the canoe and the furlough takes me
away but the time will come I hope when youll feel these things for after
all they must be felt rather than reasoned about Ahs me well Delaware
theres my hand you know its that of a frind and will shake it as such
though it never has done you one half the good its owner wishes it had«
The Indian took the offered hand and returned its pressure warmly Then
falling back on his acquired stoicism of manner which so many mistake for
constitutional indifference he drew up in reserve and prepared to part from
his friend with dignity Deerslayer however was more natural nor would he
have at all cared about giving way to his feelings had not the recent conduct
and language of Judith given him some secret though ill defined apprehensions
of a scene He was too humble to imagine the truth concerning the actual
feelings of that beautiful girl while he was too observant not to have noted
the struggle she had maintained with herself and which had so often led her to
the very verge of discovery That something extraordinary was concealed in her
breast he thought obvious enough and through a sentiment of manly delicacy
that would have done credit to the highest human refinement he shrunk from any
exposure of her secret that might subsequently cause regret to the girl
herself He therefore determined to depart now and that without any further
manifestations of feeling either from himself or from others
»God bless you Sarpent God bless you« cried the hunter as the canoe
left the side of the platform »Your Manitou and my God only know when and
where we shall meet agin I shall count it a great blessing and a full reward
for any little good I may have done on arth if we shall be permitted to know
each other and to consort together hereafter as we have so long done in these
pleasant woods afore us«
Chingachgook waved his hand Drawing the light blanket he wore over his
head as a Roman would conceal his grief in his robes he slowly withdrew into
the Ark in order to indulge his sorrow and his musings alone Deerslayer did
not speak again until the canoe was halfway to the shore Then he suddenly
ceased paddling at an interruption that came from the mild musical voice of
Hetty
»Why do you go back to the Hurons Deerslayer« demanded the girl »They say
I am feebleminded and such they never harm but you have as much sense as
Hurry Harry and more too Judith thinks though I dont see how that can well
be«
»Ah Hetty afore we land I must convarse a little with you child and that
too on matters touching your own welfare principally Stop paddling or
rather that the Mingos need nt think we are plotting and contriving and so
treat us accordingly just dip your paddle lightly and give the canoe a little
motion and no more Thats just the idee and the movement I see youre ready
enough at an appearance and might be made useful at a sarcumvention if it was
lawful now to use one thats just the idee and the movement Ahs me Desait
and a false tongue are evil things and altogether onbecoming our colour Hetty
but it is a pleasure and a satisfaction to outdo the contrivances of a redskin
in the strife of lawful warfare My path has been short and is like soon to
have an end but I can see that the wanderings of a warrior ar nt altogether
among brambles and difficulties Theres a bright side to a warpath as well as
to most other things if well only have the wisdom to see it and the
ginerosity to own it«
»And why should your war path as you call it come so near to an end
Deerslayer«
»Because my good girl my furlough comes so near to an end Theyre likely
to have pretty much the same tarmination as regards time one following on the
heels of the other as a matter of course«
»I dont understand your meaning Deerslayer « returned the girl looking a
little bewildered »Mother always said people ought to speak more plainly to me
than to most other persons because Im feebleminded Those that are feeble
minded dont understand as easily as those that have sense«
»Well then Hetty the simple truth is this You know that Im now a captyve
to the Hurons and captyves cant do in all things as they please «
»But how can you be a captive« eagerly interrupted the girl »when you are
out here on the lake in fathers best canoe and the Indians are in the woods
with no canoe at all That cant be true Deerslayer«
»I wish with all my heart and soul Hetty that you was right and that I
was wrong instead of your bein all wrong and I bein only too near the truth
Free as I seem to your eyes gal Im bound hand and foot in raality«
»Well it is a great misfortune not to have sense Now I cant see or
understand that you are a captive or bound in any manner If you are bound
with what are your hands and feet fastened«
»With a furlough gal thats a thong that binds tighter than any chain One
may be broken but the other cant Ropes and chains allow of knives and
desait and contrivances but a furlough can be neither cut slipped nor
sarcumvented«
»What sort of a thing is a furlough then if it be stronger than hemp or
iron I never saw a furlough«
»I hope you may never feel one gal the tie is altogether in the feelins
in these matters and therefore is to be felt and not seen You can understand
what it is to give a promise I dare to say good little Hetty«
»Certainly A promise is to say you will do a thing and that binds you to
be as good as your word Mother always kept her promises to me and then she
said it would be wicked if I did nt keep my promises to her and to every body
else«
»You have had a good mother in some matters child whatever she may have
been in other some That is a promise and as you say it must be kept Now I
fell into the hands of the Mingos last night and they let me come off to see my
frinds and send messages in to my own colour if any such feel consarn on my
account on condition that I shall be back when the sun is up today and take
whatever their revenge and hatred can contrive in the way of torments in
satisfaction for the life of a warrior that fell by my rifle as well as for
that of the young woman shot by Hurry and other disappintments met with on and
about this lake What is called a promise atween mother and darter or even
atween strangers in the settlements is called a furlough when given by one
soldier to another on a warpath And now I suppose you understand my situation
Hetty«
The girl made no answer for some time but she ceased paddling altogether
as if the novel idea distracted her mind too much to admit of other employment
Then she resumed the dialogue earnestly and with solicitude
»Do you think the Hurons will have the heart to do what you say
Deerslayer« she asked »I have found them kind and harmless«
»Thats true enough as consarns one like you Hetty but its a very
different affair when it comes to an open inimy and he too the owner of a
pretty sartain rifle I dont say that they bear me special malice on account of
any explites already performed for that would be bragging as it might be on
the varge of the grave but its no vanity to believe that they know one of
their bravest and cunninest chiefs fell by my hands Such bein the case the
tribe would reproach them if they failed to send the spirit of a pale face to
keep the company of the spirit of their red brother always supposin that he
can catch it I look for no marcy Hetty at their hands and my principal
sorrow is that such a calamity should befal me on my first warpath that it
would come sooner or later every soldier counts on and expects«
»The Hurons shall not harm you Deerslayer« cried the girl much excited
»Tis wicked as well as cruel I have the bible here to tell them so Do you
think I would stand by and see you tormented«
»I hope not my good Hetty I hope not and therefore when the moment
comes I expect you will move off and not be a witness of what you cant help
while it would grieve you But I have nt stopped the paddles to talk of my own
afflictions and difficulties but to speak a little plainly to you gal
consarnin your own matters«
»What can you have to say to me Deerslayer Since mother died few talk to
me of such things«
»So much the worse poor gal yes tis so much the worse for one of your
state of mind needs frequent talking to in order to escape the snares and
desaits of this wicked world You have nt forgotten Hurry Harry gal so soon
I calculate«
»I I forget Henry March« exclaimed Hetty starting »Why should I forget
him Deerslayer when he is our friend and only left us last night Then the
large bright star that mother loved so much to gaze at was just over the top of
yonder tall pine on the mountain as Hurry got into the canoe and when you
landed him on the point near the east bay it was nt more than the length of
Judiths handsomest ribbon above it«
»And how can you know how long I was gone or how far I went to land Hurry
seein you were not with us and the distance was so great to say nothing of
the night«
»Oh I know when it was well enough« returned Hetty positively »Theres
more ways than one for counting time and distance When the mind is engaged it
is better than any clock Mine is feeble I know but it goes true enough in
all that touches poor Hurry Harry Judith will never marry March Deerslayer«
»Thats the pint Hetty thats the very pint I want to come to I suppose
you know that its natral for young people to have kind feelins for one
another more especially when one happens to be a youth and tother a maiden
Now one of your years and mind gal that has neither father nor mother and
who lives in a wilderness frequented by hunters and trappers needs be on her
guard against evils she little dreams of«
»What harm can it be to think well of a fellow creature« returned Hetty
simply though the conscious blood was stealing to her cheeks in spite of a
spirit so pure that it scarce knew why it prompted the blush »the bible tells
us to love them who despitefully use us and why should nt we like them that do
not«
»Ah Hetty the love of the missionaries is nt the sort of likin I mean
Answer me one thing child do you believe yourself to have mind enough to
become a wife and a mother«
»Thats not a proper question to ask a young woman Deerslayer and Ill not
answer it« returned the girl in a reproving manner much as a parent rebukes
a child for an act of indiscretion »If you have any thing to say about Hurry
Ill hear that but you must not speak evil of him he is absent and tis
unkind to talk evil of the absent«
»Your mother has given you so many good lessons Hetty that my fears for
you are not as great as they were Nevertheless a young woman without parents
in your state of mind and who is not without beauty must always be in danger
in such a lawless region as this I would say nothin amiss of Hurry who in
the main is not a bad man for one of his callin but you ought to know one
thing which it may not be altogether pleasant to tell you but which must be
said March has a desperate likin for your sister Judith«
»Well what of that Every body admires Judith shes so handsome and Hurry
has told me again and again how much he wishes to marry her But that will
never come to pass for Judith dont like Hurry She likes another and talks
about him in her sleep though you need not ask me who he is for all the gold
in King Georges crown and all the jewels too would nt tempt me to tell you
his name If sisters cant keep each others secrets who can«
»Sartainly I do not wish you to tell me Hetty nor would it be any
advantage to a dyin man to know What the tongue says when the minds asleep
neither head nor heart is answerable for«
»I wish I knew why Judith talks so much in her sleep about officers and
honest hearts and false tongues but I suppose she dont like to tell me as
Im feeble minded Is nt it odd Deerslayer that Judith dont like Hurry he
who is the bravest looking youth that ever comes upon the lake and is as
handsome as she is herself Father always said they would be the comeliest
couple in the country though mother did nt fancy March any more than Judith
Theres no telling what will happen they say until things actually come to
pass«
»Ahs me well poor Hetty tis of no great use to talk to them that cant
understand you and so Ill say no more about what I did wish to speak of
though it lay heavy on my mind Put the paddle in motion agin gal and well
push for the shore for the sun is nearly up and my furlough is almost out«
The canoe now glided ahead holding its way towards the point where
Deerslayer well knew that his enemies expected him and where he now began to be
afraid he might not arrive in season to redeem his plighted faith Hetty
perceiving his impatience without very clearly comprehending its cause
however seconded his efforts in a way that soon rendered their timely return
no longer a matter of doubt Then and then only did the young man suffer his
exertions to flag and Hetty began again to prattle in her simple confiding
manner though nothing farther was uttered that it may be thought necessary to
relate
Chapter XXVII
»Thou hast been busy Death this day and yet
But half thy work is done The gates of hell
Are thronged yet twice ten thousand spirits more
Who from their warm and healthful tenements
Fear no divorce must ere the sun go down
Enter the world of woe«
Southey Roderick the Last
of the Goths XXIV 16
One experienced in the signs of the heavens would have seen that the sun wanted
but two or three minutes of the zenith when Deerslayer landed on the point
where the Hurons were now encamped nearly abreast of the castle This spot was
similar to the one already described with the exception that the surface of the
land was less broken and less crowded with trees Owing to these two
circumstances it was all the better suited to the purpose for which it had been
selected the space beneath the branches bearing some resemblance to a densely
wooded lawn Favoured by its position and its spring it had been much resorted
to by savages and hunters and the natural grasses had succeeded their fires
leaving an appearance of sward in places a very unusual accompaniment of the
virgin forest Nor was the margin of water fringed with bushes as on so much of
its shore but the eye penetrated the woods immediately on reaching the strand
commanding nearly the whole area of the projection
If it was a point of honor with the Indian warrior to redeem his word when
pledged to return and meet his death at a given hour so was it a point of
characteristic pride to show no womanish impatience but to reappear as nearly
as possible at the appointed moment It was well not to exceed the grace
accorded by the generosity of the enemy but it was better to meet it to a
minute Something of this dramatic effect mingles with most of the graver usages
of the American aborigines and no doubt like the prevalence of a similar
feeling among people more sophisticated and refined may be referred to a
principle of nature We all love the wonderful and when it comes attended by
chivalrous selfdevotion and a rigid regard to honor it presents itself to our
admiration in a shape doubly attractive As respects Deerslayer though he took
a pride in showing his white blood by often deviating from the usages of the
red men he frequently dropped into their customs and oftener into their
feelings unconsciously to himself in consequence of having no other arbiters
to appeal to than their judgments and tastes On the present occasion he would
have abstained from betraying a feverish haste by a too speedy return since it
would have contained a tacit admission that the time asked for was more than
had been wanted but on the other hand had the idea occurred to him he would
have quickened his movements a little in order to avoid the dramatic appearance
of returning at the precise instant set as the utmost limit of his absence
Still accident had interfered to defeat the last intention for when the young
man put his foot on the point and advanced with a steady tread towards the
group of chiefs that was seated in grave array on a fallen tree the oldest of
their number cast his eye upward at an opening in the trees and pointed out to
his companions the startling fact that the sun was just entering a space that
was known to mark the zenith A common but low exclamation of surprise and
admiration escaped every mouth and the grim warriors looked at each other
some with envy and disappointment some with astonishment at the precise
accuracy of their victim and others with a more generous and liberal feeling
The American Indian always deemed his moral victories the noblest prizing the
groans and yielding of his victim under torture more than the trophy of his
scalp and the trophy itself more than his life To slay and not to bring off
the proof of victory indeed was scarcely deemed honorable even these rude and
fierce tenants of the forest like their more nurtured brethren of the court and
the camp having set up for themselves imaginary and arbitrary points of honor
to supplant the conclusions of the right and the decisions of reason
The Hurons had been divided in their opinions concerning the probability of
their captives return Most among them indeed had not expected it possible
for a paleface to come back voluntarily and meet the known penalties of an
Indian torture but a few of the seniors expected better things from one who had
already shown himself so singularly cool brave and upright The party had come
to its decision however less in the expectation of finding the pledge
redeemed than in the hope of disgracing the Delawares by casting into their
teeth the delinquency of one bred in their villages They would have greatly
preferred that Chingachgook should be their prisoner and prove the traitor but
the paleface scion of the hated stock was no bad substitute for their
purposes failing in their designs against the ancient stem With a view to
render their triumph as signal as possible in the event of the hours passing
without the reappearance of the hunter all the warriors and scouts of the party
had been called in and the whole band men women and children was now
assembled at this single point to be a witness of the expected scene As the
castle was in plain view and by no means distant it was easily watched by
daylight and it being thought that its inmates were now limited to Hurry the
Delaware and the two girls no apprehensions were felt of their being able to
escape unseen A large raft having a breastwork of logs had been prepared and
was in actual readiness to be used against either Ark or Castle as occasion
might require so soon as the fate of Deerslayer was determined the seniors of
the party having come to the opinion that it was getting to be hazardous to
delay their departure for Canada beyond the coming night In short the band
waited merely to dispose of this single affair ere it brought matters with
those in the Castle to a crisis and prepared to commence its retreat towards
the distant waters of Ontario
It was an imposing scene into which Deerslayer now found himself advancing
All the older warriors were seated on the trunk of the fallen tree waiting his
approach with grave decorum On the right stood the young men armed while the
left was occupied by the women and children In the centre was an open space of
considerable extent always canopied by leaves but from which the underbrush
dead wood and other obstacles had been carefully removed The more open area
had probably been much used by former parties for this was the place where the
appearance of a sward was the most decided The arches of the woods even at
high noon cast their sombre shadows on the spot which the brilliant rays of
the sun that struggled through the leaves contributed to mellow and if such an
expression can be used to illuminate It was probably from a similar scene that
the mind of man first got its idea of the effects of gothic tracery and churchly
hues this temple of nature producing some such effect so far as light and
shadow were concerned as the well known offspring of human invention
As was not unusual among the tribes and wandering bands of the Aborigines
two chiefs shared in nearly equal degrees the principal and primitive
authority that was wielded over these children of the forest There were several
who might claim the distinction of being chief men but the two in question were
so much superior to all the rest in influence that when they agreed no one
disputed their mandates and when they were divided the band hesitated like men
who had lost their governing principle of action It was also in conformity with
practice perhaps we might add in conformity with nature that one of the chiefs
was indebted to his mind for his influence whereas the other owed his
distinction altogether to qualities that were physical One was a senior well
known for eloquence in debate wisdom in council and prudence in measures
while his great competitor if not his rival was a brave distinguished in war
notorious for ferocity and remarkable in the way of intellect for nothing but
the cunning and expedients of the war path The first was Rivenoak who has
already been introduced to the reader while the last was called le Panthère in
the language of the Canadas or the Panther to resort to the vernacular of the
English colonies The appellation of the fighting chief was supposed to indicate
the qualities of the warrior agreeably to a practice of the red mans
nomenclature ferocity cunning and treachery being perhaps the distinctive
features of his character The title had been received from the French and was
prized so much the more from that circumstance the Indian submitting profoundly
to the greater intelligence of his pale face allies in most things of this
nature How well the sobriquet was merited will be seen in the sequel
Rivenoak and the Panther sat side by side awaiting the approach of their
prisoner as Deerslayer put his moccasined foot on the strand nor did either
move or utter a syllable until the young man had advanced into the centre of
the area and proclaimed his presence with his voice This was done firmly
though in the simple manner that marked the character of the individual
»Here I am Mingos« he said in the dialect of the Delawares a language
that most present understood »here I am and there is the sun One is not more
true to the laws of natur than the other has proved true to his word I am
your prisoner do with me what you please My business with man and arth is
settled nothing remains now but to meet the white mans God accordin to a
white mans duties and gifts«
A murmur of approbation escaped even the women at this address and for an
instant there was a strong and pretty general desire to adopt into the tribe
one who owned so brave a spirit Still there were dissenters from this wish
among the principal of whom might be classed the Panther and his sister le
Sumach so called from the number of her children who was the widow of le Loup
Cervier now known to have fallen by the hand of the captive Native ferocity
held one in subjection while the corroding passion of revenge prevented the
other from admitting any gentler feeling at the moment Not so with Rivenoak
This chief arose stretched his arm before him in a gesture of courtesy and
paid his compliments with an ease and dignity that a prince might have envied
As in that band his wisdom and eloquence were confessedly without rivals he
knew that on himself would properly fall the duty of first replying to the
speech of the paleface
»Paleface you are honest« said the Huron orator »My people are happy in
having captured a man and not a skulking fox We now know you we shall treat
you like a brave If you have slain one of our warriors and helped to kill
others you have a life of your own ready to give away in return Some of my
young men thought that the blood of a pale face was too thin that it would
refuse to run under the Huron knife You will show them it is not so your heart
is stout as well as your body It is a pleasure to make such a prisoner should
my warriors say that the death of le Loup Cervier ought not to be forgotten and
that he cannot travel towards the land of spirits alone that his enemy must be
sent to overtake him they will remember that he fell by the hand of a brave
and send you after him with such signs of our friendship as shall not make him
ashamed to keep your company I have spoken you know what I have said«
»True enough Mingo all true as the gospel« returned the simple minded
hunter »you have spoken and I do know not only what you have said but what
is still more important what you mean I dare to say your warrior the Lynx was
a stouthearted brave and worthy of your frindship and respect but I do not
feel unworthy to keep his company without any passport from your hands
Nevertheless here I am ready to receive judgment from your council if
indeed the matter was not detarmined among you afore I got back«
»My old men would not sit in council over a pale face until they saw him
among them« answered Rivenoak looking around him a little ironically »they
said it would be like sitting in council over the winds they go where they
will and come back as they see fit and not otherwise There was one voice that
spoke in your favor Deerslayer but it was alone like the song of the wren
whose mate has been struck by the hawk«
»I thank that voice whosever it may have been Mingo and will say it was as
true a voice as the rest were lying voices A furlough is as binding on a
paleface if he be honest as it is on a red skin and was it not so I would
never bring disgrace on the Delawares among whom I may be said to have received
my edication But words are useless and lead to braggin feelins here I am
act your will on me«
Rivenoak made a sign of acquiescence and then a short conference was
privately held among the chiefs As soon as the latter ended three or four
young men fell back from among the armed group and disappeared Then it was
signified to the prisoner that he was at liberty to go at large on the point
until a council was held concerning his fate There was more of seeming than of
real confidence however in this apparent liberality inasmuch as the young men
mentioned already formed a line of sentinels across the breadth of the point
inland and escape from any other part was out of the question Even the canoe
was removed beyond this line of sentinels to a spot where it was considered
safe from any sudden attempt These precautions did not proceed from a failure
of confidence but from the circumstance that the prisoner had now complied with
all the required conditions of his parole and it would have been considered a
commendable and honorable exploit to escape from his foes So nice indeed were
the distinctions drawn by the savages in cases of this nature that they often
gave their victims a chance to evade the torture deeming it as creditable to
the captors to overtake or to out wit a fugitive when his exertions were
supposed to be quickened by the extreme jeopardy of his situation as it was for
him to get clear from so much extraordinary vigilance
Nor was Deerslayer unconscious of or forgetful of his rights and of his
opportunities Could he now have seen any probable opening for an escape the
attempt would not have been delayed a minute But the case seemd desperate He
was aware of the line of sentinels and felt the difficulty of breaking through
it unharmed The lake offered no advantages as the canoe would have given his
foes the greatest facilities for overtaking him else would he have found it no
difficult task to swim as far as the castle As he walked about the point he
even examined the spot to ascertain if it offered no place of concealment but
its openness its size and the hundred watchful glances that were turned
towards him even while those who made them affected not to see him prevented
any such expedient from succeeding The dread and disgrace of failure had no
influence on Deerslayer who deemed it even a point of honor to reason and feel
like a white man rather than as an Indian and who felt it a sort of duty to
do all he could that did not involve a dereliction from principle in order to
save his life Still he hesitated about making the effort for he also felt that
he ought to see the chance of success before he committed himself
In the mean time the business of the camp appeared to proceed in its regular
train The chiefs consulted apart admitting no one but the Sumach to their
councils for she the widow of the fallen warrior had an exclusive right to be
heard on such an occasion The young men strolled about in indolent
listlessness awaiting the result with Indian patience while the females
prepared the feast that was to celebrate the termination of the affair whether
it proved fortunate or otherwise for our hero No one betrayed feeling and an
indifferent observer beyond the extreme watchfulness of the sentinels would
have detected no extraordinary movement or sensation to denote the real state of
things Two or three old women put their heads together and it appeared
unfavorably to the prospects of Deerslayer by their scowling looks and angry
gestures but a group of Indian girls were evidently animated by a different
impulse as was apparent by stolen glances that expressed pity and regret In
this condition of the camp an hour soon glided away
Suspense is perhaps the feeling of all others that is most difficult to be
supported When Deerslayer landed he fully expected in the course of a few
minutes to undergo the tortures of an Indian revenge and he was prepared to
meet his fate manfully but the delay proved far more trying than the nearer
approach of suffering and the intended victim began seriously to meditate some
desperate effort at escape as it might be from sheer anxiety to terminate the
scene when he was suddenly summoned to appear once more in front of his
judges who had already arranged the band in its former order in readiness to
receive him
»Killer of the Deer« commenced Rivenoak as soon as his captive stood
before him »my aged men have listened to wise words they are ready to speak
You are a man whose fathers came from beyond the rising sun we are children of
the setting sun we turn our faces towards the Great Sweet Lakes when we look
towards our villages It may be a wide country and full of riches towards the
morning but it is very pleasant towards the evening We love most to look in
that direction When we gaze at the east we feel afraid canoe after canoe
bringing more and more of your people in the track of the sun as if their land
was so full as to run over The red men are few already they have need of help
One of our best lodges has lately been emptied by the death of its master it
will be a long time before his son can grow big enough to sit in his place
There is his widow she will want venison to feed her and her children for her
sons are yet like the young of the robin before they quit the nest By your
hand has this great calamity befallen her She has two duties one to le Loup
Cervier and one to his children Scalp for scalp life for life blood for
blood is one law to feed her young another We know you Killer of the Deer
You are honest when you say a thing it is so You have but one tongue and
that is not forked like a snakes Your head is never hid in the grass all can
see it What you say that will you do You are just When you have done wrong
it is your wish to do right again as soon as you can Here is the Sumach she
is alone in her wigwam with children crying around her for food yonder is a
rifle it is loaded and ready to be fired Take the gun go forth and shoot a
deer bring the venison and lay it before the widow of Le Loup Cervier feed her
children call yourself her husband After which your heart will no longer be
Delaware but Huron le Sumachs ears will not hear the cries of her children
my people will count the proper number of warriors«
»I feard this Rivenoak« answered Deerslayer when the other had ceased
speaking »yes I did dread that it would come to this Howsever the truth is
soon told and that will put an end to all expectations on this head Mingo Im
white and christian born t would ill become me to take a wife under redskin
forms from among heathen That which I woulnt do in peaceable times and
under a bright sun still less would I do behind clouds in order to save my
life I may never marry most likely Providence in putting me up here in the
woods has intended I should live single and without a lodge of my own but
should such a thing come to pass none but a woman of my own colour and gifts
shall darken the door of my wigwam As for feeding the young of your dead
warrior I would do that cheerfully could it be done without discredit but it
cannot seeing that I can never live in a Huron village Your own young men must
find the Sumach in venison and the next time she marries let her take a
husband whose legs are not long enough to overrun territory that do nt belong
to him We fout a fair battle and he fell in this there is nothin but what
a brave expects and should be ready to meet As for getting a Mingo heart as
well might you expect to see gray hairs on a boy or the blackberry growing on
the pine No no Huron my gifts are white so far as wives are consarned it
is Delaware in all things touchin Injins«
These words were scarcely out of the mouth of Deerslayer before a common
murmur betrayed the dissatisfaction with which they had been heard The aged
women in particular were loud in their expressions of disgust and the gentle
Sumach herself a woman quite old enough to be our heros mother was not the
least pacific in her denunciations But all the other manifestations of
disappointment and discontent were thrown into the background by the fierce
resentment of the Panther This grim chief had thought it a degradation to
permit his sister to become the wife of a pale face of the Yengeese at all and
had only given a reluctant consent to the arrangement one by no means unusual
among the Indians however at the earnest solicitations of the bereaved widow
and it goaded him to the quick to find his condescension slighted the honor he
had with so much regret been persuaded to accord contemned The animal from
which he got his name does not glare on his intended prey with more frightful
ferocity than his eyes gleamed on the captive nor was his arm backward in
seconding the fierce resentment that almost consumed his breast
»Dog of the pale faces« he exclaimed in Iroquois »go yell among the curs
of your own evil hunting grounds«
The denunciation was accompanied by an appropriate action Even while
speaking his arm was lifted and the tomahawk hurled Luckily the loud tones of
the speaker had drawn the eye of Deerslayer towards him else would that moment
have probably closed his career So great was the dexterity with which this
dangerous weapon was thrown and so deadly the intent that it would have riven
the scull of the prisoner had he not stretched forth an arm and caught the
handle in one of its turns with a readiness quite as remarkable as the skill
with which the missile had been hurled The projectile force was so great
notwithstanding that when Deerslayers arm was arrested his hand was raised
above and behind his own head and in the very attitude necessary to return the
attack It is not certain whether the circumstance of finding himself
unexpectedly in this menacing posture and armed tempted the young man to
retaliate or whether sudden resentment overcame his forbearance and prudence
His eye kindled however and a small red spot appeared on each cheek while he
cast all his energy into the effort of his arm and threw back the weapon at his
assailant The unexpectedness of this blow contributed to its success the
Panther neither raising an arm nor bending his head to avoid it The keen
little axe struck the victim in a perpendicular line with the nose directly
between the eyes literally braining him on the spot Sallying forward as the
serpent darts at its enemy even while receiving its own death wound this man of
powerful frame fell his length into the open area formed by the circle
quivering in death A common rush to his relief left the captive for a single
instant quite without the crowd and willing to make one desperate effort for
life he bounded off with the activity of a deer There was but a breathless
instant when the whole band old and young women and children abandoning the
lifeless body of the Panther where it lay raised the yell of alarm and
followed in pursuit
Sudden as had been the event which induced Deerslayer to make this desperate
trial of speed his mind was not wholly unprepared for the fearful emergency In
the course of the past hour he had pondered well on the chances of such an
experiment and had shrewdly calculated all the details of success and failure
At the first leap therefore his body was completely under the direction of an
intelligence that turned all its efforts to the best account and prevented
every thing like hesitation or indecision at the important instant of the start
To this alone was he indebted for the first great advantage that of getting
through the line of sentinels unharmed The manner in which this was done
though sufficiently simple merits a description
Although the shores of the point were not fringed with bushes as was the
case with most of the others on the lake it was owing altogether to the
circumstance that the spot had been so much used by hunters and fishermen This
fringe commenced on what might be termed the main land and was as dense as
usual extending in long lines both north and south In the latter direction
then Deerslayer held his way and as the sentinels were a little without the
commencement of this thicket before the alarm was clearly communicated to them
the fugitive had gained its cover To run among the bushes however was out of
the question and Deerslayer held his way for some forty or fifty yards in the
water which was barely knee deep offering as great an obstacle to the speed of
his pursuers as it did to his own As soon as a favorable spot presented he
darted through the line of bushes and issued into the open woods
Several rifles were discharged at Deerslayer while in the water and more
followed as he came out into the comparative exposure of the clear forest But
the direction of his line of flight which partially crossed that of the fire
the haste with which the weapons had been aimed and the general confusion that
prevailed in the camp prevented any harm from being done Bullets whistled past
him and many cut twigs from the branches at his side but not one touched even
his dress The delay caused by these fruitless attempts was of great service to
the fugitive who had gained more than a hundred yards on even the leading men
of the Hurons ere something like concert and order had entered into the chase
To think of following with rifles in hand was out of the question and after
emptying their pieces in vague hopes of wounding their captive the best runners
of the Indians threw them aside calling out to the women and boys to recover
and load them again as soon as possible
Deerslayer knew too well the desperate nature of the struggle in which he
was engaged to lose one of the precious moments He also knew that his only hope
was to run in a straight line for as soon as he began to turn or double the
greater number of his pursuers would put escape out of the question He held his
way therefore in a diagonal direction up the acclivity which was neither very
high nor very steep in this part of the mountain but which was sufficiently
toilsome for one contending for life to render it painfully oppressive There
however he slackened his speed to recover breath proceeding even at a quick
walk or a slow trot along the more difficult parts of the way The Hurons were
whooping and leaping behind him but this he disregarded well knowing they must
overcome the difficulties he had surmounted ere they could reach the elevation
to which he had attained The summit of the first hill was now quite near him
and he saw by the formation of the land that a deep glen intervened before
the base of a second hill could be reached Walking deliberately to the summit
he glanced eagerly about him in every direction in quest of a cover None
offered in the ground but a fallen tree lay near him and desperate
circumstances required desperate remedies This tree lay in a line parallel to
the glen at the brow of the hill To leap on it and then to force his person
as close as possible under its lower side took but a moment Previously to
disappearing from his pursuers however Deerslayer stood on the height and
gave a cry of triumph as if exulting at the sight of the descent that lay
before him In the next instant he was stretched beneath the tree
No sooner was this expedient adopted than the young man ascertained how
desperate had been his own efforts by the violence of the pulsations in his
frame He could hear his heart beat and his breathing was like the action of a
bellows in quick motion Breath was gained however and the heart soon ceased
to throb as if about to break through its confinement The footsteps of those
who toiled up the opposite side of the acclivity were now audible and presently
voices and treads announced the arrival of the pursuers The foremost shouted as
they reached the height then fearful that their enemy would escape under favor
of the descent each leaped upon the fallen tree and plunged into the ravine
trusting to get a sight of the pursued ere he reached the bottom In this
manner Huron followed Huron until Natty began to hope the whole had passed
Others succeeded however until quite forty had leaped over the tree and then
he counted them as the surest mode of ascertaining how many could be behind
Presently all were in the bottom of the glen quite a hundred feet below him
and some had even ascended part of the opposite hill when it became evident an
inquiry was making as to the direction he had taken This was the critical
moment and one of nerves less steady or of a training that had been neglected
would have seized it to rise and fly Not so with Deerslayer He still lay
quiet watching with jealous vigilance every movement below and fast regaining
his breath
The Hurons now resembled a pack of hounds at fault Little was said but
each man ran about examining the dead leaves as the hound hunts for the lost
scent The great number of moccasins that had passed made the examination
difficult though the intoe of an Indian was easily to be distinguished from
the freer and wider step of a white man Believing that no more pursuers
remained behind and hoping to steal away unseen Deerslayer suddenly threw
himself over the tree and fell on the upper side This achievement appeared to
be effected successfully and hope beat high in the bosom of the fugitive
Rising to his hands and feet after a moment lost in listening to the sounds in
the glen in order to ascertain if he had been seen the young man next
scrambled to the top of the hill a distance of only ten yards in the
expectation of getting its brow between him and his pursuers and himself so far
under cover Even this was effected and he rose to his feet walking swiftly
but steadily along the summit in a direction opposite to that in which he had
first fled The nature of the calls in the glen however soon made him uneasy
and he sprang upon the summit again in order to reconnoitre No sooner did he
reach the height than he was seen and the chase renewed As it was better
footing on the level ground Deerslayer now avoided the side hill holding his
flight along the ridge while the Hurons judging from the general formation of
the land saw that the ridge would soon melt into the hollow and kept to the
latter as the easiest mode of heading the fugitive A few at the same time
turned south with a view to prevent his escaping in that direction while some
crossed his trail towards the water in order to prevent his retreat by the
lake running southerly
The situation of Deerslayer was now more critical than it ever had been He
was virtually surrounded on three sides having the lake on the fourth But he
had pondered well on all the chances and took his measures with coolness even
while at the top of his speed As is generally the case with the vigorous
border men he could outrun any single Indian among his pursuers who were
principally formidable to him on account of their numbers and the advantages
they possessed in position and he would not have hesitated to break off in a
straight line at any spot could he have got the whole band again fairly
behind him But no such chance did or indeed could now offer and when he found
that he was descending towards the glen by the melting away of the ridge he
turned short at right angles to his previous course and went down the
declivity with tremendous velocity holding his way towards the shore Some of
his pursuers came panting up the hill in direct chase while most still kept
on in the ravine intending to head him at its termination
Deerslayer had now a different though a desperate project in view
Abandoning all thoughts of escape by the woods he made the best of his way
towards the canoe He knew where it lay could it be reached he had only to run
the gauntlet of a few rifles and success would be certain None of the warriors
had kept their weapons which would have retarded their speed and the risk
would come either from the uncertain hands of the women or from those of some
well grown boy though most of the latter were already out in hot pursuit Every
thing seemed propitious to the execution of this plan and the course being a
continued descent the young man went over the ground at a rate that promised a
speedy termination to his toil
As Deerslayer approached the point several women and children were passed
but though the former endeavoured to cast dried branches between his legs the
terror inspired by his bold retaliation on the redoubted Panther was so great
that none dared come near enough seriously to molest him He went by all
triumphantly and reached the fringe of bushes Plunging through these our hero
found himself once more in the lake and within fifty feet of the canoe Here he
ceased to run for he well understood that his breath was now all important to
him He even stooped as he advanced and cooled his parched mouth by scooping
water up in his hand to drink Still the moments pressed and he soon stood at
the side of the canoe The first glance told him that the paddles had been
removed This was a sore disappointment after all his efforts and for a
single moment he thought of turning and of facing his foes by walking with
dignity into the centre of the camp again But an infernal yell such as the
American savage alone can raise proclaimed the quick approach of the nearest of
his pursuers and the instinct of life triumphed Preparing himself duly and
giving a right direction to its bows he ran off into the water bearing the
canoe before him threw all his strength and skill into a last effort and cast
himself forward so as to fall into the bottom of the light craft without
materially impeding its way Here he remained on his back both to regain his
breath and to cover his person from the deadly rifle The lightness which was
such an advantage in paddling the canoe now operated unfavorably The material
was so like a feather that the boat had no momentum else would the impulse in
that smooth and placid sheet have impelled it to a distance from the shore that
would have rendered paddling with the hands safe Could such a point once be
reached Deerslayer thought he might get far enough out to attract the attention
of Chingachgook and Judith who would not fail to come to his relief with other
canoes a circumstance that promised every thing As the young man lay in the
bottom of the canoe he watched its movements by studying the tops of the trees
on the mountainside and judged of his distance by the time and the motions
Voices on the shore were now numerous and he heard something said about manning
the raft which fortunately for the fugitive lay at a considerable distance
on the other side of the point
Perhaps the situation of Deerslayer had not been more critical that day
than it was at this moment It certainly had not been one half as tantalizing
He lay perfectly quiet for two or three minutes trusting to the single sense
of hearing confident that the noise in the lake would reach his ears did any
one venture to approach by swimming Once or twice he fancied that the element
was stirred by the cautious movement of an arm and then he perceived it was the
wash of the water on the pebbles of the strand for in mimicry of the ocean it
is seldom that those little lakes are so totally tranquil as not to possess a
slight heaving and setting on their shores Suddenly all the voices ceased and
a death like stillness pervaded the spot A quietness as profound as if all lay
in the repose of inanimate life By this time the canoe had drifted so far as
to render nothing visible to Deerslayer as he lay on his back except the blue
void of space and a few of those brighter rays that proceed from the
effulgence of the sun marking his proximity It was not possible to endure this
uncertainty long The young man well knew that the profound stillness foreboded
evil the savages never being so silent as when about to strike a blow
resembling the stealthy foot of the panther ere he takes his leap He took out a
knife and was about to cut a hole through the bark in order to get a view of
the shore when he paused from a dread of being seen in the operation which
would direct the enemy where to aim their bullets At this instant a rifle was
fired and the ball pierced both sides of the canoe within eighteen inches of
the spot where his head lay This was close work but our hero had too lately
gone through that which was closer to be appalled He lay still half a minute
longer and then he saw the summit of an oak coming slowly within his narrow
horizon
Unable to account for this change Deerslayer could restrain his impatience
no longer Hitching his body along with the utmost caution he got his eye at
the bullet hole and fortunately commanded a very tolerable view of the point
The canoe by one of those imperceptible impulses that so often decide the fate
of men as well as the course of things had inclined southerly and was slowly
drifting down the lake It was lucky that Deerslayer had given it a shove
sufficiently vigorous to send it past the end of the point ere it took this
inclination or it must have gone ashore again As it was it drifted so near
it as to bring the tops of two or three trees within the range of the young
mans view as has been mentioned and indeed to come in quite as close
proximity with the extremity of the point as was at all safe The distance
could not much have exceeded a hundred feet though fortunately a light current
of air from the south west began to set it slowly off shore
Deerslayer now felt the urgent necessity of resorting to some expedient to
get farther from his foes and if possible to apprise his friends of his
situation The distance rendered the last difficult while the proximity to the
point rendered the first indispensable As was usual in such craft a large
round smooth stone was in each end of the canoe for the double purpose of
seats and ballast one of these was within reach of his feet This stone he
contrived to get so far between his legs as to reach it with his hands and
then he managed to roll it to the side of its fellow in the bows where the two
served to keep the trim of the light boat while he worked his own body as far
aft as possible Before quitting the shore and as soon as he perceived that the
paddles were gone Deerslayer had thrown a bit of dead branch into the canoe
and this was within reach of his arm Removing the cap he wore he put it on the
end of this stick and just let it appear over the edge of the canoe as far as
possible from his own person This ruse was scarcely adopted before the young
man had a proof how much he had underrated the intelligence of his enemies In
contempt of an artifice so shallow and common place a bullet was fired directly
through another part of the canoe which actually raised his skin He dropped
the cap and instantly raised it immediately over his head as a safeguard It
would seem that this second artifice was unseen or what was more probable the
Hurons feeling certain of recovering their captive wished to take him alive
Deerslayer lay passive a few minutes longer his eye at the bullet hole
however and much did he rejoice at seeing that he was drifting gradually
farther and farther from the shore When he looked upward the treetops had
disappeared but he soon found that the canoe was slowly turning so as to
prevent his getting a view of any thing at his peephole but of the two
extremities of the lake He now bethought him of the stick which was crooked
and offered some facilities for rowing without the necessity of rising The
experiment succeeded on trial better even than he had hoped though his great
embarrassment was to keep the canoe straight That his present manoeuvre was
seen soon became apparent by the clamor on the shore and a bullet entering the
stern of the canoe traversed its length whistling between the arms of our hero
and passed out at the head This satisfied the fugitive that he was getting away
with tolerable speed and induced him to increase his efforts He was making a
stronger push than common when another messenger from the point broke the
stick outboard and at once deprived him of his oar As the sound of voices
seemed to grow more and more distant however Deerslayer determined to leave
all to the drift until he believed himself beyond the reach of bullets This
was nervous work but it was the wisest of all the expedients that offered and
the young man was encouraged to persevere in it by the circumstance that he
felt his face fanned by the air a proof that there was a little more wind
Chapter XXVIII
»Nor widows tears nor tender orphans cries
Can stop th invaders force
Nor swelling seas nor threatening skies
Prevent the pirates course
Their lives to selfish ends decreed
Through blood and rapine they proceed
No anxious thoughts of ill repute
Suspend the impetuous and unjust pursuit
But power and wealth obtaind guilty and great
Their fellow creatures fears they raise or urge their hate«
Congreve »Pindaric Ode« ii
By this time Deerslayer had been twenty minutes in the canoe and he began to
grow a little impatient for some signs of relief from his friends The position
of the boat still prevented his seeing in any direction unless it were up or
down the lake and though he knew that his line of sight must pass within a
hundred yards of the castle it in fact passed that distance to the westward
of the buildings The profound stillness troubled him also for he knew not
whether to ascribe it to the increasing space between him and the Indians or to
some new artifice At length wearied with fruitless watchfulness the young man
turned himself on his back closed his eyes and awaited the result in
determined acquiescence If the savages could so completely control their thirst
for revenge he was resolved to be as calm as themselves and to trust his fate
to the interposition of the currents and air
Some additional ten minutes may have passed in this quiescent manner on
both sides when Deerslayer thought he heard a slight noise like a low rubbing
against the bottom of his canoe He opened his eyes of course in expectation of
seeing the face or arm of an Indian rising from the water and found that a
canopy of leaves was impending directly over his head Starting to his feet the
first object that met his eye was Rivenoak who had so far aided the slow
progress of the boat as to draw it on the point the grating on the strand
being the sound that had first given our hero the alarm The change in the drift
of the canoe had been altogether owing to the baffling nature of the light
currents of the air aided by some eddies in the water
»Come« said the Huron with a quiet gesture of authority to order his
prisoner to land »my young friend has sailed about till he is tired he will
forget how to run again unless he uses his legs«
»Youve the best of it Huron« returned Deerslayer stepping steadily from
the canoe and passively following his leader to the open area of the point
»Providence has helped you in an onexpected manner Im your prisoner agin and
I hope youll allow that Im as good at breaking gaol as I am at keeping
furloughs«
»My young friend is a Moose« exclaimed the Huron »His legs are very long
they have given my young men trouble But he is not a fish he cannot find his
way in the lake We did not shoot him fish are taken in nets and not killed by
bullets When he turns Moose again he will be treated like a Moose«
»Ay have your talk Rivenoak make the most of your advantage Tis your
right I suppose and I know it is your gift On that pint therell be no words
atween us for all men must and ought to follow their gifts Howsever when your
women begin to tant and abuse me as I suppose will soon happen let em
remember that if a pale face struggles for life so long as its lawful and
manful he knows how to loosen his hold on it decently when he feels that the
time has come Im your captyve work your will on me«
»My brother has had a long run on the hills and a pleasant sail on the
water« returned Rivenoak more mildly smiling at the same time in a way that
his listener knew denoted pacific intentions »He has seen the woods he has
seen the water Which does he like best Perhaps he has seen enough to change
his mind and make him hear reason«
»Speak out Huron Something is in your thoughts and the sooner it is said
the sooner youll get my answer«
»That is straight There is no turning in the talk of my pale face friend
though he is a fox in running I will speak to him his ears are now open wider
than before and his eyes are not shut The Sumach is poorer than ever Once she
had a brother and a husband She had children too The time came and the
husband started for the Happy Hunting Grounds without saying farewell he left
her alone with his children This he could not help or he would not have done
it le Loup Cervier was a good husband It was pleasant to see the venison and
wild ducks and geese and bears meat that hung in his lodge in winter It is
now gone it will not keep in warm weather Who shall bring it back again Some
thought the brother would not forget his sister and that next winter he would
see that the lodge should not be empty We thought this but the Panther yelled
and followed the husband on the path of death They are now trying which shall
first reach the Happy Hunting Grounds Some think the Lynx can run fastest and
some think the Panther can jump the farthest The Sumach thinks both will travel
so fast and so far that neither will ever come back Who shall feed her and her
young The man who told her husband and her brother to quit her lodge that
there might be room for him to come into it He is a great hunter and we know
that the woman will never want«
»Ay Huron this is soon settled accordin to your notions but it goes
sorely agin the grain of a white mans feelins Ive heard of mens saving
their lives thisaway and Ive knowd them that would prefar death to such a
sort of captivity For my part I do not seek my end nor do I seek matrimony«
»The pale face will think of this while my people get ready for the
council He will be told what will happen Let him remember how hard it is to
lose a husband and a brother Go when we want him the name of Deerslayer will
be called«
This conversation had been held with no one near but the speakers Of all
the band that had so lately thronged the place Rivenoak alone was visible The
rest seemed to have totally abandoned the spot Even the furniture clothes
arms and other property of the camp had entirely disappeared and the place
bore no other proofs of the crowd that had so lately occupied it than the
traces of their fires and resting places and the trodden earth that still
showed the marks of their feet So sudden and unexpected a change caused
Deerslayer a good deal of surprise and some uneasiness for he had never known
it to occur in the course of his experience among the Delawares He suspected
however and rightly that a change of encampment was intended and that the
mystery of the movement was resorted to in order to work on his apprehensions
Rivenoak walked up the vista of trees as soon as he ceased speaking
leaving Deerslayer by himself The chief disappeared behind the covers of the
forest and one unpractised in such scenes might have believed the prisoner left
to the dictates of his own judgment But the young man while he felt a little
amazement at the dramatic aspect of things knew his enemies too well to fancy
himself at liberty or a free agent Still he was ignorant how far the Hurons
meant to carry their artifices and he determined to bring the question as soon
as practicable to the proof Affecting an indifference he was far from feeling
he strolled about the area gradually getting nearer and nearer to the spot
where he had landed when he suddenly quickened his pace though carefully
avoiding all appearance of flight and pushing aside the bushes he stepped upon
the beach The canoe was gone nor could he see any traces of it after walking
to the northern and southern verges of the point and examining the shores in
both directions It was evidently removed beyond his reach and knowledge and
under circumstances to show that such had been the intention of the savages
Deerslayer now better understood his actual situation He was a prisoner on
the narrow tongue of land vigilantly watched beyond a question and with no
other means of escape than that of swimming He again thought of this last
expedient but the certainty that the canoe would be sent in chase and the
desperate nature of the chances of success deterred him from the undertaking
While on the strand he came to a spot where the bushes had been cut and thrust
into a small pile Removing a few of the upper branches he found beneath them
the dead body of the Panther He knew that it was kept until the savages might
find a place to inter it where it would be beyond the reach of the scalping
knife He gazed wistfully towards the castle but there all seemed to be silent
and desolate and a feeling of loneliness and desertion came over him to
increase the gloom of the moment
»Gods will be done« murmured the young man as he walked sorrowfully away
from the beach entering again beneath the arches of the wood »Gods will be
done on arth as it is in heaven I did hope that my days would not be numbered
so soon but it matters little ater all A few more winters and a few more
summers and twould have been over accordin to natur Ahs me the young
and actyve seldom think death possible till he grins in their faces and tells
em the hour is come«
While this soliloquy was being pronounced the hunter advanced into the
area where to his surprise he saw Hetty alone evidently awaiting his return
The girl carried the bible under her arm and her face over which a shadow of
gentle melancholy was usually thrown now seemed sad and downcast Moving
nearer Deerslayer spoke
»Poor Hetty« he said »times have been so troublesome of late that Id
altogether forgotten you we meet as it might be to mourn over what is to
happen I wonder what has become of Chingachgook and Wah«
»Why did you kill the Huron Deerslayer « returned the girl reproachfully
»Dont you know your commandments which say Thou shalt not kill They tell me
you have now slain the womans husband and brother«
»Its true my good Hetty tis gospel truth and Ill not deny what has
come to pass But you must remember gal that many things are lawful in war
which would be onlawful in peace The husband was shot in open fight or open
so far as I was consarned while he had a better cover than common and the
brother brought his end on himself by casting his tomahawk at an unarmed
prisoner Did you witness that deed gal«
»I saw it and was sorry it happened Deerslayer for I hoped you would nt
have returned blow for blow but good for evil«
»Ah Hetty that may do among the Missionaries but twould make an
onsartain life in the woods The Panther craved my blood and he was foolish
enough to throw arms into my hands at the very moment he was striving ater it
Twould have been agin natur not to raise a hand in such a trial and twould
have done discredit to my training and gifts No no Im as willing to give
every man his own as another and so I hope youll testify to them that will be
likely to question you as to what youve seen this day«
»Deerslayer do you mean to marry Sumach now she has neither husband nor
brother to feed her«
»Are such your idees of matrimony Hetty Ought the young to wive with the
old the pale face with the red skin the christian with the heathen Its
agin reason and natur and so youll see if you think of it a moment«
»Ive always heard mother say« returned Hetty averting her face more from
a feminine instinct than from any consciousness of wrong »that people should
never marry until they loved each other better than brothers and sisters and I
suppose that is what you mean Sumach is old and you are young«
»Ay and shes red and Im white Beside Hetty suppose you was a wife
now having married some young man of your own years and state and colour
Hurry Harry for instance « Deerslayer selected this example simply from the
circumstance that he was the only young man known to both »and that he had
fallen on a war path would you wish to take to your bosom for a husband the
man that slew him«
»Oh no no no « returned the girl shuddering »That would be wicked as
well as heartless No christian girl could or would do that I never shall be
the wife of Hurry I know but were he my husband no man should ever be it
again after his death«
»I thought it would get to this Hetty when you come to understand
sarcumstances Tis a moral impossibility that I should ever marry Sumach and
though Injin weddins have no priests and not much religion a white man who
knows his gifts and duties cant profit by that and so make his escape at the
fitting time I do think death would be more natral like and welcome than
wedlock with this woman«
»Dont say it too loud« interrupted Hetty impatiently »I suppose she will
not like to hear it Im sure Hurry would rather marry even me than suffer
torments though I am feeble minded and I am sure it would kill me to think
hed prefer death to being my husband«
»Ay gal you ant Sumach but a comely young Christian with a good heart
pleasant smile and kind eye Hurry might be proud to get you and that too
not in misery and sorrow but in his best and happiest days Howsever take my
advice and never talk to Hurry about these things hes only a borderer at the
best«
»I would nt tell him for the world« exclaimed the girl looking about
her like one affrighted and blushing she knew not why »Mother always said
young women should nt be forward and speak their minds before theyre asked
Oh I never forget what mother told me Tis a pity Hurry is so handsome
Deerslayer I do think fewer girls would like him then and he would sooner know
his own mind«
»Poor gal poor gal its plain enough how it is but the Lord will bear in
mind one of your simple heart and kind feelins Well talk no more of these
things if you had reason youd be sorrowful at having let others so much into
your secret Tell me Hetty what has become of all the Hurons and why they let
you roam about the pint as if you too was a prisoner«
»Im no prisoner Deerslayer but a free girl and go when and where I
please Nobody dare hurt me If they did God would be angry as I can show them
in the bible No no Hetty Hutter is not afraid shes in good hands The
Hurons are up yonder in the woods and keep a good watch on us both Ill answer
for it since all the women and children are on the lookout Some are burying
the body of the poor girl who was shot so that the enemy and the wild beasts
cant find it I told em that father and mother lay in the lake but I would
nt let them know in what part of it for Judith and I dont want any of their
heathenish company in our burying ground«
»Ahs me Well it is an awful despatch to be standing here alive and
angry and with the feelins up and ferocious one hour and then to be carried
away at the next and put out of sight of mankind in a hole in the arth No one
knows what will happen to him on a warpath thats sartain«
Here the stirring of leaves and the cracking of dried twigs interrupted the
discourse and apprised Deerslayer of the approach of his enemies The Hurons
closed around the spot that had been prepared for the coming scene and in the
centre of which the intended victim now stood in a circle the armed men being
so distributed among the feebler members of the band that there was no safe
opening through which the prisoner could break But the latter no longer
contemplated flight the recent trial having satisfied him of his inability to
escape when pursued so closely by numbers On the contrary all his energies
were aroused in order to meet his expected fate with a calmness that should do
credit to his colour and his manhood one equally removed from recreant alarm
and savage boasting
When Rivenoak reappeared in the circle he occupied his old place at the
head of the area Several of the elder warriors stood near him but now that
the brother of Sumach had fallen there was no longer any recognised chief
present whose influence and authority offered a dangerous rivalry to his own
Nevertheless it is well known that little which could be called monarchical or
despotic entered into the politics of the North American tribes although the
first colonists bringing with them to this hemisphere the notions and opinions
of their own countries often dignified the chief men of those primitive
nations with the titles of kings and princes Hereditary influence did
certainly exist but there is much reason to believe it existed rather as a
consequence of hereditary merit and acquired qualifications than as a
birthright Rivenoak however had not even this claim having risen to
consideration purely by the force of talents sagacity and as Bacon expresses
it in relation to all distinguished statesmen by a union of great and mean
qualities a truth of which the career of the profound Englishman himself
furnishes so apt an illustration Next to arms eloquence offers the great
avenue to popular favor whether it be in civilized or savage life and Rivenoak
had succeeded as so many have succeeded before him quite as much by rendering
fallacies acceptable to his listeners as by any profound or learned expositions
of truth or the accuracy of his logic Nevertheless he had influence and was
far from being altogether without just claims to its possession Like most men
who reason more than they feel the Huron was not addicted to the indulgence of
the more ferocious passions of his people he had been commonly found on the
side of mercy in all the scenes of vindictive torture and revenge that had
occurred in his tribe since his own attainment to power On the present
occasion he was reluctant to proceed to extremities although the provocation
was so great Still it exceeded his ingenuity to see how that alternative could
well be avoided Sumach resented her rejection more than she did the deaths of
her husband and brother and there was little probability that the woman would
pardon a man who had so unequivocally preferred death to her embraces Without
her forgiveness there was scarce a hope that the tribe could be induced to
overlook its loss and even to Rivenoak himself much as he was disposed to
pardon the fate of our hero now appeared to be almost hopelessly sealed
When the whole band was arrayed around the captive a grave silence so much
the more threatening from its profound quiet pervaded the place Deerslayer
perceived that the women and boys had been preparing splinters of the fat pine
roots which he well knew were to be stuck into his flesh and set in flames
while two or three of the young men held the thongs of bark with which he was to
be bound The smoke of a distant fire announced that the burning brands were in
preparation and several of the elder warriors passed their fingers over the
edges of their tomahawks as if to prove their keenness and temper Even the
knives seemed loosened in their sheathes impatient for the bloody and merciless
work to begin
»Killer of the Deer« recommenced Rivenoak certainly without any signs of
sympathy or pity in his manner though with calmness and dignity »Killer of the
Deer it is time that my people knew their minds The sun is no longer over our
heads tired of waiting on the Hurons he has begun to fall near the pines on
this side of the valley He is travelling fast towards the country of our French
fathers it is to warn his children that their lodges are empty and that they
ought to be at home The roaming wolf has his den and he goes to it when he
wishes to see his young The Iroquois are not poorer than the wolves They have
villages and wigwams and fields of corn the Good Spirits will be tired of
watching them alone My people must go back and see to their own business
There will be joy in the lodges when they hear our whoop from the forest It
will be a sorrowful whoop when it is understood grief will come after it
There will be one scalpwhoop but there will be only one We have the fur of
the Muskrat his body is among the fishes Deerslayer must say whether another
scalp shall be on our pole Two lodges are empty a scalp living or dead is
wanted at each door«
»Then take em dead Huron« firmly but altogether without dramatic
boasting returned the captive »My hour is come I do suppose and what must
be must If you are bent on the tortur Ill do my indivours to bear up agin
it though no man can say how far his natur will stand pain until hes been
tried«
»The pale face cur begins to put his tail between his legs« cried a young
and garrulous savage who bore the appropriate title of the Corbeau Rouge a
sobriquet he had gained from the French by his facility in making unseasonable
noises and an undue tendency to hear his own voice »he is no warrior he has
killed the Loup Cervier when looking behind him not to see the flash of his own
rifle He grunts like a hog already when the Huron women begin to torment him
he will cry like the young of the catamount He is a Delaware woman dressed in
the skin of a Yengeese«
»Have your say young man have your say« returned Deerslayer unmoved
»you know no better and I can overlook it Talking may aggravate women but can
hardly make knives sharper fire hotter or rifles more sartain«
Rivenoak now interposed reproving the Red Crow for his premature
interference and then directing the proper persons to bind the captive This
expedient was adopted not from any apprehensions that he would escape or from
any necessity that was yet apparent of his being unable to endure the torture
with his limbs free but from an ingenious design of making him feel his
helplessness and of gradually sapping his resolution by undermining it as it
might be little by little Deerslayer offered no resistance He submitted his
arms and legs freely if not cheerfully to the ligaments of bark which were
bound around them by order of the chief in a way to produce as little pain as
possible These directions were secret and given in the hope that the captive
would finally save himself from any serious bodily suffering by consenting to
take the Sumach for a wife As soon as the body of Deerslayer was withed in bark
sufficiently to create a lively sense of helplessness he was literally carried
to a young tree and bound against it in a way that effectually prevented him
from moving as well as from falling The hands were laid flat against the legs
and thongs were passed over all in a way nearly to incorporate the prisoner
with the tree His cap was then removed and he was left halfstanding
halfsustained by his bonds to face the coming scene in the best manner he
could
Previously to proceeding to any thing like extremities it was the wish of
Rivenoak to put his captives resolution to the proof by renewing the attempt
at a compromise This could be effected only in one manner the acquiescence of
the Sumach being indispensably necessary to a compromise of her right to be
revenged With this view then the woman was next desired to advance and to
look to her own interests no agent being considered as efficient as the
principal herself in this negotiation The Indian females when girls are
usually mild and submissive with musical tones pleasant voices and merry
laughs but toil and suffering generally deprive them of most of these
advantages by the time they have reached an age which the Sumach had long
before passed To render their voices harsh it would seem to require active
malignant passions though when excited their screams can rise to a
sufficiently conspicuous degree of discordancy to assert their claim to possess
this distinctive peculiarity of the sex The Sumach was not altogether without
feminine attraction however and had so recently been deemed handsome in her
tribe as not to have yet learned the full influence that time and exposure
produce on man as well as on woman By an arrangement of Rivenoaks some of
the women around her had been employing the time in endeavoring to persuade the
bereaved widow that there was still a hope Deerslayer might be prevailed on to
enter her wigwam in preference to entering the world of spirits and this too
with a success that previous symptoms scarcely justified All this was the
result of a resolution on the part of the chief to leave no proper means
unemployed in order to get transferred to his own nation the greatest hunter
that was then thought to exist in all that region as well as a husband for a
woman who he felt would be likely to be troublesome were any of her claims to
the attention and care of the tribe overlooked
In conformity with this scheme the Sumach had been secretly advised to
advance into the circle and to make her appeal to the prisoners sense of
justice before the band had recourse to the last experiment The woman nothing
loth consented for there was some such attraction in becoming the wife of a
noted hunter among the females of the tribes as is experienced by the sex in
more refined life when they bestow their hands on the affluent As the duties
of a mother were thought to be paramount to all other considerations the widow
felt none of that embarrassment in preferring her claims to which even a
female fortune hunter among ourselves might be liable When she stood forth
before the whole party therefore the children that she led by the hands fully
justified all she did
»You see me before you cruel pale face« the woman commenced »your spirit
must tell you my errand I have found you I cannot find le Loup Cervier nor
the Panther I have looked for them in the lake in the woods in the clouds I
cannot say where they have gone«
»No man knows good Sumach no man knows« interposed the captive »When the
spirit leaves the body it passes into a world beyond our knowledge and the
wisest way for them that are left behind is to hope for the best No doubt
both your warriors have gone to the Happy Hunting Grounds and at the proper
time you will see em agin in their improved state The wife and sister of
braves must have looked forward to some such tarmination of their arthly
careers«
»Cruel paleface what had my warriors done that you should slay them They
were the best hunters and the boldest young men of their tribe the Great
Spirit intended that they should live until they withered like the branches of
the hemlock and fell of their own weight «
»Nay nay good Sumach« interrupted Deerslayer whose love of truth was
too indomitable to listen to such hyperbole with patience even though it came
from the torn breast of a widow »Nay nay good Sumach this is a little
outdoing red skin privileges Young man was neither any more than you can be
called a young woman and as to the Great Spirits intending that they should
fall otherwise than they did thats a grievous mistake inasmuch as what the
Great Spirit intends is sartain to come to pass Then agin its plain enough
neither of your frinds did me any harm I raised my hand agin em on account
of what they were striving to do rather than what they did This is natral
law to do lest you should be done by«
»It is so Sumach has but one tongue she can tell but one story The Pale
face struck the Hurons lest the Hurons should strike him The Hurons are a just
nation they will forget it The chiefs will shut their eyes and pretend not to
have seen it the young men will believe the Panther and the Lynx have gone to
far off hunts and the Sumach will take her children by the hand and go into
the lodge of the pale face and say See these are your children they are also
mine feed us and we will live with you«
»The tarms are onadmissable woman and though I feel for your losses which
must be hard to bear the tarms cannot be accepted As to givin you venson in
case we lived near enough together that would be no great explite but as for
becomin your husband and the father of your children to be honest with you I
feel no callin thataway«
»Look at this boy cruel pale face he has no father to teach him to kill
the deer or to take scalps See this girl what young man will come to look for
a wife in a lodge that has no head There are more among my people in the
Canadas and the Killer of Deer will find as many mouths to feed as his heart
can wish for«
»I tell you woman« exclaimed Deerslayer whose imagination was far from
seconding the appeal of the widow and who began to grow restive under the vivid
pictures she was drawing »all this is nothing to me People and kindred must
take care of their own fatherless leaving them that have no children to their
own loneliness As for me I have no offspring and I want no wife Now go away
Sumach leave me in the hands of your chiefs for my colour and gifts and
natur itself cry out agin the idee of taking you for a wife«
It is unnecessary to expatiate on the effect of this downright refusal of
the womans proposals If there was any thing like tenderness in her bosom and
no woman was probably ever entirely without that feminine quality it all
disappeared at this plain announcement Fury rage mortified pride and a
volcano of wrath burst out at one explosion converting her into a sort of
maniac as it might be at the touch of a magicians wand Without deigning a
reply in words she made the arches of the forest ring with screams and then
flew forward at her victim seizing him by the hair which she appeared resolute
to draw out by the roots It was some time before her grasp could be loosened
Fortunately for the prisoner her rage was blind since his total helplessness
left him entirely at her mercy Had it been better directed it might have proved
fatal before any relief could have been offered As it was she did succeed in
wrenching out two or three handsful of hair before the young men could tear her
away from her victim
The insult that had been offered to the Sumach was deemed an insult to the
whole tribe not so much however on account of any respect that was felt for
the woman as on account of the honor of the Huron nation Sumach herself was
generally considered to be as acid as the berry from which she derived her name
and now that her great supporters her husband and brother were both gone few
cared about concealing their aversion Nevertheless it had become a point of
honor to punish the pale face who disdained a Huron woman and more particularly
one who coolly preferred death to relieving the tribe from the support of a
widow and her children The young men showed an impatience to begin to torture
that Rivenoak understood and as his older associates manifested no disposition
to permit any longer delay he was compelled to give the signal for the
infernal work to proceed
Chapter XXIX
»The ugly bear now minded not the stake
Nor how the cruel mastiffs do him tear
The stag lay still unroused from the brake
The foamy boar feared not the hunters spear
All thing was still in desert bush and briar«
Thomas Sackville »The Complaint of
Henry Duke of Buckingham« lxxxi
It was one of the common expedients of the savages on such occasions to put
the nerves of their victims to the severest proofs On the other hand it was a
matter of Indian pride to betray no yielding to terror or pain but for the
prisoner to provoke his enemies to such acts of violence as would soonest
produce death Many a warrior had been known to bring his own sufferings to a
more speedy termination by taunting reproaches and reviling language when he
found that his physical system was giving way under the agony of sufferings
produced by a hellish ingenuity that might well eclipse all that has been said
of the infernal devices of religious persecution This happy expedient of taking
refuge from the ferocity of his foes in their passions was denied Deerslayer
however by his peculiar notions of the duty of a white man and he had stoutly
made up his mind to endure every thing in preference to disgracing his colour
No sooner did the young men understand that they were at liberty to
commence than some of the boldest and most forward among them sprang into the
arena tomahawk in hand Here they prepared to throw that dangerous weapon the
object being to strike the tree as near as possible to the victims head
without absolutely hitting him This was so hazardous an experiment that none
but those who were known to be exceedingly expert with the weapon were allowed
to enter the lists at all lest an early death might interfere with the
expected entertainment In the truest hands it was seldom that the captive
escaped injury in these trials and it often happened that death followed even
when the blow was not premeditated In the particular case of our hero Rivenoak
and the older warriors were apprehensive that the example of the Panthers fate
might prove a motive with some fiery spirit suddenly to sacrifice his conqueror
when the temptation of effecting it in precisely the same manner and possibly
with the identical weapon with which the warrior had fallen offered This
circumstance of itself rendered the ordeal of the tomahawk doubly critical for
the Deerslayer
It would seem however that all who now entered what we shall call the
lists were more disposed to exhibit their own dexterity than to resent the
deaths of their comrades Each prepared himself for the trial with the feelings
of rivalry rather than with the desire for vengeance and for the first few
minutes the prisoner had little more connection with the result than grew out
of the interest that necessarily attached itself to a living target The young
men were eager instead of being fierce and Rivenoak thought he still saw signs
of being able to save the life of the captive when the vanity of the young men
had been gratified always admitting that it was not sacrificed to the delicate
experiments that were about to be made
The first youth who presented himself for the trial was called The Raven
having as yet had no opportunity of obtaining a more warlike sobriquet He was
remarkable for high pretension rather than for skill or exploits and those
who knew his character thought the captive in imminent danger when he took his
stand and poised the tomahawk Nevertheless the young man was good natured
and no thought was uppermost in his mind other than the desire to make a better
cast than any of his fellows Deerslayer got an inkling of this warriors want
of reputation by the injunctions that he had received from the seniors who
indeed would have objected to his appearing in the arena at all but for an
influence derived from his father an aged warrior of great merit who was then
in the lodges of the tribe Still our hero maintained an appearance of
selfpossession He had made up his mind that his hour was come and it would
have been a mercy instead of a calamity to fall by the unsteadiness of the
first hand that was raised against him After a suitable number of flourishes
and gesticulations that promised much more than he could perform the Raven let
the tomahawk quit his hand The weapon whirled through the air with the usual
evolutions cut a chip from the sapling to which the prisoner was bound within
a few inches of his cheek and stuck in a large oak that grew several yards
behind him This was decidedly a bad effort and a common sneer proclaimed as
much to the great mortification of the young man On the other hand there was
a general but suppressed murmur of admiration at the steadiness with which the
captive stood the trial The head was the only part he could move and this had
been purposely left free that the tormentors might have the amusement and the
tormented endure the shame of his dodging and otherwise attempting to avoid
the blows Deerslayer disappointed these hopes by a command of nerve that
rendered his whole body as immovable as the tree to which he was bound Nor did
he even adopt the natural and usual expedient of shutting his eyes the firmest
and oldest warrior of the redmen never having more disdainfully denied himself
this advantage under similar circumstances
The Raven had no sooner made his unsuccessful and puerile effort than he
was succeeded by le DaimMose or the Moose a middle aged warrior who was
particularly skilful in the use of the tomahawk and from whose attempt the
spectators confidently looked for gratification This man had none of the good
nature of the Raven but he would gladly have sacrificed the captive to his
hatred of the pale faces generally were it not for the greater interest he felt
in his own success as one particularly skilled in the use of this weapon He
took his stand quietly but with an air of confidence poised his little axe but
a single instant advanced a foot with a quick motion and threw Deerslayer saw
the keen instrument whirling towards him and believed all was over still he
was not touched The tomahawk had actually bound the head of the captive to the
tree by carrying before it some of his hair having buried itself deep beneath
the soft bark A general yell expressed the delight of the spectators and the
Moose felt his heart soften a little towards the prisoner whose steadiness of
nerve alone enabled him to give this evidence of his consummate skill
Le DaimMose was succeeded by the Bounding Boy or le Garçon qui Bondi who
came leaping into the circle like a hound or a goat at play This was one of
those elastic youths whose muscles seemed always in motion and who either
affected or who from habit was actually unable to move in any other manner
than by showing the antics just mentioned Nevertheless he was both brave and
skilful and had gained the respect of his people by deeds in war as well as
success in the hunts A far nobler name would long since have fallen to his
share had not a Frenchman of rank inadvertently given him this sobriquet
which he religiously preserved as coming from his Great Father who lived beyond
the Wide Salt Lake The Bounding Boy skipped about in front of the captive
menacing him with his tomahawk now on one side and now on another and then
again in front in the vain hope of being able to extort some sign of fear by
this parade of danger At length Deerslayers patience became exhausted by all
this mummery and he spoke for the first time since the trial had actually
commenced
»Throw away Huron« he cried »or your tomahawk will forget its arnd Why
do you keep loping about like a faan thats showing its dam how well it can
skip when youre a warrior grown yourself and a warrior grown defies you and
all your silly antiks Throw or the Huron gals will laugh in your face«
Although not intended to produce such an effect the last words aroused the
Bounding warrior to fury The same nervous excitability which rendered him so
active in his person made it difficult to repress his feelings and the words
were scarcely past the lips of the speaker than the tomahawk left the hand of
the Indian Nor was it cast without illwill and a fierce determination to
slay Had the intention been less deadly the danger might have been greater
The aim was uncertain and the weapon glanced near the cheek of the captive
slightly cutting the shoulder in its evolutions This was the first instance in
which any other object than that of terrifying the prisoner and of displaying
skill had been manifested and the Bounding Boy was immediately led from the
arena and was warmly rebuked for his intemperate haste which had come so near
defeating all the hopes of the band
To this irritable person succeeded several other young warriors who not
only hurled the tomahawk but who cast the knife a far more dangerous
experiment with reckless indifference yet they always manifested a skill that
prevented any injury to the captive Several times Deerslayer was grazed but in
no instance did he receive what might be termed a wound The unflinching
firmness with which he faced his assailants more especially in the sort of
rally with which this trial terminated excited a profound respect in the
spectators and when the chiefs announced that the prisoner had well withstood
the trials of the knife and the tomahawk there was not a single individual in
the band who really felt any hostility towards him with the exception of Sumach
and the Bounding Boy These two discontented spirits got together it is true
feeding each others ire but as yet their malignant feelings were confined
very much to themselves though there existed the danger that the others ere
long could not fail to be excited by their own efforts into that demoniacal
state which usually accompanied all similar scenes among the red men
Rivenoak now told his people that the pale face had proved himself to be a
man He might live with the Delawares but he had not been made woman with that
tribe He wished to know whether it was the desire of the Hurons to proceed any
further Even the gentlest of the females however had received too much
satisfaction in the late trials to forego their expectations of a gratifying
exhibition and there was but one voice in the request to proceed The politic
chief who had some such desire to receive so celebrated a hunter into his
tribe as a European Minister has to devise a new and available means of
taxation sought every plausible means of arresting the trial in season for he
well knew if permitted to go far enough to arouse the more ferocious passions
of the tormentors it would be as easy to dam the waters of the great lakes of
his own region as to attempt to arrest them in their bloody career He
therefore called four or five of the best marksmen to him and bid them put the
captive to the proof of the rifle while at the same time he cautioned them
touching the necessity of their maintaining their own credit by the closest
attention to the manner of exhibiting their skill
When Deerslayer saw the chosen warriors step into the circle with their
arms prepared for service he felt some such relief as the miserable sufferer
who has long endured the agonies of disease feels at the certain approach of
death Any trifling variance in the aim of this formidable weapon would prove
fatal since the head being the target or rather the point it was desired to
graze without injuring an inch or two of difference in the line of projection
must at once determine the question of life or death
In the torture by the rifle there was none of the latitude permitted that
appeared in the case of even Gesslers apple a hairs breadth being in fact
the utmost limits that an expert marksman would allow himself on an occasion
like this Victims were frequently shot through the head by too eager or
unskilful hands and it often occurred that exasperated by the fortitude and
taunts of the prisoner death was dealt intentionally in a moment of
ungovernable irritation All this Deerslayer well knew for it was in relating
the traditions of such scenes as well as of the battles and victories of their
people that the old men beguiled the long winter evenings in their cabins He
now fully expected the end of his career and experienced a sort of melancholy
pleasure in the idea that he was to fall by a weapon as much beloved as the
rifle A slight interruption however took place before the business was
allowed to proceed
Hetty Hutter witnessed all that passed and the scene at first had pressed
upon her feeble mind in a way to paralyze it entirely but by this time she
had rallied and was growing indignant at the unmerited suffering the Indians
were inflicting on her friend Though timid and shy as the young of the deer
on so many occasions this rightfeeling girl was always intrepid in the cause
of humanity the lessons of her mother and the impulses of her own heart
perhaps we might say the promptings of that unseen and pure spirit that seemed
ever to watch over and direct her actions uniting to keep down the
apprehensions of woman and to impel her to be bold and resolute She now
appeared in the circle gentle feminine even bashful in mien as usual but
earnest in her words and countenance speaking like one who knew herself to be
sustained by the high authority of God
»Why do you torment Deerslayer redmen« she asked »What has he done that
you trifle with his life who has given you the right to be his judges Suppose
one of your knives or tomahawks had hit him what Indian among you all could
cure the wound you would make Besides in harming Deerslayer you injure your
own friend when father and Hurry Harry came after your scalps he refused to be
of the party and staid in the canoe by himself You are tormenting a good
friend in tormenting this young man«
The Hurons listened with grave attention and one among them who understood
English translated what had been said into their native tongue As soon as
Rivenoak was made acquainted with the purport of her address he answered it in
his own dialect the interpreter conveying it to the girl in English
»My daughter is very welcome to speak« said the stern old orator using
gentle intonations and smiling as kindly as if addressing a child »The Hurons
are glad to hear her voice they listen to what she says The Great Spirit often
speaks to men with such tongues This time her eyes have not been open wide
enough to see all that has happened Deerslayer did not come for our scalps
that is true why did he not come Here they are on our heads the warlocks
are ready to be taken hold of a bold enemy ought to stretch out his hand to
seize them The Iroquois are too great a nation to punish men that take scalps
What they do themselves they like to see others do Let my daughter look around
her and count my warriors Had I as many hands as four warriors their fingers
would be fewer than my people when they came into your hunting grounds Now a
whole hand is missing Where are the fingers Two have been cut off by this pale
face my Hurons wish to see if he did this by means of a stout heart or by
treachery Like a skulking fox or like a leaping panther«
»You know yourself Huron how one of them fell I saw it and you all saw
it too Twas too bloody to look at but it was not Deerslayers fault Your
warrior sought his life and he defended himself I do nt know whether this
good book says that it was right but all men will do that Come if you want to
know which of you can shoot best give Deerslayer a rifle and then you will
find how much more expert he is than any of your warriors yes than all of
them together«
Could one have looked upon such a scene with indifference he would have
been amused at the gravity with which the savages listened to the translation of
this unusual request No taunt no smile mingled with their surprise for Hetty
had a character and a manner too saintly to subject her infirmity to the
mockings of the rude and ferocious On the contrary she was answered with
respectful attention
»My daughter does not always talk like a chief at a Council Fire« returned
Rivenoak »or she would not have said this Two of my warriors have fallen by
the blows of our prisoner their grave is too small to hold a third The Hurons
do not like to crowd their dead If there is another spirit about to set out for
the far off world it must not be the spirit of a Huron it must be the spirit
of a pale face Go daughter and sit by Sumach who is in grief let the Huron
warriors show how well they can shoot let the pale face show how little he
cares for their bullets«
Hettys mind was unequal to a sustained discussion and accustomed to defer
to the directions of her seniors she did as told seating herself passively on a
log by the side of the Sumach and averting her face from the painful scene
that was occurring within the circle
The warriors as soon as this interruption had ceased resumed their places
and again prepared to exhibit their skill As there was a double object in view
that of putting the constancy of the captive to the proof and that of showing
how steady were the hands of the marksmen under circumstances of excitement
the distance was small and in one sense safe But in diminishing the distance
taken by the tormentors the trial to the nerves of the captive was essentially
increased The face of Deerslayer indeed was just removed sufficiently from
the ends of the guns to escape the effects of the flash and his steady eye was
enabled to look directly into their muzzles as it might be in anticipation of
the fatal messenger that was to issue from each The cunning Hurons well knew
this fact and scarce one levelled his piece without first causing it to point
as near as possible at the forehead of the prisoner in the hope that his
fortitude would fail him and that the band would enjoy the triumph of seeing a
victim quail under their ingenious cruelty Nevertheless each of the competitors
was still careful not to injure the disgrace of striking prematurely being
second only to that of failing altogether in attaining the object Shot after
shot was made all the bullets coming in close proximity to the Deerslayers
head without touching it Still no one could detect even the twitching of a
muscle on the part of the captive or the slightest winking of an eye This
indomitable resolution which so much exceeded every thing of its kind that any
present had before witnessed might be referred to three distinct causes The
first was resignation to his fate blended with natural steadiness of
deportment for our hero had calmly made up his mind that he must die and
preferred this mode to any other the second was his great familiarity with this
particular weapon which deprived it of all the terror that is usually connected
with the mere form of the danger and the third was this familiarity carried out
in practice to a degree so nice as to enable the intended victim to tell
within an inch the precise spot where each bullet must strike for he
calculated its range by looking in at the bore of the piece So exact was
Deerslayers estimation of the line of fire that his pride of feeling finally
got the better of his resignation and when five or six had discharged their
bullets into the tree he could not refrain from expressing his contempt at
their want of hand and eye
»You may call this shooting Mingos« he exclaimed »but weve squaws among
the Delawares and I have known Dutch gals on the Mohawk that could outdo your
greatest indivours Ondo these arms of mine put a rifle into my hands and Ill
pin the thinnest warlock in your party to any tree you can show me and this at
a hundred yards ay or at two hundred if the objects can be seen nineteen
shots in twenty or for that matter twenty in twenty if the piece is
creditable and trusty«
A low menacing murmur followed this cool taunt The ire of the warriors
kindled at listening to such a reproach from one who so far disdained their
efforts as to refuse even to wink when a rifle was discharged as near his face
as could be done without burning it Rivenoak perceived that the moment was
critical and still retaining his hope of adopting so noted a hunter into his
tribe the politic old chief interposed in time probably to prevent an
immediate resort to that portion of the torture which must necessarily have
produced death through extreme bodily suffering if in no other manner Moving
into the centre of the irritated groupe he addressed them with his usual wily
logic and plausible manner at once suppressing the fierce movement that had
commenced
»I see how it is« he said »We have been like the pale faces when they
fasten their doors at night out of fear of the red men They use so many bars
that the fire comes and burns them before they can get out We have bound the
Deerslayer too tight the thongs keep his limbs from shaking and his eyes from
shutting Loosen him let us see what his own body is really made of«
It is often the case when we are thwarted in a cherished scheme that any
expedient however unlikely to succeed is gladly resorted to in preference to a
total abandonment of the project So it was with the Hurons The proposal of the
chief found instant favor and several hands were immediately at work cutting
and tearing the ropes of bark from the body of our hero In half a minute
Deerslayer stood as free from bonds as when an hour before he had commenced
his flight on the side of the mountain Some little time was necessary that he
should recover the use of his limbs the circulation of the blood having been
checked by the tightness of the ligatures and this was accorded to him by the
politic Rivenoak under the pretence that his body would be more likely to
submit to apprehension if its true tone were restored though really with a
view to give time to the fierce passions which had been awakened in the bosoms
of his young men to subside This ruse succeeded and Deerslayer by rubbing his
limbs stamping his feet and moving about soon regained the circulation
recovering all his physical powers as effectually as if nothing had occurred to
disturb them
It is seldom men think of death in the pride of their health and strength
So it was with Deerslayer Having been helplessly bound and as he had every
reason to suppose so lately on the very verge of the other world to find
himself so unexpectedly liberated in possession of his strength and with a full
command of limb acted on him like a sudden restoration to life reanimating
hopes that he had once absolutely abandoned From that instant all his plans
changed In this he simply obeyed a law of nature for while we have wished to
represent our hero as being resigned to his fate it has been far from our
intention to represent him as anxious to die From the instant that his buoyancy
of feeling revived his thoughts were keenly bent on the various projects that
presented themselves as modes of evading the designs of his enemies and he
again became the quick witted ingenious and determined woodsman alive to all
his own powers and resources The change was so great that his mind resumed its
elasticity and no longer thinking of submission it dwelt only on the devices
of the sort of warfare in which he was engaged
As soon as Deerslayer was released the band divided itself in a circle
around him in order to hedge him in and the desire to break down his spirit
grew in them precisely as they saw proofs of the difficulty there would be in
subduing it The honor of the band was now involved in the issue and even the
sex lost all its sympathy with suffering in the desire to save the reputation
of the tribe The voices of the girls soft and melodious as nature had made
them were heard mingling with the menaces of the men and the wrongs of Sumach
suddenly assumed the character of injuries inflicted on every Huron female
Yielding to this rising tumult the men drew back a little signifying to the
females that they left the captive for a time in their hands it being a
common practice on such occasions for the women to endeavor to throw the victim
into a rage by their taunts and revilings and then to turn him suddenly over
to the men in a state of mind that was little favorable to resisting the agony
of bodily suffering Nor was this party without the proper instruments for
effecting such a purpose Sumach had a notoriety as a scold and one or two
crones like the She Bear had come out with the party most probably as the
conservators of its decency and moral discipline such things occurring in
savage as well as in civilized life It is unnecessary to repeat all that
ferocity and ignorance could invent for such a purpose the only difference
between this outbreaking of feminine anger and a similar scene among ourselves
consisting in the figures of speech and the epithets the Huron women calling
their prisoner by the names of the lower and least respected animals that were
known to themselves
But Deerslayers mind was too much occupied to permit him to be disturbed
by the abuse of excited hags and their rage necessarily increasing with his
indifference as his indifference increased with their rage the furies soon
rendered themselves impotent by their own excesses Perceiving that the attempt
was a complete failure the warriors interfered to put a stop to this scene and
this so much the more because preparations were now seriously making for the
commencement of the real tortures or that which would put the fortitude of the
sufferer to the test of severe bodily pain A sudden and unlocked for
announcement that proceeded from one of the lookouts a boy ten or twelve
years old however put a momentary check to the whole proceedings As this
interruption has a close connection with the dénouement of our story it shall
be given in a separate chapter
Chapter XXX
»So deemst thou so each mortal deems
Of that which is from that which seems
But other harvest here
Than that which peasants scythe demands
Was gatherd in by sterner hands
With bayonet blade and spear«
Scott »The Field of Waterloo« V 16
It exceeded Deerslayers power to ascertain what had produced the sudden pause
in the movements of his enemies until the fact was revealed in the due course
of events He perceived that much agitation prevailed among the women in
particular while the warriors rested on their arms in a sort of dignified
expectation It was plain no alarm was excited though it was not equally
apparent that a friendly occurrence produced the delay Rivenoak was evidently
apprised of all and by a gesture of his arm he appeared to direct the circle to
remain unbroken and for each person to await the issue in the situation he or
she then occupied It required but a minute or two to bring an explanation of
this singular and mysterious pause which was soon terminated by the appearance
of Judith on the exterior of the line of bodies and her ready admission within
its circle
If Deerslayer was startled by this unexpected arrival well knowing that the
quick witted girl could claim none of that exemption from the penalties of
captivity that was so cheerfully accorded to her feebler minded sister he was
equally astonished at the guise in which she came All her ordinary forest
attire neat and becoming as this usually was had been laid aside for the
brocade that has been already mentioned and which had once before wrought so
great and magical an effect in her appearance Nor was this all Accustomed to
see the ladies of the garrison in the formal gala attire of the day and
familiar with the more critical niceties of these matters the girl had managed
to complete her dress in a way to leave nothing strikingly defective in its
details or even to betray an incongruity that would have been detected by one
practised in the mysteries of the toilet Head feet arms hands bust and
drapery were all in harmony as female attire was then deemed attractive and
harmonious and the end she aimed at that of imposing on the uninstructed
senses of the savages by causing them to believe their guest was a woman of
rank and importance might well have succeeded with those whose habits had
taught them to discriminate between persons Judith in addition to her rare
native beauty had a singular grace of person and her mother had imparted
enough of her own deportment to prevent any striking or offensive vulgarity of
manner so that sooth to say the gorgeous dress might have been worse bestowed
in nearly every particular Had it been displayed in a capital a thousand might
have worn it before one could have been found to do more credit to its gay
colours glossy satins and rich laces than the beautiful creature whose person
it now aided to adorn
The effect of such an apparition had not been miscalculated The instant
Judith found herself within the circle she was in a degree compensated for
the fearful personal risk she ran by the unequivocal sensation of surprise and
admiration produced by her appearance The grim old warriors uttered their
favorite exclamation »hugh« The younger men were still more sensibly overcome
and even the women were not backward in letting open manifestations of pleasure
escape them It was seldom that these untutored children of the forest had ever
seen any white female above the commonest sort and as to dress never before
had so much splendor shone before their eyes The gayest uniforms of both French
and English seemed dull compared with the lustre of the brocade and while the
rare personal beauty of the wearer added to the effect produced by its hues the
attire did not fail to adorn that beauty in a way which surpassed even the hopes
of its wearer Deerslayer himself was astounded and this quite as much by the
brilliant picture the girl presented as at the indifference to consequences
with which she had braved the danger of the step she had taken Under such
circumstances all waited for the visiter to explain her object which to most
of the spectators seemed as inexplicable as her appearance
»Which of these warriors is the principal chief« demanded Judith of
Deerslayer as soon as she found it was expected that she should open the
communications »my errand is too important to be delivered to any of inferior
rank First explain to the Hurons what I say then give an answer to the
question I have put«
Deerslayer quietly complied his auditors greedily listening to the
interpretation of the first words that fell from so extraordinary a vision The
demand seemed perfectly in character for one who had every appearance of an
exalted rank herself Rivenoak gave an appropriate reply by presenting himself
before his fair visiter in a way to leave no doubt that he was entitled to all
the consideration he claimed
»I can believe this Huron« resumed Judith enacting her assumed part with
a steadiness and dignity that did credit to her powers of imitation for she
strove to impart to her manner the condescending courtesy she had once observed
in the wife of a general officer at a similar though a more amicable scene »I
can believe you to be the principal person of this party I see in your
countenance the marks of thought and reflection To you then I must make my
communication«
»Let the Flower of the Woods speak« returned the old chief courteously as
soon as her address had been translated so that all might understand it »If
her words are as pleasant as her looks they will never quit my ears I shall
hear them long after the winter of Canada has killed all the flowers and frozen
all the speeches of summer«
This admiration was grateful to one constituted like Judith and contributed
to aid her selfpossession quite as much as it fed her vanity Smiling
involuntarily or in spite of her wish to seem reserved she proceeded in her
plot
»Now Huron« she continued »listen to my words Your eyes tell you that I
am no common woman I will not say I am queen of this country she is afar off
in a distant land but under our gracious monarchs there are many degrees of
rank one of these I fill What that rank is precisely it is unnecessary for me
to say since you would not understand it For that information you must trust
your eyes You see what I am you must feel that in listening to my words you
listen to one who can be your friend or your enemy as you treat her«
This was well uttered with a due attention to manner and a steadiness of
tone that was really surprising considering all the circumstances of the case
It was well though simply rendered into the Indian dialect too and it was
received with a respect and gravity that augured favourably for the girls
success But Indian thought is not easily traced to its sources Judith waited
with anxiety to hear the answer filled with hope even while she doubted
Rivenoak was a ready speaker and he answered as promptly as comported with the
notions of Indian decorum that peculiar people seeming to think a short delay
respectful inasmuch as it manifests that the words already heard have been
duly weighed
»My daughter is handsomer than the wild roses of Ontario her voice is
pleasant to the ear as the song of the wren« answered the cautious and wily
chief who of all the band stood alone in not being fully imposed on by the
magnificent and unusual appearance of Judith but who distrusted even while he
wondered »the humming bird is not much larger than the bee yet its feathers
are as gay as the tail of the peacock The Great Spirit sometimes puts very
bright clothes on very little animals Still He covers the Moose with coarse
hair These things are beyond the understanding of poor Indians who can only
comprehend what they see and hear No doubt my daughter has a very large wigwam
somewhere about the lake the Hurons have not found it on account of their
ignorance«
»I have told you chief that it would be useless to state my rank and
residence in as much as you would not comprehend them You must trust to your
eyes for this knowledge what red man is there who cannot see This blanket that
I wear is not the blanket of a common squaw these ornaments are such as the
wives and daughters of chiefs only appear in Now listen and hear why I have
come alone among your people and hearken to the errand that has brought me
here The Yengeese have young men as well as the Hurons and plenty of them
too this you well know«
»The Yengeese are as plenty as the leaves on the trees This every Huron
knows and feels«
»I understand you chief Had I brought a party with me it might have
caused trouble My young men and your young men would have looked angrily at
each other especially had my young men seen that pale face bound for the
torture He is a great hunter and is much loved by all the garrisons far and
near There would have been blows about him and the trail of the Iroquois back
to the Canadas would have been marked with blood«
»There is so much blood on it now« returned the chief gloomily »that it
blinds our eyes My young men see that it is all Huron«
»No doubt and more Huron blood would be spilt had I come surrounded with
pale faces I have heard of Rivenoak and have thought it would be better to
send him back in peace to his village that he might leave his women and
children behind him if he then wished to come for our scalps we would meet
him He loves animals made of ivory and little rifles See I have brought some
with me to show him I am his friend When he has packed up these things among
his goods he will start for his village before any of my young men can
overtake him and then he will show his people in Canada what riches they can
come to seek now that our great fathers across the Salt Lake have sent each
other the war hatchet I will lead back with me this great hunter of whom I
have need to keep my house in venison«
Judith who was sufficiently familiar with Indian phraseology endeavored to
express her ideas in the sententious manner common to those people and she
succeeded even beyond her own expectations Deerslayer did her full justice in
the translation and this so much the more readily since the girl carefully
abstained from uttering any direct untruth a homage she paid to the young mans
known aversion to falsehood which he deemed a meanness altogether unworthy of a
white mans gifts The offering of the two remaining elephants and of the
pistols already mentioned one of which was all the worse for the recent
accident produced a lively sensation among the Hurons generally though
Rivenoak received it coldly notwithstanding the delight with which he had first
discovered the probable existence of a creature with two tails In a word this
cool and sagacious savage was not so easily imposed on as his followers and
with a sentiment of honor that half the civilized world would have deemed
supererogatory he declined the acceptance of a bribe that he felt no
disposition to earn by a compliance with the donors wishes
»Let my daughter keep her twotailed hog to eat when venison is scarce«
he drily answered »and the little gun which has two muzzles The Hurons will
kill deer when they are hungry and they have long rifles to fight with This
hunter cannot quit my young men now they wish to know if he is as stout
hearted as he boasts himself to be«
»That I deny Huron « interrupted Deerslayer with warmth »Yes that I
down right deny as agin truth and reason No man has heard me boast and no
man shall though ye flay me alive and then roast the quivering flesh with
your own infarnal devices and cruelties I may be humble and misfortunate and
your prisoner but Im no boaster by my very gifts«
»My young paleface boasts he is no boaster« returned the crafty chief »he
must be right I hear a strange bird singing It has very rich feathers No
Huron ever before saw such feathers They will be ashamed to go back to their
village and tell their people that they let their prisoner go on account of the
song of this strange bird and not be able to give the name of the bird They do
not know how to say whether it is a wren or a cat bird This would be a great
disgrace my young men would not be allowed to travel in the woods without
taking their mothers with them to tell them the names of the birds«
»You can ask my name of your prisoner« returned the girl »It is Judith
and there is a great deal of the history of Judith in the Pale faces best book
the bible If I am a bird of fine feathers I have also my name«
»No« answered the wily Huron betraying the artifice he had so long
practised by speaking in English with tolerable accuracy »I not ask prisoner
He tired he want rest I ask my daughter with feeble mind She speak truth
Come here daughter you answer Your name Hetty«
»Yes thats what they call me« returned the girl »though its written
Esther in the bible«
»He write him in bible too All write in bible No matter what her name«
»Thats Judith and its so written in the bible though father sometimes
called her Jude Thats my sister Judith Thomas Hutters daughter Thomas
Hutter whom you called the Muskrat though he was no muskrat but a man like
yourselves he lived in a house on the water and that was enough for you«
A smile of triumph gleamed on the hard wrinkled countenance of the chief
when he found how completely his appeal to the truthloving Hetty had succeeded
As for Judith herself the moment her sister was questioned she saw that all
was lost for no sign or even intreaty could have induced the right feeling
girl to utter a falsehood To attempt to impose a daughter of the Muskrat on the
savages as a princess or a great lady she knew would be idle and she saw her
bold and ingenious expedient for liberating the captive fail through one of the
simplest and most natural causes that could be imagined She turned her eye on
Deerslayer therefore as if imploring him to interfere to save them both
»It will not do Judith« said the young man in answer to this appeal
which he understood though he saw its uselessness »it will not do Twas a bold
idee and fit for a generals lady but yonder Mingo « Rivenoak had withdrawn
to a little distance and was out of earshot »but yonder Mingo is an
oncommon man and not to be deceived by any unnatral sarcumvention Things must
come afore him in their right order to draw a cloud afore his eyes Twas too
much to attempt making him fancy that a queen or a great lady lived in these
mountains and no doubt he thinks the fine clothes you wear is some of the
plunder of your own father or at least of him who once passed for your
father as quite likely it was if all they say is true«
»At all events Deerslayer my presence here will save you for a time They
will hardly attempt torturing you before my face«
»Why not Judith Do you think they will treat a woman of the pale faces
more tenderly than they treat their own Its true that your sex will most
likely save you from the torments but it will not save your liberty and may
not save your scalp I wish you had nt come my good Judith it can do no good
to me while it may do great harm to yourself«
»I can share your fate« the girl answered with generous enthusiasm »They
shall not injure you while I stand by if in my power to prevent it besides
«
»Besides what Judith What means have you to stop Injin cruelties or to
avart Injin deviltries«
»None perhaps Deerslayer« answered the girl with firmness »but I can
suffer with my friends die with them if necessary«
»Ah Judith suffer you may but die you will not until the Lords time
shall come Its little likely that one of your sex and beauty will meet with a
harder fate than to become the wife of a chief if indeed your white
inclinations can stoop to match with an Injin Twould have been better had you
staid in the Ark or the castle but what has been done is done You was about
to say something when you stopped at besides«
»It might not be safe to mention it here Deerslayer« the girl hurriedly
answered moving past him carelessly that she might speak in a lower tone
»half an hour is all in all to us None of your friends are idle«
The hunter replied merely by a grateful look Then he turned towards his
enemies as if ready again to face their torments A short consultation had
passed among the elders of the band and by this time they also were prepared
with their decision The merciful purpose of Rivenoak had been much weakened by
the artifice of Judith which failing of its real object was likely to produce
results the very opposite of those she had anticipated This was natural the
feeling being aided by the resentment of an Indian who found how near he had
been to becoming the dupe of an inexperienced girl By this time Judiths real
character was fully understood the wide spread reputation of her beauty
contributing to the exposure As for the unusual attire it was confounded with
the profound mystery of the animals with two tails and for the moment lost its
influence
When Rivenoak therefore faced the captive again it was with an altered
countenance He had abandoned the wish of saving him and was no longer disposed
to retard the more serious part of the torture This change of sentiment was in
effect communicated to the young men who were already eagerly engaged in
making their preparations for the contemplated scene Fragments of dried wood
were rapidly collected near the sapling the splinters which it was intended to
thrust into the flesh of the victim previously to lighting were all collected
and the thongs were already produced that were again to bind him to the tree
All this was done in profound silence Judith watching every movement with
breathless expectation while Deerslayer himself stood seemingly as unmoved as
one of the pines of the hills When the warriors advanced to bind him however
the young man glanced at Judith as if to enquire whether resistance or
submission were most advisable By a significant gesture she counselled the
last and in a minute he was once more fastened to the tree a helpless object
of any insult or wrong that might be offered So eagerly did every one now
act that nothing was said The fire was immediately lighted in the pile and
the end of all was anxiously expected
It was not the intention of the Hurons absolutely to destroy the life of
their victim by means of fire They designed merely to put his physical
fortitude to the severest proofs it could endure short of that extremity In
the end they fully intended to carry his scalp with them into their village
but it was their wish first to break down his resolution and to reduce him to
the level of a complaining sufferer With this view the pile of brush and
branches had been placed at a proper distance or one at which it was thought
the heat would soon become intolerable though it might not be immediately
dangerous As often happened however on these occasions this distance had
been miscalculated and the flames began to wave their forked tongues in a
proximity to the face of the victim that would have proved fatal in another
instant had not Hetty rushed through the crowd armed with a stick and
scattered the blazing pile in a dozen directions More than one hand was raised
to strike this presumptuous intruder to the earth but the chiefs prevented the
blows by reminding their irritated followers of the state of her mind Hetty
herself was insensible to the risk she ran but as soon as she had performed
this bold act she stood looking about her in frowning resentment as if to
rebuke the crowd of attentive savages for their cruelty
»God bless you dearest sister for that brave and ready act« murmured
Judith herself unnerved so much as to be incapable of exertion »Heaven
itself has sent you on its holy errand«
»Twas well meant Judith « rejoined the victim »twas excellently meant
and twas timely though it may prove ontimely in the ind What is to come to
pass must come to pass soon or twill quickly be too late Had I drawn in one
mouthful of that flame in breathing the power of man could not save my life
and you see that this time theyve so bound my forehead as not to leave my
head the smallest chance Twas well meant but it might have been more marciful
to let the flames act their part«
»Cruel heartless Hurons« exclaimed the still indignant Hetty »Would you
burn a man and a christian as you would burn a log of wood Do you never read
your bibles Or do you think God will forget such things«
A gesture from Rivenoak caused the scattered brands to be collected Fresh
wood was brought even the women and children busying themselves eagerly in the
gathering of dried sticks The flame was just kindling a second time when an
Indian female pushed through the circle advanced to the heap and with her foot
dashed aside the lighted twigs in time to prevent the conflagration A yell
followed this second disappointment but when the offender turned towards the
circle and presented the countenance of Hist it was succeeded by a common
exclamation of pleasure and surprise For a minute all thought of pursuing the
business in hand was forgotten Young and old crowded around the girl in haste
to demand an explanation of her sudden and unlookedfor return It was at this
critical instant that Hist spoke to Judith in a low voice placed some small
object unseen in her hand and then turned to meet the salutations of the Huron
girls with whom she was personally a great favorite Judith recovered her
selfpossession and acted promptly The small keen edged knife that Hist had
given to the other was passed by the latter into the hands of Hetty as the
safest and least suspected medium of transferring it to Deerslayer But the
feeble intellect of the last defeated the wellgrounded hopes of all three
Instead of first cutting loose the hands of the victim and then concealing the
knife in his clothes in readiness for action at the most available instant
she went to work herself with earnestness and simplicity to cut the thongs
that bound his head that he might not again be in danger of inhaling flames Of
course this deliberate procedure was seen and the hands of Hetty were arrested
ere she had more than liberated the upper portion of the captives body not
including his arms below the elbows This discovery at once pointed distrust
towards Hist and to Judiths surprise when questioned on the subject that
spirited girl was not disposed to deny her agency in what had passed
»Why should I not help the Deerslayer« the girl demanded in the tones of a
firm minded woman »He is the brother of a Delaware chief my heart is all
Delaware Come forth miserable Briarthorn and wash the Iroquois paint from
your face stand before the Hurons the crow that you are You would eat the
carrion of your own dead rather than starve Put him face to face with
Deerslayer chiefs and warriors I will show you how great a knave you have been
keeping in your tribe«
This bold language uttered in their own dialect and with a manner full of
confidence produced a deep sensation among the Hurons Treachery is always
liable to distrust and though the recreant Briarthorn had endeavoured to serve
the enemy well his exertions and assiduities had gained for him little more
than toleration His wish to obtain Hist for a wife had first induced him to
betray her and his own people but serious rivals to his first project had
risen up among his new friends weakening still more their sympathies with
treason In a word Briarthorn had been barely permitted to remain in the Huron
encampment where he was as closely and as jealously watched as Hist herself
seldom appearing before the chiefs and sedulously keeping out of view of
Deerslayer who until this moment was ignorant even of his presence Thus
summoned however it was impossible to remain in the back ground Wash the
Iroquois paint from his face he did not for when he stood in the centre of the
circle he was so disguised in these new colours that at first the hunter did
not recognise him He assumed an air of defiance notwithstanding and haughtily
demanded what any could say against Briarthorn
»Ask yourself that« continued Hist with spirit though her manner grew less
concentrated and there was a slight air of abstraction that became observable
to Deerslayer and Judith if to no others »Ask that of your own heart
sneaking woodchuck of the Delawares come not here with the face of an innocent
man Go look into the spring see the colours of your enemies on your lying
skin then come back and boast how you run from your tribe and took the blanket
of the French for your covering Paint yourself as bright as the humming bird
you will still be black as the crow«
Hist had been so uniformly gentle while living with the Hurons that they
now listened to her language with surprise As for the delinquent his blood
boiled in his veins and it was well for the pretty speaker that it was not in
his power to execute the revenge he burned to inflict on her in spite of his
pretended love
»Who wishes Briarthorn« he sternly asked »If this pale face is tired of
life if afraid of Indian torments speak Rivenoak I will send him after the
warriors we have lost«
»No chiefs no Rivenoak « eagerly interrupted Hist »Deerslayer fears
nothing least of all a crow Unbind him cut his withes place him face to
face with this cawing bird then let us see which is tired of life«
Hist made a forward movement as if to take a knife from a young man and
perform the office she had mentioned in person but an aged warrior interposed
at a sign from Rivenoak This chief watched all the girl did with distrust for
even while speaking in her most boastful language and in the steadiest manner
there was an air of uncertainty and expectation about her that could not escape
so close an observer She acted well but two or three of the old men were
equally satisfied that it was merely acting Her proposal to release Deerslayer
therefore was rejected and the disappointed Hist found herself driven back
from the sapling at the very moment she fancied herself about to be successful
At the same time the circle which had got to be crowded and confused was
enlarged and brought once more into order Rivenoak now announced the intention
of the old men again to proceed the delay having continued long enough and
leading to no result
»Stop Huron stay chiefs « exclaimed Judith scarce knowing what she
said or why she interposed unless to obtain time »For Gods sake a single
minute longer «
The words were cut short by another and a still more extraordinary
interruption A young Indian came bounding through the Huron ranks leaping into
the very centre of the circle in a way to denote the utmost confidence or a
temerity bordering on foolhardiness Five or six sentinels were still watching
the lake at different and distant points and it was the first impression of
Rivenoak that one of these had come in with tidings of import Still the
movements of the stranger were so rapid and his war dress which scarcely left
him more drapery than an antique statue had so little distinguishing about it
that at the first moment it was impossible to ascertain whether he were friend
or foe Three leaps carried this warrior to the side of Deerslayer whose withes
were cut in the twinkling of an eye with a quickness and precision that left
the prisoner perfect master of his limbs Not till this was effected did the
stranger bestow a glance on any other object then he turned and showed the
astonished Hurons the noble brow fine person and eagleeye of a young
warrior in the paint and panoply of a Delaware He held a rifle in each hand
the butts of both resting on the earth while from one dangled its proper pouch
and horn This was Killdeer which even as he looked boldly and in defiance at
the crowd around him he suffered to fall back into the hands of its proper
owner The presence of two armed men though it was in their midst startled the
Hurons Their rifles were scattered about against the different trees and their
only weapons were their knives and tomahawks Still they had too much
selfpossession to betray fear It was little likely that so small a force would
assail so strong a band and each man expected some extraordinary proposition to
succeed so decisive a step The stranger did not seem disposed to disappoint
them he prepared to speak
»Hurons« he said »this earth is very big The Great Lakes are big too
there is room beyond them for the Iroquois there is room for the Delawares on
this side I am Chingachgook the Son of Uncas the kinsman of Tamenund This is
my betrothed that pale face is my friend My heart was heavy when I missed
him I followed him to your camp to see that no harm happened to him All the
Delaware girls are waiting for Wah they wonder that she stays away so long
Come let us say farewell and go on our path«
»Hurons this is your mortal enemy the Great Serpent of them you hate«
cried Briarthorn »If he escape blood will be in your moccasin prints from
this spot to the Canadas I am all Huron«
As the last words were uttered the traitor cast his knife at the naked
breast of the Delaware A quick movement of the arm on the part of Hist who
stood near turned aside the blow the dangerous weapon burying its point in a
pine At the next instant a similar weapon glanced from the hand of the
Serpent and quivered in the recreants heart A minute had scarcely elapsed
from the moment in which Chingachgook bounded into the circle and that in which
Briarthorn fell like a log dead in his tracks The rapidity of events had
prevented the Hurons from acting but this catastrophe permitted no farther
delay A common exclamation followed and the whole party was in motion At this
instant a sound unusual to the woods was heard and every Huron male and
female paused to listen with ears erect and faces filled with expectation The
sound was regular and heavy as if the earth were struck with beetles Objects
became visible among the trees of the back ground and a body of troops was
seen advancing with measured tread They came upon the charge the scarlet of
the Kings livery shining among the bright green foliage of the forest
The scene that followed is not easily described It was one in which wild
confusion despair and frenzied efforts were so blended as to destroy the
unity and distinctness of the action A general yell burst from the enclosed
Hurons it was succeeded by the hearty cheers of England Still not a musket or
rifle was fired though that steady measured tramp continued and the bayonet
was seen gleaming in advance of a line that counted nearly sixty men The Hurons
were taken at a fearful disadvantage On three sides was the water while their
formidable and trained foes cut them off from flight on the fourth Each
warrior rushed for his arms and then all on the point man woman and child
eagerly sought the covers In this scene of confusion and dismay however
nothing could surpass the discretion and coolness of Deerslayer His first care
was to place Judith and Hist behind trees and he looked for Hetty but she had
been hurried away in the crowd of Huron women This effected he threw himself
on a flank of the retiring Hurons who were inclining off towards the southern
margin of the point in the hope of escaping through the water Deerslayer
watched his opportunity and finding two of his recent tormentors in a range
his rifle first broke the silence of the terrific scene The bullet brought down
both at one discharge This drew a general fire from the Hurons and the rifle
and war cry of the Serpent were heard in the clamor Still the trained men
returned no answering volley the whoop and piece of Hurry alone being heard on
their side if we except the short prompt word of authority and that heavy
measured and menacing tread Presently however the shrieks groans and
denunciations that usually accompany the use of the bayonet followed That
terrible and deadly weapon was glutted in vengeance The scene that succeeded
was one of those of which so many have occurred in our own times in which
neither age nor sex forms an exemption to the lot of a savage warfare
Chapter XXXI
»The flower that smiles today
Tomorrow dies
All that we wish to stay
Tempts and then flies
What is this worlds delight
Lightning that mocks the night
Brief even as bright«
Shelley »Mutability« ll 17
The picture next presented by the point of land that the unfortunate Hurons had
selected for their last place of encampment need scarcely be laid before the
eyes of the reader Happily for the more tenderminded and the more timid the
trunks of the trees the leaves and the smoke had concealed much of that which
passed and night shortly after drew its veil over the lake and the whole of
that seemingly interminable wilderness which may be said to have then
stretched with few and immaterial interruptions from the banks of the Hudson
to the shores of the Pacific Ocean Our business carries us into the following
day when light returned upon the earth as sunny and as smiling as if nothing
extraordinary had occurred
When the sun rose on the following morning every sign of hostility and
alarm had vanished from the basin of the Glimmerglass The frightful event of
the preceding evening had left no impression on the placid sheet and the
untiring hours pursued their course in the placid order prescribed by the
powerful hand that set them in motion The birds were again skimming the water
or were seen poised on the wing high above the tops of the tallest pines of the
mountains ready to make their swoops in obedience to the irresistable law of
their natures In a word nothing was changed but the air of movement and life
that prevailed in and around the castle Here indeed was an alteration that
must have struck the least observant eye A sentinel who wore the light
infantry uniform of a royal regiment paced the platform with measured tread
and some twenty more of the same corps lounged about the place or were seated
in the ark Their arms were stacked under the eye of their comrade on post Two
officers stood examining the shore with the ships glass so often mentioned
Their looks were directed to that fatal point where scarlet coats were still to
be seen gliding among the trees and where the magnifying power of the
instrument also showed spades at work and the sad duty of interment going on
Several of the common men bore proofs on their persons that their enemies had
not been overcome entirely without resistance and the youngest of the two
officers on the platform wore an arm in a sling His companion who commanded
the party had been more fortunate He it was who used the glass in making the
reconnoissances in which the two were engaged
A serjeant approached to make a report He addressed the senior of these
officers as Capt Warley while the other was alluded to as Mr which was
equivalent to Ensign Thornton The former it will at once be seen was the
officer who had been named with so much feeling in the parting dialogue between
Judith and Hurry He was in truth the very individual with whom the scandal of
the garrisons had most freely connected the name of this beautiful but
indiscreet girl He was a hard featured red faced man of about five and
thirty but of a military carriage and with an air of fashion that might easily
impose on the imagination of one as ignorant of the world as Judith
»Craig is covering us with benedictions« observed this person to his young
ensign with an air of indifference as he shut the glass and handed it to his
servant »to say the truth not without reason it is certainly more agreeable
to be here in attendance on Miss Judith Hutter than to be burying Indians on a
point of the lake however romantic the position or brilliant the victory By
the way Wright is Davis still living«
»He died about ten minutes since your honor« returned the sergeant to whom
this question was addressed »I knew how it would be as soon as I found the
bullet had touched the stomach I never knew a man who could hold out long if
he had a hole in his stomach«
»No it is rather inconvenient for carrying away any thing very nourishing«
observed Warley gaping »This being up two nights de suite Arthur plays the
devil with a mans faculties Im as stupid as one of those Dutch parsons on
the Mohawk I hope your arm is not painful my dear boy«
»It draws a few grimaces from me sir as I suppose you see« answered the
youth laughing at the very moment his countenance was a little awry with pain
»But it may be borne I suppose Graham can spare a few minutes soon to look at
my hurt«
»She is a lovely creature this Judith Hutter after all Thornton and it
shall not be my fault if she is not seen and admired in the Parks« resumed
Warley who thought little of his companions wound »your arm eh Quite true
Go into the ark serjeant and tell Dr Graham I desire he would look at Mr
Thorntons injury as soon as he has done with the poor fellow with the broken
leg A lovely creature and she looked like a queen in that brocade dress in
which we met her I find all changed here father and mother both gone the
sister dying if not dead and none of the family left but the beauty This has
been a lucky expedition all round and promises to terminate better than Indian
skirmishes in general«
»Am I to suppose sir that you are about to desert your colours in the
great corps of bachelors and close the campaign with matrimony«
»I Tom Warley turn Benedict Faith my dear boy you little know the corps
you speak of if you fancy any such thing I do suppose there are women in the
colonies that a captain of Light Infantry need not disdain but they are not to
be found up here on a mountain lake or even down on the Dutch river where we
are posted It is true my uncle the general once did me the favor to choose a
wife for me in Yorkshire but she had no beauty and I would not marry a
princess unless she were handsome«
»If handsome you would marry a beggar«
»Ay these are the notions of an ensign Love in a cottage doors and
windows the old story for the hundredth time The twenty th do nt marry We
are not a marrying corps my dear boy Theres the Colonel Old Sir Edwin
now though a full General he has never thought of a wife and when a man gets
as high as a Lieutenant General without matrimony he is pretty safe Then the
Lieutenant Colonel is confirmed as I tell my cousin the Bishop The Major is a
widower having tried matrimony for twelve months in his youth and we look
upon him now as one of our most certain men Out of ten captains but one is
in the dilemma and he poor devil is always kept at regimental head quarters
as a sort of memento mori to the young men as they join As for the subalterns
not one has ever yet had the audacity to speak of introducing a wife into the
regiment But your arm is troublesome and well go ourselves and see what has
become of Graham«
The Surgeon who had accompanied the party was employed very differently
from what the captain supposed When the assault was over and the dead and
wounded were collected poor Hetty had been found among the latter A rifle
bullet had passed through her body inflicting an injury that was known at a
glance to be mortal How this wound was received no one knew it was probably
one of those casualties that ever accompany scenes like that related in the
previous chapter
The Sumach all the elderly women and some of the Huron girls had fallen
by the bayonet either in the confusion of the mêlée or from the difficulty of
distinguishing the sexes when the dress was so simple Much the greater portion
of the warriors suffered on the spot A few had escaped however and two or
three had been taken unharmed As for the wounded the bayonet saved the surgeon
much trouble Rivenoak had escaped with life and limb but was injured and a
prisoner As Captain Warley and his ensign went into the Ark they passed him
seated in dignified silence in one end of the scow his head and leg bound
but betraying no visible sign of despondency or despair That he mourned the
loss of his tribe is certain still he did it in a manner that best became a
warrior and a chief
The two soldiers found their surgeon in the principal room of the Ark He
was just quitting the pallet of Hetty with an expression of sorrowful regret
on his hard pockmarked Scottish features that it was not usual to see there
All his assiduity had been useless and he was compelled reluctantly to abandon
the expectation of seeing the girl survive many hours Dr Graham was accustomed
to deathbed scenes and ordinarily they produced but little impression on him
In all that relates to religion his was one of those minds which in
consequence of reasoning much on material things logically and consecutively
and overlooking the total want of premises which such a theory must ever
possess through its want of a primary agent had become sceptical leaving a
vague opinion concerning the origin of things that with high pretentions to
philosophy failed in the first of all philosophical principles a cause To him
religious dependence appeared a weakness but when he found one gentle and young
like Hetty with a mind beneath the level of her race sustained at such a
moment by these pious sentiments and that too in a way that many a sturdy
warrior and reputed hero might have looked upon with envy he found himself
affected by the sight to a degree that he would have been ashamed to confess
Edinburgh and Aberdeen then as now supplied no small portion of the medical
men of the British service and Dr Graham as indeed his name and countenance
equally indicated was by birth a North Briton
»Here is an extraordinary exhibition for a forest and one but halfgifted
with reason« he observed with a decided Scotch accent as Warley and the ensign
entered »I just hope gentlemen that when we three shall be called on to quit
the twenty th we may be found as resigned to go on the half pay of another
existence as this poor demented chiel«
»Is there no hope that she can survive the hurt« demanded Warley turning
his eyes towards the pallid Judith on whose cheeks however two large spots of
red had settled as soon as he came into the cabin
»No more than there is for Chairlie Stuart Approach and judge for
yourselves gentlemen yell see faith exemplified in an exceeding and wonderful
manner There is a sort of arbitrium between life and death in actual conflict
in the poor girls mind that renders her an interesting study to a philosopher
Mr Thornton Im at your service now we can just look at the arm in the next
room while we speculate as much as we please on the operations and sinuosities
of the human mind«
The surgeon and ensign retired and Warley had an opportunity of looking
about him more at leisure and with a better understanding of the nature and
feelings of the group collected in the cabin Poor Hetty had been placed on her
own simple bed and was reclining in a half seated attitude with the approaches
of death on her countenance though they were singularly dimmed by the lustre of
an expression in which all the intelligence of her entire being appeared to be
concentrated Judith and Hist were near her the former seated in deep grief
the latter standing in readiness to offer any of the gentle attentions of
feminine care Deerslayer stood at the end of the pallet leaning on Killdeer
unharmed in person all the fine martial ardor that had so lately glowed in his
countenance having given place to the usual look of honesty and benevolence
qualities of which the expression was now softened by manly regret and pity The
Serpent was in the background of the picture erect and motionless as a
statue but so observant that not a look of the eye escaped his own keen
glances Hurry completed the group being seated on a stool near the door like
one who felt himself out of place in such a scene but who was ashamed to quit
it unbidden
»Who is that in scarlet« asked Hetty as soon as the Captains uniform
caught her eye »Tell me Judith is it the friend of Hurry«
»Tis the officer who commands the troops that have rescued us all from the
hands of the Hurons« was the low answer of the sister
»Am I rescued too I thought they said I was shot and about to die
Mother is dead and so is father but you are living Judith and so is Hurry I
was afraid Hurry would be killed when I heard him shouting among the soldiers«
»Never mind never mind dear Hetty « interrupted Judith sensitively
alive to the preservation of her sisters secret more perhaps at such a
moment than at any other »Hurry is well and Deerslayer is well and the
Delaware is well too«
»How came they to shoot a poor girl like me and let so many men go
unharmed I did nt know that the Hurons were so wicked Judith«
»Twas an accident poor Hetty a sad sad accident it has been No one
would willingly have injured you«
»Im glad of that I thought it strange I am feeble minded and the red
men have never harmed me before I should be sorry to think that they had
changed their minds I am glad too Judith that they havent hurt Hurry
Deerslayer I dont think God will suffer any one to harm It was very fortunate
the soldiers came as they did though for fire will burn«
»It was indeed fortunate my sister Gods holy name be forever blessed for
the mercy«
»I dare say Judith you know some of the officers you used to know so
many«
Judith made no reply she hid her face in her hands and groaned Hetty gazed
at her in wonder but naturally supposing her own situation was the cause of
this grief she kindly offered to console her sister
»Dont mind me dear Judith« said the affectionate and purehearted
creature »I dont suffer if I do die why father and mother are both dead
and what happens to them may well happen to me You know I am of less account
than any of the family therefore few will think of me after Im in the lake«
»No no no poor dear dear Hetty« exclaimed Judith in an
uncontrollable burst of sorrow »I at least will ever think of you and
gladly oh how gladly would I exchange places with you to be the pure
excellent sinless creature you are«
Until now Captain Warley had stood leaning against the door of the cabin
when this outbreak of feeling and perchance of penitence however escaped the
beautiful girl he walked slowly and thoughtfully away even passing the ensign
then suffering under the surgeons care without noticing him
»I have got my bible here Judith« returned her sister in a voice of
triumph »Its true I cant read any longer theres something the matter with
my eyes you look dim and distant and so does Hurry now I look at him
well I never could have believed that Henry March would have so dull a look
What can be the reason Judith that I see so badly today I who mother
always said had the best eyes in the whole family Yes that was it my mind
was feeble what people call halfwitted but my eyes were so good«
Again Judith groaned this time no feeling of self no retrospect of the
past caused the pain It was the pure heartfelt sorrow of sisterly love
heightened by a sense of the meek humility and perfect truth of the being before
her At that moment she would gladly have given up her own life to save that of
Hetty As the last however was beyond the reach of human power she felt there
was nothing left her but sorrow At this moment Warley returned to the cabin
drawn by a secret impulse he could not withstand though he felt just then as
if he would gladly abandon the American continent for ever were it practicable
Instead of pausing at the door he now advanced so near the pallet of the
sufferer as to come more plainly within her gaze Hetty could still distinguish
large objects and her look soon fastened on him
»Are you the officer that came with Hurry« she asked »If you are we
ought all to thank you for though I am hurt the rest have saved their lives
Did Harry March tell you where to find us and how much need there was for your
services«
»The news of the party reached us by means of a friendly runner« returned
the Captain glad to relieve his feelings by this appearance of a friendly
communication »and I was immediately sent out to cut it off It was fortunate
certainly that we met Hurry Harry as you call him for he acted as a guide
and it was not less fortunate that we heard a firing which I now understand
was merely a shooting at the mark for it not only quickened our march but
called us to the right side of the lake The Delaware saw us on the shore with
the glass it would seem and he and Hist as I find his squaw is named did us
excellent service It was really altogether a fortunate concurrence of
circumstances Judith«
»Talk not to me of any thing fortunate sir« returned the girl huskily
again concealing her face »To me the world is full of misery I wish never to
hear of marks or rifles or soldiers or men again«
»Do you know my sister« asked Hetty ere the rebuked soldier had time to
rally for an answer »How came you to know that her name is Judith You are
right for that is her name and I am Hetty Thomas Hutters daughters«
»For heavens sake dearest sister for my sake beloved Hetty«
interposed Judith imploringly »say no more of this«
Hetty looked surprised but accustomed to comply she ceased her awkward and
painful interrogations of Warley bending her eyes towards the bible which she
still held between her hands as one would cling to a casket of precious stones
in a shipwreck or a conflagration Her mind now adverted to the future losing
sight in a great measure of the scenes of the past
»We shall not long be parted Judith« she said »when you die you must be
brought and be buried in the lake by the side of mother too«
»Would to God Hetty that I lay there at this moment«
»No that cannot be Judith people must die before they have any right to
be buried Twould be wicked to bury you or for you to bury yourself while
living Once I thought of burying myself God kept me from that sin«
»You You Hetty Hutter think of such an act« exclaimed Judith looking
up in uncontrollable surprise for she well knew nothing passed the lips of her
conscientious sister that was not religiously true
»Yes I did Judith but God has forgotten no he forgets nothing but he
has forgiven it« returned the dying girl with the subdued manner of a
repentant child »Twas after mothers death I felt I had lost the best friend
I had on earth if not the only friend Tis true you and father were kind to
me Judith but I was so feebleminded I knew I should only give you trouble
and then you were so often ashamed of such a sister and daughter and tis hard
to live in a world where all look upon you as below them I thought then if I
could bury myself by the side of mother I should be happier in the lake than
in the hut«
»Forgive me pardon me dearest Hetty on my bended knees I beg you to
pardon me sweet sister if any word or act of mine drove you to so maddening
and cruel a thought«
»Get up Judith kneel to God do nt kneel to me Just so I felt when
mother was dying I remembered every thing I had said and done to vex her and
could have kissed her feet for forgiveness I think it must be so with all dying
people though now I think of it I dont remember to have had such feelings on
account of father«
Judith arose hid her face in her apron and wept A long pause one of
more than two hours succeeded during which Warley entered and left the cabin
several times apparently uneasy when absent and yet unable to remain He
issued various orders which his men proceeded to execute and there was an air
of movement in the party more especially as Mr Craig the lieutenant had got
through the unpleasant duty of burying the dead and had sent for instructions
from the shore desiring to know what he was to do with his detachment During
this interval Hetty slept a little and Deerslayer and Chingachgook left the Ark
to confer together But at the end of the time mentioned the Surgeon passed
upon the platform and with a degree of feeling his comrades had never before
observed in one of his habits he announced that the patient was rapidly drawing
near her end On receiving this intelligence the group collected again
curiosity to witness such a death or a better feeling drawing to the spot
men who had so lately been actors in a scene seemingly of so much greater
interest and moment By this time Judith had got to be inactive through grief
and Hist alone was performing the little offices of feminine attention that are
so appropriate to the sick bed Hetty herself had undergone no other apparent
change than the general failing that indicated the near approach of
dissolution All that she possessed of mind was as clear as ever and in some
respects her intellect perhaps was more than usually active
»Dont grieve for me so much Judith« said the gentle sufferer after a
pause in her remarks »I shall soon see mother I think I see her now her
face is just as sweet and smiling as it used to be Perhaps when Im dead God
will give me all my mind and I shall become a more fitting companion for
mother than I ever was before«
»You will be an angel in heaven Hetty« sobbed the sister »no spirit there
will be more worthy of its holy residence«
»I dont understand it quite still I know it must be all true Ive read
it in the bible How dark its becoming Can it be night so soon I can hardly
see you at all where is Hist«
»I here poor girl Why you no see me«
»I do see you but I could nt tell whether twas you or Judith I believe
I shant see you much longer Hist«
»Sorry for that poor Hetty Never mind pale face got a heaven for girls
as well as for warrior«
»Wheres the Serpent let me speak to him Give me his hand so I feel
it Delaware you will love and cherish this young Indian woman I know how fond
she is of you you must be fond of her Dont treat her as some of your people
treat their wives be a real husband to her Now bring Deerslayer near me give
me his hand«
This request was complied with and the hunter stood by the side of the
pallet submitting to the wishes of the girl with the docility of a child
»I feel Deerslayer« she resumed »though I could nt tell why but I
feel that you and I are not going to part for ever Tis a strange feeling I
never had it before I wonder what it comes from«
»Tis God encouraging you in extremity Hetty as such it ought to be
harbored and respected Yes we shall meet agin though it may be a long time
first and in a far distant land«
»Do you mean to be buried in the lake too If so that may account for the
feeling«
»Tis little likely gal tis little likely but theres a region for
christian souls where theres no lakes nor woods they say though why there
should be none of the last is more than I can account for seeing that
pleasantness and peace is the object in view My grave will be found in the
forest most likely but I hope my spirit will not be far from yourn«
»So it must be then I am too weakminded to understand these things but I
feel that you and I will meet again Sister where are you I cant see
now any thing but darkness it must be night surely«
»Oh Hetty I am here at your side these are my arms that are around
you« sobbed Judith »Speak dearest is there any thing you wish to say or
have done in this awful moment«
By this time Hettys sight had entirely failed her Nevertheless death
approached with less than usual of its horrors as if in tenderness to one of
her half endowed faculties She was pale as a corpse but her breathing was easy
and unbroken while her voice though lowered almost to a whisper remained
clear and distinct When her sister put this question however a blush diffused
itself over the features of the dying girl so faint however as to be nearly
imperceptible resembling that hue of the rose which is thought to portray the
tint of modesty rather than the dye of the flower in its richer bloom No one
but Judith detected this exposure of feeling one of the gentle expressions of
womanly sensibility even in death On her however it was not lost nor did she
conceal from herself the cause
»Hurry is here dearest Hetty « whispered the sister with her face so near
the sufferer as to keep the words from other ears »Shall I tell him to come
and receive your good wishes«
A gentle pressure of the hand answered in the affirmative Then Hurry was
brought to the side of the pallet It is probable that this handsome but rude
woodsman had never before found himself so awkwardly placed though the
inclination which Hetty felt for him a sort of secret yielding to the
instincts of nature rather than any unbecoming impulse of an ill regulated
imagination was too pure and unobtrusive to have created the slightest
suspicion of the circumstance in his mind He allowed Judith to put his hard
colossal hand between those of Hetty and stood waiting the result in awkward
silence
»This is Hurry dearest« whispered Judith bending over her sister ashamed
to utter the words so as to be audible to herself »Speak to him and let him
go«
»What shall I say Judith«
»Nay whatever your own pure spirit teaches my love Trust to that and you
need fear nothing«
»Good bye Hurry « murmured the girl with a gentle pressure of his hand
»I wish you would try and be more like Deerslayer«
These words were uttered with difficulty a faint flush succeeded them for a
single instant Then the hand was relinquished and Hetty turned her face aside
as if done with the world The mysterious feeling that bound her to the young
man a sentiment so gentle as to be almost imperceptible to herself and which
could never have existed at all had her reason possessed more command over her
senses was forever lost in thoughts of a more elevated though scarcely of a
purer character
»Of what are you thinking my sweet sister« whispered Judith »Tell me
that I may aid you at this moment«
»Mother I see Mother now and bright beings around her in the lake Why
is nt father there Its odd that I can see mother when I cant see you
Farewell Judith«
The last words were uttered after a pause and her sister had hung over her
some time in anxious watchfulness before she perceived that the gentle spirit
had departed Thus died Hetty Hutter one of those mysterious links between the
material and immaterial world which while they appear to be deprived of so
much that is esteemed and necessary for this state of being draw so near to
and offer so beautiful an illustration of the truth purity and simplicity of
another
Chapter XXXII
»A barons chylde to be begylde it were a cursed dede
To be felàwe with an outlàwe Almighty God forbede
Yea better were the pore squyère alone to forest yede
Then ye sholde say another day that by my cursed dede
Ye were betrayed wherefore good mayde the best rede that I can
Is that I to the grene wode go alone a banyshed man«
Thomas Percy »Notbrowne Mayde« ll 26576
from Reliques of Ancient English Poetry Vol II
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 reveillé
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 any thing 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 do nt understand it so Judith though Im no missionary and am but
poorly taught Each spirit answers for its own backslidings though a hearty
repentance will satisfy Gods 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 knowd
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 Hettys on the right of mothers«
»Sartain you askd 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 What has so
lately happened will prevent the Iroquois from venturing again to visit it for
a long time to come«
»That it will yes that may be set down as sartain I do not mean to pass
thisaway agin so long as the war lasts for to my mind no Huron moccasin
will leave its print on the leaves of this forest until their traditions have
forgotten to tell their young men of their disgrace and rout«
»And do you so delight in violence and bloodshed I had thought better of
you Deerslayer believed you one who could find his happiness in a quiet
domestic home with an attached and loving wife ready to study your wishes and
healthy and dutiful children anxious to follow in your footsteps and to become
as honest and just as yourself«
»Lord Judith what a tongue youre mistress of Speech and looks go hand in
hand like and what one cant do the other is pretty sartain to perform Such
a gal in a month might spoil the stoutest warrior in the colony«
»And am I then so mistaken Do you really love war Deerslayer better
than the hearth and the affections«
»I understand your meaning gal yes I do understand what you mean I
believe though I do nt think you altogether understand me Warrior I may now
call myself I suppose for Ive both fout and conquered which is sufficient
for the name neither will I deny that Ive feelins for the callin which is
both manful and honorable when carried on accordin to natral gifts but Ive
no relish for blood Youth is youth howsever and a Mingo is a Mingo If the
young men of this region stood by and suffered the vagabonds to overrun the
land why we might as well all turn Frenchers at once and give up country and
kin Im no fire eater Judith or one that likes fightin for fightins sake
but I can see no great difference atween givin up territory afore a war out of
a dread of war and givin it up ater a war because we cant help it onless
it be that the last is the most manful and honorable«
»No woman would ever wish to see her husband or brother stand by and
submit to insult and wrong Deerslayer however she might mourn the necessity of
his running into the dangers of battle But youve done enough already in
clearing this region of the Hurons since to you is principally owing the credit
of our late victory Now listen to me patiently and answer me with that native
honesty which it is as pleasant to regard in one of your sex as it is unusual
to meet with«
Judith paused for now that she was on the very point of explaining herself
native modesty asserted its power notwithstanding the encouragement and
confidence she derived from the great simplicity of her companions character
Her cheeks which had so lately been pale flushed and her eyes lighted with
some of their former brilliancy Feeling gave expression to her countenance and
softness to her voice rendering her who was always beautiful trebly seductive
and winning
»Deerslayer« she said after a considerable pause »this is not a moment
for affectation deception or a want of frankness of any sort Here over my
mothers grave and over the grave of truthloving truthtelling Hetty every
thing like unfair dealing seems to be out of place I will therefore speak to
you without any reserve and without any dread of being misunderstood You are
not an acquaintance of a week but it appears to me as if I had known you for
years So much and so much that is important has taken place within that short
time that the sorrows and dangers and escapes of a whole life have been
crowded into a few days and they who have suffered and acted together in such
scenes ought not to feel like strangers I know that what I am about to say
might be misunderstood by most men but I hope for a generous construction of my
course from you We are not here dwelling among the arts and deceptions of the
settlements but young people who have no occasion to deceive each other in any
manner or form I hope I make myself understood«
»Sartain Judith few convarse better than yourself and none more
agreeable like Your words are as pleasant as your looks«
»It is the manner in which you have so often praised those looks that gives
me courage to proceed Still Deerslayer it is not easy for one of my sex and
years to forget all her lessons of infancy all her habits and her natural
diffidence and say openly what her heart feels«
»Why not Judith Why should nt women as well as men deal fairly and
honestly by their fellow creaturs I see no reason why you should not speak as
plainly as myself when there is any thing raally important to be said«
This indomitable diffidence which still prevented the young man from
suspecting the truth would have completely discouraged the girl had not her
whole soul as well as her whole heart been set upon making a desperate effort
to rescue herself from a future that she dreaded with a horror as vivid as the
distinctness with which she fancied she foresaw it This motive however raised
her above all common considerations and she persevered even to her own
surprise if not to her great confusion
»I will I must deal as plainly with you as I would with poor dear Hetty
were that sweet child living« she continued turning pale instead of blushing
the high resolution by which she was prompted reversing the effect that such a
procedure would ordinarily produce on one of her sex »yes I will smother all
other feelings in the one that is now uppermost You love the woods and the
life that we pass here in the wilderness away from the dwellings and towns of
the whites«
»As I loved my parents Judith when they was living This very spot would
be all creation to me could this war be fairly over once and the settlers
kept at a distance«
»Why quit it then It has no owner at least none who can claim a better
right than mine and that I freely give to you Were it a kingdom Deerslayer I
think I should delight to say the same Let us then return to it after we have
seen the priest at the fort and never quit it again until God calls us away to
that world where we shall find the spirits of my poor mother and sister«
A long thoughtful pause succeeded Judith here covered her face with both
her hands after forcing herself to utter so plain a proposal and Deerslayer
musing equally in sorrow and surprise on the meaning of the language he had
just heard At length the hunter broke the silence speaking in a tone that was
softened to gentleness by his desire not to offend
»You have nt thought well of this Judith « he said »no your feelins
are awakened by all that has lately happened and believin yourself to be
without kindred in the world you are in too great haste to find some to fill
the places of them thats lost«
»Were I living in a crowd of friends Deerslayer I should still think as I
now think say as I now say« returned Judith speaking with her hands still
shading her lovely face
»Thank you gal thank you from the bottom of my heart Howsever I am not
one to take advantage of a weak moment when youre forgetful of your own great
advantages and fancy arth and all it holds is in this little canoe No no
Judith twould be onginerous in me what youve offered can never come to pass«
»It all may be and that without leaving cause of repentance to any «
answered Judith with an impetuosity of feeling and manner that at once
unveiled her eyes »We can cause the soldiers to leave our goods on the road
till we return when they can easily be brought back to the house the lake will
be no more visited by the enemy this war at least all your skins may be
readily sold at the garrison there you can buy the few necessaries we shall
want for I wish never to see the spot again and Deerslayer« added the girl
smiling with a sweetness and nature that the young man found it hard to resist
»as a proof how wholly I am and wish to be yours how completely I desire to
be nothing but your wife the very first fire that we kindle after our return
shall be lighted with the brocade dress and fed by every article I have that
you may think unfit for the woman you wish to live with«
»Ahs me youre a winning and a lovely creatur Judith yes you are all
that and no one can deny it and speak truth These picturs are pleasant to
the thoughts but they mightnt prove so happy as you now think em Forget it
all therefore and let us paddle after the Sarpent and Hist as if nothing had
been said on the subject«
Judith was deeply mortified and what is more she was profoundly grieved
Still there was a steadiness and quiet in the manner of Deerslayer that
completely smothered her hopes and told her that for once her exceeding beauty
had failed to excite the admiration and homage it was wont to receive Women are
said seldom to forgive those who slight their advances but this high spirited
and impetuous girl entertained no shadow of resentment then or ever against
the fair dealing and ingenuous hunter At the moment the prevailing feeling was
the wish to be certain that there was no misunderstanding After another painful
pause therefore she brought the matter to an issue by a question too direct to
admit of equivocation
»God forbid that we lay up regrets in after life through any want of
sincerity now« she said »I hope we understand each other at least You will
not accept me for a wife Deerslayer«
»Tis better for both that I should nt take advantage of your own
forgetfulness Judith We can never marry«
»You do not love me cannot find it in your heart perhaps to esteem me
Deerslayer«
»Every thing in the way of frindship Judith every thing even to
sarvices and life itself Yes Id risk as much for you at this moment as I
would risk in behalf of Hist and that is sayin as much as I can say of any
darter of woman I do not think I feel towards either mind I say either
Judith as if I wished to quit father and mother if father and mother was
livin which howsever neither is but if both was livin I do not feel
towards any woman as if I wishd to quit em in order to cleave unto her«
»This is enough« answered Judith in a rebuked and smothered voice »I
understand all that you mean Marry you cannot without loving and that love you
do not feel for me Make no answer if I am right for I shall understand your
silence That will be painful enough of itself«
Deerslayer obeyed her and he made no reply For more than a minute the
girl riveted her bright eyes on him as if to read his soul while he sat
playing with the water like a corrected school boy Then Judith herself
dropped the end of her paddle and urged the canoe away from the spot with a
movement as reluctant as the feelings which controlled it Deerslayer quietly
aided the effort however and they were soon on the trackless line taken by the
Delaware
In their way to the point not another syllable was exchanged between
Deerslayer and his fair companion As Judith sat in the bow of the canoe her
back was turned towards him else it is probable the expression of her
countenance might have induced him to venture some soothing terms of friendship
and regard Contrary to what would have been expected resentment was still
absent though the colour frequently changed from the deep flush of
mortification to the paleness of disappointment Sorrow deep heartfelt
sorrow however was the predominant emotion and this was betrayed in a manner
not to be mistaken
As neither labored hard at the paddle the ark had already arrived and the
soldiers had disembarked before the canoe of the two loiterers reached the
point Chingachgook had preceded it and was already some distance in the wood
at a spot where the two trails that to the garrison and that to the villages
of the Delawares separated The soldiers too had taken up their line of march
first setting the Ark adrift again with a reckless disregard of its fate All
this Judith saw but she heeded it not The Glimmerglass had no longer any
charms for her and when she put her foot on the strand she immediately
proceeded on the trail of the soldiers without casting a single glance behind
her Even Hist was passed unnoticed that modest young creature shrinking from
the averted face of Judith as if guilty herself of some wrong doing
»Wait you here Sarpent« said Deerslayer as he followed in the footsteps of
the dejected beauty while passing his friend »I will just see Judith among
her party and come and jine you«
A hundred yards had hid the couple from those in front as well as those in
their rear when Judith turned and spoke
»This will do Deerslayer« she said sadly »I understand your kindness but
shall not need it In a few minutes I shall reach the soldiers As you cannot go
with me on the journey of life I do not wish you to go further on this But
stop before we part I would ask you a single question And I require of you
as you fear God and reverence the truth not to deceive me in your answer I
know you do not love another and I can see but one reason why you cannot will
not love me Tell me then Deerslayer « The girl paused the words she was
about to utter seeming to choke her Then rallying all her resolution with a
face that flushed and paled at every breath she drew she continued
»Tell me then Deerslayer if any thing light of me that Henry March has
said may not have influenced your feelings«
Truth was the Deerslayers polar star He ever kept it in view and it was
nearly impossible for him to avoid uttering it even when prudence demanded
silence Judith read his answer in his countenance and with a heart nearly
broken by the consciousness of undue erring she signed to him an adieu and
buried herself in the woods For some time Deerslayer was irresolute as to his
course but in the end he retraced his steps and joined the Delaware That
night the three camped on the head waters of their own river and the
succeeding evening they entered the village of the tribe Chingachgook and his
betrothed in triumph their companion honored and admired but in a sorrow that
it required months of activity to remove
The war that then had its rise was stirring and bloody The Delaware chief
rose among his people until his name was never mentioned without eulogiums
while another Uncas the last of his race was added to the long line of
warriors who bore that distinguishing appellation As for the Deerslayer under
the sobriquet of Hawkeye he made his fame spread far and near until the crack
of his rifle became as terrible to the ears of the Mingos as the thunders of
the Manitou His services were soon required by the officers of the crown and
he especially attached himself in the field to one in particular with whose
after life he had a close and important connection
Fifteen years had passed away ere it was in the power of the Deerslayer to
revisit the Glimmerglass A peace had intervened and it was on the eve of
another and still more important war when he and his constant friend
Chingachgook were hastening to the forts to join their allies A stripling
accompanied them for Hist already slumbered beneath the pines of the Delawares
and the three survivors had now become inseparable They reached the lake just
as the sun was setting Here all was unchanged The river still rushed through
its bower of trees the little rock was washing away by the slow action of the
waves in the course of centuries the mountains stood in their native dress
dark rich and mysterious while the sheet glistened in its solitude a
beautiful gem of the forest
The following morning the youth discovered one of the canoes drifted on the
shore in a state of decay A little labor put it in a state for service and
they all embarked with a desire to examine the place All the points were
passed and Chingachgook pointed out to his son the spot where the Hurons had
first encamped and the point whence he had succeeded in stealing his bride
Here they even landed but all traces of the former visit had disappeared Next
they proceeded to the scene of the battle and there they found a few of the
signs that linger around such localities Wild beasts had disinterred many of
the bodies and human bones were bleaching in the rains of summer Uncas
regarded all with reverence and pity though traditions were already rousing his
young mind to the ambition and sternness of a warrior
From the point the canoe took its way toward the shoal where the remains
of the castle were still visible a picturesque ruin The storms of winter had
long since unroofed the house and decay had eaten into the logs All the
fastenings were untouched but the seasons rioted in the place as if in mockery
at the attempt to exclude them The palisades were rotting as were the piles
and it was evident that a few more recurrences of winter a few more gales and
tempests would sweep all into the lake and blot the building from the face of
that magnificent solitude The graves could not be found Either the elements
had obliterated their traces or time had caused those who looked for them to
forget their position
The Ark was discovered stranded on the eastern shore where it had long
before been driven with the prevalent northwest winds It lay on the sandy
extremity of a long low point that is situated about two miles from the outlet
and which is itself fast disappearing before the action of the elements The
scow was filled with water the cabin unroofed and the logs were decaying Some
of its coarser furniture still remained and the heart of Deerslayer beat quick
as he found a ribband of Judiths fluttering from a log It recalled all her
beauty and we may add all her failings Although the girl had never touched his
heart the Hawkeye for so we ought now to call him still retained a kind and
sincere interest in her welfare He tore away the ribband and knotted it to the
stock of Killdeer which had been the gift of the girl herself
A few miles farther up the lake another of the canoes was discovered and
on the point where the party finally landed were found those which had been
left there upon the shore That in which the present navigation was made and
the one discovered on the eastern shore had dropped through the decayed floor
of the castle drifted past the falling palisades and had been thrown as waifs
upon the beach
From all these signs it was probable the lake had not been visited since
the occurrence of the final scene of our tale Accident or tradition had
rendered it again a spot sacred to nature the frequent wars and the feeble
population of the colonies still confining the settlements within narrow
boundaries Chingachgook and his friend left the spot with melancholy feelings
It had been the region of their First War Path and it carried back the minds of
both to scenes of tenderness as well as to hours of triumph They held their
way towards the Mohawk in silence however to rush into new adventures as
stirring and as remarkable as those which had attended their opening careers on
this lovely lake At a later day they returned to the place where the Indian
found a grave
Time and circumstances have drawn an impenetrable mystery around all else
connected with the Hutters They lived erred died and are forgotten None
connected have felt sufficient interest in the disgraced and disgracing to
withdraw the veil and a century is about to erase even the recollection of
their names The history of crime is ever revolting and it is fortunate that
few love to dwell on its incidents The sins of the family have long since been
arraigned at the judgment seat of God or are registered for the terrible
settlement of the last great day
The same fate attended Judith When Hawkeye reached the garrison on the
Mohawk he enquired anxiously after that lovely but misguided creature None knew
her even her person was no longer remembered Other officers had again and
again succeeded the Warleys and Craigs and Grahams though an old sergeant of
the garrison who had lately come from England was enabled to tell our hero
that Sir Robert Warley lived on his paternal estates and that there was a lady
of rare beauty in the Lodge who had great influence over him though she did
not bear his name Whether this was Judith relapsed into her early failing or
some other victim of the soldiers Hawkeye never knew nor would it be pleasant
or profitable to inquire We live in a world of transgressions and selfishness
and no pictures that represent us otherwise can be true though happily for
human nature gleamings of that pure spirit in whose likeness man has been
fashioned are to be seen relieving its deformities and mitigating if not
excusing its crimes
Notes
1 It is no more than justice to say that the Greenbush Van Rensselaers claim to
be the oldest branch of that ancient and respectable family
2 Lest the similarity of the names should produce confusion it may be well to
say that the Uncas here mentioned is the grandfather of him who plays so
conspicuous a part in the Last of the Mohicans
3 It is singular there should be any question concerning the origin of the well
known sobriquet of Yankees Nearly all the old writers who speak of the Indians
first known to the Colonists make them pronounce the word English as Yengeese
Even at this day it is a provincialism of New England to say English instead of
Inglish and there is a close conformity of sound between English and Yengeese
more especially if the latter word as was probably the case be pronounced
short The transition from Yengeese thus pronounced to Yankees is quite easy
If the former is pronounced Yangis it is almost identical with Yankees and
Indian words have seldom been spelt as they are pronounced Thus the scene of
this tale is spelt Otsego and is properly pronounced Otsago The liquids of the
Indians would easily convert En into Yen
4 The Otsego is a favorite place for the caravan keepers to let their elephants
bathe The writer has seen two at a time since the publication of this book
swimming about in company