James Fenimore Cooper
The Pioneers or
The Sources of the Susquehanna
A Descriptive Tale
»Extremes of habits manners time and space
Brought close together here stood face to face
And gave at once a contrast to the view
That other lands and ages never knew«
Paulding The Backwoodsman II 5714
To
Jacob Sutherland
of Blenheim Schoharie
Esquire
The length of our friendship would be a sufficient reason for prefixing your
name to these pages but your residence so near the scene of the tale and your
familiarity with much of the character and kind of life that I have attempted to
describe render it more peculiarly proper You at least dear Sutherland will
not receive this dedication as a cold compliment but as an evidence of the
feeling that makes me
War mly and truly
Your friend
Preface
To Mr Charles Wiley Bookseller
Every man is more or less the sport of accident nor do I know that authors
are at all exempted from this humiliating influence This is the third of my
novels and it depends on two very uncertain contingencies whether it will not
be the last the one being the public opinion and the other mine own humour
The first book was written because I was told that I could not write a grave
tale so to prove that the world did not know me I wrote one that was so grave
nobody would read it wherein I think that I had much the best of the argument
The second was written to see if I could not overcome this neglect of the
reading world How far I have succeeded Mr Charles Wiley must ever remain a
secret between ourselves The third has been written exclusively to please
myself so it would be no wonder if it displeased every body else for what two
ever thought alike on a subject of the imagination
I should think criticism to be the perfection of human acquirements did
there not exist this discrepancy in taste Just as I have made up my mind to
adopt the very sagacious hints of one learned Reviewer a pamphlet is put into
my hands containing the remarks of another who condemns all that his rival
praises and praises all that his rival condemns There I am left like an ass
between two locks of hay so that I have determined to relinquish my animate
nature and remain stationary like a lock of hay between two asses
It is now a long time say the wise ones since the world has been told all
that is new and novel But the Reviewers the cunning wights have adopted an
ingenious expedient to give a freshness to the most trite idea They clothe it
in a language so obscure and metaphysical that the reader is not about to
comprehend their pages without some labour This is called a great range of
thought and not improperly as I can testify for in my own case I have
frequently ranged the universe of ideas and come back again in as perfect
ignorance of their meaning as when I set out It is delightful to see the
literati of a circulating library get hold of one of these difficult periods
Their praise of the performance is exactly commensurate with its obscurity
Every body knows that to seem wise is the first requisite in a great man
A common word in the mouths of all Reviewers readers of magazines and
young ladies when speaking of novels is keeping and yet there are but few who
attach the same meaning to it I belong myself to the old school in this
particular and think that it applies more to the subject in hand than to any
use of terms or of cant expressions As a man might just as well be out of the
world as out of keeping I have endeavoured to confine myself in this tale
strictly to its observance This is a formidable curb to the imagination as
doubtless the reader will very soon discover but under its influence I have
come to the conclusion that the writer of a tale who takes the earth for the
scene of his story is in some degree bound to respect human nature Therefore I
would advise any one who may take up this book with the expectation of meeting
gods and goddesses spooks or witches or of feeling that strong excitement that
is produced by battles and murders to throw it aside at once for no such
interest will be found in any of its pages
I have already said that it was mine own humour that suggested this tale
but it is a humour that is deeply connected with feeling Happier periods more
interesting events and possibly more beautiful scenes might have been
selected to exemplify my subject but none of either that would be so dear to
me I wish therefore to be judged more by what I have done than by my sins of
omission I have introduced one battle but it is not of the most Homeric kind
As for murders the population of a new country will not admit of such a waste
of human life There might possibly have been one or two hangings to the
manifest advantage of the settlement but then it would have been out of keeping
with the humane laws of this compassionate country
The Pioneers is now before the world Mr Wiley and I shall look to you for
the only true account of its reception The critics may write as obscurely as
they please and look much wiser than they are the papers may puff or abuse as
their changeful humours dictate but if you meet me with a smiling face I shall
at once know that all is essentially well
If you should ever have occasion for a preface I beg you will let me hear
from you in reply
Yours truly
The Author
NewYork January 1st 1823
Introduction
As this work professes in its title page to be a descriptive tale they who
will take the trouble to read it may be glad to know how much of its contents
is literal fact and how much is intended to represent a general picture The
author is very sensible that had he confined himself to the latter always the
most effective as it is the most valuable mode of conveying knowledge of this
nature he would have made a far better book But in commencing to describe
scenes and perhaps he may add characters that were so familiar to his own
youth there was a constant temptation to delineate that which he had known
rather than that which he might have imagined This rigid adhesion to truth an
indispensable requisite in history and travels destroys the charm of fiction
for all that is necessary to be conveyed to the mind by the latter had better be
done by delineations of principles and of characters in their classes than by a
too fastidious attention to originals
NewYork having but one county of Otsego and the Susquehannah but one
proper source there can be no mistake as to the site of the Tale The history
of this district of Country so far as it is connected with civilized man is
soon told
Otsego in common with most of the interior of the Province of NewYork was
included in the county of Albany previously to the war of the separation It
then became in a subsequent division of territory a part of Montgomery and
finally having obtained a sufficient population of its own it was set apart as
a county by itself shortly after the peace of 1783 It lies among those low
spurs of the Alleganies which cover the midland counties of NewYork and it is
a little east of a meridional line drawn through the centre of the state As the
waters of NewYork either flow southerly into the Atlantic or northerly into
Ontario and its outlet Otsego Lake being the source of the Susquehannah is
of necessity among its highest lands The face of the country the climate as
it was found by the whites and the manners of the settlers are described with
a minuteness for which the author has no other apology than the force of his own
recollections
Otsego is said to be a word compounded of Ot a place of meeting and Sego
or Sago the ordinary term of salutation used by the Indians of this region
There is a tradition which says that the neighbouring tribes were accustomed to
meet on the banks of the lake to make their treaties and otherwise to
strengthen their alliances and which refers the name to this practice As the
Indian Agent of NewYork had a log dwelling at the foot of the lake however it
is not impossible that the appellation grew out of the meetings that were held
at his Council Fires The war drove off the agent in common with the other
officers of the crown and his rude dwelling was soon abandoned The author
remembers it a few years later reduced to the humble office of a smokehouse
In 1779 an expedition was sent against the hostile Indians who dwelt about
a hundred miles west of Otsego on the banks of the Cayuga The whole country
was then a wilderness and it was necessary to transport the baggage of the
troops by means of the rivers a devious but practicable route One brigade
ascended the Mohawk until it reached the point nearest to the sources of the
Susquehannah whence it cut a lane through the forest to the head of the Otsego
The boats and baggage were carried over this portage and the troops proceeded
to the other extremity of the lake where they disembarked and encamped The
Susquehannah a narrow though rapid stream at its source was much filled with
flood wood or fallen trees and the troops adopted a novel expedient to
facilitate their passage The Otsego is about nine miles in length varying in
breadth from half a mile to a mile and a half The water is of great depth
limpid and supplied from a thousand springs At its foot the banks are rather
less than thirty feet high the remainder of its margin being in mountains
intervals and points The outlet or the Susquehannah flows through a gorge
in the low banks just mentioned which may have a width of two hundred feet
This gorge was dammed and the waters of the lake collected The Susquehannah
was converted into a rill When all was ready the troops embarked the dam was
knocked away the Otsego poured out its torrent and the boats went merrily down
with the current
Gen James Clinton the brother of George Clinton then Governor of
NewYork and the father of De Witt Clinton who died Governor of the same state
in 1827 commanded the brigade employed on this duty During the stay of the
troops at the foot of the Otsego a soldier was shot for desertion The grave of
this unfortunate man was the first place of human interment that the author ever
beheld as the smokehouse was the first ruin The swivel alluded to in this
work was buried and abandoned by the troops on this occasion and it was
subsequently found in digging the cellars of the authors paternal residence
Soon after the close of the war Washington accompanied by many
distinguished men visited the scene of this tale it is said with a view to
examine the facilities for opening a communication by water with other points
of the Country He staid but a few hours
In 1785 the authors father who had an interest in extensive tracts of
land in this wilderness arrived with a party of Surveyors The manner in which
the scene met his eye is described by Judge Temple At the commencement of the
following year the settlement began and from that time to this the county has
continued to flourish It is a singular feature in American life that at the
beginning of this century when the proprietor of the estate had occasion for
settlers on a new settlement and in a remote county he was enabled to draw
them from among the increase of the former colony
Although the settlement of this part of Otsego a little preceded the birth
of the author it was not sufficiently advanced to render it desirable that an
event so important to himself should take place in the wilderness Perhaps his
mother had a reasonable distrust of the practice of Dr Todd who must then have
been in the noviciate of his experimental acquirements Be that as it may the
author was brought an infant into this valley and all his first impressions were
here obtained He has inhabited it ever since at intervals and he thinks he
can answer for the faithfulness of the picture he has drawn
Otsego has now become one of the most populous districts of NewYork It
sends forth its emigrants like any other old region and it is pregnant with
industry and enterprise Its manufactures are prosperous and it is worthy of
remark that one of the most ingenious machines known in European art is
derived from the keen ingenuity which is exercised in this remote region
In order to prevent mistake it may be well to say that the incidents of
this tale are purely a fiction The literal facts are chiefly connected with the
natural and artificial objects and the customs of the inhabitants Thus the
Academy and Court house and gaol and inn and most similar things are
tolerably exact They have all long since given place to other buildings of a
more pretending character There is also some liberty taken with the truth in
the description of the principal dwelling the real building had no firstly and
lastly It was of bricks and not of stones and its roof exhibited none of the
peculiar beauties of the composite order It was erected in an age too primitive
for that ambitious school of architecture But the author indulged his
recollections freely when he had fairly entered the door Here all is literal
even to the severed arm of Wolfe and the urn which held the ashes of Queen Dido
1
The author has elsewhere said that the character of the Leather Stocking is
a creation rendered probable by such auxiliaries as were necessary to produce
that effect Had he drawn still more upon fancy the lovers of fiction would not
have so much cause for their objections to his work Still the picture would not
have been in the least true without some substitutes for most of the other
personages The great Proprietor resident on his lands and giving his name to
instead of receiving it from his estates as in Europe is common over the whole
of New York The physician with his theory rather obtained than corrected by
experiments on the human constitution the pious selfdenying laborious and
ill paid missionary the halfeducated litigious envious and disreputable
lawyer with his counterpoise a brother of the profession of better origin and
of better character the shiftless bargaining discontented seller of his
betterments the plausible carpenter and most of the others are more familiar
to all who have ever dwelt in a new Country
From circumstances which after this introduction will be obvious to all
the author has had more pleasure in writing The Pioneers than the book will
probably ever give any of its readers He is quite aware of its numerous faults
some of which he has endeavoured to repair in this edition but as he has in
intention at least done his full share in amusing the world he trusts to its
good nature for overlooking this attempt to please himself
Paris March 1832
Chapter I
»See Winter comes to rule the varied year
Sullen and sad with all his rising train
Vapours and clouds and storms «
Thomson The Seasons »Winter« 13
Near the centre of the State of NewYork lies an extensive district of country
whose surface is a succession of hills and dales or to speak with greater
deference to geographical definitions of mountains and valleys It is among
these hills that the Delaware takes its rise and flowing from the limpid lakes
and thousand springs of this region the numerous sources of the Susquehanna
meander through the valleys until uniting their streams they form one of the
proudest rivers of the United States The mountains are generally arable to the
tops although instances are not wanting where the sides are jutted with rocks
that aid greatly in giving to the country that romantic and picturesque
character which it so eminently possesses The vales are narrow rich and
cultivated with a stream uniformly winding through each Beautiful and thriving
villages are found interspersed along the margins of the small lakes or
situated at those points of the streams which are favourable to manufacturing
and neat and comfortable farms with every indication of wealth about them are
scattered profusely through the vales and even to the mountain tops Roads
diverge in every direction from the even and graceful bottoms of the valleys
to the most rugged and intricate passes of the hills Academies and minor
edifices of learning meet the eye of the stranger at every few miles as he
winds his way through this uneven territory and places for the worship of God
abound with that frequency which characterises a moral and reflecting people
and with that variety of exterior and canonical government which flows from
unfettered liberty of conscience In short the whole district is hourly
exhibiting how much can be done in even a rugged country and with a severe
climate under the dominion of mild laws and where every man feels a direct
interest in the prosperity of a commonwealth of which he knows himself to form
a part The expedients of the pioneers who first broke ground in the settlement
of this country are succeeded by the permanent improvements of the yeoman who
intends to leave his remains to moulder under the sod which he tills or
perhaps of the son who born in the land piously wishes to linger around the
grave of his father Only forty years2 have passed since this territory was a
wilderness
Very soon after the establishment of the independence of the States by the
peace of 1783 the enterprise of their citizens was directed to a development of
the natural advantages of their widely extended dominions Before the war of the
revolution the inhabited parts of the colony of NewYork were limited to less
than a tenth of its possessions A narrow belt of country extending for a short
distance on either side of the Hudson with a similar occupation of fifty miles
on the banks of the Mohawk together with the islands of Nassau and Staten and
a few insulated settlements on chosen land along the margins of streams
composed the country which was then inhabited by less than two hundred thousand
souls Within the short period we have mentioned the population has spread
itself over five degrees of latitude and seven of longitude and has swelled to
a million and a half of inhabitants3 who are maintained in abundance and can
look forward to ages before the evil day must arrive when their possessions
shall become unequal to their wants
Our tale begins in 1793 about seven years after the commencement of one of
the earliest of those settlements which have conduced to effect that magical
change in the power and condition of the state to which we have alluded
It was near the setting of the sun on a clear cold day in December when a
sleigh was moving slowly up one of the mountains in the district we have
described The day had been fine for the season and but two or three large
clouds whose colour seemed brightened by the light reflected from the mass of
snow that covered the earth floated in a sky of the purest blue The road wound
along the brow of a precipice and on one side was upheld by a foundation of
logs piled one upon the other while a narrow excavation in the mountain in
the opposite direction had made a passage of sufficient width for the ordinary
travelling of that day But logs excavation and every thing that did not reach
several feet above the earth lay alike buried beneath the snow A single track
barely wide enough to receive the sleigh4 denoted the route of the highway and
this was sunk nearly two feet below the surrounding surface In the vale which
lay at a distance of several hundred feet lower there was what in the language
of the country was called a clearing and all the usual improvements of a new
settlement these even extended up the hill to the point where the road turned
short and ran across the level land which lay on the summit of the mountain
but the summit itself remained in forest There was a glittering in the
atmosphere as if it were filled with innumerable shining particles and the
noble bay horses that drew the sleigh were covered in many parts with a coat
of hoar frost The vapour from their nostrils was seen to issue like smoke and
every object in the view as well as every arrangement of the travellers
denoted the depth of a winter in the mountains The harness which was of a deep
dull black differing from the glossy varnishing of the present day was
ornamented with enormous plates and buckles of brass that shone like gold in
those transient beams of the sun which found their way obliquely through the
tops of the trees Huge saddles studded with nails and fitted with cloths that
served as blankets to the shoulders of the animals supported four high
squaretopped turrets through which the stout reins led from the mouths of the
horses to the hands of the driver who was a negro of apparently twenty years
of age His face which nature had coloured with a glistening black was now
mottled with the cold and his large shining eyes filled with tears a tribute
to its power that the keen frosts of those regions always extracted from one of
his African origin Still there was a smiling expression of good humour in his
happy countenance that was created by the thoughts of home and a Christmas
fireside with its Christmas frolics The sleigh was one of those large
comfortable oldfashioned conveyances which would admit a whole family within
its bosom but which now contained only two passengers besides the driver The
colour of its outside was of a modest green and that of its inside a fiery red
The latter was intended to convey the idea of heat in that cold climate Large
buffalo skins trimmed around the edges with red cloth cut into festoons
covered the back of the sleigh and were spread over its bottom and drawn up
around the feet of the travellers one of whom was a man of middle age and the
other a female just entering upon womanhood The former was of a large stature
but the precautions he had taken to guard against the cold left but little of
his person exposed to view A greatcoat that was abundantly ornamented by a
profusion of furs enveloped the whole of his figure excepting the head which
was covered with a cap of marten skins lined with morocco the sides of which
were made to fall if necessary and were now drawn close over the ears and
fastened beneath his chin with a black ribbon The top of the cap was surmounted
with the tail of the animal whose skin had furnished the rest of the materials
which fell back not ungracefully a few inches behind the head From beneath
this masque were to be seen part of a fine manly face and particularly a pair
of expressive large blue eyes that promised extraordinary intellect covert
humour and great benevolence The form of his companion was literally hid
beneath the garments she wore There were furs and silks peeping from under a
large camblet cloak with a thick flannel lining that by its cut and size was
evidently intended for a masculine wearer A huge hood of black silk that was
quilted with down concealed the whole of her head except at a small opening in
front for breath through which occasionally sparkled a pair of animated
jetblack eyes
Both the father and daughter for such was the connexion between the two
travellers were too much occupied with their reflections to break a stillness
that received little or no interruption from the easy gliding of the sleigh by
the sound of their voices The former was thinking of the wife that had held
this their only child to her bosom when four years before she had reluctantly
consented to relinquish the society of her daughter in order that the latter
might enjoy the advantages of an education which the city of New York could
only offer at that period A few months afterwards death had deprived him of the
remaining companion of his solitude but still he had enough of real regard for
his child not to bring her into the comparative wilderness in which he dwelt
until the full period had expired to which he had limited her juvenile labours
The reflections of the daughter were less melancholy and mingled with a pleased
astonishment at the novel scenery she met at every turn in the road
The mountain on which they were journeying was covered with pines that rose
without a branch some seventy or eighty feet and which frequently doubled that
height by the addition of the tops Through the innumerable vistas that opened
beneath the lofty trees the eye could penetrate until it was met by a distant
inequality in the ground or was stopped by a view of the summit of the mountain
which lay on the opposite side of the valley to which they were hastening The
dark trunks of the trees rose from the pure white of the snow in regularly
formed shafts until at a great height their branches shot forth horizontal
limbs that were covered with the meager foliage of an evergreen affording a
melancholy contrast to the torpor of nature below To the travellers there
seemed to be no wind but these pines waved majestically at their topmost
boughs sending forth a dull plaintive sound that was quite in consonance with
the rest of the melancholy scene
The sleigh had glided for some distance along the even surface and the gaze
of the female was bent in inquisitive and perhaps timid glances into the
recesses of the forest when a loud and continued howling was heard pealing
under the long arches of the woods like the cry of a numerous pack of hounds
The instant the sound reached the ears of the gentleman he cried aloud to the
black
»Hold up Aggy there is old Hector I should know his bay among ten
thousand The Leatherstocking has put his hounds into the hills this clear day
and they have started their game There is a deertrack a few rods ahead and
now Bess if thou canst muster courage enough to stand fire I will give thee a
saddle for thy Christmas dinner«
The black drew up with a cheerful grin upon his chilled features and began
thrashing his arms together in order to restore the circulation to his fingers
while the speaker stood erect and throwing aside his outer covering stept
from the sleigh upon a bank of snow which sustained his weight without
yielding
In a few moments the speaker succeeded in extricating a doublebarrelled
fowling piece from amongst a multitude of trunks and bandboxes After throwing
aside the thick mittens which had encased his hands that now appeared in a pair
of leather gloves tipped with fur he examined his priming and was about to
move forward when the light bounding noise of an animal plunging through the
woods was heard and a fine buck darted into the path a short distance ahead of
him The appearance of the animal was sudden and his flight inconceivably
rapid but the traveller appeared to be too keen a sportsman to be disconcerted
by either As it came first into view he raised the fowling piece to his
shoulder and with a practised eye and steady hand drew a trigger The deer
dashed forward undaunted and apparently unhurt Without lowering his piece the
traveller turned its muzzle towards his victim and fired again Neither
discharge however seemed to have taken effect
The whole scene had passed with a rapidity that confused the female who was
unconsciously rejoicing in the escape of the buck as he rather darted like a
meteor than ran across the road when a sharp quick sound struck her ear
quite different from the full round reports of her fathers gun but still
sufficiently distinct to be known as the concussion produced by firearms At
the same instant that she heard this unexpected report the buck sprang from the
snow to a great height in the air and directly a second discharge similar in
sound to the first followed when the animal came to the earth falling
headlong and rolling over on the crust with its own velocity A loud shout was
given by the unseen marksman and a couple of men instantly appeared from behind
the trunks of two of the pines where they had evidently placed themselves in
expectation of the passage of the deer
»Ha Natty had I known you were in ambush I should not have fired« cried
the traveller moving towards the spot where the deer lay near to which he was
followed by the delighted black with his sleigh »but the sound of old Hector
was too exhilarating to be quiet though I hardly think I struck him either«
»No no Judge« returned the hunter with an inward chuckle and with
that look of exultation that indicates a consciousness of superior skill »you
burnt your powder only to warm your nose this cold evening Did ye think to
stop a full grown buck with Hector and the slut open upon him within sound
with that popgun in your hand Theres plenty of pheasants amongst the swamps
and the snow birds are flying round your own door where you may feed them with
crumbs and shoot them at pleasure any day but if youre for a buck or a
little bears meat Judge youll have to take the long rifle with a greased
wadding or youll waste more powder than youll fill stomachs Im thinking«
As the speaker concluded he drew his bare hand across the bottom of his
nose and again opened his enormous mouth with a kind of inward laugh
»The gun scatters well Natty and it has killed a deer before now« said
the traveller smiling good humouredly »One barrel was charged with buck shot
but the other was loaded for birds only Here are two hurts one through the
neck and the other directly through the heart It is by no means certain
Natty but I gave him one of the two«
»Let who will kill him« said the hunter rather surlily »I suppose the
cretur is to be eaten« So saying he drew a large knife from a leathern sheath
which was stuck through his girdle or sash and cut the throat of the animal
»If there is two balls through the deer I would ask if there wasnt two rifles
fired besides who ever saw sich a ragged hole from a smoothbore as this
through the neck and you will own yourself Judge that the buck fell at the
last shot which was sent from a truer and a younger hand than yourn or mine
ither but for my part although I am a poor man I can live without the
venison but I dont love to give up my lawful dues in a free country Though
for the matter of that might often makes right here as well as in the old
country for what I can see«
An air of sullen dissatisfaction pervaded the manner of the hunter during
the whole of this speech yet he thought it prudent to utter the close of the
sentence in such an under tone as to leave nothing audible but the grumbling
sounds of his voice
»Nay Natty« rejoined the traveller with undisturbed good humour »it is
for the honour that I contend A few dollars will pay for the venison but what
will requite me for the lost honour of a bucks tail in my cap Think Natty
how I should triumph over that quizzing dog Dick Jones who has failed seven
times already this season and has only brought in one woodchuck and a few grey
squirrels«
»Ah the game is becoming hard to find indeed Judge with your clearings
and betterments« said the old hunter with a kind of compelled resignation
»The time has been when I have shot thirteen deer without counting the fans
standing in the door of my own hut and for bears meat if one wanted a ham
or so he had only to watch anights and he could shoot one by moonlight
through the cracks of the logs no fear of his oversleeping himself nither
for the howling of the wolves was sartin to keep his eyes open Theres old
Hector« patting with affection a tall hound of black and yellow spots with
white belly and legs that just then came in on the scent accompanied by the
slut he had mentioned »see where the wolves bit his throat the night I druve
them from the venison that was smoking on the chimbly top that dog is more to
be trusted than many a Christian man for he never forgets a friend and loves
the hand that gives him bread«
There was a peculiarity in the manner of the hunter that attracted the
notice of the young female who had been a close and interested observer of his
appearance and equipments from the moment he came into view He was tall and
so meager as to make him seem above even the six feet that he actually stood in
his stockings On his head which was thinly covered with lank sandy hair he
wore a cap made of foxskin resembling in shape the one we have already
described although much inferior in finish and ornaments His face was skinny
and thin almost to emaciation but yet it bore no signs of disease on the
contrary it had every indication of the most robust and enduring health The
cold and the exposure had together given it a colour of uniform red his grey
eyes were glancing under a pair of shaggy brows that overhung them in long
hairs of grey mingled with their natural hue his scraggy neck was bare and
burnt to the same tint with his face though a small part of a shirt collar
made of the country check was to be seen above the overdress he wore A kind
of coat made of dressed deerskin with the hair on was belted close to his
lank body by a girdle of coloured worsted On his feet were deerskin
moccasins ornamented with porcupines quills after the manner of the Indians
and his limbs were guarded with long leggings of the same material as the
moccasins which gartering over the knees of his tarnished buckskin breeches
had obtained for him among the settlers the nick name of Leatherstocking
Over his left shoulder was slung a belt of deerskin from which depended an
enormous ox horn so thinly scraped as to discover the powder it contained The
larger end was fitted ingeniously and securely with a wooden bottom and the
other was stopped tight by a little plug A leathern pouch hung before him from
which as he concluded his last speech he took a small measure and filling it
accurately with powder he commenced reloading the rifle which as its butt
rested on the snow before him reached nearly to the top of his foxskin cap
The traveller had been closely examining the wounds during these movements
and now without heeding the ill humour of the hunters manner he exclaimed
»I would fain establish a right Natty to the honour of this death and
surely if the hit in the neck be mine it is enough for the shot in the heart
was unnecessary what we call an act of supererogation Leatherstocking«
»You may call it by what larned name you please Judge« said the hunter
throwing his rifle across his left arm and knocking up a brass lid in the
breech from which he took a small piece of greased leather and wrapping a ball
in it forced them down by main strength on the powder where he continued to
pound them while speaking »Its far easier to call names than to shoot a buck
on the spring but the cretur come by his end from a younger hand than ither
yourn or mine as I said before«
»What say you my friend« cried the traveller turning pleasantly to
Nattys companion »shall we toss up this dollar for the honour and you keep
the silver if you lose what say you friend«
»That I killed the deer« answered the young man with a little haughtiness
as he leaned on another long rifle similar to that of Nattys
»Here are two to one indeed« replied the Judge with a smile »I am
outvoted overruled as we say on the bench There is Aggy he cant vote
being a slave and Bess is a minor so I must even make the best of it But
youll sell me the venison and the deuce is in it but I make a good story
about its death«
»The meat is none of mine to sell« said Leatherstocking adopting a little
of his companions hauteur »for my part I have known animals travel days with
shots in the neck and Im none of them wholl rob a man of his rightful dues«
»You are tenacious of your rights this cold evening Natty« returned the
Judge with unconquerable good nature »but what say you young man will three
dollars pay you for the buck«
»First let us determine the question of right to the satisfaction of us
both« said the youth firmly but respectfully and with a pronunciation and
language vastly superior to his appearance »with how many shot did you load
your gun«
»With five sir« said the Judge a little struck with the others manner
»are they not enough to slay a buck like this«
»One would do it but« moving to the tree from behind which he had
appeared »you know sir you fired in this direction here are four of the
bullets in the tree«
The Judge examined the fresh marks in the bark of the pine and shaking his
head said with a laugh
»You are making out the case against yourself my young advocate where is
the fifth«
»Here« said the youth throwing aside the rough overcoat that he wore and
exhibiting a hole in his under garment through which large drops of blood were
oozing
»Good God« exclaimed the Judge with horror »have I been trifling here
about an empty distinction and a fellow creature suffering from my hands
without a murmur But hasten quick get into my sleigh it is but a mile to
the village where surgical aid can be obtained all shall be done at my
expence and thou shalt live with me until thy wound is healed aye and for
ever afterwards«
»I thank you for your good intention but I must decline your offer I have
a friend who would be uneasy were he to hear that I am hurt and away from him
The injury is but slight and the bullet has missed the bones but I believe
sir you will now admit my title to the venison«
»Admit it« repeated the agitated Judge »I here give thee a right to shoot
deer or bears or any thing thou pleasest in my woods forever
Leatherstocking is the only other man that I have granted the same privilege
to and the time is coming when it will be of value But I buy your deer here
this bill will pay thee both for thy shot and my own«
The old hunter gathered his tall person up into an air of pride during this
dialogue but he waited until the other had done speaking
»Theres them living who say that Nathaniel Bumppos right to shoot on
these hills is of older date than Marmaduke Temples right to forbid him« he
said »But if theres a law about it at all though who ever heard of a law
that a man shouldnt kill deer where he pleased but if there is a law at all
it should be to keep people from the use of smoothbores A body never knows
where his lead will fly when he pulls the trigger of one of them uncertain
firearms«
Without attending to the soliloquy of Natty the youth bowed his head
silently to the offer of the bank note and replied
»Excuse me I have need of the venison«
»But this will buy you many deer« said the Judge »take it I entreat you«
and lowering his voice to a whisper he added »it is for a hundred dollars«
For an instant only the youth seemed to hesitate and then blushing even
through the high colour that the cold had given to his cheeks as if with inward
shame at his own weakness he again declined the offer
During this scene the female arose and regardless of the cold air she
threw back the hood which concealed her features and now spoke with great
earnestness
»Surely surely young man sir you would not pain my father so much as
to have him think that he leaves a fellow creature in this wilderness whom his
own hand has injured I entreat you will go with us and receive medical aid«
Whether his wound became more painful or there was something irresistible
in the voice and manner of the fair pleader for her fathers feelings we know
not but the distance of the young mans manner was sensibly softened by this
appeal and he stood in apparent doubt as if reluctant to comply with and yet
unwilling to refuse her request The Judge for such being his office must in
future be his title watched with no little interest the display of this
singular contention in the feelings of the youth and advancing kindly took his
hand and as he pulled him gently towards the sleigh urged him to enter it
»There is no human aid nearer than Templeton« he said »and the hut of
Natty is full three miles from this come come my young friend go with us
and let the new doctor look to this shoulder of thine Here is Natty will take
the tidings of thy welfare to thy friend and shouldst thou require it thou
shalt return home in the morning«
The young man succeeded in extricating his hand from the warm grasp of the
Judge but he continued to gaze on the face of the female who regardless of
the cold was still standing with her fine features exposed which expressed
feelings that eloquently seconded the request of her father Leatherstocking
stood in the mean time leaning upon his long rifle with his head turned a
little to one side as if engaged in sagacious musing when having apparently
satisfied his doubts by revolving the subject in his mind he broke silence
»It may be best to go lad after all for if the shot hangs under the skin
my hand is getting too old to be cutting into human flesh as I once used to
could Though some thirty years agone in the old war when I was out under Sir
William I travelled seventy miles alone in the howling wilderness with a rifle
bullet in my thigh and then cut it out with my own jackknife Old Indian John
knows the time well I met him with a party of the Delawares on the trail of
the Iroquois who had been down and taken five scalps on the Schoharie But I
made a mark on the redskin that Ill warrant he carried to his grave I took
him on his posterum saving the ladys presence as he got up from the amboosh
and rattled three buck shot into his naked hide so close that you might have
laid a broad joe upon them all « here Natty stretched out his long neck and
straightened his body as he opened his mouth which exposed a single tusk of
yellow bone while his eyes his face even his whole frame seemed to laugh
although no sound was emitted except a kind of thick hissing as he inhaled his
breath in quavers »I had lost my bullet mould in crossing the Oneida outlet
and had to make shift with the buck shot but the rifle was true and didnt
scatter like your two legged thing there Judge which dont do I find to hunt
in company with«
Nattys apology to the delicacy of the young lady was unnecessary for
while he was speaking she was too much employed in helping her father to remove
certain articles of baggage to hear him Unable to resist the kind urgency of
the travellers any longer the youth though still with an unaccountable
reluctance suffered himself to be persuaded to enter the sleigh The black with
the aid of his master threw the buck across the baggage and entering the
vehicle themselves the Judge invited the hunter to do so likewise
»No no « said the old man shaking his head »I have work to do at home
this Christmas eve drive on with the boy and let your doctor look to the
shoulder though if he will only cut out the shot I have yarbs that will heal
the wound quicker than all his foreign intments« He turned and was about to
move off when suddenly recollecting himself he again faced the party and
added »If you see any thing of Indian John about the foot of the lake you had
better take him with you and let him lend the doctor a hand for old as he is
he is curous at cuts and bruises and its likelier than not hell be in with
brooms to sweep your Christmas haarths«
»Stop stop« cried the youth catching the arm of the black as he prepared
to urge his horses forward »Natty you need say nothing of the shot nor of
where I am going remember Natty as you love me«
»Trust old Leatherstocking« returned the hunter significantly »he hasnt
lived fifty years in the wilderness and not larnt from the savages how to hold
his tongue trust to me lad and remember old Indian John«
»And Natty« said the youth eagerly still holding the black by the arm
»I will just get the shot extracted and bring you up tonight a quarter of
the buck for the Christmas dinner«
He was interrupted by the hunter who held up his finger with an expressive
gesture for silence He then moved softly along the margin of the road keeping
his eyes steadfastly fixed on the branches of a pine When he had obtained such
a position as he wished he stopped and cocking his rifle threw one leg far
behind him and stretching his left arm to its utmost extent along the barrel of
his piece he began slowly to raise its muzzle in a line with the straight trunk
of the tree The eyes of the group in the sleigh naturally preceded the movement
of the rifle and they soon discovered the object of Nattys aim On a small
dead branch of the pine which at the distance of seventy feet from the ground
shot out horizontally immediately beneath the living members of the tree sat a
bird that in the vulgar language of the country was indiscriminately called a
pheasant or a partridge In size it was but little smaller than a common
barnyard fowl The baying of the dogs and the conversation that had passed
near the root of the tree on which it was perched had alarmed the bird which
was now drawn up near the body of the pine with a head and neck so erect as to
form nearly a straight line with its legs As soon as the rifle bore on the
victim Natty drew his trigger and the partridge fell from its height with a
force that buried it in the snow
»Lie down you old villain« exclaimed Leatherstocking shaking his ramrod
at Hector as he bounded towards the foot of the tree »lie down I say« The dog
obeyed and Natty proceeded with great rapidity though with the nicest
accuracy to reload his piece When this was ended he took up his game and
showing it to the party without a head he cried »Here is a tit bit for an old
mans Christmas never mind the venison boy and remember Indian John his
yarbs are better than all the foreign intments Here Judge« holding up the
bird again »do you think a smoothbore would pick game off their roost and not
ruffle a feather« The old man gave another of his remarkable laughs which
partook so largely of exultation mirth and irony and shaking his head he
turned with his rifle at a trail and moved into the forest with steps that
were between a walk and a trot At each movement he made his body lowered
several inches his knees yielding with an inclination inward but as the sleigh
turned at a bend in the road the youth cast his eyes in quest of his old
companion and he saw that he was already nearly concealed by the trunks of the
trees while his dogs were following quietly in his footsteps occasionally
scenting the deer track that they seemed to know instinctively was now of no
farther use to them Another jerk was given to the sleigh and Leatherstocking
was hid from view
Chapter II
»All places that the eye of Heaven visits
Are to a wise man ports and happy havens
Think not the king did banish thee
But thou the king «
Richard II Iiii27576 27980
An Ancestor of Marmaduke Temple had about one hundred and twenty years before
the commencement of our tale come to the colony of Pennsylvania a friend and
coreligionist of its great patron Old Marmaduke for this formidable prenomen
was a kind of appellative to the race brought with him to that asylum of the
persecuted an abundance of the good things of this life He became the master
of many thousands of acres of uninhabited territory and the supporter of many a
score of dependents He lived greatly respected for his piety and not a little
distinguished as a sectary was entrusted by his associates with many important
political stations and died just in time to escape the knowledge of his own
poverty It was his lot to share the fortune of most of those who brought
wealth with them into the new settlements of the middle colonies
The consequence of an emigrant into these provinces was generally to be
ascertained by the number of his white servants or dependents and the nature of
the public situations that he held Taking this rule as a guide the ancestor of
our Judge must have been a man of no little note
It is however a subject of curious inquiry at the present day to look
into the brief records of that early period and observe how regular and with
few exceptions how inevitable were the gradations on the one hand of the
masters to poverty and on the other of their servants to wealth Accustomed to
ease and unequal to the struggles incident to an infant society the affluent
emigrant was barely enabled to maintain his own rank by the weight of his
personal superiority and acquirements but the moment that his head was laid in
the grave his indolent and comparatively uneducated offspring were compelled
to yield precedency to the more active energies of a class whose exertions had
been stimulated by necessity This is a very common course of things even in
the present state of the Union but it was peculiarly the fortunes of the two
extremes of society in the peaceful and unenterprising colonies of Pennsylvania
and NewJersey
The posterity of Marmaduke did not escape the common lot of those who
depend rather on their hereditary possessions than on their own powers and in
the third generation they had descended to a point below which in this happy
country it is barely possible for honesty intellect and sobriety to fall
The same pride of family that had by its selfsatisfied indolence conduced to
aid their fall now became a principle to stimulate them to endeavour to rise
again The feeling from being morbid was changed to a healthful and active
desire to emulate the character the condition and peradventure the wealth
of their ancestors also It was the father of our new acquaintance the Judge
who first began to reascend in the scale of society and in this undertaking he
was not a little assisted by a marriage which aided in furnishing the means of
educating his only son in a rather better manner than the low state of the
common schools in Pennsylvania could promise or than had been the practice in
the family for the two or three preceding generations
At the school where the reviving prosperity of his father was enabled to
maintain him young Marmaduke formed an intimacy with a youth whose years were
about equal to his own This was a fortunate connexion for our Judge and paved
the way to most of his future elevation in life
There was not only great wealth but high court interest amongst the
connexions of Edward Effingham They were one of the few families then resident
in the colonies who thought it a degradation to its members to descend to the
pursuits of commerce and who never emerged from the privacy of domestic life
unless to preside in the councils of the colony or to bear arms in her defence
The latter had from youth been the only employment of Edwards father
Military rank under the crown of Great Britain was attained with much longer
probation and by much more toilsome services sixty years ago than at the
present time Years were passed without murmuring in the subordinate grades of
the service and those soldiers who were stationed in the colonies felt when
they obtained the command of a company that they were entitled to receive the
greatest deference from the peaceful occupants of the soil Any one of our
readers who has occasion to cross the Niagara may easily observe not only the
selfimportance but the real estimation enjoyed by the humblest representative
of the Crown even in that polar region of royal sunshine Such and at no very
distant period was the respect paid to the military in these States where now
happily no symbol of war is ever seen unless at the free and fearless voice of
their people When therefore the father of Marmadukes friend after forty
years service retired with the rank of Major maintaining in his domestic
establishment a comparative splendour he became a man of the first
consideration in his native colony which was that of NewYork He had served
with fidelity and courage and having been according to the custom of the
provinces entrusted with commands much superior to those to which he was
entitled by rank with reputation also When Major Effingham yielded to the
claims of age he retired with dignity refusing his halfpay or any other
compensation for services that he felt he could no longer perform The ministry
proffered various civil offices which yielded not only honour but profit but
he declined them all with the chivalrous independence and loyalty that had
marked his character through life The veteran soon caused this act of patriotic
disinterestedness to be followed by another of private munificence that
however little it accorded with prudence was in perfect conformity with the
simple integrity of his own views The friend of Marmaduke was his only child
and to this son on his marriage with a lady to whom the father was particularly
partial the Major gave a complete conveyance of his whole estate consisting of
moneys in the funds a town and country residence sundry valuable farms in the
old parts of the colony and large tracts of wild land in the new in this
manner throwing himself upon the filial piety of his child for his own future
maintenance Major Effingham in declining the liberal offers of the British
ministry had subjected himself to the suspicion of having attained his dotage
by all those who throng the avenues to court patronage even in the remotest
corners of that vast empire but when he thus voluntarily stript himself of his
great personal wealth the remainder of the community seemed instinctively to
adopt the conclusion also that he had reached a second childhood This may
explain the fact of his importance rapidly declining and if privacy was his
object the veteran had soon a free indulgence of his wishes Whatever views the
world might entertain of this act of the Major to himself and to his child it
seemed no more than a natural gift by a father of those immunities which he
could no longer enjoy or improve to a son who was formed both by nature and
education to do both The younger Effingham did not object to the amount of the
donation for he felt that while his parent reserved a moral controul over his
actions he was relieving himself from a fatiguing burthen such indeed was
the confidence existing between them that to neither did it seem any thing
more than removing money from one pocket to another
One of the first acts of the young man on coming into possession of his
wealth was to seek his early friend with a view to offer any assistance that
it was now in his power to bestow
The death of Marmadukes father and the consequent division of his small
estate rendered such an offer extremely acceptable to the young Pennsylvanian
he felt his own powers and saw not only the excellencies but the foibles in
the character of his friend Effingham was by nature indolent confiding and at
times impetuous and indiscreet but Marmaduke was uniformly equable
penetrating and full of activity and enterprise To the latter therefore the
assistance or rather connexion that was proffered to him seemed to produce a
mutual advantage It was cheerfully accepted and the arrangement of its
conditions was easily completed A mercantile house was established in the
metropolis of Pennsylvania with the avails of Mr Effinghams personal
property all or nearly all of which was put into the possession of Temple
who was the only ostensible proprietor in the concern while in secret the
other was entitled to an equal participation in the profits This connexion was
thus kept private for two reasons one of which in the freedom of their
intercourse was frankly avowed to Marmaduke while the other continued
profoundly hid in the bosom of his friend The last was nothing more than pride
To the descendant of a line of soldiers commerce even in that indirect manner
seemed a degrading pursuit but an insuperable obstacle to the disclosure
existed in the prejudices of his father
We have already said that Major Effingham had served as a soldier with
reputation On one occasion while in command on the western frontier of
Pennsylvania against a league of the French and Indians not only his glory
but the safety of himself and his troops were jeoparded by the peaceful policy
of that colony To the soldier this was an unpardonable offence He was
fighting in their defence he knew that the mild principles of this little
nation of practical christians would be disregarded by their subtle and
malignant enemies and he felt the injury the more deeply because he saw that
the avowed object of the colonists in withholding their succours would only
have a tendency to expose his command without preserving the peace The soldier
succeeded after a desperate conflict in extricating himself with a handful of
his men from their murderous enemy but he never forgave the people who had
exposed him to a danger which they left him to combat alone It was in vain to
tell him that they had no agency in his being placed on their frontier at all
it was evidently for their benefit that he had been so placed and it was their
religious duty so the Major always expressed it »it was their religious duty
to have supported him«
At no time was the old soldier an admirer of the peaceful disciples of Fox
Their disciplined habits both of mind and body had endowed them with great
physical perfection and the eye of the veteran was apt to scan the fair
proportions and athletic frames of the colonists with a look that seemed to
utter volumes of contempt for their moral imbecility He was also a little
addicted to the expression of a belief that where there was so great an
observance of the externals of religion there could not be much of the
substance It is not our task to explain what is or what ought to be the
substance of christianity but merely to record in this place the opinions of
Major Effingham
Knowing the sentiments of the father in relation to this people it was no
wonder that the son hesitated to avow his connexion with nay even his
dependence on the integrity of a quaker
It has been said that Marmaduke deduced his origin from the cotemporaries
and friends of Penn His father had married without the pale of the church to
which he belonged and had in this manner forfeited some of the privileges
which would have descended to his offspring Still as young Marmaduke was
educated in a colony and society where even the ordinary intercourse between
friends was tinctured with the aspect of this mild religion his habits and
language were somewhat marked by its peculiarities His own marriage at a future
day with a lady without not only the pale but the influence of this sect of
religionists had a tendency it is true to weaken his early impressions still
he retained them in some degree to the hour of his death and was observed
uniformly when much interested or agitated to speak in the language of his
youth But this is anticipating our tale
When Marmaduke first became the partner of young Effingham he was quite the
quaker in externals and it was too dangerous an experiment for the son to think
of encountering the prejudices of the father on this subject The connexion
therefore remained a profound secret to all but those who were interested in
it
For a few years Marmaduke directed the commercial operations of his house
with a prudence and sagacity that afforded rich returns He married the lady we
have mentioned who was the mother of Elizabeth and the visits of his friend
were becoming more frequent There was a speedy prospect of removing the veil
from their intercourse as its advantages became each hour more apparent to Mr
Effingham when the troubles that preceded the war of the revolution extended
themselves to an alarming degree
Educated in the most dependent loyalty Mr Effingham had from the
commencement of the disputes between the colonists and the crown warmly
maintained what he believed to be the just prerogatives of his prince while
on the other hand the clear head and independent mind of Temple had induced him
to espouse the cause of the people Both might have been influenced by early
impressions for if the son of the loyal and gallant soldier bowed in implicit
obedience to the will of his sovereign the descendant of the persecuted
follower of Penn looked back with a little bitterness to the unmerited wrongs
that had been heaped upon his ancestors
This difference in opinion had long been a subject of amicable dispute
between them but latterly the contest was getting to be too important to
admit of trivial discussions on the part of Marmaduke whose acute discernment
was already catching faint glimmerings of the important events that were in
embryo The sparks of dissension soon kindled into a blaze and the colonies
or rather as they quickly declared themselves THE STATES became a scene of
strife and bloodshed for years
A short time before the battle of Lexington Mr Effingham already a
widower transmitted to Marmaduke for safe keeping all his valuable effects and
papers and left the colony without his father The war had however scarcely
commenced in earnest when he reappeared in NewYork wearing the livery of his
king and in a short time he took the field at the head of a provincial corps
In the mean time Marmaduke had completely committed himself in the cause as it
was then called of the rebellion of course all intercourse between the friends
ceased on the part of Col Effingham it was unsought and on that of
Marmaduke there was a cautious reserve It soon became necessary for the latter
to abandon the capital of Philadelphia but he had taken the precaution to
remove the whole of his effects beyond the reach of the royal forces including
the papers of his friend also There he continued serving his country during the
struggle in various civil capacities and always with dignity and usefulness
While however he discharged his functions with credit and fidelity Marmaduke
never seemed to lose sight of his own interests for when the estates of the
adherents of the crown fell under the hammer by the acts of confiscation he
appeared in NewYork and became the purchaser of extensive possessions at
comparatively low prices
It is true that Marmaduke by thus purchasing estates that had been wrested
by violence from others rendered himself obnoxious to the censures of that
sect which at the same time that it discards its children from a full
participation in the family union seems ever unwilling to abandon them entirely
to the world But either his success or the frequency of the transgression in
others soon wiped off this slight stain from his character and although there
were a few who dissatisfied with their own fortunes or conscious of their own
demerits would make dark hints concerning the sudden prosperity of the
unportioned quaker yet his services and possibly his wealth soon drove the
recollection of these vague conjectures from mens minds
When the war ended and the independence of the states was acknowledged Mr
Temple turned his attention from the pursuit of commerce which was then
fluctuating and uncertain to the settlement of those tracts of land which he
had purchased Aided by a good deal of money and directed by the suggestions of
a strong and practical reason his enterprise throve to a degree that the
climate and rugged face of the country which he selected would seem to forbid
His property increased in a tenfold ratio and he was already ranked among the
most wealthy and important of his countrymen To inherit this wealth he had but
one child the daughter whom we have introduced to the reader and whom he was
now conveying from school to preside over a household that had too long wanted
a mistress
When the district in which his estates lay had become sufficiently populous
to be set off as a county Mr Temple had according to the custom of the new
settlements been selected to fill its highest judicial station This might make
a Templar smile but in addition to the apology of necessity there is ever a
dignity in talents and experience that is commonly sufficient in any station
for the protection of its possessor and Marmaduke more fortunate in his native
clearness of mind than the judge of king Charles not only decided right but
was generally able to give a very good reason for it At all events such was
the universal practice of the country and the times and Judge Temple so far
from ranking among the lowest of his judicial cotemporaries in the courts of the
new counties felt himself and was unanimously acknowledged to be among the
first
We shall here close this brief explanation of the history and character of
some of our personages leaving them in future to speak and act for themselves
Chapter III
»All that thou seest is natures handy work
Those rocks that upward throw their mossy brows
Like castled pinnacles of elder times
These venerable stems that slowly rock
Their towring branches in the wintry gale
That field of frost which glitters in the sun
Mocking the whiteness of a marble breast
Yet man can mar such works with his rude taste
Like some sad spoiler of a virgins fame«
Duo
Some little time elapsed ere Marmaduke Temple was sufficiently recovered from
his agitation to scan the person of his new companion He now observed that he
was a youth of some two or three and twenty years of age and rather above the
middle height Further observation was prevented by the rough overcoat which
was belted close to his form by a worsted sash much like the one worn by the
old hunter The eyes of the Judge after resting a moment on the figure of the
stranger were raised to a scrutiny of his countenance There had been a look of
care visible in the features of the youth when he first entered the sleigh
that had not only attracted the notice of Elizabeth but which she had been much
puzzled to interpret His anxiety seemed the strongest when he was enjoining his
old companion to secrecy and even when he had decided and was rather
passively suffering himself to be conveyed to the village the expression of
his eyes by no means indicated any great degree of selfsatisfaction at the
step But the lines of an uncommonly prepossessing countenance were gradually
becoming composed and he now sat silent and apparently musing The Judge gazed
at him for some time with earnestness and then smiling as if at his own
forgetfulness he said
»I believe my young friend that terror has driven you from my recollection
your face is very familiar and yet for the honour of a score of buckstails
in my cap I could not tell your name«
»I came into the county but three weeks since« returned the youth coldly
»and I understand you have been absent twice that time«
»It will be five tomorrow Yet your face is one that I have seen though it
would not be strange such has been my affright should I see thee in thy
windingsheet walking by my bedside tonight What sayst thou Bess Am I
compos mentis or not Fit to charge a grand jury or what is just now of more
pressing necessity able to do the honours of a Christmaseve in the hall of
Templeton«
»More able to do either my dear father« said a playful voice from under
the ample enclosures of the hood »than to kill deer with a smoothbore« A
short pause followed and the same voice but in a different accent continued
»We shall have good reasons for our thanksgiving tonight on more accounts than
one«
The horses soon reached a point where they seemed to know by instinct that
the journey was nearly ended and bearing on the bits as they tossed their
heads they rapidly drew the sleigh over the level land which lay on the top of
the mountain and soon came to the point where the road descended suddenly but
circuitously into the valley
The Judge was roused from his reflections when he saw the four columns of
smoke which floated above his own chimneys As house village and valley burst
on his sight he exclaimed cheerfully to his daughter
»See Bess there is thy restingplace for life And thine too young man
if thou wilt consent to dwell with us«
The eyes of his auditors involuntarily met and if the colour that gathered
over the face of Elizabeth was contradicted by the cold expression of her eye
the ambiguous smile that again played about the lips of the stranger seemed
equally to deny the probability of his consenting to form one of this family
group The scene was one however which might easily warm a heart less given to
philanthropy than that of Marmaduke Temple
The side of the mountain on which our travellers were journeying though
not absolutely perpendicular was so steep as to render great care necessary in
descending the rude and narrow path which in that early day wound along the
precipices The Negro reined in his impatient steeds and time was given
Elizabeth to dwell on a scene which was so rapidly altering under the hands of
man that it only resembled in its outlines the picture she had so often
studied with delight in childhood Immediately beneath them lay a seeming
plain glittering without inequality and buried in mountains The latter were
precipitous especially on the side of the plain and chiefly in forest Here
and there the hills fell away in long low points and broke the sameness of the
outline or setting to the long and wide field of snow which without house
tree fence or any other fixture resembled so much spotless cloud settled to
the earth A few dark and moving spots were however visible on the even
surface which the eye of Elizabeth knew to be so many sleighs going their
several ways to or from the village On the western border of the plain the
mountains though equally high were less precipitous and as they receded
opened into irregular valleys and glens or were formed into terraces and
hollows that admitted of cultivation Although the evergreens still held
dominion over many of the hills that rose on this side of the valley yet the
undulating outlines of the distant mountains covered with forests of beech and
maple gave a relief to the eye and the promise of a kinder soil Occasionally
spots of white were discoverable amidst the forests of the opposite hills which
announced by the smoke that curled over the tops of the trees the habitations
of man and the commencement of agriculture These spots were sometimes by the
aid of united labour enlarged into what were called settlements but more
frequently were small and insulated though so rapid were the changes and so
persevering the labors of those who had cast their fortunes on the success of
the enterprise that it was not difficult for the imagination of Elizabeth to
conceive they were enlarging under her eye while she was gazing in mute
wonder at the alterations that a few short years had made in the aspect of the
country The points on the western side of this remarkable plain on which no
plant had taken root were both larger and more numerous than those on its
eastern and one in particular thrust itself forward in such a manner as to
form beautifully curved bays of snow on either side On its extreme end an oak
stretched forward as if to overshadow with its branches a spot which its
roots were forbidden to enter It had released itself from the thraldom that a
growth of centuries had imposed on the branches of the surrounding forest trees
and threw its gnarled and fantastic arms abroad in the wildness of liberty A
dark spot of a few acres in extent at the southern extremity of this beautiful
flat and immediately under the feet of our travellers alone showed by its
rippling surface and the vapors which exhaled from it that what at first might
seem a plain was one of the mountain lakes locked in the frosts of winter A
narrow current rushed impetuously from its bosom at the open place we have
mentioned and was to be traced for miles as it wound its way towards the
south through the real valley by its borders of hemlock and pine and by the
vapour which arose from its warmer surface into the chill atmosphere of the
hills The banks of this lovely basin at its outlet or southern end were
steep but not high and in that direction the land continued far as the eye
could reach a narrow but graceful valley along which the settlers had
scattered their humble habitations with a profusion that bespoke the quality of
the soil and the comparative facilities of intercourse Immediately on the bank
of the lake and at its foot stood the village of Templeton It consisted of
some fifty buildings including those of every description chiefly built of
wood and which in their architecture bore no great marks of taste but which
also by the unfinished appearance of most of the dwellings indicated the hasty
manner of their construction To the eye they presented a variety of colours A
few were white in both front and rear but more bore that expensive color on
their fronts only while their economical but ambitious owners had covered the
remaining sides of the edifices with a dingy red One or two were slowly
assuming the russet of age while the uncovered beams that were to be seen
through the broken windows of their second stories showed that either the
taste or the vanity of their proprietors had led them to undertake a task
which they were unable to accomplish The whole were grouped in a manner that
aped the streets of a city and were evidently so arranged by the directions of
one who looked to the wants of posterity rather than to the convenience of the
present incumbents Some three or four of the better sort of buildings in
addition to the uniformity of their colour were fitted with green blinds
which at that season at least were rather strangely contrasted to the chill
aspect of the lake the mountains the forests and the wide fields of snow
Before the doors of these pretending dwellings were placed a few saplings
either without branches or possessing only the feeble shoots of one or two
summers growth that looked not unlike tall grenadiers on post near the
threshold of princes In truth the occupants of these favoured habitations were
the nobles of Templeton as Marmaduke was its king They were the dwellings of
two young men who were cunning in the law an equal number of that class who
chaffered to the wants of the community under the title of storekeepers and a
disciple of Æsculapius who for a novelty brought more subjects into the world
than he sent out of it In the midst of this incongruous group of dwellings
rose the mansion of the Judge towering above all its neighbours It stood in
the centre of an enclosure of several acres which were covered with
fruittrees Some of the latter had been left by the Indians and began already
to assume the moss and inclination of age therein forming a very marked
contrast to the infant plantations that peerd over most of the picketed fences
of the village In addition to this show of cultivation were two rows of young
Lombardy poplars a tree but lately introduced into America formally lining
either side of a pathway which led from a gate that opened on the principal
street to the front door of the building The house itself had been built
entirely under the superintendence of a certain Mr Richard Jones whom we have
already mentioned and who from his cleverness in small matters and an entire
willingness to exert his talents added to the circumstance of their being
sisters children ordinarily superintended all the minor concerns of Marmaduke
Temple Richard was fond of saying that this child of his invention consisted
of nothing more nor less than what should form the ground work of every
clergymans discourse viz a firstly and a lastly He had commenced his
labours in the first year of their residence by erecting a tall gaunt edifice
of wood with its gable towards the highway In this shelter for it was little
more the family resided three years By the end of that period Richard had
completed his design He had availed himself in this heavy undertaking of the
experience of a certain wandering eastern mechanic who by exhibiting a few
soiled plates of English architecture and talking learnedly of friezes
entablatures and particularly of the composite order had obtained a very undue
influence over Richards taste in every thing that pertained to that branch of
the fine arts Not that Mr Jones did not affect to consider Hiram Doolittle a
perfect empyric in his profession being in the constant habit of listening to
his treatises on architecture with a kind of indulgent smile yet either from
an inability to oppose them by any thing plausible from his own stores of
learning or from secret admiration Richard generally submitted to the
arguments of his coadjutor Together they had not only erected a dwelling for
Marmaduke but they had given a fashion to the architecture of the whole county
The composite order Mr Doolittle would contend was an order composed of many
others and was intended to be the most useful of all for it admitted into its
construction such alterations as convenience or circumstances might require To
this proposition Richard usually assented and when rival geniuses who
monopolise not only all the reputation but most of the money of a
neighbourhood are of a mind it is not uncommon to see them lead the fashion
even in graver matters In the present instance as we have already hinted the
castle as Judge Temples dwelling was termed in common parlance came to be the
model in some one or other of its numerous excellencies for every aspiring
edifice within twenty miles of it
The house itself or the lastly was of stone large square and far from
uncomfortable These were four requisites on which Marmaduke had insisted with
a little more than his ordinary pertinacity But every thing else was peaceably
assigned to Richard and his associate These worthies found the material a
little too solid for the tools of their workmen which in general were
employed on a substance no harder than the white pine of the adjacent mountains
a wood so proverbially soft that it is commonly chosen by the hunters for
pillows But for this awkward dilemma it is probable that the ambitious tastes
of our two architects would have left us much more to do in the way of
description Driven from the faces of the house by the obduracy of the material
they took refuge in the porch and on the roof The former it was decided
should be severely classical and the latter a rare specimen of the merits of
the composite order
A roof Richard contended was a part of the edifice that the ancients
always endeavoured to conceal it being an excrescence in architecture that was
only to be tolerated on account of its usefulness Besides as he wittily added
a chief merit in a dwelling was to present a front on whichever side it might
happen to be seen for as it was exposed to all eyes in all weathers there
should be no weak flank for envy or unneighbourly criticism to assail It was
therefore decided that the roof should be flat and with four faces To this
arrangement Marmaduke objected the heavy snows that lay for months frequently
covering the earth to a depth of three or four feet Happily the facilities of
the composite order presented themselves to effect a compromise and the rafters
were lengthened so as to give a descent that should carry off the frozen
element But unluckily some mistake was made in the admeasurement of these
material parts of the fabric and as one of the greatest recommendations of
Hiram was his ability to work by the square rule no opportunity was found of
discovering the effect until the massive timbers were raised on the four walls
of the building Then indeed it was soon seen that in defiance of all rule
the roof was by far the most conspicuous part of the whole edifice Richard and
his associate consoled themselves with the belief that the covering would aid
in concealing this unnatural elevation but every shingle that was laid only
multiplied objects to look at Richard essayed to remedy the evil with paint
and four different colours were laid on by his own hands The first was a
skyblue in the vain expectation that the eye might be cheated into the belief
it was the heavens themselves that hung so imposingly over Marmadukes dwelling
the second was what he called a cloudcolour being nothing more nor less than
an imitation of smoke the third was what Richard termed an invisible green an
experiment that did not succeed against a background of sky Abandoning the
attempt to conceal our architects drew upon their invention for means to
ornament the offensive shingles After much deliberation and two or three
essays by moonlight Richard ended the affair by boldly covering the whole
beneath a colour that he christened sunshine a cheap way as he assured his
cousin the Judge of always keeping fair weather over his head The platform
as well as the eaves of the house were surmounted by gaudily painted railings
and the genius of Hiram was exerted in the fabrication of divers urns and
mouldings that were scattered profusely around this part of their labours
Richard had originally a cunning expedient by which the chimneys were intended
to be so low and so situated as to resemble ornaments on the balustrades but
comfort required that the chimneys should rise with the roof in order that the
smoke might be carried off and they thus became four extremely conspicuous
objects in the view
As this roof was much the most important architectural undertaking in which
Mr Jones was ever engaged his failure produced a correspondent degree of
mortification At first he whispered among his acquaintances that it proceeded
from ignorance of the square rule on the part of Hiram but as his eye became
gradually accustomed to the object he grew better satisfied with his labours
and instead of apologizing for the defects he commenced praising the beauties
of the mansion house He soon found hearers and as wealth and comfort are at
all times attractive it was as has been said made a model for imitation on a
small scale In less than two years from its erection he had the pleasure of
standing on the elevated platform and of looking down on three humble imitators
of its beauty Thus it is ever with fashion which even renders the faults of
the great subjects of admiration
Marmaduke bore this deformity in his dwelling with great good nature and
soon contrived by his own improvements to give an air of respectability and
comfort to his place of residence still there was much of incongruity even
immediately about the mansionhouse Although poplars had been brought from
Europe to ornament the grounds and willows and other trees were gradually
springing up nigh the dwelling yet many a pile of snow betrayed the presence of
the stump of a pine and even in one or two instances unsightly remnants of
trees that had been partly destroyed by fire were seen rearing their black
glistening columns twenty or thirty feet above the pure white of the snow
These which in the language of the country are termed stubbs abounded in the
open fields adjacent to the village and were accompanied occasionally by the
ruin of a pine or a hemlock that had been stripped of its bark and which waved
in melancholy grandeur its naked limbs to the blast a skeleton of its former
glory But these and many other unpleasant additions to the view were unseen by
the delighted Elizabeth who as the horses moved down the side of the mountain
saw only in gross the cluster of houses that lay like a map at her feet the
fifty smokes that were curling from the valley to the clouds the frozen lake
as it lay embedded in mountains of evergreen with the long shadows of the pines
on its white surface lengthening in the setting sun the dark ribband of water
that gushed from the outlet and was winding its way towards the distant
Chesapeake the altered though still remembered scenes of her childhood
Five years had wrought greater changes than a century would produce in
countries where time and labour have given permanency to the works of man To
the young hunter and the Judge the scene had less novelty though none ever
emerge from the dark forests of that mountain and witness the glorious scenery
of that beauteous valley as it bursts unexpectedly upon them without a feeling
of delight The former cast one admiring glance from north to south and sunk
his face again beneath the folds of his coat while the latter contemplated
with philanthropic pleasure the prospect of affluence and comfort that was
expanding around him the result of his own enterprise and much of it the
fruits of his own industry
The cheerful sound of sleigh bells however attracted the attention of the
whole party as they came jingling up the sides of the mountain at a rate that
announced a powerful team and a hard driver The bushes which lined the highway
interrupted the view and the two sleighs were close upon each other before
either was seen
Chapter IV
»How now whose mares dead whats the matter«
2 Henry IV IIi4344
A large lumbersleigh drawn by four horses was soon seen dashing through the
leafless bushes which fringed the road The leaders were of gray and the
polehorses of a jet black Bells innumerable were suspended from every part
of the harness where one of the tinkling balls could be placed while the rapid
movement of the equipage in defiance of the steep ascent announced the desire
of the driver to ring them to the utmost The first glance at this singular
arrangement acquainted the Judge with the character of those in the sleigh It
contained four male figures On one of those stools that are used at writing
desks lashed firmly to the sides of the vehicle was seated a little man
enveloped in a great coat fringed with fur in such a manner that no part of him
was visible excepting a face of an unvarying red colour There was an habitual
upward look about the head of this gentleman as if dissatisfied with its
natural proximity to the earth and the expression of his countenance was that
of busy care He was the charioteer and he guided the mettled animals along the
precipice with a fearless eye and a steady hand Immediately behind him with
his face toward the other two was a tall figure to whose appearance not even
the duplicate overcoats which he wore aided by the corner of a horse blanket
could give the appearance of strength His face was protruding from beneath a
woollen nightcap and when he turned to the vehicle of Marmaduke as the sleighs
approached each other it seemed formed by nature to cut the atmosphere with the
least possible resistance The eyes alone appeared to create an obstacle for
from either side of his forehead their light blue glassy balls projected The
sallow of his countenance was too permanent to be affected even by the intense
cold of the evening Opposite to this personage sat a solid short and square
figure No part of his form was to be discovered through his over dress but a
face that was illuminated by a pair of black eyes that gave the lie to every
demure feature in his countenance A fair jolly wig furnished a neat and
rounded outline to his visage and he as well as the other two wore
martenskin caps The fourth was a meeklooking longvisaged man without any
other protection from the cold than that which was furnished by a black surtout
made with some little formality but which was rather thread bare and rusty He
wore a hat of extremely decent proportions though frequent brushing had quite
destroyed its nap His face was pale and withal a little melancholy or what
might be termed of a studious complexion The air had given it just now a
slight and somewhat feverish flush The character of his whole appearance
especially contrasted to the air of humour in his next companion was that of
habitual mental care No sooner had the two sleighs approached within speaking
distance than the driver of this fantastic equipage shouted aloud
»Draw up in the quarry draw up thou king of the Greeks draw into the
quarry Agamemnon or I shall never be able to pass you Welcome home cousin
duke welcome welcome blackeyed Bess Thou seest Marmaduke that I have
taken the field with an assorted cargo to do thee honour Monsieur Le Quoi has
come out with only one cap Old Fritz would not stay to finish the bottle and
Mr Grant has got to put the lastly to his sermon yet Even all the horses
would come bytheby Judge I must sell the blacks for you immediately they
interfere and the nigh one is a bad goer in double harness I can get rid of
them to «
»Sell what thou wilt Dickon« interrupted the cheerful voice of the Judge
»so that thou leavest me my daughter and my lands Ah Fritz my old friend
this is a kind compliment indeed for seventy to pay to five and forty
Monsieur Le Quoi I am your servant Mr Grant« lifting his cap »I feel
indebted to your attention Gentlemen I make you acquainted with my child
Yours are names with which she is very familiar«
»Velcome velcome Tchooge« said the elder of the party with a strong
German accent »Miss Petsy vilt owe me a kiss«
»And cheerfully will I pay it my good sir« cried the soft voice of
Elizabeth which sounded in the clear air of the hills like tones of silver
amid the loud cries of Richard »I have always a kiss for my old friend Major
Hartmann«
By this time the gentleman in the front seat who had been addressed as
Monsieur Le Quoi had arisen with some difficulty owing to the impediment of
his over coats and steadying himself by placing one hand on the stool of the
charioteer with the other he removed his cap and bowing politely to the
Judge and profoundly to Elizabeth he paid his compliments
»Cover thy poll Gaul cover thy poll« cried the driver who was Mr
Richard Jones »cover thy poll or the frost will pluck out the remnant of thy
locks Had the hairs on the head of Absalom been as scarce as thine he might
have been living to this day« The jokes of Richard never failed of exciting
risibility for he uniformly did honor to his own wit and he enjoyed a hearty
laugh on the present occasion while Mr Le Quoi resumed his seat with a polite
reciprocation in his mirth The clergyman for such was the office of Mr Grant
modestly though quite affectionately exchanged his greetings with the
travellers also when Richard prepared to turn the heads of his horses
homewards
It was in the quarry alone that he could effect this object without
ascending to the summit of the mountain A very considerable excavation had been
made in the side of the hill at the point where Richard had succeeded in
stopping the sleighs from which the stones used for building in the village
were ordinarily quarried and in which he now attempted to turn his team
Passing itself was a task of difficulty and frequently of danger in that
narrow road but Richard had to meet the additional risk of turning his
fourinhand The black civilly volunteered his services to take off the
leaders and the Judge very earnestly seconded the measure with his advice
Richard treated both proposals with great disdain
»Why and wherefore cousin duke« he exclaimed a little angrily »the
horses are gentle as lambs You know that I broke the leaders myself and the
polehorses are too near my whip to be restive Here is Mr Le Quoi now who
must know something about driving because he has rode out so often with me I
will leave it to Mr Le Quoi whether there is any danger«
It was not in the nature of the Frenchman to disappoint expectations so
confidently formed although he sat looking down the precipice which fronted
him as Richard turned his leaders into the quarry with a pair of eyes that
stood out like those of lobsters The Germans muscles were unmoved but his
quick sight scanned each movement Mr Grant placed his hands on the side of the
sleigh in preparation for a spring but moral timidity deterred him from taking
the leap that bodily apprehension strongly urged him to attempt
Richard by a sudden application of the whip succeeded in forcing the
leaders into the snow bank that covered the quarry but the instant that the
impatient animals suffered by the crust through which they broke at each step
they positively refused to move an inch further in that direction On the
contrary finding that the cries and blows of their driver were redoubled at
this juncture the leaders backed upon the polehorses who in their turn
backed the sleigh Only a single log lay above the pile which upheld the road
on the side toward the valley and this was now buried in the snow The sleigh
was easily forced across so slight an impediment and before Richard became
conscious of his danger one half of the vehicle was projected over a precipice
which fell perpendicularly more than a hundred feet The Frenchman who by
his position had a full view of their threatened flight instinctively threw
his body as far forward as possible and cried »Ah Mon cher monsieur Deeck
mon Dieu que faites vous«
»Donner and blitzen Richart« exclaimed the veteran German looking over
the side of the sleigh with unusual emotion »put you will preak ter sleigh and
kilt ter horses«
»Good Mr Jones« said the clergyman »be prudent good sir be careful«
»Get up obstinate devils« cried Richard catching a birdseye view of his
situation and in his eagerness to move forward kicking the stool on which he
sat »Get up I say Cousin duke I shall have to sell the grays too they
are the worst broken horses Mr Le Quaw« Richard was too much agitated to
regard his pronunciation of which he was commonly a little vain »Monsieur Le
Quaw pray get off my leg you hold my leg so tight that its no wonder the
horses back«
»Merciful Providence« exclaimed the Judge »they will be all killed«
Elizabeth gave a piercing shriek and the black of Agamemnons face changed
to a muddy white
At this critical moment the young hunter who during the salutations of
the parties had sat in rather sullen silence sprang from the sleigh of
Marmaduke to the heads of the refractory leaders The horses who were yet
suffering under the injudicious and somewhat random blows of Richard were
dancing up and down with that ominous movement that threatens a sudden and
uncontrollable start still pressing backward The youth gave the leaders a
powerful jerk and they plunged aside and reentered the road in the position
in which they were first halted The sleigh was whirled from its dangerous
position and upset with the runners outwards The German and the divine were
thrown rather unceremoniously into the highway but without danger to their
bones Richard appeared in the air describing the segment of a circle of which
the reins were the radii and landed at the distance of some fifteen feet in
that snow bank which the horses had dreaded right end uppermost Here as he
instinctively grasped the reins as drowning men seize at straws he admirably
served the purpose of an anchor The Frenchman who was on his legs in the act
of springing from the sleigh took an aerial flight also much in the attitude
which boys assume when they play leapfrog and flying off in a tangent to the
curvature of his course came into the snow bank head foremost where he
remained exhibiting two lathy legs on high like scarecrows waving in a corn
field Major Hartmann whose selfpossession had been admirably preserved during
the whole evolution was the first of the party that gained his feet and his
voice
»Ter deyvel Richart« he exclaimed in a voice half serious half comical
»Put you unloat your sleigh very hantily«
It may be doubtful whether the attitude in which Mr Grant continued for an
instant after his overthrow was the one into which he had been thrown or was
assumed in humbling himself before the power that he reverenced in
thanksgiving at his escape When he rose from his knees he began to gaze about
him with anxious looks after the welfare of his companions while every joint
in his body trembled with nervous agitation There was some confusion in the
faculties of Mr Jones also but as the mist gradually cleared from before his
eyes he saw that all was safe and with an air of great selfsatisfaction he
cried »well that was neatly saved any how It was a lucky thought in me to
hold on the reins or the fiery devils would have been over the mountain by this
time How well I recovered myself duke another moment would have been too
late But I knew just the spot where to touch the offleader that blow under
his right flank and the sudden jerk I gave the rein brought them round quite
in rule I must own myself«
The spectators from immemorial usage have a right to laugh at the
casualties of a sleighride and the Judge was no sooner certain that no harm
was done than he made full use of the privilege
»Thou jerk thou recover thyself Dickon« he said »but for that brave lad
yonder thou and thy horses or rather mine would have been dashed to pieces
But where is Monsieur Le Quoi«
»Oh mon cher Juge Mon ami« cried a smothered voice »praise be God I
live villa you Mister Agamemnon be pleas come down ici and helpa me on my
leg«
The divine and the negro seized the incarcerated Gaul by his legs and
extricated him from a snowbank of three feet in depth whence his voice had
sounded as from the tombs The thoughts of Mr Le Quoi immediately on his
liberation were not extremely collected and when he reached the light he
threw his eyes upwards in order to examine the distance he had fallen His good
humour returned however with a knowledge of his safety though it was some
little time before he clearly comprehended the case
»What monsieur« said Richard who was busily assisting the black in taking
off the leaders »are you there I thought I saw you flying towards the top of
the mountain just now«
»Praise be God I no fly down into de lake« returned the Frenchman with a
visage that was divided between pain occasioned by a few large scratches that
he had received in forcing his head through the crust and the look of
complaisance that seemed natural to his pliable features »ah mon cher Mister
Deeck vat you shall do next dere be noting you no try«
»The next thing I trust will be to learn to drive« said the Judge who
had busied himself in throwing the buck together with several other articles of
baggage from his own sleigh into the snow »here are seats for you all
gentlemen the evening grows piercingly cold and the hour approaches for the
service of Mr Grant we will leave friend Jones to repair the damages with the
assistance of Agamemnon and hasten to a warm fire Here Dickon are a few
articles of Besss trumpery that you can throw into your sleigh when ready and
there is also a deer of my taking that I will thank you to bring Aggy
remember there will be a visit from Santaclaus5 tonight«
The black grinned conscious of the bribe that was offered him for silence
on the subject of the deer while Richard without in the least waiting for
the termination of his cousins speech began his reply
»Learn to drive sayest thou cousin duke Is there a man in the county who
knows more of horseflesh than myself Who broke in the filly that no one else
dare mount though your coachman did pretend that he had tamed her before I took
her in hand but any body could see that he lied he was a great liar that
John whats that a buck« Richard abandoned the horses and ran to the spot
where Marmaduke had thrown the deer »It is a buck I am amazed Yes here are
two holes in him he has fired both barrels and hit him each time Ecod how
Marmaduke will brag he is a prodigious bragger about any small matter like this
now well to think that duke has killed a buck before christmas There will be
no such thing as living with him they are both bad shots though mere chance
mere chance now I never fired twice at a cloven hoof in my life it is hit
or miss with me dead or runaway had it been a bear or a wildcat a man
might have wanted both barrels Here you Aggy how far off was the Judge when
this buck was shot«
»Eh Massa Richard may be a ten rod« cried the black bending under one of
the horses with the pretence of fastening a buckle but in reality to conceal
the grin that opened a mouth from ear to ear
»Ten rod« echoed the other »why Aggy the deer I killed last winter was
at twenty yes if any thing it was nearer thirty than twenty I wouldnt shoot
at a deer at ten rod besides you may remember Aggy I only fired once«
»Yes Massa Richard I member em Natty Bumppo fire toder gun You know
sir all e folk say Natty kill em«
»The folks lie you black devil« exclaimed Richard in great heat »I have
not shot even a gray squirrel these four years to which that old rascal has not
laid claim or some one else for him This is a damnd envious world that we
live in people are always for dividing the credit of a thing in order to
bring down merit to their own level Now they have a story about the Patent6
that Hiram Doolittle helped to plan the steeple to St Pauls when Hiram knows
that it is entirely mine a little taken from a print of its namesake in London
I own but essentially as to all points of genius my own«
»I dont know where he come from« said the black losing every mark of
humour in an expression of admiration »but ebry body say he wonnerful
hansome«
»And well they may say so Aggy« cried Richard leaving the buck and
walking up to the negro with the air of a man who has new interest awakened
within him »I think I may say without bragging that it is the handsomest and
the most scientific country church in America I know that the Connecticut
settlers talk about their Wethersfield meetinghouse but I never believe more
than half what they say they are such unconscionable braggers Just as you have
got a thing done if they see it likely to be successful they are always for
interfering and then it is ten to one but they lay claim to half or even all
of the credit You may remember Aggy when I painted the sign of the bold
dragoon for Capt Hollister there was that fellow who was about town laying
brick dust on the houses came one day and offered to mix what I call the
streaky black for the tail and mane and then because it looks like horse
hair he tells every body that the sign was painted by himself and Squire Jones
If Marmaduke dont send that fellow off the Patent he may ornament his village
with his own hands for me« Here Richard paused a moment and cleared his
throat by a loud hem while the negro who was all this time busily engaged in
preparing the sleigh proceeded with his work in respectful silence Owing to
the religious scruples of the Judge Aggy was the servant of Richard who had
his services for a time7 and who of course commanded a legal claim to the
respect of the young negro But when any dispute between his lawful and his real
master occurred the black felt too much deference for both to express any
opinion In the mean while Richard continued watching the negro as he fastened
buckle after buckle until stealing a look of consciousness toward the other
he continued »Now if that young man who was in your sleigh is a real
Connecticut settler he will be telling every body how he saved my horses when
if he had let them alone for halfaminute longer I would have brought them in
much better without upsetting with the whip and rein it spoils a horse to
give him his head I should not wonder if I had to sell the whole team just for
that one jerk he gave them« Richard paused and hemmed for his conscience
smote him a little for censuring a man who had just saved his life »who is
the lad Aggy I dont remember to have seen him before«
The black recollected the hint about Santaclaus and while he briefly
explained how they had taken up the person in question on the top of the
mountain he forbore to add any thing concerning the accident of the wound only
saying that he believed the youth was a stranger It was so usual for men of
the first rank to take into their sleighs any one they found toiling through the
snow that Richard was perfectly satisfied with this explanation He heard Aggy
with great attention and then remarked »Well if the lad has not been spoiled
by the people in Templeton he may be a modest young man and as he certainly
meant well I shall take some notice of him perhaps he is landhunting I
say Aggy may be he is out hunting«
»Eh yes massa Richard« said the black a little confused for as Richard
did all the flogging he stood in great terror of his master in the main
»yes sir I blieve he be«
»Had he a pack and an ax«
»No sir only he rifle«
»Rifle« exclaimed Richard observing the confusion of the negro which now
amounted to terror »By Jove he killd the deer I knew that Marmaduke
couldnt kill a buck on the jump How was it Aggy tell me all about it and
Ill roast duke quicker than he can roast his saddle How was it Aggy the
lad shot the buck and the Judge bought it ha and he is taking the youth down
to get the pay«
The pleasure of this discovery had put Richard in such a good humour that
the negros fears in some measure vanished and he remembered the stocking of
Santaclaus After a gulp or two he made out to reply
»You forgit a two shot Sir«
»Dont lie you black rascal« cried Richard stepping on the snow bank to
measure the distance from his lash to the negros back »speak truth or I
trounce you« While speaking the stock was slowly rising in Richards right
hand and the lash drawing through his left in the scientific manner with which
drummers apply the cat and Agamemnon after turning each side of himself
towards his master and finding both equally unwilling to remain there fairly
gave in In a very few words he made his master acquainted with the truth at
the same time earnestly conjuring Richard to protect him from the displeasure of
the Judge
»Ill do it boy Ill do it« cried the other rubbing his hands with
delight »say nothing but leave me to manage duke I have a great mind to
leave the deer on the hill and to make the fellow send for his own carcass but
no I will let Marmaduke tell a few bouncers about it before I come out upon him
Come hurry in Aggy I must help to dress the lads wound this Yankee8
Doctor knows nothing of surgery I had to hold old Milligans leg for him
while he cut it off« Richard was now seated on the stool again and the black
taking the hind seat the steeds were put in motion towards home As they dashed
down the hill on a fast trot the driver occasionally turned his face to Aggy
and continued speaking for notwithstanding their recent rupture the most
perfect cordiality was again existing between them »This goes to prove that I
turned the horses with the reins for no man who is shot in the right shoulder
can have strength enough to bring round such obstinate devils I knew I did it
from the first but I did not want to multiply words with Marmaduke about it
Will you bite you villain hip boys hip Old Natty too that is the best
of it Well well duke will say no more about my deer and the Judge fired
both barrels and hit nothing but a poor lad who was behind a pine tree I
must help that quack to take out the buck shot for the poor fellow« In this
manner Richard descended the mountain the bells ringing and his tongue going
until they entered the village when the whole attention of the driver was
devoted to a display of his horsemanship to the admiration of all the gaping
women and children who thronged the windows to witness the arrival of their
landlord and his daughter
Chapter V
»Nathaniels coat sir was not fully made
And Gabriels pumps were all unfinishd i th heel
There was no link to colour Peters hat
And Walters dagger was not come from sheathing
There were none fine but Adam Ralph and Gregory«
The Taming of the Shrew IVi13236
After winding along the side of the mountain the road on reaching the gentle
declivity which lay at the base of the hill turned at a right angle to its
former course and shot down an inclined plane directly into the village of
Templeton The rapid little stream that we have already mentioned was crossed
by a bridge of hewn timber which manifested by its rude construction and the
unnecessary size of its framework both the value of labour and the abundance
of materials This little torrent whose dark waters gushed over the limestones
that lined its bottom was nothing less than one of the many sources of the
Susquehanna a river to which the Atlantic herself has extended an arm in
welcome It was at this point that the powerful team of Mr Jones brought him
up to the more sober steeds of our travellers A small hill was risen and
Elizabeth found herself at once amid the incongruous dwellings of the village
The street was of the ordinary width notwithstanding the eye might embrace in
one view thousands and tens of thousands of acres that were yet tenanted only
by the beasts of the forest But such had been the will of her father and such
had also met the wishes of his followers To them the road that made the most
rapid approaches to the condition of the old or as they expressed it the down
countries was the most pleasant and surely nothing could look more like
civilization than a city even if it lay in a wilderness The width of the
street for so it was called might have been one hundred feet but the track
for the sleighs was much more limited On either side of the highway were piled
huge heaps of logs that were daily increasing rather than diminishing in size
notwithstanding the enormous fires that might be seen through every window
The last object at which Elizabeth gazed when they renewed their journey
after the rencontre with Richard was the sun as it expanded in the refraction
of the horizon and over whose disk the dark umbrage of a pine was stealing
while it slowly sunk behind the western hills But its setting rays darted along
the openings of the mountain she was on and lighted the shining covering of the
birches until their smooth and glossy coats nearly rivalled the mountainsides
in colour The outline of each dark pine was delineated far in the depths of the
forest and the rocks too smooth and too perpendicular to retain the snow that
had fallen brightened as if smiling at the leavetaking of the luminary But
at each step as they descended Elizabeth observed that they were leaving the
day behind them Even the heartless but bright rays of a December sun were
missed as they glided into the cold gloom of the valley Along the summits of
the mountains in the eastern range it is true the light still lingered
receding step by step from the earth into the clouds that were gathering with
the evening mist about the limited horizon but the frozen lake lay without a
shadow on its bosom the dwellings were becoming already gloomy and indistinct
and the woodcutters were shouldering their axes and preparing to enjoy
throughout the long evening before them the comforts of those exhilarating
fires that their labour had been supplying with fuel They paused only to gaze
at the passing sleighs to lift their caps to Marmaduke to exchange familiar
nods with Richard and each disappeared in his dwelling The paper curtains
dropped behind our travellers in every window shutting from the air even the
firelight of the cheerful apartments and when the horses of her father turned
with a rapid whirl into the open gate of the mansionhouse and nothing stood
before her but the cold dreary stonewalls of the building as she approached
them through an avenue of young and leafless poplars Elizabeth felt as if all
the loveliness of the mountainview had vanished like the fancies of a dream
Marmaduke had retained so much of his early habits as to reject the use of
bells but the equipage of Mr Jones came dashing through the gate after them
sending its jingling sounds through every cranny of the building and in a
moment the dwelling was in an uproar
On a stone platform of rather small proportions considering the size of
the building Richard and Hiram had conjointly reared four little columns of
wood which in their turn supported the shingled roofs of the portico this was
the name that Mr Jones had thought proper to give to a very plain covered
entrance The ascent to the platform was by five or six stone steps somewhat
hastily laid together and which the frost had already begun to move from their
symmetrical positions But the evils of a cold climate and a superficial
construction did not end here As the steps lowered the platform necessarily
fell also and the foundations actually left the superstructure suspended in the
air leaving an open space of a foot between the base of the pillars and the
stones on which they had originally been placed It was lucky for the whole
fabric that the carpenter who did the manual part of the labour had fastened
the canopy of this classic entrance so firmly to the side of the house that
when the base deserted the superstructure in the manner we have described and
the pillars for the want of a foundation were no longer of service to support
the roof the roof was able to uphold the pillars Here was indeed an
unfortunate gap left in the ornamental part of Richards column but like the
window in Aladdins palace it seemed only left in order to prove the fertility
of its masters resources The composite order again offered its advantages and
a second edition of the base was given as the booksellers say with additions
and improvements It was necessarily larger and it was properly ornamented with
mouldings still the steps continued to yield and at the moment when Elizabeth
returned to her fathers door a few rough wedges were driven under the pillars
to keep them steady and to prevent their weight from separating them from the
pediment which they ought to have supported
From the great door which opened into the porch emerged two or three
female domestics and one male The latter was bareheaded but evidently more
dressed than usual and on the whole was of so singular a formation and attire
as to deserve a more minute description He was about five feet in height of a
square and athletic frame with a pair of shoulders that would have fitted a
grenadier His low stature was rendered the more striking by a bend forward that
he was in the habit of assuming for no apparent reason unless it might be to
give greater freedom to his arms in a particularly sweeping swing that they
constantly practised when their master was in motion His face was long of a
fair complexion burnt to a fiery red with a snub nose cocked into an
inveterate pug a mouth of enormous dimensions filled with fine teeth and a
pair of blue eyes that seemed to look about them on surrounding objects with
habitual contempt His head composed full one fourth of his whole length and
the queue that depended from its rear occupied another He wore a coat of very
light drab cloth with buttons as large as dollars bearing the impression of a
foul anchor The skirts were extremely long reaching quite to the calf and
were broad in proportion Beneath there were a vest and breeches of red plush
somewhat worn and soiled He had shoes with large buckles and stockings of blue
and white stripes
This oddlooking figure reported himself to be a native of the county of
Cornwall in the island of Great Britain His boyhood had passed in the
neighbourhood of the tin mines and his youth as the cabinboy of a smuggler
between Falmouth and Guernsey From this trade he had been impressed into the
service of his king and for the want of a better had been taken into the
cabin first as a servant and finally as steward to the captain Here he
acquired the art of making chowder lobskous and one or two other seadishes
and as he was fond of saying had an opportunity of seeing the world With the
exception of one or two outports in France and an occasional visit to
Portsmouth Plymouth and Deal he had in reality seen no more of mankind
however than if he had been riding a donkey in one of his native mines But
being discharged from the navy at the peace of 83 he declared that as he had
seen all the civilized parts of the earth he was inclined to make a trip to the
wilds of America We will not trace him in his brief wanderings under the
influence of that spirit of emigration that sometimes induces a dapper Cockney
to quit his home and lands him before the sound of Bowbells is out of his
ears within the roar of the cataract of Niagara but shall only add that at a
very early day even before Elizabeth had been sent to school he had found his
way into the family of Marmaduke Temple where owing to a combination of
qualities that will be developed in the course of the tale he held under Mr
Jones the office of majordomo The name of this worthy was Benjamin Penguillan
according to his own pronunciation but owing to a marvellous tale that he was
in the habit of relating concerning the length of time he had to labour to keep
his ship from sinking after Rodneys victory he had universally acquired the
nickname of Ben Pump
By the side of Benjamin and pressing forward as if a little jealous of her
station stood a middleaged woman dressed in calico rather violently
contrasted in colour with a tall meager shapeless figure sharp features and
a somewhat acute expression of her physiognomy Her teeth were mostly gone and
what did remain were of a light yellow The skin of her nose was drawn tightly
over the member to hang in large wrinkles in her cheeks and about her mouth
She took snuff in such quantities as to create the impression that she owed
the saffron of her lips and the adjacent parts to this circumstance but it was
the unvarying colour of her whole face She presided over the female part of the
domestic arrangements in the capacity of housekeeper was a spinster and bore
the name of Remarkable Pettibone To Elizabeth she was an entire stranger
having been introduced into the family since the death of her mother
In addition to these were three or four subordinate menials mostly black
some appearing at the principal door and some running from the end of the
building where stood the entrance to the cellarkitchen
Besides these there was a general rush from Richards kennel accompanied
with every canine tone from the howl of the wolfdog to the petulant bark of
the terrier The master received their boisterous salutations with a variety of
imitations from his own throat when the dogs probably from shame at being
outdone ceased their outcry One stately powerful mastiff who wore around his
neck a brass collar with MT engraved in large letters on the rim alone was
silent He walked majestically amid the confusion to the side of the Judge
where receiving a kind pat or two he turned to Elizabeth who even stooped to
kiss him as she called him kindly by the name of Old Brave The animal seemed
to know her as she ascended the steps supported by Monsieur Le Quoi and her
father in order to protect her from falling on the ice with which they were
covered He looked wistfully after her figure and when the door closed on the
whole party he laid himself in a kennel that was placed nigh by as if
conscious that the house contained something of additional value to guard
Elizabeth followed her father who paused a moment to whisper a message to
one of his domestics into a large hall that was dimly lighted by two candles
placed in high oldfashioned brass candlesticks The door closed and the
party were at once removed from an atmosphere that was nearly at zero to one of
sixty degrees above In the centre of the hall stood an enormous stove the
sides of which appeared to be quivering with heat from which a large straight
pipe leading through the ceiling above carried off the smoke An iron basin
containing water was placed on this furnace for such only it could be called
in order to preserve a proper humidity in the apartment The room was carpeted
and furnished with convenient substantial furniture some of which was brought
from the city and the remainder having been manufactured by the mechanics of
Templeton There was a sideboard of mahogany inlaid with ivory and bearing
enormous handles of glittering brass and groaning under the piles of silver
plate Near it stood a set of prodigious tables made of the wild cherry to
imitate the imported wood of the sideboard but plain and without ornament of
any kind Opposite to these stood a smaller table formed from a lighter
coloured wood through the grains of which the wavy lines of the curledmaple of
the mountains were beautifully undulating Near to this in a corner stood a
heavy oldfashioned brassfaced clock encased in a high box of the dark hue
of the blackwalnut from the seashore An enormous settee or sofa covered with
light chintz stretched along the walls for near twenty feet on one side of the
hall and chairs of wood painted a light yellow with black lines that were
drawn by no very steady hand were ranged opposite and in the intervals between
the other pieces of furniture A Fahrenheits thermometer in a mahogany case
and with a barometer annexed was hung against the wall at some little distance
from the stove which Benjamin consulted every halfhour with prodigious
exactitude Two small glass chandeliers were suspended at equal distances
between the stove and the outer doors one of which opened at each end of the
hall and gilt lustres were affixed to the framework of the numerous side
doors that led from the apartment Some little display in architecture had been
made in constructing these frames and casings which were surmounted with
pediments that bore each a little pedestal in its centre On these pedestals
were small busts in blacked plaster of Paris The style of the pedestals as
well as the selection of the busts were all due to the taste of Mr Jones On
one stood Homer a most striking likeness Richard affirmed »as any one might
see for it was blind« Another bore the image of a smooth visaged gentleman
with a pointed beard whom he called Shakspeare A third ornament was an urn
which from its shape Richard was accustomed to say intended to represent
itself as holding the ashes of Dido A fourth was certainly old Franklin in his
cap and spectacles A fifth as surely bore the dignified composure of the face
of Washington A sixth was a nondescript representing »a man with a
shirtcollar open« to use the language of Richard »with a laurel on his head
it was Julius Cæsar or Dr Faustus there were good reasons for believing
either«
The walls were hung with a dark leadcoloured English paper that
represented Britannia weeping over the tomb of Wolfe The hero himself stood at
a little distance from the mourning goddess and at the edge of the paper Each
width contained the figure with the slight exception of one arm of the General
which ran over on to the next piece so that when Richard essayed with his own
hands to put together this delicate outline some difficulties occurred that
prevented a nice conjunction and Britannia had reason to lament in addition to
the loss of her favourites life numberless cruel amputations of his right arm
The luckless cause of these unnatural divisions now announced his presence
in the hall by a loud crack of his whip
»Why Benjamin you Ben Pump is this the manner in which you receive the
heiress« he cried »Excuse him cousin Elizabeth The arrangements were too
intricate to be trusted to every one but now I am here things will go on
better Come light up Mr Penguillan light up light up and let us see one
anothers faces Well duke I have brought home your deer what is to be done
with it ha«
»By the Lord Squire« commenced Benjamin in reply first giving his mouth a
wipe with the back of his hand »if this here thing had been ordered sumat
earlier in the day it might have been got up dye see to your liking I had
mustered all hands and was exercising candles when you hove in sight but when
the women heard your bells they started an end as if they were riding the
boatswains colt and ifsobe there is that man in the house who can bring
up a parcel of women when they have got headway on them until theyve run out
the end of their rope his name is not Benjamin Pump But Miss Betsy here must
have altered more than a privateer in disguise since she has got on her womans
duds if she will take offence with an old fellow for the small matter of
lighting a few candles«
Elizabeth and her father continued silent for both experienced the same
sensation on entering the hall The former had resided one year in the building
before she left home for school and the figure of its lamented mistress was
missed by both husband and child
But candles had been placed in the chandeliers and lustres and the
attendants were so far recovered from surprise as to recollect their use the
oversight was immediately remedied and in a minute the apartment was in a blaze
of light
The slight melancholy of our heroine and her father was banished by this
brilliant interruption and the whole party began to lay aside the numberless
garments they had worn in the air
During this operation Richard kept up a desultory dialogue with the
different domestics occasionally throwing out a remark to the Judge concerning
the deer but as his conversation at such moments was much like an accompaniment
on a piano a thing that is heard without being attended to we will not
undertake the task of recording his diffuse discourse
The instant that Remarkable Pettibone had executed her portion of the labour
in illuminating she returned to a position near Elizabeth with the apparent
motive of receiving the clothes that the other threw aside but in reality to
examine with an air of curiosity not unmixed with jealousy the appearance
of the lady who was to supplant her in the administration of their domestic
economy The housekeeper felt a little appalled when after cloaks coats
shawls and socks had been taken off in succession the large black hood was
removed and the dark ringlets shining like the ravens wing fell from her
head and left the sweet but commanding features of the young lady exposed to
view Nothing could be fairer and more spotless than the forehead of Elizabeth
and preserve the appearance of life and health Her nose would have been called
Grecian but for a softly rounded swell that gave in character to the feature
what it lost in beauty Her mouth at first sight seemed only made for love
but the instant that its muscles moved every expression that womanly dignity
could utter played around it with the flexibility of female grace It spoke
not only to the ear but to the eye So much added to a form of exquisite
proportions rather full and rounded for her years and of the tallest medium
height she inherited from her mother Even the colour of her eye the arched
brows and the long silken lashes came from the same source but its expression
was her fathers Inert and composed it was soft benevolent and attractive
but it could be roused and that without much difficulty At such moments it was
still beautiful though it was a little severe As the last shawl fell aside
and she stood dressed in a rich blue ridinghabit that fitted her form with
the nicest exactness her cheeks burning with roses that bloomed the richer for
the heat of the hall and her eyes slightly suffused with moisture that
rendered their ordinary beauty more dazzling and with every feature of her
speaking countenance illuminated by the lights that flared around her
Remarkable felt that her own power had ended
The business of unrobing had been simultaneous Marmaduke appeared in a suit
of plain neat black Monsieur Le Quoi in a coat of snuffcolour covering a
vest of embroidery with breeches and silk stockings and buckles that were
commonly thought to be of paste Major Hartmann wore a coat of skyblue with
large brass buttons a club wig and boots and Mr Richard Jones had set off
his dapper little form in a frock of bottlegreen with bullet buttons by one
of which the sides were united over his wellrounded waist opening above so as
to show a jacket of red cloth with an under vest of flannel faced with green
velvet and below so as to exhibit a pair of buckskin breeches with long
soiled whitetop boots and spurs one of the latter a little bent from its
recent attacks on the stool
When the young lady had extricated herself from her garments she was at
liberty to gaze about her and to examine not only the household over which she
was to preside but also the air and manner in which their domestic arrangements
were conducted Although there was much incongruity in the furniture and
appearance of the hall there was nothing mean The floor was carpeted even in
its remotest corners The brass candlesticks the gilt lustres and the glass
chandeliers whatever might be their keeping as to propriety and taste were
admirably kept as to all the purposes of use and comfort They were clean and
glittering in the strong light of the apartment Compared with the chill aspect
of the December night without the warmth and brilliancy of the apartment
produced an effect that was not unlike enchantment Her eye had not time to
detect in detail the little errors which in truth existed but was glancing
around her in delight when an object arrested her view that was in strong
contrast to the smiling faces and neatly attired personages who had thus
assembled to do honour to the heiress of Templeton
In a corner of the hall near the grand entrance stood the young hunter
unnoticed and for the moment apparently forgotten But even the forgetfulness
of the Judge which under the influence of strong emotion had banished the
recollection of the wound of this stranger seemed surpassed by the absence of
mind in the youth himself On entering the apartment he had mechanically lifted
his cap and exposed a head covered with hair that rivalled in colour and gloss
the locks of Elizabeth Nothing could have wrought a greater transformation
than the single act of removing the rough foxskin cap If there was much that
was prepossessing in the countenance of the young hunter there was something
even noble in the rounded outlines of his head and brow The very air and manner
with which the member haughtily maintained itself over the coarse and even wild
attire in which the rest of his frame was clad bespoke not only familiarity
with a splendour that in those new settlements was thought to be unequalled but
something very like contempt also
The hand that held the cap rested lightly on the little ivorymounted piano
of Elizabeth with neither rustic restraint nor obtrusive vulgarity A single
finger touched the instrument as if accustomed to dwell on such places His
other arm was extended to its utmost length and the hand grasped the barrel of
his long rifle with something like convulsive energy The act and the attitude
were both involuntary and evidently proceeded from a feeling much deeper than
that of vulgar surprise His appearance connected as it was with the rough
exterior of his dress rendered him entirely distinct from the busy group that
were moving across the other end of the long hall occupied in receiving the
travellers and exchanging their welcomes and Elizabeth continued to gaze at
him in wonder The contraction of the strangers brows increased as his eyes
moved slowly from one object to another For moments the expression of his
countenance was fierce and then again it seemed to pass away in some painful
emotion The arm that was extended bent and brought the hand nigh to his
face when his head dropped upon it and concealed the wonderfully speaking
lineaments
»We forget dear sir the strange gentleman« for her life Elizabeth could
not call him otherwise »whom we have brought here for assistance and to whom
we owe every attention«
All eyes were instantly turned in the direction of those of the speaker and
the youth rather proudly elevated his head again while he answered
»My wound is trifling and I believe that Judge Temple sent for a physician
the moment we arrived«
»Certainly« said Marmaduke »I have not forgotten the object of thy visit
young man nor the nature of my debt«
»Oh« exclaimed Richard with something of a waggish leer »thou owest the
lad for the venison I suppose that thou killed cousin duke Marmaduke
Marmaduke That was a marvellous tale of thine about the buck Here young man
are two dollars for the deer and Judge Temple can do no less than pay the
Doctor I shall charge you nothing for my services but you shall not fare the
worse for that Come come duke dont be downhearted about it if you missed
the buck you contrived to shoot this poor fellow through a pine tree Now I own
that you have beat me I never did such a thing in all my life«
»And I hope never will« returned the Judge »if you are to experience the
uneasiness that I have suffered But be of good cheer my young friend the
injury must be small as thou movest thy arm with apparent freedom«
»Dont make the matter worse duke by pretending to talk about surgery«
interrupted Mr Jones with a contemptuous wave of the hand »it is a science
that can only be learnt by practice You know that my grandfather was a doctor
but you havent got a drop of medical blood in your veins these kind of things
run in families All my family by the fathers side had a knack at physic There
was my uncle that was killed at Brandywine he died as easy again as any other
man in the regiment just from knowing how to hold his breath naturally Few men
know how to breathe naturally«
»I doubt not Dickon« returned the Judge meeting the bright smile which
in spite of himself stole over the strangers features »that thy family
thoroughly understood the art of letting life slip through their fingers«
Richard heard him quite coolly and putting a hand in either pocket of his
surtout so as to press forward the skirts began to whistle a tune but the
desire to reply overcame his philosophy and with great heat he exclaimed
»You may affect to smile Judge Temple at hereditary virtues if you
please but there is not a man on your Patent who dont know better Here
even this young man who has never seen any thing but bears and deer and
woodchucks knows better than to believe virtues are not transmitted in
families Dont you friend«
»I believe that vice is not« said the stranger abruptly his eye glancing
from the father to the daughter
»The Squire is right Judge« observed Benjamin with a knowing nod of his
head towards Richard that bespoke the cordiality between them »Now in the
oldcountry the Kings Majesty touches for the evil and that is a disorder
that the greatest doctor in the fleet or for the matter of that Admiral
either cant cure only the Kings Majesty or a man thats been hanged Yes
the Squire is right for ifsobe that he wasnt how is it that the seventh son
always is a doctor whether he ships for the cockpit or not Now when we fell
in with the mounsheers under De Grasse dye see we had aboard of us a doctor«
»Very well Benjamin« interrupted Elizabeth glancing her eyes from the
hunter to Monsieur Le Quoi who was most politely attending to what fell from
each individual in succession »you shall tell me of that and all your
entertaining adventures together just now a room must be prepared in which
the arm of this gentleman can be dressed«
»I will attend to that myself cousin Elizabeth« observed Richard somewhat
haughtily »The young man shall not suffer because Marmaduke chooses to be a
little obstinate Follow me my friend and I will examine the hurt myself«
»It will be well to wait for the physician« said the hunter coldly »he
cannot be distant«
Richard paused and looked at the speaker a little astonished at the
language and a good deal appalled at the refusal He construed the latter into
an act of hostility and placing his hands in the pockets again he walked up
to Mr Grant and putting his face close to the countenance of the divine said
in an under tone
»Now mark my words there will be a story among the settlers that all our
necks would have been broken but for that fellow as if I did not know how to
drive Why you might have turned the horses yourself sir nothing was easier
it was only pulling hard on the nigh rein and touching the off flank of the
leader I hope my dear sir you are not at all hurt by the upset the lad gave
us«
The reply was interrupted by the entrance of the village physician
Chapter VI
» And about his shelves
A beggarly account of empty boxes
Green earthen pots bladders and musty seeds
Remnants of packthread and old cakes of roses
Were thinly scattered to make up a show«
Romeo and Juliet Vi4448
Doctor Elnathan Todd for such was the name of the man of physic was commonly
thought to be among the settlers a gentleman of great mental endowments and
he was assuredly of rare personal proportions In height he measured without
his shoes exactly six feet and four inches His hands feet and knees
corresponded in every respect with this formidable stature but every other part
of his frame appeared to have been intended for a man several sizes smaller if
we except the length of the limbs His shoulders were square in one sense at
least being in a right line from one side to the other but they were so
narrow that the long dangling arms they supported seemed to issue out of his
back His neck possessed in an eminent degree the property of length to which
we have alluded and it was topped by a small bullethead that exhibited on
one side a bush of bristling brown hair and on the other a short twinkling
visage that appeared to maintain a constant struggle with itself in order to
look wise He was the youngest son of a farmer in the western part of
Massachusetts who being in somewhat easy circumstances had allowed this boy
to shoot up to the height we have mentioned without the ordinary interruptions
of fieldlabour woodchopping and such other toils as were imposed on his
brothers Elnathan was indebted for this exemption from labour in some measure
to his extraordinary growth which leaving him pale inanimate and listless
induced his tender mother to pronounce him »a sickly boy and one that was not
equal to work but who might arn a living comfortably enough by taking to
pleading law or turning minister or doctoring or some sitchlike easy
calling« Still there was great uncertainty which of these vocations the youth
was best endowed to fill but having no other employment the stripling was
constantly lounging about the homestead munching green apples and hunting for
sorrel when the same sagacious eye that had brought to light his latent
talents seized upon this circumstance as a clue to his future path through the
turmoils of the world »Elnathan was cut out for a doctor« she knew »for he
was for ever digging for yarbs and tasting all kinds of things that growd
about the lots Then again he had a naateral love for doctorstuff for when she
had left the bilious pills out for her man all nicely covered with maple sugar
just ready to take Nathan had come in and swallowed them for all the world as
if they were nothing while Ichabod her husband could never get one down
without making sitch desperate faces that it was awful to look on«
This discovery decided the matter Elnathan then about fifteen was much
like a wild colt caught and trimmed by clipping his bushy locks dressed in a
suit of homespun died in the butternut bark furnished with a »New Testament«
and a »Websters SpellingBook« and sent to school As the boy was by nature
quite shrewd enough and had previously at odd times laid the foundations of
reading writing and arithmetic he was soon conspicuous in the school for his
learning The delighted mother had the gratification of hearing from the lips
of the master that her son was a »prodigious boy and far above all his class«
He also thought that »the youth had a natural love for doctoring as he had
known him frequently advise the smaller children against eating too much and
once or twice when the ignorant little things had persevered in opposition to
Elnathans advice he had known her son empty the schoolbaskets with his own
mouth to prevent the consequences«
Soon after this comfortable declaration from his schoolmaster the lad was
removed to the house of the village doctor a gentleman whose early career had
not been unlike that of our hero where he was to be seen sometimes watering a
horse at others watering medicines blue yellow and red then again he might
be noticed lolling under an apple tree with Ruddimans Latin Grammar in his
hand and a corner of Denmans Midwifery sticking out of a pocket for his
instructor held it absurd to teach his pupil how to despatch a patient regularly
from this world before he knew how to bring him into it
This kind of life continued for a twelvemonth when he suddenly appeared at
meeting in a long coat and well did it deserve the name of black homespun
with little bootees bound with uncoloured calfskin for the want of red
morocco
Soon after he was seen shaving with a dull razor Three or four months had
scarce elapsed before several elderly ladies were observed hastening towards the
house of a poor woman in the village while others were running to and fro in
great apparent distress One or two boys were mounted bareback on horses and
sent off at speed in various directions Several indirect questions were put
concerning the place where the physician was last seen but all would not do
and at length Elnathan was seen issuing from his door with a very grave air
preceded by a little whiteheaded boy out of breath trotting before him The
following day the youth appeared in the street as the highway was called and
the neighbourhood was much edified by the additional gravity of his air The
same week he bought a new razor and the succeeding Sunday he entered the
meetinghouse with a red silk handkerchief in his hand and with an extremely
demure countenance In the evening he called upon a young woman of his own class
in life for there were no others to be found and when he was left alone with
the fair he was called for the first time in his life Doctor Todd by her
prudent mother The ice once broken in this manner Elnathan was greeted from
every mouth with his official appellation
Another year passed under the superintendence of the same master during
which the young physician had the credit of riding with the old doctor although
they were generally observed to travel different roads At the end of that
period Dr Todd attained his legal majority He then took a jaunt to Boston to
purchase medicines and as some intimated to walk the hospital we know not
how the latter might have been but if true he soon walked through it for he
returned within a fortnight bringing with him a suspiciouslooking box that
smelt powerfully of brimstone
The next Sunday he was married and the following morning he entered a
onehorse sleigh with his bride having before him the box we have mentioned
with another filled with homemade household linen a papercovered trunk with
a red umbrella lashed to it a pair of quite new saddlebags and a bandbox The
next intelligence that his friends received of the bride and bridegroom was
that the latter was »settled in the newcountries and well to do as a doctor
in Templetown in York state«
If a templar would smile at the qualifications of Marmaduke to fill the
judicial seat he occupied we are certain that a graduate of Leyden or Edinburgh
would be extremely amused with this true narration of the servitude of Elnathan
in the temple of Æsculapius But the same consolation was afforded to both the
jurist and the leech for Dr Todd was quite as much on a level with his
compeers of the profession in that country as was Marmaduke with his brethren
on the bench
Time and practice did wonders for the physician He was naturally humane
but possessed of no small share of moral courage or in other words he was
chary of the lives of his patients and never tried uncertain experiments on
such members of society as were considered useful but once or twice when a
luckless vagrant had come under his care he was a little addicted to trying the
effects of every vial in his saddlebags on the strangers constitution Happily
their number was small and in most cases their natures innocent By these means
Elnathan had acquired a certain degree of knowledge in fevers and agues and
could talk with much judgment concerning intermittents remittents tertians
quotidians etc In certain cutaneous disorders very prevalent in new
settlements he was considered to be infallible and there was no woman on the
Patent but would as soon think of becoming a mother without a husband as
without the assistance of Dr Todd In short he was rearing on this foundation
of sand a superstructure cemented by practice though composed of somewhat
brittle materials He however occasionally renewed his elementary studies
and with the observation of a shrewd mind was comfortably applying his
practice to his theory
In surgery having the least experience and it being a business that spoke
directly to the senses he was most apt to distrust his own powers but he had
applied oils to several burns cut round the roots of sundry defective teeth
and sewed up the wounds of numberless woodchoppers with considerable eclat
when an unfortunate jobber9 suffered a fracture of his leg by the tree that he
had been felling It was on this occasion that our hero encountered the greatest
trial his nerves and moral feeling had ever sustained In the hour of need
however he was not found wanting Most of the amputations in the new
settlements and they were quite frequent were performed by some one
practitioner who possessing originally a reputation was enabled by this
circumstance to acquire an experience that rendered him deserving of it and
Elnathan had been present at one or two of these operations But on the present
occasion the man of practice was not to be obtained and the duty fell as a
matter of course to the share of Mr Todd He went to work with a kind of blind
desperation observing at the same time all the externals of decent gravity
and great skill The sufferers name was Milligan and it was to this event that
Richard alluded when he spoke of assisting the Doctor at an amputation by
holding the leg The limb was certainly cut off and the patient survived the
operation It was however two years before poor Milligan ceased to complain
that they had buried the leg in so narrow a box that it was straitened for
room he could feel the pain shooting up from the inhumed fragment into the
living members Marmaduke suggested that the fault might lie in the arteries and
nerves but Richard considering the amputation as part of his own handywork
strongly repelled the insinuation at the same time declaring that he had often
heard of men who could tell when it was about to rain by the toes of amputated
limbs After two or three years notwithstanding Milligans complaints gradually
diminished the leg was dug up and a larger box furnished and from that hour
no one had heard the sufferer utter another complaint on the subject This gave
the public great confidence in Doctor Todd whose reputation was hourly
increasing and luckily for his patients his information also
Notwithstanding Mr Todds practice and his success with the leg he was
not a little appalled on entering the hall of the mansionhouse It was glaring
with the light of day it looked so splendid and imposing compared with the
hastily built and scantily furnished apartments which he frequented in his
ordinary practice and contained so many welldressed persons and anxious
faces that his usually firm nerves were a good deal discomposed He had heard
from the messenger who summoned him that it was a gunshot wound and had come
from his own home wading through the snow with his saddlebags thrown over his
arm while separated arteries penetrated lungs and injured vitals were
whirling through his brain as if he were stalking over a field of battle
instead of Judge Temples peaceable enclosure
The first object that met his eye as he moved into the room was Elizabeth
in her ridinghabit richly laced with gold cord her fine form bending towards
him and her face expressing deep anxiety in every one of its beautiful
features The enormous bony knees of the physician struck each other with a
noise that was audible for in the absent state of his mind he mistook her for
a general officer perforated with bullets hastening from the field of battle
to implore assistance The delusion however was but momentary and his eye
glanced rapidly from the daughter to the earnest dignity of the fathers
countenance thence to the busy strut of Richard who was cooling his impatience
at the hunters indifference to his assistance by pacing the hall and cracking
his whip from him to the Frenchman who had stood for several minutes unheeded
with a chair for the lady thence to Major Hartmann who was very coolly
lighting a pipe three feet long by a candle in one of the chandeliers thence to
Mr Grant who was turning over a manuscript with much earnestness at one of the
lustres thence to Remarkable who stood with her arms demurely folded before
her surveying with a look of admiration and envy the dress and beauty of the
young lady and from her to Benjamin who with his feet standing wide apart
and his arms a kimbo was balancing his square little body with the
indifference of one who is accustomed to wounds and bloodshed All of these
seemed to be unhurt and the operator began to breathe more freely but before
he had time to take a second look the Judge advancing shook him kindly by the
hand and spoke
»Thou art welcome my good sir quite welcome indeed here is a youth whom
I have unfortunately wounded in shooting a deer this evening and who requires
some of thy assistance«
»Shooting at a deer duke« interrupted Richard »Shooting at a deer Who
do you think can prescribe unless he knows the truth of the case It is always
so with some people they think a doctor can be deceived with the same
impunity as another man«
»Shooting at a deer truly« returned the Judge smiling »although it is by
no means certain that I did not aid in destroying the buck but the youth is
injured by my hand be that as it may and it is thy skill that must cure him
and my pocket shall amply reward thee for it«
»Two ver good tings to depend on« observed Monsieur Le Quoi bowing
politely with a sweep of his head to the Judge and the practitioner
»I thank you Monsieur« returned the Judge »but we keep the young man in
pain Remarkable thou wilt please to provide linen for lint and bandages«
This remark caused a cessation of the compliments and induced the physician
to turn an inquiring eye in the direction of his patient During the dialogue
the young hunter had thrown aside his over coat and now stood clad in a plain
suit of the common lightcoloured homespun of the country that was evidently
but recently made His hand was on the lapels of his coat in the attitude of
removing the garment when he suddenly suspended the movement and looked
towards the commiserating Elizabeth who was standing in an unchanged posture
too much absorbed with her anxious feelings to heed his actions A slight colour
appeared on the brow of the youth
»Possibly the sight of blood may alarm the lady I will retire to another
room while the wound is dressing«
»By no means« said Doctor Todd who having discovered that his patient was
far from being a man of importance felt much emboldened to perform the duty
»The strong light of these candles is favourable to the operation and it is
seldom that we hard students enjoy good eyesight«
While speaking Elnathan placed a pair of large ironrimmed spectacles on
his face where they dropped as it were by long practice to the extremity of
his slim pug nose and if they were of no service as assistants to his eyes
neither were they any impediment to his vision for his little gray organs were
twinkling above them like two stars emerging from the envious cover of a cloud
The action was unheeded by all but Remarkable who observed to Benjamin
»Doctor Todd is a comely man to look on and disput pretty How well he
seems in spectacles I declare they give a grand look to a bodys face I have
quite a great mind to try them myself«
The speech of the stranger recalled the recollection of Miss Temple who
started as if from deep abstraction and colouring excessively she motioned
to a young woman who served in the capacity of maid and retired with an air
of womanly reserve
The field was now left to the physician and his patient while the different
personages who remained gathered around the latter with faces expressing the
various degrees of interest that each one felt in his condition Major Hartmann
alone retained his seat where he continued to throw out vast quantities of
smoke now rolling his eyes up to the ceiling as if musing on the uncertainty
of life and now bending them on the wounded man with an expression that
bespoke some consciousness of his situation
In the mean time Elnathan to whom the sight of a gunshot wound was a
perfect novelty commenced his preparations with a solemnity and care that were
worthy of the occasion An old shirt was procured by Benjamin and placed in the
hands of the other who tore divers bandages from it with an exactitude that
marked both his own skill and the importance of the operation
When this preparatory measure was taken Dr Todd selected a piece of the
shirt with great care and handing it to Mr Jones without moving a muscle
said
»Here Squire Jones you are well acquainted with these things will you
please to scrape the lint It should be fine and soft you know my dear sir
and be cautious that no cotton gets in or it may pison the wownd The shirt
has been made with cotton thread but you can easily pick it out«
Richard assumed the office with a nod at his cousin that said quite
plainly »you see this fellow cant get along without me« and began to scrape
the linen on his knee with great diligence
A table was now spread with vials boxes of salve and divers surgical
instruments As the latter appeared in succession from a case of red morocco
their owner held up each implement to the strong light of the chandelier near
to which he stood and examined it with the nicest care A red silk
handkerchief was frequently applied to the glittering steel as if to remove
from the polished surfaces the least impediment which might exist to the most
dedicate operation After the rather scantily furnished pocketcase which
contained these instruments was exhausted the physician turned to his
saddlebags and produced various vials filled with liquids of the most
radiant colours These were arranged in due order by the side of the murderous
saws knives and scissors when Elnathan stretched his long body to its utmost
elevation placing his hand on the small of his back as if for support and
looked about him to discover what effect this display of professional skill
was likely to produce on the spectators
»Upon my wort toctor« observed Major Hartmann with a roguish roll of his
little black eyes but with every other feature of his face in a state of
perfect rest »put you have a very pretty pocketpook of tools tere and your
toctorstuff glitters as if it was petter for ter eyes as for ter pelly«
Elnathan gave a hem one that might have been equally taken for that kind
of noise which cowards are said to make in order to awaken their dormant
courage or for a natural effort to clear the throat if for the latter it was
successful for turning his face to the veteran German he said
»Very true Major Hartmann very true sir a prudent man will always strive
to make his remedies agreeable to the eyes though they may not altogether suit
the stomach It is no small part of our art sir« and he now spoke with the
confidence of a man who understood his subject »to reconcile the patient to
what is for his own good though at the same time it may be unpalatable«
»Sartain Doctor Todd is right« said Remarkable »and has scripter for what
he says The Bible tells us how things mought be sweet to the mouth and bitter
to the inwards«
»True true« interrupted the Judge a little impatiently »but here is a
youth who needs no deception to lure him to his own benefit I see by his eye
that he fears nothing more than delay«
The stranger had without assistance bared his own shoulder when the
slight perforation produced by the passage of the buckshot was plainly
visible The intense cold of the evening had stopped the bleeding and Dr
Todd casting a furtive glance at the wound thought it by no means so
formidable an affair as he had anticipated Thus encouraged he approached his
patient and made some indication of an intention to trace the route that had
been taken by the lead
Remarkable often found occasions in after days to recount the minutiæ of
that celebrated operation and when she arrived at this point she commonly
proceeded as follows »And then the Doctor tuck out of the pocketbook a long
thing like a knittingneedle with a button fastened to the end ont and then
he pushed it into the wownd and then the young man looked awful and then I
thought I should have swand away I felt in sitch a disput taking and then
the Doctor had run it right through his shoulder and shoved the bullet out on
tother side and so Doctor Todd cured the young man of a ball that the Judge
had shot into him for all the world as easy as I could pick out a splinter
with my darningneedle«
Such were the impressions of Remarkable on the subject and such doubtless
were the opinions of most of those who felt it necessary to entertain a species
of religious veneration for the skill of Elnathan but such was far from the
truth
When the physician attempted to introduce the instrument described by
Remarkable he was repulsed by the stranger with a good deal of decision and
some little contempt in his manner
»I believe sir« he said »that a probe is not necessary the shot has
missed the bone and has passed directly through the arm to the opposite side
where it remains but skindeep and whence I should think it might be easily
extracted«
»The gentleman knows best« said Dr Todd laying down the probe with the
air of a man who had assumed it merely in compliance with forms and turning to
Richard he fingered the lint with the appearance of great care and foresight
»Admirably well scraped Squire Jones it is about the best lint I have ever
seen I want your assistance my good sir to hold the patients arm while I
make an incision for the ball Now I rather guess there is not another
gentleman present who could scrape the lint so well as Squire Jones«
»Such things run in families« observed Richard rising with alacrity to
render the desired assistance »my father and my grandfather before him were
both celebrated for their knowledge of surgery they were not like Marmaduke
here puffed up with an accidental thing such as the time when he drew in the
hipjoint of the man who was thrown from his horse that was the fall before
you came into the settlement Doctor but they were men who were taught the
thing regularly spending half their lives in learning those little niceties
though for the matter of that my grandfather was a collegebred physician and
the best in the colony too that is in his neighbourhood«
»So it goes with the world Squire« cried Benjamin »ifsobe a man want to
walk the quarterdeck with credit dye see and with regularbuilt swabs on his
shoulders he musnt think to do it by getting in at the cabinwindows There
are two ways to get into a top besides the lubberholes The true way to walk
aft is to begin forrard thof it be only in a humble way like myself dye
see which was from being only a hander of topgallantsails and a stower of
the flyingjib to keeping the key of the Captains locker«
»Benjamin speaks quite to the purpose« continued Richard »I dare say that
he has often seen shot extracted in the different ships in which he has served
suppose we get him to hold the basin he must be used to the sight of blood«
»That he is Squire that he is« interrupted the cidevant steward »manys
the good shot round doubleheaded and grape that Ive seen the doctors at
work on For the matter of that I was in a boat alongside the ship when they
cut out the twelvepound shot from the thigh of the Captain of the Foodyrong
one of Mounsheer Ler Quaws countrymen«10
»A twelvepound ball from the thigh of a human being« exclaimed Mr Grant
with great simplicity dropping the sermon he was again reading and raising his
spectacles to the top of his forehead
»A twelvepounder« echoed Benjamin staring around him with much
confidence »a twelvepounder ay a twentyfour pound shot can easily be taken
from a mans body ifsobe a doctor only knows how Theres Squire Jones now
ask him sir he reads all the books ask him if he never fell in with a page
that keeps the reckoning of such things«
»Certainly more important operations than that have been performed«
observed Richard »the Encyclopædia mentions much more incredible circumstances
than that as I dare say you know Doctor Todd«
»Certainly there are incredible tales told in the Encyclopædias« returned
Elnathan »though I cannot say that I have ever seen myself any thing larger
than a musket bullet extracted«
During this discourse an incision had been made through the skin of the
young hunters shoulder and the lead was laid bare Elnathan took a pair of
glittering forceps and was in the act of applying them to the wound when a
sudden motion of the patient caused the shot to fall out of itself The long
arm and broad hand of the operator were now of singular service for the latter
expanded itself and caught the lead while at the same time an extremely
ambiguous motion was made by its brother so as to leave it doubtful to the
spectators how great was its agency in releasing the shot Richard however
put the matter at rest by exclaiming
»Very neatly done Doctor I have never seen a shot more neatly extracted
and I dare say Benjamin will say the same«
»Why considering« returned Benjamin »I must say that it was shipshape
and Bristerfashion Now all that the Doctor has to do is to clap a couple of
plugs in the holes and the lad will float in any gale that blows in these here
hills«
»I thank you sir for what you have done« said the youth with a little
distance »But here is a man who will take me under his care and spare you
all gentlemen any further trouble on my account«
The whole group turned their heads in surprise and beheld standing at one
of the distant doors of the hall the person of Indian John
Chapter VII
»From Susquehannas utmost springs
Where savage tribes pursue their game
His blanket tied with yellow strings
The shepherd of the forest came«
Freneau »The Indian Student« ll 14
Before the Europeans or to use a more significant term the Christians
dispossessed the original owners of the soil all that section of country which
contains the NewEngland States and those of the Middle which lie east of the
mountains was occupied by two great nations of Indians from whom had descended
numberless tribes But as the original distinctions between these nations were
marked by a difference in language as well as by repeated and bloody wars they
never were known to amalgamate until after the power and inroads of the whites
had reduced some of the tribes to a state of dependence that rendered not only
their political but considering the wants and habits of a savage their animal
existence also extremely precarious
These two great divisions consisted on the one side of the Five or as
they were afterwards called the Six Nations and their allies and on the
other of the Lenni Lenape or Delawares with the numerous and powerful tribes
that owned that nation as their Grandfather The former were generally called
by the AngloAmericans Iroquois or the Six Nations and sometimes Mingoes
Their appellation among their rivals seems generally to have been the Mengwe
or Maqua They consisted of the tribes or as their allies were fond of
asserting in order to raise their consequence of the several nations of the
Mohawks the Oneidas the Onondagas Cayugas and Senecas who ranked in the
confederation in the order in which they are named The Tuscaroras were
admitted to this union near a century after its formation and thus completed
the number to six
Of the Lenni Lenape or as they were called by the whites from the
circumstance of their holding their great councilfire on the banks of that
river the Delaware nation the principal tribes besides that which bore the
generic name were the Mahicanni or Mohegans and the Naticokes or Néntigoes
Of these the latter held the country the waters of the Chesapeake and the
seashore while the Mohegans occupied the district between the Hudson and the
ocean including much of NewEngland of course these two tribes were the first
who were dispossessed of their lands by the Europeans
The wars of a portion of the latter are celebrated among us as the wars of
King Philip but the peaceful policy of William Penn or Miquon as he was
termed by the natives effected its object with less difficulty though not
with less certainly As the natives gradually disappeared from the country of
the Mohegans some scattering families sought a refuge around the councilfire
of the mother tribe or the Delawares
This people had been induced to suffer themselves to be called women by
their old enemies the Mingoes or Iroquois after the latter having in vain
tried the effects of hostility had recourse to artifice in order to prevail
over their rivals According to Delawares were to cultivate the arts of peace
and to intrust their defence entirely to the men or warlike tribes of the Six
nations
This state of things continued until the war of revolution when the Lenni
Lenape formally asserted their independence and fearlessly declared that they
were again men But in a government so peculiarly republican as the Indian
polity it was not at all times an easy task to restrain its members within
the rules of the nation Several fierce and renowned warriors of the Mohegans
finding the conflict with the whites to be in vain sought a refuge with their
Grandfather and brought with them the feelings and principles that had so long
distinguished them in own tribe These chieftains kept alive in some measure
the martial spirit of the Delawares and would at times lead small parties
against their ancient enemies or such other foes as incurred their resentment
Among these warriors was one race particularly famous for their prowess
and for those qualities that render an Indian hero celebrated But war time
disease and want had conspired to thin their number and the sole
representative of this once renowned family now stood in the hall of Marmaduke
Temple He had for a long time been an associate of the whitemen
particularly in their wars and having been at a season when his services were
of importance much noticed and flattered he had turned Christian and was
baptized by the name of John He had suffered severely in his family during
the recent war having had every soul to whom he was allied cut off by an
inroad of the enemy and when the last lingering remnant of his nation
extinguished their fires amongst the hills of the Delaware he alone had
remained with a determination of laying his bones in that country where his
fathers had so long lived and governed
It was only however within a few months that he had appeared among the
mountains that surrounded Templeton To the hut of the old hunter he seemed
peculiarly welcome and as the habits of the Leather were so nearly
assimilated to those of the savages the conjunction of their interests excited
no surprise They resided in the same cabin ate of the same food and were
chiefly occupied in the same pursuits
We have already mentioned the baptismal name of this ancient chief but in
his conversation with Natty held in the language of the Delawares he was heard
uniformly to call himself Chingachgook which interpreted means the Great
Snake This name he had acquired in youth by his skill and prowess in war but
when his brows began to wrinkle with time and he stood alone the last of his
family and his particular tribe the few Delawares who yet continued about the
headwaters of their river gave him the mournful appellation of Mohegan
Perhaps there was something of deep feeling excited in the bosom of this
inhabitant of the forest by the sound of a name that recalled the idea of his
nation in ruins for he seldom used it himself never indeed excepting on the
most solemn occasions but the settlers had united according to the Christian
custom his baptismal with his national name and to them he was generally
known as John Mohegan or more familiarly as Indian John
From his long association with the whitemen the habits of Mohegan were a
mixture of the civilized and savage states though there was certainly a strong
preponderance in favour of the latter In common with all his people who dwelt
within the influence of the AngloAmericans he had acquired new wants and his
dress was a mixture of his native and European fashions Notwithstanding the
intense cold without his head was uncovered but a profusion of long black
coarse hair concealed his forehead his crown and even hung about his cheeks
so as to convey the idea to one who knew his present and former conditions
that he encouraged its abundance as a willing veil to hide the shame of a
noble soul mourning for glory once known His forehead when it could be seen
appeared lofty broad and noble His nose was high and of the kind called
Roman with nostrils that expanded in his seventieth year with the freedom
that had distinguished them in youth His mouth was large but compressed and
possessing a great share of expression and character and when opened it
discovered a perfect set of short strong and regular teeth His chin was full
though not prominent and his face bore the infallible mark of his people in
its square high cheekbones The eyes were not large but their black orbs
glittered in the rays of the candles as he gazed intently down the hall like
two balls of fire
The instant that Mohegan observed himself to be noticed by the group around
the young stranger he dropped the blanket which covered the upper part of his
frame from his shoulders suffering it to fall over his leggins of untanned
deerskin where it was retained by a belt of bark that confined it to his
waist
As he walked slowly down the long hall the dignified and deliberate tread
of the Indian surprised the spectators His shoulders and body to his waist
were entirely bare with the exception of a silver medallion of Washington that
was suspended from his neck by a thong of buckskin and rested on his high
chest amidst many scars His shoulders were rather broad and full but the
arms though straight and graceful wanted the muscular appearance that labour
gives to a race of men The medallion was the only ornament he wore although
enormous slits in the rim of either ear which suffered the cartilages to fall
two inches below the members had evidently been used for the purposes of
decoration in other days In his hand he held a small basket of the ashwood
slips coloured in divers fantastical conceits with red and black paints
mingled with the white of the wood
As this child of the forest approached them the whole party stood aside
and allowed him to confront the object of his visit He did not speak however
but stood fixing his glowing eyes on the shoulder of the young hunter and then
turning them intently on the countenance of the Judge The latter was a good
deal astonished at this unusual departure from the ordinarily subdued and quiet
manner of the Indian but he extended his hand and said
»Thou art welcome John This youth entertains a high opinion of thy skill
it seems for he prefers thee to dress his wound even to our good friend Dr
Todd«
Mohegan now spoke in tolerable English but in a low monotonous guttural
tone
»The children of Miquon do not love the sight of blood and yet the Young
Eagle has been struck by the hand that should do no evil«
»Mohegan old John« exclaimed the Judge »thinkest thou that my hand has
ever drawn human blood willingly For shame for shame old John thy religion
should have taught thee better«
»The evil spirit sometimes lives in the best heart« returned John »but my
brother speaks the truth his hand has never taken life when awake no not
even when the children of the great English Father were making the waters red
with the blood of his people«
»Surely John« said Mr Grant with much earnestness »you remember the
divine command of our Saviour judge not lest ye be judged What motive could
Judge Temple have for injuring a youth like this one to whom he is unknown
and from whom he can receive neither injury nor favour«
John listened respectfully to the divine and when he had concluded he
stretched out his arm and said with energy
»He is innocent my brother has not done this«
Marmaduke received the offered hand of the other with a smile that showed
however he might be astonished at his suspicion he had ceased to resent it
while the wounded youth stood gazing from his red friend to his host with
interest powerfully delineated in his countenance No sooner was this act of
pacification exchanged than John proceeded to discharge the duty on which he
had come Dr Todd was far from manifesting any displeasure at this invasion of
his rights but made way for the new leech with an air that expressed a
willingness to gratify the humours of his patient now that the allimportant
part of the business was so successfully performed and nothing remained to be
done but what any child might effect Indeed he whispered as much to Monsieur
Le Quoi when he said
»It was fortunate that the ball was extracted before this Indian came in
but any old woman can dress the wound The young man I hear lives with John
and Natty Bumppo and its always best to humour a patient when it can be done
discreetly I say discreetly Mounsheer«
»Certainement« returned the Frenchman »you seem ver happy Mister Toad in
your practeece I tink de elder lady might ver well finish vat you so
skeelfully begin«
But Richard had at the bottom a great deal of veneration for the knowledge
of Mohegan especially in external wounds and retaining all his desire for a
participation in glory he advanced nigh the Indian and said
»Sago sago Mohegan sago my good fellow I am glad you have come give me
a regular physician like Doctor Todd to cut into flesh and a native to heal
the wound Do you remember John the time when I and you set the bone of Natty
Bumppos little finger after he broke it by falling from the rock when he was
trying to get the partridge that fell on the cliffs I never could tell yet
whether it was I or Natty who killed that bird he fired first and the bird
stooped but then it was rising again as I pulled trigger I should have claimed
it for a certainty but Natty said the hole was too big for shot and he fired
a single ball from his rifle but the piece I carried then didnt scatter and
I have known it to bore a hole through a board when Ive been shooting at a
mark very much like riflebullets Shall I help you John You know I have a
knack at these things«
Mohegan heard this disquisition quite patiently and when Richard concluded
he held out the basket which contained his specifics indicating by a gesture
that he might hold it Mr Jones was quite satisfied with this commission and
ever after in speaking of the event was used to say that »Doctor Todd and I
cut out the bullet and I and Indian John dressed the wound«
The patient was much more deserving of that epithet while under the hands
of Mohegan than while suffering under the practice of the physician Indeed
the Indian gave him but little opportunity for the exercise of a forbearing
temper as he had come prepared for the occasion His dressings were soon
applied and consisted only of some pounded bark moistened with a fluid that
he had expressed from some of the simples of the woods
Among the native tribes of the forest there were always two kinds of
leeches to be met with The one placed its whole dependence on the exercise of a
supernatural power and was held in greater veneration than their practice could
at all justify but the other was really endowed with great skill in the
ordinary complaints of the human body and was more particularly as Natty had
intimated curous in cuts and bruises
While John and Richard were placing the dressings on the wound Elnathan was
acutely eyeing the contents of Mohegans basket which Mr Jones in his
physical ardour had transferred to the Doctor in order to hold himself one
end of the bandages Here he was soon enabled to detect sundry fragments of wood
and bark of which he quite coolly took possession very possibly without any
intention of speaking at all upon the subject but when he beheld the full blue
eye of Marmaduke watching his movements he whispered to the Judge
»It is not to be denied Judge Temple but what the savages are knowing in
small matters of physic They hand these things down in their traditions Now
in cancers and hydrophoby they are quite ingenous I will just take this bark
home and analyze it for though it cant be worth sixpence to the young mans
shoulder it may be good for the toothache or rhoomatis or some of them
complaints A man should never be above larning even if it be from an Indian«
It was fortunate for Dr Todd that his principles were so liberal as
coupled with his practice they were the means by which he acquired all his
knowledge and by which he was gradually qualifying himself for the duties of
his profession The process to which he subjected the specific differed
however greatly from the ordinary rules of chemistry for instead of
separating he afterwards united the component parts of Mohegans remedy and
thus was able to discover the tree whence the Indian had taken it
Some ten years after this event when civilization and its refinements had
crept or rather rushed into the settlements among these wild hills an affair
of honour occurred and Elnathan was seen to apply a salve to the wound received
by one of the parties which had the flavour that was peculiar to the tree or
root that Mohegan had used Ten years later still when England and the United
States were again engaged in war and the hordes of the western parts of the
state of NewYork were rushing to the field Elnathan presuming on the
reputation obtained by these two operations followed in the rear of a brigade
of militia as its surgeon
When Mohegan had applied the bark he freely relinquished to Richard the
needle and thread that were used in sewing the bandages for these were
implements of which the native but little understood the use and stepping
back with decent gravity awaited the completion of the business by the other
»Reach me the scissors« said Mr Jones when he had finished and finished
for the second time after tying the linen in every shape and form that it could
be placed »reach me the scissors for here is a thread that must be cut off or
it might get under the dressings and inflame the wound See John I have put
the lint I scraped between two layers of the linen for though the bark is
certainly best for the flesh yet the lint will serve to keep the cold air from
the wound If any lint will do it good it is this lint I scraped it myself
and I will not turn my back at scraping lint to any man on the Patent I ought
to know how if any body ought for my grandfather was a doctor and my father
had a natural turn that way«
»Here Squire is the scissors« said Remarkable producing from beneath her
petticoat of green moreen a pair of dulllooking shears »well upon my say so
you have sewed on the rags as well as a woman«
»As well as a woman« echoed Richard with indignation »what do women know
of such matters and you are proof of the truth of what I say Who ever saw such
a pair of shears used about a wound Dr Todd I will thank you for the scissors
from the case Now young man I think youll do The shot has been very neatly
taken out although perhaps seeing I had a hand in it I ought not to say so
and the wound is admirably dressed You will soon be well again though the jerk
you gave my leaders must have a tendency to inflame the shoulder yet you will
do you will do You were rather flurried I suppose and not used to horses
but I forgive the accident for the motive no doubt you had the best of
motives yes now you will do«
»Then gentlemen« said the wounded stranger rising and resuming his
clothes »it will be unnecessary for me to trespass longer on your time and
patience There remains but one thing more to be settled and that is our
respective rights to the deer Judge Temple«
»I acknowledge it to be thine« said Marmaduke »and much more deeply am I
indebted to thee than for this piece of venison But in the morning thou wilt
call here and we can adjust this as well as more important matters
Elizabeth« for the young lady being apprized that the wound was dressed had
reentered the hall »thou wilt order a repast for this youth before we
proceed to the church and Aggy will have a sleigh prepared to convey him to
his friend«
»But sir I cannot go without a part of the deer« returned the youth
seemingly struggling with his own feelings »I have already told you that I
needed the venison for myself«
»Oh we will not be particular« exclaimed Richard »the Judge will pay you
in the morning for the whole deer and Remarkable give the lad all the animal
excepting the saddle so on the whole I think you may consider yourself as a
very lucky young man you have been shot without being disabled have had the
wound dressed in the best possible manner here in the woods as well as it
would have been done in the Philadelphia hospital if not better have sold your
deer at a high price and yet can keep most of the carcass with the skin in the
bargain Marky tell Tom to give him the skin too and in the morning bring
the skin to me and I will give you halfadollar for it or at least
threeandsixpence I want just such a skin to cover the pillion that I am
making for cousin Bess«
»I thank you sir for your liberality and I trust am also thankful for
my escape« returned the stranger »but you reserve the very part of the animal
that I wish for my own use I must have the saddle myself«
»Must« echoed Richard »must is harder to be swallowed than the horns of
the buck«
»Yes must« repeated the youth when turning his head proudly around him
as if to see who would dare to controvert his rights he met the astonished gaze
of Elizabeth and proceeded more mildly »that is if a man is allowed the
possession of that which his hand hath killed and the law will protect him in
the enjoyment of his own«
»The law will do so« said Judge Temple with an air of mortification
mingled with surprise »Benjamin see that the whole deer is placed in the
sleigh and have this youth conveyed to the hut of Leatherstocking But young
man thou hast a name and I shall see you again in order to compensate thee
for the wrong I have done thee«
»I am called Edwards« returned the hunter »Oliver Edwards I am easily to
be seen sir for I live nigh by and am not afraid to show my face having
never injured any man«
»It is we who have injured you sir« said Elizabeth »and the knowledge
that you decline our assistance would give my father great pain He would
gladly see you in the morning«
The young hunter gazed at the fair speaker until his earnest look brought
the blood to her temples when recollecting himself he bent his head dropping
his eyes to the carpet and replied
»In the morning then will I return and see Judge Temple and I will
accept his offer of the sleigh in token of amity«
»Amity« repeated Marmaduke »there was no malice in the act that injured
thee young man there should be none in the feelings which it may engender«
»Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us«
observed Mr Grant »is the language used by our Divine Master himself and it
should be the golden rule of us his humble followers«
The stranger stood a moment lost in thought and then glancing his dark
eyes rather wildly around the hall he bowed low to the divine and moved from
the apartment with an air that would not admit of detention
»Tis strange that one so young should harbour such feelings of
resentment« said Marmaduke when the door closed behind the stranger »but
while the pain is recent and the sense of the injury so fresh he must feel
more strongly than in cooler moments I doubt not we shall see him in the
morning more tractable«
Elizabeth to whom this speech was addressed did not reply but moved
slowly up the hall by herself fixing her eyes on the little figure of the
English ingrained carpet that covered the floor while on the other hand
Richard gave a loud crack with his whip as the stranger disappeared and cried
»Well duke you are your own master but I would have tried law for the
saddle before I would have given it to the fellow Do you not own the
mountains as well as the valleys are not the woods your own what right has
this chap or the Leatherstocking to shoot in your woods without your
permission Now I have known a farmer in Pennsylvania order a sportsman off
his farm with as little ceremony as I would order Benjamin to put a log in the
stove Bytheby Benjamin see how the thermometer stands Now if a man has a
right to do this on a farm of a hundred acres what power must a landlord have
who owns sixty thousand ay for the matter of that including the late
purchases a hundred thousand There is Mohegan tobesure he may have some
right being a native but its little the poor fellow can do now with his
rifle How is this managed in France Monsieur Le Quoi do you let every body
run over your land in that country helterskelter as they do here shooting
the game so that a gentleman has but little or no chance with his gun«
»Bah diable no Meester Deeck« replied the Frenchman »we give in
France no liberty except to de ladi«
»Yes yes to the women I know« said Richard »that is your Sallick law I
read sir all kinds of books of France as well as England of Greece as well
as Rome But if I were in dukes place I would stick up advertisements
tomorrow morning forbidding all persons to shoot or trespass in any manner
on my woods I could write such an advertisement myself in an hour as would
put a stop to the thing at once«
»Richart« said Major Hartmann very coolly knocking the ashes from his pipe
into the spittingbox by his side »now listen I have livet seventyfive years
on ter Mohawk and in ter woots You hat petter mettle as mit ter deyvel as
mit ter hunters Tey live mit ter gun and a rifle is petter as ter law«
»Ant Marmaduke a Judge« said Richard indignantly »where is the use of
being a Judge or having a Judge if there is no law Damn the fellow I have a
great mind to sue him in the morning myself before Squire Doolittle for
meddling with my leaders I am not afraid of his rifle I can shoot too I have
hit a dollar many a time at fifty rods«
»Thou hast missed more dollars than ever thou hast hit Dickon« exclaimed
the cheerful voice of the Judge »But we will now take our evenings repast
which I perceive by Remarkables physiognomy is ready Monsieur Le Quoi Miss
Temple has a hand at your service Will you lead the way my child«
»Ah ma chère Mamselle comme je suis enchanté« said the Frenchman »Il ne
manque que les dames de faire un paradis de Templeton«
Mr Grant and Mohegan continued in the hall while the remainder of the
party withdrew to an eating parlour if we except Benjamin who civilly
remained to close the rear after the clergyman and to open the front door for
the exit of the Indian
»John« said the divine when the figure of Judge Temple disappeared the
last of the group »tomorrow is the festival of the nativity of our blessed
Redeemer when the church has appointed prayers and thanksgivings to be offered
up by her children and when all are invited to partake of the mystical
elements As you have taken up the cross and become a follower of good and an
eschewer of evil I trust I shall see you before the altar with a contrite
heart and a meek spirit«
»John will come« said the Indian betraying no surprise though he did not
understand all the terms used by the other
»Yes« continued Mr Grant laying his hand gently on the tawny shoulder of
the aged chief »but it is not enough to be there in the body you must come in
the spirit and in truth The Redeemer died for all for the poor Indian as
well as for the white man Heaven knows no difference in colour nor must earth
witness a separation of the church It is good and profitable John to freshen
the understanding and support the wavering by the observance of our holy
festivals but all form is but stench in the nostrils of the Holy One unless
it be accompanied by a devout and humble spirit«
The Indian stepped back a little and raising his body to its utmost powers
of erection he stretched his right arm on high and dropped his forefinger
downward as if pointing from the heavens then striking his other hand on his
naked breast he said with energy
»The eye of the Great Spirit can see from the clouds the bosom of Mohegan
is bare«
»It is well John and I hope you will receive profit and consolation from
the performance of this duty The Great Spirit overlooks none of his children
and the man of the woods is as much an object of his care as he who dwells in
a palace I wish you a good night and pray God to bless you«
The Indian bent his head and they separated the one to seek his hut and
the other to join the party at the suppertable While Benjamin was opening the
door for the passage of the chief he cried in a tone that was meant to be
encouraging
»The parson says the word that is true John Ifsobe that they took count
of the colour of the skin in heaven why they might refuse to muster on their
books a christianborn like myself just for the matter of a little tan from
cruising in warm latitudes though for the matter of that this damned
norwester is enough to whiten the skin of a blackamoor Let the reef out of
your blanket man or your red hide will hardly weather the night without a
touch from the frost«
Chapter VIII
»For here the exile met from every clime
And spoke in friendship every distant tongue«
Campbell Gertrude of Wyoming Iiv34
We have made our readers acquainted with some variety in character and nations
in introducing the most important personages of this legend to their notice but
in order to establish the fidelity of our narrative we shall briefly attempt to
explain the reason why we have been obliged to present so motley a dramatis
personæ
Europe at the period of our tale was in the commencement of that
commotion which afterwards shook her political institutions to the centre
Louis the Sixteenth had been beheaded and a nation once esteemed the most
refined amongst the civilized people of the world was changing its character
and substituting cruelty for mercy and subtlety and ferocity for magnanimity
and courage Thousands of Frenchmen were compelled to seek protection in distant
lands Among the crowds who fled from France and her islands to the United
States of America was the gentleman whom we have already mentioned as Monsieur
Le Quoi He had been recommended to the favour of Judge Temple by the head of
an eminent mercantile house in NewYork with whom Marmaduke was in habits of
intimacy and accustomed to exchange good offices At his first interview with
the Frenchman our Judge had discovered him to be a man of breeding and one who
had seen much more prosperous days in his own country From certain hints that
had escaped him Monsieur Le Quoi was suspected of having been a WestIndia
planter great numbers of whom had fled from St Domingo and the other islands
and were now living in the Union in a state of comparative poverty and some in
absolute want The latter was not however the lot of Monsieur Le Quoi He had
but little he acknowledged but that little was enough to furnish in the
language of the country an assortment for a store
The knowledge of Marmaduke was eminently practical and there was no part of
a settlers life with which he was not familiar Under his direction Monsieur
Le Quoi made some purchases consisting of a few cloths some groceries with a
good deal of gunpowder and tobacco a quantity of ironware among which was a
large proportion of Barlows jackknives potashkettles and spiders a very
formidable collection of crockery of the coarsest quality and most uncouth
forms together with every other common article that the art of man has devised
for his wants not forgetting the luxuries of lookingglasses and Jewsharps
With this collection of valuables Monsieur Le Quoi had stepped behind a
counter and with a wonderful pliability of temper had dropped into his
assumed character as gracefully as he had ever moved in any other The
gentleness and suavity of his manners rendered him extremely popular besides
this the women soon discovered that he had a taste his calicoes were the
finest or in other words the most showy of any that were brought into the
country and it was impossible to look at the prices asked for his goods by so
pretty a spoken man Through these conjoint means the affairs of Monsieur Le
Quoi were again in a prosperous condition and he was looked up to by the
settlers as the second best man on the Patent
This term Patent which we have already used and for which we may have
further occasion meant the district of country that had been originally granted
to old Major Effingham by the Kings letters patent and which had now become
by purchase under the act of confiscation the property of Marmaduke Temple It
was a term in common use throughout the new parts of the state and was usually
annexed to the landlords name as Temples or Effinghams Patent
Major Hartmann was the descendant of a man who in company with a number of
his countrymen had emigrated with their families from the banks of the Rhine
to those of the Mohawk This migration had occurred as far back as the reign of
Queen Anne and their descendants were now living in great peace and plenty on
the fertile borders of that beautiful stream
The Germans or High Dutchers as they were called to distinguish them from
the original or Low Dutch colonists were a very peculiar people They
possessed all the gravity of the latter without any of their phlegm and like
them the High Dutchers were industrious honest and economical
Fritz or Frederick Hartmann was an epitome of all the vices and virtues
foibles and excellencies of his race He was passionate though silent
obstinate and a good deal suspicious of strangers of immoveable courage
inflexible honesty and undeviating in his friendships Indeed there was no
change about him unless it were from grave to gay He was serious by months
and jolly by weeks He had early in their acquaintance formed an attachment
for Marmaduke Temple who was the only man that could not speak High Dutch
that ever gained his entire confidence Four times in each year at periods
equidistant he left his low stone dwelling on the banks of the Mohawk and
travelled thirty miles through the hills to the door of the mansionhouse in
Templeton Here he generally staid a week and was reputed to spend much of that
time in riotous living greatly countenanced by Mr Richard Jones But every one
loved him even to Remarkable Pettibone to whom he occasioned some additional
trouble he was so frank so sincere and at times so mirthful He was now on
his regular Christmas visit and had not been in the village an hour when
Richard summoned him to fill a seat in the sleigh to meet the landlord and his
daughter
Before explaining the character and situation of Mr Grant it will be
necessary to recur to times far back in the brief history of the settlement
There seems to be a tendency in human nature to endeavour to provide for
the wants of this world before our attention is turned to the business of the
other Religion was a quality but little cultivated amid the stumps of Temples
Patent for the first few years of its settlement but as most of its
inhabitants were from the moral states of Connecticut and Massachusetts when
the wants of nature were satisfied they began seriously to turn their attention
to the introduction of those customs and observances which had been the
principal care of their forefathers There was certainly a great variety of
opinions on the subject of grace and freewill amongst the tenantry of
Marmaduke and when we take into consideration the variety of religious
instruction which they received it can easily be seen that it could not well
be otherwise
Soon after the village had been formally laid out into the streets and
blocks that resembled a city a meeting of its inhabitants had been convened to
take into consideration the propriety of establishing an Academy This measure
originated with Richard who in truth was much disposed to have the
institution designated a University or at least a College Meeting after
meeting was held for this purpose year after year The resolutions of these
assemblages appeared in the most conspicuous columns of a little bluelooking
newspaper that was already issued weekly from the garret of a dwellinghouse in
the village and which the traveller might as often see stuck into the fissure
of a stake erected at the point where the footpath from the log cabin of some
settler entered the highway as a postoffice for an individual Sometimes the
stake supported a small box and a whole neighbourhood received a weekly supply
for their literary wants at this point where the man who rides post regularly
deposited a bundle of the precious commodity To these flourishing resolutions
which briefly recounted the general utility of education the political and
geographical rights of the village of Templeton to a participation in the
favours of the regents of the university the salubrity of the air and
wholesomeness of the water together with the cheapness of food and the
superior state of morals in the neighbourhood were uniformly annexed in large
Roman capitals the names of Marmaduke Temple as chairman and Richard Jones
as secretary
Happily for the success of this undertaking the regents were not accustomed
to resist these appeals to their generosity whenever there was the smallest
prospect of a donation to second the request Eventually Judge Temple concluded
to bestow the necessary land and to erect the required edifice at his own
expense The skill of Mr or as he was now called from the circumstance of
having received the commission of a justice of the peace Squire Doolittle was
again put in requisition and the science of Mr Jones was once more resorted
to
We shall not recount the different devices of the architects on the
occasion nor would it be decorous so to do seeing that there was a convocation
of the society of the ancient and honourable fraternity of the free and accepted
masons at the head of whom was Richard in the capacity of master doubtless to
approve or reject such of the plans as in their wisdom they deemed to be for
the best The knotty point was however soon decided and on the appointed
day the brotherhood marched in great state displaying sundry banners and
mysterious symbols each man with a little mimic apron before him from a most
cunningly contrived apartment in the garret of the Bold Dragoon an inn kept by
one Captain Hollister to the site of the intended edifice Here Richard laid
the cornerstone with suitable gravity amidst an assemblage of more than half
the men and all the women within ten miles of Templeton
In the course of the succeeding week there was another meeting of the
people not omitting swarms of the gentler sex when the abilities of Hiram at
the square rule were put to the test of experiment The frame fitted well and
the skeleton of the fabric was reared without a single accident if we except a
few falls from horses while the labourers were returning home in the evening
From this time the work advanced with great rapidity and in the course of the
season the labour was completed the edifice standing in all its beauty and
proportions the boast of the village the study of young aspirants for
architectural fame and the admiration of every settler on the Patent
It was a long narrow house of wood painted white and more than half
windows and when the observer stood at the western side of the building the
edifice offered but a small obstacle to a full view of the rising sun It was
in truth but a very comfortless open place through which the daylight shone
with natural facility On its front were divers ornaments in wood designed by
Richard and executed by Hiram but a window in the centre of the second story
immediately over the door or grand entrance and the steeple were the pride of
the building The former was we believe of the composite order for it
included in its composition a multitude of ornaments and a great variety of
proportions It consisted of an arched compartment in the centre with a square
and small division on either side the whole encased in heavy frames deeply and
laboriously moulded in pine wood and lighted with a vast number of blurred and
greenlooking glass of those dimensions which are commonly called eight by ten
Blinds that were intended to be painted green kept the window in a state of
preservation and probably might have contributed to the effect of the whole
had not the failure in the public funds which seems always to be incidental to
any undertaking of this kind left them in the sombre coat of leadcolour with
which they had been originally clothed The steeple was a little cupola reared
on the very centre of the roof on four tall pillars of pine that were fluted
with a gouge and loaded with mouldings On the tops of the columns was reared a
dome or cupola resembling in shape an inverted teacup without its bottom
from the centre of which projected a spire or shaft of wood transfixed with
two iron rods that bore on their ends the letters NSE and W in the same
metal The whole was surmounted by an imitation of one of the finny tribe
carved in wood by the hands of Richard and painted what he called a
scalecolour This animal Mr Jones affirmed to be an admirable resemblance of a
great favourite of the epicures in that country which bore the title of
lakefish and doubtless the assertion was true for although intended to
answer the purposes of a weathercock the fish was observed invariably to look
with a longing eye in the direction of the beautiful sheet of water that lay
imbedded in the mountains of Templeton
For a short time after the charter of the regents was received the trustees
of this institution employed a graduate of one of the eastern colleges to
instruct such youth as aspired to knowledge within the walls of the edifice
which we have described The upper part of the building was in one apartment
and was intended for galadays and exhibitions and the lower contained two
rooms that were intended for the great divisions of education viz the Latin
and the English scholars The former were never very numerous though the sounds
of nominative pennaa genitive penny were soon heard to issue from the
windows of the room to the great delight and manifest edification of the
passengers
Only one labourer in this temple of Minerva however was known to get so
far as to attempt a translation of Virgil He indeed appeared at the annual
exhibition to the prodigious exultation of all his relatives a farmers family
in the vicinity and repeated the whole of the first eclogue from memory
observing the intonations of the dialogue with much judgment and effect The
sounds as they proceeded from his mouth of
»Tittyree too pattylee reecoobans sub tegminee faagy
Sylvestrem tenooi moosam meditaaris aaveny«
were the last that had been heard in that building as probably they were the
first that had ever been heard in the same language there or any where else
By this time the trustees discovered that they had anticipated the age and
the instructor or principal was superseded by a master who went on to teach
the more humble lesson of the more haste the worse speed in good plain
English
From this time until the date of our incidents the Academy was a common
country school and the great room of the building was sometimes used as a
courtroom on extraordinary trials sometimes for conferences of the religious
and the morally disposed in the evening at others for a ball in the afternoon
given under the auspices of Richard and on Sundays invariably as a place of
public worship
When an itinerant priest of the persuasion of the Methodists Baptists
Universalists or of the more numerous sect of the Presbyterians was
accidentally in the neighbourhood he was ordinarily invited to officiate and
was commonly rewarded for his services by a collection in a hat before the
congregation separated When no such regular minister offered a kind of
colloquial prayer or two was made by some of the more gifted members and a
sermon was usually read from Sterne by Mr Richard Jones
The consequence of this desultory kind of priesthood was as we have already
intimated a great diversity of opinion on the more abstruse points of faith
Each sect had its adherents though neither was regularly organized and
disciplined Of the religious education of Marmaduke we have already written
nor was the doubtful character of his faith completely removed by his marriage
The mother of Elizabeth was an Episcopalian as indeed was the mother of the
Judge himself and the good taste of Marmaduke revolted at the familiar
colloquies which the leaders of the conferences held with the Deity in their
nightly meetings In form he was certainly an Episcopalian though not a
sectary of that denomination On the other hand Richard was as rigid in the
observance of the canons of his church as he was inflexible in his opinions
Indeed he had once or twice essayed to introduce the Episcopal form of service
on the Sundays that the pulpit was vacant but Richard was a good deal addicted
to carrying things to an excess and then there was something so papal in his
air that the greater part of his hearers deserted him on the second Sabbath
on the third his only auditor was Ben Pump who had all the obstinate and
enlightened orthodoxy of a highchurchman
Before the war of the revolution the English church was supported in the
colonies with much interest by some of its adherents in the mother country
and a few of the congregations were very amply endowed But for a season after
the independence of the states was established this sect of Christians
languished for the want of the highest order of its priesthood Pious and
suitable divines were at length selected and sent to the mother country to
receive that authority which it is understood can only be transmitted
directly from one to the other and thus obtain in order to preserve that
unity in their churches which properly belonged to a people of the same nation
But unexpected difficulties presented themselves in the oaths with which the
policy of England had fettered their establishment and much time was spent
before a conscientious sense of duty would permit the prelates of Britain to
delegate the authority so earnestly sought Time patience and zeal however
removed every impediment and the venerable men who had been set apart by the
American churches at length returned to their expecting dioceses endowed with
the most elevated functions of their earthly church Priests and Deacons were
ordained and missionaries provided to keep alive the expiring flame of
devotion in such members as were deprived of the ordinary administrations by
dwelling in new and unorganized districts
Of this number was Mr Grant He had been sent into the county of which
Templeton was the capital and had been kindly invited by Marmaduke and
officiously pressed by Richard to take up his abode in the village A small and
humble dwelling was prepared for his family and the divine had made his
appearance in the place but a few days before the time of his introduction to
the reader As his forms were entirely new to most of the inhabitants and a
clergyman of another denomination had previously occupied the field by engaging
the academy the first Sunday after his arrival was suffered to pass in silence
but now that his rival had passed on like a meteor filling the air with the
light of his wisdom Richard was empowered to give notice that »Public worship
after the forms of the Protestant Episcopal Church would be held on the night
before Christmas in the longroom of the academy in Templeton by the Rev Mr
Grant«
This annunciation excited great commotion among the different sectaries
Some wondered as to the nature of the exhibition others sneered but a far
greater part recollecting the essays of Richard in that way and mindful of the
liberality or rather laxity of Marmadukes notions on the subject of
sectarianism thought it most prudent to be silent
The expected evening was however the wonder of the hour nor was the
curiosity at all diminished when Richard and Benjamin on the morning of the
eventful day were seen to issue from the woods in the neighbourhood of the
village each bearing on his shoulders a large bunch of evergreens This worthy
pair was observed to enter the academy and carefully to fasten the door after
which their proceedings remained a profound secret to the rest of the village
Mr Jones before he commenced this mysterious business having informed the
schoolmaster to the great delight of the whiteheaded flock he governed that
there could be no school that day Marmaduke was apprized of all these
preparations by letter and it was especially arranged that he and Elizabeth
should arrive in season to participate in the solemnities of the evening
After this digression we shall return to our narrative
Chapter IX
»Now all admire in each highflavourd dish
The capabilities of flesh fowl fish
In order due each guest assumes his station
Throbs high his breast with fond anticipation
And prelibates the joys of mastication«
Heliogabaliad
The apartment to which Monsieur Le Quoi handed Elizabeth communicated with the
hall through the door that led under the urn which was supposed to contain the
ashes of Dido The room was spacious and of very just proportions but in its
ornaments and furniture the same diversity of taste and imperfection of
execution were to be observed as existed in the hall Of furniture there were
a dozen green wooden armchairs with cushions of moreen taken from the same
piece as the petticoat of Remarkable The tables were spread and their
materials and workmanship could not be seen but they were heavy and of great
size An enormous mirror in a gilt frame hung against the wall and a cheerful
fire of the hard or sugarmaple was burning on the hearth The latter was the
first object that struck the attention of the Judge who on beholding it
exclaimed rather angrily to Richard
»How often have I forbidden the use of the sugarmaple in my dwelling The
sight of that sap as it exudes with the heat is painful to me Richard
Really it behooves the owner of woods so extensive as mine to be cautious what
example he sets his people who are already felling the forests as if no end
could be found to their treasures nor any limits to their extent If we go on
in this way twenty years hence we shall want fuel«
»Fuel in these hills cousin duke« exclaimed Richard in derision »fuel
why you might as well predict that the fish will die for the want of water in
the lake because I intend when the frost gets out of the ground to lead one
or two of the springs through logs into the village But you are always a
little wild on such subjects Marmaduke«
»Is it wildness« returned the Judge earnestly »to condemn a practice
which devotes these jewels of the forest these precious gifts of nature these
mines of comfort and wealth to the common uses of a fireplace But I must and
will the instant the snow is off the earth send out a party into the
mountains to explore for coal«
»Coal« echoed Richard »who the devil do you think will dig for coal when
in hunting for a bushel he would have to rip up more roots of trees than would
keep him in fuel for a twelvemonth Poh poh Marmaduke you should leave the
management of these things to me who have a natural turn that way It was I
that ordered this fire and a noble one it is to warm the blood of my pretty
cousin Bess«
»The motive then must be your apology Dickon« said the Judge »But
gentlemen we are waiting Elizabeth my child take the head of the table
Richard I see means to spare me the trouble of carving by sitting opposite to
you«
»To be sure I do« cried Richard »here is a turkey to carve and I flatter
myself that I understand carving a turkey or for that matter a goose as well
as any man alive Mr Grant wheres Mr Grant will you please to say grace
sir Every thing is getting cold Take a thing from the fire this cold weather
and it will freeze in five minutes Mr Grant we want you to say grace For
what we are about to receive the Lord make us thankful Come sit down sit
down Do you eat wing or breast cousin Bess«
But Elizabeth had not taken her seat nor was she in readiness to receive
either the wing or breast Her laughing eyes were glancing at the arrangements
of the table and the quality and selection of the food The eyes of the father
soon met the wondering looks of his daughter and he said with a smile
»You perceive my child how much we are indebted to Remarkable for her
skill in housewifery she has indeed provided a noble repast such as well might
stop the cravings of hunger«
»Law« said Remarkable »Im glad if the Judge is pleased but Im notional
that youll find the sace overdone I thought as Elizabeth was coming home
that a body could do no less than make things agreeable«
»My daughter has now grown to womans estate and is from this moment
mistress of my house« said the Judge »it is proper that all who live with
me address her as Miss Temple«
»Do tell« exclaimed Remarkable a little aghast »well who ever heerd of a
young womans being called Miss If the Judge had a wife now I shouldnt think
of calling her any thing but Miss Temple but «
»Having nothing but a daughter you will observe that style to her if you
please in future« interrupted Marmaduke
As the Judge lookd seriously displeased and at such moments carried a
particularly commanding air with him the wary housekeeper made no reply and
Mr Grant entering the room the whole party were soon seated at the table As
the arrangements of this repast were much in the prevailing taste of that period
and country we shall endeavour to give a short description of the appearance of
the banquet
The tablelinen was of the most beautiful damask and the plates and dishes
of real china an article of great luxury at this early period in American
commerce The knives and forks were of exquisitely polished steel and were set
in unclouded ivory So much being furnished by the wealth of Marmaduke was not
only comfortable but even elegant The contents of the several dishes and
their positions however were the result of the sole judgment of Remarkable
Before Elizabeth was placed an enormous roasted turkey and before Richard one
boiled In the centre of the table stood a pair of heavy silver castors
surrounded by four dishes one a fricassee that consisted of gray squirrels
another of fish fried a third of fish boiled the last was a venison steak
Between these dishes and the turkeys stood on the one side a prodigious chine
of roasted bears meat and on the other a boiled leg of delicious mutton
Interspersed among this load of meats was every species of vegetables that the
season and country afforded The four corners were garnished with plates of
cake On one was piled certain curiously twisted and complicated figures called
nutcakes On another were heaps of a blacklooking substance which receiving
its hue from molasses was properly termed sweetcake a wonderful favourite in
the coterie of Remarkable A third was filled to use the language of the
housekeeper with caards of gingerbread and the last held a plumcake so
called from the number of large raisins that were showing their black heads in
a substance of a suspiciously similar colour At each corner of the table stood
saucers filled with a thick fluid of somewhat equivocal colour and
consistence variegated with small dark lumps of a substance that resembled
nothing but itself which Remarkable termed her sweetmeats At the side of each
plate which was placed bottom upwards with its knife and fork most accurately
crossed above it stood another of smaller size containing a motleylooking
pie composed of triangular slices of apple mince pumpkin craneberry and
custard so arranged as to form an entire whole Decanters of brandy rum gin
and wine with sundry pitchers of cider beer and one hissing vessel of flip
were put wherever an opening would admit of their introduction Notwithstanding
the size of the tables there was scarcely a spot where the rich damask could be
seen so crowded were the dishes with their associated bottles plates and
saucers The object seemed to be profusion and it was obtained entirely at the
expense of order and elegance
All the guests as well as the Judge himself seemed perfectly familiar with
this description of fare for each one commenced eating with an appetite that
promised to do great honour to Remarkables taste and skill What rendered this
attention to the repast a little surprising was the fact that both the German
and Richard had been summoned from another table to meet the Judge but Major
Hartmann both ate and drank without any rule when on his excursions and Mr
Jones invariably made it a point to participate in the business in hand let it
be what it would The host seemed to think some apology necessary for the
warmth he had betrayed on the subject of the firewood and when the party were
comfortably seated and engaged with their knives and forks he observed
»The wastefulness of the settlers with the noble trees of this country is
shocking Monsieur Le Quoi as doubtless you have noticed I have seen a man
fell a pine when he has been in want of fencingstuff and roll his first cuts
into the gap where he left it to rot though its top would have made rails
enough to answer his purpose and its butt would have sold in the Philadelphia
market for twenty dollars«
»And how the devil I beg your pardon Mr Grant« interrupted Richard
»but how is the poor devil to get his logs to the Philadelphia market pray put
them in his pocket ha as you would a handful of chestnuts or a bunch of
chickerberries I should like to see you walking up Highstreet with a pine
log in each pocket Poh poh cousin duke there are trees enough for us all
and some to spare Why I can hardly tell which way the wind blows when Im out
in the clearings they are so thick and so tall I couldnt at all if it
wasnt for the clouds and I happen to know all the points of the compass as it
were by heart«
»Ay ay Squire« cried Benjamin who had now entered and taken his place
behind the Judges chair a little aside withal in order to be ready for any
observation like the present »look aloft sir look aloft The old seamen say
that the devil wouldnt make a sailor unless he lookd aloft As for the
compass why there is no such thing as steering without one Im sure I never
lose sight of the maintop as I call the Squires lookout on the roof but I
set my compass dye see and take the bearings and distance of things in order
to work out my course ifsobe that it should cloud up or the tops of the
trees should shut out the light of heaven The steeple of St Pauls now that
we have got it on end is a great help to the navigation of the woods for by
the Lord Harry as I was«
»It is well Benjamin« interrupted Marmaduke observing that his daughter
manifested displeasure at the majordomos familiarity »but you forget there is
a lady in company and the women love to do most of the talking themselves«
»The Judge says the true word« cried Benjamin with one of his discordant
laughs »now here is Mistress Remarkable Prettybones just take the stopper off
her tongue and youll hear a gabbling worse like than if you should happen to
fall to leeward in crossing a French privateer or some such thing mayhap as
a dozen monkeys stowed in one bag«
It were impossible to say how perfect an illustration of the truth of
Benjamins assertion the housekeeper would have furnished if she had dared but
the Judge looked sternly at her and unwilling to incur his resentment yet
unable to contain her anger she threw herself out of the room with a toss of
the body that nearly separated her frail form in the centre
»Richard« said Marmaduke observing that his displeasure had produced the
desired effect »can you inform me of any thing concerning the youth whom I so
unfortunately wounded I found him on the mountain hunting in company with the
Leatherstocking as if they were of the same family but there is a manifest
difference in their manners The youth delivers himself in chosen language such
as is seldom heard in these hills and such as occasions great surprise to me
how one so meanly clad and following so lowly a pursuit could attain Mohegan
also knew him Doubtless he is a tenant of Nattys hut Did you remark the
language of the lad Monsieur Le Quoi«
»Certainement Monsieur Templ« returned the Frenchman »he deed
conevairse in de excellent Anglaise«
»The boy is no miracle« exclaimed Richard »Ive known children that were
sent to school early talk much better before they were twelve years old There
was Zared Coe old Nehemiahs son who first settled on the beaverdam meadow
he could write almost as good a hand as myself when he was fourteen though
its true I helped to teach him a little in the evenings But this shooting
gentleman ought to be put in the stocks if he ever takes a rein in his hand
again He is the most awkward fellow about a horse I ever met with I dare say
he never drove any thing but oxen in his life«
»There I think Dickon you do the lad injustice« said the Judge »he uses
much discretion in critical moments Dost thou not think so Bess«
There was nothing in this question particularly to excite blushes but
Elizabeth started from the reverie into which she had fallen and coloured to
her forehead as she answered
»To me dear sir he appeared extremely skillful and prompt and
courageous but perhaps cousin Richard will say I am as ignorant as the
gentleman himself«
»Gentleman« echoed Richard »do you call such chaps gentlemen at school
Elizabeth«
»Every man is a gentleman who knows how to treat a woman with respect and
consideration« returned the young lady promptly and a little smartly
»So much for hesitating to appear before the heiress in his shirt sleeves«
cried Richard winking at Monsieur Le Quoi who returned the wink with one eye
while he rolled the other with an expression of sympathy towards the young
lady »Well well to me he seemed any thing but a gentleman I must say
however for the lad that he draws a good trigger and has a true aim Hes
good at shooting a buck ha Marmaduke«
»Richart« said Major Hartmann turning his grave countenance towards the
gentleman he addressed with much earnestness »ter poy is goot He savet your
life and my life and ter life of Tominie Grant and ter life of ter Frenchman
and Richart he shall never vant a pet to sleep in vile olt Fritz Hartmann
hast a shingle to cover his het mit«
»Well well as you please old gentleman« returned Mr Jones endeavouring
to look indifferent »put him into your own stone house if you will Major I
dare say the lad never slept in any thing better than a bark shanty in his
life unless it was some such hut as the cabin of Leatherstocking I prophesy
you will soon spoil him any one could see how proud he grew in a short time
just because he stood by my horses heads while I turned them into the
highway«
»No no my old friend« cried Marmaduke »it shall be my task to provide
in some manner for the youth I owe him a debt of my own besides the service he
has done me through my friends And yet I anticipate some little trouble in
inducing him to accept of my services He showed a marked dislike I thought
Bess to my offer of a residence within these walls for life«
»Really dear sir« said Elizabeth projecting her beautiful underlip »I
have not studied the gentleman so closely as to read his feelings in his
countenance I thought he might very naturally feel pain from his wound and
therefore pitied him but« and as she spoke she glanced her eye with
suppressed curiosity towards the majordomo »I dare say sir that Benjamin
can tell you something about him He cannot have been in the village and
Benjamin not have seen him often«
»Ay I have seen the boy before« said Benjamin who wanted little
encouragement to speak »he has been backing and filling in the wake of Natty
Bumppo through the mountains after deer like a Dutch longboat in tow of an
Albany sloop He carries a good rifle too The Leatherstocking said in my
hearing before Betty Hollisters barroom fire no later than the Tuesday
night that the younker was certain death to the wild beasts Ifsobe he can
kill the wild cat that has been heard moaning on the lakeside since the hard
frosts and deep snows have driven the deer to herd he will be doing the thing
that is good Your wild cat is a bad shipmate and should be made to cruize out
of the track of christianmen«
»Lives he in the hut of Bumppo« asked Marmaduke with some interest
»Cheek by jowl the Wednesday will be three weeks since he first hove in
sight in company with Leatherstocking They had captured a wolf between them
and had brought in his scalp for the bounty That Mister Bumpho has a handy
turn with him in taking off a scalp and theres them in this here village
who say he larnt the trade by working on christianmen Ifsobe that there is
truth in the saying and I commanded along shore here as your honour does why
dye see Id bring him to the gangway for it yet Theres a very pretty post
rigged alongside of the stocks and for the matter of a cat I can fit one with
my own hands ay and use it too for the want of a better«
»You are not to credit the idle tales you hear of Natty he has a kind of
natural right to gain a livelihood in these mountains and if the idlers in the
village take it into their heads to annoy him as they sometimes do reputed
rogues they shall find him protected by the strong arm of the law«
»Ter rifle is petter as ter law« said the Major sententiously
»That for his rifle« exclaimed Richard snapping his fingers »Ben is
right and I« He was stopped by the sounds of a common shipbell that had
been elevated to the belfry of the academy which now announced by its
incessant ringing that the hour for the appointed service had arrived »For
this and every other instance of his goodness I beg pardon Mr Grant will
you please to return thanks sir it is time we should be moving as we are the
only Episcopalians in the neighbourhood that is I and Benjamin and
Elizabeth for I count halfbreeds like Marmaduke as bad as heretics«
The divine arose and performed the office meekly and fervently and the
whole party instantly prepared themselves for the church or rather academy
Chapter X
»And calling sinful man to pray
Loud long and deep the bell had tolld«
Bürger »The Wild Huntsman«
ll 1112 tr Scott
While Richard and Monsieur Le Quoi attended by Benjamin proceeded to the
academy by a footpath through the snow the Judge his daughter the Divine
and the Major took a more circuitous route to the same place by the streets of
the village
The moon had risen and its orb was shedding a flood of light over the dark
outline of pines which crowned the eastern mountain In many climates the sky
would have been thought clear and lucid for a noontide The stars twinkled in
the heavens like the last glimmerings of distant fire so much were they
obscured by the overwhelming radiance of the atmosphere the rays from the moon
striking upon the smooth white surfaces of the lake and fields reflecting
upwards a light that was brightened by the spotless colour of the immense bodies
of snow
Elizabeth employed herself with reading the signs one of which appeared
over almost every door while the sleigh moved steadily and at an easy gait
along the principal street Not only new occupations but names that were
strangers to her ears met her gaze at every step they proceeded The very
houses seemed changed This had been altered by an addition that had been
painted another had been erected on the site of an old acquaintance which had
been banished from the earth almost as soon as it made its appearance on it
All were however pouring forth their inmates who uniformly held their way
towards the point where the expected exhibition of the conjoint taste of
Richard and Benjamin was to be made
After viewing the buildings which really appeared to some advantage under
the bright but mellow light of the moon our heroine turned her eyes to a
scrutiny of the different figures that they passed in search of any form that
she knew But all seemed alike as muffled in cloaks hoods coats or tippets
they glided along the narrow passages in the snow which led under the houses
half hid by the bank that had been thrown up in excavating the deep path in
which they trod Once or twice she thought there was a stature or a gait that
she recollected but the person who owned it instantly disappeared behind one of
those enormous piles of wood that lay before most of the doors It was only as
they turned from the main street into another that intersected it at right
angles and which led directly to the place of meeting that she recognised a
face and building that she knew
The house stood at one of the principal corners in the village and by its
welltrodden doorway as well as the sign that was swinging with a kind of
doleful sound in the blasts that occasionally swept down the lake was clearly
one of the most frequented inns in the place The building was only of one
story but the dormer windows in the roof the paint the windowshutters and
the cheerful fire that shone through the open door gave it an air of comfort
that was not possessed by many of its neighbours The sign was suspended from a
common alehouse post and represented the figure of a horseman armed with sabre
and pistols and surmounted by a bearskin cap with the fiery animal that he
bestrode rampant All these particulars were easily to be seen by the aid of
the moon together with a row of somewhat illegible writing in black paint but
in which Elizabeth to whom the whole was familiar read with facility »The
Bold Dragoon«
A man and a woman were issuing from the door of this habitation as the
sleigh was passing The former moved with a stiff military step that was a
good deal heightened by a limp in one leg but the woman advanced with a measure
and an air that seemed not particularly regardful of what she might encounter
The light of the moon fell directly upon her full broad and red visage
exhibiting her masculine countenance under the mockery of a ruffled cap that
was intended to soften the lineaments of features that were by no means
squeamish A small bonnet of black silk and of a slightly formal cut was
placed on the back of her head but not so as to shade her visage in the least
Her face as it encountered the rays of the moon from the east seemed not
unlike a sun rising in the west She advanced with masculine strides to
intercept the sleigh and the Judge directing the namesake of the Grecian king
who held the lines to check his horses the parties were soon near to each
other
»Good luck to ye and a wilcome home Jooge« cried the female with a
strong Irish accent »and Im sure its to me that yer always wilcome Sure
and theres Miss Lizzy and a fine young woman is she grown What a heartach
would she be giving the young men now if there was sich a thing as a rigiment
in the town Och but its idle to talk of sich vanities while the bell is
calling us to mating jist as we shall be calld away unexpictedly some day
when we are the laist calkilating Good even Major will I make the bowl of
gintoddy the night or its likely yell stay at the big house the Christmas
eve and the very night of yer getting there«
»I am glad to see you Mrs Hollister« returned Elizabeth »Ive been
trying to find a face that I knew since we left the door of the mansionhouse
but none have I seen except your own Your house too is unaltered while all
the others are so changed that but for the places where they stand they would
be utter strangers I observe you also keep the dear sign that I saw cousin
Richard paint and even the name at the bottom about which you may remember
you had the disagreement«
»Is it the bould dragoon ye mane and what name would he have who niver was
known by any other as my husband here the Captain can tistify He was a
pleasure to wait upon and was iver the foremost in need Och but he had a
sudden ind But its to be hoped that he was justified by the cause And its
not Parson Grant there wholl gainsay that same Yes yes the Squire would
paint and so I thought that we might have his face up there who had so often
shared good and evil wid us The eyes is no so large nor so fiery as the
Captains own but the whiskers and the cap is as like as two paas Well well
Ill not keep ye in the cowld talking but will drop in the morrow after
sarvice and ask ye how ye do Its our bounden duty to make the most of this
present and to go to the house which is open to all so God bless ye and keep
ye from evil Will I make the gintwist the night or no Major«
To this question the German replied very sententiously in the affirmative
and after a few words had passed between the husband of this fieryfaced
hostess and the Judge the sleigh moved on It soon reached the door of the
academy where the party alighted and entered the building
In the mean time Mr Jones and his two companions having a much shorter
distance to journey had arrived before the appointed place several minutes
sooner than the party in the sleigh Instead of hastening into the room in
order to enjoy the astonishment of the settlers Richard placed a hand in either
pocket of his surtout and affected to walk about in front of the academy like
one to whom the ceremonies were familiar
The villagers proceeded uniformly into the building with a decorum and
gravity that nothing could move on such occasions but with a haste that was
probably a little heightened by curiosity Those who came in from the adjacent
country spent some little time in placing certain blue and white blankets over
their horses before they proceeded to indulge their desire to view the interior
of the house Most of these men Richard approached and inquired after the
health and condition of their families The readiness with which he mentioned
the names of even the children showed how very familiarly acquainted he was
with their circumstances and the nature of the answers he received proved that
he was a general favourite
At length one of the pedestrians from the village stopped also and fixed an
earnest gaze at a new brick edifice that was throwing a long shadow across the
fields of snow as it rose with a beautiful gradation of light and shade under
the rays of a full moon In front of the academy was a vacant piece of ground
that was intended for a public square On the side opposite to Mr Jones the
new and as yet unfinished church of St Pauls was erected This edifice had
been reared during the preceding summer by the aid of what was called a
subscription though all or nearly all of the money came from the pocket of
the landlord It had been built under a strong conviction of the necessity of a
more seemly place of worship than the longroom of the academy and under an
implied agreement that after its completion the question should be fairly put
to the people that they might decide to what denomination it should belong Of
course this expectation kept alive a strong excitement in some few of the
sectaries who were interested in its decision though but little was said openly
on the subject Had Judge Temple espoused the cause of any particular sect the
question would have been immediately put at rest for his influence was too
powerful to be opposed but he declined interference in the matter positively
refusing to lend even the weight of his name on the side of Richard who had
secretly given an assurance to his Diocesan that both the building and the
congregation would cheerfully come within the pale of the Protestant Episcopal
Church But when the neutrality of the Judge was clearly ascertained Mr Jones
discovered that he had to contend with a stiffnecked people His first measure
was to go among them and commence a course of reasoning in order to bring them
round to his own way of thinking They all heard him patiently and not a man
uttered a word in reply in the way of argument and Richard thought by the
time that he had gone through the settlement the point was conclusively decided
in his favour Willing to strike while the iron was hot he called a meeting
through the newspaper with a view to decide the question by a vote at once
Not a soul attended and one of the most anxious afternoons that he had ever
known was spent by Richard in a vain discussion with Mrs Hollister who
strongly contended that the Methodist her own church was the best entitled to
and most deserving of the possession of the new tabernacle Richard now
perceived that he had been too sanguine and had fallen into the error of all
those who ignorantly deal with that wary and sagacious people He assumed a
disguise himself that is as well as he knew how and proceeded step by step to
advance his purpose
The task of erecting the building had been unanimously transferred to Mr
Jones and Hiram Doolittle Together they had built the mansionhouse the
academy and the jail and they alone knew how to plan and rear such a structure
as was now required Early in the day these architects had made an equitable
division of their duties To the former was assigned the duty of making all the
plans and to the latter the labour of superintending the execution
Availing himself of this advantage Richard silently determined that the
windows should have the Roman arch the first positive step in effecting his
wishes As the building was made of bricks he was enabled to conceal his
design until the moment arrived for placing the frames then indeed it became
necessary to act He communicated his wishes to Hiram with great caution and
without in the least adverting to the spiritual part of his project he pressed
the point a little warmly on the score of architectural beauty Hiram heard him
patiently and without contradiction but still Richard was unable to discover
the views of his coadjutor on this interesting subject As the right to plan
was duly delegated to Mr Jones no direct objection was made in words but
numberless unexpected difficulties arose in the execution At first there was a
scarcity in the right kind of material necessary to form the frames but this
objection was instantly silenced by Richard running his pencil through two feet
of their length at one stroke Then the expense was mentioned but Richard
reminded Hiram that his cousin paid and that he was his treasurer This last
intimation had great weight and after a silent and protracted but fruitless
opposition the work was suffered to proceed on the original plan
The next difficulty occurred in the steeple which Richard had modelled
after one of the smaller of those spires that adorn the great London Cathedral
The imitation was somewhat lame it is true the proportions being but
indifferently observed but after much difficulty Mr Jones had the
satisfaction of seeing an object reared that bore in its outlines a striking
resemblance to a vinegarcruet There was less opposition to this model than to
the windows for the settlers were fond of novelty and their steeple was
without a precedent
Here the labour ceased for the season and the difficult question of the
interior remained for further deliberation Richard well knew that when he came
to propose a readingdesk and a chancel he must unmask for these were
arrangements known to no church in the country but his own Presuming
however on the advantages he had already obtained he boldly styled the
building St Pauls and Hiram prudently acquiesced in this appellation making
however the slight addition of calling it New St Pauls feeling less aversion
to a name taken from the English Cathedral than from the saint
The pedestrian whom we have already mentioned as pausing to contemplate
this edifice was no other than the gentleman so frequently named as Mr or
Squire Doolittle He was of a tall gaunt formation with rather sharp features
and a face that expressed formal propriety mingled with low cunning Richard
approached him followed by Monsieur Le Quoi and the MajorDomo
»Good evening Squire« said Richard bobbing his head but without moving
his hands from his pockets
»Good evening Squire« echoed Hiram turning his body in order to turn his
head also
»A cold night Mr Doolittle a cold night sir«
»Coolish a tedious spell ont«
»What looking at our church ha it looks well by moonlight how the tin of
the cupola glistens I warrant you the dome of the other St Pauls never
shines so in the smoke of London«
»It is a pretty meetinghouse to look on« returned Hiram »and I believe
that Monshure Ler Quow and Mr Penguilliam will allow it«
»Sairtainlee« exclaimed the complaisant Frenchman »it ees ver fine«
»I thought the Monshure would say so The last molasses that we had was
excellent good It isnt likely that you have any more of it on hand«
»Ah oui ees sair« returned Monsieur Le Quoi with a slight shrug of his
shoulder and a trifling grimace »dere is more I feel ver happi dat you love
eet I hope dat Madame Dooleet is in good ealth«
»Why so as to be stirring« said Hiram »The Squire hasnt finished the
plans for the inside of the meetinghouse yet«
»No no no« returned Richard speaking quickly but making a significant
pause between each negative »it requires reflection There is a great deal of
room to fill up and I am afraid we shall not know how to dispose of it to
advantage There will be a large vacant spot around the pulpit which I do not
mean to place against the wall like a sentrybox stuck up on the side of a
fort«
»It is ruleable to put the deacons box under the pulpit« said Hiram and
then as if he had ventured too much he added »but theres different fashions
in different countries«
»That there is« cried Benjamin »now in running down the coast of Spain
and Portingal you may see a nunnery stuck out on every headland with more
steeples and outriggers such as dogvanes and weathercocks than youll find
aboard of a threemasted schooner Ifsobe that a wellbuilt church is wanting
Old England after all is the country to go to after your models and
fashionpieces As to Pauls thof Ive never seen it being that its a long
way up town from Radcliffehighway and the docks yet every body knows that its
the grandest place in the world Now Ive no opinion but this here church over
there is as like one end of it as a grampus is to a whale and thats only a
small difference in bulk Mounsheer Ler Quaw here has been in foreign parts
and thof that is not the same as having been at home yet he must have seen
churches in France too and can form a small idee of what a church should be
now I ask the Mounsheer to his face if it is not a clever little thing taking
it by and large«
»It ees ver apropos of saircumstonce« said the Frenchman »ver judgement
but it is in de Catholique country dat dey build de vat you call ahaahha
la grande cathédrale de big church St Paul Londre is ver fine ver
bootiful ver grand vat you call beeg but Monsieur Ben pardonnez moi it is
no vort so much as Notre Dame«
»Ha Mounsheer what is that you say« cried Benjamin »St Pauls Church
not worth so much as a damn mayhap you may be thinking too that the Royal
Billy isnt so good a ship as the Billy de Paris but she would have lickd two
of her any day and in all weathers«
As Benjamin had assumed a very threatening kind of attitude flourishing an
arm with a bunch at the end of it that was half as big as Monsieur Le Quois
head Richard thought it time to interpose his authority
»Hush Benjamin hush« he said »you both misunderstand Monsieur Le Quoi
and forget yourself But here comes Mr Grant and the service will commence
Let us go in«
The Frenchman who received Benjamins reply with a wellbred good humour
that would not admit of any feeling but pity for the others ignorance bowed in
acquiescence and followed his companion
Hiram and the MajorDomo brought up the rear the latter grumbling as he
entered the building
»Ifsobe that the King of France had so much as a house to live in that
would lay alongside of Pauls one might put up with their jaw Its more than
flesh and blood can bear to hear a Frenchman run down an English church in this
manner Why Squire Doolittle Ive been at the whipping of two of them in one
day clean built snug frigates with standingroyals and them newfashioned
cannonades on their quarters such as if they had only Englishmen aboard of
them would have fout the devil«
With this ominous word in his mouth Benjamin entered the church
Chapter XI
»And fools who came to scoff remaind to pray«
Goldsmith »The Deserted Village« l 179
Notwithstanding the united labours of Richard and Benjamin the longroom was
but an extremely inartificial temple Benches made in the coarsest manner and
entirely with a view to usefulness were arranged in rows for the reception of
the congregation while a rough unpainted box was placed against the wall in
the centre of the length of the apartment as an apology for a pulpit Something
like a readingdesk was in front of this rostrum and a small mahogany table
from the mansionhouse covered with a spotless damask cloth stood a little on
one side by the way of an altar Branches of pines and hemlocks were stuck in
each of the fissures that offered in the unseasoned and hastily completed
woodwork of both the building and its furniture while festoons and
hieroglyphics met the eye in vast profusion along the brown sides of the
scratchcoated walls As the room was only lighted by some ten or fifteen
miserable candles and the windows were without shutters it would have been but
a dreary cheerless place for the solemnities of a Christmaseve had not the
large fire that was crackling at each end of the apartment given an air of
cheerfulness to the scene by throwing an occasional glare of light through the
vistas of bushes and faces
The two sexes were separated by an area in the centre of the room
immediately before the pulpit and a few benches lined this space that were
occupied by the principal personages of the village and its vicinity This
distinction was rather a gratuitous concession made by the poorer and less
polished part of the population than a right claimed by the favoured few One
bench was occupied by the party of Judge Temple including his daughter and
with the exception of Dr Todd no one else appeared willing to incur the
imputation of pride by taking a seat in what was literally the high place of
the tabernacle
Richard filled the chair that was placed behind another table in the
capacity of clerk while Benjamin after heaping sundry logs on the fires
posted himself nigh by in reserve for any movement that might require
cooperation
It would greatly exceed our limits to attempt a description of the
congregation for the dresses were as various as the individuals Some one
article of more than usual finery and perhaps the relic of other days was to
be seen about most of the females in connexion with the coarse attire of the
woods This wore a faded silk that had gone through at least three
generations over coarse woolen black stockings that a shawl whose dies
were as numerous as those of the rainbow over an awkwardlyfitting gown of
rough brown womanswear In short each one exhibited some favourite article
and all appeared in their best both men and women while the groundworks in
dress in either sex were the coarse fabrics manufactured within their own
dwellings One man appeared in the dress of a volunteer company of artillery of
which he had been a member in the downcountries precisely for no other
reason than because it was the best suit he had Several particularly of the
younger men displayed pantaloons of blue edged with red cloth down the seams
part of the equipments of the Templeton Light Infantry from a little vanity to
be seen in boughten clothes There was also one man in a rifle frock with its
fringes and folds of spotless white striking a chill to the heart with the idea
of its coolness although the thick coat of brown homemade that was concealed
beneath preserved a proper degree of warmth
There was a marked uniformity of expression in countenance especially in
that half of the congregation who did not enjoy the advantages of the polish of
the village A sallow skin that indicated nothing but exposure was common to
all as was an air of great decency and attention mingled generally with an
expression of shrewdness and in the present instance of active curiosity Now
and then a face and dress were to be seen among the congregation that differed
entirely from this description If pockmarked and florid with gaitered legs
and a coat that snugly fitted the person of the wearer it was surely an English
emigrant who had bent his steps to this retired quarter of the globe If
hardfeatured and without colour with high cheekbones it was a native of
Scotland in similar circumstances The short blackeyed man with a cast of
the swarthy Spaniard in his face who rose repeatedly to make room for the
belles of the village as they entered was a son of Erin who had lately left
off his pack and become a stationary trader in Templeton In short half the
nations in the north of Europe had their representatives in this assembly
though all had closely assimilated themselves to the Americans in dress and
appearance except the Englishman He indeed not only adhered to his native
customs in attire and living but usually drove his plough among the stumps
in the same manner as he had before done on the plains of Norfolk until
dearbought experience taught him the useful lesson that a sagacious people
knew what was suited to their circumstances better than a casual observer or a
sojourner who was perhaps too much prejudiced to compare and peradventure
too conceited to learn
Elizabeth soon discovered that she divided the attention of the congregation
with Mr Grant Timidity therefore confined her observation of the appearances
which we have described to stolen glances but as the stamping of feet was now
becoming less frequent and even the coughing and other little preliminaries of
a congregation settling themselves down into reverential attention were
ceasing she felt emboldened to look around her Gradually all noises
diminished until the suppressed cough denoted that it was necessary to avoid
singularity and the most profound stillness pervaded the apartment The
snapping of the fires as they threw a powerful heat into the room was alone
heard and each face and every eye were turned on the divine
At this moment a heavy stamping of feet was heard in the passage below as
if a new comer was releasing his limbs from the snow that was necessarily
clinging to the legs of a pedestrian It was succeeded by no audible tread but
directly Mohegan followed by the Leatherstocking and the young hunter made
his appearance Their footsteps would not have been heard as they trod the
apartment in their moccasins but for the silence which prevailed
The Indian moved with great gravity across the floor and observing a
vacant seat next to the Judge he took it in a manner that manifested his sense
of his own dignity Here drawing his blanket closely around him so as partly
to conceal his countenance he remained during the service immoveable but
deeply attentive Natty passed the place that was so freely taken by his red
companion and seated himself on one end of a log that was lying near the fire
where he continued with his rifle standing between his legs absorbed in
reflections seemingly of no very pleasing nature The youth found a seat
among the congregation and another silence prevailed
Mr Grant now arose and commenced his service with the sublime declaration
of the Hebrew prophet »The Lord is in his holy temple let all the earth keep
silence before him« The example of Mr Jones was unnecessary to teach the
congregation to rise the solemnity of the divine effected this as by magic
After a short pause Mr Grant proceeded with the solemn and winning exhortation
of his service Nothing was heard but the deep though affectionate tones of
the reader as he slowly went through this exordium until something
unfortunately striking the mind of Richard as incomplete he left his place and
walked on tiptoe from the room
When the clergyman bent his knees in prayer and confession the congregation
so far imitated his example as to resume their seats whence no succeeding
effort of the divine during the evening was able to remove them in a body
Some rose at times but by far the larger part continued unbending observant
it is true but it was the kind of observation that regarded the ceremony as a
spectacle rather than a worship in which they were to participate Thus
deserted by his clerk Mr Grant continued to read but no response was audible
The short and solemn pause that succeeded each petition was made still no
voice repeated the eloquent language of the prayer
The lips of Elizabeth moved but they moved in vain and accustomed as she
was to the service in the churches of the metropolis she was beginning to feel
the awkwardness of the circumstance most painfully when a soft low female
voice repeated after the priest »We have left undone those things which we
ought to have done« Startled at finding one of her own sex in that place who
could rise superior to natural timidity Miss Temple turned her eyes in the
direction of the penitent She observed a young female on her knees but a
short distance from her with her meek face humbly bent over her book The
appearance of this stranger for such she was entirely to Elizabeth was light
and fragile Her dress was neat and becoming and her countenance though pale
and slightly agitated excited deep interest by its sweet and melancholy
expression A second and third response were made by this juvenile assistant
when the manly sounds of a male voice proceeded from the opposite part of the
room Miss Temple knew the tones of the young hunter instantly and struggling
to overcome her own diffidence she added her low voice to the number
All this time Benjamin stood thumbing the leaves of a prayerbook with
great industry but some unexpected difficulties prevented his finding the
place Before the divine reached the close of the confession however Richard
reappeared at the door and as he moved lightly across the room he took up
the response in a voice that betrayed no other concern than that of not being
heard In his hand he carried a small open box with the figures of 8 by 10
written in black paint on one of its sides which having placed in the pulpit
apparently as a footstool for the divine he returned to his station in time to
say sonorously amen The eyes of the congregation very naturally were turned
to the windows as Mr Jones entered with this singular load and then as if
accustomed to his general agency were again bent on the priest in close and
curious attention
The long experience of Mr Grant admirably qualified him to perform his
present duty He well understood the character of his listeners who were mostly
a primitive people in their habits and who being a good deal addicted to
subtleties and nice distinctions in their religious opinions viewed the
introduction of any such temporal assistance as form into their spiritual
worship not only with jealousy but frequently with disgust He had acquired
much of his knowledge from studying the great book of human nature as it lay
open in the world and knowing how dangerous it was to contend with ignorance
uniformly endeavoured to avoid dictating where his better reason taught him it
was the most prudent to attempt to lead His orthodoxy had no dependence on his
cassock he could pray with fervour and with faith if circumstances required
it without the assistance of his clerk and he had even been known to preach a
most evangelical sermon in the winning manner of native eloquence without the
aid of a cambric handkerchief
In the present instance he yielded in many places to the prejudices of his
congregation and when he had ended there was not one of his new hearers who
did not think the ceremonies less papal and offensive and more conformant to
his or her own notions of devout worship than they had been led to expect from
a service of forms Richard found in the divine during the evening a most
powerful cooperator in his religious schemes In preaching Mr Grant
endeavoured to steer a middle course between the mystical doctrines of those
sublimated creeds which daily involve their professors in the most absurd
contradictions and those fluent rules of moral government which would reduce
the Saviour to a level with the teacher of a school of ethics Doctrine it was
necessary to preach for nothing less would have satisfied the disputatious
people who were his listeners and who would have interpreted silence on his
part into a tacit acknowledgment of the superficial nature of his creed We
have already said that amongst the endless variety of religious instructors
the settlers were accustomed to hear every denomination urge its own distinctive
precepts and to have found one indifferent to this interesting subject would
have been destructive to his influence But Mr Grant so happily blended the
universally received opinions of the Christian faith with the dogmas of his own
church that although none were entirely exempt from the influence of his
reasons very few took any alarm at the innovation
»When we consider the great diversity of the human character influenced as
it is by education by opportunity and by the physical and moral conditions of
the creature my dear hearers« he earnestly concluded »it can excite no
surprise that creeds so very different in their tendencies should grow out of
a religion revealed it is true but whose revelations are obscured by the
lapse of ages and whose doctrines were after the fashion of the countries in
which they were first promulgated frequently delivered in parables and in a
language abounding in metaphors and loaded with figures On points where the
learned have in purity of heart been compelled to differ the unlettered will
necessarily be at variance But happily for us my brethren the fountain of
divine love flows from a source too pure to admit of pollution in its course
it extends to those who drink of its vivifying waters the peace of the
righteous and life everlasting it endures through all time and it pervades
creation If there be mystery in its workings it is the mystery of a Divinity
With a clear knowledge of the nature the might and majesty of God there might
be conviction but there could be no faith If we are required to believe in
doctrines that seem not in conformity with the deductions of human wisdom let
us never forget that such is the mandate of a wisdom that is infinite It is
sufficient for us that enough is developed to point our path aright and to
direct our wandering steps to that portal which shall open on the light of an
eternal day Then indeed it may be humbly hoped that the film which has been
spread by the subtleties of earthly arguments will be dissipated by the
spiritual light of heaven and that our hour of probation by the aid of divine
grace being once passed in triumph will be followed by an eternity of
intelligence and endless ages of fruition All that is now obscure shall
become plain to our expanded faculties and what to our present senses may
seem irreconcilable to our limited notions of mercy of justice and of love
shall stand irradiated by the light of truth confessedly the suggestions of
Omniscience and the acts of an Allpowerful Benevolence
What a lesson of humility my brethren might not each of us obtain from a
review of his infant hours and the recollection of his juvenile passions How
differently do the same acts of parental rigour appear in the eyes of the
suffering child and of the chastened man When the sophist would supplant with
the wild theories of his worldly wisdom the positive mandates of inspiration
let him remember the expansion of his own feeble intellects and pause let him
feel the wisdom of God in what is partially concealed as well as in that which
is revealed in short let him substitute humility for pride of reason let
him have faith and live
The consideration of this subject is full of consolation my hearers and
does not fail to bring with it lessons of humility and of profit that duly
improved would both chasten the heart and strengthen the feebleminded man in
his course It is a blessed consolation to be able to lay the misdoubtings of
our arrogant nature at the threshold of the dwellingplace of the Deity from
whence they shall be swept away at the great opening of the portal like the
mists of the morning before the rising sun It teaches us a lesson of humility
by impressing us with the imperfection of human powers and by warning us of the
many weak points where we are open to the attacks of the great enemy of our
race it proves to us that we are in danger of being weak when our vanity
would fain soothe us into the belief that we are most strong it forcibly points
out to us the vainglory of intellect and shows us the vast difference between
a saving faith and the corollaries of a philosophical theology and it teaches
us to reduce our selfexamination to the test of good works By good works must
be understood the fruits of repentance the chiefest of which is charity Not
that charity only which causes us to help the needy and comfort the suffering
but that feeling of universal philanthropy which by teaching us to love
causes us to judge with lenity all men striking at the root of
selfrighteousness and warning us to be sparing of our condemnation of others
while our own salvation is not yet secure
The lesson of expediency my brethren which I would gather from the
consideration of this subject is most strongly inculcated by humility On the
leading and essential points of our faith there is but little difference
amongst those classes of Christians who acknowledge the attributes of the
Saviour and depend on his mediation But heresies have polluted every church
and schisms are the fruits of disputation In order to arrest these dangers and
to insure the union of his followers it would seem that Christ had established
his visible church and delegated the ministry Wise and holy men the fathers
of our religion have expended their labours in clearing what was revealed from
the obscurities of language and the results of their experience and researches
have been embodied in the form of evangelical discipline That this discipline
must be salutary is evident from the view of the weakness of human nature
that we have already taken and that it may be profitable to us and all who
listen to its precepts and its liturgy may God in his infinite wisdom grant
And now to« etc
With this ingenious reference to his own forms and ministry Mr Grant
concluded the discourse The most profound attention had been paid to the sermon
during the whole of its delivery although the prayers had not been received
with so perfect a demonstration of respect This was by no means an intended
slight of that liturgy to which the divine alluded but was the habit of a
people who owed their very existence as a distinct nation to the doctrinal
character of their ancestors Sundry looks of private dissatisfaction were
exchanged between Hiram and one or two of the leading members of the conference
but the feeling went no farther at that time and the congregation after
receiving the blessing of Mr Grant dispersed in silence and with great
decorum
Chapter XII
»Your creeds and dogmas of a learned church
May build a fabric fair with moral beauty
But it would seem that the strong hand of God
Can only rase the devil from the heart«
Duo
While the congregation was separating Mr Grant approached the place where
Elizabeth and her father were seated leading the youthful female whom we have
mentioned in the preceding chapter and presented her as his daughter Her
reception was as cordial and frank as the manners of the country and the value
of good society could render it the two young women feeling instantly that
they were necessary to the comfort of each other The Judge to whom the
clergymans daughter was also a stranger was pleased to find one who from
habits sex and years could probably contribute largely to the pleasures of
his own child during her first privations on her removal from the associations
of a city to the solitude of Templeton while Elizabeth who had been forcibly
struck with the sweetness and devotion of the youthful suppliant removed the
slight embarrassment of the timid stranger by the ease of her own manners They
were at once acquainted and during the ten minutes while the academy was
clearing engagements were made between the young people not only for the
succeeding day but they would probably have embraced in their arrangements half
of the winter had not the divine interrupted them by saying
»Gently gently my dear Miss Temple or you will make my girl too
dissipated You forget that she is my housekeeper and that my domestic affairs
must remain unattended to should Louisa accept of half the kind offers you are
so good as to make her«
»And why should they not be neglected entirely sir« interrupted Elizabeth
»There are but two of you and certain I am that my fathers house will not only
contain you both but will open its doors spontaneously to receive such guests
Society is a good not to be rejected on account of cold forms in this
wilderness sir and I have often heard my father say that hospitality is not a
virtue in a new country the favour being conferred by the guest«
»The manner in which Judge Temple exercises its rites would confirm this
opinion but we must not trespass too freely Doubt not that you will see us
often my child particularly during the frequent visits that I shall be
compelled to make to the distant parts of the county But to obtain an
influence with such a people« he continued glancing his eyes towards the few
who were still lingering curious observers of the interview »a clergyman must
not awaken envy or distrust by dwelling under so splendid a roof as that of
Judge Temple«
»You like the roof then Mr Grant« cried Richard who had been directing
the extinguishment of the fires and other little necessary duties and who
approached in time to hear the close of the divines speech »I am glad to
find one man of taste at last Heres duke now pretends to call it by every
abusive name he can invent but though duke is a very tolerable judge he is a
very poor carpenter let me tell him Well sir well I think we may say
without boasting that the service was as well performed this evening as you
often see I think quite as well as I ever knew it to be done in old Trinity
that is if we except the organ But there is the schoolmaster leads the psalm
with a very good air I used to lead myself but latterly I have sung nothing
but bass There is a good deal of science to be shown in the bass and it
affords a fine opportunity to show off a full deep voice Benjamin too sings
a good bass though he is often out in the words Did you ever hear Benjamin
sing the Bay of Biscay O«
»I believe he gave us part of it this evening« said Marmaduke laughing
»There was now and then a fearful quaver in his voice and it seems that Mr
Penguillian like most others who do one thing particularly well knows nothing
else He has certainly a wonderful partiality to one tune and he has a
prodigious selfconfidence in that one for he delivers himself like a
northwester sweeping across the lake But come gentlemen our way is clear
and the sleigh waits Good evening Mr Grant Good night young lady
Remember that you dine beneath the Corinthian roof tomorrow with Elizabeth«
The parties separated Richard holding a close dissertation with Mr Le
Quoi as they descended the stairs on the subject of psalmody which he closed
by a violent eulogium on the air of the »Bay of Biscay O« as particularly
connected with his friend Benjamins execution
During the preceding dialogue Mohegan retained his seat with his head
shrouded in his blanket as seemingly inattentive to surrounding objects as the
departing congregation was itself to the presence of the aged chief Natty
also continued on the log where he had first placed himself with his head
resting on one of his hands while the other held the rifle which was thrown
carelessly across his lap His countenance expressed uneasiness and the
occasional unquiet glances that he had thrown around him during the service
plainly indicated some unusual causes for unhappiness His continuing seated
was however out of respect to the Indian chief to whom he paid the utmost
deference on all occasions although it was mingled with the rough manner of a
hunter
The young companion of these two ancient inhabitants of the forest
remained also standing before the extinguished brands probably from an
unwillingness to depart without his comrades The room was now deserted by all
but this group the divine and his daughter As the party from the MansionHouse
disappeared John arose and dropping the blanket from his head he shook back
the mass of black hair from his face and approaching Mr Grant he extended his
hand and said solemnly
»Father I thank you The words that have been said since the rising moon
have gone upward and the Great Spirit is glad What you have told your
children they will remember and be good« He paused a moment and then
elevating himself with the grandeur of an Indian chief he added »If
Chingachgook lives to travel towards the setting sun after his tribe and the
Great Spirit carries him over the lakes and mountains with the breath in his
body he will tell his people the good talk he has heard and they will believe
him for who can say that Mohegan has ever lied«
»Let him place his dependence on the goodness of Divine mercy« said Mr
Grant to whom the proud consciousness of the Indian sounded a little heterodox
»and it never will desert him When the heart is filled with love to God there
is no room for sin But young man to you I owe not only an obligation in
common with those you saved this evening on the mountain but my thanks for
your respectful and pious manner in assisting in the service at a most
embarrassing moment I should be happy to see you sometimes at my dwelling
when perhaps my conversation may strengthen you in the path which you appear
to have chosen It is so unusual to find one of your age and appearance in
these woods at all acquainted with our holy liturgy that it lessens at once
the distance between us and I feel we are no longer strangers You seem quite
at home in the service I did not perceive that you had even a book although
good Mr Jones had laid several in different parts of the room«
»It would be strange if I were ignorant of the service of our church sir«
returned the youth modestly »for I was baptized in its communion and I have
never yet attended public worship elsewhere For me to use the forms of any
other denomination would be as singular as our own have proved to the people
here this evening«
»You give me great pleasure my dear sir« cried the divine seizing the
other by the hand and shaking it cordially »You will go home with me now
indeed you must my child has yet to thank you for saving my life I will
listen to no apologies This worthy Indian and your friend there will
accompany us Bless me to think that he has arrived at manhood in this
country without entering a dissenting11 meetinghouse«
»No no« interrupted the Leatherstocking »I must away to the wigwam
theres work there that musnt be forgotten for all your churchings and
merrymakings Let the lad go with you in welcome he is used to keeping company
with ministers and talking of such matters so is old John who was
christianized by the Moravians about the time of the old war But I am a plain
unlarned man that has sarved both the king and his country in his day agin
the French and savages but never so much as looked into a book or larnt a
letter of scholarship in my born days Ive never seen the use of sich indoor
work though Ive lived to be partly bald and in my time have killed two
hundred beaver in a season and that without counting the other game If you
mistrust what Im telling you you can ask Chingachgook there for I did it in
the heart of the Delaware country and the old man is knowing to the truth of
every word I say«
»I doubt not my friend that you have been both a valiant soldier and
skilful hunter in your day« said the divine »but more is wanting to prepare
you for that end which approaches You may have heard the maxim that young
men may die but that old men must«
»Im sure I never was so great a fool as to expect to live for ever« said
Natty giving one of his silent laughs »no man need do that who trails the
savages through the woods as I have done and lives for the hot months on the
lakestreams Ive a strong constitution I must say that for myself as is
plain to be seen for Ive drunk the Onondaga water a hundred times while Ive
been watching the deerlicks when the feveranagy seeds was to be seen in it
as plain and as plenty as you can see the rattlesnakes on old Crumhorn But
then I never expected to hold out for ever though theres them living who
have seen the Garman Flats a wilderness ay and them thats larned and
acquainted with religion too though you might look a week now and not find
even the stump of a pine on them and thats a wood that lasts in the ground
the better part of a hundred years after the tree is dead«
»This is but time my good friend« returned Mr Grant who began to take an
interest in the welfare of his new acquaintance »but I would have you prepare
for eternity It is incumbent on you to attend places of public worship as I am
pleased to see that you have done this evening Would it not be heedless in you
to start on a days toil of hard hunting and leave your ramrod and flint
behind«
»It must be a young hand in the woods« interrupted Natty with another
laugh »that didnt know how to dress a rod out of an ash sapling or find a
firestone in the mountains No no I never expected to live for ever but I
see times be altering in these mountains from what they was thirty years ago
or for that matter ten years But might makes right and the law is stronger
than an old man whether he is one that has much larning or only one like me
that is better now at standing at the passes than in following the hounds as I
once used to could Heighho I never knowd preaching come into a settlement
but it made game scearce and raised the price of gunpowder and thats a thing
thats not as easily made as a ramrod or an Indian flint«
The divine perceiving that he had given his opponent an argument by his
own unfortunate selection of a comparison very prudently relinquished the
controversy although he was fully determined to resume it at a more happy
moment Repeating his request to the young hunter with great earnestness the
youth and Indian consented to accompany him and his daughter to the dwelling
that the care of Mr Jones had provided for their temporary residence
Leatherstocking persevered in his intention of returning to the hut and at the
door of the building they separated
After following the course of one of the streets of the village a short
distance Mr Grant who led the way turned into a field through a pair of
open bars and entered a footpath of but sufficient width to admit one person
to walk in it at a time The moon had gained a height that enabled her to
throw her rays perpendicularly on the valley and the distinct shadows of the
party flitted along on the banks of the silvery snow like the presence of
aerial figures gliding to their appointed place of meeting The night still
continued intensely cold although not a breath of wind was felt The path was
beaten so hard that the gentle female who made one of the party moved with
ease along its windings though the frost emitted a low creaking at the
impression of even her light footsteps
The clergyman in his dark dress of broadcloth with his mild benevolent
countenance occasionally turned towards his companions expressing that look of
subdued care which was its characteristic presented the first object in this
singular group Next to him moved the Indian his hair falling about his face
his head uncovered and the rest of his form concealed beneath his blanket As
his swarthy visage with its muscles fixed in rigid composure was seen under
the light of the moon which struck his face obliquely he seemed a picture of
resigned old age on whom the storms of winter had beaten in vain for the
greater part of a century but when in turning his head the rays fell directly
on his dark fiery eyes they told a tale of passions unrestrained and of
thoughts free as air The slight person of Miss Grant which followed next and
which was but too thinly clad for the severity of the season formed a marked
contrast to the wild attire and uneasy glances of the Delaware chief and more
than once during their walk the young hunter himself no insignificant figure
in the group was led to consider the difference in the human form as the face
of Mohegan and the gentle countenance of Miss Grant with eyes that rivalled
the soft hue of the sky met his view at the instant that each turned to throw
a glance at the splendid orb which lighted their path Their way which led
through fields that lay at some distance in the rear of the houses was cheered
by a conversation that flagged or became animated with the subject The first
to speak was the divine
»Really« he said »it is so singular a circumstance to meet with one of
your age that has not been induced by idle curiosity to visit any other
church than the one in which he has been educated that I feel a strong
curiosity to know the history of a life so fortunately regulated Your
education must have been excellent as indeed is evident from your manners and
language Of which of the states are you a native Mr Edwards for such I
believe was the name that you gave Judge Temple«
»Of this «
»Of this I was at a loss to conjecture from your dialect which does not
partake particularly of the peculiarities of any country with which I am
acquainted You have then resided much in the cities for no other part of
this country is so fortunate as to possess the constant enjoyment of our
excellent liturgy«
The young hunter smiled as he listened to the divine while he so clearly
betrayed from what part of the country he had come himself but for reasons
probably connected with his present situation he made no answer
»I am delighted to meet with you my young friend for I think an ingenuous
mind such as I doubt not yours must be will exhibit all the advantages of a
settled doctrine and devout liturgy You perceive how I was compelled to bend to
the humours of my hearers this evening Good Mr Jones wished me to read the
communion and in fact all the morning service but happily the canons do
not require this of an evening It would have wearied a new congregation but
tomorrow I propose administering the sacrament do you commune my young
friend«
»I believe not sir« returned the youth with a little embarrassment that
was not at all diminished by Miss Grants pausing involuntarily and turning her
eyes on him in surprise »I fear that I am not qualified I have never yet
approached the altar neither would I wish to do it while I find so much of the
world clinging to my heart«
»Each must judge for himself« said Mr Grant »though I should think that
a youth who had never been blown about by the wind of false doctrines and who
has enjoyed the advantages of our liturgy for so many years in its purity
might safely come Yet sir it is a solemn festival which none should
celebrate until there is reason to hope it is not mockery I observed this
evening in your manner to Judge Temple a resentment that bordered on one of
the worst of human passions We will cross this brook on the ice it must bear
us all I think in safety Be careful not to slip my child« While speaking
he descended a little bank by the path and crossed one of the small streams
that poured their waters into the lake and turning to see his daughter pass
observed that the youth had advanced and was kindly directing her footsteps
When all were safely over he moved up the opposite bank and continued his
discourse »It was wrong my dear sir very wrong to suffer such feelings to
rise under any circumstances and especially in the present where the evil was
not intended«
»There is good in the talk of my father« said Mohegan stopping short and
causing those who were behind him to pause also »It is the talk of Miquon The
white man may do as his fathers have told him but the Young Eagle has the blood
of a Delaware chief in his veins it is red and the stain it makes can only be
washed out with the blood of a Mingo«12
Mr Grant was surprised by the interruption of the Indian and stopping
faced the speaker His mild features were confronted to the fierce and
determined looks of the chief and expressed the horror he felt at hearing such
sentiments from one who professed the religion of his Saviour Raising his
hands to a level with his head he exclaimed
»John John is this the religion that you have learned from the Moravians
But no I will not be so uncharitable as to suppose it They are a pious a
gentle and a mild people and could never tolerate these passions Listen to
the language of the Redeemer But I say unto you love your enemies bless them
that curse you do good to them that hate you pray for them that despitefully
use you and persecute you This is the command of God John and without
striving to cultivate such feelings no man can see him«
The Indian heard the divine with attention the unusual fire of his eye
gradually softened and his muscles relaxed into their ordinary composure but
slightly shaking his head he motioned with dignity for Mr Grant to resume his
walk and followed himself in silence The agitation of the divine caused him to
move with unusual rapidity along the deep path and the Indian without any
apparent exertion kept an equal pace but the young hunter observed the female
to linger in her steps until a trifling distance intervened between the two
former and the latter Struck by the circumstance and not perceiving any new
impediment to retard her footsteps the youth made a tender of his assistance
»You are fatigued Miss Grant« he said »the snow yields to the foot and
you are unequal to the strides of us men Step on the crust I entreat you and
take the help of my arm Yonder light is I believe the house of your father
but it seems yet at some distance«
»I am quite equal to the walk« returned a low tremulous voice »but I am
startled by the manner of that Indian Oh his eye was horrid as he turned to
the moon in speaking to my father But I forget sir he is your friend and
by his language may be your relative and yet of you I do not feel afraid«
The young man stepped on the bank of snow which firmly sustained his
weight and by a gentle effort induced his companion to follow Drawing her arm
through his own he lifted his cap from his head allowing the dark locks to
flow in rich curls over his open brow and walked by her side with an air of
conscious pride as if inviting an examination of his inmost thoughts Louisa
took but a furtive glance at his person and moved quietly along at a rate that
was greatly quickened by the aid of his arm
»You are but little acquainted with this peculiar people Miss Grant« he
said »or you would know that revenge is a virtue with an Indian They are
taught from infancy upward to believe it a duty never to allow an injury to
pass unrevenged and nothing but the stronger claims of hospitality can guard
one against their resentments where they have power«
»Surely sir« said Miss Grant involuntarily withdrawing her arm from his
»you have not been educated with such unholy sentiments«
»It might be a sufficient answer to your excellent father to say that I
was educated in the church« he returned »but to you I will add that I have
been taught deep and practical lessons of forgiveness I believe that on this
subject I have but little cause to reproach myself it shall be my endeavour
that there yet be less«
While speaking he stopped and stood with his arm again proffered to her
assistance As he ended she quietly accepted his offer and they resumed their
walk
Mr Grant and Mohegan had reached the door of the formers residence and
stood waiting near its threshold for the arrival of their young companions The
former was earnestly occupied in endeavouring to correct by his precepts the
evil propensities that he had discovered in the Indian during their
conversation to which the latter listened in profound but respectful
attention On the arrival of the young hunter and the lady they entered the
building
The house stood at some distance from the village in the centre of a field
surrounded by stumps that were peering above the snow bearing caps of pure
white nearly two feet in thickness Not a tree nor a shrub was nigh it but the
house externally exhibited that cheerless unfinished aspect which is so
common to the hastilyerected dwellings of a new country The uninviting
character of its outside was however happily relieved by the exquisite
neatness and comfortable warmth within
They entered an apartment that was fitted as a parlour though the large
fireplace with its culinary arrangements betrayed the domestic uses to which
it was occasionally applied The bright blaze from the hearth rendered the
light that proceeded from the candle Louisa produced unnecessary for the
scanty furniture of the room was easily seen and examined by the former The
floor was covered in the centre by a carpet made of rags a species of
manufacture that was then and yet continues to be much in use in the
interior while its edges that were exposed to view were of unspotted
cleanliness There was a trifling air of better life in a teatable and
workstand as well as in an oldfashioned mahogany bookcase but the chairs
the diningtable and the rest of the furniture were of the plainest and
cheapest construction Against the walls were hung a few specimens of
needlework and drawing the former executed with great neatness though of
somewhat equivocal merit in their designs while the latter were strikingly
deficient in both
One of the former represented a tomb with a youthful female weeping over
it exhibiting a church with arched windows in the background On the tomb
were the names with the dates of the births and deaths of several individuals
all of whom bore the name of Grant An extremely cursory glance at this record
was sufficient to discover to the young hunter the domestic state of the divine
He there read that he was a widower and that the innocent and timid maiden
who had been his companion was the only survivor of six children The knowledge
of the dependence which each of these meek christians had on the other for
happiness threw an additional charm around the gentle but kind attentions
which the daughter paid to the father
These observations occurred while the party were seating themselves before
the cheerful fire during which time there was a suspension of discourse But
when each was comfortably arranged and Louisa after laying aside a thin coat
of faded silk and a Gipsy hat that was more becoming to her modest ingenuous
countenance than appropriate to the season had taken a chair between her
father and the youth the former resumed the conversation
»I trust my young friend« he said »that the education you have received
has eradicated most of those revengeful principles which you may have inherited
by descent for I understand from the expressions of John that you have some
of the blood of the Delaware tribe Do not mistake me I beg for it is not
colour nor lineage that constitutes merit and I know not that he who claims
affinity to the proper owners of this soil has not the right to tread these
hills with the lightest conscience«
Mohegan turned solemnly to the speaker and with the peculiarly significant
gestures of an Indian he spoke
»Father you are not yet past the summer of life your limbs are young Go
to the highest hill and look around you All that you see from the rising to
the setting sun from the headwaters of the great spring to where the crooked
river13 is hid by the hills is his He has Delaware blood and his right is
strong But the brother of Miquon is just he will cut the country in two parts
as the river cuts the lowlands and will say to the Young Eagle Child of the
Delawares take it keep it and be a chief in the land of your fathers«
»Never« exclaimed the young hunter with a vehemence that destroyed the
rapt attention with which the divine and his daughter were listening to the
Indian »The wolf of the forest is not more rapacious for his prey than that
man is greedy of gold and yet his glidings into wealth are subtle as the
movements of a serpent«
»Forbear forbear my son forbear« interrupted Mr Grant »These angry
passions must be subdued The accidental injury you have received from Judge
Temple has heightened the sense of your hereditary wrongs But remember that
the one was unintentional and that the other is the effect of political
changes which have in their course greatly lowered the pride of kings and
swept mighty nations from the face of the earth Where now are the Philistines
who so often held the children of Israel in bondage or that city of Babylon
which rioted in luxury and vice and who styled herself the Queen of Nations in
the drunkenness of her pride Remember the prayer of our holy litany where we
implore the Divine power That it may please thee to forgive our enemies
persecutors and slanderers and to turn their hearts The sin of the wrongs
which have been done to the natives are to be alleged against Judge Temple
only in common with a whole people and your arm will speedily be restored to
its strength«
»This arm« repeated the youth pacing the floor in violent agitation
»think you sir that I believe the man a murderer oh no he is too wily
too cowardly for such a crime But let him and his daughter riot in their
wealth a day of retribution will come No no no« he continued as he trod
the floor more calmly »it is for Mohegan to suspect him of an intent to injure
me but the trifle is not worth a second thought«
He seated himself and hid his face between his hands as they rested on his
knees
»It is the hereditary violence of a natives passion my child« said Mr
Grant in a low tone to his affrighted daughter who was clinging in terror
to his arm »He is mixed with the blood of the Indians you have heard and
neither the refinements of education nor the advantages of our excellent
liturgy have been able entirely to eradicate the evil But care and time will
do much for him yet«
Although the divine spoke in a low tone yet what he uttered was heard by
the youth who raised his head with a smile of indefinite expression and spoke
more calmly
»Be not alarmed Miss Grant at either the wildness of my manner or that of
my dress I have been carried away by passions that I should struggle to
repress I must attribute it with your father to the blood in my veins
although I would not impeach my lineage willingly for it is all that is left me
to boast of Yes I am proud of my descent from a Delaware chief who was a
warrior that ennobled human nature Old Mohegan was his friend and will vouch
for his virtues«
Mr Grant here took up the discourse and finding the young man more calm
and the aged chief attentive he entered into a full and theological discussion
of the duty of forgiveness The conversation lasted for more than an hour when
the visiters arose and after exchanging good wishes with their entertainers
they departed At the door they separated Mohegan taking the direct route to
the village while the youth moved towards the lake The divine stood at the
entrance of his dwelling regarding the figure of the aged chief as it glided
at an astonishing gait for his years along the deep path his black straight
hair just visible over the bundle formed by his blanket which was sometimes
blended with the snow under the silvery light of the moon From the rear of the
house was a window that overlooked the lake and here Louisa was found by her
father when he entered gazing intently on some object in the direction of
the eastern mountain He approached the spot and saw the figure of the young
hunter at the distance of half a mile walking with prodigious steps across
the wide fields of frozen snow that covered the ice towards the point where
he knew the hut inhabited by the Leatherstocking was situated on the margin of
the lake under a rock that was crowned by pines and hemlocks At the next
instant the wildly looking form entered the shadow cast from the overhanging
trees and was lost to view
»It is marvellous how long the propensities of the savage continue in that
remarkable race« said the good divine »but if he persevere as he has
commenced his triumph shall yet be complete Put me in mind Louisa to lend
him the homily against peril of idolatry at his next visit«
»Surely father you do not think him in danger of relapsing into the
worship of his ancestors«
»No my child« returned the clergyman laying his hand affectionately on
her flaxen locks and smiling »his white blood would prevent it but there is
such a thing as the idolatry of our passions«
Chapter XIII
»And Ill drink out of the quart pot
Heres a health to the barley mow«
Anon »The BarleyMow«
On one of the corners where the two principal streets of Templeton intersected
each other stood as we have already mentioned the inn called the Bold
Dragoon In the original plan it was ordained that the village should stretch
along the little stream that rushed down the valley and the street which led
from the lake to the academy was intended to be its western boundary But
convenience frequently frustrates the best regulated plans The house of Mr or
as in consequence of commanding the militia of that vicinity he was called
Captain Hollister had at an early day been erected directly facing the main
street and ostensibly interposed a barrier to its further progress Horsemen
and subsequently teamsters however availed themselves of an opening at the
end of the building to shorten their passage westward until in time the
regular highway was laid out along this course and houses were gradually built
on either side so as effectually to prevent any subsequent correction of the
evil
Two material consequences followed this change in the regular plans of
Marmaduke The main street after running about half its length was suddenly
reduced to precisely that difference in its width and the Bold Dragoon became
next to the Mansionhouse by far the most conspicuous edifice in the place
This conspicuousness aided by the characters of the host and hostess gave
the tavern an advantage over all its future competitors that no circumstances
could conquer An effort was however made to do so and at the corner
diagonally opposite stood a new building that was intended by its occupants
to look down all opposition It was a house of wood ornamented in the
prevailing style of architecture and about the roof and balustrades was one of
the three imitators of the MansionHouse The upper windows were filled with
rough boards secured by nails to keep out the cold air for the edifice was
far from finished although glass was to be seen in the lower apartments and
the light of the powerful fires within denoted that it was already inhabited
The exterior was painted white on the front and on the end which was exposed
to the street but in the rear and on the side which was intended to join the
neighbouring house it was coarsely smeared with Spanish brown Before the door
stood two lofty posts connected at the top by a beam from which was suspended
an enormous sign ornamented around its edges with certain curious carvings in
pine boards and on its faces loaded with masonic emblems Over these
mysterious figures was written in large letters »The Templetown CoffeeHouse
and Travellers Hotel« and beneath them »By Habakkuk Foote and Joshua Knapp«
This was a fearful rival to the Bold Dragoon as our readers will the more
readily perceive when we add that the same sonorous names were to be seen over
the door of a newlyerected store in the village a hatters shop and the gates
of a tanyard But either because too much was attempted to be executed well
or that the Bold Dragoon had established a reputation which could not be easily
shaken not only Judge Temple and his friends but most of the villagers also
who were not in debt to the powerful firm we have named frequented the inn of
Captain Hollister on all occasions where such a house was necessary
On the present evening the limping veteran and his consort were hardly
housed after their return from the academy when the sounds of stamping feet at
their threshold announced the approach of visiters who were probably
assembling with a view to compare opinions on the subject of the ceremonies
they had witnessed
The public or as it was called the barroom of the Bold Dragoon was a
spacious apartment lined on three sides with benches and on the fourth by
fireplaces Of the latter there were two of such size as to occupy with
their enormous jambs the whole of that side of the apartment where they were
placed excepting room enough for a door or two and a little apartment in one
corner which was protected by miniature pallisadoes and profusely garnished
with bottles and glasses In the entrance to this sanctuary Mrs Hollister was
seated with great gravity in her air while her husband occupied himself with
stirring the fires moving the logs with a large stake burnt to a point at one
end
»There Sargeant dear« said the landlady after she thought the veteran had
got the logs arranged in the most judicious manner »give over poking for its
no good yeell be doing now that they burn so convaniently Theres the glasses
on the table there and the mug that the Doctor was taking his cider and ginger
in before the fire here jist put them in the bar will ye for well be
having the Joodge and the Major and Mr Jones down the night widout
reckoning Benjamin Poomp and the Lawyers so yeell be fixing the room tidy
and put both flipirons in the coals and tell Jude the lazy black baste that
if shes no be claning up the kitchen Ill turn her out of the house and she
may live wid the jontlemen that kape the Coffeehouse good luck to em Och
Sargeant sure its a great privilege to go to a mateing where a body can sit
asy widout joomping up and down so often as this Mr Grant is doing that
same«
»Its a privilege at all times Mistress Hollister whether we stand or be
seated or as good Mr Whitefield used to do after he had made a wearisome
days march get on our knees and pray like Moses of old with a flanker to the
right and left to lift his hands to heaven« returned her husband who
composedly performed what she had directed to be done »It was a very pretty
fight Betty that the Israelites had on that day with the Amalekites It
seems that they fout on a plain for Moses is mentioned as having gone on to
the heights to overlook the battle and wrestle in prayer and if I should
judge with my little larning the Israelites depended mainly on their horse
for it is written that Joshua cut up the enemy with the edge of the sword from
which I infar not only that they were horse but well disciplynd troops
Indeed it says as much as that they were chosen men quite likely volunteers
for raw dragoons seldom strike with the edge of their swords particularly if
the weapon be any way crooked«
»Pshaw why do ye bodder yourself wid taxts man about so small a matter«
interrupted the landlady »sure it was the Lord who was wid em for he always
sided wid the Jews before they fell away and its but little matter what kind
of men Joshua commanded so that he was doing the right bidding Aven them
cursed millishy the Lord forgie me for swearing that was the death of him
wid their cowardice would have carried the day in old times Theres no rason
to be thinking that the soldiers was used to the drill«
»I must say Mrs Hollister that I have not often seen raw troops fight
better than the left flank of the militia at the time you mention They rallied
handsomely and that without beat of drum which is no easy thing to do under
fire and were very steady till he fell But the scriptures contain no
unnecessary words and I will maintain that horse who know how to strike with
the edge of the sword must be well disciplynd Many a good sarmon has been
preached about smaller matters than that one word If the text was not meant to
be particular why wasnt it written with the sword and not with the edge
Now a backhanded stroke on the edge takes long practice Goodness what an
argument would Mr Whitefield make of that word edge As to the Captain if he
had only called up the guard of dragoons when he rallied the foot they would
have shown the inimy what the edge of a sword was for although there was no
commissioned officer with them yet I think I may say« the veteran continued
stiffening his cravat about the throat and raising himself up with the air of
a drillsergeant »they were led by a man who knowd how to bring them on in
spite of the ravine«
»Is it lade on ye would« cried the landlady »when ye know yourself Mr
Hollister that the baste he rode was but little able to joomp from one rock to
another and the animal was as spry as a squirrel Och but its useless to
talk for hes gone this many a year I would that he had lived to see the true
light but theres mercy for a brave sowl that died in the saddle fighting for
the liberty Its a poor tombstone they have given him any way and many a
good one that died like himself but the sign is very like and I will be
kapeing it up while the blacksmith can make a hook for it to swing on for all
the coffeehouses betwane this and Albany«
There is no saying where this desultory conversation would have led the
worthy couple had not the men who were stamping the snow off their feet on the
little platform before the door suddenly ceased their occupation and entered
the barroom
For ten or fifteen minutes the different individuals who intended either
to bestow or receive edification before the fires of the Bold Dragoon on that
evening were collecting until the benches were nearly filled with men of
different occupations Dr Todd and a slovenlylooking shabby genteel young
man who took tobacco profusely wore a coat of imported cloth cut with
something like a fashionable air frequently exhibited a large French silver
watch with a chain of woven hair and a silver key and who altogether seemed
as much above the artisans around him as he was himself inferior to the real
gentlemen occupied a highback wooden settee in the most comfortable corner
in the apartment
Sundry brown mugs containing cider or beer were placed between the heavy
andirons and little groups were formed among the guests as subjects arose or
the liquor was passed from one to the other No man was seen to drink by
himself nor in any instance was more than one vessel considered necessary for
the same beverage but the glass or the mug was passed from hand to hand
until a chasm in the line or a regard to the rights of ownership would
regularly restore the dregs of the potation to him who defrayed the cost
Toasts were uniformly drunk and occasionally some one who conceived
himself peculiarly endowed by nature to shine in the way of wit would attempt
some such sentiment as »hoping that he« who treated »might make a better man
than his father« or »live till all his friends wished him dead« while the more
humble potcompanion contented himself by saying with a most imposing gravity
in his air »come heres luck« or by expressing some other equally
comprehensive wish In every instance the veteran landlord was requested to
imitate the custom of the cupbearers to kings and taste the liquor he
presented by the invitation of after you is manners with which request he
ordinarily complied by wetting his lips first expressing the wish of heres
hoping leaving it to the imagination of the hearers to fill the vacuum by
whatever good each thought most desirable During these movements the landlady
was busily occupied with mixing the various compounds required by her customers
with her own hands and occasionally exchanging greetings and inquiries
concerning the conditions of their respective families with such of the
villagers as approached the bar
At length the common thirst being in some measure assuaged conversation of
a more general nature became the order of the hour The physician and his
companion who was one of the two lawyers of the village being considered the
best qualified to maintain a public discourse with credit were the principal
speakers though a remark was hazarded now and then by Mr Doolittle who was
thought to be their inferior only in the enviable point of education A general
silence was produced on all but the two speakers by the following observation
from the practitioner of the law
»So Doctor Todd I understand that you have been performing an important
operation this evening by cutting a charge of buckshot from the shoulder of
the son of Leatherstocking«
»Yes sir« returned the other elevating his little head with an air of
importance »I had a small job up at the Judges in that way it was however
but a trifle to what it might have been had it gone through the body The
shoulder is not a very vital part and I think the young man will soon be well
But I did not know that the patient was a son of Leatherstocking it is news to
me to hear that Natty had a wife«
»It is by no means a necessary consequence« returned the other winking
with a shrewd look around the barroom »there is such a thing I suppose you
know in law as a filius nullius«
»Spake it out man« exclaimed the landlady »spake it out in kings
English what for should ye be talking Indian in a room full of Christian
folks though it is about a poor hunter who is but a little better in his ways
than the wild savages themselves Och its to be hoped that the missionaries
will in his own time make a convarsion of the poor divils and then it will
matter little of what colour is the skin or wedder there be wool or hair on the
head«
»Oh it is Latin not Indian Miss Hollister« returned the lawyer
repeating his winks and shrewd looks »and Dr Todd understands Latin or how
would he read the labels on his gallipots and drawers No no Miss Hollister
the Doctor understands me dont you Doctor«
»Hem why I guess I am not far out of the way« returned Elnathan
endeavouring to imitate the expression of the others countenance by looking
jocular »Latin is a queer language gentlemen now I rather guess there is
no one in the room except Squire Lippet who can believe that Far Av means
oatmeal in English«
The lawyer in his turn was a good deal embarrassed by this display of
learning for although he actually had taken his first degree at one of the
eastern universities he was somewhat puzzled with the terms used by his
companion It was dangerous however to appear to be outdone in learning in a
public barroom and before so many of his clients he therefore put the best
face on the matter and laughed knowingly as if there were a good joke
concealed under it that was understood only by the physician and himself All
this was attentively observed by the listeners who exchanged looks of
approbation and the expressions of tonguey man and I guess Squire Lippet
knows if any body doos were heard in different parts of the room as vouchers
for the admiration of his auditors Thus encouraged the lawyer rose from his
chair and turning his back to the fire and facing the company he continued
»The son of Natty or the son of nobody I hope the young man is not going
to let the matter drop This is a country of laws and I should like to see it
fairly tried whether a man who owns or says he owns a hundred thousand acres
of land has any more right to shoot a body than another What do you think of
it Dr Todd«
»Oh sir I am of opinion that the gentleman will soon be well as I said
before the wownd isnt in a vital part and as the ball was extracted so soon
and the shoulder was what I call well attended to I do not think there is as
much danger as there might have been«
»I say Squire Doolittle« continued the attorney raising his voice »you
are a magistrate and know what is law and what is not law I ask you sir if
shooting a man is a thing that is to be settled so very easily Suppose sir
that the young man had a wife and family and suppose that he was a mechanic
like yourself sir and suppose that his family depended on him for bread and
suppose that the ball instead of merely going through the flesh had broken the
shoulderblade and crippled him for ever I ask you all gentlemen supposing
this to be the case whether a jury wouldnt give what I call handsome damages«
As the close of this supposititious case was addressed to the company
generally Hiram did not at first consider himself called on for a reply but
finding the eyes of the listeners bent on him in expectation he remembered his
character for judicial discrimination and spoke observing a due degree of
deliberation and dignity
»Why if a man should shoot another« he said »and if he should do it on
purpose and if the law took notice ont and if a jury should find him guilty
it would be likely to turn out a stateprison matter«
»It would so sir« returned the attorney »The law gentlemen is no
respecter of persons in a free country It is one of the great blessings that
has been handed down to us from our ancestors that all men are equal in the eye
of the law as they are by nater Though some may get property no one knows
how yet they are not privileged to trangress the laws any more than the
poorest citizen in the state This is my notion gentlemen and I think that if
a man had a mind to bring this matter up something might be made out of it
that would help pay for the salve ha Doctor«
»Why sir« returned the physician who appeared a little uneasy at the turn
the conversation was taking »I have the promise of Judge Temple before men
not but what I would take his word as soon as his note of hand but it was
before men Let me see there was Mounshier Ler Quow and Squire Jones and
Major Hartmann and Miss Pettibone and one or two of the blacks by when he
said that his pocket would amply reward me for what I did«
»Was the promise made before or after the service was performed« asked the
attorney
»It might have been both« returned the discreet physician »though Im
certain he said so before I undertook the dressing«
»But it seems that he said his pocket should reward you Doctor« observed
Hiram »now I dont know that the law will hold a man to such a promise he
might give you his pocket with sixpence int and tell you to take your pay out
ont«
»That would not be a reward in the eye of the law« interrupted the attorney
»not what is called a quid pro quo nor is the pocket to be considered as an
agent but as part of a mans own person that is in this particular I am of
opinion that an action would lie on that promise and I will undertake to bear
him out free of costs if he dont recover«
To this proposition the physician made no reply but he was observed to cast
his eyes around him as if to enumerate the witnesses in order to substantiate
this promise also at a future day should it prove necessary A subject so
momentous as that of suing Judge Temple was not very palatable to the present
company in so public a place and a short silence ensued that was only
interrupted by the opening of the door and the entrance of Natty himself
The old hunter carried in his hand his neverfailing companion the rifle
and although all of the company were uncovered excepting the lawyer who wore
his hat on one side with a certain damme air Natty moved to the front of one
of the fires without in the least altering any part of his dress or appearance
Several questions were addressed to him on the subject of the game he had
killed which he answered readily and with some little interest and the
landlord between whom and Natty there existed much cordiality on account of
their both having been soldiers in youth offered him a glass of a liquid
which if we might judge from its reception was no unwelcome guest When the
forester had gotten his potation also he quietly took his seat on the end of
one of the logs that lay nigh the fires and the slight interruption produced
by his entrance seemed to be forgotten
»The testimony of the blacks could not be taken sir« continued the lawyer
»for they are all the property of Mr Jones who owns their time But there is a
way by which Judge Temple or any other man might be made to pay for shooting
another and for the cure in the bargain There is a way I say and that
without going into the court of errors too«
»And a mighty big error ye would make of it Mister Todd« cried the
landlady »should ye be putting the matter into the law at all with Joodge
Temple who has a purse as long as one of them pines on the hill and who is an
asy man to dale wid if yees but mind the humour of him Hes a good man is
Joodge Temple and a kind one and one who will be no the likelier to do the
pratty thing bekaase ye would wish to tarrify him wid the law I know of but
one objaction to the same which is an over carelessness about his sowl Its
nather a Methodie nor a Papish nor a Prasbetyrian that he is but jist
nothing at all and its hard to think that he who will not fight the good
fight under the banners of a riglar church in this world will be mustered
among the chosen in heaven as my husband the Captain there as ye call him
says though there is but one captain that I know who desaarves the name I
hopes Latherstocking yell no be foolish and putting the boy up to try the
law in the matter for twill be an evil day to ye both when ye first turn the
skin of so paceable an animal as a sheep into a bone of contention The lad is
wilcome to his drink for nothing until his shouther will bear the rifle agin«
»Well thats ginrous« was heard from several mouths at once for this was
a company in which a liberal offer was not thrown away while the hunter
instead of expressing any of that indignation which he might be supposed to
feel at hearing the hurt of his young companion alluded to opened his mouth
with the silent laugh for which he was so remarkable and after he had indulged
his humour made this reply
»I knowd the Judge would do nothing with his smoothbore when he got out
of his sleigh I never seed but one smoothbore that would carry at all and
that was a French duckingpiece upon the big lakes it had a barrel half as
long agin as my rifle and would throw fine shot into a goose at a hundred
yards but it made dreadful work with the game and you wanted a boat to carry
it about in When I went with Sir William agin the French at Fort Niagara all
the rangers used the rifle and a dreadful weepon it is in the hands of one who
knows how to charge it and keeps a steady aim The Captain knows for he says
he was a soldier in Shirleys and though they were nothing but baggonetmen he
must know how we cut up the French and Iroquois in the skrimmages in that war
Chingachgook which means Big Sarpent in English old John Mohegan who lives up
at the hut with me was a great warrior then and was out with us he can tell
all about it too though he was overhand for the tomahawk never firing more
than once or twice before he was running in for the scalps Ah times is
dreadfully altered since then Why Doctor there was nothing but a footpath
or at the most a track for packhorses along the Mohawk from the Garman Flats
up to the forts Now they say they talk of running one of them wide roads with
gates ont along the river first making a road and then fencing it up I
hunted one season back of the Kaatskills nighhand to the settlements and the
dogs often lost the scent when they comd to them highways there was so much
travel on them though I cant say that the brutes was of a very good breed
Old Hector will wind a deer in the fall of the year across the broadest place
in the Otsego and that is a mile and a half for I paced it myself on the ice
when the tract was first surveyed under the Indian grant«
»It sames to me Natty but a sorry compliment to call your cumrad after
the evil one« said the landlady »and its no much like a snake that old John
is looking now Nimrood would be a more besaming name for the lad and a more
Christian too seeing that it comes from the Bible The Sargeant read me the
chapter about him the night before my christening and a mighty asement it was
to listen to any thing from the book«
»Old John and Chingachgook were very different men to look on« returned the
hunter shaking his head at his melancholy recollections »In the fiftyeight
war he was in the middle of manhood and taller than now by three inches If
you had seen him as I did the morning we beat Dieskau from behind our log
walls you would have called him as comely a redskin as ye ever set eyes on He
was naked all to his breechcloth and leggens and you never seed a creater so
handsomely painted One side of his face was red and the other black His head
was shaved clean all to a few hairs on the crown where he wore a tuft of
eagles feathers as bright as if they had come from a peacocks tail He had
coloured his sides so that they looked like an atomy ribs and all for
Chingachgook had a great taste in such things so that what with his bold
fiery countenance his knife and his tomahawk I have never seed a fiercer
warrior on the ground He played his part too like a man for I seen him next
day with thirteen scalps on his pole And I will say this for the Big Snake
that he always dealt fair and never scalped any that he didnt kill with his
own hands«
»Well well« cried the landlady »fighting is fighting any way and
theres different fashions in the thing though I cant say that I relish
mangling a body after the breath is out of it neither do I think it can be
uphild by doctrine I hopes Sargeant ye niver was helping in sich evil
worrek«
»It was my duty to keep my ranks and to stand or fall by the baggonet or
lead« returned the veteran »I was then in the fort and seldom leaving my
place saw but little of the savages who kept on the flanks or in front
skrimmaging I remember howsomever to have heard mention made of the Great
Snake as he was called for he was a chief of renown but little did I ever
expect to see him enlisted in the cause of Christianity and civilized like old
John«
»Oh he was christianized by the Moravians who was always over intimate
with the Delawares« said Leatherstocking »Its my opinion that had they been
left to themselves there would be no such doings now about the headwaters of
the two rivers and that these hills mought have been kept as good
huntingground by their right owner who is not too old to carry a rifle and
whose sight is as true as a fishhawk hovering «
He was interrupted by more stamping at the door and presently the party
from the Mansionhouse entered followed by the Indian himself
Chapter XIV
»Theres quart pot pint pot halfpint
Gill pot halfgill nipperkin
And the brown bowl
Heres a health to the barley mow
My brave boys
Heres a health to the barley mow«
Anon »The BarleyMow«
Some little commotion was produced by the appearance of the new guests during
which the lawyer slunk from the room Most of the men approached Marmaduke and
shook his offered hand hoping that the Judge was well while Major Hartmann
having laid aside his hat and wig and substituted for the latter a warm
peaked woollen nightcap took his seat very quietly on one end of the settee
which was relinquished by its former occupants His tobaccobox was next
produced and a clean pipe was handed him by the landlord When he had succeeded
in raising a smoke the Major gave a long whiff and turning his head towards
the bar he said
»Petty pring in ter toddy«
In the mean time the Judge had exchanged his salutations with most of the
company and taken a place by the side of the Major and Richard had bustled
himself into the most comfortable seat in the room Mr Le Quoi was the last
seated nor did he venture to place his chair finally until by frequent
removals he had ascertained that he could not possibly intercept a ray of heat
from any individual present Mohegan found a place on an end of one of the
benches and somewhat approximated to the bar When these movements had
subsided the Judge remarked pleasantly
»Well Betty I find you retain your popularity through all weathers
against all rivals and amongst all religions How liked you the sermon«
»Is it the sarmon« exclaimed the landlady »I cant say but it was
rasonable but the prayers is mighty unasy Its no so small a matter for a
body in their fiftynint year to be moving so much in church Mr Grant sames
a godly man any way and his garrel is a hoomble one and a devout Here
John is a mug of cider lacd with whisky An Indian will drink cider though he
niver be athirst«
»I must say« observed Hiram with due deliberation »that it was a tonguey
thing and I rather guess that it gave considerable satisfaction There was one
part though which might have been left out or something else put in but
then I spose that as it was a written discourse it is not so easily altered
as where a minister preaches without notes«
»Ay theres the rub Joodge« cried the landlady »how can a man stand up
and be praching his word when all that he is saying is written down and he is
as much tied to it as iver a thaving dragoon was to the pickets«
»Well well« cried Marmaduke waving his hand for silence »there is enough
said as Mr Grant told us there are different sentiments on such subjects and
in my opinion he spoke most sensibly So Jotham I am told you have sold your
betterments to a new settler and have moved into the village and opened a
school Was it cash or dicker«
The man who was thus addressed occupied a seat immediately behind
Marmaduke and one who was ignorant of the extent of the Judges observation
might have thought he would have escaped notice He was of a thin shapeless
figure with a discontented expression of countenance and with something
extremely shiftless in his whole air Thus spoken to after turning and twisting
a little by way of preparation he made a reply
»Why part cash and part dicker I sold out to a Pumfretman who was
sothin forehanded He was to give me ten dollars an acre for the clearin and
one dollar an acre over the first cost on the woodland and we agreed to leave
the buildins to men So I tuck Asa Mountagu and he tuck Absalom Bement and
they two tuck old Squire Naphtali Green And so they had a meetin and made out
a vardict of eighty dollars for the buildins There was twelve acres of clearin
at ten dollars and eightyeight at one and the whull came to two hundred and
eightysix dollars and a half after paying the men«
»Hum« said Marmaduke »what did you give for the place«
»Why besides whats comin to the Judge I gin my brother Tim a hundred
dollars for his bargain but then theres a new house ont that cost me sixty
more and I paid Moses a hundred dollars for choppin and loggin and sowin so
that the whull stood me in about two hundred and sixty dollars But then I had a
great crop off ont and as I got twentysix dollars and a half more than it
cost I conclude I made a pretty good trade ont«
»Yes but you forgot that the crop was yours without the trade and you have
turned yourself out of doors for twentysix dollars«
»Oh the Judge is clean out« said the man with a look of sagacious
calculation »he turned out a span of horses that is wuth a hundred and fifty
dollars of any mans money with a bran new wagon fifty dollars in cash and a
good note for eighty more and a sidesaddle that was valood at seven and a
half so there was jist twelve shillings betwixt us I wanted him to turn out a
set of harness and take the cow and the saptroughs He wouldnt but I saw
through it he thought I should have to buy the tacklin afore I could use the
wagon and horses but I knowd a thing or two myself I should like to know of
what use is the tacklin to him I offered him to trade back agin for one
hundred and fiftyfive But my woman said she wanted a churn so I tuck a churn
for the change«
»And what do you mean to do with your time this winter you must remember
that time is money«
»Why as the master is gone down country to see his mother who they say
is going to make a die ont I agreed to take the school in hand till he comes
back If times doosnt get wuss in the spring Ive some notion of going into
trade or maybe I may move off to the Genessee they say they are carryin on a
great stroke of business thataway If the wust comes to the wust I can but
work at my trade for I was brought up in a shoe manufactory«
It would seem that Marmaduke did not think his society of sufficient value
to attempt inducing him to remain where he was for he addressed no further
discourse to the man but turned his attention to other subjects After a
short pause Hiram ventured a question
»What news doos the Judge bring us from the legislater its not likely that
congress has done much this session or maybe the French havent fit any more
battles lately«
»The French since they have beheaded their king have done nothing but
fight« returned the Judge »The character of the nation seems changed I knew
many French gentlemen during our war and they all appeared to me to be men of
great humanity and goodness of heart but these Jacobins are as bloodthirsty as
bulldogs«
»There was one Roshambow wid us down at Yorrektown« cried the landlady
»a mighty pratty man he was too and their horse was the very same It was there
that the Sargeant got the hurt in the leg from the English batteries bad luck
to em«
»Ah mon pauvre Roi« murmured Monsieur Le Quoi
»The legislature have been passing laws« continued Marmaduke »that the
country much required Among others there is an act prohibiting the drawing of
seines at any other than proper seasons in certain of our streams and small
lakes and another to prohibit the killing of deer in the teeming months These
are laws that were loudly called for by judicious men nor do I despair of
getting an act to make the unlawful felling of timber a criminal offence«
The hunter listened to this detail with breathless attention and when the
Judge had ended he laughed in open derision
»You may make your laws Judge« he cried »but who will you find to watch
the mountains through the long summer days or the lakes at night Game is game
and he who finds may kill that has been the law in these mountains for forty
years to my sartain knowledge and I think one old law is worth two new ones
None but a greenone would wish to kill a doe with a fan by its side unless
his moccasins was getting old or his leggins ragged for the flesh is lean and
coarse But a rifle rings amongst them rocks along the lake shore sometimes as
if fifty pieces was fired at once it would be hard to tell where the man stood
who pulled the trigger«
»Armed with the dignity of the law Mr Bumppo« returned the Judge
gravely »a vigilant magistrate can prevent much of the evil that has hitherto
prevailed and which is already rendering the game scarce I hope to live to see
the day when a mans rights in his game shall be as much respected as his title
to his farm«
»Your titles and your farms are all new together« cried Natty »but laws
should be equal and not more for one than another I shot a deer last
Wednesday was a fortnight and it floundered through the snow till it got over
a brush fence I catchd the lock of my rifle in the twigs in following and
was kept back until finally the creater got off Now I want to know who is to
pay me for that deer and a fine buck it was If there hadnt been a fence I
should have gotten another shot into it and I never drawd upon any thing that
hadnt wings three times running in my born days No no Judge its the
farmers that makes the game scearce and not the hunters«
»Ter teer is not so plenty as in ter olt war Pumppo« said the Major who
had been an attentive listener amidst clouds of smoke »put ter lant is not
mate as for ter teer to live on put for Christians«
»Why Major I believe youre a friend to justice and the right though you
go so often to the grand house but its a hard case to a man to have his
honest calling for a livelihood stopt by laws and that too when if right was
done he mought hunt or fish on any day in the week or on the best flat in the
Patent if he was so minded«
»I unterstant you Letterstockint« returned the Major fixing his black
eyes with a look of peculiar meaning on the hunter »put you tidnt use to pe
so prutent as to look ahet mit so much care«
»Maybe there wasnt so much casion« said the hunter a little sulkily
when he sunk into a silence from which he was not roused for some time
»The Judge was saying sothin about the French« Hiram observed when the
pause in the conversation had continued a decent time
»Yes sir« returned Marmaduke »the Jacobins of France seem rushing from
one act of licentiousness to another They continue those murders which are
dignified by the name of executions You have heard that they have added the
death of their Queen to the long list of their crimes«
»Les monstres« again murmured Monsieur Le Quoi turning himself suddenly in
his chair with a convulsive start
»The province of La Vendée is laid waste by the troops of the republic and
hundreds of its inhabitants who are royalists in their sentiments are shot at
a time La Vendée is a district in the southwest of France that continues
yet much attached to the family of the Bourbons doubtless Monsieur Le Quoi is
acquainted with it and can describe it more faithfully«
»Non non non mon cher ami« returned the Frenchman in a suppressed
voice but speaking rapidly and gesticulating with his right hand as if for
mercy while with his left he concealed his eyes
»There have been many battles fought lately« continued Marmaduke »and the
infuriated republicans are too often victorious I cannot say however that I
am sorry they have captured Toulon from the English for it is a place to which
they have a just right«
»Ah ha« exclaimed Monsieur Le Quoi springing on his feet and
flourishing both arms with great animation »ces Anglais«
The Frenchman continued to move about the room with great alacrity for a few
minutes repeating his exclamations to himself when overcome by the
contradictory nature of his emotions he suddenly burst out of the house and
was seen wading through the snow towards his little shop waving his arms on
high as if to pluck down honour from the moon His departure excited but little
surprise for the villagers were used to his manner but Major Hartmann laughed
outright for the first time during his visit as he lifted the mug and
observed
»Ter Frenchman is mat put he is goot as for notting to trink he is trunk
mit joy«
»The French are good soldiers« said Captain Hollister »they stood us in
hand a good turn down at Yorktown nor do I think although I am an ignorant
man about the great movements of the army that his Excellency would have been
able to march against Cornwallis without their reinforcements«
»Ye spake the trut Sargeant« interrupted his wife »and I would iver have
ye be doing the same Its varry pratty men is the French and jist when I stopt
the cart the time when ye was pushing on in front it was to kape the riglars
in a rigiment of the jontlemen marched by and so I dealt them out to their
liking Was it pay I got sure did I and in good solid crowns the divil a bit
of continental could they muster among them all for love nor money Och the
Lord forgive me for swearing and spakeing of sich vanities but this I will say
for the French that they paid in good silver and one glass would go a great
way wid em for they ginrally handed it back wid a drop in the cup and thats
a brisk trade Joodge where the pay is good and the men not over particlar«
»A thriving trade Mrs Hollister« said Marmaduke »But what has become of
Richard he jumped up as soon as seated and has been absent so long that I am
fearful he has frozen«
»No fear of that cousin duke« cried the gentleman himself »business will
sometimes keep a man warm the coldest night that ever snapt in the mountains
Betty your husband told me as we came out of church that your hogs were
getting mangy so I have been out to take a look at them and found it true I
stepped across Doctor and got your boy to weigh me out a pound of salts and
have been mixing it with their swill Ill bet a saddle of venison against a
gray squirrel that they are better in a week And now Mrs Hollister Im
ready for a hissing mug of flip«
»Sure I knowd yeed be wanting that same« said the landlady »its mixt
and ready to the boiling Sargeant dear be handing up the iron will ye no
the one in the far fire its black ye will see Ah youve the thing now
look if its not as red as a cherry«
The beverage was heated and Richard took that kind of draught which men are
apt to indulge in who think that they have just executed a clever thing
especially when they like the liquor
»Oh you have a hand Betty that was formed to mix flip« cried Richard
when he paused for breath »The very iron has a flavour in it Here John
drink man drink I and you and Dr Todd have done a good thing with the
shoulder of that lad this very night Duke I made a song while you were gone
one day when I had nothing to do so Ill sing you a verse or two though I
havent really determined on the tune yet
What is life but a scene of care
Where each one must toil in his way
Then let us be jolly and prove that we are
A set of good fellows who seem very rare
And can laugh and sing all the day
Then let us be jolly
And cast away folly
For grief turns a black head to gray
There duke what do you think of that There is another verse of it all but
the last line I havent got a rhyme for the last line yet Well old John
what do you think of the music as good as one of your warsongs ha«
»Good« said Mohegan who had been sharing deeply in the potations of the
landlady besides paying a proper respect to the passing mugs of the Major and
Marmaduke
»Pravo pravo Richart« cried the Major whose black eyes were beginning to
swim in moisture »pravissimo it is a goot song put Natty Pumppo hast a
petter Letterstockint vilt sing say olt poy vilt sing ter song as apout
ter woots«
»No no Major« returned the hunter with a melancholy shake of the head
»I have lived to see what I thought eyes could never behold in these hills and
I have no heart left for singing If he that has a right to be master and ruler
here is forced to squinch his thirst when adry with snowwater it ill
becomes them that have lived by his bounty to be making merry as if there was
nothing in the world but sunshine and summer«
When he had spoken Leatherstocking again dropped his head on his knees
and concealed his hard and wrinkled features with his hands The change from the
excessive cold without to the heat of the barroom coupled with the depth and
frequency of Richards draughts had already levelled whatever inequality there
might have existed between him and the other guests on the score of spirits
and he now held out a pair of swimming mugs of foaming flip towards the hunter
as he cried
»Merry ay merry Christmas to you old boy Sunshine and summer no you
are blind Leatherstocking tis moonshine and winter take these spectacles
and open your eyes
So let us be jolly
And cast away folly
For grief turns a black head to gray
Hear how old John turns his quavers What damned dull music an Indian song is
after all Major I wonder if they ever sing by note«
While Richard was singing and talking Mohegan was uttering dull monotonous
tones keeping time by a gentle motion of his head and body He made use of but
few words and such as he did utter were in his native language and
consequently only understood by himself and Natty Without heeding Richard he
continued to sing a kind of wild melancholy air that rose at times in sudden
and quite elevated notes and then fell again into the low quavering sounds
that seemed to compose the character of his music
The attention of the company was now much divided the men in the rear
having formed themselves into little groups where they were discussing various
matters among the principal of which were the treatment of mangy hogs and
Parson Grants preaching while Dr Todd was endeavouring to explain to
Marmaduke the nature of the hurt received by the young hunter Mohegan continued
to sing while his countenance was becoming vacant though coupled with his
thick bushy hair it was assuming an expression very much like brutal ferocity
His notes were gradually growing louder and soon rose to a height that caused a
general cessation in the discourse The hunter now raised his head again and
addressed the old warrior warmly in the Delaware language which for the
benefit of our readers we shall render freely into English
»Why do you sing of your battles Chingachgook and of the warriors you have
slain when the worst enemy of all is near you and keeps the Young Eagle from
his rights I have fought in as many battles as any warrior in your tribe but
cannot boast of my deeds at such a time as this«
»Hawkeye« said the Indian tottering with a doubtful step from his place
»I am the Great Snake of the Delawares I can track the Mingoes like an adder
that is stealing on the whippoorwills eggs and strike them like the
rattlesnake dead at a blow The white man made the tomahawk of Chingachgook
bright as the waters of Otsego when the last sun is shining but it is red with
the blood of the Maquas«
»And why have you slain the Mingo warriors was it not to keep these
huntinggrounds and lakes to your fathers children and were they not given in
solemn council to the Fireeater and does not the blood of a warrior run in the
veins of a young chief who should speak aloud where his voice is now too low
to be heard«
The appeal of the hunter seemed in some measure to recall the confused
faculties of the Indian who turned his face towards the listeners and gazed
intently on the Judge He shook his head throwing his hair back from his
countenance and exposed eyes that were glaring with an expression of wild
resentment But the man was not himself His hand seemed to make a fruitless
effort to release his tomahawk which was confined by its handle to his belt
while his eyes gradually became vacant Richard at that instant thrusting a mug
before him his features changed to the grin of idiocy and seizing the vessel
with both hands he sunk backward on the bench and drunk until satiated when
he made an effort to lay aside the mug with the helplessness of total
inebriety
»Shed not blood« exclaimed the hunter as he watched the countenance of the
Indian in its moment of ferocity »but he is drunk and can do no harm This is
the way with all the savages give them liquor and they make dogs of
themselves Well well the time will come when right will be done and we must
have patience«
Natty still spoke in the Delaware language and of course was not
understood He had hardly concluded before Richard cried
»Well old John is soon sowed up Give him a berth Captain in the barn
and I will pay for it I am rich tonight ten times richer than duke with all
his lands and military lots and funded debts and bonds and mortgages
Come let us be jolly
And cast away folly
For grief
Drink King Hiram drink Mr Doonothing drink sir I say This is a
Christmas eve which comes you know but once a year«
»He he he the Squire is quite moosical tonight« said Hiram whose
visage began to give marvellous signs of relaxation »I rather guess we shall
make a church ont yet Squire«
»A church Mr Doolittle we will make a cathedral of it bishops priests
deacons wardens vestry and choir organ organist and bellows By the Lord
Harry as Benjamin says we will clap a steeple on the other end of it and make
two churches of it What say you duke will you pay ha my cousin Judge wilt
pay«
»Thou makest such a noise Dickon« returned Marmaduke »it is impossible
that I can hear what Dr Todd is saying I think thou observed it is probable
the wound will fester so as to occasion danger to the limb in this cold
weather«
»Out of nater sir quite out of nater« said Elnathan attempting to
expectorate but succeeding only in throwing a light frothy substance like a
flake of snow into the fire »quite out of nater that a wownd so well
dressed and with the ball in my pocket should fester I spose as the Judge
talks of taking the young man into his house it will be most convenient if I
make but one charge ont«
»I should think one would do« returned Marmaduke with that arch smile that
so often beamed on his face leaving the beholder in doubt whether he most
enjoyed the character of his companion or his own covert humour
The landlord had succeeded in placing the Indian on some straw in one of
his outbuildings where covered with his own blanket John continued for the
remainder of the night
In the mean time Major Hartmann began to grow noisy and jocular glass
succeeded glass and mug after mug was introduced until the carousal had run
deep into the night or rather morning when the veteran German expressed an
inclination to return to the Mansionhouse Most of the party had already
retired but Marmaduke knew the habits of his friend too well to suggest an
earlier adjournment So soon however as the proposal was made the Judge
eagerly availed himself of it and the trio prepared to depart Mrs Hollister
attended them to the door in person cautioning her guests as to the safest
manner of leaving her premises
»Lane on Mister Jones Major« said she »hes young and will be a support
to ye Well its a charming sight to see ye any way at the Bould Dragoon and
sure its no harm to be kaping a Christmaseve wid a light heart for its no
telling when we may have sorrow come upon us So good night Joodge and a merry
Christmas to ye all tomorrow morning«
The gentlemen made their adieus as well as they could and taking the middle
of the road which was a fine wide and wellbeaten path they did tolerably
well until they reached the gate of the Mansionhouse but on entering the
Judges domains they encountered some slight difficulties We shall not stop to
relate them but will just mention that in the morning sundry diverging paths
were to be seen in the snow and that once during their progress to the door
Marmaduke missing his companions was enabled to trace them by one of these
paths to a spot where he discovered them with nothing visible but their heads
Richard singing in a most vivacious strain
»Come let us be jolly
And cast away folly
For grief turns a black head to gray«
Chapter XV
»As she lay on that day in the Bay of Biscay O«
Anon »The Bay of Biscay O« ll 1516
Previously to the occurrence of the scene at the Bold Dragoon Elizabeth had
been safely reconducted to the Mansionhouse where she was left as its
mistress either to amuse or employ herself during the evening as best suited
her own inclinations Most of the lights were extinguished but as Benjamin
adjusted with great care and regularity four large candles in as many massive
candlesticks of brass in a row on the sideboard the hall possessed a peculiar
air of comfort and warmth contrasted with the cheerless aspect of the room she
had left in the academy
Remarkable had been one of the listeners to Mr Grant and returned with her
resentment which had been not a little excited by the language of the Judge
somewhat softened by reflection and the worship She recollected the youth of
Elizabeth and thought it no difficult task under present appearances to
exercise that power indirectly which hitherto she had enjoyed undisputed The
idea of being governed or of being compelled to pay the deference of servitude
was absolutely intolerable and she had already determined within herself some
halfdozen times to make an effort that should at once bring to an issue the
delicate point of her domestic condition But as often as she met the dark
proud eye of Elizabeth who was walking up and down the apartment musing on the
scenes of her youth and the change in her condition and perhaps the events of
the day the housekeeper experienced an awe that she would not own to herself
could be excited by any thing mortal It however checked her advances and for
some time held her tonguetied At length she determined to commence the
discourse by entering on a subject that was apt to level all human
distinctions and in which she might display her own abilities
»It was quite a wordy sarmont that Parson Grant give us tonight« said
Remarkable »Them church ministers be commonly smart sarmonizers but they
write down their idees which is a great privilege I dont think that by nater
they are as tonguey speakers for an offhand discourse as the standingorder
ministers«
»And what denomination do you distinguish as the standingorder« inquired
Miss Temple with some surprise
»Why the Presbyterans and Congregationals and Baptists too fortinow
and all sich as dont go on their knees to prayer«
»By that rule then you would call those who belong to the persuasion of my
father the sittingorder« observed Elizabeth
»Im sure Ive never heern em spoken of by any other name than Quakers so
called« returned Remarkable betraying a slight uneasiness »I should be the
last to call them otherwise for I never in my life used a disparaging tarm of
the Judge or any of his family Ive always set store by the Quakers they are
so prettyspoken clever people and its a wonderment to me how your father
come to marry into a church family for they are as contrary in religion as can
be One sits still and for the most part says nothing while the church folks
practyse all kinds of ways so that I sometimes think it quite moosical to see
them for I went to a churchmeeting once before down country«
»You have found an excellence in the church liturgy that has hitherto
escaped me I will thank you to inquire whether the fire in my room burns I
feel fatigued with my journey and will retire«
Remarkable felt a wonderful inclination to tell the young mistress of the
mansion that by opening a door she might see for herself but prudence got the
better of resentment and after pausing some little time as a salve to her
dignity she did as desired The report was favourable and the young lady
wishing Benjamin who was filling the stove with wood and the housekeeper each
a good night withdrew
The instant the door closed on Miss Temple Remarkable commenced a sort of
mysterious ambiguous discourse that was neither abusive nor commendatory of
the qualities of the absent personage but which seemed to be drawing nigh by
regular degrees to a most dissatisfied description The Majordomo made no
reply but continued his occupation with great industry which being happily
completed he took a look at the thermometer and then opening a drawer of the
sideboard he produced a supply of stimulants that would have served to keep
the warmth in his system without the aid of the enormous fire he had been
building A small stand was drawn up near the stove and the bottles and the
glasses necessary for convenience were quietly arranged Two chairs were placed
by the side of this comfortable situation when Benjamin for the first time
appeared to observe his companion
»Come« he cried »come Mistress Remarkable bring yourself to an anchor in
this chair Its a peeler without I can tell you good woman but what cares I
blow high or blow low dye see its all the same thing to Ben The niggers are
snug stowed below before a fire that would roast an ox whole The thermometer
stands now at fiftyfive but if theres any vartue in good maple wood Ill
weather upon it before one glass as much as ten points more so that the
Squire when he comes home from Betty Hollisters warm room will feel as hot as
a hand that has given the rigging a lick with bad tar Come Mistress bring up
in this here chair and tell me how you like our new heiress«
»Why to my notion Mr Penguillum «
»Pump Pump« interrupted Benjamin »its Christmaseve Mistress
Remarkable and so dye see you had better call me Pump Its a shorter name
and as I mean to pump this here decanter till it sucks why you may as well call
me Pump«
»Did you ever« cried Remarkable with a laugh that seemed to unhinge every
joint in her body »Youre a moosical creater Benjamin when the notion takes
you But as I was saying I rather guess that times will be altered now in this
house«
»Altered« exclaimed the Majordomo eyeing the bottle that was assuming
the clear aspect of cut glass with astonishing rapidity »it dont matter much
Mistress Remarkable so long as I keep the keys of the lockers in my pocket«
»I cant say« continued the housekeeper »but theres good eatables and
drinkables enough in the house for a bodys content a little more sugar
Benjamin in the glass for Squire Jones is an excellent provider But new
lords new laws and I shouldnt wonder if you and I had an unsartain time ont
in footer«
»Life is as unsartain as the wind that blows« said Benjamin with a
moralizing air »and nothing is more varible than the wind Mistress Remarkable
unless you happen to fall in with the trades dye see and then you may run for
the matter of a month at a time with studdingsails on both sides alow and
aloft and with the cabinboy at the wheel«
»I know that life is disput unsartain« said Remarkable compressing her
features to the humour of her companion »but I expect there will be great
changes made in the house to rights and that you will find a young man put over
your head as there is one that wants to be over mine and after having been
settled as long as you have Benjamin I should judge that to be hard«
»Promotion should go according to length of sarvice« said the Majordomo
»and ifsobe that they ship a hand for my berth or place a new steward aft I
shall throw up my commission in less time than you can put a pilotboat in
stays Thof Squire Dickens« this was a common misnomer with Benjamin »is a
nice gentleman and as good a man to sail with as heart could wish yet I shall
tell the Squire dye see in plain English and thats my native tongue that
ifsobe he is thinking of putting any Johnnyraw over my head why I shall
resign I began forrard Mistress Prettybones and worked my way aft like a
man I was six months aboard a Garnsey lugger hauling in the slack of the
leesheet and coiling up rigging From that I went a few trips in a
foreandafter in the same trade which after all was but a blind kind of
sailing in the dark where a man larns but little excepting how to steer by the
stars Well then dye see I larnt how a topmast should be slushed and how a
topgallantsail was to be becketted and then I did small jobs in the cabin
sich as mixing the skippers grog Twas there I got my taste which you must
have often seen is excellent Well heres better acquaintance to us«
Remarkable nodded a return to the compliment and took a sip of the beverage
before her for provided it was well sweetened she had no objection to a small
potation now and then After this observance of courtesy between the worthy
couple the dialogue proceeded
»You have had great experunces in life Benjamin for as the scripter says
they that go down to the sea in ships see the works of the Lord«
»Ay for that matter they in brigs and schooners too and it mought say the
works of the devil The sea Mistress Remarkable is a great advantage to a man
in the way of knowledge for he sees the fashions of nations and the shape of a
country Now I suppose for myself here who is but an unlarned man to some
that follows the seas I suppose that taking the coast from Cape LerHogue as
low down as Cape Finishthere there isnt so much as a headland or an island
that I dont know either the name of it or something more or less about it
Take enough woman to colour the water Heres sugar Its a sweet tooth that
fellow that you hold on upon yet Mistress Prettybones But as I was saying
take the whole coast along I know it as well as the way from here to the Bold
Dragoon and a devil of an acquaintance is that Bay of Biscay Whew I wish you
could but hear the wind blow there It sometimes takes two to hold one mans
hair on his head Scudding through the Bay is pretty much the same thing as
travelling the roads in this country up one side of a mountain and down the
other«
»Do tell« exclaimed Remarkable »and doos the sea run as high as mountains
Benjamin«
»Well I will tell but first lets taste the grog Hem its the right
kind of stuff I must say that you keeps in this country but then youre so
close aboard the West Indees you make but a small run of it By the Lord Harry
woman if Garnsey only lay somewhere between Cape Hatteras and the Bite of
Logann but youd see rum cheap As to the seas they runs more in lippers in
the Bay of Biscay unless it may be in a sowwester when they tumble about
quite handsomely thof its not in the narrow sea that you are to look for a
swell just go off the Western Islands in a westerly blow keeping the land on
your larboard hand with the ships head to the southard and bring to under a
closereefd topsail or mayhap a reefd foresail with a foretopmast staysail
and mizzen staysail to keep her up to the sea if she will bear it and lay
there for the matter of two watches if you want to see mountains Why good
woman Ive been off there in the Boadishey frigate when you could see nothing
but some such matter as a piece of sky mayhap as big as the mainsail and then
again there was a hole under your leequarter big enough to hold the whole
British navy«
»Oh for massys sake and want you afeard Benjamin and how did you get
off«
»Afeard who the devil do you think was to be frightened at a little salt
water tumbling about his head As for getting off when we had enough of it and
had washed our decks down pretty well we called all hands for dye see the
watch below was in their hammocks all the same as if they were in one of your
best bedrooms and so we watched for a smooth time clapt her helm hard
aweather let fall the foresail and got the tack aboard and so when we got
her afore it I ask you Mistress Prettybones if she didnt walk didnt she
Im no liar good woman when I say that I saw that ship jump from the top of
one sea to another just like one of these squirrels that can fly jumps from
tree to tree«
»What clean out of the water« exclaimed Remarkable lifting her two lank
arms with their bony hands spread in astonishment
»It was no such easy matter to get out of the water good woman for the
spray flew so that you couldnt tell which was sea and which was cloud So there
we kept her afore it for the matter of two glasses The First Lieutenant he
cund the ship himself and there was four quartermasters at the wheel besides
the master with six forecastle men in the gunroom at the relieving tackles
But then she behaved herself so well Oh she was a sweet ship mistress That
one frigate was well worth more to live in than the best house in the island
If I was King of England Id have her hauled up above Lonon bridge and fit
her up for a palace because why If any body can afford to live comfortably
his majesty can«
»Well but Benjamin« cried the listener who was in an ecstasy of
astonishment at this relation of the stewards dangers »what did you do«
»Do why we did our duty like hearty fellows Now if the countrymen of
Mounsheer Ler Quaw had been aboard of her they would have just struck her
ashore on some of them small islands but we run along the land until we found
her dead to leeward off the mountains of Pico and damme if I know to this day
how we got there whether we jumped over the island or hauled round it but
there we was and there we lay under easy sail forereaching first upon one
tack and then upon tother so as to poke her nose out now and then and take a
look to windard till the gale blowd its pipe out«
»I wonder now« exclaimed Remarkable to whom most of the terms used by
Benjamin were perfectly unintelligible but who had got a confused idea of a
raging tempest »it must be an awful life that going to sea and I dont feel
astonishment that youre so affronted with the thoughts of being forced to quit
a comfortable home like this Not that a body cares much fort as theres more
housen than one to live in Why when the Judge agreed with me to come and live
with him Id no more notion of stopping any time than any thing I happened
in just to see how the family did about a week after Miss Temple died
thinking to be back home agin night but the family was in sich a distressed
way that I couldnt but stop awhile and help em on I thought the sitooation a
good one seeing that I was an unmarried body and they was so much in want of
help so I tarried«
»And a long time have you left your anchors down in the same place
mistress I think you must find that the ship rides easy«
»How you talk Benjamin theres no believing a word you say I must say
that the Judge and Squire Jones have both acted quite clever so long but I see
that now we shall have a spicimin to the contrary I heern say that the Judge
was gone a great broad and that he meant to bring his darter hum but I didnt
calcoolate on sich carrins on To my notion Benjamin shes likely to turn out
a disput ugly gall«
»Ugly« echoed the Majordomo opening eyes that were beginning to close in
a very suspicious sleepiness in wide amazement »by the Lord Harry woman I
should as soon think of calling the Boadishey a clumsy frigate What the devil
would you have arnt her eyes as bright as the morning and evening stars and
isnt her hair as black and glistening as rigging that has just had a lick of
tar doesnt she move as stately as a firstrate in smooth water on a bow line
Why woman the figurehead of the Boadishey was a fool to her and that as
Ive often heard the captain say was an image of a great Queen and arnt
Queens always comely woman for who do you think would be a King and not
choose a handsome bedfellow«
»Talk decent Benjamin« said the housekeeper »or I wont keep your
company I dont gainsay her being comely to look on but I will maintain that
shes likely to show poor conduct She seems to think herself too good to talk
to a body From what Squire Jones had telld me I some expected to be quite
captivated by her company Now to my reckoning Lowizy Grant is much more
pritty behaved than Betsy Temple She wouldnt so much as hold discourse with
me when I wanted to ask her how she felt on coming home and missing her
mammy«
»Perhaps she didnt understand you woman you are none of the best
linguister and then Miss Lizzy has been exercising the Kings English under a
great Lonon lady and for that matter can talk the language almost as well as
myself or any native born British subject Youve forgot your schooling and
the young mistress is a great scollard«
»Mistress« cried Remarkable »dont make one out to be a nigger Benjamin
Shes no mistress of mine and never will be And as to speech I hold myself as
second to nobody out of NewEngland I was born and raised in Essex county and
Ive always heern say that the Bay State was provarbal for pronounsation«
»Ive often heard of that Bay of State« said Benjamin »but cant say that
Ive ever been in it nor do I know exactly where away it is that it lays but I
suppose theres good anchorage in it and that its no bad place for the taking
of ling but for size it cant be so much as a yawl to a sloop of war compared
with the Bay of Biscay or mayhap Torbay And as for language if you want to
hear dictionary overhauled like a logline in a blow you must go to Wapping
and listen to the Lononers as they deal out their lingo Howsomever I see no
such mighty matter that Miss Lizzy has been doing to you good woman so take
another drop of your brew and forgive and forget like an honest soul«
»No indeed and I shant do sich a thing Benjamin This treatment is a
newity to me and what I wont put up with I have a hundred and fifty dollars
at use besides a bed and twenty sheep to good and I dont crave to live in a
house where a body musnt call a young woman by her given name to her face I
will call her Betsy as much as I please its a free country and no one can
stop me I did intend to stop while summer but I shall quit tomorrow morning
and I will talk just as I please«
»For that matter Mistress Remarkable« said Benjamin »theres none here
who will contradict you for Im of opinion that it would be as easy to stop a
hurricane with a Barcelony hankerchy as to bring up your tongue when the
stopper is off I say good woman do they grow many monkeys along the shores of
that Bay of State«
»Youre a monkey yourself Mr Penguillum« cried the enraged housekeeper
»or a bear a black beastly bear and ant fit for a decent woman to stay with
Ill never keep your company agin sir if I should live thirty years with the
Judge Sitch talk is more befitting the kitchen than the keepingroom of a house
of one who is well to do in the world«
»Look you Mistress Pitty Patty Prettybones mayhap Im some such
matter as a bear as they will find who come to grapple with me but damme if
Im a monkey a thing that chatters without knowing a word of what it says a
parrot that will hold dialogue for what an honest man knows in a dozen
languages mayhap in the Bay of State lingo mayhap in Greek or High Dutch But
dost it know what it means itself canst answer me that good woman Your
Midshipman can sing out and pass the word when the Captain gives the order
but just set him adrift by himself and let him work the ship of his own head
and stop my grog if you dont find all the Johnnyraws laughing at him«
»Stop your grog indeed« said Remarkable rising with great indignation and
seizing a candle »youre groggy now Benjamin and Ill quit the room before I
hear any misbecoming words from you«
The housekeeper retired with a manner but little less dignified as she
thought than the air of the heiress muttering as she drew the door after her
with a noise like the report of a musket the opprobrious terms of drunkard
sot and beast
»Whos that you say is drunk« cried Benjamin fiercely rising and making a
movement towards Remarkable »You talk of mustering yourself with a lady youre
just fit to grumble and find fault Where the devil should you larn behaviour
and dictionary in your damnd Bay of State ha«
Benjamin here fell back in his chair and soon gave vent to certain ominous
sounds which resembled not a little the growling of his favourite animal the
bear itself Before however he was quite locked to use the language that
would suit the Dellacruscan humour of certain refined minds of the present day
»in the arms of Morpheus« he spoke aloud observing due pauses between his
epithets the impressive terms of monkey parrot picnic tarpot and
linguisters
We shall not attempt to explain his meaning nor connect his sentences and
our readers must be satisfied with our informing them that they were expressed
with all that coolness of contempt that a man might well be supposed to feel for
a monkey
Nearly two hours passed in this sleep before the Majordomo was awakened by
the noisy entrance of Richard Major Hartmann and the master of the mansion
Benjamin so far rallied his confused faculties as to shape the course of the
two former to their respective apartments when he disappeared himself leaving
the task of securing the house to him who was most interested in its safety
Locks and bars were but little attended to in the early day of that settlement
and so soon as Marmaduke had given an eye to the enormous fires of his dwelling
he retired With this act of prudence closes the first night of our tale
Chapter XVI
»Watch aside Some treason masters
Yet stand close«
Much Ado about Nothing IIIiii1067
It was fortunate for more than one of the bacchanalians who left the Bold
Dragoon late in the evening that the severe cold of the season was becoming
rapidly less dangerous as they threaded the different mazes through the
snowbanks that led to their respective dwellings Thin driving clouds began
towards morning to flit across the heavens and the moon set behind a volume of
vapour that was impelled furiously towards the north carrying with it the
softer atmosphere from the distant ocean The rising sun was obscured by denser
and increasing columns of clouds while the southerly wind that rushed up the
valley brought the neverfailing symptoms of a thaw
It was quite late in the morning before Elizabeth observing the faint glow
which appeared on the eastern mountain long after the light of the sun had
struck the opposite hills ventured from the house with a view to gratify her
curiosity with a glance by daylight at the surrounding objects before the tardy
revellers of the Christmaseve should make their appearance at the
breakfasttable While she was drawing the folds of her pelisse more closely
around her form to guard against a cold that was yet great though rapidly
yielding in the small enclosure that opened in the rear of the house on a
little thicket of low pines that were springing up where trees of a mightier
growth had lately stood she was surprised at the voice of Mr Jones
»Merry Christmas merry Christmas to you cousin Bess« he shouted »Ah ha
an early riser I see but I knew I should steal a march on you I never was in
a house yet where I didnt get the first Christmas greeting on every soul in
it man woman and child great and small black white and yellow But stop a
minute till I can just slip on my coat you are about to look at the
improvements I see which no one can explain so well as I who planned them
all It will be an hour before duke and the Major can sleep off Mrs
Hollisters confounded distillations and so Ill come down and go with you«
Elizabeth turned and observed her cousin in his nightcap with his head
out of his bedroom window where his zeal for preeminence in defiance of the
weather had impelled him to thrust it She laughed and promising to wait for
his company reentered the house making her appearance again holding in her
hand a packet that was secured by several large and important seals just in
time to meet the gentleman
»Come Bessy come« he cried drawing one of her arms through his own »the
snow begins to give but it will bear us yet Dont you snuff old Pennsylvania
in the very air This is a vile climate girl now at sunset last evening it was
cold enough to freeze a mans zeal and that I can tell you takes a
thermometer near zero for me then about nine or ten it began to moderate at
twelve it was quite mild and here all the rest of the night I have been so hot
as not to bear a blanket on the bed Holla Aggy merry Christmas Aggy I
say do you hear me you black dog theres a dollar for you and if the
gentlemen get up before I come back do you come out and let me know I wouldnt
have duke get the start of me for the worth of your head«
The black caught the money from the snow and promising a due degree of
watchfulness he gave the dollar a whirl of twenty feet in the air and catching
it as it fell in the palm of his hand he withdrew to the kitchen to exhibit
his present with a heart as light as his face was happy in its expression
»Oh rest easy my dear coz« said the young lady »I took a look in at my
father who is likely to sleep an hour and by using due vigilance you will
secure all the honours of the season«
»Why duke is your father Elizabeth but duke is a man who likes to be
foremost even in trifles Now as for myself I care for no such things except
in the way of competition for a thing which is of no moment in itself may be
made of importance in the way of competition So it is with your father he
loves to be first but I only struggle with him as a competitor«
»Its all very clear sir« said Elizabeth »you would not care a fig for
distinction if there were no one in the world but yourself but as there happen
to be a great many others why you must struggle with them all in the way of
competition«
»Exactly so I see you are a clever girl Bess and one who does credit to
her masters It was my plan to send you to that school for when your father
first mentioned the thing I wrote a private letter for advice to a judicious
friend in the city who recommended the very school you went to Duke was a
little obstinate at first as usual but when he heard the truth he was obliged
to send you«
»Well a truce to dukes foibles sir he is my father and if you knew
what he has been doing for you while we were in Albany you would deal more
tenderly with his character«
»For me« cried Richard pausing a moment in his walk to reflect »Oh he
got the plans of the new Dutch meetinghouse for me I suppose but I care very
little about it for a man of a certain kind of talent is seldom aided by any
foreign suggestions his own brain is the best architect«
»No such thing« said Elizabeth looking provokingly knowing
»No let me see perhaps he had my name put in the bill for the new
turnpike as a director«
»He might possibly but it is not to such an appointment that I allude«
»Such an appointment« repeated Mr Jones who began to fidget with
curiosity »then it is an appointment If it is in the militia I wont take
it«
»No no it is not in the militia« cried Elizabeth showing the packet in
her hand and then drawing it back with a coquettish air »it is an office of
both honour and emolument«
»Honour and emolument« echoed Richard in painful suspense »show me the
paper girl Say is it an office where there is any thing to do«
»You have hit it cousin Dickon it is the executive office of the county
at least so said my father when he gave me this packet to offer you as a
Christmas box Surely if any thing will please Dickon he said it will be to
fill the executive chair of the county«
»Executive chair what nonsense« cried the impatient gentleman snatching
the packet from her hand »there is no such office in the county Eh what it
is I declare a commission appointing Richard Jones Esquire Sheriff of the
county Well this is kind in duke positively I must say duke has a warm
heart and never forgets his friends Sheriff High Sheriff of It sounds
well Bess but it shall execute better Duke is a judicious man after all
and knows human nature thoroughly Im sure Im much obliged to him« continued
Richard using the skirt of his coat unconsciously to wipe his eyes »though I
would do as much for him any day as he shall see if I can have an opportunity
to perform any of the duties of my office on him It shall be well done cousin
Bess it shall be well done I say How this cursed south wind makes ones
eyes water«
»Now Richard« said the laughing maiden »now I think you will find
something to do I have often heard you complain of old that there was nothing
to do in this new country while to my eyes it seemed as if every thing
remained to be done«
»Do« echoed Richard who blew his nose raised his little form to its
greatest elevation and looked serious »Every thing depends on system girl I
shall sit down this afternoon and systematize the county I must have deputies
you know I will divide the county into districts over which I will place my
deputies and I will have one for the village which I will call my home
department Let me see oh Benjamin yes Benjamin will make a good deputy he
has been naturalized and would answer admirably if he could only ride on
horseback«
»Yes Mr Sheriff« said his companion »and as he understands ropes so
well he would be very expert should occasion happen for his services in
another way«
»No« interrupted the other »I flatter myself that no man could hang a man
better than that is ha oh yes Benjamin would do extremely well in such
an unfortunate dilemma if he could be persuaded to attempt it But I should
despair of the thing I never could induce him to hang or teach him to ride on
horseback I must seek another deputy«
»Well sir as you have abundant leisure for all these important affairs I
beg that you will forget that you are High Sheriff and devote some little of
your time to gallantry Where are the beauties and improvements which you were
to show me«
»Where why every where Here I have laid out some new streets and when
they are opened and the trees felled and they are all built up will they not
make a fine town Well duke is a liberalhearted fellow with all his
stubbornness Yes yes I must have at least four deputies besides a jailer«
»I see no streets in the direction of our walk« said Elizabeth »unless you
call the short avenues through these pine bushes by that name Surely you do not
contemplate building houses very soon in that forest before us and in those
swamps«
»We must run our streets by the compass coz and disregard trees hills
ponds stumps or in fact any thing but posterity Such is the will of your
father and your father you know «
»Had you made Sheriff Mr Jones« interrupted the lady with a tone that
said very plainly to the gentleman that he was touching a forbidden subject
»I know it I know it« cried Richard »and if it were in my power Id make
duke a king He is a noblehearted fellow and would make an excellent king
that is if he had a good prime minister But who have we here voices in the
bushes a combination about mischief Ill wager my commission Let us draw
near and examine a little into the matter«
During this dialogue as the parties had kept in motion Richard and his
cousin advanced some distance from the house into the open space in the rear of
the village where as may be gathered from the conversation streets were
planned and future dwellings contemplated but where in truth the only mark of
improvement that was to be seen was a neglected clearing along the skirt of a
dark forest of mighty pines over which the bushes or sprouts of the same tree
had sprung up to a height that interspersed the fields of snow with little
thickets of evergreen The rushing of the wind as it whistled through the tops
of these mimic trees prevented the footsteps of the pair from being heard
while the branches concealed their persons Thus aided the listeners drew nigh
to a spot where the young hunter Leatherstocking and the Indian chief were
collected in an earnest consultation The former was urgent in his manner and
seemed to think the subject of deep importance while Natty appeared to listen
with more than his usual attention to what the other was saying Mohegan stood
a little on one side with his head sunken on his chest his hair falling
forward so as to conceal most of his features and his whole attitude
expressive of deep dejection if not of shame
»Let us withdraw« whispered Elizabeth »we are intruders and can have no
right to listen to the secrets of these men«
»No right« returned Richard a little impatiently in the same tone and
drawing her arm so forcibly through his own as to prevent her retreat »you
forget cousin that it is my duty to preserve the peace of the county and see
the laws executed These wanderers frequently commit depredations though I do
not think John would do any thing secretly Poor fellow he was quite boozy last
night and hardly seems to be over it yet Let us draw nigher and hear what
they say«
Notwithstanding the ladys reluctance Richard stimulated doubtless by his
nice sense of duty prevailed and they were soon so near as distinctly to hear
sounds
»The bird must be had« said Natty »by fair means or foul Heigho Ive
known the time lad when the wild turkeys wasnt over scarce in the country
though you must go into the Virginy gaps if you want them now To be sure
there is a different taste to a partridge and a wellfatted turkey though to
my eating beavers tail and bears hams makes the best of food But then every
one has his own appetite I gave the last farthing all to that shilling to the
French trader this very morning as I come through the town for powder so as
you have nothing we can have but one shot for it I know that Billy Kirby is
out and means to have a pull of the trigger at that very turkey John has a
true eye for a single fire and somehow my hand shakes so whenever I have to
do any thing extrawnary that I often lose my aim Now when I killed the
shebear this fall with her cubs though they were so mighty ravenous I
knocked them over one at a shot and loaded while I dodged the trees in the
bargain but this is a very different thing Mr Oliver«
»This« cried the young man with an accent that sounded as if he took a
bitter pleasure in his poverty while he held a shilling up before his eyes
»this is all the treasure that I possess this and my rifle Now indeed I
have become a man of the woods and must place my sole dependence on the fruits
of the chase Come Natty let us stake the last penny for the bird with your
aim it cannot fail to be successful«
»I would rather it should be John lad my heart jumps into my mouth
because you set your mind so much ont and Im sartain that I shall miss the
bird Them Indians can shoot one time as well as another nothing ever troubles
them I say John heres a shilling take my rifle and get a shot at the big
turkey theyve put up at the stump Mr Oliver is over anxious for the creater
and Im sure to do nothing when I have over anxiety about it«
The Indian turned his head gloomily and after looking keenly for a moment
in profound silence at his companions he replied
»When John was young eyesight was not straighter than his bullet The Mingo
squaws cried out at the sound of his rifle The Mingo warriors were made squaws
When did he ever shoot twice The eagle went above the clouds when he passed
the wigwam of Chingachgook his feathers were plenty with the women But see«
he said raising his voice from the low mournful tones in which he had spoken
to a pitch of keen excitement and stretching forth both hands »they shake
like a deer at the wolfs howl Is John old When was a Mohican a squaw with
seventy winters No the white man brings old age with him rum is his
tomahawk«
»Why then do you use it old man« exclaimed the young hunter »why will one
so noble by nature aid the devices of the devil by making himself a beast«
»Beast is John a beast« replied the Indian slowly »yes you say no lie
child of the Fireeater John is a beast The smokes were once few in these
hills The deer would lick the hand of a white man and the birds rest on his
head They were strangers to him My fathers came from the shores of the salt
lake They fled before rum They came to their grandfather and they lived in
peace or when they did raise the hatchet it was to strike it into the brain of
a Mingo They gathered around the councilfire and what they said was done
Then John was the man But warriors and traders with light eyes followed them
One brought the long knife and one brought rum They were more than the pines
on the mountains and they broke up the councils and took the lands The evil
spirit was in their jugs and they let him loose Yes yes you say no lie
Young Eagle John is a Christian beast«
»Forgive me old warrior« cried the youth grasping his hand »I should be
the last to reproach you The curses of Heaven light on the cupidity that has
destroyed such a race Remember John that I am of your family and it is now
my greatest pride«
The muscles of Mohegan relaxed a little and he said more mildly
»You are a Delaware my son your words are not heard John cannot shoot«
»I thought that lad had Indian blood in him« whispered Richard »by the
awkward way he handled my horses last night You see coz they never use
harness But the poor fellow shall have two shots at the turkey if he wants it
for Ill give him another shilling myself though perhaps I had better offer
to shoot for him They have got up their Christmas sports I find in the bushes
yonder where you hear the laughter though it is a queer taste this chap has
for turkey not but what it is good eating too«
»Hold cousin Richard« exclaimed Elizabeth clinging to his arm »would it
be delicate to offer a shilling to that gentleman«
»Gentleman again do you think a halfbreed like him will refuse money
No no girl he will take the shilling ay and even rum too notwithstanding
he moralizes so much about it But Ill give the lad a chance for his turkey
for that Billy Kirby is one of the best marksmen in the country that is if we
except the the gentleman«
»Then« said Elizabeth who found her strength unequal to her will »then
sir I will speak« She advanced with an air of determination in front of
her cousin and entered the little circle of bushes that surrounded the trio of
hunters Her appearance startled the youth who at first made an unequivocal
motion towards retiring but recollecting himself bowed by lifting his cap
and resumed his attitude of leaning on his rifle Neither Natty nor Mohegan
betrayed any emotion though the appearance of Elizabeth was so entirely
unexpected
»I find« she said »that the old Christmas sport of shooting the turkey is
yet in use among you I feel inclined to try my chance for a bird Which of you
will take this money and after paying my fee give me the aid of his rifle«
»Is this a sport for a lady« exclaimed the young hunter with an emphasis
that could not well be mistaken and with a rapidity that showed he spoke
without consulting any thing but feeling
»Why not sir If it be inhuman the sin is not confined to one sex only
But I have my humour as well as others I ask not your assistance but«
turning to Natty and dropping a dollar in his hand »this old veteran of the
forest will not be so ungallant as to refuse one fire for a lady«
Leatherstocking dropped the money into his pouch and throwing up the end
of his rifle he freshened his priming and first laughing in his usual manner
he threw the piece over his shoulder and said
»If Billy Kirby dont get the bird before me and the Frenchmans powder
dont hang fire this damp morning youll see as fine a turkey dead in a few
minutes as ever was eaten in the Judges shanty I have knowd the Dutch women
on the Mohawk and Scoharie count greatly on coming to the merrymakings and so
lad you shouldnt be short with the lady Come let us go forward for if we
wait the finest bird will be gone«
»But I have a right before you Natty and shall try my own luck first You
will excuse me Miss Temple I have much reason to wish that bird and may seem
ungallant but I must claim my privileges«
»Claim any thing that is justly your own sir« returned the lady »we are
both adventurers and this is my knight I trust my fortune to his hand and eye
Lead on Sir Leatherstocking and we will follow«
Natty who seemed pleased with the frank address of the young and beauteous
Elizabeth who had so singularly intrusted him with such a commission returned
the bright smile with which she had addressed him by his own peculiar mark of
mirth and moved across the snow towards the spot whence the sounds of
boisterous mirth proceeded with the long strides of a hunter His companions
followed in silence the youth casting frequent and uneasy glances towards
Elizabeth who was detained by a motion from Richard
»I should think Miss Temple« he said so soon as the others were out of
hearing »that if you really wished a turkey you would not have taken a
stranger for the office and such a one as Leatherstocking But I can hardly
believe that you are serious for I have fifty at this moment shut up in the
coops in every stage of fat so that you might choose any quality you pleased
There are six that I am trying an experiment on by giving them brickbats with
«
»Enough cousin Dickon« interrupted the lady »I do wish the bird and it
is because I so wish that I commissioned this Mr Leatherstocking«
»Did you ever hear of the great shot that I made at the wolf cousin
Elizabeth who was carrying off your fathers sheep« said Richard drawing
himself up into an air of displeasure »He had the sheep on his back and had
the head of the wolf been on the other side I should have killed him dead as
it was «
»You killed the sheep I know it all dear coz But would it have been
decorous for the High Sheriff of to mingle in such sports as these«
»Surely you did not think I intended actually to fire with my own hands«
said Mr Jones »But let us follow and see the shooting There is no fear of
any thing unpleasant occurring to a female in this new country especially to
your fathers daughter and in my presence«
»My fathers daughter fears nothing sir more especially when escorted by
the highest executive officer in the county«
She took his arm and he led her through the mazes of the bushes to the
spot where most of the young men of the village were collected for the sports of
shooting a Christmas match and whither Natty and his companions had already
preceded them
Chapter XVII
»I guess by all this quaint array
The burghers hold their sports today«
Scott The Lady of the Lake
Vxx3132
The ancient amusement of shooting the Christmas turkey is one of the few sports
that the settlers of a new country seldom or never neglect to observe It was
connected with the daily practices of a people who often laid aside the axe or
the sithe to seize the rifle as the deer glided through the forests they were
felling or the bear entered their rough meadows to scent the air of a
clearing and to scan with a look of sagacity the progress of the invader
On the present occasion the usual amusement of the day had been a little
hastened in order to allow a fair opportunity to Mr Grant whose exhibition
was not less a treat to the young sportsmen than the one which engaged their
present attention The owner of the birds was a free black who had prepared for
the occasion a collection of game that was admirably qualified to inflame the
appetite of an epicure and was well adapted to the means and skill of the
different competitors who were of all ages He had offered to the younger and
more humble marksmen divers birds of an inferior quality and some shooting had
already taken place much to the pecuniary advantage of the sable owner of the
game The order of the sports was extremely simple and well understood The
bird was fastened by a string to the stump of a large pine the side of which
towards the point where the marksmen were placed had been flattened with an
axe in order to serve the purpose of a target by which the merit of each
individual might be ascertained The distance between the stump and
shootingstand was one hundred measured yards a foot more or a foot less being
thought an invasion of the rights of one of the parties The negro affixed his
own price to every bird and the terms of the chance but when these were once
established he was obliged by the strict principles of public justice that
prevailed in the country to admit any adventurer who chose to offer
The throng consisted of some twenty or thirty young men most of whom had
rifles and a collection of all the boys in the village The little urchins
clad in coarse but warm garments stood gathered around the more distinguished
marksmen with their hands stuck under their waistbands listening eagerly to
the boastful stories of skill that had been exhibited on former occasions and
were already emulating in their hearts these wonderful deeds in gunnery
The chief speaker was the man who had been mentioned by Natty as Billy
Kirby This fellow whose occupation when he did labour was that of clearing
lands or chopping jobs was of great stature and carried in his very air the
index of his character He was a noisy boisterous reckless lad whose
goodnatured eye contradicted the bluntness and bullying tenor of his speech
For weeks he would lounge around the taverns of the county in a state of
perfect idleness or doing small jobs for his liquor and his meals and
cavilling with applicants about the prices of his labour frequently preferring
idleness to an abatement of a tittle of his independence or a cent in his
wages But when these embarrassing points were satisfactorily arranged he would
shoulder his axe and his rifle slip his arms through the straps of his pack
and enter the woods with the tread of a Hercules His first object was to learn
his limits round which he paced occasionally freshening with a blow of his
axe the marks on the boundary trees Then he would proceed with an air of
great deliberation to the centre of his premises and throwing aside his
superfluous garments measure with a knowing eye one or two of the nearest
trees that were towering apparently into the very clouds as he gazed upward
Commonly selecting one of the most noble for the first trial of his power he
approached it with a listless air whistling a low tune and wielding his axe
with a certain flourish not unlike the salutes of a fencingmaster he would
strike a light blow into the bark and measure his distance A pause of a moment
was ominous of the fall of the forest which had flourished there for centuries
The heavy and brisk blows that he struck were soon succeeded by the thundering
report of the tree as it came first cracking and threatening with the
separation of its own last ligaments then threshing and tearing with its
branches the tops of its surrounding brethren and finally meeting the ground
with a shock but little inferior to an earthquake From that moment the sounds
of the axe were ceaseless while the falling of the trees was like a distant
cannonading and the daylight broke into the depths of the woods with the
suddenness of a morning in winter
For days weeks nay months Billy Kirby would toil with an ardour that
evinced his native spirit and with an effect that seemed magical until his
chopping being ended his stentorian lungs could be heard emitting sounds as
he called to his patient oxen which rung through the hills like the cries of an
alarm He had been often heard on a mild summers evening a long mile across
the vale of Templeton the echoes from the mountains taking up his cries until
they died away in feeble sounds from the distant rocks that overhung the lake
His piles or to use the language of the country his logging ended with a
despatch that could only accompany his dexterity and Herculean strength the
jobber would collect together his implements of labour light the heaps of
timber and march away under the blaze of the prostrate forest like the
conqueror of some city who having first prevailed over his adversary applies
the torch as the finishing blow to his conquest For a long time Billy Kirby
would then be seen sauntering around the taverns the rider of scrubraces the
bully of cockfights and not unfrequently the hero of such sports as the one
in hand
Between him and the Leatherstocking there had long existed a jealous
rivalry on the point of skill with the rifle Notwithstanding the long practice
of Natty it was commonly supposed that the steady nerves and quick eye of the
woodchopper rendered him his equal The competition had however been
confined hitherto to boastings and comparisons made from their success in
various hunting excursions but the present occasion was the first time that
they had ever come in open collision A good deal of higgling about the price
of a shot at the choicest bird had taken place between Billy Kirby and its
owner before Natty and his companions rejoined the sportsmen It had however
been settled at one shilling14 a shot which was the highest sum ever exacted
the black taking care to protect himself from losses as much as possible by
the conditions of the sport The turkey was already fastened at the mark its
body being entirely hid by the surrounding snow nothing being visible but its
red swelling head and long neck If the bird was injured by any bullet that
struck beneath the snow it was to continue the property of its present owner
but if a feather was touched in a visible part the animal became the prize of
the successful adventurer
These terms were loudly proclaimed by the negro who was seated in the snow
in a somewhat hazardous vicinity to his favourite bird when Elizabeth and her
cousin approached the noisy sportsmen The sounds of mirth and contention
sensibly lowered at this unexpected visit but after a moments pause the
curious interest exhibited in the face of the young lady together with her
smiling air restored the freedom of the morning though it was somewhat
chastened both in language and vehemence by the presence of such a spectator
»Stand out of the way there boys« cried the woodchopper who was placing
himself at the shootingpoint »stand out of the way you little rascals or I
will shoot through you Now Brom take leave of your turkey«
»Stop« cried the young hunter »I am a candidate for a chance Here is my
shilling Brom I wish a shot too«
»You may wish it in welcome« cried Kirby »but if I ruffle the gobblers
feathers how are you to get it is money so plenty in your deerskin pocket
that you pay for a chance you may never have«
»How know you sir how plenty money is in my pocket« said the youth
fiercely »Here is my shilling Brom and I claim a right to shoot«
»Dont be crabbed my boy« said the other who was very coolly fixing his
flint »They say you have a hole in your left shoulder yourself so I think
Brom may give you a fire for halfprice It will take a keen one to hit that
bird I can tell you my lad even if I give you a chance which is what I have
no mind to do«
»Dont be boasting Billy Kirby« said Natty throwing the breech of his
rifle into the snow and leaning on its barrel »youll get but one shot at the
creater for if the lad misses his aim which wouldnt be a wonder if he did
with his arm so stiff and sore youll find a good piece and an old eye comin
ater you Maybe its true that I cant shoot as I used to could but a hundred
yards is a short distance for a long rifle«
»What old Leatherstocking are you out this morning« cried his reckless
opponent »Well fair plays a jewel Ive the lead of you old fellow so here
goes for a dry throat or a good dinner«
The countenance of the negro evinced not only all the interest which his
pecuniary adventure might occasion but also the keen excitement that the sport
produced in the others though certainly with a very different wish as to the
result While the woodchopper was slowly and steadily raising his rifle he
bawled
»Fair play Billy Kirby stand back make em stand back boys gib a
nigger fair play poss up gobbler shake a head fool dont a see em taking
aim«
These cries which were intended as much to distract the attention of the
marksman as for any thing else were fruitless The nerves of the woodchopper
were not so easily shaken and he took his aim with the utmost deliberation
Stillness prevailed for a moment and he fired The head of the turkey was seen
to dash on one side and its wings were spread in momentary fluttering but it
settled itself down calmly into its bed of snow and glanced its eyes uneasily
around For a time long enough to draw a deep breath not a sound was heard The
silence was then broken by the noise of the negro who laughed and shook his
body with all kinds of antics rolling over in the snow in the excess of
delight
»Well done a gobbler« he cried jumping up and affecting to embrace his
bird »I tell em to poss up and you see em dodge Gib anoder shillin Billy
and hab anoder shot«
»No the shot is mine« said the young hunter »you have my money already
Leave the mark and let me try my luck«
»Ah its but money thrown away lad« said Leatherstocking »A turkeys
head and neck is but a small mark for a new hand and a lame shoulder Youd best
let me take the fire and maybe we can make some sittlement with the lady about
the bird«
»The chance is mine« said the young hunter »Clear the ground that I may
take it«
The discussions and disputes concerning the last shot were now abating it
having been determined that if the turkeys head had been any where but just
where it was at the moment the bird must certainly have been killed There was
not much excitement produced by the preparations of the youth who proceeded in
a hurried manner to take his aim and was in the act of pulling the trigger
when he was stopped by Natty
»Your hand shakes lad« he said »and you seem over eager Bullet wownds
are apt to weaken flesh and to my judgment youll not shoot so well as in
common If you will fire you should shoot quick before there is time to shake
off the aim«
»Fair play« again shouted the negro »fair play gib a nigger fair play
What right a Natty Bumppo advise a young man Let em shoot clear a ground«
The youth fired with great rapidity but no motion was made by the turkey
and when the examiners for the ball returned from the mark they declared that
he had missed the stump
Elizabeth observed the change in his countenance and could not help feeling
surprise that one evidently so superior to his companions should feel a
trifling loss so sensibly But her own champion was now preparing to enter the
lists
The mirth of Brom which had been again excited though in a much smaller
degree than before by the failure of the second adventurer vanished the
instant Natty took his stand His skin became mottled with large brown spots
that fearfully sullied the lustre of his native ebony while his enormous lips
gradually compressed around two rows of ivory that had hitherto been shining in
his visage like pearls set in jet His nostrils at all times the most
conspicuous features of his face dilated until they covered the greater part
of the diameter of his countenance while his brown and bony hands unconsciously
grasped the snowcrust near him the excitement of the moment completely
overcoming his native dread of cold
While these indications of apprehension were exhibited in the sable owner of
the turkey the man who gave rise to this extraordinary emotion was as calm and
collected as if there was not to be a single spectator of his skill
»I was down in the Dutch settlements on the Scoharie« said Natty carefully
removing the leathern guard from the lock of his rifle »jist before the
breaking out of the last war and there was a shootingmatch amongst the boys
so I took a hand I think I opened a good many Dutch eyes that day for I won
the powderhorn three pounds of lead and a pound of as good powder as ever
flashed in pan Lord how they did swear in Garman They did tell of one drunken
Dutchman who said hed have the life of me before I got back to the lake
agin But if he had put his rifle to his shoulder with evil intent God would
have punished him for it and even if the Lord didnt and he had missed his
aim I know one that would have given him as good as he sent and better too if
good shooting could come into the count«
By this time the old hunter was ready for his business and throwing his
right leg far behind him and stretching his left arm along the barrel of his
piece he raised it towards the bird Every eye glanced rapidly from the
marksman to the mark but at the moment when each ear was expecting the report
of the rifle they were disappointed by the ticking sound of the flint
»A snap a snap« shouted the negro springing from his crouching posture
like a madman before his bird »A snap good as fire Natty Bumppo gun he snap
Natty Bumppo miss a turkey«
»Natty Bumppo hit a nigger« said the indignant old hunter »if you dont
get out of the way Brom Its contrary to the reason of the thing boy that a
snap should count for a fire when one is nothing more than a firestone
striking a steel pan and the other is sudden death so get out my way boy and
let me show Billy Kirby how to shoot a Christmas turkey«
»Gib a nigger fair play« cried the black who continued resolutely to
maintain his post and making that appeal to the justice of his auditors which
the degraded condition of his caste so naturally suggested »Ebbery body know
dat snap as good as fire Leab it to Massa Jone leab it to young lady«
»Sartain« said the woodchopper »its the law of the game in this part of
the country Leatherstocking If you fire agin you must pay up the other
shilling I blieve Ill try luck once more myself so Brom heres my money
and I take the next fire«
»Its likely you know the laws of the woods better than I do Billy Kirby«
returned Natty »You come in with the settlers with an ox goad in your hand
and I come in with moccasins on my feet and with a good rifle on my shoulders
so long back as afore the old war which is likely to know best I say no man
need tell me that snapping is as good as firing when I pull the trigger«
»Leab it to Massa Jone« said the alarmed negro »he know ebbery ting«
This appeal to the knowledge of Richard was too flattering to be unheeded
He therefore advanced a little from the spot whither the delicacy of Elizabeth
had induced her to withdraw and gave the following opinion with the gravity
that the subject and his own rank demanded
»There seems to be a difference in opinion« he said »on the subject of
Nathaniel Bumppos right to shoot at Abraham Freeborns turkey without the said
Nathaniel paying one shilling for the privilege« This fact was too evident to
be denied and after pausing a moment that the audience might digest his
premises Richard proceeded »It seems proper that I should decide this
question as I am bound to preserve the peace of the county and men with deadly
weapons in their hands should not be heedlessly left to contention and their
own malignant passions It appears that there was no agreement either in
writing or in words on the disputed point therefore we must reason from
analogy which is as it were comparing one thing with another Now in duels
where both parties shoot it is generally the rule that a snap is a fire and if
such is the rule where the party has a right to fire back again it seems to me
unreasonable to say that a man may stand snapping at a defenceless turkey all
day I therefore am of opinion that Nathaniel Bumppo has lost his chance and
must pay another shilling before he renews his right«
As this opinion came from so high a quarter and was delivered with effect
it silenced all murmurs for the whole of the spectators had begun to take sides
with great warmth except from the Leatherstocking himself
»I think Miss Elizabeths thoughts should be taken« said Natty »Ive known
the squaws give very good counsel when the Indians have been dumbfoundered If
she says that I ought to lose I agree to give it up«
»Then I adjudge you to be a loser for this time« said Miss Temple »but
pay your money and renew your chance unless Brom will sell me the bird for a
dollar I will give him the money to save the life of the poor victim«
This proposition was evidently but little relished by any of the listeners
even the negro feeling the evil excitement of the chances In the mean while as
Billy Kirby was preparing himself for another shot Natty left the stand with
an extremely dissatisfied manner muttering
»There hasnt been such a thing as a good flint sold at the foot of the
lake sin the Indian traders used to come into the country and if a body
should go into the flats or along the streams in the hills to hunt for such a
thing its ten to one but they be all covered up with the plough Heigho it
seems to me that just as the game grows scarce and a body wants the best of
ammunition to get a livelihood every thing thats bad falls on him like a
judgment But Ill change the stone for Billy Kirby hasnt the eye for such a
mark I know«
The woodchopper seemed now entirely sensible that his reputation depended
on his care nor did he neglect any means to insure success He drew up his
rifle and renewed his aim again and again still appearing reluctant to fire
No sound was heard from even Brom during these portentous movements until
Kirby discharged his piece with the same want of success as before Then
indeed the shouts of the negro rung through the bushes and sounded among the
trees of the neighbouring forest like the outcries of a tribe of Indians He
laughed rolling his head first on one side then on the other until nature
seemed exhausted with mirth He danced until his legs were wearied with motion
in the snow and in short he exhibited all that violence of joy that
characterizes the mirth of a thoughtless negro
The woodchopper had exerted all his art and felt a proportionate degree of
disappointment at the failure He first examined the bird with the utmost
attention and more than once suggested that he had touched its feathers but
the voice of the multitude was against him for it felt disposed to listen to
the often repeated cries of the black to gib a nigger fair play
Finding it impossible to make out a title to the bird Kirby turned fiercely
to the black and said
»Shut your oven you crow Where is the man that can hit a turkeys head at
a hundred yards I was a fool for trying You neednt make an uproar like a
falling pine tree about it Show me the man who can do it«
»Look this away Billy Kirby« said Leatherstocking »and let them clear
the mark and Ill show you a man whos made better shots afore now and that
when hes been hard pressed by the savages and wild beasts«
»Perhaps there is one whose right comes before ours Leatherstocking« said
Miss Temple »if so we will waive our privilege«
»If it be me that you have reference to« said the young hunter »I shall
decline another chance My shoulder is yet weak I find«
Elizabeth regarded his manner and thought that she could discern a tinge on
his cheek that spoke the shame of conscious poverty She said no more but
suffered her own champion to make a trial
Although Natty Bumppo had certainly made hundreds of more momentous shots
at his enemies or his game yet he never exerted himself more to excel He
raised his piece three several times once to get his range once to calculate
his distance and once because the bird alarmed by the deathlike stillness
turned its head quickly to examine its foes But the fourth time he fired The
smoke the report and the momentary shock prevented most of the spectators
from instantly knowing the result but Elizabeth when she saw her champion drop
the end of his rifle in the snow and open his mouth in one of its silent
laughs and then proceed very coolly to reload his piece knew that he had
been successful The boys rushed to the mark and lifted the turkey on high
lifeless and with nothing but the remnant of a head
»Bring in the creater« said Leatherstocking »and put it at the feet of
the lady I was her deputy in the matter and the bird is her property«
»And a good deputy you have proved yourself« returned Elizabeth »so good
cousin Richard that I would advise you to remember his qualities« She paused
and the gayety that beamed on her face gave place to a more serious earnestness
She even blushed a little as she turned to the young hunter and with the
charm of a womans manner added »But it was only to see an exhibition of the
farfamed skill of Leatherstocking that I tried my fortunes Will you sir
accept the bird as a small peaceoffering for the hurt that prevented your own
success«
The expression with which the youth received this present was indescribable
He appeared to yield to the blandishment of her air in opposition to a strong
inward impulse to the contrary He bowed and raised the victim silently from
her feet but continued silent
Elizabeth handed the black a piece of silver as a remuneration for his
loss which had some effect in again unbending his muscles and then expressed
to her companion her readiness to return homeward
»Wait a minute cousin Bess« cried Richard »there is an uncertainty about
the rules of this sport that it is proper I should remove If you will
appoint a committee gentlemen to wait on me this morning I will draw up in
writing a set of regulations « He stopped with some indignation for at that
instant a hand was laid familiarly on the shoulder of the High Sheriff of
»A merry Christmas to you cousin Dickon« said Judge Temple who had
approached the party unperceived »I must have a vigilant eye to my daughter
sir if you are to be seized daily with these gallant fits I admire the taste
which would introduce a lady to such scenes«
»It is her own perversity duke« cried the disappointed Sheriff who felt
the loss of the first salutation as grievously as many a man would a much
greater misfortune »and I must say that she comes honestly by it I led her out
to show her the improvements but away she scampered through the snow at the
first sound of firearms the same as if she had been brought up in a camp
instead of a firstrate boardingschool I do think Judge Temple that such
dangerous amusements should be suppressed by statute nay I doubt whether they
are not already indictable at common law«
»Well sir as you are Sheriff of the county it becomes your duty to
examine into the matter« returned the smiling Marmaduke »I perceive that Bess
has executed her commission and I hope it met with a favourable reception«
Richard glanced his eye at the packet which he held in his hand and the
slight anger produced by disappointment vanished instantly
»Ah duke my dear cousin« he said »step a little on one side I have
something I would say to you« Marmaduke complied and the Sheriff led him to a
little distance in the bushes and continued »First duke let me thank you
for your friendly interest with the Council and the Governor without which I
am confident that the greatest merit would avail but little But we are sisters
children we are sisters children and you may use me like one of your horses
ride me or drive me duke I am wholly yours But in my humble opinion this
young companion of Leatherstocking requires looking after He has a very
dangerous propensity for turkey«
»Leave him to my management Dickon« said the Judge »and I will cure his
appetite by indulgence It is with him that I would speak Let us rejoin the
sportsmen«
Chapter XVIII
»Poor wretch the mother that him bare
If she had been in presence there
In his wan face and sunburnd hair
She had not known her child«
Scott Marmion Ixxviii1316
It diminished in no degree the effect produced by the conversation which
passed between Judge Temple and the young hunter that the former took the arm
of his daughter and drew it through his own when he advanced from the spot
whither Richard had led him to that where the youth was standing leaning on
his rifle and contemplating the dead bird at his feet The presence of
Marmaduke did not interrupt the sports which were resumed by loud and
clamorous disputes concerning the conditions of a chance that involved the life
of a bird of much inferior quality to the last Leatherstocking and Mohegan had
alone drawn aside to their youthful companion and although in the immediate
vicinity of such a throng the following conversation was heard only by those
who were interested in it
»I have greatly injured you Mr Edwards« said the Judge but the sudden
and inexplicable start with which the person spoken to received this unexpected
address caused him to pause a moment As no answer was given and the strong
emotion exhibited in the countenance of the youth gradually passed away he
continued »But fortunately it is in some measure in my power to compensate
you for what I have done My kinsman Richard Jones has received an appointment
that will in future deprive me of his assistance and leaves me just now
destitute of one who might greatly aid me with his pen Your manner
notwithstanding appearances is a sufficient proof of your education nor will
thy shoulder suffer thee to labour for some time to come« Marmaduke
insensibly relapsed into the language of the Friends as he grew warm »My doors
are open to thee my young friend for in this infant country we harbour no
suspicions little offering to tempt the cupidity of the evil disposed Become
my assistant for at least a season and receive such compensation as thy
services will deserve«
There was nothing in the manner or the offer of the Judge to justify the
reluctance amounting nearly to loathing with which the youth listened to his
speech but after a powerful effort for selfcommand he replied
»I would serve you sir or any other man for an honest support for I do
not affect to conceal that my necessities are very great even beyond what
appearances would indicate but I am fearful that such new duties would
interfere too much with more important business so that I must decline your
offer and depend on my rifle as before for subsistence«
Richard here took occasion to whisper to the young lady who had shrunk a
little from the foreground of the picture
»This you see cousin Bess is the natural reluctance of a halfbreed to
leave the savage state Their attachment to a wandering life is I verily
believe unconquerable«
»It is a precarious life« observed Marmaduke without hearing the Sheriffs
observation »and one that brings more evils with it than present suffering
Trust me young friend my experience is greater than thine when I tell thee
that the unsettled life of these hunters is of vast disadvantage for temporal
purposes and it totally removes one from the influence of more sacred things«
»No no Judge« interrupted the Leatherstocking who was hitherto unseen
or disregarded »take him into your shanty in welcome but tell him truth I
have lived in the woods for forty long years and have spent five at a time
without seeing the light of a clearing bigger than a windrow in the trees and
I should like to know where youll find a man in his sixtyeighth year who can
get an easier living for all your betterments and your deerlaws and as for
honesty or doing whats right between man and man Ill not turn my back to the
longest winded deacon on your Patent«
»Thou art an exception Leatherstocking« returned the Judge nodding
goodnaturedly at the hunter »for thou hast a temperance unusual in thy class
and a hardihood exceeding thy years But this youth is made of materials too
precious to be wasted in the forest I entreat thee to join my family if it be
but till thy arm be healed My daughter here who is mistress of my dwelling
will tell thee that thou art welcome«
»Certainly« said Elizabeth whose earnestness was a little checked by
female reserve »The unfortunate would be welcome at any time but doubly so
when we feel that we have occasioned the evil ourselves«
»Yes« said Richard »and if you relish turkey young man there are plenty
in the coops and of the best kind I can assure you«
Finding himself thus ably seconded Marmaduke pushed his advantage to the
utmost He entered into a detail of the duties that would attend the situation
and circumstantially mentioned the reward and all those points which are deemed
of importance among men of business The youth listened in extreme agitation
There was an evident contest in his feelings at times he appeared to wish
eagerly for the change and then again the incomprehensible expression of
disgust would cross his features like a dark cloud obscuring a noonday sun
The Indian in whose manner the depression of selfabasement was most
powerfully exhibited listened to the offers of the Judge with an interest that
increased with each syllable Gradually he drew nigher to the group and when
with his keen glance he detected the most marked evidence of yielding in the
countenance of his young companion he changed at once from his attitude and
look of shame to the front of an Indian warrior and moving with great
dignity closer to the parties he spoke
»Listen to your Father« he said »his words are old Let the Young Eagle
and the Great Land Chief eat together let them sleep without fear near each
other The children of Miquon love not blood they are just and will do right
The sun must rise and set often before men can make one family it is not the
work of a day but of many winters The Mingoes and the Delawares are born
enemies their blood can never mix in the wigwam it never will run in the same
stream in the battle What makes the brother of Miquon and the Young Eagle foes
they are of the same tribe their fathers and mothers are one Learn to wait my
son you are a Delaware and an Indian warrior knows how to be patient«
This figurative address seemed to have great weight with the young man who
gradually yielded to the representations of Marmaduke and eventually consented
to his proposal It was however to be an experiment only and if either of the
parties thought fit to rescind the engagement it was left at his option so to
do The remarkable and illconcealed reluctance of the youth to accept of an
offer which most men in his situation would consider as an unhoped for
elevation occasioned no little surprise in those to whom he was a stranger and
it left a slight impression to his disadvantage When the parties separated
they very naturally made the subject the topic of a conversation which we shall
relate first commencing with the Judge his daughter and Richard who were
slowly pursuing the way back to the Mansionhouse
»I have surely endeavoured to remember the holy mandates of our Redeemer
when he bids us love them who despitefully use you in my intercourse with this
incomprehensible boy« said Marmaduke »I know not what there is in my dwelling
to frighten a lad of his years unless it may be thy presence and visage Bess«
»No no« said Richard with great simplicity »it is not cousin Bess But
when did you ever know a halfbreed duke who could bear civilization for
that matter they are worse than the savages themselves Did you notice how
knockkneed he stood Elizabeth and what a wild look he had in his eyes«
»I heeded not his eyes nor his knees which would be all the better for a
little humbling Really my dear sir I think you did exercise the Christian
virtue of patience to the utmost I was disgusted with his airs long before he
consented to make one of our family Truly we are much honoured by the
association In what apartment is he to be placed sir and at what table is he
to receive his nectar and ambrosia«
»With Benjamin and Remarkable« interrupted Mr Jones »you surely would not
make the youth eat with the blacks He is part Indian it is true but the
natives hold the negroes in great contempt No no he would starve before he
would break a crust with the negroes«
»I am but too happy Dickon to tempt him to eat with ourselves« said
Marmaduke »to think of offering even the indignity you propose«
»Then sir« said Elizabeth with an air that was slightly affected as if
submitting to her fathers orders in opposition to her own will »it is your
pleasure that he be a gentleman«
»Certainly he is to fill the station of one let him receive the treatment
that is due to his place until we find him unworthy of it«
»Well well duke« cried the Sheriff »you will find it no easy matter to
make a gentleman of him The old proverb says that it takes three generations
to make a gentleman There was my father whom every body knew my grandfather
was an MD and his father a DD and his father came from England I never
could come at the truth of his origin but he was either a great merchant in
London or a great country lawyer or the youngest son of a bishop«
»Here is a true American genealogy for you« said Marmaduke laughing »It
does very well till you get across the water where as every thing is obscure
it is certain to deal in the superlative You are sure that your English
progenitor was great Dickon whatever his profession might have been«
»To be sure I am« returned the other »I have heard my old aunt talk of him
by the month We are of a good family Judge Temple and have never filled any
but honourable stations in life«
»I marvel that you should be satisfied with so scanty a provision of
gentility in the olden time Dickon Most of the American genealogists commence
their traditions like the stories for children with three brothers taking
especial care that one of the triumvirate shall be the progenitor of any of the
same name who may happen to be better furnished with worldly gear than
themselves But here all are equal who know how to conduct themselves with
propriety and Oliver Edwards comes into my family on a footing with both the
High Sheriff and the Judge«
»Well duke I call this democracy not republicanism but I say nothing
only let him keep within the law or I shall show him that the freedom of even
this country is under wholesome restraint«
»Surely Dickon you will not execute till I condemn But what says Bess to
the new inmate We must pay a deference to the ladies in this matter after
all«
»Oh sir« returned Elizabeth »I believe I am much like a certain Judge
Temple in this particular not easily to be turned from my opinion But to be
serious although I must think the introduction of a demisavage into the family
a somewhat startling event whomsoever you think proper to countenance may be
sure of my respect«
The Judge drew her arm more closely in his own and smiled while Richard
led the way through the gate of the little courtyard in the rear of the
dwelling dealing out his ambiguous warnings with his accustomed loquacity
On the other hand the foresters for the three hunters notwithstanding
their difference in character well deserved this common name pursued their
course along the skirts of the village in silence It was not until they had
reached the lake and were moving over its frozen surface towards the foot of
the mountain where the hut stood that the youth exclaimed
»Who could have foreseen this a month since I have consented to serve
Marmaduke Temple to be an inmate in the dwelling of the greatest enemy of my
race yet what better could I do The servitude cannot be long and when the
motive for submitting to it ceases to exist I will shake it off like the dust
from my feet«
»Is he a Mingo that you will call him enemy« said Mohegan »The Delaware
warrior sits still and waits the time of the Great Spirit He is no woman to
cry out like a child«
»Well Im mistrustful John« said Leatherstocking in whose air there had
been during the whole business a strong expression of doubt and uncertainty
»They say that theres new laws in the land and I am sartain that theres new
ways in the mountains They alter the country so much one hardly knows the
lakes and streams I must say Im mistrustful of such smooth speakers for Ive
known the whites talk fair when they wanted the Indian lands most This I will
say though Im white myself and was born nigh York and of honest parents
too«
»I will submit« said the youth »I will forget who I am Cease to remember
old Mohegan that I am the descendant of a Delaware chief who once was master
of these noble hills these beautiful vales and of this water over which we
tread Yes yes I will become his bondsman his slave Is it not an
honourable servitude old man«
»Old man« repeated the Indian solemnly and pausing in his walk as usual
when much excited »yes John is old Son of my brother if Mohegan was young
when would his rifle be still where would the deer hide and he not find him
But John is old his hand is the hand of a squaw his tomahawk is a hatchet
brooms and baskets are his enemies he strikes no other Hunger and old age
come together See Hawkeye when young he would go days and eat nothing
but should he not put the brush on the fire now the blaze would go out Take
the son of Miquon by the hand and he will help you«
»Im not the man I was Ill own Chingachgook« returned the
Leatherstocking »but I can go without a meal now on occasion When we tracked
the Iroquois through the Beechwoods they druv the game afore them for I
hadnt a morsel to eat from Monday morning come Wednesday sundown and then I
shot as fat a buck on the Pennsylvany line as ever mortal laid eyes on It
would have done your heart good to have seen the Delaware eat for I was out
scouting and scrimmaging with their tribe at the time Lord the Indians lad
lay still and just waited till Providence should send them their game but I
foraged about and put a deer up and put him down too fore he had made a
dozen jumps I was too weak and too ravenous to stop for his flesh so I took a
good drink of his blood and the Indians eat of his meat raw John was there
and John knows But then starvation would be apt to be too much for me now I
will own though Im no great eater at any time«
»Enough is said my friends« cried the youth »I feel that everywhere the
sacrifice is required at my hands and it shall be made but say no more I
entreat you I cannot bear this subject now«
His companions were silent and they soon reached the hut which they
entered after removing certain complicated and ingenious fastenings that were
put there apparently to guard a property of but very little value Immense
piles of snow lay against the log walls of this secluded habitation on one
side while fragments of small trees and branches of oak and chestnut that had
been torn from their parent stems by the winds were thrown into a pile on the
other A small column of smoke rose through a chimney of sticks cemented with
clay along the side of the rock and had marked the snow above with its dark
tinges in a wavy line from the point of emission to another where the hill
receded from the brow of a precipice and held a soil that nourished trees of a
gigantic growth that overhung the little bottom beneath
The remainder of the day passed off as such days are commonly spent in a
new country The settlers thronged to the academy again to witness the second
effort of Mr Grant and Mohegan was one of his hearers But notwithstanding
the divine fixed his eyes intently on the Indian when he invited his
congregation to advance to the table the shame of last nights abasement was
yet too keen in the old chief to suffer him to move
When the people were dispersing the clouds that had been gathering all the
morning were dense and dirty and before half of the curious congregation had
reached their different cabins that were placed in every glen and hollow of the
mountains or perched on the summits of the hills themselves the rain was
falling in torrents The dark edges of the stumps began to exhibit themselves
as the snow settled rapidly the fences of logs and brush which before had been
only traced by long lines of white mounds that ran across the valley and up the
mountains peeped out from their covering and the black stubs were momentarily
becoming more distinct as large masses of snow and ice fell from their sides
under the influence of the thaw
Sheltered in the warm hall of her fathers comfortable mansion Elizabeth
accompanied by Louisa Grant looked abroad with admiration at the ever varying
face of things without Even the village which had just before been glittering
with the colour of the frozen element reluctantly dropped its mask and the
houses exposed their dark roofs and smoked chimneys The pines shook off the
covering of snow and every thing seemed to be assuming its proper hue with a
transition that bordered on the supernatural
Chapter XIX
»And yet poor Edwin was no vulgar boy«
Beattie The Minstrel Ixvi1
The close of Christmas day AD 1793 was tempestuous but comparatively warm
When darkness had again hid the objects in the village from the gaze of
Elizabeth she turned from the window where she had remained while the least
vestige of light lingered over the tops of the dark pines with a curiosity that
was rather excited than appeased by the passing glimpses of woodland scenery
that she had caught during the day
With her arm locked in that of Miss Grant the young mistress of the mansion
walked slowly up and down the hall musing on scenes that were rapidly recurring
to her memory and possibly dwelling at times in the sanctuary of her
thoughts on the strange occurrences that had led to the introduction to her
fathers family of one whose manners so singularly contradicted the inferences
to be drawn from his situation The expiring heat of the apartment for its
great size required a day to reduce its temperature had given to her cheeks a
bloom that exceeded their natural colour while the mild and melancholy features
of Louisa were brightened with a faint tinge that like the hectic of disease
gave a painful interest to her beauty
The eyes of the gentlemen who were yet seated around the rich wines of
Judge Temple frequently wandered from the table that was placed at one end of
the hall to the forms that were silently moving over its length Much mirth
and that at times of a boisterous kind proceeded from the mouth of Richard
but Major Hartmann was not yet excited to his pitch of merriment and Marmaduke
respected the presence of his clerical guest too much to indulge in even the
innocent humour that formed no small ingredient in his character
Such were and such continued to be the pursuits of the party for half an
hour after the shutters were closed and candles were placed in various parts of
the hall as substitutes for the departing daylight The appearance of Benjamin
staggering under the burthen of an armful of wood was the first interruption to
the scene
»How now Master Pump« roared the newly appointed Sheriff »is there not
warmth enough in dukes best Madeira to keep up the animal heat through this
thaw Remember old boy that the Judge is particular with his beech and maple
beginning to dread already a scarcity of the precious articles Ha ha ha
duke you are a good warmhearted relation I will own as in duty bound but
you have some queer notions about you after all Come let us be jolly and cast
away folly«
The notes gradually sunk into a hum while the Majordomo threw down his
load and turning to his interrogator with an air of earnestness replied
»Why look you Squire Dickens mayhap theres a warm latitude round about
the table there thof its not the stuff to raise the heat in my body neither
the raal Jamaiky being the only thing to do that beside good wood or some such
matter as Newcastle coal But if I know any thing of weather dye see its
time to be getting all snug and for putting the ports in and stirring the
fires abit Mayhap Ive not followed the seas twentyseven years and lived
another seven in these here woods for nothing gemmen«
»Why does it bid fair for a change in the weather Benjamin« inquired the
master of the house
»Theres a shift of wind your honour« returned the steward »and when
theres a shift of wind you may look for a change in this here climate I was
aboard of one of Rodneys fleet dye see about the time we licked De Grasse
Mounsheer Ler Quaws countryman there and the wind was here at the southard
and eastard and I was below mixing a toothful of hotstuff for the Captain of
marines who dined dye see in the cabin that there very same day and I
suppose he wanted to put out the Captains fire with a gunroom ingyne and so
just as I got it to my own liking after tasting pretty often for the soldier
was difficult to please slap come the foresail aginst the mast and whiz went
the ship round on her heel like a whirlygig And a lucky thing was it that our
helm was down for as she gathered starnway she payed off which was more than
every ship in the fleet did or could do But she strained herself in the trough
of the sea and she shipped a deal of water over her quarter I never swallowed
so much clear water at a time in my life as I did then for I was looking up
the afterhatch at the instant«
»I wonder Benjamin that you did not die with a dropsy« said Marmaduke
»I mought Judge« said the old tar with a broad grin »but there was no
need of the medcine chest for a cure for as I thought the brew was spoilt for
the marines taste and there was no telling when another sea might come and
spoil it for mine I finished the mug on the spot So then all hands was called
to the pumps and there we began to ply the pumps «
»Well but the weather« interrupted Marmaduke »what of the weather without
doors«
»Why here the wind has been all day at the south and now theres a lull
as if the last blast was out of the bellows and theres a streak along the
mountains to the northard that just now wasnt wider than the bigness of
your hand and then the clouds drive afore it as youd brail a mainsail and the
stars are heaving in sight like so many lights and beacons put there to warn
us to pile on the wood and ifsobe that Im a judge of weather its getting
to be time to build on a fire or youll have half of them there porterbottles
and them dimmyjohns of wine in the locker here breaking with the frost afore
the morning watch is called«
»Thou art a prudent sentinel« said the Judge »Act thy pleasure with the
forests for this night at least«
Benjamin did as he was ordered nor had two hours elapsed before the
prudence of his precautions became very visible The south wind had indeed
blown itself out and it was succeeded by the calmness that usually gave warning
of a serious change in the weather Long before the family retired to rest the
cold had become cuttingly severe and when Monsieur Le Quoi sallied forth under
a bright moon to seek his own abode he was compelled to beg a blanket in
which he might envelope his form in addition to the numerous garments that his
sagacity had provided for the occasion The divine and his daughter remained as
inmates of the Mansionhouse during the night and the excess of last nights
merriment induced the gentlemen to make an early retreat to their several
apartments Long before midnight the whole family were invisible
Elizabeth and her friend had not yet lost their senses in sleep when the
howlings of the northwest wind were heard around the buildings and brought with
them that exquisite sense of comfort that is ever excited under such
circumstances in an apartment where the fire has not yet ceased to glimmer and
curtains and shutters and feathers unite to preserve the desired temperature
Once just as her eyes had opened apparently in the last stage of drowsiness
the roaring winds brought with them a long and plaintive howl that seemed too
wild for a dog and yet resembled the cries of that faithful animal when night
awakens his vigilance and gives sweetness and solemnity to his alarms The form
of Louisa Grant instinctively pressed nearer to that of the young heiress who
finding her companion was yet awake said in a low tone as if afraid to break
a charm with her voice
»Those distant cries are plaintive and even beautiful Can they be the
hounds from the hut of Leatherstocking«
»They are wolves who have ventured from the mountain on the lake«
whispered Louisa »and who are only kept from the village by the lights One
night since we have been here hunger drove them to our very door Oh what a
dreadful night it was But the riches of Judge Temple have given him too many
safeguards to leave room for fear in this house«
»The enterprise of Judge Temple is taming the very forests« exclaimed
Elizabeth throwing off the covering and partly rising in the bed »How rapidly
is civilization treading on the footsteps of nature« she continued as her eye
glanced over not only the comforts but the luxuries of her apartment and her
ear again listened to the distant but often repeated howls from the lake
Finding however that the timidity of her companion rendered the sounds painful
to her Elizabeth resumed her place and soon forgot the changes in the country
with those in her own condition in a deep sleep
The following morning the noise of the female servant who entered the
apartment to light the fire awoke the females They arose and finished the
slight preparations of their toilettes in a clear cold atmosphere that
penetrated through all the defences of even Miss Temples warm room When
Elizabeth was attired she approached a window and drew its curtain and
throwing open its shutters she endeavoured to look abroad on the village and
the lake But a thick covering of frost on the glass while it admitted the
light shut out the view She raised the sash and then indeed a glorious
scene met her delighted eye
The lake had exchanged its covering of unspotted snow for a face of dark
ice that reflected the rays of the rising sun like a polished mirror The
houses were clothed in a dress of the same description but which owing to its
position shone like bright steel while the enormous icicles that were pendent
from every roof caught the brilliant light apparently throwing it from one to
the other as each glittered on the side next the luminary with a golden
lustre that melted away on its opposite into the dusky shades of a
background But it was the appearance of the boundless forests that covered
the hills as they rose in the distance one over the other that most
attracted the gaze of Miss Temple The huge branches of the pines and hemlocks
bent with the weight of the ice they supported while their summits rose above
the swelling tops of the oaks beeches and maples like spires of burnished
silver issuing from domes of the same material The limits of the view in the
west were marked by an undulating outline of bright light as if reversing the
order of nature numberless suns might momentarily be expected to heave above
the horizon In the foreground of the picture along the shores of the lake and
near to the village each tree seemed studded with diamonds Even the sides of
the mountains where the rays of the sun could not yet fall were decorated with
a glassy coat that presented every gradation of brilliancy from the first
touch of the luminary to the dark foliage of the hemlock glistening through its
coat of crystal In short the whole view was one scene of quivering radiancy
as lake mountains village and woods each emitted a portion of light tinged
with its peculiar hue and varied by its position and its magnitude
»See« cried Elizabeth »see Louisa hasten to the window and observe the
miraculous change«
Miss Grant complied and after bending for a moment in silence from the
opening she observed in a low tone as if afraid to trust the sound of her
voice
»The change is indeed wonderful I am surprised that he should be able to
effect it so soon«
Elizabeth turned in amazement to hear so sceptical a sentiment from one
educated like her companion but was surprised to find that instead of looking
at the view the mild blue eyes of Miss Grant were dwelling on the form of a
welldressed young man who was standing before the door of the building in
earnest conversation with her father A second look was necessary before she
was able to recognise the person of the young hunter in a plain but
assuredly the ordinary garb of a gentleman
»Every thing in this magical country seems to border on the marvellous«
said Elizabeth »and among all the changes this is certainly not the least
wonderful The actors are as unique as the scenery«
Miss Grant coloured and drew in her head
»I am a simple country girl Miss Temple and I am afraid you will find me
but a poor companion« she said »I I am not sure that I understand all you
say But I really thought that you wished me to notice the alteration in Mr
Edwards Is it not more wonderful when we recollect his origin They say he is
part Indian«
»He is a genteel savage but let us go down and give the Sachem his tea
for I suppose he is a descendant of King Philip if not a grandson of
Pocahontas«
The ladies were met in the hall by Judge Temple who took his daughter
aside to apprize her of that alteration in the appearance of their new inmate
with which she was already acquainted
»He appears reluctant to converse on his former situation« continued
Marmaduke »but I gather from his discourse as is apparent from his manner
that he has seen better days and I really am inclining to the opinion of
Richard as to his origin for it was no unusual thing for the Indian Agents to
rear their children in a very laudable manner and «
»Very well my dear sir« interrupted his daughter laughing and averting
her eyes »it is all well enough I dare say but as I do not understand a word
of the Mohawk language he must be content to speak English and as for his
behaviour I trust to your discernment to control it«
»Ay but Bess« said the Judge detaining her gently with his hand
»nothing must be said to him of his past life This he has begged particularly
of me as a favour He is perhaps a little soured just now with his wounded
arm the injury seems very light and another time he may be more
communicative«
»Oh I am not much troubled sir with that laudable thirst after knowledge
that is called curiosity I shall believe him to be the child of Cornstalk or
Cornplanter or some other renowned chieftain possibly of the Big Snake
himself and shall treat him as such until he sees fit to shave his
goodlooking head borrow some halfdozen pair of my best earrings shoulder his
rifle again and disappear as suddenly as he made his entrance So come my dear
sir and let us not forget the rites of hospitality for the short time he is to
remain with us«
Judge Temple smiled at the playfulness of his child and taking her arm
they entered the breakfast parlour where the young hunter was seated with an
air that showed his determination to domesticate himself in the family with as
little parade as possible
Such were the incidents that led to this extraordinary increase in the
family of Judge Temple where having once established the youth the subject of
our tale requires us to leave him for a time to pursue with diligence and
intelligence the employments that were assigned him by Marmaduke
Major Hartmann made his customary visit and took his leave of the party
for the next three months Mr Grant was compelled to be absent much of his
time in remote parts of the country and his daughter became almost a constant
visiter at the Mansionhouse Richard entered with his constitutional
eagerness on the duties of his new office and as Marmaduke was much employed
with the constant applications of adventurers for farms the winter passed
swiftly away The lake was a principal scene for the amusements of the young
people where the ladies in their onehorse cutter driven by Richard and
attended when the snow would admit of it by young Edwards on his skates
spent many hours taking the benefit of exercise in the clear air of the hills
The reserve of the youth gradually gave way to time and his situation though it
was still evident to a close observer that he had frequent moments of bitter
and intense feeling
Elizabeth saw many large openings appear in the sides of the mountains
during the three succeeding months where different settlers had in the
language of the country made their pitch while the numberless sleighs that
passed through the village loaded with wheat and barrels of potashes afforded
a clear demonstration that all these labours were not undertaken in vain In
short the whole country was exhibiting the bustle of a thriving settlement
where the highways were thronged with sleighs bearing piles of rough household
furniture studded here and there with the smiling faces of women and
children happy in the excitement of novelty or with loads of produce
hastening to the common market at Albany that served as so many snares to
induce the emigrants to enter into those wild mountains in search of competence
and happiness
The village was alive with business the artisans increasing in wealth with
the prosperity of the country and each day witnessing some nearer approach to
the manners and usages of an oldsettled town The man who carried the mail or
the post as he was called talked much of running a stage and once or twice
during the winter he was seen taking a single passenger in his cutter through
the snowbanks towards the Mohawk along which a regular vehicle glided
semiweekly with the velocity of lightning and under the direction of a
knowing whip from the down countries Towards spring divers families who had
been into the old states to see their relatives returned in time to save the
snow frequently bringing with them whole neighbourhoods who were tempted by
their representations to leave the farms of Connecticut and Massachusetts to
make a trial of fortune in the woods
During all this time Oliver Edwards whose sudden elevation excited no
surprise in that changeful country was earnestly engaged in the service of
Marmaduke during the days but his nights were often spent in the hut of
Leatherstocking The intercourse between the three hunters was maintained with
a certain air of mystery it is true but with much zeal and apparent interest
to all the parties Even Mohegan seldom came to the Mansionhouse and Natty
never but Edwards sought every leisure moment to visit his former abode from
which he would often return in the gloomy hours of night through the snow or
if detained beyond the time at which the family retired to rest with the
morning sun These visits certainly excited much speculation in those to whom
they were known but no comments were made excepting occasionally in whispers
from Richard who would say
»It is not at all remarkable a halfbreed can never be weaned from the
savage ways and for one of his lineage the boy is much nearer civilisation
than could in reason be expected«
Chapter XX
»Away nor let me loiter in my song
For we have many a mountain path to tread«
Byron Childe Harolds Pilgrimage
IIxxxv12
As the spring gradually approached the immense piles of snow that by
alternate thaws and frosts and repeated storms had obtained a firmness which
threatened a tiresome durability begun to yield to the influence of milder
breezes and a warmer sun The gates of Heaven at times seemed to open and a
bland air diffused itself over the earth when animate and inanimate nature
would awaken and for a few hours the gayety of spring shone in every eye and
smiled on every field But the shivering blasts from the north would carry their
chill influence over the scene again and the dark and gloomy clouds that
intercepted the rays of the sun were not more cold and dreary than the
reaction These struggles between the seasons became daily more frequent
while the earth like a victim to contention slowly lost the animated
brilliancy of winter without obtaining the aspect of spring
Several weeks were consumed in this cheerless manner during which the
inhabitants of the country gradually changed their pursuits from the social and
bustling movements of the time of snow to the laborious and domestic
engagements of the coming season The village was no longer thronged with
visiters the trade that had enlivened the shops for several months begun to
disappear the highways lost their shining coats of beaten snow in impassable
sloughs and were deserted by the gay and noisy travellers who in sleighs had
during the winter glided along their windings and in short every thing
seemed indicative of a mighty change not only in the earth but in those who
derived their sources of comfort and happiness from its bosom
The younger members of the family in the Mansionhouse of which Louisa
Grant was now habitually one were by no means indifferent observers of these
fluctuating and tardy changes While the snow rendered the roads passable they
had partaken largely in the amusements of the winter which included not only
daily rides over the mountains and through every valley within twenty miles of
them but divers ingenious and varied sources of pleasure on the bosom of their
frozen lake There had been excursions in the equipage of Richard when with
his four horses he had outstripped the winds as it flew over the glassy ice
which invariably succeeded a thaw Then the exciting and dangerous whirligig
would be suffered to possess its moment of notice Cutters drawn by a single
horse and handsleds impelled by the gentlemen on skates would each in turn
be used and in short every source of relief against the tediousness of a
winter in the mountains was resorted to by the family Elizabeth was willing to
acknowledge to her father that the season with the aid of his library was
much less irksome than she had anticipated
As exercise in the open air was in some degree necessary to the habits of
the family when the constant recurrence of frosts and thaws rendered the roads
which were dangerous at the most favourable times utterly impassable for
wheels saddlehorses were used as substitutes for other conveyances Mounted on
small and surefooted beasts the ladies would again attempt the passages of the
mountains and penetrate into every retired glen where the enterprise of a
settler had induced him to establish himself In these excursions they were
attended by some one or all of the gentlemen of the family as their different
pursuits admitted Young Edwards was hourly becoming more familiarized to his
situation and not unfrequently mingled in the parties with an unconcern and
gayety that for a short time would expel all unpleasant recollections from
his mind Habit and the buoyancy of youth seemed to be getting the ascendency
over the secret causes of his uneasiness though there were moments when the
same remarkable expression of disgust would cross his intercourse with
Marmaduke that had distinguished their conversations in the first days of their
acquaintance
It was at the close of the month of March that the Sheriff succeeded in
persuading his cousin and her young friend to accompany him in a ride to a hill
that was said to overhang the lake in a manner peculiar to itself
»Besides cousin Bess« continued the indefatigable Richard »we will stop
and see the sugar bush of Billy Kirby he is on the east end of the Ransom lot
making sugar for Jared Ransom There is not a better hand over a kettle in the
county than that same Kirby You remember duke that I had him his first
season in our own camp and it is not a wonder that he knows something of his
trade«
»Hes a good chopper is Billy« observed Benjamin who held the bridle of
the horse while the Sheriff mounted »and he handles an axe much the same as a
forecastleman does his marlingspike or a tailor his goose They say hell
lift a potash kettle off the arch alone thof I cant say that Ive ever seen
him do it with my own eyes but that is the say And Ive seen sugar of his
making which maybe wasnt as white as an old topgallantsail but which my
friend Mistress Prettybones within there said had the true molasses smack to
it and you are not the one Squire Dickens to be told that Mistress Remarkable
has a remarkable tooth for sweet things in her nutgrinder«
The loud laugh that succeeded the wit of Benjamin and in which he
participated with no very harmonious sounds himself very fully illustrated
the congenial temper which existed between the pair Most of its point was
however lost on the rest of the party who were either mounting their horses
or assisting the ladies at the moment When all were safely in their saddles
they moved through the village in great order They paused for a moment before
the door of Monsieur Le Quoi until he could bestride his steed and then
issuing from the little cluster of houses they took one of the principal of
those highways that centered in the village
As each night brought with it a severe frost which the heat of the
succeeding day served to dissipate the equestrians were compelled to proceed
singly along the margin of the road where the turf and firmness of the
ground gave the horses a secure footing Very trifling indications of
vegetation were to be seen the surface of the earth presenting a cold wet and
cheerless aspect that chilled the blood The snow yet lay scattered over most
of those distant clearings that were visible in different parts of the
mountains though here and there an opening might be seen where as the white
covering yielded to the season the bright and lively green of the wheat served
to enkindle the hopes of the husbandman Nothing could be more marked than the
contrast between the earth and the heavens for while the former presented the
dreary view that we have described a warm and invigorating sun was dispensing
his heats from a sky that contained but a solitary cloud and through an
atmosphere that softened the colours of the sensible horizon until it shone
like a sea of blue
Richard led the way on this as on all other occasions that did not
require the exercise of unusual abilities and as he moved along he essayed to
enliven the party with the sounds of his experienced voice
»This is your true sugar weather duke« he cried »a frosty night and a
sunshiny day I warrant me that the sap runs like a milltail up the maples
this warm morning It is a pity Judge that you do not introduce a little more
science into the manufacture of sugar among your tenants It might be done
sir without knowing as much as Dr Franklin it might be done Judge Temple«
»The first object of my solicitude friend Jones« returned Marmaduke »is
to protect the sources of this great mine of comfort and wealth from the
extravagance of the people themselves When this important point shall be
achieved it will be in season to turn our attention to an improvement in the
manufacture of the article But thou knowest Richard that I have already
subjected our sugar to the process of the refiner and that the result has
produced loaves as white as the snow on yon fields and possessing the
saccharine quality in its utmost purity«
»Saccharine or turpentine or any other ine Judge Temple you have never
made a loaf larger than a good sized sugarplum« returned the Sheriff »Now
sir I assert that no experiment is fairly tried until it be reduced to
practical purposes If sir I owned a hundred or for that matter two hundred
thousand acres of land as you do I would build a sugarhouse in the village I
would invite learned men to an investigation of the subject and such are
easily to be found sir yes sir they are not difficult to find men who
unite theory with practice and I would select a wood of young and thrifty
trees and instead of making loaves of the size of a lump of candy damme
duke but Id have them as big as a haycock«
»And purchase the cargo of one of those ships that they say are going to
China« cried Elizabeth »turn your potashkettles into teacups the scows on
the lake into saucers bake your cake in yonder limekiln and invite the county
to a teaparty How wonderful are the projects of genius Really sir the world
is of opinion that Judge Temple has tried the experiment fairly though he did
not cause his loaves to be cast in moulds of the magnitude that would suit your
magnificent conceptions«
»You may laugh cousin Elizabeth you may laugh madam« retorted Richard
turning himself so much in his saddle as to face the party and making dignified
gestures with his whip »but I appeal to common sense good sense or what is
of more importance than either to the sense of taste which is one of the five
natural senses whether a big loaf of sugar is not likely to contain a better
illustration of a proposition than such a lump as one of your Dutch women puts
under her tongue when she drinks her tea There are two ways of doing every
thing the right way and the wrong way You make sugar now I will admit and
you may possibly make loafsugar but I take the question to be whether you
make the best possible sugar and in the best possible loaves«
»Thou art very right Richard« observed Marmaduke with a gravity in his
air that proved how much he was interested in the subject »It is very true
that we manufacture sugar and the inquiry is quite useful how much and in
what manner I hope to live to see the day when farms and plantations shall be
devoted to this branch of business Little is known concerning the properties of
the tree itself the source of all this wealth how much it may be improved by
cultivation by the use of the hoe and plough«
»Hoe and plough« roared the Sheriff »would you set a man hoeing round
the root of a maple like this« pointing to one of the noble trees that occur
so frequently in that part of the country »Hoeing trees are you mad duke
This is next to hunting for coal Poh poh my dear cousin hear reason and
leave the management of the sugarbush to me Here is Mr Le Quoi he has been
in the WestIndies and has seen sugar made Let him give an account of how it
is made there and you will hear the philosophy of the thing Well Monsieur
how is it that you make sugar in the WestIndies any thing in Judge Temples
fashion«
The gentleman to whom this query was put was mounted on a small horse of
no very fiery temperament and was riding with his stirrups so short as to
bring his knees while the animal rose a small ascent in the woodpath they were
now travelling into a somewhat hazardous vicinity to his chin There was no
room for gesticulation or grace in the delivery of his reply for the mountain
was steep and slippery and although the Frenchman had an eye of uncommon
magnitude on either side of his face they did not seem to be half competent to
forewarn him of the impediments of bushes twigs and fallen trees that were
momentarily crossing his path With one hand employed in averting these dangers
and the other grasping his bridle to check an untoward speed that his horse was
assuming the native of France responded as follows
»Sucre dey do make sucre in Martinique mais mais ce nest pas one tree
ah ah vat you call Je voudrois que ces chemins fussent au diable vat
you call steeck pour le promenade«
»Cane« said Elizabeth smiling at the imprecation which the wary Frenchman
supposed was understood only by himself
»Oui Mamselle cane«
»Yes yes« cried Richard »cane is the vulgar name for it but the real
term is saccharum officinarum and what we call the sugar or hard maple is
acer saccharinum These are the learned names Monsieur and are such as
doubtless you well understand«
»Is this Greek or Latin Mr Edwards« whispered Elizabeth to the youth who
was opening a passage for herself and her companions through the bushes »or
perhaps it is a still more learned language for an interpretation of which we
must look to you«
The dark eye of the young man glanced towards the speaker but its resentful
expression changed in a moment
»I shall remember your doubts Miss Temple when next I visit my old friend
Mohegan and either his skill or that of Leatherstocking shall solve them«
»And are you then really ignorant of their language«
»Not absolutely but the deep learning of Mr Jones is more familiar to me
or even the polite masquerade of Monsieur Le Quoi«
»Do you speak French« said the lady with quickness
»It is a common language with the Iroquois and through the Canadas« he
answered smiling
»Ah but they are Mingoes and your enemies«
»It will be well for me if I have no worse« said the youth dashing ahead
with his horse and putting an end to the evasive dialogue
The discourse however was maintained with great vigour by Richard until
they reached an open wood on the summit of the mountain where the hemlocks and
pines totally disappeared and a grove of the very trees that formed the subject
of debate covered the earth with their tall straight trunks and spreading
branches in stately pride The underwood had been entirely removed from this
grove or bush as in conjunction with the simple arrangements for boiling it
was called and a wide space of many acres was cleared which might be likened
to the dome of a mighty temple to which the maples formed the columns their
tops composing the capitals and the heavens the arch A deep and careless
incision had been made into each tree near its root into which little spouts
formed of the bark of the alder or of the sumach were fastened and a trough
roughly dug out of the linden or basswood was lying at the root of each tree
to catch the sap that flowed from this extremely wasteful and inartificial
arrangement
The party paused a moment on gaining the flat to breathe their horses
and as the scene was entirely new to several of their number to view the
manner of collecting the fluid A fine powerful voice aroused them from their
momentary silence as it rung under the branches of the trees singing the
following words of that inimitable doggrel whose verses if extended would
reach from the waters of the Connecticut to the shores of Ontario The tune was
of course that familiar air which although it is said to have been first
applied to his nation in derision circumstances have since rendered so
glorious that no American ever hears its jingling cadence without feeling a
thrill at his heart
»The Eastern States be full of men
The Western full of woods sir
The hills be like a cattle pen
The roads be full of goods sir
Then flow away my sweety sap
And I will make you boily
Nor catch a woodmans hasty nap
For fear you should get roily
The maple trees a precious one
Tis fuel food and timber
And when your stiff days work is done
Its juice will make you limber
Then flow away etc
And whats a man without his glass
His wife without her tea sir
But neither cup nor mug would pass
Without this honeybee sir
Then flow away« etc
During the execution of this sonorous doggrel Richard kept time with his whip
on the mane of his charger accompanying the gestures with a corresponding
movement of his head and body Towards the close of the song he was overheard
humming the chorus and at its last repetition to strike in at sweety sap and
carry a second through with a prodigious addition to the effect of the noise
if not to that of the harmony
»Well done us« roared the Sheriff on the same key with the tune »a very
good song Billy Kirby and very well sung Where got you the words lad is
there more of it and can you furnish me with a copy«
The sugarboiler who was busy in his camp at a short distance from the
equestrians turned his head with great indifference and surveyed the party as
they approached with admirable coolness To each individual as he or she rode
close by him he gave a nod that was extremely goodnatured and affable but
which partook largely of the virtue of equality for not even to the ladies did
he in the least vary his mode of salutation by touching the apology for a hat
that he wore or by any other motion than the one we have mentioned
»How goes it how goes it Sheriff« said the woodchopper »whats the good
word in the village«
»Why much as usual Billy« returned Richard »But how is this where are
your four kettles and your troughs and your iron coolers Do you make sugar in
this slovenly way I thought you were one of the best sugarboilers in the
county«
»Im all that Squire Jones« said Kirby who continued his occupation
»Ill turn my back to no man in the Otsego hills for chopping and logging for
boiling down the maple sap for tending brickkiln splitting out rails making
potash and parling too or hoeing corn Though I keep myself pretty much to
the first business seeing that the axe comes most nateral to me«
»You be von Jack Alltrade Mister Beel« said Monsieur Le Quoi
»How« said Kirby looking up with a simplicity which coupled with his
gigantic frame and manly face was a little ridiculous »if you be for trade
Mounsher here is some as good sugar as youll find the season through Its as
clear from dirt as the Jarman Flats is free from stumps and it has the raal
maple flavour Such stuff would sell in York for candy«
The Frenchman approached the place where Kirby had deposited his cakes of
sugar under the cover of a bark roof and commenced the examination of the
article with the eye of one who well understood its value Marmaduke had
dismounted and was viewing the works and the trees very closely and not
without frequent expressions of dissatisfaction at the careless manner in which
the manufacture was conducted
»You have much experience in these things Kirby« he said »what course do
you pursue in making your sugar I see you have but two kettles«
»Two is as good as two thousand Judge Im none of your polite
sugarmakers that boils for the great folks but if the raal sweet maple is
wanted I can answer your turn First I choose and then I tap my trees say
along about the last of February or in these mountains maybe not afore the
middle of March but any way just as the sap begins to cleverly run «
»Well in this choice« interrupted Marmaduke »are you governed by any
outward signs that prove the quality of the tree«
»Why theres judgment in all things« said Kirby stirring the liquor in
his kettles briskly »Theres something in knowing when and how much to stir the
pot Its a thing that must be larnt Rome wasnt built in a day nor for that
matter Templetown ither though it may be said to be a quickgrowing place I
never put my axe into a stunty tree or one that hasnt a good freshlooking
bark for trees have disorders like creaturs and wheres the policy of taking a
tree thats sickly any more than youd choose a foundered horse to ride post
or an overheated ox to do your logging «
»All this is true but what are the signs of illness how do you distinguish
a tree that is well from one that is diseased«
»How does the doctor tell who has fever and who colds« interrupted Richard
»by examining the skin and feeling the pulse to be sure«
»Sartain« continued Billy »the Squire ant far out of the way Its by the
look of the thing sure enough Well when the sap begins to get a free run I
hang over the kettles and set up the bush My first boiling I push pretty
smart till I get the vartoo of the sap but when it begins to grow of a
molasses nater like this in the kettle one musnt drive the fires too hard or
youll burn the sugar and burny sugar is bad to the taste let it be never so
sweet So you ladle out from one kettle into the other till it gets so when
you put the stirringstick into it that it will draw into a thread when it
takes a kerful hand to manage it There is a way to drain it off after it has
grained by putting clay into the pans but it isnt always practysed some
doos and some doosnt Well Mounsher be we likely to make a trade«
»I vill give you Mister Beel for von pound dix sous«
»No I expect cash fort I never dicker my sugar But seeing that its
you Mounsher« said Billy with a coaxing smile »Ill agree to receive a
gallon of rum and cloth enough for two shirts if you will take the molasses in
the bargain Its raal good I wouldnt deceive you or any man and to my
drinking its about the best molasses that come out of a sugarbush«
»Mr Le Quoi has offered you ten pence« said young Edwards
The manufacturer stared at the speaker with an air of great freedom but
made no reply
»Oui« said the Frenchman »ten penny Je vous remercie Monsieur ah mon
Anglois je loublie toujours«
The woodchopper looked from one to the other with some displeasure and
evidently imbibed the opinion that they were amusing themselves at his expense
He seized the enormous ladle which was lying in one of his kettles and began
to stir the boiling liquid with great diligence After a moment passed in
dipping the ladle full and then raising it on high as the thick rich fluid
fell back into the kettle he suddenly gave it a whirl as if to cool what yet
remained and offered the bowl to Mr Le Quoi saying
»Taste that Mounsher and you will say it is worth more than you offer The
molasses itself would fetch the money«
The complaisant Frenchman after several timid efforts to trust his lips in
contact with the bowl of the ladle got a good swallow of the scalding liquid
He clapped his hand on his breast and looked most piteously at the ladies for
a single instant and then to use the language of Billy when he afterwards
recounted the tale »no drumsticks ever went faster on the skin of a sheep
than the Frenchmans legs for a round or two and then such swearing and
spitting in French you never seen But its a knowing one from the old
countries that thinks to get his jokes smoothly over a woodchopper«
The air of innocence with which Kirby resumed the occupation of stirring the
contents of his kettle would have completely deceived the spectators as to his
agency in the temporary suffering of Mr Le Quoi had not the reckless fellow
thrust his tongue into his cheek and cast his eyes over the party with a
simplicity of expression that was too exquisite to be natural Mr Le Quoi soon
recovered his presence of mind and his decorum he briefly apologized to the
ladies for one or two very intemperate expressions that had escaped him in a
moment of extraordinary excitement and remounting his horse he continued in
the background during the remainder of the visit the wit of Kirby putting a
violent termination at once to all negotiations on the subject of trade
During all this time Marmaduke had been wandering about the grove making
observations on his favourite trees and the wasteful manner in which the
woodchopper conducted his manufacture
»It grieves me to witness the extravagance that pervades this country« said
the Judge »where the settlers trifle with the blessings they might enjoy with
the prodigality of successful adventurers You are not exempt from the censure
yourself Kirby for you make dreadful wounds in these trees where a small
incision would effect the same object I earnestly beg you will remember that
they are the growth of centuries and when once gone none living will see their
loss remedied«
»Why I dont know Judge« returned the man he addressed »It seems to me
if theres a plenty of any thing in this mountaynous country its the trees If
theres any sin in chopping them Ive a pretty heavy account to settle for
Ive chopped over the best half of a thousand acres with my own hands counting
both Varmount and York states and I hope to live to finish the whull before I
lay up my axe Chopping comes quite nateral to me and I wish no other
employment but Jared Ransom said that he thought the sugar was likely to be
scurce this season seeing that so many folks was coming into the settlement
and so I concluded to take the bush on sheares for this one spring Whats the
best news Judge concarning ashes do pots hold so that a man can live by them
still I spose they will if they keep on fighting across the water«
»Thou reasonest with judgment William« returned Marmaduke »So long as the
old world is to be convulsed with wars so long will the harvest of America
continue«
»Well its an ill wind Judge that blows nobody any good Im sure the
country is in a thriving way and though I know you kalkilate greatly on the
trees setting as much store by them as some men would by their children yet
to my eyes they are a sore sight at any time unless Im privileged to work my
will on them in which case I cant say but they are more to my liking I have
heern the settlers from the old countries say that their rich men keep great
oaks and elms that would make a barrel of pots to the tree standing round
their doors and humsteads and scattered over their farms just to look at Now
I call no country much improved that is pretty well covered with trees Stumps
are a different thing for they dont shade the land and besides if you dig
them they make a fence that will turn any thing bigger than a hog being grand
for breachy cattle«
»Opinions on such subjects vary much in different countries« said
Marmaduke »but it is not as ornaments that I value the noble trees of this
country it is for their usefulness We are stripping the forests as if a
single year would replace what we destroy But the hour approaches when the
laws will take notice of not only the woods but the game they contain also«
With this consoling reflection Marmaduke remounted and the equestrians
passed the sugar on their way to the promised landscape of Richard The
woodchopper was left alone in the bosom of the forest to pursue his labours
Elizabeth turned her head when they reached the point where they were to
descend the mountain and thought that the slow fires that were glimmering
under his enormous kettles his little brush shelter covered with pieces of
hemlock bark his gigantic size as he wielded his ladle with a steady and
knowing air aided by the background of stately trees with their spouts and
troughs formed altogether no unreal picture of human life in its first stages
of civilization Perhaps whatever the scene possessed of a romantic character
was not injured by the powerful tones of Kirbys voice ringing through the
woods as he again awoke his strains to another tune which was but little more
scientific than the former All that she understood of the words were
»And when the proud forest is falling
To my oxen cheerfully calling
From morn until night I am bawling
Woe back there and hoy and gee
Till our labour is mutually ended
By my strength and cattle befriended
And against the musquitoes defended
By the bark of the walnut tree
Away then you lads who would buy land
Choose the oak that grows on the high land
Or the silvery pine on the dry land
It matters but little to me«
Chapter XXI
»Speed Malise speed such cause of haste
Thine active sinews never bracd«
Scott The Lady of the Lake IIIxiii34
The roads of Otsego if we except the principal highways were at the early day
of our tale but little better than woodpaths The high trees that were growing
on the very verge of the wheeltracks excluded the suns rays unless at
meridian and the slowness of the evaporation united with the rich mould of
vegetable decomposition that covered the whole country to the depth of several
inches occasioned but an indifferent foundation for the footing of travellers
Added to these were the inequalities of a natural surface and the constant
recurrence of enormous and slippery roots that were laid bare by the removal of
the light soil together with stumps of trees to make a passage not only
difficult but dangerous Yet the riders among these numerous obstructions
which were such as would terrify an unpractised eye gave no demonstrations of
uneasiness as their horses toiled through the sloughs or trotted with
uncertain paces along the dark route In many places the marks on the trees
were the only indications of a road with perhaps an occasional remnant of a
pine that by being cut close to the earth so as to leave nothing visible but
its base of roots spreading for twenty feet in every direction was apparently
placed there as a beacon to warn the traveller that it was the centre of a
highway
Into one of these roads the active Sheriff led the way first striking out
of the footpath by which they had descended from the sugarbush across a
little bridge formed of round logs laid loosely on sleepers of pine in which
large openings of a formidable width were frequent The nag of Richard when
it reached one of these gaps laid its nose along the logs and stepped across
the difficult passage with the sagacity of a man but the blooded filly which
Miss Temple rode disdained so humble a movement She made a step or two with an
unusual caution and then on reaching the broadest opening obedient to the
curb and whip of her fearless mistress she bounded across the dangerous pass
with the activity of a squirrel
»Gently gently my child« said Marmaduke who was following in the manner
of Richard »this is not a country for equestrian feats Much prudence is
requisite to journey through our rough paths with safety Thou mayst practise
thy skill in horsemanship on the plains of NewJersey with safety but in the
hills of Otsego they must be suspended for a time«
»I may as well then relinquish my saddle at once dear sir« returned his
daughter »for if it is to be laid aside until this wild country be improved
old age will overtake me and put an end to what you term my equestrian feats«
»Say not so my child« returned her father »but if thou venturest again
as in crossing this bridge old age will never overtake thee but I shall be
left to mourn thee cut off in thy pride my Elizabeth If thou hadst seen this
district of country as I did when it lay in the sleep of nature and had
witnessed its rapid changes as it awoke to supply the wants of man thou
wouldst curb thy impatience for a little time though thou shouldst not check
thy steed«
»I recollect hearing you speak of your first visit to these woods but the
impression is faint and blended with the confused images of childhood Wild and
unsettled as it may yet seem it must have been a thousand times more dreary
then Will you repeat dear sir what you then thought of your enterprise and
what you felt«
During this speech of Elizabeth which was uttered with the fervour of
affection young Edwards rode more closely to the side of the Judge and bent
his dark eyes on his countenance with an expression that seemed to read his
thoughts
»Thou wast then young my child but must remember when I left thee and thy
mother to take my first survey of these uninhabited mountains« said Marmaduke
»But thou dost not feel all the secret motives that can urge a man to endure
privations in order to accumulate wealth In my case they have not been
trifling and God has been pleased to smile on my efforts If I have encountered
pain famine and disease in accomplishing the settlement of this rough
territory I have not the misery of failure to add to the grievances«
»Famine« echoed Elizabeth »I thought this was the land of abundance had
you famine to contend with«
»Even so my child« said her father »Those who look around them now and
see the loads of produce that issue out of every wild path in these mountains
during the season of travelling will hardly credit that no more than five years
have elapsed since the tenants of these woods were compelled to eat the scanty
fruits of the forest to sustain life and with their unpractised skill to hunt
the beasts as food for their starving families«
»Ay« cried Richard who happened to overhear the last of this speech
between the notes of the woodchoppers song which he was endeavouring to
breathe aloud »that was the starvingtime15 cousin Bess I grew as lank as a
weasel that fall and my face was as pale as one of your feverandague visages
Monsieur Le Quoi there fell away like a pumpkin in drying nor do I think you
have got fairly over it yet Monsieur Benjamin I thought bore it with a worse
grace than any of the family for he swore it was harder to endure than a short
allowance in the calm latitudes Benjamin is a sad fellow to swear if you
starve him ever so little I had half a mind to quit you then duke and to go
into Pennsylvania to fatten but damn it thinks I we are sisters children
and I will live or die with him after all«
»I do not forget thy kindness« said Marmaduke »nor that we are of one
blood«
»But my dear father« cried the wondering Elizabeth »was there actual
suffering where were the beautiful and fertile vales of the Mohawk could they
not furnish food for your wants«
»It was a season of scarcity the necessities of life commanded a high price
in Europe and were greedily sought after by the speculators The emigrants
from the east to the west invariably passed along the valley of the Mohawk and
swept away the means of subsistence like a swarm of locusts Nor were the
people on the Flats in a much better condition They were in want themselves
but they spared the little excess of provisions that nature did not absolutely
require with the justice of the German character There was no grinding of the
poor The word speculator was then unknown to them I have seen many a stout
man bending under the load of the bag of meal which he was carrying from the
mills of the Mohawk through the rugged passes of these mountains to feed his
halffamished children with a heart so light as he approached his hut that
the thirty miles he had passed seemed nothing Remember my child it was in our
very infancy we had neither mills nor grain nor roads nor often clearings
we had nothing of increase but the mouths that were to be fed for even at
that inauspicious moment the restless spirit of emigration was not idle nay
the general scarcity which extended to the east tended to increase the number
of adventurers«
»And how dearest father didst thou encounter this dreadful evil« said
Elizabeth unconsciously adopting the dialect of her parent in the warmth of
her sympathy »Upon thee must have fallen the responsibility if not the
suffering«
»It did Elizabeth« returned the Judge pausing for a single moment as if
musing on his former feelings »I had hundreds at that dreadful time daily
looking up to me for bread The sufferings of their families and the gloomy
prospect before them had paralysed the enterprise and efforts of my settlers
hunger drove them to the woods for food but despair sent them at night
enfeebled and wan to a sleepless pillow It was not a moment for inaction I
purchased cargoes of wheat from the granaries of Pennsylvania they were landed
at Albany and brought up the Mohawk in boats from thence it was transported on
packhorses into the wilderness and distributed amongst my people Seines were
made and the lakes and rivers were dragged for fish Something like a miracle
was wrought in our favour for enormous shoals of herrings were discovered to
have wandered five hundred miles through the windings of the impetuous
Susquehanna and the lake was alive with their numbers These were at length
caught and dealt out to the people with proper portions of salt and from that
moment we again began to prosper«16
»Yes« cried Richard »and I was the man who served out the fish and the
salt When the poor devils came to receive their rations Benjamin who was my
deputy was obliged to keep them off by stretching ropes around me for they
smelt so of garlic from eating nothing but the wild onion that the fumes put
me out often in my measurement You were a child then Bess and knew nothing
of the matter for great care was observed to keep both you and your mother from
suffering That year put me back dreadfully both in the breed of my hogs and
of my turkeys«
»No Bess« cried the Judge in a more cheerful tone disregarding the
interruption of his cousin »he who hears of the settlement of a country knows
but little of the toil and suffering by which it is accomplished Unimproved and
wild as this district now seems to your eyes what was it when I first entered
the hills I left my party the morning of my arrival near the farms of the
Cherry Valley and following a deerpath rode to the summit of the mountain
that I have since called Mount Vision for the sight that there met my eyes
seemed to me as the deceptions of a dream The fire had run over the pinnacle
and in a great measure laid open the view The leaves were fallen and I
mounted a tree and sat for an hour looking on the silent wilderness Not an
opening was to be seen in the boundless forest except where the lake lay like
a mirror of glass The water was covered by myriads of the wildfowl that
migrate with the changes in the season and while in my situation on the branch
of the beech I saw a bear with her cubs descend to the shore to drink I had
met many deer gliding through the woods in my journey but not the vestige of
a man could I trace during my progress nor from my elevated observatory No
clearing no hut none of the winding roads that are now to be seen were there
nothing but mountains rising behind mountains and the valley with its surface
of branches enlivened here and there with the faded foliage of some tree that
parted from its leaves with more than ordinary reluctance Even the Susquehanna
was then hid by the height and density of the forest«
»And were you alone« asked Elizabeth »passed you the night in that
solitary state«
»Not so my child« returned her father »After musing on the scene for an
hour with a mingled feeling of pleasure and desolation I left my perch and
descended the mountain My horse was left to browse on the twigs that grew
within his reach while I explored the shores of the lake and the spot where
Templeton stands A pine of more than ordinary growth stood where my dwelling is
now placed a windrow had been opened through the trees from thence to the
lake and my view was but little impeded Under the branches of that tree I made
my solitary dinner I had just finished my repast as I saw a smoke curling from
under the mountain near the eastern bank of the lake It was the only
indication of the vicinity of man that I had then seen After much toil I made
my way to the spot and found a rough cabin of logs built against the foot of a
rock and bearing the marks of a tenant though I found no one within it «
»It was the hut of Leatherstocking« said Edwards quickly
»It was though I at first supposed it to be a habitation of the Indians
But while I was lingering around the spot Natty made his appearance staggering
under the carcass of a buck that he had slain Our acquaintance commenced at
that time before I had never heard that such a being tenanted the woods He
launched his bark canoe and set me across the foot of the lake to the place
where I had fastened my horse and pointed out a spot where he might get a
scanty browsing until the morning when I returned and passed the night in the
cabin of the hunter«
Miss Temple was so much struck by the deep attention of young Edwards
during this speech that she forgot to resume her interrogatories but the youth
himself continued the discourse by asking
»And how did the Leatherstocking discharge the duties of a host sir«
»Why simply but kindly until late in the evening when he discovered my
name and object and the cordiality of his manner very sensibly diminished or
I might better say disappeared He considered the introduction of the settlers
as an innovation on his rights I believe for he expressed much dissatisfaction
at the measure though it was in his confused and ambiguous manner I hardly
understood his objections myself but supposed they referred chiefly to an
interruption of the hunting«
»Had you then purchased the estate or were you examining it with an intent
to buy« asked Edwards a little abruptly
»It had been mine for several years It was with a view to people the land
that I visited the lake Natty treated me hospitably but coldly I thought
after he learnt the nature of my journey I slept on his own bearskin however
and in the morning joined my surveyors again«
»Said he nothing of the Indian rights sir The Leatherstocking is much
given to impeach the justice of the tenure by which the whites hold the
country«
»I remember that he spoke of them but I did not clearly comprehend him and
may have forgotten what he said for the Indian title was extinguished so far
back as the close of the old war and if it had not been at all I hold under
the patents of the Royal Governors confirmed by an act of our own State
Legislature and no court in the country can affect my title«
»Doubtless sir your title is both legal and equitable« returned the
youth coldly reining his horse back and remaining silent till the subject was
changed
It was seldom Mr Jones suffered any conversation to continue for a great
length of time without his participation It seems that he was of the party
that Judge Temple had designated as his surveyors and he embraced the
opportunity of the pause that succeeded the retreat of young Edwards to take up
the discourse and with it a narration of their further proceedings after his
own manner As it wanted however the interest that had accompanied the
description of the Judge we must decline the task of committing his sentences
to paper
They soon reached the point where the promised view was to be seen It was
one of those picturesque and peculiar scenes that belong to the Otsego but
which required the absence of the ice and the softness of a summers landscape
to be enjoyed in all its beauty Marmaduke had early forewarned his daughter of
the season and of its effect on the prospect and after casting a cursory
glance at its capabilities the party returned homeward perfectly satisfied
that its beauties would repay them for the toil of a second ride at a more
propitious season
»The spring is the gloomy time of the American year« said the Judge »and
it is more peculiarly the case in these mountains The winter seems to retreat
to the fastnesses of the hills as to the citadel of its dominion and is only
expelled after a tedious siege in which either party at times would seem to
be gaining the victory«
»A very just and apposite figure Judge Temple« observed the Sheriff »and
the garrison under the command of Jack Frost make formidable sorties you
understand what I mean by sorties Monsieur sallies in English and sometimes
drive General Spring and his troops back again into the low countries«
»Yes sair« returned the Frenchman whose prominent eyes were watching the
precarious footsteps of the beast he rode as it picked its dangerous way among
the roots of trees holes logbridges and sloughs that formed the aggregate
of the highway »Je vous entend de low countrie is freeze up for half de year«
The error of Mr Le Quoi was not observed by the Sheriff and the rest of
the party were yielding to the influence of the changeful season which was
already teaching the equestrians that a continuance of its mildness was not to
be expected for any length of time Silence and thoughtfulness succeeded the
gayety and conversation that had prevailed during the commencement of the ride
as clouds began to gather about the heavens apparently collecting from every
quarter in quick motion without the agency of a breath of air
While riding over one of the cleared eminences that occurred in their route
the watchful eye of Judge Temple pointed out to his daughter the approach of a
tempest Flurries of snow already obscured the mountain that formed the northern
boundary of the lake and the genial sensation which had quickened the blood
through their veins was already succeeded by the deadening influence of an
approaching northwester
All of the party were now busily engaged in making the best of their way to
the village though the badness of the roads frequently compelled them to check
the impatience of their horses which often carried them over places that would
not admit of any gait faster than a walk
Richard continued in advance followed by Mr Le Quoi next to whom rode
Elizabeth who seemed to have imbibed the distance which pervaded the manner of
young Edwards since the termination of the discourse between the latter and her
father Marmaduke followed his daughter giving her frequent and tender warnings
as to the management of her horse It was possibly the evident dependence that
Louisa Grant placed on his assistance which induced the youth to continue by
her side as they pursued their way through a dreary and dark wood where the
rays of the sun could but rarely penetrate and where even the daylight was
obscured and rendered gloomy by the deep forests that surrounded them No wind
had yet reached the spot where the equestrians were in motion but that dead
stillness that often precedes a storm contributed to render their situation
more irksome than if they were already subjected to the fury of the tempest
Suddenly the voice of young Edwards was heard shouting in those appalling tones
that carry alarm to the very soul and which curdle the blood of those that hear
them
»A tree a tree whip spur for your lives a tree a tree«
»A tree a tree« echoed Richard giving his horse a blow that caused the
alarmed beast to jump nearly a rod throwing the mud and water into the air
like a hurricane
»Von tree von tree« shouted the Frenchman bending his body on the neck of
his charger shutting his eyes and playing on the ribs of his beast with his
heels at a rate that caused him to be conveyed on the crupper of the Sheriff
with a marvellous speed
Elizabeth checked her filly and looked up with an unconscious but alarmed
air at the very cause of their danger while she listened to the crackling
sounds that awoke the stillness of the forest but at the next instant her
bridle was seized by her father who cried
»God protect my child« and she felt herself hurried onward impelled by the
vigour of his nervous arm
Each one of the party bowed to his saddlebows as the tearing of branches
was succeeded by a sound like the rushing of the winds which was followed by a
thundering report and a shock that caused the very earth to tremble as one of
the noblest ruins of the forest fell directly across their path
One glance was enough to assure Judge Temple that his daughter and those in
front of him were safe and he turned his eyes in dreadful anxiety to learn
the fate of the others Young Edwards was on the opposite side of the tree his
form thrown back in his saddle to its utmost distance his left hand drawing up
his bridle with its greatest force while the right grasped that of Miss Grant
so as to draw the head of her horse under its body Both the animals stood
shaking in every joint with terror and snorting fearfully Louisa herself had
relinquished her reins and with her hands pressed on her face sat bending
forward in her saddle in an attitude of despair mingled strangely with
resignation
»Are you safe« cried the Judge first breaking the awful silence of the
moment
»By Gods blessing« returned the youth »but if there had been branches to
the tree we must have been lost «
He was interrupted by the figure of Louisa slowly yielding in her saddle
and but for his arm she would have sunken to the earth Terror however was
the only injury that the clergymans daughter had sustained and with the aid
of Elizabeth she was soon restored to her senses After some little time was
lost in recovering her strength the young lady was replaced in her saddle and
supported on either side by Judge Temple and Mr Edwards she was enabled to
follow the party in their slow progress
»The sudden falling of the trees« said Marmaduke »are the most dangerous
accidents in the forest for they are not to be foreseen being impelled by no
winds nor any extraneous or visible cause against which we can guard«
»The reason of their falling Judge Temple is very obvious« said the
Sheriff »The tree is old and decayed and it is gradually weakened by the
frosts until a line drawn from the centre of gravity falls without its base
and then the tree comes of a certainty and I should like to know what greater
compulsion there can be for any thing than a mathematical certainty I studied
mathe «
»Very true Richard« interrupted Marmaduke »thy reasoning is true and if
my memory be not over treacherous was furnished by myself on a former
occasion But how is one to guard against the danger canst thou go through the
forests measuring the bases and calculating the centres of the oaks answer me
that friend Jones and I will say thou wilt do the country a service«
»Answer thee that friend Temple« returned Richard »a welleducated man
can answer thee any thing sir Do any trees fall in this manner but such as
are decayed Take care not to approach the roots of a rotten tree and you will
be safe enough«
»That would be excluding us entirely from the forests« said Marmaduke
»But happily the winds usually force down most of these dangerous ruins as
their currents are admitted into the woods by the surrounding clearings and
such a fall as this has been is very rare«
Louisa by this time had recovered so much strength as to allow the party
to proceed at a quicker pace but long before they were safely housed they were
overtaken by the storm and when they dismounted at the door of the
Mansionhouse the black plumes of Miss Temples hat were drooping with the
weight of a load of damp snow and the coats of the gentlemen were powdered with
the same material
While Edwards was assisting Louisa from her horse the warmhearted girl
caught his hand with fervour and whispered
»Now Mr Edwards both father and daughter owe their lives to you«
A driving northwesterly storm succeeded and before the sun was set every
vestige of spring had vanished the lake the mountains the village and the
fields being again hid under one dazzling coat of snow
Chapter XXII
»Men boys and girls
Desert th unpeopled village and wild crowds
Spread oer the plain by the sweet frenzy driven«
Somerville The Chace II19799
From this time to the close of April the weather continued to be a succession
of great and rapid changes One day the soft airs of spring seemed to be
stealing along the valley and in unison with an invigorating sun attempting
covertly to rouse the dormant powers of the vegetable world while on the next
the surly blasts from the north would sweep across the lake and erase every
impression left by their gentle adversaries The snow however finally
disappeared and the green wheat fields were seen in every direction spotted
with the dark and charred stumps that had the preceding season supported some
of the proudest trees of the forest Ploughs were in motion wherever those
useful implements could be used and the smokes of the sugarcamps were no
longer seen issuing from the woods of maple The lake had lost the beauty of a
field of ice but still a dark and gloomy covering concealed its waters for the
absence of currents left them yet hid under a porous crust which saturated
with the fluid barely retained enough strength to preserve the contiguity of
its parts Large flocks of wild geese were seen passing over the country which
hovered for a time around the hidden sheet of water apparently searching for
a restingplace and then on finding themselves excluded by the chill covering
would soar away to the north filling the air with discordant screams as if
venting their complaints at the tardy operations of nature
For a week the dark covering of the Otsego was left to the undisturbed
possession of two eagles who alighted on the centre of its field and sat
eyeing their undisputed territory During the presence of these monarchs of the
air the flocks of migrating birds avoided crossing the plain of ice by turning
into the hills apparently seeking the protection of the forests while the
white and bald heads of the tenants of the lake were turned upward with a look
of contempt But the time had come when even these kings of birds were to be
dispossessed An opening had been gradually increasing at the lower extremity
of the lake and around the dark spot where the current of the river prevented
the formation of ice during even the coldest weather and the fresh southerly
winds that now breathed freely upon the valley made an impression on the
waters Mimic waves begun to curl over the margin of the frozen field which
exhibited an outline of crystallizations that slowly receded towards the north
At each step the power of the winds and the waves increased until after a
struggle of a few hours the turbulent little billows succeeded in setting the
whole field in motion when it was driven beyond the reach of the eye with a
rapidity that was as magical as the change produced in the scene by this
expulsion of the lingering remnant of winter Just as the last sheet of agitated
ice was disappearing in the distance the eagles rose and soared with a wide
sweep above the clouds while the waves tossed their little caps of snow into
the air as if rioting in their release from a thraldom of five months
duration
The following morning Elizabeth was awakened by the exhilarating sounds of
the martins who were quarreling and chattering around the little boxes
suspended above her windows and the cries of Richard who was calling in tones
animating as the signs of the season itself
»Awake awake my fair lady the gulls are hovering over the lake already
and the heavens are alive with pigeons You may look an hour before you can find
a hole through which to get a peep at the sun Awake awake lazy ones
Benjamin is overhauling the ammunition and we only wait for our breakfasts and
away for the mountains and pigeon
There was no resisting this animated appeal and in a few minutes Miss
Temple and her friend descended to the parlour The doors of the hall were
thrown open and the mild balmy air of a clear spring morning was ventilating
the apartment where the vigilance of the exsteward had been so long
maintaining an artificial heat with such unremitted diligence The gentlemen
were impatiently waiting for their mornings repast each equipt in the garb of
a sportsman Mr Jones made many visits to the southern door and would cry
»See cousin Bess see duke the pigeonroosts of the south have broken
up They are growing more thick every instant Here is a flock that the eye
cannot see the end of There is food enough in it to keep the army of Xerxes for
a month and feathers enough to make beds for the whole country Xerxes Mr
Edwards was a Grecian king who no he was a Turk or a Persian who wanted
to conquer Greece just the same as these rascals will overrun our wheatfields
when they come back in the fall Away away Bess I long to pepper them«
In this wish both Marmaduke and young Edwards seemed equally to participate
for the sight was exhilarating to a sportsman and the ladies soon dismissed the
party after a hasty breakfast
If the heavens were alive with pigeons the whole village seemed equally in
motion with men women and children Every species of firearms from the
French duckinggun with a barrel near six feet in length to the common
horsemans pistol was to be seen in the hands of the men and boys while bows
and arrows some made of the simple stick of a walnut sapling and others in a
rude imitation of the ancient crossbows were carried by many of the latter
The houses and the signs of life apparent in the village drove the alarmed
birds from the direct line of their flight towards the mountains along the
sides and near the bases of which they were glancing in dense masses equally
wonderful by the rapidity of their motion and their incredible numbers
We have already said that across the inclined plane which fell from the
steep ascent of the mountain to the banks of the Susquehanna ran the highway
on either side of which a clearing of many acres had been made at a very early
day Over those clearings and up the eastern mountain and along the dangerous
path that was cut into its side the different individuals posted themselves
and in a few moments the attack commenced
Amongst the sportsmen was the tall gaunt form of Leatherstocking walking
over the field with his rifle hanging on his arm his dogs at his heels the
latter now scenting the dead or wounded birds that were beginning to tumble
from the flocks and then crouching under the legs of their master as if they
participated in his feelings at this wasteful and unsportsmanlike execution
The reports of the firearms became rapid whole volleys rising from the
plain as flocks of more than ordinary numbers darted over the opening
shadowing the field like a cloud and then the light smoke of a single piece
would issue from among the leafless bushes on the mountain as death was hurled
on the retreat of the affrighted birds who were rising from a volley in a vain
effort to escape Arrows and missiles of every kind were in the midst of the
flocks and so numerous were the birds and so low did they take their flight
that even long poles in the hands of those on the sides of the mountain were
used to strike them to the earth
During all this time Mr Jones who disdained the humble and ordinary means
of destruction used by his companions was busily occupied aided by Benjamin
in making arrangements for an assault of a more than ordinarily fatal character
Among the relics of the old military excursions that occasionally are
discovered throughout the different districts of the western part of NewYork
there had been found in Templeton at its settlement a small swivel which
would carry a ball of a pound weight It was thought to have been deserted by a
warparty of the whites in one of their inroads into the Indian settlements
when perhaps convenience or their necessity induced them to leave such an
encumbrance behind them in the woods This miniature cannon had been released
from the rust and being mounted on little wheels was now in a state for actual
service For several years it was the sole organ for extraordinary rejoicings
used in those mountains On the mornings of the Fourths of July it would be
heard ringing among the hills and even Captain Hollister who was the highest
authority in that part of the country on all such occasions affirmed that
considering its dimensions it was no despicable gun for a salute It was
somewhat the worse for the service it had performed it is true there being but
a trifling difference in size between the touchhole and the muzzle Still the
grand conceptions of Richard had suggested the importance of such an instrument
in hurling death at his nimble enemies The swivel was dragged by a horse into a
part of the open space that the Sheriff thought most eligible for planting a
battery of the kind and Mr Pump proceeded to load it Several handfuls of
duckshot were placed on top of the powder and the Majordomo announced that
his piece was ready for service
The sight of such an implement collected all the idle spectators to the
spot who being mostly boys filled the air with cries of exultation and
delight The gun was pointed high and Richard holding a coal of fire in a pair
of tongs patiently took his seat on a stump awaiting the appearance of a flock
worthy of his notice
So prodigious was the number of the birds that the scattering fire of the
guns with the hurling of missiles and the cries of the boys had no other
effect than to break off small flocks from the immense masses that continued to
dart along the valley as if the whole of the feathered tribe were pouring
through that one pass None pretended to collect the game which lay scattered
over the fields in such profusion as to cover the very ground with the
fluttering victims
Leatherstocking was a silent but uneasy spectator of all these
proceedings but was able to keep his sentiments to himself until he saw the
introduction of the swivel into the sports
»This comes of settling a country« he said »here have I known the pigeons
to fly for forty long years and till you made your clearings there was nobody
to skear or to hurt them I loved to see them come into the woods for they were
company to a body hurting nothing being as it was as harmless as a
gartersnake But now it gives me sore thoughts when I hear the frighty things
whizzing through the air for I know its only a motion to bring out all the
brats in the village Well the Lord wont see the waste of his creaters for
nothing and right will be done to the pigeons as well as others byandby
Theres Mr Oliver as bad as the rest of them firing into the flocks as if he
was shooting down nothing but Mingo warriors«
Among the sportsmen was Billy Kirby who armed with an old musket was
loading and without even looking into the air was firing and shouting as his
victims fell even on his own person He heard the speech of Natty and took upon
himself to reply
»What old Leatherstocking« he cried »grumbling at the loss of a few
pigeons If you had to sow your wheat twice and three times as I have done
you wouldnt be so massyfully feelingd toards the divils Hurrah boys
scatter the feathers This is better than shooting at a turkeys head and neck
old fellow«
»Its better for you maybe Billy Kirby« replied the indignant old hunter
»and all them that dont know how to put a ball down a riflebarrel or how to
bring it up agin with a true aim but its wicked to be shooting into flocks in
this wastey manner and none do it who know how to knock over a single bird If
a body has a craving for pigeons flesh why its made the same as all other
creaters for mans eating but not to kill twenty and eat one When I want
such a thing I go into the woods till I find one to my liking and then I shoot
him off the branches without touching a feather of another though there might
be a hundred on the same tree You couldnt do such a thing Billy Kirby you
couldnt do it if you tried«
»Whats that old cornstalk you sapless stub« cried the woodchopper
»Youve grown wordy since the affair of the turkey but if youre for a single
shot here goes at that bird which comes on by himself«
The fire from the distant part of the field had driven a single pigeon below
the flock to which it belonged and frightened with the constant reports of the
muskets it was approaching the spot where the disputants stood darting first
from one side and then to the other cutting the air with the swiftness of
lightning and making a noise with its wings not unlike the rushing of a
bullet Unfortunately for the woodchopper notwithstanding his vaunt he did
not see this bird until it was too late to fire as it approached and he pulled
his trigger at the unlucky moment when it was darting immediately over his head
The bird continued its course with the usual velocity
Natty lowered the rifle from his arm when the challenge was made and
waiting a moment until the terrified victim had got in a line with his eye and
had dropped near the bank of the lake he raised it again with uncommon
rapidity and fired It might have been chance or it might have been skill
that produced the result it was probably a union of both but the pigeon
whirled over in the air and fell into the lake with a broken wing At the
sound of his rifle both his dogs started from his feet and in a few minutes
the slut brought out the bird still alive
The wonderful exploit of Leatherstocking was noised through the field with
great rapidity and the sportsmen gathered in to learn the truth of the report
»What« said young Edwards »have you really killed a pigeon on the wing
Natty with a single ball«
»Havent I killed loons before now lad that dive at the flash« returned
the hunter »Its much better to kill only such as you want without wasting
your powder and lead than to be firing into Gods creaters in this wicked
manner But I come out for a bird and you know the reason why I like small
game Mr Oliver and now I have got one I will go home for I dont relish to
see these wasty ways that you are all practysing as if the least thing was not
made for use and not to destroy«
»Thou sayest well Leatherstocking« cried Marmaduke »and I begin to think
it time to put an end to this work of destruction«
»Put an ind Judge to your clearings Ant the woods his work as well as
the pigeons Use but dont waste Wasnt the woods made for the beasts and
birds to harbour in and when man wanted their flesh their skins or their
feathers theres the place to seek them But Ill go to the hut with my own
game for I wouldnt touch one of the harmless things that kiver the ground
here looking up with their eyes on me as if they only wanted tongues to say
their thoughts«
With this sentiment in his mouth Leatherstocking threw his rifle over his
arm and followed by his dogs stepped across the clearing with great caution
taking care not to tread on one of the wounded birds in his path He soon
entered the bushes on the margin of the lake and was hid from view
Whatever impression the morality of Natty made on the Judge it was utterly
lost on Richard He availed himself of the gathering of the sportsmen to lay a
plan for one fell swoop of destruction The musketmen were drawn up in battle
array in a line extending on each side of his artillery with orders to await
the signal of firing from himself
»Stand by my lads« said Benjamin who acted as an aidedecamp on this
occasion »stand by my hearties and when Squire Dickens heaves out the signal
to begin the firing dye see you may open upon them in a broadside Take care
and fire low boys and youll be sure to hull the flock«
»Fire low« shouted Kirby »hear the old fool If we fire low we may hit
the stumps but not ruffle a pigeon«
»How should you know you lubber« cried Benjamin with a very unbecoming
heat for an officer on the eve of battle »how should you know you grampus
Havnt I sailed aboard of the Boadishy for five years and wasnt it a standing
order to fire low and to hull your enemy Keep silence at your guns boys and
mind the order that is passed«
The loud laughs of the musketmen were silenced by the more authoritative
voice of Richard who called for attention and obedience to his signals
Some millions of pigeons were supposed to have already passed that morning
over the valley of Templeton but nothing like the flock that was now
approaching had been seen before It extended from mountain to mountain in one
solid blue mass and the eye looked in vain over the southern hills to find its
termination The front of this living column was distinctly marked by a line
but very slightly indented so regular and even was the flight Even Marmaduke
forgot the morality of Leatherstocking as it approached and in common with
the rest brought his musket to a poise
»Fire« cried the Sheriff clapping a coal to the priming of the cannon As
half of Benjamins charge escaped through the touchhole the whole volley of
the musketry preceded the report of the swivel On receiving this united
discharge of smallarms the front of the flock darted upward while at the
same instant myriads of those in the rear rushed with amazing rapidity into
their places so that when the column of white smoke gushed from the mouth of
the little cannon an accumulated mass of objects was gliding over its point of
direction The roar of the gun echoed along the mountains and died away to the
north like distant thunder while the whole flock of alarmed birds seemed for
a moment thrown into one disorderly and agitated mass The air was filled with
their irregular flight layer rising above layer far above the tops of the
highest pines none daring to advance beyond the dangerous pass when suddenly
some of the leaders of the feathered tribe shot across the valley taking their
flight directly over the village and hundreds of thousands in their rear
followed the example deserting the eastern side of the plain to their
persecutors and the slain
»Victory« shouted Richard »victory we have driven the enemy from the
field«
»Not so Dickon« said Marmaduke »the field is covered with them and like
the Leatherstocking I see nothing but eyes in every direction as the
innocent sufferers turn their heads in terror Full one half of those that have
fallen are yet alive and I think it is time to end the sport if sport it be«
»Sport« cried the Sheriff »it is princely sport There are some thousands
of the bluecoated boys on the ground so that every old woman in the village
may have a potpie for the asking«
»Well we have happily frightened the birds from this side of the valley«
said Marmaduke »and the carnage must of necessity end for the present Boys
I will give thee sixpence a hundred for the pigeons heads only so go to work
and bring them into the village«
This expedient produced the desired effect for every urchin on the ground
went industriously to work to wring the necks of the wounded birds Judge Temple
retired towards his dwelling with that kind of feeling that many a man has
experienced before him who discovers after the excitement of the moment has
passed that he has purchased pleasure at the price of misery to others Horses
were loaded with the dead and after this first burst of sporting the shooting
of pigeons became a business with a few idlers for the remainder of the
season Richard however boasted for many a year of his shot with the cricket
and Benjamin gravely asserted that he thought they killed nearly as many
pigeons on that day as there were Frenchmen destroyed on the memorable occasion
of Rodneys victory
Chapter XXIII
»Help masters help heres a fish hangs in the net like a poor
mans right in the law«
Pericles IIi11617
The advance of the season now became as rapid as its first approach had been
tedious and lingering The days were uniformly mild while the nights though
cool were no longer chilled by frosts The whippoorwill was heard whistling
his melancholy notes along the margin of the lake and the ponds and meadows
were sending forth the music of their thousand tenants The leaf of the native
poplar was seen quivering in the woods the sides of the mountains began to lose
their hue of brown as the lively green of the different members of the forest
blended their shades with the permanent colours of the pine and hemlock and
even the buds of the tardy oak were swelling with the promise of the coming
summer The gay and fluttering bluebird the social robin and the industrious
little wren were all to be seen enlivening the fields with their presence and
their songs while the soaring fishhawk was already hovering over the waters of
the Otsego watching with native voracity for the appearance of his prey
The tenants of the lake were farfamed for both their quantities and their
quality and the ice had hardly disappeared before numberless little boats were
launched from the shores and the lines of the fishermen were dropped into the
inmost recesses of its deepest caverns tempting the unwary animals with every
variety of bait that the ingenuity or the art of man had invented But the
slow though certain adventures with hook and line were illsuited to the
profusion and impatience of the settlers More destructive means were resorted
to and as the season had now arrived when the bassfisheries were allowed by
the provisions of the law that Judge Temple had procured the Sheriff declared
his intention by availing himself of the first dark night to enjoy the sport in
person
»And you shall be present cousin Bess« he added when he announced this
design »and Miss Grant and Mr Edwards and I will show you what I call
fishing not nibble nibble nibble as duke does when he goes after the
salmontrout There he will sit for hours in a broiling sun or perhaps over
a hole in the ice in the coldest days in winter under the lee of a few bushes
and not a fish will he catch after all this mortification of the flesh No no
give me a good seine thats fifty or sixty fathoms in length with a jolly
parcel of boatmen to crack their jokes the while with Benjamin to steer and
let us haul them in by thousands I call that fishing«
»Ah Dickon« cried Marmaduke »thou knowest but little of the pleasure
there is in playing with the hook and line or thou wouldst be more saving of
the game I have known thee to leave fragments enough behind thee when thou
hast headed a nightparty on the lake to feed a dozen famishing families«
»I shall not dispute the matter Judge Temple this night will I go and I
invite the company to attend and then let them decide between us«
Richard was busy during most of the afternoon making his preparations for
the important occasion Just as the light of the setting sun had disappeared
and a new moon had begun to throw its shadows on the earth the fishermen took
their departure in a boat for a point that was situated on the western shore of
the lake at the distance of rather more than half a mile from the village The
ground had become settled and the walking was good and dry Marmaduke with his
daughter her friend and young Edwards continued on the high grassy banks at
the outlet of the placid sheet of water watching the dark object that was
moving across the lake until it entered the shade of the western hills and was
lost to the eye The distance round by land to the point of destination was a
mile and he observed
»It is time for us to be moving the moon will be down ere we reach the
point and then the miraculous hauls of Dickon will commence«
The evening was warm and after the long and dreary winter from which they
had just escaped delightfully invigorating Inspirited by the scene and their
anticipated amusement the youthful companions of the Judge followed his steps
as he led them along the shores of the Otsego and through the skirts of the
village
»See« said young Edwards »they are building their fire already it
glimmers for a moment and dies again like the light of a firefly«
»Now it blazes« cried Elizabeth »you can perceive figures moving around
the light Oh I would bet my jewels against the gold beads of Remarkable that
my impatient cousin Dickon had an agency in raising that bright flame and
see it fades again like most of his brilliant schemes«
»Thou hast guessed the truth Bess« said her father »he has thrown an
armful of brush on the pile which has burnt out as soon as lighted But it has
enabled them to find a better fuel for their fire begins to blaze with a more
steady flame It is the true fishermans beacon now observe how beautifully it
throws its little circle of light on the water«
The appearance of the fire urged the pedestrians on for even the ladies had
become eager to witness the miraculous draught By the time they reached the
bank which rose above the low point where the fishermen had landed the moon
had sunk behind the tops of the western pines and as most of the stars were
obscured by clouds there was but little other light than that which proceeded
from the fire At the suggestion of Marmaduke his companions paused to listen
to the conversation of those below them and examine the party for a moment
before they descended to the shore
The whole group were seated around the fire with the exception of Richard
and Benjamin the former of whom occupied the root of a decayed stump that had
been drawn to the spot as part of their fuel and the latter was standing with
his arms akimbo so near to the flame that the smoke occasionally obscured his
solemn visage as it waved around the pile in obedience to the nightairs that
swept gently over the water
»Why look you Squire« said the Majordomo »you may call a lakefish that
will weigh twenty or thirty pounds a serious matter but to a man who has hauled
in a shovelnosed shirk dye see its but a poor kind of fishing after all«
»I dont know Benjamin« returned the Sheriff »a haul of one thousand
Otsego bass without counting pike pickerel perch bullpouts salmontrouts
and suckers is no bad fishing let me tell you There may be sport in sticking
a shark but what is he good for after you have got him Now any one of the fish
that I have named is fit to set before a king«
»Well Squire« returned Benjamin »just listen to the philosophy of the
thing Would it stand to reason that such fish should live and be catched in
this here little pond of water where its hardly deep enough to drown a man as
youll find in the wide ocean where as every body knows that is every body
that has followed the seas whales and grampuses are to be seen that are as
long as one of them pine trees on yonder mountain«
»Softly softly Benjamin« said the Sheriff as if he wished to save the
credit of his favourite »why some of the pines will measure two hundred feet
and even more«
»Two hundred or two thousand its all the same thing« cried Benjamin with
an air which manifested that he was not easily to be bullied out of his opinion
on a subject like the present »Havent I been there and havent I seen I
have said that you fall in with whales as long as one of them there pines and
what I have once said Ill stand to«
During this dialogue which was evidently but the close of a much longer
discussion the huge frame of Billy Kirby was seen extended on one side of the
fire where he was picking his teeth with splinters of the chips near him and
occasionally shaking his head with distrust of Benjamins assertions
»Ive a notion« said the woodchopper »that theres water in this lake to
swim the biggest whale that ever was invented and as to the pines I think I
ought to know sothing consarning them I have chopped many a one that was sixty
times the length of my helve without counting the eye and I blieve Benny
that if the old pine that stands in the hollow of the Vision Mountain just over
the village you may see the tree itself by looking up for the moon is on its
top yet well now I blieve if that same tree was planted out in the deepest
part of the lake there would be water enough for the biggest ship that ever was
built to float over it without touching its upper branches I do«
»Didee ever see a ship Master Kirby« roared the steward »didee ever
see a ship man or any craft bigger than a limescow or a woodboat on this
here small bit of fresh water«
»Yes I have« said the woodchopper stoutly »I can say that I have and
tell no lie«
»Didee ever see a British ship Master Kirby an English lineofbattle
ship boy Where away didee ever fall in with a regularbuilt vessel with
starnpost and cutwater garboard streak and plankshear gangways and
hatchways and waterways quarterdeck and forecastle ay and flushdeck
tell me that man if you can where away didee ever fall in with a
fullrigged regularbuilt decked vessel«
The whole company were a good deal astounded with this overwhelming
question and even Richard afterwards remarked that it »was a thousand pities
that Benjamin could not read or he must have made a valuable officer to the
British marine It is no wonder that they overcome the French so easily on the
water when even the lowest sailor so well understood the different parts of a
vessel« But Billy Kirby was a fearless wight and had great jealousy of foreign
dictation he had arisen on his feet and turned his back to the fire during
the voluble delivery of this interrogatory and when the steward ended contrary
to all expectation he gave the following spirited reply
»Where why on the North River and maybe on Champlain Theres sloops on
the river boy that would give a hard time ont to the stoutest vessel King
George owns They carry masts of ninety feet in the clear of good solid pine
for Ive been at the chopping of many a one in Varmount state I wish I was
captain in one of them and you was in that Boarddish that you talk so much
about and wed soon see what good Yankee stuff is made on and whether a
Varmounters hide ant as thick as an Englishmans«
The echoes from the opposite hills which were more than half a mile from
the fishing point sent back the discordant laugh that Benjamin gave forth at
this challenge and the woods that covered their sides seemed by the noise
that issued from their shades to be full of mocking demons
»Let us descend to the shore« whispered Marmaduke »or there will soon be
ill blood between them Benjamin is a fearless boaster and Kirby though
goodnatured is a careless son of the forest who thinks one American more than
a match for six Englishmen I marvel that Dickon is silent where there is such
a trial of skill in the superlative«
The appearance of Judge Temple and the ladies produced if not a
pacification at least a cessation of hostilities Obedient to the directions of
Mr Jones the fishermen prepared to launch their boat which had been seen in
the background of the view with the net carefully disposed on a little
platform in its stern ready for service Richard gave vent to his reproaches at
the tardiness of the pedestrians when all the turbulent passions of the party
were succeeded by a calm as mild and as placid as that which prevailed over the
beautiful sheet of water that they were about to rifle of its best treasures
The night had now become so dark as to render objects without the reach of
the light of the fire not only indistinct but in most cases invisible For a
little distance the water was discernible glistening as the glare from the
fire danced over its surface touching it here and there with red quivering
streaks but at a hundred feet from the shore there lay a boundary of
impenetrable gloom One or two stars were shining through the openings of the
clouds and the lights were seen in the village glimmering faintly as if at an
immeasurable distance At times as the fire lowered or as the horizon cleared
the outline of the mountain on the other side of the lake might be traced by
its undulations but its shadow was cast wide and dense on the bosom of the
water rendering the darkness in that direction trebly deep
Benjamin Pump was invariably the cockswain and netcaster of Richards boat
unless the Sheriff saw fit to preside in person and on the present occasion
Billy Kirby and a youth of about half his strength were assigned to the oars
The remainder of the assistants were stationed at the drag ropes The
arrangements were speedily made and Richard gave the signal to shove off
Elizabeth watched the motion of the batteau as it pulled from the shore
letting loose its rope as it went but it very soon disappeared in the darkness
when the ear was her only guide to its evolutions There was great affectation
of stillness during all these manoeuvres in order as Richard assured them
»not to frighten the bass who were running into the shoal waters and who would
approach the light if not disturbed by the sounds from the fishermen«
The hoarse voice of Benjamin was alone heard issuing out of the gloom as
he uttered in authoritative tones pull larboard oar pull starboard give way
together boys and such other dictative mandates as were necessary for the
right disposition of his seine A long time was passed in this necessary part of
the process for Benjamin prided himself greatly on his skill in throwing the
net and in fact most of the success of the sport depended on its being done
with judgment At length a loud splash in the water as he threw away the staff
or stretcher with a hoarse call from the steward of clear announced that the
boat was returning when Richard seized a brand from the fire and ran to a
point as far above the centre of the fishing ground as the one from which the
batteau had started was below it
»Stick her in dead for the Squire boys« said the steward »and well have
a look at what grows in this here pond«
In place of the falling net were now to be heard the quick strokes of the
oars and the noise of the rope running out of the boat Presently the batteau
shot into the circle of light and in an instant she was pulled to shore
Several eager hands were extended to receive the line and both ropes being
equally well manned the fishermen commenced hauling in with slow and steady
drags Richard standing in the centre giving orders first to one party and
then to the other to increase or slacken their efforts as occasion required
The visiters were posted near him and enjoyed a fair view of the whole
operation which was slowly advancing to an end
Opinions as to the result of their adventure were now freely hazarded by
all the men some declaring that the net came in as light as a feather and
others affirming that it seemed to be full of logs As the ropes were many
hundred feet in length these opposing sentiments were thought to be of little
moment by the Sheriff who would go first to one line and then to the other
giving each a small pull in order to enable him to form an opinion for himself
»Why Benjamin« he cried as he made his first effort in this way »you did
not throw the net clear I can move it with my little finger The rope slackens
in my hand«
»Did you ever see a whale Squire« responded the steward »I say that if
that there net is foul the devil is in the lake in the shape of a fish for I
cast it as fair as ever rigging was rove over the quarterdeck of a flagship«
But Richard discovered his mistake when he saw Billy Kirby before him
standing with his feet in the water at an angle of fortyfive degrees
inclining shorewards and expending his gigantic strength in sustaining himself
in that posture He ceased his remonstrances and proceeded to the party at the
other line
»I see the staffs« shouted Mr Jones »gather in boys and away with it
to shore with her to shore with her«
At this cheerful sound Elizabeth strained her eyes and saw the ends of the
two sticks on the seine emerging from the darkness while the men closed near
to each other and formed a deep bag of their net The exertions of the
fishermen sensibly increased and the voice of Richard was heard encouraging
them to make their greatest efforts at the present moment
»Nows the time my lads« he cried »let us get the ends to land and all
we have will be our own away with her«
»Away with her it is« echoed Benjamin »hurrah hoahoy hoahoy hoa«
»In with her« shouted Kirby exerting himself in a manner that left nothing
for those in his rear to do but to gather up the slack of the rope which passed
through his hands
»Staff ho« shouted the steward
»Staff ho« echoed Kirby from the other rope
The men rushed to the waters edge some seizing the upper rope and some
the lower or leadrope and began to haul with great activity and zeal A deep
semicircular sweep of the little balls that supported the seine in its
perpendicular position was plainly visible to the spectators and as it
rapidly lessened in size the bag of the net appeared while an occasional
flutter on the water announced the uneasiness of the prisoners it contained
»Haul in my lads« shouted Richard »I can see the dogs kicking to get
free Haul in and heres a cast that will pay for the labour«
Fishes of various sorts were now to be seen entangled in the meshes of the
net as it was passed through the hands of the labourers and the water at a
little distance from the shore was alive with the movements of the alarmed
victims Hundreds of white sides were glancing up to the surface of the water
and glistening in the firelight when frightened at the uproar and the change
the fish would again dart to the bottom in fruitless efforts for freedom
»Hurrah« shouted Richard »one or two more heavy drags boys and we are
safe«
»Cheerily boys cheerily« cried Benjamin »I see a salmontrout that is
big enough for a chowder«
»Away with you you varmint« said Billy Kirby plucking a bullpout from
the meshes and casting the animal back into the lake with contempt »Pull
boys pull heres all kinds and the Lord condemn me for a liar if there ant
a thousand bass«
Inflamed beyond the bounds of discretion at the sight and forgetful of the
season the woodchopper rushed to his middle into the water and begun to drive
the reluctant animals before him from their native element
»Pull heartily boys« cried Marmaduke yielding to the excitement of the
moment and laying his hands to the net with no trifling addition to the force
Edwards had preceded him for the sight of the immense piles of fish that were
slowly rolling over on the gravelly beach had impelled him also to leave the
ladies and join the fishermen
Great care was observed in bringing the net to land and after much toil
the whole shoal of victims was safely deposited in a hollow of the bank where
they were left to flutter away their brief existence in the new and fatal
element
Even Elizabeth and Louisa were greatly excited and highly gratified by
seeing two thousand captives thus drawn from the bosom of the lake and laid as
prisoners at their feet But when the feelings of the moment were passing away
Marmaduke took in his hands a bass that might have weighed two pounds and
after viewing it a moment in melancholy musing he turned to his daughter and
observed
»This is a fearful expenditure of the choicest gifts of Providence These
fish Bess which thou seest lying in such piles before thee and which by
tomorrow evening will be rejected food on the meanest table in Templeton are
of a quality and flavour that in other countries would make them esteemed a
luxury on the tables of princes or epicures The world has no better fish than
the bass of Otsego it unites the richness of the shad17 to the firmness of the
salmon«
»But surely dear sir« cried Elizabeth »they must prove a great blessing
to the country and a powerful friend to the poor«
»The poor are always prodigal my child where there is plenty and seldom
think of a provision against the morrow But if there can be any excuse for
destroying animals in this manner it is in taking the bass During the winter
you know they are entirely protected from our assaults by the ice for they
refuse the hook and during the hot months they are not seen It is supposed
they retreat to the deep and cool waters of the lake at that season and it is
only in the spring and autumn that for a few days they are to be found
around the points where they are within the reach of a seine But like all the
other treasures of the wilderness they already begin to disappear before the
wasteful extravagance of man«
»Disappear duke disappear« exclaimed the Sheriff »if you dont call
this appearing I know not what you will Here are a good thousand of the
shiners some hundreds of suckers and a powerful quantity of other fry But
this is always the way with you Marmaduke first its the trees then its the
deer after that its the maple sugar and so on to the end of the chapter One
day you talk of canals through a country where theres a river or a lake every
halfmile just because the water wont run the way you wish it to go and the
next you say something about mines of coal though any man who has good eyes
like myself I say with good eyes can see more wood than would keep the city
of London in fuel for fifty years wouldnt it Benjamin«
»Why for that Squire« said the steward »Lonon is no small place If it
was stretched an end all the same as a town on one side of a river it would
cover some such matter as this here lake Thof I darst to say that the wood in
sight might sarve them a good turn seeing that the Lononers mainly burn coal«
»Now we are on the subject of coal Judge Temple« interrupted the Sheriff
»I have a thing of much importance to communicate to you but I will defer it
until tomorrow I know that you intend riding into the eastern part of the
Patent and I will accompany you and conduct you to a spot where some of your
projects may be realized We will say no more now for there are listeners but
a secret has this evening been revealed to me duke that is of more
consequence to your welfare than all your estate united«
Marmaduke laughed at the important intelligence to which in a variety of
shapes he was accustomed and the Sheriff with an air of great dignity as if
pitying his want of faith proceeded in the business more immediately before
them As the labour of drawing the net had been very great he directed one
party of his men to commence throwing the fish into piles preparatory to the
usual division while another under the superintendence of Benjamin prepared
the seine for a second haul
Chapter XXIV
»While from its margin terrible to tell
Three sailors with their gallant boatswain fell«
Falconer The Shipwreck II35455
While the fishermen were employed in making the preparations for an equitable
division of the spoil Elizabeth and her friend strolled a short distance from
the group along the shore of the lake After reaching a point to which even
the brightest of the occasional gleams of the fire did not extend they turned
and paused a moment in contemplation of the busy and lively party they had
left and of the obscurity which like the gloom of oblivion seemed to
envelope the rest of the creation
»This is indeed a subject for the pencil« exclaimed Elizabeth »Observe the
countenance of that woodchopper while he exults in presenting a larger fish
than common to my cousin Sheriff and see Louisa how handsome and considerate
my dear father looks by the light of that fire where he stands viewing the
havoc of the game He seems melancholy as if he actually thought that a day of
retribution was to follow this hour of abundance and prodigality Would they not
make a picture Louisa«
»You know that I am ignorant of all such accomplishments Miss Temple«
»Call me by my christian name« interrupted Elizabeth »this is not a place
neither is this a scene for forms«
»Well then if I may venture an opinion« said Louisa timidly »I should
think it might indeed make a picture The selfish earnestness of that Kirby over
his fish would contrast finely with the the expression of Mr Edwards
face I hardly know what to call it but it is a is you know what I would
say dear Elizabeth«
»You do me too much credit Miss Grant« said the heiress »I am no diviner
of thoughts or interpreter of expressions«
There was certainly nothing harsh or even cold in the manner of the
speaker but still it repressed the conversation and they continued to stroll
still further from the party retaining each others arm but observing a
profound silence Elizabeth perhaps conscious of the improper phraseology of
her last speech or perhaps excited by the new object that met her gaze was the
first to break the awkward cessation in the discourse by exclaiming
»Look Louisa we are not alone there are fishermen lighting a fire on the
other side of the lake immediately opposite to us it must be in front of the
cabin of Leatherstocking«
Through the obscurity which prevailed most immediately under the eastern
mountain a small and uncertain light was plainly to be seen though as it was
occasionally lost to the eye it seemed struggling for existence They observed
it to move and sensibly to lower as if carried down the descent of the bank to
the shore Here in a very short time its flame gradually expanded and grew
brighter until it became of the size of a mans head when it continued to
shine a steady ball of fire
Such an object lighted as it were by magic under the brow of the mountain
and in that retired and unfrequented place gave double interest to the beauty
and singularity of its appearance It did not at all resemble the large and
unsteady light of their own fire being much more clear and bright and
retaining its size and shape with perfect uniformity
There are moments when the best regulated minds are more or less subjected
to the injurious impressions which few have escaped in infancy and Elizabeth
smiled at her own weakness while she remembered the idle tales which were
circulated through the village at the expense of the Leatherstocking The same
ideas seized her companion and at the same instant for Louisa pressed nearer
to her friend as she said in a low voice stealing a timid glance towards the
bushes and trees that overhung the bank near them
»Did you ever hear the singular ways of this Natty spoken of Miss Temple
They say that in his youth he was an Indian warrior or what is the same
thing a white man leagued with the savages and it is thought he has been
concerned in many of their inroads in the old wars«
»The thing is not at all improbable« returned Elizabeth »he is not alone
in that particular«
»No surely but is it not strange that he is so cautious with his hut He
never leaves it without fastening it in a remarkable manner and in several
instances when the children or even the men of the village have wished to seek
a shelter there from the storms he has been known to drive them from his door
with rudeness and threats That surely is singular in this country«
»It is certainly not very hospitable but we must remember his aversion to
the customs of civilized life You heard my father say a few days since how
kindly he was treated by him on his first visit to this place« Elizabeth
paused and smiled with an expression of peculiar archness though the darkness
hid its meaning from her companion as she continued »Besides he certainly
admits the visits of Mr Edwards whom we both know to be far from a savage«
To this speech Louisa made no reply but continued gazing on the object
which had elicited her remarks In addition to the bright and circular flame
was now to be seen a fainter though a vivid light of an equal diameter to the
other at the upper end but which after extending downward for many feet
gradually tapered to a point at its lower extremity A dark space was plainly
visible between the two and the new illumination was placed beneath the other
the whole forming an appearance not unlike an inverted note of admiration It
was soon evident that the latter was nothing but the reflection from the water
of the former and that the object whatever it might be was advancing across
or rather over the lake for it seemed to be several feet above its surface in
a direct line with themselves Its motion was amazingly rapid the ladies having
hardly discovered that it was moving at all before the waving light of a flame
was discerned losing its regular shape while it increased in size as it
approached
»It appears to be supernatural« whispered Louisa beginning to retrace her
steps towards the party
»It is beautiful« exclaimed Elizabeth
A brilliant though waving flame was now plainly visible gracefully gliding
over the lake and throwing its light on the water in such a manner as to tinge
it slightly though in the air so strong was the contrast the darkness seemed
to have the distinctness of material substances as if the fire were embedded in
a setting of ebony This appearance however gradually wore off and the rays
from the torch struck out and enlightened the atmosphere in front of it
leaving the background in a darkness that was more impenetrable than ever
»Ho Natty is that you« shouted the Sheriff »paddle in old boy and
Ill give you a mess of fish that is fit to place before the Governor«
The light suddenly changed its direction and a long and slightlybuilt boat
hove up out of the gloom while the red glare fell on the weatherbeaten
features of the Leatherstocking whose tall person was seen erect in the frail
vessel wielding with the grace of an experienced boatman a long
fishingspear which he held by its centre first dropping one end and then the
other into the water to aid in propelling the little canoe of bark we will not
say through but over the water At the farther end of the vessel a form was
faintly seen guiding its motions and using a paddle with the ease of one who
felt there was no necessity for exertion The Leatherstocking struck his spear
lightly against the short staff which upheld on a rude grating framed of old
hoops of iron the knots of pine that composed the fuel and the light which
glared high for an instant fell on the swarthy features and dark glancing
eyes of Mohegan
The boat glided along the shore until it arrived opposite the
fishingground when it again changed its direction and moved on to the land
with a motion so graceful and yet so rapid that it seemed to possess the power
of regulating its own progress The water in front of the canoe was hardly
ruffled by its passage and no sound betrayed the collision when the light
fabric shot on the gravelly beach for nearly half its length Natty receding a
step or two from its bow in order to facilitate the landing
»Approach Mohegan« said Marmaduke »approach Leatherstocking and load
your canoe with the bass It would be a shame to assail the animals with the
spear when such multitudes of victims lie here that will be lost as food for
the want of mouths to consume them«
»No no Judge« returned Natty his tall figure stalking over the narrow
beach and ascending to the little grassy bottom where the fish were laid in
piles »I eat of no mans wasty ways I strike my spear into the eels or the
trout when I crave the creaters but I wouldnt be helping to such a sinful
kind of fishing for the best rifle that was ever brought out from the old
countries If they had fur like a beaver or you could tan their hides like a
buck something might be said in favour of taking them by the thousands with
your nets but as God made them for mans food and for no other disarnable
reason I call it sinful and wasty to catch more than can be eat«
»Your reasoning is mine for once old hunter we agree in opinion and I
heartily wish we could make a convert of the Sheriff A net of half the size of
this would supply the whole village with fish for a week at one haul«
The Leatherstocking did not relish this alliance in sentiment and he shook
his head doubtingly as he answered
»No no we are not much of one mind Judge or youd never turn good
hunting grounds into stumpy pastures And you fish and hunt out of rule but to
me the flesh is sweeter where the creater has some chance for its life for
that reason I always use a single ball even if it be at a bird or a squirrel
besides it saves lead for when a body knows how to shoot one piece of lead
is enough for all except hardlived animals«
The Sheriff heard these opinions with great indignation and when he
completed the last arrangement for the division by carrying with his own
hands a trout of a large size and placing it on four different piles in
succession as his vacillating ideas of justice required he gave vent to his
spleen
»A very pretty confederacy indeed Judge Temple the landlord and owner of
a township with Nathaniel Bumppo a lawless squatter and professed
deerkiller in order to preserve the game of the county But duke when I
fish I fish so away boys for another haul and well send out wagons and
carts in the morning to bring in our prizes«
Marmaduke appeared to understand that all opposition to the will of the
Sheriff would be useless and he strolled from the fire to the place where the
canoe of the hunters lay whither the ladies and Oliver Edwards had already
preceded him
Curiosity induced the females to approach this spot but it was a different
motive that led the youth thither Elizabeth examined the light ashen timbers
and thin bark covering of the canoe in admiration of its neat but simple
execution and with wonder that any human being could be so daring as to trust
his life in so frail a vessel But the youth explained to her the buoyant
properties of the boat and its perfect safety when under proper management
adding in such glowing terms a description of the manner in which the fish
were struck with the spear that she changed suddenly from an apprehension of
the danger of the excursion to a desire to participate in its pleasures She
even ventured a proposition to that effect to her father laughing at the same
time at her own wish and accusing herself of acting under a womans caprice
»Say not so Bess« returned the Judge »I would have you above the idle
fears of a silly girl These canoes are the safest kind of boats to those who
have skill and steady nerves I have crossed the broadest part of the Oneida in
one much smaller than this«
»And I the Ontary« interrupted the Leatherstocking »and that with squaws
in the canoe too But the Delaware women are used to the paddle and are good
hands in a boat of this nater If the young lady would like to see an old man
strike a trout for his breakfast she is welcome to a seat John will say the
same seeing that he built the canoe which was only launched yesterday for Im
not over curous at such small work as brooms and basketmaking and other like
Indian trades«
Natty gave Elizabeth one of his significant laughs with a kind nod of the
head when he concluded his invitation but Mohegan with the native grace of an
Indian approached and taking her soft white hand into his own swarthy and
wrinkled palm said
»Come granddaughter of Miquon and John will be glad Trust the Indian
his head is old though his hand is not steady The Young Eagle will go and see
that no harm hurts his sister«
»Mr Edwards« said Elizabeth blushing slightly »your friend Mohegan has
given a promise for you Do you redeem the pledge«
»With my life if necessary Miss Temple« cried the youth with fervour
»The sight is worth some little apprehension for of real danger there is none
I will go with you and Miss Grant however to save appearances«
»With me« exclaimed Louisa »no not with me Mr Edwards nor surely do
you mean to trust yourself in that slight canoe«
»But I shall for I have no apprehensions any longer« said Elizabeth
stepping into the boat and taking a seat where the Indian directed »Mr
Edwards you may remain as three do seem to be enough for such an eggshell«
»It shall hold a fourth« cried the young man springing to her side with a
violence that nearly shook the weak fabric of the vessel asunder »pardon me
Miss Temple that I do not permit these venerable Charons to take you to the
shades unattended by your genius«
»Is it a good or evil spirit« asked Elizabeth
»Good to you«
»And mine« added the maiden with an air that strangely blended pique with
satisfaction But the motion of the canoe gave rise to new ideas and
fortunately afforded a good excuse to the young man to change the discourse
It appeared to Elizabeth that they glided over the water by magic so easy
and graceful was the manner in which Mohegan guided his little bark A slight
gesture with his spear indicated the way in which the Leatherstocking wished
to go and a profound silence was preserved by the whole party as a precaution
necessary to the success of their fishery At that point of the lake the water
shoaled regularly differing in this particular altogether from those parts
where the mountains rose nearly in perpendicular precipices from the beach
There the largest vessels could have lain with their yards interlocked with
the pines while here a scanty growth of rushes lifted their tops above the
lake gently curling the waters as their bending heads waved with the passing
breath of the night air It was at the shallow points only that the bass could
be found or the net cast with success
Elizabeth saw thousands of these fish swimming in shoals along the shallow
and warm waters of the shore for the flaring light of their torch laid bare the
mysteries of the lake as plainly as if the limpid sheet of the Otsego was but
another atmosphere Every instant she expected to see the impending spear of
Leatherstocking darting into the thronging hosts that were rushing beneath her
where it would seem that a blow could not go amiss and where as her father had
already said the prize that would be obtained was worthy any epicure But Natty
had his peculiar habits and it would seem his peculiar tastes also His tall
stature and his erect posture enabled him to see much further than those who
were seated in the bottom of the canoe and he turned his head warily in every
direction frequently bending his body forward and straining his vision as if
desirous of penetrating the water that surrounded their boundary of light At
length his anxious scrutiny was rewarded with success and waving his spear
from the shore he said in a cautious tone
»Send her outside the bass John I see a laker there that has run out of
the school Its sildom one finds such a creater in shallow water where a spear
can touch it«
Mohegan gave a wave of assent with his hand and in the next instant the
canoe was without the run of the bass and in water nearly twenty feet in depth
A few additional knots were laid on the grating and the light penetrated to the
bottom Elizabeth then saw a fish of unusual size floating above small pieces
of logs and sticks The animal was only distinguishable at that distance by a
slight but almost imperceptible motion of its fins and tail The curiosity
excited by this unusual exposure of the secrets of the lake seemed to be mutual
between the heiress of the land and the lord of these waters for the
salmontrout soon announced his interest by raising his head and body for a
few degrees above a horizontal line and then dropping them again into a
horizontal position
»Whist whist« said Natty in a low voice on hearing a slight sound made
by Elizabeth in bending over the side of the canoe in curiosity »tis a
sceary animal and its a far stroke for a spear My handle is but fourteen
foot and the creater lies a good eighteen from the top of the water but Ill
try him for hes a tenpounder«
While speaking the Leatherstocking was poising and directing his weapon
Elizabeth saw the bright polished tines as they slowly and silently entered
the water where the refraction pointed them many degrees from the true
direction of the fish and she thought that the intended victim saw them also
as he seemed to increase the play of his tail and fins though without moving
his station At the next instant the tall body of Natty bent to the waters
edge and the handle of his spear disappeared in the lake The long dark streak
of the gliding weapon and the little bubbling vortex which followed its rapid
flight were easily to be seen but it was not until the handle shot again into
the air by its own reaction and its master catching it in his hand threw
its tines uppermost that Elizabeth was acquainted with the success of the blow
A fish of great size was transfixed by the barbed steel and was very soon
shaken from its impaled situation into the bottom of the canoe
»That will do John« said Natty raising his prize by one of his fingers
and exhibiting it before the torch »I shall not strike another blow tonight«
The Indian again waved his hand and replied with the simple and energetic
monosyllable of
»Good«
Elizabeth was awakened from the trance created by this scene and by gazing
in that unusual manner at the bottom of the lake by the hoarse sounds of
Benjamins voice and the dashing of oars as the heavier boat of the
seinedrawers approached the spot where the canoe lay dragging after it the
folds of the net
»Haul off haul off Master Bumppo« cried Benjamin »your toplight
frightens the fish who see the net and sheer off soundings A fish knows as
much as a horse or for that matter more seeing that its brought up on the
water Haul off Master Bumppo haul off I say and give a wide berth to the
seine«
Mohegan guided their little canoe to a point where the movements of the
fishermen could be observed without interruption to the business and then
suffered it to lie quietly on the water looking like an imaginary vessel
floating in air There appeared to be much illhumour among the party in the
batteau for the directions of Benjamin were not only frequent but issued in a
voice that partook largely of dissatisfaction
»Pull larboard oar will ye Master Kirby« cried the old seaman »pull
larboard best It would puzzle the oldest admiral in the British fleet to cast
this here net fair with a wake like a corkscrew Pull starboard boy pull
starboard oar with a will«
»Harkee Mister Pump« said Kirby ceasing to row and speaking with some
spirit »Im a man that likes civil language and decent treatment such as is
right twixt man and man If you want us to go hoy say so and hoy Ill go for
the benefit of the company but Im not used to being ordered about like dumb
cattle«
»Whos dumb cattle« echoed Benjamin fiercely turning his forbidding face
to the glare of light from the canoe and exhibiting every feature teeming with
the expression of disgust »If you want to come aft and cun the boat round come
and be damned and pretty steerage youll make of it Theres but another heave
of the net in the sternsheets and were clear of the thing Give way will ye
and shoot her ahead for a fathom or two and if you catch me afloat again with
such a horsemarine as yourself why rate me a ships jackass thats all«
Probably encouraged by the prospect of a speedy termination to his labour
the woodchopper resumed his oar and under strong excitement gave a stroke
that not only cleared the boat of the net but of the steward at the same
instant Benjamin had stood on the little platform that held the seine in the
stern of the boat and the violent whirl occasioned by the vigour of the
woodchoppers arm completely destroyed his balance The position of the lights
rendered objects in the batteau distinguishable both from the canoe and the
shore and the heavy fall on the water drew all eyes to the steward as he lay
struggling for a moment in sight
A loud burst of merriment to which the lungs of Kirby contributed no small
part broke out like a chorus of laughter and rung along the eastern mountain
in echoes until it died away in distant mocking mirth among the rocks and
woods The body of the steward was seen slowly to disappear as was expected
but when the light waves which had been raised by his fall begun to sink in
calmness and the water finally closed over his head unbroken and still a very
different feeling pervaded the spectators
»How fare you Benjamin« shouted Richard from the shore
»The dumb devil cant swim a stroke« exclaimed Kirby rising and beginning
to throw aside his clothes
»Paddle up Mohegan« cried young Edwards »the light will show us where he
lies and I will dive for the body«
»Oh save him for Gods sake save him« exclaimed Elizabeth bowing her
head on the side of the canoe in horror
A powerful and dexterous sweep of Mohegans paddle sent the canoe directly
over the spot where the steward had fallen and a loud shout from the
Leatherstocking announced that he saw the body
»Steady the boat while I dive« again cried Edwards
»Gently lad gently« said Natty »Ill spear the creater up in half the
time and no risk to any body«
The form of Benjamin was lying about half way to the bottom grasping with
both hands some broken rushes The blood of Elizabeth curdled to her heart as
she saw the figure of a fellowcreature thus extended under an immense sheet of
water apparently in motion by the undulations of the dying waves with its
face and hands viewed by that light and through the medium of the fluid
already coloured with hues like death
At the same instant she saw the shining tines of Nattys spear approaching
the head of the sufferer and entwining themselves rapidly and dexterously in
the hairs of his queue and the cape of his coat The body was now raised slowly
looking ghastly and grim as its features turned upward to the light and
approached the surface The arrival of the nostrils of Benjamin into their own
atmosphere was announced by a breathing that would have done credit to a
porpoise For a moment Natty held the steward suspended with his head just
above the water while his eyes slowly opened and stared about him as if he
thought that he had reached a new and unexplored country
As all the parties acted and spoke together much less time was consumed in
the occurrence of these events than in their narration To bring the batteau to
the end of the spear and to raise the form of Benjamin into the boat and for
the whole party to gain the shore required but a minute Kirby aided by
Richard whose anxiety induced him to run into the water to meet his favourite
assistant carried the motionless steward up the bank and seated him before the
fire while the Sheriff proceeded to order the most approved measures then in
use for the resuscitation of the drowned
»Run Billy« he cried »to the village and bring up the rumhogshead that
lies before the door in which I am making vinegar and be quick boy dont
stay to empty the vinegar and stop at Mr Le Quois and buy a paper of tobacco
and halfadozen pipes and ask Remarkable for some salt and one of her flannel
petticoats and ask Dr Todd to send his lancet and to come himself and ha
duke what are you about would you strangle a man who is full of water by
giving him rum Help me to open his hand that I may pat it«
All this time Benjamin sat with his muscles fixed his mouth shut and his
hands clenching the rushes which he had seized in the confusion of the moment
and which as he held fast like a true seaman had been the means of preventing
his body from rising again to the surface His eyes however were open and
stared wildly on the group about the fire while his lungs were playing like a
blacksmiths bellows as if to compensate themselves for the minute of inaction
to which they had been subjected As he kept his lips compressed with a most
inveterate determination the air was compelled to pass through his nostrils
and he rather snorted than breathed and in such a manner that nothing but the
excessive agitation of the Sheriff could at all justify his precipitous orders
The bottle applied to the stewards lips by Marmaduke acted like a charm
His mouth opened instinctively his hands dropped the rushes and seized the
glass his eyes raised from their horizontal stare to the heavens and the
whole man was lost for a moment in a new sensation Unhappily for the
propensity of the steward breath was as necessary after one of these draughts
as after his submersion and the time at length arrived when he was compelled to
let go the bottle
»Why Benjamin« roared the Sheriff »you amaze me for a man of your
experience in drownings to act so foolishly just now you were half full of
water and now you are«
»Full of grog« interrupted the steward his features settling down with
amazing flexibility into their natural economy »But dye see Squire I kept
my hatches close and it is but little water that ever gets into my
scuttlebutt Harkee Master Kirby Ive followd the salt water for the
better part of a mans life and have seen some navigation on the fresh but
this here matter I will say in your favour and that is that youre the
awkardest greenun that ever straddled a boats thwart Them that likes you for
a shipmate may sail with you and no thanks but damme if I even walk on the
lake shore in your company For why youd as lief drown a man as one of them
there fish not to throw a christian creature so much as a ropes end when he
was adrift and no lifebuoy in sight Natty Bumppo give us your fist
Theres them that says youre an Indian and a scalper but youve sarved me a
good turn and you may set me down for a friend thof it would have been more
shipshape to lower the bight of a rope or running bowline below me than to
seize an old seaman by his headlanyard but I suppose you are used to taking
men by the hair and seeing you did me good instead of harm thereby why its
the same thing dye see«
Marmaduke prevented any reply and assuming the direction of matters with a
dignity and discretion that at once silenced all opposition from his cousin
Benjamin was despatched to the village by land and the net was hauled to shore
in such a manner that the fish for once escaped its meshes with impunity
The division of the spoils was made in the ordinary manner by placing one
of the party with his back to the game who named the owner of each pile Billy
Kirby stretched his large frame on the grass by the side of the fire as
sentinel until morning over net and fish and the remainder of the party
embarked in the batteau to return to the village
The woodchopper was seen broiling his supper on the coals as they lost
sight of the fire and when the boat approached the shore the torch of
Mohegans canoe was shining again under the gloom of the eastern mountain Its
motion ceased suddenly a scattering of brands was in the air and then all
remained dark as the conjunction of night forest and mountain could render
the scene
The thoughts of Elizabeth wandered from the youth who was holding a canopy
of shawls over herself and Louisa to the hunter and the Indian warrior and she
felt an awakening curiosity to visit a hut where men of such different habits
and temperament were drawn together as by common impulse
Chapter XXV
»Cease all this parlance about hills and dales
None listen to thy scenes of boyish frolic
Fond dotard with such tickled ears as thou dost
Come to thy tale«
Duo
Mr Jones arose on the following morning with the sun and ordering his own
and Marmadukes steeds to be saddled he proceeded with a countenance big with
some business of unusual moment to the apartment of the Judge The door was
unfastened and Richard entered with the freedom that characterized not only
the intercourse between the cousins but the ordinary manners of the Sheriff
»Well duke to horse« he cried »and I will explain to you my meaning in
the allusions I made last night David says in the Psalms no it was Solomon
but it was all in the family Solomon said there was a time for all things
and in my humble opinion a fishing party is not the moment for discussing
important subjects Ha why what the devil ails you Marmaduke ant you well
let me feel your pulse my grandfather you know«
»Quite well in the body Richard« interrupted the Judge repulsing his
cousin who was about to assume the functions that properly belonged to Dr
Todd »but ill at heart I received letters by the post of last night after we
returned from the point and this among the number«
The Sheriff took the letter but without turning his eyes on the writing
for he was examining the appearance of the other with astonishment From the
face of his cousin the gaze of Richard wandered to the table which was covered
with letters packets and newspapers then to the apartment and all that it
contained On the bed there was the impression that had been made by a human
form but the coverings were unmoved and every thing indicated that the
occupant of the room had passed a sleepless night The candles were burnt to the
sockets and had evidently extinguished themselves in their own fragments
Marmaduke had drawn his curtains and opened both the shutters and the sashes
to admit the balmy air of a spring morning but his pale cheek his quivering
lip and his sunken eye presented altogether so very different an appearance
from the usual calm manly and cheerful aspect of the Judge that the Sheriff
grew each moment more and more bewildered with astonishment At length Richard
found time to cast his eyes on the direction of the letter which he still held
unopened crumbling it in his hand
»What a ship letter« he exclaimed »and from England ha duke there
must be news of importance indeed«
»Read it« said Marmaduke pacing the floor in excessive agitation
Richard who commonly thought aloud was unable to read a letter without
suffering part of its contents to escape him in audible sounds So much of the
epistle as was divulged in that manner we shall lay before the reader
accompanied by the passing remarks of the Sheriff
»London February 12th 1793 What a devil of a passage she had but the
wind has been northwest for six weeks until within the last fortnight Sir
your favours of August 10th September 23d and of December 1st were received
in due season and the first answered by return of packet Since the receipt of
the last I« Here a long passage was rendered indistinct by a kind of humming
noise made by the Sheriff »I grieve to say that hum hum bad enough to be
sure but trust that a merciful Providence has seen fit hum hum hum seems
to be a good pious sort of a man duke belongs to the established church I
dare say hum hum vessel sailed from Falmouth on or about the 1st September
of last year and hum hum hum If any thing should transpire on this
afflicting subject shall not fail hum hum really a goodhearted man for a
lawyer but can communicate nothing further at present Hum hum The
national convention hum hum unfortunate Louis hum hum example of your
Washington a very sensible man I declare and none of your crazy democrats
Hum hum our gallant navy hum hum under our most excellent monarch ay
a good man enough that King George but bad advisers hum hum I beg to
conclude with assurances of my perfect respect hum hum ANDREW HOLT
Andrew Holt a very sensible feeling man this Mr Andrew Holt but the writer
of evil tidings What will you do next cousin Marmaduke«
»What can I do Richard but trust to time and the will of Heaven Here is
another letter from Connecticut but it only repeats the substance of the last
There is but one consoling reflection to be gathered from the English news
which is that my last letter was received by him before the ship sailed«
»This is bad enough indeed duke bad enough indeed and away go all my
plans of putting the wings to the house to the devil I had made arrangements
for a ride to introduce you to something of a very important nature You know
how much you think of mines«
»Talk not of mines« interrupted the Judge »there is a sacred duty to be
performed and that without delay I must devote this day to writing and thou
must be my assistant Richard it will not do to employ Oliver in a matter of
such secrecy and interest«
»No no duke« cried the Sheriff squeezing his hand »I am your man just
now we are sisters children and blood after all is the best cement to make
friendship stick together Well well there is no hurry about the silver mine
just now another time will do as well We shall want Dirky Van I suppose«
Marmaduke assented to this indirect question and the Sheriff relinquished
all his intentions on the subject of the ride and repairing to the breakfast
parlour he despatched a messenger to require the immediate presence of Dirck
Van der School
The village of Templeton at that time supported but two lawyers one of
whom was introduced to our readers in the barroom of the Bold Dragoon and the
other was the gentleman of whom Richard spoke by the friendly but familiar
appellation of Dirck or Dirky Van Great good nature a very tolerable share of
skill in his profession and considering the circumstances no contemptible
degree of honesty were the principal ingredients in the character of this man
who was known to the settlers as Squire Van der School and sometimes by the
flattering though anomalous title of the Dutch or honest lawyer We would not
wish to mislead our readers in their conceptions of any of our characters and
we therefore feel it necessary to add that the adjective in the preceding
agnomen of Mr Van der School was used in direct reference to its substantive
Our orthodox friends need not be told that all merit in this world is
comparative and once for all we desire to say that where any thing which
involves qualities or character is asserted we must be understood to mean
under the circumstances
During the remainder of the day the Judge was closeted with his cousin and
his lawyer and no one else was admitted to his apartment excepting his
daughter The deep distress that so evidently afflicted Marmaduke was in some
measure communicated to Elizabeth also for a look of dejection shaded her
intelligent features and the buoyancy of her animated spirits was sensibly
softened Once on that day young Edwards who was a wondering and observant
spectator of the sudden alteration produced in the heads of the family detected
a tear stealing over the cheek of Elizabeth and suffusing her bright eyes with
a softness that did not always belong to their expression
»Have any evil tidings been received Miss Temple« he inquired with an
interest and voice that caused Louisa Grant to raise her head from her
needlework with a quickness at which she instantly blushed herself »I would
offer my services to your father if as I suspect he needs an agent in some
distant place and I thought it would give you relief«
»We have certainly heard bad news« returned Elizabeth »and it may be
necessary that my father should leave home for a short period unless I can
persuade him to trust my cousin Richard with the business whose absence from
the county just at this time too might be inexpedient«
The youth paused a moment and the blood gathered slowly to his temples as
he continued
»If it be of a nature that I could execute«
»It is such as can only be confided to one we know one of ourselves«
»Surely you know me Miss Temple« he added with a warmth that he seldom
exhibited but which did sometimes escape him in the moments of their frank
communications »Have I lived five months under your roof to be a stranger«
Elizabeth was engaged with her needle also and she bent her head to one
side affecting to arrange her muslin but her hand shook her colour
heightened and her eyes lost their moisture in an expression of ungovernable
interest as she said
»How much do we know of you Mr Edwards«
»How much« echoed the youth gazing from the speaker to the mild
countenance of Louisa that was also illuminated with curiosity »how much have
I been so long an inmate with you and not known«
The head of Elizabeth slowly turned from its affected position and the look
of confusion that had blended so strongly with an expression of interest
changed to a smile
»We know you sir indeed you are called Mr Oliver Edwards I understand
that you have informed my friend Miss Grant that you are a native«
»Elizabeth« exclaimed Louisa blushing to the eyes and trembling like an
aspen »you misunderstood me dear Miss Temple I I it was only conjecture
Besides if Mr Edwards is related to the natives why should we reproach him
in what are we better at least I who am the child of a poor and unsettled
clergyman«
Elizabeth shook her head doubtingly and even laughed but made no reply
until observing the melancholy which pervaded the countenance of her companion
who was thinking of the poverty and labours of her father she continued
»Nay Louisa humility carries you too far The daughter of a minister of
the church can have no superiors Neither I nor Mr Edwards is quite your equal
unless« she added again smiling »he is in secret a king«
»A faithful servant of the King of kings Miss Temple is inferior to none
on earth« said Louisa »but his honours are his own I am only the child of a
poor and friendless man and can claim no other distinction Why then should I
feel myself elevated above Mr Edwards because because perhaps he is only
very very distantly related to John Mohegan«
Glances of a very comprehensive meaning were exchanged between the heiress
and the young man as Louisa betrayed while vindicating his lineage the
reluctance with which she admitted his alliance to the old warrior but not even
a smile at the simplicity of their companion was indulged by either
»On reflection I must acknowledge that my situation here is somewhat
equivocal« said Edwards »though I may be said to have purchased it with my
blood«
»The blood too of one of the native lords of the soil« cried Elizabeth
who evidently put little faith in his aboriginal descent
»Do I bear the marks of my lineage so very plainly impressed on my
appearance I am dark but not very red not more so than common«
»Rather more so just now«
»I am sure Miss Temple« cried Louisa »you cannot have taken much notice
of Mr Edwards His eyes are not so black as Mohegans or even your own nor is
his hair«
»Very possibly then I can lay claim to the same descent It would be a
great relief to my mind to think so for I own that I grieve when I see old
Mohegan walking about these lands like the ghost of one of their ancient
possessors and feel how small is my own right to possess them«
»Do you« cried the youth with a vehemence that startled the ladies
»I do indeed« returned Elizabeth after suffering a moment to pass in
surprise »but what can I do what can my father do Should we offer the old man
a home and a maintenance his habits would compel him to refuse us Neither
were we so silly as to wish such a thing could we convert these clearings and
farms again into huntinggrounds as the Leatherstocking would wish to see
them«
»You speak the truth Miss Temple« said Edwards »What can you do indeed
But there is one thing that I am certain you can and will do when you become
the mistress of these beautiful valleys use your wealth with indulgence to the
poor and charity to the needy indeed you can do no more«
»And that will be doing a good deal« said Louisa smiling in her turn »But
there will doubtless be one to take the direction of such things from her
hands«
»I am not about to disclaim matrimony like a silly girl who dreams of
nothing else from morning till night but I am a nun here without the vow of
celibacy Where shall I find a husband in these forests«
»There is none Miss Temple« said Edwards quickly »there is none who has
a right to aspire to you and I know that you will wait to be sought by your
equal or die as you live loved respected and admired by all who know you«
The young man seemed to think that he had said all that was required by
gallantry for he arose and taking his hat hurried from the apartment Perhaps
Louisa thought that he had said more than was necessary for she sighed with an
aspiration so low that it was scarcely audible to herself and bent her head
over her work again And it is possible that Miss Temple wished to hear more
for her eyes continued fixed for a minute on the door through which the young
man had passed then glanced quickly towards her companion when the long
silence that succeeded manifested how much zest may be given to the conversation
of two maidens under eighteen by the presence of a youth of three and twenty
The first person encountered by Mr Edwards as he rather rushed than walked
from the house was the little squarebuilt lawyer with a large bundle of
papers under his arm a pair of green spectacles on his nose with glasses at
the sides as if to multiply his power of detecting frauds by additional organs
of vision
Mr Van der School was a welleducated man but of slow comprehension who
had imbibed a wariness in his speeches and actions from having suffered by his
collisions with his more mercurial and apt brethren who had laid the foundations
of their practice in the eastern courts and who had sucked in shrewdness with
their mothers milk The caution of this gentleman was exhibited in his actions
by the utmost method and punctuality tinctured with a good deal of timidity
and in his speeches by a parenthetical style that frequently left to his
auditors a long search after his meaning
»A good morning to you Mr Van der School« said Edwards »it seems to be a
busy day with us at the Mansionhouse«
»Good morning Mr Edwards if that is your name for being a stranger
we have no other evidence of the fact than your own testimony as I understand
you have given it to Judge Temple good morning sir It is apparently a busy
day but a man of your discretion need not be told having doubtless
discovered it of your own accord that appearances are often deceitful up at
the Mansionhouse«
»Have you papers of consequence that will require copying can I be of
assistance in any way«
»There are papers as doubtless you see for your eyes are young by the
outsides that require copying«
»Well then I will accompany you to your office and receive such as are
most needed and by night I shall have them done if there be much haste«
»I shall be always glad to see you sir at my office as in duty bound
not that it is obligatory to receive any man within your dwelling unless so
inclined which is a castle according to the forms of politeness or at any
other place but the papers are most strictly confidential and as such
cannot be read by any one unless so directed by Judge Temples solemn
injunctions and are invisible to all eyes excepting those whose duties I
mean assumed duties require it of them«
»Well sir as I perceive that I can be of no service I wish you another
good morning but beg you will remember that I am quite idle just now and I
wish you would intimate as much to Judge Temple and make him a tender of my
services in any part of the world unless unless it be far from Templeton«
»I will make the communication sir in your name with your own
qualifications as your agent Good morning sir But stay proceedings Mr
Edwards so called for a moment Do you wish me to state the offer of
travelling as a final contract for which consideration has been received at
former dates by sums advanced which would be binding or as a tender of
services for which compensation is to be paid according to future agreement
between the parties on performance of the conditions«
»Any way any way« said Edwards »he seems in distress and I would
assist him«
»The motive is good sir according to appearances which are often
deceitful on first impressions and does you honour I will mention your
wish young gentleman as you now seem and will not fail to communicate the
answer by five oclock PM of this present day God willing if you give me
an opportunity so to do«
The ambiguous nature of the situation and character of Mr Edwards had
rendered him an object of peculiar suspicion to the lawyer and the youth was
consequently too much accustomed to similar equivocal and guarded speeches to
feel any unusual disgust at the present dialogue He saw at once that it was
the intention of the practitioner to conceal the nature of his business even
from the private secretary of Judge Temple and he knew too well the difficulty
of comprehending the meaning of Mr Van der School when the gentleman most
wished to be luminous in his discourse not to abandon all thoughts of a
discovery when he perceived that the attorney was endeavouring to avoid any
thing like an approach to a crossexamination They parted at the gate the
lawyer walking with an important and hurried air towards his office keeping
his right hand firmly clenched on the bundle of papers
It must have been obvious to all our readers that the youth entertained an
unusual and deeplyseated prejudice against the character of the Judge but
owing to some counteracting cause his sensations were now those of powerful
interest in the state of his patrons present feelings and in the causes of his
secret uneasiness
He remained gazing after the lawyer until the door closed on both the
bearer and the mysterious packet when he returned slowly to the dwelling and
endeavoured to forget his curiosity in the usual avocations of his office
When the Judge made his reappearance in the circle of his family his
cheerfulness was tempered by a shade of melancholy that lingered for many days
around his manly brow but the magical progression of the season aroused him
from his temporary apathy and his smiles returned with the summer
The heats of the days and the frequent occurrence of balmy showers had
completed in an incredibly short period the growth of plants which the
lingering spring had so long retarded in the germ and the woods presented every
shade of green that the American forests know The stumps in the cleared fields
were already hid beneath the wheat that was waving with every breath of the
summer air shining and changing its hues like velvet
During the continuance of his cousins dejection Mr Jones forbore with
much consideration to press on his attention a business that each hour was
drawing nearer to the heart of the Sheriff and which if any opinion could be
formed by his frequent private conferences with the man who was introduced in
these pages by the name of Jotham at the barroom of the Bold Dragoon was
becoming also of great importance
At length the Sheriff ventured to allude again to the subject and one
evening in the beginning of July Marmaduke made him a promise of devoting the
following day to the desired excursion
Chapter XXVI
»Speak on my dearest father
Thy words are like the breezes of the west«
Milman Belshazzar III7374
It was a mild and soft morning when Marmaduke and Richard mounted their horses
to proceed on the expedition that had so long been uppermost in the thoughts of
the latter and Elizabeth and Louisa appeared at the same instant in the hall
attired for an excursion on foot
The head of Miss Grant was covered by a neat little hat of green silk and
her modest eyes peered from under its shade with the soft languor that
characterized her whole appearance but Miss Temple trod her fathers wide
apartments with the step of their mistress holding in her hand dangling by
one of its ribands the gipsy that was to conceal the glossy locks that curled
around her polished forehead in rich profusion
»What are you for a walk Bess« cried the Judge suspending his movements
for a moment to smile with a fathers fondness at the display of womanly
grace and beauty that his child presented »Remember the heats of July my
daughter nor venture further than thou canst retrace before the meridian Where
is thy parasol girl thou wilt lose the polish of that brow under this sun and
southern breeze unless thou guard it with unusual care«
»I shall then do more honour to my connexions« returned the smiling
daughter »Cousin Richard has a bloom that any lady might envy At present the
resemblance between us is so trifling that no stranger would know us to be
sisters children«
»Grandchildren you mean cousin Bess« said the Sheriff »But on Judge
Temple time and tide wait for no man and if you take my counsel sir in
twelve months from this day you may make an umbrella for your daughter of her
camelshair shawl and have its frame of solid silver I ask nothing for
myself duke you have been a good friend to me already besides all that I
have will go to Bess there one of these melancholy days so its as long as
its short whether I or you leave it But we have a days ride before us sir
so move forward or dismount and say you wont go at once«
»Patience patience Dickon« returned the Judge checking his horse and
turning again to his daughter »If thou art for the mountains love stray not
too deep into the forest I entreat thee for though it is done often with
impunity there is sometimes danger«
»Not at this season I believe sir« said Elizabeth »for I will confess
it is the intention of Louisa and myself to stroll among the hills«
»Less at this season than in the winter dear but still there may be danger
in venturing too far But though thou art resolute Elizabeth thou art too much
like thy mother not to be prudent«
The eyes of the parent turned reluctantly from his child and the Judge and
Sheriff rode slowly through the gateway and disappeared among the buildings of
the village
During this short dialogue young Edwards stood an attentive listener
holding in his hand a fishingrod the day and the season having tempted him
also to desert the house for the pleasure of exercise in the air As the
equestrians turned through the gate he approached the young females who were
already moving towards the street and was about to address them as Louisa
paused and said quickly
»Mr Edwards would speak to us Elizabeth«
The other stopped also and turned to the youth politely but with a slight
coldness in her air that sensibly checked the freedom with which he had
approached them
»Your father is not pleased that you should walk unattended in the hills
Miss Temple If I might offer myself as a protector«
»Does my father select Mr Oliver Edwards as the organ of his displeasure«
interrupted the lady
»Good Heaven you misunderstand my meaning I should have said uneasy for
not pleased I am his servant madam and in consequence yours I repeat that
with your consent I will change my rod for a fowlingpiece and keep nigh you
on the mountain«
»I thank you Mr Edwards but where there is no danger no protection is
required We are not yet reduced to wandering among these free hills accompanied
by a bodyguard If such a one is necessary there he is however Here
Brave Brave my noble Brave«
The huge mastiff that has been already mentioned appeared from his kennel
gaping and stretching himself with pampered laziness but as his mistress again
called »Come dear Brave once have you served your master well let us see
how you can do your duty by his daughter« the dog wagged his tail as if he
understood her language walked with a stately gait to her side where he seated
himself and looked up at her face with an intelligence but little inferior to
that which beamed in her own lovely countenance
She resumed her walk but again paused after a few steps and added in
tones of conciliation
»You can be serving us equally and I presume more agreeably to yourself
Mr Edwards by bringing us a string of your favourite perch for the dinner
When they again begun to walk Miss Temple did not look back to see how the
youth bore this repulse but the head of Louisa was turned several times before
they reached the gate on that considerate errand
»I am afraid Elizabeth« she said »that we have mortified Oliver He is
still standing where we left him leaning on his rod Perhaps he thinks us
proud«
»He thinks justly« exclaimed Miss Temple as if awaking from a deep musing
»he thinks justly then We are too proud to admit of such particular attentions
from a young man whose situation is so equivocal What make him the companion
of our most private walks It is pride Louisa but it is the pride of our sex«
It was several minutes before Oliver aroused himself from the contemplative
posture in which he was standing when Louisa last saw him but when he did he
muttered something rapidly and incoherently and throwing his rod over his
shoulder he strode down the walk through the gate and along one of the
streets of the village until he reached the lakeshore with the air of an
emperor At this spot boats were kept for the use of Judge Temple and his
family The young man threw himself into a light skiff and seizing the oars he
sent it across the lake towards the hut of Leatherstocking with a pair of
vigorous arms By the time he had rowed a quarter of a mile his reflections
were less bitter and when he saw the bushes that lined the shore in front of
Nattys habitation gliding by him as if they possessed the motion which
proceeded from his own efforts he was quite cooled in mind though somewhat
heated in body It is quite possible that the very same reason which guided the
conduct of Miss Temple suggested itself to a man of the breeding and education
of the youth and it is very certain that if such were the case Elizabeth rose
instead of falling in the estimation of Mr Edwards
The oars were now raised from the water and the boat shot close into the
land where it lay gently agitated by waves of its own creating while the young
man first casting a cautious and searching glance around him in every
direction put a small whistle to his mouth and blew a long shrill note that
rung among the echoing rocks behind the hut At this alarm the hounds of Natty
rushed out of their bark kennel and commenced their long piteous howls
leaping about as if half frantic though restrained by the leashes of buckskin
by which they were fastened
»Quiet Hector quiet« said Oliver again applying his whistle to his
mouth and drawing out notes still more shrill than before No reply was made
the dogs having returned to their kennel at the sounds of his voice
Edwards pulled the bows of the boat on the shore and landing ascended the
beach and approached the door of the cabin The fastenings were soon undone and
he entered closing the door after him when all was as silent in that retired
spot as if the foot of man had never trod the wilderness The sounds of the
hammers that were in incessant motion in the village were faintly heard across
the water but the dogs had crouched into their lairs satisfied that none but
the privileged had approached the forbidden ground
A quarter of an hour elapsed before the youth reappeared when he fastened
the door again and spoke kindly to the hounds The dogs came out at the
wellknown tones and the slut jumped upon his person whining and barking as
if entreating Oliver to release her from prison But Old Hector raised his nose
to the light current of air and opened a long howl that might have been heard
for a mile
»Ha what do you scent old veteran of the woods« cried Edwards »If a
beast it is a bold one and if a man an impudent«
He sprung through the top of a pine that had fallen near the side of the
hut and ascended a small hillock that sheltered the cabin to the south where
he caught a glimpse of the formal figure of Hiram Doolittle as it vanished
with unusual rapidity for the architect amid the bushes
»What can that fellow be wanting here« muttered Oliver »He has no business
in this quarter unless it be curiosity which is an endemic in these woods But
against that I will effectually guard though the dogs should take a liking to
his ugly visage and let him pass« The youth returned to the door while giving
vent to this soliloquy and completed the fastenings by placing a small chain
through a staple and securing it there by a padlock »He is a pettifogger and
surely must know that there is such a thing as feloniously breaking into a mans
house«
Apparently well satisfied with this arrangement the youth again spoke to
the hounds and descending to the shore he launched his boat and taking up
his oars pulled off into the lake
There were several places in the Otsego that were celebrated fishingground
for perch One was nearly opposite to the cabin and another still more famous
was near a point at the distance of a mile and a half above it under the brow
of the mountain and on the same side of the lake with the hut Oliver Edwards
pulled his little skiff to the first and sat for a minute undecided whether
to continue there with his eyes on the door of the cabin or to change his
ground with a view to get superior game While gazing about him he saw the
lightcoloured bark canoe of his old companions riding on the water at the
point we have mentioned and containing two figures that he at once knew to be
Mohegan and the Leatherstocking This decided the matter and the youth pulled
in a very few minutes to the place where his friends were fishing and fastened
his boat to the light vessel of the Indian
The old men received Oliver with welcoming nods but neither drew his line
from the water nor in the least varied his occupation When Edwards had
secured his own boat he baited his hook and threw it into the lake without
speaking
»Did you stop at the wigwam lad as you rowed past« asked Natty
»Yes and I found all safe but that carpenter and justice of the peace
Mr or as they call him Squire Doolittle was prowling through the woods I
made sure of the door before I left the hut and I think he is too great a
coward to approach the hounds«
»Theres little to be said in favour of that man« said Natty while he drew
in a perch and baited his hook »He craves dreadfully to come into the cabin
and has as good as asked me as much to my face but I put him off with unsartain
answers so that he is no wiser than Solomon This comes of having so many laws
that such a man may be called on to intarpret them«
»I fear he is more knave than fool« cried Edwards »he makes a tool of that
simple man the Sheriff and I dread that his impertinent curiosity may yet give
us much trouble«
»If he harbours too much about the cabin lad Ill shoot the creater« said
the Leatherstocking quite simply
»No no Natty you must remember the law« said Edwards »or we shall have
you in trouble and that old man would be an evil day and sore tidings to us
all«
»Would it boy« exclaimed the hunter raising his eyes with a look of
friendly interest towards the youth »You have the true blood in your veins Mr
Oliver and Ill support it to the face of Judge Temple or in any court in the
country How is it John do I speak the true word is the lad stanch and of
the right blood«
»He is a Delaware« said Mohegan »and my brother The Young Eagle is brave
and he will be a chief No harm can come«
»Well well« cried the youth impatiently »say no more about it my good
friends if I am not all that your partiality would make me I am yours through
life in prosperity as in poverty We will talk of other matters«
The old hunters yielded to his wish which seemed to be their law For a
short time a profound silence prevailed during which each man was very busy
with his hook and line but Edwards probably feeling that it remained with him
to renew the discourse soon observed with the air of one who knew not what he
said
»How beautifully tranquil and glassy the lake is Saw you it ever more calm
and even than at this moment Natty«
»I have known the Otsego water for fiveandforty year« said
Leatherstocking »and I will say that for it which is that a cleaner spring
or better fishing is not to be found in the land Yes yes I had the place to
myself once and a cheerful time I had of it The game was plenty as heart could
wish and there was none to meddle with the ground unless there might have been
a hunting party of the Delawares crossing the hills or maybe a rifling scout
of them thieves the Iroquois There was one or two Frenchmen that squatted in
the flats further west and married squaws and some of the ScotchIrishers
from the Cherry Valley would come on to the lake and borrow my canoe to take
a mess of parch or drop a line for salmontrout but in the main it was a
cheerful place and I had but little to disturb me in it John would come and
John knows«
Mohegan turned his dark face at this appeal and moving his hand forward
with a graceful motion of assent he spoke using the Delaware language
»The land was owned by my people we gave it to my brother in council to
the FireEater and what the Delawares give lasts as long as the waters run
Hawkeye smoked at that council for we loved him«
»No no John« said Natty »I was no chief seeing that I knowd nothing of
scholarship and had a white skin But it was a comfortable huntingground then
lad and would have been so to this day but for the money of Marmaduke Temple
and the twisty ways of the law«
»It must have been a sight of melancholy pleasure indeed« said Edwards
while his eye roved along the shores and over the hills where the clearings
groaning with the golden corn were cheering the forests with the signs of life
»to have roamed over these mountains and along this sheet of beautiful water
without a living soul to speak to or to thwart your humour«
»Havent I said it was cheerful« said Leatherstocking »Yes yes when
the trees begun to be kivered with leaves and the ice was out of the lake it
was a second paradise I have travelled the woods for fiftythree year and have
made them my home for more than forty and I can say that I have met but one
place that was more to my liking and that was only to eyesight and not for
hunting or fishing«
»And where was that« asked Edwards
»Where why up on the Cattskills I used often to go up into the mountains
after wolves skins and bears once they paid me to get them a stuffed painter
and so I often went Theres a place in them hills that I used to climb to when
I wanted to see the carryings on of the world that would well pay any man for a
barked shin or a torn moccasin You know the Cattskills lad for you must have
seen them on your left as you followed the river up from York looking as blue
as a piece of clear sky and holding the clouds on their tops as the smoke
curls over the head of an Indian chief at the council fire Well theres the
Highpeak and the Roundtop which lay back like a father and mother among
their children seeing they are far above all the other hills But the place I
mean is next to the river where one of the ridges juts out a little from the
rest and where the rocks fall for the best part of a thousand feet so much up
and down that a man standing on their edges is fool enough to think he can jump
from top to bottom«
»What see you when you get there« asked Edwards
»Creation« said Natty dropping the end of his rod into the water and
sweeping one hand around him in a circle »all creation lad I was on that
hill when Vaughan burnt Sopus in the last war and I seen the vessels come out
of the highlands as plain as I can see that limescow rowing into the
Susquehanna though one was twenty times further from me than the other The
river was in sight for seventy miles looking like a curled shaving under my
feet though it was eight long miles to its banks I saw the hills in the
Hampshire grants the high lands of the river and all that God had done or man
could do far as eye could reach you know that the Indians named me for my
sight lad and from the flat on the top of that mountain I have often found
the place where Albany stands and as for Sopus the day the royal troops burnt
the town the smoke seemed so nigh that I thought I could hear the screeches of
the women«
»It must have been worth the toil to meet with such a glorious view«
»If being the best part of a mile in the air and having mens farms and
housen at your feet with rivers looking like ribands and mountains bigger than
the Vision seeming to be haystacks of green grass under you gives any
satisfaction to a man I can recommend the spot When I first come into the
woods to live I used to have weak spells when I felt lonesome and then I
would go into the Cattskills and spend a few days on that hill to look at the
ways of man but its now many a year since I felt any such longings and Im
getting too old for rugged rocks But theres a place a short two miles back of
that very hill that in late times I relished better than the mountains for it
was kivered with the trees and nateral«
»And where was that« inquired Edwards whose curiosity was strongly excited
by the simple description of the hunter
»Why theres a fall in the hills where the water of two little ponds that
lie near each other breaks out of their bounds and runs over the rocks into the
valley The stream is maybe such a one as would turn a mill if so useless a
thing was wanted in the wilderness But the hand that made that Leap never made
a mill There the water comes crooking and winding among the rocks first so
slow that a trout could swim in it and then starting and running like a creater
that wanted to make a far spring till it gets to where the mountain divides
like the cleft hoof of a deer leaving a deep hollow for the brook to tumble
into The first pitch is nigh two hundred feet and the water looks like flakes
of driven snow afore it touches the bottom and there the stream gathers
together again for a new start and maybe flutters over fifty feet of flatrock
before it falls for another hundred when it jumps about from shelf to shelf
first turning thisaway and then turning thataway striving to get out of the
hollow till it finally comes to the plain«
»I have never heard of this spot before it is not mentioned in the books«
»I have never read a book in my life« said Leatherstocking »and how
should a man who has lived in towns and schools know any thing about the wonders
of the woods No no lad there has that little stream of water been playing
among them hills since He made the world and not a dozen white men have ever
laid eyes on it The rock sweeps like masonwork in a halfround on both sides
of the fall and shelves over the bottom for fifty feet so that when Ive been
sitting at the foot of the first pitch and my hounds have run into the caverns
behind the sheet of water theyve looked no bigger than so many rabbits To my
judgment lad its the best piece of work that Ive met with in the woods and
none know how often the hand of God is seen in the wilderness but them that
rove it for a mans life«
»What becomes of the water in which direction does it run is it a
tributary of the Delaware«
»Anan« said Natty
»Does the water run into the Delaware«
»No no its a drop for the old Hudson and a merry time it has till it
gets down off the mountain Ive sat on the shelving rock many a long hour boy
and watched the bubbles as they shot by me and thought how long it would be
before that very water which seemed made for the wilderness would be under the
bottom of a vessel and tossing in the salt sea It is a spot to make a man
solemnize You can see right down into the valley that lies to the east of the
HighPeak where in the fall of the year thousands of acres of woods are afore
your eyes in the deep hollow and along the side of the mountain painted like
ten thousand rainbows by no hand of man though not without the ordering of
Gods providence«
»You are eloquent Leatherstocking« exclaimed the youth
»Anan« repeated Natty
»The recollection of the sight has warmed your blood old man How many
years is it since you saw the place«
The hunter made no reply but bending his ear near the water he sat
holding his breath and listening attentively as if to some distant sound At
length he raised his head and said
»If I hadnt fastened the hounds with my own hands with a fresh leash of
green buckskin Id take a bible oath that I heard old Hector ringing his cry
on the mountain«
»It is impossible« said Edwards »it is not an hour since I saw him in his
kennel«
By this time the attention of Mohegan was attracted to the sounds but
notwithstanding the youth was both silent and attentive he could hear nothing
but the lowing of some cattle from the western hills He looked at the old men
Natty sitting with his hand to his ear like a trumpet and Mohegan bending
forward with an arm raised to a level with his face holding the fore finger
elevated as a signal for attention and laughed aloud at what he deemed to be
their imaginary sounds
»Laugh if you will boy« said Leatherstocking »the hounds be out and be
hunting a deer No man can deceive me in such a matter I wouldnt have had the
thing happen for a beavers skin Not that I care for the law but the venison
is lean now and the dumb things run the flesh off their own bones for no good
Now do you hear the hounds«
Edwards started as a full cry broke on his ear changing from the distant
sounds that were caused by some intervening hill to confused echoes that rung
among the rocks that the dogs were passing and then directly to a deep and
hollow baying that pealed under the forest on the lake shore These variations
in the tones of the hounds passed with amazing rapidity and while his eyes were
glancing along the margin of the water a tearing of the branches of the alder
and dogwood caught his attention at a spot near them and at the next moment
a noble buck sprung on the shore and buried himself in the lake A fullmouthed
cry followed when Hector and the slut shot through the opening in the bushes
and darted into the lake also bearing their breasts gallantly against the
water
Chapter XXVII
»Oft in the fulldescending flood he tries
To lose the scent and lave his burning sides«
Thomson The Seasons »Autumn« 44546
»I knowd it I knowd it« cried Natty when both deer and hounds were in full
view »the buck has gone by them with the wind and it has been too much for
the poor rogues but I must break them of these tricks or theyll give me a
deal of trouble Heere heere shore with you rascals shore with you
will ye Oh off with you old Hector or Ill hatchel your hide with my
ramrod when I get ye«
The dogs knew their masters voice and after swimming in a circle as if
reluctant to give over the chase and yet afraid to persevere they finally
obeyed and returned to the land where they filled the air with their cries
In the mean time the deer urged by his fears had swam over half the
distance between the shore and the boats before his terror permitted him to see
the new danger But at the sounds of Nattys voice he turned short in his
course and for a few moments seemed about to rush back again and brave the
dogs His retreat in this direction was however effectually cut off and
turning a second time he urged his course obliquely for the centre of the lake
with an intention of landing on the western shore As the buck swam by the
fishermen raising his nose high into the air curling the water before his slim
neck like the beak of a galley the Leatherstocking began to sit very uneasy in
his canoe
»Tis a noble creater« he exclaimed »what a pair of horns a man might
hang up all his garments on the branches Lets me see July is the last month
and the flesh must be getting good« While he was talking Natty had
instinctively employed himself in fastening the inner end of the bark rope that
served him for a cable to a paddle and rising suddenly on his legs he cast
this buoy away and cried »Strike out John let her go The creaters a fool
to tempt a man in this way«
Mohegan threw the fastening of the youths boat from the canoe and with one
stroke of his paddle sent the light bark over the water like a meteor
»Hold« exclaimed Edwards »Remember the law my old friends You are in
plain sight of the village and I know that Judge Temple is determined to
prosecute all indiscriminately who kill deer out of season«
The remonstrance came too late the canoe was already far from the skiff
and the two hunters were too much engaged in the pursuit to listen to his voice
The buck was now within fifty yards of his pursuers cutting the water
gallantly and snorting at each breath with terror and his exertions while the
canoe seemed to dance over the waves as it rose and fell with the undulations
made by its own motion Leatherstocking raised his rifle and freshened the
priming but stood in suspense whether to slay his victim or not
»Shall I John or no« he said »It seems but a poor advantage to take of
the dumb thing too I wont it has taken to the water on its own nater which
is the reason that God has given to a deer and Ill give it the lake play so
John lay out your arm and mind the turn of the buck its easy to catch them
but theyll turn like a snake«
The Indian laughed at the conceit of his friend but continued to send the
canoe forward with a velocity that proceeded much more from his skill than his
strength Both of the old men now used the language of the Delawares when they
spoke
»Hooh« exclaimed Mohegan »the deer turns his head Hawkeye lift your
spear«
Natty never moved abroad without taking with him every implement that might
by possibility be of service in his pursuits From his rifle he never parted
and although intending to fish with the line the canoe was invariably
furnished with all its utensils even to its grate This precaution grew out of
the habits of the hunter who was often led by his necessities or his sports
far beyond the limits of his original destination A few years earlier than the
date of our tale the Leatherstocking had left his hut on the shores of the
Otsego with his rifle and his hounds for a few days hunting in the hills but
before he returned he had seen the waters of Ontario One two or even three
hundred miles had once been nothing to his sinews which were now a little
stiffened by age The hunter did as Mohegan advised and prepared to strike a
blow with the barbed weapon into the neck of the buck
»Lay her more to the left John« he cried »lay her more to the left
another stroke of the paddle and I have him«
While speaking he raised the spear and darted it from him like an arrow
At that instant the buck turned The long pole glanced by him the iron striking
against his horn and buried itself harmlessly in the lake
»Back water« cried Natty as the canoe glided over the place where the
spear had fallen »hold water John«
The pole soon reappeared shooting upward from the lake and as the hunter
seized it in his hand the Indian whirled the light canoe round and renewed the
chase But this evolution gave the buck a great advantage and it also allowed
time for Edwards to approach the scene of action
»Hold your hand Natty« cried the youth »hold your hand remember it is
out of season«
This remonstrance was made as the batteau arrived close to the place where
the deer was struggling with the water his back now rising to the surface now
sinking beneath it as the waves curled from his neck the animal still
sustaining itself nobly against the odds
»Hurrah« shouted Edwards inflamed beyond prudence at the sight »mind him
as he doubles mind him as he doubles sheer more to the right Mohegan more
to the right and Ill have him by the horns Ill throw the rope over his
antlers«
The dark eye of the old warrior was dancing in his head with a wild
animation and the sluggish repose in which his aged frame had been resting in
the canoe was now changed to all the rapid inflections of practised agility
The canoe whirled with each cunning evolution of the chase like a bubble
floating in a whirlpool and when the direction of the pursuit admitted of a
straight course the little bark skimmed the lake with a velocity that urged
the deer to seek its safety in some new turn The frequency of these circuitous
movements by confining the action to so small a compass enabled the youth to
keep near his companions More than twenty times both the pursued and the
pursuers glided by him just without the reach of his oars until he thought the
best way to view the sport was to remain stationary and by watching a
favourable opportunity assist as much as he could in taking the victim
He was not required to wait long for no sooner had he adopted this
resolution and risen in the boat than he saw the deer coming bravely towards
him with an apparent intention of pushing for a point of land at some distance
from the hounds which were still barking and howling on the shore Edwards
caught the painter of his skiff and making a noose cast it from him with all
his force and luckily succeeded in drawing its knot close around one of the
antlers of the buck
For one instant the skiff was drawn through the water but in the next the
canoe glided before it and Natty bending low passed his knife across the
throat of the animal whose blood followed the wound dying the waters The
short time that was passed in the last struggles of the animal was spent by the
hunters in bringing their boats together and securing them in that position
when Leatherstocking drew the deer from the water and laid its lifeless form
in the bottom of the canoe He placed his hands on the ribs and on different
parts of the body of his prize and then raising his head he laughed in his
peculiar manner
»So much for Marmaduke Temples law« he said »This warms a bodys blood
old John I havent killed a buck in the lake afore this sin many a year I
call that good venison lad and I know them that will relish the creaters
steaks for all the betterments in the land«
The Indian had long been drooping with his years and perhaps under the
calamities of his race but this invigorating and exciting sport caused a gleam
of sunshine to cross his swarthy face that had long been absent from his
features It was evident the old man enjoyed the chase more as a memorial of his
youthful sports and deeds than with any expectation of profiting by the
success He felt the deer however lightly his hand already trembling with the
reaction of his unusual exertions and smiled with a nod of approbation as he
said in the emphatic and sententious manner of his people
»Good«
»I am afraid Natty« said Edwards when the heat of the moment had passed
and his blood began to cool »that we have all been equally transgressors of the
law But keep your own counsel and there are none here to betray us Yet how
came those dogs at large I left them securely fastened I know for I felt the
thongs and examined the knots when I was at the hut«
»It has been too much for the poor things« said Natty »to have such a buck
take the wind of them See lad the pieces of the buckskin are hanging from
their necks yet Let us paddle up John and I will call them in and look a
little into the matter«
When the old hunter landed and examined the thongs that were yet fast to
the hounds his countenance sensibly changed and he shook his head doubtingly
»Here has been a knife at work« he said »this skin was never torn nor is
this the mark of a hounds tooth No no Hector is not in fault as I feared«
»Has the leather been cut« cried Edwards
»No no I didnt say it had been cut lad but this is a mark that was
never made by a jump or a bite«
»Could that rascally carpenter have dared«
»Ay he durst to do any thing when there is no danger« said Natty »he is a
curous body and loves to be helping other people on with their concarns But he
had best not harbour so much near the wigwam«
In the mean time Mohegan had been examining with an Indians sagacity the
place where the leather thong had been separated After scrutinizing it closely
he said in Delaware
»It was cut with a knife a sharp blade and a long handle the man was
afraid of the dogs«
»How is this Mohegan« exclaimed Edwards »You saw it not how can you know
these facts«
»Listen son« said the warrior »The knife was sharp for the cut is
smooth the handle was long for a mans arm would not reach from this gash to
the cut that did not go through the skin he was a coward or he would have
cut the thongs around the necks of the hounds«
»On my life« cried Natty »John is on the scent It was the carpenter and
he has got on the rock back of the kennel and let the dogs loose by fastening
his knife to a stick It would be an easy matter to do it where a man is so
minded«
»And why should he do so« asked Edwards »who has done him wrong that he
should trouble two old men like you«
»Its a hard matter lad to know mens ways I find since the settlers
have brought in their new fashions But is there nothing to be found out in the
place and maybe he is troubled with his longings after other peoples business
as he often is«
»Your suspicions are just Give me the canoe I am young and strong and
will get down there yet perhaps in time to interrupt his plans Heaven forbid
that we should be at the mercy of such a man«
His proposal was accepted the deer being placed in the skiff in order to
lighten the canoe and in less than five minutes the little vessel of bark was
gliding over the glassy lake and was soon hid by the points of land as it shot
close along the shore
Mohegan followed slowly with the skiff while Natty called his hounds to
him bade them keep close and shouldering his rifle he ascended the mountain
with an intention of going to the hut by land
Chapter XXVIII
»Ask me not what the maiden feels
Left in that dreadful hour alone
Perchance her reason stoops or reels
Perchance a courage not her own
Braces her mind to desperate tone«
Scott Marmion VIxxix15
While the chase was occurring on the lake Miss Temple and her companion pursued
their walk on the mountain Male attendants on such excursions were thought to
be altogether unnecessary for none were ever known to offer an insult to a
female who respected herself After the embarrassment created by the parting
discourse with Edwards had dissipated the girls maintained a conversation that
was as innocent and cheerful as themselves
The path they took led them but a short distance above the hut of
Leatherstocking and there was a point in the road which commanded a birdseye
view of the sequestered spot
From a feeling that might have been natural and must have been powerful
neither of the friends in their frequent and confidential dialogues had ever
trusted herself to utter one syllable concerning the equivocal situation in
which the young man who was now so intimately associated with them had been
found If Judge Temple had deemed it prudent to make any inquiries on the
subject he had also thought it proper to keep the answers to himself though it
was so common an occurrence to find the welleducated youth of the eastern
states in every stage of their career to wealth that the simple circumstance
of his intelligence connected with his poverty would not at that day and in
that country have excited any very powerful curiosity With his breeding it
might have been different but the youth himself had so effectually guarded
against surprise on this subject by his cold and even in some cases rude
deportment that when his manners seemed to soften by time the Judge if he
thought about it at all would have been most likely to imagine that the
improvement was the result of his late association But women are always more
alive to such subjects than men and what the abstraction of the father had
overlooked the observation of the daughter had easily detected In the thousand
little courtesies of polished life she had early discovered that Edwards was
not wanting though his gentleness was so often crossed by marks of what she
conceived to be fierce and uncontrollable passions It may perhaps be
unnecessary to tell the reader that Louisa Grant never reasoned so much after
the fashions of the world The gentle girl however had her own thoughts on the
subject and like others she drew her own conclusions
»I would give all my other secrets Louisa« exclaimed Miss Temple
laughing and shaking back her dark locks with a look of childish simplicity
that her intelligent face seldom expressed »to be mistress of all that those
rude logs have heard and witnessed«
They were both looking at the secluded hut at the instant and Miss Grant
raised her mild eyes as she answered
»I am sure they would tell nothing to the disadvantage of Mr Edwards«
»Perhaps not but they might at least tell who he is«
»Why dear Miss Temple we know all that already I have heard it all very
rationally explained by your cousin«
»The executive chief he can explain any thing His ingenuity will one day
discover the philosophers stone But what did he say«
»Say« echoed Louisa with a look of surprise »why every thing that seemed
to me to be satisfactory and I have believed it to be true He said that Natty
Bumppo had lived most of his life in the woods and among the Indians by which
means he had formed an acquaintance with old John the Delaware chief«
»Indeed that was quite a matter of fact tale for cousin Dickon What came
next«
»I believe he accounted for their close intimacy by some story about the
Leatherstocking saving the life of John in a battle«
»Nothing more likely« said Elizabeth a little impatiently »but what is
all this to the purpose«
»Nay Elizabeth you must bear with my ignorance and I will repeat all that
I remember to have overheard for the dialogue was between my father and the
Sheriff so lately as the last time they met He then added that the kings of
England used to keep gentlemen as agents among the different tribes of Indians
and sometimes officers in the army who frequently passed half their lives on
the edge of the wilderness«
»Told with wonderful historical accuracy And did he end there«
»Oh no then he said that these agents seldom married and and they
must have been wicked men Elizabeth but I assure you he said so«
»Never mind« said Miss Temple blushing and smiling though so slightly
that both were unheeded by her companion »skip all that«
»Well then he said that they often took great pride in the education of
their children whom they frequently sent to England and even to the colleges
and this is the way that he accounts for the liberal manner in which Mr Edwards
has been taught for he acknowledges that he knows almost as much as your father
or mine or even himself«
»Quite a climax in learning And so he made Mohegan the granduncle or
grandfather of Oliver Edwards«
»You have heard him yourself then« said Louisa
»Often but not on this subject Mr Richard Jones you know dear has a
theory for every thing but has he one which will explain the reason why that
hut is the only habitation within fifty miles of us whose door is not open to
every person who may choose to lift its latch«
»I have never heard him say any thing on this subject« returned the
clergymans daughter »but I suppose that as they are poor they very naturally
are anxious to keep the little that they honestly own It is sometimes dangerous
to be rich Miss Temple but you cannot know how hard it is to be very very
poor«
»Nor you I trust Louisa at least I should hope that in this land of
abundance no minister of the church could be left to absolute suffering«
»There cannot be actual misery« returned the other in a low and humble
tone »where there is a dependence on our Maker but there may be such suffering
as will cause the heart to ache«
»But not you not you« said the impetuous Elizabeth »not you dear girl
you have never known the misery that is connected with poverty«
»Ah Miss Temple you little understand the troubles of this life I
believe My father has spent many years as a missionary in the new countries
where his people were poor and frequently we have been without bread unable to
buy and ashamed to beg because we would not disgrace his sacred calling But
how often have I seen him leave his home where the sick and the hungry felt
when he left them that they had lost their only earthly friend to ride on a
duty which could not be neglected for domestic evils Oh how hard it must be
to preach consolation to others when your own heart is bursting with anguish«
»But it is all over now your fathers income must now be equal to his wants
it must be it shall be«
»It is« replied Louisa dropping her head on her bosom to conceal the tears
which flowed in spite of her gentle Christianity »for there are none left to be
supplied but me«
The turn the conversation had taken drove from the minds of the young
maidens all other thoughts but those of holy charity and Elizabeth folded her
friend in her arms when the latter gave vent to her momentary grief in audible
sobs When this burst of emotion had subsided Louisa raised her mild
countenance and they continued their walk in silence
By this time they had gained the summit of the mountain where they left the
highway and pursued their course under the shade of the stately trees that
crowned the eminence The day was becoming warm and the girls plunged more
deeply into the forest as they found its invigorating coolness agreeably
contrasted to the excessive heat they had experienced in the ascent The
conversation as if by mutual consent was entirely changed to the little
incidents and scenes of their walk and every tall pine and every shrub or
flower called forth some simple expression of admiration
In this manner they proceeded along the margin of the precipice catching
occasional glimpses of the placid Otsego or pausing to listen to the rattling
of wheels and the sounds of hammers that rose from the valley to mingle the
signs of men with the scenes of nature when Elizabeth suddenly started and
exclaimed
»Listen there are the cries of a child on this mountain is there a
clearing near us or can some little one have strayed from its parents«
»Such things frequently happen« returned Louisa »Let us follow the sounds
it may be a wanderer starving on the hill«
Urged by this consideration the females pursued the low mournful sounds
that proceeded from the forest with quick and impatient steps More than once
the ardent Elizabeth was on the point of announcing that she saw the sufferer
when Louisa caught her by the arm and pointing behind them cried
»Look at the dog«
Brave had been their companion from the time the voice of his young
mistress lured him from his kennel to the present moment His advanced age had
long before deprived him of his activity and when his companions stopped to
view the scenery or to add to their bouquets the mastiff would lay his huge
frame on the ground and await their movements with his eyes closed and a
listlessness in his air that ill accorded with the character of a protector But
when aroused by this cry from Louisa Miss Temple turned she saw the dog with
his eyes keenly set on some distant object his head bent near the ground and
his hair actually rising on his body through fright or anger It was most
probably the latter for he was growling in a low key and occasionally showing
his teeth in a manner that would have terrified his mistress had she not so
well known his good qualities
»Brave« she said »be quiet Brave what do you see fellow«
At the sounds of her voice the rage of the mastiff instead of being at all
diminished was very sensibly increased He stalked in front of the ladies and
seated himself at the feet of his mistress growling louder than before and
occasionally giving vent to his ire by a short surly barking
»What does he see« said Elizabeth »there must be some animal in sight«
Hearing no answer from her companion Miss Temple turned her head and
beheld Louisa standing with her face whitened to the colour of death and her
finger pointing upward with a sort of flickering convulsed motion The quick
eye of Elizabeth glanced in the direction indicated by her friend where she saw
the fierce front and glaring eyes of a female panther fixed on them in horrid
malignity and threatening to leap
»Let us fly« exclaimed Elizabeth grasping the arm of Louisa whose form
yielded like melting snow
There was not a single feeling in the temperament of Elizabeth Temple that
could prompt her to desert a companion in such an extremity She fell on her
knees by the side of the inanimate Louisa tearing from the person of her
friend with instinctive readiness such parts of her dress as might obstruct
her respiration and encouraging their only safeguard the dog at the same
time by the sounds of her voice
»Courage Brave« she cried her own tones beginning to tremble »courage
courage good Brave«
A quartergrown cub that had hitherto been unseen now appeared dropping
from the branches of a sapling that grew under the shade of the beech which
held its dam This ignorant but vitious creature approached the dog imitating
the actions and sounds of its parent but exhibiting a strange mixture of the
playfulness of a kitten with the ferocity of its race Standing on its hind
legs it would rend the bark of a tree with its fore paws and play the antics
of a cat and then by lashing itself with its tail growling and scratching
the earth it would attempt the manifestations of anger that rendered its parent
so terrific
All this time Brave stood firm and undaunted his short tail erect his body
drawn backward on its haunches and his eyes following the movements of both dam
and cub At every gambol played by the latter it approached nigher to the dog
the growling of the three becoming more horrid at each moment until the younger
beast overleaping its intended bound fell directly before the mastiff There
was a moment of fearful cries and struggles but they ended almost as soon as
commenced by the cub appearing in the air hurled from the jaws of Brave with
a violence that sent it against a tree so forcibly as to render it completely
senseless
Elizabeth witnessed the short struggle and her blood was warming with the
triumph of the dog when she saw the form of the old panther in the air
springing twenty feet from the branch of the beech to the back of the mastiff
No words of ours can describe the fury of the conflict that followed It was a
confused struggle on the dried leaves accompanied by loud and terrific cries
Miss Temple continued on her knees bending over the form of Louisa her eyes
fixed on the animals with an interest so horrid and yet so intense that she
almost forgot her own stake in the result So rapid and vigorous were the bounds
of the inhabitant of the forest that its active frame seemed constantly in the
air while the dog nobly faced his foe at each successive leap When the
panther lighted on the shoulders of the mastiff which was its constant aim old
Brave though torn with her talons and stained with his own blood that already
flowed from a dozen wounds would shake off his furious foe like a feather and
rearing on his hind legs rush to the fray again with jaws distended and a
dauntless eye But age and his pampered life greatly disqualified the noble
mastiff for such a struggle In every thing but courage he was only the vestige
of what he had once been A higher bound than ever raised the wary and furious
beast far beyond the reach of the dog who was making a desperate but fruitless
dash at her from which she alighted in a favourable position on the back of
her aged foe For a single moment only could the panther remain there the
great strength of the dog returning with a convulsive effort But Elizabeth saw
as Brave fastened his teeth in the side of his enemy that the collar of brass
around his neck which had been glittering throughout the fray was of the
colour of blood and directly that his frame was sinking to the earth where it
soon lay prostrate and helpless Several mighty efforts of the wildcat to
extricate herself from the jaws of the dog followed but they were fruitless
until the mastiff turned on his back his lips collapsed and his teeth
loosened when the short convulsions and stillness that succeeded announced the
death of poor Brave
Elizabeth now lay wholly at the mercy of the beast There is said to be
something in the front of the image of the Maker that daunts the hearts of the
inferior beings of his creation and it would seem that some such power in the
present instance suspended the threatened blow The eyes of the monster and the
kneeling maiden met for an instant when the former stooped to examine her
fallen foe next to scent her luckless cub From the latter examination it
turned however with its eyes apparently emitting flashes of fire its tail
lashing its sides furiously and its claws projecting inches from its broad
feet
Miss Temple did not or could not move Her hands were clasped in the
attitude of prayer but her eyes were still drawn to her terrible enemy her
cheeks were blanched to the whiteness of marble and her lips were slightly
separated with horror The moment seemed now to have arrived for the fatal
termination and the beautiful figure of Elizabeth was bowing meekly to the
stroke when a rustling of leaves behind seemed rather to mock the organs than
to meet her ears
»Hist hist« said a low voice »stoop lower gall your bunnet hides the
creaters head«
It was rather the yielding of nature than a compliance with this unexpected
order that caused the head of our heroine to sink on her bosom when she heard
the report of the rifle the whizzing of the bullet and the enraged cries of
the beast who was rolling over on the earth biting its own flesh and tearing
the twigs and branches within its reach At the next instant the form of the
Leatherstocking rushed by her and he called aloud
»Come in Hector come in old fool tis a hardlived animal and may jump
agin«
Natty fearlessly maintained his position in front of the females
notwithstanding the violent bounds and threatening aspect of the wounded
panther which gave several indications of returning strength and ferocity
until his rifle was again loaded when he stepped up to the enraged animal and
placing the muzzle close to its head every spark of life was extinguished by
the discharge
The death of her terrible enemy appeared to Elizabeth like a resurrection
from her own grave There was an elasticity in the mind of our heroine that
rose to meet the pressure of instant danger and the more direct it had been
the more her nature had struggled to overcome it But still she was a woman Had
she been left to herself in her late extremity she would probably have used
her faculties to the utmost and with discretion in protecting her person but
encumbered with her inanimate friend retreat was a thing not to be attempted
Notwithstanding the fearful aspect of her foe the eye of Elizabeth had never
shrunk from its gaze and long after the event her thoughts would recur to her
passing sensations and the sweetness of her midnight sleep would be disturbed
as her active fancy conjured in dreams the most trifling movements of savage
fury that the beast had exhibited in its moment of power
We shall leave the reader to imagine the restoration of Louisas senses and
the expressions of gratitude which fell from the young women The former was
effected by a little water that was brought from one of the thousand springs of
those mountains in the cap of the Leatherstocking and the latter were uttered
with the warmth that might be expected from the character of Elizabeth Natty
received her vehement protestations of gratitude with a simple expression of
good will and with indulgence for her present excitement but with a
carelessness that showed how little he thought of the service he had rendered
»Well well« he said »be it so gall let it be so if you wish it
well talk the thing over another time Come come let us get into the road
for youve had tirror enough to make you wish yourself in your fathers house
agin«
This was uttered as they were proceeding at a pace that was adapted to the
weakness of Louisa towards the highway on reaching which the ladies separated
from their guide declaring themselves equal to the remainder of the walk
without his assistance and feeling encouraged by the sight of the village
which lay beneath their feet like a picture with its limpid lake in front the
winding stream along its margin and its hundred chimneys of whitened bricks
The reader need not be told the nature of the emotions which two youthful
ingenuous and welleducated girls would experience at their escape from a
death so horrid as the one which had impended over them while they pursued
their way in silence along the track on the side of the mountain nor how deep
were their mental thanks to that Power which had given them their existence and
which had not deserted them in their extremity neither how often they pressed
each others arms as the assurance of their present safety came like a healing
balm athwart their troubled spirits when their thoughts were recurring to the
recent moments of horror
Leatherstocking remained on the hill gazing after their retiring figures
until they were hid by a bend in the road when he whistled in his dogs and
shouldering his rifle he returned into the forest
»Well it was a skeary thing to the young creaters« said Natty while he
retrod the path towards the slain »It might frighten an older woman to see a
shepainter so near her with a dead cub by its side I wonder if I had aimed at
the varmints eye if I shouldnt have touched the life sooner than in the
forehead but they are hardlived animals and it was a good shot considring
that I could see nothing but the head and the peak of its tail Ha who goes
there«
»How goes it Natty« said Mr Doolittle stepping out of the bushes with a
motion that was a good deal accelerated by the sight of the rifle that was
already lowered in his direction »What shooting this warm day mind old man
the law dont get hold on you«
»The law Squire I have shook hands with the law these forty year«
returned Natty »for what has a man who lives in the wilderness to do with the
ways of the law«
»Not much maybe« said Hiram »but you sometimes trade in venson I spose
you know Leatherstocking that there is an act passed to lay a fine of five
pounds currency or twelve dollars and fifty cents by dicimals on every man
who kills a deer betwixt January and August The Judge had a great hand in
getting the law through«
»I can believe it« returned the old hunter »I can believe that or any
thing of a man who carries on as he does in the country«
»Yes the law is quite positive and the Judge is bent on putting it in
force five pounds penalty I thought I heerd your hounds out on the scent of
sothing this morning I didnt know but they might get you in difficulty«
»They know their manners too well« said Natty carelessly »And how much
goes to the states evidence Squire«
»How much« repeated Hiram quailing under the honest but sharp look of the
hunter »the informer gets half I I blieve yes I guess its half But
theres blood on your sleeve man you havent been shooting any thing this
morning«
»I have though« said the hunter nodding his head significantly to the
other »and a good shot I made of it«
»Heem« ejaculated the magistrate »and where is the game I spose its
of a good nater for your dogs wont hunt any thing that isnt choish«
»Theyll hunt any thing I tell them to Squire« cried Natty favouring the
other with his laugh »Theyll hunt you if I say so Heeere heeere
Hector heeere slut come this away pups come this away come
hither«
»Oh Ive always heern a good character of the dogs« returned Mr
Doolittle quickening his pace by raising each leg in rapid succession as the
hounds scented around his person »And where is the game Leatherstocking«
During this dialogue the speakers had been walking at a very fast gait and
Natty swung the end of his rifle round pointing through the bushes and replied
»There lays one How do you like such meat«
»This« exclaimed Hiram »why this is Judge Temples dog Brave Take kear
Leatherstocking and dont make an inimy of the Judge I hope you havent
harmed the animal«
»Look for yourself Mr Doolittle« said Natty drawing his knife from his
girdle and wiping it in a knowing manner once or twice across his garment of
buckskin »does his throat look as if I had cut it with this knife«
»It is dreadfully tore its an awful wownd no knife never did this deed
Who could have done it«
»The painters behind you Squire«
»Painters« echoed Hiram whirling on his heel with an agility that would
have done credit to a dancing master
»Be easy man« said Natty »theres two of the vinimous things but the dog
finished one and I have fastened the others jaws for her so dont be
frightened Squire they wont hurt you«
»And wheres the deer« cried Hiram staring about him with a bewildered
air
»Anan deer« repeated Natty
»Sartain ant there venson here or didnt you kill a buck«
»What when the law forbids the thing Squire« said the old hunter »I hope
theres no law agin killing the painters«
»No theres a bounty on the scalps but will your dogs hunt painters
Natty«
»Any thing didnt I tell you theyd hunt a man Heere heere pups«
»Yes yes I remember Well they are strange dogs I must say I am quite
in a wonderment«
Natty had seated himself on the ground and having laid the grim head of his
late ferocious enemy in his lap was drawing his knife with a practised hand
around the ears which he tore from the head of the beast in such a manner as to
preserve their connexion when he answered
»What at Squire did you never see a painters scalp afore Come you be a
magistrate I wish youd make me out an order for the bounty«
»The bounty« repeated Hiram holding the ears on the end of his finger for
a moment as if uncertain how to proceed »Well let us go down to your hut
where you can take the oath and I will write out the order I spose you have a
bible all the law wants is the four evangelists and the Lords prayer«
»I keep no books« said Natty a little coldly »not such a bible as the law
needs«
»Oh theres but one sort of bible thats good in law« returned the
magistrate »and yourn will do as well as anothers Come the carcasses are
worth nothing man let us go down and take the oath«
»Softly softly Squire« said the hunter lifting his trophies very
deliberately from the ground and shouldering his rifle »why do you want an
oath at all for a thing that your own eyes has seen wont you believe
yourself that another man must swear to a fact that you know to be true You
have seen me scalp the creaters and if I must swear to it it shall be before
Judge Temple who needs an oath«
»But we have no pen or paper here Leatherstocking we must go to the hut
for them or how can I write the order«
Natty turned his simple features on the cunning magistrate with another of
his laughs as he said
»And what should I be doing with scholars tools I want no pens or paper
not knowing the use of ither and I keep none No no Ill bring the scalps
into the village Squire and you can make out the order on one of your
lawbooks and it will be all the better for it The deuce take this leather on
the neck of the dog it will strangle the old fool Can you lend me a knife
Squire«
Hiram who seemed particularly anxious to be on good terms with his
companion unhesitatingly complied Natty cut the thong from the neck of the
hound and as he returned the knife to its owner carelessly remarked
»Tis a good bit of steel and has cut such leather as this very same before
now I dare to say«
»Do you mean to charge me with letting your hounds loose« exclaimed Hiram
with a consciousness that disarmed his caution
»Loose« repeated the hunter »I let them loose myself I always let them
loose before I leave the hut«
The ungovernable amazement with which Mr Doolittle listened to this
falsehood would have betrayed his agency in the liberation of the dogs had
Natty wanted any further confirmation and the coolness and management of the
old man now disappeared in open indignation
»Look you here Mr Doolittle« he said striking the breech of his rifle
violently on the ground »what there is in the wigwam of a poor man like me
that one like you can crave I dont know but this I tell you to your face
that you never shall put foot under the roof of my cabin with my consent and
that if you harbour round the spot as you have done lately you may meet with
treatment that you will little relish«
»And let me tell you Mr Bumppo« said Hiram retreating however with a
quick step »that I know youve broke the law and that Im a magistrate and
will make you feel it too before you are a day older«
»That for you and your law too« cried Natty snapping his fingers at the
justice of the peace »away with you you varmint before the divil tempts me
to give you your desarts Take kear if I ever catch your prowling face in the
woods agin that I dont shoot it for an owl«
There is something at all times commanding in honest indignation and Hiram
did not stay to provoke the wrath of the old hunter to extremities When the
intruder was out of sight Natty proceeded to the hut where he found all quiet
as the grave He fastened his dogs and tapping at the door which was opened by
Edwards asked
»Is all safe lad«
»Every thing« returned the youth »Some one attempted the lock but it was
too strong for him«
»I know the creater« said Natty »but hell not trust himself within reach
of my rifle very soon « What more was uttered by the Leatherstocking in his
vexation was rendered inaudible by the closing of the door of the cabin
Chapter XXIX
»It is noised he hath a mass of treasure«
Timon of Athens IViii402
When Marmaduke Temple and his cousin rode through the gate of the former the
heart of the father had been too recently touched with the best feelings of our
nature to leave inclination for immediate discourse There was an importance in
the air of Richard which would not have admitted of the ordinary informal
conversation of the Sheriff without violating all the rules of consistency and
the equestrians pursued their way with great diligence for more than a mile in
profound silence At length the soft expression of parental affection was slowly
chased from the handsome features of the Judge and was gradually supplanted by
the cast of humour and benevolence that was usually seated on his brow
»Well Dickon« he said »since I have yielded myself so far implicitly to
your guidance I think the moment has arrived when I am entitled to further
confidence Why and wherefore are we journeying together in this solemn gait«
The Sheriff gave a loud hem that rung far in the forest and keeping his
eyes fixed on objects before him like a man who is looking deep into futurity
»There has always been one point of difference between us Judge Temple I
may say since our nativity« he replied »not that I would insinuate that you
are at all answerable for the acts of nature for a man is no more to be
condemned for the misfortunes of his birth than he is to be commended for the
natural advantages he may possess but on one point we may be said to have
differed from our births and they you know occurred within two days of each
other«
»I really marvel Richard what this one point can be for to my eyes we
seem to differ so materially and so often«
»Mere consequences sir« interrupted the Sheriff »all our minor
differences proceed from one cause and that is our opinions of the universal
attainments of genius«
»In what Dickon«
»I speak plain English I believe Judge Temple at least I ought for my
father who taught me could speak«
»Greek and Latin« interrupted Marmaduke »I well know the qualifications
of your family in tongues Dickon But proceed to the point why are we
travelling over this mountain today«
»To do justice to any subject sir the narrator must be suffered to proceed
in his own way« continued the Sheriff »You are of opinion Judge Temple that
a man is to be qualified by nature and education to do only one thing well
whereas I know that genius will supply the place of learning and that a certain
sort of man can do any thing and every thing«
»Like yourself I suppose« said Marmaduke smiling
»I scorn personalities sir I say nothing of myself but there are three
men on your Patent of the kind that I should term talented by nature for her
general purposes though acting under the influence of different situations«
»We are better off then than I had supposed Who are these triumviri«
»Why sir one is Hiram Doolittle a carpenter by trade as you know and I
need only to point to the village to exhibit his merits Then he is a
magistrate and might shame many a man in his distribution of justice who has
had better opportunities«
»Well he is one« said Marmaduke with the air of a man that was determined
not to dispute the point
»Jotham Riddel is another«
»Who«
»Jotham Riddel«
»What that dissatisfied shiftless lazy speculating fellow he who
changes his county every three years his farm every six months and his
occupation every season an agriculturist yesterday a shoemaker today and a
schoolmaster tomorrow that epitome of all the unsteady and profitless
propensities of the settlers without one of their good qualities to
counterbalance the evil Nay Richard this is too bad for even but the
third«
»As the third is not used to hearing such comments on his character Judge
Temple I shall not name him«
»The amount of all this then Dickon is that the trio of which you are
one and the principal have made some important discovery«
»I have not said that I am one Judge Temple As I told you before I say
nothing egotistical But a discovery has been made and you are deeply
interested in it«
»Proceed I am all ears«
»No no duke you are bad enough I own but not so bad as that either
your ears are not quite full grown«
The Sheriff laughed heartily at his own wit and put himself in good humour
thereby when he gratified his patient cousin with the following explanation
»You know duke there is a man living on your estate that goes by the
name of Natty Bumppo Here has this man lived by what I can learn for more
than forty years by himself until lately and now with strange companions«
»Part very true and all very probable« said the Judge
»All true sir all true Well within these last few months have appeared
as his companions an old Indian chief the last or one of the last of his
tribe that is to be found in this part of the country and a young man who is
said to be the son of some Indian agent by a squaw«
»Who says that« cried Marmaduke with an interest that he had not
manifested before
»Who why common sense common report the hue and cry But listen till
you know all This youth has very pretty talents yes what I call very pretty
talents and has been well educated has seen very tolerable company and knows
how to behave himself when he has a mind to Now Judge Temple can you tell me
what has brought three such men as Indian John Natty Bumppo and Oliver
Edwards together«
Marmaduke turned his countenance in evident surprise to his cousin and
replied quickly
»Thou hast unexpectedly hit on a subject Richard that has often occupied
my mind But knowest thou any thing of this mystery or are they only the crude
conjectures of«
»Crude nothing duke crude nothing but facts stubborn facts You know
there are mines in these mountains I have often heard you say that you believed
in their existence«
»Reasoning from analogy Richard but not with any certainty of the fact«
»You have heard them mentioned and have seen specimens of the ore sir you
will not deny that and reasoning from analogy as you say if there be mines
in South America ought there not to be mines in North America too«
»Nay nay I deny nothing my cousin I certainly have heard many rumours of
the existence of mines in these hills and I do believe that I have seen
specimens of the precious metals that have been found here It would occasion me
no surprise to learn that tin and silver or what I consider of more
consequence good coal«
»Damn your coal« cried the Sheriff »who wants to find coal in these
forests No no silver duke silver is the one thing needful and silver is
to be found But listen you are not to be told that the natives have long known
the use of gold and silver now who so likely to be acquainted where they are to
be found as the ancient inhabitants of a country I have the best reasons for
believing that both Mohegan and the Leatherstocking have been privy to the
existence of a mine in this very mountain for many years«
The Sheriff had now touched his cousin in a sensitive spot and Marmaduke
lent a more attentive ear to the speaker who after waiting a moment to see
the effect of this extraordinary development proceeded
»Yes sir I have my reasons and at a proper time you shall know them«
»No time is so good as the present«
»Well well be attentive« continued Richard looking cautiously about him
to make certain that no eavesdropper was hid in the forest though they were in
constant motion »I have seen Mohegan and the Leatherstocking with my own eyes
and my eyes are as good as any bodys eyes I have seen them I say both
going up the mountain and coming down it with spades and picks and others have
seen them carrying things into their hut in a secret and mysterious manner
after dark Do you call this a fact of importance«
The Judge did not reply but his brow had contracted with a thoughtfulness
that he always wore when much interested and his eyes rested on his cousin in
expectation of hearing more Richard continued
»It was ore Now sir I ask if you can tell me who this Mr Oliver Edwards
is that has made a part of your household since Christmas«
Marmaduke again raised his eyes but continued silent shaking his head in
the negative
»That he is a halfbreed we know for Mohegan does not scruple to call him
openly his kinsman that he is well educated we know But as to his business
here do you remember that about a month before this young man made his
appearance among us Natty was absent from home several days You do for you
inquired for him as you wanted some venison to take to your friends when you
went for Bess Well he was not to be found Old John was left in the hut alone
and when Natty did appear although he came on in the night he was seen drawing
one of those jumpers that they carry their grain to mill in and to take out
something with great care that he had covered up under his bearskins Now let
me ask you Judge Temple what motive could induce a man like the
Leatherstocking to make a sled and toil with a load over these mountains if
he had nothing but his rifle or his ammunition to carry«
»They frequently make these jumpers to convey their game home and you say
he had been absent many days«
»How did he kill it His rifle was in the village to be mended No no
that he was gone to some unusual place is certain that he brought back some
secret utensils is more certain and that he has not allowed a soul to approach
his hut since is most certain of all«
»He was never fond of intruders«
»I know it« interrupted Richard »but did he drive them from his cabin
morosely Within a fortnight of his return this Mr Edwards appears They spend
whole days in the mountains pretending to be shooting but in reality
exploring the frosts prevent their digging at that time and he avails himself
of a lucky accident to get into good quarters But even now he is quite half of
his time in that hut many hours every night They are smelting duke they
are smelting and as they grow rich you grow poor«
»How much of this is thine own Richard and how much comes from others I
would sift the wheat from the chaff«
»Part is my own for I saw the jumper though it was broken up and burnt in
a day or two I have told you that I saw the old man with his spades and picks
Hiram met Natty as he was crossing the mountain the night of his arrival with
the sled and very goodnaturedly offered Hiram is good natured to carry up
part of his load for the old man had a heavy pull up the back of the mountain
but he wouldnt listen to the thing and repulsed the offer in such a manner
that the Squire said he had half a mind to swear the peace against him Since
the snow has been off more especially after the frosts got out of the ground
we have kept a watchful eye on the gentleman in which we have found Jotham
useful«
Marmaduke did not much like the associates of Richard in this business
still he knew them to be cunning and ready in expedients and as there was
certainly something mysterious not only in the connexion between the old
hunters and Edwards but in what his cousin had just related he begun to
revolve the subject in his own mind with more care On reflection he remembered
various circumstances that tended to corroborate these suspicions and as the
whole business favoured one of his infirmities he yielded the more readily to
their impression The mind of Judge Temple at all times comprehensive had
received from his peculiar occupations a bias to look far into futurity in
his speculations on the improvements that posterity were to make in his lands
To his eye where others saw nothing but a wilderness towns manufactories
bridges canals mines and all the other resources of an old country were
constantly presenting themselves though his good sense suppressed in some
degree the exhibition of these expectations
As the Sheriff allowed his cousin full time to reflect on what he had heard
the probability of some pecuniary adventure being the connecting link in the
chain that brought Oliver Edwards into the cabin of Leatherstocking appeared
to him each moment to be stronger But Marmaduke was too much in the habit of
examining both sides of a subject not to perceive the objections and he
reasoned with himself aloud
»It cannot be so or the youth would not be driven so near the verge of
poverty«
»What so likely to make a man dig for money as being poor« cried the
Sheriff
»Besides there is an elevation of character about Oliver that proceeds
from education which would forbid so clandestine a proceeding«
»Could an ignorant fellow smelt« continued Richard
»Bess hints that he was reduced even to his last shilling when we took him
into our dwelling«
»He had been buying tools And would he spend his last sixpence for a shot
at a turkey had he not known where to get more«
»Can I have possibly been so long a dupe His manner has been rude to me at
times but I attributed it to his conceiving himself injured and to his
mistaking the forms of the world«
»Havent you been a dupe all your life duke and ant what you call
ignorance of forms deep cunning to conceal his real character«
»If he were bent on deception he would have concealed his knowledge and
passed with us for an inferior man«
»He cannot I could no more pass for a fool myself than I could fly
Knowledge is not to be concealed like a candle under a bushel«
»Richard« said the Judge turning to his cousin »there are many reasons
against the truth of thy conjectures but thou hast awakened suspicions which
must be satisfied But why are we travelling here«
»Jotham who has been much in the mountain latterly being kept there by me
and Hiram has made a discovery which he will not explain he says for he is
bound by an oath but the amount is that he knows where the ore lies and he
has this day begun to dig I would not consent to the thing duke without your
knowledge for the land is yours and now you know the reason of our ride I
call this a countermine ha«
»And where is the desirable spot« asked the Judge with an air half
comical half serious
»At hand and when we have visited that I will show you one of the places
that we have found within a week where our hunters have been amusing themselves
for six months past«
The gentlemen continued to discuss the matter while their horses picked
their way under the branches of trees and over the uneven ground of the
mountain They soon arrived at the end of their journey where in truth they
found Jotham already buried to his neck in a hole that he had been digging
Marmaduke questioned the miner very closely as to his reasons for believing
in the existence of the precious metals near that particular spot but the
fellow maintained an obstinate mystery in his answers He asserted that he had
the best of reasons for what he did and inquired of the Judge what portion of
the profits would fall to his own share in the event of success with an
earnestness that proved his faith After spending an hour near the place
examining the stones and searching for the usual indications of the proximity
of ore the Judge remounted and suffered his cousin to lead the way to the
place where the mysterious trio had been making their excavation
The spot chosen by Jotham was on the back of the mountain that overhung the
hut of Leatherstocking and the place selected by Natty and his companions was
on the other side of the same hill but above the road and of course in an
opposite direction to the route taken by the ladies in their walk
»We shall be safe in approaching the place now« said Richard while they
dismounted and fastened their horses »for I took a look with the glass and saw
John and Leatherstocking in their canoe fishing before we left home and
Oliver is in the same pursuit but these may be nothing but shams to blind our
eyes so we will be expeditious for it would not be pleasant to be caught here
by them«
»Not on my own land« said Marmaduke sternly »If it be as you suspect I
will know their reasons for making this excavation«
»Mum« said Richard laying a finger on his lip and leading the way down a
very difficult descent to a sort of a natural cavern which was formed in the
face of the rock and was not unlike a fireplace in shape In front of this
place lay a pile of earth which had evidently been taken from the recess and
part of which was yet fresh An examination of the exterior of the cavern left
the Judge in doubt whether it was one of natures frolics that had thrown it
into that shape or whether it had been wrought by the hands of man at some
earlier period But there could be no doubt that the whole of the interior was
of recent formation and the marks of the pick were still visible where the
soft leadcoloured rock had opposed itself to the progress of the miners The
whole formed an excavation of about twenty feet in width and nearly twice that
distance in depth The height was much greater than was required for the
ordinary purposes of experiment but this was evidently the effect of chance as
the roof of the cavern was a natural stratum of rock that projected many feet
beyond the base of the pile Immediately in front of the recess or cave was a
little terrace partly formed by nature and partly by the earth that had been
carelessly thrown aside by the labourers The mountain fell off precipitously in
front of the terrace and the approach by its sides under the ridge of the
rocks was difficult and a little dangerous The whole was wild rude and
apparently incomplete for while looking among the bushes the Sheriff found
the very implements that had been used in the work
When the Sheriff thought that his cousin had examined the spot sufficiently
he asked solemnly
»Judge Temple are you satisfied«
»Perfectly that there is something mysterious and perplexing in this
business It is a secret spot and cunningly devised Richard yet I see no
symptoms of ore«
»Do you expect sir to find gold and silver lying like pebbles on the
surface of the earth dollars and dimes ready coined to your hands No no
the treasure must be sought after to be won But let them mine I shall
countermine«
The Judge took an accurate survey of the place and noted in his
memorandumbook such marks as were necessary to find it again in the event of
Richards absence when the cousins returned to their horses
On reaching the highway they separated the Sheriff to summon twentyfour
good men and true to attend as the inquest of the county on the succeeding
Monday when Marmaduke held his stated court of common pleas and general
sessions of the peace and the Judge to return musing deeply on what he had
seen and heard in the course of the morning
When the horse of the latter reached the spot where the highway fell towards
the valley the eye of Marmaduke rested it is true on the same scene that had
ten minutes before been so soothing to the feelings of his daughter and her
friend as they emerged from the forest but it rested in vacancy He threw the
reins to his surefooted beast and suffered the animal to travel at its own
gait while he soliloquized as follows
»There may be more in this than I at first supposed I have suffered my
feeling to blind my reason in admitting an unknown youth in this manner to my
dwelling yet this is not the land of suspicion I will have the
Leatherstocking before me and by a few direct questions extract the truth
from the simple old man«
At that instant the Judge caught a glimpse of the figures of Elizabeth and
Louisa who were slowly descending the mountain a short distance before him He
put spurs to his horse and riding up to them dismounted and drove his steed
along the narrow path While the agitated parent was listening to the vivid
description that his daughter gave of her recent danger and her unexpected
escape all thoughts of mines vested rights and examinations were absorbed in
emotion and when the image of Natty again crossed his recollection it was not
as a lawless and depredating squatter but as the preserver of his child
Chapter XXX
»The court awards it and the law doth give it«
The Merchant of Venice IVi300
Remarkable Pettibone who had forgotten the wound received by her pride in
contemplation of the ease and comforts of her situation and who still retained
her station in the family of Judge Temple was despatched to the humble dwelling
which Richard already styled the Rectory in attendance on Louisa who was soon
consigned to the arms of her father
In the mean time Marmaduke and his daughter were closeted for more than an
hour nor shall we invade the sanctuary of parental love by relating the
conversation When the curtain rises on the reader the Judge is seen walking
up and down the apartment with a tender melancholy in his air and his child
reclining on a settee with a flushed cheek and her dark eyes seeming to float
in crystals
»It was a timely rescue it was indeed a timely rescue my child« cried
the Judge »Then thou didst not desert thy friend my noble Bess«
»I believe I may as well take the credit of fortitude« said Elizabeth
»though I much doubt if flight would have availed me any thing had I even
courage to execute such an intention But I thought not of the expedient«
»Of what didst thou think love where did thy thoughts dwell most at that
fearful moment«
»The beast the beast« cried Elizabeth veiling her face with her hand
»Oh I saw nothing I thought of nothing but the beast I tried to think of
better things but the horror was too glaring the danger too much before my
eyes«
»Well well thou art safe and we will converse no more on the unpleasant
subject I did not think such an animal yet remained in our forest but they
will stray far from their haunts when pressed by hunger and«
A loud knocking at the door of the apartment interrupted what he was about
to utter and he bid the applicant enter The door was opened by Benjamin who
came in with a discontented air as if he felt that he had a communication to
make that would be out of season
»Here is Squire Doolittle below sir« commenced the Majordomo »He has
been standing off and on in the dooryard for the matter of a glass and he has
summat on his mind that he wants to heave up dye see but I tells him says
I man would you be coming aboard with your complaints said I when the Judge
has gotten his own child as it were out of the jaws of a lion But damn the
bit of manners has the fellow any more than if he was one of them Guineas down
in the kitchen there and so as he was sheering nearer every stretch he made
towards the house I could do no better than to let your honour know that the
chap was in the offing«
»He must have business of importance« said Marmaduke »something in
relation to his office most probably as the court sits so shortly«
»Ay ay you have it sir« cried Benjamin »its summat about a complaint
that he has to make of the old Leatherstocking who to my judgment is the
better man of the two Its a very good sort of a man is this Master Bumppo and
he has a way with a spear all the same as if he was brought up at the bow oar
of the captains barge or was born with a boathook in his hand«
»Against the Leatherstocking« cried Elizabeth rising from her reclining
posture
»Rest easy my child some trifle I pledge you I believe I am already
acquainted with its import Trust me Bess your champion shall be safe in my
care Show Mr Doolittle in Benjamin«
Miss Temple appeared satisfied with this assurance but fastened her dark
eyes on the person of the architect who profited by the permission and
instantly made his appearance
All the impatience of Hiram seemed to vanish the instant he entered the
apartment After saluting the Judge and his daughter he took the chair to which
Marmaduke pointed and sat for a minute composing his straight black hair with
a gravity of demeanour that was intended to do honour to his official station
At length he said
»Its likely from what I hear that Miss Temple had a pretty narrow chance
with the painters on the mountain«
Marmaduke made a gentle inclination of his head by way of assent but
continued silent
»I spose the law gives a bounty on the scalps« continued Hiram »in which
case the Leatherstocking will make a good job ont«
»It shall be my care to see that he is rewarded« returned the Judge
»Yes yes I rather guess that nobody hereabouts doubts the Judges
ginerosity Doos he know whether the Sheriff has fairly made up his mind to have
a readingdesk or a deacons pew under the pulpit«
»I have not heard my cousin speak on that subject lately« replied
Marmaduke
»I think its likely that we will have a pretty dull court ont from what I
can gather I hear that Jotham Riddel and the man who bought his betterments
have agreen to leave their difference to men and I dont think therell be more
than two civil cases in the calendar«
»I am glad of it« said the Judge »nothing gives me more pain than to see
my settlers wasting their time and substance in the unprofitable struggles of
the law I hope it may prove true sir«
»I rather guess twill be left out to men« added Hiram with an air equally
balanced between doubt and assurance but which Judge Temple understood to mean
certainty »I some think that I am appointed a referee in the case myself
Jotham as much as told me that he should take me The defendant I guess means
to take Captain Hollister and we two have partly agreen on Squire Jones for the
third man«
»Are there any criminals to be tried« asked Marmaduke
»Theres the counterfeiters« returned the magistrate »as they were caught
in the fact I think it likely that theyll be indicted in which case its
probable they will be tried«
»Certainly sir I had forgotten those men There are no more I hope«
»Why there is a threaten to come forrard with an assault that happened at
the last independence day but Im not sartain that the lawll take hold ont
There was plaguey hard words passed but whether they struck or not I havent
heern Theres some folks talk of a deer or two being killed out of season over
on the west side of the Patent by some of the squatters on the Fractions«
»Let a complaint be made by all means« cried the Judge »I am determined
to see the law executed to the letter on all such depredators«
»Why yes I thought the Judge was of that mind I come partly on such a
business myself«
»You« exclaimed Marmaduke comprehending in an instant how completely he
had been caught by the others cunning »and what have you to say sir«
»I some think that Natty Bumppo has the carcass of a deer in his hut at this
moment and a considerable part of my business was to get a sarchwarrant to
examine«
»You think sir do you know that the law exacts an oath before I can issue
such a precept The habitation of a citizen is not to be idly invaded on light
suspicion«
»I rather think I can swear to it myself« returned the immoveable Hiram
»and Jotham is in the street and as good as ready to come in and make oath to
the same thing«
»Then issue the warrant thyself thou art a magistrate Mr Doolittle why
trouble me with the matter«
»Why seeing its the first complaint under the law and knowing the Judge
set his heart on the thing I thought it best that the authority to sarch should
come from himself Besides as Im much in the woods among the timber I dont
altogether like making an enemy of the Leatherstocking Now the Judge has a
weight in the county that puts him above fear«
Miss Temple turned her face to the callous architect as she said
»And what has any honest person to dread from so kind a man as Bumppo«
»Why its as easy Miss to pull a rifletrigger on a magistrate as on a
painter But if the Judge dont conclude to issoo the warrant I must go home
and make it out myself«
»I have not refused your application sir« said Marmaduke perceiving at
once that his reputation for impartiality was at stake »go into my office Mr
Doolittle where I will join you and sign the warrant«
Judge Temple stopped the remonstrances which Elizabeth was about to utter
after Hiram had withdrawn by laying his hand on her mouth and saying
»It is more terrific in sound than frightful in reality my child I suppose
that the Leatherstocking has shot a deer for the season is nearly over and
you say that he was hunting with his dogs when he came so timely to your
assistance But it will be only to examine his cabin and find the animal when
you can pay the penalty out of your own pocket Bess Nothing short of the
twelve dollars and a half will satisfy this harpy I perceive and surely my
reputation as a Judge is worth that trifle«
Elizabeth was a good deal pacified with this assurance and suffered her
father to leave her to fulfil his promise to Hiram
When Marmaduke left his office after executing his disagreeable duty he
met Oliver Edwards walking up the gravelled walk in front of the Mansionhouse
with great strides and with a face agitated by feeling On seeing Judge Temple
the youth turned aside and with a warmth in his manner that was not often
exhibited to Marmaduke he cried
»I congratulate you sir from the bottom of my soul I congratulate you
Judge Temple Oh it would have been too horrid to have recollected for a
moment I have just left the hut where after showing me his scalps old Natty
told me of the escape of the ladies as a thing to be mentioned last Indeed
indeed sir no words of mine can express half of what I have felt« the youth
paused a moment as if suddenly recollecting that he was overstepping prescribed
limits and concluded with a good deal of embarrassment »what I have felt at
this danger to Miss Grant and and your daughter sir«
But the heart of Marmaduke was too much softened to admit of his cavilling
at trifles and without regarding the confusion of the other he replied
»I thank thee thank thee Oliver as thou sayest it is almost too horrid
to be remembered But come let us hasten to Bess for Louisa has already gone
to the Rectory«
The young man sprung forward and throwing open a door barely permitted
the Judge to precede him when he was in the presence of Elizabeth in a moment
The cold distance that often crossed the demeanour of the heiress in her
intercourse with Edwards was now entirely banished and two hours were passed
by the party in the free unembarrassed and confiding manner of old and
esteemed friends Judge Temple had forgotten the suspicions engendered during
his mornings ride and the youth and maiden conversed laughed and were sad
by turns as impulse directed At length Edwards after repeating his intention
to do so for the third time left the Mansionhouse to go to the Rectory on a
similar errand of friendship
During this short period a scene was passing at the hut that completely
frustrated the benevolent intentions of Judge Temple in favour of the Leather
and at once destroyed the shortlived harmony between the youth and Marmaduke
When Hiram Doolittle had obtained his searchwarrant his first business was
to procure a proper officer to see it executed The Sheriff was absent
summoning in person the grand inquest for the county the deputy who resided
in the village was riding on the same errand in a different part of the
settlement and the regular constable of the township had been selected for his
station from motives of charity being lame of a leg Hiram intended to
accompany the officer as a spectator but he felt no very strong desire to bear
the brunt of the battle It was however Saturday and the sun was already
turning the shadows of the pines towards the east on the morrow the
conscientious magistrate could not engage in such an expedition at the peril of
his soul and long before Monday the venison and all vestiges of the death of
the deer might be secreted or destroyed Happily the lounging form of Billy
Kirby met his eye and Hiram at all times fruitful in similar expedients saw
his way clear at once Jotham who was associated in the whole business and who
had left the mountain in consequence of a summons from his coadjutor but who
failed equally with Hiram in the unfortunate particular of nerve was directed
to summon the woodchopper to the dwelling of the magistrate
When Billy appeared he was very kindly invited to take the chair in which
he had already seated himself and was treated in all respects as if he were
an equal
»Judge Temple has set his heart on putting the deer law in force« said
Hiram after the preliminary civilities were over »and a complaint has been
laid before him that a deer has been killed He has issooed a sarchwarrant and
sent for me to get somebody to execute it«
Kirby who had no idea of being excluded from the deliberative part of any
affair in which he was engaged drew up his bushy head in a reflecting attitude
and after musing a moment replied by asking a few questions
»The Sheriff is gone out of the way«
»Not to be found«
»And his deputy too«
»Both gone on the skirts of the Patent«
»But I seen the constable hobbling about town an hour ago«
»Yes yes« said Hiram with a coaxing smile and knowing nod »but this
business wants a man not a cripple«
»Why« said Billy laughing »will the chap make fight«
»Hes a little quarrelsome at times and thinks hes the best man in the
county at roughandtumble«
»I heerd him brag once« said Jotham »that there wasnt a man twixt the
Mohawk Flats and the Pennsylvany line that was his match at a close hug«
»Did you« exclaimed Kirby raising his huge frame in his seat like a lion
stretching in his lair »I rather guess he never felt a Varmounters knuckles on
his backbone But who is the chap«
»Why« said Jotham »its«
»Its agin law to tell« interrupted Hiram »unless youll qualify to
sarve Youd be the very man to take him Bill and Ill make out a spicial
deputation in a minute when you will get the fees«
»Whats the fees« said Kirby laying his large hand on the leaves of a
statutebook that Hiram had opened in order to give dignity to his office
which he turned over in his rough manner as if he were reflecting on a
subject about which he had in truth already decided »will they pay a man for
a broken head«
»Theyll be something handsome« said Hiram
»Damn the fees« said Billy again laughing »doos the fellow think hes
the best wrestler in the county though whats his inches«
»Hes taller than you be« said Jotham »and one of the biggest«
Talkers he was about to add but the impatience of Kirby interrupted him
The woodchopper had nothing fierce or even brutal in his appearance the
character of his expression was that of goodnatured vanity It was evident he
prided himself on the powers of the physical man like all who have nothing
better to boast of and stretching out his broad hand with the palm downward
he said keeping his eyes fastened on his own bones and sinews
»Come give us a touch of the book Ill swear and youll see that Im a
man to keep my oath«
Hiram did not give the woodchopper time to change his mind but the oath
was administered without unnecessary delay So soon as this preliminary was
completed the three worthies left the house and proceeded by the nearest road
towards the hut They had reached the bank of the lake and were diverging from
the route of the highway before Kirby recollected that he was now entitled to
the privileges of the initiated and repeated his question as to the name of
the offender
»Which way which way Squire« exclaimed the hardy woodchopper »I thought
it was to sarch a house that you wanted me not the woods There is nobody lives
on this side of the lake for six miles unless you count the Leatherstocking
and old John for settlers Come tell me the chaps name and I warrant me that
I lead you to his clearing by a straighter path than this for I know every
sapling that grows within two miles of Templetown«
»This is the way« said Hiram pointing forward and quickening his step as
if apprehensive that Kirby would desert »and Bumppo is the man«
Kirby stopped short and looked from one of his companions to the other in
astonishment He then burst into a loud laugh and cried
»Who Leatherstocking he may brag of his aim and his rifle for he has the
best of both as I will own myself for sin he shot the pigeon I knock under to
him but for a wrestle why I would take the creatur between my finger and
thumb and tie him in a bowknot around my neck for a Barcelony The man is
seventy and was never any thing particular for strength«
»Hes a deceiving man« said Hiram »like all the hunters he is stronger
than he seems besides he has his rifle«
»That for his rifle« cried Billy »hed no more hurt me with his rifle than
hed fly He is a harmless creater and I must say that I think he has as good a
right to kill deer as any man on the Patent Its his main support and this is
a free country where a man is privileged to follow any calling he likes«
»According to that doctrine« said Jotham »any body may shoot a deer«
»This is the mans calling I tell you« returned Kirby »and the law was
never made for such as he«
»The law was made for all« observed Hiram who began to think that the
danger was likely to fall to his own share notwithstanding his management »and
the law is particular in noticing parjury«
»See here Squire Doolittle« said the reckless woodchopper »I dont kear
the valie of a beetlering for you and your parjury too But as I have come so
far Ill go down and have a talk with the old man and maybe well fry a steak
of the deer together«
»Well if you can get in peaceably so much the better« said the
magistrate »To my notion strife is very unpopular I prefar at all times
clever conduct to an ugly temper«
As the whole party moved at a great pace they soon reached the hut where
Hiram thought it prudent to halt on the outside of the top of the fallen pine
which formed a chevauxdefrize to defend the approach to the fortress on the
side next the village The delay was little relished by Kirby who clapped his
hands to his mouth and gave a loud halloo that brought the dogs out of their
kennel and almost at the same instant the scantilycovered head of Natty from
the door
»Lie down old fool« cried the hunter »do you think theres more painters
about you«
»Ha Leatherstocking Ive an arrand with you« cried Kirby »heres the
good people of the state have been writing you a small letter and theyve hired
me to ride post«
»What would you have with me Billy Kirby« said Natty stepping across his
threshold and raising his hand over his eyes to screen them from the rays of
the setting sun while he took a survey of his visiter »Ive no land to clear
and Heaven knows I would set out six trees afore I would cut down one Down
Hector I say into your kennel with ye«
»Would you old boy« roared Billy »then so much the better for me But I
must do my arrand Heres a letter for you Leatherstocking If you can read it
its all well and if you cant heres Squire Doolittle at hand to let you know
what it means It seems you mistook the twentieth of July for the first of
August thats all«
By this time Natty had discovered the lank person of Hiram drawn up under
the cover of a high stump and all that was complacent in his manner instantly
gave way to marked distrust and dissatisfaction He placed his head within the
door of his hut and said a few words in an under tone when he again appeared
and continued
»Ive nothing for ye so away afore the evil one tempts me to do you harm
I owe you no spite Billy Kirby and what for should you trouble an old man who
has done you no harm«
Kirby advanced through the top of the pine to within a few feet of the
hunter where he seated himself on the end of a log with great composure and
begun to examine the nose of Hector with whom he was familiar from their
frequently meeting in the woods where he sometimes fed the dog from his own
basket of provisions
»Youve outshot me and Im not ashamed to say it« said the woodchopper
»but I dont owe you a grudge for that Natty though it seems that youve shot
once too often for the story goes that youve killed a buck«
»Ive fired but twice today and both times at the painters« returned the
Leatherstocking »see heres the scalps I was just going in with them to the
Judges to ask the bounty«
While Natty was speaking he tossed the ears to Kirby who continued playing
with them with a careless air holding them to the dogs and laughing at their
movements when they scented the unusual game
But Hiram emboldened by the advance of the deputed constable now ventured
to approach also and took up the discourse with the air of authority that
became his commission His first measure was to read the warrant aloud taking
care to give due emphasis to the most material parts and concluding with the
name of the Judge in very audible and distinct tones
»Did Marmaduke Temple put his name to that bit of paper« said Natty
shaking his head »well well that man loves the new ways and his
betterments and his lands afore his own flesh and blood But I wont mistrust
the gall she has an eye like a fullgrown buck poor thing she didnt choose
her father and cant help it I know but little of the law Mr Doolittle
what is to be done now youve read your commission«
»Oh its nothing but form Natty« said Hiram endeavouring to assume a
friendly aspect »Lets go in and talk the thing over in reason I dare to say
that the money can be easily found and I partly conclude from what passed
that Judge Temple will pay it himself«
The old hunter had kept a keen eye on the movements of his three visiters
from the beginning and had maintained his position just without the threshold
of his cabin with a determined manner that showed he was not to be easily
driven from his post When Hiram drew nigher as if expecting his proposition
would be accepted Natty lifted his hand and motioned for him to retreat
»Havent I told you more than once not to tempt me« he said »I trouble
no man why cant the law leave me to myself Go back go back and tell your
Judge that he may keep his bounty but I wont have his wasty ways brought into
my hut«
This offer however instead of appeasing the curiosity of Hiram seemed to
inflame it the more while Kirby cried
»Well thats fair Squire he forgives the county his demand and the
county should forgive him the fine its what I call an even trade and should
be concluded on the spot I like quick dealings and whats fair twixt man and
man«
»I demand entrance into this house« said Hiram summoning all the dignity
he could muster to his assistance »in the name of the people and by vartoo of
this warrant and of my office and with this peaceofficer«
»Stand back stand back Squire and dont tempt me« said the
Leatherstocking motioning for him to retire with great earnestness
»Stop us at your peril« continued Hiram »Billy Jotham close up I want
testimony«
Hiram had mistaken the mild but determined air of Natty for submission and
had already put his foot on the threshold to enter when he was seized
unexpectedly by his shoulders and hurled over the little bank towards the lake
to the distance of twenty feet The suddenness of the movement and the
unexpected display of strength on the part of Natty created a momentary
astonishment in his invaders that silenced all noises but at the next instant
Billy Kirby gave vent to his mirth in peals of laughter that he seemed to heave
up from his very soul
»Well done old stub« he shouted »the Squire knowd you better than I did
Come come heres a green spot take it out like men while Jotham and I see
fair play«
»William Kirby I order you to do your duty« cried Hiram from under the
bank »seize that man I order you to seize him in the name of the people«
But the Leatherstocking now assumed a more threatening attitude his rifle
was in his hand and its muzzle was directed towards the woodchopper
»Stand off I bid ye« said Natty »you know my aim Billy Kirby I dont
crave your blood but mine and yourn both shall turn this green grass red afore
you put foot into the hut«
While the affair appeared trifling the woodchopper seemed disposed to take
sides with the weaker party but when the firearms were introduced his manner
very sensibly changed He raised his large frame from the log and facing the
hunter with an open front he replied
»I didnt come here as your enemy Leatherstocking but I dont valie the
hollow piece of iron in your hand so much as a broken axehelve so Squire
say the word and keep within the law and well soon see whos the best man of
the two«
But no magistrate was to be seen The instant the rifle was produced Hiram
and Jotham vanished and when the woodchopper bent his eyes about him in
surprise at receiving no answer he discovered their retreating figures moving
towards the village at a rate that sufficiently indicated that they had not
only calculated the velocity of a riflebullet but also its probable range
»Youve skeared the creaters off« said Kirby with great contempt expressed
on his broad features »but you are not agoing to skear me so Mr Bumppo
down with your gun or therell be trouble twixt us«
Natty dropped his rifle and replied
»I wish you no harm Billy Kirby but I leave it to yourself whether an old
mans hut is to be run down by such varmint I wont deny the buck to you
Billy and you may take the skin in if you please and show it as tistimony
The bounty will pay the fine and that ought to satisfy any man«
»Twill old boy twill« cried Kirby every shade of displeasure vanishing
from his open brow at the peaceoffering »throw out the hide and that shall
satisfy the law«
Natty entered his hut and soon reappeared bringing with him the desired
testimonial and the woodchopper departed as thoroughly reconciled to the
hunter as if nothing had happened As he paced along the margin of the lake he
would burst into frequent fits of laughter while he recollected the summerset
of Hiram and on the whole he thought the affair a very capital joke
Long before Billy reached the village however the news of his danger and
of Nattys disrespect of the law and of Hirams discomfiture were in
circulation A good deal was said about sending for the Sheriff some hints were
given about calling out the posse comitatus to avenge the insulted laws and
many of the citizens were collected deliberating how to proceed The arrival of
Billy with the skin by removing all grounds for a search changed the
complexion of things materially Nothing now remained but to collect the fine
and assert the dignity of the people all of which it was unanimously agreed
could be done as well on the succeeding Monday as on a Saturday night a time
kept sacred by a large portion of the settlers Accordingly all further
proceedings were suspended for sixandthirty hours
Chapter XXXI
»And darst thou then
To beard the lion in his den
The Douglass in his hall«
Scott Marmion VIxiv2325
The commotion was just subsiding and the inhabitants of the village had begun
to disperse from the little groups they had formed each retiring to his own
home and closing his door after him with the grave air of a man who consulted
public feeling in his exterior deportment when Oliver Edwards on his return
from the dwelling of Mr Grant encountered the young lawyer who is known to
the reader as Mr Lippet There was very little similarity in the manners or
opinions of the two but as they both belonged to the more intelligent class of
a very small community they were of course known to each other and as their
meeting was at a point where silence would have been rudeness the following
conversation was the result of their interview
»A fine evening Mr Edwards« commenced the lawyer whose disinclination to
the dialogue was to say the least very doubtful »we want rain sadly thats
the worst of this climate of ours its either a drought or a deluge Its
likely youve been used to a more equal temperatoore«
»I am a native of this state« returned Edwards coldly
»Well Ive often heerd that point disputed but its so easy to get a man
naturalized that its of little consequence where he was born I wonder what
course the Judge means to take in this business of Natty Bumppo«
»Of Natty Bumppo« echoed Edwards »to what do you allude sir«
»Havent you heerd« exclaimed the other with a look of surprise so
naturally assumed as completely to deceive his auditor »it may turn out an ugly
business It seems that the old man has been out in the hills and has shot a
buck this morning and that you know is a criminal matter in the eyes of
Judge Temple«
»Oh he has has he« said Edwards averting his face to conceal the colour
that collected in his sunburnt cheek »Well if that be all he must even pay
the fine«
»Its five pounds currency« said the lawyer »could Natty muster so much
money at once«
»Could he« cried the youth »I am not rich Mr Lippet far from it I am
poor and I have been hoarding my salary for a purpose that lies near my heart
but before that old man should lie one hour in a gaol I would spend the last
cent to prevent it Besides he has killed two panthers and the bounty will
discharge the fine many times over«
»Yes yes« said the lawyer rubbing his hands together with an expression
of pleasure that had no artifice about it »we shall make it out I see plainly
we shall make it out«
»Make what out sir I must beg an explanation«
»Why killing the buck is but a small matter compared to what took place
this afternoon« continued Mr Lippet with a confidential and friendly air
that insensibly won upon the youth little as he liked the man »It seems that
a complaint was made of the fact and a suspicion that there was venison in the
hut was sworn to all which is provided for in the statoote when Judge Temple
granted a searchwarrant«
»A searchwarrant« echoed Edwards in a voice of horror and with a face
that should have been again averted to conceal its paleness »and how much did
they discover What did they see«
»They saw old Bumppos rifle and that is a sight which will quiet most
mens curiosity in the woods«
»Did they did they« shouted Edwards bursting into a convulsive laugh »so
the old hero beat them back he beat them back did he«
The lawyer fastened his eyes in astonishment on the youth but as his
wonder gave way to the thoughts that were commonly uppermost in his mind he
replied
»Its no laughing matter let me tell you sir the forty dollars of bounty
and your six months of salary will be much redooced before you get the matter
fairly settled Assaulting a magistrate in the execootion of his duty and
menacing a constable with firearms at the same time is a pretty serious
affair and punishable with both fine and imprisonment«
»Imprisonment« repeated Oliver »imprison the Leatherstocking no no
sir it would bring the old man to his grave They shall never imprison the
Leatherstocking«
»Well Mr Edwards« said Lippet dropping all reserve from his manner »you
are called a curious man but if you can tell me how a jury is to be prevented
from finding a verdict of guilty if this case comes fairly before them and the
proof is clear I shall acknowledge that you know more law than I do who have
had a license in my pocket for three years«
By this time the reason of Edwards was getting the ascendency of his
feelings and as he begun to see the real difficulties of the case he listened
more readily to the conversation of the lawyer The ungovernable emotion that
escaped the youth in the first moments of his surprise entirely passed away
and although it was still evident that he continued to be much agitated by what
he had heard he succeeded in yielding forced attention to the advice which the
other uttered
Notwithstanding the confused state of his mind Oliver soon discovered that
most of the expedients of the lawyer were grounded in cunning and plans that
required a time to execute them that neither suited his disposition nor his
necessities After however giving Mr Lippet to understand that he retained
him in the event of a trial an assurance that at once satisfied the lawyer
they parted one taking his course with a deliberate tread in the direction of
the little building that had a wooden sign over its door with »Chester Lippet
Attorney at Law« painted on it and the other pacing over the ground with
enormous strides towards the Mansionhouse We shall take leave of the attorney
for the present and direct the attention of the reader to his client
When Edwards entered the hall whose enormous doors were opened to the
passage of the air of a mild evening he found Benjamin engaged in some of his
domestic avocations and in a hurried voice inquired where Judge Temple was to
be found
»Why the Judge has stept into his office with that mastercarpenter
Mister Doolittle but Miss Lizzy is in that there parlour I say Master Oliver
wed like to have had a bad job of that panther or painters work some calls
it one and some calls it tother but I know little of the beast seeing that
its not of British growth I said as much as that it was in the hills the last
winter for I heard it moaning on the lakeshore one evening in the fall when
I was pulling down from the fishingpoint in the skiff Had the animal come
into open water where a man could see how and where to work his vessel I would
have engaged the thing myself but looking aloft among the trees is all the
same to me as standing on the deck of one ship and looking at another vessels
tops I never can tell one rope from another«
»Well well« interrupted Edwards »I must see Miss Temple«
»And you shall see her sir« said the steward »shes in this here room
Lord Master Edwards what a loss shed have been to the Judge Damme if I know
where he would have gotten such another daughter that is fullgrown dye see
I say sir this Master Bumppo is a worthy man and seems to have a handy way
with him with firearms and boathooks Im his friend Master Oliver and he
and you may both set me down as the same«
»We may want your friendship my worthy fellow« cried Edwards squeezing
his hand convulsively »we may want your friendship in which case you shall
know it«
Without waiting to hear the earnest reply that Benjamin meditated the youth
extricated himself from the vigorous grasp of the steward and entered the
parlour
Elizabeth was alone and still reclining on the sofa where we last left
her A hand which exceeded all that the ingenuity of art could model in shape
and colour veiled her eyes and the maiden was sitting as if in deep communion
with herself Struck by the attitude and loveliness of the form that met his
eye the young man checked his impatience and approached her with respect and
caution
»Miss Temple Miss Temple« he said »I hope I do not intrude but I am
anxious for an interview if it be only for a moment«
Elizabeth raised her face and exhibited her dark eyes swimming in moisture
»Is it you Edwards« she said with a sweetness in her voice and a
softness in her air that she often used to her father but which from its
novelty to himself thrilled on every nerve of the youth »how left you our poor
Louisa«
»She is with her father happy and grateful« said Oliver »I never
witnessed more feeling than she manifested when I ventured to express my
pleasure at her escape Miss Temple when I first heard of your horrid
situation my feelings were too powerful for utterance and I did not properly
find my tongue until the walk to Mr Grants had given me time to collect
myself I believe I do believe I acquitted myself better there for Miss
Grant even wept at my silly speeches«
For a moment Elizabeth did not reply but again veiled her eyes with her
hand The feeling that caused the action however soon passed away and
raising her face again to his gaze she continued with a smile
»Your friend the Leatherstocking has now become my friend Edwards I
have been thinking how I can best serve him perhaps you who know his habits
and his wants so well can tell me«
»I can« cried the youth with an impetuosity that startled his companion
»I can and may Heaven reward you for the wish Natty has been so imprudent as
to forget the law and has this day killed a deer Nay I believe I must share
in the crime and the penalty for I was an accomplice throughout A complaint
has been made to your father and he has granted a search«
»I know it all« interrupted Elizabeth »I know it all The forms of the law
must be complied with however the search must be made the deer found and the
penalty paid But I must retort your own question Have you lived so long in our
family not to know us Look at me Oliver Edwards Do I appear like one who
would permit the man that has just saved her life to linger in a gaol for so
small a sum as this fine No no sir my father is a Judge but he is a man
and a Christian It is all understood and no harm shall follow«
»What a load of apprehension do your declarations remove« exclaimed
Edwards »He shall not be disturbed again your father will protect him I have
your assurance Miss Temple that he will and I must believe it«
»You may have his own Mr Edwards« returned Elizabeth »for here he comes
to make it«
But the appearance of Marmaduke who entered the apartment contradicted the
flattering anticipations of his daughter His brow was contracted and his
manner disturbed Neither Elizabeth nor the youth spoke but the Judge was
allowed to pace once or twice across the room without interruption when he
cried
»Our plans are defeated girl the obstinacy of the Leatherstocking has
brought down the indignation of the law on his head and it is now out of my
power to avert it«
»How in what manner« cried Elizabeth »the fine is nothing surely«
»I did not I could not anticipate that an old a friendless man like him
would dare to oppose the officers of justice« interrupted the Judge »I
supposed that he would submit to the search when the fine could have been paid
and the law would have been appeased but now he will have to meet its rigour«
»And what must the punishment be sir« asked Edwards struggling to speak
with firmness
Marmaduke turned quickly to the spot where the youth had withdrawn and
exclaimed
»You here I did not observe you I know not what it will be sir it is not
usual for a Judge to decide until he has heard the testimony and the jury have
convicted Of one thing however you may be assured Mr Edwards it shall be
whatever the law demands notwithstanding any momentary weakness I may have
exhibited because the luckless man has been of such eminent service to my
daughter«
»No one I believe doubts the sense of justice which Judge Temple
entertains« returned Edwards bitterly »But let us converse calmly sir Will
not the years the habits nay the ignorance of my old friend avail him any
thing against this charge«
»Ought they They may extenuate but can they acquit Would any society be
tolerable young man where the ministers of justice are to be opposed by men
armed with rifles Is it for this that I have tamed the wilderness«
»Had you tamed the beasts that so lately threatened the life of Miss Temple
sir your arguments would apply better«
»Edwards« exclaimed Elizabeth
»Peace my child« interrupted the father »the youth is unjust but I
have not given him cause I overlook thy remark Oliver for I know thee to be
the friend of Natty and zeal in his behalf has overcome thy discretion«
»Yes he is my friend« cried Edwards »and I glory in the title He is
simple unlettered even ignorant prejudiced perhaps though I feel that his
opinion of the world is too true but he has a heart Judge Temple that would
atone for a thousand faults he knows his friends and never deserts them even
if it be his dog«
»This is a good character Mr Edwards« returned Marmaduke mildly »but I
have never been so fortunate as to secure his esteem for to me he has been
uniformly repulsive yet I have endured it as an old mans whim However when
he appears before me as his judge he shall find that his former conduct shall
not aggravate any more than his recent services shall extenuate his crime«
»Crime« echoed Edwards »is it a crime to drive a prying miscreant from his
door Crime Oh no sir if there be a criminal involved in this affair it is
not he«
»And who may it be sir« asked Judge Temple facing the agitated youth his
features settled to their usual composure
This appeal was more than the young man could bear Hitherto he had been
deeply agitated by his emotions but now the volcano burst its boundaries
»Who and this to me« he cried »ask your own conscience Judge Temple
Walk to that door sir and look out upon the valley that placid lake and
those dusky mountains and say to your own heart if heart you have whence came
these riches this vale and those hills and why am I their owner I should
think sir that the appearance of Mohegan and the Leatherstocking stalking
through the country impoverished and forlorn would wither your sight«
Marmaduke heard this burst of passion at first with deep amazement but
when the youth had ended he beckoned to his impatient daughter for silence and
replied
»Oliver Edwards thou forgettest in whose presence thou standest I have
heard young man that thou claimest descent from the native owners of the soil
but surely thy education has been given thee to no effect if it has not taught
thee the validity of the claims that have transferred the title to the whites
These lands are mine by the very grants of thy ancestry if thou art so
descended and I appeal to Heaven for a testimony of the uses I have put them
to After this language we must separate I have too long sheltered thee in my
dwelling but the time has arrived when thou must quit it Come to my office
and I will discharge the debt I owe thee Neither shall thy present intemperate
language mar thy future fortunes if thou wilt hearken to the advice of one who
is by many years thy senior«
The ungovernable feeling that caused the violence of the youth had passed
away and he stood gazing after the retiring figure of Marmaduke with a vacancy
in his eye that denoted the absence of his mind At length he recollected
himself and turning his head slowly around the apartment he beheld Elizabeth
still seated on the sofa but with her head dropped on her bosom and her face
again concealed by her hands
»Miss Temple« he said all violence had left his manner »Miss Temple I
have forgotten myself forgotten you You have heard what your father has
decreed and this night I leave here With you at least I would part in
amity«
Elizabeth slowly raised her face across which a momentary expression of
sadness stole but as she left her seat her dark eyes lighted with their usual
fire her cheek flushed to burning and her whole air seemed to belong to
another nature
»I forgive you Edwards and my father will forgive you« she said when she
reached the door »You do not know us but the time may come when your opinions
shall change«
»Of you never« interrupted the youth »I«
»I would speak sir and not listen There is something in this affair that
I do not comprehend but tell the Leatherstocking he has friends as well as
judges in us Do not let the old man experience unnecessary uneasiness at this
rupture It is impossible that you could increase his claims here neither shall
they be diminished by any thing you have said Mr Edwards I wish you
happiness and warmer friends«
The youth would have spoken but she vanished from the door so rapidly that
when he reached the hall her form was nowhere to be seen He paused a moment in
a stupor and then rushing from the house instead of following Marmaduke to
his office he took his way directly for the cabin of the hunters
Chapter XXXII
»Who measured earth described the starry spheres
And traced the long records of lunar years«
Pope »The Temple of Fame« ll11112
Richard did not return from the exercise of his official duties until late in
the evening of the following day It had been one portion of his business to
superintend the arrest of part of a gang of counterfeiters that had even at
that early period buried themselves in the woods to manufacture their base
coin which they afterwards circulated from one end of the Union to the other
The expedition had been completely successful and about midnight the Sheriff
entered the village at the head of a posse of deputies and constables in the
centre of whom rode pinioned four of the malefactors At the gate of the
Mansionhouse they separated Mr Jones directing his assistants to proceed with
their charge to the county gaol while he pursued his own way up the gravelled
walk with the kind of selfsatisfaction that a man of his organization would
feel who had really for once done a very clever thing
»Holla Aggy« shouted the Sheriff when he reached the door »where are
you you black dog will you keep me here in the dark all night Holla Aggy
Brave Brave hoy hoy where have you got to Brave Off his watch Every body
is asleep but myself poor I must keep my eyes open that others may sleep in
safety Brave Brave Well I will say this for the dog lazy as hes grown
that it is the first time I ever knew him let any one come to the door after
dark without having a smell to know whether it was an honest man or not He
could tell by his nose almost as well as I could myself by looking at them
Holla you Agamemnon where are you Oh here comes the dog at last«
By this time the Sheriff had dismounted and observed a form which he
supposed to be that of Brave slowly creeping out of the kennel when to his
astonishment it reared itself on two legs instead of four and he was able to
distinguish by the starlight the curly head and dark visage of the negro
»Ha what the devil are you doing there you black rascal« he cried »is it
not hot enough for your Guinea blood in the house this warm night but you must
drive out the poor dog and sleep in his straw«
By this time the boy was quite awake and with a blubbering whine he
attempted to reply to his master
»Oh masser Richard masser Richard such a ting such a ting I nebber tink
a could appen nebber tink he die Oh Loragor ant bury keep em till
masser Richard get back got a grabe dug«
Here the feelings of the negro completely got the mastery and instead of
making any intelligible explanation of the causes of his grief he blubbered
aloud
»Eh what buried grave dead« exclaimed Richard with a tremour in his
voice »nothing serious Nothing has happened to Benjamin I hope I know he has
been bilious but I gave him«
»Oh worser an dat worser an dat« sobbed the negro »Oh de Lor Miss
Lizzy an Miss Grant walk mountain poor Bravy kill a lady painter
Oh Lor Lor Natty Bumppo tare he troat open come a see masser Richard
here he be here he be«
As all this was perfectly inexplicable to the Sheriff he was very glad to
wait patiently until the black brought a lantern from the kitchen when he
followed Aggy to the kennel where he beheld poor Brave indeed lying in his
blood stiff and cold but decently covered with the greatcoat of the negro He
was on the point of demanding an explanation but the grief of the black who
had fallen asleep on his voluntary watch having burst out afresh on his waking
utterly disqualified the lad from giving one Luckily at this moment the
principal door of the house opened and the coarse features of Benjamin were
thrust over the threshold with a candle elevated above them shedding its dim
rays around in such a manner as to exhibit the lights and shadows of his
countenance Richard threw his bridle to the black and bidding him look to the
horse he entered the hall
»What is the meaning of the dead dog« he cried »Where is Miss Temple«
Benjamin made one of his square gestures with the thumb of his left hand
pointing over his right shoulder as he answered
»Turned in«
»Judge Temple where is he«
»In his berth«
»But explain why is Brave dead and what is the cause of Aggys grief«
»Why its all down Squire« said Benjamin pointing to a slate that lay on
the table by the side of a mug of toddy a short pipe in which the tobacco was
yet burning and a prayerbook
Among the other pursuits of Richard he had a passion to keep a register of
all passing events and his diary which was written in the manner of a journal
or logbook embraced not only such circumstances as affected himself but
observations on the weather and all the occurrences of the family and
frequently of the village Since his appointment to the office of Sheriff and
his consequent absences from home he had employed Benjamin to make memoranda
on a slate of whatever might be thought worth remembering which on his
return were regularly transferred to the journal with proper notations of the
time manner and other little particulars There was to be sure one material
objection to the clerkship of Benjamin which the ingenuity of no one but
Richard could have overcome The steward read nothing but his Prayerbook and
that only in particular parts and by the aid of a good deal of spelling and
some misnomers but he could not form a single letter with a pen This would
have been an insuperable bar to journalizing with most men but Richard
invented a kind of hieroglyphical character which was intended to note all the
ordinary occurrences of a day such as how the wind blew whether the sun shone
or whether it rained the hours etc and for the extraordinary after giving
certain elementary lectures on the subject the Sheriff was obliged to trust to
the ingenuity of the Majordomo The reader will at once perceive that it was
to this chronicle that Benjamin pointed instead of directly answering the
Sheriffs interrogatory
When Mr Jones had drunk a glass of toddy he brought forth from its secret
place his proper journal and seating himself by the table he prepared to
transfer the contents of the slate to the paper at the same time that he
appeased his curiosity Benjamin laid one hand on the back of the Sheriffs
chair in a familiar manner while he kept the other at liberty to make use of
a forefinger that was bent like some of his own characters as an index to
point out his meaning
The first thing referred to by the Sheriff was the diagram of a compass cut
in one corner of the slate for permanent use The cardinal points were plainly
marked on it and all the usual divisions were indicated in such a manner that
no man who had ever steered a ship could mistake them
»Oh« said the Sheriff settling himself down comfortably in his chair
»youd the wind southeast I see all last night I thought it would have blown
up rain«
»Devil the drop sir« said Benjamin »I believe that the scuttlebutt up
aloft is emptied for there hasnt so much water fell in the country for the
last three weeks as would float Indian Johns canoe and that draws just one
inch nothing light«
»Well but didnt the wind change here this morning there was a change
where I was«
»To be sure it did Squire and havent I logged it as a shift of wind«
»I dont see where Benjamin«
»Dont see« interrupted the steward a little crustily »ant there a mark
agin eastandbynothehalfnothe with summat like a rising sun at the end of
it to show twas in the morning watch«
»Yes yes that is very legible but where is the change noted«
»Where why doesnt it see this here teakettle with a mark run from the
spout straight or mayhap a little crooked or so into
westandbysouthehalfsouthe now I calls this a shift of wind Squire Well
do you see this here boars head that you made for me alongside of the compass«
»Ay ay Boreas I see Why youve drawn lines from its mouth extending
from one of your marks to the other«
»Its no fault of mine Squire Dickens tis your dd climate The wind has
been at all them there marks this very day and thats all round the compass
except a little matter of an Irishmans hurricane at meridium which youll find
marked right up and down Now Ive known a sowwester blow for three weeks in
the Channel with a clean drizzle in which you might wash your face and hands
without the trouble of hauling in water from alongside«
»Very well Benjamin« said the Sheriff writing in his journal »I believe
I have caught the idea Oh heres a cloud over the rising sun so you had it
hazy in the morning«
»Ay ay sir« said Benjamin
»Ah its Sunday and here are the marks for the length of the sermon one
two three four What did Mr Grant preach forty minutes«
»Ay summat like it it was a good halfhour by my own glass and then
there was the time lost in turning it and some little allowance for leeway in
not being over smart about it«
»Benjamin this is as long as a Presbyterian you never could have been ten
minutes in turning the glass«
»Why dye see Squire the parson was very solemn and I just closed my
eyes in order to think the better with myself just the same as youd put in the
deadlights to make all snug and when I opened them agin I found the
congregation were getting under way for home so I calculated the ten minutes
would cover the leeway after the glass was out It was only some such matter as
a cats nap«
»Oh ho Master Benjamin you were asleep were you but Ill set down no
such slander against an orthodox divine« Richard wrote twentynine minutes in
his journal and continued »Why whats this youve got opposite ten oclock
AM a full moon had you a moon visible by day I have heard of such portents
before now but eh whats this alongside of it an hourglass«
»That« said Benjamin looking coolly over the Sheriffs shoulder and
rolling the tobacco about in his mouth with a jocular air »why thats a small
matter of my own Its no moon Squire but only Betty Hollisters face for
dye see sir hearing all the same as if she had got up a new cargo of Jamaiky
from the river I called in as I was going to the church this morning ten
AM was it just the time and tried a glass and so I logged it to put me in
mind of calling to pay her like an honest man«
»That was it was it« said the Sheriff with some displeasure at this
innovation on his memoranda »and could you not make a better glass than this
it looks like a deaths head and an hourglass«
»Why as I liked the stuff Squire« returned the steward »I turned in
homeward bound and took tother glass which I set down at the bottom of the
first and that gives the thing the shape it has But as I was there agin
tonight and paid for the three at once your honour may as well run the sponge
over the whole business«
»I will buy you a slate for your own affairs Benjamin« said the Sheriff
»I dont like to have the journal marked over in this manner«
»You neednt you neednt Squire for seeing that I was likely to trade
often with the woman while this barrel lasted Ive opened a fair account with
Betty and she keeps the marks on the back of her bar door and I keeps the
tally on this here bit of a stick«
As Benjamin concluded he produced a piece of wood on which five very large
honest notches were apparent The Sheriff cast his eyes on this new leger for a
moment and continued
»What have we here Saturday two PM why heres a whole family piece
two wineglasses upsidedown«
»Thats two women the one this away is Miss Lizzy and tother is the
parsons youngun«
»Cousin Bess and Miss Grant« exclaimed the Sheriff in amazement »what
have they to do with my journal«
»Theyd enough to do to get out of the jaws of that there painter or
panther« said the immoveable steward »This here thingumy Squire that maybe
looks summat like a rat is the beast dye see and this here tother thing
keel uppermost is poor old Brave who died nobly all the same as an admiral
fighting for his king and country and that there«
»Scarecrow« interrupted Richard
»Ay mayhap it do look a little wild or so« continued the steward »but to
my judgment Squire its the best imager Ive made seeing its most like the
man himself well thats Natty Bumppo who shot this here painter that
killed that there dog who would have eaten or done worse to them here young
ladies«
»And what the devil does all this mean« cried Richard impatiently
»Mean« echoed Benjamin »its as true as the Boadisheys logbook«
He was interrupted by the Sheriff who put a few direct questions to him
that obtained more intelligible answers by which means he became possessed of a
tolerably correct idea of the truth When the wonder and we must do Richard
the justice to say the feelings also that were created by this narrative had
in some degree subsided the Sheriff turned his eyes again on his journal where
more inexplicable hieroglyphics met his view
»What have we here« he cried »two men boxing has there been a breach of
the peace ah thats the way the moment my back is turned«
»Thats the Judge and young Master Edwards« interrupted the steward very
cavalierly
»How duke fighting with Oliver what the devil has got into you all more
things have happened within the last thirtysix hours than in the preceding six
months«
»Yes its so indeed Squire« returned the steward »Ive known a smart
chase and a fight at the tail of it where less has been logged than Ive got
on that there slate Howsomnever they didnt come to facers only passed a
little jaw fore and aft«
»Explain explain« cried Richard »it was about the mines ha ay ay I
see it I see it here is a man with a pick on his shoulder So you heard it
all Benjamin«
»Why yes it was about their minds I believe Squire« returned the
steward »and by what I can learn they spoke them pretty plainly to one
another Indeed I may say that I overheard a small matter of it myself seeing
that the windows was open and I hard by But this here is no pick but an
anchor on a mans shoulder and heres the other fluke down his back maybe a
little too close which signifies that the lad has got under way and left his
moorings«
»Has Edwards left the house«
»He has«
Richard pursued this advantage and after a long and close examination he
succeeded in getting out of Benjamin all that he knew not only concerning the
misunderstanding but of the attempt to search the hut and Hirams
discomfiture The Sheriff was no sooner possessed of these facts which Benjamin
related with all possible tenderness to the Leatherstocking than snatching up
his hat and bidding the astonished steward secure the doors and go to his bed
he left the house
For at least five minutes after Richard disappeared Benjamin stood with his
arms akimbo and his eyes fastened on the door when having collected his
astonished faculties he prepared to execute the orders he had received
It has been already said that the »court of common pleas and general
sessions of the peace« or as it is commonly called the county court over
which Judge Temple presided held one of its stated sessions on the following
morning The attendants of Richard were officers who had come to the village as
much to discharge their usual duties at this court as to escort the prisoners
and the Sheriff knew their habits too well not to feel confident he should find
most if not all of them in the public room of the gaol discussing the
qualities of the keepers liquors Accordingly he held his way through the
silent streets of the village directly to the small and insecure building that
contained all the unfortunate debtors and some of the criminals of the county
and where justice was administered to such unwary applicants as were so silly as
to throw away two dollars in order to obtain one from their neighbours The
arrival of four malefactors in the custody of a dozen officers was an event at
that day in Templeton and when the Sheriff reached the gaol he found every
indication that his subordinates intended to make a night of it
The nod of the Sheriff brought two of his deputies to the door who in their
turn drew off six or seven of the constables With this force Richard led the
way through the village towards the bank of the lake undisturbed by any noise
except the barking of one or two curs who were alarmed by the measured tread of
the party and by the low murmurs that run through their own numbers as a few
cautious questions and answers were exchanged relative to the object of their
expedition When they had crossed the little bridge of hewn logs that was thrown
over the Susquehanna they left the highway and struck into that field which
had been the scene of the victory over the pigeons From this they followed
their leader into the low bushes of pines and chestnuts which had sprung up
along the shores of the lake where the plough had not succeeded the fall of the
trees and soon entered the forest itself Here Richard paused and collected
his troop around him
»I have required your assistance my friends« he said in a low voice »in
order to arrest Nathaniel Bumppo commonly called the Leatherstocking He has
assaulted a magistrate and resisted the execution of a searchwarrant by
threatening the life of a constable with his rifle In short my friends he has
set an example of rebellion to the laws and has become a kind of outlaw He is
suspected of other misdemeanours and offences against private rights and I have
this night taken on myself by the virtue of my office of sheriff to arrest the
said Bumppo and bring him to the county gaol that he may be present and
forthcoming to answer to these heavy charges before the court tomorrow morning
In executing this duty friends and fellow citizens you are to use courage and
discretion Courage that you may not be daunted by any lawless attempts that
this man may make with his rifle and his dogs to oppose you and discretion
which here means caution and prudence that he may not escape from this sudden
attack and for other good reasons that I need not mention You will form
yourselves in a complete circle around his hut and at the word advance called
aloud by me you will rush forward and without giving the criminal time for
deliberation enter his dwelling by force and make him your prisoner Spread
yourselves for this purpose while I shall descend to the shore with a deputy
to take charge of that point and all communications must be made directly to
me under the bank in front of the hut where I shall station myself and remain
in order to receive them«
This speech which Richard had been studying during his walk had the effect
that all similar performances produce of bringing the dangers of the expedition
immediately before the eyes of his forces The men divided some plunging deeper
into the forest in order to gain their stations without giving an alarm and
others continuing to advance at a gait that would allow the whole party to get
in order but all devising the best plan to repulse the attack of a dog or to
escape a riflebullet It was a moment of dread expectation and interest
When the Sheriff thought time enough had elapsed for the different divisions
of his force to arrive at their stations he raised his voice in the silence of
the forest and shouted the watchword The sounds played among the arched
branches of the trees in hollow cadences but when the last sinking tone was
lost on the ear in place of the expected howls of the dogs no other noises
were returned but the crackling of torn branches and dried sticks as they
yielded before the advancing steps of the officers Even this soon ceased as if
by a common consent when the curiosity and impatience of the Sheriff getting
the complete ascendency over discretion he rushed up the bank and in a moment
stood on the little piece of cleared ground in front of the spot where Natty had
so long lived To his amazement in place of the hut he saw only its
smouldering ruins
The party gradually drew together about the heap of ashes and the ends of
smoking logs while a dim flame in the centre of the ruin which still found
fuel to feed its lingering life threw its pale light flickering with the
passing currents of the air around the circle now showing a face with eyes
fixed in astonishment and then glancing to another countenance leaving the
former shaded in the obscurity of night Not a voice was raised in inquiry nor
an exclamation made in astonishment This transition from excitement to
disappointment was too powerful for speech and even Richard lost the use of an
organ that was seldom known to fail him
The whole group were yet in the fulness of their surprise when a tall form
stalked from the gloom into the circle treading down the hot ashes and dying
embers with callous feet and standing over the light lifted his cap and
exposed the bare head and weatherbeaten features of the Leatherstocking For a
moment he gazed at the dusky figures who surrounded him more in sorrow than in
anger before he spoke
»What would ye have with an old and helpless man« he said »Youve driven
Gods creaters from the wilderness where his providence had put them for his
own pleasure and youve brought in the troubles and divilties of the law where
no man was ever known to disturb another You have driven me that have lived
forty long years of my appointed time in this very spot from my home and the
shelter of my head lest you should put your wicked feet and wasty ways in my
cabin Youve driven me to burn these logs under which Ive eaten and drunk
the first of Heavens gifts and the other of the pure springs for the half of
a hundred years and to mourn the ashes under my feet as a man would weep and
mourn for the children of his body Youve rankled the heart of an old man that
has never harmed you or yourn with bitter feelings towards his kind at a time
when his thoughts should be on a better world and youve driven him to wish
that the beasts of the forest who never feast on the blood of their own
families was his kindred and race and now when he has come to see the last
brand of his hut before it is melted into ashes you follow him up at
midnight like hungry hounds on the track of a wornout and dying deer What
more would ye have for I am here one to many I come to mourn not to fight
and if it is Gods pleasure work your will on me«
When the old man ended he stood with the light glimmering around his
thinlycovered head looking earnestly at the group which receded from the
pile with an involuntary movement without the reach of the quivering rays
leaving a free passage for his retreat into the bushes where pursuit in the
dark would have been fruitless Natty seemed not to regard this advantage but
stood facing each individual in the circle in succession as if to see who
would be the first to arrest him After a pause of a few moments Richard begun
to rally his confused faculties and advancing apologized for his duty and
made him his prisoner The party now collected and preceded by the Sheriff
with Natty in their centre they took their way towards the village
During the walk divers questions were put to the prisoner concerning his
reasons for burning the hut and whither Mohegan had retreated but to all of
them he observed a profound silence until fatigued with their previous duties
and the lateness of the hour the Sheriff and his followers reached the village
and dispersed to their several places of rest after turning the key of a gaol
on the aged and apparently friendless Leatherstocking
Chapter XXXIII
»Fetch here the stocks ho
You stubborn ancient knave you reverend braggart
Well teach you«
King Lear IIii12527
The long days and early sun of July allowed time for a gathering of the
interested before the little bell of the academy announced that the appointed
hour had arrived for administering right to the wronged and punishment to the
guilty Ever since the dawn of day the highways and woodpaths that issuing
from the forests and winding along the sides of the mountains centered in
Templeton had been thronged with equestrians and footmen bound to the haven of
justice There was to be seen a wellclad yeoman mounted on a sleek
switchtailed steed ambling along the highway with his red face elevated in a
manner that said »I have paid for my land and fear no man« while his bosom
was swelling with the pride of being one of the grand inquest for the county At
his side rode a companion his equal in independence of feeling perhaps but
his inferior in thrift as in property and consideration This was a professed
dealer in lawsuits a man whose name appeared in every calendar whose
substance gained in the multifarious expedients of a settlers changeable
habits was wasted in feeding the harpies of the courts He was endeavouring to
impress the mind of the grand juror with the merits of a cause now at issue
Along with these was a pedestrian who having thrown a rifle frock over his
shirt and placed his best wool hat above his sunburnt visage had issued from
his retreat in the woods by a footpath and was striving to keep company with
the others on his way to hear and to decide the disputes of his neighbours as a
petit juror Fifty similar little knots of countrymen might have been seen on
that morning journeying towards the shiretown on the same errand
By ten oclock the streets of the village were filled with busy faces some
talking of their private concerns some listening to a popular expounder of
political creeds and others gaping in at the open stores admiring the finery
or examining sithes axes and such other manufactures as attracted their
curiosity or excited their admiration A few women were in the crowd most
carrying infants and followed at a lounging listless gait by their rustic
lords and masters There was one young couple in whom connubial love was yet
fresh walking at a respectful distance from each other while the swain
directed the timid steps of his bride by a gallant offering of a thumb
At the first stroke of the bell Richard issued from the door of the Bold
Dragoon flourishing a sheathed sword that he was fond of saying his ancestors
had carried in one of Cromwells victories and crying in an authoritative
tone to clear the way for the court The order was obeyed promptly though not
servilely the members of the crowd nodding familiarly to the members of the
procession as it passed A party of constables with their staves followed the
Sheriff preceding Marmaduke and four plain gravelooking yeomen who were his
associates on the bench There was nothing to distinguish these subordinate
judges from the better part of the spectators except gravity which they
affected a little more than common and that one of their number was attired in
an oldfashioned military coat with skirts that reached no lower than the
middle of his thighs and bearing two little silver epaulettes not half so big
as a modern pair of shoulderknots This gentleman was a colonel of the militia
in attendance on a courtmartial who found leisure to steal a moment from his
military to attend to his civil jurisdiction But this incongruity excited
neither notice nor comment Three or four cleanshaved lawyers followed as
meekly as if they were lambs going to the slaughter One or two of their number
had contrived to obtain an air of scholastic gravity by wearing spectacles The
rear was brought up by another posse of constables and the mob followed the
whole into the room where the court held its sittings
The edifice was composed of a basement of squared logs perforated here and
there with small grated windows through which a few wistful faces were gazing
at the crowd without Among the captives were the guilty downcast countenances
of the counterfeiters and the simple but honest features of the
Leatherstocking The dungeons were to be distinguished externally from the
debtors apartments only by the size of the apertures the thickness of the
grates and by the heads of the spikes that were driven into the logs as a
protection against the illegal use of edgetools The upper story was of
framework regularly covered with boards and contained one room decently
fitted up for the purposes of justice A bench raised on a narrow platform to
the height of a man above the floor and protected in front by a light railing
ran along one of its sides In the centre was a seat furnished with rude arms
that was always filled by the presiding judge In front on a level with the
floor of the room was a large table covered with green baize and surrounded
by benches and at either of its ends were rows of seats rising one over the
other for juryboxes Each of these divisions was surrounded by a railing The
remainder of the room was an open square appropriated to the spectators
When the judges were seated the lawyers had taken possession of the table
and the noise of moving feet had ceased in the area the proclamations were made
in the usual form the jurors were sworn the charge was given and the court
proceeded to hear the business before them
We shall not detain the reader with a description of the captious
discussions that occupied the court for the first two hours Judge Temple had
impressed on the jury in his charge the necessity for despatch on their part
recommending to their notice from motives of humanity the prisoners in the
gaol as the first objects of their attention Accordingly after the period we
have mentioned had elapsed the cry of the officer to »clear the way for the
grand jury« announced the entrance of that body The usual forms were observed
when the foreman handed up to the bench two bills on both of which the Judge
observed at the first glance of his eye the name of Nathaniel Bumppo It was a
leisure moment with the court some low whispering passed between the bench and
the Sheriff who gave a signal to his officers and in a very few minutes the
silence that prevailed was interrupted by a general movement in the outer crowd
when presently the Leatherstocking made his appearance ushered into the
criminals bar under the custody of two constables The hum ceased the people
closed into the open space again and the silence soon became so deep that the
hard breathing of the prisoner was audible
Natty was dressed in his buckskin garments without his coat in place of
which he wore only a shirt of coarse linencheck fastened at his throat by the
sinew of a deer leaving his red neck and weatherbeaten face exposed and bare
It was the first time that he had ever crossed the threshold of a court of
justice and curiosity seemed to be strongly blended with his personal feelings
He raised his eyes to the bench thence to the juryboxes the bar and the
crowd without meeting every where looks fastened on himself After surveying
his own person as if searching for the cause of this unusual attraction he
once more turned his face around the assemblage and opened his mouth in one of
his silent and remarkable laughs
»Prisoner remove your cap« said Judge Temple
The order was either unheard or unheeded
»Nathaniel Bumppo be uncovered« repeated the Judge
Natty started at the sound of his name and raising his face earnestly
towards the bench he said
»Anan«
Mr Lippet arose from his seat at the table and whispered in the ear of the
prisoner when Natty gave him a nod of assent and took the deerskin covering
from his head
»Mr District Attorney« said the Judge »the prisoner is ready we wait for
the indictment«
The duties of public prosecutor were discharged by Dirck Van der School who
adjusted his spectacles cast a cautious look around him at his brethren of the
bar which he ended by throwing his head aside so as to catch one glance over
the glasses when he proceeded to read the bill aloud It was the usual charge
for an assault and battery on the person of Hiram Doolittle and was couched in
the ancient language of such instruments especial care having been taken by the
scribe not to omit the name of a single offensive weapon known to the law When
he had done Mr Van der School removed his spectacles which he closed and
placed in his pocket seemingly for the pleasure of again opening and replacing
them on his nose After this evolution was repeated once or twice he handed the
bill over to Mr Lippet with a cavalier air that said as much as »pick a hole
in that if you can«
Natty listened to the charge with great attention leaning forward towards
the reader with an earnestness that denoted his interest and when it was ended
he raised his tall body to the utmost and drew a long sigh All eyes were
turned to the prisoner whose voice was vainly expected to break the stillness
of the room
»You have heard the presentment that the grand jury have made Nathaniel
Bumppo« said the Judge »what do you plead to the charge«
The old man dropped his head for a moment in a reflecting attitude and then
raising it he laughed before he answered
»That I handled the man a little rough or so is not to be denied but that
there was occasion to make use of all them things that the gentleman has spoken
of is downright untrue I am not much of a wrestler seeing that Im getting
old but I was out among the ScotchIrishers lets me see it must have been
as long ago as the first year of the old war«
»Mr Lippet if you are retained for the prisoner« interrupted Judge
Temple »instruct your client how to plead if not the court will assign him
counsel«
Aroused from studying the indictment by this appeal the attorney got up
and after a short dialogue with the hunter in a low voice he informed the
court that they were ready to proceed
»Do you plead guilty or not guilty« said the Judge
»I may say not guilty with a clean conscience« returned Natty »for theres
no guilt in doing whats right and Id rather died on the spot than had him
put foot in the hut at that moment«
Richard started at this declaration and bent his eyes significantly on
Hiram who returned the look with a slight movement of his eyebrows
»Proceed to open the cause Mr District Attorney« continued the Judge
»Mr Clerk enter the plea of not guilty«
After a short opening address from Mr Van der School Hiram was summoned to
the bar to give his testimony It was delivered to the letter perhaps but with
all that moral colouring which can be conveyed under such expressions as
»thinking no harm« »feeling it my bounden duty as a magistrate« and »seeing
that the constable was backard in the business« When he had done and the
District Attorney declined putting any further interrogatories Mr Lippet
arose with an air of keen investigation and asked the following questions
»Are you a constable of this county sir«
»No sir« said Hiram »Im only a justicepeace«
»I ask you Mr Doolittle in the face of this court putting it to your
conscience and your knowledge of the law whether you had any right to enter
that mans dwelling«
»Hem« said Hiram undergoing a violent struggle between his desire for
vengeance and his love of legal fame »I do suppose that in that is strict
law that supposing maybe I hadnt a real lawful right but as the case
was and Billy was so backard I thought I might come forard in the
business«
»I ask you again sir« continued the lawyer following up his success
»whether this old this friendless old man did or did not repeatedly forbid
your entrance«
»Why I must say« said Hiram »that he was considerable crossgrained not
what I call clever seeing that it was only one neighbour wanting to go into the
house of another«
»Oh then you own it was only meant for a neighbourly visit on your part
and without the sanction of law Remember gentlemen the words of the witness
one neighbour wanting to enter the house of another Now sir I ask you if
Nathaniel Bumppo did not again and again order you not to enter«
»There was some words passed between us« said Hiram »but I read the
warrant to him aloud«
»I repeat my question did he tell you not to enter his habitation«
»There was a good deal passed betwixt us but Ive the warrant in my
pocket maybe the court would wish to see it«
»Witness« said Judge Temple »answer the question directly did or did not
the prisoner forbid your entering his hut«
»Why I some think«
»Answer without equivocation« continued the Judge sternly
»He did«
»And did you attempt to enter after this order«
»I did but the warrant was in my hand«
»Proceed Mr Lippet with your examination«
But the attorney saw that the impression was in favour of his client and
waving his hand with a supercilious manner as if unwilling to insult the
understanding of the jury with any further defence he replied
»No sir I leave it for your honour to charge I rest my case here«
»Mr District Attorney« said the Judge »have you any thing to say«
Mr Van der School removed his spectacles folded them and replacing them
once more on his nose eyed the other bill which he held in his hand and then
said looking at the bar over the top of his glasses
»I shall rest the prosecution here if the court please«
Judge Temple arose and began the charge
»Gentlemen of the jury« he said »you have heard the testimony and I shall
detain you but a moment If an officer meet with resistance in the execution of
a process he has an undoubted right to call any citizen to his assistance and
the acts of such assistant come within the protection of the law I shall leave
you to judge gentlemen from the testimony how far the witness in this
prosecution can be so considered feeling less reluctance to submit the case
thus informally to your decision because there is yet another indictment to be
tried which involves heavier charges against the unfortunate prisoner«
The tone of Marmaduke was mild and insinuating and as his sentiments were
given with such apparent impartiality they did not fail of carrying due weight
with the jury The gravelooking yeomen who composed this tribunal laid their
heads together for a few minutes without leaving the box when the foreman
arose and after the forms of the court were duly observed he pronounced the
prisoner to be
»Not guilty«
»You are acquitted of this charge Nathaniel Bumppo« said the Judge
»Anan« said Natty
»You are found not guilty of striking and assaulting Mr Doolittle«
»No no Ill not deny but that I took him a little roughly by the
shoulders« said Natty looking about him with great simplicity »and that I«
»You are acquitted« interrupted the Judge »and there is nothing further to
be done or said in the matter«
A look of joy lighted up the features of the old man who now comprehended
the case and placing his cap eagerly on his head again he threw up the bar of
his little prison and said feelingly
»I must say this for you Judge Temple that the law has not been as hard on
me as I dreaded I hope God will bless you for the kind things youve done to me
this day«
But the staff of the constable was opposed to his egress and Mr Lippet
whispered a few words in his ear when the aged hunter sunk back into his place
and removing his cap stroked down the remnants of his gray and sandy locks
with an air of mortification mingled with submission
»Mr District Attorney« said Judge Temple affecting to busy himself with
his minutes »proceed with the second indictment«
Mr Van der School took great care that no part of the presentment which he
now read should be lost on his auditors It accused the prisoner of resisting
the execution of a searchwarrant by force of arms and particularized in the
vague language of the law among a variety of other weapons the use of the
rifle This was indeed a more serious charge than an ordinary assault and
battery and a corresponding degree of interest was manifested by the spectators
in its result The prisoner was duly arraigned and his plea again demanded Mr
Lippet had anticipated the answers of Natty and in a whisper advised him how to
plead But the feelings of the old hunter were awakened by some of the
expressions of the indictment and forgetful of his caution he exclaimed
»Tis a wicked untruth I crave no mans blood Them thieves the Iroquois
wont say it to my face that I ever thirsted after mans blood I have fout as
a soldier that feared his Maker and his officer but I never pulled trigger on
any but a warrior that was up and awake No man can say that I ever struck even
a Mingo in his blanket I blieve theres some who thinks theres no God in a
wilderness«
»Attend to your plea Bumppo« said the Judge »you hear that you are
accused of using your rifle against an officer of justice are you guilty or not
guilty«
By this time the irritated feelings of Natty had found vent and he rested
on the bar for a moment in a musing posture when he lifted his face with his
silent laugh and pointing to where the woodchopper stood he said
»Would Billy Kirby be standing there dye think if I had used the rifle«
»Then you deny it« said Mr Lippet »you plead not guilty«
»Sartain« said Natty »Billy knows that I never fired at all Billy do you
remember the turkey last winter ah me that was better than common firing but
I cant shoot as I used to could«
»Enter the plea of not guilty« said Judge Temple strongly affected by the
simplicity of the prisoner
Hiram was again sworn and his testimony given on the second charge He had
discovered his former error and proceeded more cautiously than before He
related very distinctly and for the man with amazing terseness the suspicion
against the hunter the complaint the issuing of the warrant and the swearing
in of Kirby all of which he affirmed were done in due form of law He then
added the manner in which the constable had been received and stated distinctly
that Natty had pointed the rifle at Kirby and threatened his life if he
attempted to execute his duty All this was confirmed by Jotham who was
observed to adhere closely to the story of the magistrate Mr Lippet conducted
an artful crossexamination of these two witnesses but after consuming much
time was compelled to relinquish the attempt to obtain any advantage in
despair
At length the District Attorney called the woodchopper to the bar Billy
gave an extremely confused account of the whole affair although he evidently
aimed at the truth until Mr Van der School aided him by asking some direct
questions
»It appears from examining the papers that you demanded admission into the
hut legally so you were put in bodily fear by his rifle and threats«
»I didnt mind them that man« said Billy snapping his fingers »I should
be a poor stick to mind old Leatherstocking«
»But I understood you to say referring to your previous words as
delivered here in court in the commencement of your testimony that you
thought he meant to shoot you«
»To be sure I did and so would you too Squire if you had seen the chap
dropping a muzzle that never misses and cocking an eye that has a nateral
squint by long practice I thought there would be a dust ont and my back was
up at once but Leatherstocking gin up the skin and so the matter ended«
»Ah Billy« said Natty shaking his head »twas a lucky thought in me to
throw out the hide or there might have been blood spilt and Im sure if it
had been yourn I should have mourned it sorely the little while I have to
stay«
»Well Leatherstocking« returned Billy facing the prisoner with a
freedom and familiarity that utterly disregarded the presence of the court »as
you are on the subject it may be that youve no«
»Go on with your examination Mr District Attorney«
That gentleman eyed the familiarity between his witness and the prisoner
with manifest disgust and indicated to the court that he was done
»Then you didnt feel frightened Mr Kirby« said the counsel for the
prisoner
»Me no« said Billy casting his eyes over his own huge frame with evident
selfsatisfaction »Im not to be skeared so easy«
»You look like a hardy man where were you born sir«
»Varmount state tis a mountaynious place but theres a stiff soil and
its pretty much wooded with beech and maple«
»I have always heerd so« said Mr Lippet soothingly »You have been used
to the rifle yourself in that country«
»I pull the second best trigger in this county I knock under to Natty
Bumppo there sin he shot the pigeon«
Leatherstocking raised his head and laughed again when he abruptly thrust
out a wrinkled hand and said
»Youre young yet Billy and havent seen the matches that I have but
heres my hand I bear no malice to you I dont«
Mr Lippet allowed this conciliatory offering to be accepted and
judiciously paused while the spirit of peace was exercising its influence over
the two but the Judge interposed his authority
»This is an improper place for such dialogues« he said »Proceed with your
examination of this witness Mr Lippet or I shall order the next«
The attorney started as if unconscious of any impropriety and continued
»So you settled the matter with Natty amicably on the spot did you«
»He gin me the skin and I didnt want to quarrel with an old man for my
part I see no such mighty matter in shooting a buck«
»And you parted friends and you would never have thought of bringing the
business up before a court hadnt you been subpoenaed«
»I dont think I should he gin the skin and I didnt feel a hard thought
though Squire Doolittle got some affronted«
»I have done sir« said Mr Lippet probably relying on the charge of the
Judge as he again seated himself with the air of a man who felt that his
success was certain
When Mr Van der School arose to address the jury he commenced by saying
»Gentlemen of the jury I should have interrupted the leading questions put
by the prisoners counsel by leading questions I mean telling him what to
say did I not feel confident that the law of the land was superior to any
advantages I mean legal advantages which he might obtain by his art The
counsel for the prisoner gentlemen has endeavoured to persuade you in
opposition to your own good sense to believe that pointing a rifle at a
constable elected or deputed is a very innocent affair and that society I
mean the commonwealth gentlemen shall not be endangered thereby But let me
claim your attention while we look over the particulars of this heinous
offence« Here Mr Van der School favoured the jury with an abridgment of the
testimony recounted in such a manner as utterly to confuse the faculties of his
worthy listeners After this exhibition he closed as follows »And now
gentlemen having thus made plain to your senses the crime of which this
unfortunate man has been guilty unfortunate both on account of his ignorance
and his guilt I shall leave you to your own consciences not in the least
doubting that you will see the importance notwithstanding the prisoners
counsel doubtless relying on your former verdict wishes to appear so confident
of success of punishing the offender and asserting the dignity of the laws«
It was now the duty of the Judge to deliver his charge It consisted of a
short comprehensive summary of the testimony laying bare the artifice of the
prisoners counsel and placing the facts in so obvious a light that they could
not well be misunderstood »Living as we do gentlemen« he concluded »on the
skirts of society it becomes doubly necessary to protect the ministers of the
law If you believe the witnesses in their construction of the acts of the
prisoner it is your duty to convict him but if you believe that the old man
who this day appears before you meant not to harm the constable but was acting
more under the influence of habit than by the instigations of malice it will be
your duty to judge him but to do it with lenity«
As before the jury did not leave their box but after a consultation of
some little time their foreman arose and pronounced the prisoner
»Guilty«
There was but little surprise manifested in the courtroom at this verdict
as the testimony the greater part of which we have omitted was too clear and
direct to be passed over The judges seemed to have anticipated this sentiment
for a consultation was passing among them also during the deliberation of the
jury and the preparatory movements of the bench announced the coming sentence
»Nathaniel Bumppo« commenced the Judge making the customary pause
The old hunter who had been musing again with his head on the bar raised
himself and cried with a prompt military tone
»Here«
The Judge waved his hand for silence and proceeded
»In forming their sentence the court have been governed as much by the
consideration of your ignorance of the laws as by a strict sense of the
importance of punishing such outrages as this of which you have been found
guilty They have therefore passed over the obvious punishment of whipping on
the bare back in mercy to your years but as the dignity of the law requires an
open exhibition of the consequences of your crime it is ordered that you be
conveyed from this room to the public stocks where you are to be confined for
one hour that you pay a fine to the state of one hundred dollars and that you
be imprisoned in the gaol of this county for one calendar month and
furthermore that your imprisonment do not cease until the said fine shall be
paid I feel it my duty Nathaniel Bumppo«
»And where should I get the money« interrupted the Leatherstocking
eagerly »where should I get the money youll take away the bounty on the
painters because I cut the throat of a deer and how is an old man to find so
much gold or silver in the woods No no Judge think better of it and dont
talk of shutting me up in a gaol for the little time I have to stay«
»If you have any thing to urge against the passing of the sentence the
court will yet hear you« said the Judge mildly
»I have enough to say agin it« cried Natty grasping the bar on which his
fingers were working with a convulsed motion »Where am I to get the money Let
me out into the woods and hills where Ive been used to breathe the clear air
and though Im three score and ten if youve left game enough in the country
Ill travel night and day but Ill make you up the sum afore the season is over
Yes yes you see the reason of the thing and the wickedness of shutting up an
old man that has spent his days as one may say where he could always look
into the windows of heaven«
»I must be governed by the law«
»Talk not to me of law Marmaduke Temple« interrupted the hunter »Did the
beast of the forest mind your laws when it was thirsty and hungering for the
blood of your own child She was kneeling to her God for a greater favour than I
ask and he heard her and if you now say no to my prayers do you think he will
be deaf«
»My private feelings must not enter into«
»Hear me Marmaduke Temple« interrupted the old man with melancholy
earnestness »and hear reason Ive travelled these mountains when you was no
judge but an infant in your mothers arms and I feel as if I had a right and a
privilege to travel them agin afore I die Have you forgot the time that you
come on to the lakeshore when there wasnt even a gaol to lodge in and didnt
I give you my own bearskin to sleep on and the fat of a noble buck to satisfy
the cravings of your hunger Yes yes you thought it no sin then to kill a
deer And this I did though I had no reason to love you for you had never done
any thing but harm to them that loved and sheltered me And now will you shut me
up in your dungeons to pay me for my kindness A hundred dollars where should I
get the money No no theres them that says hard things of you Marmaduke
Temple but you ant so bad as to wish to see an old man die in a prison
because he stood up for the right Come friend let me pass its long sin
Ive been used to such crowds and I crave to be in the woods agin Dont fear
me Judge I bid you not to fear me for if theres beaver enough left on the
streams or the buckskins will sell for a shilling apiece you shall have the
last penny of the fine Where are ye pups come away dogs come away we have
a grievous toil to do for our years but it shall be done yes yes Ive
promised it and it shall be done«
It is unnecessary to say that the movement of the Leatherstocking was again
intercepted by the constable but before he had time to speak a bustling in the
crowd and a loud hem drew all eyes to another part of the room
Benjamin had succeeded in edging his way through the people and was now
seen balancing his short body with one foot in a window and the other on the
railing of the jurybox To the amazement of the whole court the steward was
evidently preparing to speak After a good deal of difficulty he succeeded in
drawing from his pocket a small bag and then found utterance
»Ifsobe« he said »that your honour is agreeable to trust the poor fellow
out on another cruise among the beasts heres a small matter that will help to
bring down the risk seeing that theres just thirtyfive of your Spaniards in
it and I wish from the bottom of my heart that they was raal British guineas
for the sake of the old boy But tis as it is and if Squire Dickens will just
be so good as to overhaul this small bit of an account and take enough from the
bag to settle the same hes welcome to hold on upon the rest till such time as
the Leatherstocking can grapple with them said beaver or for that matter for
ever and no thanks asked«
As Benjamin concluded he thrust out the wooden register of his arrears to
the Bold Dragoon with one hand while he offered his bag of dollars with the
other Astonishment at this singular interruption produced a profound stillness
in the room which was only interrupted by the Sheriff who struck his sword on
the table and cried
»Silence«
»There must be an end to this« said the Judge struggling to overcome his
feelings »Constable lead the prisoner to the stocks Mr Clerk what stands
next on the calendar«
Natty seemed to yield to his destiny for he sunk his head on his chest and
followed the officer from the courtroom in silence The crowd moved back for
the passage of the prisoner and when his tall form was seen descending from the
outer door a rush of the people to the scene of his disgrace followed
Chapter XXXIV
»Ha ha look he wears cruel garters«
King Lear IIiv8
The punishments of the common law were still known at the time of our tale to
the people of NewYork and the whippingpost and its companion the stocks
were not yet supplanted by the more merciful expedients of the public prisons
Immediately in front of the gaol those relics of the elder times were situated
as a lesson of precautionary justice to the evildoers of the settlement
Natty followed the constables to this spot bowing his head with submission
to a power that he was unable to oppose and surrounded by the crowd that
formed a circle about his person exhibiting in their countenances strong
curiosity A constable raised the upper part of the stocks and pointed with his
finger to the holes where the old man was to place his feet Without making the
least objection to the punishment the Leatherstocking quietly seated himself
on the ground and suffered his limbs to be laid in the openings without even a
murmur though he cast one glance about him in quest of that sympathy that
human nature always seems to require under suffering If he met no direct
manifestations of pity neither did he see any unfeeling exultation or hear a
single reproachful epithet The character of the mob if it could be called by
such a name was that of attentive subordination
The constable was in the act of lowering the upper plank when Benjamin who
had pressed close to the side of the prisoner said in his hoarse tones as if
seeking for some cause to create a quarrel
»Where away master constable is the use of clapping a man in them here
bilboes it neither stops his grog nor hurts his back what for is it that you
do the thing«
»Tis the sentence of the court Mr Penguillum and theres law for it I
spose«
»Ay ay I know that theres law for the thing but where away do you find
the use I say it does no harm and it only keeps a man by the heels for the
small matter of two glasses«
»Is it no harm Benny Pump« said Natty raising his eyes with a piteous
look to the face of the steward »is it no harm to show off a man in his
seventyfirst year like a tamed bear for the settlers to look on Is it no
harm to put an old soldier that has sarved through the war of fiftysix and
seen the inimy in the seventysix business into a place like this where the
boys can point at him and say I have known the time when he was a spictacle for
the county Is it no harm to bring down the pride of an honest man to be the
equal of the beasts of the forest«
Benjamin stared about him fiercely and could he have found a single face
that expressed contumely he would have been prompt to quarrel with its owner
but meeting every where with looks of sobriety and occasionally of
commiseration he very deliberately seated himself by the side of the hunter
and placing his legs in the two vacant holes of the stocks he said
»Now lower away master constable lower away I tell ye Ifsobe theres
such a thing hereabouts as a man that wants to see a bear let him look and be
dd and he shall find two of them and mayhap one of the same that can bite as
well as growl«
»But Ive no orders to put you in the stocks Mr Pump« cried the
constable »you must get up and let me do my duty«
»Youve my orders and what do you need better to meddle with my own feet
so lower away will ye and let me see the man that chooses to open his mouth
with a grin on it«
»There cant be any harm in locking up a creator that will enter the pound«
said the constable laughing and closing the stocks on them both
It was fortunate that this act was executed with decision for the whole of
the spectators when they saw Benjamin assume the position he took felt an
inclination for merriment which few thought it worth while to suppress The
steward struggled violently for his liberty again with an evident intention of
making battle on those who stood nearest to him but the key was already turned
and all his efforts were vain
»Hark ye master constable« he cried »just clear away your bilboes for the
small matter of a logglass will ye and let me show some of them there chaps
who it is they are so merry about«
»No no you would go in and you cant come out« returned the officer
»until the time has expired that the Judge directed for the keeping of the
prisoner«
Benjamin finding that his threats and his struggles were useless had good
sense enough to learn patience from the resigned manner of his companion and
soon settled himself down by the side of Natty with a contemptuousness
expressed in his hard features that showed he had substituted disgust for rage
When the violence of the stewards feelings had in some measure subsided he
turned to his fellow sufferer and with a motive that might have vindicated a
worse effusion he attempted the charitable office of consolation
»Taking it by and large Master Bumpho tis but a small matter after
all« he said »Now Ive known very good sort of men aboard of the Boadishey
laid by the heels for nothing mayhap but forgetting that theyd drunk their
allowance already when a glass of grog has come in their way This is nothing
more than riding with two anchors ahead waiting for a turn in the tide or a
shift of wind dye see with a soft bottom and plenty of room for the sweep of
your hawse Now Ive seen many a man for overshooting his reckoning as I told
ye moored head and starn where he couldnt so much as heave his broadside
round and mayhap a stopper clapt on his tongue too in the shape of a
plumpbolt lashed athwartship his jaws all the same as an outrigger alongside
of a taffrelrail«
The hunter appeared to appreciate the kind intentions of the other though
he could not understand his eloquence and raising his humbled countenance he
attempted a smile as he said
»Anan«
»Tis nothing I say but a small matter of a squall that will soon blow
over« continued Benjamin »To you that has such a length of keel it must be all
the same as nothing thof seeing that Im a little short in my lower timbers
theyve triced my heels up in such a way as to give me a bit of a cant But what
cares I Master Bumpho if the ship strains a little at her anchor its only
for a dogwatch and damme but shell sail with you then on that cruise after
them said beaver Im not much used to small arms seeing that I was stationed
at the ammunitionboxes being summat too lowrigged to see over the
hammockcloths but I can carry the game dye see and mayhap make out to lend
a hand with the traps and ifsobe youre any way so handy with them as ye be
with your boathook twill be but a short cruise after all Ive squared the
yards with Squire Dickens this morning and I shall send him word that he
neednt bear my name on the books again till such time as the cruise is over«
»Youre used to dwell with men Benny« said Leatherstocking mournfully
»and the ways of the woods would be hard on you if«
»Not a bit not a bit« cried the steward »Im none of your fairweather
chaps Master Bumpho as sails only in smooth water When I find a friend I
sticks by him dye see Now theres no better man agoing than Squire Dickens
and I love him about the same as I loves Mistress Hollisters new keg of
Jamaiky« The steward paused and turning his uncouth visage on the hunter he
surveyd him with a roguish leer of his eye and gradually suffered the muscles
of his hard features to relax until his face was illuminated by the display of
his white teeth when he dropped his voice and added »I say Master
Leatherstocking tis fresher and livelier than any Hollands youll get in
Garnsey But well send a hand over and ask the woman for a taste for Im so
jammed in these here bilboes that I begin to want summat to lighten my
upperworks«
Natty sighed and gazed about him on the crowd that already begun to
disperse and which had now diminished greatly as its members scattered in
their various pursuits He looked wistfully at Benjamin but did not reply a
deeplyseated anxiety seeming to absorb every other sensation and to throw a
melancholy gloom over his wrinkled features which were working with the
movements of his mind
The steward was about to act on the old principle that silence gives
consent when Hiram Doolittle attended by Jotham stalked out of the crowd
across the open space and approached the stocks The magistrate passed by the
end where Benjamin was seated and posted himself at a safe distance from the
steward in front of the Leatherstocking Hiram stood for a moment cowering
before the keen looks that Natty fastened on him and suffering under an
embarrassment that was quite new when having in some degree recovered himself
he looked at the heavens and then at the smoky atmosphere as if it were only
an ordinary meeting with a friend and said in his formal hesitating way
»Quite a scurcity of rain lately I some think we shall have a long drought
ont«
Benjamin was occupied in untying his bag of dollars and did not observe the
approach of the magistrate while Natty turned his face in which every muscle
was working away from him in disgust without answering Rather encouraged than
daunted by this exhibition of dislike Hiram after a short pause continued
»The clouds look as if theyd no water in them and the earth is dreadfully
parched To my judgment therell be short crops this season if the rain
doosnt fall quite speedily«
The air with which Mr Doolittle delivered this prophetical opinion was
peculiar to his species It was a jesuitical cold unfeeling and selfish
manner that seemed to say »I have kept within the law« to the man he had so
cruelly injured It quite overcame the restraint that the old hunter had been
labouring to impose on himself and he burst out in a warm glow of indignation
»Why should the rain fall from the clouds« he cried »when you force the
tears from the eyes of the old the sick and the poor Away with ye away with
ye you may be formed in the image of the Maker but Satan dwells in your heart
Away with ye I say I am mournful and the sight of ye brings bitter thoughts«
Benjamin ceased thumbing his money and raised his head at the instant that
Hiram who was thrown off his guard by the invectives of the hunter unluckily
trusted his person within reach of the steward who grasped one of his legs
with a hand that had the grip of a vice and whirled the magistrate from his
feet before he had either time to collect his senses or to exercise the
strength he did really possess Benjamin wanted neither proportions nor manhood
in his head shoulders and arms though all the rest of his frame appeared to be
originally intended for a very different sort of a man He exerted his physical
powers on the present occasion with much discretion and as he had taken his
antagonist at a great disadvantage the struggle resulted very soon in
Benjamin getting the magistrate fixed in a posture somewhat similar to his own
and manfully placed face to face
»Youre a ships cousin I tell ye Master Doobutlittle« roared the
steward »some such matter as a ships cousin sir I know you I do with your
fairweather speeches to Squire Dickens to his face and then you go and sarve
out your grumbling to all the old women in the town do ye Ant it enough for
any christian let him harbour never so much malice to get an honest old fellow
laid by the heels in this fashion without carrying sail so hard on the poor
dog as if you would run him down as he lay at his anchors But Ive logged many
a hard thing against your name master and now the times come to foot up the
days work dye see so square yourself you lubber square yourself and well
soon know whos the better man«
»Jotham« cried the frightened magistrate »Jotham call in the constables
Mr Penguillum I command the peace I order you to keep the peace«
»Theres been more peace than love atwixt us master« cried the steward
making some very unequivocal demonstrations towards hostility »so mind
yourself square yourself I say do you smell this here bit of a
sledgehammer«
»Lay hands on me if you dare« exclaimed Hiram as well as he could under
the grasp which the steward held on his throttle »lay hands on me if you
dare«
»If ye call this laying master you are welcome to the eggs« roared the
steward
It becomes our disagreeable duty to record here that the acts of Benjamin
now became violent for he darted his sledgehammer violently on the anvil of
Mr Doolittles countenance and the place became in an instant a scene of
tumult and confusion The crowd rushed in a dense circle around the spot while
some run to the courtroom to give the alarm and one or two of the more
juvenile part of the multitude had a desperate trial of speed to see who should
be the happy man to communicate the critical situation of the magistrate to his
wife
Benjamin worked away with great industry and a good deal of skill at his
occupation using one hand to raise up his antagonist while he knocked him over
with the other for he would have been disgraced in his own estimation had he
struck a blow on a fallen adversary By this considerate arrangement he had
found means to hammer the visage of Hiram out of all shape by the time Richard
succeeded in forcing his way through the throng to the point of combat The
Sheriff afterwards declared that independently of his mortification as
preserver of the peace of the county at this interruption to its harmony he was
never so grieved in his life as when he saw this breach of unity between his
favourites Hiram had in some degree become necessary to his vanity and
Benjamin strange as it may appear he really loved This attachment was
exhibited in the first words that he uttered
»Squire Doolittle Squire Doolittle I am ashamed to see a man of your
character and office forget himself so much as to disturb the peace insult the
court and beat poor Benjamin in this manner«
At the sound of Mr Joness voice the steward ceased his employment and
Hiram had an opportunity of raising his discomfited visage towards the mediator
Emboldened by the sight of the Sheriff Mr Doolittle again had recourse to his
lungs
»Ill have the law on you for this« he cried desperately »Ill have the
law on you for this I call on you Mr Sheriff to seize this man and I demand
that you take his body into custody«
By this time Richard was master of the true state of the case and turning
to the steward he said reproachfully
»Benjamin how came you in the stocks I always thought you were mild and
docile as a lamb It was for your docility that I most esteemed you Benjamin
Benjamin you have not only disgraced yourself but your friends by this
shameless conduct Bless me bless me Mr Doolittle he seems to have knocked
your face all of one side«
Hiram by this time had got on his feet again and without the reach of the
steward when he broke forth in violent appeals for vengeance The offence was
too apparent to be passed over and the Sheriff mindful of the impartiality
exhibited by his cousin in the recent trial of the Leatherstocking came to the
painful conclusion that it was necessary to commit his Majordomo to prison As
the time of Nattys punishment was expired and Benjamin found that they were to
be confined for that night at least in the same apartment he made no very
strong objections to the measure nor spoke of bail though as the Sheriff
preceded the party of constables that conducted them to the gaol he uttered the
following remonstrance
»As to being berthed with Master Bumpho for a night or so its but little
I think of it Squire Dickens seeing that I calls him an honest man and one as
has a handy way with boathooks and rifles but as for owning that a man
desarves any thing worse than a double allowance for knocking that carpenters
face aoneside as you call it Ill maintain its agin reason and
christianity If theres a bloodsucker in this ere county its that very
chap Ay I know him and if he hasnt got all the same as deadwood in his
headworks he knows summat of me Wheres the mighty harm Squire that you
take it so much to heart Its all the same as any other battle dye see sir
being broadside to broadside only that it was fout at anchor which was what we
did in Port Praya roads when Suffring came in among us and a suffring time
he had of it before he got out again«
Richard thought it unworthy of him to make any reply to this speech but
when his prisoners were safely lodged in an outer dungeon ordering the bolts to
be drawn and the key turned he withdrew
Benjamin held frequent and friendly dialogues with different people through
the iron gratings during the afternoon but his companion paced their narrow
limits in his moccasins with quick impatient treads his face hanging on his
breast in dejection or when lifted at moments to the idlers at the window
lighted perhaps for an instant with the childish aspect of aged forgetfulness
which would vanish directly in an expression of deep and obvious anxiety
At the close of the day Edwards was seen at the window in earnest dialogue
with his friend and after he departed it was thought that he had communicated
words of comfort to the hunter who threw himself on his pallet and was soon in
a deep sleep The curious spectators had exhausted the conversation of the
steward who had drank good fellowship with half of his acquaintance and as
Natty was no longer in motion by eight oclock Billy Kirby who was the last
lounger at the window retired into the Templetown CoffeeHouse when Natty rose
and hung a blanket before the opening and the prisoners apparently retired for
the night
Chapter XXXV
»And to avoid the foes pursuit
With spurring put their cattle tot
And till all four were out of wind
And danger too neer lookd behind«
Butler Hudibras IIii84144
As the shades of evening approached the jurors witnesses and other attendants
on the court begun to disperse and before nine oclock the village was quiet
and its streets nearly deserted At that hour Judge Temple and his daughter
followed at a short distance by Louisa Grant walked slowly down the avenue
under the slight shadows of the young poplars holding the following discourse
»You can best soothe his wounded spirit my child« said Marmaduke »but it
will be dangerous to touch on the nature of his offence the sanctity of the
laws must be respected«
»Surely sir« cried the impatient Elizabeth »those laws that condemn a
man like the Leatherstocking to so severe a punishment for an offence that
even I must think very venial cannot be perfect in themselves«
»Thou talkest of what thou dost not understand Elizabeth« returned her
father »Society cannot exist without wholesome restraints Those restraints
cannot be inflicted without security and respect to the persons of those who
administer them and it would sound ill indeed to report that a judge had
extended favour to a convicted criminal because he had saved the life of his
child«
»I see I see the difficulty of your situation dear sir« cried the
daughter »but in appreciating the offence of poor Natty I cannot separate the
minister of the law from the man«
»There thou talkest as a woman child it is not for an assault on Hiram
Doolittle but for threatening the life of a constable who was in the
performance of«
»It is immaterial whether it be one or the other« interrupted Miss Temple
with a logic that contained more feeling than reason »I know Natty to be
innocent and thinking so I must think all wrong who oppress him«
»His judge among the number thy father Elizabeth«
»Nay nay nay do not put such questions to me give me my commission
father and let me proceed to execute it«
The Judge paused a moment smiling fondly on his child and then dropped his
hand affectionately on her shoulder as he answered
»Thou hast reason Bess and much of it too but thy heart lies too near thy
head But listen in this pocketbook are two hundred dollars Go to the prison
there are none in this place to harm thee give this note to the gaoler and
when thou seest Bumppo say what thou wilt to the poor old man give scope to
the feelings of thy warm heart but try to remember Elizabeth that the laws
alone remove us from the condition of the savages that he has been criminal
and that his judge was thy father«
Miss Temple made no reply but she pressed the hand that held the
pocketbook to her bosom and taking her friend by the arm they issued together
from the enclosure into the principal street of the village
As they pursued their walk in silence under the row of houses where the
deeper gloom of the evening effectually concealed their persons no sound
reached them excepting the slow tread of a yoke of oxen with the rattling of a
cart that were moving along the street in the same direction with themselves
The figure of the teamster was just discernible by the dim light lounging by
the side of his cattle with a listless air as if fatigued by the toil of the
day At the corner where the gaol stood the progress of the ladies was
impeded for a moment by the oxen who were turned up to the side of the
building and given a lock of hay which they had carried on their necks as a
reward for their patient labour The whole of this was so natural and so
common that Elizabeth saw nothing to induce a second glance at the team until
she heard the teamster speaking to his cattle in a low voice
»Mind yourself Brindle will you sir will you«
The language itself was unusual to oxen with which all who dwell in a new
country are familiar but there was something in the voice also that startled
Miss Temple On turning the corner she necessarily approached the man and her
look was enabled to detect the person of Oliver Edwards concealed under the
coarse garb of a teamster Their eyes met at the same instant and
notwithstanding the gloom and the enveloping cloak of Elizabeth the
recognition was mutual
»Miss Temple« »Mr Edwards« were exclaimed simultaneously though a
feeling that seemed common to both rendered the words nearly inaudible
»Is it possible« exclaimed Edwards after the moment of doubt had passed
»do I see you so nigh the gaol but you are going to the Rectory I beg pardon
Miss Grant I believe I did not recognise you at first«
The sigh which Louisa uttered was so faint that it was only heard by
Elizabeth who replied quickly
»We are going not only to the gaol Mr Edwards but into it We wish to
show the Leatherstocking that we do not forget his services and that at the
same time we must be just we are also grateful I suppose you are on a similar
errand but let me beg that you will give us leave to precede you ten minutes
Good night sir I I am quite sorry Mr Edwards to see you reduced to such
labour I am sure my father would«
»I shall wait your pleasure madam« interrupted the youth coldly »May I
beg that you will not mention my being here«
»Certainly« said Elizabeth returning his bow by a slight inclination of
her head and urging the tardy Louisa forward As they entered the gaolers
house however Miss Grant found leisure to whisper
»Would it not be well to offer part of your money to Oliver half of it will
pay the fine of Bumppo and he is so unused to hardships I am sure my father
will subscribe much of his little pittance to place him in a station that is
more worthy of him«
The involuntary smile that passed over the features of Elizabeth was blended
with an expression of deep and heartfelt pity She did not reply however and
the appearance of the gaoler soon recalled the thoughts of both to the object of
their visit
The rescue of the ladies and their consequent interest in his prisoner
together with the informal manners that prevailed in the country all united to
prevent any surprise on the part of the gaoler at their request for admission
to Bumppo The note of Judge Temple however would have silenced all
objections if he had felt them and he led the way without hesitation to the
apartment that held the prisoners The instant the key was put into the lock
the hoarse voice of Benjamin was heard demanding
»Yo hoy who comes there«
»Some visiters that youll be glad to see« returned the gaoler »What have
you done to the lock that it wont turn«
»Handsomely handsomely master« cried the steward »Ive just drove a nail
into a berth alongside of this here bolt as a stopper dye see so that master
Doobutlittle cant be running in and breezing up another fight atwixt us for
to my account therell be but a banyan with me soon seeing that theyll mulct
me of my Spaniards all the same as if Id overflogged the lubber Throw your
ship into the wind and lay by for a small matter will ye and Ill soon clear a
passage«
The sounds of hammering gave an assurance that the steward was in earnest
and in a short time the lock yielded when the door was opened
Benjamin had evidently been anticipating the seizure of his money for he
had made frequent demands on the favourite cask at the Bold Dragoon during the
afternoon and evening and was now in that state which by marine imagery is
called halfseasover It was no easy thing to destroy the balance of the old
tar by the effects of liquor for as he expressed it himself »he was too
lowrigget not to carry sail in all weathers« but he was precisely in that
condition which is so expressively termed muddy When he perceived who the
visiters were he retreated to the side of the room where his pallet lay and
regardless of the presence of his young mistress seated himself on it with an
air of great sobriety placing his back firmly against the wall
»If you undertake to spoil my locks in this manner Mr Pump« said the
gaoler »I shall put a stopper as you call it on your legs and tie you down
to your bed«
»What for should ye Master« grumbled Benjamin »Ive rode out one squall
today anchored by the heels and I wants no more of them Wheres the harm of
doing all the same as yourself Leave that there door free outboard and youll
find no locking inboard Ill promise ye«
»I must shut up for the night at nine« said the gaoler »and its now
fortytwo minutes past eight« He placed the little candle on a rough pine
table and withdrew
»Leatherstocking« said Elizabeth when the key of the door was turned on
them again »my good friend Leatherstocking I have come on a message of
gratitude Had you submitted to the search worthy old man the death of the
deer would have been a trifle and all would have been well«
»Submit to the sarch« interrupted Natty raising his face from resting on
his knees without rising from the corner where he had seated himself »dye
think gall I would let such a varmint into my hut No no I wouldnt have
opened the door to your own sweet countenance then But they are wilcome to
sarch among the coals and ashes now theyll find only some such heap as is to
be seen at every potashery in the mountains«
The old man dropped his face again on one hand and seemed to be lost in
melancholy
»The hut can be rebuilt and made better than before« returned Miss Temple
»and it shall be my office to see it done when your imprisonment is ended«
»Can ye raise the dead child« said Natty in a sorrowful voice »can ye go
into the place where youve laid your fathers and mothers and children and
gather together their ashes and make the same men and women of them as afore
You do not know what tis to lay your head for more than forty year under the
cover of the same logs and to look on the same things for the better part of a
mans life You are young yet child but you are one of the most precious of
Gods creaters I had a hope for ye that it might come to pass but its all
over now this put to that will drive the thing quite out of his mind for
ever«
Miss Temple must have understood the meaning of the old man better than the
other listeners for while Louisa stood innocently by her side commiserating
the griefs of the hunter she bent her head aside so as to conceal her
features The action and the feeling that caused it lasted but a moment
»Other logs and better though can be had and shall be found for you my
old defender« she continued »Your confinement will soon be over and before
that time arrives I shall have a house prepared for you where you may spend the
close of your harmless life in ease and plenty«
»Ease and plenty house« repeated Natty slowly »You mean well you mean
well and I quite mourn that it cannot be but he has seen me a sight and a
laughingstock for«
»Damn your stocks« said Benjamin flourishing his bottle with one hand
from which he had been taking hasty and repeated draughts while he made
gestures of disdain with the other »who cares for his bilboes theres a leg
thats been stuck up an end like a gibboom for an hour dye see and whats it
the worse fort ha canst tell me whats it the worser ha«
»I believe you forget Mr Pump in whose presence you are« said Elizabeth
»Forget you Miss Lizzy« returned the steward »if I do damme youre not
to be forgot like Goody Prettybones up at the big house there I say old
sharpshooter she may have pretty bones but I cant say so much for her flesh
dye see for she looks summat like an otomy with another mans jacket on Now
for the skin of her face its all the same as a new topsail with a taut
boltrope being snug at the leaches but all in a bight about the inner
cloths«
»Peace I command you to be silent sir« said Elizabeth
»Ay ay maam« returned the steward »You didnt say I shouldnt drink
though«
»We will not speak of what is to become of others« said Miss Temple
turning again to the hunter »but of your own fortunes Natty It shall be my
care to see that you pass the rest of your days in ease and plenty«
»Ease and plenty« again repeated the Leatherstocking »what ease can there
be to an old man who must walk a mile across the open fields before he can
find a shade to hide him from a scorching sun or what plenty is there where
you may hunt a day and not start a buck or see any thing bigger than a mink or
maybe a stray fox Ah I shall have a hard time after them very beavers for
this fine I must go low toward the Pennsylvany line in sarch of the creaters
maybe a hundred mile for they are not to be got hereaway No no your
betterments and clearings have druv the knowing things out of the country and
instead of beaverdams which is the nater of the animal and according to
Providence you turn back the waters over the low grounds with your milldams
as if twas in man to stay the drops from going where He wills them to go
Benny unless you stop your hand from going so often to your mouth you wont be
ready to start when the time comes«
»Harkee Master Bumpho« said the steward »dont you fear for Ben When
the watch is called set me on my legs and give me the bearings and distance of
where you want to steer and Ill carry sail with the best of you I will«
»The time has come now« said the hunter listening »I hear the horns of
the oxen rubbing agin the side of the gaol«
»Well say the word and then heave ahead shipmate« said Benjamin
»You wont betray us gall« said Natty looking simply into the face of
Elizabeth »you wont betray an old man who craves to breathe the clear air of
heaven I mean no harm and if the law says that I must pay the hundred dollars
Ill take the season through but it shall be forthcoming and this good man
will help me«
»You catch them« said Benjamin with a sweeping gesture of his arm »and if
they get away again call me a slink thats all«
»What mean you« cried the wondering Elizabeth »Here you must stay for
thirty days but I have the money for your fine in this purse Take it pay it
in the morning and summon patience for your month I will come often to see
you with my friend we will make up your clothes with our own hands indeed
indeed you shall be comfortable«
»Would ye children« said Natty advancing across the floor with an air of
kindness and taking the hand of Elizabeth »would ye be so kearful of an old
man and just for shooting the beast which cost him nothing Such things
doesnt run in the blood I believe for you seem not to forget a favour Your
little fingers couldnt do much on a buckskin nor be you used to such a thread
as sinews But if he hasnt got past hearing he shall hear it and know it that
he may see like me there is some who know how to remember a kindness«
»Tell him nothing« cried Elizabeth earnestly »if you love me if you
regard my feelings tell him nothing It is of yourself only I would talk and
for yourself only I act I grieve Leatherstocking that the law requires that
you should be detained here so long but after all it will be only a short
month and«
»A month« exclaimed Natty opening his mouth with his usual laugh »not a
day nor a night nor an hour gall Judge Temple may sintence but he cant
keep without a better dungeon than this I was taken once by the French and
they put sixtytwo of us in a blockhouse nigh hand to old Frontinac but twas
easy to cut through a pine log to them that was used to timber« The hunter
paused and looked cautiously around the room when laughing again he shoved
the steward gently from his post and removing the bedclothes discovered a
hole recently cut in the logs with a mallet and chisel »Its only a kick and
the outside piece is off and then«
»Off ay off« cried Benjamin rousing from his stupor »well heres off
Ay ay you catch em and Ill hold on to them said beaverhats«
»I fear this lad will trouble me much« said Natty »twill be a hard pull
for the mountain should they take the scent soon and he is not in a state of
mind to run«
»Run« echoed the steward »no sheer alongside and lets have a fight of
it«
»Peace« ordered Elizabeth
»Ay ay maam«
»You will not leave us surely Leatherstocking« continued Miss Temple »I
beseech you reflect that you will be driven to the woods entirely and that you
are fast getting old Be patient for a little time when you can go abroad
openly and with honour«
»Is there beaver to be catched here gall«
»If not here is money to discharge the fine and in a month you are free
See here it is in gold«
»Gold« said Natty with a kind of childish curiosity »its long sin Ive
seen a gold piece We used to get the broad joes in the old war as plenty as
the bears be now I remember there was a man in Dieskaus army that was killed
who had a dozen of the shining things sewed up in his shirt I didnt handle
them myself but I seen them cut out with my own eyes they was bigger and
brighter than them be«
»These are English guineas and are yours« said Elizabeth »an earnest of
what shall be done for you«
»Me why should you give me this treasure« said Natty looking earnestly at
the maiden
»Why have you not saved my life did you not rescue me from the jaws of the
beast« exclaimed Elizabeth veiling her eyes as if to hide some hideous object
from her view
The hunter took the money and continued turning it in his hand for some
time piece by piece talking aloud during the operation
»Theres a rifle they say out on the Cherry Valley that will carry a
hundred rods and kill Ive seen good guns in my day but none quite equal to
that A hundred rods with any sartainty is great shooting Well well Im old
and the gun I have will answer my time Here child take back your gold But
the hour has come I hear him talking to the cattle and I must be going You
wont tell of us gall you wont tell of us will ye«
»Tell of you« echoed Elizabeth »But take the money old man take the
money even if you go into the mountains«
»No no« said Natty shaking his head kindly »I wouldnt rob you so for
twenty rifles But theres one thing you can do for me if ye will that no
other is at hand to do«
»Name it name it«
»Why its only to buy a canister of powder twill cost two silver
dollars Benny Pump has the money ready but we darent come into the town to
get it Nobody has it but the Frenchman Tis of the best and just suits a
rifle Will you get it for me gall say will you get it for me«
»Will I I will bring it to you Leatherstocking though I toil a day in
quest of you through the woods But where shall I find you and how«
»Where« said Natty musing a moment »tomorrow on the Vision on the
very top of the Vision Ill meet you child just as the sun gets over our
heads See that its the fine grain youll know it by the gloss and the
price«
»I will do it« said Elizabeth firmly
Natty now seated himself and placing his feet in the hole with a slight
effort he opened a passage through into the street The ladies heard the
rustling of hay and well understood the reason why Edwards was in the capacity
of a teamster
»Come Benny« said the hunter »twill be no darker tonight for the moon
will rise in an hour«
»Stay« exclaimed Elizabeth »it should not be said that you escaped in the
presence of the daughter of Judge Temple Return Leatherstocking and let us
retire before you execute your plan«
Natty was about to reply when the approaching footsteps of the gaoler
announced the necessity of his immediate return He had barely time to regain
his feet and to conceal the hole with the bedclothes across which Benjamin
very opportunely fell before the key was turned and the door of the apartment
opened
»Isnt Miss Temple ready to go« said the civil gaoler »its the usooal
hour for locking up«
»I follow you sir« returned Elizabeth »Good night Leatherstocking«
»Its a fine grain gall and I think twill carry lead further than common
I am getting old and cant follow up the game with the step that I used to
could«
Miss Temple waved her hand for silence and preceded Louisa and the keeper
from the apartment The man turned the key once and observed that he would
return and secure his prisoners when he had lighted the ladies to the street
Accordingly they parted at the door of the building when the gaoler retired to
his dungeons and the ladies walked with throbbing hearts towards the corner
»Now the Leatherstocking refuses the money« whispered Louisa »it can all
be given to Mr Edwards and that added to«
»Listen« said Elizabeth »I hear the rustling of the hay they are escaping
at this moment Oh they will be detected instantly«
By this time they were at the corner where Edwards and Natty were in the
act of drawing the almost helpless body of Benjamin through the aperture The
oxen had started back from their hay and were standing with their heads down
the street leaving room for the party to act in
»Throw the hay into the cart« said Edwards »or they will suspect how it
has been done Quick that they may not see it«
Natty had just returned from executing this order when the light of the
keepers candle shone through the hole and instantly his voice was heard in the
gaol exclaiming for his prisoners
»What is to be done now« said Edwards »this drunken fellow will cause our
detection and we have not a moment to spare«
»Whos drunk ye lubber« muttered the steward
»A breakgaol a breakgaol« shouted five or six voices from within
»We must leave him« said Edwards
»Twouldnt be kind lad« returned Natty »he took half the disgrace of the
stocks on himself today and the creater has feeling«
At this moment two or three men were heard issuing from the door of the Bold
Dragoon and among them the voice of Billy Kirby
»Theres no moon yet« cried the woodchopper »but its a clear night
Come whos for home Hark what a rumpus theyre kicking up in the gaol
heres go and see what its about«
»We shall be lost« said Edwards »if we dont drop this man«
At that instant Elizabeth moved close to him and said rapidly in a low
voice
»Lay him in the cart and start the oxen no one will look there«
»Theres a womans quickness in the thought« said the youth
The proposition was no sooner made than executed The steward was seated on
the hay and enjoined to hold his peace and apply the goad that was placed in
his hand while the oxen were urged on So soon as this arrangement was
completed Edwards and the hunter stole along the houses for a short distance
when they disappeared through an opening that led into the rear of the
buildings The oxen were in brisk motion and presently the cries of pursuit
were heard in the street The ladies quickened their pace with a wish to escape
the crowd of constables and idlers that were approaching some execrating and
some laughing at the exploit of the prisoners In the confusion the voice of
Kirby was plainly distinguishable above all the others shouting and swearing
that he would have the fugitives threatening to bring back Natty in one pocket
and Benjamin in the other
»Spread yourselves men« he cried as he passed the ladies his heavy feet
sounding along the street like the tread of a dozen »spread yourselves to the
mountains theyll be in the mountain in a quarter of an hour and then look out
for a long rifle«
His cries were echoed from twenty mouths for not only the gaol but the
taverns had sent forth their numbers some earnest in the pursuit and others
joining it as in sport
As Elizabeth turned in at her fathers gate she saw the woodchopper stop
at the cart when she gave Benjamin up for lost While they were hurrying up the
walk two figures stealing cautiously but quickly under the shades of the
trees met the eyes of the ladies and in a moment Edwards and the hunter
crossed their path
»Miss Temple I may never see you again« exclaimed the youth »let me thank
you for all your kindness you do not cannot know my motives«
»Fly fly« cried Elizabeth »the village is alarmed Do not be found
conversing with me at such a moment and in these grounds«
»Nay I must speak though detection were certain«
»Your retreat to the bridge is already cut off before you can gain the wood
your pursuers will be there If«
»If what« cried the youth »Your advice has saved me once already I will
follow it to death«
»The street is now silent and vacant« said Elizabeth after a pause »cross
it and you will find my fathers boat in the lake It would be easy to land
from it where you please in the hills«
»But Judge Temple might complain of the trespass«
»His daughter shall be accountable sir«
The youth uttered something in a low voice that was heard only by
Elizabeth and turned to execute what she had suggested As they were
separating Natty approached the females and said
»Youll remember the canister of powder children Them beavers must be had
and I and the pups be getting old we want the best of ammunition«
»Come Natty« said Edwards impatiently
»Coming lad coming God bless you young ones both of ye for ye mean
well and kindly to the old man«
The ladies paused until they had lost sight of the retreating figures when
they immediately entered the Mansionhouse
While this scene was passing in the walk Kirby had overtaken the cart
which was his own and had been driven by Edwards without asking the owner from
the place where the patient oxen usually stood at evening waiting the pleasure
of their master
»Woa come hither Golden« he cried »why how come you off the end of the
bridge where I left you dummies«
»Heave ahead« muttered Benjamin giving a random blow with his lash that
alighted on the shoulder of the other
»Who the devil be you« cried Billy turning round in surprise but unable
to distinguish in the dark the hard visage that was just peering over the
cartrails
»Who be I why Im helmsman aboard of this here craft dye see and a
straight wake Im making of it Ay ay Ive got the bridge right ahead and the
bilboes deadaft I calls that good steerage boy Heave ahead«
»Lay your lash in the right spot Mr Benny Pump« said the woodchopper
»or Ill put you in the palm of my hand and box your ears Where be you going
with my team«
»Team«
»Ay my cart and oxen«
»Why you must know Master Kirby that the Leatherstocking and I thats
Benny Pump you knows Ben well Benny and I no me and Benny damme if I
know how tis but some of us are bound after a cargo of beaverskins dye see
and so weve pressed the cart to ship them ome in I say Master Kirby what a
lubberly oar you pull you handle an oar boy pretty much as a cow would a
musket or a lady would a marlingspike«
Billy had discovered the state of the stewards mind and he walked for some
time alongside of the cart musing within himself when he took the goad from
Benjamin who fell back on the hay and was soon asleep and drove his cattle
down the street over the bridge and up the mountain towards a clearing in
which he was to work the next day without any other interruption than a few
hasty questions from parties of the constables
Elizabeth stood for an hour at the window of her room and saw the torches
of the pursuers gliding along the side of the mountain and heard their shouts
and alarms but at the end of that time the last party returned wearied and
disappointed and the village became as still as when she issued from the gate
on her mission to the gaol
Chapter XXXVI
»And I could weep th Oneida chief
His descant wildly thus begun
But that I may not stain with grief
The deathsong of my fathers son«
Campbell Gertrude of Wyoming
IIIxxxv14
It was yet early on the following morning when Elizabeth and Louisa met by
appointment and proceeded to the store of Monsieur Le Quoi in order to redeem
the pledge the former had given to the Leatherstocking The people were again
assembling for the business of the day but the hour was too soon for a crowd
and the ladies found the place in possession of its polite owner Billy Kirby
one female customer and the boy who did the duty of helper or clerk
Monsieur Le Quoi was perusing a packet of letters with manifest delight
while the woodchopper with one hand thrust in his bosom and the other in the
folds of his jacket holding an axe under his right arm stood sympathizing in
the Frenchmans pleasure with goodnatured interest The freedom of manners that
prevailed in the new settlements commonly levelled all difference in rank and
with it frequently all considerations of education and intelligence At the
time the ladies entered the store they were unseen by the owner who was saying
to Kirby
»Ah ha Monsieur Beel dis lettair maka me de most happi of mans Ah ma
chère France I vill see you agan«
»I rejoice Monsieur at any thing that contributes to your happiness« said
Elizabeth »but hope we are not going to lose you entirely«
The complaisant shopkeeper changed the language to French and recounted
rapidly to Elizabeth his hopes of being permitted to return to his own country
Habit had however so far altered the manners of this pliable personage that
he continued to serve the woodchopper who was in quest of some tobacco while
he related to his more gentle visiter the happy change that had taken place in
the dispositions of his own countrymen
The amount of it all was that Mr Le Quoi who had fled from his own
country more through terror than because he was offensive to the ruling powers
in France had succeeded at length in getting an assurance that his return to
the West Indies would be unnoticed and the Frenchman who had sunk into the
character of a country shopkeeper with so much grace was about to emerge again
from his obscurity into his proper level in society
We need not repeat the civil things that passed between the parties on this
occasion nor recount the endless repetitions of sorrow that the delighted
Frenchman expressed at being compelled to quit the society of Miss Temple
Elizabeth took an opportunity during this expenditure of polite expressions to
purchase the powder privately of the boy who bore the generic appellation of
Jonathan Before they parted however Mr Le Quoi who seemed to think that he
had not said enough solicited the honour of a private interview with the
heiress with a gravity in his air that announced the importance of the subject
After conceding the favour and appointing a more favourable time for the
meeting Elizabeth succeeded in getting out of the store into which the
countrymen now began to enter as usual where they met with the same attention
and bienséance as formerly
Elizabeth and Louisa pursued their walk as far as the bridge in profound
silence but when they reached that place the latter stopped and appeared
anxious to utter something that her diffidence suppressed
»Are you ill Louisa« exclaimed Miss Temple »had we not better return and
seek another opportunity to meet the old man«
»Not ill but terrified Oh I never never can go on that hill again with
you only I am not equal to it indeed I am not«
This was an unexpected declaration to Elizabeth who although she
experienced no idle apprehension of a danger that no longer existed felt most
sensitively all the delicacy of maiden modesty She stood for some time deeply
reflecting within herself but sensible it was a time for action instead of
reflection she struggled to shake off her hesitation and replied firmly
»Well then it must be done by me alone There is no other than yourself to
be trusted or poor old Leatherstocking will be discovered Wait for me in the
edge of these woods that at least I may not be seen strolling in the hills by
myself just now One would not wish to create remarks Louisa if if You
will wait for me dear girl«
»A year in sight of the village Miss Temple« returned the agitated
Louisa »but do not do not ask me to go on that hill«
Elizabeth found that her companion was really unable to proceed and they
completed their arrangement by posting Louisa out of the observation of the
people who occasionally passed but nigh the road and in plain view of the
whole valley Miss Temple then proceeded alone She ascended the road which has
been so often mentioned in our narrative with an elastic and firm step fearful
that the delay in the store of Mr Le Quoi and the time necessary for reaching
the summit would prevent her being punctual to the appointment Whenever she
passed an opening in the bushes she would pause for breath or perhaps drawn
from her pursuits by the picture at her feet would linger a moment to gaze at
the beauties of the valley The long drought had however changed its coat of
verdure to a hue of brown and though the same localities were there the view
wanted the lively and cheering aspect of early summer Even the heavens seemed
to share in the dried appearance of the earth for the sun was concealed by a
haziness in the atmosphere which looked like a thin smoke without a particle of
moisture if such a thing were possible The blue sky was scarcely to be seen
though now and then there was a faint lighting up in spots through which masses
of rolling vapour could be discerned gathering around the horizon as if nature
were struggling to collect her floods for the relief of man The very atmosphere
that Elizabeth inhaled was hot and dry and by the time she reached the point
where the course led her from the highway she experienced a sensation like
suffocation But disregarding her feelings she hastened to execute her
mission dwelling on nothing but the disappointment and even the helplessness
the hunter would experience without her aid
On the summit of the mountain which Judge Temple had named the Vision a
little spot had been cleared in order that a better view might be obtained of
the village and the valley At this point Elizabeth understood the hunter she
was to meet him and thither she urged her way as expeditiously as the
difficulty of the ascent and the impediments of a forest in a state of nature
would admit Numberless were the fragments of rocks trunks of fallen trees and
branches with which she had to contend but every difficulty vanished before
her resolution and by her own watch she stood on the desired spot several
minutes before the appointed hour
After resting a moment on the end of a log Miss Temple cast a glance about
her in quest of her old friend but he was evidently not in the clearing she
arose and walked around its skirts examining every place where she thought it
probable Natty might deem it prudent to conceal himself Her search was
fruitless and after exhausting not only herself but her conjectures in
efforts to discover or imagine his situation she ventured to trust her voice in
that solitary place
»Natty Leatherstocking old man« she called aloud in every direction
but no answer was given excepting the reverberations of her own clear tones as
they were echoed in the parched forest
Elizabeth approached the brow of the mountain where a faint cry like the
noise produced by striking the hand against the mouth at the same time that the
breath is strongly exhaled was heard answering to her own voice Not doubting
in the least that it was the Leatherstocking lying in wait for her and who
gave that signal to indicate the place where he was to be found Elizabeth
descended for near a hundred feet until she gained a little natural terrace
thinly scattered with trees that grew in the fissures of the rocks which were
covered by a scanty soil She had advanced to the edge of this platform and was
gazing over the perpendicular precipice that formed its face when a rustling
among the dry leaves near her drew her eyes in another direction Our heroine
certainly was startled by the object that she then saw but a moment restored
her selfpossession and she advanced firmly and with some interest in her
manner to the spot
Mohegan was seated on the trunk of a fallen oak with his tawny visage
turned towards her and his eyes fixed on her face with an expression of
wildness and fire that would have terrified a less resolute female His blanket
had fallen from his shoulders and was lying in folds around him leaving his
breast arms and most of his body bare The medallion of Washington reposed on
his chest a badge of distinction that Elizabeth well knew he only produced on
great and solemn occasions But the whole appearance of the aged chief was more
studied than common and in some particulars it was terrific The long black
hair was plaited on his head falling away so as to expose his high forehead
and piercing eyes In the enormous incisions of his ears were entwined ornaments
of silver beads and porcupines quills mingled in a rude taste and after the
Indian fashions A large drop composed of similar materials was suspended from
the cartilage of his nose and falling below his lips rested on his chin
Streaks of red paint crossed his wrinkled brow and were traced down his cheeks
with such variations in the lines as caprice or custom suggested His body was
also coloured in the same manner the whole exhibiting an Indian warrior
prepared for some event of more than usual moment
»John how fare you worthy John« said Elizabeth as she approached him
»you have long been a stranger in the village You promised me a willow basket
and I have long had a shirt of calico in readiness for you«
The Indian looked steadily at her for some time without answering and then
shaking his head he replied in his low guttural tones
»Johns hand can make baskets no more he wants no shirt«
»But if he should he will know where to come for it« returned Miss Temple
»Indeed old John I feel as if you had a natural right to order what you will
from us«
»Daughter« said the Indian »listen Six times ten hot summers have
passed since John was young tall like a pine straight like the bullet of
Hawkeye strong as the buffalo spry as the cat of the mountain He was strong
and a warrior like the Young Eagle If his tribe wanted to track the Maquas for
many suns the eye of Chingachgook found the print of their moccasins If the
people feasted and were glad as they counted the scalps of their enemies it was
on his pole they hung If the squaws cried because there was no meat for their
children he was the first in the chase His bullet was swifter than the deer
Daughter then Chingachgook struck his tomahawk into the trees it was to tell
the lazy ones where to find him and the Mingos but he made no baskets«
»Those times have gone by old warrior« returned Elizabeth »since then
your people have disappeared and in place of chasing your enemies you have
learned to fear God and to live at peace«
»Stand here daughter where you can see the great spring the wigwams of
your father and the land on the crookedriver John was young when his tribe
gave away the country in council from where the blue mountain stands above the
water to where the Susquehannah is hid by the trees All this and all that
grew in it and all that walked over it and all that fed there they gave to
the Fireeater for they loved him He was strong and they were women and he
helped them No Delaware would kill a deer that run in his woods nor stop a
bird that flew over his land for it was his Has John lived in peace Daughter
since John was young he has seen the white man from Frontinac come down on his
white brothers at Albany and fight Did they fear God He has seen his English
and his American Fathers burying their tomahawks in each others brains for
this very land Did they fear God and live in peace He has seen the land pass
away from the Fireeater and his children and the child of his child and a
new chief set over the country Did they live in peace who did this did they
fear God«
»Such is the custom of the whites John Do not the Delawares fight and
exchange their lands for powder and blankets and merchandise«
The Indian turned his dark eyes on his companion and kept them there with
a scrutiny that alarmed her a little
»Where are the blankets and merchandise that bought the right of the
Fireeater« he replied in a more animated voice »are they with him in his
wigwam Did they say to him brother sell us your land and take this gold
this silver these blankets these rifles or even this rum No they tore it
from him as a scalp is torn from an enemy and they that did it looked not
behind them to see whether he lived or died Do such men live in peace and
fear the Great Spirit«
»But you hardly understand the circumstances« said Elizabeth more
embarrassed than she would own even to herself »If you knew our laws and
customs better you would judge differently of our acts Do not believe evil of
my father old Mohegan for he is just and good«
»The brother of Miquon is good and he will do right I have said it to
Hawkeye I have said it to the Young Eagle that the brother of Miquon would
do justice«
»Whom call you the Young Eagle« said Elizabeth averting her face from the
gaze of the Indian as she asked the question »whence comes he and what are his
rights«
»Has my daughter lived so long with him to ask this question« returned the
Indian warily »Old age freezes up the blood as the frosts cover the great
spring in winter but youth keeps the streams of the blood open like a sun in
the time of blossoms The Young Eagle has eyes had he no tongue«
The loveliness to which the old warrior alluded was in no degree diminished
by his allegorical speech for the blushes of the maiden who listened covered
her burning cheeks till her dark eyes seemed to glow with their reflection
but after struggling a moment with shame she laughed as if unwilling to
understand him seriously and replied in pleasantry
»Not to make me the mistress of his secret He is too much of a Delaware to
tell his secret thoughts to a woman«
»Daughter the Great Spirit made your father with a white skin and he made
mine with a red but he coloured both their hearts with blood When young it is
swift and warm but when old it is still and cold Is there difference below
the skin No Once John had a woman She was the mother of so many sons« he
raised his hand with three fingers elevated »and she had daughters that would
have made the young Delawares happy She was kind daughter and what I said she
did You have different fashions but do you think John did not love the wife of
his youth the mother of his children«
»And what has become of your family John your wife and your children«
asked Elizabeth touched by the Indians manner
»Where is the ice that covered the great spring It is melted and gone with
the waters John has lived till all his people have left him for the land of
spirits his time has come and he is ready«
Mohegan dropped his head in his blanket and sat in silence Miss Temple
knew not what to say She wished to draw the thoughts of the old warrior from
his gloomy recollections but there was a dignity in his sorrow and in his
fortitude that repressed her efforts to speak After a long pause however she
renewed the discourse by asking
»Where is the Leatherstocking John I have brought this canister of powder
at his request but he is nowhere to be seen Will you take charge of it and
see it delivered«
The Indian raised his head slowly and looked earnestly at the gift which
she put into his hand
»This is the great enemy of my nation Without this when could the white
men drive the Delawares Daughter the Great Spirit gave your fathers to know
how to make guns and powder that they might sweep the Indians from the land
There will soon be no redskin in the country When John has gone the last will
leave these hills and his family will be dead« The aged warrior stretched his
body forward leaning an elbow on his knee and appeared to be taking a parting
look at the objects of the vale which were still visible through the misty
atmosphere though the air seemed to thicken at each moment around Miss Temple
who became conscious of an increased difficulty of respiration The eye of
Mohegan changed gradually from its sorrowful expression to a look of wildness
that might be supposed to border on the inspiration of a prophet as he
continued »But he will go to the country where his fathers have met The game
shall be plenty as the fish in the lakes No woman shall cry for meat No Mingo
can ever come The chase shall be for children and all just redmen shall live
together as brothers«
»John this is not the heaven of a Christian« cried Miss Temple »you deal
now in the superstition of your forefathers«
»Fathers sons« said Mohegan with firmness »all gone all gone I have
no son but the Young Eagle and he has the blood of a white man«
»Tell me John« said Elizabeth willing to draw his thoughts to other
subjects and at the same time yielding to her own powerful interest in the
youth »who is this Mr Edwards why are you so fond of him and whence does he
come«
The Indian started at the question which evidently recalled his
recollection to earth Taking her hand he drew Miss Temple to a seat beside
him and pointed to the country beneath them
»See daughter« he said directing her looks towards the north »as far as
your young eyes can see it was the land of his«
But immense volumes of smoke at that moment rolled over their heads and
whirling in the eddies formed by the mountains interposed a barrier to their
sight while he was speaking Startled by the circumstance Miss Temple sprung
on her feet and turning her eyes toward the summit of the mountain she beheld
it covered by a similar canopy while a roaring sound was heard in the forest
above her like the rushing of winds
»What means it John« she exclaimed »we are enveloped in smoke and I feel
a heat like the glow of a furnace«
Before the Indian could reply a voice was heard crying in the woods
»John where are you old Mohegan the woods are on fire and you have but a
minute for escape«
The chief put his hand before his mouth and making it play on his lips
produced the kind of noise that had attracted Elizabeth to the place when a
quick and hurried step was heard dashing through the dried underbrush and
bushes and presently Edwards rushed to his side with horror in every feature
Chapter XXXVII
»Love rules the court the camp the grove«
Scott The Lay of the Last Minstrel IIIii5
»It would have been sad indeed to lose you in such a manner my old friend«
said Oliver catching his breath for utterance »Up and away even now we may be
too late the flames are circling round the point of the rock below and unless
we can pass there our only chance must be over the precipice Away away shake
off your apathy John now is the time of need«
Mohegan pointed towards Elizabeth who forgetting her danger had shrunk
back to a projection of the rock as soon as she recognised the sounds of
Edwards voice and said with something like awakened animation
»Save her leave John to die«
»Her whom mean you« cried the youth turning quickly to the place the
other indicated but when he saw the figure of Elizabeth bending towards him
in an attitude that powerfully spoke terror blended with reluctance to meet him
in such a place the shock deprived him of speech
»Miss Temple« he cried when he found words »you here is such a death
reserved for you«
»No no no no death I hope for any of us Mr Edwards« she replied
endeavouring to speak calmly »there is smoke but no fire to harm us Let us
endeavour to retire«
»Take my arm« said Edwards »there must be an opening in some direction for
your retreat Are you equal to the effort«
»Certainly You surely magnify the danger Mr Edwards Lead me out the way
you came«
»I will I will« cried the youth with a kind of hysterical utterance
»No no there is no danger I have alarmed you unnecessarily«
»But shall we leave the Indian can we leave him as he says to die«
An expression of painful emotion crossed the face of the young man he
stopped and cast a longing look at Mohegan but dragging his companion after
him even against her will he pursued his way with enormous strides towards
the pass by which he had just entered the circle of flame
»Do not regard him« he said in those tones that denote a desperate
calmness »he is used to the woods and such scenes and he will escape up the
mountain over the rock or he can remain where he is in safety«
»You thought not so this moment Edwards Do not leave him there to meet
with such a death« cried Elizabeth fixing a look on the countenance of her
conductor that seemed to distrust his sanity
»An Indian burn who ever heard of an Indian dying by fire an Indian cannot
burn the idea is ridiculous Hasten hasten Miss Temple or the smoke may
incommode you«
»Edwards your look your eye terrifies me tell me the danger is it
greater than it seems I am equal to any trial«
»If we reach the point of yon rock before that sheet of fire we are safe
Miss Temple« exclaimed the young man in a voice that burst without the bounds
of his forced composure »Fly the struggle is for life«
The place of the interview between Miss Temple and the Indian has already
been described as one of those platforms of rock which form a sort of terrace in
the mountains of that country and the face of it we have said was both high
and perpendicular Its shape was nearly a natural arc the ends of which blended
with the mountain at points where its sides were less abrupt in their descent
It was round one of these terminations of the sweep of the rock that Edwards had
ascended and it was towards the same place that he urged Elizabeth to a
desperate exertion of speed
Immense clouds of white smoke had been pouring over the summit of the
mountain and had concealed the approach and ravages of the element but a
crackling sound drew the eyes of Miss Temple as she flew over the ground
supported by the young man towards the outline of smoke where she already
perceived the waving flames shooting forward from the vapour now flaring high
in the air and then bending to the earth seeming to light into combustion
every stick and shrub on which they breathed The sight aroused them to
redoubled efforts but unfortunately a collection of the tops of trees old
and dried lay directly across their course and at the very moment when both
had thought their safety insured the warm currents of the air swept a forked
tongue of flame across the pile which lighted at the touch and when they
reached the spot the flying pair were opposed by the surly roaring of a body of
fire as if a furnace were glowing in their path They recoiled from the heat
and stood on a point of the rock gazing in a stupor at the flames which were
spreading rapidly down the mountain whose side soon became a sheet of living
fire It was dangerous for one clad in the light and airy dress of Elizabeth to
approach even the vicinity of the raging element and those flowing robes that
gave such softness and grace to her form seemed now to be formed for the
instruments of her destruction
The villagers were accustomed to resort to that hill in quest of timber and
fuel in procuring which it was their usage to take only the bodies of the
trees leaving the tops and branches to decay under the operations of the
weather Much of the hill was consequently covered with such light fuel
which having been scorched under the sun for the last two months was ignited
with a touch Indeed in some cases there did not appear to be any contact
between the fire and these piles but the flames seemed to dart from heap to
heap as the fabulous fire of the temple is represented to relumine its
neglected lamp
There was beauty as well as terror in the sight and Edwards and Elizabeth
stood viewing the progress of the desolation with a strange mixture of horror
and interest The former however shortly roused himself to new exertions and
drawing his companion after him they skirted the edge of the smoke the young
man penetrating frequently into its dense volumes in search of a passage but in
every instance without success In this manner they proceeded in a semicircle
around the upper part of the terrace until arriving at the verge of the
precipice opposite to the point where Edwards had ascended the horrid
conviction burst on both at the same instant that they were completely
encircled by the fire So long as a single pass up or down the mountain was
unexplored there was hope but when retreat seemed to be absolutely
impracticable the horror of their situation broke upon Elizabeth as powerfully
as if she had hitherto considered the danger light
»This mountain is doomed to be fatal to me« she whispered »we shall find
our graves on it«
»Say not so Miss Temple there is yet hope« returned the youth in the
same tone while the vacant expression of his eye contradicted his words »let
us return to the point of the rock there is there must be some place about it
where we can descend«
»Lead me there« exclaimed Elizabeth »let us leave no effort untried« She
did not wait for his compliance but turning retraced her steps to the brow of
the precipice murmuring to herself in suppressed hysterical sobs »My father
my poor my distracted father«
Edwards was by her side in an instant and with aching eyes he examined
every fissure in the crags in quest of some opening that might offer the
facilities for flight But the smooth even surface of the rocks afforded hardly
a resting place for a foot much less those continued projections which would
have been necessary for a descent of nearly a hundred feet Edwards was not slow
in feeling the conviction that this hope was also futile and with a kind of
feverish despair that still urged him to action he turned to some new
expedient
»There is nothing left Miss Temple« he said »but to endeavour to lower
you from this place to the rock beneath If Natty were here or even that Indian
could be roused their ingenuity and long practice would easily devise methods
to do it but I am a child at this moment in every thing but daring Where
shall I find means This dress of mine is so light and there is so little of it
then the blanket of Mohegan We must try we must try any thing is better
than to see you a victim to such a death«
»And what will become of you« said Elizabeth »Indeed indeed neither you
nor John must be sacrificed to my safety«
He heard her not for he was already by the side of Mohegan who yielded his
blanket without a question retaining his seat with Indian dignity and
composure though his own situation was even more critical than that of the
others The blanket was cut into shreds and the fragments fastened together
the loose linen jacket of the youth and the light muslin shawl of Elizabeth
were attached to them and the whole thrown over the rocks with the rapidity of
lightning but the united pieces did not reach half way to the bottom
»It will not do it will not do« cried Elizabeth »for me there is no
hope The fire comes slowly but certainly See it destroys the very earth
before it«
Had the flames spread on that rock with half the quickness with which they
leaped from bush to tree in other parts of the mountain our painful task would
have soon ended for they would have consumed already the captives they
enclosed But the peculiarity of their situation afforded Elizabeth and her
companion the respite of which they had availed themselves to make the efforts
we have recorded
The thin covering of earth on the rock supported but a scanty and faded
herbage and most of the trees that had found root in the fissures had already
died during the intense heats of preceding summers Those which still retained
the appearance of life bore a few dry and withered leaves while the others
were merely the wrecks of pines oaks and maples No better materials to feed
the fire could be found had there been a communication with the flames but the
ground was destitute of the brush that led the destructive element like a
torrent over the remainder of the hill As auxiliary to this scarcity of fuel
one of the large springs which abound in that country gushed out of the side of
the ascent above and after creeping sluggishly along the level land
saturating the mossy covering of the rock with moisture it swept round the base
of the little cone that formed the pinnacle of the mountain and entering the
canopy of smoke near one of the terminations of the terrace found its way to
the lake not by dashing from rock to rock but by the secret channels of the
earth It would rise to the surface here and there in the wet seasons but in
the droughts of summer it was to be traced only by the bogs and moss that
announced the proximity of water When the fire reached this barrier it was
compelled to pause until a concentration of its heat could overcome the
moisture like an army waiting the operations of a battering train to open its
way to desolation
That fatal moment seemed now to have arrived for the hissing steams of the
spring appeared to be nearly exhausted and the moss of the rocks was already
curling under the intense heat while fragments of bark that yet clung to the
dead trees began to separate from their trunks and fall to the ground in
crumbling masses The air seemed quivering with rays of heat which might be
seen playing along the parched stems of the trees There were moments when dark
clouds of smoke would sweep along the little terrace and as the eye lost its
power the other senses contributed to give effect to the fearful horror of the
scene At such moments the roaring of the flames the crackling of the furious
element with the tearing of falling branches and occasionally the thundering
echoes of some falling tree united to alarm the victims Of the three however
the youth appeared much the most agitated Elizabeth having relinquished
entirely the idea of escape was fast obtaining that resigned composure with
which the most delicate of her sex are sometimes known to meet unavoidable
evils while Mohegan who was much nearer to the danger maintained his seat
with the invincible resignation of an Indian warrior Once or twice the eye of
the aged chief which was ordinarily fixed in the direction of the distant
hills turned towards the young pair who seemed doomed to so early a death
with a slight indication of pity crossing his composed features but it would
immediately revert again to its former gaze as if already looking into the womb
of futurity Much of the time he was chanting a kind of low dirge in the
Delaware tongue using the deep and remarkably guttural tones of his people
»At such a moment Mr Edwards all earthly distinctions end« whispered
Elizabeth »persuade John to move nearer to us let us die together«
»I cannot he will not stir« returned the youth in the same horridly
still tones »He considers this as the happiest moment of his life He is past
seventy and has been decaying rapidly for some time he received some injury in
chasing that unlucky deer too on the lake Oh Miss Temple that was an
unlucky chase indeed it has led I fear to this awful scene«
The smile of Elizabeth was celestial »Why name such a trifle now at this
moment the heart is dead to all earthly emotions«
»If any thing could reconcile a man to this death« cried the youth »it
would be to meet it in such company«
»Talk not so Edwards talk not so« interrupted Miss Temple »I am unworthy
of it and it is unjust to yourself We must die yes yes we must die it
is the will of God and let us endeavour to submit like his own children«
»Die« the youth rather shrieked than exclaimed »No no there must yet
be hope you at least must not shall not die«
»In what way can we escape« asked Elizabeth pointing with a look of
heavenly composure towards the fire »Observe the flame is crossing the
barrier of wet ground it comes slowly Edwards but surely Ah see the
tree the tree is already lighted«
Her words were too true The heat of the conflagration had at length
overcome the resistance of the spring and the fire was slowly stealing along
the halfdried moss while a dead pine kindled with the touch of a forked flame
that for a moment wreathed around the stem of the tree as it whirled in one
of its evolutions under the influence of the air The effect was instantaneous
The flames danced along the parched trunk of the pine like lightning quivering
on a chain and immediately a column of living fire was raging on the terrace
It soon spread from tree to tree and the scene was evidently drawing to a
close The log on which Mohegan was seated lighted at its farther end and the
Indian appeared to be surrounded by fire Still he was unmoved As his body was
unprotected his sufferings must have been great but his fortitude was superior
to all His voice could yet be heard even in the midst of these horrors
Elizabeth turned her head from the sight and faced the valley Furious eddies
of wind were created by the heat and just at the moment the canopy of fiery
smoke that overhung the valley was cleared away leaving a distinct view of the
peaceful village beneath them
»My father My father« shrieked Elizabeth »Oh this this surely might
have been spared me but I submit«
The distance was not so great but the figure of Judge Temple could be seen
standing in his own grounds and apparently contemplating in perfect
unconsciousness of the danger of his child the mountain in flames This sight
was still more painful than the approaching danger and Elizabeth again faced
the hill
»My intemperate warmth has done this« cried Edwards in the accents of
despair »If I had possessed but a moiety of your heavenly resignation Miss
Temple all might yet have been well«
»Name it not name it not« she said »It is now of no avail We must die
Edwards we must die let us do so as Christians But no you may yet
escape perhaps Your dress is not so fatal as mine Fly leave me An opening
may yet be found for you possibly certainly it is worth the effort Fly
leave me but stay You will see my father my poor my bereaved father Say to
him then Edwards say to him all that can appease his anguish Tell him that
I died happy and collected that I have gone to my beloved mother that the
hours of this life are as nothing when balanced in the scales of eternity Say
how we shall meet again And say« she continued dropping her voice that had
risen with her feelings as if conscious of her worldly weaknesses »how dear
how very dear was my love for him That it was near too near to my love for
God«
The youth listened to her touching accents but moved not In a moment he
found utterance and replied
»And is it me that you command to leave you to leave you on the edge of the
grave Oh Miss Temple how little have you known me« he cried dropping on his
knees at her feet and gathering her flowing robe in his arms as if to shield
her from the flames »I have been driven to the woods in despair but your
society has tamed the lion within me If I have wasted my time in degradation
twas you that charmed me to it If I have forgotten my name and family your
form supplied the place of memory If I have forgotten my wrongs twas you that
taught me charity No no dearest Elizabeth I may die with you but I can
never leave you«
Elizabeth moved not nor answered It was plain that her thoughts had been
raised from the earth The recollection of her father and her regrets at their
separation had been mellowed by a holy sentiment that lifted her above the
level of earthly things and she was fast losing the weakness of her sex in the
near view of eternity But as she listened to these words she became once more
woman She struggled against these feelings and smiled as she thought she was
shaking off the last lingering feeling of nature when the world and all its
seductions rushed again to her heart with the sounds of a human voice crying
in piercing tones
»Gall where be ye gall gladden the heart of an old man if ye yet belong
to arth«
»List« said Elizabeth »tis the Leatherstocking he seeks me«
»Tis Natty« shouted Edwards »and we may yet be saved«
A wide and circling flame glared on their eyes for a moment even above the
fire of the woods and a loud report followed
»Tis the canister tis the powder« cried the same voice evidently
approaching them »Tis the canister and the precious child is lost«
At the next instant Natty rushed through the steams of the spring and
appeared on the terrace without his deer skin cap his hair burnt to his head
his shirt of country check black and filled with holes and his red features
of a deeper colour than ever by the heat he had encountered
Chapter XXXVIII
»Even from the land of shadows now
My fathers awful ghost appears«
Campbell Gertrude of Wyoming
IIIxxxix34
For an hour after Louisa Grant was left by Miss Temple in the situation already
mentioned she continued in feverish anxiety awaiting the return of her friend
But as the time passed by without the reappearance of Elizabeth the terror of
Louisa gradually increased until her alarmed fancy had conjured every species
of danger that appertained to the woods excepting the one that really existed
The heavens had become obscured by degrees and vast volumes of smoke were
pouring over the valley but the thoughts of Louisa were still recurring to
beasts without dreaming of the real cause for apprehension She was stationed
in the edge of the low pines and chestnuts that succeeded the first or large
growth of the forest and directly above the angle where the highway turned from
the straight course to the village and ascended the mountain laterally
Consequently she commanded a view not only of the valley but of the road
beneath her The few travellers that passed she observed were engaged in
earnest conversation and frequently raised their eyes to the hill and at
length she saw the people leaving the courthouse and gazing upward also While
under the influence of the alarm excited by such unusual movements reluctant to
go and yet fearful to remain Louisa was startled by the low cracking but
cautious treads of some one approaching through the bushes She was on the eve
of flight when Natty emerged from the cover and stood at her side The old man
laughed as he shook her kindly by a hand that was passive with fear
»I am glad to meet you here child« he said »for the back of the mountain
is afire and it would be dangerous to go up it now till it has been burnt
over once and the dead wood is gone Theres a foolish man the comrad of that
varmint who has given me all this trouble digging for ore on the east side I
told him that the kearless fellows who thought to catch a practysd hunter in
the woods after dark had thrown the lighted pine knots in the brush and that
twould kindle like tow and warned him to leave the hill But he was set upon
his business and nothing short of Providence could move him If he isnt burnt
and buried in a grave of his own digging hes made of salamanders Why what
ails the child you look as skeary as if you seed more painters I wish there
was more to be found theyd count up faster than the beaver But wheres the
good child of a bad father did she forget her promise to the old man«
»The hill the hill« shrieked Louisa »she seeks you on the hill with the
powder«
Natty recoiled several feet at this unexpected intelligence
»The Lord of Heaven have mercy on her Shes on the Vision and thats a
sheet of fire agin this Child if ye love the dear one and hope to find a
friend when ye need it most to the village and give the alarm The men be usd
to fighting fire and there may be a chance left Fly I bid ye fly nor stop
even for breath«
The Leatherstocking had no sooner uttered this injunction than he
disappeared in the bushes and when last seen by Louisa was rushing up the
mountain with a speed that none but those who were accustomed to the toil
could attain
»Have I found ye« the old man exclaimed when he burst out of the smoke
»God be praised that Ive found ye but follow there is no time for talking«
»My dress« said Elizabeth »it would be fatal to trust myself nearer to the
flames in it«
»I bethought me of your flimsy things« cried Natty throwing loose the
folds of a covering of buckskin that he carried on his arm and wrapping her
form in it in such a manner as to envelope her whole person »now follow for
its a matter of life and death to us all«
»But John what will become of John« cried Edwards »Can we leave the old
warrior here to perish«
The eyes of Natty followed the direction of Edwards finger when he beheld
the Indian still seated as before with the very earth under his feet consuming
with fire Without delay the hunter approached the spot and spoke in Delaware
»Up and away Chingachgook will ye stay here to burn like a Mingo at the
stake The Moravians have teached ye better I hope The Lord preserve me if the
powder hasnt flashed atween his legs and the skin of his back is roasting
Will ye come I say will ye follow«
»Why should Mohegan go« returned the Indian gloomily »He has seen the
days of an eagle and his eye grows dim He looks on the valley he looks on the
water he looks in the huntinggrounds but he sees no Delawares Every one has
a white skin My fathers say from the faroff land come My women my young
warriors my tribe say come The Great Spirit says come Let Mohegan die«
»But you forget your friend« cried Edwards
»Tis useless to talk to an Indian with the deathfit on him lad«
interrupted Natty who seized the strips of the blanket and with wonderful
dexterity strapped the passive chieftain to his own back when he turned and
with a strength that seemed to bid defiance not only to his years but to his
load he led the way to the point whence he had issued As they crossed the
little terrace of rock one of the dead trees that had been tottering for
several minutes fell on the spot where they had stood and filled the air with
its cinders
Such an event quickened the steps of the party who followed the
Leatherstocking with the urgency required by the occasion
»Tread on the soft ground« he cried when they were in a gloom where sight
availed them but little »and keep in the white smoke keep the skin close on
her lad shes a precious one another will be hard to be found«
Obedient to the hunters directions they followed his steps and advice
implicitly and although the narrow passage along the winding of the spring led
amid burning logs and falling branches they happily achieved it in safety No
one but a man long accustomed to the woods could have traced his route through a
smoke in which respiration was difficult and sight nearly useless but the
experience of Natty conducted them to an opening through the rocks where with
a little difficulty they soon descended to another terrace and emerged at once
into a tolerably clear atmosphere
The feelings of Edwards and Elizabeth at reaching this spot may be
imagined though not easily described No one seemed to exult more than their
guide who turned with Mohegan still lashed to his back and laughing in his
own manner said »I knowd twas the Frenchmans powder gall it went so
altogether your coarse grain will squib for a minute The Iroquois had none of
the best powder when I went agin the Canada tribes under Sir William Did I
ever tell you the story lad concarning the skrimmage with«
»For Gods sake tell me nothing now Natty until we are entirely safe
where shall we go next«
»Why on the platform of rock over the cave to be sure you will be safe
enough there or well go into it if you be so minded«
The young man started and appeared agitated but looking around him with an
anxious eye said quickly
»Shall we be safe on the rock cannot the fire reach us there too«
»Cant the boy see« said Natty with the coolness of one accustomed to the
kind of danger he had just encountered »Had ye staid in the place above ten
minutes longer you would both have been in ashes but here you may stay for
ever and no fire can touch you until they burn the rocks as well as the
woods«
With this assurance which was obviously true they proceeded to the spot
and Natty deposited his load placing the Indian on the ground with his back
against a fragment of the rocks Elizabeth sunk on the ground and buried her
face in her hands while her heart was swelling with a variety of conflicting
emotions
»Let me urge you to take a restorative Miss Temple« said Edwards
respectfully »your frame will sink else«
»Leave me leave me« she said raising her beaming eyes for a moment to
his »I feel too much for words I am grateful Oliver for this miraculous
escape and next to my God to you«
Edwards withdrew to the edge of the rock and shouted »Benjamin where are
you Benjamin«
A hoarse voice replied as if from the bowels of the earth »Hereaway
master stowd in this here bit of a hole which is all the same as hot as the
cooks coppers Im tired of my berth dye see and ifsobe that
Leatherstocking has got much overhauling to do before he sails after them said
beaver Ill go into dock again and ride out my quarantine till I can get
prottick from the law and so hold on upon the rest of my spaniolas«
»Bring up a glass of water from the spring« continued Edwards »and throw a
little wine in it hasten I entreat you«
»I knows but little of your small drink master Oliver« returned the
steward his voice issuing out of the cave into the open air »and the Jamaiky
held out no longer than to take a parting kiss with Billy Kirby when he
anchored me alongside the highway last night where you run me down in the
chase But heres summat of a red colour that may suit a weak stomach mayhap
That master Kirby is no first rate in a boat but hell tack a cart among the
stumps all the same as a Lonon pilot will back and fill through the colliers
in the Pool«
As the steward ascended while talking by the time he had ended his speech
he appeared on the rock with the desired restoratives exhibiting the worn out
and bloated features of a man who had run deep in a debauch and that lately
Elizabeth took from the hand of Edwards the liquor which he offered and
then motioned to be left again to herself
The youth turned at her bidding and observed Natty kindly assiduous around
the person of Mohegan When their eyes met the hunter said sorrowfully
»His time has come lad I see it in his eyes when an Indian fixes his
eye he means to go but to one place and what the wilful creaters put their
minds on theyre sure to do«
A quick tread prevented the reply and in a few moments to the amazement of
the whole party Mr Grant was seen clinging to the side of the mountain and
striving to reach the place where they stood Oliver sprang to his assistance
and by their united efforts the worthy divine was soon placed safely among
them
»How came you added to our number« cried Edwards »Is the hill alive with
people at a time like this«
The hasty but pious thanksgivings of the clergyman were soon ejaculated
and when he succeeded in collecting his bewildered senses he replied
»I heard that my child was seen coming to the mountain and when the fire
broke over its summit my uneasiness drew me up the road where I found Louisa
in terror for Miss Temple It was to seek her that I came into this dangerous
place and I think but for Gods mercy through the dogs of Natty I should have
perished in the flames myself«
»Ay follow the hounds and if theres an opening theyll scent it out«
said Natty »their noses be given to them the same as mans reason«
»I did so and they led me to this place but praise be to God that I see
you all safe and well«
»No no« returned the hunter »safe we be but as for well John cant be
called in a good way unless youll say that for a man thats taking his last
look at arth«
»He speaks the truth« said the divine with the holy awe with which he ever
approached the dying »I have been by too many deathbeds not to see that the
hand of the tyrant is laid on this old warrior Oh how consoling it is to know
that he has not rejected the offered mercy in the hour of his strength and of
worldly temptations The offspring of a race of heathens he has in truth been
as a brand plucked from the burning«
»No no« returned Natty who alone stood with him by the side of the dying
warrior »its no burning that ails him though his Indian feelings made him
scorn to move unless it be the burning of mans wicked thoughts for near
fourscore years but its nater giving out in a chase thats run too long
Down with ye Hector down I say Flesh isnt iron that a man can live for
ever and see his kith and kin driven to a far country and he left to mourn
with none to keep him company«
»John« said the divine tenderly »do you hear me do you wish the prayers
appointed by the church at this trying moment«
The Indian turned his ghastly face towards the speaker and fastened his
dark eyes on him steadily but vacantly No sign of recognition was made and
in a moment he moved his head again slowly towards the vale and begun to sing
using his own language in those low guttural tones that have been so often
mentioned his notes rising with his theme till they swelled so loud as to be
distinct
»I will come I will come to the land of the just I will come The Maquas I
have slain I have slain the Maquas and the Great Spirit calls to his son I
will come I will come to the land of the just I will come«
»What says he Leatherstocking« inquired the priest with tender interest
»sings he the Redeemers praise«
»No no tis his own praise that he speaks now« said Natty turning in a
melancholy manner from the sight of his dying friend »and a good right he has
to say it all for I know every word to be true«
»May Heaven avert such selfrighteousness from his heart Humility and
penitence are the seals of christianity and without feeling them deeply seated
in the soul all hope is delusive and leads to vain expectations Praise
himself when his whole soul and body should unite to praise his Maker John
you have enjoyed the blessings of a gospel ministry and have been called from
out a multitude of sinners and pagans and I trust for a wise and gracious
purpose Do you now feel what it is to be justified by your Saviours death and
reject all weak and idle dependence on good works that spring from mans pride
and vainglory«
The Indian did not regard his interrogator but he raised his head again
and said in a low distinct voice
»Who can say that the Maquas know the back of Mohegan What enemy that
trusted in him did not see the morning What Mingo that he chased ever sung the
song of triumph Did Mohegan ever lie No the truth lived in him and none else
could come out of him In his youth he was a warrior and his moccasins left
the stain of blood In his age he was wise his words at the council fire did
not blow away with the winds«
»Ah he has abandoned that vain relic of paganism his songs« cried the
divine »what says he now is he sensible of his lost state«
»Lord man« said Natty »he knows his ind is at hand as well as you or I
but so far from thinking it a loss he believes it to be a great gain He is
old and stiff and youve made the game so scurce and shy that better shots
than him find it hard to get a livelihood Now he thinks he shall travel where
it will always be good hunting where no wicked or unjust Indians can go and
where he shall meet all his tribe together agin Theres not much loss in that
to a man whose hands be hardly fit for basketmaking Loss if there be any
loss twill be to me Im sure after hes gone there will be but little left
for me but to follow«
»His example and end which I humbly trust shall yet be made glorious«
returned Mr Grant »should lead your mind to dwell on the things of another
life But I feel it to be my duty to smooth the way for the parting spirit This
is the moment John when the reflection that you did not reject the mediation
of the Redeemer will bring balm to your soul Trust not to any act of former
days but lay the burthen of your sins at his feet and you have his own blessed
assurance that he will not desert you«
»Though all you say be true and you have scripter gospels for it too«
said Natty »you will make nothing of the Indian He hasnt seen a Moravian
priest sin the war and its hard to keep them from going back to their native
ways I should think twould be as well to let the old man pass in peace Hes
happy now I know it by his eye and thats more than I would say for the chief
sin the time the Delawares broke up from the headwaters of their river and
went west Ahs me tis a grievous long time that and many dark days have we
seen together sin it«
»Hawkeye« said Mohegan rousing with the last glimmering of life
»Hawkeye listen to the words of your brother«
»Yes John« said the hunter in English strongly affected by the appeal
and drawing to his side »we have been brothers and more so than it means in
the Indian tongue What would ye have with me Chingachgook«
»Hawkeye my fathers call me to the happy huntinggrounds The path is
clear and the eyes of Mohegan grow young I look but I see no whiteskins
there are none to be seen but just and brave Indians Farewell Hawkeye you
shall go with the Fireeater and the Youngeagle to the white mans heaven but
I go after my fathers Let the bow and tomahawk and pipe and the wampum of
Mohegan be laid in his grave for when he starts twill be in the night like a
warrior on a warparty and he cannot stop to seek them«
»What says he Nathaniel« cried Mr Grant earnestly and with obvious
anxiety »does he recall the promises of the mediation and trust his salvation
to the Rock of ages«
Although the faith of the hunter was by no means clear yet the fruits of
early instruction had not entirely fallen in the wilderness He believed in one
God and in one heaven and when the strong feeling excited by the leavetaking
of his old companion which was exhibited by the powerful working of every
muscle in his weather beaten face suffered him to speak he replied
»No no he trusts only to the Great Spirit of the savages and to his own
good deeds He thinks like all his people that he is to be young agin and to
hunt and be happy to the ind of etarnity Its pretty much the same with all
colours parson I could never bring myself to think that I shall meet with
these hounds or my piece in another world though the thoughts of leaving them
for ever sometimes brings hard feelings over me and makes me cling to life
with a greater craving than beseems threescoreandten«
»The Lord in his mercy avert such a death from one who has been sealed
with the sign of the cross« cried the minister in holy fervour »John «
He paused for the elements During the period occupied by the events which
we have related the dark clouds in the horizon had continued to increase in
numbers and magnitude and the awful stillness that now pervaded the air
announced a crisis in the state of the atmosphere The flames which yet
continued to rage along the sides of the mountain no longer whirled in the
uncertain currents of their own eddies but blazed high and steadily towards the
heavens There was even a quietude in the ravages of the destructive element as
if it foresaw that a hand greater than even its own desolating power was about
to stay its progress The piles of smoke which lay above the valley began to
rise and were dispelling rapidly and streaks of vivid lightning were dancing
through the masses of clouds that impended over the western hills While Mr
Grant was speaking a flash which sent its quivering light through the gloom
laying bare the whole opposite horizon was followed by a loud crash of thunder
that rolled away among the hills seeming to shake the foundations of the earth
to their centre Mohegan raised himself as if in obedience to a signal for his
departure and stretched his wasted arm towards the west His dark face lighted
with a look of joy which with all other expression gradually disappeared the
muscles stiffening as they retreated to a state of rest a slight convulsion
played for a single instant about his lips and his arm slowly dropped by his
side leaving the frame of the dead warrior reposing against the rock with its
glassy eyes open and fixed on the distant hills as if the deserted shell were
tracing the flight of the spirit to its new abode
All this Mr Grant witnessed in silent awe but when the last echoes of the
thunder died away he clasped his hands together with pious energy and
repeated in the full rich tones of assured faith
»O Lord how unsearchable are thy judgments And thy ways past finding out
I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon
the earth And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh
shall I see God whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold and
not another«
As the divine closed this burst of devotion he bowed his head meekly to his
bosom and looked all the dependence and humility that the inspired language
expressed
When Mr Grant retired from the body the hunter approached and taking the
rigid hand of his friend looked him wistfully in the face for some time without
speaking when he gave vent to his feelings by saying in the mournful voice of
one who felt deeply
»Red skin or white its all over now Hes to be judged by a righteous
Judge and by no laws thats made to suit times and new ways Well theres
only one more death and the world be left to me and the hounds Ahs me a man
must wait the time of Gods pleasure but I begin to weary of life There is
scurcely a tree standing that I know and its hard to find a face that I was
acquainted with in my younger days«
Large drops of rain began now to fall and diffuse themselves over the dry
rock while the approach of the thunder shower was rapid and certain The body
of the Indian was hastily removed into the cave beneath followed by the whining
hounds who missed and moaned for the look of intelligence that had always met
their salutations to the chief
Edwards made some hasty and confused excuse for not taking Elizabeth into
the same place which was now completely closed in front with logs and bark
saying something that she hardly understood about its darkness and the
unpleasantness of being with the dead body Miss Temple however found a
sufficient shelter against the torrent of rain that fell under the projection
of a rock which overhung them But long before the shower was over the sounds
of voices were heard below them crying aloud for Elizabeth and men soon
appeared beating the dying embers of the bushes as they worked their way
cautiously among the unextinguished brands
At the first short cessation in the rain Oliver conducted Elizabeth to the
road where he left her Before parting however he found time to say in a
fervent manner that his companion was now at no loss to interpret
»The moment of concealment is over Miss Temple By this time tomorrow I
shall remove a veil that perhaps it has been weakness to keep around me and my
affairs so long But I have had romantic and foolish wishes and weaknesses and
who has not that is young and torn by conflicting passions God bless you I
hear your fathers voice he is coming up the road and I would not just now
subject myself to detention Thank Heaven you are safe again that alone
removes the weight of a world from my spirit«
He waited for no answer but sprung into the woods Elizabeth
notwithstanding she heard the cries of her father as he called upon her name
paused until he was concealed among the smoking trees when she turned and in a
moment rushed into the arms of her halfdistracted parent
A carriage had been provided into which Miss Temple hastily entered when
the cry was passed along the hill that the lost one was found and the people
returned to the village wet and dirty but elated with the thought that the
daughter of their landlord had escaped from so horrid and untimely an end18
Chapter XXXIX
»Selictar unsheath then our chiefs scimetar
Tambourgi thy larum gives promise of war
Ye mountains that see us descend to the shore
Shall view us victors or view us no more«
Byron Childe Harolds Pilgrimage
IIlxxi5053
The heavy showers that prevailed during the remainder of the day completely
stopped the progress of the flames though glimmering fires were observed during
the night on different parts of the hill wherever there was a collection of
fuel to feed the element The next day the woods for many miles were black and
smoking and were stript of every vestige of brush and dead wood but the pines
and hemlocks still reared their heads proudly among the hills and even the
smaller trees of the forest retained a feeble appearance of life and vegetation
The many tongues of rumour were busy in exaggerating the miraculous escape
of Elizabeth and a report was generally credited that Mohegan had actually
perished in the flames This belief became confirmed and was indeed rendered
probable when the direful intelligence reached the village that Jotham Riddel
the miner was found in his hole nearly dead with suffocation and burnt to
such a degree that no hopes were entertained of his life
The public attention became much alive to the events of the last few days
and just at this crisis the convicted counterfeiters took the hint from Natty
and on the night succeeding the fire found means to cut through their log
prison also and to escape unpunished When this news begun to circulate through
the village blended with the fate of Jotham and the exaggerated and tortured
reports of the events on the hill the popular opinion was freely expressed as
to the propriety of seizing such of the fugitives as remained within reach Men
talked of the cave as a secret receptacle of guilt and as the rumour of ores
and metals found its way into the confused medley of conjectures
counterfeiting and every thing else that was wicked and dangerous to the peace
of society suggested themselves to the busy fancies of the populace
While the public mind was in this feverish state it was hinted that the
wood had been set on fire by Edwards and the Leatherstocking and that
consequently they alone were responsible for the damages This opinion soon
gained ground being most circulated by those who by their own heedlessness
had caused the evil and there was one irresistible burst of the common
sentiment that an attempt should be made to punish the offenders Richard was
by no means deaf to this appeal and by noon he set about in earnest to see the
laws executed
Several stout young men were selected and taken apart with an appearance
of secrecy where they received some important charge from the Sheriff
immediately under the eyes but far removed from the ears of all in the
village Possessed of a knowledge of their duty these youths hurried into the
hills with a bustling manner as if the fate of the world depended on their
diligence and at the same time with an air of mystery as great as if they
were engaged on secret matters of the state
At twelve precisely a drum beat the long roll before the Bold Dragoon and
Richard appeared accompanied by Captain Hollister who was clad in his
vestments as commander of the Templeton LightInfantry when the former demanded
of the latter the aid of the posse comitatus in enforcing the laws of the
country We have not room to record the speeches of the two gentlemen on this
occasion but they are preserved in the columns of the little blue newspaper
which is yet to be found on file and are said to be highly creditable to the
legal formula of one of the parties and to the military precision of the other
Every thing had been previously arranged and as the redcoated drummer
continued to roll out his clattering notes some fiveandtwenty privates
appeared in the ranks and arranged themselves in order of battle
As this corps was composed of volunteers and was commanded by a man who had
passed the first fiveandthirty years of his life in camps and garrisons it
was the nonpareil of military science in that country and was confidently
pronounced by the judicious part of the Templeton community to be equal in
skill and appearance to any troops in the known world in physical endowments
they were certainly much superior To this assertion there were but three
dissenting voices and one dissenting opinion The opinion belonged to
Marmaduke who however saw no necessity for its promulgation Of the voices
one and that a pretty loud one came from the spouse of the commander himself
who frequently reproached her husband for condescending to lead such an
irregular band of warriors after he had filled the honourable station of
sergeantmajor to a dashing corps of Virginian cavalry through much of the
recent war
Another of these sceptical sentiments was invariably expressed by Mr Pump
whenever the company paraded generally in some such terms as these which were
uttered with that sort of meekness that a native of the island of our
forefathers is apt to assume when he condescends to praise the customs or
character of her truant progeny
»Its mayhap that they knows summat about loading and firing dye see but
as for working ship why a corporals guard of the Boadisheys marines would
back and fill on their quarters in such a manner as to surround and captivate
them all in half a glass« As there was no one to deny this assertion the
marines of the Boadicea were held in a corresponding degree of estimation
The third unbeliever was Monsieur Le Quoi who merely whispered to the
Sheriff that the corps was one of the finest he had ever seen second only to
the Mousquetaires of Le Bon Louis However as Mrs Hollister thought there was
something like actual service in the present appearances and was in
consequence too busily engaged with certain preparations of her own to make
her comments as Benjamin was absent and Monsieur Le Quoi too happy to find
fault with any thing the corps escaped criticism and comparison altogether on
this momentous day when they certainly had greater need of selfconfidence
than on any other previous occasion Marmaduke was said to be again closeted
with Mr Van der School and no interruption was offered to the movements of the
troops At two oclock precisely the corps shouldered arms beginning on the
right wing next to the veteran and carrying the motion through to the left
with great regularity When each musket was quietly fixed in its proper
situation the order was given to wheel to the left and march As this was
bringing raw troops at once to face their enemy it is not to be supposed that
the manoeuvre was executed with their usual accuracy but as the music struck up
the inspiring air of Yankeedoodle and Richard accompanied by Mr Doolittle
preceded the troops boldly down the street Captain Hollister led on with his
head elevated to fortyfive degrees with a little low cocked hat perched on
his crown carrying a tremendous dragoon sabre at a poise and trailing at his
heels a huge steel scabbard that had war in its very clattering There was a
good deal of difficulty in getting all the platoons there were six to look the
same way but by the time they reached the defile of the bridge the troops
were in sufficiently compact order In this manner they marched up the hill to
the summit of the mountain no other alteration taking place in the disposition
of the forces excepting that a mutual complaint was made by the Sheriff and the
magistrate of a failure in wind which gradually brought these gentlemen to the
rear It will be unnecessary to detail the minute movements that succeeded We
shall briefly say that the scouts came in and reported that so far from
retreating as had been anticipated the fugitives had evidently gained a
knowledge of the attack and were fortifying for a desperate resistance This
intelligence certainly made a material change not only in the plans of the
leaders but in the countenances of the soldiery also The men looked at one
another with serious faces and Hiram and Richard begun to consult together
apart
At this conjuncture they were joined by Billy Kirby who came along the
highway with his axe under his arm as much in advance of his team as Captain
Hollister had been of his troops in the ascent The woodchopper was amazed at
the military array but the Sheriff eagerly availed himself of this powerful
reinforcement and commanded his assistance in putting the laws in force Billy
held Mr Jones in too much deference to object and it was finally arranged that
he should be the bearer of a summons to the garrison to surrender before they
proceeded to extremities The troops now divided one party being led by the
captain over the Vision and were brought in on the left of the cave while the
remainder advanced upon its right under the orders of the lieutenant Mr Jones
and Dr Todd for the surgeon was in attendance also appeared on the platform
of rock immediately over the heads of the garrison though out of their sight
Hiram thought this approaching too near and he therefore accompanied Kirby
along the side of the hill to within a safe distance of the fortifications
where he took shelter behind a tree Most of the men discovered great accuracy
of eye in bringing some object in range between them and their enemy and the
only two of the besiegers who were left in plain sight of the besieged were
Captain Hollister on one side and the woodchopper on the other The veteran
stood up boldly to the front supporting his heavy sword in one undeviating
position with his eye fixed firmly on his enemy while the huge form of Billy
was placed in that kind of quiet repose with either hand thrust into his bosom
bearing his axe under his right arm which permitted him like his own oxen to
rest standing So far not a word had been exchanged between the belligerents
The besieged had drawn together a pile of black logs and branches of trees
which they had formed into a chevauxdefrize making a little circular abbatis
in front of the entrance to the cave As the ground was steep and slippery in
every direction around the place and Benjamin appeared behind the works on one
side and Natty on the other the arrangement was by no means contemptible
especially as the front was sufficiently guarded by the difficulty of the
approach By this time Kirby had received his orders and he advanced coolly
along the mountain picking his way with the same indifference as if he were
pursuing his ordinary business When he was within a hundred feet of the works
the long and much dreaded rifle of the Leatherstocking was seen issuing from
the parapet and his voice cried aloud
»Keep off Billy Kirby keep off I wish ye no harm but if a man of ye all
comes a step nigher therell be blood spilt atwixt us God forgive the one
that draws it first but so it must be«
»Come old chap« said Billy goodnaturedly »dont be crabbed but hear
what a man has got to say Ive no concarn in the business only to see right
twixt man and man and I dont kear the valie of a beetlering which gets the
better but theres Squire Doolittle yonder behind the beech sapling he has
invited me to come in and ask you to give up to the law thats all«
»I see the varmint I see his clothes« cried the indignant Natty »and if
hell only show so much flesh as will bury a rifle bullet thirty to the pound
Ill make him feel me Go away Billy I bid ye you know my aim and I bear you
no malice«
»You over calkilate your aim Natty« said the other as he stepped behind a
pine that stood near him »if you think to shoot a man through a tree with a
three foot butt I can lay this treetop right across you in ten minutes by
any mans watch and in less time too so be civil I want no more than whats
right«
There was a simple seriousness in the countenance of Natty that showed he
was much in earnest but it was also evident that he was reluctant to shed
human blood He answered the vaunt of the woodchopper by saying
»I know you drop a tree where you will Billy Kirby but if you show a hand
or an arm in doing it therell be bones to be set and blood to stanch If
its only to get into the cave that ye want wait till a two hours sun and you
may enter it in welcome but come in now you shall not Theres one dead body
already lying on the cold rocks and theres another in which the life can
hardly be said to stay If you will come in therell be dead without as well as
within«
The woodchopper stept out fearlessly from his cover and cried
»Thats fair and whats fair is right He wants you to stop till its two
hours to sundown and I see reason in the thing A man can give up when hes
wrong if you dont crowd him too hard but you crowd a man and he gets to be
like a stubborn ox the more you beat the worse he kicks«
The sturdy notions of independence maintained by Billy neither suited the
emergency nor the impatience of Mr Jones who was burning with a desire to
examine the hidden mysteries of the cave He therefore interrupted this
amicable dialogue with his own voice
»I command you Nathaniel Bumppo by my authority to surrender your person
to the law« he cried »And I command you gentlemen to aid me in performing my
duty Benjamin Penguillan I arrest you and order you to follow me to the gaol
of the county by virtue of this warrant«
»Id follow ye Squire Dickens« said Benjamin removing the pipe from his
mouth for during the whole scene the exmajor domo had been very composedly
smoking »Ay Id sail in your wake to the end of the world ifsobe that
there was such a place which there isnt seeing that its round Now mayhap
Master Hollister having lived all your life on shore you isnt acquainted that
the world dyesee «
»Surrender« interrupted the veteran in a voice that startled his hearers
and which actually caused his own forces to recoil several paces »Surrender
Benjamin Penguillum or expect no quarter«
»Damn your quarter« said Benjamin rising from the log on which he was
seated and taking a squint along the barrel of the swivel which had been
brought on the hill during the night and now formed the means of defence on
his side of the works »Look you Master or Captain thoff I questions if ye
know the name of a rope except the one thats to hang ye theres no need of
singing out as if ye was hailing a deaf man on a topgallantyard Mayhap you
think youve got my true name in your sheepskin but what British sailor finds
it worth while to sail in these seas without a sham on his stern in case of
need dyesee If you call me Penguillan you calls me by the name of the man
on whose land dyesee I hove into daylight and he was a gentleman and
thats more than my worst enimy will say of any of the family of Benjamin
Stubbs«
»Send the warrant round to me and Ill put in an alias« cried Hiram from
behind his cover
»Put in a jackass and youll put in yourself Mister Doobutlittle«
shouted Benjamin who kept squinting along his little iron tube with great
steadiness
»I give you but one moment to yield« cried Richard »Benjamin Benjamin
This is not the gratitude I expected from you«
»I tell you Richard Jones« said Natty who dreaded the Sheriffs influence
over his comrade »though the canister the gall brought be lost theres powder
enough in the cave to lift the rock you stand on Ill take off my roof if you
dont hold your peace«
»I think it beneath the dignity of my office to parley further with the
prisoners« the Sheriff observed to his companion while they both retired with
a precipitancy that Captain Holister mistook for the signal to advance
»Charge baggonet« shouted the veteran »march«
Although this signal was certainly expected it took the assailed a little
by surprise and the veteran approached the works crying »courage my brave
lads give them no quarter unless they surrender« and struck a furious blow
upwards with his sabre that would have divided the steward in moieties by
subjecting him to the process of decapitation but for the fortunate
interference of the muzzle of the swivel As it was the gun was dismounted at
the critical moment that Benjamin was applying his pipe to the priming and in
consequence some five or six dozen of rifle bullets were projected into the
air in nearly a perpendicular line Philosophy teaches us that the atmosphere
will not retain lead and two pounds of the metal moulded into bullets of
thirty to the pound after describing an ellipsis in their journey returned to
the earth rattling among the branches of the trees directly over the heads of
the troops stationed in the rear of their captain Much of the success of an
attack made by irregular soldiers depends on the direction in which they are
first got in motion In the present instance it was retrograde and in less
than a minute after the bellowing report of the swivel among the rocks and
caverns the whole weight of the attack from the left rested on the prowess of
the single arm of the veteran Benjamin received a severe contusion from the
recoil of his gun which produced a short stupor during which period the
exsteward was prostrate on the ground Capt Holister availed himself of this
circumstance to scramble over the breastwork and obtain a footing in the
bastion for such was the nature of the fortress as connected with the cave
The moment the veteran found himself within the works of his enemy he rushed to
the edge of the fortification and waving his sabre over his head shouted
»Victory come on my brave boys the works our own«
All this was perfectly military and was such an example as a gallant
officer was in some measure bound to exhibit to his men but the outcry was the
unlucky cause of turning the tide of success Natty who had been keeping a
vigilant eye on the woodchopper and the enemy immediately before him wheeled
at this alarm and was appalled at beholding his comrade on the ground and the
veteran standing on his own bulwark giving forth the cry of victory The muzzle
of the long rifle was turned instantly towards the captain There was a moment
when the life of the old soldier was in great jeopardy but the object to shoot
at was both too large and too near for the Leatherstocking who instead of
pulling his trigger applied the gun to the rear of his enemy and by a powerful
shove sent him outside of the works with much greater rapidity than he had
entered them The spot on which Capt Hollister alighted was directly in front
where as his feet touched the ground so steep and slippery was the side of the
mountain it seemed to recede from under them His motion was swift and so
irregular as utterly to confuse the faculties of the old soldier During its
continuance he supposed himself to be mounted and charging through the ranks of
his enemy At every tree he made a blow of course as at a footsoldier and
just as he was making the cut St George at a halfburnt sapling he landed in
the highway and to his utter amazement at the feet of his own spouse When
Mrs Hollister who was toiling up the hill followed by at least twenty curious
boys leaning with one hand on the staff with which she ordinarily walked and
bearing in the other an empty bag witnessed this exploit of her husband
indignation immediately got the better not only of her religion but of her
philosophy
»Why Sargeant is it flying ye are« she cried »That I should live to see
a husband of mine turn his back to the inimy and sich a one Here have I been
telling the bys as we come along all about the saige of Yorrektown and how ye
was hurted and how yed be acting the same agin the day and I mate ye
retrating jist as the first gun is fired Och I may trow away the bag for if
theres plunder twill not be the wife of sich as yeerself that will be
privileged to be getting the same They do say too theres a power of goold and
silver in the place the Lord forgive me for setting my heart on worreldly
things but what falls in the battle theres Scripter for believing is the
just property of the victor«
»Retreating« exclaimed the amazed veteran »wheres my horse he has been
shot under me I «
»Is the man mad« interrupted his wife »divil the horse do ye own
sargeant and yeere nothing but a shabby captain of malaishy Och if the raal
captain was here tis the other way yed be riding dear or you would not
follow your lader«
While this worthy couple were thus discussing events the battle began to
rage more violently than ever above them When the Leatherstocking saw his
enemy fairly under headway as Benjamin would express it he gave his attention
again to the right wing of the assailants It would have been easy for Kirby
with his powerful frame to have seized the moment to scale the bastion and
with his great strength to have sent both its defenders in pursuit of the
veteran but hostility appeared to be the passion that the woodchopper indulged
the least in at that moment for in a voice that was heard by the retreating
left wing he shouted
»Hurrah well done captain keep it up how he handles his bush hook he
makes nothing of a sapling« and such other encouraging exclamations to the
flying veteran until overcome by mirth the goodnatured fellow seated himself
on the ground kicking the earth with delight and giving vent to peal after
peal of laughter
Natty stood all this time in a menacing attitude with his rifle pointed
over the breastwork watching with a quick and cautious eye the least movement
of the assailants The outcry unfortunately tempted the ungovernable curiosity
of Hiram to take a peep from behind his cover at the state of the battle
Though this evolution was performed with great caution in protecting his front
he left like many a better commander his rear exposed to the attacks of his
enemy Mr Doolittle belonged physically to a class of his countrymen to whom
nature has denied in their formation the use of curved lines Every thing
about him was either straight or angular But his tailor was a woman who worked
like a regimental contractor by a set of rules that gave the same configuration
to the whole human species Consequently when Mr Doolittle leaned forward in
the manner described a loose drapery appeared behind the tree at which the
rifle of Natty was pointed with the quickness of lightning A less experienced
man would have aimed at the flowing robe which hung like a festoon half way to
the earth but the Leatherstocking knew both the man and his female tailor
better and when the smart report of the rifle was heard Kirby who watched the
whole manoeuvre in breathless expectation saw the bark fly from the beech and
the cloth at some distance above the loose folds wave at the same instant No
battery was ever unmasked with more promptitude than Hiram advanced from behind
the tree at this summons
He made two or three steps with great precision to the front and placing
one hand on the afflicted part stretched forth the other with a menacing air
towards Natty and cried aloud
»Gawl darn ye this shant be settled so easy Ill follow it up from the
common pleas to the court of errors«
Such a shocking imprecation from the mouth of so orderly a man as Squire
Doolittle with the fearless manner in which he exposed himself together with
perhaps the knowledge that Nattys rifle was unloaded encouraged the troops in
the rear who gave a loud shout and fired a volley into the treetops after
the contents of the swivel Animated by their own noise the men now rushed on
in earnest and Billy Kirby who thought the joke good as it was had gone far
enough was in the act of scaling the works when Judge Temple appeared on the
opposite side exclaiming
»Silence and peace why do I see murder and bloodshed attempted is not the
law sufficient to protect itself that armed bands must be gathered as in
rebellion and war to see justice performed«
»Tis the posse comitatus« shouted the Sheriff from a distant rock »who«
»Say rather a posse of demons I command the peace«
»Hold shed not blood« cried a voice from the top of the Vision »Hold
for the sake of Heaven fire no more all shall be yielded you shall enter the
cave«
Amazement produced the desired effect Natty who had reloaded his piece
quietly seated himself on the logs and rested his head on his hand while the
Light Infantry ceased their military movements and waited the issue in
suspense
In less than a minute Edwards came rushing down the hill followed by Major
Hartmann with a velocity that was surprising for his years They reached the
terrace in an instant from which the youth led the way by the hollow in the
rock to the mouth of the cave into which they both entered leaving all
without silent and gazing after them with astonishment
Chapter XL
»I am dumb
Were you the Doctor and I knew you not«
The Merchant of Venice Vi27980
During the five or six minutes that elapsed before the youth and Major
reappeared Judge Temple and the Sheriff together with most of the volunteers
ascended to the terrace where the latter begun to express their conjectures of
the result and to recount their individual services in the conflict But the
sight of the peacemakers ascending the ravine shut every mouth
On a rude chair covered with undressed deerskins they supported a human
being whom they seated carefully and respectfully in the midst of the assembly
His head was covered by long smooth locks of the colour of snow His dress
which was studiously neat and clean was composed of such fabrics as none but
the wealthiest classes wear but was threadbare and patched and on his feet
were placed a pair of moccasins ornamented in the best manner of Indian
ingenuity The outlines of his face were grave and dignified though his vacant
eye which opened and turned slowly to the faces of those around him in
unmeaning looks too surely announced that the period had arrived when age
brings the mental imbecility of childhood
Natty had followed the supporters of this unexpected object to the top of
the cave and took his station at a little distance behind him leaning on his
rifle in the midst of his pursuers with a fearlessness that showed that
heavier interests than those which affected himself were to be decided Major
Hartmann placed himself beside the aged man uncovered with his whole soul
beaming through those eyes which so commonly danced with frolic and humour
Edwards rested with one hand familiarly but affectionately on the chair
though his heart was swelling with emotions that denied him utterance
All eyes were gazing intently but each tongue continued mute At length the
decrepit stranger turning his vacant looks from face to face made a feeble
attempt to rise while a faint smile crossed his wasted face like an habitual
effort at courtesy as he said in a hollow tremulous voice
»Be pleased to be seated gentlemen The council will open immediately Each
one who loves a good and virtuous king will wish to see these colonies continue
loyal Be seated I pray you be seated gentlemen The troops shall halt for
the night«
»This is the wandering of insanity« said Marmaduke »who will explain this
scene«
»No sir« said Edwards firmly »tis only the decay of nature who is
answerable for its pitiful condition remains to be shown«
»Will the gentlemen dine with us my son« said the old stranger turning to
a voice that he both knew and loved »Order a repast suitable for his Majestys
officers You know we have the best of game always at command«
»Who is this man« asked Marmaduke in a hurried voice in which the
dawnings of conjecture united with interest to put the question
»This man« returned Edwards calmly his voice however gradually rising
as he proceeded »this man sir whom you behold hid in caverns and deprived of
every thing that can make life desirable was once the companion and counsellor
of those who ruled your country This man whom you see helpless and feeble
was once a warrior so brave and fearless that even the intrepid natives gave
him the name of the Fireeater This man whom you now see destitute of even the
ordinary comfort of a cabin in which to shelter his head was once the owner of
great riches and Judge Temple he was the rightful proprietor of this very
soil on which we stand This man was the father of«
»This then« cried Marmaduke with a powerful emotion »this then is the
lost Major Effingham«
»Lost indeed« said the youth fixing a piercing eye on the other
»And you and you« continued the Judge articulating with difficulty
»I am his grandson«
A minute passed in profound silence All eyes were fixed on the speakers
and even the old German appeared to wait the issue in deep anxiety But the
moment of agitation soon passed Marmaduke raised his head from his bosom where
it had sunk not in shame but in devout mental thanksgivings and as large
tears fell over his fine manly face he grasped the hand of the youth warmly
and said
»Oliver I forgive all thy harshness all thy suspicions I now see it all
I forgive thee every thing but suffering this aged man to dwell in such a
place when not only my habitation but my fortune were at his and thy
command«
»Hes true as ter steel« shouted Major Hartmann »titnt I tellt you lat
dat Marmatuke Temple vast a frient dat woult never fail in ter dime as of neet«
»It is true Judge Temple that my opinions of your conduct have been
staggered by what this worthy gentleman has told me When I found it impossible
to convey my grandfather back whence the enduring love of this old man brought
him without detection and exposure I went to the Mohawk in quest of one of his
former comrades in whose justice I had dependence He is your friend Judge
Temple but if what he says be true both my father and myself may have judged
you harshly«
»You name your father« said Marmaduke tenderly »Was he indeed lost in
the packet«
»He was He had left me after several years of fruitless application and
comparative poverty in NovaScotia to obtain the compensation for his losses
which the British commissioners had at length awarded After spending a year in
England he was returning to Halifax on his way to a government to which he
had been appointed in the WestIndies intending to go to the place where my
grandfather had sojourned during and since the war and take him with us«
»But thou« said Marmaduke with powerful interest »I had thought that
thou hadst perished with him«
A flush passed over the cheeks of the young man who gazed about him at the
wondering faces of the volunteers and continued silent Marmaduke turned to the
veteran captain who just then rejoined his command and said
»March thy soldiers back again and dismiss them the zeal of the Sheriff
has much mistaken his duty Dr Todd I will thank you to attend to the injury
which Hiram Doolittle has received in this untoward affair Richard you will
oblige me by sending up the carriage to the top of the hill Benjamin return to
your duty in my family«
Unwelcome as these orders were to most of the auditors the suspicion that
they had somewhat exceeded the wholesome restraints of the law and the habitual
respect with which all the commands of the Judge were received induced a prompt
compliance
When they were gone and the rock was left to the parties most interested in
an explanation Marmaduke pointing to the aged Major Effingham said to his
grandson
»Had we not better remove thy parent from this open place until my carriage
can arrive«
»Pardon me sir the air does him good and he has taken it whenever there
was no dread of a discovery I know not how to act Judge Temple ought I can
I suffer Major Effingham to become an inmate of your family«
»Thou shalt be thyself the judge« said Marmaduke »Thy father was my early
friend He intrusted his fortune to my care When we separated he had such
confidence in me that he wished no security no evidence of the trust even had
there been time or convenience for exacting it This thou hast heard«
»Most truly sir« said Edwards or rather Effingham as we must now call
him
»We differed in politics If the cause of this country was successful the
trust was sacred with me for none knew of thy fathers interest If the crown
still held its sway it would be easy to restore the property of so loyal a
subject as Col Effingham Is not this plain«
»The premises are good sir« continued the youth with the same incredulous
look as before
»Listen listen poy« said the German »Dere is not a hair as of ter rogue
in ter het of ter Tchooge«
»We all know the issue of the struggle« continued Marmaduke disregarding
both »Thy grandfather was left in Connecticut regularly supplied by thy father
with the means of such a subsistence as suited his wants This I well knew
though I never had intercourse with him even in our happiest days Thy father
retired with the troops to prosecute his claims on England At all events his
losses must be great for his real estates were sold and I became the lawful
purchaser It was not unnatural to wish that he might have no bar to its just
recovery«
»There was none but the difficulty of providing for so many claimants«
»But there would have been one and an insuperable one had I announced to
the world that I held these estates multiplied by the times and my industry a
hundred fold in value only as his trustee Thou knowest that I supplied him
with considerable sums immediately after the war«
»You did until«
»My letters were returned unopened Thy father had much of thy own spirit
Oliver he was sometimes hasty and rash« The Judge continued in a
selfcondemning manner »Perhaps my fault lies the other way I may possibly
look too far ahead and calculate too deeply It certainly was a severe trial to
allow the man whom I most loved to think ill of me for seven years in order
that he might honestly apply for his just remunerations But had he opened my
last letters thou wouldst have learnt the whole truth Those I sent him to
England by what my agent writes me he did read He died Oliver knowing all
He died my friend and I thought thou hadst died with him«
»Our poverty would not permit us to pay for two passages« said the youth
with the extraordinary emotion with which he ever alluded to the degraded state
of his family »I was left in the Province to wait for his return and when the
sad news of his loss reached me I was nearly pennyless«
»And what didst thou boy« asked Marmaduke in a faltering voice
»I took my passage here in search of my grandfather for I well knew that
his resources were gone with the halfpay of my father On reaching his abode
I learnt that he had left it in secret though the reluctant hireling who had
deserted him in his poverty owned to my urgent entreaties that he believed he
had been carried away by an old man who had formerly been his servant I knew
at once it was Natty for my father often«
»Was Natty a servant of thy grandfather« exclaimed the Judge
»Of that too were you ignorant« said the youth in evident surprise
»How should I know it I never met the Major nor was the name of Bumppo
ever mentioned to me I knew him only as a man of the woods and one who lived
by hunting Such men are too common to excite surprise«
»He was reared in the family of my grandfather served him for many years
during their campaigns at the west where he became attached to the woods and
he was left here as a kind of locum tenens on the lands that old Mohegan whose
life my grandfather once saved induced the Delawares to grant to him when they
admitted him as an honorary member of their tribe«
»This then is thy Indian blood«
»I have no other« said Edwards smiling »Major Effingham was adopted as
the son of Mohegan who at that time was the greatest man in his nation and my
father who visited those people when a boy received the name of the Eagle from
them on account of the shape of his face as I understand They have extended
his title to me I have no other Indian blood or breeding though I have seen
the hour Judge Temple when I could wish that such had been my lineage and
education«
»Proceed with thy tale« said Marmaduke
»I have but little more to say sir I followed to the lake where I had so
often been told that Natty dwelt and found him maintaining his old master in
secret for even he could not bear to exhibit to the world in his poverty and
dotage a man whom a whole people once looked up to with respect«
»And what did you«
»What did I I spent my last money in purchasing a rifle clad myself in a
coarse garb and learned to be a hunter by the side of Leatherstocking You
know the rest Judge Temple«
»Ant vere vast olt Fritz Hartmann« said the German reproachfully »didst
never hear a name as of olt Fritz Hartmann from ter mout of ter fader lat«
»I may have been mistaken gentlemen« returned the youth »but I had pride
and could not submit to such an exposure as this day even has reluctantly
brought to light I had plans that might have been visionary but should my
parent survive till autumn I purposed taking him with me to the city where we
have distant relatives who must have learnt to forget the Tory by this time He
decays rapidly« he continued mournfully »and must soon lie by the side of old
Mohegan«
The air being pure and the day fine the party continued conversing on the
rock until the wheels of Judge Temples carriage were heard clattering up the
side of the mountain during which time the conversation was maintained with
deep interest each moment clearing up some doubtful action and lessening the
antipathy of the youth to Marmaduke He no longer objected to the removal of his
grandfather who displayed a childish pleasure when he found himself seated once
more in a carriage When placed in the ample hall of the Mansionhouse the eyes
of the aged veteran turned slowly to the objects in the apartment and a look
like the dawn of intellect would for moments flit across his features when he
invariably offered some useless courtesies to those near him wandering
painfully in his subjects The exercise and the change soon produced an
exhaustion that caused them to remove him to his bed where he lay for hours
evidently sensible of the change in his comforts and exhibiting that mortifying
picture of human nature which too plainly shows that the propensities of the
animal continue even after the nobler part of the creature appears to have
vanished
Until his parent was placed comfortably in bed with Natty seated at his
side Effingham did not quit him He then obeyed a summons to the library of the
Judge where he found the latter with Major Hartmann waiting for him
»Read this paper Oliver« said Marmaduke to him as he entered »and thou
wilt find that so far from intending thy family wrong during life it has been
my care to see that justice should be done at even a later day«
The youth took the paper which his first glance told him was the will of
the Judge Hurried and agitated as he was he discovered that the date
corresponded with the time of the unusual depression of Marmaduke As he
proceeded his eyes began to moisten and the hand which held the instrument
shook violently
The will commenced with the usual forms spun out by the ingenuity of Mr
Van der School but after this subject was fairly exhausted the pen of
Marmaduke became plainly visible In clear distinct manly and even eloquent
language he recounted his obligations to Colonel Effingham the nature of their
connexion and the circumstances in which they separated He then proceeded to
relate the motives of his long silence mentioning however large sums that he
had forwarded to his friend which had been returned with the letters unopened
After this he spoke of his search for the grandfather who had unaccountably
disappeared and his fears that the direct heir of the trust was buried in the
ocean with his father
After in short recounting in a clear narrative the events which our
readers must now be able to connect he proceeded to make a fair and exact
statement of the sums left in his care by Col Effingham A devise of his whole
estate to certain responsible trustees followed to hold the same for the
benefit in equal moieties of his daughter on one part and of Oliver
Effingham formerly a major in the army of Great Britain and of his son Edward
Effingham and of his son Edward Oliver Effingham or to the survivor of them
and the descendants of such survivor for ever on the other part The trust was
to endure until 1810 when if no person appeared or could be found after
sufficient notice to claim the moiety so devised then a certain sum
calculating the principal and interest of his debt to Col Effingham was to be
paid to the heirs at law of the Effingham family and the bulk of his estate was
to be conveyed in fee to his daughter or her heirs
The tears fell from the eyes of the young man as he read this undeniable
testimony of the good faith of Marmaduke and his bewildered gaze was still
fastened on the paper when a voice that thrilled on every nerve spoke near
him saying
»Do you yet doubt us Oliver«
»I have never doubted you« cried the youth recovering his recollection and
his voice as he sprung to seize the hand of Elizabeth »no not one moment has
my faith in you wavered«
»And my father «
»God bless him«
»I thank thee my son« said the Judge exchanging a warm pressure of the
hand with the youth »but we have both erred thou hast been too hasty and I
have been too slow One half of my estates shall be thine as soon as they can be
conveyed to thee and if what my suspicions tell me be true I suppose the
other must follow speedily« He took the hand which he held and united it with
that of his daughter and motioned towards the door to the Major
»I telt you vat gal« said the old German good humouredly »if I vast ast
I vast ven I servit mit his grantfader on ter lakes ter lazy tog shoulnt vin
ter prize as for nottin«
»Come come old Fritz« said the Judge »you are seventy not seventeen
Richard waits for you with a bowl of eggnog in the hall«
»Richard ter duyvel« exclaimed the other hastening out of the room »he
makes ter nog ast for ter horse I vilt show ter Sheriff mit my own hants Ter
duyvel I pelieve he sweetens mit ter yankee melasses«
Marmaduke smiled arid nodded affectionately at the young couple and closed
the door after them If any of our readers expect that we are going to open it
again for their gratification they are mistaken
The têteàtête continued for a very unreasonable time how long we shall
not say but it was ended by six oclock in the evening for at that hour
Monsieur Le Quoi made his appearance agreeably to the appointment of the
preceding day and claimed the ear of Miss Temple He was admitted when he made
an offer of his hand with much suavity together with his »amis beeg and leet
his père his mère and his sucreboosh« Elizabeth might possibly have
previously entered into some embarrassing and binding engagements with Oliver
for she declined the tender of all in terms as polite though perhaps a little
more decided than those in which they were made
The Frenchman soon joined the German and the Sheriff in the hall who
compelled him to take a seat with them at the table where by the aid of punch
wine and eggnog they soon extracted from the complaisant Monsieur Le Quoi the
nature of his visit It was evident that he had made the offer as a duty which
a wellbred man owed to a lady in such a retired place before he left the
country and that his feelings were but very little if at all interested in
the matter After a few potations the waggish pair persuaded the exhilarated
Frenchman that there was an inexcusable partiality in offering to one lady and
not extending a similar courtesy to another Consequently about nine Monsieur
Le Quoi sallied forth to the Rectory on a similar mission to Miss Grant which
proved as successful as his first effort in love
When he returned to the Mansionhouse at ten Richard and the Major were
still seated at the table They attempted to persuade the Gaul as the Sheriff
called him that he should next try Remarkable Pettibone But though stimulated
by mental excitement and wine two hours of abstruse logic were thrown away on
this subject for he declined their advice with a pertinacity truly astonishing
in so polite a man
When Benjamin lighted Monsieur Le Quoi from the door he said at parting
»Ifsobe Mounsheer youd run alongside Mistress Prettybones as the
Squire Dickens was bidding ye tis my notion youd have been grappled in which
case dye see you mought have been troubled in swinging clear again in a
handsome manner for thof Miss Lizzy and the parsons young un be tidy little
vessels that shoot by a body on a wind Mistress Remarkable is summat of a
galliot fashion when you once takes em in tow they doesnt like to be cast
off again«
Chapter XLI
»Yes sweep ye on We will not leave
For them who triumph those who grieve
With that armada gay
Be laughter loud and jocund shout
But with that skiff
Abides the minstrel tale«
Scott The Lord of the Isles
Ixvii14 1112
The events of our tale carry us through the summer and after making nearly the
circle of the year we must conclude our labours in the delightful month of
October Many important incidents had however occurred in the intervening
period a few of which it may be necessary to recount
The two principal were the marriage of Oliver and Elizabeth and the death
of Major Effingham They both took place early in September and the former
preceded the latter only by a few days The old man passed away like the last
glimmering of a taper and though his death cast a melancholy over the family
grief could not follow such an end
One of the chief concerns of Marmaduke was to reconcile the even conduct of
a magistrate with the course that his feelings dictated to the criminals The
day succeeding the discovery at the cave however Natty and Benjamin reentered
the gaol peaceably where they continued well fed and comfortable until the
return of an express to Albany who brought the Governors pardon to the
Leatherstocking In the mean time proper means were employed to satisfy Hiram
for the assaults on his person and on the same day the two comrades issued
together into society again with their characters not at all affected by the
imprisonment
Mr Doolittle began to discover that neither his architecture nor his law
was quite suitable to the growing wealth and intelligence of the settlement
and after exacting the last cent that was attainable in his compromises to use
the language of the country he pulled up stakes and proceeded further west
scattering his professional science and legal learning through the land
vestiges of both of which are to be discovered there even to the present hour
Poor Jotham whose life paid the forfeiture of his folly acknowledged
before he died that his reasons for believing in a mine were extracted from
the lips of a sybil who by looking in a magic glass was enabled to discover
the hidden treasures of the earth Such superstition was frequent in the new
settlements and after the first surprise was over the better part of the
community forgot the subject But at the same time that it removed from the
breast of Richard a lingering suspicion of the acts of the three hunters it
conveyed a mortifying lesson to him which brought many quiet hours in future
to his cousin Marmaduke It may be remembered that the Sheriff confidently
pronounced this to be no visionary scheme and that word was enough to shut his
lips at any time within the next ten years
Monsieur Le Quoi who has been introduced to our readers because no picture
of that country would be faithful without some such character found the island
of Martinique and his sucreboosh in possession of the English but Marmaduke
and his family were much gratified in soon hearing that he had returned to his
bureau in Paris where he afterwards issued yearly bulletins of his happiness
and of his gratitude to his friends in America
With this brief explanation we must return to our narrative Let the
American reader imagine one of our mildest October mornings when the sun seems
a ball of silvery fire and the elasticity of the air is felt while it is
inhaled imparting vigour and life to the whole system the weather neither
too warm nor too cold but of that happy temperature which stirs the blood
without bringing the lassitude of spring
It was on such a morning about the middle of the month that Oliver entered
the hall where Elizabeth was issuing her usual orders for the day and
requested her to join him in a short excursion to the lakeside The tender
melancholy in the manner of her husband caught the attention of Elizabeth who
instantly abandoned her concerns threw a light shawl across her shoulders and
concealing her raven hair under a gypsey she took his arm and submitted
herself without a question to his guidance They crossed the bridge and had
turned from the highway along the margin of the lake before a word was
exchanged Elizabeth well knew by the direction the object of the walk and
respected the feelings of her companion too much to indulge in untimely
conversation But when they gained the open fields and her eye roamed over the
placid lake covered with wild fowl already journeying from the great northern
waters to seek a warmer sun but lingering to play in the limpid sheet of the
Otsego and to the sides of the mountain which were gay with the thousand dies
of autumn as if to grace their bridal the swelling heart of the young wife
burst out in speech
»This is not a time for silence Oliver« she said clinging more fondly to
his arm »every thing in nature seems to speak the praises of the Creator why
should we who have so much to be grateful for be silent«
»Speak on« said her husband smiling »I love the sounds of your voice You
must anticipate our errand hither I have told you my plans how do you like
them«
»I must first see them« returned his wife »But I have had my plans too
it is time I should begin to divulge them«
»You It is something for the comfort of my old friend Natty I know«
»Certainly of Natty but we have other friends besides the Leatherstocking
to serve Do you forget Louisa and her father«
»No surely have I not given one of the best farms in the county to the
good divine As for Louisa I should wish you to keep her always near us«
»You do« said Elizabeth slightly compressing her lips »but poor Louisa
may have other views for herself she may wish to follow my example and marry«
»I dont think it« said Effingham musing a moment »I really dont know
any one hereabouts good enough for her«
»Perhaps not here but there are other places besides Templeton and other
churches besides New St Pauls«
»Churches Elizabeth you would not wish to lose Mr Grant surely though
simple he is an excellent man I shall never find another who has half the
veneration for my orthodoxy You would humble me from a saint to a very common
sinner«
»It must be done sir« returned the lady with a halfconcealed smile
»though it degrades you from an angel to a man«
»But you forget the farm«
»He can lease it as others do Besides would you have a clergyman toil in
the fields«
»Where can he go you forget Louisa«
»No I do not forget Louisa« said Elizabeth again compressing her
beautiful lips »You know Effingham that my father has told you that I ruled
him and that I should rule you I am now about to exert my power«
»Any thing any thing dear Elizabeth but not at the expense of us all not
at the expense of your friend«
»How do you know sir that it will be so much at the expense of my friend«
said the lady fixing her eyes with a searching look on his countenance where
they met only the unsuspecting expression of manly regret
»How do I know it why it is natural that she should regret us«
»It is our duty to struggle with our natural feelings« returned the lady
»and there is but little cause to fear that such a spirit as Louisas will not
effect it«
»But what is your plan«
»Listen and you shall know My father has procured a call for Mr Grant to
one of the towns on the Hudson where he can live more at his ease than in
journeying through these woods where he can spend the evening of his life in
comfort and quiet and where his daughter may meet with such society and form
such a connexion as may be proper for one of her years and character«
»Bess you amaze me I did not think you had been such a manager«
»Oh I manage more deeply than you imagine sir« said the wife archly
smiling again »but it is my will and it is your duty to submit for a time
at least«
Effingham laughed but as they approached the end of their walk the subject
was changed by common consent
The place at which they arrived was the little spot of level ground where
the cabin of the Leatherstocking had so long stood Elizabeth found it entirely
cleared of rubbish and beautifully laid down in turf by the removal of sods
which in common with the surrounding country had grown gay under the
influence of profuse showers as if a second spring had passed over the land
This little place was surrounded by a circle of masonwork and they entered by
a small gate near which to the surprise of both the rifle of Natty was
leaning against the wall Hector and the slut reposed on the grass by its side
as if conscious that however altered they were lying on ground and were
surrounded by objects with which they were familiar The hunter himself was
stretched on the earth before a headstone of white marble pushing aside with
his fingers the long grass that had already sprung up from the luxuriant soil
around its base apparently to lay bare the inscription By the side of this
stone which was a simple slab at the head of a grave stood a rich monument
decorated with an urn and ornamented with the chisel
Oliver and Elizabeth approached the graves with a light tread unheard by
the old hunter whose sunburnt face was working and whose eyes twinkled as if
something impeded their vision After some little time Natty raised himself
slowly from the ground and said aloud
»Well well Im bold to say its all right Theres something that I
suppose is reading but I cant make any thing of it though the pipe and the
tomahawk and the moccasins be pretty well pretty well for a man that I
dares to say never seed ither of the things Ahs me there they lie side by
side happy enough Who will there be to put me in the arth when my times
comes«
»When that unfortunate hour arrives Natty friends shall not be wanting to
perform the last offices for you« said Oliver a little touched at the hunters
soliloquy
The old man turned without manifesting surprise for he had got the Indian
habits in this particular and running his hand under the bottom of his nose
seemed to wipe away his sorrow with the action
»Youve come out to see the graves children have ye« he said »well
well theyre wholesome sights to young as well as old«
»I hope they are fitted to your liking« said Effingham »no one has a
better right than yourself to be consulted in the matter«
»Why seeing that I ant used to fine graves« returned the old man »it is
but little matter consarning my taste Ye laid the Majors head to the west and
Mohegans to the east did ye lad«
»At your request it was done«
»Its so best« said the hunter »they thought they had to journey different
ways children though there is One greater than all wholl bring the just
together at his own time and wholl whiten the skin of a blackmoor and place
him on a footing with princes«
»There is but little reason to doubt that« said Elizabeth whose decided
tones were changed to a soft melancholy voice »I trust we shall all meet
again and be happy together«
»Shall we child shall we« exclaimed the hunter with unusual fervour
»theres comfort in that thought too But before I go I should like to know
what tis you tell these people that be flocking into the country like pigeons
in the spring of the old Delaware and of the bravest white man that ever trod
the hills«
Effingham and Elizabeth were surprised at the manner of the
Leatherstocking which was unusually impressive and solemn but attributing it
to the scene the young man turned to the monument and read aloud
»Sacred to the memory of Oliver Effingham Esquire formerly a Major in his
B Majestys 60th Foot a soldier of tried valour a subject of chivalrous
loyalty and a man of honesty To these virtues he added the graces of a
christian The morning of his life was spent in honour wealth and power but
its evening was obscured by poverty neglect and disease which were alleviated
only by the tender care of his old faithful and upright friend and attendant
Nathaniel Bumppo His descendants rear this stone to the virtues of the master
and to the enduring gratitude of the servant«
The Leatherstocking started at the sound of his own name and a smile of
joy illumined his wrinkled features as he said
»And did ye say it lad have ye got then the old mans name cut in the
stone by the side of his masters God bless ye children twas a kind
thought and kindness goes to the heart as life shortens«
Elizabeth turned her back to the speakers Effingham made a fruitless effort
before he succeeded in saying
»It is there cut in plain marble but it should have been written in letters
of gold«
»Show me the name boy« said Natty with simple eagerness »let me see my
own name placed in such honour Tis a ginrous gift to a man who leaves none of
his name and family behind him in a country where he has tarried so long«
Effingham guided his finger to the spot and Natty followed the windings of
the letters to the end with deep interest when he raised himself from the
tomb and said
»I suppose its all right and its kindly thought and kindly done But
what have ye put over the Redskin«
»You shall hear«
»This stone is raised to the memory of an Indian Chief of the Delaware
tribe who was known by the several names of John Mohegan Mohican«
»Moheecan lad they call theirselves heecan«
»Mohican and Chingagook«
»Gach boy gachgook Chingachgook which intarpreted means
Bigsarpent The name should be set down right for an Indians name has always
some meaning in it«
»I will see it altered He was the last of his people who continued to
inhabit this country and it may be said of him that his faults were those of
an Indian and his virtues those of a man«
»You never said truer word Mr Oliver ahs me if you had knowd him as I
did in his prime in that very battle where the old gentleman who sleeps by
his side savd his life when them thieves the Iroquois had him at the stake
youd have said all that and more too I cut the thongs with this very hand
and gave him my own tomahawk and knife seeing that the rifle was always my
favrite weepon He did lay about him like a man I met him as I was coming home
from the trail with eleven Mingo scalps on his pole You neednt shudder Madam
Effingham for they was all from shavd heads and warriors When I look about
me at these hills where I usedto could count sometimes twenty smokes
curling over the treetops from the Delaware camps it raises mournful
thoughts to think that not a Redskin is left of them all unless it may be a
drunken vagabond from the Oneidas or them Yankee Indians who they say be
moving up from the seashore and who belong to none of Gods creaters to my
seeming being as it were neither fish nor flesh neither whiteman nor
savage Well well the time has come at last and I must go«
»Go« echoed Edwards »whither do you go«
The Leatherstocking who had imbibed unconsciously many of the Indian
qualities though he always thought of himself as of a civilized being
compared with even the Delawares averted his face to conceal the workings of
his muscles as he stooped to lift a large pack from behind the tomb which he
placed deliberately on his shoulders
»Go« exclaimed Elizabeth approaching him with a hurried step »you should
not venture so far in the woods alone at your time of life Natty indeed it
is imprudent He is bent Effingham on some distant hunting«
»What Mrs Effingham tells you is true Leatherstocking« said Edwards
»there can be no necessity for your submitting to such hardships now So throw
aside your pack and confine your hunt to the mountains near us if you will
go«
»Hardship tis a pleasure children and the greatest that is left me on
this side the grave«
»No no you shall not go to such a distance« cried Elizabeth laying her
white hand on his deerskin pack »I am right I feel his campkettle and a
canister of powder he must not be suffered to wander so far from us Oliver
remember how suddenly Mohegan droppd away«
»I knowd the parting would come hard children I knowd it would« said
Natty »and so I got aside to look at the graves by myself and thought if I
left ye the keepsake which the Major gave me when we first parted in the
woods ye wouldnt take it unkind but would know that let the old mans body
go where it might his feelings staid behind him«
»This means something more than common« exclaimed the youth »where is it
Natty that you purpose going«
The hunter drew nigh him with a confident reasoning air as if what he had
to say would silence all objections and replied
»Why lad they tell me that on the Biglakes theres the best of hunting
and a great range without a white man on it unless it may be one like myself
Im weary of living in clearings and where the hammer is sounding in my ears
from sunrise to sundown And though Im much bound to ye both children I
wouldnt say it if it wasnt true I crave to go into the woods agin I do«
»Woods« echoed Elizabeth trembling with her feelings »do you not call
these endless forests woods«
»Ah child these be nothing to a man thats used to the wilderness I have
took but little comfort sin your father come on with his settlers but I
wouldnt go far while the life was in the body that lies under the sod there
But now hes gone and Chingachgook is gone and you be both young and happy
Yes the bighouse has rung with merriment this month past And now I thought
was the time to try to get a little comfort in the close of my days Woods
indeed I doesnt call these woods Madam Effingham where I lose myself every
day of my life in the clearings«
»If there be any thing wanting to your comfort name it Leatherstocking
if it be attainable it is yours«
»You mean all for the best lad I know it and so does Madam too but your
ways isnt my ways Tis like the dead there who thought when the breath was
in them that one went east and one went west to find their heavens but
theyll meet at last and so shall we children Yes ind as youve begun and
we shall meet in the land of the just at last«
»This is so new so unexpected« said Elizabeth in almost breathless
excitement »I had thought you meant to live with us and die with us Natty«
»Words are of no avail« exclaimed her husband »the habits of forty years
are not to be dispossessed by the ties of a day I know you too well to urge you
further Natty unless you will let me build you a hut on one of the distant
hills where we can sometimes see you and know that you are comfortable«
»Dont fear for the Leatherstocking children God will see that his days
be provided for and his ind happy I know you mean all for the best but our
ways doesnt agree I love the woods and ye relish the face of man I eat when
hungry and drink when adry and ye keep stated hours and rules nay nay you
even overfeed the dogs lad from pure kindness and hounds should be gaunty to
run well The meanest of Gods creators be made for some use and Im formd for
the wilderness if ye love me let me go where my soul craves to be agin«
The appeal was decisive and not another word of entreaty for him to
remain was then uttered but Elizabeth bent her head to her bosom and wept
while her husband dashed away the tears from his eyes and with hands that
almost refused to perform their office he produced his pocketbook and
extended a parcel of banknotes to the hunter
»Take these« he said »at least take these secure them about your person
and in the hour of need they will do you good service«
The old man took the notes and examined them with a curious eye
»This then is some of the newfashioned money that theyve been making at
Albany out of paper It cant be worth much to they that hasnt larning No
no lad take back the stuff it will do me no sarvice I took kear to get all
the Frenchmans powder afore he broke up and they say lead grows where Im
going It isnt even fit for wads seeing that I use none but leather Madam
Effingham let an old man kiss your hand and wish Gods choicest blessings on
you and yourn«
»Once more let me beseech you stay« cried Elizabeth »Do not
Leatherstocking leave me to grieve for the man who has twice rescued me from
death and who has served those I love so faithfully For my sake if not for
your own stay I shall see you in those frightful dreams that still haunt my
nights dying in poverty and age by the side of those terrific beasts you slew
There will be no evil that sickness want and solitude can inflict that my
fancy will not conjure as your fate Stay with us old man if not for your own
sake at least for ours«
»Such thoughts and bitter dreams Madam Effingham« returned the hunter
solemnly »will never haunt an innocent parson long Theyll pass away with
Gods pleasure And if the catamounts be yet brought to your eyes in sleep
tis not for my sake but to show you the power of him that led me there to save
you Trust in God Madam and your honourable husband and the thoughts for an
old man like me can never be long nor bitter I pray that the Lord will keep you
in mind the Lord that lives in clearings as well as in the wilderness and
bless you and all that belong to you from this time till the great day when
the whites shall meet the redskins in judgment and justice shall be the law
and not power«
Elizabeth raised her head and offered her colourless cheek to his salute
when he lifted his cap and touched it respectfully His hand was grasped with
convulsive fervour by the youth who continued silent The hunter prepared
himself for his journey drawing his belt tighter and wasting his moments in
the little reluctant movements of a sorrowful departure Once or twice he
essayed to speak but a rising in his throat prevented it At length he
shouldered his rifle and cried with a clear huntsmans call that echoed
through the woods
»Heeere heeere pups away dogs away yell be footsore afore
ye see the ind of the journey«
The hounds leaped from the earth at this cry and scenting around the
graves and the silent pair as if conscious of their own destination they
followed humbly at the heels of their master A short pause succeeded during
which even the youth concealed his face on his grandfathers tomb When the
pride of manhood however had suppressed the feelings of nature he turned to
renew his entreaties but saw that the cemetery was occupied only by himself and
his wife
»He is gone« cried Effingham
Elizabeth raised her face and saw the old hunter standing looking back for
a moment on the verge of the wood As he caught their glances he drew his hard
hand hastily across his eyes again waved it on high for an adieu and uttering
a forced cry to his dogs who were crouching at his feet he entered the forest
This was the last that they ever saw of the Leatherstocking whose rapid
movements preceded the pursuit which Judge Temple both ordered and conducted He
had gone far towards the setting sun the foremost in that band of Pioneers
who are opening the way for the march of the nation across the continent
Notes
1 Though forests still crown the mountains of Otsego the bear the wolf and the
panther are nearly strangers to them Even the innocent deer is rarely seen
bounding beneath their arches for the rifle and the activity of the settlers
have driven them to other haunts To this change which in some particulars is
melancholy to one who knew the country in its infancy it may be added that the
Otsego is beginning to be a niggard of its treasures
2 The book was written in 182122
3 The population of New York is now 1831 quite 2000000
4
Sleigh is the word used in every part of the United States to denote a traineau
It is of local use in the west of England whence it is most probably derived by
the Americans The latter draw a distinction between a sled or sledge and a
sleigh the sleigh being shod with metal Sleighs are also subdivided into
twohorse and onehorse sleighs Of the latter there are the cutter with
thills so arranged as to permit the horse to travel in the side track the pung
or towpung which is driven with a pole and the jumper a rude construction
used for temporary purposes in the new countries
Many of the American sleighs are elegant though the use of this mode of
conveyance is much lessened with the melioration of the climate consequent on
the clearing of the forests
5 The periodical visits of St Nicholas or Santaclaus as he is termed were
never forgotten among the inhabitants of New York until the emigration from New
England brought in the opinions and usages of the puritans Like the bon homme
de Noël he arrives at each Christmas
6 The grants of land made either by the crown or the state were by letters
patent under the great seal and the term »patent« is usually applied to any
district of extent thus conceded Though under the crown manorial rights being
often granted with the soil in the older counties the word manor is frequently
used There are many manors in New York though all political and judicial
rights have ceased
7 The manumission of the slaves in New York has been gradual When public
opinion became strong in their favour then grew up a custom of buying the
services of a slave for six or eight years with a condition to liberate him at
the end of the period Then the law provided that all born after a certain day
should be free the males at twentyeight and the females at twentyfive
After this the owner was obliged to cause his servants to be taught to read and
write before they reached the age of eighteen and finally the few that
remained were all unconditionally liberated in 1826 or after the publication of
this tale It was quite usual for men more or less connected with the quakers
who never held slaves to adopt the first expedient
8 In America the term Yankee is of local meaning It is thought to be derived
from the manner in which the Indians of New England pronounced the word English
or Yengeese New York being originally a Dutch province the term of course was
not known there and further south different dialects among the natives
themselves probably produced a different pronunciation Marmaduke and his
cousin being Pennsylvanians by birth were not Yankees in the American sense of
the word
9 People who clear land by the acre or job are thus called
10 It is possible that the reader may start at this declaration of Benjamin
but those who have lived in the new settlements of America are too much
accustomed to hear of these European exploits to doubt it
11 The divines of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States commonly
call other denominations Dissenters though there never was an established
church in their own country
12 His enemy
13 The Susquehannah means crooked river hannah or hannock meant river in
many of the native dialects Thus we find Rappehannock as far south as
Virginia
14 Before the revolution each province had its own money of account though
neither coined any but copper pieces In New York the Spanish dollar was divided
into eight shillings each of the value of a fraction more than sixpence
sterling At present the Union has provided a decimal system and coins to
represent it
15
The author has no better apology for interrupting the interest of a work of
fiction by these desultory dialogues than that they have reference to facts In
reviewing his work after so many years he is compelled to confess it is
injured by too many allusions to incidents that are not at all suited to satisfy
the just expectations of the general reader One of these events is slightly
touched on in the commencement of this chapter
More than thirty years since a very near and dear relative of the writer
an elder sister and a second mother was killed by a fall from a horse in a
ride among the very mountains mentioned in this tale Few of her sex and years
were more extensively known or more universally beloved than the admirable
woman who thus fell a victim to the chances of the wilderness
16 All this was literally true
17 Of all the fish the writer has ever tasted he thinks the one in question the
best
18 The probability of a fire in the woods similar to that here described has
been questioned The writer can only say that he once witnessed a fire in
another part of New York that compelled a man to desert his wagon and horses in
the highway and in which the latter were destroyed In order to estimate the
probability of such an event it is necessary to remember the effects of a long
drought in that climate and the abundance of dead wood which is found in a
forest like that described The fires in the American forests frequently rage to
such an extent as to produce a sensible effect on the atmosphere at the distance
of fifty miles Houses barns and fences are quite commonly swept away in their
course