-formed limbs, and grave countenance of
this warrior, would denote that he had reached the vigour of his days, though no
symptoms of decay appeared to have yet weakened his manhood.
    The frame of the white man, judging by such parts as were not concealed by
his clothes, was like that of one who had known hardships and exertion from his
earliest youth. His person, though muscular, was rather attenuated than full;
but every nerve and muscle appeared strung and indurated, by unremitted exposure
and toil. He wore a hunting-shirt of forest-green, fringed with faded yellow,6
and a summer cap, of skins which had been shorn of their fur. He also bore a
knife in a girdle of wampum, like that which confined the scanty garments of the
Indian, but no tomahawk. His moccasins were ornamented after the gay fashion of
the natives, while the only part of his under dress which appeared below the
hunting-frock, was a pair of buckskin leggings, that laced at the sides, and
which were gartered above the knees, with the sinews of a deer. A pouch and horn
completed his personal accoutrements, though a rifle of great length,7 which the
theory of the more ingenious whites had taught them, was the most dangerous of
all fire-arms, leaned against a neighbouring sapling. The eye of the hunter, or
scout, whichever he might be, was small, quick, keen, and restless, roving while
he spoke, on every side of him, as if in quest of game, or distrusting the
sudden approach of some lurking enemy. Notwithstanding these symptoms of
habitual suspicion, his countenance was not only without guile, but at the
moment at which he is introduced, it was charged with an expression of sturdy
honesty.
    »Even your traditions make the case in my favour, Chingachgook,« he said,
speaking in the tongue which was known to all the natives who formerly inhabited
the country between the Hudson and the Potomack, and of which we shall give a
free translation for the benefit of the reader; endeavouring, at the same time,
to preserve some of the peculiarities, both of the individual and of the
language. »Your fathers came from the setting sun, crossed the big river,8
fought the people of the country, and took the land; and mine came from the red
sky of the morning, over the salt lake, and did their work much after the
fashion that had been set them by yours; then let God judge the matter between
us, and friends spare their words!«
    »
