 as you
stand, you be, than if you had a crown on your head, and jewels dangling from
your hair. The question now is, whether to lift this covering, to see what will
be ra'ally the best bargain we can make for Master Hutter, for we must do as we
think he would be willing to do, did he stand here in our places.«
    Judith looked very happy. Accustomed as she was to adulation, the homely
homage of Deerslayer had given her more true satisfaction, than she had ever yet
received from the tongue of man. It was not the terms in which this admiration
had been expressed, for they were simple enough, that produced so strong an
impression; nor yet their novelty, or their warmth of manner, nor any of those
peculiarities that usually give value to praise; but the unflinching truth of
the speaker, that carried his words so directly to the heart of the listener.
This is one of the great advantages of plain dealing and frankness. The habitual
and wily flatterer may succeed until his practises recoil on himself, and like
other sweets his aliment cloys by its excess; but he who deals honestly, though
he often necessarily offends, possesses a power of praising that no quality but
sincerity can bestow, since his words go directly to the heart, finding their
support in the understanding. Thus it was with Deerslayer and Judith. So soon
and so deeply did this simple hunter impress those who knew him, with a
conviction of his unbending honesty, that all he uttered in commendation was as
certain to please, as all he uttered in the way of rebuke was as certain to
rankle and excite enmity, where his character had not awakened a respect and
affection, that in another sense rendered it painful. In after life, when the
career of this untutored being brought him in contact with officers of rank, and
others entrusted with the care of the interests of the state, this same
influence was exerted on a wider field, even generals listening to his
commendations with a glow of pleasure, that it was not always in the power of
their official superiors to awaken. Perhaps Judith was the first individual of
his own colour, who fairly submitted to this natural consequence of truth and
fair-dealing, on the part of Deerslayer. She had actually pined for his praise,
and she had now received it, and that in the form which was most agreeable to
her weaknesses and habits of thought. The result will appear in the course of
the narrative.
    »If we knew all that chest holds, Deerslayer,« returned the girl
