't
understand it, I suppose, Judith, but if you'll look into your feelin's, and
fancy that an inimy had sent to tell you to give up the man of your ch'ice, and
to take up with another that was n't the man of your ch'ice, you'll get the
substance of it, I'll warrant! Give me a woman for ra'al eloquence, if they'll
only make up their minds to speak what they feel. By speakin', I do n't mean
chatterin', howsever; for most of them will do that by the hour; but comin' out
with their honest, deepest, feelin's in proper words. And now, Judith, having
got the answer of a red skin girl, it is fit I should get that of a pale face,
if, indeed, a countenance that is as blooming as your'n can in any wise, so be
tarmed. You are well named the Wild Rose, and so far as colour goes, Hetty ought
to be called the Honeysuckle.«
    »Did this language come from one of the garrison gallants, I should deride
it, Deerslayer, but coming from you, I know it can be depended on,« returned
Judith, deeply gratified by his unmeditated and characteristic compliments. »It
is too soon, however, to ask my answer; the Great Serpent has not yet spoken.«
    »The Sarpent! Lord; I could carry back his speech without hearing a word of
it! I did n't think of putting the question to him at all, I will allow; though
'twould be hardly right either, seeing that truth is truth, and I'm bound to
tell these Mingos the fact and nothing else. So, Chingachgook, let us hear your
mind on this matter - are you inclined to strike across the hills towards your
village, to give up Hist to a Huron, and to tell the chiefs at home, that, if
they're actyve and successful, they may possibly get on the end of the Iroquois
trail some two or three days a'ter the inimy has got off of it?«
    Like his betrothed, the young chief arose, that his answer might be given
with due distinctness and dignity. Hist had spoken with her hands crossed upon
her bosom, as if to suppress the emotions within, but the warrior stretched an
arm before him with a calm energy that aided in giving emphasis to his
expressions.
    »Wampum should be sent for wampum,
