 idee how far fair words will be likely, or
not, to work on their bloody natur's. If it's not suited to the gifts of a red
skin, twill be of no use; for reason goes by gifts, as well as conduct.«
    »Well, then,« answered Hetty, dropping her voice to a low, confidential,
tone, for the stillness of the night, and the nearness of the Ark, permitted her
to do this, and still to be heard - »Well, then, Deerslayer, as you seem a good
and honest young man I will tell you. I mean not to say a word to any of the
savages until I get face to face with their head chief, let them plague me with
as many questions as they please - no - I'll answer none of them, unless it be
to tell them to lead me to their wisest man - Then, Deerslayer, I'll tell him
that God will not forgive murder, and thefts; and that if father and Hurry did
go after the scalps of the Iroquois, he must return good for evil, for so the
bible commands, else he will go into everlasting punishment. When he hears this,
and feels it to be true, as feel it he must, how long will it be before he sends
father, and Hurry, and me to the shore, opposite the castle, telling us all
three to go our way in peace?«
    The last question was put in a triumphant manner, and then the simple minded
girl laughed at the impression she never doubted that her project had made on
her auditors. Deerslayer was dumb-founded at this proof of guileless feebleness
of mind, but Judith had suddenly bethought her of a means of counteracting this
wild project, by acting on the very feelings that had given it birth. Without
adverting to the closing question, or the laugh, therefore, she hurriedly called
to her sister by name, as one suddenly impressed with the importance of what she
had to say. But no answer was given to the call.
    By the snapping of twigs, and the rustling of leaves, Hetty had evidently
quitted the shore, and was already burying herself in the forest. To follow
would have been bootless, since the darkness, as well as the dense cover that
the woods every where offered, would have rendered her capture next to
impossible, and there was also the never ceasing danger of falling into the
hands of their enemies. After a short and melancholy discussion, therefore, the
sail was again set, and the
