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 woman's manner, added - »But it was only to see an exhibition of the
far-famed skill of Leather-stocking, that I tried my fortunes. Will you, sir,
accept the bird, as a small peace-offering, 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 fire-arms, the same as if she had been brought up in a camp,
instead of a first-rate boarding-school. 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.«