had at first supposed, and by
their having out parties of the existence of which he was ignorant. Their
regular, and permanent encampment, if the word permanent can be applied to the
residence of a party that intended to remain out, in all probability, but a few
weeks, was not far from the spot where Hutter and Hurry had fallen into their
hands, and, as a matter of course, near a spring.
    »Well, Sarpent,« asked Deerslayer, when the other had ended his brief but
spirited narrative, speaking always in the Delaware tongue, which for the
reader's convenience only we render into the peculiar vernacular of the speaker
- »Well, Sarpent, as you've been scouting around these Mingos, have you any
thing to tell us of their captyves, the father of these young women, and of
another, who, I somewhat conclude, is the lovyer of one of 'em.«
    »Chingachgook has seen them. An old man, and a young warrior - the falling
hemlock and the tall pine.«
    »You're not so much out, Delaware; you're not so much out. Old Hutter is
decaying, of a sartainty, though many solid blocks might be hewn out of his
trunk yet, and, as for Hurry Harry, so far as heighth, and strength and
comliness go, he may be called the pride of the human forest. Were the men
bound, or, in any manner, suffering torture? I ask on account of the young
women, who, I dare to say, would be glad to know.«
    »It is not so, Deerslayer. The Mingos are too many to cage their game. Some
watch; some sleep; some scout; some hunt. The pale faces are treated like
brothers to-day; to-morrow they will lose their scalps.«
    »Yes, that's red natur', and must be submitted to! Judith and Hetty, here's
comforting tidings for you, the Delaware telling me that neither your father nor
Hurry Harry is in suffering, but, bating the loss of liberty, as well off, as we
are ourselves. Of course they are kept in the camp; otherwise they do much as
they please.«
    »I rejoice to hear this, Deerslayer,« returned Judith, »and now we are
joined by your friend, I make no manner of question that we shall find an
opportunity to ransom the prisoners. If there are any women in the camp, I have
articles of dress that will catch their eyes