far more occupied with the concerns that forced
themselves on his attention, than with any of the truant fancies of love. He
soon recalled his companion, therefore, to a sense of their actual condition, by
summoning him to a sort of council of war, in which they were to settle their
future course. In the dialogue that followed, the parties mutually made each
other acquainted with what had passed in their several interviews. Chingachgook
was told the history of the treaty about the ransom, and Deerslayer heard the
whole of Hetty's communications. The latter listened with generous interest to
his friend's hopes, and promised cheerfully all the assistance he could lend.
    »Tis our main ar'n'd, Sarpent, as you know, this battling for the castle and
old Hutter's darters, coming in as a sort of accident. Yes - yes - I'll be acty
ve in helping little Hist, who's not only one of the best and handsomest maidens
of the tribe, but the very best and handsomest. I've always encouraged you,
chief, in that liking, and it's proper, too, that a great and ancient race like
your'n shouldn't come to an end. If a woman of red skin and red gifts could get
to be near enough to me to wish her for a wife, I'd s'arch for just such
another, but that can never be; no, that can never be. I'm glad Hetty has met
with Hist, howsever, for though the first is a little short of wit and
understanding, the last has enough for both. Yes, Sarpent -« laughing heartily -
»put 'em together, and two smarter gals is'n't to be found in all York Colony!«
    »I will go to the Iroquois camp,« returned the Delaware, gravely. »No one
knows Chingachgook but Wah!, and a treaty for lives and scalps should be made by
a chief! Give me the strange beasts, and let me take a canoe.«
    Deerslayer dropped his head, and played with the end of a fish-pole in the
water, as he sate dangling his legs over the edge of the platform, like a man
who was lost in thought, by the sudden occurrence of a novel idea. Instead of
directly answering the proposal of his friend, he began to soliloquize, a
circumstance however that in no manner rendered his words more true, as he was
remarkable for saying what he thought, whether the remarks were addressed to