paddles. Hurry was furious when he found that he was deprived of the
means of proceeding. He first approached the Indian with loud menaces, and even
Deerslayer stood aghast at the probable consequences. March shook his
sledge-hammer fists, and flourished his arms, as he drew near the Indian, and
all expected he would attempt to fell the Delaware to the earth; one of them, at
least, was well aware that such an experiment would be followed by immediate
bloodshed. But even Hurry was awed by the stern composure of the chief, and he,
too, knew that such a man was not to be outraged with impunity; he, therefore,
turned to vent his rage on Deerslayer, where he foresaw no consequences so
terrible. What might have been the result of this second demonstration if
completed, is unknown, since it was never made.
    »Hurry,« said a gentle, soothing voice at his elbow - »it's wicked to be so
angry, and God will not overlook it. The Iroquois treated you well, and they did
n't take your scalp, though you and father wanted to take theirs.«
    The influence of mildness on passion is well known. Hetty, too, had earned a
sort of consideration, that had never before been enjoyed by her, through the
self-devotion and decision of her recent conduct. Perhaps her established mental
imbecility, by removing all distrust of a wish to control, aided her influence.
Let the cause be as questionable as it might, the effect was sufficiently
certain. Instead of throttling his old fellow traveller, Hurry turned to the
girl, and poured out a portion of his discontent, if none of his anger, on her
attentive ears.
    »'Tis too bad, Hetty!« he exclaimed; »as bad as a county gaol, or a lack of
beaver, to get a creatur' into your very trap, and then to see it get off. As
much as six first quality skins, in valie, has paddled off on them clumsy logs,
when twenty strokes of a well turned paddle, would overtake 'em. I say in valie,
for as to the boy in the way of natur', he is only a boy, and is worth neither
more nor less than one. Deerslayer, you've been ontrue to your fri'nds in
letting such a chance slip through my fingers, as well as your own.«
    The answer was given quietly, but with a voice as steady as a fearless
nature, and the consciousness of rectitude could make it.
    »