run ahead of 'em in
the same idees, and I once know'd a vagabond that quarrelled with a fri'nd
because he did n't think him handsome. Now, you're no monument in the way of
beauty, yourself, Deerslayer, and yet you would n't be so onreasonable as to
become my inimy for just saying so.«
    »I'm as the Lord made me, and I wish to be accounted no better, nor any
worse. Good looks I may not have, that is to say to a degree that the light
minded and vain crave, but I hope I'm not altogether without some ricommend in
the way of good conduct. There's few nobler looking men to be seen than
yourself, Hurry, and I know that I am not to expect any to turn their eyes on
me, when such a one as you can be gazed on; but I do not know that a hunter is
less expart with the rifle, or less to be relied on for food, because he
does'n't wish to stop at every shining spring he may meet to study his own
countenance in the water.«
    Here Hurry burst into a fit of loud laughter, for, while he was too reckless
to care much about his own manifest physical superiority, he was well aware of
it, and, like most men who derive an advantage from the accidents of birth or
nature, he was apt to think complacently on the subject whenever it happened to
cross his mind.
    »No - no - Deerslayer, you're no beauty, as you will own yourself if you'll
look over the side of the canoe,« he cried. »Jude will say that to your face, if
you start her, for a parter tongue is not to be found in any gal's head, in or
out of the settlements, if you provoke her to use it. My advice to you, is never
to aggravate Judith; though you may tell any thing to Hetty, and she'll take it
as meek as a lamb. No, Jude will be just as like as not to tell you her opinion
consarning your looks.«
    »And if she does, Hurry, she will tell me no more than you have said
already« -
    »You're not thick'ning up about a small remark, I hope, Deerslayer, when no
harm is meant. You are not a beauty, as you must know, and why should'n't
fri'nds tell each other these