not passed an hour, and I know'd it for an Indian
footstep by the size of the foot, and the in-toe, even before I found a worn
moccasin, which its owner had dropped as useless. For that matter, I found the
spot, where he halted to make a new one, which was only a few yards from the
place where he had dropped the old one.«
    »That does'n't look much like a red skin on the war path!« returned the
other shaking his head. »An exper'enced warrior, at least, would have burned, or
buried, or sunk in the river, such signs of his passage, and your trail is,
quite likely, a peaceable trail. But the moccasin may greatly relieve my mind,
if you bethought you of bringing it off. I've come here to meet a young chief,
myself, and his course would be much in the direction you've mentioned. The
trail may have been his'n.«
    »Hurry Harry, you're well acquainted with this young man, I hope, who has
meetings with savages in a part of the country where he has never been before?«
demanded Hutter, in a tone, and in a manner, that sufficiently indicated the
motive of the question; these rude beings seldom hesitating, on the score of
delicacy, to betray their feelings. »Treachery is an Indian virtue, and the
whites that live much in their tribes, soon catch their ways and practices.«
    »True, - true as the gospel, Old Tom, but not personable to Deerslayer,
who's a young man of truth, if he has no other riccommend. I'll answer for his
honesty, whatever I may do for his valor in battle.«
    »I should like to know his errand in this strange quarter of the country?«
    »That is soon told, Master Hutter,« said the young man, with the composure
of one who kept a clean conscience; »I think, moreover, you've a right to ask
it. The father of two such darters, who occupies a lake, after your fashion, has
just the same right to inquire into a stranger's business in his neighborhood,
as the Colony would have to demand the reason why the Frenchers put more
rijiments than common, along the lines. No - no - I'll not deny your right to
know why a stranger comes into your habitation, or country, in times as serious
as these.«
    »