"As long as Edwarde rules thys lande,
Ne quiet you wylle ye know;
Your sonnes and husbandes shall be slayne,
And brookes with bloode shall 'flowe.''You leave youre geode and lawfulle kynge,
Whenne ynne adversity;
Like me, untoe the true cause stycke,
And for the true cause dye."Chatterton.
The calm of evening was again in singular contrast, while its
gathering gloom was in as singular unison with the passions of men.
The sun was set, and the rays of the retiring luminary had ceased
to gild the edges of the few clouds that had sufficient openings
to admit the passage of its fading light. The canopy overhead
was heavy and dense, promising another night of darkness, but the
surface of the lake was scarcely disturbed by a ripple. There was
a little air, though it scarce deserved to be termed wind. Still,
being damp and heavy, it had a certain force. The party in the
castle were as gloomy and silent as the scene. The two ransomed
prisoners felt humbled and discoloured, but their humility partook
of the rancour of revenge. They were far more disposed to remember
the indignity with which they had been treated during the last few
hours of their captivity, than to feel grateful for the previous
indulgence. Then that keen-sighted monitor, conscience, by reminding
them of the retributive justice of all they had endured, goaded
them rather to turn the tables on their enemies than to accuse
themselves. As for the others, they were thoughtful equally from
regret and joy. Deerslayer and Judith felt most of the former
sensation, though from very different causes, while Hetty for the
moment was perfectly happy. The Delaware had also lively pictures
of felicity in the prospect of so soon regaining his betrothed.
Under such circumstances, and in this mood, all were taking the
evening meal.
"Old Tom!" cried Hurry, bursting into a fit of boisterous laughter,
"you look'd amazin'ly like a tethered bear, as you was stretched
on them hemlock boughs, and I only wonder you didn't growl more.
Well, it's over, and syth's and lamentations won't mend the matter!
There's the blackguard Rivenoak, he that brought us off has an
oncommon scalp, and I'd give as much for it myself as the Colony.
Yes, I feel as rich as the governor in these matters now, and will
lay down with them doubloon for doubloon. Judith, darling, did
you mourn for me much, when I was in the hands of the Philipsteins?"
The last were a family of German descent on the Mohawk, to whom
Hurry had a great antipathy, and whom he had confounded with the
enemies of Judea.
"Our tears have raised the lake, Hurry March, as you might have
seen by the shore!" returned Judith, with a feigned levity that
she was far from feeling. "That Hetty and I should have grieved
for father was to be expected; but we fairly rained tears for you."
"We were sorry for poor Hurry, as well as for father, Judith!" put
in her innocent and unconscious sister.
"True, girl, true; but we feel sorrow for everybody that's in
trouble, you know," returned the other in a quick, admonitory manner
and a low tone. "Nevertheless, we are glad to see you, Master
March, and out of the hands of the Philipsteins, too."
"Yes, they're a bad set, and so is the other brood of 'em, down on
the river. It's a wonderment to me how you got us off, Deerslayer;
and I forgive you the interference that prevented my doin' justice
on that vagabond, for this small service. Let us into the secret,
that we may do you the same good turn, at need. Was it by lying,
or by coaxing?"
"By neither, Hurry, but by buying. We paid a ransom for you both,
and that, too, at a price so high you had well be on your guard
ag'in another captyvement, lest our stock of goods shouldn't hold
out."
"A ransom! Old Tom has paid the fiddler, then, for nothing of
mine would have bought off the hair, much less the skin. I didn't
think men as keen set as them vagabonds would let a fellow up so
easy, when they had him fairly at a close hug, and floored. But
money is money, and somehow it's unnat'ral hard to withstand.
Indian or white man, 'tis pretty much the same. It must be owned,
Judith, there's a considerable of human natur' in mankind ginirally,
arter all!"
Hutter now rose, and signing to Deerslayer, he led him to an inner
room, where, in answer to his questions, he first learned the price
that had been paid for his release. The old man expressed neither
resentment nor surprise at the inroad that had been made on his
chest, though he did manifest some curiosity to know how far the
investigation of its contents had been carried. He also inquired
where the key had been found. The habitual frankness of Deerslayer
prevented any prevarication, and the conference soon terminated by
the return of the two to the outer room, or that which served for
the double purpose of parlour and kitchen.
"I wonder if it's peace or war, between us and the savages!"
exclaimed Hurry, just as Deerslayer, who had paused for a single
instant, listened attentively, and was passing through the outer
door without stopping. "This givin' up captives has a friendly
look, and when men have traded together on a fair and honourable
footing they ought to part fri'nds, for that occasion at least. Come
back, Deerslayer, and let us have your judgment, for I'm beginnin'
to think more of you, since your late behaviour, than I used to
do."
"There's an answer to your question, Hurry, since you're in such
haste to come ag'in to blows."
As Deerslayer spoke, he threw on the table on which the other was
reclining with one elbow a sort of miniature fagot, composed of a
dozen sticks bound tightly together with a deer-skin thong. March
seized it eagerly, and holding it close to a blazing knot of pine
that lay on the hearth, and which gave out all the light there was
in the room, ascertained that the ends of the several sticks had
been dipped in blood.
"If this isn't plain English," said the reckless frontier man,
"it's plain Indian! Here's what they call a dicliration of war,
down at York, Judith. How did you come by this defiance, Deerslayer?"
"Fairly enough. It lay not a minut' since, in what you call Floatin'
Tom's door-yard."
"How came it there?"
"It never fell from the clouds, Judith, as little toads sometimes
do, and then it don't rain."
"You must prove where it come from, Deerslayer, or we shall suspect
some design to skear them that would have lost their wits long ago,
if fear could drive 'em away."
Deerslayer had approached a window, and cast a glance out of it on
the dark aspect of the lake. As if satisfied with what he beheld,
he drew near Hurry, and took the bundle of sticks into his own
hand, examining it attentively.
"Yes, this is an Indian declaration of war, sure enough," he said,
"and it's a proof how little you're suited to be on the path it
has travelled, Harry March, that it has got here, and you never
the wiser as to the means. The savages may have left the scalp on
your head, but they must have taken Off the ears; else you'd have
heard the stirring of the water made by the lad as he come off
ag'in on his two logs. His ar'n'd was to throw these sticks at
our door, as much as to say, we've struck the war-post since the
trade, and the next thing will be to strike you."
"The prowling wolves! But hand me that rifle, Judith, and I'll
send an answer back to the vagabonds through their messenger."
"Not while I stand by, Master March," coolly put in Deerslayer,
motioning for the other to forbear. "Faith is faith, whether given
to a red-skin, or to a Christian. The lad lighted a knot, and came
off fairly under its blaze to give us this warning; and no man
here should harm him, while empl'yed on such an ar'n'd. There's no
use in words, for the boy is too cunning to leave the knot burning,
now his business is done, and the night is already too dark for a
rifle to have any sartainty."
"That may be true enough, as to a gun, but there's virtue still in
a canoe," answered Hurry, passing towards the door with enormous
strides, carrying a rifle in his hands. "The being doesn't live
that shall stop me from following and bringing back that riptyle's
scalp. The more on 'em that you crush in the egg, the fewer there'll
be to dart at you in the woods!"
Judith trembled like the aspen, she scarce knew why herself, though
there was the prospect of a scene of violence; for if Hurry was
fierce and overbearing in the consciousness of his vast strength,
Deerslayer had about him the calm determination that promises
greater perseverance, and a resolution more likely to effect its
object. It was the stern, resolute eye of the latter, rather than
the noisy vehemence of the first, that excited her apprehensions.
Hurry soon reached the spot where the canoe was fastened, but
not before Deerslayer had spoken in a quick, earnest voice to the
Serpent, in Delaware. The latter had been the first, in truth, to
hear the sounds of the oars, and he had gone upon the platform in
jealous watchfulness. The light Satisfied him that a message was
coming, and when the boy cast his bundle of sticks at his feet, it
neither moved his anger nor induced surprise. He merely stood at
watch, rifle in hand, to make certain that no treachery lay behind
the defiance. As Deerslayer now called to him, he stepped into the
canoe, and quick as thought removed the 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 didn'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 we sufficiently
certain. Instead of throttling his old fellow-traveler, Hurry
turned to the girl and poured out a portion of his discontent, if
none of his anger, in 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, 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 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.
"I should have been untrue to the right, had I done otherwise,"
returned the Deerslayer, steadily; "and neither you, nor any other
man has authority to demand that much of me. The lad came on
a lawful business, and the meanest red-skin that roams the woods
would be ashamed of not respecting his ar'n'd. But he's now far
beyond your reach, Master March, and there's little use in talking,
like a couple of women, of what can no longer be helped."
So saying, Deerslayer turned away, like one resolved to waste no more
words on the subject, while Hutter pulled Harry by the sleeve, and
led him into the ark. There they sat long in private conference.
In the mean time, the Indian and his friend had their secret
consultation; for, though it wanted some three or four hours to the
rising of the star, the former could not abstain from canvassing
his scheme, and from opening his heart to the other. Judith,
too, yielded to her softer feelings, and listened to the whole of
Hetty's artless narrative of what occurred after she landed. The
woods had few terrors for either of these girls, educated as they
had been, and accustomed as they were to look out daily at their
rich expanse or to wander beneath their dark shades; but the elder
sister felt that she would have hesitated about thus venturing
alone into an Iroquois camp. Concerning Hist, Hetty was not very
communicative. She spoke of her kindness and gentleness and of the
meeting in the forest; but the secret of Chingachgook was guarded
with a shrewdness and fidelity that many a sharper-witted girl
might have failed to display.
At length the several conferences were broken up by the reappearance
of Hutter on the platform. Here he assembled the whole party, and
communicated as much of his intentions as he deemed expedient. Of
the arrangement made by Deerslayer, to abandon the castle during
the night and to take refuge in the ark, he entirely approved.
It struck him as it had the others, as the only effectual means
of escaping destruction. Now that the savages had turned their
attention to the construction of rafts, no doubt could exist of
their at least making an attempt to carry the building, and the
message of the bloody sticks sufficiently showed their confidence
in their own success. In short, the old man viewed the night as
critical, and he called on all to get ready as soon as possible, in
order to abandon the dwellings temporarily at least, if not forever.
These communications made, everything proceeded promptly and with
intelligence; the castle was secured in the manner already described,
the canoes were withdrawn from the dock and fastened to the ark by
the side of the other; the few necessaries that had been left in
the house were transferred to the cabin, the fire was extinguished
and all embarked.
The vicinity of the hills, with their drapery of pines, had the
effect to render nights that were obscure darker than common on the
lake. As usual, however, a belt of comparative light was etched
through the centre of the sheet, while it was within the shadows
of the mountains that the gloom rested most heavily on the water.
The island, or castle, stood in this belt of comparative light, but
still the night was so dark as to cover the aperture of the ark.
At the distance of an observer on the shore her movements could not
be seen at all, more particularly as a background of dark hillside
filled up the perspective of every view that was taken diagonally
or directly across the water. The prevailing wind on the lakes
of that region is west, but owing to the avenues formed by the
mountains it is frequently impossible to tell the true direction of
the currents, as they often vary within short distances and brief
differences of time. This is truer in light fluctuating puffs of
air than in steady breezes; though the squalls of even the latter
are familiarly known to be uncertain and baffling in all mountainous
regions and narrow waters. On the present occasion, Hutter himself
(as he shoved the ark from her berth at the side of the platform)
was at a loss to pronounce which way the wind blew. In common,
this difficulty was solved by the clouds, which, floating high
above the hill tops, as a matter of course obeyed the currents; but
now the whole vault of heaven seemed a mass of gloomy wall. Not
an opening of any sort was visible, and Chingachgook we already
trembling lest the non-appearance of the star might prevent his
betrothed from being punctual to her appointment. Under these
circumstances, Hutter hoisted his sail, seemingly with the sole
intention of getting away from the castle, as it might be dangerous
to remain much longer in its vicinity. The air soon filled the
cloth, and when the scow was got under command, and the sail was
properly trimmed, it was found that the direction was southerly,
inclining towards the eastern shore. No better course offering
for the purposes of the party, the singular craft was suffered to
skim the surface of the water in this direction for more than hour,
when a change in the currents of the air drove them over towards
the camp.
Deerslayer watched all the movements of Hutter and Harry with
jealous attention. At first, he did not know whether to ascribe
the course they held to accident or to design; but he now began to
suspect the latter. Familiar as Hutter was with the lake, it was
easy to deceive one who had little practice on the water; and let
his intentions be what they might, it was evident, ere two hours
had elapsed, that the ark had got sufficient space to be within a
hundred rods of the shore, directly abreast of the known position
of the camp. For a considerable time previously to reaching this
point, Hurry, who had some knowledge of the Algonquin language,
had been in close conference with the Indian, and the result was
now announced by the latter to Deerslayer, who had been a cold,
not to say distrusted, looker-on of all that passed.
"My old father, and my young brother, the Big Pine," - for so
the Delaware had named March - "want to see Huron scalps at their
belts," said Chingachgook to his friend. "There is room for some
on the girdle of the Sarpent, and his people will look for them when
he goes back to his village. Their eyes must not be left long in
a fog, but they must see what they look for. I know that my brother
has a white hand; he will not strike even the dead. He will wait
for us; when we come back, he will not hide his face from shame
for his friend. The great Serpent of the Mohicans must be worthy
to go on the war-path with Hawkeye."
"Ay, ay, Sarpent, I see how it is; that name's to stick, and in
time I shall get to be known by it instead of Deerslayer; well, if
such honours will come, the humblest of us all must be willing to
abide by 'em. As for your looking for scalps, it belongs to your
gifts, and I see no harm in it. Be marciful, Sarpent, howsever;
be marciful, I beseech of you. It surely can do no harm to a
red-skin's honour to show a little marcy. As for the old man, the
father of two young women, who might ripen better feelin's in his
heart, and Harry March, here, who, pine as he is, might better bear
the fruit of a more Christianized tree, as for them two, I leave
them in the hands of the white man's God. Wasn't it for the bloody
sticks, no man should go ag'in the Mingos this night, seein' that
it would dishonor our faith and characters; but them that crave
blood can't complain if blood is shed at their call. Still, Sarpent,
you can be marciful. Don't begin your career with the wails of
women and the cries of children. Bear yourself so that Hist will
smile, and not weep, when she meets you. Go, then; and the Manitou
presarve you!"
"My brother will stay here with the scow. Wah will soon be standing
on the shore waiting, and Chingachgook must hasten."
The Indian then joined his two co-adventurers, and first lowering
the sail, they all three entered the canoe, and left the side of
the ark. Neither Hutter nor March spoke to Deerslayer concerning
their object, or the probable length of their absence. All this
had been confided to the Indian, who had acquitted himself of the
trust with characteristic brevity. As soon as the canoe was out of
sight, and that occurred ere the paddles had given a dozen strokes,
Deerslayer made the best dispositions he could to keep the ark as
nearly stationary as possible; and then he sat down in the end of
the scow, to chew the cud of his own bitter reflections. It was
not long, however, before he was joined by Judith, who sought every
occasion to be near him, managing her attack on his affections
with the address that was suggested by native coquetry, aided by
no little practice, but which received much of its most dangerous
power from the touch of feeling that threw around her manner, voice,
accents, thoughts, and acts, the indescribable witchery of natural
tenderness. Leaving the young hunter exposed to these dangerous
assailants, it has become our more immediate business to follow
the party in the canoe to the shore.
The controlling influence that led Hutter and Hurry to repeat their
experiment against the camp was precisely that which had induced
the first attempt, a little heightened, perhaps, by the desire
of revenge. But neither of these two rude beings, so ruthless in
all things that touched the rights and interests of the red man,
thought possessing veins of human feeling on other matters, was much
actuated by any other desire than a heartless longing for profit.
Hurry had felt angered at his sufferings, when first liberated, it
is true, but that emotion soon disappeared in the habitual love
of gold, which he sought with the reckless avidity of a needy
spendthrift, rather than with the ceaseless longings of a miser.
In short, the motive that urged them both so soon to go against
the Hurons, was an habitual contempt of their enemy, acting on
the unceasing cupidity of prodigality. The additional chances of
success, however, had their place in the formation of the second
enterprise. It was known that a large portion of the warriors
-perhaps all - were encamped for the night abreast of the castle,
and it was hoped that the scalps of helpless victims would be
the consequence. To confess the truth, Hutter in particular - he
who had just left two daughters behind him - expected to find few
besides women and children in the camp. The fact had been but
slightly alluded to in his communications with Hurry, and with
Chingachgook it had been kept entirely out of view. If the Indian
thought of it at all, it was known only to himself.
Hutter steered the canoe; Hurry had manfully taken his post in the
bows, and Chingachgook stood in the centre. We say stood, for all
three were so skilled in the management of that species of frail
bark, as to be able to keep erect positions in the midst of the
darkness. The approach to the shore was made with great caution,
and the landing effected in safety. The three now prepared their
arms, and began their tiger-like approach upon the camp. The Indian
was on the lead, his two companions treading in his footsteps with
a stealthy cautiousness of manner that rendered their progress almost
literally noiseless. Occasionally a dried twig snapped under the
heavy weight of the gigantic Hurry, or the blundering clumsiness
of the old man; but, had the Indian walked on air, his step could
not have seemed lighter. The great object was first to discover
the position of the fire, which was known to be the centre of the
whole encampment. At length the keen eye of Chingachgook caught a
glimpse of this important guide. It was glimmering at a distance
among the trunks of trees. There was no blaze, but merely a single
smouldering brand, as suited the hour; the savages usually retiring
and rising with the revolutions of the sun.
As soon as a view was obtained of this beacon, the progress of the
adventurers became swifter and more certain. In a few minutes they
got to the edge of the circle of little huts. Here they stopped to
survey their ground, and to concert their movements. The darkness
was so deep as to render it difficult to distinguish anything but
the glowing brand, the trunks of the nearest trees, and the endless
canopy of leaves that veiled the clouded heaven. It was ascertained,
however, that a hut was quite near, and Chingachgook attempted to
reconnnoitre its interior. The manner in which the Indian approached
the place that was supposed to contain enemies, resembled the wily
advances of the cat on the bird. As he drew near, he stooped to
his hands and knees, for the entrance was so low as to require this
attitude, even as a convenience. Before trusting his head inside,
however, he listened long to catch the breathing of sleepers. No
sound was audible, and this human Serpent thrust his head in at
the door, or opening, as another serpent would have peered in on
the nest. Nothing rewarded the hazardous experiment; for, after
feeling cautiously with a hand, the place was found to be empty.
The Delaware proceeded in the same guarded manner to one or two more
of the huts, finding all in the same situation. He then returned
to his companions, and informed them that the Hurons had deserted
their camp. A little further inquiry corroborated this fact, and
it only remained to return to the canoe. The different manner
in which the adventurers bore the disappointment is worthy of a
passing remark. The chief, who had landed solely with the hope of
acquiring renown, stood stationary, leaning against a tree, waiting
the pleasure of his companions. He was mortified, and a little
surprised, it is true; but he bore all with dignity, falling back
for support on the sweeter expectations that still lay in reserve
for that evening. It was true, he could not now hope to meet his
mistress with the proofs of his daring and skill on his person, but
he might still hope to meet her; and the warrior, who was zealous
in the search, might always hope to be honored. On the other hand,
Hutter and Hurry, who had been chiefly instigated by the basest of
all human motives, the thirst of gain, could scarce control their
feelings. They went prowling among the huts, as if they expected
to find some forgotten child or careless sleeper; and again and
again did they vent their spite on the insensible huts, several of
which were actually torn to pieces, and scattered about the place.
Nay, they even quarrelled with each other, and fierce reproaches
passed between them. It is possible some serious consequences might
have occurred, had not the Delaware interfered to remind them of
the danger of being so unguarded, and of the necessity of returning
to the ark. This checked the dispute, and in a few minutes they
were paddling sullenly back to the spot where they hoped to find
that vessel.
It has been said that Judith took her place at the side of Deerslayer,
soon after the adventurers departed. For a short time the girl
was silent, and the hunter was ignorant which of the sisters had
approached him, but he soon recognized the rich, full-spirited
voice of the elder, as her feelings escaped in words.
"This is a terrible life for women, Deerslayer!" she exclaimed.
"Would to Heaven I could see an end of it!"
"The life is well enough, Judith," was the answer, "being pretty
much as it is used or abused. What would you wish to see in its
place?"
"I should be a thousand times happier to live nearer to civilized
beings - where there are farms and churches, and houses built as
it might be by Christian hands; and where my sleep at night would
be sweet and tranquil! A dwelling near on of the forts would be
far better than this dreary place where we live!"
"Nay, Judith, I can't agree too lightly in the truth of all this.
If forts are good to keep off inimies, they sometimes hold inimies
of their own. I don't think 'twould be for your good, or the good
of Hetty, to live near one; and if I must say what I think, I'm
afeard you are a little too near as it is." Deerslayer went on,
in his own steady, earnest manner, for the darkness concealed the
tints that colored the cheeks of the girl almost to the brightness
of crimson, while her own great efforts suppressed the sounds of
the breathing that nearly choked her. "As for farms, they have
their uses, and there's them that like to pass their lives on 'em;
but what comfort can a man look for in a clearin', that he can't find
in double quantities in the forest? If air, and room, and light,
are a little craved, the windrows and the streams will furnish
'em, or here are the lakes for such as have bigger longings in that
way; but where are you to find your shades, and laughing springs,
and leaping brooks, and vinerable trees, a thousand years old,
in a clearin'? You don't find them, but you find their disabled
trunks, marking the 'arth like headstones in a graveyard. It
seems to me that the people who live in such places must be always
thinkin' of their own inds, and of universal decay; and that, too,
not of the decay that is brought about by time and natur', but the
decay that follows waste and violence. Then as to churches, they
are good, I suppose, else wouldn't good men uphold 'em. But they
are not altogether necessary. They call 'em the temples of the
Lord; but, Judith, the whole 'arth is a temple of the Lord to such
as have the right mind. Neither forts nor churches make people
happier of themselves. Moreover, all is contradiction in the
settlements, while all is concord in the woods. Forts and churches
almost always go together, and yet they're downright contradictions;
churches being for peace, and forts for war. No, no - give me
the strong places of the wilderness, which is the trees, and the
churches, too, which are arbors raised by the hand of natur'."
"Woman is not made for scenes like these, Deerslayer, scenes of
which we shall have no end, as long as this war lasts."
"If you mean women of white colour, I rather think you're not far
from the truth, gal; but as for the females of the redmen, such
visitations are quite in character. Nothing would make Hist, now,
the bargained wife of yonder Delaware, happier than to know that
he is at this moment prowling around his nat'ral inimies, striving
after a scalp."
"Surely, surely, Deerslayer, she cannot be a woman, and not feel
concern when she thinks the man she loves is in danger!"
"She doesn't think of the danger, Judith, but of the honor; and
when the heart is desperately set on such feelin's, why, there is
little room to crowd in fear. Hist is a kind, gentle, laughing,
pleasant creatur', but she loves honor, as well as any Delaware
gal I ever know'd. She's to meet the Sarpent an hour hence, on the
p'int where Hetty landed, and no doubt she has her anxiety about
it, like any other woman; but she'd be all the happier did she know
that her lover was at this moment waylaying a Mingo for his scalp."
"If you really believe this, Deerslayer, no wonder you lay so
much stress on gifts. Certain am I, that no white girl could feel
anything but misery while she believed her betrothed in danger of
his life! Nor do I suppose even you, unmoved and calm as you ever
seem to be, could be at peace if you believed your Hist in danger."
"That's a different matter - 'tis altogether a different matter,
Judith. Woman is too weak and gentle to be intended to run such
risks, and man must feel for her. Yes, I rather think that's as
much red natur' as it's white. But I have no Hist, nor am I like
to have; for I hold it wrong to mix colours, any way except in
friendship and sarvices."
"In that you are and feel as a white man should! As for Hurry
Harry, I do think it would be all the same to him whether his wife
were a squaw or a governor's daughter, provided she was a little
comely, and could help to keep his craving stomach full."
"You do March injustice, Judith; yes, you do. The poor fellow dotes
on you, and when a man has ra'ally set his heart on such a creatur'
it isn't a Mingo, or even a Delaware gal, that'll be likely to
unsettle his mind. You may laugh at such men as Hurry and I, for
we're rough and unteached in the ways of books and other knowledge;
but we've our good p'ints, as well as our bad ones. An honest
heart is not to be despised, gal, even though it be not varsed in
all the niceties that please the female fancy."
"You, Deerslayer! And do you - can you, for an instant, suppose
I place you by the side of Harry March? No, no, I am not so far
gone in dullness as that. No one - man or woman - could think of
naming your honest heart, manly nature, and simple truth, with the
boisterous selfishness, greedy avarice, and overbearing ferocity of
Harry March. The very best that can be said of him, is to be found
in his name of Hurry Skurry, which, if it means no great harm,
means no great good. Even my father, following his feelings with
the other, as he is doing at this moment, well knows the difference
between you. This I know, for he said as much to me, in plain
language."
Judith was a girl of quick sensibilities and of impetuous feelings;
and, being under few of the restraints that curtail the manifestations
of maiden emotions among those who are educated in the habits of
civilized life, she sometimes betrayed the latter with a feeling
that was so purely natural as to place it as far above the wiles of
coquetry as it was superior to its heartlessness. She had now even
taken one of the hard hands of the hunter and pressed it between
both her own, with a warmth and earnestness that proved how sincere
was her language. It was perhaps fortunate that she was checked by
the very excess of her feelings, since the same power might have
urged her on to avow all that her father had said - the old man
not having been satisfied with making a comparison favorable to
Deerslayer, as between the hunter and Hurry, but having actually,
in his blunt rough way, briefly advised his daughter to cast off the
latter entirely, and to think of the former as a husband. Judith
would not willingly have said this to any other man, but there
was so much confidence awakened by the guileless simplicity of
Deerslayer, that one of her nature found it a constant temptation
to overstep the bounds of habit. She went no further, however,
immediately relinquishing the hand, and falling back on a reserve
that was more suited to her sex, and, indeed, to her natural modesty.
"Thankee, Judith, thankee with all my heart," returned the hunter, whose
humility prevented him from placing any flattering interpretation
on either the conduct or the language of the girl. "Thankee as much
as if it was all true. Harry's sightly - yes, he's as sightly as
the tallest pine of the mountains, and the Sarpent has named him
accordingly; however, some fancy good looks, and some fancy good
conduct, only. Hurry has one advantage, and it depends on himself
whether he'll have t'other or - Hark! That's your father's voice,
gal, and he speaks like a man who's riled at something."
"God save us from any more of these horrible scenes!" exclaimed
Judith, bending her face to her knees, and endeavoring to exclude
the discordant sounds, by applying her hands to her ears. "I
sometimes wish I had no father!"
This was bitterly said, and the repinings which extorted the words
were bitterly felt. It is impossible to say what might next have
escaped her had not a gentle, low voice spoken at her elbow.
"Judith, I ought to have read a chapter to father and Hurry!" said
the innocent but terrified speaker, "and that would have kept them
from going again on such an errand. Do you call to them, Deerslayer,
and tell them I want them, and that it will be good for them both
if they'll return and hearken to my words."
"Ah's me! Poor Hetty, you little know the cravin's for gold and
revenge, if you believe they are so easily turned aside from their
longin's! But this is an uncommon business in more ways than one,
Judith. I hear your father and Hurry growling like bears, and yet
no noise comes from the mouth of the young chief. There's an ind
of secrecy, and yet his whoop, which ought to ring in the mountains,
accordin' to rule in such sarcumstances, is silent!"
"Justice may have alighted on him, and his death have saved the
lives of the innocent."
"Not it - not it - the Sarpent is not the one to suffer if that's
to be the law. Sartainly there has been no onset, and 'tis
most likely that the camp's deserted, and the men are comin' back
disapp'inted. That accounts for the growls of Hurry and the silence
of the Sarpent."
Just at this instant a fall of a paddle was heard in the canoe,
for vexation made March reckless. Deerslayer felt convinced that
his conjecture was true. The sail being down, the ark had not
drifted far; and ere many minutes he heard Chingachgook, in a low,
quiet tone, directing Hutter how to steer in order to reach it.
In less time than it takes to tell the fact, the canoe touched the
scow, and the adventurers entered the latter. Neither Hutter nor
Hurry spoke of what had occurred. But the Delaware, in passing
his friend, merely uttered the words "fire's out," which, if not
literally true, sufficiently explained the truth to his listener.
It was now a question as to the course to be steered. A short
surly conference was held, when Hutter decided that the wisest way
would be to keep in motion as the means most likely to defeat any
attempt at a surprise - announcing his own and March's intention
to requite themselves for the loss of sleep during their captivity,
by lying down. As the air still baffled and continued light, it was
finally determined to sail before it, let it come in what direction
it might, so long as it did not blow the ark upon the strand. This
point settled, the released prisoners helped to hoist the sail, and
they threw themselves upon two of the pallets, leaving Deerslayer
and his friend to look after the movements of the craft. As neither
of the latter was disposed to sleep, on account of the appointment
with Hist, this arrangement was acceptable to all parties. That
Judith and Hetty remained up also, in no manner impaired the
agreeable features of this change.
For some time the scow rather drifted than sailed along the western
shore, following a light southerly current of the air. The progress
was slow - not exceeding a couple of miles in the hour - but the
two men perceived that it was not only carrying them towards the
point they desired to reach, but at a rate that was quite as fast
as the hour yet rendered necessary. But little more was said the
while even by the girls; and that little had more reference to the
rescue of Hist than to any other subject. The Indian was calm to
the eye, but as minute after minute passed, his feelings became
more and more excited, until they reached a state that might have
satisfied the demands of even the most exacting mistress. Deerslayer
kept the craft as much in the bays as was prudent, for the double
purpose of sailing within the shadows of the woods, and of detecting
any signs of an encampment they might pass on the shore. In this
manner they doubled one low point, and were already in the bay that
was terminated north by the goal at which they aimed. The latter
was still a quarter of a mile distant, when Chingachgook came
silently to the side of his friend and pointed to a place directly
ahead. A small fire was glimmering just within the verge of
the bushes that lined the shore on the southern side of the point
-leaving no doubt that the Indians had suddenly removed their camp
to the very place, or at least the very projection of land where
Hist had given them the rendezvous!