"But, mother, now a shade has past,
Athwart my brightest visions here,
A cloud of darkest gloom has wrapt,
The remnant of my brief career!
No song, no echo can I win,
The sparkling fount has died within."
Margaret Davidson, "To my Mother," 11. 7-12.
Hist and Hetty arose with the return of light, leaving Judith still buried in
sleep. It took but a minute for the first to complete her toilet. Her long
coal-black hair was soon adjusted in a simple knot, the calico dress belted
tight to her slender waist, and her little feet concealed in their gaudily
ornamented moccasins. When attired, she left her companion employed in
household affairs, and went herself on the platform to breathe the pure air
of the morning. Here she found Chingachgook studying the shores of the lake,
the mountains and the heavens, with the sagacity of a man of the woods, and
the gravity of an Indian.
The meeting between the two lovers was simple, but affectionate. The chief
showed a manly kindness, equally removed from boyish weakness and haste,
while the girl betrayed, in her smile and half averted looks, the bashful
tenderness of her sex. Neither spoke, unless it were with the eyes, though
each understood the other as fully as if a vocabulary of words and
protestations had been poured out. Hist seldom appeared to more advantage,
than at that moment, for just from her rest and ablutions, there was a
freshness about her youthful form and face, that the toils of the wood do not
always permit to be exhibited, by even the juvenile and pretty. Then Judith
had not only imparted some of her own skill in the toilet, during their short
intercourse, but she had actually bestowed a few well selected ornaments from
her own stores, that contributed not a little to set off the natural graces
of the Indian maid. All this the lover saw and felt, and for a moment his
countenance was illuminated with a look of pleasure, but it soon grew.
"The Great Spirit may soften their hearts, and not suffer them to be so
bloody minded. I have lived among the Hurons, and know them. They have
hearts, and will not forget their own children, should they fall into the
hands of the Delawares."
"A wolf is forever howling; a hog will always eat. They have lost warriors;
even their women will call out for vengeance. The pale face has the eyes of
an eagle, and can see into a Mingo's heart; he looks for no mercy. There is a
cloud over his spirit, though it is not before his face."
A long, thoughtful pause succeeded, during which Hist stealthily took the
hand of the chief, as if seeking his support, though she scarce ventured to
raise her eyes to a countenance that was now literally becoming terrible,
under the conflicting passions, and stern resolution that were struggling in
the breast of its owner.
"What will the Son of Uncas do?" the girl at length timidly asked. "He is a
chief, and is already celebrated in council, though so young; what does his
heart tell him is wisest; does the head, too, speak the same words as the
heart?"
"What does Wah-ta!-Wah say, at a moment when my dearest friend is in such
danger. The smallest birds sing the sweetest; it is always pleasant, to
hearken to their songs. I wish I could hear the Wren of the Woods in my
difficulty; its note would reach deeper than the ear.
Again Hist experienced the profound gratification that the language of praise
can always awaken, when uttered by those we love. The 'Honeysuckle of the
Hills' was a term often applied to the girl, by the young men of the
Delawares, though it never sounded so sweet in her ears, as from the lips of
Chingachgook; but the latter alone had ever styled her the Wren of the Woods.
With him, however, it had got to be a familiar phrase, and it was past
expression pleasant to the listener, since it conveyed to her mind the idea
that her advice and sentiments were as acceptable to her future husband, as
the tones of her voice and modes of conveying them were agreeable; uniting
the two things most prized by an Indian girl, as coming from her betrothed,
admiration for a valued physical advantage, with respect for her opinion. She
pressed the hand she held, between both her own, and answered-
"The pale-faces know every thing," he said; "can they tell us why the sun
hides his face, when he goes back, at night."
"Ay, that is downright red-skin l'arnin'," returned the other, laughing,
though he was not altogether insensible to the pleasure of proving the
superiority of his race, by solving the difficulty, which he set about doing,
in his own peculiar manner. "Harkee, Sarpent," he continued more gravely,
though too simply for affectation; "this is easierly explained than an Indian
brain may fancy. The sun, while he seem's to keep travelling in the heavens,
never budges, but it is the 'arth that turns round, and any one can
understand, if he is placed on the side of a mill-wheel, for instance, when
it's in motion, that he must some times see the heavens, while he is at other
times under water. There's no great secret in that; but plain natur'; the
difficulty being in setting the 'arth in motion."
"How does my brother know that the earth turns round?" demanded the Indian.
"Can he see it?"
"Well, that's been a puzzler, I will own, Delaware, for I've often tried, but
never could fairly make it out. Sometimes I've consaited that I could; and
then ag'in, I've been obliged to own it an onpossibility. Howsever, turn it
does, as all my people say, and you ought to believe 'em, since they can
foretel eclipses, and other prodigies, that used to fill the tribes with
terror, according to your own traditions of such things."
"Good. This is true; no red-man will deny it. When a wheel turns, my eyes can
see it-they do not see the earth turn."
"Ay, that's what I call sense obstinacy! Seeing is believing, they say, and
what they can't see, some men won't in the least give credit to.
Nevertheless, chief, that isn't quite as good reason as it may at first seem.
You believe in the Great Spirit, I know, and yet, I conclude, it would puzzle
you to show where you see him!"
"Chingachgook can see Him every where-every where in good things - the Evil
Spirit in bad. Here, in the lake; there, in the forest; yonder, in the
clouds; in Hist, in the Son of Uncas, in Tamenund, in Deerslayer. The Evil
Spirit is in the Mingos. That I see; I do not see the earth turn round."
"I don't wonder they call you the Sarpent, Delaware; no, I don't! There's
always a meaning in your words, and there's
"Wah-ta!-Wah says that neither she nor the Great Serpent could ever laugh,
again, or ever sleep without dreaming of the Hurons, should the Deerslayer
die under a Mingo tomahawk, and they do nothing to save him. She would rather
go back, and start on her long path alone, than let such a dark cloud pass
before her happiness."
"Good! The husband and the wife will have but one heart; they will see with
the same eyes, and feel with the same feelings."
What further was said, need not be related here. That the conversation was of
Deerslayer, and his hopes, has been seen already, but the decision that was
come to, will better appear in the course of the narrative. The youthful pair
were yet conversing when the sun appeared above the tops of the pines, and
the light of a brilliant American day streamed down into the valley, bathing
"in deep joy" the lake, the forests and the mountain sides. Just at this
instant Deerslayer came out of the cabin of the Ark, and stepped upon the
platform. His first look was at the cloudless heavens, then his rapid glance
took in the entire panorama of land and water, when he had leisure for a
friendly nod at his friends, and a cheerful smile for Hist.
"Well," he said, in his usual, composed manner, and pleasant voice, "he that
sees the sun set in the west, and wakes 'arly enough in the morning will be
sartain to find him coming back ag'in in the east, like a buck that is hunted
round his ha'nt. I dare say, now, Hist, you've beheld this, time and ag'in,
and yet it never entered into your galish mind to ask the reason?"
Both Chingachgook and his betrothed looked up at the luminary, with an air
that betokened sudden wonder, and then they gazed at each other, as if to
seek the solution of the difficulty. Familiarity deadens the sensibilities,
even as connected with the gravest natural phenomena, and never before had
these simple beings thought of enquiring into a movement that was of daily
occurrence, however puzzling it might appear on investigation. When the
subject was thus suddenly started, it struck both alike, and at the same
instant, with some such force, as any new and brilliant proposition in the
natural sciences would strike the scholar. Chingachgook alone saw fit to
answer.
"The pale-faces know every thing," he said; "can they tell us why the sun
hides his face, when he goes back, at night."
"ay, that is downright red-skin l'arnin'" returned the other, laughing,
through he was not altogether insensible to the pleasure of proving the
superiority of his race, by solving the difficulty, which he set aout doing,
in hiw own peculiar manner. "Harkee, Sarpent," he continued more gravely,
though too simply for affectation; "this is easierly explained than an Indian
brain may fancy. The sun, while he seems to keep traveling in the heavens,
never budges, but it is the 'arth that turns roun, and any one can
understand, if he is placed on the side of a mill-whel, for instance, when
it's in motion, that he must some times see the heavens, while he is at other
times under water. There's no great secret in that; but plain natur'; the
difficulty being in setting the 'arth in motion."
"How does my brother know hat the earth turns round?" demanded the Indina.
"Can he see it?"
"Well, that's been a puzzler, I will own, Delaware, for I've often tried, but
never could fairly make it out. Sometimes I've often tried, but never could
fairly make it out. Sometimes I've consaited that I could; and then ag'in,
I've been obliged to own it an onpossibility. Howsever, turn it does, as all
my people say, and you ought to believe 'em, since they can foretell
eclipses, and other prodigies, that used to fill the tribes with terror,
according to your owntraditions of such things."
"Good. This is true; no red-man will deny it. When a wheel turns, my eyes can
see it - they do not see the earth turn."
"y, that's what I call sense obstinacy! Seeing is believing, they say, and
what they cann't see, some men won't in the least give credit to.
Neverthless, chief, that isn't quite as good reason as itmayat first seem.
You believe in the Great Sppirit, I know, and yet, I conclude, it would
puzzle you to show you where you see him!"
"Chingachgook can see Him every where - every where in good things -the Evil
Spirit in bad. Here, in the lake; there, in the forest; yonder, in the
clounds; in Hist, in the Son of Uncas, in Tannenund, in Deerslayer. The Evil
Spirit is in the Mingos. That I see; I do not see the earth turn round."
"I so n't wonder they call you the Sarpent, Delaware; no, I do n't! There's
always a meaning in your words, and there's often a meaning in your
countenance, too! Notwithstanding, your answers does n't quite meet my idée.
ThatGod is observable in all nat'ral objects is allowable, but then he is not
perceptible in the way I mean. You know there is a Great Spirit by his works,
and the pale faces know that the 'arth turns round by its works. This is the
reason of the matter, though how it is to be explained, is more than I
exactly tell you. This I know; all my people consait that fact, and what all
the pale-faces consait, is very likely to be true."
"When the sun is in the top of that pine to-morrow, where will my brother
Deerslayer be?"
The hunter started, and he looked intently, though totally without alarm, at
his friend. Then he signed for him to follow, and led the way into the Ark,
where he mght pursue the subject unheard by those, whose feelings he feared
might get the mastery over their reason. Here he stopped, and pursued the
conversation in amore confidential tone.
"'Twas a little onreasonable in you Sarpent," he said, "to bring up such a
subject afore Hist, and when the young women of my own colour might overhear
what was said. Yes, 'twas a little more onreasonable than most things that
you do. No matter; Hist did n"t comprehind, and the other din n't hear.
Howsever, the questionis easier put than answered. No mortal can say where he
will be when the sun rises tomorrow. I will ask you the same question,
Sarpent, and should like to hear what answer you can give.
"Chingachgook will be with his friend Deerslayer - if he be in the land of
spirits, the Great Serpent will crawl at his side; if beneath yonder sun, its
warmth and light shall fall on both."
"I understand you Delaware," returned the other, touched with the simple
self-devotion of his friend, "Such language is as plain in one tongue as in
another. I comes from the heart, and goes to the heart, too. 'Tis well to
think so, and it may be well to say so, for that matter, but it would not be
well to do so, Sarpent. You are no longer alone in life, for though you have
the lodges to change, and other ceremonies to go through, afore Hist becomes
you lawful wife, yet are you as good as married, in all that bears on the
feelin's, and joy, and misery. No - no - Hist must not be desarted, because a
cloud is passing atween you and me, a little onexpectedly and a little darker
than we may have looked for."
"Hist is a daughter of the Mohicans. She knows how to obey her husband. Where
he goes, she will follow. Both will be with the Great Hunter of the
Delawares, when the sun shall be in the pine to-morrow."
"The Lord bless and protect you! - Chief; this is downright madness. Can
either, or both of you, alter a Mingo natur'. Will your grand looks, or
Hist's tears and beauty, change a wolf into a squirrel, or make a catamount
as innocent as a fa'an? No-Sarpent, you will think better of this matter, and
leave me in the hands of God. A'ter all, it's by no means sartain that the
scamps design the torments, for they may yet be pitiful, and bethink them of
the wickedness of such a course - though it is but a hopeless expectation to
look forward to a Mingo's turning aside from evil, and letting marcy get
uppermost in his heart - Nevertheless, no one knows to a sartainty what will
happen, and young creatur's, like Hist, an't to be risked on onsartainties.
This marrying is altogether a different undertaking from what some young men
fancy. Now, if you was single, or as good as single, Delaware, I should
expect you to be actyve and stirring about the camp of the vagabonds, from
sunrise to sunset, sarcumventing and contriving, as restless as a hound off
the scent, and doing all manner of things to help me, and to distract the
inimy, but two are oftener feebler than one, and we must take things as they
are, and not as we want 'em to be."
"Listen, Deerslayer," returned the Indian with an emphasis so decided as to
show how much he was in earnest. "If Chingachgook was in the hands of the
Hurons, what would my pale-face brother do? Sneak off to the Delaware
villages, and say to the chiefs, and old men, and young warriors-'see, here
is Wah-ta!-Wah; she is safe, but a little tired; and here is the Son of
Uncas, not as tired as the Honeysuckle, being stronger, but just as safe.'
Would he do this?"
"Well, that's oncommon ingen'ous; it's cunning enough for a Mingo, himself!
The Lord only knows what put it into your head to ask such a question. What
would I do?-Why, in the first place, Hist wouldn't be likely to be in my
company at all, often a meaning in your countenance, too! Notwithstanding,
your answers doesn't quite meet my idee. That God is obsarvable in al]
nat'ral objects is allowable, but then he is not parceptible in the way I
mean. You know there is a Great Spirit by his works, and the pale faces know
that the 'arth turns round by its works. This is the reason of the matter,
though how it is to be explained, is more than I can exactly tell you. This I
know; all my people consait that fact, and what all the pale-faces consait,
is very likely to be true."
"When the sun is in the top of that pine to-morrow, where will my brother
Deerslayer be?"
The hunter started, and he looked intently, though totally without alarm, at
his friend. Then he signed for him to follow, and led the way into the Ark,
where he might pursue the subject unheard by those, whose feelings he feared
might get the mastery over their reason. Here he stopped, and pursued the
conversation in a more confidential tone.
"'Twas a little onreasonable in you, Sarpent," he said, "to bring up such a
subject afore Hist, and when the young women of my own colour might overhear
what was said. Yes, 'twas a little more onreasonable than most things that
you do. No matter; Hist didn't comprehind, and the other didn't hear.
Howsever, the question is easier put than answered. No mortal can say where
he will be when the sun rises to-morrow. I will ask you the same question,
Sarpent, and should like to hear what answer you can give."
"Chingachgook will be with his friend Deerslayer- If he be in the land of
spirits, the Great Serpent will crawl at his side; if beneath yonder sun, its
warmth and light shall fall on both."
"I understand you Delaware," returned the other, touched with the simple
self-devotion of his friend. "Such language is as plain in one tongue as in
another. It comes from the heart, and goes to the heart, too. Tis well to
think so, and it may be well to say so, for that matter, but it would not be
well to do so, Sarpent. You are no longer alone in life, for though you have
the lodges to change, and other ceremonies to go through, afore Hist becomes
your lawful wife, yet are you as good as married, in all that bears on the
feelin's, and joy, and misery. No- no-Hist must not be desarted, because a
cloud is passing at for she would stay as near you as possible, and therefore
all that part about her couldn't be said, without talking nonsense. As for
her being tired, that would fall through, too, if she didn't go, and no part
of your speech would be likely to come from me; so, you see, Sarpent, reason
is ag'in you, and you may as well give it up, since to hold out ag'in reason,
is no way becoming a chief of your character and repitation."
"My brother is not himself; he forgets that he is talking to one who has sat
at the Council Fire of his nation," returned the other kindly. "When men
speak, they should say that which does not go in at one side of the head and
out at the other. Their words shouldn't be feathers, so light that a wind
which does not ruffle the water, can blow them away. He has not answered my
question; when a chief puts a question, his friend should not talk of other
things."
"I understand you, Delaware; I understand well enough what you mean, and
truth won't allow me to say otherwise. Still it's not as easy to answer as
you seem to think, for this plain reason. You wish me to say what I would do
if I had a betrothed as you have, here, on the lake, and a fri'nd yonder in
the Huron camp, in danger of the torments. That's it, isn't it?"
The Indian bowed his head silently, and always with unmoved gravity, though
his eye twinkled at the sight of the other's embarrassment.
"Well, I never had a betrothed-never had the kind of feelin's toward any
young woman, that you have towards Hist, though the Lord knows my feelin's
are kind enough towards 'em all! -still my heart, as they call it, in such
matters, isn't touched, and therefore I can't say what I would do. A fri'nd
pulls strong, that I know by exper'ence, Sarpent, but, by all that I've seen
and heard consarning love, I'm led to think that a betrothed pulls stronger."
"True; but the betrothed of Chingachgook does not pull towards the lodges of
the Delawares; she pulls towards the camp of the Hurons."
"She's a noble gal, for all her little feet, and hands that an't bigger than
a child's, and a voice that is as pleasant as a mocker's; she's a noble gal,
and like the stock of her sires! Well, what is it, Sarpent; for I conclude
she hasn't changed her mind, and means to give herself up, and turn Huron
wife. What is it you want?"
"Wah-ta!-Wah will never live in the wigwam of an Iroquois," answered the
Delaware drily. "She has little feet, but they can carry her to the villages
of her people; she has small hands, too, but her mind is large. My brother
will see what we can do, when the time shall come, rather than let him die
under Mingo torments."
"Attempt nothing heedlessly, Delaware," said the other earnestly; "I suppose
you must and will have your way; and, on the whole it's right you should, for
you'd neither be happy, unless something was undertaken. But attempt nothing
heedlessly-I didn't expect you'd quit the lake, while my matter remained in
unsartainty, but remember, Sarpent, that no torments that Mingo ingenuity can
invent, no ta'ntings, and revilings; no burnings, and roastings and nail-
tearings, nor any other onhuman contrivances can so soon break down my
spirit, as to find that you and Hist, have fallen into the power of the
inimy, in striving to do something for my good."
"The Delawares are prudent. The Deerslayer will not find them running into a
strange camp, with their eyes shut."
Here the dialogue terminated. Hetty announced that the breakfast was ready,
and the whole party was soon seated around the simple board, in the usual
primitive manner of borderers. Judith was the last to take her seat, pale,
silent, and betraying in her countenance that she had passed a painful, if
not a sleepless, night. At this meal scarce a syllable was exchanged, all the
females manifesting want of appetites, though the two men were unchanged in
this particular. It was early when the party arose, and there still remained
several hours before it would be necessary for the prisoner to leave his
friends. The knowledge of this circumstance, and the interest all felt in his
welfare, induced the whole to assemble on the platform again, in the desire
to be near the expected victim, to listen to his discourse, and if possible
to show their interest in him, by anticipating his wishes. Deerslayer,
himself, so far as human eyes could penetrate, was wholly unmoved, conversing
cheerfully and naturally, though he avoided any direct allusions to the
expected and great event of the day. If any evidence could be discovered of
his thought's reverting to that painful subject at all, it was in the manner
in which he spoke of death and the last great change.
"Grieve not, Hetty," he said, for it was while consoling this simple-minded
girl for the loss of her parents that he thus betrayed his feelings, "since
God has app'inted that all must die. Your parents, or them you fancied your
parents, which is the same thing, have gone afore you; this is only in the
order of natur', my good gal, for the aged go first, and the young follow.
But one that had a mother like your'n, Hetty, can be at no loss to hope the
best, as to how matters will turn out in another world. The Delaware, here,
and Hist, believe in happy hunting grounds, and have idees befitting their
notions and gifts, as red skins, but we who are of white blood hold
altogether to a different doctrine. Still, I rather conclude our heaven is
their land of spirits, and that the path which leads to it will be travelled
by all colours alike. Tis onpossible for the wicked to enter on it, I will
allow, but fri'nds can scarce be separated, though they are not of the same
race on 'arth. Keep up your spirits, poor Hetty, and look forward to the day
when you will meet your mother ag'in, and that without pain, or sorrowing."
"I do expect to see mother," returned the truth-telling and simple girl, "but
what will become of father?"
"That's a non-plusser, Delaware," said the hunter, in the Indian dialect-
"yes, that is a down-right non-plusser! The Muskrat was not a saint on 'arth,
and it's fair to guess he'll not be much of one, here after! Howsever,
Hetty," dropping into the English by an easy transition, "howsever, Hetty, we
must all hope for the best. That is wisest, and it is much the easiest to the
mind, if one can only do it. I ricommend to you, trusting to God, and putting
down all misgivings and fainthearted feelin's. It's wonderful, Judith, how
different people have different notions about the futur', some fancying one
change, and some fancying another. I've known white teachers that have
thought all was spirit, hereafter, and them, ag'in, that believed the body
will be transported to another world, much as the red-skins themselves
imagine, and that we shall walk about, in the flesh, and know each other, and
talk together, and be fri'nds there, as we've been fri'nds here."
"Which of these opinions is most pleasing to you, Deerslayer?" asked the
girl, willing to indulge his melancholy mood, and far from being free from
its influence herself. "Would it be disagreeable to think that you should
meet all
who are now on this platform in another world? Or have you known enough of us
here, to be glad to see us no more.
"The last would make death a bitter portion; yes it would. It's eight good
years since the Sarpent and I began to hunt together, and the thought that we
were never to meet ag'in, would be a hard thought to me. He looks forward to
the time when he shall chase a sort of spirit-deer, in company, on plains
where there's no thorns, or brambles, or marshes, or other hardships to
overcome, whereas I can't fall into all these notions, seeing that they
appear to be ag'in reason. Spirits can't eat, nor have they any use for
clothes, and deer can only rightfully be chased to be slain, or slain, unless
it be for the venison, or the hides. Now, I find it hard to suppose that
blessed spirits can be put to chasing game, without an object, tormenting the
dumb animals just for the pleasure and agreeableness of their own amusements.
I never, yet, pulled a trigger on buck or doe, Judith, unless when food or
clothes was wanting."
"The recollection of which, Deerslayer, must now be a great consolation to
you.
"It is the thought of such things, my fri'nds, that enables a man to keep his
furlough. It might be done without it, I own; for the worst red skins,
sometimes do their duty in this matter; but it makes that which might
otherwise be hard, easy, if not altogether to our liking. Nothing truly makes
a bolder heart, than a light conscience."
Judith turned paler than ever, but she struggled for self-command, and
succeeded in obtaining it. The conflict had been severe, however, and it left
her so little disposed to speak, that Hetty pursued the subject. This was
done in the simple manner natural to the girl.
"It would be cruel to kill the poor deer," she said, "in this world, or any
other, when you don't want their venison, or their skins. No good white-man,
and no good red man would do it. But it's wicked for a christian to talk
about chasing any thing in heaven. Such things are not done before the face
of God, and the missionary that teaches these doctrines, can't be a true
missionary. He must be a wolf in sheep's clothing. I suppose you know what a
sheep is, Deerslayer."
"That I do, gal, and a useful creatur' it is, to such as like cloths better
than skins, for winter garments. I understand the natur' of sheep, though
I've had but little to do with 'em, and the natur' of wolves too, and can
take the idee of a wolf in the fleece of a sheep, though I think it would be
like to prove a hot jacket for such a beast, in the warm months!"
"And sin, and hypocrisy are hot jackets, as they will find, who put them on,"
returned Hetty, positively, "so the wolf would be no worse off than the
sinner. Spirits don't hunt, nor trap, nor fish, nor do any thing that vain
men undertake, since they've none of the longings of this world to feed. Oh!
Mother told me all that, years ago, and I don't wish to hear it denied."
"Well, my good Hetty, in that case you'd better not broach your doctrine to
Hist, when she and you are alone, and the young Delaware maiden is inclined
to talk religion. It's her fixed idee, I know, that the good warriors do
nothing but hunt, and fish in the other world, though I don't believe that
she fancies any of them are brought down to trapping, which is no empl'yment
for a brave. But of hunting and fishing, accordin' to her notion, they've
their fill, and that, too, over the most agreeablest hunting grounds, and
among game that is never out of season, and which is just actyve and
instinctyve enough to give a pleasure to death. So I wouldn't ricommend it to
you to start Hist on that idee."
"Hist can't be so wicked as to believe any such thing," returned the other,
earnestly. "No Indian hunts after he is dead."
"No wicked Indian, I grant you; no wicked Indian, sartainly. He is obliged to
carry the ammunition, and to look on without sharing in the sport, and to
cook, and to light the fires, and to do every thing that isn't manful. Now,
mind; I don't tell you these are my idees, but they are Hist's idees, and,
therefore, for the sake of peace the less you say to her ag'in 'em, the
better."
"And what are your ideas of the fate of an Indian, in the other world?"
demanded Judith, who had just found her voice.
"Ah! gal, any thing but that! I am too christianized to expect any thing so
fanciful, as hunting and fishing after death, nor do I believe there is one
Manitou for the red skin and another for a pale face. You find different
colours on 'arth, as any one may see, but you don't find different natur's.
Different gifts, but only one natur'."
"In what is a gift different from a nature? Is not nature itself a gift from
God?"
"Sartain; that's quick-thoughted, and creditable, Judith, though the main
idee is wrong. A natur' is the creatur' itself; its wishes, wants, idees and
feelin's, as all are born in him. This natur' never can be changed, in the
main, though it may undergo some increase, or lessening. Now, gifts come of
sarcumstances. Thus, if you put a man in a town, he gets town gifts; in a
settlement, settlement gifts; in a forest, gifts of the woods. A soldier has
soldierly gifts, and a missionary preaching gifts. All these increase and
strengthen, until they get to fortify natur', as it might be, and excuse a
thousand acts and idees. Still the creatur' is the same at the bottom; just
as a man who is clad in regimentals is the same as the man that is clad in
skins. The garments make a change to the eye, and some change in the conduct,
perhaps; but none in the man. Herein lies the apology for gifts; seein' that
you expect different conduct from one in silks and satins, from one in
homespun; though the Lord, who didn't make the dresses, but who made the
creatur's themselves, looks only at his own work. This isn't ra'al missionary
doctrine, but it's as near it, as a man of white colour need be. Ah's! me;
little did I think to be talking of such matters, to-day, but it's one of our
weaknesses never to know what will come to pass. Step into the Ark with me,
Judith, for a minute; I wish to convarse with you."
Judith complied with a willingness she could scarce conceal. Following the
hunter into the cabin, she took a seat on a stool, while the young man
brought Killdeer, the rifle she had given him, out of a corner, and placed
himself on another, with the weapon laid upon his knees. After turning the
piece round and round, and examining its lock and its breech with a sort of
affectionate assiduity, he laid it down and proceeded to the subject which
had induced him to desire the interview.
"I understand you, Judith, to say that you gave me this rifle," he said. "I
agreed to take it, because a young woman can have no particular use for fire-
arms. The we'pon has a great name, and it desarves it, and ought of right to
be carried by some known and sure hand, for the best repitation may be lost
by careless and thoughtless handling."
'Can it be in better hands than those in which it is now, Deerslayer. Thomas
Hutter seldom missed with it; with you it must turn out to be-"
"Sartain death!" interrupted the hunter, laughing. "I once know'd a beaver-
man that had a piece he called by that very name, but 'twas all boastfulness,
for I've seen Delawares that were as true with arrows, at a short range.
Howsever, I'll not deny my gifts-for this is a gift, Judith, and not natur'-
but, I'll not deny my gifts, and therefore allow that the rifle couldn't well
be in better hands than it is at present. But, how long will it be likely to
remain there? Atween us, the truth may be said, though I shouldn't like to
have it known to the Sarpent and Hist; but, to you the truth may be spoken,
since your feelin's will not be as likely to be tormented by it, as those of
them that have known me longer and better. How long am I like to own this
rifle or any other? That is a serious question for our thoughts to rest on,
and should that happen which is so likely to happen, Killdeer would be
without an owner."
Judith listened with apparent composure, though the conflict within came near
overpowering her. Appreciating the singular character of her companion,
however, she succeeded in appearing calm, though, had not his attention been
drawn exclusively to the rifle, a man of his keenness of observation could
scarce have failed to detect the agony of mind with which the girl had
hearkened to his words. Her great self-command, notwithstanding, enabled her
to pursue the subject in a way still to deceive him.
"What would you have me do with the weapon," she asked- "should that which
you seem to expect, take place?"
"That's just what I wanted to speak to you about, Judith; that's just it.
There's Chingachgook, now, though far from being parfect sartainty, with a
rifle-for few red skins ever get to be that- though far from being parfect
sartainty, he is respectable, and is coming on. Nevertheless, he is my
fri'nd, and all the better fri'nd, perhaps, because there never can be any
hard feelin's atween us, touchin' our gifts, his'n hein' red, and mine bein'
altogether white. Now, I should like to leave Killdeer to the Sarpent, should
any thing happen to keep me from doing credit and honor to your precious
gift, Judith."
"Leave it to whom you please, Deerslayer. The rifle is your own, to do with
as you please. Chingachgook shall have it, should you never return to claim
it, if that he your wish."
"Has Hetty been consulted in this matter?-Property goes from the parent to
the children, and not to one child, in partic'lar!"
"If you place your right on that of the law, Deerslayer, I fear none of us
can claim to be the owner. Thomas Hutter was no more the father of Esther,
than he was the father of Judith. Judith and Esther we are truly, having no
other name!"
"There may be law in that, but there's no great reason, gal. Accordin' to the
custom of families, the goods are your'n, and there's no one here to gainsay
it. If Hetty would only say that she is willing, my mind would be quite at
ease in the matter. It's true, Judith, that your sister has neither your
beauty, nor your wit; hut we should he the tenderest of the rights and
welfare of the most weak-minded."
The girl made no answer but placing herself at a window, she summoned her
sister to her side. When the question was put to Hetty, that simple-minded
and affectionate creature cheerfully assented to the proposal to confer on
Deerslayer a full right of ownership to the much-coveted rifle. The latter
now seemed perfectly happy, for the time being at least, and after again
examining and re-examining his prize, he expressed a determination to put its
merits to a practical test, before he left the spot. No boy could have been
more eager to exhibit the qualities of his trumpet, or his cross-how, than
this simple forester was to prove those of his rifle. Returning to the
platform, he first took the Delaware aside, and informed him that this
celebrated piece was to become his property, in the event of any thing
serious befalling himself.
"This is a new reason why you should he wary, Sarpent, and not run into any
oncalculated danger," the hunter added, "for, it will he a victory of itself,
to a tribe to own such a piece as this! The Mingos will turn green with envy,
and, what is more, they will not ventur' heedlessly near a village where it
is known to he kept. So, look well to it, Delaware, and remember that you've
now to watch over a thing that has all the valie of a creatur', without its
failin's. Hist may he, and should he precious to you, hut Killdeer will have
the love and veneration of your whole people."
"One rifle like another, Deerslayer," returned the Indian, in English, the
language used by the other, a little hurt at his friend's lowering his
betrothed to the level of a gun. "All kill; all wood and iron. Wife dear to
heart; rifle good to shoot."
"And what is a man in the woods without something to shoot with?-a miserable
trapper, or a forlorn broom and basket maker, at the best. Such a man may hoe
corn, and keep soul and body together, but he can never know the savory
morsels of venison, or tell a bear's ham from a hog's. Come, my fri'nd, such
another occasion may never offer ag'in, and I feel a strong craving for a
trial with this celebrated piece. You shall bring out your own rifle, and I
will just sight Killdeer in a careless way, in order that we may know a few
of its secret vartues."
As this proposition served to relieve the thoughts of the whole party, by
giving them a new direction, while it was likely to produce no unpleasant
results, every one was willing to enter into it; the girls bringing forth the
fire-arms with an alacrity, bordering on cheerfulness. Hutter's armory was
well supplied, possessing several rifles, all of which were habitually kept
loaded, in readiness to meet any sudden demand for their use. On the present
occasion, it only remained to freshen the primings, and each piece was in a
state for service. This was soon done, as all assisted in it, the females
being as expert in this part of the system of defence, as their male
companions.
"Now, Sarpent, we'll begin in a humble way, using Old Tom's commoners first,
and coming t6 your we'pon and Killdeer as the winding up observations," said
Deerslayer, delighted to he again, weapon in hand, ready to display his
skill. "Here's birds in abundance, some in, and some over the lake, and they
keep at just a good range, hovering round the hut. Speak your mind, Delaware,
and p'int out the creatur' you wish to alarm. Here's a diver nearest in, off
to the eastward, and that's a creatur' that buries itself at the flash, and
will he like enough to try both piece and powder."
Chingachgook was a man of few words. No sooner was the bird pointed out to
him, than he took his aim and fired. The duck dove at the flash, as had been
expected, and the bullet skipped harmlessly along the surface of the lake,
first striking the water within a few inches of the spot where the bird had
so lately swam. Deerslayer laughed, cordially and naturally, hut, at the same
time, he threw himself into an attitude of preparation, and stood keenly
watching the sheet of placid water. Presently a dark spot appeared, and then
the duck arose to breathe, and shook its wings. While in this act, a bullet
passed directly through its breast, actually turning it over lifeless, on its
hack. At the next moment, Deerslayer stood with the breech of his rifle on
the platform, as tranquil as if nothing had happened, though laughing in his
own peculiar manner.
"There's no great trial of the pieces in that!" he said, as if anxious to
prevent a false impression of his own merir. "No, that proof's neither for,
nor ag'in the rifles, seeing it was all quickness of hand and eye. I took the
bird at a disadvantage, or he might have got under, again, afore the bullet
reached him. But the Sarpent is too wise to mind such tricks, having long
been used to them. Do you remember the time, chief, when you thought yourself
sartain of the wild-goose, and I took him out of your very eyes, as it might
be with a little smoke! Howsever, such things pass for nothing. atween
fri'nds, and young folk will have their fun, Judith. Ay; here's just the bird
we want, for it's as good for the fire, as it is for the aim, and nothing
should be lost that can be turned to just account. There, further north,
Delaware."
The latter looked in the required direction, and he soon saw a large black
duck floating in stately repose on the water. At that distant day, when so
few men were present to derange the harmony of the wilderness, all the
smaller lakes with which the interior of New York so abounds, were places of
resort for the migratory aquatic birds, and this sheet like the others had
once been much frequented by all the varieties of the duck, by the goose, the
gull, and the loon. On the appearance of Hutter, the spot was comparatively
deserted for other sheets, more retired and remote, though some of each
species continued to resort thither, as indeed they do to the present hour.
At that instant, a hundred birds were visible from the castle, sleeping on
the water, or laying their feathers in the limpid element, though no other
offered so favorable a mark as that Deerslayer had just pointed out to his
friend. Chingachgook as usual, spared his words, and proceeded to execution.
This time his aim was more careful than before, and his success in
proportion. The bird had a wing crippled, and fluttered along the water
screaming, materially increasing its distance from its enemies.
"That bird must be put out of pain," exclaimed Deerslayer, the moment the
animal endeavored to rise on the wing, "and this is the rifle and the eye to
do it."
The duck was still floundering along, when the fatal bullet overtook it,
severing the head from the neck as neatly as if it had been done with an axe.
Hist had indulged in a low cry of delight at the success of the young Indian,
but now she affected to frown and resent the greater skill of his friend. The
chief, on the contrary, uttered the usual exclamation of pleasure, and his
smile proved how much he admired, and how little he envied.
"Never mind the gal, Sarpent, never mind Hist's feelin's, which will neither
choke, nor drown, slay nor beautify," said Deerslayer, laughing. "'Tis
nat'ral for women to enter into their hushand's victories and defeats, and
you are as good as man and wife, so far as prejudyce and fri'ndship go. Here
is a hird over head that will put the pieces, to the proof. I challenge you
to an upward aim, with a flying target. That's a ra'al proof, and one that
needs sartain rifles, as well as sartain eyes."
The species of eagle that frequents the water, and lives on fish, was also
present, and one was hovering at a considerable height above the hut,
greedily watching for an opportunity to make a swoop; its hungry young
elevating their heads from a nest that was in sight, in the naked summit of a
dead pine. Chingachgook silently turned a new piece against this bird, and
after carefully watching his time, fired. A wider circuit than common,
denoted that the messenger had passed through the air, at no great distance
from the bird though it missed its object. Deerslayer, whose aim was not more
true than it was quick, fired as soon as it was certain his friend had
missed, and the deep swoop that followed left it momentarily doubtful whether
the eagle was hit or not. The marksman himself, however, proclaimed his own
want of success, calling on his friend to seize another rifle, for he saw
signs on the part of the bird of an intention to quit the spot.
"I made him wink, Sarpent, I do think his feathers were ruffled, but no blood
has yet been drawn, nor is that old piece fit for so nice and quick a sight.
Quick, Delaware, you've now a better rifle, and, Judith, bring out Killdeer,
for this is the occasion to try his merits, if he has 'em."
A general movement followed, each of the competitors got ready, and the girls
stood in eager expectation of the result. The eagle had made a wide circuit
after his low swoop, and fanning his way upward, once more hovered nearly
over the hut, at a distance even greater than before. Chingachgook gazed at
him, and then expressed his opinion of the impossibility of striking a bird
at that great height, and while he was so nearly perpendicular, as to the
range. But a low murmur from Hist, produced a sudden impulse and he fired.
The result showed how well he had calculated, the eagle not even varying his
flight, sailing round and round in his airy circle, and looking down, as if
in contempt, at his foes.
"Now, Judith," cried Deerslayer, laughing, with glistening and delighted
eyes, "we'll see if Killdeer isn't Killeagle, too! Give me room Sarpent, and
watch the reason of the aim, for by reason any thing may be l'arned."
A careful sight followed, and was repeated again and again, the bird
continuing to rise higher and higher. Then followed the flash and the report.
The swift messenger sped upward, and, at the next instant, the bird turned on
its side, and came swooping down, now struggling with one wing and then with
the other, sometimes whirling in a circuit, next fanning desperately as if
conscious of its injury, until, having described several complete circles
around the spot, it fell heavily into the end of the Ark. On examining the
body, it was found that the bullet had pierced it about half way between one
of its wings and the breast-bone.
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