Chapter 32 [XXXII]
"A baron's chylde to be begylde! it were a cursed dede:
To be felàwe with an outlàwe! Almighty God forbede!
Yea, better were, the pore squyère alone to forest yede,
Then ye sholde say another day, that by my cursed dede
Ye were betrayed: wherefore, good mayde, the best rede that I can,
Is, that I to the grene wode go, alone, a banyshed man."
Thomas Percy, 'Notbrowne Mayde,' 11. 265-76 from Reliques of Ancient
English Poetriy, Vol. II.
THE day that followed, proved to be melancholy, though one of much activity.
The soldiers, who had so lately been employed in interring their victims,
were now called on to bury their own dead. The scene of the morning had left
a saddened feeling on all the gentlemen of the party, and the rest felt the
influence of a similar sensation, in a variety of ways, and from many causes.
Hour dragged on after hour, until evening arrived, and then came the last
melancholy offices in honor of poor Hetty Hutter. Her body was laid in the
lake, by the side of that of the mother she had so loved and reverenced, the
surgeon, though actually an unbeliever, so far complying with the received
decencies of life, as to read the funeral service over her grave, as he had
previously done over those of the other christian slain! It mattered not; -
that all seeing eye which reads the heart, could not fail to discriminate
between the living and the dead, and the gentle soul of the unfortunate girl,
was already far removed beyond the errors, or deceptions, of any human
ritual. These simple rites, however, were not wholly wanting in suitable
accompaniments. The tears of Judith and Hist were shed freely, and Deerslayer
gazed upon the limpid water, that now flowed over one whose spirit was even
purer than its own mountain springs, with glistening eyes. Even the Delaware
turned aside to conceal his weakness, while the common men gazed on the
ceremony with wondering eyes and chastened feelings.
The business of the day closed with this pious office. By order of the
commanding officer, all retired early to rest, for it
was intended to begin the march homeward, with the return of light. One
party, indeed, bearing the wounded, the prisoners, and the trophies, had left
the castle in the middle of the day, under the guidance of Hurry, intending
to reach the fort by shorter marches. It had been landed on the point, so
often mentioned, or that described in our opening pages, and, when the sun
set, was already encamped on the brow of the long, broken, and ridgy hills,
that fell away towards the valley of the Mohawk. The departure of this
detachment had greatly simplified the duty of the succeeding day,
disencumbering its march of its baggage and wounded, and otherwise leaving
him who had issued the order greater liberty of action.
Judith held no communications with any but Hist, after the death of her
sister, until she retired for the night. Her sorrow had been respected, and
both the females had been left with the body, unintruded on, to the last
moment. The rattling of the drum broke the silence of that tranquil water,
and the echoes of the tattoo were heard among the mountains, so soon after
the ceremony was over, as to preclude the danger of interruption. That star
which had been the guide of Hist, rose on a scene as silent as if the quiet
of nature had never yet been disturbed, by the labors or passions of man. One
solitary sentinel, with his relief, paced the platform throughout the night,
and morning was ushered in, as usual, by the martial beat of the reveille.
Military precision succeeded to the desultory proceedings of border men, and
when a hasty and frugal breakfast was taken, the party began its movement
towards the shore, with a regularity and order, that prevented noise or
confusion. Of all the officers, Warley alone remained. Craig headed the
detachment in advance, Thornton was with the wounded, and Graham accompanied
his patients as a matter of course. Even the chest of Hutter, with all the
more valuable of his effects, was borne away, leaving nothing behind that was
worth the labor of a removal. Judith was not sorry to see that the captain
respected her feelings, and that he occupied himself entirely with the duty
of his command, leaving her to her own discretion and feelings. It was
understood by all, that the place was to be totally abandoned; but beyond
this no explanations were asked or given.'
The soldiers embarked in the Ark, with the captain at their head. He had
enquired of Judith in what way she chose to proceed, and understanding her
wish to remain with Hist to the last moment, he neither molested her with
requests, nor offended her with advice. There was but one safe and familiar
trail to the Mohawk, and on that, at the proper hour, he doubted not that
they should meet in amity, if not in renewed intercourse. When all were on
board, the sweeps were manned, and the Ark moved in its sluggish manner
towards the distant point. Deerslayer and Chingachgook, now lifted two of the
canoes from the water, and placed them in the castle. The windows and door
were then barred, and the house was left by means of the trap, in the manner
already described. On quitting the palisades, Hist was seen in the remaining
canoe, where the Delaware immediately joined her, and paddled away, leaving
Judith standing alone on the platform. Owing to this prompt proceeding,
Deerslayer found himself alone with the beautiful and still weeping mourner.
Too simple to suspect any thing, the young man swept the light boat round,
and received its mistress in it, when he followed the course already taken by
his friend. The direction to the point, led diagonally past, and at no great
distance from, the graves of the dead. As the canoe glided by, Judith, for
the first time that morning spoke to her companion. She said but little;
merely uttering a simple request to stop, for a minute or two, ere she left
the place.
"I may never see this spot again, Deerslayer," she said, "and it contains the
bodies of my mother and sister! Is it not possible, think you, that the
innocence of one of these beings, may answer in the eyes of God, for the
salvation of both?"
"I do n't understand it so, Judith, though I'm no missionary, and am but
poorly taught. Each spirit answers for its own backslidings, though a hearty
repentance will satisfy God's laws."
"Then must my poor poor mother be in heaven! - Bitterly- bitterly-has she
repented of her sins, and surely her sufferings in this life, ought to count
as something against her sufferings in the next!"
-
"All this goes beyond me, Judith - I strive to do right, here, as the surest
means of keeping all right, hereafter. Hetty was oncommon, as all that know'd
her must allow, and her soul was as fit to consart with angels the hour it
left its body, as that of any saint in the bible!"
"I do believe you only do her justice! Alas! - Alas! - that there should be
so great differences between those who were nursed at the same breast, slept
in the same bed, and dwelt under the same roof! But, no matter-move the
canoe, a little farther east, Deerslayer- the sun so dazzles my eyes that I
cannot see the graves. This is Hetty's, on the right of mother's?"
"Sartain - you ask'd that of us, and all are glad to do as you wish, Judith,
when you do that which is right."
The girl gazed at him near a minute, in silent attention; then she turned her
eyes backward, at the castle. "This lake will soon be entirely deserted," she
said-"and this, too, at a moment when it will be a more secure dwelling place
than ever. What has so lately happened will prevent the Iroquois from
venturing again to visit it, for a long time to come."
"That it will! - yes, that may be set down as sartain. I do not mean to pass
this-a-way, ag'in, so long as the war lasts, for, to my mind no Huron
moccasin will leave its print on the leaves of this forest, until their
traditions have forgotten to tell their young men of their disgrace and
rout."
"And do you so delight in violence and bloodshed?-! had thought better of
you, Deerslayer-believed you one, who could find his happiness in a quiet
domestic home, with an attached and loving wife, ready to study your wishes,
and healthy and dutiful children, anxious to follow in your footsteps, and to
become as honest and just as yourself."
"Lord, Judith, what a tongue you're mistress of! Speech and looks go hand in
hand, like, and what one can't do, the other is pretty sartain to perform!
Such a gal, in a month, might spoil the stoutest warrior in the colony."
"And am I then so mistaken?-Do you really love war, Deerslayer, better than
the hearth, and the affections?"
"I understand your meaning, gal; yes, I do understand what you mean, I
believe, though I do n't think you altogether understand me. Warrior I may
now call myself, I suppose, for I've both fou't and conquered, which is
sufficient for the name; neither will I deny that I've feelin's for the
callin', which is both manful and honorable, when carried on accordin' to
nat'ral gifts, but I've no relish for blood. Youth is youth, howsever, and a
Mingo is a Mingo. If the young men of this region stood by, and suffered the
vagabonds to overrun the land, why, we might as well all turn Frenchers at
once, and give up country and kin. I'm no fire eater, Judith, or one that
likes fightin' for fightin's sake, but I can see no great difference atween
givin' up territory afore a war, out of a dread of war, and givin' it up
a'ter a war, because we can't help ii, onless it be that the last is the most
manful and honorable."
"No woman would ever wish to see her husband, or brother, stand by, and
submit to insult and wrong, Deerslayer, however she might mourn the necessity
of his running into the dangers of battle. But, you've done enough already,
in clearing this region of the Hurons; since to you is principally owing the
credit of our late victory. Now, listen to me patiently, and answer me with
that native honesty, which it is as pleasant to regard in one of your sex, as
it is unusual to meet with."
Judith paused, for now that she was on the very point of explaining herself,
native modesty asserted its power, notwithstanding the encouragement and
confidence she derived from the great simplicity of her companion's
character. Her cheeks, which had so lately been pale, flushed, and her eyes
lighted with some of their former brilliancy. Feeling gave expression to her
countenance and softness to her voice, rendering her who was always
beautiful, trebly seductive and winning.
"Deerslayer," she said, after a considerable pause, "this is not a moment for
affectation, deception, or a want of frankness of any sort. Here, over my
mother's grave, and over the grave of truth-loving, truth-telling Hetty,
every thing like unfair dealing seems to be out of place. I will, therefore,
speak to you without any reserve, and without any dread of being
misunderstood. You are not an acquaintance of a week, but it appears to me as
if I had known you for years. So much, and so much that is important has
taken place, within that short time, that the sorrows, and dangers, and
escapes of a whole life have been crowded into a few days, and they who have
suffered and acted together in such scenes, ought not to feel like strangers.
I know that what I am about to say might be misunderstood by most men, but I
hope for a generous construction of my course from you. We are not here,
dwelling among the arts and deceptions of the settlements, but young people
who have no occasion to deceive each other, in any manner or form. - I hope I
make myself understood?"
"Sartain, Judith; few convarse better than yourself, and none more agreeable,
like. Your words are as pleasant as your looks."
"It is the manner in which you have so often praised those looks, that gives
me courage to proceed - Still, Deerslayer, it is not easy, for one of my sex
and years to forget all her lessons of infancy, all her habits, and her
natural diffidence, and say openly what her heart feels!"
"Why not, Judith? Why should n't women as well as men deal fairly and
honestly by their fellow creatur's? I see no reason why you should not speak
as plainly as myself, when there is any thing ra'ally important to be said."
This indomitable diffidence, which still prevented the young man from
suspecting the truth, would have completely discouraged the girl, had not her
whole soul, as well as her whole heart, been set upon making a desperate
effort to rescue herself from a future that she dreaded with a horror as
vivid, as the distinctness with which she fancied she foresaw it. This
motive, however, raised her above all common considerations, and she
persevered even to her own surprise, if not to her great confusion.
"I will-I must deal as plainly with you, as I would with poor, dear Hetty,
were that sweet child living!" she continued, turning pale, instead of
blushing, the high resolution by which she was prompted reversing the effect
that such a procedure would ordinarily produce on one of her sex; "yes, I
will smother all other feelings, in the one that is now uppermost! You love
the woods and the life that we pass, here, in the wilderness, away from the
dwellings and towns of the whites."
"As I loved my parents, Judith, when they was living! This very spot, would
be all creation to me, could this war be fairly over, once; and the settlers
kept at a distance."
"Why quit it then?-It has no owner-at least none who can claim a better right
than mine, and that I freely give to you. Were it a kingdom, Deerslayer, I
think I should delight to say the same. Let us then return to it, after we
have seen the priest at the fort, and never quit it again, until God calls us
away to that world where we shall find the spirits of my poor mother and
sister."
A long, thoughtful pause succeeded; Judith here covered her face with both
her hands, after forcing herself to utter so plain a proposal, and Deerslayer
musing equally in sorrow and surprise, on the meaning of the language he had
just heard. At length the hunter broke the silence, speaking in a tone that
was softened to gentleness by his desire not to offend.
"You have n't thought well of this, Judith-" he said-"no, your feelin's are
awakened by all that has lately happened, and believin' yourself to be
without kindred in the world, you are in too great haste to find some to fill
the places of them that's lost."
"Were I living in a crowd of friends, Deerslayer, I should still think, as I
now think-say as I now say," returned Judith, speaking with her hands still
shading her lovely face.
"Thank you, gal- thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Howsever, I am not
one to take advantage of a weak moment, when you're forgetful of your own
great advantages, and fancy 'arth and all it holds, is in this little canoe.
No-no-Judith 'twould be onginerous in me; what you've offered can never come
to pass!"
"It all may be, and that without leaving cause of repentance to any-"
answered Judith, with an impetuosity of feeling and manner, that at once
unveiled her eyes. "We can cause the soldiers to leave our goods on the road,
till we return, when they can easily be brought back to the house; the lake
will be no more visited by the enemy, this war at least; all your skins may
be readily sold at the garrison; thereyou can buy the few necessaries we
shall want, for I wish never to see the spot, again; and Deerslayer," added
the girl smiling with a sweetness and nature that the young man found it hard
to resist-"as a proof how wholly I am and wish to be yours, - how completely
I desire to be nothing but your wife, the very first fire that we kindle,
after our return, shall be
lighted with the brocade dress, and fed by every article I have that you may
think unfit for the woman you wish to live with!"
"Ah's! me-you're a winning and a lovely creatur', Judith; yes, you are all
that, and no one can deny it, and speak truth. These pictur's are pleasant to
the thoughts, but they mightn't prove so happy as you now think 'em. Forget
it all, therefore, and let us paddle after the Sarpent and Hist, as if
nothing had been said on the subject."
Judith was deeply mortified, and, what is more, she was profoundly grieved.
Still there was a steadiness and quiet in the manner of Deerslayer that
completely smothered her hopes, and told her that for once, her exceeding
beauty had Failed to excite the admiration and homage it was wont to receive.
Women are said seldom to forgive those who slight their advances, but this
high spirited and impetuous girl entertained no shadow of resentment, then or
ever, against the fair lealing and ingenuous hunter. At the moment, the
prevailing Feeling was the wish to be certain that there was no
misunderstanding. After another painful pause, therefore, she brought the
matter to an issue by a question too direct to admit of equivocation.
"God forbid, that we lay up regrets, in after life, through my want of
sincerity now," she said. "I hope we understand each other, at least. You
will not accept me for a wife, Deer ;layer?"
"Tis better for both that I should n't take advantage of your own
forgetfulness, Judith. We can never marry."
"You do not love me, - cannot find it in your heart, perhaps, to esteem me,
Deerslayer!"
"Every thing in the way of fri'ndship, Judith-every thing, Even to sarvices
and life itself. Yes, I'd risk as much for you, at his moment, as I would
risk in behalf of Hist, and that is sayin' as much as I can say of any darter
of woman. I do not think I feel towards either-mind I say either, Judith-as
if I wished to quit father and mother- if father and mother was livin',
which, howsever, neither is-but if both was livin', I do not feel towards any
woman as if I wish'd to quit 'em in order to cleave unto her."
"This is enough!" answered Judith, in a rebuked and smothered voice-"!
understand all that you mean. Marry you cannot with loving, and that love you
do not feel for me. Make no answer, if I am right, for I shalll understand
your silence - That will be painful enough of itself."
Deerslayer obeyed her, and he made no reply. For more than a minute, the girl
riveted her bright eyes on him, as if to read his soul, while he was playing
with the water, like a corrected school boy. Then Judith, herself, dropped
the end of her paddle, and urged the canoe away fom the spot, with a movement
as reluctant as the feelings which controlled it. Deerslayer quietly aided
the effort, however, and they were soon on the trackless line taken by the
Delaware.
In their way to the point, not another syllable was exchanged between
Deerslayer and his fair companion. As Judith sat in the bow of the canoe, her
back was turned towards him, else it is probable the expression of her
countenance might have induced him to venture some soothing terms of
friendship and regard. Contrary to what would have been expected, resentment
was still absent, though the colour frequently changed, from the deep flush
of mortification to the paleness of disappointment. Sorrow, deep, heart-felt
sorrow, however, was the predominant emotion, and this was betrayed in a
manner not to be mistaken.
As neither labored hard at the paddle, the ark had already arrived and the
soldiers had disembarked, before the canoe of the two loiterers reached the
point. Chingachgook had preceded it, and was already some distance in the
wood, at a spot, where the two trails, that to the garrison, and that to the
villages of the Delawares separated. The soldiers, too, had taken up their
line of march, first setting the Ark adrift again, with a reckless disregard
of its fate. All this Judith saw, but she heeded it not. The glimmerglass had
no longer any charms for her, and when she put her foot on the strand, she
immediately proceeded on the trail of the soldiers, without casting a single
glance behind her. Even Hist was passed unnoticed, that modest young creature
shrinking from the averted face of Judith, as if guilyy herself of some
wrongdoing.
"Wait you here, Sarpent," said Deerslayer as he followed in the footsteps of
the dejected beauty, while passing his friend - "I will just see Judith among
her parth, and come and j'ine you."
A hundred yards had hid the couple from those in front, as well as those in
their rear, when Judith turned, and spoke.
"This will do, Deerslayer," she said sadly-"! understand your kindness but
shall not need it. In a few minutes I shall reach the soldiers. As you cannot
go with me on the journey of life, I do not wish you to go further on this.
But, stop-before we part, I would ask you a single question. And I require of
you, as you fear God, and reverence the truth, not to deceive me in your
answer. I know you do not love another and I can see but one reason why you
cannot, will not love me. Tell me then, Deerslayer, -" The girl paused, the
words she was about to utter seeming to choke her. Then rallying all her
resolution, with a face that flushed and paled at every breath she drew, she
continued.
"Tell me then, Deerslayer, if any thing light of me, that Henry March has
said may not have influenced your feelings?"
Truth was the Deerslayer's polar star. He ever kept it in view, and it was
nearly impossible for him to avoid uttering it, even when prudence demanded
silence. Judith read his answer in his countenance, and with a heart nearly
broken by the consciousness of undue erring, she signed to him an adieu, and
buried herself in the woods. For some time Deerslayer was irresolute as to
his course; but, in the end, he retraced his steps, and joined the Delaware.
That night the three 'camped on the head waters of their own river, and the
succeeding evening they entered the village of the tribe, Chingachgook and
his betrothed in triumph; their companion honored and admired, but in a
sorrow that it required months of activity to remove.
The war that then had its rise was stirring and bloody. The Delaware chief
rose among his people, until his name was never mentioned without eulogiums,
while another Uncas, the last of his race, was added to the long line of
warriors who bore that distinguishing appellation. As for the Deerslayer,
under the sobriquet of Hawkeye, he made his fame spread far and near, until
the crack of his rifle became as terrible to the ears of the Mingos, as the
thunders of the Manitou. His services were soon required by the officers of
the crown, and he especially attached himself, in the field, to one in
particular, with whose after life, he had a close and important connection.
Fifteen years had passed away, ere it was in the power of the Deerslayer to
revisit the Glimmerglass. A peace had intervened, and it was on the eve of
another and still more important war, when he and his constant friend,
Chingachgook, were hastening to the forts to join their allies. A stripling
accompanied them, for Hist already slumbered beneath the pines of the
Delawares, and the three survivors had now become in separable. They reached
the lake just as the sun was setting. Here all was unchanged. The river still
rushed through its bower of trees; the little rock was washing away, by the
slow action of the waves, in the course of centuries, the mountains stood in
their native dress, dark, rich and mysterious, while the sheet glistened in
its solitude, a beautiful gem of the forest.
The following morning, the youth discovered one of the canoes drifted on the
shore, in a state of decay. A little labor put it in a state for service, and
they all embarked, with a desire to examine the place. All the points were
passed, and Chingachgook pointed out to his son, the spot where the Hurons
had first encamped, and the point whence he had succeeded in stealing his
bride. Here they even landed, but all traces of the former visit had
disappeared. Next they proceeded to the scene of the battle, and there they
found a few of the signs that linger around such localities. Wild beasts had
disinterred many of the bodies, and human bones were bleaching in the rains
of summer. Uncas regarded all with reverence and pity, though traditions were
already rousing his young mind to the ambition and sternness of a warrior.
From the point, the canoe took its way toward the shoal, where the remains of
the castle were still visible, a picturesque ruin. The storms of winter had
long since unroofed the house, and decay had eaten into the logs. All the
fastenings were un touched, but the seasons rioted in the place, as if in
mockery at the attempt to exclude them. The palisades were rotting, as were
the piles, and it was evident that a few more recurrences of winter, a few
more gales and tempests, would sweep all into the lake, and blot the building
from the face of that magnificent solitude. The graves could not be found.
Either the elements had obliterated their traces, or time had caused those
who looked for them, to forget their position.
The Ark was discovered stranded on the eastern shore, where it had long
before been driven with the prevalent northwest winds. It lay on the sandy
extremity of a long low point, that is situated about two miles from the
outlet, and which is itself fast disappearing before the action of the
elements. The scow was filled with water, the cabin unroofed, and the logs
were decaying. Some of its coarser furniture still remained, and the heart of
Deerslayer beat quick, as he found a ribband of Judith's fluttering from a
log. It recalled all her beauty, and we may add all her failings. Although
the girl had never touched his heart, the Hawkeye, for so we ought now to
call him, still retained a kind and sincere interest in her welfare. He tore
away the ribband, and knotted it to the stock of Killdeer, which had been the
gift of the girl herself.
A few miles farther up the lake, another of the canoes was discovered, and on
the point where the party finally landed, were found those which had been
left there upon the shore. That in which the present navigation was made, and
the one discovered on the eastern shore, had dropped through the decayed
floor of the castle, drifted past the falling palisades, and had been thrown
as waifs upon the beach.
From all these signs, it was probable the lake had not been visited, since
the occurrence of the final scene of our tale. Accident, or tradition, had
rendered it again, a spot sacred to nature, the frequent wars, and the feeble
population of the colonies, still confining the settlements within narrow
boundaries. Chingachgook and his friend left the spot with melancholy
feelings. It had been the region of their First War Path, and it carried back
the minds of both to scenes of tenderness, as well as to hours of triumph.
They held their way towards the Mohawk in silence, however, to rush into new
adventures, as stirring and as remarkable as those which had attended their
opening careers, on this lovely lake. At a later day, they returned to the
place, where the Indian found a grave.
Time and circumstances have drawn an impenetrable mystery around all else
connected with the Hutters. They lived, erred, died, and are forgotten. None
connected have felt sufficient interest in the disgraced and disgracing to
withdraw the veil, and a century is about to erase even the recollection of
their names. The history of crime is ever revolting, and it is fortunate that
few love to dwell on its incidents. The sins of the family have long since
been arraigned at the judgment seat of God, or are registered for the
terrible settlement of the last great day.
The same fate attended Judith. When Hawkeye reached the garrison on the
Mohawk he enquired anxiously after that lovely but misguided creature. None
knew her-even her person was no longer remembered. Other officers had, again
and again, succeeded the Warleys and Craigs and Grahams, though an old
sergeant of the garrison, who had lately come from England, was enabled to
tell our hero, that Sir Robert Warley lived on his paternal estates, and that
there was a lady of rare beauty in the Lodge, who had great influence over
him, though she did not bear his name. Whether this was Judith relapsed into
her early failing, or some other victim of the soldier's, Hawkeye never knew,
nor would it be pleasant or profitable to inquire. We live in a world of
transgressions and selfishness, and no pictures that represent us otherwise
can be true, though, happily, for human nature, gleamings of that pure spirit
in whose likeness man has been fashioned, are to be seen relieving its
deformities, and mitigating if not excusing its crimes.
-THE END-
Novel: Deerslayer - Author: James F. Cooper)
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