The Deerslayer by Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

8/14/2019 The Deerslayer by Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

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Title:TheDeerslayer

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TheDeerslayer

byJamesFenimoreCooper

ChapterI.

"Thereisapleasureinthepathlesswoods,Thereisaraptureonthelonelyshore.Thereissocietywherenoneintrudes,Bythedeepsea,andmusicinitsroar:Ilovenotmantheless,butnaturemore,Fromtheseourinterviews,inwhichIstealFromallImaybe,orhavebeenbefore,Tominglewiththeuniverse,andfeelWhatIcanne'erexpress,yetcannotallconceal"

ChildeHarold.

Onthehumanimaginationeventsproducetheeffectsoftime.Thus,hewhohastravelledfarandseenmuchisapttofancythathehaslivedlong;andthehistorythatmostaboundsinimportantincidentssoonestassumestheaspectofantiquity.InnootherwaycanweaccountforthevenerableairthatisalreadygatheringaroundAmericanannals.Whenthemindrevertstotheearliestdaysofcolonialhistory,theperiodseemsremoteandobscure,thethousandchangesthatthickenalongthelinksofrecollections,throwingbacktheoriginofthenationtoadaysodistantasseeminglytoreachthemistsoftime;andyetfourlivesofordinarydurationwouldsufficetotransmit,frommouthtomouth,intheformoftradition,allthatcivilizedmanhasachievedwithinthelimitsoftherepublic.AlthoughNewYorkalonepossessesapopulation

materiallyexceedingthatofeitherofthefoursmallestkingdomsofEurope,ormateriallyexceedingthatoftheentireSwissConfederation,itislittlemorethantwocenturiessincetheDutchcommencedtheirsettlement,rescuingtheregionfromthesavagestate.Thus,whatseemsvenerablebyanaccumulationofchangesisreducedtofamiliaritywhenwecomeseriouslytoconsideritsolelyinconnectionwithtime.

Thisglanceintotheperspectiveofthepastwillpreparethereadertolookatthepicturesweareabouttosketch,withlesssurprise


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thanhemightotherwisefeel;andafewadditionalexplanationsmaycarryhimbackinimaginationtothepreciseconditionofsocietythatwedesiretodelineate.ItismatterofhistorythatthesettlementsontheeasternshoresoftheHudson,suchasClaverack,Kinderhook,andevenPoughkeepsie,werenotregardedassafefromIndianincursionsacenturysince;andthereisstillstandingonthebanksofthesameriver,andwithinmusket-shotofthewharvesofAlbany,aresidenceofayoungerbranchoftheVanRensselaers,thathasloopholesconstructedfordefenceagainstthesamecraftyenemy,althoughitdatesfromaperiodscarcelysodistant.Othersimilarmemorialsoftheinfancyofthecountryaretobefound,scatteredthroughwhatisnowdeemedtheverycentreofAmericancivilization,affordingtheplainestproofsthatallwepossessofsecurityfrominvasionandhostileviolenceisthegrowthofbutlittlemorethanthetimethatisfrequentlyfulfilledbyasinglehumanlife.

Theincidentsofthistaleoccurredbetweentheyears1740and1745,whenthesettledportionsofthecolonyofNewYorkwereconfinedtothefourAtlanticcounties,anarrowbeltofcountryoneachsideoftheHudson,extendingfromitsmouthtothefallsnearitshead,andtoafewadvanced"neighborhoods"ontheMohawkandtheSchoharie.Broadbeltsofthevirginwildernessnotonlyreachedtheshoresofthefirstriver,buttheyevencrossedit,stretchingaway

intoNewEngland,andaffordingforestcoverstothenoiselessmoccasinofthenativewarrior,ashetrodthesecretandbloodywar-path.Abird's-eyeviewofthewholeregioneastoftheMississippimustthenhaveofferedonevastexpanseofwoods,relievedbyacomparativelynarrowfringeofcultivationalongthesea,dottedbytheglitteringsurfacesoflakes,andintersectedbythewavinglinesofriver.Insuchavastpictureofsolemnsolitude,thedistrictofcountrywedesigntopaintsinksintoinsignificance,thoughwefeelencouragedtoproceedbytheconvictionthat,withslightandimmaterialdistinctions,hewhosucceedsingivinganaccurateideaofanyportionofthiswildregionmustnecessarilyconveyatolerablycorrectnotionofthewhole.

Whatevermaybethechangesproducedbyman,theeternalroundoftheseasonsisunbroken.Summerandwinter,seed-timeandharvest,returnintheirstatedorderwithasublimeprecision,affordingtomanoneofthenoblestofalltheoccasionsheenjoysofprovingthehighpowersofhisfar-reachingmind,incompassingthelawsthatcontroltheirexactuniformity,andincalculatingtheirnever-endingrevolutions.

Centuriesofsummersunshadwarmedthetopsofthesamenobleoaksandpines,sendingtheirheatseventothetenaciousroots,whenvoiceswereheardcallingtoeachother,inthedepthsofaforest,ofwhichtheleafysurfacelaybathedinthebrilliantlightofacloudlessdayinJune,whilethetrunksofthetreesroseingloomy

grandeurintheshadesbeneath.Thecallswereindifferenttones,evidentlyproceedingfromtwomenwhohadlosttheirway,andweresearchingindifferentdirectionsfortheirpath.Atlengthashoutproclaimedsuccess,andpresentlyamanofgiganticmouldbrokeoutofthetangledlabyrinthofasmallswamp,emergingintoanopeningthatappearedtohavebeenformedpartlybytheravagesofthewind,andpartlybythoseoffire.Thislittlearea,whichaffordedagoodviewofthesky,althoughitwasprettywellfilledwithdeadtrees,layonthesideofoneofthehighhills,orlowmountains,intowhichnearlythewholesurfaceoftheadjacent


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countrywasbroken.

"Hereisroomtobreathein!"exclaimedtheliberatedforester,assoonashefoundhimselfunderaclearsky,shakinghishugeframelikeamastiffthathasjustescapedfromasnowbank."Hurrah!Deerslayer;hereisdaylight,atlast,andyonderisthelake."

Thesewordswerescarcelyutteredwhenthesecondforesterdashedasidethebushesoftheswamp,andappearedinthearea.Aftermakingahurriedadjustmentofhisarmsanddisordereddress,hejoinedhiscompanion,whohadalreadybegunhisdispositionforahalt.

"Doyouknowthisspot!"demandedtheonecalledDeerslayer,"ordoyoushoutatthesightofthesun?"

"Both,lad,both;Iknowthespot,andamnotsorrytoseesousefulafri'ndasthesun.Nowwehavegotthep'intsofthecompassinourmindsoncemore,and'twillbeourownfaultsifweletanythingturnthemtopsy-turvyag'in,ashasjusthappened.MynameisnotHurryHarry,ifthisbenottheveryspotwheretheland-hunterscampedthelastsummer,andpassedaweek.SeeIyonderarethedeadbushesoftheirbower,andhereisthespring.MuchasIlikethesun,boy,I'venooccasionforittotellmeit

isnoon;thisstomachofmineisasgoodatime-pieceasistobefoundinthecolony,anditalreadyp'intstohalf-pasttwelve.Soopenthewallet,andletuswindupforanothersixhours'run."

Atthissuggestion,bothsetthemselvesaboutmakingthepreparationsnecessaryfortheirusualfrugalbutheartymeal.Wewillprofitbythispauseinthediscoursetogivethereadersomeideaoftheappearanceofthemen,eachofwhomisdestinedtoenactnoinsignificantpartinourlegend.

ItwouldnothavebeeneasytofindamorenoblespecimenofvigorousmanhoodthanwasofferedinthepersonofhimwhocalledhimselfHurryHarry.HisrealnamewasHenryMarchbutthe

frontiersmenhavingcaughtthepracticeofgivingsobriquetsfromtheIndians,theappellationofHurrywasfaroftenerappliedtohimthanhisproperdesignation,andnotunfrequentlyhewastermedHurrySkurry,anicknamehehadobtainedfromadashing,recklessoffhandmanner,andaphysicalrestlessnessthatkepthimsoconstantlyonthemove,astocausehimtobeknownalongthewholelineofscatteredhabitationsthatlaybetweentheprovinceandtheCanadas.ThestatureofHurryHarryexceededsixfeetfour,andbeingunusuallywellproportioned,hisstrengthfullyrealizedtheideacreatedbyhisgiganticframe.Thefacedidnodiscredittotherestoftheman,foritwasbothgood-humoredandhandsome.Hisairwasfree,andthoughhismannernecessarilypartookoftherudenessofaborderlife,thegrandeurthatpervadedsonoblea

physiquepreventeditfrombecomingaltogethervulgar.

Deerslayer,asHurrycalledhiscompanion,wasaverydifferentpersoninappearance,aswellasincharacter.Instaturehestoodaboutsixfeetinhismoccasins,buthisframewascomparativelylightandslender,showingmuscles,however,thatpromisedunusualagility,ifnotunusualstrength.Hisfacewouldhavehadlittletorecommenditexceptyouth,wereitnotforanexpressionthatseldomfailedtowinuponthosewhohadleisuretoexamineit,andtoyieldtothefeelingofconfidenceitcreated.Thisexpression


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wassimplythatofguilelesstruth,sustainedbyanearnestnessofpurpose,andasincerityoffeeling,thatrendereditremarkable.Attimesthisairofintegrityseemedtobesosimpleastoawakenthesuspicionofawantoftheusualmeanstodiscriminatebetweenartificeandtruth;butfewcameinseriouscontactwiththeman,withoutlosingthisdistrustinrespectforhisopinionsandmotives.

Boththesefrontiersmenwerestillyoung,Hurryhavingreachedtheageofsixoreightandtwenty,whileDeerslayerwasseveralyearshisjunior.Theirattireneedsnoparticulardescription,thoughitmaybewelltoaddthatitwascomposedinnosmalldegreeofdresseddeer-skins,andhadtheusualsignsofbelongingtothosewhopasstheirtimebetweentheskirtsofcivilizedsocietyandtheboundlessforests.Therewas,notwithstanding,someattentiontosmartnessandthepicturesqueinthearrangementsofDeerslayer'sdress,moreparticularlyinthepartconnectedwithhisarmsandaccoutrements.Hisriflewasinperfectcondition,thehandleofhishunting-knifewasneatlycarved,hispowder-hornwasornamentedwithsuitabledeviceslightlycutintothematerial,andhisshot-pouchwasdecoratedwithwampum.

Ontheotherhand,HurryHarry,eitherfromconstitutionalrecklessness,orfromasecretconsciousnesshowlittlehisappearancerequiredartificialaids,woreeverythinginacareless,slovenlymanner,

asifhefeltanoblescornforthetriflingaccessoriesofdressandornaments.Perhapsthepeculiareffectofhisfineformandgreatstaturewasincreasedratherthanlessened,bythisunstudiedanddisdainfulairofindifference.

"Come,Deerslayer,fallto,andprovethatyouhaveaDelawarestomach,asyousayyouhavehadaDelawareedication,"criedHurry,settingtheexamplebyopeninghismouthtoreceiveasliceofcoldvenisonsteakthatwouldhavemadeanentiremealforaEuropeanpeasant;"fallto,lad,andproveyourmanhoodonthispoordevilofadoewithyourteeth,asyou'vealreadydonewithyourrifle."

"Nay,nay,Hurry,there'slittlemanhoodinkillingadoe,andthattoooutofseason;thoughtheremightbesomeinbringingdownapainteroracatamount,"returnedtheother,disposinghimselftocomply."TheDelawareshavegivenmemyname,notsomuchonaccountofaboldheart,asonaccountofaquickeye,andanactyvefoot.Theremaynotbeanycowardyceinovercomingadeer,butsartainitis,there'snogreatvalor."

"TheDelawaresthemselvesarenoheroes,"mutteredHurrythroughhisteeth,themouthbeingtoofulltopermitittobefairlyopened,"ortheywouldneverhaveallowedthemlopingvagabonds,theMingos,tomakethemwomen."

"Thatmatterisnotrightlyunderstood--hasneverbeenrightlyexplained,"saidDeerslayerearnestly,forhewasaszealousafriendashiscompanionwasdangerousasanenemy;"theMengwefillthewoodswiththeirlies,andmisconstructwordsandtreaties.IhavenowlivedtenyearswiththeDelawares,andknowthemtobeasmanfulasanyothernation,whenthepropertimetostrikecomes."

"Harkee,MasterDeerslayer,sinceweareonthesubject,wemayaswellopenourmindstoeachotherinaman-to-manway;answermeonequestion;youhavehadsomuchluckamongthegameastohave


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gottenatitle,itwouldseem,butdidyoueverhitanythinghumanorintelligible:didyoueverpulltriggeronaninimythatwascapableofpullingoneuponyou?"

Thisquestionproducedasingularcollisionbetweenmortificationandcorrectfeeling,inthebosomoftheyouth,thatwaseasilytobetracedintheworkingsofhisingenuouscountenance.Thestrugglewasshort,however;uprightnessofheartsoongettingthebetteroffalseprideandfrontierboastfulness.

"Toownthetruth,Ineverdid,"answeredDeerslayer;"seeingthatafittingoccasionneveroffered.TheDelawareshavebeenpeaceablesincemysojournwith'em,andIholdittobeonlawfultotakethelifeofman,exceptinopenandgenerouswarfare."

"What!didyouneverfindafellowthievingamongyourtrapsandskins,anddothelawonhimwithyourownhands,bywayofsavingthemagistratestroubleinthesettlements,andtheroguehimselfthecostofthesuit!"

"Iamnotrapper,Hurry,"returnedtheyoungmanproudly:"Ilivebytherifle,awe'ponatwhichIwillnotturnmybackonanymanofmyyears,atweentheHudsonandtheSt.Lawrence.Ineverofferaskinthathasnotaholeinitsheadbesidesthemwhich

natur'madetoseewithortobreathethrough."

"Ay,ay,thisisallverywell,intheanimalway,thoughitmakesbutapoorfigurealongsideofscalpsandambushes.ShootinganIndianfromanambushisactinguptohisownprinciples,andnowwehavewhatyoucallalawfulwaronourhands,thesooneryouwipethatdisgraceoffyourcharacter,thesounderwillbeyoursleep;ifitonlycomefromknowingthereisoneinimythelessprowlinginthewoods.Ishallnotfrequentyoursocietylong,friendNatty,unlessyoulookhigherthanfour-footedbeaststopracticeyourrifleon."

"Ourjourneyisnearlyended,yousay,MasterMarch,andwecan

partto-night,ifyouseeoccasion.Ihaveafri'ndwaitingforme,whowillthinkitnodisgracetoconsortwithafellow-creatur'thathasneveryetslainhiskind."

"IwishIknewwhathasbroughtthatskulkingDelawareintothispartofthecountrysoearlyintheseason,"mutteredHurrytohimself,inawaytoshowequallydistrustandarecklessnessofitsbetrayal."Wheredidyousaytheyoungchiefwastogiveyouthemeeting!"

"Atasmallroundrock,nearthefootofthelake,wheretheytellme,thetribesaregiventoresortingtomaketheirtreaties,andtoburytheirhatchets.ThisrockhaveIoftenheardtheDelawares

mention,thoughlakeandrockareequallystrangerstome.ThecountryisclaimedbybothMingosandMohicans,andisasortofcommonterritorytofishandhuntthrough,intimeofpeace,thoughwhatitmaybecomeinwar-time,theLordonlyknows!"

"Commonterritory"exclaimedHurry,laughingaloud."IshouldliketoknowwhatFloatingTomHutterwouldsaytothat!Heclaimsthelakeashisownproperty,invartueoffifteenyears'possession,andwillnotbelikelytogiveituptoeitherMingoorDelawarewithoutabattleforit!"


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"Andwhatwillthecolonysaytosuchaquarrel!Allthiscountrymusthavesomeowner,thegentrypushingtheircravingsintothewilderness,evenwheretheyneverdaretoventur',intheirownpersons,tolookatthelandtheyown."

"Thatmaydoinotherquartersofthecolony,Deerslayer,butitwillnotdohere.Notahumanbeing,theLordexcepted,ownsafootofsileinthispartofthecountry.Penwasneverputtopaperconsarningeitherhillorvalleyhereaway,asI'veheardoldTomsaytimeandag'in,andsoheclaimsthebestrighttoitofanymanbreathing;andwhatTomclaims,he'llbeverylikelytomaintain."

"BywhatI'veheardyousay,Hurry,thisFloatingTommustbeanoncommonmortal;neitherMingo,Delaware,norpale-face.Hispossession,too,hasbeenlong,byyourtell,andaltogetherbeyondfrontierendurance.What'stheman'shistoryandnatur'?"

"Why,astooldTom'shumannatur',itisnotmuchlikeothermen'shumannatur',butmorelikeamuskrat'shumannatar',seeingthathetakesmoretothewaysofthatanimalthantothewaysofanyotherfellow-creatur'.Somethinkhewasafreeliveronthesaltwater,inhisyouth,andacompanionofasartainKidd,whowas

hangedforpiracy,longaforeyouandIwerebornoracquainted,andthathecameupintotheseregions,thinkingthattheking'scruiserscouldnevercrossthemountains,andthathemightenjoytheplunderpeaceablyinthewoods."

"Thenhewaswrong,Hurry;verywrong.Amancanenjoyplunderpeaceablynowhere."

"That'smuchashisturnofmindmayhappentobe.I'veknownthemthatnevercouldenjoyitatall,unlessitwasinthemidstofajollification,andthemagainthatenjoyeditbestinacorner.Somemenhavenopeaceiftheydon'tfindplunder,andsomeiftheydo.Humannature'iscrookedinthesematters.OldTomseemsto

belongtoneitherset,asheenjoyshis,ifplunderhehasreallygot,withhisdarters,inaveryquietandcomfortableway,andwishesfornomore."

"Ay,hehasdarters,too;I'veheardtheDelawares,who'vehuntedthisaway,telltheirhistoriesoftheseyoungwomen.Istherenomother,Hurry?"

"Therewasonce,asinreason;butshehasnowbeendeadandsunkthesetwogoodyears."

"Anan?"saidDeerslayer,lookingupathiscompanioninalittlesurprise.

"Deadandsunk,Isay,andIhopethat'sgoodEnglish.Theoldfellowloweredhiswifeintothelake,bywayofseeingthelastofher,asIcantestify,beinganeye-witnessoftheceremony;butwhetherTomdidittosavedigging,whichisnoeasyjobamongroots,oroutofaconsaitthatwaterwashesawaysinsoonerthan'arth,ismorethanIcansay."

"Wasthepoorwomanoncommonwicked,thatherhusbandshouldtakesomuchpainswithherbody?"


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"Notonreasonable;thoughshehadherfaults.IconsiderJudithHuttertohavebeenasgraceful,andaboutaslikelytomakeagoodindasanywomanwhohadlivedsolongbeyondthesoundofchurchbells;andIconcludeoldTomsunkherasmuchbywayofsavingpains,asbywayoftakingit.Therewasalittlesteelinhertemper,it'strue,and,asoldHutterisprettymuchflint,theystruckoutsparksonce-and-a-while;but,onthewhole,theymightbesaidtoliveamicablelike.Whentheydidkindle,thelistenersgotsomesuchinsightsintotheirpastlives,asonegetsintothedarkerpartsofthewoods,whenastraygleamofsunshinefindsitswaydowntotherootsofthetrees.ButJudithIshallalwaysesteem,asit'srecommendenoughtoonewomantobethemotherofsuchacreatur'asherdarter,JudithHutter!"

"Ay,JudithwasthenametheDelawaresmentioned,thoughitwaspronouncedafterafashionoftheirown.Fromtheirdiscourse,Idonotthinkthegirlwouldmuchpleasemyfancy."

"Thyfancy!"exclaimedMarch,takingfireequallyattheindifferenceandatthepresumptionofhiscompanion,"whatthedevilhaveyoutodowithafancy,andthat,too,consarningonelikeJudith?Youarebutaboy--asapling,thathasscarcegotroot.Judithhashadmenamonghersuitors,eversinceshewasfifteen;whichisnow

nearfiveyears;andwillnotbeapteventocastalookuponahalf-growncreatur'likeyou!"

"ItisJune,andthereisnotacloudatweenusandthesun,Hurry,soallthisheatisnotwanted,"answeredtheother,altogetherundisturbed;"anyonemayhaveafancy,andasquirrelhasarighttomakeuphismindtouchingacatamount."

"Ay,butitmightnotbewise,always,toletthecatamountknowit,"growledMarch."Butyou'reyoungandthoughtless,andI'lloverlookyourignorance.Come,Deerslayer,"headded,withagood-naturedlaugh,afterpausingamomenttoreflect,"come,Deerslayer,weareswornfriends,andwillnotquarrelabouta

light-minded,jiltingjade,justbecauseshehappenstobehandsome;moreespeciallyasyouhaveneverseenher.Judithisonlyforamanwhoseteethshowthefullmarks,andit'sfoolishtobeafeardofaboy.WhatdidtheDelawaressayofthehussy?foranIndian,afterall,hashisnotionsofwoman-kind,aswellasawhiteman."

"Theysaidshewasfairtolookon,andpleasantofspeech;butover-giventoadmirers,andlight-minded."

"Theyaredevilsincarnate!Afterall,whatschoolmasterisamatchforanIndian,inlookingintonatur'!Somepeoplethinktheyareonlygoodonatrailorthewar-path,butIsaythattheyarephilosophers,andunderstandamanaswellastheyunderstand

abeaver,andawomanaswellastheyunderstandeither.Nowthat'sJudith'scharactertoaribbon!Toownthetruthtoyou,Deerslayer,Ishouldhavemarriedthegaltwoyearssince,ifithadnotbeenfortwoparticularthings,oneofwhichwasthisverylightmindedness."

"Andwhatmayhavebeentheother?"demandedthehunter,whocontinuedtoeatlikeonethattookverylittleinterestinthesubject.


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"T'otherwasaninsartaintyaboutherhavingme.Thehussyishandsome,andsheknowsit.Boy,notatreethatisgrowinginthesehillsisstraighter,orwavesinthewindwithaneasierbend,nordidyoueverseethedoethatboundedwithamorenat'ralmotion.Ifthatwasall,everytonguewouldsoundherpraises;butshehassuchfailingsthatIfindithardtooverlookthem,andsometimesIswearI'llnevervisitthelakeagain."

"Whichisthereasonthatyoualwayscomeback?Nothingisevermademoresurebyswearingaboutit."

"Ah,Deerslayer,youareanoveltyintheseparticulars;keepingastruetoeducationasifyouhadneverleftthesettlements.Withmethecaseisdifferent,andIneverwanttoclinchanidee,thatIdonotfeelawishtoswearaboutit.Ifyouknow'dallthatIknowconsarningJudith,you'dfindajustificationforalittlecussing.Now,theofficerssometimesstrayovertothelake,fromthefortsontheMohawk,tofishandhunt,andthenthecreatur'seemsbesideherself!Youcanseeinthemannerwhichshewearsherfinery,andtheairsshegivesherselfwiththegallants."

"Thatisunseemlyinapoorman'sdarter,"returnedDeerslayergravely,"theofficersareallgentry,andcanonlylookonsuchasJudithwithevilintentions."

"There'stheunsartainty,andthedamper!Ihavemymisgivingsaboutaparticularcaptain,andJudehasnoonetoblamebutherownfolly,ifI'mright.Onthewhole,Iwishtolookuponherasmodestandbecoming,andyetthecloudsthatdriveamongthesehillsarenotmoreunsartain.Notadozenwhitemenhaveeverlaideyesuponhersinceshewasachild,andyetherairs,withtwoorthreeoftheseofficers,areextinguishers!"

"Iwouldthinknomoreofsuchawoman,butturnmymindaltogethertotheforest;thatwillnotdeceiveyou,beingorderedandruledbyahandthatneverwavers."

"Ifyouknow'dJudith,youwouldseehowmucheasieritistosaythisthanitwouldbetodoit.CouldIbringmymindtobeeasyabouttheofficers,IwouldcarrythegalofftotheMohawkbyforce,makehermarrymeinspiteofherwhiffling,andleaveoldTomtothecareofHetty,hisotherchild,who,ifshebenotashandsomeorasquick-wittedashersister,ismuchthemostdutiful."

"Isthereanotherbirdinthesamenest!"askedDeerslayer,raisinghiseyeswithaspeciesofhalf-awakenedcuriosity,"theDelawaresspoketomeonlyofone."

That'snat'ralenough,whenJudithHutterandHettyHutterareinquestion.Hettyisonlycomely,whilehersister,Itellthee,

boy,issuchanotherasisnottobefoundatweenthisandthesea:Judithisasfullofwit,andtalk,andcunning,asanoldIndianorator,whilepoorHettyisatthebestbut'compassmeantus.'"

"Anan?"inquired,again,theDeerslayer.

"Why,whattheofficerscall'compassmeantus,'whichIunderstandtosignifythatshemeansalwaystogointherightdirection,butsometimesdoesnotknowhow.'Compass'forthep'int,and'meantus'fortheintention.No,poorHettyiswhatIcallontheverge


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ofignorance,andsometimesshestumblesononesideoftheline,andsometimesont'other."

"ThemarebeingsthattheLordhasinhisspecialcare,"saidDeerslayer,solemnly;"forhelookscarefullytoallwhofallshortoftheirpropershareofreason.Thered-skinshonorandrespectthemwhoaresogifted,knowingthattheEvilSpiritdelightsmoretodwellinanartfulbody,thaninonethathasnocunningtoworkupon."

"I'llanswerforit,then,thathewillnotremainlongwithpoorHetty;forthechildisjust'compassmeantus,'asIhavetoldyou.OldTomhasafeelingforthegal,andsohasJudith,quick-wittedandgloriousassheisherself;elsewouldInotanswerforherbeingaltogethersafeamongthesortofmenthatsometimesmeetonthelakeshore."

"Ithoughtthiswateranunknownandlittle-frequentedsheet,"observedtheDeerslayer,evidentlyuneasyattheideaofbeingtooneartheworld.

"It'sallthat,lad,theeyesoftwentywhitemenneverhavingbeenlaidonit;still,twentytrue-bredfrontiersmen--huntersandtrappers,andscouts,andthelike,--candoadealofmischief

iftheytry.'Twouldbeanawfulthingtome,Deerslayer,didIfindJudithmarried,afteranabsenceofsixmonths!"

"Haveyouthegal'sfaith,toencourageyoutohopeotherwise?"

"Notatall.Iknownothowitis:I'mgood-looking,boy,--thatmuchIcanseeinanyspringonwhichthesunshines,--andyetIcouldnotgetthehussytoapromise,orevenacordialwillingsmile,thoughshewilllaughbythehour.Ifshehasdaredtomarryinmyabsence,she'dbeliketoknowthepleasuresofwidowhoodaforesheistwenty!"

"Youwouldnotharmthemanshehaschosen,Hurry,simplybecause

shefoundhimmoretoherlikingthanyourself!"

Whynot!Ifanenemycrossesmypath,willInotbeathimoutofit!Lookatme!amIamanliketoletanysneaking,crawling,skin-tradergetthebetterofmeinamatterthattouchesmeasnearasthekindnessofJudithHutter!Besides,whenwelivebeyondlaw,wemustbeourownjudgesandexecutioners.Andifamanshouldbefounddeadinthewoods,whoistheretosaywhoslewhim,evenadmittingthatthecolonytookthematterinhandandmadeastiraboutit?"

"IfthatmanshouldbeJudithHutter'shusband,afterwhathaspassed,Imighttellenough,atleast,toputthecolonyonthe

trail."

"You!--half-grown,venison-huntingbantling!YoudaretothinkofinformingagainstHurryHarryinsomuchasamattertouchingaminkorawoodchuck!"

"Iwoulddaretospeaktruth,Hurry,consarningyouoranymanthateverlived."

Marchlookedathiscompanion,foramoment,insilentamazement;


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thenseizinghimbythethroatwithbothhands,heshookhiscomparativelyslightframewithaviolencethatmenacedthedislocationofsomeofthebones.Norwasthisdonejocularly,forangerflashedfromthegiant'seyes,andtherewerecertainsignsthatseemedtothreatenmuchmoreearnestnessthantheoccasionwouldappeartocallfor.WhatevermightbetherealintentionofMarch,anditisprobabletherewasnonesettledinhismind,itiscertainthathewasunusuallyaroused;andmostmenwhofoundthemselvesthrottledbyoneofamouldsogigantic,insuchamood,andinasolitudesodeepandhelpless,wouldhavefeltintimidated,andtemptedtoyieldeventheright.Notso,however,withDeerslayer.Hiscountenanceremainedunmoved;hishanddidnotshake,andhisanswerwasgiveninavoicethatdidnotresorttotheartificeofloudertones,evenbywayofprovingitsowner'sresolution.

"Youmayshake,Hurry,untilyoubringdownthemountain,"hesaidquietly,"butnothingbesidetruthwillyoushakefromme.ItisprobablethatJudithHutterhasnohusbandtoslay,andyoumayneverhaveachancetowaylayone,elsewouldItellherofyourthreat,inthefirstconversationIheldwiththegal."

Marchreleasedhisgrip,andsatregardingtheotherinsilentastonishment.

"Ithoughtwehadbeenfriends,"heatlengthadded;"butyou'vegotthelastsecretofminethatwilleverenteryourears."

"Iwantnone,iftheyaretobelikethis.Iknowweliveinthewoods,Hurry,andarethoughttobebeyondhumanlaws,--andperhapsweareso,infact,whateveritmaybeinright,--butthereisalawandalaw-maker,thatruleacrossthewholecontinent.Hethatfliesinthefaceofeitherneednotcallmeafriend."

"Damme,Deerslayer,ifIdonotbelieveyouareatheartaMoravian,andnofair-minded,plain-dealinghunter,asyou'vepretendedtobe!"

"Fair-mindedornot,Hurry,youwillfindmeasplaindealingin

deedsasIaminwords.Butthisgivingwaytosuddenangerisfoolish,andproveshowlittleyouhavesojournedwiththeredman.JudithHutternodoubtisstillsingle,andyouspokebutasthetongueran,andnotastheheartfelt.There'smyhand,andwewillsayandthinknomoreaboutit."

Hurryseemedmoresurprisedthanever;thenheburstforthinaloud,good-naturedlaugh,whichbroughttearstohiseyes.Afterthisheacceptedtheofferedhand,andthepartiesbecamefriends.

"'Twouldhavebeenfoolishtoquarrelaboutanidee,"Marchcried,asheresumedhismeal,"andmorelikelawyersinthetownsthanlikesensiblemeninthewoods.Theytellme,Deerslayer,much

ill-bloodgrowsoutofideesamongthepeopleinthelowercounties,andthattheysometimesgettoextremitiesuponthem."

"Thatdothey,-thatdothey;andaboutothermattersthatmightbetterbelefttotakecareofthemselves.IhaveheardtheMoravianssaythattherearelandsinwhichmenquarrelevenconsarningtheirreligion;andiftheycangettheirtempersuponsuchasubject,Hurry,theLordhaveMarcyon'em.Howsoever,thereisnooccasionforourfollowingtheirexample,andmoreespeciallyaboutahusbandthatthisJudithHuttermayneversee,orneverwishtosee.For


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mypart,Ifeelmorecur'osityaboutthefeeble-wittedsisterthanaboutyourbeauty.There'ssomethingthatcomesclosetoaman'sfeelin's,whenhemeetswithafellow-creatur'thathasalltheoutwardshowofanaccountablemortal,andwhofailsofbeingwhatheseems,onlythroughalackofreason.Thisisbadenoughinaman,butwhenitcomestoawoman,andsheayoung,andmaybeawinningcreatur'ittouchesallthepitifulthoughtshisnatur'has.Godknows,Hurry,thatsuchpoorthingsbedefencelessenoughwithalltheirwitsabout'em;butit'sacruelfortun'whenthatgreatprotectorandguidefails'em."

"Hark,Deerslayer,--youknowwhatthehunters,andtrappers,andpeltry-meningeneralbe;andtheirbestfriendswillnotdenythattheyareheadstrongandgiventohavingtheirownway,withoutmuchbethinking'emofotherpeople'srightsorfeelin's,--andyetIdon'tthinkthemanistobefound,inallthisregion,whowouldharmHettyHutter,ifhecould;no,notevenared-skin."

"Therein,fri'ndHurry,youdotheDelawares,atleast,andalltheiralliedtribes,onlyjustice,forared-skinlooksuponabeingthusstruckbyGod'spowerasespeciallyunderhiscare.Irejoicetohearwhatyousay,however,Irejoicetohearit;butasthesunisbeginningtoturntowardstheafternoon'ssky,hadwenotbetterstrikethetrailagain,andmakeforward,thatwe

maygetanopportunityofseeingthesewonderfulsisters?"

HarryMarchgivingacheerfulassent,theremnantsofthemealweresooncollected;thenthetravelersshoulderedtheirpacks,resumedtheirarms,and,quittingthelittleareaoflight,theyagainplungedintothedeepshadowsoftheforest.

ChapterII.

"Thou'rtpassingfromthelake'sgreenside,Andthehunter'shearthaway;

Forthetimeofflowers,forthesummer'spride,Daughter!thoucanstnotstay."

Mrs.Hemans,"Edith.ATaleoftheWoods"II.191-94

Ourtwoadventurershadnotfartogo.Hurryknewthedirection,assoonashehadfoundtheopenspotandthespring,andhenowledonwiththeconfidentstepofamanassuredofhisobject.Theforestwasdark,asamatterofcourse,butitwasnolongerobstructedbyunderbrush,andthefootingwasfirmanddry.Afterproceedingnearamile,Marchstopped,andbegantocastabouthim

withaninquiringlook,examiningthedifferentobjectswithcare,andoccasionallyturninghiseyesonthetrunksofthefallentrees,withwhichthegroundwaswellsprinkled,asisusuallythecaseinanAmericanwood,especiallyinthosepartsofthecountrywheretimberhasnotyetbecomevaluable.

"Thismustbetheplace,Deerslayer,"Marchatlengthobserved;"hereisabeechbythesideofahemlock,withthreepinesathand,andyonderisawhitebirchwithabrokentop;andyetIseenorock,noranyofthebranchesbentdown,asItoldyouwouldbe


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thecase."

"Brokenbranchesareonskilfullandmarks,astheleastexper'encedknowthatbranchesdon'toftenbreakofthemselves,"returnedtheother;"andtheyalsoleadtosuspicionanddiscoveries.TheDelawaresnevertrusttobrokenbranches,unlessitisinfriendlytimes,andonanopentrail.Asforthebeeches,andpines,andhemlocks,why,theyaretobeseenonallsidesofus,notonlybytwosandthrees,butbyforties,andfifties,andhundreds."

"Verytrue,Deerslayer,butyounevercalculateonposition.Hereisabeechandahemlock--"

"Yes,andthereisanotherbeechandahemlock,aslovingastwobrothers,or,forthatmatter,morelovingthansomebrothers;andyonderareothers,forneithertreeisararityinthesewoods.Ifearme,Hurry,youarebetterattrappingbeaverandshootingbears,thanatleadingonablindishsortofatrail.Ha!there'swhatyouwishtofind,a'terall!"

"Now,Deerslayer,thisisoneofyourDelawarepretensions,forhangmeifIseeanythingbutthesetrees,whichdoseemtostartuparoundusinamostonaccountableandperplexingmanner."

"Lookthisaway,Hurry--here,inalinewiththeblackoak-don'tyouseethecrookedsaplingthatishookedupinthebranchesofthebass-wood,nearit?Now,thatsaplingwasoncesnow-ridden,andgotthebendbyitsweight;butitneverstraighteneditself,andfasteneditselfinamongthebass-woodbranchesinthewayyousee.Thehandofmandidthatactofkindnessforit."

"Thathandwasmine!"exclaimedHurry;"Ifoundtheslenderyoungthingbenttotheairth,likeanunfortunatecreatur'bornedownbymisfortune,andstuckitupwhereyouseeit.Afterall,Deerslayer,Imustallow,you'regettingtohaveanoncommongoodeyeforthewoods!"

"'Tisimproving,Hurry--'tisimprovingIwillacknowledge;but'tisonlyachild'seye,comparedtosomeIknow.There'sTamenund,now,thoughamansooldthatfewrememberwhenhewasinhisprime,Tamenundletsnothingescapehislook,whichismorelikethescentofahoundthanthesightofaneye.ThenUncas,thefatherofChingachgook,andthelawfulchiefoftheMohicans,isanotherthatitisalmosthopelesstopassunseen.I'mimproving,Iwillallow--I'mimproving,butfarfrombeingperfect,asyet."

"AndwhoisthisChingachgook,ofwhomyoutalksomuch,Deerslayer!"askedHurry,ashemovedoffinthedirectionoftherightedsapling;"alopingred-skin,atthebest,Imakenoquestion."

"Notso,Hurry,butthebestoflopingred-skins,asyoucall'em.Ifhehadhisrights,hewouldbeagreatchief;but,asitis,heisonlyabraveandjust-mindedDelaware;respected,andevenobeyedinsomethings,'tistrue,butofafallenrace,andbelongingtoafallenpeople.Ah!HarryMarch,'twouldwarmtheheartwithinyoutositintheirlodgesofawinter'snight,andlistentothetraditionsoftheancientgreatnessandpoweroftheMohicans!"

"Harkee,fri'ndNathaniel,"saidHurry,stoppingshorttofacehiscompanion,inorderthathiswordsmightcarrygreaterweightwith


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them,"ifamanbelievedallthatotherpeoplechoosetosayintheirownfavor,hemightgetanoversizedopinionofthem,andanundersizedopinionofhimself.Thesered-skinsarenotableboasters,andIsetdownmorethanhalfoftheirtraditionsaspuretalk."

"Thereistruthinwhatyousay,Hurry,I'llnotdenyit,forI'veseenit,andbelieveit.Theydoboast,butthenthatisagiftfromnatur';andit'ssinfultowithstandnat'ralgifts.See;thisisthespotyoucometofind!"Thisremarkcutshortthediscourse,andboththemennowgavealltheirattentiontotheobjectimmediatelybeforethem.Deerslayerpointedouttohiscompanionthetrunkofahugelinden,orbass-wood,asitistermedinthelanguageofthecountry,whichhadfilleditstime,andfallenbyitsownweight.Thistree,likesomanymillionsofitsbrethren,laywhereithadfallen,andwasmoulderingundertheslowbutcertaininfluenceoftheseasons.Thedecay,however,hadattackeditscentre,evenwhileitstooderectintheprideofvegetation,bellowingoutitsheart,asdiseasesometimesdestroysthevitalsofanimallife,evenwhileafairexteriorispresentedtotheobserver.Asthetrunklaystretchedfornearahundredfeetalongtheearth,thequickeyeofthehunterdetectedthispeculiarity,andfromthisandothercircumstances,heknewittobethetreeofwhichMarchwasinsearch.

"Ay,herewehavewhatwewant,"criedHurry,lookinginatthelargerendofthelinden;"everythingisassnugasifithadbeenleftinanoldwoman'scupboard.Come,lendmeahand,Deerslayer,andwe'llbeafloatinhalfanhour."

Atthiscallthehunterjoinedhiscompanion,andthetwowenttoworkdeliberatelyandregularly,likemenaccustomedtothesortofthinginwhichtheywereemployed.Inthefirstplace,Hurryremovedsomepiecesofbarkthatlaybeforethelargeopeninginthetree,andwhichtheotherdeclaredtobedisposedinawaythatwouldhavebeenmorelikelytoattractattentionthantoconcealthecover,hadanystragglerpassedthatway.Thetwothendrewout

abarkcanoe,containingitsseats,paddles,andotherappliances,eventofishing-linesandrods.Thisvesselwasbynomeanssmall;butsuchwasitscomparativelightness,andsogiganticwasthestrengthofHurry,thatthelattershouldereditwithseemingease,decliningallassistance,evenintheactofraisingittotheawkwardpositioninwhichhewasobligedtoholdit.

"Leadahead,Deerslayer,"saidMarch,"andopenthebushes;therestIcandoformyself."

Theotherobeyed,andthemenleftthespot,Deerslayerclearingthewayforhiscompanion,andincliningtotherightortotheleft,asthelatterdirected.Inabouttenminutestheybothbroke

suddenlyintothebrilliantlightofthesun,onalowgravellypoint,thatwaswashedbywateronquitehalfitsoutline.

AnexclamationofsurprisebrokefromthelipsofDeerslayer,anexclamationthatwaslowandguardedlymade,however,forhishabitsweremuchmorethoughtfulandregulatedthanthoseoftherecklessHurry,whenonreachingthemarginofthelake,hebeheldtheviewthatunexpectedlymethisgaze.Itwas,intruth,sufficientlystrikingtomeritabriefdescription.Onalevelwiththepointlayabroadsheetofwater,soplacidandlimpidthatitresembled


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abedofthepuremountainatmosphere,compressedintoasettingofhillsandwoods.Itslengthwasaboutthreeleagues,whileitsbreadthwasirregular,expandingtohalfaleague,orevenmore,oppositetothepoint,andcontractingtolessthanhalfthatdistance,moretothesouthward.Ofcourse,itsmarginwasirregular,beingindentedbybays,andbrokenbymanyprojecting,lowpoints.Atitsnorthern,ornearestend,itwasboundedbyanisolatedmountain,lowerlandfallingoffeastandwest,gracefullyrelievingthesweepoftheoutline.Stillthecharacterofthecountrywasmountainous;highhills,orlowmountains,risingabruptlyfromthewater,onquiteninetenthsofitscircuit.Theexceptions,indeed,onlyservedalittletovarythescene;andevenbeyondthepartsoftheshorethatwerecomparativelylow,thebackgroundwashigh,thoughmoredistant.

Butthemoststrikingpeculiaritiesofthisscenewereitssolemnsolitudeandsweetrepose.Onallsides,wherevertheeyeturned,nothingmetitbutthemirror-likesurfaceofthelake,theplacidviewofheaven,andthedensesettingofwoods.Sorichandfleecyweretheoutlinesoftheforest,thatscarceanopeningcouldbeseen,thewholevisibleearth,fromtheroundedmountain-toptothewater'sedge,presentingoneunvariedhueofunbrokenverdure.Asifvegetationwerenotsatisfiedwithatriumphsocomplete,thetreesoverhungthelakeitself,shootingouttowardsthelight;

andthereweremilesalongitseasternshore,whereaboatmighthavepulledbeneaththebranchesofdarkRembrandt-lookinghemlocks,"quiveringaspens,"andmelancholypines.Inaword,thehandofmanhadneveryetdefacedordeformedanypartofthisnativescene,whichlaybathedinthesunlight,agloriouspictureofaffluentforestgrandeur,softenedbythebalminessofJune,andrelievedbythebeautifulvarietyaffordedbythepresenceofsobroadanexpanseofwater.

"Thisisgrand!--'tissolemn!-'tisanedicationofitself,tolookupon!"exclaimedDeerslayer,ashestoodleaningonhisrifle,andgazingtotherightandleft,northandsouth,aboveandbeneath,inwhicheverdirectionhiseyecouldwander;"nota

treedisturbedevenbyred-skinhand,asIcandiscover,buteverythingleftintheorderingoftheLord,toliveanddieaccordingtohisowndesignsandlaws!Hurry,yourJudithoughttobeamoralandwelldisposedyoungwoman,ifshehaspassedhalfthetimeyoumentioninthecentreofaspotsofavored."

"That'snakedtruth;andyetthegalhasthevagaries.Allhertimehasnotbeenpassedhere,howsoever,oldTomhavingthecustom,aforeIknow'dhim,ofgoingtospendthewintersintheneighborhoodofthesettlers,orunderthegunsoftheforts.No,no,Judehascaughtmorethanisforhergoodfromthesettlers,andespeciallyfromthegallantifyingofficers."

"Ifshehas--ifshehas,Hurry,thisisaschooltosethermindrightag'in.ButwhatisthisIseeoffhere,abreastofus,thatseemstoosmallforanisland,andtoolargeforaboat,thoughitstandsinthemidstofthewater!

"Why,thatiswhatthesegalantinegentryfromthefortscallMuskratCastle;andoldTomhimselfwillgrinatthename,thoughitbearssohardonhisownnatur'andcharacter.'Tisthestationaryhouse,therebeingtwo;this,whichnevermoves,andtheother,thatfloats,beingsometimesinonepartofthelakeandsometimes


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inanother.Thelastgoesbythenameoftheark,thoughwhatmaybethemeaningofthewordismorethanIcantellyou."

"Itmustcomefromthemissionaries,Hurry,whomIhaveheardspeakandreadofsuchathing.Theysaythatthe'arthwasoncecoveredwithwater,andthatNoah,withhischildren,wassavedfromdrowningbybuildingavesselcalledanark,inwhichheembarkedinseason.SomeoftheDelawaresbelievethistradition,andsomedenyit;butitbehoovesyouandme,aswhitemenborn,toputourfaithinitstruth.Doyouseeanythingofthisark?"

"'Tisdownsouth,nodoubt,oranchoredinsomeofthebays.Butthecanoeisready,andfifteenminuteswillcarrytwosuchpaddlesasyour'nandminetothecastle."

Atthissuggestion,Deerslayerhelpedhiscompaniontoplacethedifferentarticlesinthecanoe,whichwasalreadyafloat.Thiswasnosoonerdonethanthetwofrontiermenembarked,andbyavigorouspushsentthelightbarksomeeightortenrodsfromtheshore.Hurrynowtooktheseatinthestern,whileDeerslayerplacedhimselfforward,andbyleisurelybutsteadystrokesofthepaddles,thecanoeglidedacrosstheplacidsheet,towardstheextraordinary-lookingstructurethattheformerhadstyledMuskratCastle.Severaltimesthemenceasedpaddling,andlookedaboutthem

atthescene,asnewglimpsesopenedfrombehindpoints,enablingthemtoseefartherdownthelake,ortogetbroaderviewsofthewoodedmountains.Theonlychanges,however,wereinthenewformsofthehills,thevaryingcurvatureofthebays,andthewiderreachesofthevalleysouth;thewholeearthapparentlybeingclothedinagala-dressofleaves.

"Thisisasighttowarmtheheart!"exclaimedDeerslayer,whentheyhadthusstoppedforthefourthorfifthtime;"thelakeseemsmadetoletusgetaninsightintothenobleforests;andlandandwateralikestandinthebeautyofGod'sprovidence!Doyousay,Hurry,thatthereisnomanwhocallshimselflawfulownerofalltheseglories?"

"NonebuttheKing,lad.Hemaypretendtosomerightofthatnatur',butheissofarawaythathisclaimwillnevertroubleoldTomHutter,whohasgotpossession,andisliketokeepitaslongashislifelasts.Tomisnosquatter,notbeingonland;Icallhimafloater."

"Iinvythatman!Iknowit'swrong,andIstriveag'inthefeelin',butIinvythatman!Don'tthink,Hurry,thatI'mconsortinganyplantoputmyselfinhismoccasins,forsuchathoughtdoesn'tharborinmymind;butIcan'thelpalittleinvy!'Tisanat'ralfeelin',andthebestofusarebutnat'ral,a'terall,andgivewaytosuchfeelin'sattimes."

"You'veonlytomarryHettytoinherithalftheestate,"criedHurry,laughing;"thegaliscomely;nay,ifitwasn'tforhersister'sbeautyshewouldbeevenhandsome;andthenherwitsaresosmallthatyoumayeasilyconvartherintooneofyourownwayofthinking,inallthings.DoyoutakeHettyofftheoldfellow'shands,andI'llengagehe'llgiveyouaninterestineverydeeryoucanknockoverwithinfivemilesofhislake."

"Doesgameabound!"suddenlydemandedtheother,whopaidbutlittle


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attentiontoMarch'sraillery.

"Ithasthecountrytoitself.Scarceatriggerispulledonit;andasforthetrappers,thisisnotaregiontheygreatlyfrequent.Ioughtnottobesomuchheremyself,butJudepullsoneway,whilethebeaverpullsanother.MorethanahundredSpanishdollarshasthatcreatur'costmethelasttwoseasons,andyetIcouldnotforegothewishtolookuponherfaceoncemore."

"Dotheredmenoftenvisitthislake,Hurry?"continuedDeerslayer,pursuinghisowntrainofthought.

"Why,theycomeandgo;sometimesinparties,andsometimessingly.Thecountryseemstobelongtononativetribeinparticular;andsoithasfallenintothehandsoftheHuttertribe.TheoldmantellsmethatsomesharponeshavebeenwheedlingtheMohawksforanIndiandeed,inordertogetatitleoutofthecolony;butnothinghascomeofit,seeingthatnooneheavyenoughforsuchatradehasyetmeddledwiththematter.Thehuntershaveagoodlife-leasestillofthiswilderness."

"Somuchthebetter,somuchthebetter,Hurry.IfIwasKingofEngland,themanthatfelledoneofthesetreeswithoutgoodoccasionforthetimber,shouldbebanishedtoadesartedandforlorn

region,inwhichnofourfootedanimalevertrod.RightgladamIthatChingachgookapp'intedourmeetingonthislake,forhithertoeyeofmineneverlookedonsuchagloriousspectacle."

"That'sbecauseyou'vekeptsomuchamongtheDelawares,inwhosecountrytherearenolakes.Now,farthernorthandfartherwestthesebitsofwaterabound;andyou'reyoung,andmayyetlivetosee'em.Butthoughtherebeotherlakes,Deerslayer,there'snootherJudithHutter!"

Atthisremarkhiscompanionsmiled,andthenhedroppedhispaddleintothewater,asifinconsiderationofalover'shaste.Bothnowpulledvigorouslyuntiltheygotwithinahundredyardsof

the"castle,"asHurryfamiliarlycalledthehouseofHutter,whentheyagainceasedpaddling;theadmirerofJudithrestraininghisimpatiencethemorereadily,asheperceivedthatthebuildingwasuntenanted,atthemoment.ThisnewpausewastoenableDeerslayertosurveythesingularedifice,whichwasofaconstructionsonovelastomeritaparticulardescription.

MuskratCastle,asthehousehadbeenfacetiouslynamedbysomewaggishofficer,stoodintheopenlake,atadistanceoffullyaquarterofamilefromthenearestshore.Oneveryothersidethewaterextendedmuchfarther,theprecisepositionbeingdistantabouttwomilesfromthenorthernendofthesheet,andnear,ifnotquite,amilefromitseasternshore.Astherewasnotthe

smallestappearanceofanyisland,butthehousestoodonpiles,withthewaterflowingbeneathit,andDeerslayerhadalreadydiscoveredthatthelakewasofagreatdepth,hewasfaintoaskanexplanationofthissingularcircumstance.Hurrysolvedthedifficultybytellinghimthatonthisspotalone,along,narrowshoal,whichextendedforafewhundredyardsinanorthandsouthdirection,rosewithinsixoreightfeetofthesurfaceofthelake,andthatHutterhaddrivenpilesintoit,andplacedhishabitationonthem,forthepurposeofsecurity.


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"Theoldfellowwasburntoutthreetimes,atweentheIndiansandthehunters;andinoneaffraywiththered-skinshelosthisonlyson,sincewhichtimehehastakentothewaterforsafety.Noonecanattackhimhere,withoutcominginaboat,andtheplunderandscalpswouldscarcebeworththetroubleofdiggingoutcanoes.Thenit'sbynomeanssartainwhichwouldwhipinsuchascrimmage,foroldTomiswellsuppliedwitharmsandammunition,andthecastle,asyoumaysee,isatightbreastworkag'inlightshot."

Deerslayerhadsometheoreticalknowledgeoffrontierwarfare,thoughhehadneveryetbeencalledontoraisehishandinangeragainstafellow-creature.HesawthatHurrydidnotoverratethestrengthofthispositioninamilitarypointofview,sinceitwouldnotbeeasytoattackitwithoutexposingtheassailantstothefireofthebesieged.Agooddealofarthadalsobeenmanifestedinthedispositionofthetimberofwhichthebuildingwasconstructedandwhichaffordedaprotectionmuchgreaterthanwasusualtotheordinarylog-cabinsofthefrontier.Thesidesandendswerecomposedofthetrunksoflargepines,cutaboutninefeetlong,andplacedupright,insteadofbeinglaidhorizontally,aswasthepracticeofthecountry.Theselogsweresquaredonthreesides,andhadlargetenonsoneachend.Massivesillsweresecuredontheheadsofthepiles,withsuitablegroovesdugoutoftheiruppersurfaces,whichhadbeensquaredforthepurpose,

andthelowertenonsoftheuprightpieceswereplacedinthesegrooves,givingthemsecurefasteningbelow.Plateshadbeenlaidontheupperendsoftheuprightlogs,andwerekeptintheirplacesbyasimilarcontrivance;theseveralcornersofthestructurebeingwellfastenedbyscarfingandpinningthesillsandplates.Thedoorsweremadeofsmallerlogs,similarlysquared,andtheroofwascomposedoflightpoles,firmlyunited,andwellcoveredwithbark.

Theeffectofthisingeniousarrangementwastogiveitsownerahousethatcouldbeapproachedonlybywater,thesidesofwhichwerecomposedoflogscloselywedgedtogether,whichweretwofeetthickintheirthinnestparts,andwhichcouldbeseparatedonly

byadeliberateandlaborioususeofhumanhands,orbytheslowoperationoftime.Theoutersurfaceofthebuildingwasrudeanduneven,thelogsbeingofunequalsizes;butthesquaredsurfaceswithingaveboththesidesanddoorasuniformanappearanceaswasdesired,eitherforuseorshow.Thechimneywasnottheleastsingularportionofthecastle,asHurrymadehiscompanionobserve,whileheexplainedtheprocessbywhichithadbeenmade.Thematerialwasastiffclay,properlyworked,whichhadbeenputtogetherinamouldofsticks,andsufferedtoharden,afootortwoatatime,commencingatthebottom.Whentheentirechimneyhadthusbeenraised,andhadbeenproperlyboundinwithoutwardprops,abriskfirewaskindled,andkeptgoinguntilitwasburnedtosomethinglikeabrick-red.Thishadnotbeenaneasyoperation,

norhaditsucceededentirely;butbydintoffillingthecrackswithfreshclay,asafefireplaceandchimneyhadbeenobtainedintheend.Thispartoftheworkstoodonthelog-door,securedbeneathbyanextrapile.Therewereafewotherpeculiaritiesaboutthisdwelling,whichwillbetterappearinthecourseofthenarrative.

"OldTomisfullofcontrivances,"addedHurry,"andhesethisheartonthesuccessofhischimney,whichthreatenedmorethanoncetogiveoutaltogether;butperseverancewillevenovercome


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smoke;andnowhehasacomfortablecabinofit,thoughitdidpromise,atonetime,tobeachinkysortofafluetocarryflamesandfire."

"Youseemtoknowthewholehistoryofthecastle,Hurry,chimneyandsides,"saidDeerslayer,smiling;"islovesoovercomingthatitcausesamantostudythestoryofhissweetheart'shabitation?"

"Partlythat,lad,andpartlyeyesight,"returnedthegood-naturedgiant,laughing;"therewasalargegangofusinthelake,thesummertheoldfellowbuilt,andwehelpedhimalongwiththejob.Iraisednosmallpartoftheweightofthemuprightswithmyownshoulders,andtheaxesflew,Icaninformyou,MasterNatty,whilewewerebee-ingitamongthetreesashore.Theolddevilisnowaystingyaboutfood,andaswehadofteneatathishearth,wethoughtwewouldjusthousehimcomfortably,aforewewenttoAlbanywithourskins.Yes,manyisthemealI'veswallowedinTomHutter'scabins;andHetty,thoughsoweakinthewayofwits,hasawonderfulparticularwayaboutafrying-panoragridiron!

"Whilethepartieswerethusdiscoursing,thecanoehadbeengraduallydrawingnearertothe"castle,"andwasnowsocloseastorequirebutasinglestrokeofapaddletoreachthelanding.Thiswasataflooredplatforminfrontoftheentrance,thatmight

havebeensometwentyfeetsquare.

"OldTomcallsthissortofawharfhisdoor-yard,"observedHurry,ashefastenedthecanoe,afterheandhisCompanionhadleftit:"andthegallantsfromthefortshavenameditthecastlecourtthoughwhata'court'canhavetodohereismorethanIcantellyou,seeingthatthereisnolaw.'TisasIsupposed;notasoulwithin,butthewholefamilyisoffonav'y'geofdiscovery!"

WhileHurrywasbustlingaboutthe"door-yard,"examiningthefishing-spears,rods,nets,andothersimilarappliancesofafrontiercabin,Deerslayer,whosemannerwasaltogethermorerebukedandquiet,enteredthebuildingwithacuriositythatwasnotusually

exhibitedbyonesolongtrainedinIndianhabits.Theinteriorofthe"castle"wasasfaultlesslyneatasitsexteriorwasnovel.Theentirespace,sometwentyfeetbyforty,wassubdividedintoseveralsmallsleeping-rooms;theapartmentintowhichhefirstentered,servingequallyfortheordinaryusesofitsinmates,andforakitchen.Thefurniturewasofthestrangemixturethatitisnotuncommontofindintheremotelysituatedlog-tenementsoftheinterior.Mostofitwasrude,andtothelastdegreerustic;buttherewasaclock,withahandsomecaseofdarkwood,inacorner,andtwoorthreechairs,withatableandbureau,thathadevidentlycomefromsomedwellingofmorethanusualpretension.Theclockwasindustriouslyticking,butitsleaden-lookinghandsdidnodiscredittotheirdullaspect,fortheypointedtothe

hourofeleven,thoughthesunplainlyshoweditwassometimepasttheturnoftheday.Therewasalsoadark,massivechest.Thekitchenutensilswereofthesimplestkind,andfarfromnumerous,buteveryarticlewasinitsplace,andshowedthenicestcareinitscondition.

AfterDeerslayerhadcastalookabouthimintheouterroom,heraisedawoodenlatch,andenteredanarrowpassagethatdividedtheinnerendofthehouseintotwoequalparts.Frontierusagesbeingnowayscrupulous,andhiscuriositybeingstronglyexcited,


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theyoungmannowopenedadoor,andfoundhimselfinabedroom.Asingleglancesufficedtoshowthattheapartmentbelongedtofemales.Thebedwasofthefeathersofwildgeese,andfillednearlytooverflowing;butitlayinarudebunk,raisedonlyafootfromthedoor.Ononesideofitwerearranged,onpegs,variousdresses,ofaqualitymuchsuperiortowhatonewouldexpecttomeetinsuchaplace,withribbonsandothersimilararticlestocorrespond.Prettyshoes,withhandsomesilverbuckles,suchaswerethenwornbyfemalesineasycircumstances,werenotwanting;andnolessthansixfans,ofgaycolors,wereplacedhalfopen,inawaytocatchtheeyebytheirconceitsandhues.Eventhepillow,onthissideofthebed,wascoveredwithfinerlinenthanitscompanion,anditwasornamentedwithasmallruffle.Acap,coquettishlydecoratedwithribbons,hungaboveit,andapairoflonggloves,suchaswererarelyusedinthosedaysbypersonsofthelaboringclasses,werepinnedostentatiouslytoit,asifwithanintentiontoexhibitthemthere,iftheycouldnotbeshownontheowner'sarms.

AllthisDeerslayersaw,andnotedwithadegreeofminutenessthatwouldhavedonecredittothehabitualobservationofhisfriends,theDelawares.Nordidhefailtoperceivethedistinctionthatexistedbetweentheappearancesonthedifferentsidesofthebed,theheadofwhichstoodagainstthewall.Onthatoppositetothe

onejustdescribed,everythingwashomelyanduninviting,exceptthroughitsperfectneatness.Thefewgarmentsthatwerehangingfromthepegswereofthecoarsestmaterialsandofthecommonestforms,whilenothingseemedmadeforshow.Ofribbonstherewasnotone;norwasthereeithercaporkerchiefbeyondthosewhichHutter'sdaughtersmightbefairlyentitledtowear.

ItwasnowseveralyearssinceDeerslayerhadbeeninaspotespeciallydevotedtotheusesoffemalesofhisowncolorandrace.Thesightbroughtbacktohismindarushofchildishrecollections;andhelingeredintheroomwithatendernessoffeelingtowhichhehadlongbeenastranger.Hebethoughthimofhismother,whosehomelyvestmentsherememberedtohaveseenhangingonpegslike

thosewhichhefeltmustbelongtoHettyHutter;andhebethoughthimselfofasister,whoseincipientandnativetasteforfineryhadexhibiteditselfsomewhatinthemannerofthatofJudith,thoughnecessarilyinalessdegree.Theselittleresemblancesopenedalonghiddenveinofsensations;andashequittedtheroom,itwaswithasaddenedmien.Helookednofurther,butreturnedslowlyandthoughtfullytowardsthe"door-yard."

"IfOldTomhastakentoanewcalling,andhasbeentryinghishandatthetraps,"criedHurry,whohadbeencoollyexaminingtheborderer'simplements;"ifthatishishumor,andyou'redisposedtoremainintheseparts,wecanmakeanoncommoncomfortableseasonofit;for,whiletheoldmanandIout-knowledgethebeaver,you

canfish,andknockdownthedeer,tokeepbodyandsoultogether.I'vealwaysgivethepooresthuntershalfashare,butoneasactyveandsartainasyourselfmightexpectafullone."

"Thank'ee,Hurry;thank'ee,withallmyheart--butIdoalittlebeaveringformyselfasoccasionsoffer.'Tistrue,theDelawarescallmeDeerslayer,butit'snotsomuchbecauseI'mprettyfatalwiththevenisonasbecausethatwhileIkillsomanybucksanddoes,I'veneveryettakenthelifeofafellow-creatur'.Theysaytheirtraditionsdonottellofanotherwhohadshedsomuch


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bloodofanimalsthathadnotshedthebloodofman."

"Ihopetheydon'taccountyouchicken-hearted,lad!Afaint-heartedmanislikeano-tailedbeaver."

"Idon'tbelieve,Hurry,thattheyaccountmeasout-ofthe-waytimorsome,eventhoughtheymaynotaccountmeasout-of-the-waybrave.ButI'mnotquarrelsome;andthatgoesagreatwaytowardskeepingbloodoffthehands,amongthehuntersandred-skins;andthen,HarryMarch,itkeepsbloodofftheconscience,too."

"Well,formypartIaccountgame,ared-skin,andaFrenchmanasprettymuchthesamething;thoughI'masonquarrelsomeaman,too,asthereisinallthecolonies.IdespiseaquarrellerasIdoacur-dog;butonehasnoneedtobeover-scrupulsomewhenit'stherighttimetoshowtheflint."

"Ilookuponhimasthemostofamanwhoactsnearesttheright,Hurry.Butthisisagloriousspot,andmyeyesnevera-wearylookingatit!"

"Tisyourfirstacquaintancewithalake;andtheseideascomeoverusallatsuchtimes.Lakeshaveagentlecharacter,asIsay,beingprettymuchwaterandland,andpointsandbays."

Asthisdefinitionbynomeansmetthefeelingsthatwereuppermostinthemindoftheyounghunter,hemadenoimmediateanswer,butstoodgazingatthedarkhillsandtheglassywaterinsilentenjoyment.

"HavetheGovernor'sortheKing'speoplegiventhislakeaname?"hesuddenlyasked,asifstruckwithanewidea."Ifthey'venotbeguntoblazetheirtrees,andsetuptheircompasses,andlineofftheirmaps,it'slikelythey'venotbethoughtthemtodisturbnatur'withaname."

"They'venotgottothat,yet;andthelasttimeIwentinwith

skins,oneoftheKing'ssurveyorswasquestioningmeconsarningalltheregionhereabouts.Hehadheardthattherewasalakeinthisquarter,andhadgotsomegeneralnotionsaboutit,suchasthattherewaswaterandhills;buthowmuchofeither,heknow'dnomorethanyouknowoftheMohawktongue.Ididn'topenthetrapanywiderthanwasnecessary,givinghimbutpoorencouragementinthewayoffarmsandclearings.Inshort,Ileftonhismindsomesuchopinionofthiscountry,asamangetsofaspringofdirtywater,withapathtoitthatissomuddythatonemiresaforehesetsout.Hetoldmetheyhadn'tgotthespotdownyetontheirmaps,thoughIconcludethatisamistake,forheshowedmehisparchment,andthereisalakedownonit,wherethereisnolakeinfact,andwhichisaboutfiftymilesfromtheplacewhereit

oughttobe,iftheymeantitforthis.Idon'tthinkmyaccountwillencouragehimtomarkdownanother,bywayofimprovement."

HereHurrylaughedheartily,suchtricksbeingparticularlygratefultoasetofmenwhodreadedtheapproachesofcivilizationasacurtailmentoftheirownlawlessempire.Theegregiouserrorsthatexistedinthemapsoftheday,allofwhichweremadeinEurope,were,moreover,astandingtopicofridiculeamongthem;for,iftheyhadnotscienceenoughtomakeanybetterthemselves,theyhadsufficientlocalinformationtodetectthegrossblunderscontained


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inthosethatexisted.Anyonewhowilltakethetroubletocomparetheseunanswerableevidencesofthetopographicalskillofourfathersacenturysince,withthemoreaccuratesketchesofourowntime,willatonceperceivethatthemenofthewoodshadasufficientjustificationforalltheircriticismonthisbranchoftheskillofthecolonialgovernments,whichdidnotatallhesitatetoplaceariveroralakeadegreeortwooutoftheway,eventhoughtheylaywithinaday'smarchoftheinhabitedpartsofthecountry.

"I'mgladithasnoname,"resumedDeerslayer,"oratleast,nopale-facename;fortheirchristeningsalwaysforetellwasteanddestruction.Nodoubt,howsoever,thered-skinshavetheirmodesofknowingit,andthehuntersandtrappers,too;theyarelikelytocalltheplacebysomethingreasonableandresembling."

"Asforthetribes,eachhasitstongue,anditsownwayofcallingthings;andtheytreatthispartoftheworldjustastheytreatallothers.Amongourselves,we'vegottocallingtheplacethe'Glimmerglass,'seeingthatitswholebasinissooftenhingedwithpines,castupwardtoitsfaceasifitwouldthrowbackthehillsthathangoverit."

"Thereisanoutlet,Iknow,foralllakeshaveoutlets,andthe

rockatwhichIamtomeetChingachgookstandsnearanoutlet.Hasthatnocolony-nameyet?"

"Inthatparticularthey'vegottheadvantageofus,havingoneend,andthatthebiggest,intheirownkeeping:they'vegivenitanamewhichhasfounditswayuptoitssource;namesnat'rallyworkingupstream.Nodoubt,Deerslayer,you'veseentheSusquehannah,downintheDelawarecountry?"

"ThathaveI,andhuntedalongitsbanksahundredtimes."

"Thatandthisarethesameinfact,and,Isuppose,thesameinsound.Iamgladthey'vebeencompelledtokeeptheredmen'sname,

foritwouldbetoohardtorobthemofbothlandandname!"

Deerslayermadenoanswer;buthestoodleaningonhisrifle,gazingattheviewwhichsomuchdelightedhim.Thereaderisnottosuppose,however,thatitwasthepicturesquealonewhichsostronglyattractedhisattention.Thespotwasverylovely,ofatruth,anditwasthenseeninoneofitsmostfavorablemoments,thesurfaceofthelakebeingassmoothasglassandaslimpidaspureair,throwingbackthemountains,clothedindarkpines,alongthewholeofitseasternboundary,thepointsthrustingforwardtheirtreeseventonearlyhorizontallines,whilethebayswereseenglitteringthroughanoccasionalarchbeneath,leftbyavaultfrettedwithbranchesandleaves.Itwastheairofdeeprepose--

thesolitudes,thatspokeofscenesandforestsuntouchedbythehandsofman--thereignofnature,inaword,thatgavesomuchpuredelighttooneofhishabitsandturnofmind.Still,hefelt,thoughitwasunconsciously,likeapoetalso.Ifhefoundapleasureinstudyingthislarge,andtohimunusualopeningintothemysteriesandformsofthewoods,asoneisgratifiedingettingbroaderviewsofanysubjectthathaslongoccupiedhisthoughts,hewasnotinsensibletotheinnatelovelinessofsuchalandscapeneither,butfeltaportionofthatsoothingofthespiritwhichisacommonattendantofascenesothoroughlypervadedbytheholy


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cairnofnature.

ChapterIII.

"Come,shallwegoandkillusvenison?Andyetitirksme,thepoordappledfoals,-Beingnativeburghersofthisdesertcity,-Should,intheirownconfines,withforkedheadsHavetheirroundhaunchesgored."

AsYouLikeIt,II.i.21-25

HurryHarrythoughtmoreofthebeautiesofJudithHutterthanofthoseoftheGlimmerglassanditsaccompanyingscenery.AssoonashehadtakenasufficientlyintimatesurveyoffloatingTom'simplements,therefore,hesummonedhiscompaniontothecanoe,thattheymightgodownthelakeinquestofthefamily.Previouslytoembarking,however,Hurrycarefullyexaminedthewholeofthenorthernendofthewaterwithanindifferentship'sglass,thatformedapartofHutter'seffects.Inthisscrutiny,nopartoftheshorewasoverlooked;thebaysandpointsinparticularbeingsubjectedtoacloserinquirythantherestofthewoodedboundary.

"'TisasIthought,"saidHurry,layingasidetheglass,"theoldfellowisdriftingaboutthesouthendthisfineweather,andhasleftthecastletodefenditself.Well,nowweknowthatheisnotupthis-a-way,'twillbebutasmallmattertopaddledownandhunthimupinhishiding-place."

"DoesMasterHutterthinkitnecessarytoburrowonthislake?"inquiredDeerslayer,ashefollowedhiscompanionintothecanoe;"tomyeyeitissuchasolitudeasonemightopenhiswholesoulin,andfearnoonetodisarrangehisthoughtsorhisworship."

"YouforgetyourfriendstheMingos,andalltheFrenchsavages.Is

thereaspoton'arth,Deerslayer,towhichthemdisquietroguesdon'tgo?Whereisthelake,oreventhedeerlick,thattheblackguardsdon'tfindout,andhavingfoundout,don't,soonerorlater,discolouritswaterwithblood."

"Ihearnogoodcharacterof'em,sartainly,friendHurry,thoughI'veneverbeencalledon,yet,tomeetthem,oranyothermortal,onthewarpath.Idaretosaythatsuchalovelyspotasthis,wouldnotbelikelytobeoverlookedbysuchplunderers,for,thoughI'venotbeeninthewayofquarrelingwiththemtribesmyself,theDelawaresgivemesuchanaccountof'emthatI'veprettymuchset'emdowninmyownmind,asthoroughmiscreants."

"Youmaydothatwithasafeconscience,orforthatmatter,anyothersavageyoumayhappentomeet."

HereDeerslayerprotested,andastheywentpaddlingdownthelake,ahotdiscussionwasmaintainedconcerningtherespectivemeritsofthepale-facesandthered-skins.Hurryhadalltheprejudicesandantipathiesofawhitehunter,whogenerallyregardstheIndianasasortofnaturalcompetitor,andnotunfrequentlyasanaturalenemy.Asamatterofcourse,hewasloud,clamorous,dogmaticalandnotveryargumentative.Deerslayer,ontheotherhand,manifested


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averydifferenttemper,provingbythemoderationofhislanguage,thefairnessofhisviews,andthesimplicityofhisdistinctions,thathepossessedeverydispositiontohearreason,astrong,innatedesiretodojustice,andaningenuousnessthatwassingularlyindisposedtohaverecoursetosophismtomaintainanargument;ortodefendaprejudice.Stillhewasnotaltogetherfreefromtheinfluenceofthelatterfeeling.Thistyrantofthehumanmind,whichrusesonitpreythroughathousandavenues,almostassoonasmenbegintothinkandfeel,andwhichseldomrelinquishesitsironswayuntiltheyceasetodoeither,hadmadesomeimpressiononeventhejustpropensitiesofthisindividual,whoprobablyofferedintheseparticulars,afairspecimenofwhatabsencefrombadexample,thewantoftemptationtogowrong,andnativegoodfeelingcanrenderyouth.

"Youwillallow,Deerslayer,thataMingoismorethanhalfdevil,"criedHurry,followingupthediscussionwithananimationthattouchedcloselyonferocity,"thoughyouwanttoover-persuademethattheDelawaretribeisprettymuchmadeupofangels.Now,Igainsaythatproposal,consarningwhitemen,even.Allwhitemenarenotfaultless,andthereforeallIndianscan'tbefaultless.Andsoyourargumentisoutattheelbowinthestart.ButthisiswhatIcallreason.Here'sthreecolorson'arth:white,black,andred.Whiteisthehighestcolor,andthereforethebestman;

blackcomesnext,andisputtoliveintheneighborhoodofthewhiteman,astolerable,andfittobemadeuseof;andredcomeslast,whichshowsthatthosethatmade'emneverexpectedanIndiantobeaccountedasmorethanhalfhuman."

"Godmadeallthreealike,Hurry."

"Alike!Doyoucallaniggerlikeawhiteman,ormelikeanIndian?"

"Yougooffathalf-cock,anddon'thearmeout.Godmadeusall,white,black,andred;and,nodoubt,hadhisownwiseintentionsincoloringusdifferently.Still,hemadeus,inthemain,much

thesameinfeelin's;thoughI'llnotdenythathegaveeachraceitsgifts.Awhiteman'sgiftsareChristianized,whileared-skin'saremoreforthewilderness.Thus,itwouldbeagreatoffenceforawhitemantoscalpthedead;whereasit'sasignalvartueinanIndian.Thenag'in,awhitemancannotambooshwomenandchildreninwar,whileared-skinmay.'Tiscruelwork,I'llallow;butforthemit'slawfulwork;whileforus,itwouldbegrievouswork."

"Thatdependsonyourinimy.Asforscalping,orevenskinningasavage,Ilookuponthemprettymuchthesameascuttingofftheearsofwolvesforthebounty,orstrippingabearofitshide.Andthenyou'reoutsignificantly,astotakingthepollofa

red-skininhand,seeingthattheverycolonyhasofferedabountyforthejob;allthesameasitpaysforwolves'earsandcrows'heads."

"Ay,andabadbusinessitis,Hurry.EventheIndiansthemselvescryshameonit,seeingit'sag'inawhiteman'sgifts.Idonotpretendthatallthatwhitemendo,isproperlyChristianized,andaccordingtothelightsgiventhem,forthentheywouldbewhattheyoughttobe;whichweknowtheyarenot;butIwillmaintainthattradition,anduse,andcolor,andlaws,makesuchadifferencein


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racesastoamounttogifts.IdonotdenythattherearetribesamongtheIndiansthatarenat'rallypervarseandwicked,astherearenationsamongthewhites.Now,IaccounttheMingosasbelongingtothefirst,andtheFrenchers,intheCanadas,tothelast.Inastateoflawfulwarfare,suchaswehavelatelygotinto,itisadutytokeepdownallcompassionatefeelin's,sofaraslifegoes,ag'ineither;butwhenitcomestoscalps,it'saverydifferentmatter."

"Justhearkentoreason,ifyouplease,Deerslayer,andtellmeifthecolonycanmakeanonlawfullaw?Isn'tanonlawfullawmoreag'innatur'thanscalpin'asavage?Alawcannomorebeonlawful,thantruthcanbealie."

"Thatsoundsreasonable;butithasamostonreasonablebearing,Hurry.Lawsdon'tallcomefromthesamequarter.Godhasgivenushis'n,andsomecomefromthecolony,andotherscomefromtheKingandParliament.Whenthecolony'slaws,oreventheKing'slaws,runag'inthelawsofGod,theygettobeonlawful,andoughtnottobeobeyed.Iholdtoawhiteman'srespectingwhitelaws,solongastheydonotcrossthetrackofalawcomin'fromahigherauthority;andforaredmantoobeyhisownred-skinusages,underthesameprivilege.But,'tisuselesstalking,aseachmanwillthinkfirhimself,andhavehissayagreeabletohisthoughts.Let

uskeepagoodlookoutforyourfriendFloatingTom,lestwepasshim,ashelieshiddenunderthisbushyshore."

Deerslayerhadnotnamedthebordersofthelakeamiss.Alongtheirwholelength,thesmallertreesoverhungthewater,withtheirbranchesoftendippinginthetransparentelementThebanksweresteep,evenfromthenarrowstrand;and,asvegetationinvariablystrugglestowardsthelight,theeffectwaspreciselythatatwhichtheloverofthepicturesquewouldhaveaimed,hadtheorderingofthisglorioussettingofforestbeensubmittedtohiscontrol.Thepointsandbays,too,weresufficientlynumeroustorendertheoutlinebrokenanddiversified.Asthecanoekeptclosealongthewesternsideofthelake,withaview,asHurryhadexplainedto

hiscompanion,ofreconnoiteringforenemies,beforehetrustedhimselftooopenlyinsight,theexpectationsofthetwoadventurerswerekeptconstantlyonthestretch,asneithercouldforetellwhatthenextturningofapointmightreveal.Theirprogresswasswift,thegiganticstrengthofHurryenablinghimtoplaywiththelightbarkasifithadbeenafeather,whiletheskillofhiscompanionalmostequalizedtheirusefulness,notwithstandingthedisparityinnaturalmeans.

Eachtimethecanoepassedapoint,Hurryturnedalookbehindhim,expectingtoseethe"ark"anchored,orbeachedinthebay.Hewasfatedtobedisappointed,however;andtheyhadgotwithinamileofthesouthernendofthelake,oradistanceofquitetwo

leaguesfromthe"castle,"whichwasnowhiddenfromviewbyhalfadozeninterveningprojectionsoftheland,whenhesuddenlyceasedpaddling,asifuncertaininwhatdirectionnexttosteer.

"Itispossiblethattheoldchaphasdroppedintotheriver,"saidHurry,afterlookingcarefullyalongthewholeoftheeasternshore,whichwasaboutamiledistant,andopentohisscrutinyformorethanhalfitslength;"forhehastakentotrappingconsiderable,oflate,and,barringflood-wood,hemightdropdownitamileorso;thoughhewouldhaveamostscratchingtimein


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gettingbackagain!"

"Whereisthisoutlet?"askedDeerslayer;"Iseenoopeninginthebanksorthetrees,thatlooksasifitwouldletariverliketheSusquehannahrunthroughit."

"Ay,Deerslayer,riversarelikehumanmortals;havingsmallbeginnings,andendingwithbroadshouldersandwidemouths.Youdon'tseetheoutlet,becauseitpassesatweenhigh,steepbanks;andthepines,andhemlocksandbass-woodshangoverit,asaroofhangsoverahouse.IfoldTomisnotinthe'Rat'sCove,'hemusthaveburrowedintheriver;we'lllookforhimfirstinthecove,andthenwe'llcrosstotheoutlet."

Astheyproceeded,Hurryexplainedthattherewasashallowbay,formedbyalong,lowpoint,thathadgotthenameofthe"Rat'sCove,"fromthecircumstanceofitsbeingafavoritehauntofthemuskrat;andwhichofferedsocompleteacoverforthe"ark,"thatitsownerwasfondoflyinginit,wheneverhefounditconvenient.

"Asamanneverknowswhomaybehisvisitors,inthispartofthecountry,"continuedHurry,"it'sagreatadvantagetogetagoodlookat'emaforetheycometoonear.Nowit'swar,suchcautionismorethancommonlyuseful,sinceaCanadamanoraMingomight

getintohishutaforeheinvited'em.ButHutterisafirst-ratelook-outer,andcanprettymuchscentdanger,asahoundscentsthedeer."

"Ishouldthinkthecastlesoopen,thatitwouldbesartaintodrawinimies,ifanyhappenedtofindthelake;athingonlikelyenough,Iwillallow,asit'soffthetrailofthefortsandsettlements."

"Why,Deerslayer,I'vegottobelievethatamanmeetswithinimieseasierthanhemeetswithfri'nds.It'sskearfultothinkforhowmanycausesonegetstobeyourinimy,andforhowfewyourfri'nd.Sometakeupthehatchetbecauseyoudon'tthinkjustas

theythink;othersomebecauseyourunaheadof'eminthesameidees;andIonceknow'davagabondthatquarrelledwithafri'ndbecausehedidn'tthinkhimhandsome.Now,you'renomonumentinthewayofbeauty,yourself,Deerslayer,andyetyouwouldn'tbesoonreasonableastobecomemyinimyforjustsayingso."

"I'mastheLordmademe;andIwishtobeaccountednobetter,noranyworse.GoodlooksImaynothave;thatistosay,toadegreethatthelight-mindedandvaincrave;butIhopeI'mnotaltogetherwithoutsomericommendinthewayofgoodconduct.There'sfewnoblerlookingmentobeseenthanyourself,Hurry;andIknowthatIamnottoexpectanytoturntheireyesonme,whensuchaoneasyoucanbegazedon;butIdonotknowthatahunterisless

expartwiththerifle,orlesstobereliedonforfood,becausehedoesn'twishtostopateveryshiningspringhemaymeet,tostudyhisowncountenanceinthewater."

HereHurryburstintoafitofloudlaughter;forwhilehewastoorecklesstocaremuchabouthisownmanifestphysicalsuperiority,hewaswellawareofit,and,likemostmenwhoderiveanadvantagefromtheaccidentsofbirthornature,hewasapttothinkcomplacentlyonthesubject,wheneverithappenedtocrosshismind.


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"No,no,Deerslayer,you'renobeauty,asyouwillownyourself,ifyou'lllookoverthesideofthecanoe,"hecried;"Judewillsaythattoyourface,ifyoustarther,forapartertongueisn'ttobefoundinanygal'shead,inoroutofthesettlements,ifyouprovokehertouseit.Myadvicetoyouis,nevertoaggravateJudith;thoughyoumaytellanythingtoHetty,andshe'lltakeitasmeekasalamb.No,Judewillbejustaslikeasnottotellyouheropinionconsarningyourlooks."

"Andifshedoes,Hurry,shewilltellmenomorethanyouhavesaidalready."

"You'renotthick'ningupaboutasmallremark,Ihope,Deerslayer,whennoharmismeant.Youarenotabeauty,asyoumustknow,andwhyshouldn'tfri'ndstelleachothertheselittletrifles?Ifyouwashandsome,oreverliketobe,I'dbeoneofthefirsttotellyouofit;andthatoughttocontentyou.Now,ifJudewastotellmethatI'masuglyasasinner,I'dtakeitasasortofobligation,andtrynottobelieveher."

"It'seasyforthemthatnatur'hasfavored,tojestaboutsuchmatters,Hurry,thoughitissometimeshardforothers.I'llnotdenybutI'vehadmycravingstowardsgoodlooks;yes,Ihave;butthenI'vealwaysbeenabletogetthemdownbyconsidering

howmanyI'veknownwithfairoutsides,whohavehadnothingtoboastofinwardly.I'llnotdeny,Hurry,thatIoftenwishI'dbeencreatedmorecomelytotheeye,andmorelikesuchaoneasyourselfinthemparticulars;butthenIgetthefeelin'underbyrememberinghowmuchbetteroffIam,inagreatmanyrespects,thansomefellow-mortals.Imighthavebeenbornlame,andonfitevenforasquirrel-hunt,orblind,whichwouldhavemademeaburdenonmyselfaswellasonmyfri'nds;orwithouthearing,whichwouldhavetotallyonqualifiedmeforevercampaigningorscouting;whichIlookforwardtoaspartofaman'sdutyintroublesometimes.Yes,yes;it'snotpleasant,Iwillallow,toseethemthat'smorecomely,andmoresoughta'ter,andhonoredthanyourself;butitmayallbeborne,ifamanlookstheevilin

theface,anddon'tmistakehisgiftsandhisobligations."

Hurry,inthemain,wasagood-heartedaswellasgood-naturedfellow;andtheself-abasementofhiscompanioncompletelygotthebetterofthepassingfeelingofpersonalvanity.Heregrettedtheallusionhehadmadetotheother'sappearance,andendeavoredtoexpressasmuch,thoughitwasdoneintheuncouthmannerthatbelongedtothehabitsandopinionsofthefrontier.

"Imeantnoharm,Deerslayer,"heanswered,inadeprecatingmanner,"andhopeyou'llforgetwhatI'vesaid.Ifyou'renotdownrighthandsome,you'veasartainlookthatsays,plainerthananywords,thatall'srightwithin.Thenyousetnovaluebylooks,

andwillthesoonerforgiveanylittleslighttoyourappearance.IwillnotsaythatJudewillgreatlyadmireyou,forthatmightraisehopesthatwouldonlybreeddisapp'intment;butthere'sHetty,now,wouldbejustaslikelytofindsatisfactioninlookingatyou,asinlookingatanyotherman.Thenyou'realtogethertoograveandconsiderate-like,tocaremuchaboutJudith;for,thoughthegalisoncommon,sheissogeneralinheradmiration,thatamanneednotbeexaltedbecauseshehappenstosmile.Isometimesthinkthehussylovesherselfbetterthanshedoesanythingelsebreathin'."


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"Ifshedid,Hurry,she'ddonomore,I'mafeard,thanmostqueensontheirthrones,andladiesinthetowns,"answeredDeerslayer,smiling,andturningbacktowardshiscompanionwitheverytraceoffeelingbanishedfromhishonest-lookingandfrankcountenance."Ineveryetknow'devenaDelawareofwhomyoumightnotsaythatmuch.Buthereistheendofthelongp'intyoumentioned,andthe'Rat'sCove'can'tbefaroff."

Thispoint,insteadofthrustingitselfforward,likealltheothers,raninalinewiththemainshoreofthelake,whichheresweptwithinit,inadeepandretiredbay,circlingroundsouthagain,atthedistanceofaquarterofamile,andcrossedthevalley,formingthesouthernterminationofthewater.InthisbayHurryfeltalmostcertainoffindingtheark,since,anchoredbehindthetreesthatcoveredthenarrowstripofthepoint,itmighthavelainconcealedfrompryingeyesanentiresummer.Socomplete,indeed,wasthecover,inthisspot,thataboathauledclosetothebeach,withinthepoint,andnearthebottomofthebay,couldbyanypossibilitybeseenfromonlyonedirection;andthatwasfromadenselywoodedshorewithinthesweepofthewater,wherestrangerswouldbelittleapttogo.

"Weshallsoonseetheark,"saidHurry,asthecanoeglidedround

theextremityofthepoint,wherethewaterwassodeepasactuallytoappearblack;"helovestoburrowupamongtherushes,andweshallbeinhisnestinfiveminutes,althoughtheoldfellowmaybeoffamongthetrapshimself."

Marchprovedafalseprophet.Thecanoecompletelydoubledthepoint,soastoenablethetwotravellerstocommandaviewofthewholecoveorbay,foritwasmoreproperlythelast,andnoobject,butthosethatnaturehadplacedthere,becamevisible.Theplacidwatersweptroundinagracefulcurve,therushesbentgentlytowardsitssurface,andthetreesoverhungitasusual;butalllayinthesoothingandsublimesolitudeofawilderness.Thescenewassuchasapoetoranartistwouldhavedelightedin,

butithadnocharmforHurryHarry,whowasburningwithimpatiencetogetasightofhislight-mindedbeauty.

Themotionofthecanoehadbeenattendedwithlittleornonoise,thefrontiermenhabituallygettingaccustomedtocautioninmostoftheirmovements,anditnowlayontheglassywaterappearingtofloatinair,partakingofthebreathingstillnessthatseemedtopervadetheentirescene.Atthisinstantadrystickwasheardcrackingonthenarrowstripoflandthatconcealedthebayfromtheopenlake.Boththeadventurersstarted,andeachextendedahandtowardshisrifle,theweaponneverbeingoutofreachofthearm.

"'Twastooheavyforanylightcreatur',"whisperedHurry,"anditsoundedlikethetreadofaman!"

"Notso-notso,"returnedDeerslayer;"'twas,asyousay,tooheavyforone,butitwastoolightfortheother.Putyourpaddleinthewater,andsendthecanoein,tothatlog;I'lllandandcutoffthecreatur'sretreatupthep'int,beitaMingo,orbeitamuskrat."

AsHurrycomplied,Deerslayerwassoonontheshore,advancinginto


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thethicketwithamoccasinedfoot,andacautionthatpreventedtheleastnoise.Inaminutehewasinthecentreofthenarrowstripofland,andmovingslowlydowntowardsitsend,thebushesrenderingextremewatchfulnessnecessary.Justasbereachedthecentreofthethicketthedriedtwigscrackedagain,andthenoisewasrepeatedatshortintervals,asifsomecreaturehavinglifewalkedslowlytowardsthepoint.Hurryheardthesesoundsalso,andpushingthecanoeoffintothebay,heseizedhisrifletowatchtheresult.Abreathlessminutesucceeded,afterwhichanoblebuckwalkedoutofthethicket,proceededwithastatelysteptothesandyextremityofthepoint,andbegantoslakehisthirstfromthewaterofthelake.Hurryhesitatedaninstant;thenraisinghisriflehastilytohisshoulder,hetooksightandfired.Theeffectofthissuddeninterruptionofthesolemnstillnessofsuchascenewasnotitsleaststrikingpeculiarity.Thereportoftheweaponhadtheusualsharp,shortsoundoftherifle:butwhenafewmomentsofsilencehadsucceededthesuddencrack,duringwhichthenoisewasfloatinginairacrossthewater,itreachedtherocksoftheoppositemountain,wherethevibrationsaccumulated,andwererolledfromcavitytocavityformilesalongthehills,seemingtoawakenthesleepingthundersofthewoods.Thebuckmerelyshookhisheadatthereportoftherifleandthewhistlingofthebullet,forneverbeforehadhecomeincontactwithman;buttheechoesofthehillsawakenedhisdistrust,andleaping

forward,withhisfourlegsdrawnunderhisbody,hefellatonceintodeepwater,andbegantoswimtowardsthefootofthelake.Hurryshoutedanddashedforwardinchase,andforoneortwominutesthewaterfoamedaroundthepursuerandthepursued.Theformerwasdashingpastthepoint,whenDeerslayerappearedonthesandandsignedtohimtoreturn.

"'Twasinconsideratetopullatrigger,aforewehadreconn'itredtheshore,andmadesartainthatnoinimiesharborednearit,"saidthelatter,ashiscompanionslowlyandreluctantlycomplied."ThismuchIhavel'arnedfromtheDelawares,inthewayofschoolingandtraditions,eventhoughI'veneveryetbeenonawar-path.And,moreover,venisoncanhardlybecalledinseasonnow,andwedo

notwantforfood.TheycallmeDeerslayer,I'llown,andperhapsIdesarvethename,inthewayofunderstandingthecreatur'shabits,aswellasforsomesartaintyintheaim,buttheycan'taccusemeofkillingananimalwhenthereisnooccasionforthemeat,ortheskin.Imaybeaslayer,it'strue,butI'mnoslaughterer."

"'Twasanawfulmistaketomissthatbuck!"exclaimedHurry,doffinghiscapandrunninghisfingersthroughhisha

The Deerslayer by Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

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