 CHAPTER XIII. An oaken, broken elbow chair, a coddle-cup without an ear, a battered, shattered ash bedstead, a box of deal without a lid, a pair of tongs but out of joint, a back-sword poker without point, a dish which might good meat afford once, an avid and an old concordance. Thomas Sheridan, a true and faithful inventory of the goods belonging to Dr. Swift. CHAPTER XI. No sooner did Deer Slayer raise the pistols than he turned to the Delaware and held them up for his admiration. Child Gun, said the serpent, smiling, while he handled one of the instruments as if it had been a toy. Not hit, serpent! Not hit! It was made for a man and would satisfy a giant if rightly used. But stop! White men are remarkable for their carelessness in putting away firearms, in chists and corners. Let me look if care has been given to these. As Deer Slayer spoke he took the weapon from the hand of his friend and opened the pan. The last was filled with priming, caked like a bit of cinder, by time, moisture and compression. An application of the ramrod showed that both the pistols were charged, although Judith could testify that they had probably lain for years in the chest. It is not easy to portray the surprise of the Indian at this discovery, for he was in the practice of renewing his priming daily and of looking to the contents of his piece at other short intervals. This is white neglect, said Deer Slayer, shaking his head, and scarce a season goes by that someone in the settlements doesn't suffer from it. It's extraordinary too, Judith, yes. It's downright extraordinary that the owner shall fire his piece at a deer or some other game, or perhaps at an enemy, and twice out of three times he'll miss. But let him catch an accident with one of these forgotten charges, and he makes it certain death to a child or a brother or a friend. Well, we shall do a good turn to the owner if we fire these pistols for him, and as their novelties to you and me, Sarpent, we'll try our hands at a mark. Fresh in that priming, and I'll do the same with this, and then we'll see who is the best man with the pistol. As for the rifle, that's long been settled between us. Deer Slayer laughed heartily at his own conceit, and in a minute or two they were both standing on the platform selecting some object in the ark for their target. Judith was led by curiosity to their side. Stand back, Gal, stand a little back. These weapons have been long loaded, said Deer Slayer, and some accident may happen in the discharge. Then you shall not fire them, give them both to the Delaware, or it would be better to unload them without firing. That's again usage, and some people say again manhood. Though I hold to know such silly doctrine, we must fire him, Judith. Yes, we must fire him. Though I foresee that neither will have any great reason to boast of his skill. Judith in the main was a girl of great personal spirit, and her habits prevented her from feeling any of the terror that is apt to come over her sex at the report of firearms. She had discharged many a rifle, and had even been known to kill a deer under circumstances that were favorable to the effort. She submitted, therefore, falling a little back by the side of Deer Slayer, giving the Indian the front of the platform to himself. Chingich Kuk raised the weapon several times, and ever to study it by using both hands changed his attitude from one that was awkward to another still more so, and finally drew the trigger with a sort of desperate indifference, without having in reality secured any aim at all. The consequence was that instead of hitting the knot which had been selected for the mark, he missed the arc altogether. The bullet skipping along the water, like a stone that was thrown by hand. Well done, serpent, well done, cried Deer Slayer, laughing, with his noiseless glee. You've hit the lake, and that's an exploit for some men. I note it, and as much as said it, here to Judith, for your short weapons don't belong to red-skinned gifts. You've hit the lake, and that's better than only hitting the air. Now stand back and let us see what white gifts can do with a white weapon. A pistol isn't a rifle, but color is color. The aim of Deer Slayer was both quick and steady, and the report followed almost as soon as the weapon rose. Still the pistol hung fire, as it is termed, and fragments of it flew in a dozen directions, some falling on the roof of the castle, others in the arc, and one in the water. Judith screamed, and when the two men turned anxiously towards the girl, she was as pale as death, trembling in every limb. She's wounded, yes, the poor girl's wounded, serpent, though one couldn't foresee it, standing where she did. We'll lead her into a seat, and we must do the best for her that our knowledge and skill can afford. Judith allowed herself to be supported to a seat, swallowed a mouth full of the water that the Delaware offered her in a gourd, and, after a violent fit of trembling that seemed ready to shake her fine frame to dissolution, she burst into tears. The pain must be borne, poor Judith, yes, it must be borne, said Deer Slayer soothingly, though I am far from wishing you not to weep, for weeping often lightens gallish feelings. Where can she be hurt, serpent? I see no signs of blood, nor any rent of skin or garments. I am uninjured, Deer Slayer, stammered the girl through her tears. It's fright, nothing more. I do assure you, and, God be praised, no one I find has been harmed by the accident. This is extraordinary, exclaimed the unsuspecting and simple-minded hunter. I thought, Judith, you'd been above settlement weaknesses, and that you was a gal not to be frightened by the sound of a bursting weapon. No, I didn't think you so scary, had he might well have been startled, but you've too much judgment and reason to be frightened when the danger's all over. They're pleasant to the eye, chief, and changeful, but very uncertain in their feelings. Shame kept Judith silent. There had been no acting in her agitation, but all had fairly proceeded from sudden and uncontrollable alarm, an alarm that she found almost as inexplicable to herself as it proved to be to her companions. Wiping away the traces of tears, however, she smiled again, and was soon able to join in the laugh at her own folly. And you, dear Slayer, she at length succeeded in saying, are you indeed altogether unhurt? It seems almost miraculous that a pistol should have burst in your hand, and you escape without the loss of a limb, if not of life. Such wonders aren't uncommon at all among worn-out arms. The first rifle they gave me played the same trick, and yet I lived through it, though not as unharmless as I've got out of this affair. Thomas Hutter is master of one pistol less than he was this morning, but as it happened in trying to serve him, there's no ground of complaint. Now, draw near, and let us look farther into the inside of the chist. Judith by this time had so far gotten the better of her agitation as to resume her seat, and the examination went on. The next article that offered was enveloped in cloth, and on opening it it proved to be one of the mathematical instruments that were then in use among seamen, possessing the usual ornaments and fastenings in brass. Dear Slayer and Chingich Guk expressed their admiration and surprise at the appearance of the unknown instrument, which was bright and glistening, having apparently been well cared for. This goes beyond the surveyors, Judith, dear Slayer exclaimed, after turning the instrument several times in his hands, I've seen all their tools often, and wicked and heartless enough are they, for they never come into the forest but to lead the way to waste and destruction. But none of them have as designing a look as this. I fear me, after all, that Thomas Hutter is journeyed into the wilderness with no fair intentions towards its happiness. Did you ever see any of the cravings of a surveyor about your father, Gal? He is no surveyor, dear Slayer, nor does he know the use of that instrument, though he seems to own it. Do you suppose that Thomas Hutter ever wore that coat? It is as much too large for him as this instrument is beyond his learning. That's it. That must be it, Sarpent, and the old fellow by some unknown means has fallen heir to another man's goods. They say he has been a mariner, and no doubt this chest and all it holds. Ha! What have we here? This far out does the brass and black wood of the tool. Dear Slayer had opened a small bag from which he was taking one by one. The pieces of a set of chessmen, they were of ivory, much larger than common, and exquisitely wrought. Each piece represented the character or thing after which it is named, the knights being mounted, the castle stood on elephants, and even the pawns possessed the heads and busts of men. The set was not complete, and a few fractures betrayed bad usage, but all that was left had been carefully put away and preserved. Even Judith expressed wonder, as these novel objects were placed before her eyes, and Chingich Kuk fairly forgot his Indian dignity in admiration and delight. The latter took up each piece and examined it with never tiring satisfaction, pointing out to the girl the more ingenious and striking portions of the workmanship. But the elephants gave him the greatest pleasure. The huss that he uttered as he passed his fingers over their trunks and ears and tails were very distinct, nor did he fail to note the pawns, which were armed as archers. This exhibition lasted several minutes, during which time Judith and the Indian had all the rapture to themselves. Dear Slayer sat silent, thoughtful, and even gloomy, though his eyes followed each movement of the two principal actors, noting every new peculiarity about the pieces as they were held up to view. Not an exclamation of pleasure, nor a word of condemnation passed his lips. At length his companions observed his silence, and then for the first time since the chessmen had been discovered, did he speak. Judith, he asked earnestly, but with a concern that amounted almost to tenderness of manner, did your parents ever talk to you of religion? The girl colored, and the flashes of crimson that passed over her beautiful countenance were like the wayward tints of a Neapolitan sky in November. Dear Slayer had given her so strong a taste for truth, however, that she did not waver in her answer, replying simply and with sincerity. My mother did often, she said, my father never. I thought it made my mother sorrowful to speak of our prayers and duties. But my father has never opened his mouth on such matters, before or since her death. That I can believe, that I can believe, he has no God, no such God as it becomes a man of white skin to worship, or even a red skin. Then things are idols. Judith started, and for a moment she seemed seriously hurt. Then she reflected, and in the end she laughed. And you think, dear Slayer, that these ivory toys are my father's gods? I have heard of idols, and know what they are. Them are idols, repeated the other positively. Why should your father keep him, if he doesn't worship him? Would he keep his gods in a bag and locked up in a chest? No, no, dear Slayer, my poor father carries his god with him, wherever he goes, and that is in his own cravings. These things may really be idols, I think they are myself, from what I have heard and read of idolatry, but they have come from some distant country, and like all the other articles, have fallen into Thomas Hutter's hands when he was a sailor. I am glad of it. I am downright glad to hear it, Judith, for I do not think I could have mustered the resolution to strive to help a white idolater out of his difficulties. The old man is of my color and nation, and I wish to serve him, but as one who denied all his gifts in the way of religion, it would have come hard to do so. That animal seems to give you great satisfaction, Sarpent, though it's an idolatrous beast at the best. It is an elephant, interrupted Judith. I've often seen pictures of such animals at the garrisons, and Mother had a book in which there was a printed account of the creature. Father burnt that with all the other books, for he said Mother loved reading too well. This was not long before Mother died, and I have sometimes thought that the loss hastened her end. This was said equally without levity and without any very deep feeling. It was said without levity, for Judith was saddened by her recollections, and yet she had been too much accustomed to live for self and for the indulgence of her own vanities to feel her Mother's wrongs very keenly. It required extraordinary circumstances to awaken a proper sense of her situation and to stimulate the better feelings of this beautiful but misguided girl, and those circumstances had not yet occurred in her brief existence. Elephant or no elephant is an idol, returned the hunter, and not fit to remain in Christian keeping. Good for Iroquois, said Shingoch Cook, parting with one of the castles with reluctance as his friend took it from him to replace it in the bag. Elephant by whole tribe, by Delaware almost. I, that it would, as any one who comprehends red-skinned nature must know, as a deerslayer, but the man that passes false money, serpent, is as bad as he who makes it. Did you ever know a just engine that wouldn't scorn to sell a coon skin for the true Martin, or to pass off a mink for a beaver? I know that a few of these idols, perhaps one of them elephants, would go far towards buying Thomas Hutter's liberty, but it goes again conscious to pass such counterfeit money. Perhaps no engine tribe, Iroquois, is downright idolaters, but there's some that come so near it that white gifts ought to be particular about encouraging them in their mistake. If idolatry is a gift, deerslayer, and gifts are what you seem to think them, idolatry in such people can hardly be a sin, said Judith, with more smartness than discrimination. God grants no such gifts to any of his creatures, Judith. Return the hunter seriously. He must be adored under some name or other, and not creatures of brass or ivory. It matters not whether the Father of all is called God, or Manitou, deity, or great spirit. He is nonetheless our common maker and master, nor does it count for much whether the souls of the just go to paradise or happy hunting grounds, since he may send each his own way, as suits his own pleasure and wisdom. But it curdles my blood, when I find human mortals so bound up in darkness and consate, as to fashion the earth or wood or bones, things made by their own hands, into motionless senseless effigies, and then fall down before them, and worship them as a deity. After all, deerslayer, these pieces of ivory may not be idols at all. I remember now to have seen one of the officers at the garrison with a set of fox and geese made in some such a design as these. And here is something hard, wrapped in cloth, that may belong to your idols. Deerslayer took the bundle the girl gave him, and unrolling it, he found the board within. Like the pieces it was large, rich, and inlaid with ebony and ivory. Putting the hole in conjunction, the hunter, though not without many misgivings, slowly came over to Judith's opinion, and finally admitted that the fancied idols must be merely the curiously carved man of some unknown game. Judith had the tact to use her victory with great moderation, nor did she once, even in the most indirect manner, allude to the ludicrous mistake of her companion. This discovery of the uses of the extraordinary-looking little images settled the affair of the proposed ransom. It was agreed generally, and all understood the weaknesses and tastes of Indians, that nothing could be more likely to tempt the cupidity of the Iroquois than the elephants, in particular. Luckily the whole of the castles were among the pieces, and these four tower-bearing animals it was finally determined should be the ransom offered. The remainder of the men, and indeed all the rest of the articles in the chest, were to be kept out of view, and to be resorted to only as a last appeal. As soon as these preliminaries were settled, everything but those intended for the bribe was carefully replaced in the chest. All the covers were tucked in as they had been found, and it was quite possible, could Hutter have been put in possession of the castle again, that he might have passed the remainder of his days in it without even suspecting the invasion that had been made on the privacy of the chest. The rent pistol would have been the most likely to reveal the secret, but this was placed by the side of its fellow, and all were pressed down as before, some half a dozen packages in the bottom of the chest, not having been opened at all. When this was done the lid was lowered, the padlocks replaced, and the key turned. The latter was then replaced in the pocket from which it had been taken. More than an hour was consumed in settling the course proper to be pursued, and in returning everything to its place, the pauses to converse were frequent, and Judith, who experienced a lively pleasure in the open, undisguised admiration with which dear Slayer's honest eyes gazed at her handsome face, found the means to prolong the interview, with a dexterity that seems to be innate in female coquetry. Dear Slayer indeed appeared to be the first who was conscious of the time that had been thus wasted, and to call the attention of his companion to the necessity of doing something towards putting the plan of ransoming into execution. Chingochuk had remained in Hutter's bedroom, where the elephants were laid, to feast his eyes with the images of animals so wonderful and so novel. Perhaps an instinct told him that his presence would not be as acceptable to his companions as this holding himself aloof, for Judith had not much reserve in the manifestations of her preferences, and the Delaware had not got so far as one betrothed without acquiring some knowledge of the symptoms of the master-passion. Well, Judith, said dear Slayer, rising after the interview had lasted much longer than even he himself suspected, to his pleasant conversing with you and settling all these matters, but duty calls us another way. All this time hurry and your father, not to say hattie—the word was cut short in the speaker's mouth—for at that critical moment a light step was heard on the platform, or courtyard, a human figure darkened the doorway, and the person last mention stood before him. The low exclamation that escaped dear Slayer and the slight scream of Judith were hardly uttered when an Indian youth between the ages of fifteen and seventeen stood beside her. These two entrances had been made with moccasin feet and consequently almost without noise, but unexpected and stealthy as they were they had not the effect to disturb dear Slayer's self-possession. His first measure was to speak rapidly in Delaware to his friend, cautioning him to keep out of sight, while he stood on his guard. The second was to step to the door to ascertain the extent of the danger. No one else, however, had come, and a simple contrivance in the shape of a raft that lay floating at the side of the ark at once explained the means that had been used in bringing hattie off. Two dead and dry and consequently buoyant logs of pine were bound together with pins and wives, and a little platform of riven chestnut had been rudely placed on their surfaces. Here hattie had been seated, on a billet of wood, while the young Iroquois had rode the primitive and slow-moving but perfectly safe craft from the shore. As soon as dear Slayer had taken a close survey of this raft, and satisfied himself nothing else was near, he shook his head and muttered in his soliloquizing way, this comes up prying into another man's chest. Had we been watchful and keen-eyed, such a surprise could never have happened, and getting this much from a boy teaches us what we may expect when the old warriors set themselves fairly about their circumventions. It opens the way, house ever, to a treaty for the ransom, and I will hear what hattie has to say. Judith, as soon as her surprise and alarm had a little abated, discovered a proper share of affectionate joy at the return of her sister. She folded her to her bosom and kissed her as had been her want in the days of their childhood innocence. Hattie herself was less affected, for to her there was no surprise, and her nerves were sustained by the purity and holiness of her purpose. At her sister's request she took a seat, and entered into an account of her adventures since they had parted. Her tale commenced just as dear Slayer returned, and he also became an attentive listener. While the young Iroquois stood near the door, seemingly as indifferent to what was passing as one of its posts. The narrative of the girl was sufficiently clear until she reached the time where we left her in the camp, after the interview with the Chiefs, and at the moment when Hist quitted her in the abrupt manner already related. The sequel of the story may be told in her own language. When I read the texts to the Chiefs, Judith, you could not have seen that they made any changes on their minds, she said. But if seed is planted it will grow. God planted the seeds of all these trees. I, that he did, that he did, muttered dear Slayer, and a goodly harvest has followed. God planted the seeds of all these trees, continued Hetty, after a moment's pause, and you see to what a height and shade they have grown. So it is with the Bible. You may read a verse this year and forget it, and it will come back to you a year hence, when you least expect to remember it. And did you find anything of this among the savages, poor Hetty? Yes, Judith, and sooner and more fully than I had even hoped. I did not stay long with father and hurry, but went to get my breakfast with Hist. As soon as we had done, the Chiefs came to us, and then we found the fruits of the seed that have been planted. They said, what I had read from the Good Book was right, it must be right, it sounded right, like a sweet bird singing in their ears. And they told me to come back and say as much to the great warrior who had slain one of their braves, and to tell it to you, and to say how happy they should be to come to church here, in the castle, or to come out in the sun and hear me read more of the sacred volume, and to tell you that they wish you would lend them some canoes, that they can bring father and hurry and their women to the castle, that we might all sit on the platform there and listen to the singing of the pale-faced manatee. There, Judith, did you ever know of anything that so plainly shows the power of the Bible as that? If it were true, it would be a miracle indeed, Hetty, but all this is no more than Indian cunning and Indian treachery, striving to get the better of us by management, when they find it is not to be done by force. Do you doubt the Bible, sister, that you judge the savages so harshly? I do not doubt the Bible, poor Hetty, but I much doubt an Indian and an Iroquois. What do you say to this visit, dear Slayer? First let me talk a little with Hetty, return the party appealed to. Was the raft made after you had got your breakfast gal, and did you walk from the camp to the shore opposite to us here? Oh no, dear Slayer, the raft was ready made and in the water. Could that have been by a miracle, Judith? Yes, yes, an Indian miracle, rejoined the hunter. They're expert enough in them sort of miracles, and you found the raft ready made to your hands and in the water, and in waiting like for its cargo? It was all as you say, the raft was near the camp, and the Indians put me on it and had ropes of bark, and they dragged me to the place opposite to the castle, and then they told that young man to row me off here. And the woods are full of the vagabonds waiting to know what is to be the upshot of the miracle. We comprehend this affair now, Judith. But I'll first get rid of this young Canada bloodsucker, and then we'll settle our own course. Do you and Hetty leave us together, first bringing me the elephants, which the serpent is admiring, for it will never do to let this loping deer be alone a minute, or he'll borrow a canoe without asking? Judith did as desired, first bringing the pieces, and retiring with her sister into their own room. Dear Slayer had acquired some knowledge of most of the Indian dialects of that region, and he knew enough of the Iroquois to hold a dialogue in the language. Beckoning to the lad, therefore, he caused him to take a seat on the chest, when he placed two of the castles suddenly before him. Up to that moment this youthful savage had not expressed a single intelligible emotion, or fancy. There were many things in and about the place that were novelties to him, but he had maintained his self-command with philosophical composure. It is true, dear Slayer had detected his dark eyes scanning the defences and the arms, but the scrutiny had been made with such an air of innocence in such a gaping, indolent, boyish manner, that no one but a man who had himself been taught in a similar school would have even suspected his object. The instant, however, the eyes of the savage fell upon the wrought ivory and the images of the wonderful unknown beasts. Surprise and admiration got the mastery of him. The manner in which the natives of the South Sea islands first beheld the toys of civilized life has been often described, but the reader is not too confounded with the manner of an American Indian under similar circumstances. In this particular case the young Iroquois, or Huron, permitted an exclamation of rapture to escape him, and then he checked himself like one who had been guilty of an indecorum. After this his eyes ceased to wander but became riveted on the elephants, one of which after a short hesitation he even presumed to handle. Dear Slayer did not interrupt him for quite ten minutes, knowing that the lad was taking such note of the curiosities as would enable him to give the most minute and accurate description of their appearance to his seniors on his return. When he thought sufficient time had been allowed to produce the desired effect, the hunter laid a finger on the naked knee of the youth and drew his attention to himself. Listen, he said, I want to talk with my young friend from the Canada's. Let him forget that wonder for a minute. Where to other pale brother demanded the boy, looking up and letting the idea that had been most prominent in his mind previously to the introduction of the chessmen, escape him involuntarily. He sleeps, or if he isn't fairly asleep he is in the room where the men do sleep. Returned, dear Slayer. How did my young friend know there was another? See him from the shore. Iroquois have got long eyes. See beyond the clouds. See the bottom of the great spring. Well, the Iroquois are welcome. Two pale faces are prisoners in the camp of your father's boy. The lad nodded, treating the circumstance with great apparent indifference, though a moment after he laughed as if exulting in the superior address of his own tribe. Can you tell me, boy, what your chiefs intend to do with these captives, or haven't they yet made up their minds? The lad looked a moment at the hunter with a little surprise. Then he coolly put the end of his forefinger on his own head just above the left ear, and passed it round his crown. With an accuracy and readiness that showed how well he had been drilled in the peculiar art of his race. When, demanded dear Slayer, whose gorge rose at this cool demonstration of indifference to human life, and why not take them to your wigwams? Road too long, and full of pale faces, wigwam full, and scalps sell high, small scalp, much gold. Well, that explains it, yes, that does explain it. There's no need of being any planer. Now you know, lad, that the oldest of your prisoners is the father of these two young women, and the other is the suitor of one of them. The gals naturally wished to save the scalps of such friends, and they will give them two ivory creatures as ransom, one for each scalp. Go back and tell this to your chiefs, and bring me the answer before the sun sets. The boy entered zealously into this project, and with a sincerity that left no doubt of his executing his commission with intelligence and promptitude. For a moment he forgot his love of honor, and all his clannish hostility to the British and their Indians, in his wish to have such a treasure in his tribe, and dear Slayer was satisfied with the impression he had made. It is true the lad proposed to carry one of the elephants with him as a specimen. But to this his brother negotiator was too sagacious to consent, while knowing that it might never reach its destination if confided to such hands. This little difficulty was soon arranged, and the boy prepared to depart. As he stood on the platform ready to step aboard of the raft, he hesitated, and turned short with a proposal to borrow a canoe, as the means most likely to shorten the negotiations. Dear Slayer, quietly refused the request, and after lingering a little longer the boy rode slowly away from the castle, taking the direction of a thicket on the shore that lay less than half a mile distant. Dear Slayer seated himself on a stool, and watched the progress of the ambassador, sometimes closely scanning the whole line of shore, as far as I could reach, and then placing an elbow on a knee he remained a long time with his chin resting on the hand. During the interview between Dear Slayer and the lad, a different scene took place in the adjoining room. Had he had inquired for the Delaware, and being told why and where he remained concealed, she joined him. The reception which Chingachuk gave his visitor was respectful and gentle. He understood her character, and no doubt his disposition to be kind to such a being was decreased by the hope of learning some tidings of his betrothed. As soon as the girl entered she took a seat, and invited the Indian to place himself near her. Then she continued silent, as if she thought it decorous for him to question her. Before she consented to speak on the subject she had in her mind. But, as Chingachuk did not understand this feeling, he remained respectfully attentive to anything she might be pleased to tell him. You are Chingachuk, the great serpent of the Delaware's, aren't you, the girl at length commenced, in her own simple way losing her self-command in the desire to proceed, but anxious first to make sure of the individual. Chingachuk returned the Delaware with grave dignity. That say, great serpent, in Dear Slayer tongue. Well, that is my tongue. Dear Slayer and father and Judith and I, and poor Harry Harry, do you know Henry March, great serpent? I know you don't, however, or he would have spoken of you, too. Did any tongue name Chingachuk, drooping Lily, for so the chief had named poor Hetty? Was his name sung by a little bird among Iroquois? Hetty did not answer at first, but with that indescribable feeling that awakens sympathy and intelligence among the youthful and unpracticed of her sex, she hung her head and the blood suffused her cheek ere she found her tongue. It would have exceeded her stock of intelligence to explain this embarrassment. But, though poor Hetty could not reason, on every emergency, she could always feel. The color slowly receded from her cheeks, and the girl looked up archly at the Indian, smiling with the innocence of a child mingled with the interest of a woman. My sister, the drooping Lily, hear such bird, Chingachuk added, and this with the gentleness of tone and manner that would have astonished those who sometimes heard the discordant cries that often came from the same throat. These transitions from the harsh and guttural to the soft and melodious not being infrequent in ordinary Indian dialogues. My sister's ears were open. Has she lost her tongue? You are Chingachuk. You must be, for there is no other red man here. And she thought Chingachuk would come. Chingachuk, pronouncing the name slowly and dwelling on each syllable, great serpent, Yankee's tongue. It is singular there should be any question concerning the origin of the well-known sobriquet of Yankees. Nearly all the old writers who speak of the Indians first known to the colonists make them pronounce the word English as Yankees. Even at this day it is a provincialism of New England to say English instead of English. And there is a close conformity of sound between English and Yankees, more especially if the latter word, as was probably the case, be pronounced short. The transition from Yankees, thus pronounced, to Yankees is quite easy. If the former is pronounced Yangus, it is almost identical with Yankees, and Indian words have seldom been spelt as they are pronounced. Thus the scene of this tale is spelt atsego, and is properly pronounced atsego. The liquids of the Indians would easily convert N into Yen. Chingachuk repeated Hetty in the same deliberate manner. Yes, so HIST called it, and you must be the chief. Watawa added the Delaware. Watawa, or histohist. I think HIST prettier than WA, and so I call her HIST. WA very sweet in Delaware ears. You make it sound differently from me, but never mind. I did hear the bird you speak of sing, great serpent. Will my sister say words of song? What she sing most? How she look? Often she laugh? She sing Chingachuk oftener than anything else. And she laughed heartily, when I told how the Iroquois waited into the water after us, and couldn't catch us. I hope these logs haven't ears, serpent. No fear logs. Fear sister next room. No fear Iroquois. Deer slayer stuff his eyes and ears with strange beast. I understand you, serpent, and I understood HIST. Sometimes I think I'm not half as feeble-minded as they say I am. Now, do you look up at the roof, and I'll tell you all, but you frighten me. You look so eager when I speak of HIST. The Indian controlled his looks and affected to comply with the simple request of the girl. HIST told me to say in a very low voice that you mustn't trust the Iroquois in anything. They are more artful than any Indians she knows. Then she says that there is a large bright star that comes over the hill about an hour after dark. HIST had pointed out the planet Jupiter without knowing it, and just as that star comes in sight she will be on the point where I landed last night, and that you must come for her in a canoe. Good! Chingich Kuk understand well enough now, but he understand better if my sisters sing him again. Had he repeated her words more fully explaining what star was meant, and mentioning the part of the point where he was to venture ashore. She now proceeded in her own unsophisticated way to relate her intercourse with the Indian maid, and to repeat several of her expressions and opinions that gave great delight to the heart of her betrothed. She particularly renewed her injunctions to be on their guard against treachery. A warning that was scarcely needed, however, has addressed to men as wary as those to whom it was sent. She also explained with sufficient clearness for on all such subjects the mind of the girl seldom failed her, the present state of the enemy and the movements they had made since morning. HIST had been on the raft with her until it quitted the shore and was now somewhere in the woods opposite to the castle, and did not intend to return to the camp until night approached. When she hoped to be able to slip away from her companions as they followed the shore on their way home and conceal herself on the point. No one appeared to suspect the presence of Chingachukh, though it was necessarily known that an Indian had entered the ark the previous night, and it was suspected that he had since appeared in and about the castle in the dress of a pale face. Still some little doubt existed on the latter point, for as this was the season when white men might be expected to arrive, there was some fear that the garrison of the castle was increasing by these ordinary means. All this had HIST communicated to Hattie while the Indians were dragging them along shore, the distance which exceeded six miles, affording abundance of time. HIST don't know herself whether they suspect her or not, or whether they suspect you, but she hopes neither is the case, and now serpent, since I have told you so much from your betrothed, continued Hattie unconsciously taking one of the Indians' hands and playing with the fingers as a child is often seen to play with those of a parent. You must let me tell you something from myself. When you marry HIST, you must be kind to her and smile on her as you do now on me and not look cross as some of the chiefs do with their squaws. Will you promise this? All way good to wha! Too tender to twist hard it, else she break. Yes, and smile too. You don't know how much a girl craves smiles from them she loves. Father scarce smiled on me once while I was with him, and hurry, yes, hurry talked loud and laughed, but I don't think he smiled once either. You know the difference between a smile and a laugh? Laugh best, hear while laugh think birds sing. I know that. Her laugh is pleasant, but you must smile, and then, Serpent, you mustn't make her carry birthings and hoe corn as so many Indians do, but treat her more as the palefaces treat their wives. What do I know paleface? Got red skin, red heart, red feelings, all red, no paleface, must carry papoose. Every woman is willing to carry her child, said Hattie, smiling, and there is no harm in that, but you must love Hiss and be gentle and good to her, for she is gentle and good herself. Chingoch Cook gravely bowed, and then he seemed to think this part of the subject might be dismissed. Before there was time for Hattie to resume her communications, the voice of Dearslayer was heard calling on his friend in the outer room. At this summons the Serpent rose to obey, and Hattie joined her sister. CHAPTER XIV A stranger animal, cries one, sure never lived beneath the sun. A lizard's body, lean and long, a fish's head, a serpent's tongue, its foot with triple claw disjoined, and what a length of tail behind. James Merrick, the chameleon, XI, lines XXI through XXVI. The first act of the Delaware on rejoining his friend was to proceed gravely to disencomber himself of his civilized attire, and to stand forth an Indian warrior again. The rest of Dearslayer was met by his communicating the fact that the presence of an Indian in the hut was known to the Iroquois, and that maintaining the disguise would be more likely to direct suspicions to his real object than if he came out openly as a member of a hostile tribe. When the latter understood the truth and was told that he had been deceived in supposing the chief had succeeded in entering the Ark undiscovered, he carefully consented to the village, since further attempt at concealment was useless. A gentler feeling than the one avowed, however, lay at the bottom of the Indian's desire to appear as a son of the forest. He had been told that HIST was on the opposite shore, and nature so far triumphed over all distinctions of habit and tribes and people as to reduce this young savage warrior to the level of a feeling which would have been found in the most refined inhabitant of a town under similar circumstances. There was a mild satisfaction in believing that she he loved could see him, and as he walked out on the platform in his scanty native attire, an Apollo of the wilderness, a hundred of the tender fancies that fleet through lover's brains beset his imagination and softened his heart. All this was lost on Dearslayer, who was no great adept in the mysteries of Cupid, but whose mind was far more occupied with the concerns that forced themselves on his attention than with any of the truant fancies of love. He soon recalled his companion, therefore, to a sense of their actual condition by summoning him to a sort of council of war in which they were to settle their future course. In the dialogue that followed the parties mutually made each other acquainted with what had passed in their several interviews. Chingoch Cook was told the history of the treaty about the ransom, and Dearslayer heard the whole of Hetty's communications. The latter listened with generous interest to his friend's hopes, and promised cheerfully all the assistance he could lend. "'Tis our main ironed, Sarpent, as you know, this battling for the castle and old hutter's darters, coming in as a sort of accident. Yes. Yes. I'll be active in helping Little Hist, who's not only one of the best and handsomest maidens of the tribe, but the very best and handsomest. I've always encouraged you, Chief, in that liking. And it's proper, too, that a great and ancient race like yours shouldn't come to an end. If a woman of red skin and red gifts could get to be near enough to me to wish her for a wife, I'd search for just such another. But that can never be. No, that can never be. I'm glad Hetty has met with Hist, however, for though the first is a little short of wit and understanding, the last has enough for both. Yes, Sarpent, laughing heartily, put him together, and two smarter gals isn't to be found in all your colony. I will go to the Iroquois camp, return the Delaware gravely, no one knows Chingach Cook but Wa, and a treaty for lives and scalps should be made by a chief. Give me the strange beasts, and let me take a canoe." Dear Slayer dropped his head and played with the end of a fish pole in the water, as he sat dangling his legs over the edge of the platform. Like a man who was lost and thought by the sudden occurrence of a novel idea. Instead of directly answering the proposal of his friend, he began to soliloquise. A circumstance, however, that in no manner rendered his words more true, as he was remarkable for saying what he thought whether the remarks were addressed to himself or to anyone else. Yes, yes, he said, this must be what they call love. I've heard say that it sometimes upsets reason altogether, leaving a young man as helpless as to calculation and caution as a brute beast. To think that the Sarpent should be so lost to reason and cunning and wisdom, we must certainly manage to get hissed off and have married as soon as we get back to the tribe. Or this war will be of no more use to the chief than a hunt a little uncommon extraordinary. Yes, yes. He'll never be the man he was till this matter is off his mind, and he comes to his senses like all the rest of mankind. Sarpent, you can't be an earnest, and therefore I shall say but little to your offer. But you're a chief, and will soon be sent out on the war-path at head of the parties. And I'll just ask you if you'd think of putting your forces into the enemy's hands before the battle is fought. Wah! ejaculated the Indian. Aye, wah! I know well enough it's wah, and altogether wah! Really, Sarpent, I'm concerned and mortified about you. I never heard so weak an ID come from a chief. And he too, one that's already got a name for being wise, young and inexperienced as he is. Can you you can't have, so long as the vices of friendship and warning can count for anything. My pale-faced friend is right. A cloud came over the face of Chingochuk, and weakness got into his mind while his eyes were dim. My brother has a good memory for good deeds and a weak memory for bad. He will forget. Yes, that's easy enough. Say no more about it, chief. But if another of them clouds blow near you, do your endeavours to get out of its way. Clouds are bad enough in the weather, but when they come to the reason it gets to be serious. Now, sit down by me here, and let us calculate our movements a little, for we shall soon either have a truce and a peace, or we shall come to an active and bloody war. You see the vagabonds can make logs serve their turn as well as the best raftsmen on the rivers, and it would be no great exploit for them to invade us in a body. I've been thinking of the wisdom of putting all old Tom's stores into the ark, of barring and locking up the castle, and of taking to the ark altogether. That is movable, and by keeping the sail up and shifting places we might worry through a great many nights, without them Canada wolves finding a way into our sheepfold. Chingochuk listened to this plan with approbation. Did the negotiation fail, there was now little hope that the night would pass without an assault, and the enemy had sagacity enough to understand that in carrying the castle they would probably become masters of all it contained. The offered ransom included, and still retain the advantages they had hitherto gained. Some precaution of the sort appeared to be absolutely necessary. For now the numbers of the Iroquois were known, a night attack could scarcely be successfully met. It would be impossible to prevent the enemy from getting possession of the canoes and the ark, and the latter itself would be a hold in which the assailants would be as effectually protected against bullets as were those in the building. For a few minutes both the men thought of sinking the ark in the shallow water, of bringing the canoes into the house, and of depending altogether on the castle for protection. But reflection satisfied them that in the end this expedient would fail. It was so easy to collect logs on the shore, and to construct a raft of almost any size, that it was certainly Iroquois, now they had turned their attention to such means, would resort to them seriously, so long as there was the certainty of success by perseverance. After deliberating maturely, and placing all the considerations fairly before them, the two young beginners in the art of forest warfare settled down into the opinion that the ark offered the only available means of security. This decision was no sooner come to than it was communicated to Judith, the girl had no serious objection to make, and all four set about the measures necessary to carrying the plan into execution. The reader will readily understand that floating toms worldly goods were of no great amount, a couple of beds, some wearing apparel, the arms and ammunition, a few cooking utensils, with the mysterious and but half examined chest formed the principal items. These were all soon removed, the ark having been hauled on the eastern side of the building, so that the transfer could be made without being seen from the shore. It was thought unnecessary to disturb the heavier and coarser articles of furniture, as they were not required in the ark, and were of but little value in themselves. As great caution was necessary in removing the different objects, most of which were passed out of a window with a view to conceal what was going on, it required two or three hours before all could be effected. By the expiration of that time the raft made its appearance, moving from the shore. Dear Slayer immediately had recourse to the glass by the aid of which he perceived that two warriors were on it, though they appeared to be unarmed. The progress of the raft was slow, a circumstance that formed one of the great advantages that would be possessed by the bow. In any future collision between them, the movements of the latter being comparatively swift and light. As there was time to make the dispositions for the reception of the two dangerous visitors, everything was repaired for them, long before they had gotten near enough to be hailed. The serpent and the girls retired into the building, where the former stood near the door, well provided with rifles, while Judith watched the proceedings without, through a loop. As for Dear Slayer, he had brought a stool to the edge of the platform, at the point towards which the raft was advancing and taken his seat with his rifle leaning carelessly between his legs. As the raft drew nearer, every means possessed by the party in the castle was resorted to, in order to ascertain if their visitors had any firearms. Neither Dear Slayer nor Chingochuk could discover any, but Judith, unwilling to trust a simple eyesight, thrust the glass through the loop and directed it towards the hemlock boughs that lay between the two logs of the raft, forming a sort of flooring, as well as a seat for the use of the rowers. When the heavy moving craft was within fifty feet of him, Dear Slayer hailed the Hurons, directing them to cease rowing, it not being his intention to permit them to land. Compliance, of course, was necessary, and the two grim-looking warriors instantly quitted their seats, though the raft continued slowly to approach until it had driven in much nearer to the platform. Are you chiefs? demanded Dear Slayer with dignity. Are you chiefs? Or have the Mingos sent me warriors without names on such an errand? If so, the sooner you go back, the sooner them will be likely to come that a warrior can talk with. Hough! exclaimed the elder of the two on the raft, rolling his glowing eyes over the different objects that were visible in and about the castle, with a keenness that showed how little escaped him. My brother is very proud, but Riven oak, we use the literal translation of the term writing as we do in English, is a name to make a Delaware turn pale. That's true, or it's a lie, Riven oak, as it may be, but I am not likely to turn pale seeing that I was born pale. What's your errand, and why do you come among the light-bark canoes on logs that are dug out? The Iroquois are not ducks to walk on water. Let the pale faces give them a canoe, and they'll come in a canoe. That's more rational than likely to come to pass. We have but four canoes, and being four persons, that's only one for each of us. We thank you for the offer, house ever, though we ask leave not to accept it. You are welcome, Iroquois, on your logs. Thanks. My young pale-face warrior, he has got a name. How do the chiefs call him? Dear Slayer hesitated a moment, and a gleam of pride and human weakness came over him. He smiled, muttered between his teeth, and then looking up proudly he said, Mingo, like all who are young and active, I've been known by different names at different times. One of your warriors, whose spirit started for the happy sounds of your people, as lately as yesterday morning, thought I deserved to be known by the name of Hawkeye, and this because my sight happened to be quicker than his own, when it got to be life or death between us. Chingochuk, who was attentively listening to all that passed, heard and understood this proof of passing weakness in his friend, and on a future occasion he questioned him more closely concerning the transaction on the point, where Dear Slayer first taken human life. When he had got the whole truth he did not fail to communicate it to the tribe, from which time the young hunter was universally known among the Delaware's by an appellation so honorably earned. As this, however, was a period posterior to all the incidents of this tale, we shall continue to call the young hunter by the name under which he has been first introduced to the reader. Nor was the Iroquoiless struck with the vaunt of the white man. He knew of the death of his comrade, and had no difficulty in understanding the illusion, the intercourse between the conqueror and his victim on that occasion having been seen by several savages on the shore of the lake, who had been stationed at different points just within the margin of bushes to watch the drifting canoes, and who had not time to reach the scene of action ere the victor had retired. The effect on this rude being of the forest was an exclamation of surprise. Then such a smile of courtesy and wave of the hand succeeded as would have done credit to Asiatic diplomacy. The two Iroquois spoke to each other in low tones, and both drew near the end of the raft that was closest to the platform. My brother, Hawkeye, has sent a message to the Hurons, resumed Rivenoak, and it has made their hearts very glad. They hear he has images of heists with two tails. Will he show them to his friends? Enemies would be truer, returned dear Slayer, but sound isn't sense, and does little harm. Here is one of the images. I toss it to you under the faith of treaties. If it's not returned, the rifle will settle the pint atue-ness. The Iroquois seemed to acquiesce in the conditions, and dear Slayer arose and prepared to toss one of the elephants to the raft. Both parties, using all the precaution that was necessary to prevent its loss. As practice renders men expert in such things, the little piece of ivory was soon successfully transferred from one hand to the other, and then followed another scene on the raft, in which astonishment and delight got the mastery of Indian stoicism. These two grim old warriors manifested even more feeling as they examined the curiously wrought chess-man than had been betrayed by the boy, for in the case of the latter recent schooling had interposed its influence, while the men, like all who were sustained by well-established characters, were not ashamed to let some of their emotions be discovered. For a few minutes they apparently lost the consciousness of their situation, in the intense scrutiny they bestowed on a material so fine, worked so highly wrought, and an animal so ordinary. The lip of the moose is perhaps the nearest approach to the trunk of the elephant that is to be found in the American forest, but this resemblance was far from being sufficiently striking to bring the new creature within the range of their habits and ideas. And the more they studied the image, the greater was their astonishment, nor did these children of the forest mistake the structure on the back of the elephant for a part of the animal. They were familiar with horses and oxen, and had seen towers in the canadas, and found nothing surprising in creatures of berthin. Still, by a very natural association they supposed the carving meant to represent that the animal they saw was of a strength sufficient to carry a fort on its back. A circumstance that in no degree lessened their wonder. Has my pale-faced brother any more such beasts, at last the senior of the Iroquois asked, in a sort of petitioning manner? There's more where them came from, Mingo, was the answer. One is enough, however, to buy off fifty scalps. One of my prisoners is a great warrior, tall as a pine, strong as the moose, active as a deer, fierce as the panther. Someday he'll be a great chief, and lead the army of King George. Dutt-tutt, Mingo, hurry, Harry, is hurry, Harry, and you'll never make more than a corporal of him if you do that. He's tall enough of a certainty, but that's of no use as he only hits his head again in the branches as he goes through the forest. He's strong, too, but a strong body isn't a strong head, and the King's generals are not chosen for their sinews. He's swift, if you will, but a rifle bullet is swifter. And as for fierceness it's no great recommend to a soldier. They that think they feel the stoutest often given out at the pinch. No, no. You'll never make Harry's scalp pass for more than a good head of curly hair, and a rattle-pate beneath it. My old prisoner, very wise, King of the Lake, great warrior, wise counselor. Well, there's them that might gain say all this, too, Mingo. A very wise man wouldn't be apt to be taken in so foolish a manner as befell Master Hutter, and if he gives good counsel he must have listened to very bad in that affair. There's only one king of this lake, and he's a long way off, and isn't ever to see it. Floating Tom is some such king of this region as the wolf that prowls through the woods as king of the forest. A beast with two tails is well worth two such scalps. But my brother has another beast? He will give two, holding up as many fingers, for old father. Floating Tom is no father of mine, but he'll fare none the worse for that. As for giving two beasts for his scalp, and each beast with two tails, it is quite beyond reason. Think yourself well off, Mingo, if you make a much worse trade. By this time the self-command of Rivenoch had got the better of his wonder, and he began to fall back on his usual habits of cunning in order to drive the best bargain he could. It would be useless to relate more than the substance of the desultory dialogue that followed, in which the Indian manifested no little management in endeavoring to recover the ground lost under the influence of surprise. He even affected to doubt whether any original for the image of the beast existed, and asserted that the oldest Indian had never heard a tradition of any such animal. Little did either of them imagine at the time that long era century elapsed the progress of civilization would bring even much more extraordinary and rare animals into that region, as curiosities to be gazed at by the curious, and that the particular beast about which the disputants contended would be seen leaving its sides and swimming in the very sheet of water on which they had met. The Atsigo is a favorite place for the caravan-keepers to let their elephants bathe. The writer has seen two at a time since the publication of this book, Swimming About in Company. As is not uncommon on such occasions, one of the parties got a little warm in the course of the discussion, for Dear Slayer met all the arguments and perverification of his subtle opponent, with his own cool directness of manner, and unmoved love of truth. What an elephant was he knew little better than the savage, but he perfectly understood that the carved pieces of ivory must have some such value in the eyes of an Iroquois as a bag of gold or a package of beaver skins would in those of a traitor. Under the circumstances therefore he felt it to be prudent not to concede too an unconquerable obstacle to making the transfers even after the contracting parties had actually agreed upon the terms. Keeping this difficulty in view he held the extra chessmen and reserve as a means of smoothing any difficulty in the moment of need. At length the savage pretended that further negotiation was useless, since he could not be so unjust to his tribe as to part with the honor and emoluments of two excellent full-grown male for consideration so trifling as a toy like that he had seen, and he prepared to take his departure. Both parties now felt as men are wont to feel when a bargain that each is anxious to conclude is on the eve of being broken off, in consequence of too much pertinacity in the way of management. The effect of the disappointment was very different, however, on the respective individuals. Dear Slayer was mortified and he felt for the prisoners, but he also felt deeply for the two girls. The conclusion of the treaty therefore left him melancholy and full of regret. With the savage his defeat produced the desire of revenge. In a moment of excitement he had loudly announced his intention to say no more, and he felt equally enraged with himself and with his cool opponent that he had permitted a pale face to manifest more indifference and self-command than an Indian chief. When he began to urge his raft away from the platform, his countenance lowered and his eye glowed, even while he affected a smile of amity and a gesture of courtesy at party. It took some little time to overcome the inertia of the logs, and while this was being done by the silent Indian, Rivenoch stalked over the hemlock vows that lay between the logs in sullen ferocity, eyeing keenly the while, the hut, the platform down. Once he spoke in low, quick tones to his companion, and he stirred the bows with his feet like an animal that is restive. At that moment the watchfulness of Deerslayer had a little abated, for he sat musing on the means of renewing the negotiation without giving too much advantage to the other side. It was perhaps fortunate for him that the keen and bright eyes of Judith were as vigilant as ever. At the instant when the young man was leased on his guard and his wife, she called out in a warning voice to the former, most opportunely giving the alarm. Be on your guard, Deerslayer, the girl cried. I see rifles with the glass beneath the hemlock brush, and the Iroquois is loosening them with his feet. It would seem that the enemy had carried their artifices so far as to employ an agent who understood English. The previous dialogue had taken place in his own language, but it was evident by the sudden occupation, and in which the countenance of Rivenoke changed from solemn ferocity to a smile of courtesy that the call of the girl was understood. Signing to his companion to cease his efforts to set the logs in motion, he advanced to the end of the raft which was nearest to the platform and spoke. Why should Rivenoke and his brother leave any cloud between them, he said? They are both wise, both brave and hard friends. One beast shall be the price of one prisoner. And Mingo, answered the other, delighted to renew the negotiations on almost any terms and determined to clinch the bargain if possible by a little extra liberality. You'll see that a pale face knows how to pay a full price when he trades with an open heart and an open hand. Keep the beast that you had forgotten to give back to me as you was about to start, in which I forgot to ask for the account of concern at parting in anger. Show it to your chiefs. When you bring us our friends, two more shall be added to it and, hesitating a moment in distrust of the expediency of so great a concession, then deciding in its favor. And if we see them before the sun sets, we may find a fourth to make up an even number. This settled the matter. Every gleam of discontent vanished from the dark countenance of the Iroquois closely, if not as sweetly, as Judith Hutter herself. The peace already in his possession was again examined and an ejaculation of pleasure showed how much he was pleased with this unexpected termination of the affair. In point of fact, both he and Dearslayer had momentarily forgotten what had become the subject of their discussion, in the warmth of their feelings, but such had not been the case with Rivenoak's companion. This man retained the peace and had fully made up his mind and claimed under such circumstances as to render its return necessary to drop it in the lake, trusting to his being able to find it again at some future day. This desperate expedient, however, was no longer necessary, and after repeating the terms of agreement and professing to understand them, the two Indians finally took their departure, moving slowly towards the shore. Can any faith be put in such doubt on the platform when we're standing at the side of Dearslayer, watching the dull movement of the logs? Will they not rather keep the toy they have and send us off some bloody proofs of their getting the better of us in cunning by way of boasting? I've heard of acts as bad as this. No doubt, Judith, no matter of doubt. If it wasn't for Indian nature, but I'm no judge of a red skin, if that two-tail beast doesn't set the whole world on fire as a stick raises in a beehive. Now, there's the serpent, a man with nerves like flint, and no more curiosity and everyday concerns than his befitting prudence. Why, he was overcome with the sight of the creature carved as it is in bone that I felt ashamed for him. That's just their gifts, however. And one can't quarrel with a man for his gifts when they are lawful. Chingochuk will soon know, and that he comes of a great stock, and has a renowned name to support and uphold. But as for yonder scamps, there'll be no peace among them, till they think they've got possession of everything of the nature of that bit of carved bone that's to be found among Thomas Hutter's stores. They only know of the elephants, and can have no hopes about the other things. That's true, Judith. Still, covetousness is a craving feeling. The tailfaces have these curious beasts with two tails, who knows, but they've got some with three, or for that matter with four. That's what the school masters call natural arithmetic, and will be certain to beset the feelings of savages. They'll never be easy till the truth is known. Do you think, dear Slayer, inquired Hetty in her simple and innocent manner, that the Iroquois won't let father and hurry go? I read to them several of the very sources in the whole Bible, and you see what they have done already. The hunter, as he always did, listened kindly and even affectionately to Hetty's remarks. Then he mused a moment in silence. There was something like a flush on his cheek as he answered after quite a minute had passed. I don't know whether a white man ought to be ashamed or not to own he can't read. But such is my case, Judith. You're skillful, I find, in all such matters. While I have only the hand of God as it is seen in the hills and the valleys, the mountaintops, the streams, the forests, and the springs. Much learning may be gotten this way as well as out of books, and yet I sometimes think it is a white man's gift to read. When I hear from the mouths of the Moravians the words of which Hetty speaks, they raise a longing in my mind, and I then think I will know how to read them myself. But the game in summer, and lessons, and lessons in war, and other matters have always kept me behindhand. Shall I teach you, dear Slayer, asked Hetty earnestly? I'm weak-minded, they say, but I can read as well as Judith. It might save your life to know how to read the Bible to the savages, and it will certainly save your soul, for mother told me that again and again. Thank ye, Hetty. Yes, thank ye with all my heart. These are like to be two stirring tidalness. But after its peace and I come to see you again on this lake, then I'll give myself up to it, as if it was pleasure and profit in a single business. Perhaps I ought to be ashamed, Judith, that tis so. But truth is truth. As for these Iroquois, tisn't very likely they'll forget a beast with two tails, on account of a verse or two from the Bible. I rather expect they'll give up the prisoners, and trust to some or other to get them back again with us and all in the castle and the ark and the bargain. However, we must humor the vagabonds, first to get your father and hurry out of their hands and next to keep the peace between us, until such time as the serpent there can make out to get off his betrothed wife. If there's any sudden outbreak of anger and ferocity, the Indians will send off all their women and children to the camp at once. Now, and trustful, we may manage to meet hissed at the spot she has mentioned. Rather than have the bargain fall through, now, I'd throw in half a dozen of them effigy, bow, and arrowmen, such as weave in plenty in the chist. Judith cheerfully assented, for she would have resigned even the flowered brocade rather than not redeem her father and please, dear Slayer. The prospects of success were now so encouraging as to raise the flag, though a due watchfulness of the movements of the enemy was maintained. Hour passed after hour, notwithstanding, and the sun had once more begun to fall towards the summits of the western hills, and yet no signs were seen of the return of the rapt. By dent of sweeping the shore with the glass, dear Slayer at length discovered a place in the dense and dark woods where, he entertained no doubt, the Iroquois were assembled in considerable numbers. It was near once the craft had issued. And a little reel that trickled into the lake announced the vicinity of a spring. Here, then, the savages were probably holding their consultation, and the decision was to be made that went to settle the question of life or death for the prisoners. There was one ground for hope in spite of the delay, however. The dear Slayer did not fail to place before his anxious companions. It was far more probable that the Indians had left their homes in the camp than that they had encumbered themselves by causing them to follow through the woods a party that was out on a merely temporary excursion. If such was the fact, it required considerable time to send a messenger the necessary distance, and to bring the two white men to the spot where they were to embark. Encouraged by these reflections, a new stock of patience was gathered, and the declension of the sun was viewed with less alarm. The result by dear Slayer's conjecture. Not long before the sun had finally disappeared, the two logs were seen coming out of the thicket again. And as it drew near, Judith announced that her father and hurry, both of them pinioned, lay on the bushes in the center. As before the two Indians were rowing. The latter seemed to be conscious that the lateness of the hour demanded unusual exertions, and contrary to the habits of their people, who are ever averse to toil, they labored hard at the rude substitutes for oars. In consequence of this diligence, the raft occupied its old station in about half the time that had been taken in the previous visits. Even after the conditions were so well understood, and matters had proceeded so far, the actual transfer of the prisoners was not a duty to be executed without difficulty. The Iroquois were compelled to place great reliance on the good faith of their foes, though it was reluctantly given, and was yielded to necessity rather than to confidence. As soon as Hutter and hurry should be released, the party in the castle numbered two to one, as opposed to those on the raft, and escape by flight was out of the question. As the former had three bark canoes to say nothing of the defenses of the house and the ark, all this was understood by both parties, and it is probable the arrangement never could have been completed had not the honest countenance and manner of Dearslayer wrought their usual effect on Rivenoch. My brother knows I put faith in him, said the latter, as he advanced with Hutter, whose legs had been released to enable the old man to ascend to the platform. One scalp, one more beast. Stop, Mingo, interrupted the hunter. Keep your prisoner a moment. I have to go and seek the means of payment. This excuse, however, though true in part was principally afetch. Dearslayer left the platform, and entering the house, he directed Judith to collect all the arms and to conceal them in her own room. He then spoke earnestly to the Delaware, who stood on guard as before, near the entrance of the building. Put the three remaining castles in his pocket, and returned. You are welcome back to your older bode, Master Hutter, said Dearslayer as he helped the other up on the building into the hand of Riven Oak at the same time, another of the castles. You'll find your darters right glad to see you, and here's how he come herself to say as much in her own behalf. Here the hunter stopped speaking and broke out into a hearty fit of his silent and peculiar laughter. Hurry's legs were just released, and he had been placed on his feet. So tightly had the ligatures been drawn, that the use of his limbs was not immediately recovered, and the young giant presented in good soothe a very helpless and a somewhat ludicrous picture. It was this unusual spectacle, particularly the bewildered countenance that excited the merriment of Dearslayer. You look like a girdled pine in a clearon, hurry, Harry, that is rocking in a gale, said Dearslayer, checking his unseasonable mirth, more from delicacy to the others than from any respect to the liberated captive. I'm glad, that you haven't had your hair dressed by any of the Iroquois barbers in your late visit to their camp. Harky, Dearslayer, return the other a little fiercely, it will be prudent for you to deal less in mirth and more in friendship on this occasion. Act like a Christian for once, and not like a laughing gal in a country school when the master's back is turned, and just tell me whether there's any feet or not at the end of these legs of mine. I think I can see them, as well be down on the banks of the Mohawk, as be where they seem to be. You've come off whole, Harry, and that's not a little, answered the other, secretly passing to the Indian the remainder of the stipulated Bransom, and making an earnest sign at the same moment for him to commence his retreat. You've come off whole, feet and all, and are only a little numb from a tight fit of the wives. Nature will soon set the blood in motion, and then you may begin to celebrate what I call most wonderful and unexpected deliverance from a den of wolves. Dear Slayer released the arms of his friends as each landed, and the two were now stamping and limping about on the platform, growling and uttering denunciations as they endeavored to help the returning circulation. They had been tethered too long, however, to regain the use of their limbs in a moment, and the Indians being quite as diligent on their return as on their advance. The raft was fully a hundred yards from the castle when Hurry, turning accidentally in that direction, discovered how fast it was getting beyond the reach of his vengeance. By this time he could move with tolerable facility, though still numb and awkward. Without considering his own situation, however, he seized the rifle that leaned against the shoulder of Dear Slayer, and attempted to cock and present it. The young hunter was too quick for him, seizing the piece he wrenched it from the hands of that, not, however, until it had gone off in the struggle when pointed directly upward. It is probable that Dear Slayer could have prevailed in such a contest on account of the condition of Hurry's limbs, but the instant the gun went off the latter yielded and stumped towards the house, raising his legs at each step quite a foot from the ground, from an uncertainty of the actual position of his feet. But he had been anticipated by Judith, the whole stock of hunter's arms left in the building as a resource in the event of a sudden outbreaking of hostilities had been removed and were already secreted agreeably to Dear Slayer's directions. In consequence of this precaution no means offered by which March could put his designs in execution. Hurry seated himself and like Hutter, for half an hour he was too much occupied in endeavoring to restore the circulation and in regaining the use of his limbs to indulge in any other reflections. At the end of this time the raft had disappeared and Knight was beginning to throw her shadows once more over the whole Sylvan's scene. Before darkness had completely set in and while the girls were preparing the evening meal, Dear Slayer related to Hutter an outline of events that had taken place and gave him a history of the means he had adopted for the security of his children and property. End of Chapter 14 Recording by Bill Borst