“Upon two stony1 tables, spread before her,
She lean’d her bosom2, more than stony hard,
There slept th’ impartial3 judge, and strict restorer
Of wrong, or right, with pain or with reward;
There hung the score of all our debts, the card
Where good, and bad, and life, and death, were painted;
Was never heart of mortal so untainted,
But when the roll was read, with thousand terrors fainted.”
Giles Fletcher, Christ’s Victory in Heaven, lxv.
“We’ve done an unthoughtful thing, Sarpent — yes, Judith, we’ve done an unthoughtful thing in taking life with an object no better than vanity!” exclaimed Deerslayer, when the Delaware held up the enormous bird, by its wings, and exhibited the dying eyes riveted4 on its enemies with the gaze that the helpless ever fasten on their destroyers. “Twas more becomin’ two boys to gratify their feelin’s in this onthoughtful manner, than two warriors6 on a warpath, even though it be their first. Ah’s! me; well, as a punishment I’ll quit you at once, and when I find myself alone with them bloody-minded Mingos, it’s more than like I’ll have occasion to remember that life is sweet, even to the beasts of the woods and the fowls7 of the air. There, Judith; there’s Kildeer; take him back, ag’in, and keep him for some hand that’s more desarving to own such a piece.”
“I know of none as deserving as your own, Deerslayer,” answered the girl in haste; “none but yours shall keep the rifle.”
“If it depended on skill, you might be right enough, gal8, but we should know when to use firearms, as well as how to use ’em. I haven’t l’arnt the first duty yet, it seems; so keep the piece till I have. The sight of a dyin’ and distressed9 creatur’, even though it be only a bird, brings wholesome10 thoughts to a man who don’t know how soon his own time may come, and who is pretty sartain that it will come afore the sun sets; I’d give back all my vain feelin’s, and rej’icin’s in hand and eye, if that poor eagle was only on its nest ag’in, with its young, praisin’ the Lord for anything that we can know about the matter, for health and strength!”
The listeners were confounded with this proof of sudden repentance11 in the hunter, and that too for an indulgence so very common, that men seldom stop to weigh its consequences, or the physical suffering it may bring on the unoffending and helpless. The Delaware understood what was said, though he scarce understood the feelings which had prompted the words, and by way of disposing of the difficulty, he drew his keen knife, and severed12 the head of the sufferer from its body.
“What a thing is power!” continued the hunter, “and what a thing it is to have it, and not to know how to use it. It’s no wonder, Judith, that the great so often fail of their duties, when even the little and the humble13 find it so hard to do what’s right, and not to do what’s wrong. Then, how one evil act brings others a’ter it! Now, wasn’t it for this furlough of mine, which must soon take me back to the Mingos, I’d find this creatur’s nest, if I travelled the woods a fortnight — though an eagle’s nest is soon found by them that understands the bird’s natur’,— but I’d travel a fortnight rather than not find it, just to put the young, too, out of their pain.”
“I’m glad to hear you say this, Deerslayer,” observed Hetty, “and God will be more apt to remember your sorrow for what you’ve done, than the wickedness itself. I thought how wicked it was to kill harmless birds, while you were shooting, and meant to tell you so; but, I don’t know how it happened,— I was so curious to see if you could hit an eagle at so great a height, that I forgot altogether to speak, ‘till the mischief14 was done.”
“That’s it; that’s just it, my good Hetty. We can all see our faults and mistakes when it’s too late to help them! Howsever I’m glad you didn’t speak, for I don’t think a word or two would have stopped me, just at that moment, and so the sin stands in its nakedness, and not aggravated15 by any unheeded calls to forbear. Well, well, bitter thoughts are hard to be borne at all times, but there’s times when they’re harder than at others.”
Little did Deerslayer know, while thus indulging in feelings that were natural to the man, and so strictly16 in accordance with his own unsophisticated and just principles, that, in the course of the inscrutable providence17, which so uniformly and yet so mysteriously covers all events with its mantle18, the very fault he was disposed so severely19 to censure20 was to be made the means of determining his own earthly fate. The mode and the moment in which he was to feel the influence of this interference, it would be premature21 to relate, but both will appear in the course of the succeeding chapters. As for the young man, he now slowly left the Ark, like one sorrowing for his misdeeds, and seated himself in silence on the platform. By this time the sun had ascended22 to some height, and its appearance, taken in connection with his present feelings, induced him to prepare to depart. The Delaware got the canoe ready for his friend, as soon as apprised23 of his intention, while Hist busied herself in making the few arrangements that were thought necessary to his comfort. All this was done without ostentation24, but in a way that left Deerslayer fully25 acquainted with, and equally disposed to appreciate, the motive26. When all was ready, both returned to the side of Judith and Hetty, neither of whom had moved from the spot where the young hunter sat.
“The best fri’nds must often part,” the last began, when he saw the whole party grouped around him —“yes, fri’ndship can’t alter the ways of Providence, and let our feelin’s be as they may, we must part. I’ve often thought there’s moments when our words dwell longer on the mind than common, and when advice is remembered, just because the mouth that gives it isn’t likely to give it ag’in. No one knows what will happen in this world, and therefore it may be well, when fri’nds separate under a likelihood that the parting may be long, to say a few words in kindness, as a sort of keepsakes. If all but one will go into the Ark, I’ll talk to each in turn, and what is more, I’ll listen to what you may have to say back ag’in, for it’s a poor counsellor that won’t take as well as give.”
As the meaning of the speaker was understood, the two Indians immediately withdrew as desired, leaving the sisters, however, still standing27 at the young man’s side. A look of Deerslayer’s induced Judith to explain.
“You can advise Hetty as you land,” she said hastily, “for I intend that she shall accompany you to the shore.”
“Is this wise, Judith? It’s true, that under common sarcumstances a feeble mind is a great protection among red-skins, but when their feelin’s are up, and they’re bent28 on revenge, it’s hard to say what may come to pass. Besides —”
“What were you about to say, Deerslayer?” asked Judith, whose gentleness of voice and manner amounted nearly to tenderness, though she struggled hard to keep her emotions and apprehensions29 in subjection.
“Why, simply that there are sights and doin’s that one even as little gifted with reason and memory as Hetty here, might better not witness. So, Judith, you would do well to let me land alone, and to keep your sister back.”
“Never fear for me, Deerslayer,” put in Hetty, who comprehended enough of the discourse30 to know its general drift, “I’m feeble minded, and that they say is an excuse for going anywhere; and what that won’t excuse, will be overlooked on account of the Bible I always carry. It is wonderful, Judith, how all sorts of men; the trappers as well as the hunters; red-men as well as white; Mingos as well as Delawares do reverence31 and fear the Bible!”
“I think you have not the least ground to fear any injury, Hetty,” answered the sister, “and therefore I shall insist on your going to the Huron camp with our friend. Your being there can do no harm, not even to yourself, and may do great good to Deerslayer.”
“This is not a moment, Judith, to dispute, and so have the matter your own way,” returned the young man. “Get yourself ready, Hetty, and go into the canoe, for I’ve a few parting words to say to your sister, which can do you no good.”
Judith and her companion continued silent, until Hetty had so far complied as to leave them alone, when Deerslayer took up the subject, as if it had been interrupted by some ordinary occurrence, and in a very matter of fact way.
“Words spoken at parting, and which may be the last we ever hear from a fri’nd are not soon forgotten,” he repeated, “and so Judith, I intend to speak to you like a brother, seein’ I’m not old enough to be your father. In the first place, I wish to caution you ag’in your inimies, of which two may be said to ha’nt your very footsteps, and to beset33 your ways. The first is oncommon good looks, which is as dangerous a foe34 to some young women, as a whole tribe of Mingos could prove, and which calls for great watchfulness36 — not to admire and praise — but to distrust and sarcumvent. Yes, good looks may be sarcumvented, and fairly outwitted, too. In order to do this you’ve only to remember that they melt like the snows, and, when once gone, they never come back ag’in. The seasons come and go, Judith, and if we have winter, with storms and frosts, and spring with chills and leafless trees, we have summer with its sun and glorious skies, and fall with its fruits, and a garment thrown over the forest, that no beauty of the town could rummage37 out of all the shops in America. ‘Arth is in an etarnal round, the goodness of God bringing back the pleasant when we’ve had enough of the onpleasant. But it’s not so with good looks. They are lent for a short time in youth, to be used and not abused, and, as I never met with a young woman to whom providence has been as bountiful as it has to you, Judith, in this partic’lar, I warn you, as it might be with my dyin’ breath, to beware of the inimy — fri’nd, or inimy, as we deal with the gift.”
It was so grateful to Judith to hear these unequivocal admissions of her personal charms, that much would have been forgiven to the man who made them, let him be who he might. But, at that moment, and from a far better feeling, it would not have been easy for Deerslayer seriously to offend her, and she listened with a patience, which, had it been foretold38 only a week earlier, it would have excited her indignation to hear.
“I understand your meaning, Deerslayer,” returned the girl, with a meekness39 and humility40 that a little surprised her listener, “and hope to be able to profit by it. But, you have mentioned only one of the enemies I have to fear; who, or what is the other.”
“The other is givin’ way afore your own good sense and judgment41, I find, Judith; yes, he’s not as dangerous as I supposed. Howsever, havin’ opened the subject, it will be as well to end it honestly. The first inimy you have to be watchful35 of, as I’ve already told you, Judith, is oncommon good looks, and the next is an oncommon knowledge of the sarcumstance. If the first is bad, the last doesn’t, in any way, mend the matter, so far as safety and peace of mind are consarned.”
How much longer the young man would have gone on in his simple and unsuspecting, but well intentioned manner, it might not be easy to say, had he not been interrupted by his listener’s bursting into tears, and giving way to an outbreak of feeling, which was so much the more violent from the fact that it had been with so much difficulty suppressed. At first her sobs42 were so violent and uncontrollable that Deerslayer was a little appalled43, and he was abundantly repentant44 from the instant that he discovered how much greater was the effect produced by his words than he had anticipated. Even the austere45 and exacting46 are usually appeased47 by the signs of contrition48, but the nature of Deerslayer did not require proofs of intense feelings so strong in order to bring him down to a level with the regrets felt by the girl herself. He arose, as if an adder49 had stung him, and the accents of the mother that soothes50 her child were scarcely more gentle and winning than the tones of his voice, as he now expressed his contrition at having gone so far.
“It was well meant, Judith,” he said, “but it was not intended to hurt your feelin’s so much. I have overdone51 the advice, I see; yes, I’ve overdone it, and I crave52 your pardon for the same. Fri’ndship’s an awful thing! Sometimes it chides53 us for not having done enough; and then, ag’in it speaks in strong words for havin’ done too much. Howsever, I acknowledge I’ve overdone the matter, and as I’ve a ra’al and strong regard for you, I rej’ice to say it, inasmuch as it proves how much better you are, than my own vanity and consaits had made you out to be.”
Judith now removed her hands from her face, her tears had ceased, and she unveiled a countenance54 so winning with the smile which rendered it even radiant, that the young man gazed at her, for a moment, with speechless delight.
“Say no more, Deerslayer,” she hastily interposed; “it pains me to hear you find fault with yourself. I know my own weakness, all the better, now I see that you have discovered it; the lesson, bitter as I have found it for a moment, shall not be forgotten. We will not talk any longer of these things, for I do not feel myself brave enough for the undertaking55, and I should not like the Delaware, or Hist, or even Hetty, to notice my weakness. Farewell, Deerslayer; may God bless and protect you as your honest heart deserves blessings57 and protection, and as I must think he will.”
Judith had so far regained58 the superiority that properly belonged to her better education, high spirit, and surpassing personal advantages, as to preserve the ascendancy59 she had thus accidentally obtained, and effectually prevented any return to the subject that was as singularly interrupted, as it had been singularly introduced. The young man permitted her to have every thing her own way, and when she pressed his hard hand in both her own, he made no resistance, but submitted to the homage60 as quietly, and with quite as matter of course a manner, as a sovereign would have received a similar tribute from a subject, or the mistress from her suitor. Feeling had flushed the face and illuminated61 the whole countenance of the girl, and her beauty was never more resplendant than when she cast a parting glance at the youth. That glance was filled with anxiety, interest and gentle pity. At the next instant, she darted62 into the hut and was seen no more, though she spoke32 to Hist from a window, to inform her that their friend expected her appearance.
“You know enough of red-skin natur’, and red-skin usages, Wah-ta-Wah, to see the condition I am in on account of this furlough,” commenced the hunter in Delaware, as soon as the patient and submissive girl of that people had moved quietly to his side; “you will therefore best onderstand how onlikely I am ever to talk with you ag’in. I’ve but little to say; but that little comes from long livin’ among your people, and from havin’ obsarved and noted63 their usages. The life of a woman is hard at the best, but I must own, though I’m not opinionated in favor of my own colour, that it is harder among the red men than it is among the pale-faces. This is a p’int on which Christians64 may well boast, if boasting can be set down for Christianity in any manner or form, which I rather think it cannot. Howsever, all women have their trials. Red women have their’n in what I should call the nat’ral way, while white women take ’em innoculated like. Bear your burthen, Hist, becomingly, and remember if it be a little toilsome, how much lighter67 it is than that of most Indian women. I know the Sarpent well — what I call cordially — and he will never be a tyrant68 to any thing he loves, though he will expect to be treated himself like a Mohican Chief. There will be cloudy days in your lodge69 I suppose, for they happen under all usages, and among all people, but, by keepin’ the windows of the heart open there will always be room for the sunshine to enter. You come of a great stock yourself, and so does Chingachgook. It’s not very likely that either will ever forget the sarcumstance and do any thing to disgrace your forefathers70. Nevertheless, likin’ is a tender plant, and never thrives long when watered with tears. Let the ‘arth around your married happiness be moistened by the dews of kindness.”
“My pale brother is very wise; Wah will keep in her mind all that his wisdom tells her.”
“That’s judicious71 and womanly, Hist. Care in listening, and stout-heartedness in holding to good counsel, is a wife’s great protection. And, now, ask the Sarpent to come and speak with me, for a moment, and carry away with you all my best wishes and prayers. I shall think of you, Hist, and of your intended husband, let what may come to pass, and always wish you well, here and hereafter, whether the last is to be according to Indian idees, or Christian65 doctrines73.”
Hist shed no tear at parting. She was sustained by the high resolution of one who had decided74 on her course, but her dark eyes were luminous75 with the feelings that glowed within, and her pretty countenance beamed with an expression of determination that was in marked and singular contrast to its ordinary gentleness. It was but a minute ere the Delaware advanced to the side of his friend with the light, noiseless tread of an Indian.
“Come this-a-way, Sarpent, here more out of sight of the women,” commenced the Deerslayer, “for I’ve several things to say that mustn’t so much as be suspected, much less overheard. You know too well the natur’ of furloughs and Mingos to have any doubts or misgivin’s consarnin’ what is like to happen, when I get back to the camp. On them two p’ints therefore, a few words will go a great way. In the first place, chief, I wish to say a little about Hist, and the manner in which you red men treat your wives. I suppose it’s accordin’ to the gifts of your people that the women should work, and the men hunt; but there’s such a thing as moderation in all matters. As for huntin’, I see no good reason why any limits need be set to that, but Hist comes of too good a stock to toil66 like a common drudge76. One of your means and standin’ need never want for corn, or potatoes, or anything that the fields yield; therefore, I hope the hoe will never be put into the hands of any wife of yourn. You know I am not quite a beggar, and all I own, whether in ammunition77, skins, arms, or calicoes, I give to Hist, should I not come back to claim them by the end of the season. This will set the maiden78 up, and will buy labor79 for her, for a long time to come. I suppose I needn’t tell you to love the young woman, for that you do already, and whomsoever the man ra’ally loves, he’ll be likely enough to cherish. Nevertheless, it can do no harm to say that kind words never rankle80, while bitter words do. I know you’re a man, Sarpent, that is less apt to talk in his own lodge, than to speak at the Council Fire; but forgetful moments may overtake us all, and the practyse of kind doin’, and kind talkin’, is a wonderful advantage in keepin’ peace in a cabin, as well as on a hunt.”
“My ears are open,” returned the Delaware gravely; “the words of my brother have entered so far that they never can fall out again. They are like rings, that have no end, and cannot drop. Let him speak on; the song of the wren81 and the voice of a friend never tire.”
“I will speak a little longer, chief, but you will excuse it for the sake of old companionship, should I now talk about myself. If the worst comes to the worst, it’s not likely there’ll be much left of me but ashes, so a grave would be useless, and a sort of vanity. On that score I’m no way partic’lar, though it might be well enough to take a look at the remains82 of the pile, and should any bones, or pieces be found, ‘twould be more decent to gather them together, and bury them, than to let them lie for the wolves to gnaw83 at, and howl over. These matters can make no great difference in the mind, but men of white blood and Christian feelin’s have rather a gift for graves.”
“It shall be done as my brother says,” returned the Indian, gravely. “If his mind is full, let him empty it in the bosom of a friend.”
“I thank you, Sarpent; my mind’s easy enough; yes, it’s tolerable easy. Idees will come uppermost that I’m not apt to think about in common, it’s true, but by striving ag’in some, and lettin’ other some out, all will come right in the long run. There’s one thing, howsever, chief, that does seem to me to be onreasonable, and ag’in natur’, though the missionaries84 say it’s true, and bein’ of my religion and colour I feel bound to believe them. They say an Injin may torment85 and tortur’ the body to his heart’s content, and scalp, and cut, and tear, and burn, and consume all his inventions and deviltries, until nothin’ is left but ashes, and they shall be scattered86 to the four winds of heaven, yet when the trumpet87 of God shall sound, all will come together ag’in, and the man will stand forth88 in his flesh, the same creatur’ as to looks, if not as to feelin’s, that he was afore he was harmed!”
“The missionaries are good men — mean well,” returned the Delaware courteously89; “they are not great medicines. They think all they say, Deerslayer; that is no reason why warriors and orators90 should be all ears. When Chingachgook shall see the father of Tamenund standing in his scalp, and paint, and war lock, then will he believe the missionaries.”
“Seein’ is believin’, of a sartainty; ahs! me — and some of us may see these things sooner than we thought. I comprehind your meanin’ about Tamenund’s father, Sarpent, and the idee’s a close idee. Tamenund is now an elderly man, say eighty every day of it, and his father was scalped, and tormented91, and burnt, when the present prophet was a youngster. Yes, if one could see that come to pass, there wouldn’t be much difficulty in yieldin’ faith to all that the missionaries say. Howsever, I am not ag’in the opinion now, for you must know, Sarpent, that the great principle of Christianity is to believe without seeing, and a man should always act up to his religion and principles, let them be what they may.”
“That is strange for a wise nation!” said the Delaware with emphasis. “The red man looks hard, that he may see and understand.”
“Yes, that’s plauserble, and is agreeable to mortal pride, but it’s not as deep as it seems. If we could understand all we see, Sarpent, there might be not only sense, but safety, in refusin’ to give faith to any one thing that we might find oncomperhensible; but when there’s so many things about which it may be said we know nothin’ at all, why, there’s little use, and no reason, in bein’ difficult touchin’ any one in partic’lar. For my part, Delaware, all my thoughts haven’t been on the game, when outlyin’ in the hunts and scoutin’s of our youth. Many’s the hour I’ve passed, pleasantly enough too, in what is tarmed conterplation by my people. On such occasions the mind is actyve, though the body seems lazy and listless. An open spot on a mountain side, where a wide look can be had at the heavens and the ‘arth, is a most judicious place for a man to get a just idee of the power of the Manitou, and of his own littleness. At such times, there isn’t any great disposition92 to find fault with little difficulties, in the way of comperhension, as there are so many big ones to hide them. Believin’ comes easy enough to me at such times, and if the Lord made man first out of’arth, as they tell me it is written in the Bible; then turns him into dust at death; I see no great difficulty in the way to bringin’ him back in the body, though ashes be the only substance left. These things lie beyond our understandin’, though they may and do lie so close to our feelin’s. But, of all the doctrines, Sarpent, that which disturbs me, and disconsarts my mind the most, is the one which teaches us to think that a pale-face goes to one heaven, and a red-skin to another; it may separate in death them which lived much together, and loved each other well, in life!”
“Do the missionaries teach their white brethren to think it is so?” demanded the Indian, with serious earnestness. “The Delawares believe that good men and brave warriors will hunt together in the same pleasant woods, let them belong to whatever tribe they may; that all the unjust Indians and cowards will have to sneak93 in with the dogs and the wolves to get venison for their lodges94.”
“Tis wonderful how many consaits mankind have consarnin’ happiness and misery95, here after!” exclaimed the hunter, borne away by the power of his own thoughts. “Some believe in burnin’s and flames, and some think punishment is to eat with the wolves and dogs. Then, ag’in, some fancy heaven to be only the carryin’ out of their own ‘arthly longin’s, while others fancy it all gold and shinin’ lights! Well, I’ve an idee of my own, in that matter, which is just this, Sarpent. Whenever I’ve done wrong, I’ve ginirally found ’twas owin’ to some blindness of the mind, which hid the right from view, and when sight has returned, then has come sorrow and repentance. Now, I consait that, after death, when the body is laid aside or, if used at all, is purified and without its longin’s, the spirit sees all things in their ra’al lights and never becomes blind to truth and justice. Such bein’ the case, all that has been done in life, is beheld96 as plainly as the sun is seen at noon; the good brings joy, while the evil brings sorrow. There’s nothin’ onreasonable in that, but it’s agreeable to every man’s exper’ence.”
“I thought the pale-faces believed all men were wicked; who then could ever find the white man’s heaven?”
“That’s ingen’ous, but it falls short of the missionary97 teachin’s. You’ll be Christianized one day, I make no doubt, and then ’twill all come plain enough. You must know, Sarpent, that there’s been a great deed of salvation98 done, that, by God’s help, enables all men to find a pardon for their wickednesses, and that is the essence of the white man’s religion. I can’t stop to talk this matter over with you any longer, for Hetty’s in the canoe, and the furlough takes me away, but the time will come I hope when you’ll feel these things; for, after all, they must be felt rather than reasoned about. Ah’s! me; well, Delaware, there’s my hand; you know it’s that of a fri’nd, and will shake it as such, though it never has done you one half the good its owner wishes it had.”
The Indian took the offered hand, and returned its pressure warmly. Then falling back on his acquired stoicism of manner, which so many mistake for constitutional indifference99, he drew up in reserve, and prepared to part from his friend with dignity. Deerslayer, however, was more natural, nor would he have at all cared about giving way to his feelings, had not the recent conduct and language of Judith given him some secret, though ill defined apprehensions of a scene. He was too humble to imagine the truth concerning the actual feelings of that beautiful girl, while he was too observant not to have noted the struggle she had maintained with herself, and which had so often led her to the very verge100 of discovery. That something extraordinary was concealed102 in her breast he thought obvious enough, and, through a sentiment of manly72 delicacy103 that would have done credit to the highest human refinement104, he shrunk from any exposure of her secret that might subsequently cause regret to the girl, herself. He therefore determined105 to depart, now, and that without any further manifestations106 of feeling either from him, or from others.
“God bless you! Sarpent — God bless you!” cried the hunter, as the canoe left the side of the platform. “Your Manitou and my God only know when and where we shall meet ag’in; I shall count it a great blessing56, and a full reward for any little good I may have done on ‘arth, if we shall be permitted to know each other, and to consort107 together, hereafter, as we have so long done in these pleasant woods afore us!”
Chingachgook waved his hand. Drawing the light blanket he wore over his head, as a Roman would conceal101 his grief in his robes, he slowly withdrew into the Ark, in order to indulge his sorrow and his musings, alone. Deerslayer did not speak again until the canoe was half-way to the shore. Then he suddenly ceased paddling, at an interruption that came from the mild, musical voice of Hetty.
“Why do you go back to the Hurons, Deerslayer?” demanded the girl. “They say I am feeble-minded, and such they never harm, but you have as much sense as Hurry Harry108; and more too, Judith thinks, though I don’t see how that can well be.”
“Ah! Hetty, afore we land I must convarse a little with you child, and that too on matters touching109 your own welfare, principally. Stop paddling — or, rather, that the Mingos needn’t think we are plotting and contriving110, and so treat us accordingly, just dip your paddle lightly, and give the canoe a little motion and no more. That’s just the idee and the movement; I see you’re ready enough at an appearance, and might be made useful at a sarcumvention if it was lawful111 now to use one — that’s just the idee and the movement! Ah’s! me. Desait and a false tongue are evil things, and altogether onbecoming our colour, Hetty, but it is a pleasure and a satisfaction to outdo the contrivances of a red-skin in the strife112 of lawful warfare113. My path has been short, and is like soon to have an end, but I can see that the wanderings of a warrior5 aren’t altogether among brambles and difficulties. There’s a bright side to a warpath, as well as to most other things, if we’ll only have the wisdom to see it, and the ginerosity to own it.”
“And why should your warpath, as you call it, come so near to an end, Deerslayer?”
“Because, my good girl, my furlough comes so near to an end. They’re likely to have pretty much the same tarmination, as regards time, one following on the heels of the other, as a matter of course.”
“I don’t understand your meaning, Deerslayer —” returned the girl, looking a little bewildered. “Mother always said people ought to speak more plainly to me than to most other persons, because I’m feeble minded. Those that are feeble minded, don’t understand as easily as those that have sense.”
“Well then, Hetty, the simple truth is this. You know that I’m now a captyve to the Hurons, and captyves can’t do, in all things, as they please —”
“But how can you be a captive,” eagerly interrupted the girl-“when you are out here on the lake, in father’s best canoe, and the Indians are in the woods with no canoe at all? That can’t be true, Deerslayer!”
“I wish with all my heart and soul, Hetty, that you was right, and that I was wrong, instead of your bein’ all wrong, and I bein’ only too near the truth. Free as I seem to your eyes, gal, I’m bound hand and foot in ra’ality.”
“Well it is a great misfortune not to have sense! Now I can’t see or understand that you are a captive, or bound in any manner. If you are bound, with what are your hands and feet fastened?”
“With a furlough, gal; that’s a thong114 that binds115 tighter than any chain. One may be broken, but the other can’t. Ropes and chains allow of knives, and desait, and contrivances; but a furlough can be neither cut, slipped nor sarcumvented.”
“What sort of a thing is a furlough, then, if it be stronger than hemp116 or iron? I never saw a furlough.”
“I hope you may never feel one, gal; the tie is altogether in the feelin’s, in these matters, and therefore is to be felt and not seen. You can understand what it is to give a promise, I dare to say, good little Hetty?”
“Certainly. A promise is to say you will do a thing, and that binds you to be as good as your word. Mother always kept her promises to me, and then she said it would be wicked if I didn’t keep my promises to her, and to every body else.”
“You have had a good mother, in some matters, child, whatever she may have been in other some. That is a promise, and as you say it must be kept. Now, I fell into the hands of the Mingos last night, and they let me come off to see my fri’nds and send messages in to my own colour, if any such feel consarn on my account, on condition that I shall be back when the sun is up today, and take whatever their revenge and hatred117 can contrive118, in the way of torments119, in satisfaction for the life of a warrior that fell by my rifle, as well as for that of the young woman shot by Hurry, and other disapp’intments met with on and about this lake. What is called a promise atween mother and darter, or even atween strangers in the settlements is called a furlough when given by one soldier to another, on a warpath. And now I suppose you understand my situation, Hetty.”
The girl made no answer for some time, but she ceased paddling altogether, as if the novel idea distracted her mind too much to admit of other employment. Then she resumed the dialogue earnestly and with solicitude120.
“Do you think the Hurons will have the heart to do what you say, Deerslayer?” she asked. “I have found them kind and harmless.”
“That’s true enough as consarns one like you, Hetty, but it’s a very different affair when it comes to an open inimy, and he too the owner of a pretty sartain rifle. I don’t say that they bear me special malice121 on account of any expl’ites already performed, for that would be bragging122, as it might be, on the varge of the grave, but it’s no vanity to believe that they know one of their bravest and cunnin’est chiefs fell by my hands. Such bein’ the case, the tribe would reproach them if they failed to send the spirit of a pale-face to keep the company of the spirit of their red brother; always supposin’ that he can catch it. I look for no marcy, Hetty, at their hands; and my principal sorrow is that such a calamity123 should befall me on my first warpath: that it would come sooner or later, every soldier counts on and expects.”
“The Hurons shall not harm you, Deerslayer,” cried the girl, much excited —“Tis wicked as well as cruel; I have the Bible, here, to tell them so. Do you think I would stand by and see you tormented?”
“I hope not, my good Hetty, I hope not; and, therefore, when the moment comes, I expect you will move off, and not be a witness of what you can’t help, while it would grieve you. But, I haven’t stopped the paddles to talk of my own afflictions and difficulties, but to speak a little plainly to you, gal, consarnin’ your own matters.”
“What can you have to say to me, Deerslayer! Since mother died, few talk to me of such things.”
“So much the worse, poor gal; yes, ’tis so much the worse, for one of your state of mind needs frequent talking to, in order to escape the snares124 and desaits of this wicked world. You haven’t forgotten Hurry Harry, gal, so soon, I calculate?”
“I!— I forget Henry March!” exclaimed Hetty, starting. “Why should I forget him, Deerslayer, when he is our friend, and only left us last night. Then the large bright star that mother loved so much to gaze at was just over the top of yonder tall pine on the mountain, as Hurry got into the canoe; and when you landed him on the point, near the east bay, it wasn’t more than the length of Judith’s handsomest ribbon above it.”
“And how can you know how long I was gone, or how far I went to land Hurry, seein’ you were not with us, and the distance was so great, to say nothing of the night?”
“Oh! I know when it was, well enough,” returned Hetty positively-“There’s more ways than one for counting time and distance. When the mind is engaged, it is better than any clock. Mine is feeble, I know, but it goes true enough in all that touches poor Hurry Harry. Judith will never marry March, Deerslayer.”
“That’s the p’int, Hetty; that’s the very p’int I want to come to. I suppose you know that it’s nat’ral for young people to have kind feelin’s for one another, more especially when one happens to be a youth and t’other a maiden. Now, one of your years and mind, gal, that has neither father nor mother, and who lives in a wilderness125 frequented by hunters and trappers, needs be on her guard against evils she little dreams of.”
“What harm can it be to think well of a fellow creature,” returned Hetty simply, though the conscious blood was stealing to her cheeks in spite of a spirit so pure that it scarce knew why it prompted the blush, “the Bible tells us to ‘love them who despitefully use’ us, and why shouldn’t we like them that do not.”
“Ah! Hetty, the love of the missionaries isn’t the sort of likin’ I mean. Answer me one thing, child; do you believe yourself to have mind enough to become a wife, and a mother?”
“That’s not a proper question to ask a young woman, Deerslayer, and I’ll not answer it,” returned the girl, in a reproving manner — much as a parent rebukes126 a child for an act of indiscretion. “If you have any thing to say about Hurry, I’ll hear that — but you must not speak evil of him; he is absent, and ’tis unkind to talk evil of the absent.”
“Your mother has given you so many good lessons, Hetty, that my fears for you are not as great as they were. Nevertheless, a young woman without parents, in your state of mind, and who is not without beauty, must always be in danger in such a lawless region as this. I would say nothin’ amiss of Hurry, who, in the main, is not a bad man for one of his callin’, but you ought to know one thing, which it may not be altogether pleasant to tell you, but which must be said. March has a desperate likin’ for your sister Judith.”
“Well, what of that? Everybody admires Judith, she’s so handsome, and Hurry has told me, again and again, how much he wishes to marry her. But that will never come to pass, for Judith don’t like Hurry. She likes another, and talks about him in her sleep; though you need not ask me who he is, for all the gold in King George’s crown, and all the jewels too, wouldn’t tempt127 me to tell you his name. If sisters can’t keep each other’s secrets, who can?”
“Sartainly, I do not wish you to tell me, Hetty, nor would it be any advantage to a dyin’ man to know. What the tongue says when the mind’s asleep, neither head nor heart is answerable for.”
“I wish I knew why Judith talks so much in her sleep, about officers, and honest hearts, and false tongues, but I suppose she don’t like to tell me, as I’m feeble minded. Isn’t it odd, Deerslayer, that Judith don’t like Hurry — he who is the bravest looking youth that ever comes upon the lake, and is as handsome as she is herself. Father always said they would be the comeliest128 couple in the country, though mother didn’t fancy March any more than Judith. There’s no telling what will happen, they say, until things actually come to pass.”
“Ahs! me — well, poor Hetty, ’tis of no great use to talk to them that can’t understand you, and so I’ll say no more about what I did wish to speak of, though it lay heavy on my mind. Put the paddle in motion ag’in, gal, and we’ll push for the shore, for the sun is nearly up, and my furlough is almost out.”
The canoe now glided129 ahead, holding its way towards the point where Deerslayer well knew that his enemies expected him, and where he now began to be afraid he might not arrive in season to redeem130 his plighted131 faith. Hetty, perceiving his impatience132 without very clearly comprehending its cause, however, seconded his efforts in a way that soon rendered their timely return no longer a matter of doubt. Then, and then only, did the young man suffer his exertions133 to flag, and Hetty began, again, to prattle134 in her simple confiding135 manner, though nothing farther was uttered that it may be thought necessary to relate.
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1
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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aggravated
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| 使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使更严重； 激怒； 使恼火 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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ostentation
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| n.夸耀，卖弄 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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32
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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rummage
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| v./n.翻寻，仔细检查 | |
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foretold
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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meekness
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| n.温顺，柔和 | |
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40
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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44
repentant
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| adj.对…感到悔恨的 | |
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45
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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adder
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| n.蝰蛇；小毒蛇 | |
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soothes
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| v.安慰( soothe的第三人称单数 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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51
overdone
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| v.做得过分( overdo的过去分词 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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52
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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chides
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| v.责骂，责备( chide的第三人称单数 ) | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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56
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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ascendancy
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| n.统治权，支配力量 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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67
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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drudge
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| n.劳碌的人；v.做苦工，操劳 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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rankle
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| v.（怨恨，失望等）难以释怀 | |
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wren
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| n.鹪鹩；英国皇家海军女子服务队成员 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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gnaw
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| v.不断地啃、咬；使苦恼，折磨 | |
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missionaries
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| n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 ) | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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orators
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| n.演说者，演讲家( orator的名词复数 ) | |
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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94
lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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95
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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96
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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97
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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98
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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99
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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100
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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101
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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102
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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103
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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104
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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105
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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106
manifestations
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| n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式） | |
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107
consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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108
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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109
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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110
contriving
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| （不顾困难地）促成某事( contrive的现在分词 )； 巧妙地策划，精巧地制造（如机器）； 设法做到 | |
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111
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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112
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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113
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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114
thong
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| n.皮带；皮鞭；v.装皮带 | |
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115
binds
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| v.约束( bind的第三人称单数 )；装订；捆绑；（用长布条）缠绕 | |
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116
hemp
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| n.大麻；纤维 | |
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117
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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118
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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119
torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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120
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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121
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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122
bragging
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| v.自夸，吹嘘( brag的现在分词 )；大话 | |
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123
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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124
snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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125
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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126
rebukes
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的第三人称单数 ) | |
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127
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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128
comeliest
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| adj.英俊的，好看的( comely的最高级 ) | |
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129
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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130
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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131
plighted
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| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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132
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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133
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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134
prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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135
confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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