"She speaks much of her father; says she hears,
There's tricks i' the world; and hems, and beats her breast;
Spurns enviously at straws; speaks things in doubt,
That carry but half sense; her speech is nothing,
Yet the unshaped use of it doth move
The hearers to collection;Hamlet, IV.v.4-9.
We left the occupants of the castle and the ark, buried in sleep.
Once, or twice, in the course of the night, it is true, Deerslayer
or the Delaware, arose and looked out upon the tranquil lake; when,
finding all safe, each returned to his pallet, and slept like a
man who was not easily deprived of his natural rest. At the first
signs of the dawn the former arose, however, and made his personal
arrangements for the day; though his companion, whose nights had
not been tranquil or without disturbances of late, continued on
his blanket until the sun had fairly risen; Judith, too, was later
than common that morning, for the earlier hours of the night had
brought her little of either refreshment or sleep. But ere the
sun had shown himself over the eastern hills these too were up
and afoot, even the tardy in that region seldom remaining on their
pallets after the appearance of the great luminary. Chingachgook
was in the act of arranging his forest toilet, when Deerslayer
entered the cabin of the Ark and threw him a few coarse but light
summer vestments that belonged to Hutter.
"Judith hath given me them for your use, chief," said the latter,
as he cast the jacket and trousers at the feet of the Indian, "for
it's ag'in all prudence and caution to be seen in your war dress
and paint. Wash off all them fiery streaks from your cheeks, put
on these garments, and here is a hat, such as it is, that will give
you an awful oncivilized sort of civilization, as the missionaries
call it. Remember that Hist is at hand, and what we do for the
maiden must be done while we are doing for others. I know it's
ag'in your gifts and your natur' to wear clothes, unless they
are cut and carried in a red man's fashion, but make a vartue of
necessity and put these on at once, even if they do rise a little
in your throat."
Chingachgook, or the Serpent, eyed the vestments with strong disgust;
but he saw the usefulness of the disguise, if not its absolute
necessity. Should the Iroquois discover a red man, in or about
the Castle, it might, indeed, place them more on their guard, and
give their suspicions a direction towards their female captive.
Any thing was better than a failure, as it regarded his betrothed,
and, after turning the different garments round and round, examining
them with a species of grave irony, affecting to draw them on in a
way that defeated itself, and otherwise manifesting the reluctance
of a young savage to confine his limbs in the usual appliances
of civilized life, the chief submitted to the directions of his
companion, and finally stood forth, so far as the eye could detect,
a red man in colour alone. Little was to be apprehended from this
last peculiarity, however, the distance from the shore, and the
want of glasses preventing any very close scrutiny, and Deerslayer,
himself, though of a brighter and fresher tint, had a countenance
that was burnt by the sun to a hue scarcely less red than that of
his Mohican companion. The awkwardness of the Delaware in his new
attire caused his friend to smile more than once that day, but he
carefully abstained from the use of any of those jokes which would
have been bandied among white men on such an occasion, the habits
of a chief, the dignity of a warrior on his first path, and the
gravity of the circumstances in which they were placed uniting to
render so much levity out of season.
The meeting at the morning meal of the three islanders, if we may
use the term, was silent, grave and thoughtful. Judith showed by
her looks that she had passed an unquiet night, while the two men
had the future before them, with its unseen and unknown events.
A few words of courtesy passed between Deerslayer and the girl,
in the course of the breakfast, but no allusion was made to their
situation. At length Judith, whose heart was full, and whose novel
feelings disposed her to entertain sentiments more gentle and tender
than common, introduced the subject, and this in a way to show how
much of her thoughts it had occupied, in the course of the last
sleepless night.
"It would be dreadful, Deerslayer," the girl abruptly exclaimed,
"should anything serious befall my father and Hetty! We cannot
remain quietly here and leave them in the hands of the Iroquois,
without bethinking us of some means of serving them."
"I'm ready, Judith, to sarve them, and all others who are in
trouble, could the way to do it be p'inted out. It's no trifling
matter to fall into red-skin hands, when men set out on an ar'n'd
like that which took Hutter and Hurry ashore; that I know as well
as another, and I wouldn't wish my worst inimy in such a strait,
much less them with whom I've journeyed, and eat, and slept. Have
you any scheme, that you would like to have the Sarpent and me
indivour to carry out?"
"I know of no other means to release the prisoners, than by bribing
the Iroquois. They are not proof against presents, and we might
offer enough, perhaps, to make them think it better to carry away
what to them will be rich gifts, than to carry away poor prisoners;
if, indeed, they should carry them away at all!"
"This is well enough, Judith; yes, it's well enough, if the inimy
is to be bought, and we can find articles to make the purchase
with. Your father has a convenient lodge, and it is most cunningly
placed, though it doesn't seem overstock'd with riches that will
be likely to buy his ransom. There's the piece he calls Killdeer,
might count for something, and I understand there's a keg of powder
about, which might be a make-weight, sartain; and yet two able
bodied men are not to be bought off for a trifle - besides - "
"Besides what?" demanded Judith impatiently, observing that the
other hesitated to proceed, probably from a reluctance to distress
her.
"Why, Judith, the Frenchers offer bounties as well as our own
side, and the price of two scalps would purchase a keg of powder,
and a rifle; though I'll not say one of the latter altogether as
good as Killdeer, there, which your father va'nts as uncommon, and
unequalled, like. But fair powder, and a pretty sartain rifle; then
the red men are not the expartest in fire arms, and don't always
know the difference atwixt that which is ra'al, and that which is
seeming."
"This is horrible!" muttered the girl, struck by the homely manner
in which her companion was accustomed to state his facts. "But
you overlook my own clothes, Deerslayer, and they, I think, might
go far with the women of the Iroquois."
"No doubt they would; no doubt they would, Judith," returned the
other, looking at her keenly, as if he would ascertain whether
she were really capable of making such a sacrifice. "But, are you
sartain, gal, you could find it in your heart to part with your
own finery for such a purpose? Many is the man who has thought he
was valiant till danger stared him in the face; I've known them,
too, that consaited they were kind and ready to give away all they
had to the poor, when they've been listening to other people's hard
heartedness; but whose fists have clench'd as tight as the riven
hickory when it came to downright offerings of their own. Besides,
Judith, you're handsome- uncommon in that way, one might observe
and do no harm to the truth - and they that have beauty, like to
have that which will adorn it. Are you sartain you could find it
in your heart to part with your own finery?"
The soothing allusion to the personal charms of the girl was well
timed, to counteract the effect produced by the distrust that the
young man expressed of Judith's devotion to her filial duties.
Had another said as much as Deerslayer, the compliment would most
probably have been overlooked in the indignation awakened by the
doubts, but even the unpolished sincerity, that so often made this
simple minded hunter bare his thoughts, had a charm for the girl;
and while she colored, and for an instant her eyes flashed fire,
she could not find it in her heart to be really angry with one whose
very soul seemed truth and manly kindness. Look her reproaches
she did, but conquering the desire to retort, she succeeded in
answering in a mild and friendly manner.
"You must keep all your favorable opinions for the Delaware girls,
Deerslayer, if you seriously think thus of those of your own
colour," she said, affecting to laugh. "But try me; if you find
that I regret either ribbon or feather, silk or muslin, then may
you think what you please of my heart, and say what you think."
"That's justice! The rarest thing to find on 'arth is a truly
just man. So says Tamenund, the wisest prophet of the Delawares,
and so all must think that have occasion to see, and talk, and act
among Mankind. I love a just man, Sarpent. His eyes are never
covered with darkness towards his inimies, while they are all
sunshine and brightness towards his fri'nds. He uses the reason
that God has given him, and he uses it with a feelin' of his being
ordered to look at, and to consider things as they are, and not
as he wants them to be. It's easy enough to find men who call
themselves just, but it's wonderful oncommon to find them that are
the very thing, in fact. How often have I seen Indians, gal, who
believed they were lookin' into a matter agreeable to the will of
the Great Spirit, when in truth they were only striving to act up
to their own will and pleasure, and this, half the time, with a
temptation to go wrong that could no more be seen by themselves,
than the stream that runs in the next valley can be seen by us
through yonder mountain', though any looker on might have discovered
it as plainly as we can discover the parch that are swimming around
this hut."
"Very true, Deerslayer," rejoined Judith, losing every trace of
displeasure in a bright smile - "very true, and I hope to see you
act on this love of justice in all matters in which I am concerned.
Above all, I hope you will judge for yourself, and not believe every
evil story that a prating idler like Hurry Harry may have to tell,
that goes to touch the good name of any young woman, who may not
happen to have the same opinion of his face and person that the
blustering gallant has of himself."
"Hurry Harry's idees do not pass for gospel with me, Judith; but
even worse than he may have eyes and ears", returned the other
gravely.
"Enough of this!" exclaimed Judith, with flashing eye and a flush
that mounted to her temples, "and more of my father and his ransom.
'Tis as you say, Deerslayer; the Indians will not be likely to
give up their prisoners without a heavier bribe than my clothes
can offer, and father's rifle and powder. There is the chest."
"Ay, there is the chest as you say, Judith, and when the question
gets to be between a secret and a scalp, I should think most men
would prefer keeping the last. Did your father ever give you any
downright commands consarning that chist?"
"Never. He has always appeared to think its locks, and its steel
bands, and its strength, its best protection."
"'Tis a rare chest, and altogether of curious build," returned
Deerslayer, rising and approaching the thing in question, on which
he seated himself, with a view to examine it with greater ease.
"Chingachgook, this is no wood that comes of any forest that you
or I have ever trailed through! 'Tisn't the black walnut, and
yet it's quite as comely, if not more so, did the smoke and the
treatment give it fair play."
The Delaware drew near, felt of the wood, examined its grain,
endeavored to indent the surface with a nail, and passed his hand
curiously over the steel bands, the heavy padlocks, and the other
novel peculiarities of the massive box.
"No - nothing like this grows in these regions," resumed Deerslayer.
"I've seen all the oaks, both the maples, the elms, the bass
woods, all the walnuts, the butternuts, and every tree that has a
substance and colour, wrought into some form or other, but never
have I before seen such a wood as this! Judith, the chest itself
would buy your father's freedom, or Iroquois cur'osity isn't as
strong as red-skin cur'osity, in general; especially in the matter
of woods."
"The purchase might be cheaper made, perhaps, Deerslayer. The
chest is full, and it would be better to part with half than to
part with the whole. Besides, father- I know not why - but father
values that chest highly."
"He would seem to prize what it holds more than the chest, itself,
judging by the manner in which he treats the outside, and secures
the inside. Here are three locks, Judith; is there no key?"
"I've never seen one, and yet key there must be, since Hetty told
us she had often seen the chest opened."
"Keys no more lie in the air, or float on the water, than humans,
gal; if there is a key, there must be a place in which it is kept."
"That is true, and it might not be difficult to find it, did we
dare to search!"
"This is for you, Judith; it is altogether for you. The chist
is your'n, or your father's; and Hutter is your father, not mine.
Cur'osity is a woman's, and not a man's failing, and there you
have got all the reasons before you. If the chist has articles
for ransom, it seems to me they would be wisely used in redeeming
their owner's life, or even in saving his scalp; but that is a
matter for your judgment, and not for ourn. When the lawful owner
of a trap, or a buck, or a canoe, isn't present, his next of kin
becomes his riprisentyve by all the laws of the woods. We therefore
leave you to say whether the chist shall, or shall not be opened."
"I hope you do not believe I can hesitate, when my father's life's
in danger, Deerslayer!"
"Why, it's pretty much putting a scolding ag'in tears and mourning.
It's not onreasonable to foretell that old Tom may find fault with
what you've done, when he sees himself once more in his hut, here,
but there's nothing unusual in men's falling out with what has been
done for their own good; I dare to say that even the moon would
seem a different thing from what it now does, could we look at it
from the other side."
"Deerslayer, if we can find the key, I will authorize you to open
the chest, and to take such things from it as you may think will
buy father's ransom."
"First find the key, gal; we'll talk of the rest a'terwards.
Sarpent, you've eyes like a fly, and a judgment that's seldom out.
Can you help us in calculating where Floating Tom would be apt to
keep the key of a chist that he holds to be as private as this?"
The Delaware had taken no part in the discourse until he was thus
directly appealed to, when he quitted the chest, which had continued
to attract his attention, and cast about him for the place in which
a key would be likely to be concealed under such circumstances.
As Judith and Deerslayer were not idle the while, the whole three
were soon engaged in an anxious and spirited search. As it was
certain that the desired key was not to be found in any of the common
drawers or closets, of which there were several in the building,
none looked there, but all turned their inquiries to those places
that struck them as ingenious hiding places, and more likely
to be used for such a purpose. In this manner the outer room was
thoroughly but fruitlessly examined, when they entered the sleeping
apartment of Hutter. This part of the rude building was better
furnished than the rest of the structure, containing several
articles that had been especially devoted to the service of the
deceased wife of its owner, but as Judith had all the rest of the
keys, it was soon rummaged without bringing to light the particular
key desired.
They now entered the bed room of the daughters. Chingachgook was
immediately struck with the contrast between the articles and the
arrangement of that side of the room that might be called Judith's,
and that which more properly belonged to Hetty. A slight exclamation
escaped him, and pointing in each direction he alluded to the fact
in a low voice, speaking to his friend in the Delaware tongue.
"'Tis as you think, Sarpent," answered Deerslayer, whose remarks
we always translate into English, preserving as much as possible
of the peculiar phraseology and manner of the man, "'Tis just so,
as any one may see, and 'tis all founded in natur'. One sister
loves finery, some say overmuch; while t'other is as meek and lowly
as God ever created goodness and truth. Yet, after all, I dare
say that Judith has her vartues, and Hetty has her failin's."
"And the 'Feeble-Mind' has seen the chist opened?" inquired
Chingachgook, with curiosity in his glance.
"Sartain; that much I've heard from her own lips; and, for that
matter, so have you. It seems her father doesn't misgive her
discretion, though he does that of his eldest darter."
"Then the key is hid only from the Wild Rose?" for so Chingachgook
had begun gallantly to term Judith, in his private discourse with
his friend.
"That's it! That's just it! One he trusts, and the other he
doesn't. There's red and white in that, Sarpent, all tribes and
nations agreeing in trusting some, and refusing to trust other
some. It depends on character and judgment."
"Where could a key be put, so little likely to be found by the Wild
Rose, as among coarse clothes?"
Deerslayer started, and turning to his friend with admiration
expressed in every lineament of his face, he fairly laughed, in
his silent but hearty manner, at the ingenuity and readiness of
the conjecture.
"Your name's well bestowed, Sarpent - yes, 'tis well bestowed!
Sure enough, where would a lover of finery be so little likely to
s'arch, as among garments as coarse and onseemly as these of poor
Hetty's. I dares to say, Judith's delicate fingers haven't touched
a bit of cloth as rough and oncomely as that petticoat, now, since
she first made acquaintance with the officers! Yet, who knows?
The key may be as likely to be on the same peg, as in any other
place. Take down the garment, Delaware, and let us see if you are
ra'ally a prophet." Chingachgook did as desired, but no key was
found. A coarse pocket, apparently empty, hung on the adjoining
peg, and this was next examined. By this time, the attention of
Judith was called in that direction, and she spoke hurriedly and
like one who wished to save unnecessary trouble.
"Those are only the clothes of poor Hetty, dear simple girl!" she
said, "Nothing we seek would be likely to be there."
The words were hardly out of the handsome mouth of the speaker,
when Chingachgook drew the desired key from the pocket. Judith
was too quick of apprehension not to understand the reason a hiding
place so simple and exposed had been used. The blood rushed to her
face, as much with resentment, perhaps, as with shame, and she bit
her lip, though she continued silent. Deerslayer and his friend
now discovered the delicacy of men of native refinement, neither
smiling or even by a glance betraying how completely he understood
the motives and ingenuity of this clever artifice. The former, who
had taken the key from the Indian, led the way into the adjoining
room, and applying it to a lock ascertained that the right instrument
had actually been found. There were three padlocks, each of which
however was easily opened by this single key. Deerslayer removed
them all, loosened the hasps, raised the lid a little to make
certain it was loose, and then he drew back from the chest several
feet, signing to his friend to follow.
"This is a family chist, Judith," he said, "and 'tis like to hold
family secrets. The Sarpent and I will go into the Ark, and look
to the canoes, and paddles, and oars, while you can examine it by
yourself, and find out whether any thing that will be a make-weight
in a ransom is, or is not, among the articles. When you've
got through give us a call, and we'll all sit in council together
touching the valie of the articles."
"Stop, Deerslayer," exclaimed the girl, as he was about to withdraw.
"Not a single thing will I touch - I will not even raise the lid
- unless you are present. Father and Hetty have seen fit to keep
the inside of this chest a secret from me, and I am much too proud
to pry into their hidden treasures unless it were for their own
good. But on no account will I open the chest alone. Stay with
me, then; I want witnesses of what I do."
"I rather think, Sarpent, that the gal is right! Confidence
and reliance beget security, but suspicion is like to make us all
wary. Judith has a right to ask us to be present, and should the
chist hold any of Master Hutter's secrets, they will fall into the
keeping of two as close mouthed young men as are to be found. We
will stay with you, Judith - but first let us take a look at the
lake and the shore, for this chist will not be emptied in a minute."
The two men now went out on the platform, and Deerslayer swept the
shore with the glass, while the Indian gravely turned his eye on
the water and the woods, in quest of any sign that might betray the
machinations of their enemies. Nothing was visible, and assured
of their temporary security, the three collected around the chest
again, with the avowed object of opening it.
Judith had held this chest and its unknown contents in a species
of reverence as long as she could remember. Neither her father nor
her mother ever mentioned it in her presence, and there appeared
to be a silent convention that in naming the different objects that
occasionally stood near it, or even lay on its lid, care should be
had to avoid any allusion to the chest itself. Habit had rendered
this so easy, and so much a matter of course, that it was only
quite recently the girl had began even to muse on the singularity
of the circumstance. But there had never been sufficient intimacy
between Hutter and his eldest daughter to invite confidence. At
times he was kind, but in general, with her more especially, he was
stern and morose. Least of all had his authority been exercised
in a way to embolden his child to venture on the liberty she was
about to take, without many misgivings of the consequences, although
the liberty proceeded from a desire to serve himself. Then Judith
was not altogether free from a little superstition on the subject
of this chest, which had stood a sort of tabooed relic before her
eyes from childhood to the present hour. Nevertheless the time
had come when it would seem that this mystery was to be explained,
and that under circumstances, too, which left her very little choice
in the matter.
Finding that both her companions were watching her movements, in
grave silence, Judith placed a hand on the lid and endeavored to
raise it. Her strength, however, was insufficient, and it appeared
to the girl, who was fully aware that all the fastenings were
removed, that she was resisted in an unhallowed attempt by some
supernatural power.
"I cannot raise the lid, Deerslayer!" she said - "Had we not better
give up the attempt, and find some other means of releasing the
prisoners?"
"Not so - Judith; not so, gal. No means are as sartain and easy,
as a good bribe," answered the other. "As for the lid, 'tis held
by nothing but its own weight, which is prodigious for so small a
piece of wood, loaded with iron as it is."
As Deerslayer spoke, he applied his own strength to the effort,
and succeeded in raising the lid against the timbers of the house,
where he took care to secure it by a sufficient prop. Judith
fairly trembled as she cast her first glance at the interior, and
she felt a temporary relief in discovering that a piece of canvas,
that was carefully tucked in around the edges, effectually concealed
all beneath it. The chest was apparently well stored, however,
the canvas lying within an inch of the lid.
"Here's a full cargo," said Deerslayer, eyeing the arrangement,
"and we had needs go to work leisurely and at our ease. Sarpent,
bring some stools while I spread this blanket on the floor, and
then we'll begin work orderly and in comfort."
The Delaware complied, Deerslayer civilly placed a stool for
Judith, took one himself, and commenced the removal of the canvas
covering. This was done deliberately, and in as cautious a manner
as if it were believed that fabrics of a delicate construction lay
hidden beneath. When the canvass was removed, the first articles
that came in view were some of the habiliments of the male sex. They
were of fine materials, and, according to the fashions of the age,
were gay in colours and rich in ornaments. One coat in particular
was of scarlet, and had button holes worked in gold thread. Still
it was not military, but was part of the attire of a civilian
of condition, at a period when social rank was rigidly respected
in dress. Chingachgook could not refrain from an exclamation of
pleasure, as soon as Deerslayer opened this coat and held it up to
view, for, notwithstanding all his trained self-command, the splendor
of the vestment was too much for the philosophy of an Indian.
Deerslayer turned quickly, and he regarded his friend with momentary
displeasure as this burst of weakness escaped him, and then
he soliloquized, as was his practice whenever any strong feeling
suddenly got the ascendancy.
"'Tis his gift! - yes, 'tis the gift of a red-skin to love finery,
and he is not to be blamed. This is an extr'ornary garment, too,
and extr'ornary things get up extr'ornary feelin's. I think this
will do, Judith, for the Indian heart is hardly to be found in all
America that can withstand colours like these, and glitter like
that. If this coat was ever made for your father, you've come
honestly by the taste for finery, you have."
"That coat was never made for father," answered the girl, quickly
- "it is much too long, while father is short and square."
"Cloth was plenty if it was, and glitter cheap," answered Deerslayer,
with his silent, joyous laugh. "Sarpent, this garment was made for
a man of your size, and I should like to see it on your shoulders."
Chingachgook, nothing loath, submitted to the trial, throwing aside
the coarse and thread bare jacket of Hutter, to deck his person
in a coat that was originally intended for a gentleman. The
transformation was ludicrous, but as men are seldom struck with
incongruities in their own appearance, any more than in their own
conduct, the Delaware studied this change in a common glass, by
which Hutter was in the habit of shaving, with grave interest. At
that moment he thought of Hist, and we owe it to truth, to say,
though it may militate a little against the stern character of a
warrior to avow it, that he wished he could be seen by her in his
present improved aspect.
"Off with it, Sarpent - off with it," resumed the inflexible Deerslayer.
"Such garments as little become you as they would become me. Your
gifts are for paint, and hawk's feathers, and blankets, and wampum,
and mine are for doublets of skins, tough leggings, and sarviceable
moccasins. I say moccasins, Judith, for though white, living as
I do in the woods it's necessary to take to some of the practyces
of the woods, for comfort's sake and cheapness."
"I see no reason, Deerslayer, why one man may not wear a scarlet
coat, as well as another," returned the girl. "I wish I could see
you in this handsome garment."
"See me in a coat fit for a Lord! - Well, Judith, if you wait till
that day, you'll wait until you see me beyond reason and memory.
No - no - gal, my gifts are my gifts, and I'll live and die in 'em,
though I never bring down another deer, or spear another salmon.
What have I done that you should wish to see me in such a flaunting
coat, Judith?"
"Because I think, Deerslayer, that the false-tongued and false-hearted
young gallants of the garrisons, ought not alone to appear in
fine feathers, but that truth and honesty have their claims to be
honored and exalted."
"And what exaltification" - the reader will have remarked that
Deerslayer had not very critically studied his dictionary - "and
what exaltification would it be to me, Judith, to be bedizened and
bescarleted like a Mingo chief that has just got his presents up
from Quebec? No - no - I'm well as I am; and if not, I can be no
better. Lay the coat down on the blanket, Sarpent, and let us look
farther into the chist."
The tempting garment, one surely that was never intended for
Hutter, was laid aside, and the examination proceeded. The male
attire, all of which corresponded with the coat in quality, was
soon exhausted, and then succeeded female. A beautiful dress of
brocade, a little the worse from negligent treatment, followed, and
this time open exclamations of delight escaped the lips of Judith.
Much as the girl had been addicted to dress, and favorable as had
been her opportunities of seeing some little pretension in that way
among the wives of the different commandants, and other ladies of
the forts, never before had she beheld a tissue, or tints, to equal
those that were now so unexpectedly placed before her eyes. Her
rapture was almost childish, nor would she allow the inquiry to
proceed, until she had attired her person in a robe so unsuited to
her habits and her abode. With this end, she withdrew into her own
room, where with hands practised in such offices, she soon got rid
of her own neat gown of linen, and stood forth in the gay tints of
the brocade. The dress happened to fit the fine, full person of
Judith, and certainly it had never adorned a being better qualified
by natural gifts to do credit to its really rich hues and fine
texture. When she returned, both Deerslayer and Chingachgook, who
had passed the brief time of her absence in taking a second look at
the male garments, arose in surprise, each permitting exclamations
of wonder and pleasure to escape him, in a way so unequivocal as to
add new lustre to the eyes of Judith, by flushing her cheeks with
a glow of triumph. Affecting, however, not to notice the impression
she had made, the girl seated herself with the stateliness of a
queen, desiring that the chest might be looked into, further.
"I don't know a better way to treat with the Mingos, gal," cried
Deerslayer, "than to send you ashore as you be, and to tell 'em
that a queen has arrived among 'em! They'll give up old Hutter,
and Hurry, and Hetty, too, at such a spectacle!"
"I thought your tongue too honest to flatter, Deerslayer," returned
the girl, gratified at this admiration more than she would have
cared to own. "One of the chief reasons of my respect for you,
was your love for truth."
"And 'tis truth, and solemn truth, Judith, and nothing else. Never
did eyes of mine gaze on as glorious a lookin' creatur' as you be
yourself, at this very moment! I've seen beauties in my time, too,
both white and red; and them that was renowned and talk'd of, far
and near; but never have I beheld one that could hold any comparison
with what you are at this blessed instant, Judith; never."
The glance of delight which the girl bestowed on the frank-speaking
hunter in no degree lessened the effect of her charms, and as the
humid eyes blended with it a look of sensibility, perhaps Judith
never appeared more truly lovely, than at what the young man had
called that "blessed instant." He shook his head, held it suspended
a moment over the open chest, like one in doubt, and then proceeded
with the examination.
Several of the minor articles of female dress came next, all of a
quality to correspond with the gown. These were laid at Judith's
feet, in silence, as if she had a natural claim to their possession.
One or two, such as gloves, and lace, the girl caught up, and
appended to her already rich attire in affected playfulness, but
with the real design of decorating her person as far as circumstances
would allow. When these two remarkable suits, male and female they
might be termed, were removed, another canvas covering separated
the remainder of the articles from the part of the chest which they
had occupied. As soon as Deerslayer perceived this arrangement he
paused, doubtful of the propriety of proceeding any further.
"Every man has his secrets, I suppose," he said, "and all men have
a right to their enj'yment. We've got low enough in this chist
in my judgment to answer our wants, and it seems to me we should
do well by going no farther; and by letting Master Hutter have to
himself, and his own feelin's, all that's beneath this cover.
"Do you mean, Deerslayer, to offer these clothes to the Iroquois
as ransom?" demanded Judith, quickly.
"Sartain. What are we prying into another man's chist for, but to
sarve its owner in the best way we can. This coat, alone, would
be very apt to gain over the head chief of the riptyles, and if his
wife or darter should happen to be out with him, that there gownd
would soften the heart of any woman that is to be found atween
Albany and Montreal. I do not see that we want a larger stock in
trade than them two articles."
"To you it may seem so, Deerslayer," returned the disappointed girl,
"but of what use could a dress like this be to any Indian woman?
She could not wear it among the branches of the trees, the dirt
and smoke of the wigwam would soon soil it, and how would a pair
of red arms appear, thrust through these short, laced sleeves!"
"All very true, gal, and you might go on and say it is altogether
out of time, and place and season, in this region at all. What
is it to us how the finery is treated, so long as it answers our
wishes? I do not see that your father can make any use of such
clothes, and it's lucky he has things that are of no valie to
himself, that will bear a high price with others. We can make no
better trade for him, than to offer these duds for his liberty.
We'll throw in the light frivol'ties, and get Hurry off in the
bargain."
"Then you think, Deerslayer, that Thomas Hutter has no one in his
family - no child - no daughter, to whom this dress may be thought
becoming, and whom you could wish to see in it, once and awhile,
even though it should be at long intervals, and only in playfulness?"
"I understand you, Judith - yes, I now understand your meaning, and
I think I can say, your wishes. That you are as glorious in that
dress as the sun when it rises or sets in a soft October day, I'm
ready to allow, and that you greatly become it is a good deal more
sartain than that it becomes you. There's gifts in clothes, as
well as in other things. Now I do not think that a warrior on his
first path ought to lay on the same awful paints as a chief that
has had his virtue tried, and knows from exper'ence he will not
disgrace his pretensions. So it is with all of us, red or white. You
are Thomas Hutter's darter, and that gownd was made for the child
of some governor, or a lady of high station, and it was intended to
be worn among fine furniture, and in rich company. In my eyes,
Judith, a modest maiden never looks more becoming than when becomingly
clad, and nothing is suitable that is out of character. Besides,
gal, if there's a creatur' in the colony that can afford to do without
finery, and to trust to her own good looks and sweet countenance,
it's yourself."
"I'll take off the rubbish this instant, Deerslayer," cried the
girl, springing up to leave the room, "and never do I wish to see
it on any human being, again."
"So it is with 'em, all, Sarpent," said the other, turning to his
friend and laughing, as soon as the beauty had disappeared. "They
like finery, but they like their natyve charms most of all. I'm
glad the gal has consented to lay aside her furbelows, howsever,
for it's ag'in reason for one of her class to wear em; and then
she is handsome enough, as I call it, to go alone. Hist would show
oncommon likely, too, in such a gownd, Delaware!"
"Wah-ta-Wah is a red-skin girl, Deerslayer," returned the Indian,
"like the young of the pigeon, she is to be known by her own
feathers. I should pass by without knowing her, were she dressed
in such a skin. It's wisest always to be so clad that our friends
need not ask us for our names. The 'Wild Rose' is very pleasant,
but she is no sweeter for so many colours."
"That's it! - that's natur', and the true foundation for love and
protection. When a man stoops to pick a wild strawberry, he does
not expect to find a melon; and when he wishes to gather a melon,
he's disapp'inted if it proves to be a squash; though squashes be
often brighter to the eye than melons. That's it, and it means
stick to your gifts, and your gifts will stick to you."
The two men had now a little discussion together, touching the
propriety of penetrating any farther into the chest of Hutter, when
Judith re-appeared, divested of her robes, and in her own simple
linen frock again.
"Thank you, Judith," said Deerslayer, taking her kindly by the hand
-"for I know it went a little ag'in the nat'ral cravings of woman,
to lay aside so much finery, as it might be in a lump. But you're
more pleasing to the eye as you stand, you be, than if you had a
crown on your head, and jewels dangling from your hair. The question
now is, whether to lift this covering to see what will be ra'ally
the best bargain we can make for Master Hutter, for we must do as
we think he would be willing to do, did he stand here in our places."
Judith looked very happy. Accustomed as she was to adulation, the
homely homage of Deerslayer had given her more true satisfaction,
than she had ever yet received from the tongue of man. It was not
the terms in which this admiration had been expressed, for they
were simple enough, that produced so strong an impression; nor
yet their novelty, or their warmth of manner, nor any of those
peculiarities that usually give value to praise; but the unflinching
truth of the speaker, that carried his words so directly to the
heart of the listener. This is one of the great advantages of
plain dealing and frankness. The habitual and wily flatterer may
succeed until his practices recoil on himself, and like other sweets
his aliment cloys by its excess; but he who deals honestly, though
he often necessarily offends, possesses a power of praising that
no quality but sincerity can bestow, since his words go directly
to the heart, finding their support in the understanding. Thus it
was with Deerslayer and Judith. So soon and so deeply did this
simple hunter impress those who knew him with a conviction of
his unbending honesty, that all he uttered in commendation was as
certain to please, as all he uttered in the way of rebuke was as
certain to rankle and excite enmity, where his character had not
awakened a respect and affection, that in another sense rendered
it painful. In after life, when the career of this untutored being
brought him in contact with officers of rank, and others entrusted
with the care of the interests of the state, this same influence
was exerted on a wider field, even generals listening to his
commendations with a glow of pleasure, that it was not always in
the power of their official superiors to awaken. Perhaps Judith
was the first individual of his own colour who fairly submitted to
this natural consequence of truth and fair-dealing on the part of
Deerslayer. She had actually pined for his praise, and she had
now received it, and that in the form which was most agreeable to
her weaknesses and habits of thought. The result will appear in
the course of the narrative.
"If we knew all that chest holds, Deerslayer," returned the girl,
when she had a little recovered from the immediate effect produced
by his commendations of her personal appearance, "we could better
determine on the course we ought to take."
"That's not onreasonable, gal, though it's more a pale-face than
a red-skin gift to be prying into other people's secrets."
"Curiosity is natural, and it is expected that all human beings
should have human failings. Whenever I've been at the garrisons,
I've found that most in and about them had a longing to learn their
neighbor's secrets."
"Yes, and sometimes to fancy them, when they couldn't find 'em
out! That's the difference atween an Indian gentleman and a white
gentleman. The Sarpent, here, would turn his head aside if he found
himself onknowingly lookin' into another chief's wigwam, whereas
in the settlements while all pretend to be great people, most prove
they've got betters, by the manner in which they talk of their
consarns. I'll be bound, Judith, you wouldn't get the Sarpent,
there, to confess there was another in the tribe so much greater
than himself, as to become the subject of his idees, and to empl'y
his tongue in conversations about his movements, and ways, and
food, and all the other little matters that occupy a man when he's
not empl'y'd in his greater duties. He who does this is but little
better than a blackguard, in the grain, and them that encourages
him is pretty much of the same kidney, let them wear coats as fine
as they may, or of what dye they please."
"But this is not another man's wigwam; it belongs to my father,
these are his things, and they are wanted in his service."
"That's true, gal; that's true, and it carries weight with it.
Well, when all is before us we may, indeed, best judge which to
offer for the ransom, and which to withhold."
Judith was not altogether as disinterested in her feelings as she
affected to be. She remembered that the curiosity of Hetty had
been indulged in connection with this chest, while her own had
been disregarded, and she was not sorry to possess an opportunity
of being placed on a level with her less gifted sister in this one
particular. It appearing to be admitted all round that the enquiry
into the contents of the chest ought to be renewed, Deerslayer
proceeded to remove the second covering of canvass.
The articles that lay uppermost, when the curtain was again raised
on the secrets of the chest, were a pair of pistols, curiously
inlaid with silver. Their value would have been considerable in
one of the towns, though as weapons in the woods they were a species
of arms seldom employed; never, indeed, unless it might be by some
officer from Europe, who visited the colonies, as many were then
wont to do, so much impressed with the superiority of the usages of
London as to fancy they were not to be laid aside on the frontiers
of America. What occurred on the discovery of these weapons will
appear in the succeeding chapter.