The Deerslayer (Barnes & Noble Classics) - James Fenimore Cooper [122]
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 simpleminded 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 color,” she said, affecting to laugh. “But try me; if you find that I regret either ribbon or feather, silk or muslin, then you may 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 them who call themselves just; but it’s wonderfully 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 of 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 opinions 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 chist, as you say, Judith; and when the question gets to be between a secret and a scalp, I should think most men would prefar keeping the last. Did your father ever give you any downright command 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 chist, 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