The Deerslayer (Barnes & Noble Classics) - James Fenimore Cooper [126]
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 canvas was removed, the first articles that came in view were some of the habiliments of the male sex. These were of fine materials, and, according to the fashions of the age, were gay in colors and rich in ornaments. One coat, in particular, was of scarlet, and had buttonholes 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 a momentary displeasure, as this burst of weakness escaped him; and then he soliloquized, as was his practice whenever any strong feeling suddenly got the ascendency.
“ ’Tis his gift—yes, ’tis the gift of a redskin 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 colors 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 threadbare 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 stem character of a warrior to own 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 falsehearted young gallants of the garrison 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