The Deerslayer (Barnes & Noble Classics) - James Fenimore Cooper [140]
All this was lost on Deerslayer, who was no great adept in the mysteries of Cupid, but whose mind was far more occupied with the concerns that forced themselves on his attention, than with any of the truant fancies of love. He soon recalled his companion, therefore, to a sense of their actual condition, by summoning him to a sort of council of war, in which they were to settle their future course. In the dialogue that followed, the parties mutually made each other acquainted with what had passed in their several interviews. Chingachgook was told the history of the treaty about the ransom; and Deerslayer heard the whole of Hetty’s communications. The latter listened with generous interest to his friend’s hopes, and promised cheerfully all the assistance he could lend.
“ ’Tis our main arr’nd, Sarpent, as you know; this battling for the castle and old Hutter’s darters, coming in as a sort of accident. Yes—yes—I’ll be actyve in helping little Hist, who’s not only one of the best and handsomest maidens of the tribe, but the very best and handsomest. I’ve always encouraged you, chief, in that liking; and it’s proper, too, that a great and ancient race like your’n shouldn’t come to an end. If a woman of red skin and red gifts could get to be near enough to me to wish her for a wife, I’d s‘arch for just such another, but that can never be! no, that can never be. I’m glad Hetty has met with Hist, howsever, for though the first is a little short of wit and understanding, the last has enough for both. Yes, Sarpent,” laughing heartily, “put ’em together, and two smarter gals isn’t to be found in all York colony! ”
“I will go to the Iroquois camp,” returned the Delaware, gravely. “No one knows Chingachgook but Wah, and a treaty for lives and scalps should be made by a chief! Give me the strange beasts, and let me take a canoe.”
Deerslayer dropped his head, and played with the end of a fish pole in the water, as he sat, dangling his legs over the edge of the platform, like a man who was lost in thought by the sudden occurrence of a novel idea. Instead of directly answering the proposal of his friend, he began to soliloquize; a circumstance, however, that in no manner rendered his words more true, as he was remarkable for saying what he thought, whether the remarks were addressed to himself or to any one else.
“Yes—yes,” he said, “this must be what they call love! I’ve heard say that it sometimes upsets reason altogether, leaving a young man as helpless, as to calculation and caution, as a brute beast. To think that the Sarpent should be so lost to reason, and cunning, and wisdom ! We must sartainly manage to get Hist off, and have ‘em married as soon as we get back to the tribe, or this war will be of no more use to the chief than a hunt a little oncommon and extr’ornary. Yes—yes—he’ll never be the man he was till this matter is off his mind, and he comes to his senses, like all the rest of mankind. Sarpent, you can’t be in airnest, and therefore I shall say but little to your offer. But you’re a chief, and will soon be sent out on the warpath at the head of parties, and I’ll just ask if you’d think of putting your forces into the inimy’s hands, afore the battle is fou’t?”
“Wah!” ejaculated the Indian.
“Ay—Wah!—I know well enough it’s Wah! and altogether Wah! Ra‘ally, Sarpent, I’m consarned and mortified about you! I never heard so weak an idea come from a chief, and he, too, one that’s already got a name for being wise, young and inexper’enced as he is. Canoe you shan’t have, so long as the v‘ice of fri’ndship and warning can count for anything.”
“My paleface friend is right. A cloud came over the face of Chingachgook, and weakness got into his mind, while his eyes were dim. My brother has