The Deerslayer (Barnes & Noble Classics) - James Fenimore Cooper [145]
“Be on your guard, Deerslayer!” the girl cried; “I see rifles, with the glass, beneath the hemlock brush, and the Iroquois is loosening them with his feet!”
It would seem that the enemy had carried the artifices so far as to employ an agent who understood English. The previous dialogue had taken place in his own language, but it was evident, by the sudden manner in which his feet ceased their treacherous occupation, and in which the countenance of Rivenoak changed from sullen ferocity to a smile of courtesy, that the call of the girl was understood. Signing to his companion to cease his efforts to set the legs in motion, he advanced to the end of the raft which was nearest to the platform, and spoke.
“Why should Rivenoak and his brother leave any cloud between them?” he said. “They are both wise, both brave, and both generous ; they ought to part friends. One beast shall be the price of one prisoner.”
“And, Mingo,” answered the other, delighted to renew the negotiation on almost any terms, and determined to clench the bargain if possible by a little extra liberality, “you’ll see that a paleface knows how to pay a full price, when he trades with an open heart and an open hand. Keep the beast that you had forgotten to give back to me, as you was about to start, and which I forgot to ask for, on account of consarn at parting in anger. Show it to your chiefs. When you bring us our fri’nds two more shall be added to it—and,” hesitating a moment in distrust of the expediency of so great a concession, then deciding in its favor—“and, if we see them afore the sun sets, we may find a fourth to make up an even number.”
This settled the matter. Every gleam of discontent vanished from the dark countenance of the Iroquois, and he smiled as graciously, if not as sweetly, as Judith Hutter herself The piece already in his possession was again examined, and an ejaculation of pleasure showed how much he was pleased with this unexpected termination of the affair. In point of fact, both he and Deerslayer had momentarily forgotten what had become of the subject of their discussion, in the warmth of their feelings; but such had not been the case with Rivenoak’s companion. This man retained the piece, and had fully made up his mind, were it claimed under such circumstances as to render its return necessary, to drop it in the lake, trusting to his being able to find it again at some future day This desperate expedient, however, was no longer necessary; and, after repeating the terms of agreement, and professing to understand them, the two Indians finally took their departure, moving slowly towards the shore.
“Can any faith be put in such wretches?” asked Judith, when she and Hetty had come out on the platform, and were standing at the side of Deerslayer, watching the dull movement of the logs. “Will they not rather keep the toy they have, and send us off some bloody proofs of their getting the better of us in cunning, by way of boasting ? I’ve heard of acts as bad as this.”
“No doubt, Judith; no manner of doubt, if it wasn’t for Indian natur’. But I’m no judge of a redskin, if that two-tailed beast doesn’t set the whole tribe in some such stir as a stick raises in a beehive! Now, there’s the Sarpent; a man with narves like flint, and no more cur’osity in everyday consarns than is befitting prudence. Why, he was so overcome with the sight of the creatur‘, carved as it is in bone, that I felt ashamed for him! That’s just their gifts, however, and one can’t well quarrel with a man for his gifts, when they are lawful. Chingachgook will soon get over his weakness, and remember that he’s a chief, and that he comes of a great stock, and has a renowned name to