The Deerslayer (Barnes & Noble Classics) - James Fenimore Cooper [173]
“But a string has two ends—one is fast to the mind of a Mohican, and the other—?”
“Why the other was here close to the fire, half an hour since. Wah-ta-Wah held it in her hand, if she didn’t hold it to her heart.”
“I understand what you mean, my brother,” returned the Indian gravely, for the first time catching a direct clue to the adventures of the evening. “The Great Serpent being strongest, pulled the hardest, and Hist was forced to leave us.”
“I don’t think there was much pulling about it,” answered the other, laughing, always in his silent manner, with as much heartiness as if he were not a captive, and in danger of torture or death. “I don’t think there was much pulling about it; no, I don’t. Lord help you, Huron! he likes the gal, and the gal likes him, and it surpassed Huron sarcumventions to keep two young people apart when there was so strong a feelin’ to bring ’em together.”
“And Hawkeye and Chingachgook came into our camp on this errand only?”
“That’s a question that’ll answer itself, Mingo! Yes, if a question could talk, it would answer itself to your perfect satisfaction. For what else should we come? And yet, it isn’t exactly so, neither; for we didn’t come into your camp at all, but only as far as that pine, there, that you see on the other side of the ridge, where we stood watching your movements and conduct as long as we liked. When we were ready the Sarpent gave his signal, and then all went just as it should, down to the moment when yonder vagabond leaped upon my back. Sartain; we came for that and no other purpose, and we got what we came for, there’s no use in pretending otherwise. Hist is off with a man who’s the next thing to her husband, and come what will to me, that’s one good thing detarmined.”
“What sign or signal told the young maiden that her lover was nigh?” asked the old Huron, with more curiosity than it was usual for him to betray.
Deerslayer laughed again, and seemed to enjoy the success of the exploit with as much glee as if he had not been its victim.
“Your squirrels are great gadabouts, Mingo!” he cried, still laughing—“yes, they’re sartainly great gadabouts! When other folks’ squirrels are at home and asleep, your’n keep in motion among the trees, and chirrup and sing in a way that even a Delaware girl can understand their music! Well, there’s four-legged squirrels, and there’s two-legged squirrels, and give me the last, when there’s a good tight string atween two hearts. If one brings ‘em together, t’other tells when to pull the hardest.”
The Huron looked vexed, though he succeeded in suppressing any violent exhibition of resentment. He soon quitted his prisoner, and joining the rest of his warriors, he communicated the substance of what he had learned. As in his own case admiration was mingled with anger at the boldness and success of their enemies. Three or four of them ascended the little acclivity and gazed at the tree where it was understood the adventurers had posted themselves, and one even descended and examined for footprints around its roots, in order to make sure that the statement was true. The result confirmed the story of the captive, and they all returned to the fire with increased wonder and respect. The messenger, who had arrived with some communication from the party above while the two adventurers were watching the camp, was now dispatched with some answer, and doubtless bore with him the intelligence of all that had happened.2
Down to this moment, the young Indian who had been seen walking in company with Hist and another female, had made no advances to any communication with Deerslayer. He had held himself aloof from his friends even, passing near the bevy of younger women who were clustering together, apart as usual, and conversed