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“Downright, if I can judge of Indian inclinations by the symptoms. They think, howsever, I don’t suspect their designs, I do believe ; but one that has lived so long among men of redskin gifts is no more likely to be misled in Injin feelin’s than a true hunter is like to lose his trail, or a staunch hound his scent. My own judgment is greatly ag’in my own escape, for I see the women are a good deal enraged on behalf of Hist, though I say it, perhaps, that shouldn’t say it—seein’ that I had a considerable hand myself in getting the gal off. Then there was a cruel murder in their camp last night, and that shot might just as well have been fired into my breast. Howsever, come what will, the Sarpent and his wife will be safe, and that is some happiness, in any case.” 2

“O! Deerslayer, they will think better of this, since they have given you until tomorrow noon to make up your mind!”

“I judge not, Judith; yes, I judge not. An Injin is an Injin, gal, and it’s pretty much hopeless to think of swarving him, when he’s got the scent and follows it with his nose in the air. The Delawares, now, are a half-Christianized tribe—not that I think such sort of Christians much better than your whole-blooded disbelievers—but, nevertheless, what good half-Christianizing can do to a man some among ‘em have got, and yet revenge clings to their hearts like the wild creepers here to the tree! Then I slew one of the best and boldest of their warriors, they say, and it is too much to expect that they should captivate the man who did this deed, in the very same scouting on which it was performed, and they take no account of the matter. Had a month or so gone by, their feelin’s would have been softened down, and we might have met in a more friendly way; but it is as it is. Judith, this is talking of nothing but myself and my own consarns, when you have had trouble enough, and may want to consult a fri’nd a little about your own matters. Is the old man laid in the water, where I should think his body would like to rest?”

“It is, Deerslayer,” answered Judith, almost inaudibly. “That duty has just been performed. You are right in thinking that I wish to consult a friend; and that friend is yourself. Hurry Harry is about to leave us; when he is gone, and we have got a little over the feelings of this solemn office, I hope you will give me an hour alone. Hetty and I are at a loss what to do.”

“That’s quite natural, coming as things have, suddenly and fearfully. But here’s the ark, and we’ll say more of this when there is a better opportunity.”

CHAPTER XXIII

“The winde is great upon the highest hilles;

The quiet life is in the dale below;

Who tread on ice shall slide against their willes;

They want not cares, that curious arts should know;

Who lives at ease and can content him so,

Is perfect wise, and sets us all to schoole:

Who hates this lore may well be called a foole.”

Churchyard

THE MEETING BETWEEN DEERSLAYER and his friends in the ark was grave and anxious. The two Indians, in particular, read in his manner that he was not a successful fugitive, and a few sententious words suf ficed to let them comprehend the nature of what their friend had termed his “furlough.” Chingachgook immediately became thoughtful; while Hist, as usual, had no better mode of expressing her sympathy than by those little attentions which mark the affectionate manner of woman.

In a few minutes, however, something like a general plan for the proceedings of the night was adopted, and, to the eye of an uninstructed observer, things would be thought to move in their ordinary train. It was now getting to be dark, and it was decided to sweep the ark up to the castle, and secure it in its ordinary berth. The decision was come to, in some measure, on account of the fact that all the canoes were again in the possession of their proper owners, but principally from the security that was created by the representations of Deerslayer. He had examined the state of things among the Hurons, and