The Deerslayer (Barnes & Noble Classics) - James Fenimore Cooper [237]
“But this chest and all it holds, are already ours; there is no reason why we should purchase what is already our own.”
“Just so the Mingos calculate! They say the chist is theirs already; or as good as theirs, and they’ll not thank anybody for the key.”2
“I understand you, Deerslayer; surely we are yet in possession of the lake, and we can keep possession of it until Hurry sends troops to drive off the enemy. This we may certainly do, provided you will stay with us, instead of going back and giving yourself up a prisoner again, as you now seem determined on.”
“That Hurry Harry should talk in this way, is nat’ral and according to the gifts of the man. He knows no better, and, therefore, he is little likely to feel or to act any better; but, Judith, I put it to your heart and conscience—would you, could you think of me as favorably as I hope and believe you now do, was I to forget my furlough and not go back to the camp?”
“To think more favorably of you than I now do, Deerslayer, would not be easy; but I might continue to think as favorably—at least it seems so—I hope I could; for a world wouldn’t tempt me to let you do anything that might change my real opinion of you.”
“Then don’t try to entice me to overlook my furlough, gal! A furlough is a sacred thing among warriors, and men that carry their lives in their hands, as we of the forests do; and what a grievous disapp’ intment would it be to old Tamenund, and to Uncas, the father of the Sarpent, and to my other fri‘nds in the tribe, if I was to disgrace myself on my very first warpath? This you will parceive, moreover, Judith, is without laying any stress on nat’ral gifts, and a white man’s duties, to say nothing of conscience. The last is king with me, and I try never to dispute his orders.”
“I believe you are right, Deerslayer,” returned the girl, after a little reflection, and in a saddened voice; “a man like you ought not to act as the selfish and dishonest would be apt to act; you must, indeed, go back. We will talk no more of this, then; should I persuade you to anything for which you would be sorry hereafter, my own regret would not be less than yours. You shall not have it to say, Judith—I scarce know by what name to call myself, now!”
“And why not?—why not, gal? Children take the names of their parents nat’rally and by a sort of gift, like; and why shouldn’t you and Hetty do as others have done afore ye? Hutter was the old man’s name, and Hutter should be the name of his darters; at least until you are given away in lawful and holy wedlock.”
“I am Judith, and Judith only,” returned the girl, positively, “until the law gives me a right to another name. Never will I use that of Thomas Hutter again; nor, with my consent, shall Hetty! Hutter was not his own name, I find; but had he a thousand rights to it, it would give none to me. He was not my father, thank Heaven; though I may have no reason to be proud of him that was!”
“This is strange,” said Deerslayer, looking steadily at the excited girl, anxious to know more, but unwilling to inquire into matters that did not properly concern him; “yes, this is very strange and oncommon ! Thomas Hutter wasn’t Thomas Hutter, and his darters weren’t his darters! Who, then, could Thomas Hutter be, and who are his darters?”
“Did you never hear anything whispered against the former life of this person, Deerslayer?” demanded Judith. “Passing, as I did, for his child, such reports reached even me.”
“I’ll not deny it, Judith; no, I’ll not deny it. Sartain things have been said, as I’ve told you; but I’m not very credible as to reports. Young as I am, I’ve lived long enough to l‘arn there’s two sorts of characters in the world. Them that is ’arned by deeds, and them that is ’arned by tongues; and so I prefer to see and judge for myself, instead of letting every jaw that chooses to wag become my Judge. Hurry Harry spoke pretty plainly