The Deerslayer (Barnes & Noble Classics) - James Fenimore Cooper [251]
“This is a new reason why you should be wary, Sarpent, and not run into any oncalculated danger,” the hunter added, “for it will be victory of itself, to a tribe, to own such a piece as this. The Mingos will turn green with envy; and, what is more, they will not ventur’ heedlessly near a village where it is known to be kept. So look well to it, Delaware, and remember that you’ve now to watch over a thing that has all the valie of a creatur’, without its failin’s. Hist may be, and should be precious to you, but Killdeer will have the love and veneration of your whole people.”
“One rifle like another, Deerslayer,” returned the Indian, in English, the language used by the other, a little hurt at his friend’s lowering his betrothed to the level of a gun. “All kill; all wood and iron. Wife dear to heart; rifle good to shoot.”
“And what is a man in the woods, without something to shoot with?—a miserable trapper, or a forlorn broom and basketmaker, at the best. Such a man may hoe corn, and keep soul and body together, but he can never know the savory morsels of venison, or tell a bear’s ham from a hog’s. Come, my fri‘nd, such another occasion may never offer ag’in, and I feel a strong craving for a trial with this celebrated piece. You shall bring out your own rifle, and I will just sight Killdeer in a careless way, in order that we may know a few of its secret vartues.”
As this proposition served to relieve the thoughts of the whole party, by giving them a new direction, while it was likely to produce no unpleasant result, every one was willing to enter into it; the girls bringing forth the firearms with an alacrity bordering on cheerful-ness. Hutter’s armory was well supplied, possessing several rifles, all of which were habitually kept loaded, in readiness to meet any sudden demand for their use. On the present occasion, it only remained to freshen the primings, and each piece was in a state for service. This was soon done, as all assisted in it, the females being as expert in this part of the system of defence, as their male companions.
“Now, Sarpent, we’ll begin in a humble way, using old Tom’s commoners first, and coming to your we‘pon and Killdeer as the winding-up observations,” said Deerslayer, delighted to be again, weapon in hand, ready to display his skill. “Here’s birds in abundance, some in, and some over the lake, and they keep at just a good range, hovering round the hut. Speak your mind, Delaware, and p’int out the creatur’ you wish to alarm. Here’s a diver, nearest in, off to the eastward, and that’s a creatur’ that buries itself at the flash, and will be like enough to try both piece and powder.”
Chingachgook was a man of few words. No sooner was the bird pointed out to him than he took his aim and fired. The duck dived at the flash, as had been expected, and the bullet skipped harmlessly along the surface of the lake, first striking the water within a few inches of the spot where the bird had so lately swam. Deerslayer laughed cordially and naturally; but at the same time he threw himself into an attitude of preparation, and stood keenly watching the sheet of placid water. Presently a dark spot appeared, and then the duck arose to breathe, and shook its wings. While in this act, a bullet passed directly through its breast, actually turning it over lifeless, on its back. At the next moment, Deerslayer stood with the breach of his rifle on the platform, as tranquil as if nothing had happened, though laughing in his own peculiar manner.
“There’s no great trial of the pieces in that!” he said, as if anxious