ThePioneers;Or,TheSourcesoftheSusquehanna

ByJamesFenimoreCooper

ThePioneers;Or,TheSourcesOfTheSusquehanna

INTRODUCTION

Asthisworkprofesses,initstitle-page,tobeadescriptivetale,theywhowilltake the trouble to read itmaybeglad toknowhowmuchof itscontents isliteral fact, and how much is intended to represent a general picture. Theauthor isverysensible that,hadheconfinedhimself to the latter,alwaysthemost effective, as it is themost valuable,mode of conveying knowledge ofthis nature, he would have made a far better book. But in commencing todescribescenes,andperhapshemayaddcharacters, thatweresofamiliar tohisownyouth,therewasaconstanttemptationtodelineatethatwhichhehadknown,ratherthanthatwhichhemighthaveimagined.Thisrigidadhesiontotruth,an indispensablerequisite inhistoryandtravels,destroys thecharmoffiction;forall that isnecessarytobeconveyedto themindbythe latterhadbetterbedonebydelineationsofprinciples,andofcharactersintheirclasses,thanbyatoofastidiousattentiontooriginals.NewYork having but one county of Otsego, and the Susquehanna but onepropersource,therecanbenomistakeastothesiteofthetale.Thehistoryofthis district of country, so far as it is connectedwith civilizedmen, is soon

told.Otsego, in commonwithmost of the interior of the province ofNewYork,wasincludedinthecountyofAlbanypreviouslytothewaroftheseparation.It thenbecame, in a subsequentdivisionof territory, apart ofMontgomery;andfinally,havingobtainedasufficientpopulationofitsown,itwassetapartasacountybyitselfshortlyafterthepeaceof1783.It liesamongthoselowspursoftheAlleghanieswhichcoverthemidlandcountiesofNewYork,anditisalittleeastofameridionallinedrawnthroughthecentreoftheState.Asthewaters ofNewYork flow either southerly into theAtlantic or northerlyintoOntarioanditsoutlet,OtsegoLake,beingthesourceoftheSusquehanna,isofnecessityamongitshighestlands.Thefaceofthecountry,theclimateasitwasfoundbythewhites,andthemannersofthesettlers,aredescribedwithaminutenessforwhichtheauthorhasnootherapologythantheforceofhisownrecollections.OtsegoissaidtobeawordcompoundedofOt,aplaceofmeeting,andSego,or Sago, the ordinary term of salutation used by the Indians of this region.Thereisatraditionwhichsaysthattheneighboringtribeswereaccustomedtomeet on the banks of the lake to make their treaties, and otherwise tostrengthen theiralliances,andwhich refers thename to thispractice.As theIndianagentofNewYorkhadalogdwellingatthefootofthelake,however,itisnotimpossiblethattheappellationgrewoutofthemeetingsthatwereheldat his council fires; thewar drove off the agent, in commonwith the otherofficersofthecrown;andhisrudedwellingwassoonabandoned.Theauthorremembers it, a few years later, reduced to the humble office of a smoke-house.In1779anexpeditionwassentagainstthehostileIndians,whodweltaboutahundredmileswestofOtsego,onthebanksoftheCayuga.Thewholecountrywas thenawilderness,and itwasnecessary to transport thebaggageof thetroopsbymeansof the rivers—adeviousbutpracticable route.OnebrigadeascendedtheMohawkuntil it reachedthepointnearest to thesourcesof theSusquehanna,whenceitcutalanethroughtheforesttotheheadoftheOtsego.The boats and baggage were carried over this "portage," and the troopsproceeded to the other extremity of the lake, where they disembarked andencamped.TheSusquehanna,anarrowthoughrapidstreamatitssource,wasmuchfilledwith"floodwood,"orfallentrees;andthetroopsadoptedanovelexpedienttofacilitatetheirpassage.TheOtsegoisaboutninemilesinlength,varyinginbreadthfromhalfamiletoamileandahalf.Thewaterisofgreatdepth,limpid,andsuppliedfromathousandsprings.Atitsfootthebanksareratherlessthanthirtyfeethightheremainderofitsmarginbeinginmountains,intervals,andpoints.Theoutlet,ortheSusquehanna,flowsthroughagorgeinthe lowbanks justmentioned,whichmayhaveawidthof twohundredfeet.

Thisgorgewasdammedandthewatersofthelakecollected:theSusquehannawasconvertedintoarill.When allwas ready the troops embarked, the damnwas knocked away, theOtsego poured out its torrent, and the boats went merrily down with thecurrent.GeneralJamesClinton,thebrotherofGeorgeClinton,thengovernorofNewYork,andthefatherofDeWittClinton,whodiedgovernorofthesameStatein1827,commandedthebrigadeemployedonthisduty.DuringthestayofthetroopsatthefootoftheOtsegoasoldierwasshotfordesertion.Thegraveofthis unfortunatemanwas the first place of human interment that the authoreverbeheld,as thesmoke-housewas the first ruin!Theswivelalluded to inthisworkwasburiedandabandonedbythetroopsonthisoccasion,anditwassubsequentlyfoundindiggingthecellarsoftheauthorspaternalresidence.Soon after the close of the war, Washington, accompanied by manydistinguished men, visited the scene of this tale, it is said with a view toexaminethefacilitiesforopeningacommunicationbywaterwithotherpointsofthecountry.Hestayedbutafewhours.In1785theauthor'sfather,whohadaninterest inextensivetractsof landinthiswilderness, arrivedwith a party of surveyors.Themanner inwhich thescenemethiseyeisdescribedbyJudgeTemple.Atthecommencementofthefollowingyearthesettlementbegan;andfromthattimetothisthecountryhascontinued to flourish. It is a singular feature in American life that at thebeginningof thiscentury,when theproprietorof theestatehadoccasion forsettlersonanewsettlementandinaremotecounty,hewasenabledtodrawthemfromamongtheincreaseoftheformercolony.AlthoughthesettlementofthispartofOtsegoalittleprecededthebirthoftheauthor,itwasnotsufficientlyadvancedtorenderitdesirablethataneventsoimportant tohimselfshould takeplace in thewilderness.PerhapshismotherhadareasonabledistrustofthepracticeofDrTodd,whomustthenhavebeeninthenovitiateofhisexperimentalacquirements.Bethatasitmay,theauthorwasbroughtaninfantintothisvalley,andallhisfirst impressionswerehereobtained. He has inhabited it ever since, at intervals; and he thinks he cananswer for the faithfulness of the picture he has drawn. Otsego has nowbecome one of the most populous districts of New York. It sends forth itsemigrants like any other old region, and it is pregnant with industry andenterprise. Itsmanufacturers are prosperous, and it isworthyof remark thatoneofthemostingeniousmachinesknowninEuropeanartisderivedfromthekeeningenuitywhichisexercisedinthisremoteregion.Inordertopreventmistake,itmaybewelltosaythattheincidentsofthistalearepurelyafiction.Theliteralfactsarechieflyconnectedwiththenaturaland

artificial objects and the customs of the inhabitants. Thus the academy, andcourt-house, and jail, and inn, and most similar things, are tolerably exact.Theyhaveall,longsince,givenplacetootherbuildingsofamorepretendingcharacter.Thereisalsosomelibertytakenwiththetruthinthedescriptionoftheprincipaldwelling;therealbuildinghadno"firstly"and"lastly."Itwasofbricks,andnotofstone;anditsroofexhibitednoneofthepeculiarbeautiesofthe"compositeorder."Itwaserectedinanagetooprimitiveforthatambitiousschoolofarchitecture.Buttheauthorindulgedhisrecollectionsfreelywhenhehad fairly entered the door. Here all is literal, even to the severed arm ofWolfe,andtheurnwhichheldtheashesofQueenDido.**ThoughforestsstillcrownthemountainsofOtsego,thebear,thewolf,andthepantherarenearlystrangerstothem.Eventheinnocentdeerisrarelyseenboundingbeneaththeirarches;fortherifleandtheactivityofthesettlersharedriventhemtootherhaunts.Tothischange(whichinsomeparticularsismelancholytoonewhoknewthecountryinitsinfancy),itmaybeaddedthattheOtsegoisbeginningtobeaniggardofitstreasures.The author has elsewhere said that the character of Leather-Stocking is acreation,renderedprobablebysuchauxiliariesaswerenecessary toproducethateffect.Hadhedrawnstillmoreuponfancy,theloversoffictionwouldnothavesomuchcause for theirobjections tohiswork.Still, thepicturewouldnothavebeenintheleasttruewithoutsomesubstitutesformostoftheotherpersonages.Thegreatproprietorresidentonhislands,andgivinghisnametoinsteadofreceivingitfromhisestatesasinEurope,iscommonoverthewholeof New York. The physician with his theory, rather obtained from thancorrectedbyexperimentson thehumanconstitution; thepious,self-denying,laborious, and ill-paid missionary; the half-educated, litigious, envious, anddisreputable lawyer, with his counterpoise, a brother of the profession, ofbetter origin and of better character; the shiftless, bargaining, discontentedsellerofhis"betterments;"theplausiblecarpenter,andmostoftheothers,aremorefamiliartoallwhohaveeverdweltinanewcountry.It may be well to say here, a little more explicitly, that there was no realintentiontodescribewithparticularaccuracyanyrealcharactersinthisbook.It has been often said, and in published statements, that the heroine of thisbookwasdrawnafterthesisterofthewriter,whowaskilledbyafallfromahorsenownearhalfacenturysince.Soingeniousisconjecturethatapersonalresemblance has been discovered between the fictitious character and thedeceasedrelative!Itisscarcelypossibletodescribetwofemalesofthesameclass in lifewhowouldbe less alike,personally, thanElizabethTempleand

thesisteroftheauthorwhometwiththedeplorablefatementioned.Inaword,theywereasunlikeinthisrespectasinhistory,character,andfortunes.Circumstancesrenderedthissistersingularlydeartotheauthor.Afteralapseofhalfacentury,he iswriting thisparagraphwithapain thatwould inducehim to cancel it, were it not still more painful to have it believed that onewhomheregardedwithareverence thatsurpassed the loveofabrotherwasconvertedbyhimintotheheroineofaworkoffiction.Fromcircumstanceswhich,afterthisIntroduction,willbeobvioustoall, theauthor has hadmore pleasure in writing "The Pioneers" than the bookwillprobablyevergiveanyofitsreaders.Heisquiteawareofitsnumerousfaults,someofwhichhehasendeavoredtorepair inthisedition;butashehas—inintention, at least—donehis full share in amusing theworld, he trusts to itsgood-natureforoverlookingthisattempttopleasehimself.

CHAPTERI.

"See,Wintercomes,torulethevariedyears,Sullenandsad,withallhisrisingtrain;Vapors,andclouds,andstorms."—Thomson.NearthecentreoftheStateofNewYorkliesanextensivedistrictofcountrywhose surface is a succession of hills and dales, or, to speak with greaterdeference togeographicaldefinitions, ofmountains andvalleys. It is amongthesehillsthattheDelawaretakesitsrise;andflowingfromthelimpidlakesandthousandspringsofthisregionthenumeroussourcesoftheSusquehannameanderthroughthevalleysuntil,unitingtheirstreams,theyformoneoftheproudestriversoftheUnitedStates.Themountainsaregenerallyarabletothetops,althoughinstancesarenotwantingwherethesidesarejuttedwithrocksthat aid greatly in giving to the country that romantic and picturesquecharacter which it so eminently possesses. The vales are narrow, rich, andcultivated, with a stream uniformly winding through each. Beautiful andthrivingvillagesarefoundinterspersedalongthemarginsof thesmall lakes,or situated at those points of the streams which are favorable formanufacturing; and neat and comfortable farms, with every indication ofwealthaboutthem,arescatteredprofuselythroughthevales,andeventothemountain tops.Roadsdiverge in everydirection from the even andgracefulbottoms of the valleys to the most rugged and intricate passes of the hills.Academiesandminoredificesoflearningmeettheeyeofthestrangerateveryfewmilesasbewindshiswaythroughthisuneventerritory,andplacesfortheworshipofGodaboundwith that frequencywhich characterize amoral and

reflectingpeople,andwiththatvarietyofexteriorandcanonicalgovernmentwhichflowsfromunfetteredlibertyofconscience.Inshort,thewholedistrictishourlyexhibitinghowmuchcanbedone,inevenaruggedcountryandwithasevereclimate,underthedominionofmildlaws,andwhereeverymanfeelsa direct interest in the prosperity of a commonwealth of which he knowshimselftoformapart.Theexpedientsofthepioneerswhofirstbrokegroundin the settlement of this country are succeeded by the permanentimprovements of the yeoman who intends to leave his remains to moulderunder the sodwhich he tills, or perhaps of the son, who, born in the land,piouslywishestolingeraroundthegraveofhisfather.Onlyfortyyears*havepassedsincethisterritorywasawilderness.*Ourtalebeginsin1793,aboutsevenyearsafterthecommencementofoneoftheearliestofthosesettlementswhichhaveconducedtoeffectthatmagicalchangeinthepowerandconditionoftheStatetowhichwehavealluded.Very soon after the establishment of the independence of the States by thepeaceof1783,theenterpriseoftheircitizenswasdirectedtoadevelopmentofthenaturaladvantagesoftheirwidelyextendeddominions.BeforethewaroftheRevolution,theinhabitedpartsofthecolonyofNewYorkwerelimitedtolessthanatenthofitspossessions,Anarrowbeltofcountry,extendingforashortdistanceoneithersideoftheHudson,withasimilaroccupationoffiftymileson thebanksof theMohawk, togetherwith the islandsofNassauandStaten, anda few insulated settlementsonchosen landalong themarginsofstreams, composed the country, which was then inhabited by less than twohundred thousand souls. Within the short period we have mentioned, thepopulation has spread itself over five degrees of latitude and seven oflongitude, and has swelled to a million and a half of inhabitants, who aremaintained in abundance, and can look forward to ages before the evil daymustarrivewhentheirpossessionsshallbecomeunequaltotheirwants.Itwasnear thesettingof thesun,onaclear,coldday inDecember,whenasleigh wasmoving slowly up one of themountains in the district we havedescribed.The dayhad been fine for the season, andbut twoor three largeclouds,whosecolorseemedbrightenedbythelightreflectedfromthemassofsnow that covered the earth, floated in a sky of the purest blue. The roadwound along the brow of a precipice, and on one side was upheld by afoundationoflogspiledoneupontheother,whileanarrowexcavationinthemountainintheoppositedirectionhadmadeapassageofsufficientwidthfortheordinarytravellingofthatday.Butlogs,excavation,andeverythingthatdidnotreachseveralfeetabovetheearthlayalikeburiedbeneaththesnow.Asingletrack,barelywideenoughtoreceivethesleigh,*denotedtherouteof

thehighway,andthiswassunknearlytwofeetbelowthesurroundingsurface.*SleighisthewordusedineverypartoftheUnitedStatestodenoteatraineau.ItisoflocaluseinthewestofEngland,whenceitismostprobablyderivedbytheAmericans.Thelatterdrawadistinctionbetweenasled,orsledge,andasleigh,thesleighbeingshodwithmetal.Sleighsarealsosubdividedintotwo-horseandone-horsesleighs.Ofthelatter,therearethecutter,withthillssoarrangedastopermitthehorsetotravelinthesidetrack;the"pung,"or"tow-pung"whichisdrivenwithapole;andthe"gumper,"arudeconstructionusedfortemporarypurposesinthenewcountries.ManyoftheAmericansleighsareelegantthoughtheuseofthismodeofconveyanceismuchlessenedwiththemeliorationoftheclimateconsequenttotheclearingoftheforests.In thevale,which layat adistanceof severalhundred feet lower, therewaswhat, in the languageof thecountry,wascalledaclearing,andall theusualimprovementsofanewsettlement;theseevenextendedupthehilltothepointwhere the road turned short and ran across the level land,which lay on thesummitof themountain;but the summit itself remained in the forest.Therewasglitteringin theatmosphere,as if itwasfilledwithinnumerableshiningparticles;andthenoblebayhorsesthatdrewthesleighwerecovered,inmanypartswithacoatofhoar-frost.Thevaporfromtheirnostrilswasseentoissuelikesmoke;andeveryobjectintheview,aswellaseveryarrangementofthetravellers,denotedthedepthofawinterinthemountains.Theharness,whichwasofadeep,dullblack,differingfromtheglossyvarnishingofthepresentday,was ornamentedwith enormousplates andbuckles of brass, that shonelikegoldinthosetransientbeamsofthesunwhichfoundtheirwayobliquelythroughthetopsofthetrees.Hugesaddles,studdedwithnailsandfittedwithcloththatservedasblanketstotheshouldersofthecattle,supportedfourhigh,square-toppedturrets,throughwhichthestoutreinsledfromthemouthsofthehorsestothehandsofthedriver,whowasanegro,ofapparentlytwentyyearsofage.His face,whichnaturehadcoloredwithaglisteningblack,wasnowmottledwiththecold,andhislargeshiningeyesfilledwithtears;atributetoitspowerthatthekeenfrostsofthoseregionsalwaysextractedfromoneofhisAfrican origin. Still, there was a smiling expression of good-humor in hishappycountenance,thatwascreatedbythethoughtsofhomeandaChristmasfireside, with its Christmas frolics. The sleigh was one of those large,comfortable, old-fashionedconveyances,whichwouldadmit awhole familywithin itsbosom,butwhichnowcontainedonly twopassengersbesides the

driver. The color of its outsidewas amodest green, and that of its inside afiery red, The latter was intended to convey the idea of heat in that coldclimate.Largebuffalo-skinstrimmedaroundtheedgeswithredclothcutintofestoons,coveredthebackofthesleigh,andwerespreadoveritsbottomanddrawnuparoundthefeetofthetravellers—oneofwhomwasamanofmiddleageandtheotherafemalejustenteringuponwomanhood.Theformerwasofalargestature;buttheprecautionshehadtakentoguardagainstthecoldleftbut little of his person exposed to view. A great-coat, that was abundantlyornamented by a profusion of furs, enveloped the whole of his figureexceptingthehead,whichwascoveredwithacapofmarten-skinslinedwithmorocco, the sides ofwhichweremade to fall, if necessary, andwere nowdrawncloseovertheearsandfastenedbeneathhischinwithablackribbon.Thetopofthecapwassurmountedwiththetailoftheanimalwhoseskinhadfurnished the rest of thematerials, which fell back, not ungracefully, a fewinchesbehindthehead.Frombeneaththismaskweretobeseenpartofafine,manlyface,andparticularlyapairofexpressivelargeblueeyes,thatpromisedextraordinaryintellect,coverthumor,andgreatbenevolence.Theformofhiscompanionwas literallyhidbeneath thegarmentsshewore.Therewerefursandsilkspeepingfromunderalargecamletcloakwithathickflannellining,thatbyitscutandsizewasevidentlyintendedforamasculinewearer.Ahugehood of black silk, thatwas quiltedwith down, concealed thewhole of herhead,exceptatasmallopeninginfrontforbreath,throughwhichoccasionallysparkledapairofanimatedjet-blackeyes.Both the father and daughter (for suchwas the connection between the twotravellers)were toomuchoccupiedwith their reflections tobreaka stillnessthatderivedlittleornointerruptionfromtheeasyglidingofthesleighbythesoundoftheirvoices.Theformerwasthinkingofthewifethathadheldthistheir only child to her bosom, when, four years before, she had reluctantlyconsented to relinquish the society of her daughter in order that the lattermightenjoytheadvantagesofaneducationwhichthecityofNewYorkcouldonlyofferat thatperiod.Afewmonthsafterwarddeathhaddeprivedhimofthe remainingcompanionofhissolitude;but stillhehadenoughreal regardfor his child not to bring her into the comparative wilderness in which hedwelt,until the fullperiodhadexpired towhichhehad limitedher juvenilelabors.Thereflectionsofthedaughterwerelessmelancholy,andmingledwithapleasedastonishmentatthenovelsceneryshemetateveryturnintheroad.Themountainonwhichtheywerejourneyingwascoveredwithpinesthatrosewithoutabranchsomeseventyoreighty feet,andwhich frequentlydoubledthat height by the addition of the tops. Through the innumerable vistas thatopenedbeneath the lofty trees, theeyecouldpenetrateuntil itwasmetbyadistantinequalityintheground,orwasstoppedbyaviewofthesummitofthemountain which lay on the opposite side of the valley to which they were

hastening.Thedarktrunksofthetreesrosefromthepurewhiteofthesnowinregularly formed shafts, until, at a great height, their branches shot forthhorizontal limbs, thatwerecoveredwith themeagrefoliageofanevergreen,affordingamelancholycontrasttothetorporofnaturebelow.Tothetravellersthere seemed to be no wind; but these pines waved majestically at theirtopmost boughs, sending forth a dull, plaintive sound that was quite inconsonancewiththerestofthemelancholyscene.Thesleighhadglidedforsomedistancealongtheevensurface,andthegazeof the female was bent in inquisitive and, perhaps, timid glances into therecessesoftheforest,whenaloudandcontinuedhowlingwasheard,pealingunderthelongarchesofthewoodslikethecryofanumerouspackofhounds.Theinstantthesoundsreachedtheearofthegentlemanhecriedaloudtotheblack:"Hol up, Aggy; there is old Hector; I should know his bay among tenthousand!TheLeather-Stockinghasputhishoundsintothehillsthisclearday,andtheyhavestartedtheirgame.Thereisadeer-trackafewrodsahead;andnow,Bess,ifthoucanstmustercourageenoughtostandfire,IwillgivetheeasaddleforthyChristmasdinner."Theblackdrewup,withacheerfulgrinuponhischilledfeatures,andbeganthrashing his arms together in order to restore the circulation of his fingers,whilethespeakerstooderectand,throwingasidehisoutercovering,steppedfrom the sleigh upon a bank of snow which sustained his weight withoutyielding.In a few moments the speaker succeeded in extricating a double-barrelledfowling-piece from among a multitude of trunks and bandboxes. Afterthrowing aside the thick mittens which had encased his hands, there nowappearedapairofleatherglovestippedwithfur;heexaminedhispriming,andwas about to move forward, when the light bounding noise of an animalplungingthroughthewoodswasheard,andafinebuckdartedintothepathashortdistanceaheadofhim.Theappearanceoftheanimalwassudden,andhisflight inconceivably rapid; but the traveller appeared to be too keen asportsmantobedisconcertedbyeither.Asitcamefirstintoviewheraisedthefowling-piecetohisshoulderand,withapractisedeyeandsteadyhand,drewatrigger.Thedeerdashedforwardundaunted,andapparentlyunhurt.Withoutloweringhispiece,thetravellerturneditsmuzzletowardhisvictim,andfiredagain.Neitherdischarge,however,seemedtohavetakeneffect,Thewholescenehadpassedwitharapiditythatconfusedthefemale,whowasunconsciously rejoicing in the escapeof thebuck, as he rather darted like ameteor than ran across the road, when a sharp, quick sound struck her ear,quite different from the full, round reports of her father's gun, but stillsufficientlydistinct tobeknownas theconcussionproducedbyfirearms.At

thesame instant thatsheheard thisunexpectedreport, thebucksprangfromthesnowtoagreatheightintheair,anddirectlyaseconddischarge,similarinsound to thefirst, followed,when theanimalcame to theearth, failingheadlong and rolling over on the crust with its own velocity. A loud shout wasgivenbytheunseenmarksman,andacoupleofmeninstantlyappearedfrombehindthetrunksof twoof thepines,wheretheyhadevidentlyplacedthemselvesinexpectationofthepassageofthedeer."Ha!Natty,hadIknownyouwereinambush,Ishouldnothavefired,"criedthe traveller,moving toward the spotwhere the deer lay—near towhich hewas followed by the delighted black,with his sleigh; "but the sound of oldHectorwas too exhilarating to be quiet; though I hardly think I struck him,either.""No—no——Judge," returned the hunter,with an inward chuckle, andwiththat look of exultation that indicates a consciousness of superior skill, "youburntyourpowderonlytowarmyournosethiscoldevening.Didyethinktostopafull-grownbuck,withHectorandtheslutopenuponhimwithinsound,with that pop-gun in your hand! There's plenty of pheasants among theswamps;andthesnow-birdsareflyingroundyourowndoor,whereyoumayfeedthemwithcrumbs,andshootthematpleasure,anyday;butifyou'reforabuck,or a littlebear'smeat, Judge,you'll have to take the long rifle,withagreasedwadding,oryou'llwastemorepowder thanyou'll fill stomachs, I'mthinking."Asthespeakerconcludedhedrewhisbarehandacrossthebottomofhisnose,andagainopenedhisenormousmouthwithakindofinwardlaugh."Thegunscatterswell,Natty,And ithaskilledadeerbeforenow,"said thetraveller, smiling good-humoredly. "One barrel was charged with buckshot,but theotherwas loadedforbirdsonly.Hereare twohurts;one through theneck,andtheotherdirectlythroughtheheart.Itisbynomeanscertain,Natty,butIgavehimoneofthetwo."Letwhowillkillhim."saidthehunter,rathersurily."Isupposethecreatureistobeeaten."Sosaying,hedrewalargeknifefromaleathernsheath,whichwasstuckthroughhisgirdle,orsash,andcutthethroatof the animal, "If there are two balls through the deer, Iwould ask if thereweren't two rifles fired—besides, who ever saw such a ragged hole from asmooth-boreasthisthroughtheneck?Andyouwillownyourself,Judge,thatthebuckfellatthelastshot,whichwassentfromatruerandayoungerhandthanyour'normineeither;but,formypart,althoughIamapoormanIcanlivewithoutthevenison,butIdon'tlovetogiveupmylawfulduesinafreecountry.Though,forthematterofthat,mightoftenmakesrighthere,aswellasintheoldcountry,forwhatIcansee."

Anairofsullendissatisfactionpervadedthemannerofthehunterduringthewholeofhisspeech;yethethoughtitprudenttoutterthecloseofthesentenceinsuchanundertoneastoleavenothingaudiblebutthegrumblingsoundsofhisvoice."Nay,Natty,"rejoinedthetraveller,withundisturbedgood-humor,"itisforthehonor that I contend.A few dollarswill pay for the venison; butwhatwillrequitemeforthelosthonorofabuck'stail inmycap?Think,Natty,howIshouldtriumphoverthatquizzingdog,DickJones,whohasfailedseventimesalready thisseason,andhasonlybrought inonewoodchuckanda fewgraysquirrels.""Ah!Thegameisbecominghard tofind, indeed,Judge,withyourclearingsand betterments," said the old hunter,with a kind of compelled resignation."ThetimehasbeenwhenIhaveshotthirteendeerwithoutcountingthefa'nsstandinginthedoorofmyownhut;andforbear'smeat,ifonewantedahamor so, hehadonly towatch a-nights, andhe could shoot onebymoonlight,throughthecracksofthelogs,nofearofhisoversleepinghimselfneither,forthe howling of the wolves was sartin to keep his eyes open. There's oldHector"—pattingwithaffectiona tallhoundofblackandyellowspots,withwhitebellyandlegs,thatjustthencameinonthescent,accompaniedbythesluthehadmentioned;"seewhere thewolvesbithis throat, thenightIdruvthem from the venison that was smoking on the chimney top—that dog ismore tobe trusted thanmanyaChristianman;forheneverforgetsafriend,andlovesthehandthatgiveshimbread."Therewasapeculiarityinthemannerofthehunterthatattractedthenoticeofthe young female, who had been a close and interested observer of hisappearanceandequipments,fromthemomenthecameintoview.Hewastall,andsomeagreas tomakehimseemaboveeventhesixfeet thatheactuallystoodinhisstockings.Onhishead,whichwasthinlycoveredwithlank,sandyhair, hewore a capmadeof fox-skin, resembling in shape theonewehavealready described, althoughmuch inferior in finish and ornaments.His facewasskinnyandthinalmosttoemaciation;butyetitborenosignsofdisease—on the contrary, it had every indication of the most robust and enduringhealth.Thecoldandexposurehad, together,given itacolorofuniformred.His gray eyes were glancing under a pair of shaggy brows, that over hungthem in long hairs of graymingledwith their natural hue; his scraggy neckwasbare, andburnt to the same tintwithhis face; though a small part of ashirt-collar,madeofthecountrycheck,wastobeseenabovetheoverdresshewore.Akindofcoat,madeofdresseddeer-skin,withthehairon,wasbeltedclosetohislankbodybyagirdleofcoloredworsted.Onhisfeetweredeer-skinmoccasins, ornamentedwith porcupines' quills, after themanner of theIndians,andhislimbswereguardedwithlongleggingsofthesamematerialas

the moccasins, which, gartering over the knees of his tarnished buckskinbreeches, hadobtained for himamong the settlers the nicknameofLeather-Stocking. Over his left shoulder was slung a belt of deer-skin, fromwhichdependedanenormousox-horn,sothinlyscrapedastodiscoverthepowderitcontained.Thelargerendwasfittedingeniouslyandsecurelywithawoodenbottom,andtheotherwasstoppedtightbyalittleplug.Aleathernpouchhungbefore him, from which, as he concluded his last speech, he took a smallmeasure,and,filling itaccuratelywithpowder,hecommencedreloadingtherifle,whichasitsbuttrestedonthesnowbeforehimreachednearlytothetopofhisfox-skincap.The traveller had been closely examining the wounds during thesemovements,andnow,withoutheedingtheill-humorofthehunter'smanner,heexclaimed:"Iwouldfainestablisharight,Natty,tothehonorofthisdeath;andsurelyifthe hit in the neck be mine it is enough; for the shot in the heart wasunnecessary—whatwecallanactofsupererogation,Leather-Stocking.""Youmay call it by what larned name you please, Judge," said the hunter,throwing his rifle across his left arm, and knocking up a brass lid in thebreech,fromwhichhetookasmallpieceofgreasedleatherand,wrappingabail in it, forced them down by main strength on the powder, where hecontinuedtopoundthemwhilespeaking."It'sfareasiertocallnamesthantoshootabuckon thespring;but thecreaturcamebyhisend fromayoungerhandthaneitheryour'normine,asIsaidbefore.""What say you,my friend," cried the traveller, turning pleasantly toNatty'scompanion;"shallwetossupthisdollarforthehonor,andyoukeepthesilverifyoulose;whatsayyou,friend?""ThatIkilledthedeer,"answeredtheyoungman,withalittlehaughtiness,asheleanedonanotherlongriflesimilartothatofNatty."Herearetwotoone,indeed,"repliedtheJudgewithasmile;"Iamoutvoted—overruled, aswe say on the bench. There isAggy, he can't vote, being aslave;andBessisaminor—soImustevenmakethebestofit.Butyou'llsendmethevenison;andthedeuceisinit,butImakeagoodstoryaboutitsdeath.""Themeatisnoneofminetosell,"saidLeather-Stocking,adoptingalittleofhiscompanion'shauteur;"formypart,Ihaveknownanimalstraveldayswithshotsintheneck,andI'mnoneofthemwho'llrobamanofhisrightfuldues.""Youaretenaciousofyourrights,thiscoldevening,Natty,"returnedtheJudgewith unconquerable good-nature; "butwhat say you, youngman;will threedollarspayyouforthebuck?""Firstletusdeterminethequestionofrighttothesatisfactionofusboth,"said

the youth firmly but respect fully, and with a pronunciation and languagevastly superior to his appearance: "with howmany shot did you load yourgun?""With five, sir," said the Judge, a little struckwith the other'smanner; "aretheynotenoughtoslayabucklikethis?""One would do it; but," moving to the tree from be hind which he hadappeared, "you know, sir, you fired in this direction—here are four of thebulletsinthetree."TheJudgeexaminedthefreshmarksinthebarkofthepine,and,shakinghishead,saidwithalaugh:"Youaremakingoutthecaseagainstyourself,myyoungadvocate;whereisthefifth?""Here,"saidtheyouth, throwingasidetheroughovercoat thathewore,andexhibiting a hole in his under-garment, throughwhich large drops of bloodwereoozing."Good God!" exclaimed the Judge, with horror; "have I been trifling hereabout an empty distinction, and a fellow-creature suffering frommy handswithoutamurmur?Buthasten—quick—getintomysleigh—itisbutamiletothe village, where surgical aid can be obtained—all shall be done at myexpense,andthoushaltlivewithmeuntilthywoundishealed,ay,andforeverafterward.""I thankyouforyourgood intention,but Imustdeclineyouroffer. Ihaveafriendwhowould be uneasywere he to hear that I amhurt and away fromhim.Theinjuryisbutslight,andthebullethasmissedthebones;butIbelieve,sir,youwillnowadmitmetitletothevenison.""Admitit!"repeatedtheagitatedJudge;"Iheregivetheearighttoshootdeer,orbears,oranythingthoupleasestinmywoods,forever.Leather-StockingistheonlyothermanthatIhavegrantedthesameprivilegeto;andthetimeiscomingwhenitwillbeofvalue.ButIbuyyourdeer—here,thisbillwillpaythee,bothforthyshotandmyown."The old hunter gathered his tall person up into an air of pride during thisdialogue,buthewaiteduntiltheotherhaddonespeaking."There'sthemlivingwhosaythatNathanielBumppo'srighttoshootonthesehills isofolderdatethanMarmadukeTemple'sright toforbidhim,"hesaid."Butifthere'salawaboutitatall,thoughwhoeverheardofalawthatamanshouldn'tkilldeerwherehepleased!—butifthereisalawatall,itshouldbetokeeppeoplefromtheuseofsmooth-bores.Abodyneverknowswherehisleadwillfly,whenhepullsthetriggerofoneofthemuncertainfirearms."WithoutattendingtothesoliloquyofNatty,theyouthbowedhisheadsilently

totheofferofthebank-note,andreplied:"Excuseme:Ihaveneedofthevenison.""Butthiswillbuyyoumanydeer,"saidtheJudge;"takeit,Ientreatyou;"and,loweringhisvoicetoawhisper,headded,"Itisforahundreddollars."For an instant only the youth seemed to hesitate, and then, blushing eventhroughthehighcolorthatthecoldhadgiventohischeeks,asifwithinwardshameathisownweakness,heagaindeclinedtheoffer.During this scene the femalearose,and regardlessof thecoldair, she threwback the hood which concealed her features, and now spoke, with greatearnestness."Surely,surely—youngman—sir—youwouldnotpainmyfathersomuchastohavehimthinkthatheleavesafellow-creatureinthiswildernesswhomhisownhandhasinjured.Ientreatyouwillgowithus,andreceivemedicalaid."Whetherhiswoundbecamemorepainful,ortherewassomethingirresistibleinthevoiceandmannerofthefairpleaderforherfather'sfeelings,weknownot;butthedistanceoftheyoungmansmannerwassensiblysoftenedbythisappeal,andhestoodinapparentdoubt,asifreluctanttocomplywithandyetunwilling to refuseher request.TheJudge, forsuchbeinghisofficemust infuturebehis title,watchedwithno little interest thedisplayof this singularcontentioninthefeelingsoftheyouth;and,advancing,kindlytookhishand,and,ashepulledhimgentlytowardthesleigh,urgedhimtoenterit."ThereisnohumanaidnearerthanTempleton,"hesaid,"andthehutofNattyisfull threemilesfromthis—come,come,myyoungfriend,gowithus,andlet thenewdoctor look to this shoulderof thine.Here isNattywill take thetidings of thywelfare to thy friend; and shouldst thou require it, thou shaltreturn home in the morning." The young man succeeded in extricating hishandfromthewarmgraspoftheJudge,buthecontinuedtogazeonthefaceof the female, who, regardless of the cold, was still standing with her finefeatures exposed, which expressed feeling that eloquently seconded therequestofherfather.Leather-Stockingstood,inthemeantime,leaninguponhis long rifle, with his head turned a little to one side, as if engaged insagaciousmusing;when,havingapparentlysatisfiedhisdoubts,byrevolvingthesubjectinhismind,hebrokesilence."Itmaybebesttogo,lad,afterall;for,iftheshothangsundertheskin,myhandisgettingtoooldtobecuttingintohumanflesh,asIonceusedto,Thoughsomethirtyyearsagone,intheoldwar,whenIwasoutunderSirWilliam,Itravelledseventymilesaloneinthehowlingwilderness,withariflebulletinmythigh,andthencutitoutwithmyownjack-knife.OldIndianJohnknowsthetimewell.ImethimwithapartyoftheDelawares,onthetrailoftheIroquois,whohadbeendownandtakenfive scalps on the Schoharie. But I made a mark on the red-skin that I'll

warranthe'llcarrytohisgrave!Itookhimontheposteerum,savingthelady'spresence,ashegotupfromtheambushment,andrattledthreebuckshot intohisnakedhide,soclosethatyoumighthavelaidabroadjoeuponthemall"—hereNattystretchedouthislongneck,andstraightenedhisbody,asheopenedhismouth,which exposed a single tusk of yellow bone,while his eyes, hisface,evenhiswholeframeseemedto laugh,althoughnosoundwasemittedexceptakindofthickhissing,asheinhaledhisbreathinquavers."Ihadlostmybullet-mouldincrossingtheOneidaoutlet,andhadtomakeshiftwiththebuckshot;buttheriflewastrue,anddidn'tscatterlikeyourtwo-leggedthingthere,Judge,whichdon'tdo,Ifind,tohuntincompanywith."Natty'sapologytothedelicacyoftheyoungladywasunnecessary,for,whilehewasspeaking,shewastoomuchemployedinhelpingherfathertoremovecertainarticlesofbaggagetohearhim.Unabletoresistthekindurgencyofthetravellersanylonger,theyouth,thoughstillwithanunaccountablereluctance,sufferedhimselftobepersuadedtoenterthesleigh.Theblack,withtheaidofhis master, threw the buck across the baggage and entering the vehiclethemselves,theJudgeinvitedthehuntertodosolikewise."No,no,"saidtheoldroan,shakinghishead;"IhaveworktodoathomethisChristmas eve—drive on with the boy, and let your doctor look to theshoulder;thoughifhewillonlycutouttheshot,Ihaveyarbsthatwillhealthewound quicker than all his foreign 'intments." He turned, andwas about tomoveoff,when,suddenlyrecollectinghimself,heagainfacedtheparty,andadded:"IfyouseeanythingofIndianJohn,aboutthefootofthelake,youhadbettertakehimwithyou,andlethimlendthedoctorahand;for,oldasheis,he is curious at cuts and bruises, and it's likelier than not he'll be in withbroomstosweepyourChristmasha'arths.""Stop,stop,"criedtheyouth,catchingthearmoftheblackashepreparedtourge his horses forward; "Natty—you need say nothing of the shot, nor ofwhereIamgoing—remember,Natty,asyouloveme.""Trust old Leather-Stocking," returned the hunter significantly; "he hasn'tlivedfiftyyearsinthewilderness,andnotlarntfromthesavageshowtoholdhistongue—trusttome,lad;andrememberoldIndianJohn.""And,Natty,"saidtheyoutheagerly,stillholdingtheblackbythearm."Iwilljustgettheshotextracted,andbringyouupto-nightaquarterofthebuckfortheChristmasdinner."Hewas interruptedby thehunter,whohelduphis fingerwithanexpressivegesture for silence. He then moved softly along the margin of the road,keeping his eyes steadfastly fixed on the branches of a pine.When he hadobtainedsuchapositionashewished,hestopped,and,cockinghisrifle,threwonelegfarbehindhim,andstretchinghis leftarmtoitsutmostextentalong

thebarrelofhispiece,hebeganslowlytoraiseitsmuzzleina linewiththestraight trunk of the tree. The eyes of the group in the sleigh naturallypreceded themovement of the rifle, and they soon discovered the object ofNatty's aim. On a small dead branch of the pine, which, at the distance ofseventyfeet fromtheground,shotouthorizontally, immediatelybeneath theliving members of the tree, sat a bird, that in the vulgar language of thecountrywas indiscriminatelycalledapheasantorapartridge. Insize, itwasbutlittlesmallerthanacommonbarn-yardfowl.Thebayingofthedogs,andthe conversation that had passed near the root of the tree on which it wasperched,hadalarmedthebird,whichwasnowdrawnupnearthebodyofthepine,withaheadandnecksoerectas to formnearlyastraight linewith itslegs.Assoonas therifleboreon thevictim,Nattydrewhis trigger,and thepartridgefellfromitsheightwithaforcethatburieditinthesnow."Liedown,youoldvillain,"exclaimedLeather-Stocking,shakinghisramrodatHectorasheboundedtowardthefootofthetree,"liedown,Isay."Thedogobeyed, and Natty proceeded with great rapidity, though with the nicestaccuracy,toreloadhispiece.Whenthiswasended,hetookuphisgame,and,showing it to thepartywithoutahead,hecried: "Here isa tidbit foranoldman'sChristmas—nevermind the venison, boy, and remember Indian John;hisyarbsarebetterthanalltheforeign'intments.Here,Judge,"holdingupthebirdagain,"doyouthinkasmooth-borewouldpickgameofftheirroost,andnot ruffle a feather?" The old man gave another of his remarkable laughs,whichpartooksolargelyofexultation,mirth,andirony,and,shakinghishead,he turned,with his rifle at a trail, andmoved into the forestwith steps thatwerebetweenawalkandatrot.Ateachmovementhemadehisbodyloweredseveralinches,hiskneesyieldingwithaninclinationinward;but,asthesleighturned at a bend in the road, the youth cast his eyes in quest of his oldcompanion,andhesawthathewasalreadynearlyconcealedbythetrunksofthe tree;whilehisdogswere followingquietly inhis footsteps,occasionallyscentingthedeertrack,thattheyseemedtoknowinstinctivelywasnowofnofurther use to them. Another jerk was given to the sleigh, and Leather-Stockingwashidfromview.

CHAPTERII

AllplacesthattheeyeofheavenvisitsAretoawisemanportsandhappyhavens:Thinknotthekingdidbanishthee:Butthoutheking.—RichardII

AnancestorofMarmadukeTemplehad,aboutonehundredandtwentyyearsbeforethecommencementofourtale,cometothecolonyofPennsylvania,afriend and co-religionist of its great patron. Old Marmaduke, for thisformidableprenomenwasakindofappellativetotherace,broughtwithhim,tothatasylumofthepersecutedanabundanceofthegoodthingsofthislife.Hebecamethemasterofmanythousandsofacresofuninhabitedterritory,andthesupporterofmanyascoreofdependents.Helivedgreatlyrespectedforhispiety,andnotalittledistinguishedasasectary;wasintrustedbyhisassociateswith many important political stations; and died just in time to escape theknowledgeofhisownpoverty. Itwashis lot toshare thefortuneofmostofthosewhobroughtwealthwith them into thenew settlementsof themiddlecolonies.The consequence of an emigrant into these provinces was generally to beascertainedbythenumberofhiswhiteservantsordependents,andthenatureofthepublicsituationsthatheheld.Takingthisruleasaguide,theancestorofourJudgemusthavebeenamanofnolittlenote.Itis,however,asubjectofcuriousinquiryatthepresentday,tolookintothebrief records of that early period, and observe how regular, and with fewexceptions how inevitable, were the gradations, on the one hand, of themasterstopoverty,andontheother,oftheirservantstowealth.Accustomedtoease,andunequaltothestrugglesincidenttoaninfantsociety,theaffluentemigrantwas barely enabled tomaintain his own rank by theweight of hispersonalsuperiorityandacquirements;but,themomentthathisheadwaslaidin the grave, his indolent and comparatively uneducated offspring werecompelled to yield precedency to themore active energies of a classwhoseexertionshadbeenstimulatedbynecessity.Thisisaverycommoncourseofthings,eveninthepresentstateoftheUnion;butitwaspeculiarlythefortunesofthetwoextremesofsociety,inthepeacefulandunenterprisingcoloniesofPennsylvaniaandNewJersey,The posterity of Marmaduke did not escape the common lot of those whodependratherontheirhereditarypossessionsthanontheirownpowers;andinthethirdgenerationtheyhaddescendedtoapointbelowwhich,inthishappycountry, it is barely possible for honesty, intellect and sobriety to fall. Thesameprideoffamilythathad,byitsself-satisfiedindolence,conducedtoaidtheirfail,nowbecameaprincipletostimulatethemtoendeavortoriseagain.Thefeeling,frombeingmorbid,waschangedtoahealthfulandactivedesiretoemulatethecharacter,thecondition,and,peradventure,thewealthoftheirancestorsalso.Itwasthefatherofournewacquaintance,theJudge,whofirstbegantoreascendinthescaleofsociety;andinthisundertakinghewasnotalittleassistedbyamarriage,whichaidedinfurnishingthemeansofeducatinghis only son in a rather better manner than the low state of the common

schoolsofPennsylvania couldpromise; or thanhadbeen thepractice in thefamilyforthetwoorthreeprecedinggenerations.At the school where the reviving prosperity of his father was enabled tomaintain him, young Marmaduke formed an intimacy with a youth whoseyearswere about equal to his own.Thiswas a fortunate connection for ourJudge,andpavedthewaytomostofhisfutureelevationinlife.TherewasnotonlygreatwealthbuthighcourtinterestamongtheconnectionsofEdwardEffingham.Theywereoneofthefewfamiliesthenresidentinthecolonies who thought it a degradation to its members to descend to thepursuitsofcommerce;andwhoneveremergedfromtheprivacyofdomesticlife unless to preside in the councils of the colony or to bear arms in herdefense. The latter had from youth been the only employment of Edward'sfather.MilitaryrankunderthecrownofGreatBritainwasattainedwithmuchlongerprobation,andbymuchmoretoilsomeservices,sixtyyearsagothanatthe present time.Yearswere passedwithoutmurmuring, in the subordinategrades of the service; and those soldierswhowere stationed in the coloniesfelt,whentheyobtainedthecommandofacompany,thattheywereentitledtoreceivethegreatestdeferencefromthepeacefuloccupantsofthesoil.AnyoneofourreaderswhohasoccasiontocrosstheNiagaramayeasilyobservenotonly the self importance, but the real estimation enjoyed by the hum blestrepresentativeofthecrown,eveninthatpolarregionofroyalsunshine.Such,and at no very distant period, was the respect paid to the military in theseStates,wherenow,happily,nosymbolofwariseverseen,unlessat thefreeandtearlessvoiceoftheirpeople.When,therefore,thefatherofMarmaduke'sfriend,afterfortyyears'service,retiredwiththerankofmajor,maintaininginhisdomesticestablishmentacomparativesplendor,hebecameamanofthefirstconsiderationinhisnativecolonywhichwasthatofNewYork.Hehadservedwithfidelityandcourage,andhavingbeen,accordingtothecustomoftheprovinces, intrustedwith commandsmuch superior to those towhichhewasentitledbyrank,withreputationalso.WhenMajorEffinghamyieldedtothe claimsof age, he retiredwithdignity, refusinghis half-payor anyothercompensationforservicesthathefelthecouldnolongerperform.Theministryprofferedvariouscivilofficeswhichyieldednotonlyhonorbutprofit;buthedeclinedthemall,withthechivalrousindependenceandloyaltythathadmarkedhischaracterthroughlife.Theveteransooncausedthissetofpatriotic disinterestedness to be followedby another of privatemunificence,that,howeverlittleitaccordedwithprudence,wasinperfectconformitywiththesimpleintegrityofhisownviews.ThefriendofMarmadukewashisonlychild;andtothisson,onhismarriagewith a lady to whom the father was particularly partial, the Major gave acompleteconveyanceofhiswholeestate,consistingofmoneyinthefunds,a

town and country residence, sundry valuable farms in the old parts of thecolony, and large tracts of wild land in the new—in this manner throwinghimselfuponthefilialpietyofhischildforhisownfuturemaintenance.MajorEffingham,indecliningtheliberaloffersoftheBritishministry,hadsubjectedhimselftothesuspicionofhavingattainedhisdotage,byallthosewhothrongthe avenues to court patronage, even in the remotest corners of that vastempire; but,when he thus voluntarily stripped himself of his great personalwealth, the remainder of the community seemed instinctively to adopt theconclusionalsothathehadreachedasecondchildhood.Thismayexplainthefact of his importance rapidly declining; and, if privacywas his object, theveteranhadsoona free indulgenceofhiswishes.Whateverviews theworldmightentertainofthisactoftheMajor,tohimselfandtohischilditseemednomorethananaturalgiftbyafatherofthoseimmunitieswhichhecouldnolonger enjoy or improve, to a son, who was formed, both by nature andeducation,todoboth.TheyoungerEffinghamdidnotobjecttotheamountofthedonation;forhefeltthatwhilehisparentreservedamoralcontroloverhisactions,hewasrelievinghimselfofafatiguingburden:such,indeed,wastheconfidenceexistingbetween them, that toneitherdid it seemanythingmorethanremovingmoneyfromonepockettoanother.One of the first acts of the young man, on corning into possession of hiswealth,wastoseekhisearlyfriend,withaviewtoofferanyassistancethatitwasnowinhispowertobestow.The death ofMarmaduke's father, and the consequent division of his smallestate, rendered such an offer extremely acceptable to the youngPennsylvanian;hefelthisownpowers,andsaw,notonlytheexcellences,butthe foibles in the character of his friend.Effinghamwasbynature indolent,confiding, and at times impetuous and indiscreet; but Marmaduke wasuniformlyequable,penetrating,andfullofactivityandenterprise.Tothelattertherefore, the assistance, or rather connection that was proffered to him,seemed to produce amutual advantage. It was cheerfully accepted, and thearrangementof itsconditionswaseasilycompleted.Amercantilehousewasestablished in the metropolis of Pennsylvania, with the avails of Mr.Effingham's personal property; all, or nearly all, of which was put into thepossessionofTemple,whowastheonlyostensibleproprietorintheconcern,while,insecret,theotherwasentitledtoanequalparticipationintheprofits.This connectionwas thuskeptprivate for two reasons, oneofwhich, in thefreedomof their inter course,was franklyavowed toMarmaduke,while theother continued profoundly hid in the bosom of his friend, The last wasnothingmorethanpride.Tothedescendantofalineofsoldiers,commerce,even in that indirectmanner,seemedadegradingpursuit;butan insuperableobstacletothedisclosureexistedintheprejudicesofhisfather.

We have already said that Major Effingham had served as a soldier withreputation. On one occasion, while in command on the western frontier ofPennsylvania against a leagueof theFrenchand Indians,notonlyhisglory,butthesafetyofhimselfandhistroopswerejeopardedbythepeacefulpolicyof that colony. To the soldier, this was an unpardonable offence. He wasfightingintheirdefense—heknewthatthemildprinciplesofthislittlenationof practical Christians would be disregarded by their subtle and malignantenemies; and he felt the in jury the more deeply because he saw that theavowedobjectofthecolonists,inwithholdingtheirsuccors,wouldonlyhaveatendencytoexposehiscommand,withoutpreservingthepeace.Thesoldiersucceeded,afteradesperateconflict,inextricatinghimself,withahandfulofhismen,fromtheirmurderousenemy;butheneverforgavethepeoplewhohadexposedhimtoadangerwhich they lefthimtocombatalone. Itwas invaintotellhimthattheyhadnoagencyinhisbeingplacedontheirfrontieratall; itwas evidently for their benefit that hehadbeen soplaced, and itwastheir"religiousduty,"sotheMajoralwaysexpressedit,"itwastheirreligionsdutytohavesupportedhim."At no timewas the old soldier an admirer of the peaceful disciples of Fox.Theirdisciplinedhabits,bothofmindandbody,hadendowedthemwithgreatphysical perfection; and the eye of the veteran was apt to scan the fairproportions and athletic frames of the colonists with a look that seemed toutter volumes of contempt for their moral imbecility, He was also a littleaddicted to the expression of a belief that, where there was so great anobservance of the externals of religion, there could not be much of thesubstance. It is not our task to explain what is or what ought to be thesubstance ofChristianity, butmerely to record in this place the opinions ofMajorEffingham.Knowing the sentiments of the father in relation to this people, it was nowonder that the son hesitated to avow his connection with, nay, even hisdependenceontheintegrityof,aQuaker.IthasbeensaidthatMarmadukededucedhisoriginfromthecontemporariesandfriendsofPenn.Hisfatherhadmarriedwithoutthepaleofthechurchtowhichhebelonged,andhad,inthismanner,forfeitedsomeoftheprivilegesofhisoffspring.Still,asyoungMarmadukewaseducatedinacolonyandsocietywhere even the ordinary intercourse between friendswas tincturedwith theaspectofthismildreligion,hishabitsandlanguageweresomewhatmarkedbyitspeculiarities.Hisownmarriageatafuturedaywithaladywithoutnotonlythepale,buttheinfluence,ofthissectofreligionists,hadatendency,itistrue,toweakenhisearlyimpressions;stillheretainedtheminsomedegreetothehourofhisdeath,andwasobserveduniformly,whenmuch interestedoragitated,tospeakinthelanguageofhisyouth.Butthisisanticipatingourtale.

WhenMarmadukefirstbecamethepartnerofyoungEffingham,hewasquitetheQuakerinexternals;anditwastoodangerousanexperimentforthesontothink of encountering the prejudices of the father on this subject. Theconnection, therefore, remained aprofound secret to all but thosewhowereinterestedinit.ForafewyearsMarmadukedirectedthecommercialoperationsofhishousewithaprudenceandsagacity thatafforded rich returns.Hemarried the ladywe havementioned,whowas themother of Elizabeth, and the visits of hisfriend were becoming more frequent. There was a speedy prospect ofremovingtheveilfromtheirintercourse,asitsadvantagesbecameeachhourmoreapparent toMr.Effingham,whenthetroubles thatprecededthewaroftheRevolutionextendedthemselvestoanalarmingdegree.Educated in the most dependent loyalty, Mr. Effingham had, from thecommencementofthedisputesbetweenthecolonistsandthecrown,warmlymaintainedwhathebelievedtobethejustprerogativesofhisprince;while,ontheotherhand, theclearheadand independentmindofTemplehad inducedhimtoespousethecauseofthepeople.Bothmighthavebeeninfluencedbyearly impressions; for, if the son of the loyal and gallant soldier bowed inimplicit obedience to the will of his sovereign, the descendant of thepersecuted followers of Penn looked back with a little bitterness to theunmeritedwrongsthathadbeenheapeduponhisancestors.This difference in opinion had long been a subject of amicable disputebetween them: but, Latterly, the contest was getting to be too important toadmit of trivial discussions on the part of Marmaduke, whose acutediscernmentwas already catching faint glimmerings of the important eventsthatwereinembryo.Thesparksofdissensionsoonkindledintoablaze;andthe colonies, or rather, as they quickly declared themselves, THE STATES,becameasceneofstrifeandbloodshedforyears.A short time before the battle of Lexington, Mr. Effingham, already awidower,transmittedtoMarmaduke,forsafe-keeping,allhisvaluableeffectsand papers; and left the colony without his father. The war had, however,scarcelycommencedinearnest,whenhereappearedinNewYork,wearingtheLivery of his king; and, in a short time, he took the field at the head of aprovincial corps. In the mean time Marmaduke had completely committedhimself in the cause, as it was then called, of the rebel lion.Of course, allintercoursebetween the friendsceased—on thepartofColonelEffinghamitwasunsought,andonthatofMarmaduketherewasacautiousreserve.ItsoonbecamenecessaryforthelattertoabandonthecapitalofPhiladelphia;buthehadtakentheprecautiontoremovethewholeofhiseffectsbeyondthereachoftheroyalforces,includingthepapersofhisfriendalso.Therehecontinuedservinghiscountryduringthestruggle,invariouscivilcapacities,andalways

withdignityandusefulness.While,however,hedischargedhisfunctionswithcreditandfidelity,Marmadukeneverseemedtolosesightofhisowninterests;for,whentheestatesoftheadherentsofthecrownfellunderthehammer,bytheactsofconfiscation,heappearedinNewYork,andbecamethepurchaserofextensivepossessionsatcomparativelylowprices.ItistruethatMarmaduke,bythuspurchasingestatesthathadbeenwrestedbyviolencefromothers,renderedhimselfobnoxioustothecensuresofthatSectwhich,atthesametimethatitdiscardsitschildrenfromafullparticipationinthefamilyunion,seemseverunwillingtoabandonthementirelytotheworld.But either his success, or the frequency of the transgression in others, soonwipedoffthisslightstainfromhischaracter;and,althoughtherewereafewwho,dissatisfiedwiththeirownfortunes,orconsciousoftheirowndemerits,wouldmakedarkhints concerning the suddenprosperity of theunportionedQuaker,yethisservices,andpossiblyhiswealth,soondrovetherecollectionof thesevagueconjectures frommen'sminds.When thewar ended, and theindependence of the States was acknowledged, Mr. Temple turned hisattention from the pursuit of commerce, which was then fluctuating anduncertain, to the settlement of those tracts of landwhich he had purchased.Aidedbyagooddealofmoney,anddirectedby thesuggestionsofastrongand practical reason, his enterprise throve to a degree that the climate andrugged face of the country which he selected would seem to forbid. Hisproperty increased in a tenfold ratio, and hewas already ranked among themostwealthyandimportantofhiscountrymen.Toinheritthiswealthhehadbut one child—the daughter whom we have introduced to the reader, andwhomhewas now conveying from school to preside over a household thathadtoolongwantedamistress.Whenthedistrictinwhichhisestateslayhadbecomesufficientlypopuloustobe set off as a county,Mr.Templehad, according to the customof thenewsettlements,beenselectedtofillitshighestjudicialstation.ThismightmakeaTemplar smile; but in addition to the apology of necessity, there is ever adignity in talents andexperience that is commonly sufficient, inany station,for the protection of its possessor; and Marmaduke, more fortunate in hisnative clearness of mind than the judge of King Charles, not only decidedright,butwasgenerallyable togiveaverygoodreasonfor it.Atallevents,such was the universal practice of the country and the times; and JudgeTemple,sofarfromrankingamongthelowestofhisjudicialcontemporariesin the courts of the new counties, felt himself, and was unanimouslyacknowledgedtobe,amongthefirst.Weshallhereclosethisbriefexplanationofthehistoryandcharacterofsomeofourpersonagesleavingtheminfuturetospeakandactforthemselves.

CHAPTERIII

"Allthatthousee'stisNatureshandiwork;ThoserocksthatupwardthrowtheirmossybrawlLikecastledpinnaclesofeldertimes;Thesevenerablestems,thatslowlyrockTheirtoweringbranchesinthewintrygale;Thatfieldoffrost,whichglittersinthesun,Mockingthewhitenessofamarblebreast!Yetmancanmarsuchworkswithhisrudetaste,Likesomesadspoilerofavirgin'sfame."—Duo.Some littlewhileelapsedereMarmadukeTemplewassufficiently recoveredfromhisagitationtoscanthepersonofhisnewcompanion.Henowobservedthathewasayouthofsometwoorthreeandtwentyyearsofage,andratherabove the middle height. Further observation was prevented by the roughovercoatwhichwasbeltedclosetohisformbyaworstedsash,muchliketheonewornbytheoldhunter.TheeyesoftheJudge,afterrestingamomentonthefigureofthestranger,wereraisedtoascrutinyofhiscountenance.Therehad been a look of care visible in the features of the youth, when he firstentered the sleigh, that had not only attracted the notice of Elizabeth, butwhich she had been much puzzled to interpret. His anxiety seemed thestrongest when he was en joining his old companion to secrecy; and evenwhen he had decided, and was rather passively suffering himself to beconveyedtothevillage,theexpressionofhiseyesbynomeansindicatedanygreatdegreeof self-satisfactionat the step.But the linesofanuncommonlyprepossessingcountenanceweregraduallybecomingcomposed; andhenowsatsilent,andapparentlymusing.TheJudgegazedathimforsometimewithearnestness,andthensmiling,asifathisownforgetfulness,hesaid:"Ibelieve,myyoungfriend,thatterrorhasdrivenyoufrommyrecollection;yourfaceisveryfamiliar,andyet,for thehonorofascoreofbucks' tails inmycap,Icouldnottellyourname.""I came into the country but threeweeks since," returned the youth coldly,"andIunderstandyouhavebeenabsenttwicethattime.""Itwill be five to-morrow.Yet your face is one that I have seen; though itwould not be strange, such has been my affright, should I see thee in thywinding-sheetwalkingbymybedsideto-night.Whatsay'stthou,Bess?AmI

composmentisornot?Fittochargeagrandjury,or,whatisjustnowofmorepressing necessity, able to do the honors of Christmas eve in the hall ofTempleton?""Moreabletodoeither,mydearfather."saidaplayfulvoicefromundertheampleinclosuresofthehood,"thantokilldeerwithasmooth-bore."Ashortpausefollowed,andthesamevoice,butinadifferentaccent,continued."Weshallhavegoodreasonsforourthanksgivingtonight,onmoreaccountsthanone."Thehorsessoonreachedapointwheretheyseemedtoknowbyinstinctthatthe journeywas nearly ended, and, bearing on the bits as they tossed theirheads,theyrapidlydrewthesleighoverthelevellandwhichlayonthetopofthemountain,andsooncametothepointwheretheroaddescendedsuddenly,butcircuitously,intothevalley.TheJudgewasrousedfromhisreflections,whenhesawthefourcolumnsofsmokewhichfloatedabovehisownchimneys.Ashouse,village,andvalleyburstonhissight,heexclaimedcheerfullytohisdaughter:"See,Bess, there is thy resting-place for life!And thine too, youngman, ifthouwiltconsenttodwellwithus."Theeyesofhisauditorsinvoluntarilymet;and,ifthecolorthatgatheredoverthefaceofElizabethwascontradictedbythecoldexpressionofhereye, theambiguous smile that again played about the lips of the stranger seemedequally to deny the probability of his consenting to formone of this familygroup. The scene was one, however, whichmight easily warm a heart lessgiventophilanthropythanthatofMarmadukeTemple.Thesideofthemountainonwhichourtravellerswerejourneying,thoughnotabsolutely perpendicular, was so steep as to render great care necessary indescendingtherudeandnarrowpathwhich,inthatearlyday,woundalongtheprecipices. The negro reined in his impatient steeds, and time was givenElizabethtodwellonascenewhichwassorapidlyalteringunderthehandsofman,thatitonlyresembledinitsoutlinesthepictureshehadsooftenstudiedwith delight in childhood. Immediately beneath them lay a seeming plain,glittering without in equality, and buried in mountains. The latter wereprecipitous,especiallyonthesideoftheplain,andchieflyinforest.Hereandthere the hills fell away in long, low points, and broke the sameness of theoutline,orsetting to the longandwide fieldofsnow,which,withouthouse,tree,fence,oranyotherfixture,resembledsomuchspotlesscloudsettledtothe earth.A fewdark andmoving spotswere, however, visible on the evensurface,which the eyeofElizabeth knew to be somany sleighs going theirseveralways to or from thevillage.On thewesternborder of theplain, themountains, though equally high, were less precipitous, and as they receded

opened into irregular valleys and glens, or were formed into terraces andhollows that admitted of cultivation. Although the evergreens still helddominionovermanyof the hills that rose on this side of the valley, yet theundulatingoutlinesofthedistantmountains,coveredwithforestsofbeechandmaple,gavearelieftotheeye,andthepromiseofakindersoil.Occasionallyspotsofwhitewerediscoverableamidsttheforestsoftheoppositehills,whichannounced,bythesmokethatcurledoverthetopsofthetrees,thehabitationsofmanand the commencementof agriculture.These spotswere sometimes,by the aid of united labor, enlarged into what were called settlements, butmorefrequentlyweresmallandinsulated;thoughsorapidwerethechanges,and so persevering the labors of those who had cast their fortunes on thesuccess of the enterprise, that it was not difficult for the imagination ofElizabethtoconceivetheywereenlargingunderhereyewhileshewasgazing,inmutewonder,atthealterationsthatafewshortyearshadmadeintheaspectof the country. The points on thewestern side of this remarkable plain, onwhichnoplanthadtakenroot,werebothlargerandmorenumerousthanthoseonitseastern,andoneinparticularthrustitselfforwardinsuchamannerastoformbeautifully curvedbays of snowon either side.On its extreme end anoakstretchedforward,asiftoovershadowwithitsbranchesaspotwhichitsrootswere forbidden toenter. Ithad released itself from the thraldom that agrowth of centuries had imposed on the branches of the surrounding foresttrees, and threw its gnarled and fantastic arms abroad, in the wildness ofliberty.Adarkspotofafewacres inextentat thesouthernextremityof thisbeautifulflat,andimmediatelyunderthefeetofourtravellers,aloneshowedbyitsripplingsurface,andthevaporswhichexhaledfromit,thatwhatatfirstmight seem a plain was one of the mountain lakes, locked in the frosts ofwinter.Anarrowcurrentrushedimpetuouslyfromitsbosomattheopenplacewehavementioned,andwastobetracedformiles,asitwounditswaytowardthesouththroughtherealvalley,byitsbordersofhemlockandpine,andbythevaporwhicharosefromitswarmersurfaceintothechillatmosphereofthehills.Thebanksofthislovelybasin,atitsoutlet,orsouthernend,weresteep,but not high; and in that direction the land continued, far as the eye couldreach,anarrowbutgracefulvalley,alongwhichthesettlershadscatteredtheirhumblehabitations,withaprofusion thatbespoke thequalityof thesoilandthecomparativefacilitiesofintercourse,Immediatelyonthebankofthelakeand at its foot, stood the village of Templeton. It consisted of some fiftybuildings, including those of every description, chiefly built of wood, andwhich, in theirarchitecture,borenogreatmarksof taste,butwhichalso,bythe unfinished appearance of most of the dwellings, indicated the hastymanneroftheirconstruction,Totheeye,theypresentedavarietyofcolors.Afewwerewhiteinbothfrontandrear,butmoreborethatexpensivecolorontheirfrontsonly,whiletheireconomicalbutambitiousownershadcoveredthe

remaining sides of the edifices with a dingy red. One or two were slowlyassuming the russetofage;while theuncoveredbeams thatwere tobeseenthrough the broken windows of their second stories showed that either thetasteorthevanityoftheirproprietorshadledthemtoundertakeataskwhichtheywere unable to accomplish. Thewholewere grouped in amanner thatapedthestreetsofacity,andwereevidentlysoarrangedbythedirectionsofonewholookedtothewantsofposterityratherthantotheconvenienceofthepresent incumbents. Some three or four of the better sort of buildings, inadditiontotheuniformityoftheircolor,werefittedwithgreenblinds,which,atthatseasonatleast,wereratherstrangelycontrastedtothechillaspectofthelake,themountains,theforests,andthewidefieldsofsnow.Beforethedoorsof these pretending dwellings were placed a few saplings, either withoutbranchesorpossessingonlythefeebleshootsofoneortwosummers'growth,thatlookednotunliketallgrenadiersonpostnearthethresholdofprinces.Intruth,theoccupantsofthesefavoredhabitationswerethenoblesofTempleton,asMarmadukewasitsking.Theywerethedwellingsoftwoyoungmenwhowerecunningin the law;anequalnumberof thatclasswhochafferedto thewants of the community under the title of storekeepers; and a disciple ofAesculapius,who,foranovelty,broughtmoresubjectsintotheworldthanhesent out of it. In themidst of this incongruous group of dwellings rose themansionoftheJudge,toweringaboveallitsneighbors.Itstoodinthecentreofaninclosureofseveralacres,whichwascoveredwithfruit-trees.SomeofthelatterhadbeenleftbytheIndians,andbeganalreadytoassumethemossand inclination of age, therein forming a verymarked contrast to the infantplantations that peered over most of the picketed fences of the village. Inaddition to this show of cultivation were two rows of young Lombardypoplars,a treebut latelyintroducedintoAmerica,formallyliningeithersideofapathwaywhichledfromagatethatopenedontheprincipalstreettothefrontdoorof thebuilding.Thehouse itselfhadbeenbuiltentirelyunder thesuperintendence of a certain Mr. Richard Jones, whom we have alreadymentioned, and who, from his cleverness in small matters, and an entirewillingnesstoexerthistalents,addedtothecircumstanceoftheirbeingsisters'children, ordinarily superintended all the minor concerns of MarmadukeTemple.Richardwas fondofsaying that thischildof inventionconsistedofnothing more nor less than what should form the groundwork of everyclergyman's discourse, viz., a firstly and a lastly. He had commenced hislabors, in thefirstyearof their residence,byerectinga tall,gauntedificeofwood,withitsgabletowardthehighway.Inthisshelterforitwaslittlemore,the family resided three years. By the end of that period, Richard hadcompleted his design.He had availed himself, in this heavy undertaking, oftheexperienceofacertainwanderingeasternmechanic,who,byexhibitingafew soiled plates of English architecture, and talking learnedly of friezes,

entablatures, and particularly of the composite order, had obtained a veryundueinfluenceoverRichard'stasteineverythingthatpertainedtothatbranchofthefinearts.NotthatMr.JonesdidnotaffecttoconsiderHiramDoolittleaperfectempiricinhisprofession,beingintheconstanthabitoflisteningtohistreatises on architecture with a kind of indulgent smile; yet, either from aninabilitytoopposethembyanythingplausiblefromhisownstoresoflearningorfromsecretadmiration,Richardgenerallysubmittedtotheargumentsofhisco-adjutor.Together,theyhadnotonlyerectedadwellingforMarmaduke,butthey had given a fashion to the architecture of the whole county. Thecomposite order, Mr. Doolittle would contend, was an order composed ofmanyothers,andwasintendedtobethemostusefulofall,foritadmittedintoits construction such alterations as convenience or circumstances mightrequire.TothispropositionRichardusuallyassented;andwhenrivalgeniuseswho monopolize not only all the reputation but most of the money of aneighborhood,areofamind,itisnotuncommontoseethemleadthefashion,eveningravermatters.Inthepresentinstance,aswehavealreadyhinted,thecastle,asJudgeTempleton'sdwellingwastermedincommonparlance,cametobethemodel, insomeoneorotherofitsnumerousexcellences,foreveryaspiringedificewithintwentymilesofit.The house itself, or the "lastly," was of stone: large, square, and far fromuncomfortable.Thesewerefourrequisites,onwhichMarmadukehadinsistedwith a little more than his ordinary pertinacity. But everything else waspeaceably assigned to Richard and his associate. These worthies found thematerial a little too solid for the tools of theirworkmen,which, inGeneral,wereemployedonasubstancenoharder than thewhitepineof theadjacentmountains, a wood so proverbially soft that it is commonly chosen by thehunters for pillows. But for this awkward dilemma, it is probable that theambitioustastesofourtwoarchitectswouldhaveleftusmuchmoretodointhewayofdescription.Drivenfromthefacesofthehousebytheobduracyofthematerial,theytookrefugeintheporchandontheroof.Theformer,itwasdecided, should be severely classical, and the latter a rare specimen of themeritsoftheCompositeorder.Aroof,Richardcontended,wasapartof theedificethat theancientsalwaysendeavoredtoconceal,itbeinganexcrescenceinarchitecturethatwasonlytobetoleratedonaccountofitsusefulness.Besides,ashewittilyadded,achiefmeritinadwellingwastopresentafrontonwhicheversideitmighthappentobeseen;for,asitwasexposedtoalleyesinallweathers,thereshouldbenoweak flank for envy or unneighborly criticism to assail. It was thereforedecidedthattheroofshouldbeflat,andwithfourfaces.Tothisarrangement,Marmadukeobjectedtheheavysnowsthatlayformonths,frequentlycoveringtheearthtoadepthofthreeorfourfeet.Happilythefacilitiesofthecompositeorder presented themselves to effect a compromise, and the rafters were

lengthened, soas togiveadescent that shouldcarryoff the frozenelement.But, unluckily, some mistake was made in the admeasurement of thesematerial parts of the fabric; and, as one of the greatest recommendations ofHiramwashisabilitytoworkbythe"squarerule,"noopportunitywasfoundof discovering the effect until the massive timbers were raised on the fourwallsof thebuilding.Then, indeed, itwas soon seen that, indefianceof allrule, the roof was by far the most conspicuous part of the whole edifice.Richardandhisassociateconsoledthemselveswiththereliefthatthecoveringwould aid in concealing this unnatural elevation; but every shingle thatwaslaidonlymultipliedobjectstolookat.Richardessayedtoremedytheevilwithpaint,andfourdifferentcolorswerelaidonbyhisownhands.Thefirstwasasky-blue,inthevainexpectationthattheeyemightbecheatedintothebeliefitwas the heavens themselves that hung so imposingly over Marmaduke'sdwelling;thesecondwaswhathecalleda"cloud-color,"beingnothingmorenor less than an imitation of smoke; the thirdwaswhat Richard termed aninvisible green, an experiment that did not succeed against a background ofsky. Abandoning the attempt to conceal, our architects drew upon theirinventionformeanstoornamenttheoffensiveshingles.Aftermuchdeliberationandtwoorthreeessaysbymoonlight,Richardendedthe affair by boldly covering the whole beneath a color that he christened"sunshine,"acheapway,asheassuredhiscousintheJudge,ofalwayskeepingfairweather over his head.Theplatform, aswell as the cavesof thehouse,were surmounted by gaudily painted railings, and the genius of Hiramwasexerted in the fabrication of divers urns andmouldings, thatwere scatteredprofusely around this part of their labors. Richard had originally a cunningexpedient,bywhichthechimneyswereintendedtobesolow,andsosituated,as to resemble ornaments on the balustrades; but comfort required that thechimneysshouldrisewith theroof, inorder that thesmokemightbecarriedoff,andtheythusbecamefourextremelyconspicuousobjectsintheview.AsthisroofwasmuchthemostimportantarchitecturalundertakinginwhichMr. Joneswaseverengaged,his failureproducedacorrespondentdegreeofmortificationAtfirst,hewhisperedamonghisacquaintancesthatitproceededfromignoranceofthesquareruleonthepartofHiram;but,ashiseyebecamegradually accustomed to the object, he grewbetter satisfiedwith his labors,andinsteadofapologizingforthedefects,hecommencedpraisingthebeautiesofthemansion-house;hesoonfoundhearers,and,aswealthandcomfortareatalltimesattractive,itwas,ashasbeensaid,madeamodelforimitationonasmall scale. In less than two years from its erection, he had the pleasure ofstanding on the elevated platform, and of looking down on three humbleimitators of its beauty.Thus it is everwith fashion,which even renders thefaultsofthegreatsubjectsofadmiration.

Marmaduke bore this deformity in his dwellingwith great good-nature, andsooncontrived,byhisownimprovements,togiveanairofrespectabilityandcomforttohisplaceofresidence.Still,therewasmuchofincongruity,evenimmediately about the mansion-house. Although poplars had been broughtfrom Europe to ornament the grounds, and willows and other trees weregraduallyspringingupnighthedwelling,yetmanyapileofsnowbetrayedthepresenceofthestumpofapine;andeven,inoneortwoinstances,unsightlyremnantsoftreesthathadbeenpartlydestroyedbyfirewereseenrearingtheirblack, glistening columns twenty or thirty feet above the pure white of thesnow,These,whichinthelanguageofthecountryaretermedstubs,aboundedintheopenfieldsadjacenttothevillage,andwereaccompanied,occasionally,bytheruinofapineorahemlockthathadbeenstrippedofitsbark,andwhichwaved inmelancholygrandeur itsnaked limbs to theblast, a skeletonof itsformerglory.ButtheseandmanyotherunpleasantadditionstotheviewwereunseenbythedelightedElizabeth,who,asthehorsesmoveddownthesideofthemountain,sawonlyingrosstheclusterofhousesthatlaylikeamapatherfeet; the fifty smokes that were curling from the valley to the clouds; thefrozen lake as it lay imbedded in mountains of evergreen, with the longshadowsofthepinesonitswhitesurface, lengtheninginthesettingsun; thedark ribbon of water that gushed from the outlet and was winding its waytoward thedistantChesapeake—thealtered, thoughstill remembered,scenesofherchildhood.Five years had wrought greater changes than a century would produce incountrieswheretimeandlaborhavegivenpermanencytotheworksofman.Toouryounghunter and the Judge the scenehad lessnovelty; thoughnoneeveremergefromthedarkforestsofthatmountain,andwitnesstheglorioussceneryofthatbeauteousvalley,asitburstsunexpectedlyuponthem,withoutafeelingofdelight.Theformercastoneadmiringglancefromnorthtosouth,and sank his face again beneath the folds of his coat; while the lattercontemplated, with philanthropic pleasure, the prospect of affluence andcomfortthatwasexpandingaroundhim;theresultofhisownenterprise,andmuchofitthefruitsofhisownindustry.The cheerful sound of sleigh-bells, however, attracted the attention of thewholeparty,astheycamejinglingupthesidesofthemountain,ataratethatannounced a powerful team and a hard driver. The bushes which lined thehighwayinterruptedtheview,andthetwosleighswerecloseuponeachotherbeforeeitherwasseen.

CHAPTERIV

"Hownow?whosemare'sdead?what'sthematter?"—FalstaffAlargelumbersleigh,drawnbyfourhorses,wassoonseendashingthroughtheleaflessbusheswhichfringedtheroad.Theleaderswereofgray,andthepole-horsesofajet-black.Bellsinnumerableweresuspendedfromeverypartoftheharnesswhereoneofthetinklingballscouldbeplaced,whiletherapidmovement of the equipage, in defiance of the steep ascent, announced thedesireofthedrivertoringthemtotheutmost.ThefirstglanceatthissingulararrangementacquaintedtheJudgewiththecharacterofthoseinthesleigh.Itcontained fourmale figures.Onone of those stools that are used atwritingdesks, lashed firmly to the sides of the vehicle, was seated a little man,enveloped in a great-coat fringedwith fur, in such amanner that nopart ofhim was visible, except a face of an unvarying red color. There was anhabitualupwardlookabouttheheadofthisgentleman,asifdissatisfiedwithitsnaturalproximity to theearth;and theexpressionofhiscountenancewasthat of busy care,Hewas the charioteer, andheguided themettled animalsalongtheprecipicewithafearlesseyeandasteadyhand,Immediatelybehindhim,withhisfacetowardtheothertwo,wasatallfigure,towhoseappearancenot even the duplicate overcoats which he wore, aided by the corner of ahorse-blanket,couldgivetheappearanceofstrength.Hisfacewasprotrudingfrom beneath a woollen night cap; and, when he turned to the vehicle ofMarmadukeasthesleighsapproachedeachother,itseemedformedbynatureto cut the atmosphere with the least possible resistance. The eyes aloneappearedtocreateanyobstacle,forfromeithersideofhisforeheadtheirlight-blue,glassyballsprojected.Thesallowofhiscountenancewastoopermanentto be affected even by the intense cold of the evening. Opposite to thispersonagesatasolid,short,andsquarefigure.Nopartofhisformwastobediscoveredthroughhisoverdress,butafacethatwasilluminatedbyapairofblackeyesthatgavethelietoeverydemurefeatureinhiscountenance.Afair,jollywig furnishedaneatand roundedoutline tohisvisage,andhe,wellastheother two,woremarten-skincaps.Thefourthwasameek-looking, long-visagedman,withoutanyotherprotectionfromthecoldthanthatwhichwasfurnishedbyablacksurcoat,madewithsomelittleformality,butwhichwasrather threadbare and rusty.Hewore a hat of extremely decent proportions,thoughfrequentbrushinghadquitedestroyeditsnap.Hisfacewaspale,andwithalalittlemelancholy,orwhatmightbetermedofastudiouscomplexion.The air had given it, just now, a light and somewhat feverish flush, Thecharacterofhiswholeappearance,especiallycontrastedtotheairofhumorinhisnextcompanion,wasthatofhabitualmentalcare.Nosoonerhadthetwosleighsapproachedwithinspeakingdistance, than thedriverof this fantasticequipageshoutedaloud,

"Draw up in the quarry—draw up, thou king of the Greeks; draw into thequarry, Agamemnon, or I shall never be able to pass you.Welcome home,Cousin'Duke—welcome,welcome,black-eyedBess.Thouseest,MarinadukethatIhavetakenthefieldwithanassortedcargo,todotheehonor.MonsieurLeQuoihascomeoutwithonlyonecap;OldFritzwouldnotstaytofinishthebottle;andMr.Granthasgottoputthe'lastly'tohissermon,yet.Evenallthehorses would come—by the-bye, Judge, I must sell the blacks for youimmediately;theyinterfere,andthenighoneisabadgoerindoubleharness.Icangetridofthemto—""Sellwhatthouwilt,Dickon,"interruptedthecheerfulvoiceoftheJudge,"sothatthouleavestmemydaughterandmylands.AndFritz,myoldfriend,thisisakindcompliment, indeed, forseventy topay to five-and-forty.MonsieurLeQuoi,Iamyourservant.Mr.Grant,"liftinghiscap,"Ifeelindebtedtoyourattention.Gentlemen,Imakeyouacquaintedwithmychild.Yoursarenameswithwhichsheisveryfamiliar.""Velcome, velcome Tchooge," said the elder of the party, with a strongGermanaccent."MissPetsyvillowemeakiss.""AndcheerfullywillIpayIt,mygoodsir,"criedthesoftvoiceofElizabeth;whichsounded,intheclearairofthehills.Liketonesofsilver,amidtheloudcriesofRichard."Ihavealwaysakissformyoldfriend.MajorHartmann."By this time the gentleman in the front seat, who had been addressed asMonsieurLeQuoi,hadarisenwithsomedifficulty,owingtotheimpedimentofhisovercoats,andsteadyinghimselfbyplacingonehandonthestoolofthecharioteer,withtheotherheremovedhiscap,andbowingpolitelytotheJudgeandprofoundlytoElizabeth,hepaidhiscompliments."Coverthypoll,Gaul,coverthypoll,"criedthedriver,whowasMr.RichardJones;"coverthypoll,orthefrostwillpluckouttheremnantofthylocks.HadthehairsontheheadofAbsalombeenasscarceasthine,hemighthavebeenlivingtothisday."ThejokesofRichardneverfailedofexcitingrisibility,forheuniformlydidhonortohisownwit;andheenjoyedaheartylaughonthepresent occasion, while Mr. Le Quoi resumed his seat with a politereciprocation in his mirth. The clergyman, for such was the office of Mr.Grant,modestly,thoughquiteaffectionately,exchangedhisgreetingswiththetravellers also, when Richard prepared to turn the heads of his horseshomeward.Itwasinthequarryalonethathecouldeffectthisobject,withoutascendingtothesummitofthemountain.Averyconsiderableexcavationhadbeenmadeinthesideofthehill,atthepointwhereRichardhadsucceededinstoppingthesleighs,fromwhichthestonesusedforbuildinginthevillagewereordinarilyquarried,andinwhichhenowattemptedtoturnhisteam.Passingitselfwasa

taskofdifficulty, and frequentlyofdanger, in thatnarrow road;butRichardhad tomeet theadditional riskof turninghis four-in-hand.Theblackcivillyvolunteeredhisservices to takeoff the leaders,and theJudgeveryearnestlyseconded the measure with his advice. Richard treated both proposals withgreatdisdain."Why, and wherefore. Cousin 'Duke?" he exclaimed, a little angrily; "thehorsesaregentleaslambs.YouknowthatIbroketheleadersmyself,andthepole-horsesaretoonearmywhiptoberestive.HereisMr.LeQuoi,now,whomust know something about driving, because he has rode out so oftenwithme;IwillleaveittoMr.LeQuoiwhetherthereisanydanger."It was not in the nature of the Frenchman to disappoint expectations soconfidentlyformed;althoughhecatlookingdowntheprecipicewhichfrontedhim, as Richard turned his leaders into the quarry, with a pair of eyes thatstoodoutlikethoseoflobsters.TheGerman'smuscleswereunmoved,buthisquicksightscannedeachmovement.Mr.Grantplacedhishandsonthesideofthe sleigh, in preparation for a spring, butmoral timidity deterredhim fromtakingtheleapthatbodilyapprehensionstronglyurgedhimtoattempt.Richard,byasuddenapplicationofthewhip,succeededinforcingtheleadersintothesnow-bankthatcoveredthequarry;buttheinstantthattheimpatientanimals suffered by the crust, through which they broke at each step, theypositively refused tomovean inch farther in thatdirection.On thecontrary,findingthatthecriesandblowsoftheirdriverwereredoubledatthisjuncture,theleadersbackeduponthepole-horses,whointheirturnbackedthesleigh.Onlyasingleloglayabovethepilewhichupheldtheroadonthesidetowardthevalley,andthiswasnowburiedinthesnow.Thesleighwaseasilybreedacrosssoslightan impediment,andbeforeRichardbecameconsciousofhisdanger one-half of the vehicle Was projected over a precipice, which fellperpendicularly more than a hundred feet. The Frenchman, who by hispositionhadafullviewoftheirthreatenedflight,instinctivelythrewhisbodyasfarforwardaspossible,andcried,"Oh!moncherMonsieurDeeck!monDieu!quefaitesvous!""Donner und blitzen,Richart!" exclaimed the veteranGerman, looking overthesideofthesleighwithunusualemotion,"putyouwillpreaktersleighandkiltterhorses!""GoodMr.Jones,"saidtheclergyman,"beprudent,goodsir—becareful.""Get up, obstinate devils!" cried Richard, catching a bird's-eye view of hissituation,andinhiseagernesstomoveforwardkickingthestoolonwhichhesat—"getup,Isay—Cousin'Duke,Ishallhavetosellthegraystoo;theyarethe worst broken horses—Mr. Le Quoi" Richard was too much agitated toregardhispronunciation,ofwhichhewascommonlyalittlevain:"Monsieur

LaQuoi,praygetoffmyleg;youholdmylegsotightthatit'snowonderthehorsesback.""Merciful Providence!" exclaimed the Judge; "they will be all killed!"Elizabethgaveapiercingshriek,andtheblackofAgamemnon'sfacechangedtoamuddywhite.At this criticalmoment, theyounghunter,whoduring the salutationsof thepartieshadsatinrathersullensilence,sprangfromthesleighofMarmaduketo the heads of the refractory leaders. The horses,whichwere yet sufferingundertheinjudiciousandsomewhatrandomblowsofRichard,weredancingup and down with that ominous movement that threatens a sudden anduncontrollable start, still pressing backward. The youth gave the leaders apowerfuljerk,andtheyplungedaside,andre-enteredtheroadinthepositioninwhich theywere first halted. The sleighwaswhirled from its dangerousposition, and upset, with the runners outward. The German and the divinewerethrown,ratherunceremoniously,intothehighway,butwithoutdangertotheirbones.Richardappearedintheair,describingthesegmentofacircle,ofwhichthereinsweretheradii,andlanded,atthedistanceofsomefifteenfeet,inthatsnow-bankwhichthehorseshaddreaded,rightenduppermost.Here,ashe instinctively grasped the reins, as drowning men seize at straws, headmirablyservedthepurposeofananchor.TheFrenchman,whowasonhislegs,intheactofspringingfromthesleigh,tookanaerialflightalso,muchintheattitudewhichboysassumewhentheyplayleap-frog,and,flyingoffinatangenttothecurvatureofhiscourse,cameintothesnow-bankheadforemost,w-hereheremained,exhibitingtwolathylegsonhigh,likescarecrowswavingin a corn-field.MajorHartmann,whose self-possession had been admirablypreservedduringthewholeevolution,wasthefirstofthepartythatgainedhisfeetandhisvoice."Terdeyvel,Richart!"heexclaimedinavoicehalfserious,half-comical,"putyouunloadyoursleighveryhautily!"Itmaybedoubtfulwhether theattitude inwhichMr.Grantcontinuedforaninstantafterhisoverthrowwastheoneintowhichhehadbeenthrown,orwasassumed, in humbling himself before the Power that he reverenced, inthanksgiving at his escape.When he rose fromhis knees, he began to gazeabout him, with anxious looks, after the welfare of his companions, whileevery joint in his body trembled with nervous agitation. There was someconfusioninthefacultiesofMr.Jonesalso:butasthemistgraduallyclearedfrombeforehiseyes,hesawthatallwassafe,and,withanairofgreatself-satisfaction,hecried,"Well—thatwasneatlysaved,anyhow!—itwasaluckythoughtinmetoholdontothereins,orthefierydevilswouldhavebeenoverthe mountain by this time. How well I recovered myself, 'Duke! Anothermomentwouldhavebeentoolate;butIknewjustthespotwheretotouchthe

off-leader;thatblowunderhisrightflank,andthesuddenjerkIgavetherein,broughtthemroundquiteinrule,Imustownmyself."**Thespectators,fromimmemorialusage,havearighttolaughatthecasualtiesofasleighride;andtheJudgewasnosoonercertainthatnoonewasdonethanhemadefulluseoftheprivilege."Thou jerk! thou recover thyself, Dickon!" he said; "but for that brave ladyonder,thouandthyhorses,orrathermine,wouldhavebeendashedtopieces—butwhereisMonsieurLeQuoi?""Oh!moncher Juge!monami!" cried a smotheredvoice, "praisebeGod, Ilive;villyou,MisterAgamemnon,bepleascomedown ici, andhelpmeonmyleg?"The divine and the negro seized the incarcerated Gaul by his legs andextricatedhimfromasnow-bankofthreefeetindepth,whencehisvoicehadsoundedasfromthetombs.ThethoughtsofMr.LeQuoi,immediatelyonhisliberation,were not extremely collected; and,when he reached the light, hethrew his eyes upward, in order to examine the distance he had fallen. Hisgood-humorreturned,however,withaknowledgeofhissafety,thoughitwassomelittletimebeforeheclearlycomprehendedthecase."What,monsieur,"saidRichard,whowasbusilyassistingtheblackintakingofftheleaders;"areyouthere?IthoughtIsawyouflyingtowardthetopofthemountainjustnow.""PraisebeGod,Inoflydownintothelake,"returnedtheFrenchman,withavisagethatwasdividedbetweenpain,occasionedbyafewlargescratchesthathe had received in forcing his head through the crust, and the look ofcomplaisancethatseemednaturaltohispliablefeatures."Ah!moncherMisterDeeck,vatyoudonext?—derebenotingyounotry.""The next thing, I trust,will be to learn to drive," said the Judge,who badbusied himself in throwing the buck, together with several other articles ofbaggage, from his own sleigh into the snow; "here are seats for you all,gentlemen;theeveninggrowspiercinglycold,andthehourapproachesfortheserviceofMr.Grant;wewill leave friendJones to repair thedamages,withtheassistanceofAgamemnon,andhastentoawarmfire.Here,Dickon,areafewarticlesofBess'trumpery,thatyoucanthrowintoyoursleighwhenready;and there is also a deer ofmy taking, that Iwill thankyou to bring.Aggy!rememberthattherewillbeavisitfromSantaClaus*to-night."*TheperiodicalvisitsofSt.Nicholas,orSantaClaus,asheistermed,wereneverforgottenamongtheinhabitantsofNewYork,untiltheemigrationfromNewEnglandbroughtintheopinionsandusagesof

thePuritans,likethe"bonhommedeNoel."hearrivesateachChristmas.Theblackgrinned,consciousofthebribethatwasofferedhimforsilenceonthe subject of the deer, while Richard, without in the least waiting for theterminationofhiscousin'sspeech,beganhisreply:"Learntodrive,sayestthou,Cousin'Duke?Isthereamaninthecountywhoknowsmoreofhorse-flesh thanmyself?Whobroke in the filly, thatnooneelse daremount, though your coachman did pretend that he had tamed herbeforeItookherinhand;butanybodycouldseethathelied—hewasagreatliar,thatJohn—what'sthat,abuck?"Richardabandonedthehorses,andrantothespotwhereMarmadukehadthrownthedeer,"Itisabuck!Iamamazed!Yes, here are two holes in him, he has fired both barrels, and hit him eachtime,Egod!howMarmadukewillbrag!heisaprodigiousbraggeraboutanysmallmatterlikethisnow;well, tothinkthat 'DukehaskilledabuckbeforeChristmas!Therewillbenosuchthingaslivingwithhim—theyarebothbadshots though, mere chance—mere chance—now, I never fired twice at acloven foot inmy life—it is hit ormisswithme—dead or run away-had itbeenabear,orawild-cat,amanmighthavewantedbothbarrels.Here!youAggy!howfaroffwastheJudgewhenthisbuckwasshot?""Oh!massaRichard,maybeatenrod,"criedtheblack,bendingunderoneofthehorses,withthepretenceoffasteningabuckle,butinrealitytoconcealthegrinthatopenedamouthfromeartoear."Tenrod!"echoedtheother;"way,Aggy,thedeerIKilledlastwinter'wasattwenty—yes!ifanythingitwasnearerthirtythantwenty.Iwouldn'tshootatadeerattenrod:besides,youmayremember,Aggy,Ionlyfiredonce.""Yes,massaRichard,I'member'em!NattyBumppofiret'odergun.Youknow,sir,all'efolkssayNattykillhim.""Thefolkslie,youblackdevil!"exclaimedRichardingreatheat."Ihavenotshotevenagraysquirrelthesefouryears,towhichthatoldrascalhasnotlaidclaim,orsomeoneelseforhim.Thisisadamnedenviousworldthatwelivein—peoplearealwaysfordividingthecreditatathing,inordertobringdownmerittotheirownlevel.NowtheyhaveastoryaboutthePatent,*thatHiramDoolittlehelpedtoplanthesteepletoSt.Paul's;whenHiramknowsthatitisentirelymine;alittletakenfrontaprintofhisnamesakeinLondon,Iown;butessentially,astoallpointsofgenius,myown."*Thegrantsofland,madeeitherbythecrownorthestate,werebutletterspatentunderthegreatseal,andtheterm"patent"isusuallyappliedtoanydistrictofextentthusconceded;thoughunderthecrown',manorialrightsbeingoftengrantedwiththesoil,inthe

oldercountiestheword"manor"isfrequentlyused.TherearemanymanorsinNewYorkthoughallpoliticalandjudicialrightshaveceased."I don't know where he come from," said the black, losing every mark ofhumor in an expression of admiration, "but eb'rybody say, he wounerfulhandsome.""And well they may say so, Aggy," cried Richard, leaving the buck andwalkinguptothenegrowiththeairofamanwhohasnewinterestawakenedwithinhim,"IthinkImaysay,withoutbragging,thatitisthehandsomestandthemost scientific country church inAmerica. I know that theConnecticutsettlerstalkabouttheirWestHerfieldmeeting-house;butIneverbelievemorethan halfwhat they say, they are suchunconscionable braggers. Just as youhavegotathingdone,iftheyseeitlikelytobesuccessful,theyarealwaysforinterfering;andthenit'steatoonebuttheylayclaimtohalf,orevenallofthecredit.Youmayremember,Aggy,whenIpaintedthesignofthebolddragoonforCaptainHollistertherewasthatfellow,whowasabouttownlayingbrick-duston thehouses,cameonedayandoffered tomixwhat Icall thestreakyblack,forthetailandmane;andthen,becauseitlookslikehorse-hair,hetellseverybody that the sign was painted by himself and Squire Jones. IfMarmadukedon'tsendthatfellowoffthePatent,hemayornamenthisvillagewithhisownhandsforme,"HereRichardpausedamoment,andclearedhisthroatbyaloudhem,whilethenegro,whowasallthistimebusilyengagedinpreparingthesleigh,proceededwithhisworkinrespectfulsilence.OwingtothereligiousscruplesoftheJudge,AggywastheservantofRichard,whohadhisservicesforatime,*andwho,ofcourse,commandedalegalclaimtotherespectoftheyoungnegro.Butwhenanydisputebetweenhislawfulandhisrealmasteroccurred,theblackfelttoomuchdeferenceforbothtoexpressanyopinion.*ThemanumissionoftheslavesinNewYorkhasbeengradual.Whenpublicopinionbecamestrongintheirfavor,thengrewupacustomofbuyingtheservicesofaslave,forsixoreightyears,withaconditiontoliberatehimattheendoftheperiod.Thenthelawprovidedthatallbornafteracertaindayshouldbefree,themalesattwenty—eightandthefemalesattwenty-five.Afterthistheownerwasobligedtocausehisservantstobetaughttoreadandwritebeforetheyreachedtheageofeighteen,and,finally,thefewthatremainedwereallunconditionallyliberatedin1826,orafterthepublicationofthistale.Itwasquiteusualformenmoreorless

connectedwiththeQuakers,whoneverheldslavestoadoptthefirstexpedient.In the mean while, Richard continued watching the negro as he fastenedbuckleafterbuckle,until,stealingalookofconsciousnesstowardtheother,hecontinued: "Now, if that young man who was in your sleigh is a realConnecticut settler, he will be telling everybody how he saved my horses,when,ifhehadletthemaloneforhalfaminutelonger,Iwouldhavebroughttheminmuchbetter,withoutupsetting,with thewhipamid rein—itspoilsahorsetogivehimhisheal,IshouldnotwonderifIhadtosellthewholeteam,just for that one jerk he gave them," Richard paused and hemmed; for hisconsciencesmotehimalittleforcensuringamanwhohadjustsavedhislife."Whoisthelad,Aggy—Idon'tremembertohaveseenhimbefore?"The black recollected the hint about Santa Claus; and, while he brieflyexplained how they had taken up the person in question on the top of themountain,he forbore toaddanythingconcerning theaccidentor thewound,onlysayingthathebelievedtheyouthwasastranger.Itwassousualformenof thefirst rank to take into theirsleighsanyone theyfoundtoiling throughthesnow,thatRichardwasperfectlysatisfiedwiththisexplanation.HeheardAggywithgreatattention,and thenremarked:"Well, if the ladhasnotbeenspoiledbythepeopleinTempletonhemaybeamodestyoungman,and,ashecertainly meant well, I shall take some notice of him—perhaps he is land-hunting—Isay,Aggy,maybeheisouthunting?""Eh!yes,massaRichard,"saidtheblack,alittleconfused;for,asRicharddidalltheflogging,hestoodingreatterrorofhismaster,inthemain—"Yes,sir,Ib'lievehebe.""Hadheapackandanaxe?""No,sir,onlyherifle.""Rifle!"exclaimedRichard,observingtheconfusionofThenegro,whichnowamounted to terror. "By Jove, he killed the deer! I knew that Marmadukecouldn'tkillabuckonthejump—howwasit,Aggy?Tellmeallaboutit,andI'll roast 'Dukequicker thanhecanroasthissaddle—howwas it,Aggy? theladshotthebuck,andtheJudgeboughtit,ha!andheistakingtheyouthdowntogetthepay?"ThepleasureofthisdiscoveryhadputRichardinsuchagoodhumor,thatthenegro's fears in somemeasurevanished,andhe remembered the stockingofSantaClaus.Afteragulportwo,hemadeouttoreply;"Youforgitatwoshot,sir?""Don't lie, you black rascal!" cried Richard, stepping on the snow-bank tomeasure the distance from his lash to the negro's back; "speak truth, or I

trounceyou."While speaking, the stockwasslowly rising inRichard's righthand, and the lash drawing through his left, in the scientific manner withwhich drummers apply the cat; andAgamemnon, after turning each side ofhimselftowardhismaster,andfindingbothequallyunwillingtoremainthere,fairly gave in. In a very fewwordshemadehismaster acquaintedwith thetruth, at the same time earnestly conjuringRichard to protect him from thedispleasureofthelodge"I'lldoit,boy,I'lldoit,"criedtheother,rubbinghishandswithdelight;"saynothing,butleavemetomanageDuke.Ihaveagreatmind to leave thedeeron thehill, and tomake the fellowsend forhisowncarcass;butno,IwillletMarmaduketellafewbouncesaboutitbeforeIcomeoutuponhim.Come,hurryin,Aggy,Imusthelptodressthelad'swound;thisYankee*doctorknowsnothingofsurgery—IhadtoholdoutMilligan'slegforhim,whilehecutitoff."*InAmericathetermYankeeisoflocalmeaning.ItisthoughttobederivedfromthemannerinwhichtheIndiansofNewEnglandpronouncedtheword"English,"or"Yengeese."NewYorkbeingoriginallyaDutchprovince,thetermofcoursewasnotknownthere,andFarthersouthdifferentdialectsamongthenativesthemselvesprobablyproducedadifferentpronunciationMarmadukeandhiscousin,beingPennsylvaniansbybirth,werenotYankeesintheAmericansenseoftheword.Richardwasnowseatedonthestoolagain,and,theblacktakingthehindseat,thesteedswereputinmotiontowardhome,Astheydasheddownthehillonafast trot, the driver occasionally turned his face to Aggy, and continuedspeaking;for,notwithstandingtheirrecentrupture,themostperfectcordialitywasagainexistingbetweenthem,"ThisgoestoprovethatIturnedthehorseswiththereins,fornomanwhoisshotintherightshouldercanhavestrengthenoughtobringroundsuchobstinatedevils.IknewIdiditfromthefirst;butIdidnotwanttomultiplywordswithMarmadukeaboutit.—Willyoubite,youvillain?—hip, boys, hip! Old Natty, too, that is the best of it!—Well, well—'Dukewill saynomore aboutmydeer—and the Judge firedbothbarrels,andhitnothingbut apoor ladwhowasbehindapine-tree. Imusthelp thatquack to takeout thebuckshot for thepoor fellow." In thismannerRicharddescended themountain; the bells ringing, and his tongue going, until theyentered thevillage,when thewholeattentionof thedriverwasdevoted toadisplayofhishorsemanship, to theadmirationof all thegapingwomenandchildrenwhothrongedthewindowstowitnessthearrivaloftheirlandlordandhisdaughter.

CHAPTERV

"Nathaniel'scoat,sir,wasnotfullymade,AndGabriel'spumpswereallunpink'di'th'heel;TherewasnolinktocolorPeter'shat,AndWalter'sdaggerwasnotcomefromsheathing;Therewerenonefine,butAdam,Ralph,andGregory."—Shakespeare.Afterwindingalongthesideofthemountain,theroad,onreachingthegentledeclivitywhichlayatthebaseofthehill,turnedatarightangletoitsformercourse, and shot down an inclined plane, directly into the village ofTempleton. The rapid little stream that we have already mentioned wascrossedbyabridgeofhewntimber,whichmanifested,byitsrudeconstructionand the unnecessary size of its framework, both the value ofLabor and theabundanceofmaterials.Thislittletorrent,whosedarkwatersgushedoverthelimestonesthatlineditsbottom,wasnothinglessthanoneofthemanysourcesoftheSusquehanna;arivertowhichtheAtlanticherselfhasextendedanarminwelcome.Itwasat thispointthatthepowerfulteamofMr.Jonesbroughthimuptothemoresobersteedsofourtravellers.Asmallhillwasrisen,andElizabeth found herself at once amidst the incongruous dwellings of thevillage.The streetwasof theordinarywidth,notwithstanding theeyemightembrace,inoneview,thousandsandtensofthousandsofacres,thatwereyettenanted only by the beasts of the forest.But such had been thewill of herfather, and suchhad alsomet thewishesofhis followers.To them the roadthatmade themost rapid approaches to the conditionof theold, or, as theyexpressed it, the down countries,was themost pleasant; and surely nothingcouldlookmorelikecivilizationthanacity,evenifitlayinawilderness!Thewidthofthestreet,forsoitwascalled,mighthavebeenonehundredfeet;butthetrackforthesleighswasmuchmorelimited.Oneithersideofthehighwaywere piled huge heaps of logs, that were daily increasing rather thandiminishing in size, notwithstanding the enormous fires that might be seenthrougheverywindow.The last object at which Elizabeth gazed when they renewed their journey,aftertheirencountrewithRichard,wasthesun,asitexpandedintherefractionofthehorizon,andoverwhosediskthedarkumbrageofapinewasstealing,whileitslowlysankbehindthewesternhills.Buthissettingraysdartedalongtheopeningsof themountainhewason,andlightedtheshiningcoveringofthebirches,until their smoothandglossycoatsnearly rivalled themountainsidesincolor.Theoutlineofeachdarkpinewasdelineatedfarinthedepthsoftheforest,andtherocks,toosmoothandtooperpendiculartoretainthesnow

thathad fallen,brightened, as if smilingat the leave-takingof the luminary.Butateachstepastheydescended,Elizabethobservedthattheywereleavingthe day behind them.Even the heartless but bright rays of aDecember sunwere missed as they glided into the cold gloom of the valley. Along thesummitsofthemountainsintheeasternrange,itistrue,thelightstilllingered,recedingstepbystepfromtheearthintothecloudsthatweregatheringwiththeeveningmist,aboutthelimitedhorizon,butthefrozenlakelaywithoutashadow on its bosom; the dwellings were becoming already gloomy andindistinct,andthewood-cutterswereshoulderingtheiraxesandpreparingtoenjoy, throughout the long evening before them, the comforts of thoseexhilarating fires that their laborhadbeensupplyingwith fuel.Theypausedonly to gaze at the passing sleighs, to lift their caps to Marmaduke, toexchange familiar nodswithRichard, and each disappeared in his dwelling.The paper curtains dropped behind our travellers in everywindow, shuttingfromtheaireventhefirelightofthecheerfulapartments,andwhenthehorsesof her father turned with a rapid whirl into the open gate of the mansion-house, and nothing stood before her but the cold dreary stone walls of thebuilding, as she approached them through an avenue of young and leaflesspoplars, Elizabeth felt as if all the loveliness of the mountain-view hadvanishedlikethefanciesofadream.Marmadukeretainedsomuchofhisearlyhabitsastorejecttheuseofbells,buttheequipageofMr.Jonescamedashingthroughthegateafterthem,sendingitsjinglingsoundsthrougheverycrannyofthebuilding,andinamomentthedwellingwasinanuproar.Ona stoneplatform,of rather small proportions, considering the sizeof thebuilding, Richard and Hiram had, conjointly, reared four little columns ofwood, which in their turn supported the shingled roofs of the portico—thiswas the name that Mr. Jones had thought proper to give to a very plain,coveredentrance.Theascent to theplatformwasby fiveor six stone steps,somewhathastilylaidtogether,andwhichthefrosthadalreadybeguntomovefrom their symmetrical positions, But the evils of a cold climate and asuperficial construction did not end here.As the steps lowered the platformnecessarily fell also, and the foundations actually left the super structuresuspendedintheair,leavinganopenspaceofafootbetweenthebaseofthepillarsandthestonesonwhichtheyhadoriginallybeenplaced.Itwasluckyforthewholefabric that thecarpenter,whodidthemanualpartof thelabor,had fastened the canopyof this classic entrance so firmly to the side of thehousethat,whenthebasedesertedthesuperstructureinthemannerwehavedescribed, and the pillars, for the want of a foundation, were no longer ofservicetosupporttheroof,theroofwasabletoupholdthepillars.Herewas,indeed, an unfortunate gap left in the ornamental part of Richard's column;but,likethewindowinAladdin'spalace,itseemedonlyleftinordertoprovethe fertility of its master's resources. The composite order again offered its

advantages,andasecondeditionofthebasewasgiven,asthebooksellerssay,with additions and improvements. It was necessarily larger, and it wasproperlyornamentedwithmouldings;stillthestepscontinuedtoyield,and,atthemomentwhenElizabethreturnedtoherfather'sdoor,afewroughwedgesweredrivenunderthepillarstokeepthemsteady,andtopreventtheirweightfromseparatingthemfromthepedimentwhichtheyoughttohavesupported.Fromthegreatdoorwhichopenedintotheporchemergedtwoorthreefemaledomestics, and one male. The latter was bareheaded, but evidently moredressedthanusual,andonthewholewasofsosingularaformationandattireastodeserveamoreminutedescription.Hewasaboutfivefeetinheight,ofasquare and athletic frame,with a pair of shoulders thatwould have fitted agrenadier.His lowstaturewasrenderedthemorestrikingbyabendforwardthathewasinthehabitofassuming,fornoapparentreason,unlessitmightbetogivegreaterfreedomtohisarms,inaparticularlysweepingswing,thattheyconstantlypractisedwhentheirmasterwasinmotion.Hisfacewaslong,ofafair complexion, burnt to a fiery red; with a snub nose, cocked into aninveteratepug;amouthofenormousdimensions,filledwithfineteeth;andapairofblueeyes,thatseemedtolookaboutthemonsurroundingobjectswithhabitualcontempt.Hisheadcomposedfullone-fourthofhiswholelength,andthecuethatdependedfromitsrearoccupiedanother.Heworeacoatofverylightdrabcloth,withbuttonsas largeasdollars,bearing the impressionofa"foulanchor."Theskirtswereextremelylong,reachingquitetothecalf,andwere broad in proportion. Beneath, there were a vest and breeches of redplush, somewhat worn and soiled. He had shoes with large buckles, andstockingsofblueandwhitestripes.This odd-looking figure reported himself to be a native of the county ofCornwall, in the island of Great Britain. His boyhood had passed in theneighborhoodofthetinmines,andhisyouthasthecabin-boyofasmuggler,betweenFalmouthandGuernsey.Fromthistradehehadbeenimpressedintotheserviceofhisking,and,for thewantofabetter,hadbeentakenintothecabin,firstasaservant,andfinallyasstewardtothecaptain.Hereheacquiredtheartofmakingchowder,lobster,andoneortwoothersea-dishes,and,ashewas fond of saying, had an opportunity of seeing the world. With theexception of one or two outports in France, and an occasional visit toPortsmouth,Plymouth,andDeal,hehadinrealityseennomoreofmankind,however,thanifhehadbeenridingadonkeyinoneofhisnativemines.But,beingdischargedfromthenavyatthepeaceof'83,hedeclaredthat,ashehadseenall thecivilizedpartsoftheearth,hewasinclinedtomakeatriptothewilds of AmericaWewill not trace him in his brief wanderings, under theinfluence of that spirit of emigration that some times induces a dapperCockneytoquithishome,andlandshim,beforethesoundofBow-bellsisoutofhisears,withintheroarofthecataractofNiagara;butshallonlyaddthatat

averyearlyday,evenbeforeElizabethhadbeensenttoschool,hehadfoundhiswayintothefamilyofMarmadukeTemple,where,owingtoacombinationofqualitiesthatwillbedevelopedinthecourseofthetale,heheld,underMr.Jones, the office of major-domo. The name of this worthy was BenjaminPenguillan, according to his own pronunciation; but, owing to amarvelloustalethathewasinthehabitofrelating,concerningthelengthoftimehehadtolabortokeephisshipfromsinkingafterRodney'svictory,hehaduniversallyacquiredthenicknameofBenPump.By the side of Benjamin, and pressing forward as if a little jealous of herstation, stood a middle-aged woman, dressed in calico, rather violentlycontrastedincolorwithatall,meagre,shapelessfigure,sharpfeatures,andasomewhatacuteexpressionofherphysiognomy.Herteethweremostlygone,andwhatdidremainwereofatightyellow.Theskinofhernosewasdrawntightlyoverthemember,tohanginlargewrinklesinhercheeksandabouthermouth.She tooksnuff insuchquantitiesas tocreate the impression thatsheowedthesaffronofherlipsandtheadjacentpartstothiscircumstance;butitwastheunvaryingcolorofherwholeface.Shepresidedoverthefemalepartofthedomesticarrangements,inthecapacityofhousekeeper;wasaspinster,andbore thenameofRemarkablePettibone.ToElizabeth shewasanentirestranger,havingbeenintroducedintothefamilysincethedeathofhermother.In addition to these, were three or four subordinate menials, mostly black,someappearingat theprincipaldoor,andsomerunning from theendof thebuilding,wherestoodtheentrancetothecellar-kitchen.Besides these, therewasageneral rush fromRichard'skennel, accompaniedwitheverycaninetonefromthehowlofthewolf-dogtothepetulantbarkofthe terrier.Themaster received theirboisterous salutationswith avarietyofimitationsfromhisownthroat,whenthedogs,probablyfromshameofbeingoutdone,ceasedtheirout-cry.Onestately,powerfulmastiff,whoworeroundhisneckabrasscollar,with"M.T."engravedinlargelettersontherim,alonewas silent. He walked majestically, amid the confusion, to the side of theJudge,where, receivingakindpator two,he turned toElizabeth,whoevenstoopedtokisshim,asshecalledhimkindlybythenameof"OldBrave."Theanimalseemedtoknowher,assheascendedthesteps,supportedbyMonsieurLeQuoi and her father, in order to protect her from falling on the icewithwhichtheywerecovered.Helookedwistfullyafterherfigure,andwhenthedoor closed on thewhole party, he laid himself in a kennel thatwas placednigh by, as if conscious that the house contained some thing of additionalvaluetoguard.Elizabethfollowedherfather,whopausedamomenttowhisperamessagetooneofhisdomestics,intoalargehall,thatwasdimlylightedbytwocandies,placed in high, old-fashioned, brass candlesticks. The door closed, and the

partywereatonceremovedfromanatmospherethatwasnearlyatzero,tooneofsixtydegreesabove.Inthecentreofthehallstoodanenormousstove,thesidesofwhichappearedtobequiveringwithheat;fromwhichalarge,straightpipe,leadingthroughtheceilingabove,carriedoffthesmoke.Anironbasin,containingwater,wasplacedonthisfurnace,forsuchonlyitcouldbecalled,in order to preserve a proper humidity in the apartment. The room wascarpeted,andfurnishedwithconvenient,substantialfurniture,someofwhichwas brought from the city, the remainder having beenmanufactured by themechanics of Templeton. There was a sideboard of mahogany, inlaid withivory, andbearing enormoushandles of glitteringbrass, andgroaningunderthepilesofsilverplate.Nearitstoodasetofprodigioustables,madeof thewild cherry, to imitate the imported wood of the sideboard, but plain andwithoutornamentofanykind.Oppositetothesestoodasmallertable,formedfromalighter-coloredwood,throughthegrainsofwhichthewavylinesofthecurledmapleofthemountainswerebeautifullyundulating.Neartothis, inacorner,stoodaheavy,old-fashioned,brass-facedclock,incasedinahighbox,ofthedarkhueoftheblackwalnutfromtheseashore.Anenormoussettee,orsofa,coveredwithlightchintz,stretchedalongthewallsfornearlytwentyfeetononesideofthehail;andchairsofwood,paintedalightyellow,withblacklinesthatweredrawnbynoverysteadyhand,wererangedopposite,andintheintervalsbetweentheotherpiecesoffurniture.AFahrenheit'sthermometerinamahoganycase,andwithabarometerannexed,washungagainstthewall,atsome little distance from the stove, which Benjamin consulted, every halfhour,withprodigiousexactitude.Twosmallglasschandeliersweresuspendedatequaldistancesbetweenthestoveandouterdoors,oneofwhichopenedateach end of the hall, and gilt lustreswere affixed to the framework of thenumerous side-doors that led from the apartment. Some little display inarchitecture had beenmade in constructing these frames and casings,whichweresurmountedwithpediments,thatboreeachalittlepedestalinitscentre;on these pedestalswere small busts in blackedplaster-of-Paris.The style ofthepedestalsaswellastheselectionofthebustswereallduetothetasteofMr. Jones.Onone stoodHomer, amost striking likeness,Richard affirmed,"asanyonemightsee,foritwasblind,"Anotherboretheimageofasmooth-visagedgentlemanwithapointedbeard,whomhecalledShakespeare.Athirdornamentwasanurn,which;fromitsshape,Richardwasaccustomedtosay,intended to represent itself as holding the ashes of Dido. A fourth wascertainly old Franklin, in his cap and spectacles. A fifth as surely bore thedignified composure of the face ofWashington. A sixthwas a nondescript,representing"amanwithashirt-collaropen,"tousethelanguageofRichard,"withalaurelonhishead-itwasJuliusCaesarorDr.Faustus;thereweregoodreasonsforbelievingeither."Thewallswerehungwithadarklead-coloredEnglishpaperthatrepresented

Britanniaweepingover the tombofWolfe,Theherohimselfstoodata littledistancefromthemourninggoddess,andattheedgeofthepaper.Eachwidthcontained the figure, with the slight exception of one arm of the general,whichranoveronthenextpiece,sothatwhenRichardessayed,withhisownhands, to put together this delicate outline, some difficulties occurred thatpreventedaniceconjunction;andBritanniahadreasontolament,inadditiontothelossofherfavorite'slife,numberlesscruelamputationsofhisrightarm.Thelucklesscauseoftheseunnaturaldivisionsnowannouncedhispresenceinthehaltbyaloudcrackofhiswhip."Why,Benjamin!youBenPump!isthisthemannerinwhichyoureceivetheheiress?"hecried."Excusehim,CousinElizabeth.Thearrangementsweretoointricatetobetrustedtoeveryone;butnowIamhere,thingswillgoonbetter.—Come, light up, Mr. Penguillan, light up, light up, and let us see Oneanother's faces.Well, 'Duke, I have brought home your deer; what is to bedonewithit,ha?""BytheLord,squire,"commencedBenjamin,inreply,firstgivinghismouthawipewith the back of his hand, "if this here thing had been ordered sum'atearlier in the day, itmight have been got up, d'ye see, to your liking. I hadmusteredallhandsandwasexercisingcandles,whenyouhove in sight;butwhenthewomenheardyourbells theystartedanend,as if theywereridingtheboatswain'scolt;andif-so-bethereisthatmaninthehousewhocanbringupaparcelofwomenwhentheyhavegotheadwayonthem,untilthey'verunout theendof their rope,hisname isnotBenjaminPump.ButMissBetseyheremusthavealteredmorethanaprivateerindisguise,sinceshehasgotonherwoman's duds, if shewill take offencewith an old fellow for the smallmatteroflightingafewcandles."Elizabeth and her father continued silent, for both experienced the samesensationonenteringthehall.Theformerhadresidedoneyearinthebuildingbefore she left home for school, and the figureof its lamentedmistresswasmissedbybothhusbandandchild.Butcandleshadbeenplacedinthechandeliersandlustres,andtheattendantsweresofarrecoveredfromsurpriseastorecollecttheiruse;theoversightwasimmediatelyremedied,andinaminutetheapartmentwasinablazeoflight.The slight melancholy of our heroine and her father was banished by thisbrilliant interruption; and thewholepartybegan to layaside thenumberlessgarmentstheyhadwornintheair.DuringthisoperationRichardkeptupadesultorydialoguewiththedifferentdomestics, occasionally throwing out a remark to the Judge concerning thedeer; but as his conversation at such moments was much like anaccompanimentonapiano,athingthatisheardwithoutbeingattendedto,we

willnotundertakethetaskofrecordinghisdiffusediscourse,TheinstantthatRemarkablePettibonehadexecutedherportionofthelaborinilluminating, she returned to a position near Elizabeth, with the apparentmotive of receiving the clothes that the other threw aside, but in reality toexamine,withanairofcuriosity—notunmixedwithjealousy—theappearanceof the ladywhowas to supplant her in the administration of their domesticeconomy. The housekeeper felt a little appalled, when, after cloaks, coats,shawls,andsockshadbeentakenoffinsuccession,thelargeblackhoodwasremoved, and the dark ringlets, shining like the raven's wing, fell from herhead,andleftthesweetbutcommandingfeaturesoftheyoungladyexposedto view. Nothing could be fairer and more spotless than the forehead ofElizabeth,andpreservetheappearanceoflifeandhealth.HernosewouldhavebeencalledGrecian,but forasoftlyroundedswell, thatgave incharacter tothefeaturewhatitlostinbeauty.Hermouth,atfirstsight,seemedonlymadefor love; but, the instant that its muscles moved, every expression thatwomanly dignity could utter played around it with the flexibility of femalegrace.Itspokenotonlytotheear,buttotheeye.Somuch,addedtoaformofexquisiteproportions,ratherfullandroundedforheryears,andofthetallestmediumheight,sheinheritedfromhermother.Eventhecolorofhereye,thearchedbrows,andthelongsilkenlashes,camefromthesamesource;butitsexpressionwasherfather's.Inertandcomposed, itwassoft,benevolent,andattractive; but it could be roused, and thatwithoutmuch difficulty.At suchmomentsitwasstillbeautiful,thoughitwasalittlesevere.Asthelastshawlfellaside,andshestooddressedinarichblueriding-habit,thatfittedherformwith the nicest exactness; her cheeks burning with roses, that bloomed thericherfortheheatofthehall,andhereyeslightlysuffusedwithmoisturethatrendered their ordinary beautymore dazzling, andwith every feature of herspeaking countenance illuminated by the lights that flared around her,Remarkablefeltthatherownpowerhadended.Thebusinessofunrobinghadbeen simultaneous.Marmadukeappeared inasuitofplain,neatblack;MonsieurLeQuoiinacoatofsnuff-color,coveringavestofembroidery,withbreeches,andsilkstockings,andbuckles—thatwerecommonly thought tobeofpaste.MajorHartmannworeacoatof sky-blue,withlargebrassbuttons,aclubwig,andboots;andMr.RichardJoneshadsetoffhisdapperlittleforminafrockofbottle-green,withbullet-buttons,byoneofwhichthesideswereunitedoverhiswell-roundedwaist,openingabove,soastoshowajacketofredcloth,withanundervestofflannel,facedwithgreenvelvet, and below, so as to exhibit a pair of buckskin breeches, with long,soiled,whitetop-boots,andspurs;oneofthelatteralittlebent,fromitsrecentattacksonthestool.When the young lady had extricated herself from her garments, shewas at

liberty togazeabouther,andtoexaminenotonlythehouseholdoverwhichshe was to preside, but also the air and manner in which the domesticarrangements were conducted. Although there wasmuch incongruity in thefurnitureandappearanceof thehall, therewasnothingmean.The floorwascarpeted,eveninitsremotestcorners.Thebrasscandlesticks,thegiltlustres,andtheglasschandeliers,whatevermightbetheirkeepingastoproprietyandtaste, were admirably kept as to all the purposes of use and comfort. Theywerecleanandglitteringinthestronglightoftheapartment.Comparedwith the chill aspect of theDecember nightwithout, thewarmthand brilliancy of the apartment produced an effect that was not unlikeenchantment.Hereyehadnottimetodetect,indetail,thelittleerrorswhichintruthexisted,butwasglancingaroundherindelight,whenanobjectarrestedher view that was in strong contrast to the smiling faces and neatly attiredpersonageswhohadthusassembledtodohonortotheheiressofTempleton.In a corner of the hall near the grand entrance stood the young hunter,unnoticed, and for the moment apparently forgotten. But even theforgetfulnessoftheJudge,which,undertheinfluenceofstrongemotion,hadbanishedtherecollectionofthewoundofthisstranger,seemedsurpassedbytheabsenceofmindin theyouthhimself.Onenteringtheapartment,hehadmechanicallyliftedhiscap,andexposedaheadcoveredwithhairthatrivalled,in color and gloss, the locks of Elizabeth. Nothing could have wrought agreatertransformationthanthesingleactofremovingtheroughfox-skincap.If there wasmuch that was prepossessing in the countenance of the younghunter, therewas something even noble in the rounded outlines of his headand brow. The very air and manner with which the member haughtilymaintaineditselfoverthecoarseandevenwildattireinwhichtherestofhisframewasclad,bespokenotonlyfamiliaritywithasplendorthatinthosenewsettlementswas thought tobeunequalled,but somethingvery like contemptalso.Thehandthatheldthecaprestedlightlyonthelittleivory-mountedpianoofElizabeth,withneitherrusticrestraintnorobtrusivevulgarity.Asinglefingertouched the instrument, as if accustomed to dwell on suchplaces.His otherarmwasextendedtoitsutmostlength,andthehandgraspedthebarrelofhislongriflewithsomethinglikeconvulsiveenergy.Theactandtheattitudewereboth involuntary, and evidently proceeded from a feelingmuch deeper thanthat of vulgar surprise.His appearance, connected as it waswith the roughexteriorofhisdress, renderedhimentirelydistinct fromthebusygroup thatweremovingacross theotherendof the longhall,occupiedinreceivingthetravellersandexchangingtheirwelcomes;andElizabethcontinuedtogazeathiminwonder.Thecontractionofthestranger'sbrowsincreasedashiseyesmovedslowlyfromoneobjecttoanother.Formomentstheexpressionofhis

countenancewasfierce,andthenagainitseemedtopassawayinsomepainfulemotion. The arm thatwas extended bent and brought the hand nigh to hisface,whenhisheaddroppeduponit,andconcealedthewonderfullyspeakinglineaments."Weforget,dearsir, thestrangegentleman" (forher lifeElizabethcouldnotcallhimotherwise)"whomwehavebroughthereforassistance,andtowhomweoweeveryattention."Alleyeswereinstantlyturnedinthedirectionofthoseofthespeaker,andtheyouthratherproudlyelevatedhisheadagain,whileheanswered:"Mywoundistrifling,andIbelievethatJudgeTemplesentforaphysicianthemomentwearrived.""Certainly," said Marmaduke: "I have not forgotten the object of thy visit,youngman,northenatureofmydebt."Oh!"exclaimedRichard,withsomethingofawaggishleer,"thouowestthelad for the venison, I suppose that thou killed, Cousin 'Duke!Marmaduke!Marmaduke!Thatwasamarvelloustaleofthineaboutthebuck!Here,youngman,aretwodollarsforthedeer,andJudgeTemplecandonolessthanpaythedoctor. Ishallchargeyounothingformyservices,butyoushallnotfaretheworstforthat.Come,come,'Duke,don'tbedownheartedaboutit;ifyoumissedthebuck,youcontrivedtoshootthispoorfellowthroughapine-tree.NowIownthatyouhavebeatme;Ineverdidsuchathinginallmylife.""And I hope never will," returned the Judge, "if you are to experience theuneasiness that I have suffered; but be of good cheer,my young friend, theinjurymustbesmall,asthoumovestthyarmwithapparentfreedom."Don'tmake thematter worse, 'Duke, by pretending to talk about surgery,"interruptedMr.Jones,withacontemptuouswaveofthehand:"itisasciencethat can only be learned by practice. You know that my grandfather was adoctor,butyouhaven'tgotadropofmedicalbloodinyourveins.Thesekindof things run in families.Allmy family bymy father's side had a knack atphysic. 'TherewasmyunclethatwaskilledatBrandywine—hediedaseasyagainasanyothermantheregiment,justfromknowinghowtoholdhisbreathnaturally.Fewmenknowhowtobreathenaturally.""Idoubtnot,Dickon,"returnedtheJudge,meetingthebrightsmilewhich,inspiteofhimself,stoleoverthestranger'sfeatures,"thatthyfamilythoroughlyunderstandtheartoflettinglifeslipthroughtheirlingers."Richard heard him quite coolly, and putting a hand in either pocket of hissurcoat, so as to press forward the skirts, began to whistle a tune; but thedesiretoreplyovercamehisphilosophy,andwithgreatheatheexclaimed:"Youmayaffect tosmile,JudgeTemple,athereditaryvirtues, ifyouplease;

butthereisnotamanonyourPatentwhodon'tknowbetter.Here,eventhisyoung man, who has never seen anything but bears, and deer, andwoodchucks, knows better than to believe virtues are not transmitted infamilies.Don'tyou,friend?""Ibelieve thatvice isnot," said thestrangerabruptly;hiseyeglancing fromthefathertothedaughter."The squire is right, Judge,"observedBenjamin,withaknowingnodofhisheadtowardRichard,thatbespokethecordialitybetweenthem,"Now,intheoldcountry,theking'smajestytouchesfortheevil,andthatisadisorderthatthegreatestdoctor in the fleet,or for thematterof that admiral either: can'tcure;only theking'smajestyoraman that'sbeenhanged.Yes, thesquire isright; for if-so-be that hewasn't, how is it that the seventh son always is adoctor,whetherheshipsforthecockpitornot?Nowwhenwefellinwiththemounsheers,underDeGrasse,d'yesee,wehidaboardofusadoctor—""Very well, Benjamin," interrupted Elizabeth, glancing her eyes from thehunter toMonsieur Le Quoi, who was most politely attending to what fellfrom each individual in succession, "you shall tell me of that, and all yourentertainingadventurestogether;justnow,aroommustbeprepared,inwhichthearmofthisgentlemancanbedressed.""Iwillattendtothatmyself,CousinElizabeth,"observedRichard,somewhathaughtily."TheyoungmanwillnotsufferbecauseMarmadukechoosestobealittleobstinate.Followme,myfriend,andIwillexaminethehurtmyself.""Itwillbewelltowaitforthephysician,"saidthehuntercoldly;"hecannotbedistant."Richardpausedandlookedatthespeaker,alittleastonishedatthelanguage,andagooddealappalledattherefusal.Heconstruedthelatterintoanactofhostility, and, placing his hands in the pockets again, he walked up toMr.Grant,and,puttinghisfaceclosetothecountenanceofthedivine,saidinanundertone:"Now,markmywords—therewillbeastoryamongthesettlers, thatallourneckswouldhavebeenbrokenbutforthatfellow—asifIdidnotknowhowto drive.Why, youmight have turned the horses yourself, sir; nothingwaseasier;itwasonlypullinghardonthenighrein,andtouchingtheoffflankoftheleader.Ihope,mydearsir,youarenotatallhurtbytheupsettheladgaveus?"Thereplywasinterruptedbytheentranceofthevillagephysician.

CHAPTERVI

"Andabouthisshelves,Abeggarlyaccountofemptyboxes,Greenearthenpots,bladders,andmustyseeds.Remnantsofpackthread,andoldcakesofroses,Werethinlyscatteredtomakeupashow."—Shakespeare.Doctor Elnathan Todd, for such was the name of the man of physic, wascommonly thought to be, among the settlers, a gentleman of great mentalendowments,andhewasassuredlyofrarepersonalproportions.Inheighthemeasured,withouthisshoes,exactlysixfeetandfourinches.Hishands,feet,and knees corresponded in every respect with this formidable stature; buteveryotherpartofhisframeappearedtohavebeenintendedforamanseveralsizessmaller,ifweexceptthelengthofthelimbs.Hisshouldersweresquare,inonesenseatleast,beinginarightlinefromonesidetotheother;buttheywere sonarrow, that the longdanglingarms they supported seemed to issueout of his back. His neck possessed, in an eminent degree, the property oflengthtowhichwehavealluded,anditwastoppedbyasmallbullet-headthatexhibitedononesideabushofbristlingbrownhairandontheotherashort,twinklingvisage, that appeared tomaintainaconstant strugglewith itself inordertolookwise.HewastheyoungestsonofafarmerinthewesternpartofMassachusetts,who,beinginsomewhateasycircumstances,hadallowedthisboy to shoot up to the height we have mentioned, without the ordinaryinterruptions of field labor, wood-chopping, and such other toils as wereimposedonhisbrothers.Elnathanwasindebtedforthisexemptionfromlaborin some measure to his extraordinary growth, which, leaving him pale,inanimate,andlistless,inducedhistendermothertopronouncehim"asicklyboy, and one that was not equal to work, but who might earn a livingcomfortably enough by taking to pleading law, or turning minister, ordoctoring, or some such like easy calling.' Still, therewas great uncertaintywhichof thesevocations theyouthwasbestendowed to fill;but,havingnoother employment, the stripling was constantly lounging about thehomestead," munching green apples and hunting for sorrel; when the samesagacious eye that had brought to light his latent talents seized upon thiscircumstanceas a clew tohis futurepath through the turmoilsof theworld."Elnathanwascutoutforadoctor,sheknew,forhewasforeverdiggingforherbs,andtastingallkindsofthingsthatgrow'daboutthelots.Thenagainhehadanaturallovefordoctor-stuff,forwhenshehadleft thebiliouspillsoutforherman,allnicelycoveredwithmaplesugarjustreadytotake,Nathanhadcomeinandswallowedthemforalltheworldasiftheywerenothing,while

Ichabod (her husband) could never get one down without making suchdesperatefacesthatitwasawfultolookon."This discovery decided the matter. Elnathan, then about fifteen, was, muchlikeawildcolt,caughtandtrimmedbyclippinghisbushylocks;dressedinasuit of homespun, dyed in the butternut bark; furnished with a "NewTestament"anda"Webster'sSpellingBook,"andsent to school.As theboywasbynaturequiteshrewdenough,andhadpreviously,atoddtimes,laidthefoundations of reading,writing, and arithmetic, hewas soon conspicuous inthe school for his learning. The delighted mother had the gratification ofhearing,fromthelipsof themaster, thathersonwasa"prodigiousboy,andfaraboveallhisclass."Healsothoughtthat"theyouthhadanaturallovefordoctoring,ashehadknownhimfrequentlyadvisethesmallerchildrenagainsteating to much; and, once or twice, when the ignorant little things hadperseveredinoppositiontoElnathan'sadvice,hehadknownhersonemptytheschool-basketswithhisownmouth,topreventtheconsequences."Soon after this comfortable declaration from his schoolmaster, the ladwasremoved to the house of the village doctor, a gentlemanwhose early careerhad not been unlike that of our hero where he was to be seen sometimeswatering a horse, at others watering medicines, blue, yellow, and red: thenagainhemightbenoticedlollingunderanapple-tree,withRuddiman'sLatinGrammarinhishand,andacornerofDenman'sMidwiferystickingoutofapocket; forhis instructorheld it absurd to teachhispupilhow todispatchapatientregularlyfromthisworld,beforeheknewhowtobringhimintoit.Thiskindoflifecontinuedforatwelvemonth,whenhesuddenlyappearedatameetinginalongcoat(andwelldiditdeservethename!)ofblackhomespun,with little bootees, bound with an uncolored calf-skin for the want of redmorocco.Soonafterhewas seenshavingwithadull razor.Threeor fourmonthshadscarce elapsed before several elderly ladieswere observed hastening towardthehouseofapoorwomaninthevillage,whileotherswererunningtoandfroin great apparent distress. One or two boys were mounted, bareback, onhorses,andsentoffatspeed invariousdirections.Several indirectquestionswereputconcerningtheplacewherethephysicianwaslastseen;butallwouldnot do; and at length Elnathanwas seen issuing from his doorwith a verygraveair,precededbyalittlewhite-headedboy,outofbreath,trottingbeforehim.Thefollowingdaytheyouthappearedinthestreet,asthehighwaywascalled,andtheneighborhoodwasmuchedifiedbytheadditionalgravityofhisair. The sameweek he bought a new razor; and the succeeding Sunday heenteredthemeeting-housewitharedsilkhandkerchiefinhishand,andwithan extremely demure countenance. In the evening he called upon a youngwoman of his own class in life, for therewere no others to be found, and,

whenhewasleftalonewiththefair,hewascalled,forthefirsttimeinhislife,Dr.Todd,byherprudentmother.Theiceoncebrokeninthismanner,Elnathanwasgreetedfromeverymouthwithhisofficialappellation.Another year passed under the superintendence of the same master, duringwhich the young physician had the credit of "riding with the old doctor,"althoughtheyweregenerallyobservedtotraveldifferentroads.Attheendofthat period, Dr. Todd attained his legal majority. He then took a jaunt toBoston topurchasemedicines, and, as some intimated, towalk thehospital;we know not how the latter might have been, but, if true, he soon walkedthroughit,forhereturnedwithinafortnight,bringingwithhimasuspicious-lookingbox,thatsmelledpowerfullyofbrimstone.ThenextSundayhewasmarried,andthefollowingmorningheenteredaone-horse sleighwith his bride, having before him the boxwe havementioned,with another filledwith home-made household linen, a paper-covered trunkwith a red umbrella lashed to it, a pair of quite new saddle-bags, and ahandbox. The next intelligence that his friends received of the bride andbridegroomwas,thatthelatterwas"settledinthenewcountries,andwelltodoasadoctorinTempleton,inYorkState!"IfaTemplarwouldsmileatthequalificationsofMarmaduketofillthejudicialseatheoccupied,wearecertainthatagraduateofLeydenorEdinburghwouldbeextremelyamusedwith this truenarrationof theservitudeofElnathan inthetempleofAesculapius.Butthesameconsolationwasaffordedtoboththejuristandtheleech,forDr.Toddwasquiteasmuchonalevelwithhisownpeersoftheprofessioninthatcountry,aswasMarmadukewithhisbrethrenonthebench.Timeandpracticedidwonders for thephysician.Hewasnaturallyhumane,butpossessedofnosmallshareofmoralcourage;or,inotherwords,hewaschary of the lives of his patients, and never tried uncertain experiments onsuchmembersofsocietyaswereconsidereduseful;but,onceortwice,whenalucklessvagranthadcomeunderhiscare,hewasalittleaddictedtotryingtheeffectsofeveryphialinhissaddle-bagsonthestrangersconstitution.Happilytheir numberwas small, and inmost cases their natures innocent. By thesemeans Elnathan had acquired a certain degree of knowledge in fevers andagues, and could talk with judgment concerning intermittents, remittents,tertians,quotidians,etc.Incertaincutaneousdisordersveryprevalent innewsettlements,hewasconsideredtobeinfallible;andtherewasnowomanonthePatentbutwouldas soon thinkofbecomingamotherwithout ahusbandaswithouttheassistanceofDr.Todd.Inshort,hewasrearing,onthisfoundationofsandasuperstructurecementedbypractice,thoughcomposedofsomewhatbrittle materials. He however, occasionally renewed his elementary studies,and,with the observation of a shrewdmind,was comfort ably applying his

practicetohistheory.In surgery, having the least experience, and it being a business that spokedirectlytothesenses,hewasmostapttodistrusthisownpowers;buthehadappliedoilstoseveralburns,cutroundtherootsofsundrydefectiveteeth,andsewedupthewoundsofnumberlesswoodchoppers,withconsiderableéclat,whenanunfortunate jobber suffereda fractureofhis legby the tree thathehadbeenfelling.Itwasonthisoccasionthatourheroencounteredthegreatesttrial his nerves and moral feeling had ever sustained. In the hour of need,however, he was not found wanting. Most of the amputations in the newsettlements, and they were quite frequent, were per formed by some onepractitioner who, possessing originally a reputation, was enabled by thiscircumstancetoacquireanexperiencethatrenderedhimdeservingof it;andElnathan had been present at one or two of these operations. But on thepresentoccasionthemanofpracticewasnottobeobtained,andthedutyfell,asamatterofcourse,totheshareofMr.Todd.Hewenttoworkwithakindofblind desperation, observing, at the same time, all the externals of decentgravity and great skill,The sufferer's namewasMilligan, and itwas to thisevent that Richard alluded, when he spoke of assisting the doctor at anamputationbyholdingtheleg!Thelimbwascertainlycutoff,andthepatientsurvived the operation. It was, however, two years before poor Milliganceasedtocomplainthattheyhadburiedtheleginsonarrowaboxthatitwasstraitened for room; he could feel the pain shooting up from the inhumedfragmentintothelivingmembers.Marmadukesuggestedthatthefaultmightlieinthearteriesandnerves;butRichard,consideringtheamputationaspartof his own handiwork, strongly repelled the insinuation, at the same timedeclaringthathehadoftenheardofmenwhocouldtellwhenitwasabouttorain,bythetoesofamputatedlimbs,Aftertwoorthreeyears,notwithstanding,Milligan'scomplaintsgraduallydiminished, thelegwasdugup,anda largerboxfurnished,andfromthathournoonehadheardthesuffererutteranothercomplainton thesubject.Thisgave thepublicgreatconfidence inDr.Todd,whose reputation was hourly increasing, and, luckily for his patients, hisinformationalso.NotwithstandingDr.Todd'spractice,andhissuccesswiththeleg,hewasnotalittleappalledonentering thehallof themansion-house. Itwasglaringwiththe light of day; it looked so imposing, comparedwith the hastily built andscantily furnished apartments which he frequented in his ordinary practice,and contained so many well-dressed persons and anxious faces, that hisusually firm nerveswere a good deal discomposed.He had heard from themessengerwhosummonedhim,thatitwasagun-shotwound,andhadcomefromhis ownhome,wading through the snow,with his saddle-bags thrownover his arm, while separated arteries, penetrated lungs, and injured vitalswerewhirlingthroughhisbrain,as ifhewerestalkingoverafieldofbattle,

insteadofJudgeTemple'speaceableinclosure.Thefirstobjectthatmethiseye,ashemovedintotheroom,wasElizabethinher riding-habit, richly laced with gold cord, her fine form bending towardhim, and her face expressing deep anxiety in every one of its beautifulfeatures.Theenormouskneesofthephysicianstruckeachotherwithanoisethat was audible; for, in the absent state of his mind, hemistook her for ageneral officer, perforatedwith bullets, hastening from the field of battle toimplore assistance.The delusion, however,was butmomentary, and his eyeglanced rapidly from the daughter to the earnest dignity of the father'scountenance; thence to the busy strut of Richard, who was cooling hisimpatienceatthehunter'sindifferencetohisassistance,bypacingthehallandcracking his whip; from him to the Frenchman, who had stood for severalminutesunheededwithachair for the lady; thence toMajorHartmann,whowas very coolly lighting a pipe three feet long by a candle in one of thechandeliers; thence to Mr. Grant, who was turning over a manuscript withmuchearnestnessatoneofthelustres;thencetoRemarkable,whostood,withherarmsdemurelyfoldedbeforeher,surveying,withalookofadmirationandenvy,thedressandbeautyoftheyounglady;andfromhertoBenjamin,who,with his feet standing wide apart, and his arms akimbo, was balancing hissquarelittlebodywiththeindifferenceofonewhoisaccustomedtowoundsandbloodshed.All of these seemed tobeunhurt, and theoperator began tobreathemorefreely;but,beforehehadtimetotakeasecondlook,theJudge,advancing,shookhimkindlybythehand,andspoke."Thouartwelcome,mygoodsir,quitewelcome,indeed;hereisayouthwhomI have unfortunately wounded in shooting a deer this evening, and whorequiressomeofthyassistance.""Shootingatadeer,'Duke,"interruptedRichard—"shootingatadeer.Whodoyouthinkcanprescribe,unlessheknowsthetruthofthecase?Itisalwayssowithsomepeople;theythinkadoctorcanbedeceivedwiththesameimpunityasanotherman.""Shootingatadeer, truly,"returnedtheJudge,smiling,"althoughit isbynomeanscertainthatIdidnotaidindestroyingthebuck;buttheyouthisinjuredbymyhand,bethatasitmay;anditisthyskillthatmustcurehim,andmypocketshallamplyrewardtheeforit.""Two ver good tings to depend on," observed Monsieur Le Quoi, bowingpolitely,withasweepofhisheadtotheJudgeandtothepractitioner."I thankyou,monsieur,"returnedtheJudge;"butwekeeptheyoungmaninpain.Remarkable,thouwiltpleasetoprovidelinenforlintandbandages."Thisremarkcausedacessationofthecompliments,andinducedthephysiciantoturnaninquiringeyeinthedirectionofhispatient.Duringthedialoguethe

younghunterhadthrownasidehisovercoat,andnowstoodcladinaplainsuitofthecommon,light-coloredhomespunofthecountry,thatwasevidentlybutrecently made. His hand was on the lapels of his coat, in the attitude ofremoving the garment, when he suddenly suspended the movement, andlooked toward the commiserating Elizabeth, who was standing in anunchangedposture, toomuchabsorbedwithheranxiousfeelings toheedhisactions.Aslightcolorappearedonthebrowoftheyouth."Possiblythesightofbloodmayalarmthelady;Iwillretiretoanotherroomwhilethewoundisdressing.""Bynomeans."saidDr.Todd,who,havingdiscoveredthathispatientwasfarfrombeingamanofimportance,feltmuchemboldenedtoperformtheduty."The strong light of these candles is favorable to the operation, and it isseldomthatwehardstudentsenjoygoodeyesight."Whilespeaking,Elnathanplacedapairoflargeiron-rimmedspectaclesonhisface,wheretheydropped,asitwerebylongpractice,totheextremityofhisslimpugnose;and,iftheywereofnoserviceasassistantstohiseyes,neitherwere they any impediment to his vision; for his little gray organs weretwinkling above them like two stars emerging from the envious cover of acloud. The action was unheeded by all but Remarkable, who observed toBenjamin:"Dr.Toddisacomelymantolookon,anddespu'tpretty.Howwellheseemsinspectacles!Ideclare,theygiveagrandlooktoabody'sface.Ihavequiteagreatmindtotrythemmyself."The speech of the stranger recalled the recollection of Miss Temple, whostartedasiffromdeepabstraction,and,coloringexcessively,shemotionedtoayoungwomanwhoservedinthecapacityofmaid,andretiredwithanairofwomanlyreserve.The fieldwas now left to the physician and his patient, while the differentpersonageswhoremainedgatheredaroundthelatter,withfacesexpressingthevariousdegreesofinterestthateachonefeltinhiscondition.MajorHartmannalone retained his seat, where he continued to throw out vast quantities ofsmoke,nowrollinghiseyesuptotheceiling,asifmusingontheuncertaintyoflife,andnowbendingthemonthewoundedman,withanexpressionthatbespokesomeconsciousnessofhissituation.In themean time Elnathan, to whom the sight of a gun shot woundwas aperfect novelty, commenced his preparationswith a solemnity and care thatwere worthy of the occasion. An old shirt was procured by Benjamin, andplaced in the hand of the other, who tore divers bandages from it, with anexactitudethatmarkedbothhisownskillandtheimportanceoftheoperation.When this preparatorymeasurewas taken,Dr. Todd selected a piece of the

shirtwithgreatcare,andhandingtoMr.Jones,withoutmovingamuscle,said:"Here,SquireJones,youarewellacquaintedwiththesethings;willyoupleasetoscrape the lint? It shouldbe fineandsoft,youknow,mydear sir;andbecautiousthatnocottongetsin,oritmayp'izenthewound.Theshirthasbeenmadewithcottonthread,butyoucaneasilypickitout."Richardassumed theoffice,withanodathiscousin, that saidquiteplainly,"Youseethisfellowcan'tgetalongwithoutme;"andbegantoscrapethelinenonhiskneewithgreatdiligence.A table was now spread with phials, boxes of salve, and divers surgicalinstruments.Asthelatterappearedinsuccession,fromacaseofredmorocco,theirownerheldupeachimplementtothestronglightofthechandelier,nearto which he stood, and examined it with the nicest care. A red silkhandkerchief was frequently applied to the glittering steel, as if to removefromthepolishedsurfacestheleastimpedimentwhichmightexisttothemostdelicate operation. After the rather scantily furnished pocket-case whichcontainedtheseinstrumentswasexhausted,thephysicianturnedtohissaddle-bags, and produced various phials, filled with liquids of the most radiantcolors.Thesewerearrangedindueorderbythesideofthemurderoussaws,knives, and scissors, when Elnathan stretched his long body to its utmostelevation, placing his hand on the small of his back as if for sup port, andlookedabouthimtodiscoverwhateffectthisdisplayofprofessionalskillwaslikelytoproduceonthespectators."Uponmywort,toctor,"observedMajorHartmann,witharoguishrollofhislittleblackeyes,butwitheveryotherfeatureofhisface inastateofperfectrest, "putyouhave averyprettypocket-bookof tools tere, andyour toctor-stuffglittersasifitwaspetterfortereyesasforterpelly."Elnathangaveahem—onethatmighthavebeenequallytakenforthatkindofnoise which cowards are said to make in order to awaken their dormantcourage, or for a natural effort to clear the throat; if for the latter it wassuccessful;for,turninghisfacetotheveteranGerman,hesaid:"Verytrue,MajorHartmann,verytrue,sir;aprudentmanwillalwaysstrivetomakehisremediesagreeabletotheeyes,thoughtheymaynotaltogethersuitthe stomach. It is no small part of our art, sir," and he now spokewith theconfidenceofamanwhounderstoodhissubject,"to reconcile thepatient towhatisforhisowngood,thoughatthesametimeitmaybeunpalatable.""Sartain!Dr.Todd is right," saidRemarkable, "andhasScripter forwhathesays.TheBibletellsushowthingsmaybesweet tothemouth,andbitter totheinwards.""True, true," interrupted the Judge, a little impatiently; "but here is a youthwhoneedsnodeceptiontolurehimtohisownbenefit.Isee,byhiseye,that

hefearsnothingmorethandelay."Thestrangerhad,withoutassistance,baredhisownshoulder,whentheslightperforationproducedbythepassageofthebuckshotwasplainlyvisible.Theintensecoldoftheeveninghadstoppedthebleeding,andDr.Todd,castingafurtiveglanceatthewound,thoughtitbynomeanssoformidableanaffairashe had anticipated. Thus encouraged, he approached his patient, and madesome indicationofan intention to trace the route thathadbeen takenby thelead.Remarkable often found occasions, in after days, to recount theminutiae ofthat celebrated operation; andwhen she arrived at this point she commonlyproceededasfollows:"Andthenthedoctortuckoutofthepocketbookalongthing,likeaknitting-needle,withabuttonfastenedtotheendon't;andthenhepushed it into thewound and then the youngman looked awful; and then IthoughtIshouldhaveswanedaway—Ifeltinsitchadispu'ttaking;andthenthedoctorhadrunitrightthroughhisshoulder,andshovedthebulletoutontother side;andsoDr.Toddcured theyoungman—Ofaball that theJudgehadshotintohim—foralltheworldaseasyasIcouldpickoutasplinterwithmydarning-needle."SuchweretheimpressionsofRemarkableonthesubject;andsuchdoubtlessweretheopinionsofmostofthosewhofeltitnecessarytoentertainaspeciesof religious veneration for the skill of Elnathan; but suchwas far from thetruth.When the physician attempted to introduce the instrument described byRemarkable, hewas repulsed by the stranger,with a good deal of decision,andsomelittlecontempt,inhismanner."Ibelieve,sir,"hesaid,"thataprobeisnotnecessary;theshothasmissedthebone, andhaspasseddirectly through thearm to theopposite side,where itremains but skin deep, and whence, I should think, it might be easilyextracted.""Thegentlemanknowsbest,"saidDr.Todd, layingdowntheprobewith theair of a man who had assumed it merely in compliance with forms; and,turningtoRichard,hefingeredthelintwiththeappearanceofgreatcareandforesight. "Admirably well scraped, Squire Jones: it is about the best lint Ihaveeverseen.Iwantyourassistance,mygoodsir,toholdthepatient'sarmwhileImakeanincisionfortheball.Now,IratherguessthereisnotanothergentlemanpresentwhocouldscrapethelintsowellasSquireJones!""Suchthingsruninfamilies,"observedRichard,risingwithalacritytorenderthedesiredassistance."Myfather,andmygrandfatherbeforehim,werebothcelebrated for their knowledge of surgery; they were not, like Marmadukehere,puffedupwithanaccidentalthing,suchasthetimewhenhedrewinthe

hip-jointofthemanwhowasthrownfromhishorse;thatwasthefallbeforeyoucameintothesettlement,doctor;buttheyweremenwhoweretaughtthething regularly, spending half their lives in learning those little niceties;though, for thematterof that,mygrandfatherwasa college-bredphysician,andthebestinthecolony,too—thatis,inhisneighborhood.""Soitgoeswiththeworld,squire,"criedBenjamin;"ifsobethatamanwantstowalkthequarter-deckwithcredit,d'yesee,andwithregularbuiltswabsonhis shoulders, hemustn't think to do it by getting in at the cabinwindows.Therearetwowaystogetintoatop,besidesthelubber-holes.Thetruewaytowalkaftistobeginforrard;tho'fitbeonlyinahumbleway,likemyself,d'yesee,whichwasfrombeingonlyahanderoftopgallantsails,andastoweroftheflying-jib,tokeepingthekeyofthecaptain'slocker."Benjaminspeaksquitetothepurpose,'continuedRichard,"Idaresaythathehas often seen shot extracted in the different ships inwhich he has served;supposewegethimtoholdthebasin;hemustbeusedtothesightofblood.""Thathe is, squire, thathe is," interrupted thecidevantsteward;"many's thegoodshot,round,double-headed,andgrape,thatI'veseenthedoctorsatworkon.For thematterof that,Iwasinaboat,alongsidetheship,whentheycutoutthetwelve-poundshotfromthethighofthecaptainoftheFoodyrong,oneofMounsheerLerQuaw'scountrymen!"**ItispossiblethatthereadermaystartatthisdeclarationofBenjamin,butthosewhohavelivedinthenewsettlementsofAmericaaretoomuchaccustomedtohearoftheseEuropeanexploitstodoubtit."Atwelve-poundballfromthethighofahumanbeing:"exclaimedMr.Grant,withgreatsimplicity,droppingthesermonhewasagainreading,andraisinghisspectaclestothetopofhisforehead."A twelve-pounder!" echoed Benjamin, staring around him with muchconfidence; "a twelve-pounder! ay! a twenty-four-pound shot can easily betaken fromaman's body, if so be a doctor only knowshow,There's SquireJones,now,askhim,sir;hereadsallthebooks;askhimifheneverfellinwithapagethatkeepsthereckoningofsuchthings.""Certainly, more important operations than that have been performed,"observed Richard; "the encyclopaedia mentions much more incrediblecircumstancesthanthat,as,Idaresay,youknow,Dr.Todd.""Certainly, there are incredible tales told in the encyclopaedias," returnedElnathan,"thoughIcannotsaythatIhaveeverseen,myself,anythinglargerthanamusketballextracted."

Duringthisdiscourseanincisionhadbeenmadethroughtheskinoftheyounghunter'sshoulder,andtheleadwaslaidbare.Elnathantookapairofglitteringforceps, andwas in the act of applying them to thewound,when a suddenmotionof thepatient caused the shot to fall outof itself,The longarmandbroad hand of the operator were now of singular service; for the latterexpanded itself, and caught the lead, while at the same time an extremelyambiguousmotionwasmadeby itsbrother, soas to leave itdoubtful to thespectatorshowgreatwas itsagency in releasing theshot,Richard,however,putthematteratrestbyexclaiming:"Veryneatlydone,doctor!Ihaveneverseenashotmoreneatlyextracted;andIdaresayBenjaminwillsaythesame.""Why,considering,"returnedBenjamin,"Imustsaythatitwasship-shapeandBrister-fashion.Nowallthatthedoctorhastodo,istoclapacoupleofplugsintheholes,andtheladwillfloatinanygalethatblowsintheseherehills.""I thank you, sir, for what you have done," said the youth, with a littledistance;"buthere isamanwhowill takemeunderhiscare,andspareyouall,gentlemen,anyfurthertroubleonmyaccount."Thewholegroupturnedtheirheadsinsurprise,andbeheld,standingatoneofthedistantdoorsofthehall,thepersonofIndianJohn.

CHAPTERVII.

"FromSesquehanna'sutmostsprings,Wheresavagetribespursuetheirgame,Hisblankettiedwithyellowstrings,Theshepherdoftheforestcame."—Freneau.Before the Europeans, or, to use a more significant term, the Christians,dispossessedtheoriginalownersofthesoil,allthatsectionofcountrywhichcontainstheNewEnglandStates,andthoseoftheMiddlewhichlieeastofthemountains, was occupied by two great nations of Indians, from whom haddescended numberless tribes. But, as the original distinctions between thesenationsweremarkedbyadifferenceinlanguage,aswellasbyrepeatedandbloodywars,theywereneverknowntoamalgamate,untilafterthepowerandinroadsofthewhiteshadreducedsomeofthetribestoastateofdependencethatrenderednotonlytheirpolitical,but,consideringthewantsandhabitsofasavage,theiranimalexistencealso,extremelyprecarious.These twogreatdivisionsconsisted,on theoneside,of theFive,or,as theywereafterwardcalled, theSixNations,and theirallies;and,on theother,of

theLenniLenape,orDelawares,with thenumerousandpowerful tribes thatownedthatnationastheirgrandfatherTheformerwasgenerallycalled,bytheAnglo-AmericansIroquois,ortheSixNations,andsometimesMingoes.Theirappellationamongtheirrivals,seemsgenerallytohavebeentheMengwe,orMaqua.Theyconsistedofthetribesor,astheirallieswerefondofasserting,inorder to raise their consequence,of the severalnationsof theMohawks, theOneidas, the Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas; who ranked, in theconfederation in the order in which they are named. The Tuscaroras wereadmittedtothisunionnearacenturyafteritsfoundation,andthuscompletedthenumberofsix.Of the Lenni Lenape, or as they were called by the whites, from thecircumstances of their holding their great council-fire on the banks of thatriver, the Delaware nation, the principal tribes, besides that which bore thegeneric name, were the Mahicanni, Mohicans, or Mohegans, and theNanticokes,orNentigoes.OfthesethelatterheldthecountryalongthewatersoftheChesapeakeandtheseashore;whiletheMohegansoccupiedthedistrictbetween the Hudson and the ocean, including much of New England. OfcoursethesetwotribeswerethefirstwhoweredispossessedoftheirlandsbytheEuropeans.ThewarsofaportionofthelatterarecelebratedamongusasthewarsofKingPhilip;butthepeacefulpolicyofWilliamPenn,orMiquon,ashewastermedby the natives, effected its object with less difficulty, though not with lesscertainty. As the natives gradually disappeared from the country of theMohegans,somescatteringfamiliessoughtarefugearoundthecouncil-fireofthemothertribe,ortheDelawares.This people had been induced to suffer themselves to be called women bytheir old enemies, theMingoes, or Iroquois.After the latter, having in vaintried the effects of hostility, had recourse in artifice in order to prevail overtheirrivals.Accordingtothisdeclaration,theDelawaresweretocultivatetheartsofpeace,andtointrusttheirdefenceentirelytothemen,orwarliketribesoftheSixNations.ThisstateofthingscontinueduntilthewaroftheRevolution.WhentheLenniLenapeformallyassertedtheirindependence,andfearlesslydeclaredthattheywereagainmen.But, inagovernmentsopeculiarlyrepublicanas theIndianpolity, itwasnotatall timesaneasy task to restrain itsmemberswithin therules of the nation. Several fierce and renownedwarriors of theMohegans,finding theconflictwith thewhites tobe invain, soughta refugewith theirgrandfather,andbroughtwiththemthefeelingsandprinciplesthathadsolongdistinguished them in their own tribe. These chieftains kept alive, in somemeasure, themartialspiritof theDelawares;andwould,at times, leadsmallparties against their ancient enemies, or such other foes as incurred their

resentment.Amongthesewarriorswasoneraceparticularlyfamousfortheirprowess,andfor those qualities that render an Indian hero celebrated. But war, time,disease, and want had conspired to thin their number; and the solerepresentative of this once renowned family now stood in the hall ofMarmadukeTemple.He had for a long time been an associate of thewhitemen, particularly in their wars, and having been, at the season when hisservices were of importance, much noticed and flattered, he had turnedChristianandwasbaptizedbythenameofJohn.Hehadsufferedseverelyinhisfamilyduringtherecentwar,havinghadeverysoultowhomhewasalliedcutoffbyaninroadoftheenemy;andwhenthelastlingeringremnantofhisnationextinguishedtheirfires,amongthehillsoftheDelaware,healonehadremained,withadeterminationoflayinghishonesinthatcountrywherehisfathershadsolonglivedandgoverned.Itwasonly,however,withina fewmonths, thathehadappearedamong themountainsthatsurroundedTempleton.Tothehutoftheoldhunterheseemedpeculiarlywelcome;and,asthehabitsoftheLeather-Stockingweresonearlyassimilated to thoseof the savages, theconjunctionof their interestsexcitednosurprise.They resided in thesamecabin,ateof thesamefood,andwerechieflyoccupiedinthesamepursuits.Wehavealreadymentionedthebaptismalnameofthisancientchief;butinhisconversationwithNatty,heldinthelanguageoftheDelawares,hewashearduniformlytocallhimselfChingachgook,which,interpreted,meansthe"GreatSnake."Thisnamehehadacquired inhisyouth,byhisskillandprowess inwar;butwhenhisbrowsbegantowrinklewithtime,andhestoodalone,thelast of his family, and his particular tribe, the few Delawares, who yetcontinued about the head-waters of their river, gave him the mournfulappellationofMohegan.Perhapstherewassomethingofdeepfeelingexcitedin the bosom of this inhabitant of the forest by the sound of a name thatrecalledtheideaofhisnationinruins,forheseldomusedithimself—never,indeed, exceptingon themost solemnoccasions;but the settlershadunited,accordingtotheChristiancustom,hisbaptismalwithhisnationalname,andtothemhewasgenerallyknownasJohnMohegan,or,morefamiliarly,asIndianJohn.Fromhislongassociationwiththewhitemen,thehabitsofMoheganwereamixtureofthecivilizedandsavagestates,thoughtherewascertainlyastrongpreponderanceinfavorofthelatter.Incommonwithallhispeople,whodweltwithintheinfluenceoftheAnglo-Americans,hehadacquirednewwants,andhisdresswasamixtureofhisnativeandEuropeanfashions.Notwithstandingthe in tense coldwithout, his headwas uncovered; but a profusion of long,black,coarsehairconcealedhisforehead,hiscrown,andevenhungabouthis

cheeks, so as to convey the idea, toonewhoknewhispresent amid formerconditions, that he encouraged its abundance, as a willing veil to hide theshameofanoblesoul,mourningforgloryonceknown.Hisforehead,whenitcouldbeseen,appearedlofty,broad,andnoble.Hisnosewashigh,andofthekindcalledRoman,withnostrilsthatexpanded,inhisseventiethyear,withthefreedom that had distinguished them in youth. His mouth was large, butcompressed, and possessing a great share of expression and character, and,whenopened,itdiscoveredaperfectsetofshort,strong,andregularteeth.Hischinwasfull, thoughnotprominent;andhisfacebore theinfalliblemarkofhispeople,initssquare,highcheek-bones.Theeyeswerenotlarge,buttheirblackorbsglitteredin theraysof thecandles,ashegazedintentlydownthehall,liketwoballsoffire.TheinstantthatMoheganobservedhimselftobenoticedbythegrouparoundtheyoungstranger,hedroppedtheblanketwhichcoveredtheupperpartofhisframe, from his shoulders, suffering it to fall over his leggins of untanneddeer-skin,whereitwasretainedbyabeltofbarkthatconfinedittohiswaist.Ashewalkedslowlydownthelonghail,thedignifiedanddeliberatetreadoftheIndiansurprisedthespectators.Hisshoulders,andbodytohiswaist,wereentirelybare,withtheexceptionofa silver medallion of Washington, that was suspended from his neck by athong of buckskin, and rested on his high chest, amid many scars. Hisshoulders were rather broad and full; but the arms, though straight andgraceful,wanted themuscular appearance that laborgives to a raceofmen.Themedallionwastheonlyornamenthewore,althoughenormousslitsintherim of either ear,which suffered the cartilages to fall two inches below themembers,hadevidentlybeenusedforthepurposesofdecorationinotherdaysin his hand he held a small basket of the ash-wood slips, colored in diversfantastical conceits,with redandblackpaintsmingledwith thewhiteof thewood.Asthischildoftheforestapproachedthem,thewholepartystoodaside,andallowedhimtoconfronttheobjectofhisvisit.Hedidnotspeak,however,butstood fixinghisglowingeyeson theshoulderof theyounghunter,and thenturningthemintentlyonthecountenanceoftheJudge.ThelatterwasagooddealastonishedatthisunusualdeparturefromtheordinarilysubduedandquietmanneroftheIndian;butheextendedhishand,andsaid:"Thouartwelcome,John.Thisyouthentertainsahighopinionofthyskill,itseems, for he prefers thee to dress his wound even to our good friend, Dr.Todd."MohegannowspokeintolerableEnglish,butinalow,monotonous,gutturaltone;

"The children ofMiquondonot love the sight of blood; andyet theYoungEaglehasbeenstruckbythehandthatshoulddonoevil!""Mohegan!oldJohn!"exclaimed theJudge,"thinkest thou thatmyhandhasever drawn human blood willingly? For shame! for shame, old John! thyreligionshouldhavetaughttheebetter.""The evil spirit sometimes lives in the best heart," returned John, "but mybrotherspeaks the truth;hishandhasnever taken life,whenawake;no!notevenwhenthechildrenofthegreatEnglishFatherweremakingthewatersredwiththebloodofhispeople.""Surely John," said Mr. Grant, with much earnestness, "you remember thedivinecommandofourSaviour, 'Judgenot, lestyebe judged.'Whatmotivecould Judge Temple have for injuring a youth like this; one towhom he isunknown,andfromwhomhecanreceiveneitherinjurynorfavor?"John listened respectfully to the divine, and, when he had concluded, hestretchedouthisarm,andsaidwithenergy:"Heisinnocent.Mybrotherhasnotdonethis."Marmadukereceivedtheofferedhandoftheotherwithasmile,thatshowed,howeverhemightbeastonishedathis suspicion,hehadceased to resent it;while thewoundedyouth stood,gazing fromhis red friend tohishost,withinterestpowerfullydelineatedinhiscountenance.No sooner was this act of pacification exchanged, than John proceeded todischargethedutyonwhichhehadcome.Dr.Toddwasfarfrommanifestinganydispleasureatthisinvasionofhisrights,butmadewayforthenewleechwithanair that expressedawillingness togratify thehumorsofhispatient,nowthattheall-importantpartofthebusinesswassosuccessfullyperformed,andnothingremainedtobedonebutwhatanychildmighteffect, indeed,hewhisperedasmuchtoMonsieurLeQuoi,whenhesaid:"ItwasfortunatethattheballwasextractedbeforethisIndiancamein;butanyoldwomancandressthewound.Theyoungman,Ihear,liveswithJohnandNattyBumppo,and it'salwaysbest tohumorapatient,when itcanbedonediscreetly—Isay,discreetly,monsieur.""Certainement,"returnedtheFrenchman;"youseemverhappy,MisterTodd,inyourpratice.Itinktheelderladymightverwellfinishvatyousoskeelfullybegin."ButRichardhad,atthebottom,agreatdealofvenerationfortheknowledgeofMohegan, especially in external wounds; and, retaining all his desire for aparticipation in glory, he advanced nigh the Indian, and said: "Sago, sago,Mohegan!sagomygoodfellowIamgladyouhavecome;givemearegularphysician,likeDr.Toddtocutintoflesh,andanativetohealthewound.Do

youremember,John,thetimewhenIandyousettheboneofNattyBumppo'slittlefinger,afterhebrokeitbyfallingfromtherock,whenhewastryingtogetthepartridgethatfellonthecliffs?InevercouldtellyetwhetheritwasIorNattywhokilledthatbird:hefiredfirst,andthebirdstooped,andthenitwasrising again as I pulled trigger. I should have claimed it for a certainty, butNatty said theholewas toobig for shot, andhe fired a singleball fromhisrifle;butthepieceIcarriedthendidn'tscatter,andIhaveknownittoboreaholethroughaboard,whenI'vebeenshootingatamark,verymuchlikeriflebullets.ShallIhelpyou,John?YouknowIhaveaknackatthesethings."Moheganheardthisdisquisitionquitepatiently,and,whenRichardconcluded,heheldoutthebasketwhichcontainedhisspecifics,indicating,byagesture,thathemightholdit.Mr.Joneswasquitesatisfiedwiththiscommission;andeverafter,inspeakingoftheevent,wasusedtosaythat"Dr.ToddandIcutoutthebullet,andIandIndianJohndressedthewound."ThepatientwasmuchmoredeservingofthatepithetwhileunderthehandsofMohegan,thanwhilesufferingunderthepracticeofthephysician.Indeed,theIndiangavehimbutlittleopportunityfortheexerciseofaforbearingtemper,ashehad comeprepared for theoccasion.Hisdressingswere soonapplied,andconsistedonlyofsomepoundedbark,moistenedwithafluidthathehadexpressedfromsomeofthesimplesofthewoods.Amongthenativetribesoftheforesttherewerealwaystwokindsofleechesto be met with. The one placed its whole dependence on the exercise of asupernatural power, and was held in greater veneration than their practicecould at all justify; but the otherwas really endowedwith great skill in theordinarycomplaintsof thehumanbody,andwasmoreparticularly,asNattyhadintimated,"curous"incutsandbruises.While JohnandRichardwereplacing thedressingson thewound,ElnathanwasacutelyeyeingthecontentsofMohegan'sbasket,whichMr.Jones,inhisphysicalardorhadtransferredtothedoctor,inordertoholdhimselfoneendof the bandages. Here he was soon enabled to detect sundry fragments ofwood and bark, of which he quite coolly took possession, very possiblywithoutanyintentionofspeakingatalluponthesubject;but,whenhebeheldthefullblueeyeofMarmadukewatchinghismovements,hewhisperedtotheJudge:"It is not to be denied, JudgeTemple, butwhat the savages are knowing insmallmattersofphysic.Theyhandthesethingsdownintheirtraditions.Nowincancersandhydrophobytheyarequiteingenious.Iwilljusttakethisbarkhomeandanalyzeit;for,thoughitcan'tbeworthsixpencetotheyoungman'sshoulder, itmaybegoodfor the toothache,or rheumatism,orsomeof themcomplaints. A man should never be above learning, even if it be from anIndian."

Itwas fortunate forDr.Todd that his principleswere so liberal, as, coupledwith his practice, they were the means by which he acquired all hisknowledge,andbywhichhewasgraduallyqualifyinghimselfforthedutiesofhis profession. The process to which he subjected the specific differed,however, greatly from the ordinary rules of chemistry; for instead ofseparatingheafterwardunitedthecomponentpartsofMohegan'sremedy,andwasthusabletodiscoverthetreewhencetheIndianhadtakenit.Some ten years after this event, when civilization and its refinements hadcrept,orratherrushed,intothesettlementsamongthesewildhills,anaffairofhonoroccurred,andElnathanwasseentoapplyasalvetothewoundreceivedby one of the parties,which had the flavor thatwas peculiar to the tree, orroot, that Mohegan had used. Ten years later still, when England and theUnitedStateswereagainengagedinwar,andthehordesofthewesternpartsoftheStateofNewYorkwererushingtothefield,Elnathan,presumingonthereputationobtainedbythesetwooperations,followedintherearofabrigadeofmilitiaasitssurgeon!WhenMohegan had applied the bark, he freely relinquished to Richard theneedle and thread that were used in sewing the bandages, for these wereimplements ofwhich thenativebut little understood theuse: and, steppingbackwithdecentgravity,awaitedthecompletionofthebusinessbytheother."Reachme thescissors," saidMr.Jones,whenhehad finished,and finishedforthesecondtime,aftertyingthelinenineveryshapeandformthatitcouldbeplaced;"reachmethescissors,forhereisathreadthatmustbecutoff,oritmightgetunder thedressings,and inflame thewound.See,John, Ihaveputthe lint I scraped between two layers of the linen; for though the bark iscertainlybestfortheflesh,yetthelintwillservetokeepthecoldairfromthewound.Ifanylintwilldoitgood,itisthislint;Iscrapeditmyself,andIwillnot turnmybackatscraping lint toanymanon thePatent. Iought toknowhow,ifanybodyought,formygrandfatherwasadoctor,andmyfatherhadanaturalturnthatway.""Here, squire, is thescissors," saidRemarkable,producing frombeneathherpetticoatofgreenmoreenapairofdull-lookingshears;"well,uponmysay-so,youhavesewedontheragsaswellasawoman.""Aswell as a woman!" echoed Richardwith indignation; "what dowomenknowofsuchmatters?andyouareproofofthetruthofwhatIsay.Whoeversawsuchapairofshearsusedaboutawound?Dr.Todd,Iwillthankyouforthe scissors from thecase,Now,youngman, I thinkyou'lldo.The shothasbeenneatlytakenout,although,perhaps,seeingIhadahandinit,Ioughtnottosayso;andthewoundisadmirablydressed.Youwillsoonbewellagain;though the jerk you gave my leaders must have a tendency to inflame theshoulder,yetyouwill do,youwill do,Youwere rather flurried, I suppose,

andnotusedtohorses;butIforgivetheaccidentforthemotive;nodoubtyouhadthebestofmotives;yes,nowyouwilldo.""Then, gentlemen," said the wounded stranger, rising, and resuming hisclothes, "it will be unnecessary forme to trespass longer on your time andpatience. There remains but one thing more to be settled, and that is, ourrespectiverightstothedeer,JudgeTemple.""Iacknowledgeittobethine,"said.Marmaduke;"andmuchmoredeeplyamIindebted to thee thanfor thispieceofvenison.But in themorning thouwiltcall here, and we can adjust this, as well as more important mattersElizabeth"—for theyoung lady, being apprised that thewoundwasdressed,had re-entered the hall—"thou wilt order a repast for this youth before weproceedtothechurch;andAggywillhaveasleighpreparedtoconveyhimtohisfriend.""But,sir,Icannotgowithoutapartofthedeer,"returnedtheyouth,seeminglystrugglingwith his own feelings; "I have already told you that I needed thevenisonformyself.""Oh,wewillnotbeparticular,"exclaimedRichard;"theJudgewillpayyouinthemorningforthewholedeer;and,Remarkable,givetheladalltheanimalexceptingthesaddle;so,onthewhole,Ithinkyoumayconsideryourselfasaveryluckyyoungman—youhavebeenshotwithoutbeingdisabled;havehadthewounddressedinthebestpossiblemannerhereinthewoods,aswellasitwould have been done in the Philadelphia hospital, if not better; have soldyourdeeratahighprice,andyetcankeepmostofthecarcass,withtheskininthe bargain. 'Marky, tell Tom to give him the skin too, and in themorningbringtheskintomeandIwillgiveyouhalfadollarforit,oratleastthree-and-sixpence.IwantjustsuchaskintocoverthepillionthatIammakingforCousinBess.""I thank you, sir, for your liberality, and, I trust, am also thankful for myescape,"returnedthestranger;"butyoureservetheverypartoftheanimalthatIwishedformyownuse.Imusthavethesaddlemyself.""Must!"echoedRichard;"mustishardertobeswallowedthanthehornsofthebuck.""Yes,must,"repeatedtheyouth;when,turninghisheadproudlyaroundhim,asiftoseewhowoulddaretocontroverthisrights,hemettheastonishedgazeof Elizabeth, and proceededmoremildly: "That is, if aman is allowed thepossessionofthatwhichhishandhathkilled,andthelawwillprotecthimintheenjoymentofhisown.""Thelawwilldoso,"saidJudgeTemple,withanairofmortificationmingledwithsurprise."Benjamin,seethatthewholedeerisplacedinthesleigh;andhavethisyouthconveyedtothehutofLeatherStocking.But,youngmanthou

hast a name, and I shall see you again, in order to compensate thee for thewrongIhavedonethee?""IamcalledEdwards,"returnedthehunter;"OliverEdwards,Iameasilytobeseen,sir,forIlivenighby,andamnotafraidtoshowmyface,havingneverinjuredanyman.""Itiswewhohaveinjuredyou,sir,"saidElizabeth;"andtheknowledgethatyoudeclineourassistancewouldgivemyfathergreatpain.Hewouldgladlyseeyouinthemorning."Theyounghuntergazedatthefairspeakeruntilhisearnestlookbroughttheblood toher temples;when, recollectinghimself,hebenthishead,droppinghiseyestothecarpet,andreplied:"Inthemorning, then,will I return,andseeJudgeTemple;andIwillaccepthisofferofthesleighintokenofamity.""Amity!" repeatedMarmaduke; "therewas nomalice in the act that injuredthee,youngman;thereshouldbenoneinthefeelingswhichitmayengender.""Forgiveourtrespassesasweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus,"observedMr.Grant,"isthelanguageusedbyourDivineMasterhimself,anditshouldbethegoldenrulewithus,hishumblefollowers."Thestrangerstoodamomentlostinthought,andthen,glancinghisdarkeyesratherwildlyaroundthehall,hebowedlowtothedivine,andmovedfromtheapartmentwithanairthatwouldnotadmitofdetention."'Tis strange that one so young should harbor such feelings of resentment,"saidMarmaduke, when the door closed behind the stranger; "but while thepainisrecent,andthesenseoftheinjurysofresh,hemustfeelmorestronglythan in coolermoments. I doubt notwe shall see him in themorningmoretractable."Elizabeth, to whom this speech was addressed, did not reply, but movedslowlyupthehallbyherself,fixinghereyesonthelittlefigureoftheEnglishingraincarpetthatcoveredthefloor;while,ontheotherhand,Richardgavealoudcrackwithhiswhip,asthestrangerdisappeared,andcried:"Well, 'Duke, you are your ownmaster, but I would have tried law for thesaddle before I would have given it to the fellow. Do you not own themountainsaswellasthevalleys?arenotthewoodsyourown?whatrighthasthis chap, or the Leather-Stocking, to shoot in your woods without yourpermission?Now,Ihaveknownafarmer inPennsylvaniaorderasportsmanoffhisfarmwithaslittleceremonyasIwouldorderBenjamintoputaloginthestove—By-the-bye,Benjamin,seehowthethermometerstands.—Now,ifamanhasarighttodothisonafarmofahundredacres,whatpowermustalandlordhavewhoownssixtythousand—ay,forthematterofthat,including

thelatepurchases,ahundredthousand?ThereisMohegan,tobesure,hemayhavesomeright,beinganative;butit'slittlethepoorfellowcandonowwithhis rifle. How is this managed in France, Monsieur Le Quoi? Do you leteverybody runoveryour land in that countryhelter-skelter, as theydohere,shooting the game, so that a gentleman has but little or no chancewith hisgun?""Bah!diable,no,MeesterDeeck,"repliedtheFrenchman;"wegive,inFrance,nolibertyexcepttotheladi.""Yes,yes,tothewomen,Iknow,"saidRichard,"thatisyourSaliclaw.Iread,sir, all kindsof books; ofFrance, aswell asEngland; ofGreece, aswell asRome. But if I were in 'Duke's place, I would stick up advertisements to-morrowmorning, forbiddingallpersons toshoot,or trespass inanymanner,on my woods. I could write such an advertisement myself, in an hour, aswouldputastoptothethingatonce.""Richart,"saidMajorHartmann,verycoollyknockingtheashesfromhispipeintothespitting-boxbyhisside,"nowlisten;Ihavelivetseventy-fiveyearsonterMohawk,andinterwoots.Youhadbettermettleasmitterdeyvel,asmitterhunters,Teylivemittergun,andarifleisbetterasterlaw.""Ain'tMarmaduke a judge?" saidRichard indignantly. "Where is the use ofbeingajudge,orhavingajudge,ifthereisnolaw?Damnthefellow!Ihaveagreat mind to sue him in the morning myself, before Squire Doolittle, formeddlingwithmyleaders.Iamnotafraidofhisrifle.Icanshoot,too.Ihavehitadollarmanyatimeatfiftyrods."Thouhastmissedmoredollars thanever thouhasthit,Dickon," exclaimedthecheerfulvoiceof theJudge."Butwewillnowtakeourevening's repast,whichIperseive,byRemarkable'sphysiognomy,isready.MonsieurLeQuoi,MissTemplehasahandatyourservice.Willyouleadtheway,mychild?""Ah!macheremam'selle,commejesuisenchante!"said theFrenchman."IlnemanquequelesdamesdefaireunparadisdeTempleton."Mr.GrantandMohegancontinuedinthehall,whiletheremainderofthepartywithdrewtoaneatingparlor,ifweexceptBenjamin,whocivillyremainedtoclosetherearaftertheclergymanandtoopenthefrontdoorfortheexitoftheIndian."John,"saidthedivine,whenthefigureofJudgeTempledisappeared,thelastof the group, "to-morrow is the festival of the nativity of our blessedRedeemer, when the church has appointed prayers and thanksgivings to beofferedupbyherchildren,andwhenallareinvitedtopartakeofthemysticalelements.Asyouhavetakenupthecross,andbecomeafollowerofgoodandaneschewerofevil,ItrustIshallseeyoubeforethealtar,withacontriteheartandameekspirit."

"Johnwill come," said the Indian, betraying no surprise; though he did notunderstandallthetermsusedbytheother."Yes,"continuedMr.Grant, layinghishandgentlyonthetawnyshoulderoftheagedchief,"butitisnotenoughtobethereinthebody;youmustcomeinthespiritandintruth.TheRedeemerdiedforall,forthepoorIndianaswellasfor the white man. Heaven knows no difference in color; nor must earthwitnessaseparationofthechurch.Itisgoodandprofitable,John,tofreshentheunderstanding, and support thewavering, by the observanceof our holyfestivals;butallformisbutstenchinthenostrilsoftheHolyOne,unlessitbeaccompaniedbyadevoutandhumblespirit."TheIndiansteppedbackalittle,and,raisinghisbodytoitsutmostpowersoferection, he stretched his right arm on high, and dropped his forefingerdownward,asifpointingfromtheheavens;then,strikinghisotherbandonhisnakedbreast,hesaid,withenergy:"TheeyeoftheGreatSpiritcanseefromtheclouds—thebosomofMoheganisbare!""It iswell,John,andIhopeyouwillreceiveprofitandconsolationfromtheperformanceofthisduty.TheGreatSpiritoverlooksnoneofhischildren;andthemanofthewoodsisasmuchanobjectofhiscareashewhodwellsinapalace.Iwishyouagood-night,andprayGodtoblessyou."TheIndianbenthishead,andtheyseparated—theonetoseekhishut,andtheother to join his party at the supper-table.WhileBenjaminwas opening thedoor for the passage of the chief, he cried, in a tone that wasmeant to beencouraging:"Theparsonsaysthewordthatistrue,John.Ifsobethattheytookcountofthe color of the skin in heaven, why, they might refuse to muster on theirbooks a Christian-born, likemyself, just for thematter of a little tan, fromcruising in warm latitudes; though, for the matter of that, this damnednorwester is enough towhiten the skinof a blackamore.Let the reef out ofyourblanket,man,oryourredhidewillhardlyweather thenightwithoutatouchfromthefrost."

CHAPTERVIII.

"Forheretheexilemetfromeveryclime,Andspoke,infriendship,everydistanttongue."—Campbell.We have made our readers acquainted with some variety in character and

nations, in introducing themost importantpersonagesof this legend to theirnotice;but, inordertoestablishthefidelityofournarrative,weshallbrieflyattempttoexplainthereasonwhywehavebeenobligedtopresentsomotleyadramatispersonae.Europe,attheperiodofourtale,wasinthecommencementofthatcommotionwhich afterward shook her political institutions to the centre. Louis theSixteenth had been beheaded, and a nation once esteemed themost refinedamong the civilized people of the world was changing its character, andsubstitutingcrueltyformercy,andsubtletyandferocityformagnanimityandcourage. Thou sands of Frenchmen were compelled to seek protection indistantlands.AmongthecrowdswhofledfromFranceandherislands,totheUnited States of America, was the gentleman whom we have alreadymentionedasMonsieurLeQuoi.Hehadbeen recommended to the favorofJudgeTemplebytheheadofaneminentmercantilehouseinNewYork,withwhomMarmaduke was in habits of intimacy, and accustomed to exchangegood offices. At his first interview with the Frenchman, our Judge haddiscoveredhim tobeamanofbreeding, andonewhohad seenmuchmoreprosperousdaysinhisowncountry.Fromcertainhintsthathadescapedhim,MonsieurLeQuoiwas suspectedofhavingbeenaWest-Indiaplanter,greatnumbersofwhomhadfledfromSt.Domingoandtheotherislands,andwerenow living in the Union, in a state of comparative poverty, and some inabsolutewantThe latterwasnot,however, the lotofMonsieurLeQuoi.Hehadbut little, he acknowledged;but that littlewas enough to furnish, in thelanguageofthecountry,anassortmentforastore.TheknowledgeofMarmadukewaseminentlypractical,andtherewasnopartofasettler'slifewithwhichhewasnotfamiliar.Underhisdirection,MonsieurLe Quoimade some purchases, consisting of a few cloths; some groceries,withagooddealofgunpowderandtobacco;aquantityof iron-ware,amongwhich was a large proportion of Barlow's jack-knives, potash-kettles, andspiders; a very formidable collectionof crockeryof the coarsest quality andmostuncouthforms;togetherwitheveryothercommonarticlethattheartofmanhasdevisedforhiswants,not forgetting the luxuriesof looking-glassesand Jew's-harps. With this collection of valuables, Monsieur Le Quoi hadsteppedbehindacounter,and,withawonderfulpliabilityoftemperament,haddroppedintohisassumedcharacterasgracefullyashehadevermovedinanyother. The gentleness and suavity of his manners rendered him extremelypopular; besides this, the women soon discovered that he had taste. Hiscalicoeswerethefinest,or,inotherwords,themostshowy,ofanythatwerebroughtintothecountry,anditwasimpossibletolookatthepricesaskedforhis goods by "so pretty a spokenman," Through these conjoint means, theaffairsofMonsieurLeQuoiwereagaininaprosperouscondition,andhewaslookeduptobythesettlersasthesecondbestmanonthe"Patent."*

*Theterm"Patent"whichwehavealreadyused,andforwhichwemayhavefurtheroccasion,meantthedistrictofcountrythathadbeenoriginallygrantedtooldMajorEffinghambythe"king'sletterspatent,"andwhichhadnowbecome,bypurchaseundertheactofconfiscation,thepropertyofMarmadukeTemple.ItwasatermincommonusethroughoutthenewpartsoftheState;andwasusuallyannexedtothelandlord'sname,as"Temple'sorEffingham'sPatent."MajorHartmannwasadescendantofamanwho,incompanywithanumberof his countrymen, had emigratedwith their families from the banks of theRhinetothoseoftheMohawk.ThismigrationhadoccurredasfarbackasthereignofQueenAnne;and theirdescendantswerenowliving, ingreatpeaceandplenty,onthefertilebordersofthatbeautifulstream.TheGermans, or "HighDutchers," as theywere called, to distinguish themfromtheoriginalorLowDutchcolonists,wereaverypeculiarpeople.Theypossessed all the gravity of the latter,without anyof their phlegm; and likethem,the"HighDutchers"wereindustrious,honest,andeconomical,Fritz,orFrederickHartmann,wasanepitomeofall thevicesandvirtues,foiblesandexcellences,ofhisrace.Hewaspassionatethoughsilent,obstinate,andagooddeal suspiciousof strangers; of immovable courage, in flexiblehonesty, andundeviatinginhisfriendships.Indeedtherewasnochangeabouthim,unlessitwerefromgravetogay.Hewasseriousbymonths,andjollybyweeks.Hehad, early in their acquaintance, formed an attachment for MarmadukeTemple, who was the onlyman that could not speak High Dutch that evergainedhisentireconfidenceFourtimesineachyear,atperiodsequidistant,helefthis lowstonedwellingonthebanksof theMohawk,andtravelledthirtymiles,throughthehills,tothedoorofthemansion-houseinTempleton.Herehe generally stayed aweek; andwas reputed to spendmuchof that time inriotous living, greatly countenanced by Mr. Richard Jones. But every oneloved him, even to Remarkable Pettibone, to whom he occasioned someadditionaltrouble,hewassofrank,sosincere,and,at times,somirthful.HewasnowonhisregularChristmasvisit,andhadnotbeeninthevillageanhourwhenRichardsummonedhimtofillaseatinthesleightomeetthelandlordandhisdaughter.BeforeexplainingthecharacterandsituationofMr.Grant,itwillbenecessarytorecurtotimesfarbackinthebriefhistoryofthesettlement.Thereseemstobeatendencyinhumannaturetoendeavortoprovideforthewantsofthisworld,beforeourattentionisturnedtothebusinessoftheother.ReligionwasaqualitybutlittlecultivatedamidthestumpsofTemple'sPatentfor the first few years of its settlement; but, asmost of its inhabitantswere

from themoralStatesofConnecticut andMassachusetts,when thewantsofnature were satisfied they began seriously to turn their attention to theintroductionof thosecustomsandobservanceswhichhadbeen theprincipalcareoftheirforefathers.Therewascertainlyagreatvarietyofopinionsonthesubjectofgraceandfree-willamong the tenantryofMarmaduke;and,whenwetake intoconsideration thevarietyof thereligious instructionwhich theyreceived,itcaneasilybeseenthatitcouldnotwellbeotherwise.Soonafter thevillagehadbeen formally laidout into the streets andblocksthatresembledacity,ameetingofitsinhabitantshadbeenconvened,totakeinto consideration the propriety of establishing an academy. This measureoriginated with Richard, who, in truth, was much disposed to have theinstitutiondesignatedauniversity,oratleastacollege.Meetingaftermeetingwas held, for this purpose, year after year. The resolutions of these assembiagesappearedinthemostconspicuouscolumnsofalittleblue-lookingnewspaper,thatwasalreadyissuedweeklyfromthegarretofadwelling-houseinthevillage,andwhichthetravellermightasoftenseestuckintothefissureofastake,erectedatthepointwherethefootpathfromthelog-cabinofsomesettlerenteredthehighway,asapost-officeforanindividual.Sometimesthestake supported a small box, and a whole neighborhood received a weeklysupply for their literarywantsat thispoint,where themanwho"ridespost"regularlydepositedabundleofthepreciouscommodity.Totheseflourishingresolutions, which briefly recounted the general utility of education, thepoliticalandgeographicalrightsofthevillageofTempletontoaparticipationin the favors of the regents of the university, the salubrity of the air, andwholesomeness of the water, together with the cheapness of food and thesuperior state of morals in the neighbor hood, were uniformly annexed, inlarge Roman capitals, the names of Marmaduke Temple as chairman andRichardJonesassecretary.Happilyforthesuccessofthisundertaking,theregentswerenotaccustomedto resist these appeals to their generosity, whenever there was the smallestprospect of a donation to second the request. Eventually Judge Templeconcludedtobestowthenecessaryland,andtoerecttherequirededificeathisown expense. The skill of Mr., or, as he was now called, from thecircumstance of having received the commission of a justice of the peace,SquireDoolittle,was again put in requisition; and the science ofMr. Joneswasoncemoreresortedto.Weshallnotrecountthedifferentdevicesofthearchitectsontheoccasion;norwould it be decorous so to do, seeing that there was a convocation of thesociety of the ancient and honorable fraternity "of the Free and AcceptedMasons," at the head of whom was Richard, in the capacity of master,doubtless to approve or reject such of the plans as, in their wisdom, they

deemedtobeforthebest.Theknottypointwas,however,soondecided;and,on the appointed day, the brotherhood marched in great state, displayingsundrybannersandmysterioussymbols,eachmanwitha littlemimicapronbefore him, from amost cunningly contrived apartment in the garret of the"Bold Dragoon," an inn kept by one Captain Hollister, to the site of theintended edifice. Here Richard laid the corner stone, with suitable gravity,amidstanassemblageofmore thanhalf themen,andall thewomen,withintenmilesofTempleton.Inthecourseofthesucceedingweektherewasanothermeetingofthepeople,not omitting swarms of the gentler sex, when the abilities of Hiram at the"squarerule"wereputtothetestofexperiment.Theframefittedwell;andtheskeletonofthefabricwasrearedwithoutasingleaccident,ifweexceptafewfallsfromhorseswhilethelaborerswerereturninghomeintheevening.Fromthis time the work advanced with great rapidity, and in the course of theseason theLaborwas completed; the edificeManding, in all its heatity andproportions, the boast of the village, the study of young aspirants forarchitecturalfame,andtheadmirationofeverysettleronthePatent.It was a long, narrow house of wood, painted white, and more than halfwindows;and,whentheobserverstoodatthewesternsideofthebuilding,theedificeofferedbutasmallobstacletoafullviewoftherisingsun.Itwas,intruth, but a very comfortless open place, through which the daylight shonewithnaturalfacility.Onitsfrontwerediversornamentsinwood,designedbyRichard and executed byHiram; but a window in the centre of the secondstory,immediatelyoverthedoororgrandentrance,andthe"steeple"weretheprideofthebuilding.Theformerwas,webelieve,ofthecompositeorder;foritincludedinitscompositionamultitudeofornamentsandagreatvarietyofproportions.Itconsistedofanarchedcompartmentinthecentreswithasquareandsmalldivisiononeitherside, thewhole incased inheavyframes,deeplyand laboriously moulded in pine-wood, and lighted with a vast number ofblurred and green-looking glass of those dimensions which are commonlycalled"eightbyten."Blinds,thatwereintendedtobepaintedgreen,keptthewindowinastateofpreservation,andprobablymighthavecontributedtotheeffect of the whole, had not the failure in the public funds, which seemsalwaystobeincidentaltoanyundertakingofthiskind,lefttheminthesombrecoatoflead-colorwithwhichtheyhadbeenoriginallyclothed.The"steeple"wasalittlecupola,rearedontheverycentreoftheroof,onfourtallpillarsofpinethatwereflutedwithagouge,andloadedwithmouldings.Onthetopsofthecolumnswasrearedadomeorcupola,resemblinginshapeaninvertedtea-cupwithoutitsbottom,fromthecentreofwhichprojectedaspire,orshaftofwood,transfixedwithtwoironrods,thatboreontheirendsthelettersN.S.E.andW,inthesamemetal.Thewholewassurmountedbyanimitationofoneofthefinnytribe,carvedinwoodbythehandsofRichard,andpaintedwhat

hecalleda"scale-color."ThisanimalMr.Jonesaffirmed tobeanadmirableresemblanceofagreatfavoriteoftheepicuresinthatcountry,whichborethetitleof"lake-fish,"anddoubtlesstheassertionwastrue;for,althoughintendedtoanswerthepurposesofaweathercock,thefishwasobservedinvariablytolookwithalongingeyeinthedirectionofthebeautifulsheetofwaterthatlayimbeddedinthemountainsofTempleton.Forashort timeafter thecharterof theregentswasreceived, the trusteesofthisinstitutionemployedagraduateofoneoftheEasterncollegestoinstructsuchyouthasaspiredtoknowledgewithinthewallsoftheedificewhichwehavedescribed.Theupperpartofthebuildingwasinoneapartment,andwasintended for gala-days and exhibitions; and the lower contained two roomsthatwereintendedforthegreatdivisionsofeducation,viz.,theLatinandtheEnglishscholars.Theformerwereneververynumerous;thoughthesoundsof"nominative, pennaa—genitive, penny," were soon heard to issue from thewindows of the room, to the great delight and manifest edification of thepassenger.OnlyonelaborerinthistempleofMinerva,however,wasknowntogetsofaras to attempt a translation of Virgil. He, indeed, appeared at the annualexhibition,totheprodigiousexultationofallhisrelatives,afarmer'sfamilyinthe vicinity, and repeated the whole of the first eclogue from memory,observingtheintonationsofthedialoguewithmuchjudgmentandeffect.Thesounds,astheyproceededfromhismouth,of"Titty-reetoopatty-leeree-coo-banssubteg-mi-neefaa-gySyl-ves-tremten-oo-imoo-sam,med-i-taa-ris,aa-ve-ny."were the last thathadbeenheard in thatbuilding,asprobably theywere thefirst thathadeverbeenheard, in thesamelanguage, thereoranywhereelse.Bythistimethetrusteesdiscoveredthattheyhadanticipatedtheageandtheinstructor,orprincipal,wassupersededbyamaster,whowentontoteachthemore humble lesson of "the more haste the worst speed," in good plainEnglish.From this time until the date of our incidents, the academywas a commoncountryschool,and thegreat roomof thebuildingwassometimesusedasacourt-room,onextraordinarytrials;sometimesforconferencesofthereligiousandthemorallydisposed,intheevening;atothersforaballintheafternoon,givenundertheauspicesofRichard;andonSundays,invariably,asaplaceofpublicworship.When an itinerant priest of the persuasion of the Methodists, Baptists,Universalists, or of the more numerous sect of the Presbyterians, wasaccidentally in the neighborhood, hewas ordinarily invited to officiate, andwascommonly rewardedforhisservicesbyacollection inahat,before the

congregation separated. When no such regular minister offered, a kind ofcolloquialprayerortwowasmadebysomeofthemoregiftedmembers,andasermonwasusuallyread,fromSterne,byMr.RichardJones.Theconsequenceofthisdesultorykindofpriesthoodwas,aswehavealreadyintimated, a great diversity of opinion on themore abstruse points of faith.Each sect had its adherents, though neither was regularly organized anddisciplined.OfthereligiouseducationofMarmadukewehavealreadywritten,nor was the doubtful character of his faith completely removed by hismarriage. Themother of Elizabethwas an Episcopalian, as indeed,was themotheroftheJudgehimself;andthegoodtasteofMarmadukerevoltedatthefamiliarcolloquieswhichtheleadersoftheconferencesheldwiththeDeity,intheirnightlymeetings.Inform,hewascertainlyanEpiscopalian,thoughnotasectaryof thatdenomination.On theotherhand,Richardwasas rigid in theobservanceof thecanonsofhis churchashewas inflexible inhisopinions.Indeed, he had once or twice essayed to introduce the Episcopal form ofservice, on theSundays that the pulpitwas vacant; butRichardwas a gooddealaddictedtocarryingthingstoanexcess,andthentherewassomethingsopapalinhisairthatthegreaterpartofhishearersdesertedhimonthesecondSabbath—on the third his only auditor was Ben Pump, who had all theobstinateandenlightenedorthodoxyofahighchurchman.Before thewar of theRevolution, the EnglishChurchwas supported in thecolonies,withmuchinterest,bysomeofitsadherentsinthemothercountry,andafewofthecongregationswereveryamplyendowed.But,fortheseason,after the independence of the Stateswas established, this sect of Christianslanguished for the want of the highest order of its priesthood. Pious andsuitable divines were at length selected, and sent to the mother country, toreceivethatauthoritywhich,itisunderstood,canonlybetransmitteddirectlyfromonetotheother,andthusobtain, inorder toreserve, thatunityin theirchurches which properly belonged to a people of the same nation. Butunexpected difficulties presented themselves, in the oaths with which thepolicyofEnglandhadfetteredtheirestablishment;andmuchtimewasspentbefore a conscientious sense of dutywould permit the prelates ofBritain todelegatetheauthoritysoearnestlysought.Time,patience,andzeal,however,removedeveryimpediment,andthevenerablemenwhohadbeensetapartbytheAmericanchurchesatlengthreturnedtotheirexpectingdioceses,endowedwith themostelevatedfunctionsof theirearthlychurch.Priestsanddeaconswereordained,andmissionariesprovided,tokeepalivetheexpiringflameofdevotioninsuchmembersasweredeprivedoftheordinaryadministrationsbydwellinginnewandunorganizeddistricts.Of this numberwasMr.Grant. He had been sent into the county ofwhichTempletonwas thecapital, andhadbeenkindly invitedbyMarmaduke, and

officiouslypressedbyRichard,totakeuphisabodeinthevillage.Asmallandhumble dwelling was prepared for his family, and the divine hadmade hisappearance in the place but a few days previously to the time of hisintroduction to the reader, As his forms were entirely new to most of theinhabitants,andaclergymanofanotherdenominationhadpreviouslyoccupiedthe field, by engaging the academy, the first Sunday after his arrival wasallowedtopassinsilence;butnowthathisrivalhadpassedon,likeameteorfilling theairwith the lightofhiswisdom,Richardwasempowered togivenotice that "Public worship, after the forms of the Protestant EpiscopalChurch,wouldbeheldonthenightbeforeChristmas,inthelongroomoftheacademyinTempleton,bytheRev.Mr.Grant."This annunciation excited great commotion among the different sectaries.Somewondered as to the nature of the exhibition; others sneered; but a fargreaterpart,recollectingtheessaysofRichardinthatway,andmindfuloftheliberality, or rather laxity, of Marmaduke's notions on the subject ofsectarianism,thoughtitmostprudenttobesilent.The expected evening was, however, the wonder of the hour; nor was thecuriosityatalldiminishedwhenRichardandBenjamin,onthemorningoftheeventfulday,were seen to issue from thewoods in theneighborhoodof thevillage, each bearing on his shoulders a large bunch of evergreens. Thisworthy pair was observed to enter the academy, and carefully to fasten thedoor,afterwhich theirproceedingsremainedaprofoundsecret to therestofthevillage;Mr.Jones,beforehecommencedthismysteriousbusiness,havinginformedtheschool-master,tothegreatdelightofthewhite-headedflockhegoverned,thattherecouldbenoschoolthatday.Marmadukewasapprisedofall these preparations by letter, and it was especially arranged that he andElizabeth should arrive in season to participate in the solemnities of theevening.Afterthisdigression,weshallreturntoournarrative.

CHAPTERIX.

"Nowalladmire,ineachhigh-flavoreddishThecapabilitiesofflesh—fowl—fish;Inorderdueeachguestassumeshisstation,Throbshighhisbreastwithfondanticipation,Andprelibatesthejoysofmastication."—Heliogabaliad.

Theapartment towhichMonsieurLeQuoihandedElizabeth communicatedwiththehall,throughthedoorthatledundertheurnwhichwassupposedtocontain the ashes of Dido. The room was spacious, and of very justproportions;butinitsornamentsandfurniturethesamediversityoftasteandimperfection of execution were to be observed as existed in the hall. Offurniture, there were a dozen green, wooden arm-chairs, with cushions ofmoreen,takenfromthesamepieceasthepetticoatofRemarkable.Thetableswerespread,andtheirmaterialsandworkmanshipcouldnotbeseen;buttheywere heavy and of great size, An enormous mirror, in a gilt frame, hungagainstthewall,andacheerfulfire,ofthehardorsugarmaple,wasburningon the hearth. The latterwas the first object that struck the attention of theJudge,whoonbeholdingitexclaimed,ratherangrily,toRichard:"HowoftenhaveIforbiddentheuseofthesugarmapleinmydwelling!Thesightofthatsap,asitexudeswiththeheat,ispainfultome,Richard,Really,itbehooves the owner of woods so extensive as mine, to be cautious whatexample he sets his people,who are already felling the forests as if no endcouldbefoundtotheirtreasures,noranylimitstotheirextent.Ifwegooninthisway,twentyyearshenceweshallwantfuel.""Fuel in these hills, Cousin 'Duke!" exclaimed Richard, in derision—"fuel!why,youmightaswellpredictthatthefishwilldieforthewantofwaterinthelake,becauseIintend,whenthefrostgetsoutoftheground,toleadoneortwoof the spring; through logs, into thevillage.But you are always a littlewildonsuchsubject;Marmaduke.""Is itwildness," returned the Judge earnestly, "to condemna practicewhichdevotesthesejewelsoftheforest,thesepreciousgiftsofnature,theseminesofcorn, forest andwealth, to thecommonusesofa fireplace?But Imust, andwill,theinstantthesnowisofftheearth,sendoutapartyintothemountainstoexploreforcoal.""Coal!"echoedRichard."Whothedevildoyouthinkwilldigforcoalwhen,inhuntingforabushelhewouldhavetoripupmoreoftreesthanwouldkeephiminfuelfora twelvemonth?Poh!poh!Marmaduke:youshouldleavethemanagementofthesethingstome,whohaveanaturalturnthatway.ItwasIthat ordered this fire, and anobleone it is, towarm thebloodofmyprettyCousinBess.""The motive, then, must be your apology, Dick," said the Judge.—"But,gentlemen,wearewaiting.—Elizabeth,mychild, take theheadof the table;Richard,Isee,meanstosparemethetroubleofcarving,bysittingoppositetoyou.""TobesureIdo,"criedRichard."Hereisaturkeytocarve;andIflattermyselfthatIunderstandcarvingaturkey,or,forthatmatter,agoose,aswellasany

manalive.—Mr.Grant!Where'sMr.Grant?Willyoupleasetosaygrace,sir?Everythingingettingcold.Takeathingfromthefirethiscoldweather,anditwillfreezeinfiveminutes.Mr.Grant,wewantyoutosaygrace.'Forwhatweareabouttoreceive,theLordmake,usthankfulCome,sitdown,sitdown.Doyoueatwingorbreast,CousinBess?"ButElizabethhadnottakenherseat,norWassheinreadinesstoreceiveeitherthewingorbreast.HerLaughingeyeswereglancingat thearrangementsofthetable,andthequalityandselectionofthefood.Theeyesofthefathersoonmetthewonderinglooksofhisdaughter,andhesaid,withasmile:"Youperceive,my child, howmuchwe are indebted toRemarkable for herskill in housewifery. She has indeed provided a noble repast—such aswellmightstopthecravingsofhunger.""Law!" saidRemarkable, "I'm glad if the Judge is pleased; but I'm notionalthatyou'llfindthesa'ceoverdone.Ithought,asElizabethwascominghome,thatabodycoulddonolessthanmakethingsagreeable.""My daughter has now grown to woman's estate, and is from this momentmistressofmyhouse,"saidtheJudge;"itisproperthatallwholivewithmeaddressherasMissTemple."Do tell!"exclaimedRemarkable,a littleaghast; "well,whoeverheerdofayoungwoman'sbeingcalledMiss? If the Judgehadawifenow, I shouldn'tthinkofcallingheranythingbutMissTemple;but—""Having nothing but a daughter you will observe that style to her, if youplease,infuture,"interruptedMarmaduke.As the Judge looked seriously displeased, and, at such moments, carried aparticularlycommandingairwithhim,thewaryhousekeepermadenoreply;and,Mr.Grantenteringtheroom,thewholepartywereseatedatthetable.Asthearrangementsofthisrepastweremuchintheprevailingtasteofthatperiodandcountry,weshallendeavortogiveashortdescriptionoftheappearanceofthebanquet.Thetable-linenwasofthemostbeautifuldamask,andtheplatesanddishesofreal china, an article of great luxury at this early period of Americancommerce.Theknivesandforkswereofexquisitelypolishedsteel,andwereset in unclouded ivory. So much, being furnished by the wealth ofMarmaduke,wasnotonlycomfortablebutevenelegant.Thecontentsof theseveral dishes, and their positions, however, were the result of the solejudgment ofRemarkable.BeforeElizabethwas placed an enormous roastedturkey,andbeforeRichardoneboiled,inthecentreofthetablestoodapairofheavysilvercasters,surroundedbyfourdishes:oneafricasseethatconsistedof gray squirrels; another of fish fried; a third of fish boiled; the lastwas avenisonsteak.Betweenthesedishesandtheturkeysstood,ontheoneside,a

prodigious chine of roasted bear's meat, and on the other a boiled leg ofdeliciousmutton.Interspersedamongthisloadofmeatswaseveryspeciesofvegetables that the season and country afforded. The four corners weregarnishedwithplatesofcake.Ononewaspiledcertaincuriouslytwistedandcomplicated figures, called "nut-cakes," On another were heaps of a black-looking sub stance, which, receiving its hue from molasses, was properlytermed "sweet-cake;" a wonderful favorite in the coterie of Remarkable, Athird was filled, to use the language of the housekeeper, with "cards ofgingerbread;"and the lasthelda"plum-cake," socalled from thenumberoflargeraisinsthatwereshowingtheirblackheadsinasubstanceofsuspiciouslysimilarcolor.Ateachcornerofthetablestoodsaucers,filledwithathickfluidof some what equivocal color and consistence, variegated with small darklumps of a substance that resembled nothing but itself, which Remarkabletermedher"sweetmeats."Atthesideofeachplate,whichwasplacedbottomupward, with its knife and fork most accurately crossed above it, stoodanother, of smaller size, containing a motley-looking pie, composed oftriangularslicesofapple,mince,pumpkin,cranberry,andcustardsoarrangedas to form an entire whole, Decanters of brandy, rum, gin, and wine, withsundry pitchers of cider, beer, and one hissing vessel of "flip," were putwhereveranopeningwouldadmitof their introduction.Notwithstanding thesizeof the tables, therewasscarcelya spotwhere the richdamaskcouldbeseen, so crowded were the dishes, with their associated bottles, plates, andsaucers.Theobjectseemedtobeprofusion,anditwasobtainedentirelyattheexpenseoforderandelegance.All the guests, aswell as the Judge himself, seemed perfectly familiarwiththisdescriptionoffare,foreachonecommencedeating,withanappetitethatpromisedtodogreathonortoRemarkable'stasteandskill.Whatrenderedthisattentiontotherepastalittlesurprising,wasthefactthatboththeGermanandRichardhadbeensummonedfromanothertabletomeettheJudge;butMajorHartmannbothateanddrankwithoutany rule,whenonhisexcursions;andMr.Jonesinvariablymadeitapointtoparticipateinthebusinessinhand,letitbewhat itwould.Thehost seemed to think someapologynecessary for thewarmthhehadbetrayedon the subject of the firewood, andwhen thepartywere comfortably seated, and engaged with their knives and forks, heobserved:"The wastefulness of the settlers with the noble trees of this country isshocking,MonsieurLeQuoi, as doubt less you have noticed. I have seen amanfellapine,whenhehasbeen inwantof fencingstuff,androllhis firstcutsintothegap,whereheleftittorot,thoughitstopwouldhavemaderailsenoughtoanswerhispurpose,anditsbuttwouldhavesoldinthePhiladelphiamarketfortwentydollars."

"Andhowthedevil—Ibegyourpardon,Mr.Grant,"interruptedRichard:"buthowisthepoordeviltogethislogstothePhiladelphiamarket,pray?puttheminhispocket,ha!asyouwouldahandfulofchestnuts,orabunchofchicker-berries? I should like to seeyouwalkingupHighStreet,with apine log ineachpocket!—Poh!poh!Cousin'Duke,therearetreesenoughforusall,andsometospare.Why,Icanhardlytellwhichwaythewindblows,whenI'moutintheclearings,theyaresothickandsotall;Icouldn'tatall, if itwasn'tfortheclouds,andIhappentoknowallthepointsofthecompass,asitwere,byheart.""Ay! ay! squire," criedBenjamin,whohadnowentered and takenhis placebehind the Judge's chair, a little aside withal, in order to be ready for anyobservation like thepresent; "lookaloft, sir, lookaloft.Theold seamensay,'that the devil wouldn't make a sailor, unless he looked aloft' As for thecompass,why,thereisnosuchthingassteeringwithoutone.I'msureIneverlosesightofthemain-top,asIcall thesquire'slookoutontheroof,butIsetmycompass,d'yesee,andtakethebearingsanddistanceofthings,inordertoworkoutmycourse, ifsobethat itshouldcloudup,or thetopsof thetreesshouldshutoutthelightofheaven.ThesteepleofSt.Paul's,nowthatwehavegotitonend,isagreathelptothenavigationofthewoods,for,bytheLordHarry!aswas—""It is well, Benjamin," interruptedMarmaduke, observing that his daughtermanifesteddispleasureatthemajor-domo'sfamiliarity;"butyouforgetthereisaladyincompany,andthewomenlovetodomostofthetalkingthemselves.""The Judge says the trueword," criedBenjamin,with one of his discordantlaughs."NowhereisMistressRemarkablePettibones;justtakethestopperoffhertongue,andyou'llhearagabblingworselikethanifyoushouldhappentofalltoleewardincrossingaFrenchprivateer,orsomesuchthing,mayhap,asadozenmonkeysstowedinonebag."ItwereimpossibletosayhowperfectanillustrationofthetruthofBenjamin'sassertion the housekeeper would have furnished, if she had dared; but theJudgelookedsternlyather,andunwillingtoincurhisresentment,yetunabletocontainheranger,shethrewherselfoutoftheroomwithatossofthebodythatnearlyseparatedherfrailforminthecentre."Richard,"saidMarmaduke,observing thathisdispleasurehadproduced thedesiredeffect,"canyouinformmeofanythingconcerningtheyouthwhomIsounfortunatelywounded?Ifoundhimonthemountainhuntingincompanywith theLeather-Stocking,as if theywereof thesamefamily;but there isamanifest difference in their manners. The youth delivers himself in chosenlanguage,suchas isseldomheard in thesehills,andsuchasoccasionsgreatsurprise tome, how one someanly clad, and following so lowly a pursuit,couldattain.Moheganalsoknewhim.DoubtlessheisatenantofNatty'shut.

Didyouremarkthelanguageofthelad.MonsieurLeQuoi?""Certainement, Monsieur Temple," returned the French man, "he deedconvairseindeexcellentAnglaise.""Theboy isnomiracle,"exclaimedRichard; "I'veknownchildren thatweresenttoschoolearly,talkmuchbetterbeforetheyweretwelveyearsold.Therewas Zared Coe, old Nehemiah's son, who first settled on the beaver-dammeadow,hecouldwritealmostasgoodhandasmyself,whenhewasfourteen;thoughit'strue,Ihelpedtoteachhimalittleintheevenings.Butthisshootinggentleman ought to be put in the stocks, if he ever takes a rein in his handagain.HeisthemostawkwardfellowaboutahorseIevermetwith.Idaresayheneverdroveanythingbutoxeninhislife.""There, I think, Dickon, you do the lad injustice," said the Judge; "he usesmuchdiscretionincriticalmoments.Dostthounotthinkso,Bess?"Therewasnothinginthisquestionparticularlytoexciteblushes,butElizabethstartedfromthereveryintowhichshehadfallen,andcoloredtoherforeheadassheanswered:"Tome,dearsir,heappearedextremelyskilful,andprompt,andcourageous;but perhaps Cousin Richard will say I am as ignorant as the gentlemanhimself.""Gentleman!"echoedRichard;"doyoucallsuchchapsgentlemen,atschool,Elizabeth?""Everymanisagentlemanthatknowshowtotreatawomanwithrespectandconsideration,"returnedtheyoungladypromptly,andalittlesmartly."Somuchforhesitatingtoappearbeforetheheiressinhisshirt-sleeves,"criedRichard,winkingatMonsieurLeQuoi,whoreturnedthewinkwithoneeye,whileherolled theother,withanexpressionofsympathy, toward theyounglady. "Well, well, to me he seemed anything but a gentleman. I must say,however, for the lad, that he draws a good trigger, andhas a true aim.He'sgoodatshootingabuck,ha!Marmaduke?""Richart," said Major Hartmann, turning his grave countenance toward thegentleman he addressed, with much earnestness, "ter poy is goot. He savetyour life, and my life, and ter life of i'ominie Grant, and ter life of terFrenchman; and,Richard, he shall nevervant apet to sleep invileoltFritzHartmannhasashingletocoverhishetmit.""Well,well,asyouplease,oldgentleman,"returnedMr.Jones,endeavoringtolookindifferent;"puthimintoyourownstonehouse,ifyouwill,Major.Idaresaytheladneversleptinanythingbetterthanabarkshantyinhislife,unlessitwassomesuchhutasthecabinofLeather-Stocking.Iprophesyyouwillsoonspoilhim;anyonecouldseehowproudhegrew,inashorttime,justbecause

hestoodbymyhorses'headswhileIturnedthemintothehighway.""No,no,myoldfriend,"criedMarmaduke,"itshallbemytasktoprovideinsomemannerfortheyouth;Iowehimadebtofmyown,besidestheservicehehasdonemethroughmyfriends.AndyetIanticipatesomelittletroubleininducinghimtoacceptofmyservices.Heshowedamarkeddislike,Ithought,Bess,tomyofferofaresidencewithinthesewallsforlife.""Really, dear sir," said Elizabeth, projecting her beautiful under-lip, "I havenotstudiedthegentlemansocloselyastoreadhisfeelingsinhiscountenance.I thought he might very naturally feel pain from his wound, and thereforepitied him; but"—and as she spoke she glanced her eye, with suppressedcuriosity,towardthemajor-domo—"Idaresay,sir,thatBenjamincantellyousomething abouthim,he cannothavebeen in thevillage, andBenjaminnothaveseenhimoften.""Ay! I have seen the boy before," said Benjamin, who wanted littleencouragementtospeak;"hehasbeenbackingandfillinginthewakeofNattyBumppo,throughthemountains,afterdeer, likeaDutchlong-boatintowofanAlbanysloop.Hecarriesagoodrifle,too,'theLeather-Stockingsaid,inmyhearing,beforeBettyHollister'sbar-roomfire,nolaterthantheTuesdaynight,thattheyoungerwascertaindeathtothewildbeasts.Ifsobehecankillthewild-catthathasbeenheardmoaningonthelake-sidesincethehardfrostsanddeep snows have driven the deer to herd, hewill be doing the thing that isgood.Yourwild-catisabadshipmate,andshouldbemadetocruiseoutofthetrackofChristianmen.""LivesheinthehutofBumppo?"askedMarmaduke,withsomeinterest."Cheek by jowl; theWednesday will be three weeks since he first hove insight, incompanywithLeather-Stocking.Theyhadcapturedawolfbetweenthem,andhadbroughtinhisscalpforthebounty.ThatMisterBump-hohasahandyturnwithhimintakingoffascalp;andthere'sthem,inthisherevillage,whosayhel'arntthetradebyworkingonChristianmen.Ifsobethatthereistruth in the saying, and I commandedalong shorehere, asyourhonordoes,why,d'yesee, I'dbringhim to thegangwayfor it,yet.There'saveryprettypost riggedalongsideof thestocks;andfor thematterofacat, Icanfitonewithmyownhands;ay!anduseittoo,forthewantofabetter.""YouarenottocredittheidletalesyouhearofNatty;hehasakindofnaturalright togain a livelihood in thesemountains; and if the idlers in thevillagetake it into their heads to annoyhim, as they sometimes do reputed rogues,theyshallfindhimprotectedbythestrongarmofthelaw.""Terrifleispetterasterlaw,"saidtheMajorsententiously."Thatforhisrifle!"exclaimedRichard,snappinghisfingers;"Benisright,andI—" He was stopped by the sound of a common ship-bell, that had been

elevatedtothebelfryoftheacademy,whichnowannounced,byitsincessantringing, that the hour for the appointed service had arrived. "'For this andevery other instance of his goodness—' I beg pardon, Mr. Grant, will youpleasetoreturnthanks,sir?Itistimeweshouldbemoving,aswearetheonlyEpiscopaliansintheneighborhood;thatis,IandBenjamin,andElizabeth;forIcounthalf—breeds,likeMarmadukeasbadasheretics."Thedivinearoseandperformedtheofficemeeklyandfervently,andthewholepartyinstantlypreparedthemselvesforthechurch—orratheracademy.

CHAPTERX.

"Andcallingsinfulmantopray,Loud,long,anddeepthebellhadtolled."—ScottsBurgherWhileRichardandMonsieurLeQuoi,attendedbyBenjamin,proceededtotheacademybyafoot-paththroughthesnow,thejudge,hisdaughter,thedivine,andtheMajortookamorecircuitousroutetothesameplacebythestreetsofthevillage.Themoonhadrisen,and itsorbwassheddinga floodof lightover thedarkoutline of pineswhich crowned the easternmountain. Inmany climates theskywouldhavebeenthoughtclearandlucidforanoontide.Thestarstwinkledin the heavens, like the last glimmerings of distant fire, somuchwere theyobscuredbytheoverwhelmingradianceoftheatmosphere;theraysfromthemoon striking upon the smooth, white surfaces of the lake and fields,reflecting upward a light that was brightened by the spotless color of theimmensebodiesofsnowwhichcoveredtheearth.Elizabethemployedherselfwithreadingthesigns,oneofwhichappearedoveralmosteverydoor;whilethesleighmovedsteadily,andataneasygait,alongtheprincipalstreet.Notonlynewoccupations,butnamesthatwerestrangersto her ears, met her gaze at every step they proceeded. The very housesseemedchanged.Thishadbeenalteredbyanaddition;thathadbeenpainted;anotherhadbeenerectedonthesiteofanoldacquaintance,whichhadbeenbanished from the earth almost as soon as itmade its appearance on it.Allwere, however, pouring forth their inmates, who uniformly held their waytowardthepointwheretheexpectedexhibitionoftheconjointtasteofRichardandBenjaminwastobemade.Afterviewing thebuildings,whichreallyappeared tosomeadvantageunderthe bright but mellow light of the moon, our heroine turned her eyes to a

scrutiny of the different figures they passed, in search of any form that sheknew.Butallseemedalike,asmuffledincloaks,hoods,coats,ortippets,theyglidedalongthenarrowpassagesinthesnowwhichledunderthehouses,halfhidbythebankthathadbeenthrownupinexcavatingthedeeppathinwhichthey trod. Once or twice she thought there was a stature or a gait that sherecollected;butthcpersonwhoowneditinstantlydisappearedbehindoneofthoseenormouspilesofwoodthatlaybeforemostofthedoors,Itwasonlyastheyturnedfromthemainstreetintoanotherthatintersecteditatrightangles,andwhichleddirectlytotheplaceofmeeting,thatsherecognizedafaceandbuildingthatsheknew.Thehousestoodatoneoftheprincipalcornersinthevillage;andbyitswell-troddendoorway,aswellasthesignthatwasswingingwithakindofdolefulsoundintheblaststhatoccasionallysweptdownthelake,wasclearlyoneofthemostfrequentedinnsintheplace.Thebuildingwasonlyofonestory;butthe dormer-windows in the roof, the paint, the window-shutters, and thecheerful fire thatshone throughtheopendoor,gave itanairofcomfort thatwasnotpossessedbymanyofitsneighbors.Thesignwassuspendedfromacommonale-housepost,andrepresentedthefigureofahorseman,armedwithsabreandpistols,andsurmountedbyabear-skincap,withafieryanimalthathebestrode"rampant."Alltheseparticularswereeasilytobeseenbytheaidofthemoon,togetherwitharowofsomewhatillegiblewritinginblackpaint,but inwhichElizabeth, towhom thewholewas familiar, readwith facility,"TheBoldDragoon."Amanandawomanwereissuingfromthedoorofthishabitationasthesleighwaspassing,Theformermovedwithastiff,militarystep,thatwasagooddealheightenedbyalimpinoneleg;butthewomanadvancedwithameasureandanairthatseemednotparticularlyregardfulofwhatshemightencounter.Thelightofthemoonfelldirectlyuponherfull,broad,andredvisage,exhibitingher masculine countenance, under the mockery of a ruffled cap that wasintendedtosoftenthelineamintsoffeaturesthatwerebynomeanssqueamish.Asmallbonnetofblacksilk,andofaslightlyformalcut,wasplacedonthebackofherhead,butsoasnottoshadehervisageintheleast.Theface,asitencounteredtheraysofthemoonfromtheeast,seemednotunlikesunrisingin thewest.Sheadvancedwithmasculinestrides to intercept thesleigh;andtheJudge,directingthenamesakeoftheGrecianking,whoheldthelines,tocheckhishorse,thepartiesweresoonneartoeachother."Good luck to ye, and a welcome home, Jooge," cried the female, with astrongIrishaccent;"andI'msureit'stomethatye'realwayswelcome.Sure!andthere'sMissLizzy,andafineyoungwomansheisgrown.Whataheart-achewouldshebegivingtheyoungmennow, if therewassicha thingasarigimentinthetown!Och!butit'sidletotalkofsichvanities,whilethebellis

callingus tomateing jistasweshallbecalledawayunexpictedlysomeday,whenwearethelaistcalkilating.Good-even,Major;willImakethebowlofgintoddythenight,orit'slikelyye'llstayatthebighousetheChristmaseve,andtheverynightofyergettingthere?""Iamgladtoseeyou,Mrs.Hollister,"returnedElizabeth."Ihavebeentryingto find a face that I knew sincewe left the door of themansion-house; butnonehaveIseenexceptyourown.Yourhouse,too,isunaltered,whilealltheothersaresochangedthat,butfortheplaceswheretheystand,theywouldbeutter strangers. I observe you also keep the dear sign that I saw CousinRichard paint; and even the name at the bottom, about which, you mayremember,youhadthedisagreement.""Itistheboulddragoon,yemane?Andwhatnamewouldhehave,whoniverwasknownbyanyother,asmyhusbandhere,thecaptain,cantestify?Hewasapleasuretowaitupon,andwasevertheforemostinneed.Och!buthehadasuddenend!butit'stobehopedthathewasjustifiedbythecause,Andit'snotParsonGranttherewho'llgainsaythatsame.Yes,yes;thesquirewouldpaint,andsoIthoughtthatwemighthavehisfaceupthere,whohadsooftensharedgoodandevilwidus.Theeyesisnosolargenorsofieryasthecaptain'sOwn;butthewhiskersandthecapisastwopaes.Well,well,I'llnotkeepyeinthecowld, talking,butwilldropinthemorrowaftersarvice,andaskyehowyedo. It'sourboundenduty tomake themostof thispresent, and togo to thehousewhich is open to all; soGod bless ye, and keep ye from evil!Will Imakethegin-twistthenight,orno,Major?"To this question the German replied, very sententiously, in the affirmative;and, after a few words had passed between the husband of the fiery-facedhostess and the Judge, the sleighmovedon. It soon reached thedoorof theacademy,wherethepartyalightedandenteredthebuilding.Inthemeantime,Mr.Jonesandhistwocompanions,havingamuchshorterdistance to journey, had arrived before the appointed place some minutessoonerthanthepartyinthesleigh.Insteadofhasteningintotheroominorderto enjoy the astonishment of the settlers, Richard placed a hand in eitherpocketofhissurcoat,andaffectedtowalkabout,infrontoftheacademy,likeonetowhomtheceremonieswerefamiliar.The villagers proceeded uniformly into the building, with a decorum andgravitythatnothingcouldmove,onsuchoccasions;butwithahastethatwasprobablyalittleheightenedbycuriosity.Thosewhocameinfromtheadjacentcountryspentsomelittletimeinplacingcertainblueandwhiteblanketsovertheirhorsesbeforetheyproceededtoindulgetheirdesiretoviewtheinteriorof thehouse.Mostof thesemenRichard approached, and inquired after thehealthandconditionoftheirfamilies.Thereadinesswithwhichhementionedthenamesofeventhechildren,showedhowveryfamiliarlyacquaintedhewas

withtheircircumstances;andthenatureoftheanswershereceivedprovedthathewasageneralfavorite.At lengthoneof thepedestrians from thevillage stoppedalso, and fixedanearnestgazeatanewbrickedificethatwasthrowingalongshadowacrossthefieldsofsnow,asitrose,withabeautifulgradationoflightandshade,undertheraysofafullmoon.Infrontoftheacademywasavacantpieceofground,thatwas intendedforapublicsquare.Onthesideopposite toMr.Jones, thenewandasyetunfinishedchurchofSt.Paul'swaserected,Thisedificehadbeen reared during the preceding summer, by the aid of what was called asubscription;thoughall,ornearlyall,ofthemoneycamefromthepocketsofthelandlord.Ithadbeenbuiltunderastrongconvictionofthenecessityofamoreseemlyplaceofworshipthan"thelongroomoftheacademy,"andunderanimpliedagreement that,after itscompletion, thequestionshouldbefairlyput to the people, that they might decide to what denomination it shouldbelong.Ofcourse,thisexpectationkeptaliveastrongexcitementinsomefewofthesectarieswhowereinterestedinitsdecision;thoughbutlittlewassaidopenlyonthesubject.HadJudgeTempleespousedthecauseofanyparticularsect, thequestionwouldhavebeenimmediatelyputat rest, forhis influencewas too powerful to be opposed; but he declined interference in thematter,positivelyrefusingtolendeventheweightofhisnameonthesideofRichard,whohadsecretlygivenanassurancetohisdiocesanthatboththebuildingandthe congregation would cheerfully come within the pale of the ProtestantEpiscopal Church. But, when the neutrality of the Judge was clearlyascertained,Mr. Jonesdiscovered thathehad to contendwith a stiffneckedpeople.His firstmeasurewas togoamong themandcommenceacourseofreasoning,inordertobringthemroundtohisownwayofthinking.Theyallheard him patiently, and not a man uttered a word in reply in the way ofargument, and Richard thought, by the time that he had gone through thesettlement, thepointwasconclusivelydecided inhis favor.Willing to strikewhile the ironwashot, he calledameeting, through thenewspaper,with aviewtodecidethequestionbyavoteatonce.Notasoulattended;andoneofthemostanxiousafternoonsthathehadeverknownwasspentbyRichardinavain discussion with Mrs. Hollister, who strongly contended that theMethodist(herown)churchwasthebestentitledtoandmostdeservingof,thepossessionofthenewtabernacle.Richardnowperceivedthathehadbeentoosanguine,andhad fallen into theerrorofall thosewho ignorantlydealwiththatwary and sagacious people.He assumed a disguise himself—that is, aswellasheknewhow,andproceededstepbysteptoadvancehispurpose.The task of erecting the building had been unanimously transferred to Mr.Jones and Hiram Doolittle. Together they had built the mansion-house, theacademy, and the jail, and they alone knew how to plan and rear such astructureaswasnowrequired.Earlyintheday,thesearchitectshadmadean

equitable division of their duties. To the former was assigned the duty ofmaking all the plans, and to the latter the labor of superintending theexecution.Availing himself of this advantage, Richard silently determined that thewindowsshouldhave theRomanarch; thefirstpositivestep ineffectinghiswishes.As the buildingwasmade of bricks, hewas enabled to conceal hisdesignuntilthemomentarrivedforplacingtheframes;then,indeed,itbecamenecessary to act.He communicated hiswishes toHiramwith great caution;and, without in the least adverting to the spiritual part of his project, hepressed thepoint a littlewarmlyon the scoreof architecturalbeauty.Hiramheardhimpatiently,andwithoutcontradiction,butstillRichardwasunabletodiscovertheviewsofhiscoadjutoronthisinterestingsubject.AstherighttoplanwasdulydelegatedtoMr.Jones,nodirectobjectionwasmadeinwords.but numberless unexpected difficulties arose in the execution. At first therewasascarcityintherightkindofmaterialnecessarytoformtheframes;butthis objection was instantly silenced by Richard running his pencil throughtwo feetof their lengthatone stroke.Then theexpensewasmentioned;butRichardremindedHiramthathiscousinpaid,andthathewastreasurer.Thislastintimationhadgreatweight,andafterasilentandprotracted,butfruitlessopposition,theworkwassufferedtoproceedontheoriginalplan.Thenextdifficultyoccurredinthesteeple,whichRichardhadmodelledafteroneofthesmallerofthosespiresthatadornthegreatLondoncathedral.Theimitation was somewhat lame, it was true, the proportions being but indifferentlyobserved;but,aftermuchdifficulty,Mr.Joneshadthesatisfactionofseeinganobjectrearedthatboreinitsoutlines,astrikingresemblancetoavinegar-cruet.Therewas less opposition to thismodel than to thewindows;forthesettlerswerefondofnovelty,andtheirsteeplewaswithoutaprecedent.Herethelaborceasedfortheseason,andthedifficultquestionoftheinteriorremained for further deliberation.Richardwell knew that,whenhe came topropose a reading-desk and a chancel, he must unmask; for these werearrangements known to no church in the country but his own. Presuming,however, on the advantages he had already obtained, he boldly styled thebuilding St. Paul's, and Hiram prudently acquiesced in this appellation,making,however,theslightadditionofcallingit"NewSt.Paul's,"feelinglessaversiontoanametakenfromtheEnglishcathedralthanfromthesaint.Thepedestrianwhomwehavealreadymentioned,aspausingtocontemplatethisedifice,wasnoother than thegentlemanso frequentlynamedasMr.orSquireDoolittle.Hewasofatall,gauntformation,withrathersharpfeatures,andafacethatexpressedformalproprietymingledwithlowcunning.Richardapproachedhim,followedbyMonsieurLeQuoiandthemajor-domo."Good-evening,squire,"saidRichard,bobbinghishead,butwithoutmoving

hishandsfromhispockets."Good-evening, squire,"echoedHiram, turninghisbody inorder to turnhisheadalso."Acoldnight,Mr.Doolittle,acoldnight,sir.""Coolish;atediousspellon't.""What,lookingatourchurch,ha!Itlookswell,bymoonlight;howthetinofthecupolaglistens!IwarrantyouthedomeoftheotherSt.Paul'snevershinessointhesmokeofLondon.""Itisaprettymeeting-housetolookon,"returnedHiram,"andIbelievethatMonshureLerQuowandMr.Penguilliamwillallowit.""Sairtainlee!"exclaimedthecomplaisantFrenchman,"iteesverfine.""I thought the monshure would say so. The last molasses that we had wasexcellentgood.Itisn'tlikelythatyouhaveanymoreofitonhand?""Ah! oui; ees, sair," returnedMonsieur Le Quoi, with a slight shrug of hisshoulder,anda triflinggrimace,"dere ismore. I feelverhappidatyou loveeet.IhopedatMadameDoleet'isingood'ealth.""Why,soastobestirring,"saidHiram."Thesquirehasn'tfinishedtheplansfortheinsideofthemeetinghouseyet?""No—no—no," returnedRichard, speakingquickly,butmakingasignificantpausebetweeneachnegative—.."itrequiresreflection.Thereisagreatdealofroom to fill up, and I am afraidwe shall not know how to dispose of it toadvantage.Therewillbealargevacantspotaroundthepulpit,whichIdonotmean to place against thewall, like a sentry-box stuck up on the side of afort.""Itisrulabletoputthedeacons'boxunderthepulpit,"saidHiram;andthen,asif he had ventured too much, he added, "but there's different fashions indifferentCountries.""Thatthereis,"criedBenjamin;"now,inrunningdownthecoastofSpainandPortingall, youmay see a nunnery stuck out on every headland,withmoresteeplesandoutriggerssuchasdog-vanesandweathercocks, thanyou'll findaboardofathree-mastedschooner.Ifsobethatawell-builtchurchiswanting,oldEngland, after all, is the country togo to after yourmodels and fashionpieces.AstoPaul's,thofI'veneverseenit,beingthatit'salongwayuptownfrom Radcliffe Highway and the docks, yet everybody knows that it's thegrandest place in theworldNow, I've no opinion but this here church overthereisaslikeoneendofitasagrampusistoawhale;andthat'sonlyasmalldifferenceinbulk.MounsheerLerQuaw,here,hasbeeninforeignparts;andthof that is not the same as having been at home, yet he must have seen

churchesinFrancetoo,andcanformasmallideeofwhatachurchshouldbe;nowIaskthemounsheertohisfaceifitisnotacleverlittlething,takingitbyandlarge.""Iteesveraproposofsaircumstance,"saidtheFrenchman—"verjudgment—butitisinthecatholiquecountrydatdeybuilddc—vatyoucall—ahaah-ha—lagrandecathédrale—debigchurch.St.Paul,Londre,isverfine;verbelle;vergrand—vatyoucallbeeg;but,MonsieurBen,pardonnez-moi,itisnovortsomuchasNotreDame.""Ha!mounsheer,whatisthatyousay?"criedBenjamin;"St.Paul'schurchisnotworthsomuchasadamn!MayhapyoumaybethinkingtoothattheRoyalBillyisn'tsogoodashipastheBillydeParis;butshewouldhavelickedtwoofheranyday,andinallweathers."AsBenjaminhadassumedavery threateningkindofattitude, flourishinganarmwithabunchattheendofitthatwashalfasbigasMonsieurLeQuoi'shead,Richardthoughtittimetointerposehisauthority."Hush,Benjamin,hush,"hesaid;"youbothmisunderstandMonsieurLeQuoiand forget yourself. But here comes Mr. Grant, and the service willcommence.Letusgoin."TheFrenchman,whoreceivedBenjamin'sreplywithawell-bredgood-humorthatwouldnotadmitofanyfeelingbutpityfortheother'signorance,bowedinacquiescenceandfollowedhiscompanion.Hiram and the major-domo brought up the rear, the latter grumbling as heenteredthebuilding:"IfsobethatthekingofFrancehadsomuchasahousetoliveinthatwouldlayalongsideofPaul's,onemightputupwith their jaw. It'smore thanfleshandbloodcanbear tohearaFrenchmanrundownanEnglishchurchin thismanner.Why,SquireDoolittle, I'vebeen at thewhippingof twoof them inone day—clean built, snug frigates with standing royals and them new-fashionedcannonadesontheirquarters—suchas,iftheyhadonlyEnglishmenaboardofthem,wouldhavefoutthedevil."WiththisominouswordinhismouthBenjaminenteredthechurch.

CHAPTERXI.

"Andfoolswhocametoscoff,remainedtopray."—Goldsmith.NotwithstandingtheunitedlaborsofRichardandBenjamin,the"longroom"

was but an extremely inartificial temple. Benches; made in the coarsestmanner,andentirelywithaviewtousefulness,werearrangedinrowsforthereception of the Congregation; while a rough, unpainted box was placedagainstthewall,inthecentreofthelengthoftheapartment,asanapologyfora pulpit. Something like a reading-deskwas in front of this rostrum; and asmall mahogany table from the mansion-house, covered with a spotlessdamaskcloth, stooda littleononeside,by thewayofanaltar.Branchesofpines and hemlocks were stuck in each of the fissures that offered in theunseasoned and hastily completed woodwork of both the building and itsfurniture;whilefestoonsandhieroglyphicsmettheeyeinvastprofusionalongthebrownsidesofthescratch-coatedwalls.Astheroomwasonlylightedbysometenorfifteenmiserablecandles,andthewindowswerewithoutshutters,it would have been but a dreary, cheerless place for the solemnities of aChristmas eve, had not the large fire that was crackling at each end of theapartmentgivenanairofcheerfulnesstothescene,bythrowinganoccasionalglareoflightthroughthevistasofbushesandfaces.The two sexes were separated by an area in the centre of the roomimmediatelybeforethepulpit;amidafewbencheslinedthisspace,thatwereoccupied by the principal personages of the village and its vicinity. Thisdistinction was rather a gratuitous concession made by the poorer and lesspolishedpartof thepopulationthanarightclaimedbythefavoredfew.OnebenchwasoccupiedbythepartyofJudgeTemple,includinghisdaughter,and,with the exception of Dr. Todd, no one else appeared willing to incur theimputationofpride,by takingaseat inwhatwas, literally, thehighplaceofthetabernacle.Richardfilledthechairthatwasplacedbehindanothertable,inthecapacityofclerk;whileBenjamin, after heaping sundry logson the fire, postedhimselfnighby,inreserveforanymovementthatmightrequireco-operation.Itwouldgreatlyexceedourlimitstoattemptadescriptionofthecongregation,for thedresseswereasvariousas the individuals.Someonearticleofmorethan usual finery, and perhaps the relic of other days,was to be seen aboutmostof the females, in connectionwith thecoarseattireof thewoods.Thisworeafadedsilk,thathadgonethroughatleastthreegenerations,overcoarse,woollenblackstockings;that,ashawl,whosedyeswereasnumerousasthoseof the rainbow, over an awkwardly fitting gown of rough brown "woman'swear."Inshort,eachoneexhibitedsomefavoritearticle,andallappeared intheir best, bothmen andwomen;while the ground-works in dress, in eithersex, were the coarse fabrics manufactured within their own dwellings. Onemanappearedinthedressofavolunteercompanyofartillery,ofwhichhehadbeen amember in the "down countries," precisely for no other reason thanbecauseitwasthebestsuithehad.Several,particularlyoftheyoungermen,

displayedpantaloonsofblue,edgedwithredclothdowntheseamspartoftheequipmentsofthe"TempletonLightInfantry,"fromalittlevanitytobeseenin"boughtenclothes."Therewasalsoonemanina"riflefrock,"withitsfringesand folds of spotlesswhite, striking a chill to the heartwith the idea of itscoolness,although the thickcoatofbrown"home-made" thatwasconcealedbeneathpreservedaproperdegreeofwarmth.Therewas amarked uniformity of expression inCountenance, especially inthathalfofthecongregationwhodidnotenjoytheadvantagesofthepolishofthevillage.Asallowskin,thatindicatednothingbutexposure,wascommontoall,aswasanairofgreatdecencyandattention,mingled,generally,withanexpressionofshrewdness,andinthepresentinstanceofactivecuriosity.Nowand then a face and dress were to be seen among the congregation, thatdiffered entirely from this description. If pock-marked and florid, withgartered legs, and a coat that snugly fitted the person of thewearer, it wassurelyanEnglishemigrant,whohadbenthisstepstothisretiredquarteroftheglobe. If hard-featured and without color, with high cheek-bones, it was anativeofScotland,insimilarcircumstances.The short, black-eyedman,with a cast of the swarthySpaniard in his face,whoroserepeatedlytomakeroomforthebellesofthevillageastheyentered,wasasonofErin,whohad lately leftoffhispack,andbecomeastationarytraderinTempleton.Inshort,halfthenationsinthenorthofEuropehadtheirrepresentativesinthisassembly,thoughallhadcloselyassimilatedthemselvestotheAmericansindressandappearance,excepttheEnglishman.He,indeed,notonlyadheredtohisnativecustomsinattireandliving,butusuallydrovehisploughamongthestumpsinthesamemannerashehadbeforedoneontheplains ofNorfolk, until dear-bought experience taught him theuseful lessonthat a sagacious people knewwhat was suited to their circumstances betterthanacasualobserver,orasojournerwhowas,perhaps,toomuchprejudicedtocompareand,peradventure,tooconceitedtolearn.Elizabeth soondiscovered that shedivided the attentionof the congregationwith Mr. Grant. Timidity, therefore, confined her observation of theappearanceswhichwehavedescribedtostolesglances;but,as thestampingof feet was now becoming less frequent, and even the coughing, and otherlittlepreliminariesofacongregationsettlingthemselvesdownintoreverentialattention,wereceasing,shefeltemboldenedtolookaroundher.Graduallyallnoisesdiminished,untilthesuppressedcoughdenotedthatitwasnecessarytoavoid singularity, and the most pro found stillness pervaded the apartment.The snappingof the fires, as they threwapowerfulheat into the room,wasaloneheard,andeachfaceandeveryeyewereturnedonthedivine.Atthismoment,aheavystampingoffeetwasheardinthepassagebelow,asifa new-corner was releasing his limbs from the snow that was necessarily

clingingtothelegsofapedestrian.Itwassucceededbynoaudibletread;butdirectly Mohegan, followed by the Leather-Stocking and the young hunter,madehisappearance.Theirfootstepswouldnothavebeenheard,astheytrodtheapartmentintheirmoccasins,butforthesilencewhichprevailed.TheIndianmovedwithgreatgravityacrossthefloor,and,observingavacantseatnexttotheJudge,hetookit,inamannerthatmanifestedhissenseofhisown dignity. Here, drawing his blanket closely around him so as partly toconceal his countenance, he remained during the service immovable, butdeeply attentive.Natty passed the place thatwas so freely taken by his redcompanion,andseatedhimselfononeendofalogthatwaslyingnearthefire,where he continued, with his rifle standing between his legs, absorbed inreflections seemingly of no very pleasing nature. The youth found a seatamongthecongregation,andanothersilenceprevailed.Mr.GrantnowaroseandcommencedhisservicewiththesublimedeclarationoftheHebrewprophet:"TheLordisinHisholytemple;letalltheearthkeepsilencebeforeHim."TheexampleofMr.Joneswasunnecessarytoteachthecongregation to rise; the solemnity of the divine effected this as bymagic.After a short pause, Mr. Grant proceeded with the solemn and winningexhortationofhisservice.Nothingwasheardbutthedeepthoughaffectionatetonesofthereader,ashewentslowlythroughthisexordium;until,somethingunfortunatelystrikingthemindofRichardasincomplete,helefthisplaceandwalkedontiptoefromtheroom.Whentheclergymanbenthiskneesinprayerandconfession,thecongregationso far imitated his example as to resume their seats;whence no succeedingeffortof thedivine,during theevening,wasable to remove theminabody.Someroseattimes;butbyfarthelargerpartcontinuedunbending;observant,it is true,but itwas thekindofobservation that regarded theceremonyasaspectacle rather than a worship in which they were to participate. Thusdeserted by his clerk Mr. Grant continued to read; but no response wasaudible.Theshortandsolemnpausethatsucceededeachpetitionwasmade;stillnovoicerepeatedtheeloquentlanguageoftheprayer.ThelipsofElizabethmoved,but theymovedinvainandaccustomedasshewastotheserviceofthechurchesofthemetropolis,shewasbeginningtofeeltheawkwardnessofthecircumstancemostpainfullywhenasoft,lowfemalevoice repeated after thepriest, "Wehave left undone those thingswhichweoughttohavedone."Startledatfindingoneofherownsexinthatplacewhocould rise superior to natural timidity, Miss Temple turned her eyes in thedirection of the penitent. She observed a young female on her knees, but ashortdistancefromher,withhermeekfacehumblybentoverherbook.

Theappearanceof thisstranger,forsuchshewas,entirely, toElizabeth,waslight and fragile. Her dress was neat and becoming; and her countenance,though pale and slightly agitated, excited deep interest by its sweet andmelancholyexpression.Asecondandthirdresponsewasmadebythisjuvenileassistant,whenthemanlysoundsofamalevoiceproceededfromtheoppositepartof theroom,MissTempleknewthetonesof theyounghunter instantly,andstrugglingtoovercomeherowndiffidencesheaddedherlowvoicetothenumber.AllthistimeBenjaminstoodthumbingtheleavesofaprayer-bookwithgreatindustry; but some unexpected difficulties prevented his finding the place.Before the divine reached the close of the confession, however, Richardreappearedatthedoor,and,ashemovedlightlyacrosstheroom,hetookuptheresponse,inavoicethatbetrayednootherconcernthanthatofnotbeingheard. In his hand he carried a small open box,with the figures "8 by 10"writteninblackpaintononeofitssides;which,havingplacedinthepulpit,apparently as a footstool for thedivine, he returned tohis station in time tosay, sonorously, "Amen."Theeyesof thecongregation,verynaturally,wereturnedtothewindows,asMr.Jonesenteredwithhissingularload;andthen,as if accustomed to his "general agency," were again bent on the priest, incloseandcuriousattention.The long experience of Mr. Grant admirably qualified him to perform hispresent duty. He well understood the character of his listeners, who weremostlyaprimitivepeopleintheirhabits;andwho,beingagooddealaddictedto subtleties and nice distinctions in their religious opinions, viewed theintroduction of any such temporal assistance as form into their spiritualworshipnotonlywithjealousy,butfrequentlywithdisgust.Hehadacquiredmuchofhisknowledgefromstudyingthegreatbookofhumannatureasitlayopen in the world; and, knowing how dangerous it was to contend withignorance, uniformly endeavored to avoid dictating where his better reasontaughthimitwasthemostprudent toattempt to lead,Hisorthodoxyhadnodependence on his cassock; he could pray with fervor and with faith, ifcircumstancesrequiredit,withouttheassistanceofhisclerk;andhehadevenbeenknown topreachamostevangelical sermon, in thewinningmannerofnativeeloquence,withouttheaidofacambrichandkerchief.In the present instance he yielded, inmany places, to the prejudices of hiscongregation;andwhenhehadended, therewasnotoneofhisnewhearerswho did not think the ceremonies less papal and offensive, and moreconformant tohisorherownnotionsofdevoutworship, thantheyhadbeenledtoexpectfromaserviceofforms,Richardfoundinthedivine,duringtheevening,amostpowerfulco-operator inhisreligiousschemes. Inpreaching,Mr.Grantendeavoredtosteeramiddlecoursebetweenthemysticaldoctrines

of those sublimated creedswhich daily involve their professors in themostabsurd contradictions, and those fluent roles of moral government whichwould reduce the Saviour to a level with the teacher of a school of ethics.Doctrineitwasnecessarytopreach,fornothinglesswouldhavesatisfiedthedisputatious peoplewhowere his listeners, andwhowould have interpretedsilenceonhispartintoatacitacknowledgmentofthesuperficialnatureofhiscreed. We have already said that, among the endless variety of religiousinstructors, thesettlerswereaccustomed toheareverydenominationurge itsowndistinctiveprecepts,andtohavefoundoneindifferenttothisInterestingsubjectwouldhavebeendestructivetohisinfluence.ButMr.Grantsohappilyblended the universally received opinions of the Christian faith with thedogmasofhisownchurchthat,althoughnonewereentirelyexemptfromtheinfluenceofhisreasons,veryfewtookanyalarmattheinnovation."Whenweconsiderthegreatdiversityofthehumancharacter,influencedasitisbyeducation,byopportunity,andby thephysicalandmoralconditionsofthe creature, my dear hearers," he earnestly concluded "it can excite nosurprisethatcreedssoverydifferentintheirtendenciesshouldgrowoutofareligionrevealed,itistrue,butwhoserevelationsareobscuredbythelapseofages, andwhose doctrineswere, after the fashion of the countries inwhichthey were first promulgated, frequently delivered in parables, and in alanguage abounding inmetaphors and loadedwith figures.Onpointswherethe learnedhave, in purity of heart, been compelled to differ, the unletteredwillnecessarilybeatvariance.But,happilyforus,mybrethren,thefountainofdivineloveflowsfromasourcetoopuretoadmitofpollutioninitscourse;it extends, to those who drink of its vivifying waters, the peace of therighteous, and life everlasting; it endures through all time, and it pervadescreation. If therebemystery in itsworkings, it is themysteryof aDivinity.Withaclearknowledgeofthenature,themight,andthemajestyofGod,theremightbeconviction,buttherecouldbenofaith.Ifwearerequiredtobelievein doctrines that seem not in conformity with the deductions of humanwisdom, let us never forget that such is the mandate of a wisdom that isinfinite.Itissufficientforusthatenoughisdevelopedtopointourpatharight,andtodirectourwanderingstepstothatportalwhichshallopenonthelightofaneternalday.Then,indeed,itmaybehumblyhopedthatthefilmwhichhasbeen spread by the subtleties of earthly argumentswill be dissipated by thespirituallightofHeaven;andthatourhourofprobation,bytheaidofdivinegrace, being once passed in triumph, will be followed by an eternity ofintelligenceandendlessagesoffruition.Allthatisnowobscureshallbecomeplain to our expanded faculties; and what to our present senses may seemirreconcilable to our limited notions ofmercy, of justice, and of love, shallstand irradiated by the light of truth, confessedly the suggestions ofOmniscience,andtheactsofanAll-powerfulBenevolence."

"Whatalessonofhumility,mybrethren,mightnoteachofusobtainfromareviewofhisinfanthours,andtherecollectionofhisjuvenilepassions!Howdifferently do the same acts of parental rigor appear in the eyes of thesufferingchildandof thechastenedman!When thesophistwouldsupplant,with the wild theories of his worldly wisdom, the positive mandates ofinspiration,lethimremembertheexpansionofhisownfeebleintellects,andpause—lethimfeelthewisdomofGodinwhatispartiallyconcealedaswellas that which is revealed; in short, let him substitute humility for pride ofreason—lethimhavefaith,andlive!""Theconsiderationofthissubjectisfullofconsolation,myhearers,anddoesnotfailtobringwithitlessonsofhumilityandofprofit,that,dulyimproved,would both chasten the heart and strengthen the feeble-minded man in hiscourse. It is a blessed consolation to be able to lay themisdoubtings of ourarrogant nature at the thresh old of the dwelling-place of the Deity, fromwhence theyshallbesweptaway,at thegreatopeningof theportal, like themistsofthemorningbeforetherisingsun.Itteachesusalessonofhumility,byimpressinguswiththeimperfectionofhumanpowers,andbywarningusofthemanyweakpointswhereweareopentotheattackofthegreatenemyofourrace;itprovestousthatweareindangerofbeingweak,whenourvanitywouldfainsootheusintothebeliefthatwearemoststrong;itforciblypointsouttousthevaingloryofintellect,andshowsusthevastdifferencebetweenasavingfaithandthecorollariesofaphilosophicaltheology;andit teachesustoreduceourself-examinationtothetestofgoodworks.Bygoodworksmustbe understood the fruits of repentance, the chiefest ofwhich is charity.Notthatcharityonlywhichcausesustohelptheneedyandcomfortthesuffering,butthatfeelingofuniversalphilanthropywhich,byteachingustolove,causesustojudgewithlenityallmen;strikingattherootofself-righteousness,andwarning us to be sparing of our condemnation of others, while our ownsalvationisnotyetsecure.""The lesson of expediency, my brethren, which I would gather from theconsiderationof thissubject, ismoststrongly inculcatedbyhumility.Ontheheadingandessentialpointsofour faith, there isbut littledifferenceamongthoseclassesofChristianswhoacknowledgetheattributesoftheSaviour,anddepend on his mediation. But heresies have polluted every church, andschisms are the fruit of disputation. In order to arrest these dangers, and toinsuretheunionofhisfollowers,itwouldseemthatChristhadestablishedhisvisiblechurchanddelegated theministry.Wiseandholymen, thefathersofour religion,haveexpended their labors in clearingwhatwas revealed fromtheobscuritiesoflanguage,andtheresultsoftheirexperienceandresearcheshavebeenembodiedintheformofevangelicaldisciplineThatthisdisciplinemustbe salutary, is evident from theviewof theweaknessofhumannaturethatwehavealready taken; and that itmaybeprofitable tous, andallwho

listentoitspreceptsanditsliturgy,mayGod,inhisinfinitewisdom,grant!—Andnowto,"etc.With this ingenious reference to his own forms and ministry, Mr. Grantconcluded his discourse. Themost profound attention had been paid to thesermon during thewhole of its delivery, although the prayers had not beenreceivedwithsoperfectdemonstrationof respect.Thiswasbynomeansanintendedslightofthatliturgytowhichthedivinealluded,butwasthehabitofapeoplewhoowedtheirveryexistence,asadistinctnation, to thedoctrinalcharacter of their ancestors. Sundry looks of private dissatisfaction wereexchanged between Hiram and one or two of the leading members of theconference,butthefeelingwentnofurtheratthattime;andthecongregation,afterreceivingtheblessingofMr.Grant.,dispersedinSilence,andwithgreatdecorum.

CHAPTERXII.

"YourcreedsanddogmasofalearnedchurchMaybuildafabric,fairwithmoralbeauty;ButitwouldseemthatthestronghandofGodCan,only,'rasethedevilfromtheheart."—Duo.Whilethecongregationwasseparating,Mr.GrantapproachedtheplacewhereElizabeth andher fatherwere seated, leading the youthful femalewhomwehavementioned in the preceding chapter, andpresentedher as his daughter.Herreceptionwasascordialandfrankasthemannersofthecountryandthevalueofgoodsocietycouldrenderit;thetwoyoungwomenfeeling,instantly,thattheywerenecessarytothecomfortofeachother,TheJudge,towhomtheclergyman'sdaughterwasalsoastranger,waspleasedtofindonewho,fromhabits,sex,andyears,couldprobablycontributelargelytothepleasuresofhisownchild,duringherfirstprivationsonherremovalfromtheassociationsofacity to the solitude of Templeton; while Elizabeth, who had been forciblystruckwiththesweetnessanddevotionoftheyouthfulsuppliant,removedtheslight embarrassment of the timid stranger by the easeof her ownmanners.Theywereatonceacquainted;and,duringthetenminutesthatthe"academy"wasclearing,engagementsweremadebetweentheyoungpeople,notonlyforthe succeeding day, but they would probably have embraced in theirarrangementshalfofthewinter,hadnotthedivineinterruptedthembysaying:"Gently, gently, my dear Miss Temple, or you will make my girl too

dissipated.Youforgetthatsheismyhousekeeper,andthatmydomesticaffairsmust remainunattended to, shouldLouisaacceptofhalf thekindoffersyouaresogoodastomakeher.""Andwhy should they not be neglected entirely, sir?" interruptedElizabeth."There are but twoof you; and certain I am thatmy father's housewill notonlycontainyouboth,butwillopen itsdoorsspontaneously toreceivesuchguests.Societyisagoodnot toberejectedonaccountofcoldforms, in thiswilderness,sir;andIhaveoftenheardmyfathersay,thathospitalityisnotavirtueinanewcountry,thefavorbeingconferredbytheguest.""The manner in which Judge Temple exercises its rites would confirm thisopinion;butwemustnot trespass too freely.Doubtnot thatyouwill seeusoften,mychild,particularlyduringthefrequentvisitsthatIshallbecompelledtomaketothedistantpartsofthecountry.Buttoobtainaninfluencewithsucha people," he continued, glancing his eyes toward the few who were stilllingering,curiousobserversof the interview,"aclergymanmostnotawakenenvyordistrustbydwellingundersosplendidaroofasthatofJudgeTemple.""Youliketheroof,then,Mr.Grant,"criedRichard,whohadbeendirectingtheextinguishment of the fires and other little necessary duties, and whoapproachedintimetohearthecloseofthedivine'sspeech."Iamgladtofindonemanoftasteatlast.Here's'Dukenow,pretendstocallitbyeveryabusivenamehecaninvent;but though 'Dukeisa tolerable judge,he isaverypoorcarpenter,letmetellhim.Well,sir,well,Ithinkwemaysay,withoutboasting,thattheservicewasaswellperformedthiseveningasyouoftensee;Ithink,quiteaswellasIeverknewittobedoneinoldTrinity—thatis,ifweexcepttheorgan.Butthereistheschool-masterleadsthepsalmwithaverygoodair.Iusedtoleadmyself,butlatterlyIhavesungnothingbutbass.Thereisagooddeal of science tobe shown in thebass, and it affords a fineopportunity toshowoff a full, deep voice.Benjamin, too, sings a good bass, though he isoftenoutinthewords.DidyoueverhearBenjaminsingthe'BayofBiscay,'?""I believe he gave us part of it this evening," said Marmaduke, laughing."Therewas,nowandthen,afearfulquaverinhisvoice,anditseemsthatMr.Penguillianis likemostotherswhodoonethingparticularlywell;heknowsnothingelse.Hehas,certainly,awonderfulpartialitytoonetune,andhehasaprodigious self-confidence in that one, for he delivers himself like anorthwestersweepingacrossthelake.Butcome,gentlemen,ourwayisclear,and the sleigh waits. Good-evening, Mr. Grant. Good-night, young lady—rememberyoudinebeneaththeCorinthianroof,to-morrow,withElizabeth."Thepartiesseparated,RichardholdingaclosedissertationwithMr.LeQuoi,astheydescendedthestairs,onthesubjectofpsalmody,whichheclosedbyaviolent eulogium on the air of the "Bay of Biscay, O," as particularlyconnectedwithhisfriendBenjamin'sexecution.

During the preceding dialogue, Mohegan retained his seat, with his headshroudedinhisblanket,asseeminglyinattentivetosurroundingobjectsasthedepartingcongregationwasitselftothepresenceoftheagedchief,Natty,also,continuedonthelogwherehehadfirstplacedhimself,withhisheadrestingon one of his hands, while the other held the rifle, which was throwncarelessly across his lap. His countenance expressed uneasiness, and theoccasionalunquietglancesthathehadthrownaroundhimduringtheserviceplainlyindicatedsomeunusualcausesforunhappiness.Hiscontinuingseatedwas,however,outofrespecttotheIndianchieftowhomhepaidtheutmostdeferenceonalloccasions,althoughitwasmingledwiththeroughmannerofahunter.Theyoungcompanionofthesetwoancientinhabitantsoftheforestremainedalsostandingbeforetheextinguishedbrands,probablyfromanunwillingnessto departwithout his comrades.The roomwas nowdeserted by all but thisgroup, the divine, and his daughter. As the party from the mansion-housedisappeared, John arose, and, dropping the blanket fromhis head, he shookback themass of black hair from his face, and, approachingMr. Grant, heextendedhishand,andsaidsolemnly:"Father, I thankyou.Thewords that havebeen said, since the risingmoon,have gone upward, and the Great Spirit is glad. What you have told yourchildren, theywill remember,andbegood."Hepausedamoment,andthen,elevating himself with the grandeur of an Indian chief, he added: "IfChingachgook lives to travel toward the setting sun, after his tribe, and theGreatSpirit carrieshimover the lakesandmountainswith thebreathofhisbody,hewilltellhispeoplethegoodtalkhehasheard;andtheywillbelievehim;forwhocansaythatMoheganhaseverlied?""Let him place his dependence on the goodness ofDivinemercy," saidMr.Grant, to whom the proud consciousness of the Indian sounded a littleheterodox,"anditneverwilldeserthim.WhentheheartisfilledwithlovetoGod, there is no room for sin. But, young man, to you I owe not only anobligation,incommonwiththoseyousavedthiseveningonthemountain,butmythanksforyourrespectableandpiousmannerinassistingintheserviceatamostembarrassingmoment.Ishouldbehappytoseeyousometimesatmydwelling, when, perhaps, my conversation may strengthen you in the pathwhichyouappeartohavechosen.Itissounusualtofindoneofyourageandappearance, in these woods, at all acquainted with our holy liturgy, that itlessens at once the distance between us, and I feel that we are no longerstrangers.Youseemquiteathomeintheservice;Ididnotperceivethatyouhadevenabook,althoughgoodMr.Jones,hadlaidseveralindifferentpartsoftheroom.""It would be strange if I were ignorant of the service of our church, sir,"

returnedtheyouthmodestly;"forIwasbaptizedinitscommunionandIhaveneveryetattendedpublicworshipelsewhere.Formetousetheformsofanyotherdenominationwouldbeassingularasourownhaveprovedtothepeopleherethisevening.""Yougivemegreatpleasure,mydearsir,"criedthedivine,seizingtheotherby the hand, and shaking it cordially. "You will go home with me now—indeedyoumust—mychild has yet to thankyou for savingmy life. Iwill-listen to no apologies. This worthy Indian, and your friend, there, willaccompany us. Bless me! to think that' he has arrived at manhood in thiscountry,withoutenteringadissenting*meeting-house!"*ThedivinesoftheProtestantEpiscopalChurchoftheUnitedStatescommonlycallotherdenominationsDissenters,thoughthereneverwasanestablishedchurchintheirowncountry!"No, no," interrupted the Leather-Stocking, "I must away to the wigwam;there'sworktherethatmustn'tbeforgottenforallyourchurchingsandmerry-makings.Lettheladgowithyouinwelcome;heisusedtokeepingcompanywith ministers, and talking of such matters; so is old John, who waschristianizedbytheMoraviansaboutsthetimeoftheoldwar.ButIamaplainunlarnedman,thathassarvedboththekingandhiscountry,inhisday,agin'theFrenchandsavages,butneversomuchas looked intoabook,or larntaletterofscholarship,inmyborndays.I'veneverseentheuseofmuchin-doorwork, thoughIhave lived tobepartlybald,and inmy timehavekilled twohundredbeaverinaseason,andthatwithoutcountingthcothergame.IfyoumistrustwhatIamtellingyou,youcanaskChingachgookthere,forIdiditintheheartoftheDelawarecountry,andtheoldmanisknowingtothetruthofeverywordIsay.""Idoubtnot,myfriend,thatyouhavebeenbothavaliantsoldierandskilfulhunterinyourday,"saidthedivine;"butmoreiswantingtoprepareyouforthatendwhichapproaches.Youmayhaveheardthemaxim,that'youngmenmaydie,butthatoldmenmust'.""I'msureIneverwassogreatafoolastoexpecttoliveforever,"saidNatty,givingoneofhissilent laughs;"nomanneeddo thatwho trails thesavagesthroughthewoods,asIhavedone,andlives,forthehotmonths,onthelakestreams.I'veastrongconstitution,Imustsaythatformyself,asisplaintobeseen; for I've drunk the Onondaga water a hundred times, while I've beenwatching thedeer-licks,whenthefever-an'-agyseedswas tobeseen in itasplainandasplentyasyoucanseetherattlesnakesonoldCrumhorn.ButthenIneverexpectedtoholdoutforever;thoughthere'sthemlivingwhohaveseentheGermanflatsawilderness;ay!andthemthat'slarned,andacquaintedwithreligion,too;thoughyoumightlookaweek,now,andnotfindeventhestump

ofapineonthem;andthat'sawoodthatlastsinthegroundthebetterpartofahundredyearsafterthetreeisdead.""Thisisbuttime,mygoodfriend,"returnedMr.Grant,whobegantotakeaninterestinthewelfareofhisnewacquaintance,"butIwouldhaveyouprepareforeternity.Itisincumbentonyoutoattendplacesofpublicworship,asIampleasedtoseethatyouhavedonethisevening.Woulditnotbeheedlessinyouto start on a day's toil of hard hunting, and leave your ramrod and flintbehind?""Itmustbeayounghandinthewoods,"interruptedNatty,withanotherlaugh,"thatdidn'tknowhowtodressarodoutofanashsaplingorfindafire-stoneinthemountains.No,no,Ineverexpectedtoliveforever;butIsee,timesbealtering in thesemountains fromwhat theywas thirtyyearsago,or, for thatmatter, tenyears.Butmightmakesright,andthelawisstrongerthananoldman,whetherhe isone thathasmuch laming,oronly likeme, that isbetternowatstandingatthepassesthaninfollowingthehounds,asIonceusedtocould.Heigh-ho!Ineverknow'dpreachingcomeintoasettlementbutitmadegamescarce,andraisedthepriceofgunpowder;andthat'sathingthat'snotaseasilymadeasaramrodoranIndianflint."Thedivine,perceivingthathehadgivenhisopponentanargumentbyhisownunfortunate selection of a comparison, very prudently relinquished thecontroversy;althoughhewas fullydetermined to resume it atamorehappymoment,Repeatinghisrequesttotheyounghunterwithgreatearnestness,theyouth and Indian consented to ac company him and his daughter to thedwellingthatthecareofMr.Joneshadprovidedfortheirtemporaryresidence.Leather-Stockingperseveredinhisintentionofreturningtothehut,andatthedoorofthebuildingtheyseparated.Afterfollowingthecourseofoneofthestreetsofthevillageashortdistance.Mr.Grant,wholed theway, turned intoafield, throughapairofopenbars,andenteredafootpath,ofbutsufficientwidthtoadmitonepersontowalkinat a time.Themoonhadgainedaheight that enabledher to throwher raysperpendicularly on the valley; and the distinct shadows of the party flittedalong on the banks of the silver snow, like the presence of aerial figures,glidingtotheirappointedplaceofmeeting.Thenightstillcontinuedintenselycold,althoughnotabreathofwindwasfelt.Thepathwasbeatensohardthatthe gentle female, who made one of the party, moved with ease along itswindings; though the frost emitteda lowcreakingat the impressionofevenherlightfootsteps.The clergyman in his dark dress of broadcloth, with his mild, benevolentcountenanceoccasionallyturnedtowardhiscompanions,expressingthatlookofsubduedcarewhichwasitscharacteristic,presentedthefirstobjectinthissingulargroup.NexttohimmovedtheIndian,hishairfallingabouthisface,

hisheaduncovered,andtherestofhisformconcealedbeneathhisblanket.Ashisswarthyvisage,withitsmusclesfixedinrigidcomposure,wasseenunderthelightofthemoon,whichstruckhisfaceobliquely,heseemedapictureofresigned old age, onwhom the storms ofwinter had beaten in vain for thegreaterpartofacentury;butwhen,inturninghishead,theraysfelldirectlyonhisdark,fieryeyes,theytoldataleofpassionsunrestrained,andofthoughtsfreeasair.TheslightpersonofMissGrant,whichfollowednext,andwhichwas but too thinly clad for the severity of the season, formed a markedcontrasttothcwildattireanduneasyglancesoftheDelawarechief;andmorethanonceduringtheirwalk,theyounghunter,himselfnoinsignificantfigureinthegroup,wasledtoconsiderthedifferenceinthehumanform,asthefaceofMoheganandthegentlecountenanceofMissGrant,witheyesthatrivalledthesofthueofthesky,methisviewattheinstantthateachturnedtothrowaglance at the splendid orb which lighted their path. Their way, which ledthroughfieldsthatlayatsomedistanceintherearofthehouses,wascheeredbyaconversationthatflaggedorbecameanimatedwiththesubject.Thefirsttospeakwasthedivine."Really,"he said, "it is so singular a circumstance tomeetwithoneofyourage,thathasnotbeeninducedbyidlecuriositytovisitanyotherchurchthantheoneinwhichhehasbeeneducated,thatIfeelastrongcuriositytoknowthehistoryofa lifesofortunatelyregulated.Youreducationmusthavebeenexcellent;asindeedisevidentfromyourmannersandlanguage.OfwhichoftheStatesareyouanative,Mr.Edwards? for such, Ibelieve,was thenamethatyougaveJudgeTemple.""Ofthis.""Of this! I was at a loss to conjecture, from your dialect, which does notpartake, particularly, of the peculiarities of any country with which I amacquainted.Youhave,then,residedmuchinthecities,fornootherpartofthiscountry issofortunateas topossess theconstantenjoymentofourexcellentliturgy."The young hunter smiled, as he listened to the divine while he so clearlybetrayedfromwhatpartofthecountryhehadcomehimself;but,forreasonsprobablyconnectedwithhispresentsituation,hemadenoanswer."Iamdelightedtomeetwithyou,myyoungfriend,forIthinkaningenuousmind,suchasIdoubtnotyoursmustbe,willexhibitall theadvantagesofasettleddoctrineanddevoutliturgy.YouperceivehowIwascompelledtobendtothehumorsofmyhearersthisevening.GoodMr.Joneswishedmetoreadthecommunion,and,infact,allthemorningservice;but,happily,thecanonsdonotrequirethisofanevening.Itwouldhaveweariedanewcongregation;butto-morrowIpurposeadministeringthesacrament,Doyoucommune,myyoungfriend?"

"Ibelievenot, sir," returned theyouth,witha littleembarrassment, thatwasnot at all diminished byMissGrant's pausing involuntarily, and turning hereyes on him in surprise; "I fear that I am not qualified; I have never yetapproachedthealtar;neitherwouldIwishtodoitwhileIfindsomuchoftheworldclingingtomyheart.""Eachmust judgeforhimself,"saidMr.Grant;"thoughIshouldthinkthatayouthwho had never been blown about by thewind of false doctrines, andwhohasenjoyedtheadvantagesofourliturgyforsomanyyearsinitspurity,mightsafelycome.Yet,sir,itisasolemnfestival,whichnoneshouldcelebrateuntilthereisreasontohopeitisnotmockery.Iobservedthisevening,inyourmanner to JudgeTemple, a resentment thatborderedononeof theworst ofhuman passions,Wewill cross this brook on the ice; it must bear us all, Ithink, in safety. Be careful not to slip, my child." While speaking, hedescendedalittlebankbythepath,andcrossedoneofthesmallstreamsthatpoured their waters into the lake; and, turning to see his daughter pass,observedthattheyouthhadadvanced,andwaskindlydirectingherfootsteps.Whenallweresafelyover,hemoveduptheoppositebank,andcontinuedhisdiscourse."Itwaswrong,mydearsir,verywrong, tosuffersuchfeelings torise, under any circumstances, and especially in the present, where the evilwasnotintended.""There is good in the talkofmy father," saidMohegan, stopping short, andcausingthosewhoWerebehindhimtopausealso;"it is the talkofMiquon.Thewhitemanmaydoashisfathershavetoldhim;butthe'YoungEagle'hasthebloodofaDelawarechiefinhisveins;itisred,andthestainitmakescanonlybewashedoutwiththebloodofaMingo."Mr.GrantwassurprisedbytheinterruptionoftheIndian,and,stopping,facedthe speaker.Hismild featureswere confronted to the fierce and determinedlooksofthechief,andexpressedthehorrorhefeltathearingsuchsentimentsfrom onewho professed the religion of his Saviour. Raising his hands to alevelwithhishead,heexclaimed:"John, John! is this the religion that you have learned from theMoravians?But no—Iwill not be so uncharitable as to suppose it. They are a pious, agentle, andamildpeople, andcouldnever tolerate thesepassions.Listen tothelanguageof theRedeemer: 'ButIsayuntoyou, loveyourenemies;blessthem that curse you; do good to them that hate you; pray for them thatdespitefullyuseyouandpersecuteyou.'This is thecommandofGod, John,and,withoutstrivingtocultivatesuchfeelings,nomancanseeHim."The Indian heard the divine with attention; the unusual fire of his eyegradually softened, and his muscles relaxed into their ordinary composure;but, slightly shaking his head, he motioned with dignity for Mr. Grant toresumehiswalk,andfollowedhimselfinsilence,Theagitationofthedivine

causedhimtomovewithunusualrapidityalongthedeeppath,andtheIndian,without any apparent exertion, kept an equal pace; but the young hunterobservedthefemaletolingerinhersteps,untilatriflingdistanceintervenedbetween the two former and the latter. Struck by the circumstance, and notperceivinganynewimpedimenttoretardherfootstep,theyouthmadeatenderofhisassistance."Youarefatigued,MissGrant,"hesaid;"thesnowyieldstothefoot,andyouareunequaltothestridesofusmen.Steponthecrust,Ientreatyou,andtakethehelpofmyarm,Yonderlightis,Ibelieve,thehouseofyourfather;butitseemsyetatsomedistance.""I am quite equal to thewalk," returned a low, tremulous voice; "but I amstartledbythemannerofthatIndian,Oh!hiseyewashorrid,asheturnedtothemoon,inspeakingtomyfather.ButIforgot,sir;heisyourfriend,andbyhislanguagemaybeyourrelative;andyetofyouIdonotfeelafraid."The young man stepped on the bank of snow, which firmly sustained hisweight,andbyagentleeffortinducedhiscompaniontofollow.Drawingherarmthroughhisown,heliftedhiscapfromhishead,allowingthedarklockstoflowinrichcurlsoverhisopenbrow,andwalkedbyhersidewithanairofconsciouspride,as if invitinganexaminationofhisutmost thoughts.Louisatookbutafurtiveglanceathisperson,andmovedquietlyalong,ataratethatwasgreatlyquickenedbytheaidofhisarm."Youarebutlittleacquaintedwiththispeculiarpeople,MissGrant,"hesaid,"oryouwouldknowthatrevengeisavirtuewithanIndian.Theyaretaught,from infancy upward, to believe it a duty never to allow an injury to passunrevenged;andnothingbutthestrongerclaimsofhospitalitycanguardoneagainsttheirresentmentswheretheyhavepower.""Surely, sir," saidMiss Grant, involuntarily withdrawing her arm from his,"youhavenotbeeneducatedwithsuchunholysentiments?""It might be a sufficient answer to your excellent father to say that I waseducated in thechurch,"hereturned;"but toyouIwilladd that Ihavebeentaughtdeepandpracticallessonsofforgiveness.Ibelievethat,onthissubject,Ihavebut littlecause to reproachmyself; it shallbemyendeavor that thereyetbeless."While speaking, he stopped, and stood with his arm again proffered to herassistance.Asheended,shequietlyacceptedhisoffer,andtheyresumedtheirwalk.Mr.GrantandMoheganhad reached thedoorof the former's residence,andstoodwaitingnearitsthresholdforthearrivaloftheiryoungcompanions.Theformerwasearnestlyoccupiedinendeavoringtocorrect,byhisprecepts,theevil propensities that he had discovered in the Indian during their

conversation;towhichthelatterlistenedinProfoundbutrespectfulattention.Onthearrivaloftheyounghunterandthelady,theyenteredthebuilding.Thehouse stood at some distance from the village, in the centre of a field,surroundedbystumpsthatwerepeeringabovethesnow,bearingcapsofpurewhite,nearlytwofeetinthickness.Notatreenorashrubwasnighit;butthehouse, externally, exhibited that cheer less, unfurnished aspect which is socommon to the hastily erected dwellings of a new country. The uninvitingcharacter of its outside was, however, happily relieved by the exquisiteneatnessandcomfortablewarmthwithin.They entered an apartment that was fitted as a parlor, though the largefireplace,withitsculinaryarrangements,betrayedthedomesticusestowhichitwasoccasionallyapplied.Thebrightblazefromthehearthrenderedthelightthatproceeded from thecandleLouisaproducedunnecessary; for the scantyfurnitureoftheroomwaseasilyseenandexaminedbytheformer.Thefloorwascoveredinthecentrebyacarpetmadeofrags,aspeciesofmanufacturethatwas then,andyetcontinues tobe,much inuse in the interior;while itsedges,thatwereexposedtoview,wereofunspottedcleanliness.Therewasatrifling air of better life in a tea-table andwork-stand, aswell as in an old-fashionedmahoganybookcase;butthechairs,thedining-table,andtherestofthefurniturewereoftheplainestandcheapestconstruction,Againstthewallswerehungafewspecimensofneedle-workanddrawing,theformerexecutedwith great neatness, though of somewhat equivocal merit in their designs,whilethelatterwerestrikinglydeficientinboth.Oneoftheformerrepresentedatomb,withayouthfulfemaleweepingoverit,exhibiting a church with arched windows in the background. On the tombwerethenames,withthedatesofthebirthsanddeaths,ofseveralindividuals,all of whom bore the name of Grant. An extremely cursory glance at thisrecordwassufficienttodiscovertotheyounghunterthedomesticstateofthedivine.Hetherereadthathewasawidower;andthattheinnocentandtimidmaiden,whohadbeenhiscompanion,wastheonlysurvivorofsixchildren.TheknowledgeofthedependencewhicheachofthesemeekChristianshadontheotherforhappinessthrewanadditionalcharmaroundthegentlebutkindattentionswhichthedaughterpaidtothefather.These observations occurredwhile the partywere seating themselves beforethecheerfulfire,duringwhichtimetherewasasuspensionofdiscourse.But,when each was comfortably arranged, and Louisa, after laying aside a thincoatof faded silk, and agypsyhat, thatwasmorebecoming tohermodest,ingenuous countenance than appropriate to the season, had taken a chairbetweenherfatherandtheyouth,theformerresumedtheconversation."Itrust,myyoungfriend,"hesaid,"thattheeducationyouhavereceivedhaseradicatedmostofthoserevengefulprincipleswhichyoumayhaveinherited

bydescent,forIunderstandfromtheexpressionsofJohnthatyouhavesomeofthebloodoftheDelawaretribe.Donotmistakeme,Ibeg,foritisnotcolornorlineagethatconstitutesmerit;andIknownotthathewhoclaimsaffinitytotheproperownersofthissoilhasnotthebestrighttotreadthesehillswiththelightestconscience."Moheganturnedsolemnlytothespeaker,and,withthepeculiarlysignificantgesturesofanIndian,hespoke:"Father,youarenotyetpastthesummeroflife;yourlimbsareyoung.Gotothehighesthill,andlookaroundyou.Allthatyousee,fromtherisingtothesetting sun, from the head-waters of the great spring, towhere the 'crookedriver'*ishidbythehills,ishis.HehasDelawareblood,andhisrightisstrong.*TheSusquehannahmeanscrookedriver;"hannah,"or"hannock,"meantriverinmanyofthenativedialects.ThuswefindRappahannockasfarsouthasVirginia."ButthebrotherofMiquonisjust;hewillcutthecountryintwoparts,astheriver cuts the lowlands, and will say to the 'Young Eagle,' 'Child of theDelawares!takeit—keepit;andbeachiefinthelandofyourfathers.'""Never!" exclaimed the young hunter, with a vehemence that destroyed therapt attention with which the divine and his daughter were listening to theIndian."Thewolfoftheforestisnotmorerapaciousforhispreythanthatmanisgreedyofgold;andyethisglidingsintowealtharesubtleasthemovementsofaserpent.""Forbear, forbear, my son, forbear," interrupted Mr. Grant. "These angrypassions most be subdued. The accidental injury you have received fromJudge Temple has heightened the sense of your hereditary wrongs. Butremember that the onewas unintentional, and that the other is the effect ofpolitical changes, which have, in their course, greatly lowered the pride ofkings,andsweptmightynationsfromthefaceoftheearth.WherenowarethePhilistines,whosooftenheldthechildrenofIsraelinbondage?orthatcityofBabylon,whichriotedinluxuryandvice,andwhostyledherselftheQueenofNations in the drunkenness of her pride?Remember the prayer of our holylitany,whereweimploretheDivinePower—'thatitmaypleasetheetoforgiveourenemies,persecutors,andslanderers,and to turn theirhearts.Thesinofthewrongswhichhavebeendone to thenatives is sharedby JudgeTempleonlyincommonwithawholepeople,andyourarmwillspeedilyberestoredtoitsstrength.""This arm!" repeated theyouth,pacing the floor inviolent agitation. "Thinkyou, sir, that I believe the man a murderer? Oh, no! he is too wily, toocowardly,forsuchacrime.Butlethimandhisdaughterriotintheirwealth—a

dayof retributionwill come.No,no,no,"hecontinued,ashe trod the floormorecalmly—"itisforMohegantosuspecthimofanintenttoinjureme;butthetrifle isnotworthasecondthought."Heseatedhimself,andhidhisfacebetweenhishands,astheyrestedonhisknees."Itisthehereditaryviolenceofanative'spassion,mychild,"saidMr.Grantina low tone tohisaffrighteddaughter,whowasclinging in terror tohisarm."He ismixedwith thebloodof the Indians,youhaveheard;andneither therefinementsofeducationnortheadvantagesofourexcellentliturgyhavebeenableentirelytoeradicatetheevil.Butcareandtimewilldomuchforhimyet."Althoughthedivinespokeinalowtone,yetwhatheutteredwasheardbytheyouth,who raisedhishead,witha smileof indefiniteexpression,andspokemorecalmly:"Benotalarmed,MissGrant,ateither thewildnessofmymanneror thatofmy dress. I have been carried away by passions that I should struggle torepress.Imustattributeit,withyourfather,tothebloodinmyveins,althoughIwouldnotimpeachmylineagewillingly;foritisallthatisleftmetoboastof.Yes!IamproudofmydescentfromaDelawarechief,whowasawarriorthatennobledhumannature.OldMoheganwashisfriend,andwillvouchforhisvirtues."Mr.Grantheretookupthediscourse,and,findingtheyoungmanmorecalm,andtheagedchiefattentive,heenteredintoafullandtheologicaldiscussionof the duty of forgiveness. The conversation lasted for more than an hour,when the visitors arose, and, after exchanging good wishes with theirentertainers, they departed.At the door they separated,Mohegan taking thedirectroutetothevillage,whiletheyouthmovedtowardthelake.Thedivinestoodattheentranceofhisdwelling,regardingthefigureoftheagedchiefasitglided,atanastonishinggait forhisyears,along thedeeppath;hisblack,straight hair just visible over the bundle formed by his blanket, which wassometimesblendedwiththesnow,underthesilverylightofthemoon.Fromtherearofthehousewasawindowthatoverlookedthelake;andhereLouisawasfoundbyherfather,whenheentered,gazing intentlyonsomeobject inthe direction of the easternmountain.He approached the spot, and saw thefigure of the young hunter, at the distance of half a mile, walking withprodigious steps across thewide fields of frozen snow that covered the ice,towardthepointwhereheknewthehutinhabitedbytheLeather-Stockingwassituatedonthemarginofthelake,underarockthatwascrownedbypinesandhemlocks.Atthenextinstant,thewildlookingformenteredtheshadowcastfromtheover-hangingtrees,andwaslosttoview."It is marvellous how long the propensities of the savage continue in thatremarkable race," said the good divine; "but if he perseveres as he hascommenced, his triumph shall yet be complete. Putme inmind, Louisa, to

lendhimthehomily'againstperilofidolatry,'athisnextvisit.""Surety,father,youdonotthinkhimindangerofrelapsingintotheworshipofhisancestors?""No,mychild,"returnedtheclergyman,layinghishandaffectionatelyonherflaxenlocks,andsmiling;"hiswhitebloodwouldpreventit;butthereissuchathingastheidolatryofourpassions."

CHAPTERXIII.

"AndI'lldrinkoutofthequartpot—Here'sahealthtothebarleymow."—DrinkingSong.On one of the corners, where the two principal streets of Templetonintersectedeachother,stood,aswehavealreadymentioned,theinncalledthe"BoldDragoon". In theoriginal plan itwasordained that thevillage shouldstretchalongthelittlestreamthatrusheddownthevalley;andthestreetwhichledfromthelaketotheacademywasintendedtobeitswesternboundary.Butconveniencefrequentlyfrustrates thebest-regulatedplans.ThehouseofMr.,or as, in consequence of commanding the militia of that vicinity, he wascalled,CaptainHollister,had,atanearlyday,beenerecteddirectlyfacingthemain street, and ostensibly interposed a barrier to its further progress.Horsemen, and subsequently teamsters, however, availed themselves of anopening,attheendofthebuilding,toshortentheirpassagewestward,untilintime the regular highway was laid out along this course, and houses weregradually built on either side, so as effectually to prevent any subsequentcorrectionoftheevil.Two material consequences followed this change in the regular plans ofMarmaduke.Themainstreet,afterrunningabouthalfitslength,wassuddenlyreducedforpreciselythatdifferenceinitswidth;and"BoldDragoon"became,nexttothemansion-house,byfarthemostconspicuousedificeintheplace.Thisconspicuousness,aidedbythecharactersofthehostandhostess,gavethetavernanadvantageoverallitsfuturecompetitorsthatnocircumstancescouldconquer.Aneffortwas,however,madetodoso;andatthecornerdiagonallyopposite, stood anewbuilding thatwas in tended, by its occupants, to lookdown all opposition. It was a house ofwood, ornamented in the prevailingstyleofarchitecture,andabouttheroofandbalustradeswasoneofthethreeimitators of themansion-house. The upperwindowswere filledwith roughboardssecuredbynails,tokeepoutthecoldair—fortheedificewasfarfrom

finished,althoughglasswastobeseeninthelowerapartments,andthelightofthepowerfulfireswithindenotedthatitwasalreadyinhabited.Theexteriorwaspaintedwhiteonthefrontandontheendwhichwasexposedtothestreet;but in the rear, and on the sidewhichwas intended to join the neighboringhouse,itwascoarselysmearedwithSpanishbrown.Beforethedoorstoodtwolofty posts, connected at the top by a beam, fromwhichwas suspended anenormoussign,ornamentedarounditsedgeswithcertaincuriouscarvingsinpine boards, and on its faces loaded with Masonic emblems. Over thesemysteriousfigureswaswritten,inlargeletters,"TheTempletonCoffee-house,and Traveller's Hotel," and beneath them, "ByHabakkuk Foote and JoshuaKnapp."Thiswasafearfulrivaltothe"BoldDragoon,"asourreaderswillthemorereadilyperceivewhenweaddthatthesamesonorousnamesweretobeseenoveranewlyerectedstoreinthevillage,ahatter'sshop,andthegatesofatan-yard.But,eitherbecausetoomuchwasattemptedtobeexecutedwell,orthatthe"BoldDragoon"hadestablishedareputationwhichcouldnotbeeasilyshaken,notonlyJudgeTempleandhisfriends,butmostofthevillagersalso,whowerenotindebttothepowerfulfirmwehavenamed,frequentedtheinnofCaptainHollisteronalloccasionswheresuchahousewasnecessary.On the present evening the limping veteran and his consort were hardlyhousedaftertheirreturnfromtheacademy,whenthesoundsofstampingfeetat their threshold announced the approach of visitors, who were probablyassemblingwithaviewtocompareopinionsonthesubjectoftheceremoniestheyhadwitnessed.Thepublic,orasitwascalled,the"bar-room,"ofthe"BoldDragoon,"wasaspacious apartment, lined on three sideswith benches and on the fourth byfireplaces.Of the latter therewere twoof such size as tooccupy,with theirenormous jambs, the whole of that side of the apartment where they wereplaced,exceptingroomenoughforadoorortwo,andalittleapartmentinonecorner,whichwasprotectedbyminiaturepalisades, andprofuselygarnishedwithbottlesandglasses. In theentrance to thissanctuaryMrs.Hollisterwasseated,withgreatgravityinherair,whileherhusbandoccupiedhimselfwithstirringthefires,movingthelogswithalargestakeburnttoapointatoneend."There,sargeant,dear,"saidthelandlady,aftershethoughttheveteranhadgotthelogsarrangedinthemostjudiciousmanner,"giveoverpoking,forit'snogoodye'llbedoing,nowthattheyburnsoconvaniently.There'stheglassesonthetablethere,andthemugthatthedoctorwastakinghisciderandgingerin,beforethefirehere—justputtheminthebar,willye?forwe'llbehavingthejooge, and the Major, and Mr. Jones down the night, without reckoningBenjaminPoomp, and the lawyers; so yell be fixing the room tidy; and putbothflipironsinthecoals;andtellJude,thelazyblackbaste,thatifshe'snobecleaningupthekitchenI'llturnheroutofthehouse,andshemaylivewid

the jontlemen thatkape the 'Coffeehouse,' good luck to 'em.Och! sargeant,sureit'sagreatprivilegetogotoamateingwhereabodycansitasy,withoutjoompingupanddownsooften,asthisMr.Grantisdoingthatsame.""It'saprivilegeatalltimes,Mrs.Hollister,whetherwestandorbeseated;or,asgoodMr.Whitefleldusedtodoafterhehadmadeawearisomeday'smarch,getonourkneesandpray, likeMosesofold,withaflanker to therightandleft to lift his hands to heaven," returned her husband, who composedlyperformedwhatshehaddirectedtobedone."Itwasaveryprettyfight,Betty,thattheIsraeliteshadonthatdaywiththeAmalekites,Itseamsthattheyfoutonaplain,forMosesismentionedashavinggoneontheheightstooverlookthebattle,andwrestleinprayer;andifIshouldjudge,withmylittlelarning,the Israelitesdependedmainlyon theirhorse, for itwaswritten 'that Joshuacutuptheenemywiththeedgeofthesword;fromwhichIinfer,notonlythattheywerehorse,butwelldiseiplyned troops. Indeed, itsaysasmuchas thattheywerechosenmen;quitelikelyvolunteers;forrawdragoonsseldomstrikewiththeedgeoftheirswords,particularlyiftheweaponbeanywaycrooked.""Pshaw!whydoyebotheryourselfwidtexts,man,aboutsosmallamatter?"interrupted the landlady; "sure, it was the Lord who was with 'em; for healways sidedwith the Jews, before they fell away; and it's but littlematterwhatkindofmenJoshuacommanded,sothathewasdoingtherightbidding.Aven themcursedmillaishy, theLord forgiveme for swearing, thatwas thedeathofhim,wid their cowardice,wouldhavecarried theday inold times.There'snorasontobethinkingthatthesoldierswereusedtothedrill.""Imustsay,Mrs.Hollister, thatIhavenotoftenseenrawtroopsfightbetterthan the left flank of the militia, at the time you mention. They ralliedhandsomely,andthatwithoutbeatofdrum,whichisnoeasythingtodounderfire, and were very steady till he fell. But the Scriptures contain nounnecessarywords; and Iwillmaintain that horse,whoknowhow to strikewith theedgeof the sword,mustbewelldisoiplyned.Manyagoodsarmonhasbeenpreachedabout smallermatters than thatoneword! If the textwasnotmeanttobeparticular,whywasn'titwrittenwiththesword,andnotwiththe edge? Now, a back-handed stroke, on the edge, takes long practice.Goodness!whatanargumentwouldMr.Whitefieldmakeofthatwordedge!As to the captain, if he had only called up the guard of dragoonswhen herallied thefoot, theywouldhaveshownthe inimywhat theedgeofaswordwas;for,althoughtherewasnocommissionedofficerwiththem,yetIthinkImust say," the veteran continued, stiffening his cravat about his throat, andraisinghimselfupwiththeairofadrill-sergeant,"theywereledbyamanwhoknowedhowtobringthemon,inspiteoftheravine.""Is it lade on ye would," cried the landlady, "when ye know yourself, Mr.Hollister,thatthebasteherodewasbutlittleabletojoompfromonerockto

another,andtheanimalwasasspryasasquirrel?Och!butit'suselesstotalk,forhe'sgonethismanyayear.Iwouldthathehadlivedtoseethetruelight;but there'smercy for a brave sowl, that died in the saddle, fighting for theliberty.Itisapoortombstonetheyhavegivenhim,anyway,andmanyagoodonethatdiedlikehimself;butthesignisverylike,andIwillbekapeingitup,while theblacksmithcanmakeahookfor it toswingon, forall the 'coffee-houses'betwanethisandAlbany."There is no saying where this desultory conversation would have led theworthycouple,hadnotthemen,whowerestampingthesnowofftheirfeetonthe little plat form before the door, suddenly ceased their occupation, andenteredthebar-room.For ten or fifteen minutes the different individuals, who intended either tobestowor receiveedificationbefore the firesof the "BoldDragoon"on thatevening, were collecting, until the benches were nearly filled with men ofdifferentoccupations.Dr.Toddandaslovenly-looking,shabby-genteelyoungman, who took tobacco profusely, wore a coat of imported cloth cut withsomething like a fashionable air, frequently exhibited a large French silverwatch, with a chain of woven hair and a silver key, and who, altogether,seemedasmuchabovetheartisansaroundhimashewashimself inferior tothe real gentle man, occupied a high-back wooden settee, in the mostcomfortablecornerintheapartment.Sundrybrownmugs,containingciderorbeer,wereplacedbetweentheheavyandirons,and littlegroupswerefoundamongtheguestsassubjectsaroseorthe liquorwas passed from one to the other.Nomanwas seen to drink byhimself, nor in any instancewasmore thanonevessel considerednecessaryforthesamebeverage;buttheglassorthemugwaspassedfromhandtohanduntilachasminthelineoraregardtotherightsofownershipwouldregularlyrestorethedregsofthepotationtohimwhodefrayedthecost.Toasts were uniformly drunk; and occasionally some one who conceivedhimself peculiarly endowed by Nature to shine in the way of wit wouldattemptsomesuchsentimentas"hopingthathe"whotreated"mightmakeabettermanthanhisfather;"or"livetillallhisfriendswishedhimdead;"whilethe more humble pot-companion contented himself by saying, with a mostcomposinggravityinhisair,"Come,here'sluck,"orbyexpressingsomeotherequally comprehensive desire. In every instance the veteran landlord wasrequestedtoimitatethecustomofthecupbearerstokings,andtastetheliquorhepresented,bytheinvitationof"Afteryouismanners,"withwhichrequestheordinarilycompliedbywettinghislips,firstexpressingthewishof"Here'shoping," leaving it to the imagination of the hearers to fill the vacuum bywhatever good each thought most desirable. During these movements thelandladywasbusilyoccupiedwithmixingthevariouscompoundsrequiredby

hercustomers,withherownhands,andoccasionallyexchanginggreetingsandinquiriesconcerning theconditionsof their respective families,with suchofthevillagersasapproachedthebar.Atlengththecommonthirstbeinginsomemeasureassuaged,conversationofamore general nature became the order of the hour. The physician and hiscompanion,whowasoneofthetwolawyersofthevillage,beingconsideredthebestqualifiedtomaintainapublicdiscoursewithcredit,weretheprincipalspeakers,thougharemarkwashazarded,nowandthen,byMr.Doolittle,whowas thought to be their inferior only in the enviable point of education. Ageneral silencewas produced on all but the two speakers, by the followingobservationfromthepractitionerofthelaw:"So, Dr. Todd, I understand that you have been per forming an importantoperation this eveningbycutting a chargeofbuckshot from the shoulderofthesonofLeather-Stocking?""Yes,sir,"returnedother,elevatinghislittleheadwithanairofimportance."Ihadasmall jobupat theJudge's inthatway;itwas,however,butatrifletowhatitmighthavebeen,haditgonethroughthebody.Theshoulderisnotavery vital part; and I think the youngmanwill soon bewell. But I did notknowthatthepatientwasasonofLeather-Stocking;itisnewstometohearthatNattyhadawife.""Itisbynomeansanecessaryconsequence,"returnedtheother,winking,witha shrewd look around the bar room; "there is such a thing, I suppose youknow,inlawasafiliusnullius.""Spake itout,man,"exclaimed the landlady;"spake itout inking'sEnglish;whatforshouldyebetalkingIndianinaroomfullofChristianfolks,thoughitisaboutapoorhunter,whoisbutlittlebetterinhiswaysthanthewildsavagesthemselves?Och!it'stobehopedthatthemissionarieswill,inhisowntime,make a conversion of the poor devils; and then it willmatter little ofwhatcoloristheskin,orweddertherebewoolorhaironthehead.""Oh!itisLatin,notIndian,MissHollister!"returnedthelawyer,repeatinghiswinksandshrewdlooks;"andDr.ToddunderstandsLatin,orhowwouldhereadthelabelsonhisgailipotsanddrawers?No,no,MissHollister,thedoctorunderstandsme;don'tyou,doctor?""Hem—why, I guess I am not far out of the way," returned Elnathan,endeavoring to imitate theexpressionof theother'scountenance,by lookingjocular."Latinisaqueerlanguage,gentlemen;nowIratherguessthereisnoonein theroom,exceptSquireLippet,whocanbelievethat 'Far.Av.'meansoatmeal,inEnglish."The lawyer in his turn was a good deal embarrassed by this display oflearning; for, although he actually had taken his first degree at one of the

eastern universities, he was somewhat puzzled with the terms used by hiscompanion.Itwasdangerous,however,toappeartobeoutdoneinlearninginapublicbar-room,andbeforesomanyofhisclients;hethereforeputthebestface on the matter, and laughed knowingly as if there were a good jokeconcealedunderit,thatwasunderstoodonlybythephysicianandhimself.Allthis was attentively observed by the listeners, who exchanged looks ofapprobation; and the expressions of "tonguey mati," and "I guess SquireLippetknowsifanybodydoes,"wereheardindifferentpartsoftheroom,asvouchersfortheadmirationofhisauditors.Thusencouraged,thelawyerrosefromhis chair, and turninghis back to the fire, and facing the company, hecontinued:"ThesonofNatty,orthesonofnobody,Ihopetheyoungmanisnotgoingtoletthematterdrop.Thisisacountryoflaw;andIshouldliketoseeitfairlytried,whetheramanwhoowns,orsaysheowns,ahundredthousandacresofland,hasanymorerighttoshootabodythananother.Whatdoyouthinkofit,Dr.Todd?""Oh,sir,Iamofopinionthatthegentlemanwillsoonbewell,asIsaidbefore;thewoundisn'tinavitalpart;andastheballwasextractedsosoon,andtheshoulder was what I call well attended to, I do not think there is as muchdangerastheremighthavebeen.""Isay,SquireDoolittle,"continuedtheattorney,raisinghisvoice,"youareamagistrate, and know what is law and what is not law. I ask you, sir, ifshootingamanisathingthatistobesettledsoveryeasily?Suppose,sir,thattheyoungmanhad awife and family; and suppose that hewas amechaniclikeyourself,sir;andsupposethathisfamilydependedonhimforbread;andsuppose that theball, insteadofmerelygoing through the flesh,hadbrokenthe shoulder-blade, and crippled him forever; I ask you all, gentlemen,supposing this to be the case, whether a jury wouldn't give what I callhandsomedamages?"As the close of this supposititious case was addressed to the companygenerally, Hiram did not at first consider himself called on for a reply; butfindingtheeyesofthelistenersbentonhiminexpectation,herememberedhischaracter for judicial discrimination, and spoke, observing a due degree ofdeliberationanddignity."Why, if a man should shoot another," he said, "and if he should do it onpurposeandifthelawtooknoticeon't,andifajuryshouldfindhimguilty,itwouldbelikelytoturnoutastate-prisonmatter.""Itwouldso,sir,"returnedtheattorney."Thelaw,gentlemen,isnorespecterof persons in a free country. It is one of the great blessings that has beenhandeddowntousfromourancestors,thatallmenareequalintheeyeofthe

laws,astheyarebynater.Thoughsomemaygetproperty,nooneknowshow,yet they arenot privileged to transgress the laws anymore than thepoorestcitizenintheState.Thisismynotion,gentlemen:andIthinkthatitamanhadamindtobringthismatterup,somethingmightbemadeoutofitthatwouldhelppayforthesalve—ha!doctor!""Why,sir,"returnedthephysician,whoappearedalittleuneasyattheturntheconversationwastaking,"IhavethepromiseofJudgeTemplebeforemen—notbutwhat Iwould takehiswordas soonashisnoteofhand—but itwasbeforemen.Letmesee—therewasMounshierLerQuow,andSquireJones,andMajorHartmann, andMiss Pettibone, and one or two of the blacks by,whenhesaidthathispocketwouldamplyrewardmeforwhatIdid.""Wasthepromisemadebeforeoraftertheservicewasperformed?"askedtheattorney."Itmighthavebeenboth,"returnedthediscreetphysician;"thoughI'mcertainhesaidsobeforeIundertookthedressing.""But it seems that he said his pocket should reward you, doctor," observedHiram."NowIdon'tknowthatthelawwillholdamantosuchapromise;hemightgiveyouhispocketwithsixpencein't,andtellyoutotakeyourpayouton't.""Thatwouldnotbea reward in theeyeof the law," interrupted theattorney—"notwhatiscalleda'quidproquo;'noristhepockettobeconsideredasanagent, but as part of aman's own person, that is, in this particular. I am ofopinionthatanactionwouldlieonthatpromise,andIwillundertaketobearhimout,freeofcosts,ifhedon'trecover."Tothispropositionthephysicianmadenoreply;buthewasobservedtocasthiseyesaroundhim,asiftoenumeratethewitnesses,inordertosubstantiatethis promise also, at a future day, should it prove necessary. A subject somomentous as that of suing Judge Temple was not very palatable to thepresentcompanyinsopublicaplace;andashortsilenceensued,thatwasonlyinterruptedbytheopeningofthedoor,andtheentranceofNattyhimself.Theoldhuntercarriedinhishandhisnever-failingcompanion,therifle;andalthoughallofthecompanywereuncoveredexceptingthelawyer,whoworehishatononeside,withacertaindam'meair,Nattymovedtothefrontofoneof the fireswithout in the least altering anypart of his dressor appearance.Severalquestionswereaddressed tohim,on the subjectof thegamehehadkilled, which he answered readily, and with some little interest; and thelandlord,betweenwhomandNattythereexistedmuchcordiality,onaccountof their both having been soldiers in youth, offered him a glass of a liquidwhich,ifwemightjudgefromitsreception,wasnounwelcomeguest.Whentheforesterhadgothispotationalso,hequietlytookhisseatontheendofone

ofthelogsthatlaynighthefires,andtheslightinterruptionproducedbyhisentranceseemedtobeforgotten."The testimonyof theblacks couldnot be taken, sir," continued the lawyer,"fortheyareallthepropertyofMr.Jones,whoownstheirtime.Butthereisaway bywhich Judge Temple, or any otherman,might bemade to pay forshootinganother,andforthecureinthebargain.Thereisaway,Isay,andthatwithoutgoingintothe'courtoferrors,'too.""Andamightybigerroryewouldmakeofit,MisterTodd,"criedthelandlady,"shouldyebeputtingthematterintothelawatall,withJoodgeTemple,whohasapurseaslongasoneofthempinesonthehill,andwhoisanasymantodale wid, if yees but mind the humor of him. He's a good man is JoodgeTemple,andakindone,andonewhowillbenothe likelier todotheprattything, becase yewouldwish to tarrify himwid the law. I know of but oneobjaction to the same, which is an over-careless ness about his sowl. It'sneitheraMethodie,noraPapish,norParsbetyrian,thatheis,butjustnothingatall;andit'shardtothinkthathe,'whowillnotfightthegoodfight,underthebannersofarig'larchurch,inthisworld,willbemusteredamongthechosenin heaven,' asmy husband, the captain there, as ye call him, says—thoughthereisbutonecaptainthatIknow,whodesarvesthename.Ihopes,Lather-Stocking, ye'll no be foolish, and putting the boy up to try the law in thematter; for 'twillbeanevilday toyeboth,whenye first turn theskinof sopaceableananimalasasheepintoaboneofcontention,Theladiswilcometohisdrinkfornothing,untilhisshoultherwillbeartherifleagin.""Well,that'sgin'rous,"washeardfromseveralmouthsatonce,forthiswasacompany in which a liberal offer was not thrown away; while the hunter,instead'ofexpressinganyofthatindignationwhichhemightbesupposedtofeel,athearingthehurtofhisyoungcompanionalludedto,openedhismouth,with the silent laugh for which he was so remarkable; and after he hadindulgedhishumor,madethisreply:"IknowedtheJudgewoulddonothingwithhissmoothborewhenhegotoutofhissleigh.Ineversawbutonesmooth-borethatwouldcarryatall,andthatwasaFrenchducking-piece,upon thebig lakes; ithadabarrelhalf as longaginasmyrifle,andwouldthrowfineshotintoagooseatonehundredyards;but itmadedreadfulworkwith thegame,andyouwantedaboat tocarry itaboutin.WhenIwentwithSirWilliamagin'theFrench,atFortNiagara,alltherangersusedtherifle;andadreadfulweaponitis,inthehandsofonewhoknowshowtochargeit,andkeepasteadyaim.Thecaptainknows,forhesayshe was a soldier in Shirley's; and, though they were nothing but baggonet-men,hemustknowhowwecutuptheFrenchandIroquoisintheskrimmagesin thatwar. Chingachgook,whichmeans 'Big Sarpent' in English, old JohnMohegan,wholivesupatthehutwithme,wasagreatwarriorthen,andwas

out with us; he can tell all about it, too; though he was overhand for thetomahawk,neverfiringmorethanonceortwice,beforehewasrunninginforthescalps.Ah!timesisdreadfullyalteredsincethen.Why,doctor,therewasnothing but a foot path, or at the most a track for pack-horses, along theMohawk, from the JarmanFlats up to the forts.Now, they say, they talk ofrunningoneofthemwideroadswithgatesonitalongtheriver;firstmakingaroad,andthenfencingitup!IhuntedoneseasonbackoftheKaatskills,nigh-handtothesettlements,andthedogsoftenlostthescent,whentheycametothemhighways,therewassomuchtravelonthem;thoughIcan'tsaythatthebruteswasofaverygoodbreed.OldHectorwillwindadeer,inthefalloftheyear,acrossthebroadestplaceintheOtsego,andthatisamileandahalf,forIpaceditmyselfontheice,whenthetractwasfirstsurveyed,undertheIndiangrant.""Itsamestome,Natty,butasorrycompliment tocallyourcomradafter theevil one," said the landlady; "and it's nomuch like a snake that old John islookingnow,Nimrodwouldbeamorebecomingnameforthelad,andamoreChristian,too,seeingthatitconiesfromtheBible.Thesargeantreadmethechapterabouthim, thenightbeforemychristening,andamightyasement itwastolistentoanythingfromthebook.""Old John andChingachgookwereverydifferentmen to lookon," returnedthe hunter, shaking his head at his melancholy recollections. "In the 'fifty-eighthwar' hewas in themiddle ofmanhood, and taller than nowby threeinches. If you had seen him, as I did, the morning we beat Dieskau, frombehindour logwalls,youwouldhavecalledhimascomelya redskinasyeever set eyeson.Hewasnakedall tohisbreech-clothand leggins; andyouneverseedacreatur'sohandsomelypainted.Onesideofhisfacewasredandtheotherblack.Hisheadwasshavedclean,all toa fewhairson thecrown,whereheworeatuftofeagle'sfeathers,asbrightasiftheyhadcomefromapeacock'stail.Hehadcoloredhissidessothattheylookedlikeanatomy,ribsandall,forChingachgookhadagreattasteinsuchthings,sothat,whatwithhisbold,fierycountenance,hisknife,andhistomahawk,Ihaveneverseenafiercerwarrioron theground.Heplayedhispart, too, likeaman, for I sawhimnextdaywiththirteenscalpsonhispole.AndIwillsaythisforthe'BigSnake,'thathealwaysdealtfair,andneverscalpedanythathedidn'tkillwithhisownhands.""Well, well!" cried the landlady, "fighting is fighting anyway, and there isdifferentfashionsinthething;thoughIcan'tsaythatIrelishmanglingabodyafter thebreath isoutof it;neitherdoI think itcanbeuphildbydoctrine. Ihope,sargeant,yeniverwashelpinginsichevilworrek.""Itwasmy duty to keepmy ranks, and to stand or fall by the baggonet orlead," returned the veteran. "I was then in the fort, and seldom leavingmy

place, saw but little of the savages, who kept on the flanks or in front,skrimmaging. I remember, howsomever, to haveheardmentionmadeof the'GreatSnake,'ashewascalled,forhewasachiefofrenown;butlittledidIeverexpecttoseehimenlistedinthecauseofChristianity,andcivilizedlikeoldJohn.""Oh!hewasChristianizedbytheMoravians,whowerealwaysover-intimatewith the Delawares," said Leather-Stocking. "It's my opinion that, had theybeen left to themselves, therewouldbenosuchdoingsnowabout thehead-watersof the tworivers,andthat thesehillsmoughthavebeenkeptasgoodhunting-groundby their rightowner,who isnot tooold tocarrya rifle, andwhosesightisastrueasafish-hawkhovering—"Hewasinterruptedbymorestampingatthedoor,andpresentlythepartyfromthemansion-houseentered,followedbytheIndianhimself.

CHAPTERXIV.

"There'squart-pot,pint-pot.Mit-pint,Gill-pot,half-gill,nipperkin.Andthebrownbowl—Here'sahealthtothebarleymow,Mybraveboys,Here'sahealthtothebarleymow."—DrinkingSong.Some little commotionwas produced by the appearance of the new guests,duringwhich the lawyer slunk from the room.Mostof themenapproachedMarmaduke, and shook his offered hand, hoping "that the Judgewaswell;"whileMajorHartmannhavinglaidasidehishatandwig,andsubstitutedforthelatterawarm,peakedwoollennightcap,tookhisseatveryquietlyononeendofthesettee,whichwasrelinquishedbyitsformeroccupant.Histobacco-boxwas next produced, and a clean pipewas handed him by the landlord.Whenhehadsucceededinraisingasmoke,theMajorgavealongwhiff,and,turninghisheadtowardthebar,hesaid:"Petty,pringintertoddy."In themean time the Judge had exchanged his salutationswithmost of thecompany,andtakenaplacebythesideoftheMajor,andRichardhadbustledhimselfintothemostcomfortableseatintheroom.Mr.LeQuoiwasthelastseated,nordidheventuretoplacehischairfinally,untilbyfrequentremovals

hehadascertainedthathecouldnotpossiblyinterceptarayofheatfrontanyindividualpresent.Moheganfoundaplaceonanendofoneof thebenches,andsomewhatapproximatedtothebar.When thesemovementshadsubsided, theJudgeremarkedpleasantly:"Well,Betty,Ifindyouretainyourpopularitythroughallweathers,againstallrivals,andamongallreligions.Howlikedyouthesermon?""Is it thesarmon?"exclaimedthe landlady."Ican'tsaybut itwasrasonable;buttheprayersismightyunasy.It'snosmallamatterforabodyintheirfifty-nint'yeartobemovingsomuchinchurch.Mr.Grantsamesagodlyman,anyway,andhisgarrelahommbleon;andadevout.Here,John,isamugofcider,lacedwithwhiskey.AnIndianwilldrinkcider,thoughheniverbeathirst.""Imust say," observedHiram,with due deliberation, "that itwas a tongneything;andIratherguessthatitgaveconsiderablesatisfaction,Therewasonepart, though,whichmight have been left out, or something else put in; butthen I s'pose that, as itwasawrittendiscourse, it isnot soeasilyalteredaswhereaministerpreacheswithoutnotes.""Ày! there's the rub, Joodge," cried the landlady. "Howcan aman standupandbepreachinghisword,whenallthatheissayingiswrittendown,andheisasmuchtiedtoitasiverathavingdragoonwastothepickets?""Well,well,"criedMarmaduke,wavinghishandforsilence,"thereisenoughsaid;asMr.Granttoldus,therearedifferentsentimentsonsuchsubjects,andinmyopinionhe spokemost sensibly.So, Jotham, I am toldyouhave soldyourbettermentstoanewsettler,andhavemovedintothevillageandopenedaschool.Wasitcashordicker?"The man who was thus addressed occupied a seat immediately behindMarmaduke, and one who was ignorant of the extent of the Judge'sobservationmighthave thoughthewouldhave escapednotice.Hewasof athin,shapelessfigure,withadiscontentedexpressionofcountenance,andwithsomethingextremelyshiftless inhiswholeair,Thusspoken to,after turningandtwistingalittle,bywayofpreparation,hemadeareply:"Whypartcashandpartdicker.Isoldout toaPumfietmanwhowasso'thin'forehanded. He was to giveme ten dollar an acre for the clearin', and onedollaranacreoverthefirstcostonthewoodland,andweagreedtoleavethebuildin's tomen.SoI tuckAsaMontagu,andhetuckAbsalomBement,andtheytwotuckoldSquireNapthaliGreen.Andsotheyhadameetin',andmadeout a vardict of eighty dollars for the buildin's. There was twelve acres ofclearin' at ten dollars, and eighty-eight at one, and the whole came to twohundredandeighty-sixdollarsandahalf,afterpayingthemen.""Hum,"saidMarmaduke,"whatdidyougivefortheplace?"

"Why, besideswhat's comin' to the Judge, I gi'nmy brotherTim a hundreddollars for his bargain; but then there's a newhouse on't, that costme sixtymore, and I paid Moses a hundred dollars for choppin', and loggin', andsowin',sothatthewholestoodtomeinabouttwohundredandsixtydollars.ButthenIhadagreatcropofton't,andasIgottwenty-sixdollarsandahalfmorethanitcost,IconcludeImadeaprettygoodtradeon't.""Yes,butyouforgotthatthecropwasyourswithoutthetrade,andyouhaveturnedyourselfoutofdoorsfortwenty-sixdollars.""Oh! the Judge is clean out," said the man with a look of sagaciouscalculation;"heturnedoutaspanofhorses, that iswuthahundredandfiftydollarsofanyman'smoney,withabran-newwagon;fiftydollarsincash,andagoodnoteforeightymore;andaside-saddlethatwasvaluedatsevenandahalf—sotherewasjisttwelveshillingsbetwixtus.Iwantedhimtoturnoutasetofharness,andtakethecowandthesaptroughs.Hewouldn't—butIsawthroughit;he thoughtIshouldhave tobuy the tacklin'aforeIcoulduse thewagonandhorses;butIknowedathingortwomyself;Ishouldliketoknowofwhat use is the tacklin' to him! I offered him to trade back agin for onehundredandfifty-five.Butmywomansaidshewantedtochurn,soI tuckachurnforthechange.""Andwhatdoyoumeantodowithyourtimethiswinter?Youmustrememberthattimeismoney.""Why,asmasterhasgonedowncountry toseehismother,who, theysay, isgoingtomakeadieon't,Iagreedtotaketheschoolinhandtillhecomesback,Ittimesdoesn'tgetworseinthespring,I'vesomenotionofgoingintotrade,ormaybe Imaymoveoff to theGenesee; theysay theyarecarryin'onagreatstrokeofbusinessthat-a-way.Ifthewustcomestothewust,Icanbutworkatmytrade,forIwasbroughtupinashoemanufactory."ItwouldseemthatMarmadukedidnotthinkhissocietyofsufficientvaluetoattempt inducing him to remain where he was, for he addressed no furtherdiscourse to theman,but turnedhisattention toothersubjects.Afterashortpause,Hiramventuredaquestion:"WhatnewsdoestheJudgebringusfromtheLegislature?It'snotlikelythatCongress has done much this session; or maybe the French haven't fit anymorebattleslately?""The French, since they have beheaded their king, have done nothing butfight,"returnedtheJudge."Thecharacterofthenationseemschanged.IknewmanyFrenchgentlemenduringourwar,andtheyallappearedtometobemenof great humanity and goodness of heart; but these Jacobins are as bloodthirstyasbull-dogs.""TherewasoneRoshambowwidusdownatYorrektown,"criedthelandlady

"amightyprattymanhewas too;and theirhorsewas theverysame. Itwasthere that thesargeantgot thehurt in the legfromtheEnglishbatteries,badluckto'em.""Oh!monpauvreroil"mutteredMonsieurLeQuoi."The Legislature have been passing laws," continuedMarmaduke, "that thecountrymuchrequired.Amongothers,thereisanactprohibitingthedrawingofseines,atanyotherthanproperseasons,incertainofourstreamsandsmalllakes;andanother,toprohibitthekillingofdeerintheteemingmonths.Theseare laws that were loudly called for by judicious men; nor do I despair ofgettinganacttomaketheunlawfulfellingoftimberacriminaloffence."Thehunterlistenedtothisdetailwithbreathlessattention,and,whentheJudgehadended,helaughedinopenderision."Youmaymakeyourlaws,Judge,"hecried,"butwhowillyoufindtowatchthemountainsthroughthelongsummerdays,or thelakesatnight?Gameisgame,andhewhofindsmaykill;thathasbeenthelawinthesemountainsforfortyyearstomysartainknowledge;andIthinkoneoldlawisworthtwonewones.Nonebutagreenonewouldwish tokill adoewitha fa'nby its side,unlesshismoccasinsweregettingold,orhis leggins ragged, for the flesh islean and coarse. But a rifle rings among the rocks along the lake shore,sometimes,asiffiftypieceswerefiredatonce—itwouldbehardtotellwherethemanstoodwhopulledthetrigger.""Armedwiththedignityofthelaw,Mr.Bumppo,"returnedtheJudge,gravely,"avigilantmagistratecanpreventmuchoftheevilthathashithertoprevailed,andwhichisalreadyrenderingthegamescarce.Ihopetolivetoseethedaywhenaman'srightsinhisgameshallbeasmuchrespectedashistitletohisfarm.""Yourtitlesandyourfarmsareallnewtogether,"criedNatty;"butlawsshouldbeequal,andnotmoreforonethananother.Ishotadeer,lastWednesdaywasafortnight,anditflounderedthroughthesnow-bankstillitgotoverabrushfence; Icatched the lockofmyrifle in the twigs in following,andwaskeptback,untilfinallythecreaturegotoff.NowIwanttoknowwhoistopaymeforthatdeer;andafinebuckitwas.Iftherehadn'tbeenafenceIshouldhavegottenanothershotintoit;andIneverdraweduponanythingthathadn'twingsthree times running, in my born days. No, no, Judge, it's the farmers thatmakesthegamescarce,andnotthehunters.""Terteerisnotsoplentyasinteeoldwar,Pumppo,"saidtheMajor,whohadbeenanattentive listener,amidcloudsofsmoke;"put ter lant isnotmateasforterteertoliveon,putforChristians.""Why,Major,Ibelieveyou'reafriendtojusticeandtheright,thoughyougosooften to thegrandhouse;but it'sahardcase toaman tohavehishonest

callingforalivelihoodstoppedbylaws,andthat,too,when,ifrightwasdone,hemoughthuntorfishonanydayintheweek,oronthebestflatinthePatent,ifhewassominded.""Iunterstantyou,Letter-Stockint," returned theMajor, fixinghisblackeyes,witha lookofpeculiarmeaning,on thehunter: "putyoudidn'tuse tobe soprutentastolookahetmitsomuchcare.""Maybetherewasn'tsomuchoccasion,"saidthehunter,alittlesulkily;whenhesankintoasilencefromwhichhewasnotrousedforsometime."TheJudgewassayingso'thin'about theFrench,"Hiramobservedwhen thepauseintheconversationhadcontinuedadecenttime."Yes, sir," returnedMarmaduke, "the Jacobins ofFrance seem rushing fromoneactoflicentiousnesstoanother,Theycontinuethosemurderswhicharedignifiedbythenameofexecutions.Youhaveheardthattheyhaveaddedthedeathoftheirqueentothelonglistoftheircrimes.""Lesmonstres!"againmurmuredMonsieurLeQuoi,turninghimselfsuddenlyinhischair,withaconvulsivestart."TheprovinceofLaVendée is laidwasteby the troopsof the republic, andhundredsofitsinhabitants,whoareroyalistsintheirsentiments,areshotatatime. LaVendée is a district in the southwest of France, that continues yetmuchattachedtothefamilyoftheBourbons;doubtlessMonsieurLeQuoiisacquaintedwithit,andcandescribeitmorefaithfully.""Non, non, non, mon cher ami," returned the Frenchman in a suppressedvoice, but speaking rapidly, and gesticulating with his right hand, as if formercy,whilewithhisleftheconcealedhiseyes."Therehavebeenmanybattlesfoughtlately,"continuedMarmaduke,"andtheinfuriatedrepublicansaretoooftenvictorious.Icannotsay,however,thatIamsorry that they have captured Toulon from the English, for it is a place towhichtheyhaveajustright.""Ah—ha!"exclaimedMonsieurLeQuoi,springingonhisfeetandflourishingbotharmswithgreatanimation;"cesAnglais!"TheFrenchman continued tomove about the roomwith great alacrity for afewminutes, repeating his exclamations to himself; when overcome by thecontrarynatureofhisemotions,hesuddenlyburstoutofthehouse,andwasseenwadingthroughthesnowtowardhislittleshop,wavinghisarmsonhigh,as if to pluck down honor from the moon. His departure excited but littlesurprise, for the villagers were used to his manner; but Major Hartmannlaughed outright, for the first during his visit, as he lifted the mug, andobserved:"TerFrenchmanismat—putheisgootasfornotingtotrink:heistrunkmit

joy.""TheFrencharegoodsoldiers,"saidCaptainHollister;"theystoodusinhandagoodturnatYorktown;nordoIthink,althoughIamanignorantmanaboutthegreatmovementsofthearmy,thathisexcellencywouldhavebeenabletomarchagainstCornwalliswithouttheirreinforcements.""Yespakethetrot',sargeant,"interruptedhiswife,"andIwouldiverhaveyebedoingthesame.It'svarryprattymenistheFrench;andjistwhenIstoptthecart,thetimewhenyewaspushingoninfrontitwas,tokapetheriglersin,arigimentofthejontlemenmarchedby,andsoIdealtthemouttotheirliking.Was it pay I got? Sure did I, and in good solid crowns; the divil a bit ofcontinentalcould theymusteramongthemall, for lovenormoney.Och! theLordforgivemeforswearingandspakeingofsuchvanities;butthisIwillsayfor theFrench, that theypaidingoodsilver;andoneglasswouldgoagreatwaywid'em,fortheygin'rallyhandeditbackwidadropinthecup;andthat'sabrisktrade,Joodge,wherethepayisgood,andthemennotover-partic'lar.""Athrivingtrade,Mrs.Hollister,"saidMarmaduke."ButwhathasbecomeofRichard?hejumpedupassoonasseated,andhasbeenabsentsolongthatIamreallyfearfulhehasfrozen.""No fearof that,Cousin 'Duke,"cried thegentlemanhimself; "businesswillsometimes keep a man warm the coldest night that ever snapt in themountains.Betty,yourhusbandtoldme,aswecameoutofchurch,thatyourhogsweregettingmangy,andsoIhavebeenouttotakealookatthem,andfound it true. I stepped across, doctor, and got your boy toweighme out apoundof salts, and have beenmixing itwith their swill. I'll bet a saddle ofvenisonagainstagraysquirrelthattheyarebetterinaweek.Andnow,Mrs.Hollister,I'mreadyforahissingmugofflip.""Sure I know'd ye'd bewanting that same," said the landlady; "it's fixt andreadytotheboiling.Sargeant,dear,behandinguptheiron,willye?—no,theoneonthefarfire,it'sblack,yewillsee.Ah!you'vethethingnow;lookifit'snotasredasacherry."Thebeveragewasheated,andRichardtookthatkindof draught which men are apt to indulge in who think that they have justexecutedacleverthing,especiallywhentheyliketheliquor."Oh! you have a hand. Betty, that was formed to mix flip," cried Richard,whenhepausedforbreath."Theveryironhasaflavorinit.Here,John,drink,man,drink!IandyouandDr.Toddhavedoneagoodthingwiththeshoulderof that lad thisverynight. 'Duke, Imadeasongwhileyouweregone—onedaywhenIhadnothingtodo;soI'llsingyouaverseortwo,thoughIhaven'treallydeterminedonthetuneyet."Whatislifebutasceneofcare,Whereeachonemusttoilinhisway?Thenletusbe jolly,andprove thatweareAsetofgood fellows,whoseemvery

rare,Andcanlaughandsingall theday.ThenletusbejollyAndcastawayfolly,Forgriefturnsablackheadtogray.""There,'Duke,whatdoyouthinkofthat?Thereisanotherverseofit,allbutthelastline.Ihaven'tgotarhymeforthelastlineyet.Well,oldJohn,whatdoyouthinkofthemusic?asgoodasoneofyourwar-songs,ha?""Good!"saidMohegan,whohadbeensharingdeeply in thepotationsof thelandlady,besidespayingaproperrespecttothepassingmugsoftheMajorandMarmaduke."Bravo!pravo!Richart,"criedtheMajor,whoseblackeyeswerebeginningtoswiminmoisture;"pravisimohisagootsong;putNattyPumppohasapetter.Letter-Stockint,viltsing?say,oltpoy,viltsingtersongasapoutterwools?""No,no,Major,"returnedthehunter,withamelancholyshakeofthehead,"IhavelivedtoseewhatIthoughteyescouldneverbeholdinthesehills,andIhavenoheartleftforsinging.Ifhethathasarighttobemasterandrulerhereis forced to squinch his thirst, when a-dry, with snow-Water, it ill becomesthemthathavelivedbyhisbountytobemakingmerry,asiftherewasnothingintheworldbutsunshineandsummer."Whenhehadspoken,Leather-Stockingagaindroppedhisheadonhisknees,andconcealedhishardandwrinkledfeatureswithhishands.Thechangefromtheexcessivecoldwithouttotheheatofthebar-room,coupledwiththedepthandfrequencyofRichard'sdraughts,hadalreadylevelledwhateverinequalitytheremight have existed between him and the other guests, on the score ofspirits;andhenowheldoutapairofswimmingmugsoffoamingfliptowardthehunter,ashecried:"Merry!ay!merryChristmastoyou,oldboy!Sunshineandsummer!no!youareblind,Leather-Stocking,'tismoonshineandwinter—takethesespectacles,andopenyoureyes—Soletusbejolly,Andcastawayfolly,Forgriefturnsablackheadtogray.—Hearhowold John turnshisquavers.Whatdamneddullmusic an Indiansongis,afterall,Major!Iwonderiftheyeversingbynote."While Richard was singing and talking, Mohegan was uttering dull,monotonoustones,keepingtimebyagentlemotionofhisheadandbody.Hemade use of but few words, and such as he did utter were in his nativelanguage, and consequently only understood by himself andNatty.WithoutheedingRichard,hecontinuedtosingakindofwild,melancholyair,thatrose,attimes,insuddenandquiteelevatednotes,andthenfellagainintothelow,quaveringsoundsthatseemedtocomposethecharacterofhismusic.

The attention of the company was nowmuch divided, the men in the rearhaving formed themselves into little groups, where they were discussingvariousmatters; among the principal ofwhichwere the treatment ofmangyhogsandParsonGrant'spreaching;whileDr.ToddwasendeavoringtoexplaintoMarmadukethenatureofthehurtreceivedbytheyounghunter.Mohegancontinued to sing, while his countenance was becoming vacant, though,coupledwithhisthick,bushyhair,itwasassuminganexpressionverymuchlikebrutalferocity.Hisnotesweregraduallygrowinglouder,andsoonrosetoa height that caused a general cessation in the discourse. The hunter nowraisedhisheadagain,andaddressedtheoldwarriorwarmlyintheDelawarelanguage, which, for the benefit of our readers, we shall render freely intoEnglish."Whydoyousingofyourbattles,Chingachgook,andofthewarriorsyouhaveslain,when theworst enemyof all is near you, and keeps theYoungEaglefromhisrights?Ihavefoughtinasmanybattlesasanywarriorinyourtribe,butcannotboastofmydeedsatsuchatimeasthis.""Hawk-eye,"saidtheIndian,totteringwithadoubtfulstepfromhisplace,"IamtheGreatSnakeof theDelawares;IcantracktheMingoes likeanadderthat is stealing on the whip-poor-will's eggs, and strike them like therattlesnake dead at a blow. The white man made the tomahawk ofChingachgookbrightasthewatersofOtsego,whenthelastsunisshining;butitisredwiththebloodoftheMaquas.""And why have you slain the Mingo warriors? Was it not to keep thesehunting-groundsandlakestoyourfather'schildren?andweretheynotgiveninsolemncounciltotheFire-eater?anddoesnotthebloodofawarriorrunintheveinsofayoungchief,whoshouldspeakaloudwherehisvoiceisnowtoolowtobeheard?"The appeal of the hunter seemed in some measure to recall the confusedfaculties of the Indian, who turned his face toward the listeners and gazedintently on the Judge. He shook his head, throwing his hair back from hiscountenance,andexposedeyes thatwereglaringwithanexpressionofwildresentment.Butthemanwasnothimself.Hishandseemedtomakeafruitlesseffort toreleasehis tomahawk,whichwasconfinedbyitshandle tohisbelt,while his eyes gradually became vacant. Richard at that instant thrusting amug before him, his features changed to the grin of idiocy, and seizing thevessel with both hands, he sank backward on the bench and drank untilsatiated,whenhemadeanefforttolayasidethemugwiththehelplessnessoftotalinebriety."Shednotblood!"exclaimedthehunter,ashewatchedthecountenanceoftheIndianinitsmomentofferocity;"butheisdrunkandcandonoharm.Thisisthe way with all the savages; give them liquor, and they make dogs of

themselves.Well,well—thedaywill comewhen rightwillbedone;andwemusthavepatience."NattystillspokeintheDelawarelanguage,andofcoursewasnotunderstood.HehadhardlyconcludedbeforeRichardcried:"Well,oldJohnissoonsewedup.Givehimaberth,captain,inthebarn,andIwill pay for it. I am rich to night, ten times richer than 'Duke,with all hislands,andmilitarylots,andfundeddebts,andbonds,andmortgages,'Come,letusbejolly,Andcastawayfolly,Forgrief—-'"Drink, King Hiram—drink, Mr. Doo-nothing—-drink, sir, I say. This is aChristmaseve,whichcomes,youknow,butonceayear.""He!he!he!thesquireisquitemoosicalto-night,"saidHiram,whosevisagebegantogivemarvelloussignsofrelaxation."Iratherguessweshallmakeachurchon'tyet,squire?""A church, Mr. Doolittle! we will make a cathedral of it! bishops, priests,deacons, wardens, vestry, and choir; organ, organist, amid bellows! By theLordHarry,asBenjaminsays,wewillclapasteepleontheotherendofit,andmaketwochurchesof it.Whatsayyou, 'Duke,willyoupay?ha!mycousinJudge,wiltpay?""Thoumakest suchanoise,Dickon," returnedMarmaduke, "it is impossiblethatIcanhearwhatDr.Toddissaying.Ithinkthouobservedst,itisprobablethe wound will fester, so as to occasion danger to the limb in this coldweather?""Outofnater,sir,quiteoutofnater,"saidElnathan,attemptingtoexpectorate,butsucceedingonlyinthrowingalight,frothysubstance,likeaflakeofsnow,into the fire—"quiteoutofnater thatawoundsowelldressed,andwith theball in my pocket, should fester. I s'pose, as the Judge talks of taking theyoungmanintohishouse,itwillbemostconvenientifImakebutonechargeon't.""Ishouldthinkonewoulddo,"returnedMarmaduke,withthatarchsmilethatsooftenbeamedonhis face; leaving thebeholder indoubtwhetherhemostenjoyedthecharacterofhiscompanionorhisowncoverthumor.ThelandlordhadsucceededinplacingtheIndianonsomestrawinoneofhisoutbuildings,where,coveredwithhisownblanket,Johncontinuedfortheremainderofthenight.In themean time,Major Hartmann began to grow noisy and jocular; glasssucceededglass,andmugaftermugwasintroduced,untilthecarousalhadrundeepintothenight,orrathermorning;whentheveteranGermanexpressedaninclination to return to the mansion-house. Most of the party had already

retired,butMarmadukeknew thehabitsofhis friend toowell to suggest anearlieradjournment.Sosoon,however,as theproposalwasmade, theJudgeeagerly availed himself of it, and the trio prepared to depart.Mrs.Hollisterattended them to the door in person, cautioning her guests as to the safestmannerofleavingherpremises."LaneonMisterJones,Major,"saidshe"he'syoungandwillbeasupporttoye.Well, it'sacharmingsight toseeye,anyway,at theBouldDragoon;andsure it's no harm to be kaping aChristmas evewid a light heart, for it's notellingwhenwemayhavesorrowcomeuponus.Sogood-night,Joodge,andamerryChristmastoyealltomorrowmorning."Thegentlemenmadetheiradieusaswellastheycould,andtakingthemiddleof theroad,whichwasafine,wide,andwell-beatenpath, theydidtolerablywell until they reached the gate of the mansion-house: but on entering theJudge'sdomainstheyencounteredsomeslightdifficulties.Weshallnotstoptorelatethem,butwill justmentionthat inthemorningsundrydivergingpathsweretobeseeninthesnow;andthatonceduringtheirprogresstothedoor,Marmaduke,missing his companions, was enabled to trace them by one ofthesepathstoaspotwherehediscoveredthemwithnothingvisiblebuttheirheads,Richardsinginginamostvivaciousstrain:"Come, let us be jolly,And cast away folly, For grief turns a black head togray."

CHAPTERXV.

"Asshelay,onthatday,intheBayofBiscay,O!"Previouslytotheoccurrenceofthesceneatthe"BoldDragoon,"Elizabethhadbeen safely reconducted to the mansion-house, where she was left as itsmistress,eithertoamuseoremployherselfduringtheeveningasbestsuitedherown inclinations.Mostof the lightswereextinguished;but asBenjaminadjustedwithgreatcareandregularityfourlargecandles,inasmanymassivecandlesticksofbrass,inarowonthesideboard,thehallpossessedapeculiarairofcomfort andwarmth, contrastedwith thecheerlessaspectof the roomshehadleftintheacademy.RemarkablehadbeenoneofthelistenerstoMr.Grant,andreturnedwithherresentment,whichhadbeennotalittleexcitedbythelanguageoftheJudge,somewhatsoftenedbyreflectionandtheworship.SherecollectedtheyouthofElizabeth, and thought it no difficult task, under present appearances, toexercisethatpowerindirectlywhichhithertoshehadenjoyedundisputed.Theidea of being governed, or of being compelled to pay the deference of

servitude,wasabsolutely intolerable;andshehadalreadydeterminedwithinherself,somehalfdozentimes,tomakeaneffortthatshouldatoncebringtoanissuethedelicatepointofherdomesticcondition.Butasoftenasshemetthe dark, proud eye of Elizabeth, who was walking up and down theapartment,musingonthescenesofheryouthandthechangeinhercondition,andperhaps the eventsof theday, thehousekeeper experiencedan awe thatshewouldnotowntoherselfcouldbeexcitedbyanythingmortal.It,however,checkedheradvances,andforsometimeheldhertongue-tied.Atlengthshedeterminedtocommencethediscoursebyenteringonasubjectthatwasapttolevelallhumandistinctions,andinwhichshemightdisplayherownabilities."It was quite a wordy sarmon that Parson Grant gave us to-night," saidRemarkable."Thechurchministersbecommonlysmartsarmonizers,buttheywritedowntheiridees,whichisagreatprivilege.Idon'tthinkthat,bynater,theyareastongueyspeakers,foranoff-handdiscourse,asthestanding-orderministers.""Andwhatdenominationdoyoudistinguishasthestanding-order?"inquiredMissTemple,withsomesurprise."Why, thePresbyter'ans andCongregationals, andBaptists, too, for-til' now;andallsitchasdon'tgoontheirkneestoprayer.""Bythatrule,then,youwouldcallthosewhobelong'tothepersuasionofmyfather, the sitting-order," observedElizabeth. "I'm sure I've never heard 'emspokenofbyanyother'namethanQuakers,socalled,"returnedRemarkable,betrayingaslightuneasiness;"Ishouldbethelasttocallthemotherwise,forInever inmy lifeusedadisparaging' tarmof theJudge,oranyofhis family.I'vealwayssetstorebytheQuakers,theyaresopretty-spoken,cleverpeople,and it's awonderment tome how your father come tomarry into a churchfamily;fortheyareascontraryinreligionascanbe.Onesitsstill,and,forthemostpart;saysnothing,whilethechurchfolkspractyseallkindsofways,sothat Isometimes think itquitemoosical tosee them;forIwent toachurch-meetingoncebefore,downcountry.""Youhavefoundanexcellenceinthechurchliturgythathashithertoescapedme. I will thank you to inquire whether the fire in my room burns; I feelfatiguedwithmyjourney,andwillretire."Remarkable felt a wonderful inclination to tell the young mistress of themansionthatbyopeningadoorshemightseeforherself;butprudencegotthebetter of resentment, and after pausing some little time, as a salve to herdignity, she did as desired. The report was favorable, and the young lady,wishingBenjamin,whowasfillingthestovewithwood,andthehousekeeper,eachagood-night,withdrew.TheinstantthedoorclosedonMissTemple,Remarkablecommencedasort

of mysterious, ambiguous discourse, that was neither abusive norcommendatoryof thequalitiesof theabsentpersonage,butwhichseemedtobe drawing nigh, by regular degrees, to amost dissatisfied description. Themajor-domomadenoreply,butcontinuedhisoccupationwithgreatindustry,whichbeinghappilycompleted,he tooka lookat the thermometer,andthenopening a drawer of the sideboard, he produced a supply of stimulants thatwould have served to keep thewarmth in his systemwithout the aid of theenormous fire he had been building. A small stand was drawn up near thestove,andthebottlesandtheglassesnecessaryforconveniencewerequietlyarranged. Two chairs were placed by the side of this comfortable situation,whenBenjamin,forthefirsttime,appearedtoobservehiscompanion."Come,"hecried,"come,MistressRemarkable,bringyourselftoananchoronthischair.It'sapeelerwithout,Icantellyou,goodwoman;butwhatcaresI?blowhighorblowlow,d'yesee,it'sallthesamethingtoBen.Theniggersaresnug stowed below before a fire that would roast an ox whole. Thethermometerstandsnowatfifty-five,butif there'sanyvartueingoodmaplewood, I'llweatherupon it,beforeoneglass, asmuchas tenpointsmore, sothatthesquire,whenhecomeshomefromBettyHollister'swarmroom,willfeel as hot as a hand that has given the rigging a lickwith bad tar. Come,mistress, bring up in this here chair, and tell me how you like our newheiress.""Why,tomynotion,Mr.Penguillum——""Pump, Pump," interrupted Benjamin; "it's Christmas eve, MistressRemarkable,andso,dyesee,youhadbettercallmePump.It'sashortername,andasImeantopumpthisheredecantertill itsucks,why,youmayaswellcallmePump.""Didyouever!"criedRemarkable,withalaughthatseemedtounhingeeveryjoint in her body. "You're a moosical creature, Benjamin, when the notiontakesyou.But,asIwassaying,Iratherguessthattimeswillbealterednowinthishouse.""Altered!" exclaimed themajor-domo, eyeing the bottle, that was assumingtheclearaspectofcutglasswithastonishingrapidity;"itdon'tmattermuch,MistressRemarkable,solongasIkeepthekeysofthelockersinmypocket.""I can't say," continued the housekeeper, "but there's good eatables anddrinkables enough in the house for a body's content—a little more sugar,Benjamin, in the glass—for Squire Jones is an excellent provider. But newlords,newlaws;andIshouldn'twonderifyouandIhadanunsartaintimeon'tinfooter.""Lifeisasunsartainasthewindthatblows,"saidBenjamin,withamoralizingair;"andnothingismorevariblethanthewind,MistressRemarkable,unless

youhappentofallinwiththetrades,d'yesee,andthenyoumayrunforthematterofamonthatatime,withstudding-sailsonbothsides,alowandaloft,andwiththecabin-boyatthewheel.""I know that life is disp'ut unsartain," said Remark able, compressing herfeatures to the humor of her companion; "but I expect there will be greatchangesmadeinthehousetorights;andthatyouwillfindayoungmanputoveryourhead,as there isone thatwants tobeovermine;andafterhavingbeensettledaslongasyouhave,Benjamin,Ishouldjudgethattobehard.""Promotion shouldgoaccording to lengthof sarvice," said themajor-domo;"andif-so-bethattheyshipahandformyberth,orplaceanewstewardaft,Ishall throwupmycommission in less time thanyou canput apilot-boat instays. The Squire Dickon"—this was a common misnomer with Benjamin—"isanicegentleman,andasgoodamantosailwithasheartcouldwish,yetI shall tel thesquire,d'yesee, inplainEnglish,and that'smynative tongue,that if-so-beheis thinkingofputtinganyJohnnyRawovermyhead,why,Ishall resign. I began forrard,Mistress Prettybones, andworkedmyway aft,likeaman.IwassixmonthsaboardaGarnseylugger,haulingintheslackofthelee-sheetandcoilinguprigging.FromthatIwentafewtripsinafore-and-after,inthesametrade,which,afterall,wasbutablindkindofsailinginthedark,whereaman larnsbut little,exceptinghowtosteerby thestars.Well,then,d'yesee,Ilarnthowatopmastshouldbeslushed,andhowatopgallant-sailwastobebecketted;andthenIdidsmalljobsinthecabin,suchasmixingthe skipper's grog. 'Twas there I got my taste, which, youmust have oftenseen,isexcellent.Well,here'sbetteracquaintancetous."Remarkablenoddeda return to the compliment, and took a sip of the beverage before her; for,provideditwaswellsweetened,shehadnoobjectiontoasmallpotationnowand then,After this observance of courtesy between theworthy couple, thedialogueproceeded."Youhavehadgreat experiences in life,Benjamin; for, as theScripter says,'TheythatgodowntotheseainshipsseetheworksoftheLord.'""Ay!for thatmatter, theyinbrigsandschooners, too;anditmoughtsay, theworks of the devil.The sea,MistressRemarkable, is a great advantage to aman, in the way of knowledge, for he sees the fashions of nations and theshapeofacountry.Now,Isuppose, formyselfhere,who isbutanunlarnedmantosomethatfollowstheseas,Isupposethat,takingthecoastfromCapeLer Hogue as low down as Cape Finish-there, there isn't so much as aheadland, or an island, that I don't knoweither thenameof it or somethingmoreor lessabout it.Takeenough,woman, tocolor thewater.Here'ssugar.It'sasweettooth,thatfellowthatyouholdonuponyet,MistressPrettybones.But,asIwassaying,takethewholecoastalong,Iknowitaswellasthewayfrom here to the BoldDragoon; and a devil of acquaintance is that Bay of

Biscay.Whew!Iwishyoucouldbuthear thewindblowthere.Itsometimestakes two to hold oneman's hair on his head. Scudding through the bay isprettymuchthesamethingastravellingtheroadsinthiscountry,uponesideofamountainanddowntheother.""Dotell!"exclaimedRemarkable;"anddoesthesearunashighasmountains,Benjamin?""Well,Iwilltell;butfirstlet'stastethegrog.Hem!it'stherightkindofstuff,Imust say, that you keep in this country; but then you're so close aboard theWest Indies, youmake but a small run of it.By theLordHarry,woman, ifGarnseyonlylaysomewherebetweenCapeHatterasandthebiteofLogann,butyou'dseerumcheap!Astotheseas,theyrunsmoreinuppersintheBayof Biscay, unless itmay be in a sow-wester, when they tumble about quitehandsomely;thofit'snotinthenarrowseathatyouaretolookforaswell;justgo off the Western Islands, in a westerly blow, keeping the land on yourlarboard hand, with the ship's head to the south'ard, and bring to, under aclose-reefedtopsail;or,mayhap,areefedforesail,withafore-topmast-staysailandmizzenstaysailtokeepheruptothesea,ifshewillbearit;andaytherefor the matter of two watches, if you want to see mountains. Why, goodwoman, I've been off there in the Boadishey frigate, when you could seenothingbut somesuchmatterasapieceof sky,mayhap,asbigas themainsail; and then again, therewas a hole under your lee-quarter big enough toholdthewholeBritishnavy.""Oh!formassy'ssake!andwa'n'tyouafeard,Benjamin?andhowdidyougetoff?""Afeard!whothedevildoyouthinkwastobefrightenedatalittlesaltwatertumblingabouthishead?As forgettingoff,whenwehadenoughof it, andhadwashedourdecksdownprettywell,wecalledallhands,for,d'yesee,thewatchbelowwas in their hammocks, all the sameas if theywere inoneofyourbestbedrooms;andsowewatchedforasmoothtime,claptherhelmhardaweather, let fall theforesail,andgot the tackaboard;andso,whenwegotheraforeit,Iaskyou,MistressPrettybones,ifshedidn'twalk?didn'tshe?I'mnoliar,goodwoman,whenIsaythatIsawthatshipjumpfromthetopofoneseatoanother,justlikeoneofthesesquirrelsthatcanflyjumpsfromtreetotree.""What!cleanoutofthewater?"exclaimedRemarkable, liftinghertwolankarms,withtheirbonyhandsspreadinastonishment."Itwasnosucheasymatte:togetoutofthewater,goodwoman;forthesprayflewsothatyoucouldn'ttellwhichwasseaorwhichwascloud.Sotherewekeptheraforeitforthematteroftwoglasses.Thefirstlieutenanthecun'dtheship himself, and there was four quarter masters at the wheel, besides the

masterwith six forecastlemen in thegun-roomat the relieving tackles.Butthenshebehavedherselfsowell!Oh!shewasasweetship,mistress!Thatonefrigatewaswellworthmore,tolivein,thanthebesthouseintheisland.IfIwaskingofEnglandI'dhaveherhauledupaboveLon'onbridge,andfitherupforapalace;becausewhy?ifanybodycanaffordto livecomfortably,hismajestycan.""Well! but, Benjamin," cried the listener, who was in an ecstasy ofastonishmentatthisrelationofthesteward'sdangers,"whatdidyoudo?""Do! why, we did our duty like hearty fellows. Now if the countrymen ofMonnsheerLerQuawhadbeenaboardofher,theywouldhavejuststruckherashore on some of them small islands; but we run along the land until wefoundherdeadtoleewardoffthemountainsofPico,anddam'meifIknowtothis day how we got there—whether we jumped over the island or hauledround it; but therewewas, and therewe lay, under easy sail, fore-reachingfirstupononetackandthenupont'other,soastopokehernoseoutnowandthenandtakealooktowind'ardtillthegalebloweditspipeout.""Iwonder,now!"exclaimedRemarkable,towhommostofthetermsusedbyBenjaminwereperfectlyunintelligible,butwhohadgotaconfusedideaofaraging tempest. "Itmustbe an awful life, that going to sea! and I don't feelastonishment that you are so affrontedwith the thoughts, ofbeing forced toquitacomfortablehomelikethis.Notthatabodycaresmuchfor't,asthere'smorehousesthanonetolivein.Why,whentheJudgeagreedwithmetocomeand livewithhim, I'dnomorenotionof stoppingany time thananything. Ihappened in just toseehowthe familydid,aboutaweekafterMrs.Templedied, thinking to be back home agin' night; but the family was in such adistressedway that I couldn'tbut stopawhile andhelpemon. I thought thesituationagoodone,seeingthatIwasanunmarriedbody,andtheyweresomuchinwantofhelp;soItarried.""Andalongtimeyou'veleftyouranchorsdowninthesameplace,mistress.Ithinkyo'mustfindthattheshiprideseasy.""Howyoutalk,Benjamin!there'snobelievingawordyousay.ImustsaythattheJudgeandSquireJoneshavebothactedquiteclever,solong;butIseethatnowweshallhaveaspecimentothecontrary.IheernsaythatstheJudgewasgone a great 'broad, and that hemeant to bring his darter hum, but I didn'tcalculateonsichcarrinson.Tomynotion,Benjamin,she'slikelytoturnoutadesp'utuglygal.""Ugly!"echoedthemajor-domo,openingeyesthatwerebeginningtocloseinaverysuspicioussleepiness,inwideamazement."BytheLordHarry,woman,I should as soon think of calling the Boadishey a clumsy frigate.What thedevilwouldyouhave?Arn't her eyes as bright as themorning and evening

stars?andisn'therhairasblackandglisteningasriggingthathas justhadalick of tar? doesn't shemove as stately as a first-rate in smoothwater, on abowline?Why,woman, the figure-head of theBoadisheywas a fool to her,and that,as I'veoftenheard thecaptainsay,wasan imageofagreatqueen;and arn't queens always comely,woman? forwho do you thinkwould be aking,andnotchooseahandsomebedfellow?""Talk decent, Benjamin," said the housekeeper, "Or I won't keep yourcompany.Idon'tgainsayherbeingcomelytolookon,butIwillmaintainthatshe'slikelytoshowpoorconduct.Sheseemstothinkherselftoogoodtotalktoabody.FromwhatSquireJoneshadtelledme,Isomeexpectedtobequitecaptivated by her company. Now, to my reckoning, Lowizy Grant is muchmore pritty behaved than Betsey Temple. She wouldn't so much as holddiscoursewithmewhenIwantedtoaskherhowshefeltoncominghomeandmissinghermammy.""Perhaps she didn't understand you, woman; you are none of the bestlinguister;andthenMissLizzyhasbeenexercisingtheking'sEnglishunderagreatLon'onlady,and,forthatmatter,cantalkthelanguagealmostaswellasmyself,oranynative-bornBritishsubject.You'veforgotyourschooling,andtheyoungmistressisagreatscollard.""Mistress!"criedRemarkable;"don'tmakeoneouttobeanigger,Benjamin.She'snomistressofmine,andneverwillbe.Andastospeech,Iholdmyselfas second to nobody out of New England. I was born and raised in EssexCounty; and I've always heern say that the Bay State was provarbal forpronounsation!""I'veoftenheardofthatBayofState,"saidBenjamin,"butcan'tsaythatI'veever been in it, nor do I know exactly whereaway it is that it lays; but Isupposethereisgoodanchorageinit,andthatit'snobadplaceforthetakingofling;butforsizeitcan'tbesomuchasayawltoasloopofwarcomparedwiththeBayofBiscay,or,mayhap,Torbay.Andasforlanguage,ifyouwantto hear the dictionary overhauled like a log-line in a blow, youmust go toWappingandlistentotheLon'onersastheydealouttheirlingo.Howsomever,I see no such mighty matter thatMiss Lizzy has been doing to you, goodwoman; so take another drop of your brews and forgive and forget, like anhonestsoul.""No,indeed!andIshan'tdositchathing,Benjamin.Thistreatmentisanewitytome,andwhatIwon'tputupwith.Ihaveahundredandfiftydollarsatuse,besidesabedandtwentysheep,togood;andIdon'tcravetoliveinahousewhereabodymustn't call ayoungwomanbyhergivenname toher face. IwillcallherBetseyasmuchasIplease;it'safreecountry,andnoonecanstopme. I did intend to stopwhile summer, but I shall quit to-morrowmorning;andIwilltalkjustasIplease."

"Forthatmatter,MistressRemarkable,"saidBenjamin,"there'snoneherewhowill contradict you; for I'm of opinion that it would be as easy to stop ahurricanewithaBarcelonyhandkerchyas tobringupyour tonguewhenthestopper is off. I say, good woman, do they growmanymonkeys along theshoresofthatBayofState?""You'reamonkeyyourself,Mr.Penguillum,"cried theenragedhousekeeper,"orabear—ablack,beastlybear!andain'tfitforadecentwomantostaywith.I'll never, keepyour companyagin, sir, if I should live thirtyyearswith theJudge. Sitch talk is more befitting the kitchen than the keeping-room of ahouseofonewhoiswell-to-dointheworld.""Lookyou,MistressPitty—Patty———Prettybones,mayhap I'm some suchmatterasabear,astheywillfindwhocometograpplewithme;butdam'meifI'mamonkey—athingthatchatterswithoutknowingawordofwhatitsays—aparrot;thatwillholdadialogue,forwhatanhonestmanknows,inadozenlanguages;mayhapintheBayofStatelingo;mayhapinGreekorHighDutch.But dost it knowwhat itmeans itself? canst answerme that, goodwoman?Yourmidshipmancansingout,andpasstheword,whenthecaptaingivestheorder,butjustsendhimadriftbyhimself,andlethimworktheshipofhisownhead,andstopmygrogifyoudon'tfindalltheJohnnyRawslaughingathim.""Stopyourgrog,indeed!"saidRemarkable,risingwithgreatindignation,andseizingacandle;"you'regroggynow,BenjaminandI'llquittheroombeforeIhear any misbecoming words from you." The housekeeper retired, with amanner but little less dignified, as she thought, than the air of the heiress,muttering as she drew the door after her, with a noise like the report of amusket,theopprobrioustermsof"drunkard,""sot,"and"beast.""Who's thatyousay isdrunk?"criedBenjaminfiercely, risingandmakingamovement towardRemarkable. "You talk ofmustering yourselfwith a ladyyou're just fit to grumble and find fault. Where the devil should you larnbehavioranddictionary?inyourdamnedBayofState,ha?"Benjaminhere fellback inhischair, andsoongavevent tocertainominoussounds,which resembled not a little the growling of his favorite animal thebear itself.Be fore,however,hewasquite locked—touse the language thatwouldsuittheDella-cruscanhumorofcertainrefinedmindsofthepresentday—"inthearmsofMorpheus,"hespokealoud,observingduepausesbetweenhis epithets, the impressive terms of "monkey," "parrot," "picnic," "tar pot,"and"linguisters"Weshallnotattempttoexplainhismeaningnorconnecthissentences;andourreadersmust be satisfiedwith our informing them that theywere expressedwithallthatcoolnessofcontemptthatamanmightwellbesupposedtofeelforamonkey.

Nearlytwohourspassedinthissleepbeforethemajordomowasawakenedbythe noisy entrance of Richard, Major Hartmann, and the master of themansion.Benjaminsofarralliedhisconfusedfacultiesastoshapethecourseofthetwoformertotheirrespectiveapartments,whenhedisappearedhimself,leaving the taskofsecuring thehouse tohimwhowasmost interested in itssafety. Locks and bars were but little attended to in the early days of thatsettlement,andsosoonasMarmadukehadgivenaneyetotheenormousfiresofhisdwellinghe retired.With thisactofprudencecloses the firstnightofourtale.

CHAPTERXVI

"Watch(aside).Sometreason,masters—Yetstandclose."—MuchAdoAboutNothing.Itwas fortunate formore than one of the bacchanalianswho left the "BoldDragoon"lateintheeveningthattheseverecoldoftheseasonwasbecomingrapidlylessdangerousastheythreadedthedifferentmazesthroughthesnow-banksthatledtotheirrespectivedwellings.Thendrivingcloudsbegantowardmorningtoflitacrosstheheavens,andthemoonsetbehindavolumeofvaporthat was impelled furiously toward the north, carrying with it the softeratmospherefromthedistantocean.Therisingsunwasobscuredbydenserandincreasing columns of clouds, while the southerly wind that rushed up thevalleybroughtthenever-failingsymptomsofathaw.It was quite late in themorning before Elizabeth, observing the faint glowwhich appeared on the easternmountain long after the light of the sun hadstrucktheoppositehills,venturedfromthehouse,withaviewtogratifyhercuriositywithaglancebydaylightatthesurroundingobjectsbeforethetardyrevellersoftheChristmaseveshouldmaketheirappearanceatthebreakfast-table.Whileshewasdrawingthefoldsofherpelissemorecloselyaroundherform,toguardagainstacoldthatwasyetgreatthoughrapidlyyielding,inthesmall inclosurethatopenedintherearof thehouseonalittle thicketof lowpinesthatwerespringingupwheretreesofamightiergrowthhadlatelystood,shewassurprisedatthevoiceofMr.Jones."MerryChristmas,merryChristmas to you,CousinBess," he shouted. "Ah,ha!anearlyriser,Isee;butIknewIshouldstealamarchonyou.IneverwasinahouseyetwhereIdidn'tgetthefirstChristmasgreetingoneverysoulinit,man,woman, and child—great and small—black,white, and yellow.But

stop a minute till I can just slip on my coat. You are about to look at theimprovements,Isee,whichnoonecanexplainsowellasI,whoplannedthemall.Itwillbeanhourbefore'DukeandtheMajorcansleepoffMrs.Hollister'sconfoundeddistillations,andsoI'llcomedownandgowithyou."Elizabethturnedandobservedhercousininhisnightcap,withhisheadoutofhis bedroom window, where his zeal for pre-eminence, in defiance of theweather,hadimpelledhimtothrustit.Shelaughed,andpromisingtowaitforhis company re-entered the house,making her appearance again, holding inherhandapacketthatwassecuredbyseverallargeandimportantseals,justintimetomeetthegentleman."Come,Bessy,come,"hecried,drawingoneofherarmsthroughhisown;"thesnowbeginstogive,butitwillbearusyet.Don'tyousnuffoldPennsylvaniaintheveryair?Thisisavileclimate,girl;nowatsunset,lastevening,itwascold enough to freeze a man's zeal, and that, I can tell you, takes athermometernearzeroforme;thenaboutnineortenitbegantomoderate;attwelveitwasquitemild,andherealltherestofthenightIhavebeensohotasnot tobearablanketon thebed.—Holla!Aggy—merryChristmas,Aggy—Isay,doyouhearme,youblackdog!there'sadollarforyou;andifthegentlemengetupbeforeIcomeback,doyoucomeoutandletmeknow.Iwouldn'thave'Dukegetthestartofmefortheworthofyourhead."Theblack caught themoney from the snow, andpromising a duedegree ofwatchfulness,hegavethedollarawhirloftwentyfeetintheair,andcatchingitasitfellinthepalmofhishand,hewithdrewtothekitchen,toexhibithispresent,withaheartaslightashisfacewashappyinitsexpression."Oh, rest easy,my dear coz," said the young lady; "I took a look in atmyfather, who is likely to sleep an hour; and by using due vigilance youwillsecureallthehonorsoftheseason.""Why, Duke is your father, Elizabeth; but 'Duke is a man who likes to beforemost,evenintrifles.Now,asformyself,Icarefornosuchthings,exceptinthewayofcompetition;forathingwhichisofnomomentinitselfmaybemadeofimportanceinthewayofcompetition.Soit iswithyourfather—helovestobefirst;butIonly;strugglewithhimasacompetitor.""It'sallveryclear,sir,"saidElizabeth;"youwouldnotcareafigfordistinctionif therewerenoone in theworldbutyourself;but as therehappens tobeagreat many others, why, you must struggle with them all—in the way ofcompetition.""Exactlyso;Iseeyouareaclevergirl,Bess,andonewhodoescredittohermasters.Itwasmyplantosendyoutothatschool;forwhenyourfatherfirstmentionedthething,Iwroteaprivateletterforadvicetoajudiciousfriendinthe city,who recommended the very school youwent to. 'Dukewas a little

obstinateatfirst,asusual,butwhenheheardthetruthhewasobligedtosendyou.""Well,atruceto'Duke'sfoibles,sir;heismyfather,andifyouknewwhathehas been doing for you while we were in Albany, you would deal moretenderlywithhischaracter.""Forme!"criedRichard,pausingamomentinhiswalktoreflect."Oh!hegottheplansofthenewDutchmeeting-houseforme,Isuppose;butIcareverylittle about it, for aman of a certain kind of talent is seldom aided by anyforeignsuggestions;hisownbrainisthebestarchitect.""Nosuchthing,"saidElizabeth,lookingprovokinglyknowing."No!letmesee—perhapshehadmynameputinthebillforthenewturnpike,asadirector.""Hemightpossibly;butitisnottosuchanappointmentthatIallude.""Such an appointment!" repeated Mr. Jones, who began to fidget withcuriosity;"thenitisanappointment.Ifitisinthemilitia,Iwon'ttakeit."No, no, it is not in themilitia," criedElizabeth, showing the packet in herhand,and thendrawing itbackwithacoquettishair; "it isanofficeofbothhonorandemolument.""Honorandemolument!"echoedRichard,inpainfulsuspense;"showmethepaper,girl.Say,isitanofficewherethereisanythingtodo?""You have hit it,CousinDickon; it is the executive office of the county; atleast so said my father when he gave me this packet to offer you as aChristmas-box.Surely, ifanythingwillpleaseDickon,'he said, 'itwillbe tofilltheexecutivechairofthecounty.'""Executive chair! what nonsense!" cried the impatient gentleman, snatchingthepacketfromherhand;"thereisnosuchofficeinthecounty.Eh!what!itis,I declare, a commission, appointing Richard Jones, Esquire, sheriff of thecounty.Well, this iskind in 'Duke,positively. Imust say 'Dukehas awarmheart,andneverforgetshisfriends.Sheriff!HighSheriffof—!itsoundswell,Bess,butitshallexecutebetter.'Dukeisajudiciousmanafterall,andknowshumannaturethoroughly,I'mmuchobligedtohim,"continuedRichard,usingthe skirt of his coat unconsciously towipe his eyes; "though Iwould do asmuchforhimanyday,asheshallsee,ifIhaveanopportunitytoperformanyofthedutiesofmyofficeonhim.Itshallbedone,CousinBess——itshallbedone,Isay.Howthiscursedsouthwindmakesone'seyeswater!""Now, Richard," said the laughing maiden, "now I think you will findsomething to do. I have often heard you complain of old that there wasnothingtodointhisnewcountry,whiletomyeyesitseemedasifeverythingremainedtobedone."

"Do!"echoedRichard,whoblewhisnose,raisedhislittleformtoitsgreatestelevation,andlookedserious."Everythingdependsonsystem,girl.Ishallsitdown this afternoon and systematize the county. I must have deputies, youknow. I will divide the county into districts, over which I will place mydeputies; and I will have one for the village, which I will call my homedepartment. Let me see—ho! Benjamin! yes, Benjamin will make a gooddeputy;hehasbeennaturalized,andwouldansweradmirablyifhecouldonlyrideonhorseback.""Yes,Mr.Sheriff,"saidhiscompanion;"andasheunderstandsropessowell,hewouldbeveryexpert, shouldoccasionhappen forhis services inanotherway.""No," interrupted the other; "I flattermyself that noman could hang amanbetterthan—thatis—ha!—oh!yes,Benjaminwoulddoextremelywellinsuchanunfortunatedilemma, ifhecouldbepersuadedtoattempt it.ButIshoulddespairofthething.Inevercouldinducehimtohang,orteachhimtorideonhorseback.Imustseekanotherdeputy.""Well, sir, asyouhaveabundant leisure forall these importantaffairs, Ibegthatyouwill forget thatyouarehigh sheriff, anddevote some littleofyourtimetogallantry.Wherearethebeautiesandimprovementswhichyouweretoshowme?""Where?why,everywhere!HereIhavelaidoutsomenewstreets;andwhentheyareopened,and the trees felled,and theyareallbuiltup,will theynotmake a fine town? Well, 'Duke is a liberal-hearted fellow, with all hisstubbornness.Yes,yes;Imusthaveatleastfourdeputies,besidesajailer.""Iseenostreetsinthedirectionofourwalk,"saidElizabeth,"unlessyoucalltheshortavenuesthroughthesepinebushesbythatname.Surelyyoudonotcontemplatebuildinghouses,verysoon,inthatforestbeforeus,andinthoseswamps.""Wemustrunourstreetsbythecompass,coz,anddisregardtrees,hills,ponds,stumps,or,infact,anythingbutposterity.Suchisthewillofyourfather,andyourfather,youknow——""Hadyoumadesheriff,Mr.Jones,"interruptedthelady,withatonethatsaidveryplainlytothegentlemanthathewastouchingaforbiddensubject."Iknow it, Iknow it,"criedRichard;"and if itwere inmypower, I'dmake'Dukeaking.Heisanobleheartedfellow,andwouldmakeanexcellentking;thatis,ifhehadagoodprimeminister.Butwhohavewehere?voicesinthebushes—a combination about mischief, I'll wager my commission. Let usdrawnearandexaminealittleintothematter."Duringthisdialogue,asthepartieshadkeptinmotion,Richardandhiscousin

advancedsomedistancefromthehouseintotheopenspaceintherearofthevillage,where,asmaybegatheredfromtheconversation,streetswereplannedand future dwellings contemplated; but where, in truth, the only mark ofimprovementthatwastobeseenwasaneglectedclearingalongtheskirtofadarkforestofmightypines,overwhichthebushesorsproutsofthesametreehad sprung up to a height that interspersed the fields of snow with littlethicketsofevergreen.Therushingofthewind,asitwhistledthroughthetopsof thesemimic trees, prevented the footsteps of the pair from being heard,while the branches concealed their persons. Thus aided, the listeners drewnightoaspotwheretheyounghunter,Leather-Stocking,andtheIndianchiefwere collected in an earnest consultation. The former was urgent in hismanner, and seemed to think the subject of deep importance, while Nattyappeared to listenwithmore than his usual attention towhat the otherwassaying.Moheganstoodalittleononeside,withhisheadsunkenonhischest,hishair falling forward soas toconcealmostofhis features, andhiswholeattitude expressive of deep dejection, if not of shame. "Let us withdraw,"whisperedElizabeth;"weareintruders,andcanhavenorighttolistentothesecretsofthesemen.""Noright!"returnedRichardalittleimpatiently,inthesametone,anddrawingher arm so forcibly through his own as to prevent her retreat; "you forget,cousin,thatitismydutytopreservethepeaceofthecountyandseethelawsexecuted, these wanderers frequently commit depredations, though I do notthinkJohnwoulddoanythingsecretly.Poor fellow!hewasquiteboozy lastnight, andhardly seems tobeover ityet.Letusdrawnigherandhearwhattheysay."Notwithstanding the lady's reluctance, Richard, stimulated doubtless by hissense of duty, prevailed; and they were soon so near as distinctly to hearsounds."Thebirdmustbehad,"saidNatty,"byfairmeansorfoul.Heigho!I'veknownthetime,lad,whenthewildturkeyswasn'tover-scarceinthecountry;thoughyoumustgointotheVirginiagapsifyouwantthemnow.'tobesure,thereisadifferent taste to a partridge and awell-fatted turkey; though, tomy eating,beaver'stailandbear'shammakethebestoffood.Buttheneveryonehashisownappetite.Igavethelastfarthing,alltothatshilling,totheFrenchtrader,thisverymorning,as I came through the town, forpowder; so, asyouhavenothing,wecanhavebutoneshotfor it. IknowthatBillyKirbyisout,andmeanstohaveapullofthetriggeratthatveryturkey.Johnhasatrueeyeforasinglefire,and,somehow,myhandshakessowheneverIhavetodoanythingextrawnary,thatIoftenlosemyaim.Now,whenIkilledtheshe-bearthisfall,withhercubs,thoughtheyweresomightyravenous,Iknockedthemoveroneatashot,andloadedwhileIdodgedthetreesinthebargain;butthisisavery

differentthing,Mr.Oliver.""This,"criedtheyoungman,withanaccentthatsoundedasifhetookabitterpleasureinhispoverty,whileheheldashillingupbeforehiseyes,"thisisallthetreasurethatIpossess—thisandmyrifle!Now,indeed,Ihavebecomeamanof thewoods,andmustplacemysoledependenceon thechase.Come,Natty,letusstakethelastpennyforthebird;withyouraim,itcannotfailtobesuccessful.""IwouldratheritshouldbeJohn,lad;myheartjumpsintomymouth,becauseyousetyourmindsomuchout;andI'msartainthatIshallmissthebird.ThemIndianscanshootone timeaswellasanother;nothingever troubles them. Isay, John, here's a shilling; take my rifle, and get a shot at the big turkeythey'veputupatthestump.Mr.Oliverisover-anxiousforthecreatur',andI'msuretodonothingwhenIhaveover-anxietyaboutit."TheIndianturnedhisheadgloomily,andafterlookingkeenlyforamoment,inprofoundsilence,athiscompanions,hereplied:"WhenJohnwasyoung,eyesightwasnotstraighterthanhisbullet.TheMingosquaws cried out at the sound of his rifle. TheMingo warriors were madesquaws.Whendidheevershoottwice?Theeaglewentabovethecloudswhenhe passed the wigwam of Chingachgook; his feathers were plenty with thewomen.But see,"he said, raisinghisvoice from the low,mournful tones inwhichhehadspokentoapitchofkeenexcitement,andstretchingforthbothhands, "they shake like a deer at thewolf's howl. Is Johnold?Whenwas aMohican a squawwith seventy winters? No! the whiteman brings old agewithhim—rumishistomahawk!""Why,then,doyouuseit,oldman?"exclaimedtheyounghunter;"whywillone, so noble by nature, aid the devices of the devil by making himself abeast?""Beast!isJohnabeast?"repliedtheIndianslowly;"yes;yousaynolie,childoftheFire-eater!Johnisabeast.Thesmokeswereoncefewinthesehills,Thedeerwouldlickthehandofawhitemanandthebirdsrestonhishead.Theywerestrangerstohim.Myfatherscamefromtheshoresofthesaltlake.Theyfledbeforerum.Theycameto theirgrandfather,and they lived inpeace;or,whentheydidraise thehatchet, itwas tostrike it into thebrainofaMingo.They gathered around the council fire, and what they said was done. ThenJohnwasaman.Butwarriorsandtraderswithlighteyesfollowedthem.Onebrought the longknifeandonebroughtrum.Theyweremorethanthepinesonthemountains;andtheybrokeupthecouncilsandtookthelands,Theevilspiritwasintheirjugs,andtheylethimloose.Yesyes—yousaynolie,YoungEagle;JohnisaChristianbeast.""Forgiveme,oldwarrior,"criedtheyouth,graspinghishand;"Ishouldbethe

last to reproach you. The curses of Heaven light on the cupidity that hasdestroyedsucharace.Remember,John,thatIamofyourfamily,anditisnowmygreatestpride."ThemusclesofMoheganrelaxedalittle,andhesaid,moremildly:"YouareaDelaware,myson;yourwordsarenotheard—Johncannotshoot.""I thought that lad had Indian blood in him," whispered Richard, "by theawkwardwayhehandledmyhorses lastnight.Yousee,coz, theyneveruseharness.Butthepoorfellowshallhavetwoshotsattheturkey,ifhewantsit,forI'llgivehimanothershillingmyself;though,perhaps,Ihadbetteroffertoshootforhim.TheyhavegotuptheirChristmassports, I find, in thebushesyonder,whereyouhearthelaughter—thoughitisaqueertastethischaphasforturkey;notbutwhatitisgoodeating,too.""Hold,CousinRichard,"exclaimedElizabeth,clinging tohisarm;"would itbedelicatetoofferashillingtothatgentleman?""Gentleman,again!Doyou thinkahalf-breed, likehim,will refusemoney?No,no,girl,hewill taketheshilling;ay!andevenrumtoo,notwithstandinghemoralizessomuchaboutit,ButI'llgivetheladachanceforhisturkey;forthat Billy Kirby is one of the best marksmen in the country; that is, if weexceptthe—thegentleman.""Then,"saidElizabeth,whofoundherstrengthunequaltoherwill,"then,sir,Iwillspeak."Sheadvanced,withanairofdetermination,infrontofhercousin,andenteredthelittlecircleofbushesthatsurroundedthetrioofhunters.Herappearancestartledtheyouth,whoatfirstmadeanunequivocalmotiontowardretiring,but,recollectinghimself,bowed,byliftinghiscap,andresumedhisattitude of leaning on his rifle. Neither Natty nor Mohegan betrayed anyemotion,thoughtheappearanceofElizabethwassoentirelyunexpected."Ifind,"shesaid,"thattheoldChristmassportofshootingtheturkeyisyetinuseamongyou.Ifeelinclinedtotrymychanceforabird.Whichofyouwilltakethismoney,and,afterpayingmyfee,givemetheaidofhisrifle?""Isthisasportforalady?"exclaimedtheyounghunter,withanemphasisthatcouldnotwellbemistaken,andwitharapiditythatshowedhespokewithoutconsultinganythingbutfeeling."Whynot,sir?Ifitbeinhumanthesinisnotconfined to one sexonly.But I havemyhumor aswell as others. I asknotyour assistance, but"—turning to Natty, and dropping a dollar in his hand—"thisoldveteranoftheforestwillnotbesoungallantastorefuseonefireforalady."Leather-Stockingdroppedthemoneyintohispouch,andthrowinguptheendofhisriflehefreshenedhispriming;andfirstlaughinginhisusualmanner,hethrewthepieceoverhisshoulder,andsaid:

"IfBillyKirbydon'tgetthebirdbeforeme,andtheFrenchman'spowderdon'thangfirethisdampmorning,you'llseeasfineaturkeydead,inafewminutes,aseverwaseatenintheJudge'sshanty.IhaveknowedtheDutchwomen,ontheMohawkandSchoharie, count greatly on coming to themerry-makings;andso,lad,youshouldn'tbeshortwiththelady.Come,letusgoforward,forifwewaitthefinestbirdwillbegone.""ButIhavearightbeforeyou,Natty,andshalltryonmyownluckfirst.Youwillexcuseme,MissTemple;Ihavemuchreasontowishthatbird,andmayseemungallant,butImustclaimmyprivileges.""Claimanythingthatisjustlyyourown,sir,"returnedthelady;"wearebothadventurers;andthisismyknight.Itrustmyfortunetohishandandeye.Leadon,SirLeather-Stocking,andwewillfollow."Natty,whoseemedpleasedwiththefrankaddressoftheyoungandbeauteousElizabeth, who had so singularly intrusted him with such a commission,returned the bright smile with which she had addressed him, by his ownpeculiarmarkofmirth, andmovedacross the snow toward the spotwhencethesoundsofboisterousmirthproceeded,withthelongstridesofahunter.Hiscompanionsfollowedinsilence,theyouthcastingfrequentanduneasyglancestowardElizabeth,whowasdetainedbyamotionfromRichard."I should think, Miss Temple," he said, so soon as the others were out ofhearing, "that if you really wished a turkey, you would not have taken astrangerfor theoffice,andsuchaoneasLeather-Stocking.ButIcanhardlybelieve that you are serious, for I have fifty, at thismoment, shut up in thecoops,ineverystageoffat,sothatyoumightchooseanyqualityyoupleased.There are six that I am trying an experiment on, by giving them brick-batswith—""Enough,CousinDickon,"interruptedthelady;"Idowishthebird,andit isbecauseIsowishthatIcommissionedthisMr.Leather-Stocking.""DidyoueverhearofthegreatshotthatImadeatthewolf,CousinElizabeth,whowascarryingoffyourfather'ssheep?"saidRichard,drawinghimselfupwithanairofdispleasure."Hehadthesheeponhishack;and,hadtheheadofthewolfbeenontheotherside,Ishouldhavekilledhimdead;asitwas—""You killed the sheep—I know it all, dear coz. Hut would it have beendecorousfortheHighSheriffof—tomingleinsuchsportsasthese?""SurelyyoudidnotthinkthatIintendedactuallytofirewithmyownhands?"saidMr.Jones. "But letus follow,andsee the shooting.There isno fearofanythingunpleasant occurring to a female in this new country, especially to yourfather'sdaughter,andinmypresence.""Myfather'sdaughterfearsnothing,sir,moreespeciallywhenescortedbythehighestexecutiveofficerinthecounty."

Shetookhisarm,andheledherthroughthemazesofthebushestothespotwheremostof theyoungmenof thevillagewerecollected for thesportsofshooting a Christmas match, and whither Natty and his Companions hadalreadyprecededthem.

CHAPTERXVII

"Iguess,byallthisquaintarray,Theburghersholdtheirsportsto-day."—Scott.The ancient amusement of shooting theChristmas turkey is one of the fewsportsthatthesettlersofanewcountryseldomorneverneglecttoobserve.Itwasconnectedwiththedailypracticesofapeoplewhooftenlaidasidetheaxeorthescythetoseizetherifle,asthedeerglidedthroughtheforeststheywerefelling,orthebearenteredtheirroughmeadowstoscenttheairofaclearing,andtoscan,withalookofsagacity,theprogressoftheinvader.On the present occasion, the usual amusement of the day had been a littlehastened, inorder toallowafairopportunitytoMr.Grant,whoseexhibitionwasnotlessatreattotheyoungsportsmenthantheonewhichengagedtheirpresentattention.Theownerofthebirdswasafreeblack,whohadpreparedfortheoccasionacollectionofgamethatwasadmirablyqualifiedtoinflametheappetiteofanepicure,andwaswelladaptedtothemeansandskillofthedifferentcompetitors,whowereofallages.Hehadofferedtotheyoungerandmorehumblemarksmendiversbirdsofaninferiorquality,andsomeshootinghadalreadytakenplace,muchtothepecuniaryadvantageofthesableownerof the game. The order of the sports was extremely simple, and wellunderstood.Thebirdwasfastenedbyastringtothestumpofalargepine,thesideofwhich, toward thepointwhere themarksmenwereplaced, hadbeenflattenedwithanaxe, inorder that itmightservethepurposeofa target,bywhichthemeritofeachindividualmightbeascertained.Thedistancebetweenthestumpandshooting-standwasonehundredmeasuredyards;afootmoreora foot less being thought an invasion of the right of one of the parties.Thenegro affixedhis ownprice to everybird, and the termsof the chance; but,whenthesewereonceestablished,hewasobliged,bythestrictprinciplesofpublicjusticethatprevailedinthecountry,toadmitanyadventurerwhomightoffer.Thethrongconsistedofsometwentyorthirtyyoungmen,mostofwhomhadrifles,andacollectionofalltheboysinthevillage.Thelittleurchins,cladincoarse but warm garments, stood gathered around the more distinguished

marksmen,withtheirhandsstuckundertheirwaistbands,listeningeagerlytotheboastfulstoriesofskill thathadbeenexhibitedonformeroccasions,andwerealreadyemulatingintheirheartsthesewonderfuldeedsingunnery.The chief speakerwas themanwho had beenmentioned byNatty asBillyKirby.Thisfellow,whoseoccupation,whenhedidlabor,wasthatofclearinglands, or chopping jobs,wasof great stature, and carried in his very air theindexofhischaracter.Hewasanoisy,boisterous,recklesslad,whosegood-naturedeyecontradicted thebluntness andbullying tenorofhis speech.Forweekshewouldloungearoundthetavernsofthecounty,inastateofperfectidleness,ordoingsmall jobs forhis liquorandhismeals,andcavillingwithapplicants about the prices of his labor; frequently preferring idleness to anabatementof a littleofhis independence,or a cent inhiswages.But,whentheseembarrassingpointsweresatisfactorilyarranged,hewouldshoulderhisaxe andhis rifle, slip his arms through the straps of his pack, and enter thewoodswith the tread of aHercules.His first objectwas to learn his limits,roundwhichhewouldpace,occasionallyfreshening,withablowofhisaxe,themarkson theboundary trees; and thenhewouldproceed,withanairofgreat deliberation, to the centre of his premises, and, throwing aside hissuperfluousgarments,measure,withaknowingeye,oneortwoofthenearesttreesthatweretoweringapparentlyintotheverycloudsashegazedupward.Commonlyselectingoneofthemostnobleforthefirsttrialofhispower,hewouldapproachitwithalistlessair,whistlingalowtune;andwieldinghisaxewith a certain flourish, not unlike the salutes of a fencing-master, hewouldstrike a light blow into the bark, and measure his distance. The pause thatfollowedwasominousofthefalloftheforestwhichhadflourishedthereforcenturies.Theheavyandbriskblowsthathestruckweresoonsucceededbythethunderingreportofthetree,asitcame,firstcrackingandthreateningwiththe separation of its own last ligaments, then threshing and tearingwith itsbranchesthetopsofitssurroundingbrethren,andfinallymeetingthegroundwithashockbutlittleinferiortoanearthquake.Fromthatmomentthesoundsof the axe were ceaseless, while the failing of the trees was like a distantcannonading; and the daylight broke into the depths of thewoodswith thesuddennessofawintermorning.For days, weeks, nay months, Billy Kirby would toil with an ardor thatevinced his native spirit, and with an effect that seemedmagical, until, hischoppingbeingended,hisstentorianlungscouldbeheardemittingsounds,ashecalledtohispatientoxen,whichrangthroughthehillslikethecriesofanalarm. He had been often heard, on a mild summer' evening, a long mileacrossthevaleofTempleton;whentheechoesfromthemountainswouldtakeuphiscries,until theydiedawayinthefeeblesoundsfromthedistantrocksthat overhung the lake.Hispiles, or, touse the languageof the country, hislogging ended,with adispatch that couldonly accompanyhis dexterity and

herculeanstrength,thejobberwouldcollecttogetherhisimplementsoflabor,light the heaps of timber, andmarch away under the blaze of the prostrateforest, like the conqueror of some citywho, having first prevailed over hisadversary,applies the torchas thefinishingblowtohisconquest.Fora longtimeBillyKirbywouldthenbeseensaunteringaroundthetaverns,theriderofscrub races, the bully of cock-fights, and not infrequently the hero of suchsportsastheoneinhand.BetweenhimandtheLeather-Stockingtherehadlongexistedajealousrivalryonthepointofskillwiththerifle.NotwithstandingthelongpracticeofNatty,it was commonly supposed that the steady nerves and the quick eye of thewood-chopper rendered him his equal. The competition had, however, beenconfined hitherto to boasting, and comparisons made from their success invarioushuntingexcursions;butthiswasthefirsttimetheyhadevercomeinopencollision.Agooddealofhigglingaboutthepriceofthechoicestbirdhadtaken place between Billy Kirby and its owner before Natty and hiscompanions rejoined the sportsmen It had, however, been settled at oneshilling * a shot,whichwas the highest sum ever exacted, the black takingcaretoprotecthimselffromlosses,asmuchaspossible,bytheconditionsofthesport.*BeforetheRevolution,eachprovincehaditsownmoneyofaccountthoughneithercoinedanybutcopperpieces.InNewYorktheSpanishdollarwasdividedintoeightshillings,eachofthevalueofafractionmorethansixpencesterling.AtpresenttheUnionhasprovidedadecimalsystem,withcoinstorepresentit.Theturkeywasalreadyfastenedat the"mark,"hut itsbodywasentirelyhidbythesurroundingsnow,nothingbeingvisiblebutitsredswellingheadanditslongneck.Ifthebirdwasinjuredbyanybulletthatstruckbelowthesnow,it was to continue the property of its present owner; but if a feather wastouched in a visible part, the animal became the prize of the successfuladventurer.These terms were loudly proclaimed by the negro, who was seated in thesnow, in a somewhathazardousvicinity tohis favoritebird,whenElizabethand her cousin approached the noisy sportsmen. The sounds of mirth andcontention sensibly lowered at this unexpected visit; but, after a moment'spause, the curious interest exhibited in the face of the young lady, togetherwith her smiling air, restored the freedom of the morning; though it wassomewhat chastened, both in language and vehemence, by the presence ofsuchaspectator."Standoutofthewaythere,boys!"criedthewood-chopper,whowasplacing

himselfattheshooting-point—standoutoftheway,youlittlerascals,orIwillshootthroughyou.Now,Brom,takeleaveofyourturkey."Stop!" cried the younghunter; "I ama candidate for a chance.Here ismyshilling,Brom;Iwishashottoo.""You may wish it in welcome," cried Kirby, "but if I ruffle the gobbler'sfeathers,howareyoutogetit?Ismoneysoplentyinyourdeer-skinpocket,thatyoupayforachancethatyoumayneverhave?""How know you, sir, how plenty money is in my pocket?" said the youthfiercely."Hereismyshilling,Brom,andIclaimarighttoshoot.""Don't be crabbed,my boy," said the other,whowas very coolly fixing hisflint."Theysayyouhaveaholeinyourleftshoulderyourself,soIthinkBrommaygiveyouafireforhalf-price.Itwilltakeakeenonetohitthatbird,Icantellyou,mylad,evenifIgiveyouachance,whichiswhatIhavenomindtodo.""Don'tbeboasting,BillyKirby," saidNatty, throwing thebreechofhis rifleintothesnow,andleaningonitsbarrel;"you'llgetbutoneshotatthecreatur',for if theladmisseshisaim,whichwouldn'tbeawonderifhedid,withhisarmsostiffandsore,you'llfindagoodpieceandanoldeyecominga'teryou.Maybeit's truethatIcan'tshootasIusedtocould,butahundredyardsisashortdistanceforalongrifle.""What, old Leather-Stocking, are you out this morning?" cried his recklessopponent."Well, fairplay'sa jewel. I've the leadofyou,oldfellow;soheregoesforadrythroatoragooddinner."The countenance of the negro evinced not only all the interest which hispecuniary adventure might occasion, but also the keen excitement that thesportproducedintheothers,thoughwithaverydifferentwishastotheresult.Whilethewood-chopperwasslowlyandsteadilyraisinghisrifle,hebawled;"Fair play, Billy Kirby—stand back—make 'em stand back, boys—gib anigger fair play—poss-up,—gobbler; shake a head, fool; don't you see 'emtakingaim?"These cries, which were intended as much to distract the attention of themarksmanasforanythingelse,werefruitless.Thenervesof thewood-chopperwerenot so easily shaken, andhe tookhisaim with the utmost deliberation. Stillness prevailed for a moment, and hefired.Theheadoftheturkeywasseentodashononeside,anditswingswerespreadinmomentaryfluttering;butitsettleditselfdowncalmlyintoitsbedofsnow,andglanceditseyesuneasilyaround.Foratimelongenoughtodrawadeepbreath,notasoundwasheard.Thesilencewasthenbrokenbythenoiseofthenegro,wholaughed,andshookhisbodywithallkindsofantics,rolling

overinthesnowintheexcessofdelight."Welldone,agobbler,"hecried,jumpingupandaffectingtoembracehisbird;"I tell 'em toposs-up,andyousee 'emdodge.Gibanodershillin',Billy,andhalbanodershot.""No—theshotismine,"saidtheyounghunter;"youhavemymoneyalready.Leavethemark,andletmetrymyluck.""Ah! it's but money thrown away, lad," said Leather-Stocking. "A turkey'sheadandneckisbutasmallmarkforanewhandandalameshoulder.You'dbest letme take the fire, andmaybewecanmake some settlementwith theladyaboutthebird.""The chance ismine," said the young hunter. "Clear the ground, that Imaytakeit."The discussions and disputes concerning the last shot were now abating, ithavingbeendetermined that if the turkey'sheadhadbeenanywherebut justwhereitwasat thatmoment, thebirdmustcertainlyhavebeenkilled.Therewas not much excitement produced by the preparations of the youth, whoproceededinahurriedmanner to takehisaim,andwas in theactofpullingthetrigger,whenhewasstoppedbyNatty."Yourhandshakes,lad,"hesaid,"andyouseemovereager.Bullet-woundsareapt to weaken flesh, and to my judgment you'll not shoot so well as incommon.Ifyouwillfire,youshouldshootquick,beforethereistimetoshakeofftheaim.""Fairplay,"againshoutedthenegro;"fairplay—gibaniggerfairplay.WhatrightaNatBumppoadviseayoungman?Let'emshoot—clearaground."Theyouth firedwith great rapidity, but nomotionwasmadeby the turkey;and,whentheexaminersfortheballreturnedfromthe"mark,"theydeclaredthathehadmissedthestump.Elizabethobservedthechangeinhiscountenance,andcouldnothelpfeelingsurprisethatonesoevidentlysuperiortohiscompanionsshouldfeelatriflinglosssosensibly.Butherownchampionwasnowpreparingtoenterthelists.ThemirthofBrom,whichhadbeenagainexcited,thoughinamuchsmallerdegree than before, by the failure of the second adventurer, vanished theinstantNattytookhisstand.Hisskinbecamemottledwithlargebrownspots,that fearfully sullied the lustre of his native ebony,while his enormous lipsgraduallycompressedaroundtworowsofivorythathadhithertobeenshiningin his visage like pearls set in jet. His nostrils, at all times the mostconspicuousfeatureofhis face,dilateduntil theycovered thegreaterpartofthe diameter of his countenance; while his brown and bony handsunconsciouslygraspedthesnow-crustnearhim,theexcitementofthemoment

completelyovercominghisnativedreadofcold.Whiletheseindicationsofapprehensionwereexhibitedinthesableowneroftheturkey, themanwhogaverisetothisextraordinaryemotionwasascalmandcollectedasiftherewasnottobeasinglespectatorofhisskill."IwasdownintheDutchsettlementsontheSchoharie,"saidNatty,carefullyremovingtheleatherguardfromthelockofhisrifle,"justbeforethebreakingoutofthelastwar,andtherewasashooting-matchamongtheboys;soItooka hand. I think I opened a good many Dutch eyes that day; for I won thepowder-horn, three bars of lead, and a pound of as good powder as everflashedinpan.Lord!howtheydidswearinJarman!TheydidtellmeofonedrunkenDutchmanwhosaidhe'dhavethelifeofmebeforeIgotbacktothelakeagin.ButifhehadputhisrifletohisshoulderwithevilintentGodwouldhavepunishedhimfor it;andevenif theLorddidn't,andhehadmissedhisaim,Iknowonethatwouldhavegivenhimasgoodashesent,andbettertoo,ifgoodshootingcouldcomeintothe'count."Bythistimetheoldhunterwasready for his business, and throwing his right leg far behind him, andstretching his left arm along the barrel of his piece, he raised it toward thebird,Everyeyeglanced rapidly from themarksman to themark;but at themoment when each ear was expecting the report of the rifle, they weredisappointedbythetickingsoundoftheflint."Asnap,asnap!"shoutedthenegro,springingfromhiscrouchingposturelikeamadman,beforehisbird."Asnapgoodasfire—NattyBumppogunhesnap—NattyBumppomissaturkey!""NattyBumppohitanigger,"said the indignantoldhunter,"ifyoudon'tgetoutoftheway,Brom.It'scontrarytothereasonofthething,boy,thatasnapshouldcountforafire,whenoneisnothingmorethanafire-stonestrikingasteelpan,andtheotherissuddendeath;sogetoutofmyway,boy,andletmeshowBillyKirbyhowtoshootaChristmasturkey.""Gibaniggerfairplay!"criedtheblack,whocontinuedresolutelytomaintainhis post, and making that appeal to the justice of his auditors which thedegradedconditionofhiscastesonaturallysuggested."Eberybodyknowdatsnapasgoodasfire.LeabittoMassaJone—leabittolady.""Sartain,"saidthewood-chopper;"it'sthelawofthegameinthispartofthecountry,Leather-Stocking.Ifyoufireaginyoumustpayuptheothershilling.Ib'lieveI'lltryluckoncemoremyself;so,Brom,here'smymoney,andItakethenextfire.""It's likely you know the laws of the woods better than I do, Billy Kirby,"returnedNatty."Youcomeinwiththesettlers,withanox-goadinyourhand,and I come in with moccasins on my feet, and with a good rifle on myshoulders,solongbackasaforetheoldwar.Whichislikelytoknowthebest?

IsaynomanneedtellmethatsnappingisasgoodasfiringwhenIpull thetrigger.""Leab it toMassa Jone," said thealarmednegro; "heknoweberyting."Thisappeal to the knowledge of Richard was too flattering to be unheeded. HethereforeadvancedalittlefromthespotwhitherthedelicacyofElizabethhadinducedhertowithdraw,andgavethefollowingopinion,withthegravitythatthesubjectandhisownrankdemanded:"There seems to be a difference in opinion," he said, "on the subject ofNathanielBumppo'sright toshootatAbrahamFreeborn's turkeywithout thesaidNathanielpayingoneshillingfortheprivilege."Thefactwastooevidenttobedenied,andafterpausingamoment, that theaudiencemightdigesthispremises, Richard proceeded: "It seems proper that I should decide thisquestion, as I ambound to preserve the peace of the county; andmenwithdeadlyweaponsintheirhandsshouldnotbeheedlesslylefttocontentionandtheirownmalignantpassions.Itappearsthattherewasnoagreement,eitherinwriting or in words, on the disputed point; therefore we must reason fromanalogy,whichis,asitwere,comparingonethingwithanother.Now,induels,wherebothparties shoot, it is generally the rule that a snap is a fire; and ifsuchistherulewherethepartyhasarighttofirebackagain,itseemstomeunreasonabletosaythatamanmaystandsnappingatadefencelessturkeyallday.IthereforeamoftheopinionthatNathanielBumppohaslosthischance,andmustpayanothershillingbeforeherenewshisright."Asthisopinioncamefromsohighaquarter,andwasdeliveredwitheffect,itsilencedallmurmurs—forthewholeofthespectatorshadbeguntotakesideswithgreatwarmth—exceptfromtheLeather-Stockinghimself."I thinkMissElizabeth's thoughts shouldbe taken," saidNatty. "I'veknownthesquawsgiveverygoodcounselwhentheIndianshadbeendumfounded.IfshesaysthatIoughttolose,Iagreetogiveitup.""ThenIadjudgeyoutobealoserforthistime,"saidMissTemple;"butpayyourmoneyandrenewyourchance;unlessBromwillsellmethebirdforadollar.Iwillgivehimthemoney,andsavethelifeofthepoorvictim."Thispropositionwasevidentlybutlittlerelishedbyanyofthelisteners,eventhe negro feeling the evil excitement of the chances. In themeanwhile, asBillyKirbywaspreparinghimselfforanothershot,Nattyleftthestand,withanextremelydissatisfiedmanner,muttering:"Therehasn'tbeensuchathingasagoodflintsoldatthefootofthelakesincetheIndiantradersusedtocomeintothecountry;and,ifabodyshouldgointotheflatsalongthestreamsinthehillstohuntforsuchathing,it'stentoonebut theywillbeallcoveredupwiththeplough.Heigho!itseemstomethatjustasthegamegrowsscarce,andabodywantsthebestammunitiontogeta

livelihood,everythingthat'sbadfallsonhimlikeajudgment.ButI'llchangethestone,forBillyKirbyhasn'ttheeyeforsuchamark,Iknow."Thewood-chopperseemednowentirelysensiblethathisreputationdependedonhiscare;nordidheneglectanymeans to insuresuccess.Hedrewuphisrifle,andrenewedhisaimagainandagain,stillappearingreluctanttofire,NosoundwasheardfromevenBrom,during theseportentousmovements,untilKirby discharged his piece,with the samewant of success as before. Then,indeed, theshoutsof thenegro rang through thebushesandsoundedamongthe treesof theneighboring forest like theoutcriesof a tribeof Indians.Helaughed, rolling his head first on one side, then on the other, until natureseemed exhausted with mirth. He danced until his legs were wearied withmotion in the snow; and, in short, he exhibited all that violence of joy thatcharacterizesthemirthofathoughtlessnegro.Thewood-chopperhadexertedallhisart, and felt aproportionatedegreeofdisappointment at the failure. He first examined the bird with the utmostattention,andmorethanoncesuggestedthathehadtoucheditsfeathers;butthevoiceofthemultitudewasagainsthim,foritfeltdisposedtolistentotheoften-repeatedcriesoftheblackto"gibaniggerfairplay."Findingit impossible tomakeouta title to thebird,Kirbyturnedfiercely totheblackandsaid:"Shutyouroven,youcrow!Whereisthemanthatcanhitaturkey'sheadatahundred yards? I was a fool for trying. You needn't make an uproar like afallingpine-treeaboutit.Showmethemanwhocandoit.""Lookthisa-way,BillyKirby,"saidLeather-Stocking,"andletthemclearthemark, and I'll showyou amanwho'smade better shots afore now, and thatwhenhe'sbeenhardpressedbythesavagesandwildbeasts.""Perhapsthereisonewhoserightscomebeforeours,Leather-Stocking,"saidMissTemple."Ifso,wewillwaiveourprivilege.""Ifitbemethatyouhavereferenceto,"saidtheyounghunter,"Ishalldeclineanotherchance.Myshoulderisyetweak,Ifind."Elizabethregardedhismanner,andthoughtthatshecoulddiscernatingeonhis cheek that spoke the shameofconsciouspoverty.She saidnomore,butsuffered her own champion to make a trial. Although Natty Bumppo hadcertainlymadehundredsofmoremomentousshotsathisenemiesorhisgame,yetheneverexertedhimselfmoretoexcel.Heraisedhispiecethreeseveraltimes:oncetogethisrange;oncetocalculatehisdistance;andoncebecausethebird,alarmedbythedeath-likestillness,turneditsheadquicklytoexamineits foes. But the fourth time he fired. The smoke, the report, and themomentaryshockpreventedmostofthespectatorsfrominstantlyknowingtheresult;butElizabeth,whenshesawherchampiondroptheendofhisriflein

thesnowandopenhismouthinoneofitssilentlaughs,andthenproceedverycoolly to recharge his piece, knew that he had been successful. The boysrushedtothemark,andliftedtheturkeyonhigh,lifeless,andwithnothingbuttheremnantofahead."Bringinthecreatur',"saidLeather-Stocking,"andputit at the feet of the lady. Iwasher deputy in thematter, and thebird is herproperty.""Andagooddeputyyouhaveprovedyourself,"returnedElizabeth—"sogood,Cousin Richard, that I would advise you to remember his qualities." Shepaused,andthegayetythatbeamedonherfacegaveplacetoamoreseriousearnestness.Sheevenblusheda littleasshe turned to theyounghunter,andwith the charm of a woman's manner added: "But it was only to see anexhibitionofthefar-famedskillofLeather-Stocking,thatItriedmyfortunes.Will you, sir, accept the bird as a small peace offering for the hurt thatpreventedyourownsuccess?"Theexpressionwithwhichtheyouthreceivedthispresentwasindescribable,Heappearedtoyieldtotheblandishmentofherair,inoppositiontoastronginwardimpulsetothecontrary.Hebowed,andraisedthevictimsilentlyfromherfeet,butcontinuedsilent.Elizabeth handed the black a piece of silver as a remuneration for his loss,whichhadsomeeffectinagainunbendinghismuscles,andthenexpressedtohercompanionherreadinesstoreturnhomeward."Waitaminute,CousinBess,"criedRichard;"thereisanuncertaintyabouttherules of this sport that it is proper I should remove. If you will appoint acommittee,gentlemen,towaitonmethismorning,Iwilldrawupinwritingasetof regulations—'Hestopped,with some indignation, forat that instantahandwaslaidfamiliarlyontheshoulderoftheHighSheriffof—."A merry Christmas to you, Cousin Dickon," said Judge Temple, who hadapproachedthepartyunperceived:"Imusthaveavigilanteyetomydaughter,sir,ifyouaretobeseizeddailywiththesegallantfits.Iadmirethetastewhichwouldintroducealadytosuchscenes!""It isherownperversity, 'Duke,"cried thedisappointedsheriff,whofelt thelossofthefirstsalutationasgrievouslyasmanyamanwouldamuchgreatermisfortune; "and Imust say that she comes honestly by it. I led her out toshowhertheimprovements,butawayshescampered,throughthesnow,atthefirst soundof fire-arms, the same as if she had been brought up in a camp,instead of a first-rate boarding-school. I do think, Judge Temple, that suchdangerousamusementsshouldbesuppressed,bystatute;nay,Idoubtwhethertheyarenotalreadyindictableatcommonlaw.""Well, sir,asyouaresheriffof thecounty, itbecomesyourduty toexamineinto thematter," returned the smilingMarmaduke, "I perceive thatBess has

executed her commission, and I hope it met with a favorable reception."Richardglancedhiseyeatthepacketwhichheheldinhishand,andtheslightangerproducedbydisappointmentvanishedinstantly."Ah! 'Duke, my dear cousin," he said, "step a little on one side; I havesomethingIwouldsaytoyou."Marmadukecomplied,andthesheriffledhimtoalittledistanceinthebushes,andcontinued:"First, 'Duke,letmethankyouforyourfriendlyinterestwiththeCouncilandtheGovernor,withoutwhichIamconfidentthatthegreatestmerit would avail but little. But we are sisters' children—we are sisters'children,andyoumayuseme likeoneofyourhorses; ridemeordriveme,'Duke,Iamwhollyyours.Butinmyhumbleopinion,thisyoungcompanionofLeather-Stockingrequireslookingafter.Hehasaverydangerouspropensityforturkey.""Leavehimtomymanagement,Dickon,"saidtheJudge,"andIwillcurehisappetite by indulgence. It iswith him that Iwould speak. Let us rejoin thesportsmen."

CHAPTERXVIII.

"Poorwretch!themotherthathimbare,Ifshehadbeeninpresencethere,Inhiswanface,andsunburnthair,Shehadnotknownherchild."—Scott.It diminished, in no degree, the effect produced by the conversation whichpassedbetweenJudgeTempleandtheIyounghunter,thattheformertookthearmofhisdaughteranddrewitthroughhisown,whenheadvancedfromthespot whither Richard had led him to that where the youth was standing,leaningonhisrifle,andcontemplatingthedeadbirdathisfeet.ThepresenceofMarmadukedidnotinterruptthesports,whichwereresumedbyloudandclamorous disputes concerning the conditions of a chance that involved thelife of a bird of much inferior quality to the last. Leather-Stocking andMoheganhadalonedrawnasidetotheiryouthfulcompanion;and,althoughintheimmediatevicinityofsuchathrong,thefollowingconversationwasheardonlybythosewhowereinterestedinit."Ihavegreatlyinjuredyou,Mr.Edwards,"saidtheJudge;butthesuddenandinexplicable startwithwhich the person spoken to received this unexpectedaddress, caused him to pause a moment. As no answer was given, and the

strong emotion exhibited in the countenance of the youth gradually passedaway, he continued: "But fortunately it is in somemeasure inmy power tocompensate you for what I have done. My kinsman, Richard Jones, hasreceivedanappointmentthatwill,infuture,deprivemeofhisassistance,andleaveme, justnow,destituteofonewhomightgreatlyaidmewithhispen.Your manner, notwithstanding appearances, is a sufficient proof of youreducation,norwillthyshouldersuffertheetolabor,forsometimetocome."(Marmadukeinsensiblyrelapsed into the languageof theFriendsashegrewwarm.)"Mydoorsareopentothee,myyoungfriend,forinthisinfantcountrywe harbor no suspicions; little offering to tempt the cupidity of the evil-disposed. Be come my assistant, for at least a season, and receive suchcompensationasthyserviceswilldeserve."There was nothing in the manner of the offer of the Judge to justify thereluctance,amountingnearlytoloathing,withwhichtheyouthlistenedtohisspeech;but,afterapowerfuleffortforself-command,hereplied:"Iwouldserveyou,sir,oranyotherman,foranhonestsupport,forIdonotaffect to conceal that my necessities are very great, even beyond whatappearances would indicate; but I am fearful that such new duties wouldinterferetoomuchwithmoreimportantbusiness;sothatImustdeclineyouroffer,anddependonmyrifle,asbefore,forsubsistence."Richardhere tookoccasion towhisper to theyoung lady,whohad shrunkalittlefromtheforegroundofthepicture:"This,yousee,CousinBess,isthenaturalreluctanceofahalf-breedtoleavethe savage state. Their attachment to a wandering life is, I verily believe,unconquerable.""It is a precarious life," observedMarmaduke, without hearing the sheriff'sobservation, "and one that brings more evils with it than present suffering.Trustme,youngfriend,myexperienceisgreater thanthine,whenI tell theethat the unsettled life of these hunters is of vast disadvantage for temporalpurposes, and it totally removes one from the influence of more sacredthings.""No,no, Judge," interrupted theLeather-Stocking,whowashithertounseen,or disregarded; "take him into your shanty inwelcome, but tell him truth. Ihave lived in thewoods for forty long years, and have spent five at a timewithoutseeingthelightofaclearingbiggerthanawindowinthetrees;andIshouldliketoknowwhereyou'llfindaman,inhissixty-eighthyear,whocangetaneasier living, forallyourbettermentsandyourdeer laws;and,as forhonesty,ordoingwhat'srightbetweenmanandman,I'llnotturnmybacktothelongest-windeddeacononyourPatent.""Thouartanexception,Leather-Stocking,"returnedtheJudge,noddinggood-

naturedlyatthehunter;"forthouhastatemperanceunusualinthyclass,andahardihood exceeding thy years. But this youth is made of I materials tooprecious tobewasted in theforest—Ientreat thee to joinmyfamily, if itbebuttillthyarmishealed.Mydaughterhere,whoismistressofmydwelling,wilttelltheethatthouartwelcome.""Certainly,"saidElizabeth,whoseearnestnesswasalittlecheckedbyfemalereserve."Theunfortunatewouldbewelcomeatanytime,butdoublysowhenwefeelthatwehaveoccasionedtheevilourselves,""Yes,"saidRichard,"andifyourelishturkey,youngman,thereareplentyinthecoops,andofthebestkind,Icanassureyou."Findinghimselfthusablyseconded,Marmadukepushedhisadvantagetotheutmost.Heentered intoadetailof theduties thatwouldattend thesituation,and circumstantially mentioned the reward, and all those points which aredeemedofimportanceamongmenofbusiness.Theyouthlistenedinextremeagitation.Therewasanevidentcontestinhisfeelings;attimesheappearedtowisheagerlyforthechange,andthenagaintheincomprehensibleexpressionofdisgustwouldcrosshisfeatures,likeadarkcloudobscuringanoondaysun.The Indian, in whose manner the depression of self-abasement was mostpowerfullyexhibited, listened to theoffersof theJudgewithan interest thatincreasedwitheachsyllable.Graduallyhedrewnighertothegroupandwhen,withhiskeenglance,hedetectedthemostmarkedevidenceofyieldinginthecountenance of his young companion, he changed at once from his attitudeand lookof shame to the frontofan Indianwarrior,andmoving,withgreatdignity,closertotheparties,hespoke."Listentoyourfather,"hesaid;"hiswordsareold.LettheYoungEagleandtheGreatLandChiefeattogether;letthemsleep,withoutfear,neareachother.ThechildrenofMiquonlovenotblood: theyare just,andwilldoright.Thesunmust rise and set often, be foremen canmakeone family; it is not theworkofaday,butofmanywinters.TheMingoesandtheDelawaresarebornenemies; their blood can nevermix in thewigwam; it neverwill run in thesamestreaminthebattle.WhatmakesthebrotherofMiquonandtheYoungEagle foes? They are of the same tribe; their fathers and mothers are one.Learntowait,myson,youareaDelaware,andanIndianwarriorknowshowtobepatient."Thisfigurativeaddressseemedtohavegreatweightwiththeyoungman,whogradually yielded to the representations of Marmaduke, and eventuallyconsentedtohisproposal.Itwas,however, tobeanexperimentonly;and,ifeither of the parties thought fit to rescind the engagement, itwas left at hisoptionso todo.The remarkableand ill-concealed reluctanceof theyouth toaccept of an offer, which most men in his situation would consider as anunhoped-forelevation,occasionednolittlesurpriseinthosetowhomhewasa

stranger;andit leftaslightimpressiontohisdisadvantage.Whenthepartiesseparated, they very naturallymade the subject the topic of a conversation,which we shall relate; first commencing with the Judge, his daughter, andRichard,whowereslowlypursuingthewaybacktothemansion-house."IhavesurelyendeavoredtoremembertheholymandatesofourRedeemer,whenhebidsus'lovethemwhodespitefullyuseyou,'inmyintercoursewiththisincomprehensibleboy,"saidMarmaduke."Iknownotwhatthereisinmydwelling to frighten a lad of his years, unless it may he thy presence andvisage,Bess.""No,no,"saidRichard,withgreatsimplicity,"itisnotCousinBess.Butwhendidyoueverknowahalf-breed, 'Duke,whocouldbearcivilization?Forthatmat ter, they are worse than the savages themselves! Did you notice howknock-kneedhestood,Elizabeth,andwhatawildlookhehadinhiseyes?""Iheedednothiseyes,norhisknees,whichwouldbeallthebetterforalittlehumbling.Really,mydearsir,IthinkyoudidexercisetheChristianvirtueofpatiencetotheutmost.Iwasdisgustedwithhisairs,longbeforeheconsentedtomakeoneofourfamily.Trulywearemuchhonoredbytheassociation!Inwhatapartment ishe tobeplaced, sir;andatwhat table ishe to receivehisnectarandambrosia?""WithBenjaminandRemarkable," interruptedMr. Jones; "yousorelywouldnotmake theyoutheatwith theblacks!He ispart Indian, it is true;but thenativesholdthenegroesingreatcontempt.No,no;hewouldstarvebeforehewouldbreakacrustwiththenegroes.""I am but too happy, Dickon, to tempt him to eat with ourselves," saidMarmaduke,"tothinkofofferingeventheindignityyoupropose.""Then, sir," said Elizabeth, with an air that was slightly affected, as ifsubmitting to her father's orders in opposition to her own will, "it is yourpleasurethathebeagentleman.""Certainly;heistofillthestationofone.Lethimreceivethetreatmentthatisduetohisplace,untilwefindhimunworthyofit.""Well,well,'Duke,"criedthesheriff,"youwillfinditnoeasymattertomakea gentleman of him.The old proverb says that 'it takes three generations tomake a gentleman.' There was my father whom everybody knew mygrandfather was anM.D., and his father a D.D.; and his father came fromEngland,Inevercouldcomeatthetruthofhisorigin;buthewaseitheragreatmer chant in London, or a great country lawyer, or the youngest son of abishop.""Hereisa trueAmericangenealogyforyou,"saidMarmaduke, laughing."Itdoesverywelltillyougetacrossthewater,where,aseverythingisobscure,it

iscertaintodealinthesuperlative.YouaresurethatyourEnglishprogenitorwasgreat,Dickon,whateverhisprofessionmighthavebeen?""TobesureIam,"returnedtheother."Ihaveheardmyoldaunttalkofhimbythemonth.Weareofagoodfamily,JudgeTemple,andhaveneverfilledanybuthonorablestationsinlife.""Imarvelthatyoushouldbesatisfiedwithsoscantyaprovisionofgentilityintheolden time,Dickon.Most of theAmericangenealogists commence theirtraditionslikethestoriesforchildren,withthreebrothers,takingespecialcarethatoneof the triumvirateshallbe theprogenitorofanyof thesamenamewhomay happen to be better furnishedwithworldly gear than themselves.But,here,allareequalwhoknowhowtoconductthemselveswithpropriety;andOliver Edwards comes intomy family on a footingwith both the highsheriffandthejudge.""Well,'Duke,Icallthisdemocracy,notrepublicanism;butIsaynothing;onlylethimkeepwithinthelaw,orIshallshowhimthatthefreedomofeventhiscountryisunderwholesomerestraint.""Surely,Dickon,youwillnotexecute till Icondemn!ButwhatsaysBess tothe new inmate?Wemust pay a deference to the ladies in thismatter, afterall.""Oh, sir!" returned Elizabeth, "I believe I am much like a certain JudgeTempleinthisparticular—noteasilytobeturnedfrommyopinion.But,tobeserious, although I must think the introduction of a demi-savage into thefamily a somewhat startling event, whomsoever you think proper tocountenancemaybesureofmyrespect."TheJudgedrewherarmmoreclosely inhisownandsmiled,whileRichardledthewaythroughthegateofthelittlecourt-yardintherearofthedwelling,dealingouthisambiguouswarningswithhisaccustomedloquacity.Ontheotherhand,theforesters—forthethreehunters,notwithstandingtheirdifference in character, well deserved this common name—pursued theircourse along the skirts of the village in silence. It was not until they hadreachedthelake,andweremovingoveritsfrozensurfacetowardthefootofthemountain,wherethehutstood,thattheyouthexclaimed:"Who could have foreseen this a month since! I have consented to serveMarmadukeTemple—tobeaninmateinthedwellingofthegreatestenemyofmyrace;yetwhatbettercouldIdo?Theservitudecannotbelong;and,whenthemotiveforsubmittingtoitceasestoexist,Iwillshakeitofflikethedustfrommyfeet.""IsheaMingo,thatyouwillcallhimenemy?"saidMohegan."TheDelawarewarriorsitsstill,andwaitsthetimeoftheGreatSpirit.Heisnowoman,tocry

outlikeachild.""Well, I'mmistrustful, John," said Leather-Stocking, inwhose air there hadbeen,duringthewholebusiness,astrongexpressionofdoubtanduncertainty."They say that there's new laws in the land, and I'm sartin that there's newways in the mountains. One hardly knows the lakes and streams, they'vealtered the country so much. I must say I'm mistrustful of such smoothspeakers; for I've known the whites talk fair when they wanted the Indianlandsmost. This I will say, though I'm a whitemyself, and was born nighYork,andofhonestparents,too.""Iwillsubmit,"said theyouth;"Iwill forgetwhoIam.Cease to remember,oldMohegan, that I am the descendant of aDelaware chief,who oncewasmasterofthesenoblehills,thesebeautifulvales,andofthiswater,overwhichwe tread. Yes, yes; I will become his bonds man—his slave, Is it not anhonorableservitude,oldman?""Oldman!" repeated the Indiansolemnly,andpausing inhiswalk,asusual,whenmuch excited; "yes, John is old. Son ofmy brother! ifMoheganwasyoung,whenwouldhisriflebestill?Wherewouldthedeerhide,andhenotfindhim?ButJohnisold;hishandisthehandofasquaw;histomahawkisahatchet;broomsandbasketsarehisenemies—hestrikesnoother.Hungerandoldagecometogether.SeeHawk-eye!whenyoung,hewouldgodaysandeatnothing;butshouldhenotputthebrushonthefirenow,theblazewouldgoout.TakethesonofMiquonbythehand,andhewillhelpyou.""I'm not the man I was, I'll own, Chingachgook," returned the Leather-Stocking;"butIcangowithoutamealnow,onoccasion.WhenwetrackedtheIroquois through the 'Beech-woods,' they drove the game afore them, for Ihadn'tamorseltoeatfromMondaymorningcomeWednesdaysundown,andthenIshotasfatabuck,onthePennsylvanyline,asevermortallaideyeson.ItwouldhavedoneyourheartgoodtohaveseentheDelawareeat;forIwasoutscoutingandskrimmagingwiththeirtribeatthetime.Lord!TheIndians,lad,laystill,andjustwaitedtillProvidenceshouldsendthemtheirgame,butIforagedabout,andputadeerup,andputhimdowntoo,aforehehadmadeadozenjumps.Iwastooweakandtooravenoustostopforhisflesh,soItookagooddrinkofhisblood,andtheIndiansateofhismeatraw.Johnwasthere,andJohnknows.Butthenstarvationwouldbeapttobetoomuchformenow,Iwillown,thoughI'mnogreateateratanytime.""Enough is said, my friend," cried the youth. "I feel that everywhere thesacrifice is required atmy hands, and it shall bemade; but say nomore, Ientreatyou;Icannotbearthissubjectnow."His companions were silent; and they soon reached the hut, which theyentered, after removing certain complicated and ingenious fastenings, that

wereputthereapparentlytoguardapropertyofbutverylittlevalue.Immensepilesofsnowlayagainstthelogwallsofthissecludedhabitationononeside;while fragments of small trees, and branches of oak and chestnut, that hadbeentornfromtheirparentstemsbythewinds,werethrownintoapileontheother.Asmallcolumnofsmokerose throughachimneyofsticks,cementedwithclay,alongthesideoftherock,andhadmarkedthesnowabovewithitsdarktinges,inawavyline,fromthepointofemissiontoanother,wherethehillrecededfromthebrowofaprecipice,andheldasoilthatnourishedtreesofagiganticgrowth,thatoverhungthelittlebottombeneath.The remainder of the day passed off as such days are commonly spent in anewcountry.Thesettlersthrongedtotheacademyagain,towitnessthesecondeffort of Mr. Grant; and Mohegan was one of his hearers. But, notwithstandingthedivinefixedhiseyesintentlyontheIndianwhenheinvitedhiscongregationtoadvanceto thetable, theshameof lastnight'sabasementwasyettookeenintheoldchieftosufferhimtomove.When thepeopleweredispersing, theclouds thathadbeengatheringall themorningweredenseanddirty,andbeforehalfofthecuriouscongregationhadreachedtheirdifferentcabins,thatwereplacedineveryglenandhollowofthemountains, or perched on the summits of the hills themselves, the rainwasfallingintorrents.Thedarkedgesofthestumpsbegantoexhibitthemselves,as the snow settled rapidly; the fences of logs and brush,which before hadbeenonlytracedbylonglinesofwhitemounds,thatranacrossthevalleyandup themountains, peepedout from their covering, and theblack stubsweremomentarily becoming more distinct, as large masses of snow and ice fellfromtheirsides,undertheinfluenceofthethaw.Sheltered in the warm hall of her father's comfortable mansion, Elizabeth,accompanied by Louisa Grant, looked abroad with admiration at the ever-varying faceof thingswithout.Even thevillage,whichhad justbeforebeenglitteringwith thecolorof the frozenelement, reluctantlydropped itsmask,and the houses exposed their dark roofs and smoked chimneys. The pinesshook off the covering of snow, and everything seemed to be assuming itsproperhueswithatransitionthatborderedonthesupernatural.

CHAPTERXIX.

"Andyet,poorEdwinwasnovulgarboy."—Beattie.ThecloseofChristmasDay,A.D.1793,wastempestuous,butcomparativelywarm.Whendarknesshadagainhidtheobjectsinthevillagefromthegazeof

Elizabeth, she turned from the window, where she had remained while theleastvestigeoflightlingeredoverthetopsofthedarkpines,withacuriositythatwas rather excited than appeased by the passing glimpses ofwoodlandscenerythatshehadcaughtduringtheday.WithherarmlockedinthatofMissGrant,theyoungmistressofthemansionwalked slowly up and down the hall, musing on scenes that were rapidlyrecurringtohermemory,andpossiblydwelling,attimes,inthesanctuaryofherthoughts,onthestrangeoccurrencesthathadledtotheintroductiontoherfather'sfamilyofonewhoseMannerssosingularlycontradictedtheinferencesto be drawn from his situation. The expiring heat of the apartment—for itsgreatsizerequiredadaytoreduceitstemperature—hadgiventohercheeksabloom that exceeded their natural color, while the mild and melancholyfeaturesofLouisawerebrightenedwitha faint tinge, that, like thehecticofdisease,gaveapainfulinteresttoherbeauty.The eyes of the gentlemen, who were yet seated around the rich wines ofJudgeTemple,frequentlywanderedfromthetable,thatwasplacedatoneendofthehall,totheformsthatweresilentlymovingoveritslength.Muchmirth,andthat,attimes,ofaboisterouskind,proceededfromthemouthofRichard;but Major Hartmann was not yet excited to his pitch of merriment, andMarmadukerespectedthepresenceofhisclericalguesttoomuchtoindulgeineventheinnocenthumorthatformednosmallingredientinhischaracter.Suchwere,andsuchcontinuedtobe,thepursuitsoftheparty,forhalfanhouraftertheshutterswereclosed,andcandleswereplacedinvariouspartsofthehall, as substitutes for departing daylight. The appearance of Benjamin,staggeringundertheburdenofanarmfulofwood,wasthefirstinterruptiontothescene."Hownow,MasterPump!" roared thenewly appointed sheriff; "is therenotwarmth enough in 'Duke's bestMadeira to keep up the animal heat throughthisthaw?Remember,oldboy,thattheJudgeisparticularwithhisbeechandmaple,beginningtodreadalreadyascarcityofthepreciousarticles.Ha!ha!ha! 'Duke, you are a good, warm-hearted relation, I will own, as in dutybound,butyouhavesomequeernotionsaboutyou,afterall.'Come,letusbejolly,andcastawayfolly."Thenotesgraduallysank intoahum,while themajor-domo threwdownhisload,and,turningtohisinterrogatorwithanairofearnestness,replied:"Why,lookyou,SquireDickon,mayhapthere'sawarmlatituderoundaboutthetablethere,thofit'snotthestufftoraisetheheatinmybody,neither;theraalJamaikybeingtheonlythingtodothat,besidesgoodwood,orsomesuchmatterasNewcastlecoal.But,ifIknowanythingoftheweather,d'yesee,it'stimetobegettingallsnog,andforputtingtheportsinandstirringthefiresa

bit.MayhapI'venotfollowedtheseastwenty-sevenyears,andlivedanothersevenintheseherewoods,fornothing,gemmen.""Why, does it bid fair for a change in theweather,Benjamin?" inquired themasterofthehouse."There'sashiftofwind,yourhonor,"returnedthesteward;"andwhenthere'sashiftofwind,youmaylookforachangeinthishereclimate.Iwasaboardofone of Rodney's fleet, dye see, about the time we licked De Grasse,Mounsheer Lor Quaw's countryman, there; and the wind was here at thesouth'ardandeast'ard;andIwasbelow,mixingatoothfulofhotstuffforthecaptainofmarines,whodined,dyesee,inthecabin,thatthereverysameday;andIsupposehewantedtoputoutthecaptain'sfirewithagun-roomingyne;and so, just as I got it to my own liking, after tasting pretty often, for thesoldierwasdifficulttoplease,slapcametheforesailagin'themast,whizwenttheshiproundonherheel,likeawhirligig.Andaluckythingwasitthatourhelmwasdown; foras shegatheredstarnwayshepaidoff,whichwasmorethan every ship in the fleet did, or could do.But she strained herself in thetroughof the sea, and she shipped a deal ofwater over her quarter. I neverswallowed somuchclearwater at a time inmy life as Idid then, for Iwaslookinguptheafter-hatchattheinstant.""Iwonder,Benjamin,thatyoudidnotdiewithadropsy!"saidMarmaduke."Imought,Judge,"saidtheoldtar,withabroadgrin;"buttherewasnoneedofthemedicinechestforacure;for,asIthoughtthebrewwasspoiltforthemarine'staste,andtherewasnotellingwhenanotherseamightcomeandspoilitformine.Ifinishedthemugonthespot.Sothenallhandswascalledtothepumps,andtherewebegantoplythepumps—""Well, but the weather?" interrupted Marmaduke; "what of the weatherwithoutdoors?""Whyherethewindhasbeenalldayatthesouth,andnowthere'salull,asifthelastblastwasoutofthebellows;andthere'sastreakalongthemountains,tothenorthard,that,justnow,wasn'twiderthanthebignessofyourhand;andthen the clouds drive afore it as you'd brail a mainsail, and the stars areheavinginsight,likesomanylightsandbeacons,puttheretowarnustopileonthewood;and,ifsobethatI'majudgeofweather,it'sgettingtobetimetobuild on a fire, or you'll have half of them there porter bottles, and themdimmyjohns of wine, in the locker here, breaking with the frost, afore themorningwatchiscalled.""Thou art a prudent sentinel," said the Judge. "Act thy pleasure with theforests,forthisnightatfeast."Benjamin did as he was ordered; nor had two hours elapsed, before theprudenceofhisprecautionsbecameveryvisible.Thesouthwindhad,indeed,

blown itself cut, and it was succeeded by the calmness that usually gavewarningofaseriouschangeintheweather.Longbeforethefamilyretiredtorest, the cold had become cuttingly severe; and when Monsieur Le Quoisalliedcforthunderabrightmoon,toseekhisownabode,hewascompelledto beg a blanket, in which hemight envelop c his form, in addition to thenumerousgarmentsthathissagacityhadprovidedfortheoccasion.Thedivineandhisdaughterremainedasinmatesofthemansion-houseduringthenight,andtheexcessof lastnight'smerrimentcinducedthegentlementomakeanearly retreat to their several apartments. Long before midnight, the wholefamilywereinvisible.Elizabethandherfriendhadnotyetlosttheirsensesinsleep,andthehowlingsofthenorthwestwindwereheardaroundthebuildings,andbroughtwiththemthatexquisitesenseofcomfortthatiseverexcitedundersuchcircumstances,inanapartmentwherethefirehasnotyetceasedtoglimmer,andcurtains,andshutters,andfeathersunitetopreservethedesiredtemperature.Once,justasher eyes had opened, apparently in the last stage of drowsiness, the roaringwindsbroughtwiththemalongandplaintivehowl,thatseemedtoowildforadog,andyetresembledthecriesofthatfaithfulanimal,whennightawakenshisvigilance, andgives sweetnessandsolemnity to its charms.The formofLouis Grant instinctively pressed nearer to that of the young heiress, who,findinghercompanionwasyetawake,saidinalowtone,asifafraidtobreakacharmwithhervoice:"Thosedistantcriesareplaintive,andevenbeautiful.CantheybethehoundsfromthehutofLeather-Stocking?""They are wolves, who have ventured from the mountain, on the lake,"whisperedLouisa,"andwhoareonlykeptfromthevillagebythelights.Onenight,sincewehavebeenhere,hungerdrovethemtoourverydoor.Oh,whatadreadfulnight itwas!But the richesof JudgeTemplehavegivenhim toomanysafeguards,toleaveroomforfearinthishouse.""The enterprise of Judge Temple is taming the very forests!" exclaimedElizabeth, throwing off the covering, and partly rising in the bed. "Howrapidly is civilization treading on the foot ofNature!" she continued, as hereyeglancedovernotonlythecomforts,buttheluxuriesofherapartment,andherearagain listened to thedistant,butoften repeatedhowls from the lake.Finding, how-ever, that the timidity of her companion rendered the soundspainfultoher,Elizabethresumedherplace,andsoonforgotthechangesinthecountry,withthoseinherowncondition,inadeepsleep.The following morning, the noise of the female servant, who entered theapartment to light the fire, awoke the females. They arose, and finished theslightpreparationsIoftheirtoiletsinaclear,coldatmosphere,thatpenetratedthroughall thedefencesofevenMissTemple'swarmroom.WhenElizabeth

wasattired,sheapproachedawindowanddrewitscurtain,andthrowingopenitsshutterssheendeavored to lookabroadon thevillageand the lake.Butathick coveringof frost on theglass,while it admitted the light, shutout theview.Sheraisedthesash,andthen,indeed,agloriousscenemetherdelightedeye.Thelakehadexchangeditscoveringofunspottedsnowforafaceofdarkice,that reflected the rays of the rising sun like a polished mirror. The housesclothed in a dress of the samedescription, butwhich, owing to its position,shone like bright steel; while the enormous icicles that were pendent fromevery roof caught the brilliant light, apparently throwing it from one to theother,aseachglittered,onthesidenexttheluminary,withagoldenlustrethatmelted away, on its opposite, into the dusky shades of a background.But itwastheappearanceoftheboundlessforeststhatcoveredthehillsastheyrosein the distance, one over the other, that most attracted the gaze of MissTemple.Thehugebranchesofthepinesandhemlocksbentwiththeweightoftheicetheysupported,whiletheirsummitsroseabovetheswellingtopsoftheoaks,beeches,andmaples,likespiresofburnishedsilverissuingfromdomesofthesamematerial.Thelimitsoftheview,inthewest,weremarkedbyanundulating outline of bright light, as if, reversing the order of nature,numberlesssunsmightmomentarilyheexpectedtoheaveabovethehorizon.Intheforegroundofthepicture,alongtheshoresofthelake,andneartothevillage, each tree seemed studded with diamonds. Even the sides of themountainswheretheraysofthesuncouldnotyetfall,weredecoratedwithaglassycoat,thatpresentedeverygradationofbrilliancy,fromthefirsttouchoftheluminarytothedarkfoliageofthehemlock,glisteningthroughitscoatofcrystal.Inshort,thewholeviewwasonesceneofquiveringradiancy,aslake,mountains,village,andwoods,eachemittedaportionoflight,tingedwithitspeculiarhue,andvariedbyitspositionanditsmagnitude."See!" criedElizabeth; "see, Louisa; hasten to thewindow, and observe themiraculouschange!"Miss Grant complied; and, after bending for a moment in silence from theopening, she observed, in a low tone, as if afraid to trust the sound of hervoice:"The change is indeedwonderful! I am surprised that he should be able toeffectitsosoon."Elizabeth turned in amazement, to hear so skeptical a sentiment from oneeducatedlikehercompanion;butwassurprisedtofindthat,insteadoflookingattheview,themildblueeyesofMissGrantweredwellingontheformofawell-dressedyoungman,whowasstandingbeforethedoorofthebuilding,inearnestconversationwithherfather.Asecondlookwasnecessarybeforeshewasabletorecognizethepersonoftheyounghunterinaplain,butassuredly

theordinary,garbofagentleman."Everythinginthismagicalcountryseemstoborderonthemarvellous,"saidElizabeth; "and, among all the changes, this is certainly not the leastwonderful,Theactorsareasuniqueasthescenery."MissGrantcoloredanddrewinherhead."Iamasimplecountrygirl,MissTemple,andIamafraidyouwillfindmebutapoorcompanion,"shesaid."I—IamnotsurethatIunderstandallyousay.But I really thought that you wished me to notice the alteration in Mr.Edwards,Isitnotmorewonderfulwhenwerecollecthisorigin?TheysayheispartIndian.""Heisagenteelsavage;butletusgodown,andgivethesachemhistea;forIsupposeheisadescendantofKingPhilip,ifnotagrandsonofPocahontas."TheladiesweremetinthehallbyJudgeTemple,whotookhisdaughterasideto apprise her of that alteration in the appearance of their new inmate,withwhichshewasalreadyacquainted."He appears reluctant to converse on his former situation," continuedMarmaduke "but I gathered from his discourse, as is apparent from hismanner,thathehasseenbetterdays;andIamreallyincliningtotheopinionofRichard,astohisorigin;foritwasnounusualthingfortheIndianagentstoreartheirchildreninalaudablemanner,and—""Verywell,mydear sir," interruptedhisdaughter, laughingandavertinghereyes;"itisallwellenough,Idaresay;but,asIdonotunderstandawordoftheMohawk language hemust be content to speak English; and as for hisbehavior,Itrusttoyourdiscernmenttocontrolit.""Ay! but,Bess," cried the judge, detaining her gently by the hand, "nothingmustbesaidtohimofhispastlife.Thishehasbeggedparticularlyofme,asafavor, He is, perhaps, a little soured, just now, with his wounded arm; theinjuryseemsverylight,andanothertimehemaybemorecommunicative.""Oh!Iamnotmuchtroubled,sir,withthatlaudablethirstafterknowledgethatiscalledcuriosity.IshallbelievehimtobethechildofCorn-stalk,orCorn-planter,orsomeotherrenownedchieftain;possiblyoftheBigSnakehimself;and shall treathimas suchuntil he sees fit to shavehisgood-lookinghead,borrowsomehalf-dozenpairofmybestearrings,shoulderhisrifleagain,anddisappearassuddenlyashemadehisentrance.Socome,mydearsir,andletusnotforgettheritesofhospitality,fortheshorttimeheistoremainwithus."JudgeTemplesmiledattheplayfulnessofhischild,andtakingherarmtheyentered the breakfast parlor,where the young hunterwas seatedwith an airthat showed his determination to domesticate himself in the family with aslittleparadeaspossible.

SuchweretheincidentsthatledtothisextraordinaryincreaseinthefamilyofJudgeTemple,where, having once established the youth, the subject of ourtale requires us to leave him for a time, to pursue with diligence andintelligencetheemploymentsthatwereassignedhimbyMarmaduke.MajorHartmannmadehiscustomaryvisit,andtookhisleaveofthepartyforthenextthreemonths.Mr.Grantwascompelledtobeabsentmostofhistime,in remote parts of the country, and his daughter became almost a constantvisitor at the mansion-house. Richard entered, with his constitutionaleagerness, on the duties of his new office; and, as Marmaduke was muchemployedwith the constant applications of adventures for farms, thewinterpassedswiftlyaway.Thelakewastheprincipalscenefortheamusementsofthe young people; where the ladies, in their one-horse cutter, driven byRichard,andattended,whenthesnowwouldadmitofit,byyoungEdwardsonhisskates,spentmanyhourstakingthebenefitofexerciseintheclearairofthe hills. The reserve of the youth gradually gave way to time and hissituation,thoughitwasstillevident,toacloseobserver,thathehadfrequentmomentsofbitterandintensefeeling.Elizabeth saw many large openings appear in the sides of the mountainsduring the three succeeding months, where different settlers had, in thelanguageofthecountry"madetheirpitch,"whilethenumberlesssleighsthatpassed through the village, loaded with wheat and barrels of potashes,afforded a clear demonstration that all these labors were not undertaken invain. In short, the whole country was exhibiting the bustle of a thrivingsettlement,where thehighwayswere throngedwith sleighs, bearingpilesofroughhouseholdfurniture,studded,hereandthere,withthesmilingfacesofwomen and children, happy in the excitement of novelty; or with loads ofproduce,hasteningto thecommonmarketatAlbany, thatservedassomanysnarestoinducetheemigrantstoenterintothosewildmountainsinsearchofcompetenceandhappiness.Thevillagewasalivewithbusiness,theartisansincreasinginwealthwiththeprosperity of the country, and each daywitnessing somenearer approach tothemannersandusagesofanold-settledtown.Themanwhocarriedthemailor"thepost,"ashewascalled,talkedmuchofrunningastage,and,onceortwiceduring thewinter,hewasseen takinga singlepassenger, inhiscutter,through the snow-banks, toward theMohawk,alongwhicha regularvehicleglided,semi-weekly,withthevelocityoflightning,andunderthedirectionofa knowingwhip from the "down countries,"Toward spring, divers families,whohadbeen into the "oldStates" to see their relatives, returned in time tosavethesnow,frequentlybringingwiththemwholeneighborhoods,whoweretempted by their representations to leave the farms of Connecticut andMassachusetts,tomakeatrialoffortuneinthewoods.

During all this time, Oliver Edwards, whose sudden elevation excited nosurprise in that changeful country, was earnestly engaged in the service ofMarmaduke, during the days; but his nights were often spent in the hut ofLeather-Stocking.The intercoursebetween the threehunterswasmaintainedwith a certain air of mystery, it is true, but with much zeal and apparentinteresttoalltheparties.EvenMoheganseldomcametothemansion-house,andNattynever;butEdwardssoughteveryleisuremomenttovisithisformerabode,fromwhichhewouldoftenreturninthegloomyhoursofnightthroughthesnow,or, ifdetainedbeyond the timeatwhich the family retired to rest,withthemorningsun.Thesevisitscertainlyexcitedmuchspeculationinthoseto whom they were known, but no comments were made, exceptingoccasionallyinwhispersfromRichard,whowouldsay:"Itisnotatallremarkable;ahalf-breedcanneverbeweanedfromthesavageways—and, for one of his lineage, the boy ismuch nearer civilization thancould,inreason,beexpected."

CHAPTERXX.

"Away!norletmeloiterinmysong,Forwehavemanyamountain-pathtotread."—Byron.As the spring gradually approached, the immense piles of snow that, byalternatethawsandfrosts,andrepeatedstorms,hadobtainedafirmnesswhichthreatened a tiresome durability, began to yield to the influence of milderbreezesandawarmersun.Thegatesofheavenattimesseemedtoopen,andabland air diffused itself over the earth, when animate and inanimate naturewouldawaken,and,forafewhours,thegayetyofspringshoneineveryeyeandsmiledoneveryfield.Buttheshiveringblastsfromthenorthwouldcarrytheirchillinfluenceoverthesceneagain,andthedarkandgloomycloudsthatintercepted the rays of the sun were not more cold and dreary than thereaction. These struggles between the seasons became daily more frequent,whiletheearth,likeavictimtocontention,slowlylosttheanimatedbrilliancyofwinter,withoutobtainingtheaspectofspring.Several weeks were consumed in this cheerless manner, during which theinhabitantsofthecountrygraduallychangedtheirpursuitsfromthesocialandbustling movements of the time of snow to the laborious and domesticengagementsofthecomingseason,Thevillagewasnolongerthrongedwithvisitors; the trade that had enlivened the shops for severalmonths, began todisappear;thehighwayslosttheirshiningcoatsofbeatensnowinimpassable

sloughs, andwere deserted by the gay and noisy travellerswho, in sleighs,had,during thewinter,glidedalongtheirwindings;and, inshort,everythingseemedindicativeofamightychange,notonlyintheearth,butinthosewhoderivedtheirsourcesofcomfortandhappinessfromitsbosom.Theyoungermembersof the family in themansionhouse, ofwhichLouisaGrant was now habitually one, were by no means indifferent observers ofthese fluctuating and tardy changes. While the snow rendered the roadspassable, they had partaken largely in the amusements of thewinter,whichincluded not only daily rides over themountains, and through every valleywithin twenty miles of them, but divers ingenious and varied sources ofpleasureonthebosomoftheirfrozenlake.TherehadbeenexcursionsintheequipageofRichard,whenwithhisfourhorseshehadoutstrippedthewinds,as it flew over the glassy icewhich invariably succeeded a thaw. Then theexcitinganddangerous"whirligig"wouldbesufferedtopossessitsmomentofnotice. Cutters, drawn by a single horse, and handsleds, impelled by thegentlemenonskates,wouldeachinturnbeused;and,inshort,everysourceofreliefagainstthetediousnessofawinterinthemountainswasresortedtobythe family, Elizabeth was compelled to acknowledge to her father, that theseason, with the aid of his library, was much less irksome than she hadanticipated.Asexerciseintheopenairwasinsomedegreenecessarytothehabitsofthefamily,when theconstant recurrenceof frostsand thawsrendered the roads,which were dangerous at the most favorable times, utterly impassable forwheels, saddle-horses were used as substitutes for other conveyances.Mountedonsmallandsure-footedbeasts, theladieswouldagainattemptthepassages of the mountains and penetrate into every retired glen where theenterpriseofasettlerhadinducedhimtoestablishhimself.Intheseexcursionstheywereattendedbysomeoneorallofthegentlemenofthefamily,astheirdifferent pursuits admitted. Young Edwards was hourly becoming morefamiliarized tohissituation,andnot infrequentlymingled in thepartieswithan unconcern and gayety that for a short time would expel all unpleasantrecollectionsfromhismind.Habit,andthebuoyancyofyouth,seemedtobegettingtheascendencyoverthesecretcausesofhisuneasiness; thoughthereweremomentswhen thesameremarkableexpressionofdisgustwouldcrosshisintercoursewithMarmaduke,thathaddistinguishedtheirconversationsinthefirstdaysoftheiracquaintance.It was at the close of the month of March, that the sheriff succeeded inpersuadinghiscousinandheryoungfriend toaccompanyhimina ride toahillthatwassaidtooverhangthelakeinamannerpeculiartoitself."Besides, Cousin Bess," continued the indefatigable Richard, "we will stopandseethe'sugarbush'ofBillyKirby;heisontheeastendoftheRansomlot,

makingsugarforJaredRansom.Thereisnotabetterhandoverakettleinthecounty than that sameKirby.You remember, 'Duke, that I had himhis firstseason in our camp; and it is not awonder that he knows something of histrade.""He'sagoodchopper,isBilly,"observedBenjamin,whoheldthebridleofthehorsewhilethesheriffmounted;"andhehandlesanaxemuchthesameasaforecastlemandoeshismarling-spike,oratailorhisgoose.Theysayhe'llliftapotash-kettleoffthearchalone,thoughIcan'tsaythatI'veeverseenhimdoitwithmy own eyes; but that is the say. And I've seen sugar of his making,which,maybe,wasn'taswhiteasanoldtopgallantsail,butwhichmyfriend,MistressPettibones,withinthere,saidhadthetruemolassessmacktoit;andyouarenottheone,SquireDickens,tobetoldthatMistressRemarkablehasaremarkabletoothforsweetthingsinhernut-grinder."The loud laugh that succeeded the wit of Benjamin, and in which heparticipatedwithnoveryharmonioussoundshimself,veryfullyillustratedthecongenial temper which existed between the pair. Most of its point was,however,lostontherestoftheparty,whowereeithermountingtheirhorsesorassistingtheladiesatthemoment.Whenallweresafelyintheirsaddles,theymovedthroughthevillageingreatorder.TheypausedforamomentbeforethedoorofMonsieurLeQuoi,untilhecouldbestridehissteed,andthen,issuingfrom the little cluster of houses, they took one of the principal of thosehighwaysthatcentredinthevillage.Aseachnightbroughtwithitaseverefrost,whichtheheatofthesucceedingday served to dissipate, the equestrians were compelled to proceed singlyalongthemarginoftheroad,wheretheturf,andfirmnessoftheground,gavethehorsesasecurefooting.Verytriflingindicationsofvegetationweretobeseen,thesurfaceoftheearthpresentingacold,wet,andcheerlessaspectthatchilled the blood. The snow yet lay scattered over most of those distantclearingsthatwerevisibleindifferentpartsofthemountains;thoughhereandthere an openingmight be seenwhere, as thewhite covering yielded to theseason,thebrightandlivelygreenofthewheatservedtoenkindlethehopesofthehusbandman.Nothingcouldbemoremarkedthanthecontrastbetweentheearthandtheheavens;for,whiletheformerpresentedthedrearyviewthatwehavedescribed,awarmandinvigoratingsunwasdispensinghisheatsfroma sky that contained but a solitary cloud, and through an atmosphere thatsoftenedthecolorsofthesensiblehorizonuntilitshonelikeaseaofblue.Richardledthewayonthis,asonallotheroccasionsthatdidnotrequiretheexerciseofunusualabilities;andashemovedalong,heessayedtoenliventhepartywiththesoundsofhisexperiencedvoice."This is your true sugar weather, 'Duke," he cried; "a frosty night and asunshinyday.Iwarrantmethatthesaprunslikeamill-tailupthemaplesthis

warm morning. It is a pity, Judge, that you do not introduce a little morescienceintothemanufactoryofsugaramongyour tenants.Itmightbedone,sir, without knowing as much as Dr. Franklin—it might be done, JudgeTemple.""Thefirstobjectofmysolicitude, friendJones,"returnedMarmaduke,"is toprotect the sources of this great mine of comfort and wealth from theextravagance of the people themselves.When this important point shall beachieved, itwillbe in season to turnourattention toan improvement in themanufacture of the article, But thou knowest, Richard, that I have alreadysubjected our sugar to the process of the refiner, and that the result hasproduced loaves as white as the snow on yon fields, and possessing thesaccharinequalityinitsutmostpurity.""Saccharine, or turpentine, or any other 'ine, JudgeTemple, you have nevermadealoaflargerthanagood-sizedsugar-plum,"returnedthesheriff."Now,sir, I assert thatnoexperiment is fairly tried,until it be reduced topracticalpurposes.If,sir,Iownedahundred,or,forthatmatter,twohundredthousandacresof land,asyoudo.Iwouldbuildasugarhousein thevillage;Iwouldinvitelearnedmentoaninvestigationofthesubject—andsuchareeasilytobefound,sir;yes,sir, theyarenotdifficulttofind—menwhounitetheorywithpractice;andIwouldselectawoodofyoungandthriftytrees;and,insteadofmaking loaves of the size of a lump of candy, dam'me, 'Duke, but I'd havethemasbigasahaycock.""And purchase the cargo of one of those ships that they say are going toChina,"criedElizabeth;"turnyourpotash-kettlesintoteacups,thescowsonthelakeintosaucers,bakeyourcakeinyonderlime-kiln,andinvitethecountytoatea-party.Howwonderfularetheprojectsofgenius!Really,sir,theworldisofopinionthatJudgeTemplehastriedtheexperimentfairly,thoughhedidnotcausehisloavestobecastinmouldsofthemagnitudethatwouldsuityourmagnificentconceptions.""You may laugh, Cousin Elizabeth—you may laugh, madam," retortedRichard,turninghimselfsomuchinhissaddleastofacetheparty,andmakingdignifiedgestureswithhiswhip;"butIappealtocommonsense,goodsense,or,whatisofmoreimportancethaneither,tothesenseoftaste,whichisoneofthefivenaturalsenses,whetherabigloafofsugarisnotlikelytocontainabetter illustration of a proposition than such a lump as one of your Dutchwomenputsunderhertonguewhenshedrinkshertea.Therearetwowaysofdoingeverything, the rightwayand thewrongway.Youmake sugarnow, Iwilladmit,andyoumay,possibly,makeloaf-sugar;butItakethequestiontobe,whetheryoumakethebestpossiblesugar,andinthebestpossibleloaves.""Thouartveryright,Richard,"observedMarmaduke,withagravityinhisairthatprovedhowmuchhewasinterestedinthesubject."Itisverytruethatwe

manufacture sugar, and the inquiry is quite useful, howmuch? and inwhatmanner? I hope to live to see the daywhen farms and plantations shall bedevoted to thisbranchofbusiness.Little isknownconcerning thepropertiesofthetreeitself,thesourceofallthiswealth;howmuchitmaybeimprovedbycultivation,bytheuseofthehoeandplough.""Hoeandplough!"roaredthesheriff;"wouldyousetamanhoeingroundtheroot of amaple like this?" pointing to one of the noble trees that occur sofrequentlyinthatpartofthecountry."Hoeingtrees!areyoumad,'Duke?Thisisnexttohuntingforcoal!Poh!poh!mydearcousin,hearreason,andleavethemanagementofthesugar-bushtome.HereisMr.LeQuoi—hehasbeenintheWestIndies,andhasseensugarmade.Lethimgiveanaccountofhowitismade there, and youwill hear the philosophy of the thing.Well, monsieur,howisitthatyoumakesugarintheWestIndies;anythinginJudgeTemplesfashion?"Thegentlemantowhomthisquerywasputwasmountedonasmallhorse,ofnoveryfierytemperament,andwasridingwithhisstirrupssoshortastobringhis knees,while the animal rose a small ascent in thewood-path theywerenowtravelling,intoasomewhathazardousvicinitytohischin.Therewasnoroomforgesticulationorgrace in thedeliveryofhis reply, for themountainwassteepandslippery;and,althoughtheFrenchmanhadaneyeofuncommonmagnitudeoneithersideofhisface,theydidnotseemtobehalfcompetenttoforewarnhimoftheimpedimentsofbushes,twigs,andfallentrees,thatweremomentarily crossing his path. With one hand employed in averting thesedangers,andtheothergraspinghisbridletocheckanuntowardspeedthathishorsewasassuming,thenativeofFrancerespondedasfollows:"Sucre!deydomakesucreinMartinique;mais—maiscen'estpasonetree—ah—ah—vat you call—je voudrois que ces chemins fussent au diable—vatyoucall—steeckpourlapromenade?""Cane,"saidElizabeth,smilingattheimprecationwhichthewaryFrenchmansupposedwasunderstoodonlybyhimself."Oui,mam'selle,cane.""Yes,yes,"criedRichard,"caneisthevulgarnameforit,buttherealtermissaccharum officinarum; and what we call the sugar, or hard maple, is acersaccharinum. These are the learned names, monsieur, and are such as,doubtless,youwellunderstand.""IsthisGreekorLatin,Mr.Edwards?"whisperedElizabethtotheyouth,whowasopeningapassageforherselfandhercompanionsthroughthebushes,"orperhapsitisastillmorelearnedlanguage,foraninterpretationofwhichwemustlooktoyou."Thedarkeyeof theyoungmanglanced toward thespeaker,but its resentfulexpressionchangedinamoment.

"Ishallrememberyourdoubts,MissTemple,whennextIvisitmyoldfriendMohegan,andeitherhisskill,orthatofLeather-Stocking,shallsolvethem.""Andareyou,then,reallyignorantoftheirlanguage?""Notabsolutely;butthedeeplearningofMr.Jonesismorefamiliartome,oreventhepolitemasqueradeofMonsieurLeQuoi.""DoyouspeakFrench?"saidthelady,withquickness."It is a common language with the Iroquois, and through the Canadas," heanswered,smiling."Ah!buttheyareMingoes,andyourenemies.""ItwillbewellformeifIhavenoworse,"saidtheyouth,dashingaheadwithhishorse,andputtinganendtotheevasivedialogue.The discourse, however, was maintained with great vigor by Richard, untilthey reached an open wood on the summit of the mountain, where thehemlocks and pines totally disappeared, and a grove of the very trees thatformed thesubjectofdebatecovered theearthwith their tall, straight trunksand spreading branches, in stately pride. The underwood had been entirelyremoved from this grove, or bush, as, in conjunction with the simplearrangementsforboiling, itwascalled,andawidespaceofmanyacreswascleared,whichmightbelikenedtothedomeofamightytemple,towhichthemaplesformedthecolumns,theirtopscomposingthecapitalsandtheheavensthearch.Adeepandcarelessincisionhadbeenmadeintoeachtree,nearitsroot, into which little spouts, formed of the I bark of the alder, or of thesumach, were fastened; and a trough, roughly dug out of the linden, orbasswood,was I lying at the root of each tree, to catch the sap that flowedfromthisextremelywastefulandinartificialarrangement.Thepartypausedamoment,ongainingtheflat,tobreathetheirhorses,and,asthescenewasentirelynewtoseveraloftheirnumber,toviewthemannerofcollecting the fluid. A fine, powerful voice aroused them from theirmomentary silence, as it rang under the branches of the trees, singing thefollowingwordsofthatinimitabledoggerel,whoseverses,ifextended,wouldreach from theCaters of theConnecticut to the shoresofOntario.The tunewas, of course, a familiar air which, although it is said to have been firstapplied to this nation in derision, circumstances have since rendered soglorious that noAmerican ever hears its jingling cadencewithout feeling athrillathisheart:"TheEasternStatesbefullofmen,TheWesternFullofwoods,sir,Thehillbelikeacattle-pen,Theroadsbefullofgoods,sir!Thenflowaway,mysweetysap,AndIwillmakeyouboily;Norcatchawoodman'shastynap,Forfearyou should get roily. The maple-tree's a precious one, 'Tis fuel, food, and

timber; And when your stiff day's work is done, Its juice will make youlimber,Thenflowaway,etc."Andwhat'samanwithouthisglass.Hiswifewithouthertea,sir?Butneithercupnormugwillpass,Withouthishoney-bee,sir!Thenflowaway,"etc.During the execution of this sonorous doggerel, Richard kept timewith hiswhip on the mane of his charger, accompanying the gestures with acorrespondingmovementofhisheadandbody.Towardthecloseofthesong,hewasoverheardhummingthechorus,and,atitslastrepetition,tostrikeinat"sweety sap," and carry a second through,with a prodigious addition to the"effect"ofthenoise,ifnottothatoftheharmony."Welldoneus!"roaredthesheriff,onthesamekeywiththetune;"averygoodsong,BillyKirby,andverywellsung.Wheregotyouthewords,lad?Istheremoreofit,andcanyoufurnishmewithacopy?"Thesugar-boiler,whowasbusy inhis"camp,"atashortdistancefromtheequestrians, turnedhisheadwith great indifference, and surveyed the party, as they approached, withadmirable coolness. To each individual, as he or she rode close by him, hegave a nod thatwas extremely good-natured and affable, butwhichpartooklargelyof thevirtueofequality, fornotevento the ladiesdidhe in the leastvaryhismodeofsalutation,bytouchingtheapologyforahatthathewore,orbyanyothermotionthantheonewehavementioned."Howgoesit,howgoesit,sheriff?"saidthewood-chopper;"what'sthegoodwordinthevillage?""Why,much as usual,Billy," returnedRichard. "But how is this?where areyourfourkettles,andyourtroughs,andyourironcoolers?Doyoumakesugarinthisslovenlyway?Ithoughtyouwereoneofthebestsugar-boilersinthecounty.""I'm all that, Squire Jones," said Kirby, who continued his occupation; "I'llturn my back to no man in the Otsego hills for chopping and logging, forboilingdownthemaplesap,fortendingbrick-kiln,splittingoutrails,makingpotash,andparlingtoo,orhoeingcorn;thoughIkeepmyselfprettymuchtothefirstbusiness,seeingthattheaxecomesmostnaturaltome.""YoubevonJackAll-trade,MisterBeel,"saidMonsieurLeQuoi."How?" said Kirby, looking up with a simplicity which, coupled with hisgigantic frame andmanly face,was a little ridiculous, "if you be for trade,mounsher,hereissomeasgoodsugarasyou'llfindtheseasonthrough.It'sasclear from dirt as the Jarman Flats is free from stumps, and it has the raalmapleflavor.SuchstuffwouldsellinYorkforcandy."TheFrenchmanapproachedtheplacewhereKirbyhaddepositedhiscakeofsugar,underthecoverofabarkroof,andcommencedtheexaminationofthe

article with the eye of onewhowell understood its value.Marmaduke haddismounted, andwas viewing theworks and the trees very closely, and notwithoutfrequentexpressionsofdissatisfactionatthecarelessmannerinwhichthemanufacturewasconducted."Youhavemuchexperienceinthesethings,Kirby,"hesaid;"whatcoursedoyoupursueinmakingyoursugar?Iseeyouhavebuttwokettles.""Twoisasgoodastwothousand,Judge.I'mnoneofyourpolitesugar-makers,that boils for the great folks; but if the raal sweet maple is wanted, I canansweryourturn.First,Ichoose,andthenItapmytrees;sayalongaboutthelastofFebruary,orinthesemountainsmaybenotaforethemiddleofMarch;butanyway,justasthesapbeginstocleverlyrun—""Well, in this choice," interrupted Marmaduke, "are you governed by anyoutwardsignsthatprovethequalityofthetree?""Why, there's judgment in all things," said Kirby, stirring the liquor in hiskettlesbriskly."There'ssomethinginknowingwhenandhowtostirthepot.It'sathingthatmustbelarnt.Romewasn'tbuiltinaday,norforthatmatterTempletoneither,thoughitmaybesaidtobeaquick-growingplace.Ineverputmyaxeintoastuntytree,oronethathasn'tagood,fresh-lookingbark:fortreeshavedisorders,likecreatur's;andwhere'sthepolicyoftakingatreethat'ssickly,anymorethanyou'dchooseafounderedhorsetoridepost,oranoverheatedoxtodoyourlogging?""All that is true.Butwhatare thesignsof illness?howdoyoudistinguishatreethatiswellfromonethatisdiseased?""Howdoesthedoctortellwhohasfeverandwhocolds?"interruptedRichard."Byexaminingtheskin,andfeelingthepulse,tobesure.""Sartain,"continuedBilly;"thesquireain'tfaroutoftheway.It'sbythelookofthething,sureenough.Well,whenthesapbeginstogetafreerun,Ihangoverthekettles,andsetupthebush.MyfirstboilingIpushprettysmartly,tillIgetthevirtueofthesap;butwhenitbeginstogrowofamolassesnater,likethisinthekettle,onemustn'tdrivethefirestoohard,oryou'llburnthesugar;andburnysugarisbadtothetaste,letitbeneversosweet.Soyouladleoutfromonekettleintotheothertillitgetsso,whenyouputthestirring-stickintoit, that itwilldraw intoa thread—when it takesakerfulhand tomanage it.Thereisawaytodrainitoff,afterithasgrained,byputtingclayintothepans;bittitisn'talwayspractised;somedoosandsomedoosn't.Well,mounsher,bewelikelytomakeatrade?""Iwillgiveyou,MisterEtel,forvonpound,dixsous.""No, I expect cash for it; I never dickermy sugar,But, seeing that it's you,mounsher,"saidBilly,withaCoaxingsmile,"I'llagreetoreceiveagallonof

rum,andclothenoughfortwoshirtsifyou'lltakethemolassesinthebargain.It'sraalgood.Iwouldn'tdeceiveyouoranymanandtomydrinkingit'saboutthebestmolassesthatcomeoutofasugar-bush.""Mr.LeQuoihasofferedyoutenpence,"saidyoungEdwards.Themanufacturerstaredatthespeakerwithanairofgreatfreedom,butmadenoreply."Oui," said the Frenchman, "ten penny. Jevausraner cie,monsieur: ah!monAnglois!jel'oublietoujours."Thewood-chopper looked fromone to theotherwith somedispleasure; andevidently imbibed the opinion that they were amusing themselves at hisexpense.Heseizedtheenormousladle,whichwaslyingononeofhiskettles,and began to stir the boiling liquid with great diligence. After a momentpassed indipping the ladlefull,and thenraising itonhigh,as the thickrichfluidfellbackintothekettle,hesuddenlygaveitawhirl,asiftocoolwhatyetremained,andofferedthebowltoMr.LeQuoi,saying:"Taste that,mounsher,andyouwillsay it isworthmore thanyouoffer.Themolassesitselfwouldfetchthemoney."The complaisant Frenchman, after several timid efforts to trust his lips incontactwiththehowloftheladle,gotagoodswallowofthescaldingliquid.Heclappedhishandsonhisbreast,andlookedmostpiteouslyattheladies,fora single instant; and then, to use the language of Billy, when he afterwardrecountedthetale,"nodrumstickseverwentfasterontheskinofasheepthantheFrenchman'slegs,foraroundortwo;andthensuchswearingandspittinginFrenchyouneversaw.Butit'saknowingone,fromtheoldcountries,thatthinkstogethisjokessmoothlyoverawood-chopper."TheairofinnocencewithwhichKirbyresumedtheoccupationofstirringthecontentsofhiskettleswouldhavecompletelydeceivedthespectatorsastohisagencyinthetemporarysufferingsofMr.LeQuoi,hadnottherecklessfellowthrust his tongue into his cheek, and cast his eyes over the party, with asimplicityofexpressionthatwastooexquisitetobenatural.Mr.LeQuoisoonrecoveredhispresenceofmindandhisdecorum;andhebrieflyapologizedtotheladiesforoneortwoveryintemperateexpressionsthathadescapedhimina moment of extraordinary excitement, and, remounting his horse, hecontinuedinthebackgroundduringtheremainderofthevisit,thewitofKirbyputting a violent termination, at once, to all negotiations on the subject oftrade.Duringall thistime,Marmadukehadbeenwanderingaboutthegrove,makingobservationsonhis favorite trees,and thewastefulmanner inwhichthewood-chopperconductedhismanufacture."Itgrievesmetowitnesstheextravagancethatpervadesthiscountry,"saidtheJudge,"wherethesettlerstriflewiththeblessingstheymightenjoy,withthe

prodigality of successful adventurers. You are not exempt from the censureyourself,Kirby, for youmakedreadfulwounds in these treeswhere a smallincisionwouldeffectthesameobject.Iearnestlybegyouwillrememberthattheyarethegrowthofcenturies,andwhenoncegonenonelivingwillseetheirlossremedied.""Why,Idon'tknow,Judge,"returnedthemanheaddressed;"itseemstome,if there's plenty of anything in this mountaynious country, it's the trees. Ifthere'sanysininchoppingthem,I'veaprettyheavyaccounttosettle;forI'vechoppedoverthebesthalfofathousandacres,withmyownhands,countingbothVarmountandYorkStates;andIhopetolivetofinishthewhull,beforeIlay up my axe. Chopping comes quite natural to me, and I wish no otheremployment;butJaredRansomsaidthathethoughtthesugarwaslikelytobesourcethisseason,seeingthatsomanyfolkswascomingintothesettlement,andsoIconcludedtotakethe'bush'onshearesforthisonespring.What'sthebest news, Judge, consarning ashes?dopotshold so that amancan livebythemstill?Is'posetheywill,iftheykeeponfightingacrossthewater.""Thoureasonestwith judgment,William," returnedMarmaduke."So longasthe Old Worm is to be convulsed with wars, so long will the harvest ofAmericacontinue.""Well,it'sanillwind,Judge,thatblowsnobodyanygood.I'msurethecountryis in a thriving way; and though I know you calkilate greatly on the trees,settingasmuchstorebythemassomemenwouldbytheirchildren,yettomyeyestheyareasoresightanytime,unlessI'mprivilegedtoworkmywillonthem:inwhichcaseIcan'tsaybuttheyaremoretomyliking.Ihaveheardthesettlers from the old countries say that their rich men keep great oaks andelms,thatwouldmakeabarrelofpotstothetree,standingroundtheirdoorsand humsteds and scattered over their farms, just to look at.Now, I call nocountrymuch improved that is prettywell coveredwith trees.Stumps are adifferentthing,fortheydon'tshadetheland;and,besides,youdigthem—theymake a fence that will turn anything bigger than a hog, being grand forbreachycattle.""Opinions on such subjects vary much in different countries," saidMarmaduke; "but it is not as ornaments that I value the noble trees of thiscountry; it is for their usefulnessWe are stripping the forests, as if a singleyearwouldreplacewhatwedestroy.Butthehourapproacheswhenthelawswilltakenoticeofnotonlythewoods,butthegametheycontainalso."With this consoling reflection, Marmaduke remounted, and the equestrianspassed the sugar-camp, on theirway to the promised landscape of Richard.Thewood-chop-perwas left alone, in thebosomof the forest, topursuehislabors. Elizabeth turned her head, when they reached the point where theywere to descend the mountain, and thought that the slow fires that were

glimmeringunderhis enormouskettles,his littlebrush shelter, coveredwithpiecesofhemlockbark,hisgiganticsize,ashewieldedhisladlewithasteadyandknowingair,aidedby theback-groundofstately trees,with theirspoutsand troughs, formed, altogether, no unreal picture of human life in its firststages of civilization. Perhaps whatever the scene possessed of a romanticcharacter was not injured by the powerful tones of Kirby's voice ringingthrough thewoodsasheagainawokehisstrains toanother tune,whichwasbutlittlemorescientificthantheformer.Allthatsheunderstoodofthewordswere:"Andwhen theproud forest is falling,Tomyoxen cheerfully calling,FrommornuntilnightIambawling,Whoa,backthere,andhawandgee;Tillourlaborismutuallyended,Bymystrengthandcattlebefriended,Andagainstthemosquitoes defendedBy the bark of thewalnut-trees.Away! then, you ladswho would buy land; Choose the oak that grows on the high land, or thesilverypineonthedryland,itmattersbutlittletome."

CHAPTERXXI.

"Speed!Malise,speed!suchcauseofhasteThineactivesinewsneverbraced."—Scott.TheroadsofOtsego,ifweexcepttheprincipalhighways,were,attheearlyday of our tale, but little better than wood-paths. The high trees that weregrowingontheveryvergeofthewheel-tracksexcludedthesun'srays,unlessatmeridian;andtheslownessoftheevaporation,unitedwiththerichmouldofvegetable decomposition that covered the whole country to the depth ofseveral inches, occasioned but an indifferent foundation for the footing oftravellers.Added to thesewere the inequalities of a natural surface, and theconstantrecurrenceofenormousandslipperyrootsthatwerelaidbarebytheremovalofthelightsoil,togetherwithstumpsoftrees,tomakeapassagenotonly difficult but dangerous. Yet the riders among these numerousobstructions,whichwere such aswould terrify an unpracticed eye, gave nodemonstrations of uneasiness as their horses toiled through the sloughs ortrottedwithuncertainpacesalongthedarkroute.Inmanyplacesthemarksonthe trees were the only indications of a road, with perhaps an occasionalremnantofapinethat,bybeingcutclosetotheearth,soastoleavenothingvisiblebutitsbaseofroots,spreadingfortwentyfeetineverydirection,wasapparentlyplacedthereasabeacontowarnthetravellerthatitwasthecentreofahighway.

Intooneoftheseroadstheactivesheriffledtheway,firststrikingoutofthefoot-path, bywhich they had descended from the sugar-bush, across a littlebridge,formedofroundlogs laid looselyonsleepersofpine, inwhichlargeopenings of a formidablewidthwere frequent.The nag ofRichard,when itreachedoneofthesegaps,laiditsnosealongthelogsandsteppedacrossthedifficultpassagewiththesagacityofaman;butthebloodedfillywhichMissTemplerodedisdainedsohumbleamovement.Shemadeasteportwowithanunusual caution, and then, on reaching the broadest opening, obedient tothecurtandwhipofherfearlessmistress,sheboundedacrossthedangerouspasswiththeactivityofasquirrel."Gently,gently,mychild,"saidMarmaduke,whowasfollowinginthemannerof Richard; "this is not a country for equestrian feats. Much prudence isrequisitetojourneythroughourroughpathswithsafety.Thoumaystpractisethyskill inhorsemanshipontheplainsofNewJerseywithsafety;butinthehillsofOtsegotheymaybesuspendedforatime.""I may as well then relinquish my saddle at once, dear sir," returned hisdaughter;"forifitistobelaidasideuntilthiswildcountrybeimproved,oldagewillovertakeme,andputanendtowhatyoutermmyequestrianfeats.""Saynotso,mychild,"returnedherfather;"butifthouventurestagainasincrossing this bridge, old agewill never overtake thee, but I shall be left tomournthee,cutoffinthypride,myElizabeth.Ifthouhadstseenthisdistrictofcountry,asIdid,whenit layinthesleepofnature,andbadwitnesseditsrapidchangesasitawoketosupplythewantsofman,thouwouldstcurbthyimpatienceforalittletime,thoughthoushouldstnotcheckthysteed.""I recollect hearing you speak of your first visit to these woods, but theimpressionisfaint,andblendedwiththeconfusedimagesofchildhood.Wildand unsettled as itmay yet seem, itmust have been a thousand timesmoredreary then. Will you repeat, dear sir, what you then thought of yourenterprise,andwhatyoufelt?"During this speech of Elizabeth, which was uttered with the fervor ofaffection,youngEdwardsrodemorecloselytothesideoftheJudge,andbenthisdarkeyesonhiscountenancewithanexpression thatseemed toreadhisthoughts."Thouwastthenyoung,mychild,butmustrememberwhenIlefttheeandthymother, to take my first survey of these uninhabited mountains," saidMarmaduke."Butthoudostnotfeelallthesecretmotivesthatcanurgeamantoendureprivationsinordertoaccumulatewealth.Inmycasetheyhavenotbeen trifling, and God has been pleased to smile on my efforts. If I haveencounteredpain,famine,anddiseaseinaccomplishingthesettlementofthisroughterritory,Ihavenotthemiseryoffailuretoaddtothegrievances."

"Famine!"echoedElizabeth;"I thoughtthiswasthelandofabundance!Hadyoufaminetocontendwith?""Evenso,mychild,"saidherfather."Thosewholookaroundthemnow,andseetheloadsofproducethatissueoutofeverywildpathinthesemountainsduringtheseasonoftravelling,willhardlycreditthatnomorethanfiveyearshaveelapsedsincethetenantsofthesewoodswerecompelledtoeatthescantyfruitsoftheforesttosustainlife,and,withtheirunpracticedskill,tohuntthebeastsasfoodfortheirstarvingfamilies.""Ay!"criedRichard,whohappenedtooverhearthelastofthisspeechbetweenthenotesof thewood-chopper's song,whichhewas endeavoring tobreathealoud;"thatwasthestarving-time,*CousinBess.Igrewas lankasaweaselthat fall, and my face was as pale as one of your fever-and-ague visages.MonsieurLeQuoi, there, fellawaylikeapumpkin indrying;nordoI thinkyouhavegotfairlyoverityet,monsieur.Benjamin,I thought,boreitwithaworsegracethananyofthefamily;forhesworeitwashardertoendurethanashortallowanceinthecalmlatitudes.Benjaminisasadfellowtoswearifyoustarvehimeversolittle.Ihadhalfamindtoquityouthen, 'Duke,andtogointoPennsylvaniatofatten;but,damnit,thinksI,wearesisters'children,andIwillliveordiewithhim,afterall."*Theauthorhasnobetterapologyforinterruptingtheinterestofaworkoffictionbythesedesultorydialoguesthanthattheyhaveref-erencetofacts.Inreviewinghiswork,aftersomanyyears,heiscompelledtoconfessitisinjuredbytoomanyallusionstoincidentsthatarenotatallsuitedtosatisfythejustexpectationsofthegeneralreader.Oneoftheseeventsisslightlytouchedoninthecommencementofthischapter.More than thirty years since a very near and dear relative of thewriter, anelder sister anda secondmother,waskilledbya fall fromahorse ina rideamong theverymountainsmentioned in this tale.Fewof her sex andyearsweremoreextensivelyknownormoreuniversallybelovedthantheadmirablewomanwhothusfellavictimtothechancesofthewilderness."Idonotforgetthykindness,"saidMarmaduke,"northatweareofoneblood.""But, my dear father," cried the wondering Elizabeth, "was there actualsuffering?Wherewere thebeautifulandfertilevalesof theMohawk?Couldtheynotfurnishfoodforyourwants?""Itwasaseasonofscarcity;thenecessitiesoflifecommandedahighpriceinEurope,andweregreedilysoughtafterbythespeculators.TheemigrantsfromtheEast to theWest invariablypassedalong thevalleyof theMohawk, and

swept away themeansof subsistence like a swarmof locusts,Norwere thepeopleontheFlatsinamuchbettercondition.Theywereinwantthemselves,but they spared the little excess of provisions that nature did not absolutelyrequire,withthejusticeoftheGermancharacter.Therewasnogrindingofthepoor. Theword speculatorwas then unknown to them. I have seenmany astoutman,bendingundertheloadofthebagofmealwhichhewascarryingfromthemillsoftheMohawk,throughtheruggedpassesofthesemountains,tofeedhishalf-famishedchildren,withaheartsolight,asheapproachedhishut,thatthethirtymileshehadpassedseemednothing.Remember,mychild,itwasinourveryinfancy;wehadneithermills,norgrain,norroads,noroftenclearings;wehadnothingofincreasebutthemouthsthatweretobefed:forevenatthatinauspiciousmomenttherestlessspiritofemigrationwasnotidle;nay, the general scarcity which extended to the East tended to increase thenumberofadventurers.""And how, dearest father, didst thou encounter this dreadful evil?" saidElizabeth,unconsciouslyadopting thedialectofherparent in thewarmthofher sympathy. "Upon thee must have fallen the responsibility, if not thesuffering.""It did, Elizabeth," returned the Judge, pausing for a single moment, as ifmusing on his former feelings. "I had hundreds at that dreadful time dailylookingup tome forbread.The sufferingsof their families and thegloomyprospectbefore themhadparalyzed theenterpriseandeffortsofmysettlers;hunger drove them to the woods for food, but despair sent them at night,enfeebledandwan,toasleeplesspillow.Itwasnotamomentforinaction.Ipurchased cargoes of wheat from the granaries of Pennsylvania; they werelanded atAlbany and brought up theMohawk in boats; from thence itwastransported on pack-horses into the wilderness and distributed among mypeople. Seines were made, and the lakes and rivers were dragged for fish.Something like amiraclewaswrought in our favor, for enormous shoals ofherrings were discovered to have wandered five hundredmiles through thewindings of the impetuous Susquehanna, and the lake was alive with theirnumbers.Thesewereatlengthcaughtanddealtouttothepeople,withproperportionsofsalt,andfromthatmomentweagainbegantoprosper."**Allthiswasliterallytrue."Yes," criedRichard, "and Iwas themanwho served out the fish and salt.When thepoor devils came to receive their rations,Benjamin,whowasmydeputy,wasobligedtokeepthemoffbystretchingropesaroundme,fortheysmeltsoofgarlic,fromeatingnothingbutthewildonion,thatthefumesputme out often in my measurement. You were a child then, Bess, and knewnothingofthematter,forgreatcarewasobservedtokeepbothyouandyourmotherfromsuffering.Thatyearputmebackdreadfully,bothinthebreedof

myhogsandofmyturkeys.""No, Bess," cried the Judge, in a more cheerful tone, disregarding theinterruptionofhiscousin,"hewhohearsofthesettlementofacountryknowsbut little of the toil and suffering bywhich it is accomplished.Unimprovedand wild as this district now seems to your eyes, what was it when I firstenteredthehills?Ileftmyparty,themorningofmyarrival,nearthefarmsofthe Cherry Valley, and, following a deer-path, rode to the summit of themountainthatIhavesincecalledMountVision;forthesightthattheremetmyeyes seemed tome as the deceptions of a dream.The fire had run over thepinnacle,and inagreatmeasure laidopen theview.The leaveswere fallen,andImountedatreeandsatforanhourlookingonthesilentwilderness.Notanopeningwastobeseenintheboundlessforestexceptwherethelakelay,likeamirrorofglass.Thewaterwascoveredbymyriadsofthewild-fowlthatmigrate with the changes in the season; and while in my situation on thebranchofthebeech,Isawabear,withhercubs,descendtotheshoretodrink.Ihadmetmanydeer,gliding through thewoods, inmy journey;butnot thevestige of a man could I trace during my progress, nor from my elevatedobservatory.Noclearing,nohut,noneofthewindingroadsthatarenowtobeseen, were there; nothing but mountains rising behind mountains; and thevalley,with its surface of branches enlivened here and therewith the fadedfoliage of some tree that parted from its leaves with more than ordinaryreluctance.Even theSusquehannawas thenhidby theheightanddensityoftheforest.""Andwereyoualone?"askedElizabeth:"passedyouthenightinthatsolitarystate?""Not so, my child," returned the father. "After musing on the scene for anhour,withamingled feelingofpleasureanddesolation, I leftmyperchanddescendedthemountain.Myhorsewaslefttobrowseonthetwigsthatgrewwithinhis reach,while I explored the shoresof the lakeand the spotwhereTempleton stands. A pine of more than ordinary growth stood where mydwellingisnowplaced!Awind—rowhadbeenopenedthroughthetreesfromthencetothelake,andmyviewwasbutlittleimpeded.Underthebranchesofthat tree I mademy solitary dinner. I had just finishedmy repast as I sawsmokecurlingfromunderthemountain,neartheeasternbankofthelake.ItwastheonlyindicationofthevicinityofmanthatIhadthenseen.AftermuchtoilImademywaytothespot,andfoundaroughcabinoflogs,builtagainstthefootofarock,andbearingthemarksofa tenant, thoughIfoundnoonewithinit—""ItwasthehutofLeather-Stocking,"saidEdwardsquickly."It was; though I at first supposed it to be a habitation of the Indians. ButwhileIwaslingeringaroundthespotNattymadehisappearance,staggering

underthecarcassofabuckthathehadslain.Ouracquaintancecommencedatthattime;before,Ihadneverheardthatsuchabeingtenantedthewoods.Helaunched his bark canoe and setme across the foot of the lake to the placewhereIhadfastenedmyhorse,andpointedoutaspotwherehemightgetascantybrowsinguntilthemorning;whenIreturnedandpassedthenightinthecabinofthehunter."Miss Temple was so much struck by the deep attention of young Edwardsduringthisspeechthatsheforgottoresumeherinterrogations;buttheyouthhimselfcontinuedthediscoursebyasking:"AndhowdidtheLeather-Stockingdischargethedutiesofahostsir?""Why, simply but kindly, until late in the evening, when he discoveredmynameandobject,andthecordialityofhismannerverysensiblydiminished,or,Imightbettersay,disappeared.Heconsideredtheintroductionofthesettlersasaninnovationonhisrights,Ibelieveforheexpressedmuchdissatisfactionatthemeasure,thoughitwasinhisconfusedandambiguousmanner.Ihardlyunderstood his objections myself, but supposed they referred chiefly to aninterruptionofthehunting.""Hadyouthenpurchasedtheestate,orwereyouexaminingitwithanintenttobuy?"askedEdwards,alittleabruptly."Ithadbeenmineforseveralyears.ItwaswithaviewtoPeoplethelandthatIvisited the lake. Natty treatedme hospitably, but coldly, I thought, after helearnedthenatureofmyjourney.Isleptonhisownbear—skin,however,andinthemorningjoinedmysurveyorsagain.""SaidhenothingoftheIndianrights,sir?TheLeather-Stockingismuchgiventoimpeachthejusticeofthetenurebywhichthewhitesholdthecountry.""Irememberthathespokeofthem,butIdidnotnearlycomprehendhim,andmayhaveforgottenwhathesaid;for theIndiantitlewasextinguishedsofarbackasthecloseoftheoldwar,andifithadnotbeenatall,Iholdunderthepatents of the Royal Governors, confirmed by an act of our own StateLegislature,andnocourtinthecountrycanaffectmytitle.""Doubtless, sir, your title is both legal and equitable," returned the youthcoldly, reining his horse back and remaining silent till the subject waschanged.It was seldomMr. Jones suffered any conversation to continue for a greatlengthoftimewithouthisparticipation.ItseemsthathewasofthepartythatJudge Temple had designated as his surveyors; and he embraced theopportunityofthepausethatsucceededtheretreatofyoungEdwardstotakeup the discourse, andwith a narration of their further proceedings, after hisownmanner. As it wanted, however, the interest that had accompanied the

descriptionoftheJudge,wemustdeclinethetaskofcommittinghissentencestopaper.Theysoonreachedthepointwherethepromisedviewwastobeseen.Itwasone of those picturesque and peculiar scenes that belong to theOtsego, butwhichrequiredtheabsenceoftheiceandthesoftnessofasummer'slandscapetobeenjoyedinallitsbeauty.Marmadukehadearlyforewarnedhisdaughterof the season, and of its effect on the prospect; and after casting a cursoryglanceatitscapabilities,thepartyreturnedhomeward,perfectlysatisfiedthatitsbeautieswouldrepaythemforthetoilofasecondrideatamorepropitiousseason."ThespringisthegloomytimeoftheAmericanyear,"saidtheJudge,"anditismorepeculiarlythecaseinthesemountains.Thewinterseemstoretreattothe fast nesses of the hills, as to the citadel of its dominion, and is onlyexpelledafteratedioussiege,inwhicheitherparty,attimes,wouldseemtobegainingthevictory.""Averyjustandappositefigure,JudgeTemple,"observedthesheriff;"andthegarrison under the command of Jack Frost make formidable sorties—youunderstand what I mean by sorties, monsieur; sallies, in English—andsometimes drive General Spring and his troops back again into the lowcountries.""Yessair,"returnedtheFrenchman,whoseprominenteyeswerewatchingtheprecariousfootstepsofthebeastherode,asitpickeditsdangerouswayamongtherootsoftrees,holes,logbridges,andsloughsthatformedtheaggregateofthehighway."Jevousentends;delowcountrieisfreezeupforhalfdeyear."TheerrorofMr.LeQuoiwasnotnoticedby the sheriff; and the restof theparty were yielding to the influence of the changeful season, which wasalreadyteachingtheequestriansthatacontinuanceofitsmildnesswasnottobeexpectedforanylengthoftime.Silenceandthoughtfulnesssucceededthegayetyandconversation thathadprevailedduring thecommencementof theride,ascloudsbegantogatherabouttheheavens,apparentlycollectingfromeveryquarter,inquickmotion,withouttheagencyofabreathofair,While ridingoveroneof theclearedeminencies thatoccurred in their route,thewatchfuleyeofJudgeTemplepointedouttohisdaughtertheapproachofa tempest. Flurries of snow already obscured themountain that formed thenorthernboundaryofthelake,andthegenialsensationwhichhadquickenedthe blood through their veins was already succeeded by the deadeninginfluenceofanapproachingnorthwester.Allofthepartywerenowbusilyengagedinmakingthebestoftheirwaytothe village, though the badness of the roads frequently compelled them tocheck the impatienceof their animals,whichoften carried themoverplaces

thatwouldnotadmitofanygaitfasterthanawalk.Richardcontinuedinadvance,followedbyMr.LeQuoi;next towhomrodeElizabeth, who seemed to have imbibed the distance which pervaded themannerofyoungEdwardssincetheterminationofthediscoursebetweenthelatter and her father.Marmaduke followed his daughter, giving her frequentandtenderwarningsastothemanagementofherhorse.Itwas,possibly,theevidentdependencethatLouisaGrantplacedonhisassistancewhichinducedtheyouthtocontinuebyherside,astheypursuedtheirwaythroughadrearyanddarkwood,wheretheraysofthesuncouldbutrarelypenetrate,andwhereeventhedaylightwasobscuredandrenderedgloomybythedeepforeststhatsurrounded them. No wind had yet reached the spot where the equestrianswereinmotion,butthatdeadsilencethatoftenprecedesastormcontributedtorender their situationmore irksome than if theywere already subject to thefuryofthetempest.SuddenlythevoiceofyoungEdwardswasheardshoutinginthoseappallingtonesthatcarryalarmtotheverysoul,andwhichcurdlethebloodofthosethathearthem."Atree!atree!Whip—spurforyourlives!atree!atree.""A tree! a tree!" echoed Richard, giving his horse a blow that caused thealarmedbeast to jumpnearlyarod, throwingthemudandwater into theairlikeahurricane."Vontree!vontree!"shoutedtheFrenchman,bendinghisbodyontheneckofhis charger, shutting his eyes, and playing on the ribs of his beast with hisheels at a rate that causedhim tobe conveyedon the crupper of the sheriffwithamarvellousspeed.Elizabethcheckedher fillyand lookedup,withanunconsciousbut alarmedair,attheverycauseoftheirdanger,whileshelistenedtothecracklingsoundsthatawokethestillnessoftheforest;butthenextinstantherbridletwasseizedbyherfather,whocried,"Godprotectmychild!"andshefeltherselfhurriedonward,impelledbythevigorofhisnervousarm.Eachoneofthepartybowedtohissaddle-bowsasthetearingofbrancheswassucceededbyasoundliketherushingofthewinds,whichwasfollowedbyathunderingreport,andashockthatcausedtheveryearthtotrembleasoneofthenoblestruinsoftheforestfelldirectlyacrosstheirpath.OneglancewasenoughtoassureJudgeTemplethathisdaughterandthoseinfrontofhimweresafe,andheturnedhiseyes,indreadfulanxiety,tolearnthefate of the others.YoungEdwardswas on the opposite side of the tree, hisformthrownbackinhissaddletoitsutmostdistance,hislefthanddrawinguphisbridlewithitsgreatestforce,whiletherightgraspedthatofMissGrantsoas to draw the head of her horse under its body. Both the animals stoodshaking in every jointwith terror, and snorting fearfully.Louisa herself had

relinquishedher reins, and,with her hands pressed on her face, sat bendingforward in her saddle, in an attitude of despair, mingled strangely withresignation."Are you safe?" cried the Judge, first breaking the awful silence of themoment."ByGod'sblessing,"returnedtheyouth;"butiftherehadbeenbranchestothetreewemusthavebeenlost—"HewasinterruptedbythefigureofLouisaslowlyyieldinginhersaddle,andbut for his arm shewould have sunk to the earth. Terror, however,was theonly injury that theclergyman'sdaughterhadsustained,and,with theaidofElizabeth,shewassoonrestoredtohersenses.Aftersomelittletimewaslostin recovering her strength, the young lady was replaced in her saddle, andsupportedoneithersidebyJudgeTempleandMr.Edwardsshewasenabledtofollowthepartyintheirslowprogress."Thesuddenfallingsofthetrees,"saidMarmaduke,"arethemostdangerousaccidents in theforest, for theyarenot tobeforeseen,being impelledbynowinds,noranyextraneousorvisiblecauseagainstwhichwecanguard.""Thereasonoftheirfalling,JudgeTemple,isveryobvious,"saidthesheriff."Thetreeisoldanddecayed,anditisgraduallyweakenedbythefrosts,untilalinedrawnfromthecentreofgravityfallswithoutitsbase,andthenthetreecomesofacertainty;andIshouldliketoknowwhatgreatercompulsiontherecanbeforanythingthanamathematicalcertainty.Istudiedmath—""Very true,Richard," interruptedMarmaduke; "thy reasoning is true, and, ifmymemory be not over-treacherous, was furnished bymyself on a formeroccasion,Buthowisonetoguardagainstthedanger?Canstthougothroughthe forests measuring the bases and calculating the centres of the oaks?Answer me that, friend Jones, and I will say thou wilt do the country aservice.""Answer thee that, friend Temple!" returnedRichard; "awell-educatedmancananswertheeanything,sir.Doanytreesfallinthismannerbutsuchasaredecayed?Takecarenottoapproachtherootsofarottentree,andyouwillbesafeenough.""Thatwouldbeexcludingusentirelyfromtheforests,"saidMarmaduke."But,happily,thewindsusuallyforcedownmostofthesedangerousruins,astheircurrentsareadmittedintothewoodsbythesurroundingclearings,andsuchafallasthishasbeenisveryrare."Louisaby this timehad recoveredsomuchstrengthas toallow theparty toproceedataquickerpace,butlongbeforetheyweresafelyhousedtheywereovertakenbythestorm;andwhentheydismountedatthedoorofthemansion-

house,theblackplumesofMissTemple'shatweredroopingwiththeweightofaloadofdampsnow,andthecoatsofthegentlemenwerepowderedwiththesamematerial.While Edwards was assisting Louisa from her horse, the warm-hearted girlcaughthishandwithfervorandwhispered:"Now,Mr.Edwards,bothfatheranddaughterowetheirlivestoyou."A driving northwesterly storm succeeded, and before the sunwas set everyvestigeof springhadvanished; the lake, themountains, the village, and thefieldsbeingagainhiddenunderonedazzlingcoatofsnow.

CHAPTERXXII

"Men,boys,andgirlsDeserttheunpeopledvillage;andwildcrowdsSpreado'ertheplain,bythesweetphrensydriven."—Somerville.FromthistimetothecloseofApriltheweathercontinuedtobeasuccessionof neat and rapid changes. One day the soft airs of spring seemed to bestealingalongthevalley,and, inunisonwithaninvigoratingsun,attemptingcovertly to rouse the dormant powers of the vegetableworld,while, on thenext, the surly blasts from the northwould sweep across the lake and eraseevery impression leftby theirgentleadversaries.Thesnow,however, finallydisappeared,andthegreenwheatfieldswereseenineverydirection,spottedwith the dark and charred stumps that had, the preceding season, supportedsome of the proudest trees of the forest. Ploughswere inmotion,whereverthose useful implements could be used, and the smokes of the sugar-campswereno longerseen issuingfromthewoodsofmaple.The lakehad lost thebeauty of a field of ice, but still a dark and gloomy covering concealed itswaters,fortheabsenceofcurrentsleftthemyethiddenunderaporouscrust,which,saturatedwiththefluid,barelyretainedenoughstrengthtopreservethecontinuityofitsparts.Largeflocksofwildgeesewereseenpassingoverthecountry, which hovered, for a time, around the hidden sheet of water,apparently searching for a resting-place; and then, on finding them selvesexcludedby the chill covering,would soar away to thenorth, filling the airwithdiscordantscreams,asifventingtheircomplaintsatthetardyoperationsofNature.For a week, the dark covering of the Otsego was left to the undisturbedpossessionoftwoeagles,whoalightedonthecentreofitsfield,andsateyeing

theirundisputedterritory.Duringthepresenceofthesemonarchsoftheair,theflocksofmigratingbirdsavoidedcrossingtheplainoficebyturningintothehills,apparentlyseekingtheprotectionoftheforests,whilethewhiteandbaldheadsofthetenantsofthelakewereturnedupward,withalookofcontempt.But the time had come when even these kings of birds were to bedispossessed.Anopeninghadbeengraduallyincreasingatthelowerextremityofthelake,andaroundthedarkspotwherethecurrentoftheriverpreventedtheformationoficeduringeventhecoldestweather;andthefreshsoutherlywinds, thatnowbreathed freelyupon thevalley,madean impressionon thewaters.Mimicwavesbegantocurloverthemarginofthefrozenfield,whichexhibitedanoutlineofcrystallizations that slowly receded toward thenorth.At each step the power of thewinds and thewaves increased, until, after astruggle of a few hours, the turbulent little billows succeeded in setting thewholefieldinmotion,whenitwasdrivenbeyondthereachoftheeye,witharapidity that was as magical as the change produced in the scene by thisexpulsionofthelingeringremnantofwinter.Justasthelastsheetofagitatedicewasdisappearinginthedistance,theeaglesrose,andsoaredwithawidesweepabovetheclouds,whilethewavestossedtheirlittlecapsofsnowintheair,asifriotingintheirreleasefromathraldomoffiveminutes'duration.ThefollowingmorningElizabethwasawakenedbytheexhilaratingsoundsofthe martens, who were quarrelling and chattering around the little boxessuspendedaboveherwindows,and thecriesofRichard,whowascalling intonesanimatingassignsoftheseasonitself:"Awake!awake!myfairlady!thegullsarehoveringoverthelakealready,andtheheavensarealivewithpigeons.Youmaylookanhourbeforeyoucanfinda hole through which to get a peep at the sun. Awake! awake! lazy ones'Benjaminisoverhaulingtheammunition,andweonlywaitforourbreakfasts,andawayforthemountainsandpigeon-shooting."There was no resisting this animated appeal, and in a few minutes MissTemple and her friend descended to the parlor. The doors of the hall werethrownopen,andthemild,balmyairofaclearspringmorningwasventilatingthe apartment, where the vigilance of the ex-steward had been so longmaintaininganartificialheatwith suchunremitteddiligence.Thegentlemenwereimpatientlywaitingfortheirmorning'srepast,eachequippedinthegarbofasportsman.Mr.Jonesmademanyvisits tothesoutherndoor,andwouldcry:"See,CousinBess!see,'Duke,thepigeon-roostsofthesouthhavebrokenup!Theyaregrowingmorethickeveryinstant,Hereisaflockthattheeyecannotsee the endof.There is foodenough in it tokeep the armyofXerxes for amonth,andfeathersenoughtomakebedsforthewholecountry.Xerxes,Mr.Edwards, was a Grecian king, who—no, he was a Turk, or a Persian, who

wanted to conquer Greece, just the same as these rascals will overrun ourwheat fields,when theycomeback in the fall.Away!away!Bess; I long topepperthem."In this wish both Marmaduke and young Edwards seemed equally toparticipate,forthesightwasexhilaratingtoasportsman;andtheladiessoondismissedthepartyafterahastybreakfast.If theheavenswerealivewithpigeons, thewholevillage seemedequally inmotionwithmen,women, and children. Every species of firearm, from theFrench ducking gun, with a barrel near six feet in length, to the commonhorseman's pistol, was to be seen in the hands of themen and boys;whilebowsandarrows,somemadeofthesimplestickofwalnutsaplingandothersin a rude imitation of the ancient cross-bows, were carried bymany of thelatter.Thehousesandthesignsoflifeapparentinthevillagedrovethealarmedbirdsfromthedirectlineoftheirflight,towardthemountains,alongthesidesandnear the bases of which they were glancing in dense masses, equallywonderfulbytherapidityoftheirmotionandtheirincrediblenumbers.Wehavealreadysaidthat,acrosstheinclinedplanewhichfellfromthesteepascentof themountaintothebanksoftheSusquehanna,ranthehighwayoneithersideofwhichaclearingofmanyacreshadbeenmadeataveryearlyday. Over those clearings, and up the eastern mountain, and along thedangerous path that was cut into its side, the different individuals postedthemselves,andinafewmomentstheattackcommenced.Among thesportsmenwas the tall,gaunt formofLeather-Stocking,walkingoverthefield,withhisriflehangingonhisarm,hisdogsathisheels;thelatternowscentingthedeadorwoundedbirdsthatwerebeginningtotumblefromthe flocks, and then crouching under the legs of their master, as if theyparticipatedinhisfeelingsatthiswastefulandunsportsmanlikeexecution.Thereportsofthefirearmsbecamerapid,wholevolleysrisingfromtheplain,asflocksofmorethanordinarynumbersdartedovertheopening,shadowingthefieldlikeacloud;andthenthelightsmokeofasinglepiecewouldissuefromamongtheleaflessbushesonthemountain,asdeathwashurledontheretreatoftheaffrightedbirds,whowererisingfromavolley,inavainefforttoescape.Arrowsandmissilesofeverykindwereinthemidstoftheflocks;andsonumerouswere thebirds, and so lowdid they take their flight, that evenlong poles in the hands of those on the sides of themountainwere used tostrikethemtotheearth.DuringallthistimeMr.Jones,whodisdainedthehumbleandordinarymeansof destruction used by his companions, was busily occupied, aided byBenjamin,inmakingarrangementsforanassaultofmorethanordinarilyfatal

character.Among the relics of the oldmilitary excursions, that occasionallyare discovered throughout the different districts of thewestern part ofNewYork, there had been found in Templeton, at its settlement, a small swivel,which would carry a ball of a pound weight. It was thought to have beendesertedbyawar-partyof thewhites inoneof their inroads into the Indiansettlements, when, perhaps, convenience or their necessity induced them toleavesuchanincumberancebehindtheminthewoods.Thisminiaturecannonhadbeenreleasedfromtherust,andbeingmountedonlittlewheelswasnowin a state for actual service. For several years it was the sole organ forextraordinary rejoicings used in those mountains. On the mornings of theFourth of July itwould be heard ringing among the hills; and evenCaptainHollister,whowasthehighestauthorityinthatpartofthecountryonallsuchoccasions,affirmedthat,consideringitsdimensions,itwasnodespicablegunforasalute.Itwassomewhattheworsefortheserviceithadperformed,itistrue, therebeingbut a triflingdifference in sizebetween the touch-holeandthe muzzle Still, the grand conceptions of Richard had suggested theimportanceofsuchaninstrumentinhurlingdeathathisnimbleenemies.Theswivelwasdraggedbyahorse into apartof theopen space that the sheriffthought most eligible for planning a battery of the kind, and Mr. Pumpproceededtoloadit.Severalhandfulsofduck-shotwereplacedontopofthepowder,andthemajor-domoannouncedthathispiecewasreadyforservice.The sight of such an implement collected all the idle spectators to the spot,who,beingmostlyboys,filledtheairwithcriesofexultationanddelightThegunwaspointedhigh,andRichard,holdingacoalof fire inapairof tongs,patientlytookhisseatonastump,awaitingtheappearanceofaflockworthyofhisnotice.Soprodigiouswasthenumberofthebirdsthatthescatteringfireoftheguns,withthehurlingofmissilesandthecriesoftheboys,hadnoothereffectthanto break off small flocks from the immense masses that continued to dartalong thevalley,as if thewholeof the feathered tribewerepouring throughthatonepass.Nonepretendedtocollectthegame,whichlayscatteredoverthefieldsinsuchprofusionastocovertheverygroundwithflutteringvictims.Leather-Stockingwas a silent but uneasy spectator of all these proceedings,butwasabletokeephissentimentstohimselfuntilhesawtheintroductionoftheswivelintothesports."Thiscomesofsettlingacountry!"hesaid."HerehaveIknownthepigeontoflyforfortylongyears,and,tillyoumadeyourclearings,therewasnobodytoskeartortohurtthem,Ilovedtoseethemcomeintothewoods,fortheywerecompanytoabody,hurtingnothing—being,asitwas,asharmlessasagarter-snake. But now it gives me sore thoughts when I hear the frighty thingswhizzingthroughtheair,forIknowit'sonlyamotiontobringoutallthebrats

ofthevillage.Well,theLordwon'tseethewasteofhiscreaturesfornothing,andrightwillbedonetothepigeons,aswellasothers,byandby.There'sMr.Oliverasbadastherestofthem,firingintotheflocksasifhewasshootingdown nothing butMingowarriors."Among the sportsmenwasBillyKirby,who,armedwithanoldmusket,wasloading,and,withoutevenlookingintotheair,wasfiringandshoutingashisvictimsfellevenonhisownperson.HeheardthespeechofNatty,andtookuponhimselftoreply:"What! old Leather-Stocking," he cried, "grumbling at the loss of a fewpigeons!Ifyouhadtosowyourwheattwice,andthreetimes,asIhavedone,youwouldn'tbesomassyfullyfeelingtowardthedivils.Hurrah,boys!scatterthe feathers! This is better than shooting at a turkey's head and neck, oldfellow.""It'sbetterforyou,maybe,BillyKirby,"repliedtheindignantoldhunter,"andallthemthatdon'tknowhowtoputaballdownarifle-barrel,orhowtobringitupagainwitha trueaim;but it'swicked tobeshooting into flocks in thiswastymanner,andnonetodoitwhoknowhowtoknockoverasinglebird.Ifabodyhasacraving forpigeon's flesh,why, it'smade thesameasallothercreatures, forman's eating;but not tokill twenty and eat one.When IwantsuchathingIgointothewoodstillIfindonetomyliking,andthenIshoothim off the branches, without touching the feather of another, though theremightbeahundredonthesametree.Youcouldn'tdosuchathing,BillyKirby—youcouldn'tdoitifyoutried.""What'sthat,oldcorn-stalk!yousaplessstub!"criedthewood-chopper."Youhavegrownwordy, since theaffairof the turkey;but ifyouare for a singleshot,heregoesatthatbirdwhichcomesonbyhimself."Thefirefromthedistantpartofthefieldhaddrivenasinglepigeonbelowtheflock towhich it belonged, and, frightenedwith the constant reports of themuskets,itwasapproachingthespotwherethedisputantsstood,dartingfirstfrom One side and then to the other, cutting the air with the swiftness oflightning,andmakinganoisewithitswingsnotunliketherushingofabullet.Unfortunatelyforthewood-chopper,notwithstandinghisvaunt,hedidnotseethisbirduntilitwastoolatetofireasitapproached,andhepulledthetriggerat theunluckymomentwhen itwasdarting immediatelyoverhishead.Thebirdcontinueditscoursewiththeusualvelocity.Natty lowered his rifle from his arm when the challenge was made, andwaitingamoment,untiltheterrifiedvictimhadgotinalinewithhiseye,andhad dropped near the bank of the lake, he raised it again with uncommonrapidity,andfired.Itmighthavebeenchance,oritmighthavebeenskill,thatproduced the result; itwasprobablyaunionofboth;but thepigeonwhirledoverintheair,andfell intothelakewithabrokenwingAtthesoundofhisrifle, both his dogs started from his feet, and in a few minutes the "slut"

broughtoutthebird,stillalive.ThewonderfulexploitofLeather-Stockingwasnoisedthroughthefieldwithgreatrapidity,andthesportsmengatheredin,tolearnthetruthofthereport."What" said youngEdwards, "have you really killed a pigeon on thewing,Natty,withasingleball?""Haven't I killed loons before now, lad, that dive at the flash?" returned thehunter."It'smuchbetter tokillonlysuchasyouwant,withoutwastingyourpowderandlead,thantobefiringintoGod'screaturesinthiswickedmanner.ButIcameoutforabird,andyouknowthereasonwhyIlikesmallgame,Mr.Oliver,andnowIhavegotoneTwillgohome,forIdon'trelishtoseethesewastyways thatyouare all practysing, as if the least thingwasn'tmade foruse,andnottodestroy.""Thousayestwell,Leather-Stocking,"criedMarmaduke,"andIbegintothinkittimetoputanendtothisworkofdestruction.""Putanind,Judge,toyourclearings.Ain'tthewoodsHisworkaswellasthepigeons?Use,butdon'twaste.Wasn'tthewoodsmadeforthebeastsandbirdstoharbor in?andwhenmanwanted their flesh, theirskins,or their feathers,there'stheplacetoseekthem.ButI'llgotothehutwithmyowngame,forIwouldn'ttouchoneoftheharmlessthingsthatcoverthegroundhere,lookingupwiththeireyesonme,asiftheyonlywantedtonguestosaytheirthoughts."With this sentiment in his month, Leather-Stocking threw his rifle over hisarm,and,followedbyhisdogs,steppedacrosstheclearingwithgreatcaution,taking care not to tread on one of the wounded birds in his path. He soonenteredthebushesonthemarginofthelakeandwashidfromview.WhateverimpressionthemoralityofNattymadeontheJudge,itwasutterlylostonRichard.Heavailedhimselfofthegatheringofthesportsmen,tolayaplan forone"fell swoop"ofdestruction.Themusket-menweredrawnup inbattle array, in a line extending on each side of his artillery,with orders toawaitthesignaloffiringfromhimself."Stand by, my lads," said Benjamin, who acted as an aid de-camp on thisoccasion, "stand by, my hearties, and when Squire Dickens heaves out thesignaltobeginfiring,d'yesee,youmayopenupontheminabroadside.Takecareandfirelow,boys,andyou'llbesuretohulltheflock.""Firelow!"shoutedKirby;"heartheoldfool!Ifwefirelow,wemayhitthestumps,butnotruffleapigeon.""How should you know, you lubber?" cried Benjamin, with a veryunbecomingheatforanofficerontheeveofbattle—"howshouldyouknow,you grampus? Haven't I sailed aboard of the Boadishy for five years? andwasn'titastandingordertofirelow,andtohullyourenemy!Keepsilenceat

yourguns,boysandmindtheorderthatispassed."The loud laughsof themusket-menwere silencedby themore authoritativevoiceofRichard,whocalledforattentionandobediencetohissignals.Somemillionsofpigeonsweresupposedtohavealreadypassed,thatmorning,over the valley of Templeton; but nothing like the flock that was nowapproachinghadbeenseenbefore.Itextendedfrommountaintomountaininonesolidbluemass,andtheeyelookedinvain,overthesouthernhills,tofinditstermination.Thefrontofthislivingcolumnwasdistinctlymarkedbyalinebut very slightly indented, so regular and even was the flight. EvenMarmadukeforgotthemoralityofLeather-Stockingasitapproached,and,incommonwiththerest,broughthismuskettoapoise."Fire!"criedthesheriff,clappingacoaltotheprimingofthecannon.AshalfofBenjamin'schargeescapedthroughthetouch-hole,thewholevolleyofthemusketryprecededthereportoftheswivel.Onreceivingthisuniteddischargeofsmall-arms,thefrontoftheflockdartedupward,while,atthesameinstant,myriadsofthoseintherearrushedwithamazingrapidityintotheirplaces,sothat, when the column of white smoke gushed from themouth of the littlecannon,anaccumulatedmassofobjectswasglidingoveritspointofdirection.Theroarofthegunechoedalongthemountains,anddiedawaytothenorth,like distant thunder, while the whole flock of alarmed birds seemed, for amoment,thrownintoonedisorderlyandagitatedmass.Theairwasfilledwiththeirirregularflight,layerrisingabovelayer,farabovethetopsofthehighestpines, none daring to advance beyond the dangerous pass; when, suddenly,someoftheheadersofthefeatheredtribesshotacrossthevalley,takingtheirflight directly over the village, and hundreds of thousands in their rearfollowed the example, deserting the eastern side of the plain to theirpersecutorsandtheslain."Victory!" shouted Richard, "victory! we have driven the enemy from thefield.""Notso,Dickon,"saidMarmaduke;"thefieldiscoveredwiththem;and,likethe Leather-Stocking, I see nothing but eyes, in every direction, as theinnocent sufferers turn their heads in terror.Full one-half of those that havefallenareyetalive;andIthinkitistimetoendthesport,ifsportitbe.""Sport!" cried the sheriff; "it is princely sport!There are some thousandsofthe blue-coated boys on the ground, so that every oldwoman in the villagemayhaveapot-piefortheasking.""Well,wehavehappilyfrightenedthebirdsfromthissideofthevalley,"saidMarmaduke,"and thecarnagemustofnecessityendfor thepresent.Boys, Iwillgiveyousixpenceahundredforthepigeons'headsonly;sogotowork,andbringthemintothevillage."

This expedient produced the desired effect, for every urchin on the groundwent industriously towork towring the necks of thewounded birds. JudgeTempleretiredtowardhisdwellingwiththatkindoffeelingthatmanyamanhas experienced before him, who discovers, after the excitement of themomenthaspassed, thathehaspurchasedpleasureat thepriceofmisery toothers.Horseswereloadedwiththedead;and,afterthisfirstburstofsporting,the shooting of pigeons became a business, with a few idlers, for theremainder of the season, Richard, however, boasted formany a year of hisshotwith the "cricket;" andBenjamin gravely asserted that he thought theyhad killed nearly as many pigeons on that day as there were FrenchmendestroyedonthememorableoccasionofRodney'svictory.

CHAPTERXXIII.

"Help,masters,help;here'safishhangsinthenet,likeapoorMan'srightinthelaw."—PericlesofTyre.Theadvanceoftheseasonnowbecameasrapidasitsfirstapproachhadbeentediousandlingering.Thedayswereuniformlymild,whilethenights,thoughcool,werenolongerchilledbyfrosts.Thewhip-poor-willwasheardwhistlinghis melancholy notes along the margin of the lake, and the ponds andmeadowsweresendingforththemusicoftheirthousandtenants.Theleafofthenativepoplarwasseenquiveringinthewoods;thesidesofthemountainsbegantolosetheirhueofbrown,asthelivelygreenofthedifferentmembersof the forestblended their shadeswith thepermanentcolorsof thepineandhemlock;andeventhebudsofthetardyoakwereswellingwiththepromiseofthecomingsummer.Thegayandflutteringblue-bird,thesocialrobin,andtheindustrious little wren were all to be seen enlivening the fields with theirpresence and their songs;while the soaring fish-hawkwas already hoveringover the waters of the Otsego, watching with native voracity for theappearanceofhisprey.The tenants of the lake were far-famed for both their quantities and theirquality,andtheicehadhardlydisappearedbeforenumberlesslittleboatswerelaunchedfromtheshores,andthelinesofthefishermenweredroppedintotheinmost recesses of its deepest caverns, tempting the unwary animals witheveryvarietyofbaitthattheingenuityortheartofmanhadinvented.Buttheslow though certain adventures with hook and line were ill suited to theprofusionandimpatienceofthesettlers.Moredestructivemeanswereresortedto;and,astheseasonhadnowarrivedwhenthebassfisherieswereallowedby

theprovisionsofthelawthatJudgeTemplehadprocured,thesheriffdeclaredhisintention,byavailinghimselfofthefirstdarknight,toenjoythesportinperson."Andyoushallbepresent,CousinBess,"headded,whenheannouncedthisdesign, "andMissGrant, andMr.Edwards; and Iwill showyouwhat I callfishing not nibble, nibble, nibble, as 'Duke does when he goes after thesalmon-trout.Therehewillsitforhours,inabroilingsunor,perhaps,overaholeinthelee,inthecoldestdaysinwinter,undertheleeofafewbushes,andnotafishwillhecatch,afterallthismortificationoftheflesh.No,no—givemeagoodseine that's fiftyorsixtyfathomsin length,witha jollyparcelofboatmentocracktheirjokesthewhile,withBenjamintosteer,andletushaultheminbythousands;Icallthatfishing.""Ah!Dickon,"criedMarmaduke,"thouknowestbutlittleofthepleasurethereis inplayingwith thehookand line,or thouwouldstbemore savingof thegame.Ihaveknownthee to leavefragmentsenoughbehind thee,whenthouhastheadedanightpartyonthelake,tofeedadozenfamishingfamilies.""Ishallnotdisputethematter,JudgeTemple;thisnightwillIgo;andIinvitethecompanytoattend,andthenletthemdecidebetweenus."Richardwasbusyduringmostof theafternoon,makinghispreparations forthe importantoccasion. Just as the lightof the settling sunhaddisappeared,andanewmoonhadbeguntothrowitsshadowsontheearth,thefisher-mentook their departure, in a boat, for a point thatwas situated on thewesternshore of the lake, at the distance of rather more than half a mile from thevillage.Thegroundhadbecomesettled, and thewalkingwasgoodanddry.Marmaduke,withhisdaughter,herfriend,andyoungEdwards,continuedonthehighgrassybanksat theoutletof theplacidsheetofwater,watchingthedarkobject thatwasmovingacrossthelake,until itenteredtheshadeof thewesternhills,andwaslosttotheeye.Thedistanceroundbylandtothepointofdestinationwasamile,andheobserved:"Itistimeforustobemoving;themoonwillbedownerewereachthepoint,andthenthemiraculoushaulsofDickonwillcommence."Theeveningwaswarm,and,afterthelonganddrearywinterfromwhichtheyhad just escaped, delightfully invigorating. Inspirited by the scene and theiranticipated amusement, the youthful companions of the Judge followed hissteps,asheledthemalongtheshoresoftheOtsego,andthroughtheskirtsofthevillage."See!"saidyoungEdwards,"theyarebuildingtheirfirealready;itglimmersforamoment,anddiesagainlikethelightofafirefly.""Nowitblazes,"criedElizabeth;"youcanperceivefiguresmovingaroundthelight.Oh! Iwouldbetmy jewelsagainst thegoldbeadsofRemarkable, that

myimpatientCousinDickonhadanagencyinraising thatbrightflame;andsee!itfadesagain,likemostofhisbrilliantschemes.""Thouhastguessedthetruth,Bess,"saidherfather;"hehasthrownanarmfulofbrushonthepile,whichhasburntoutassoonaslighted.Butithasenabledthem to find a better fuel, for their fire begins to blazewith amore steadyflame.Itisthetruefisherman'sbeaconnow;observehowbeautifullyitthrowsitslittlecircleoflightonthewater!"Theappearanceof the fireurged thepedestrianson, for even the ladieshadbecomeeagertowitnessthemiraculousdraught.Bythetimetheyreachedthebank,which rose above the low point where the fishermen had landed, themoonhadsunkbehindthetopofthewesternpines,and,asmostofthestarswere obscured by clouds, there was but little other light than that whichproceeded from the fire. At the suggestion ofMarmaduke, his companionspaused to listen to the conversation of those below them, and examine thepartyforamomentbeforetheydescendedtotheshore.Thewholegroupwereseatedaround the fire,with theexceptionofRichardandBenjamin;theformerofwhomoccupiedtherootofadecayedstump,thathadbeendrawn to thespotaspartof their fuel,and the latterwasstanding,with his arms akimbo, so near to the flame that the smoke occasionallyobscuredhis solemnvisage, as itwavedaround thepile inobedience to thenightairsthatsweptgentlyoverthewater."Why, look you, squire, said themajor-domo.Youmay call a lake-fish thatwill weigh twenty or thirty pounds a seriousmatter, but to amanwho hashauled ina shovel-nosed shirk,d'ye see, it'sbut apoorkindof fishingafterall.""Idon'tknow,Benjamin,"returnedthesheriff;"ahaulofonethousandOtsegobass, without counting pike, pickerel, perch, bull-pouts, salmon-trouts, andsuckers, is nobad fishing, letme tell you.Theremayhe sport in sticking ashark,butwhat ishegoodforafteryouhavegothim?Now,anyoneof thefishthatIhavenamedisfittosetbeforeaking.""Well,squire,"returnedBenjamin,"justlistentothephilosophyofthething.Would it stand to reason, that sucha fish should live andbe catched in thishere little pondofwater,where it's hardlydeep enough to drownaman, asyou'llfindinthewideocean,where,aseverybodyknowsthatis,everybodythathas followed the seas,whalesandgrampusesare tobe seen, thatareaslongasoneofthepine-treesonyondermountain?""Softly,softly,Benjamin,"saidthesheriff,asifhewishedtosavethecreditofhisfavorite;"why,someofthepineswillmeasuretwohundredfeet,andevenmore.""Twohundredortwothousand,it'sallthesamething,"criedBenjamin,with

anairwhichmanifestedthathewasnoteasilytobebulliedoutofhisopinion,onasubjectlikethepresent."Haven'tIbeenthere,andhaven'tIseen?Ihavesaidthatyoufallinwithwhalesaslongasoneofthemtherepines:andwhatIhaveoncesaidI'llstandto!"During this dialogue, which was evidently but the close of much longerdiscussion, thehuge frameofBillyKirbywasseenextendedononesideofthefire,wherehewaspickinghis teethwithsplintersof thechipsnearhim,andoccasionallyshakinghisheadwithdistrustofBenjamin'sassertions."I'veanotion,"saidthewood-chopper,"thatthere'swaterinthislaketoswimthebiggestwhalethateverwasinvented;and,astothepines,IthinkIoughttoknowso'thingconsarningthem;Ihavechoppedmanyaonethatwassixtytimesthelengthofmyhelve,withoutcountingtheeye;andIbelieve,Benny,thatiftheoldpinethatstandsinthehollowoftheVisionMountainjustoverthevillage—youmayseethetreeitselfbylookingup,forthemoonisonitstopyet—well,nowIbelieve,ifthatsametreewasplantedoutinthedeepestpartofthelake,therewouldbewaterenoughforthebiggestshipthateverwasbuilttofloatoverit,withouttouchingitsupperbranches,Ido.""Did'eeeverseeaship,MasterKirby?"roaredthesteward,"did'eeeverseeaship,man?oranycraftbiggerthanalime-scow,orawood-boat,onthisheresmallbitoffreshwater?""Yes,Ihave,"saidthewood-chopperstoutly;"IcansaythatIhave,andtellnolie.""Did'eeeverseeaBritishship,MasterKirby?anEnglish line-of-battleship,boy?Wheredid'eeeverfallinwitharegularbuiltvessel,withstarn-postandcutwater, gar board-streak and plank-shear, gangways, and hatchways, andwaterways, quarter-deck, and forecastle, ay, and flush-deck?—tell me that,man, if you can;where away did'ee ever fall inwith a full-rigged, regular-built,neckedvessel?"The whole company were a good deal astounded with this overwhelmingquestion,andevenRichardafterwardremarkedthatit"wasathousandpitiesthatBenjamincouldnotread,orhemusthavemadeavaluableofficertotheBritishmarine.ItisnowonderthattheyovercametheFrenchsoeasilyonthewater,wheneventhelowestsailorsowellunderstoodthedifferentpartsofavessel." But Billy Kirby was a fearless wight, and had great jealousy offoreign dictation; he had risen on his feet, and turned his back to the fire,duringthevolubledeliveryofthisinterrogatory;andwhenthestewardended,contrarytoallexpectation,hegavethefollowingspiritedreply:"Where!why,ontheNorthRiver,andmaybeonChamplain.There'ssloopsonthe river, boy, that would give a hard time on't to the stoutest vessel KingGeorgeowns.Theycarrymastsofninetyfeetintheclearofgoodsolidpine,

forI'vebeenat thechoppingofmanyaoneinVarmountState.IwishIwascaptaininoneofthem,andyouwasinthatBoard-dishthatyoutalksomuchabout,andwe'dsoonseewhatgoodYankeestuff ismadeon,andwhetheraVarmounter's hide ain't as thick as an Englishman's." The echoes from theoppositehills,whichweremorethanhalfamilefromthefishingpoint,sentbackthediscordantlaughthatBenjamingaveforthatthischallenge;andthewoods that covered their sides seemed, by the noise that issued from theirshades,tobefullofmockingdemons."Letusdescendto theshore,"whisperedMarmaduke,"or therewillsoonbeill-blood between them. Benjamin is a fearless boaster; and Kirby, thoughgood-natured, isacarelesssonof theforest,whothinksoneAmericanmorethanamatchforsixEnglishmen.ImarvelthatDickonissilent,wherethereissuchatrialofskillinthesuperlative!"TheappearanceofJudgeTempleandtheladiesproduced,ifnotapacification,at leastacessationofhostilities.Obedient to thedirectionsofMr. Jones thefishermen prepared to launch their boat, which had been seen in thebackgroundoftheview,withthenetcarefullydisposedonalittleplatforminitsstern,readyforservice.Richardgaveventtohisreproachesatthetardinessofthepedestrians,whenalltheturbulentpassionsofthepartyweresucceededby a calm, asmild and as placid as thatwhich prevailed over the beautifulsheetofwaterthattheywereabouttorifleofitsbesttreasures.Thenighthadnowbecomesodarkastorenderobjects,withoutthereachofthelightofthefire,notonlyindistinct,butinmostcasesinvisible.Foralittledistancethewaterwasdiscernible,glistening,astheglarefromthefiredancedoveritssurface,touchingithereandtherewithredquiveringstreaks;but,atahundredfeetfromtheshore,therelayaboundaryofimpenetrablegloom.Oneor two starswere shining through theopeningsof the clouds, and the lightswereseeninthevillage,glimmeringfaintly,asifatanimmeasurabledistance.At times, as the fire lowered, or as the horizon cleared, the outline of themountain,ontheothersideofthelake,mightbetracedbyitsundulations;butitsshadowwascast,wideanddense,onthebosomofthewater,renderingthedarknessinthatdirectiontreblydeep.BenjaminPumpwasinvariablythecoxswainandnetcasterofRichard'sboat,unless the sheriff saw fit to preside in person: and, on the present occasion,BillyKirby,andayouthofabouthalfhisstrength,wereassignedtotheoars.The remainder of the assistants were stationed at the drag-ropes. Thearrangementswerespeedilymade,andRichardgavethesignalto"shoveoff."Elizabethwatchedthemotionofthebatteauasitpulledfromtheshore,lettinglooseitsropeasitwent,butitsoondisappearedinthedarkness,whentheearwasheronlyguide to its evolutions.Therewasgreat affectationof stillnessduring all these manoeuvers, in order, as Richard assured them, "not to

frighten the bass, who were running into the shoal waters, and who wouldapproachthelightifnotdisturbedbythesoundsfromthefishermen."ThehoarsevoiceofBenjaminwasaloneheardissuingoutofthegloom,asheuttered,inauthoritativetones,"Pulllarboardoar,""Pullstarboard,""Givewaytogether,boys,"andsuchotherindicativemandatesaswerenecessaryfortherightdispositionofhisseine.Alongtimewaspassedinthisnecessarypartoftheprocess, forBenjaminpridedhimselfgreatlyonhisskill in throwing thenet,and,infact,mostofthesuccessofthesportdependedonitsbeingdonewith judgment. At length a loud splash in the water, as he threw away the"staff," or "stretcher," with a hoarse call from the steward of "Clear,"announcedthattheboatwasreturning;whenRichardseizedabrandfromthefire,andrantoapointasfarabovethecentreofthefishing-ground,astheonefromwhichthebatteauhadstartedwasbelowit."Stickher in dead for the squire, boys," said the steward, "andwe'll have alookatwhatgrowsinthisherepond."Inplaceofthefallingnetwerenowtobeheardthequickstrokesoftheoars,and thenoiseof the rope runningoutof theboat.Presently thebatteaushotintothecircleoflight,andinaninstantshewaspulledtotheshore.Severaleagerhandswereextendedtoreceivetheline,and,bothropesbeingequallywell manned, the fishermen commenced hauling in with slow, and steadydrags,Richardstandingtothecentre,givingorders,firsttooneparty,andthento the other, to increase or slacken their efforts, as occasion required. Thevisitorswerepostednearhim,andenjoyedafairviewofthewholeoperation,whichwasslowlyadvancingtoanend.Opinionsas to the resultof theiradventurewerenowfreelyhazardedbyallthemen,somedeclaringthatthenetcameinaslightasafeather,andothersaffirming that it seemed tobe fullof logs.As the ropesweremanyhundredfeetinlength,theseopposingsentimentswerethoughttobeoflittlemomentby the sheriff,whowould go first to one line, and then to the other, givingeachsmallpull,inordertoenablehimtoformanopinionforhimself."Why,Benjamin,"hecried,ashemadehisfirsteffortinthisway,"youdidnotthrowthenetclear. Icanmove itwithmylittle finger.Theropeslackens inmyhand.""Didyoueverseeawhale,squire?"respondedthesteward:"Isaythat,ifthattherenetisfoul,thedevilisinthelakeintheshapeofafish,forIcastitasfaraseverriggingwasroveoverthequarter-deckofaflag-ship."But Richard discovered his mistake, when he saw Billy Kirby before him,standingwithhisfeetinthewater,atanangleofforty-fivedegrees,incliningsouthward, and expending his gigantic strength in sustaining himself in thatposture.Heceasedhisremonstrances,andproceededtothepartyattheother

line."I see the 'staffs,'" shoutedMr. Jones—"gather inboys,andawaywith it; toshorewithher!—toshorewithher!"Atthischeerfulsound,Elizabethstrainedhereyesandsawtheendsofthetwosticksontheseineemergingfromthedarkness,whilethemenclosedneartoeachother,andformedadeepbagoftheirnet.Theexertionsofthefishermensensibly increased,and thevoiceofRichardwasheardencouraging them tomaketheirgreatesteffortsatthepresentmoment."Now's the time,my lads,"hecried;"letusget theends to land,andallwehavewillbeourown—awaywithher!""Awaywithher,itis,"echoedBenjamin!—"hurrah!ho-a-hay,ho-a-hoy,ho-a!""Inwithher,"shoutedKirby,exertinghimselfinamannerthatleftnothingforthose in his rear to do, but to gather up the slack of the ropewhich passedthroughhishands."Staff,ho!"shoutedthesteward."Staff,ho!"echoedKirby,fromtheotherrope.Themenrushedtothewater'sedge,someseizingtheupperrope,andsomethelowerorleadrope,andbeganto haulwith great activity and zeal,A deep semicircular sweep of the littleballsthatsupportedtheseineinitsperpendicularpositionwasplainlyvisibleto the spectators, and, as it rapidly lessened in size, the bag of the netappeared,whileanoccasionalflutteronthewaterannouncedtheuneasinessoftheprisonersitcontained."Haulin,mylads,"shoutedRichard—"Icanseethedogskickingtogetfree.Haul in,andhere'sacast thatwillpayfor thelabor."Fishesofvarioussortswere now to be seen, entangled in themeshes of the net, as it was passedthroughthehandsof the laborers;and thewater,ata littledistancefromtheshore, was alive with the movements of the alarmed victims. Hundreds ofwhitesideswereglancinguptothesurfaceofthewater,andglisteninginthefirelight,when,frightenedattheuproarandthechange,thefishwouldagaindarttothebottom,infruitlesseffortsforfreedom."Hurrah!"shoutedRichard:"oneortwomoreheavydrags,boys,andwearesafe.""Cheerily, boys, cheerily!" criedBenjamin; "I see a salmon-trout that is bigenoughforachowder.""Awaywithyou,youvarmint!"saidBillyKirby,pluckingabullpoutfromthemeshes,andcastingtheanimalbackintothelakewithcontempt."Pull,boys,pull; here's all kinds, and the Lord condemn me for a liar, if there ain't athousandbass!"Inflamed beyond the bounds of discretion at the sight, and forgetful of theseason, thewood-chopper rushed tohismiddle into thewater, andbegan to

drivethereluctantanimalsbeforehimfromtheirnativeelement."Pull heartily, boys," cried Marmaduke, yielding to the excitement of themoment,andlayinghishandstothenet,withnotriflingadditiontotheforce.Edwards had preceded him; for the sight of the immense piles of fish, thatwereslowlyrollingoveronthegravellybeach,hadimpelledhimalsotoleavetheladiesandjointhefishermen.Greatcarewasobservedinbringingthenettoland,and,aftermuchtoil,thewhole shoalofvictimswas safelydeposited in ahollowof thebank,wheretheywerelefttoflutterawaytheirbriefexistenceinthenewandfatalelement.EvenElizabethandLouisaweregreatlyexcitedandhighlygratifiedbyseeingtwo thousand captives thus drawn from the bosom of the lake, and laidprisoners at their feet. But when the feelings of the moment were passingaway, Marmaduke took in his hands a bass, that might have weighed twopounds,andafterviewingitamoment,inmelancholymusing,heturnedtohisdaughter,andobserved:"This isafearfulexpenditureof thechoicestgiftsofProvidence.Thesefish,Bess, which thou seest lying in such piles before thee, and which by to-morroweveningwillberejectedfoodonthemeanesttableinTempleton,areofaqualityandflavorthat, inothercountries,wouldmakethemesteemedaluxuryonthetablesofprincesorepicures.TheworldhasnobetterfishthanthebassofOtsego; itunites the richnessof theshad* to the firmnessof thesalmon."*Ofallthefishthewriterhasevertasted,hethinkstheoneinquestionthebest."Butsurely,dearsir,"criedElizabeth,"theymustproveagreatblessingtothecountry,andapowerfulfriendtothepoor.""Thepoor are always prodigal,my child,where there is plenty, and seldomthinkofaprovisionagainst themorrow.But, if therecanbeanyexcuse fordestroyinganimalsinthismanner,itisintakingthebass.Duringthewinter,you know, they are entirely protected fromour assaults by the ice, for theyrefuse thehook;andduring thehotmonths theyarenotseen. It issupposedthey retreat to thedeepandcoolwatersof the lake, at that season; and it isonlyinthespringandautumnthat,forafewdays,theyaretobefoundaroundthepointswhere they arewithin the reachof a seine.But, like all theothertreasuresofthewilderness,theyalreadybegintodisappearbeforethewastefulextravaganceofman.""Disappear, Duke! disappear!" exclaimed the sheriff "if you don't call thisappearing,Iknownotwhatyouwill.Hereareagoodthousandoftheshiners,some hundreds of suckers, and a powerful quantity of other fry. But this is

always thewaywith you,Marmaduke: first it's the trees, then it's the deer;afterthatit'sthemaplesugar,andsoontotheendofthechapter.Onedayyoutalkofcanalsthroughacountrywherethere'sariveroralakeeveryhalf-mile,justbecausethewaterwon'trunthewayyouwishittogo;and,thenext,yousaysomethingaboutminesofcoal,thoughanymanwhohasgoodeyeslikemyself—Isay,withgoodeyes—canseemorewoodthanwouldkeepthecityofLondoninfuelforfiftyyears;wouldn'tit,Benjamin?""Why,forthat,squire,"saidthesteward,"Lon'onisnosmallplace.Ifitwasstretchedanend,allthesameasatownononesideoftheriver,itwouldcoversomesuchmatterasthisherelake.ThofIdar'sttosay,thatthewoodinsightmightsarvethemagoodturn,seeingthattheLon'onersmainlyburncoal.""Nowweareonthesubjectofcoal,JudgeTemple,"interruptedthesheriff,"Ihaveathingofmuchimportancetocommunicatetoyou;butIwilldeferit—until tomorrow. I know that you intend riding into the eastern part of thePatent,andIwillaccompanyyou,andconductyoutoaspotwheresomeofyour projects may be realized. We will say no more now, for there arelisteners;butasecrethas thiseveningbeenrevealed tome, 'Duke, that isofmoreconsequencetoyourwelfarethanallyourestateunited."Marmaduke laughed at the important intelligence, to which in a variety ofshapeshewasaccustomed,and thesheriff,withanairofgreatdignity,as ifpityinghiswantoffaith,proceededinthebusinessmoreimmediatelybeforethem.As the labor of drawing the net had been very great, he directed onepartyofhismentocommencethrowingthefishintopiles,preparatorytotheusual division, while another, under the superintendence of Benjamin,preparedtheseineforasecondhaul.

CHAPTERXXIV.

"Whilefromitsmargin,terribletotell,Threesailorswiththeirgallantboatswainfell."—Falconer.While the fishermen were employed in making the preparations for anequitable division of the spoil, Elizabeth and her friend strolled a shortdistancefromthegroup,alongtheshoreofthelake.Afterreachingapointtowhicheven thebrightestof theoccasionalgleamsof thefiredidnotextend,they turned, and paused amoment, in contemplation of the busy and livelyparty they had left, and of the obscuritywhich, like the gloom of oblivion,seemedtoenveloptherestofthecreation.

"This is indeed a subject for thepencil!" exclaimedElizabeth. "Observe thecountenanceof thatwoodchopper,whileheexults inpresentinga larger fishthan common to my cousin sheriff; and see, Louisa, how hand some andconsideratemy dear father looks, by the light of that fire, where he standsviewing the havoc of the game. He seems melancholy, as if he actuallythought that a day of retributionwas to follow this hour of abundance andprodigality!Wouldtheynotmakeapicture,Louisa?""YouknowthatIamignorantofallsuchaccomplishments,MissTemple.""CallmebymyChristianname," interruptedElizabeth; "this is not a place,neitheristhisascene,forforms.""Well,then,ifImayventureanopinion,"saidLouisatimidly,"Ishouldthinkitmightindeedmakeapicture.TheselfishearnestnessofthatKirbyoverhisfishwouldcontrastfinelywiththe—the—expressionofMr.Edwards'face.Ihardly knowwhat to call it; but it is—a—is—you knowwhat Iwould say,dearElizabeth.""Youdometoomuchcredit,MissGrant,"saidtheheiress;"Iamnodivinerofthoughts,orinterpreterofexpressions."Therewascertainlynothingharshorevencoldinthemannerofthespeaker,butstillitrepressedtheconversation,andtheycontinuedtostrollstillfartherfromtheparty,retainingeachother'sarm,butobservingaprofoundsilence.Elizabeth,perhapsconsciousof the improperphraseologyofher lastspeech,orperhapsexcitedbythenewobjectthatmethergaze,wasthefirsttobreaktheawkwardcessationinthediscourse,byexclaiming:"Look, Louisa!we are not alone; there are fishermen lighting a fire on theother sideof the lake, immediatelyopposite tous; itmustbe in frontof thecabinofLeather-Stocking!"Through the obscurity,which prevailedmost immediately under the easternmountain,asmallanduncertainlightwasplainlytobeseen,though,asitwasoccasionallylosttotheeye,itseemedstrugglingforexistence.Theyobservedittomove,andsensiblytolower,asitcarrieddownthedescentofthebanktotheshore.Here,inaveryshorttime,itsflamegraduallyexpanded,andgrewbrighter,untilitbecameofthesizeofaman'shead,whenitcontinuedtoshinea steadyball of fire. Such an object, lighted as itwere bymagic, under thebrowofthemountain,andinthatretiredandunfrequentedplace,gavedoubleinterest to the beauty and singularity of its appearance. It did not at allresemblethelargeandunsteadylightoftheirownfire,beingmuchmoreclearandbright,andretainingitssizeandshapewithperfectuniformity.Therearemomentswhenthebest-regulatedmindsaremoreorlesssubjectedtotheinjuriousimpressionswhichfewhaveescapedininfancy;andElizabethsmiledatherownweakness,whilesherememberedtheidletaleswhichwere

circulated through the village, at the expense of the Leather-Stocking. Thesameideasseizedhercompanion,andatthesameinstant,forLouisapressednearertoherfriend,asshesaidinalowvoice,stealingatimidglancetowardthebushesandtreesthatoverhungthebanknearthem:"Didyoueverhear thesingularwaysof thisNattyspokenof,MissTemple?They say that, in his youth, hewas an Indianwarrior; or,what is the samething, awhiteman leaguedwith the savages; and it is thought he has beenconcernedinmanyoftheirinroads,intheoldwars.""Thethingisnotatallimprobable,"returnedElizabeth;"heisnotaloneinthatparticular.""No,surely;butisitnotstrangethatheissocautiouswithhishut?Heneverleavesit,withoutfasteningitinaremarkablemanner;andinseveralinstances,when the children, or even the men of the village, have wished to seek asheltertherefromthestorms,hehasbeenknowntodrivethemfromhisdoorwithrudenessandthreats.Thatsurelyissingulartothiscountry!""Itiscertainlynotveryhospitable;butwemustrememberhisaversiontothecustoms of civilized life. You heard my father say, a few days since, howkindlyhewastreatedbyhimonhisfirstvisittohisplace."Elizabethpaused,andsmiled,withanexpressionofpeculiararchness,thoughthedarknesshidits meaning from her companion, as she continued: "Besides, he certainlyadmits the visits of Mr. Edwards, whom we both know to be far from asavage."TothisspeechLouisamadenoreply,butcontinuedgazingontheobjectwhichhadelicitedherremarks.Inadditiontothebrightandcircularflame,wasnowtobeseenafainter,thoughavividlight,ofanequaldiametertotheotherattheupperend,butwhich,afterextendingdownwardformanyfeet,graduallytapered to a point at its lower extremity. A dark space was plainly visiblebetweenthetwo,andthenewilluminationwasplacedbeneaththeother, thewholeforminganappearancenotunlikeaninvertednoteofadmiration.Itwassoonevidentthatthelatterwasnothingbutthereflection,fromthewater,oftheformer,andthattheobject,whateveritmightbe,wasadvancingacross,orrather over the lake, for it seemed to be several feet above its surface, in adirectlinewiththemselves.Itsmotionwasamazinglyrapid,theladieshavinghardlydiscoveredthatitwasmovingatall,beforethewavinglightofaflamewas discerned, losing its regular shape, while it increased in size, as itapproached."It appears to be supernatural!" whispered Louisa, beginning to retrace herstepstowardtheparty."Itisbeautiful!"exclaimedElizabeth,A brilliant thoughwaving flamewas now plainly visible, gracefully gliding

overthelake,andthrowingitslightonthewaterinsuchamannerastotingeitslightlythoughintheair,sostrongwasthecontrast,thedarknessseemedtohavethedistinctnessofmaterialsubstances,asifthefirewereimbeddedinasettingofebony.Thisappearance,however,graduallyworeoff,andtheraysfrom the torch struck out, and enlightened the atmosphere in front of it,leavingthebackgroundinadarknessthatwasmoreimpenetrablethanever."Ho!Natty,isthatyou?"shoutedthesheriff."Paddlein,oldboy,andI'llgiveyouamessoffishthatisfittoplacebeforethegovernor."The light suddenly changed its direction, and a long and slightly built boathove up out of the gloom, while the red glare fell on the weather-beatenfeaturesoftheLeather-Stocking,whosetallpersonwasseenerectinthefrailvessel,wielding,with the grace of an experienced boatman, a long fishing-spear,whichheheldby itscentre, firstdroppingoneendand then theotherinto thewater, to aid in propelling the little canoe of bark,wewill not saythrough,butover,thewater.Atthefartherendofthevesselaformwasfaintlyseen, guiding itsmotions, andusing a paddlewith the ease of onewho feltthere was no necessity for exertion. The Leather-Stocking struck his spearlightlyagainst theshortstaffwhichupheld,onarudegratingframedofoldhoopsof iron, theknotsofpine thatcomposedthefuel,andthe light,whichglaredhigh,foraninstantfellontheswarthyfeaturesanddark,glancingeyesofMohegan.The boat glided along the shore until it arrived opposite the fishing-ground,whenitagainchangeditsdirectionandmovedontotheland,withamotionsograceful,andyetsorapid,thatitseemedtopossessthepowerofregulatingitsown progress. The water in front of the canoe was hardly ruffled by itspassageandnosoundbetrayedthecollision,whenthelightfabricshotonthegravellybeachfornearlyhalfitslength,Nattyrecedingasteportwofromitsbow,inordertofacilitatethelanding."Approach, Mohegan," said Marmaduke; "approach, Leather-Stocking, andloadyourcanoewithbass.Itwouldbeashametoassailtheanimalswiththespear,whensuchmultitudesofvictimsliehere,thatwillbelostasfoodforthewantofmouthstoconsumethem.""No,no,Judge,"returnedNatty,histallfigurestalkingoverthenarrowbeach,andascendingtothelittlegrassybottomwherethefishwerelaidinpiles;"Ieatofnoman'swastyways.Istrikemyspearintotheeelsorthetrout,whenIcravethecreatur';butIwouldn'tbehelpingtosuchasinfulkindoffishingforthebestriflethatwaseverbroughtoutfromtheoldcountries.Iftheyhadfur,likethebeaver,oryoucouldtantheirhides,likeabuck,somethingmightbesaidinfavoroftakingthembythethousandwithyournets;butasGodmadethem forman's food, and for no other disarnable reason, I call it sinful andwastytocatchmorethancanbeeat."

"Your reasoning is mine; for once, old hunter, we agree in opinion; and Iheartilywishwecouldmakeaconvertofthesheriff.Anetofhalfthesizeofthiswouldsupplythewholevillagewithfishforaweekatonehaul."TheLeather-Stockingdidnot relish this alliance in sentiment; andhe shookhisheaddoubtinglyasheanswered;"No, no; we are not much of one mind, Judge, or you'd never turn goodhunting-groundsintostumpypastures.Andyoufishandhuntoutofrule;but,tome,thefleshissweeterwherethecreatur'hassomechanceforitslife;forthat reason, I always use a single ball, even if it be at a bird or a squirrel.Besides,itsaveslead;for,whenabodyknowshowtoshoot,onepieceofleadisenoughforall,excepthard-livedanimals."The sheriff heard these opinions with great indignation; and when hecompleted the last arrangement for the division, by carrying with his ownhands a trout of a large size, and placing it on four different piles insuccession,ashisvacillatingideasofjusticerequired,gaveventtohisspleen."Averyprettyconfederacy,indeed!JudgeTemple,thelandlordandownerofatownship, with Nathaniel Bumppo a lawless squatter, and professed deer-killer, inorder topreservethegameof thecounty!But, 'Duke,whenIfishIfish;so,away,boys,foranotherhaul,andwe'llsendoutwagonsandcartsinthemorningtobringinourprizes."Marmadukeappearedtounderstandthatalloppositiontothewillofthesheriffwouldbeuseless,andhestrolledfromthefiretotheplacewherethecanoeofthehunters lay,whither the ladiesandOliverEdwardshadalreadyprecededhim.Curiosity induced the females to approach this spot; but it was a differentmotive that led theyouth thither.Elizabethexaminedthe lightashen timbersand thin bark covering of the canoe, in admiration of its neat but simpleexecution, andwithwonder that any human being could be so daring as totrusthis life in so frail avessel.But theyouthexplained toher thebuoyantpropertiesoftheboat,anditsperfectsafetywhenunderpropermanagement;adding,insuchglowingterms,adescriptionofthemannerinwhichthefishwerestruckwiththespear, thatshechangedsuddenly,fromanapprehensionof thedangerof theexcursion, toadesire toparticipate in itspleasures.Sheevenventuredaproposition to thateffect toher father, laughingat thesametimeatherownwish,andaccusingherselfofactingunderawoman'scaprice."Saynotso,Bess,"returnedtheJudge;"Iwouldhaveyouabovetheidlefearsofasillygirl.Thesecanoesarethesafestkindofboatstothosewhohaveskillandsteadynerves.IhavecrossedthebroadestpartoftheOneidainonemuchsmallerthanthis.""AndItheOntary,"interruptedtheLeather-Stocking;"andthatwithsquawsin

thecanoe,too.ButtheDelawarewomenareusedtothepaddle,andaregoodhandsinaboatofthisnatur',Iftheyoungladywouldliketoseeanoldmanstrike a trout for his breakfast, she is welcome to a seat. Johnwill say thesame,seeingthathebuilt thecanoe,whichwasonlylaunchedyesterday;forI'mnot over-curious at such smallwork asbrooms, andbasket-making, andotherlikeIndiantrades."NattygaveElizabethoneofhissignificantlaughs,withakindnodofthehead,when he concluded his invitation butMohegan,with the native grace of anIndian,approached,andtakinghersoftwhitehandintohisownswarthyandwrinkledpalm,said:"Come,granddaughterofMiquon,andJohnwillbeglad.TrusttheIndian;hisheadisold,thoughhishandisnotsteady.TheYoungEaglewillgo,andseethatnoharmhurtshissister.""Mr. Edwards," said Elizabeth, blushing slightly, "your friendMohegan hasgivenapromiseforyou.Doyouredeemthepledge?""Withmylife,ifnecessary,MissTemple,"criedtheyouth,withfervor."Thesightisworthsomelittleapprehension;forofrealdangerthereisnone,IwillgowithyouandMissGrand,however,tosaveappearances.""Withme!"exclaimedLouisa."No,notwithme,Mr.Edwards;nor,surely,doyoumeantotrustyourselfinthatslightcanoe.""ButIshall;forIhavenoapprehensionsanylonger,"saidElizabeth,steppingintotheboat,andtakingaseatwheretheIndiandirected."Mr.Edwards,youmayremain,asthreedoseemtobeenoughforsuchaneggshell.""It shall hold a fourth," cried the youngman, springing to her side, with aviolencethatnearlyshooktheweakfabricofthevesselasunder."Pardonme,MissTemple,thatIdonotpermitthesevenerableCharonstotakeyoutotheshadesunattendedbyyourgenius.""Isitagoodorevilspirit?"askedElizabeth."Goodtoyou.""Andmine,"addedthemaiden,withanairthatstrangelyblendedpiquewithsatisfaction. But the motion of the canoe gave rise to new ideas, andfortunatelyaffordedagoodexcusetotheyoungmantochangethediscourse.ItappearedtoElizabeththattheyglidedoverthewaterbymagic,soeasyandgraceful was themanner in whichMohegan guided his little bark. A slightgesturewithhisspearindicatedthewayinwhichLeather-Stockingwishedtogo,andaprofoundsilencewaspreservedbythewholeparty,astheprecautionnecessary to the success of their fishery.At that point of the lake thewatershoaledregularly.differinginthisparticularaltogetherfromthosepartswherethemountains rosenearly inperpendicularprecipices from thebeach.There

thelargestvesselscouldhavelain,withtheiryardsinterlockedwiththepines;whilehere a scantygrowthof rushes lifted their tops above the lake, gentlycurlingthewaters,astheirbendingheadswavedwiththepassingbreathofthenightair.Itwasattheshallowpointsonlythatthebasscouldbefound,orthenetcastwithsuccess.Elizabethsawthousandsof thesefishswimminginshoalsalongtheshallowandwarmwatersoftheshore;fortheflaringlightoftheirtorchlaidbarethemysteriesof thelake,asplainlyas if thelimpidsheetof theOtsegowasbutanotheratmosphere.EveryinstantsheexpectedtoseetheimpendingspearofLeather-Stocking darting into the thronging hosts thatwere rushing beneathher,where itwouldseemthatablowcouldnotgoamiss;andwhere,asherfather had already said, the prize that would be obtained was worthy anyepicure. ButNatty had his peculiar habits, and, it would seem, his peculiartastesalso.His tall stature, and his erect posture, enabled him to seemuch farther thanthose whowere seated in the bottom of the canoe; and he turned his headwarilyineverydirection,frequentlybendinghisbodyforward,andstraininghis vision, as if desirous of penetrating the water that surrounded theirboundaryoflight.Atlengthhisanxiousscrutinywasrewardedwithsuccess,and,wavinghisspearfromtheshore,hesaidinacautioustone:"Sendheroutside thebass, John; I seea laker there, thathas runoutof theschool. It's seldomone findssuchacreatur' in shallowwater,wherea spearcantouchit."Mohegan gave a wave of assent with his hand, and in the next instant thecanoewaswithout the "runof the bass," and inwater nearly twenty feet indepth.Afewadditionalknotswerelaidonthegrating,andthelightpenetratedtothebottom,Elizabeththensawafishofunusualsizefloatingabovesmallpieces of logs and sticks. The animal was only distinguishable, at thatdistance,byaslightbutalmostimperceptiblemotionofitsfinsandtail.Thecuriosityexcitedbythisunusualexposureofthesecretsofthelakeseemedtobemutualbetweentheheiressofthelandandthelordofthesewaters,forthe"salmon-trout"soonannouncedhisinterestbyraisinghisheadandbodyforafew degrees above a horizontal line, and then dropping them again into ahorizontalposition."Whist!whist!"saidNatty,inalowvoice,onhearingaslightsoundmadebyElizabeth in bending over the side of the canoe in curiosity; "'tis a skearyanimal,andit'safarstrokeforaspear.Myhandleishutfourteenfoot,andthecreator'liesagoodeighteenfromthetopofthewater:butI'lltryhim,forhe'saten—pounder."Whilespeaking, theLeather-Stockingwaspoisinganddirectinghisweapon.

Elizabethsawthebright,polishedtines,astheyslowlyandsilentlyenteredthewater,wheretherefractionpointedthemmanydegreesfromthetruedirectionof the fish; and she thought that the intended victim saw them also, as heseemed to increase the play of his tail and fins, thoughwithoutmoving hisstation.AtthenextinstantthetallbodyofNattybenttothewater'sedge,andthehandleofhis speardisappeared in the lake.The long,dark streakof theglidingweapon,andthelittlebubblingvortexwhichfolloweditsrapidflight,wereeasilytobeseen:butitwasnotuntilthehandlesnotagainintotheairbyits own reaction, and its master catching it in his hand, threw its tinesuppermost,thatElizabethwasacquaintedwiththesuccessoftheblow.Afishof great sizewas transfixed by the barbed steel, andwas very soon shakenfromitsimpaledsituationintothebottomofthecanoe."Thatwill do, John," saidNatty, raisinghisprizebyoneofhis fingers, andexhibitingitbeforethetorch;"Ishallnotstrikeanotherblowto-night."The Indianagainwavedhishand, and repliedwith the simpleandenergeticmonosyllableof:"Good."Elizabethwasawakenedfromthetrancecreatedbythisscene,andbygazingin that unusualmanner at the bot tom of the lake, be the hoarse sounds ofBenjamin's voice, and the dashing of oars, as the heavier boat of the seine-drawersapproachedthespotwherethecanoelay,draggingafteritthefoldsofthenet."Haul off, haul off, Master Bumppo," cried Benjamin, "your top-lightfrightens the fish,whosee thenetandsheeroff soundings.A fishknowsasmuchasahorse,or, for thatmatter,more, seeing that it'sbroughtupon thewater.Hauloil,MasterBumppo,hauloff,Isay,andgiveawideberthtotheseine."Mohegan guided their little canoe to a point where the movements of thefishermen could be observed,without interruption to the business, and thensufferedittoliequietlyonthewater,lookinglikeanimaginaryvesselfloatinginair.Thereappearedtobemuchill-humoramongthepartyinthebatteau,forthedirectionsofBenjaminwerenotonlyfrequent,but issuedinavoicethatpartooklargelyofdissatisfaction."Pull larboard oar, will ye, Master Kirby?" cried the old seaman; "pulllarboardbest. Itwouldpuzzle theoldestadmiral in theirBritishfleet tocastthis here net fair, with a wake like a corkscrew. Full starboard, boy, pullstarboardoar,withawill.""Harkee,MisterPump,"saidKirby,ceasing to row,andspeakingwithsonicspirit; "I'm aman that likes civil language and decent treatment, such as isright'twixtmanandman.Ifyouwantustogohoy,sayso,andhoyI'llgo,for

thebenefitofthecompany;butI'mnotusedtobeingorderedaboutlikedumbcattle.""Who'sdumbcattle?"echoedBenjamin, fiercely, turninghis forbidding facetotheglareoflightfromthecanoe,andexhibitingeveryfeatureteemingwiththe expressionof disgust. "If youwant to comeaft and con theboat round,comeandbedamned,andprettysteerageyou'llmakeofit.There'sbutanotherheaveofthenetinthestern-sheets,andwe'reclearofthething.Giveway,willye?andshootheraheadforafathomortwo,andifyoucatchmeafloatagainwithsuchahorse-marineasyourself,why,ratemeaship'sjackass,that'sall."Probablyencouragedbytheprospectofaspeedyterminationtohislabor,thewood-chopper resumed his oar, and, under strong excitement, gave a strokethatnotonlyclearedtheboatofthenetbutofthestewardatthesameinstant.Benjaminhadstoodonthelittleplatformthatheldtheseine,inthesternoftheboat,andtheviolentwhirloccasionedbythevigorofthewood-chopper'sarmcompletelydestroyedhisbalance.Thepositionof thelightsrenderedobjectsin the batteau distinguishable, both from the canoe and the shore; and theheavyfallonthewaterdrewalleyestothesteward,ashelaystruggling,foramoment,insight.Aloudburstofmerriment, towhichthelungsofKirbycontributednosmallpart,brokeoutlikeachorusoflaughter,andranalongtheeasternmountain,inechoes, until it died away in distant, mocking mirth, among the rocks andwoods. The body of the steward was seen slowly to disappear, as wasexpected;butwhenthelightwaves,whichhadbeenraisedbyhisfall,begantosinkincalmness,andthewaterfinallyclosedoverhishead,unbrokenandstill,averydifferentfeelingpervadedthespectators."Howfareyou,Benjamin?"shoutedRichardfromtheshore."Thedumbdevilcan'tswimastroke!"exclaimedKirby,rising,andbeginningtothrowasidehisclothes."Paddleup,Mohegan,"criedyoungEdwards,"thelightwillshowuswherehelies,andIwilldiveforthebody.""Oh! savehim! forGod's sake, savehim!"exclaimedElizabeth,bowingherheadonthesideofthecanoeinhorror.ApowerfulanddexteroussweepofMohegan'spaddlesentthecanoedirectlyoverthespotwherethestewardhadfallen,andaloudshoutfromtheLeather-Stockingannouncedthathesawthebody."SteadytheboatwhileIdive,"againcriedEdwards."Gently,lad,gently,"saidNatty;"I'llspearthecreatur'upinhalfthetime,andnorisktoanybody."TheformofBenjaminwaslyingabouthalf-waytothebottom,graspingwith

bothhandssomebrokenrushes.ThebloodofElizabethcurdledtoherheart,as she saw the figure of a fellow-creature thus extended under an immensesheetofwater, apparently inmotionby theundulationsof thedyingwaves,withitsfaceandhands,viewedbythatlight,andthroughthemediumofthefluid,alreadycoloredwithhueslikedeath.Atthesameinstant,shesawtheshiningtinesofNatty'sspearapproachingthehead of the sufferer, and entwinning themselves, rapidly and dexterously, inthehairsofhiscueandthecapeofhiscoat.Thebodywasnowraisedslowly,looking ghastly and grim as its features turned upward to the light andapproachedthesurface.ThearrivalofthenostrilsofBenjaminintotheirownatmospherewas announcedby a breathing thatwould have done credit to aporpoise.Foramoment,Nattyheldthestewardsuspended,withhisheadjustabovethewater,whilehiseyesslowlyopenedandstaredabouthim,asifhethoughtthathehadreachedanewandunexploredcountry.Asall thepartiesactedandspoketogether,muchlesstimewasconsumedintheoccurrenceoftheseeventsthanintheirnarration.Tobringthebatteautotheendofthespear,andtoraisetheformofBenjaminintotheboat,andforthewhole party to regain the shore, required but aminute.Kirby, aided byRichard,whoseanxietyinducedhimtorunintothewatertomeethisfavoriteassistant, carried themotionless stewardup thebank, and seatedhimbeforethefire,whilethesheriffproceededtoorderthemostapprovedmeasurestheninusefortheresuscitationofthedrowned."Run,Billy,"hecried,"tothevillage,andbringuptherum-hogsheadthatliesbeforethedoor,inwhichIammakingvinegar,andbequick,boy,don'tstaytoemptythevinegar,andstopatMr.LeQuoi's,andbuyapaperoftobaccoandhalfadozenpipes;andaskRemarkableforsomesalt,andoneofherflannelpetticoats;andaskDr.Toddtosendhislancet,andtocomehimself;and—ha!'Duke,whatareyouabout?wouldyoustrangleamanwhoisfullofwater,bygivinghimrum?Helpmetoopenhishand,thatImaypatit."All this timeBenjamin sat,with hismuscles fixed, hismouth shut, and hishands clinching the rushes which he had seized in the confusion of themomentandwhich,asheheldfast,likeatrueseaman,hadbeenthemeansofpreventinghisbodyfromrisingagaintothesurface.Hiseyes,however,wereopen, and stared wildly on the group about the fire, while his lungs wereplaying like a blacksmith's bellows, as if to compensate themselves for theminute of inaction to which they had been subjected. As he kept his lipscompressed,with amost inveterate determination, the airwas compelled topass throughhisnostrils, andhe rather snorted thanbreathed, and in suchamanner that nothing but the excessive agitation of the sheriff could at alljustifyhisprecipitousorders.The bottle, applied to the steward's lips byMarmaduke, acted like a charm.

Hismouthopenedinstinctively;hishandsdroppedtherushes,andseizedtheglass;hiseyesraisedfromtheirhorizontalstaretotheheavens;andthewholemanwaslost,foramoment,inanewsensation.Unhappilyforthepropensityofthesteward,breathwasasnecessaryafteroneofthesedraughtsasafterhissubmersion,and the timeat lengtharrivedwhenhewascompelled to letgothebottle."Why, Benjamin!" roared the sheriff; "you amaze me! for a man of yourexperience indrownings to act so foolishly! Just now,youwerehalf full ofwater,andnowyouare—""Full of grog," interrupted the steward, his features settling down, withamazingflexibility,intotheirnaturaleconomy."But,d'yesee,squire,Ikeptmyhatches chose, and it's but little water that ever gets into my scuttle-butt.Harkee, Master Kirby! I've followed the salt-water for the better part of aman'slife,andhaveseensomenavigationonthefresh;butthisherematterIwillsayinyourfavor,andthatis,thatyou'retheawk'ardestgreen'unthateverstraddledaboat's thwart.Them that likesyou for a shipmate,may sailwithyou and no thanks; but dam'me if I even walk on the lake shore in yourcompany.Forwhy?you'dasliefdrownamanasoneofthemtherefish;nottothrowaChristiancreaturesomuchasarope'sendwhenhewasadrift,andnolife-buoy in sight! Natty Bumppo, give us your fist. There's them that saysyou'reanIndian,andascalper,butyou'veservedmeagoodturn,andyoumaysetme down for a friend; thof it would have beenmore ship shape like tolower thebightofa ropeorrunningbowlinebelowme, than toseizeanoldseamanbyhishead-lanyard;butIsupposeyouareusedtotakingmenbythehair,andseeingyoudidmegoodinsteadofharmthereby,why,it'sthesamething,d'yesee?"Marmaduke prevented any reply, and assuming the action ofmatterswith adignity and discretion that at once silenced all opposition from his cousin,Benjaminwas dispatched to the village by land, and the net was hauled toshore in such a manner that the fish for once escaped its meshes withimpunity.Thedivisionofthespoilswasmadeintheordinarymanner,byplacingoneofthepartywithhishacktothegame,whonamedtheownerofeachpile.BillKirbystretchedhislargeframeonthegrassbythesideofthefire,assentineluntilmorning,overnetandfish;andtheremainderofthepartyembarkedinthebatteau,toreturntothevillage.Thewood-chopperwasseenbroilinghissupperonthecoalsastheylostsightof the fire,andwhen theboatapproached theshore, the torchofMohegan'scanoewasshiningagainunderthegloomoftheeasternmountain.Itsmotionceasedsuddenly;ascatteringofbrandswas in theair,and thenall remaineddarkastheconjunctionofnight,forest,andmountaincouldrenderthescene.

The thoughts of Elizabeth wandered from the youth, who was holding acanopyofshawlsoverherselfandLouisa,tothehunterandtheIndianwarrior;andshefeltanawakeningcuriositytovisitahutwheremenofsuchdifferenthabitsandtemperamentweredrawntogetherasbycommonimpulse.

CHAPTERXXV.

"Ceaseallthisparlanceabouthillsanddales.Nonelistentothyscenesofboyishfrolic.Fonddotard!withsuchtickledearsasthoudostCometothytale."—Duo.Mr.Jonesaroseonthefollowingmorningwiththesun,and,orderinghisownandMarmaduke'ssteedstobesaddled,heproceeded,withacountenancebigwith some business of unusualmoment to the apartment of the Judge. Thedoorwasunfastened,andRichardentered,withthefreedomthatcharacterizednotonlytheintercoursebetweenthecousins,buttheordinarymannersofthesheriff."Well,'Duke,tohorse,"hecried,"andIwillexplaintoyoumymeaningintheallusions Imade lastnight.David says, in thePsalms—no, itwasSolomon,butitwasallinthefamily—Solomonsaidtherewasatimeforallthings;and,in my humble opinion, a fishing-party is not the moment for discussingimportantsubjects.Ha!why,what thedevilailsyou,Marmaduke?Ain'tyouwell?Letmefeelyourpulse;mygrandfather,youknow—""Quitewellinthebody,Richard,"interruptedtheJudge,repulsinghiscousin,whowasabouttoassumethefunctionsthatrightlybelongedtoDr.Todd;"butillatheart.Ireceivedlettersbythepostlastnight,afterwereturnedfromthepoint,andthisamongthenumber."Thesherifftooktheletter,butwithoutturninghiseyesonthewriting,forhewasexaminingtheappearanceoftheotherwithastonishment.Fromthefaceofhiscousin thegazeofRichardwandered to the table,whichwascoveredwith letters, packets, and newspapers; then to the apartment and all itcontained. On the bed there was the impression that had been made by ahumanform,but thecoveringswereunmoved,andeverything indicated thattheoccupantoftheroomhadpassedasleeplessnight.Thecandleshadburnedto the sockets, and had evidently extinguished themselves in their ownfragmentsMarmaduke had drawnhis curtains, and opened both the shuttersandthesashes,toadmitthebalmyair"ofaspringmorning;buthispalecheek,

hisquiveringlip,andhissunkeneyepresentedaltogethersoverydifferentanappearancefromtheusualcalm,manly,andcheerfulaspectoftheJudge,thatthesheriffgreweachmomentmoreandmorebewilderedwithastonishment.At lengthRichard found time to cast his eyes on the direction of the letter,whichhestillheldunopened,crumplingitinhishand."What!aship-letter!"heexclaimed;"andfromEngland,ha!'Duke,theremustbenewsofimportance!indeed!""Readit,"saidMarmaduke,pacingthefloorinexcessiveagitation.Richard,who commonly thought aloud,was unable to read a letterwithoutsufferingpartofitscontentstoescapehiminaudiblesounds.Somuchoftheepistle as was divulged in that manner, we shall lay before the reader,accompaniedbythepassingremarksofthesheriff:"'London,February12,1793.'Whatadevilofapassageshehad!butthewindhas been northwest for six weeks, until within the last fortnight. Sir, yourfavorsofAugust10th,September23d,andofDecember1st,werereceivedindueseason,andthefirstansweredbyreturnofpacket.Sincethereceiptofthelast,I'"—herealongpassagewasrenderedindistinctbyakindofhummingnoise by the sheriff—" 'I grieve to say that '—hum, hum, bad enough to besure—' but trusts that amerciful Providence has seen fit'—hum, hum, humseems to be a good, pious sort of aman, 'Duke; belongs to theEstablishedChurch,Idaresay;hum,hum—'vesselsailedfromFalmouthonoraboutthe1stSeptemberoflastyear,and'—hum,hum,hum,'Ifanythingshouldtranspireonthisafflictingsubjectshallnotfail'—hum,hum;reallyagood-heartedman,fora lawyer—'butCancommunicatenothing furtheratpresent'—hum,hum.'The national convention'—hum, hum—'unfortunate Louis'—hum, hum—'exampleofyourWashington'—averysensibleman,Ideclare,andnoneofyourcrazydemocrats.Hum,hum—'ourgallantnavy'—hum,hum—'underourmostexcellentmonarch'—ay,agoodmanenough,thatKingGeorge,butbadadvisers: hum, hum—'I beg to conclude with assurances of my perfectrespect.'—hum,hum—'AndrewHolt.'—AndrewHolt,averysensible,feelingman,thisMr.AndrewHolt—butthewriterofevil tidings.Whatwillyoudonext,CousinMarmaduke?""What can I do,Richard, but trust to time, and thewill ofHeaven?Here isanother letter fromConnecticut,but itonly repeats thesubstanceof the last.There is butone consoling reflection tobegathered from theEnglishnews,whichis,thatmylastletterwasreceivedbyhimbeforetheshipsailed.""Thisisbadenough,indeed!'Duke,badenough,indeed!andawaygoallmyplans,ofputtingwingstothehouse,tothedevil.Ihadmadearrangementsfora ride to introduce you to something of a very important nature.You knowhowmuchyouthinkofmines—"

"Talk not of mines," interrupted the Judge: "there is a sacred duty to beperformed,andthatwithoutdelay,Imustdevotethisdaytowriting;andthoumustbemyassistant,Richard;itwillnotdotoemployOliverinamatterofsuchsecrecyandinterest.""No,no, 'Duke," cried the sheriff, squeezinghishand, "I amyourman, justnow;wearesister'schildren,andblood,afterall,isthebestcementtomakefriendship stick together.Well,well, there isnohurryabout the silvermine,justnow;anothertimewilldoaswell.WeshallwantDirkyVan,Isuppose?"Marmadukeassentedtothisindirectquestion,andthesheriffrelinquishedallhisintentionsonthesubjectoftheride,and,repairingtothebreakfastparlor,hedispatchedamessengertorequiretheimmediatepresenceofDirckVanderSchool.ThevillageofTempletonatthattimesupportedbuttwolawyers,oneofwhomwasintroducedtoourreadersinthebar-roomofthe"BoldDragoon."andtheotherwasthegentlemanofwhomRichardspokebythefriendlyyetfamiliarappellationofDirck,orDirkyVan.Greatgood-nature,averytolerableshareofskillinhisprofession,and,consideringthecircumstances,nocontemptibledegreeofhonesty,weretheprincipalingredientsinthecharacterofthisman,whowasknowntothesettlersasSquireVanderSchool,andsometimesbytheflatteringthoughanomaloustitleofthe"Dutch"or"honestlawyer."Wewouldnotwishtomisleadourreadersintheirconceptionsofanyofourcharacters,andwethereforefeelitnecessarytoaddthattheadjective,intheprecedingagnomenofMr.VanderSchool,wasusedindirectreferencetoitssubstantive.Our orthodox friends need not be told that all themerit in thisworldiscomparative;and,onceforall,wedesiretosaythat,whereanythingwhich involvesqualitiesor characters is asserted,wemustbeunderstood tomean,"underthecircumstances."Duringtheremainderof theday, theJudgewasclosetedwithhiscousinandhis lawyer; and no one else was admitted to his apartment, excepting hisdaughter.ThedeepdistressthatsoevidentlyaffectedMarmadukewasinsomemeasurecommunicated toElizabethalso; for a lookofdejection shadedherintelligent features, and the buoyancy of her animated spirits was sensiblysoftened. Once on that day, young Edwards, who was a wondering andobservant spectator of the sudden alteration produced in the heads of thefamily,detectedatearstealingoverthecheekofElizabeth,andsuffusingherbrighteyeswithasoftnessthatdidnotalwaysbelongtotheirexpression."Have any evil tidings been received, Miss Temple?" he inquired, with aninterest and voice that caused Louisa Grant to raise her head from herneedlework,withaquicknessatwhichsheinstantlyblushedherself."Iwouldoffermy services toyour father, if, as I suspect, heneeds an agent in some

distantplace,andIthoughtitwouldgiveyourelief.""We have certainly heard bad news," returned Elizabeth, "and it may benecessary thatmy father should leave home for a short period; unless I canpersuade him to trustmy cousin Richardwith the business, whose absencefromthecountry,justatthistime,too,mightbeinexpedient."Theyouthpausedamoment,andthebloodgatheredslowlytohistemplesashecontinued:"IfitbeofanaturethatIcouldexecute-""Itissuchascanonlybeconfidedtooneweknow—oneofourselves.""Surely,youknowme,MissTemple!"headded,withawarmththatheseldomexhibited,butwhichdidsometimesescapehiminthemomentsoftheirfrankcommunications."HaveIlivedfivemonthsunderyourrooftobeastranger?"Elizabethwasengagedwithherneedlealso,andshebentherheadtooneside,affectingtoarrangehermuslin;butherhandshook,hercolorheightened,andhereyeslost theirmoisture inanexpressionofungovernable interest,asshesaid:"Howmuchdoweknowofyou,Mr.Edwards?""How much!" echoed the youth, gazing from the speaker to the mildcountenanceofLouisa, thatwasalso illuminatedwithcuriosity; "howmuchHaveIbeensolonganinmatewithyouandnotknown?"TheheadofElizabethturnedslowlyfromitsaffectedposition,andthelookofconfusionthathadblendedsostronglywithanexpressionofinterestchangedtoasmile."Weknowyou,sir, indeed;youarecalledMr.OliverEdwards. IunderstandthatyouhaveinformedmyfriendMissGrantthatyouareanative—""Elizabeth!" exclaimed Louisa, blushing to thc eyes, and trembling like anaspen; "you misunderstood me, dear Miss Temple; I—I—it was only aconjecture.Besides, ifMr.Edwards is related to thenativeswhy shouldwereproachhim?Inwhatarewebetter?atleastI,whoamthechildofapoorandunsettledclergyman?"Elizabeth shook her head doubtingly, and even laughed, butmade no reply,until, observing the melancholy which pervaded the countenance of hercompanion, who was thinking of the poverty and labors of her father, shecontinued:"Nay,Louisa,humilitycarriesyou toofar.Thedaughterofaministerof thechurchcanhavenosuperiors.NeitherInorMr.Edwardsisquiteyourequal,unless,"sheadded,againsmiling,"heisinsecretaking.""Afaithfulservantof theKingofkings,MissTemple, is inferior tononeon

earth,"saidLouisa;"buthishonorsarehisown;Iamonlythechildofapoorand friendlessman, and can claimno other distinction.Why, then, should Ifeel myself elevated aboveMr. Edwards, because—because—perhaps he isonlyvery,verydistantlyrelatedtoJohnMohegan?"Glances of a very comprehensive meaning were exchanged between theheiressandtheyoungman,asLouisabetrayed,whilevindicatinghislineage,thereluctancewithwhichsheadmittedhisalliancewith theoldwarrior;butnot even a smile at the simplicity of their companion was indulged in byeither."On reflection, I must acknowledge that my situation here is somewhatequivocal,"saidEdwards,"thoughImaybesaidtohavepurchaseditwithmyblood.""Theblood, too,ofoneof thenativelordsof thesoil!"criedElizabeth,whoevidentlyputlittlefaithinhisaboriginaldescent."Do I bear the marks of my lineage so very plainly impressed on myappearance?Iamdark,butnotveryred—notmoresothancommon?""Rathermoreso,justnow.""Iamsure,MissTemple,"criedLouisa,"youcannothavetakenmuchnoticeofMr.Edwards.HiseyesarenotsoblackasMohegan'sorevenyourown,norishishair.""Verypossibly,then,IcanlayclaimtothesamedescentItwouldbeagreatrelieftomymindtothinkso,forIownthatIgrievewhenIseeoldMoheganwalkingabouttheselandsliketheghostofoneoftheirancientpossessors,andfeelhowsmallismyownrighttopossessthem.""Doyou?"criedtheyouth,withavehemencethatstartledtheladies"Ido,indeed,"returnedElizabeth,aftersufferingamomenttopassinsurprise;"butwhatcanIdo—whatcanmyfatherdo?Shouldweoffer theoldmanahome'andamaintenance,hishabitswouldcompelhimtorefuseus.Neitherwerewesosillyastowishsuchathing,couldweconverttheseclearingsandfarmsagainintohuntinggrounds,astheLeather-Stockingwouldwishtoseethem.""Youspeakthetruth,MissTemple,"saidEdwards."Whatcanyoudoindeed?ButthereisonethingthatIamcertainyoucanandwilldo,whenyoubecomethemistressofthesebeautifulvalleys—useyourwealthwithindulgencetothepoor,andcharitytotheneedy;indeed,youcandonomore.""AndThatwillbedoingagooddeal,"saidLouisa,smilinginherturn."Butthere will, doubtless, be one to take the direction of such things from herhands."

"Iamnotabouttodisclaimmatrimony,likeasillygirl,whodreamsofnothingelse frommorn tillnight;but I amanunhere,without thevowofcelibacy.WhereshallIfindahusbandintheseforests?""Thereisnone,MissTemple,"saidEdwardsquickly;"thereisnonewhohasaright to aspire to you, and I know that youwill wait to be sought by yourequal; or die, as you live, loved, respected, and admired by all who knowyou."The young man seemed to think that he had said all that was required bygallantry,forhearose,and,takinghishat,hurriedfromtheapartment.PerhapsLouisathoughtthathehadsaidmorethanwasnecessary,forshesighed,withanaspirationsolowthatitwasscarcelyaudibletoherself,andbentherheadoverherworkagain.AnditispossiblethatMissTemplewishedtohearmore,forhereyescontinuedfixedforaminuteonthedoorthroughwhichtheyoungmanhadpassed, thenglancedquicklytowardhercompanion,whenthelongsilence that succeeded manifested how much zest may be given to theconversation of twomaidens under eighteen, by the presence of a youth ofthree-and-twenty.ThefirstpersonencounteredbyMr.Edwards,asheratherrushedthanwalkedfrom the house, was the little square-built lawyer, with a large bundle ofpapersunderhisarm,apairofgreenspectaclesonhisnose,withglassesatthesides,as if tomultiplyhispowerofdetecting fraudsbyadditionalorgansofvision.Mr. Van der School was a well-educatedman, but of slow comprehension,whohadimbibedawarinessinhisspeechesandactions,fromhavingsufferedbyhis collisionswithhismoremercurial and apt brethrenwhohad laid thefoundations of their practice in the Eastern courts, and who had sucked inshrewdness with their mother's milk. The caution of this gentleman wasexhibitedinhisactions,bytheutmostmethodandpunctuality,tincturedwithagood deal of timidity; and in his speeches, by a parenthetical style, thatfrequentlylefttohisauditorsalongsearchafterhismeaning."Agood-morningtoyou,Mr.VanderSchool,"saidEdwards;"itseemstobeabusydaywithusatthemansion-house.""Good-morning,Mr.Edwards(ifthatisyourname[for,beingastranger,wehavenootherevidenceofthefactthanyourowntestimony],asIunderstandyouhavegivenittoJudgeTemple),good-morning,sir.Itis,apparentlyabusyday (but a man of your discretion need not be told [having, doubtless,discovereditofyourownaccord],thatappearancesareoftendeceitful)upatthemansion-house.""Have you papers of consequence that will require copying? Can I be ofassistanceinanyway?"

"There are papers (as doubtless you see [for your eyes are young] by theoutsides)thatrequirecopying.""Well,then,Iwillaccompanyyoutoyouroffice,andreceivesuchasaremostneeded,andbynightIshallhavethemdoneiftherebemuchhaste.""Ishallalwaysbegladtoseeyou,sir,atmyoffice(asindutybound,notthatit isobligatory to receiveanymanwithinyourdwellingunless so inclined),whichisacastle,accordingtotheformsofpoliteness,oratanyotherplace;but thepapersaremoststrictlyconfidential (and,assuch,cannotbereadbyanyone),unlesssodirected(byJudgeTemple'ssolemninjunctions),andareinvisible to all eyes; excepting thosewhose duties (Imean assumed duties)requireitofthem.""Well,sir,asIperceivethatIcanbeofnoservice,Iwishyouanothergood-morning;butbegyouwillrememberthatIamquiteidlejustnow,andIwishyouwouldintimateasmuchtoJudgeTemple,andmakehimatenderofmyservicesinanypartoftheworld,\unless—unless—itbefarfromTempleton.""I will make the communication, sir, in your name (with your ownqualifications), as your agent.Goodmorning, sir.But stay proceedings,Mr.Edwards (so called), for a moment. Do you wish me to state the offer oftravelling as a final contract (for which consideration has been received atformerdates[bysumsadvanced],whichwouldbebinding),orasatenderofservicesforwhichcompensationistobepaid(accordingtofutureagreementbetweentheparties),onperformanceoftheconditions?""Anyway,anyway,"saidEdwards;"heseemsindistress,andIwouldassisthim.""Themotiveisgood,sir(accordingtoappearanceswhichareoftendeceitful]on first impressions), and does you honor. Iwillmention yourwish, younggentleman(asyounowseem),andwillnotfailtocommunicatetheanswerbyfive o'clock P.M. of this present day (God willing), if you give me anopportunitysotodo."The ambiguous nature of the situation and character of Mr. Edwards hadrenderedhimanobjectofpeculiarsuspiciontothelawyer,andtheyouthwasconsequentlytoomuchaccustomedtosimilarequivocalandguardedspeechestofeelanyunusualdisgustatthepresentdialogue.Hesawatoncethatitwasthe intention of the practitioner to conceal the nature of his business, evenfrom the private secretary of Judge Temple; and he knew too well thedifficulty of comprehending the meaning ofMr. Van der School, when thegentlemanmostwished to be luminous in his discourse, not to abandon allthoughtsofadiscovery,whenheperceivedthattheattorneywasendeavoringtoavoidanythinglikeanapproachtoacross-examination.Theypartedatthegate,thelawyerwalkingwithanimportantandhurriedairtowardhisoffice,

keepinghisrighthandfirmlyclinchedonthebundleofpapers.It must have been obvious to all our readers, that the youth entertained anunusual and deeply seated prejudice against the character of the Judge; butowingtosomecounteractingcause,hissensationswerenowthoseofpowerfulinterest in the state of his patron's present feelings, and in the cause of hissecretuneasiness.He remainedgazingafter the lawyeruntil thedoorclosedonboththebearerandthemysteriouspacket,whenhereturnedslowlytothedwelling,andendeavoredtoforgethiscuriosityintheusualavocationsofhisoffice.When the Judge made his reappearance in the circles of his family, hischeerfulnesswas temperedbya shadeofmelancholy that lingered formanydays around his manly brow; but the magical progression of the seasonaroused him from his temporary apathy, and his smiles returned with thesummer.The heats of the days, and the frequent occurrence of balmy showers, hadcompleted in an incredibly short period the growth of plants which thelingering spring had so long retarded in the germ; and thewoods presentedevery shade of green that the American forests know. The stumps in thecleared fieldswere already hidden beneath thewheat thatwaswavingwitheverybreathofthesummerair,shiningandchangingitshueslikevelvet.During the continuance of his cousin's dejection, Mr. Jones forebore, withmuch consideration, to press on his attention a business that each hourwasdrawingnearertotheheartofthesheriff,andwhich,ifanyopinioncouldbeformedbyhisfrequentprivateconferenceswiththemanwhowasintroducedinthesepagesbythenameofJotham,at thebar-roomoftheBoldDragoon,wasbecomingalsoofgreatimportance.Atlengththesheriffventuredtoalludeagaintothesubject;andoneevening,in the beginning of July, Marmaduke made him a promise of devoting thefollowingdaytothedesiredexcursion.

CHAPTERXXVI.

"Speakon,mydearestfather!Thywordsarelikethebreezesofthewest."—Milman.Itwasamildandsoftmorning,whenMarmadukeandRichardmountedtheirhorsesandproceededontheexpeditionthathadsolongbeenuppermostinthethoughtsofthelatter;andElizabethandLouisaappearedatthesameinstantin

thehall,attiredforanexcursiononfoot.TheheadofMissGrantwascoveredbyaneatlittlehatofgreensilk,andhermodest eyes peered from under its shade, with the soft languor thatcharacterized herwhole appearance; butMissTemple trod her father'swideapartmentswith thestepof theirmistress,holding inherhands,danglingbyoneofitsribbons, thegypsythatwastoconceal theglossylocksthatcurledaroundherpolishedforeheadinrichprofusion."What?areyouforawalk,Bess?"criedtheJudge,suspendinghismovementsfor amoment to smile,with a father's fondness, at the display ofwomanlygrace andbeauty that his child presented. "Remember the heats of July,mydaughter; nor venture further than thou canst retrace before the meridian.Whereis thyparasol,girl? thouwilt lose tinepolishof thatbrow,under thissunandsouthernbreeze,unlessthouguarditwithunusualcare.""Ishallthendomorehonortomyconnections,"returnedthesmilingdaughter."Cousin Richard has a bloom that any lady might envy. At present theresemblance between us is so trifling that no strangerwould knowus to be'sisters'children.""Grandchildren, you mean, Cousin Bess," said the sheriff. "But on, JudgeTemple; time and tidewait for noman; and if you takemy counsel, sir, intwelvemonthsfromthisdayyoumaymakeanumbrellaforyourdaughterofher camel's-hair shawl, and have its frame of solid silver. I ask nothing formyself, 'Duke;youhavebeenagoodfriendtomealready;besides,allthatIhavewillgotoBessthere,oneofthesemelancholydays,soit'saslongasit'sshort,whether I or you leave it.Butwe have a day's ride before us, sir; somoveforward,ordismount,andsayyouwon'tgoatonce.""Patience, patience, Dickon," returned the Judge, checking his horse andturningagaintohisdaughter."Ifthouartforthemountains,love,straynottoodeepintotheforest.Ientreatthee;for,thoughitisdoneoftenwithimpunity,thereissometimesdanger.""Notatthisseason,Ibelieve,sir,"saidElizabeth;"for,Iwillconfess,itistheintentionofLouisaandmyselftostrollamongthehills.""Lessat thisseasonthaninthewinter,dear;butstill theremaybedanger inventuring too far.But though thouart resolute,Elizabeth, thouart toomuchlikethymothernottobeprudent."The eyes of the parent turned reluctantly fromhis child, and the Judge andsheriffrodeslowlythroughthegateway,anddisappearedamongthebuildingsofthevillage.Duringthisshortdialogue,youngEdwardsstood,anattentivelistener,holdinginhishandafishing-rod,thedayandtheseasonhavingtemptedhimalsoto

desert the house for the pleasure of exercise in the air. As the equestriansturnedthroughthegate,heapproachedtheyoungfemales,whowerealreadymoving toward thestreet, andwasabout toaddress them,asLouisapaused,andsaidquickly:"Mr.Edwardswouldspeaktous,Elizabeth."The other stopped also, and turned to the youth, politely but with a slightcoldness in her air, that sensibly checked the freedom with which he hadapproachedthem,"Yourfatherisnotpleasedthatyoushouldwalkunattendedinthehills,MissTemple.IfImightoffermyselfasaprotector—""DoesmyfatherselectMr.OliverEdwardsas theorganofhisdispleasure?"interruptedthelady."GoodHeaven!youmisunderstoodmymeaning;Ishouldhavesaiduneasyornotpleased.Iamhisservant,madam,andinconsequenceyours.Irepeatthat,withyour consent, Iwill changemy rod for a fowling-piece, andkeepnighyouonthemountain.""I thank you, Mr. Edwards; but where there is no danger, no protection isrequired. We are not yet reduced to wandering among these free hillsaccompaniedbyabodyguard.Ifsuchaoneisnecessarythereheis,however.—Here,Brave—Brave——mynobleBrave!"Thehugemastif thathasbeenalreadymentioned, appeared fromhis kennel, gaping and stretching himselfwithpamperedlaziness;butashismistressagaincalled:"Come, dearBrave; onceyouhave servedyourmasterwell; let us see howyou can do your duty by his daughter"—the dog wagged his tail, as if heunderstood her language, walked with a stately gait to her side, where heseatedhimself,andlookedupatherface,withanintelligencebutlittleinferiortothatwhichbeamedinherownlovelycountenance.Sheresumedherwalk,butagainpaused,afterafewsteps,andadded,intonesofconciliation:"Youcanbe servingusequally, and, Ipresume,moreagreeably toyourself,Mr. Edwards, by bringing us a string of your favorite perch for the dinner-table."WhentheyagainbegantowalkMissTempledidnotlookbacktoseehowtheyouthborethisrepulse;buttheheadofLouisawasturnedseveraltimesbeforetheyreachedthegateonthatconsiderateerrand."Iamafraid,Elizabeth," shesaid, "thatwehavemortifiedOliver.He is stillstandingwherewelefthim,leaningonhisrod.Perhapshethinksusproud.""Hethinksjustly,"exclaimedMissTemple,asifawakingfromadeepmusing;

"hethinksjustly,then.Wearetooproudtoadmitofsuchparticularattentionsfromayoungmaninanequivocalsituation.What!makehimthecompanionofourmostprivatewalks!Itispride,Louisa,butitistheprideofawoman."It was several minutes before Oliver aroused himself from the abstractedpositioninwhichhewasstandingwhenLouisalastsawhim;butwhenhedid,hemuttered something rapidly and incoherently, and, throwing his rod overhisshoulder,hestrodedownthewalkthroughthegateandalongoneof thestreets of the village, until he reached the lake-shore, with the air of anemperor. At this spot boats were kept for the use of Judge Temple and hisfamily.Theyoungmanthrewhimselfintoalightskiff,and,seizingtheoars,he sent it across the lake toward thehutofLeather-Stocking,with apair ofvigorousarms.Bythe timehehadrowedaquarterofamile,his reflectionswere lessbitter;andwhenhesawthebushes that lined theshore in frontofNatty's habitation gliding by him, as if they possessed the motion whichproceeded from his own efforts, he was quite cooled in mind, thoughsomewhatheatedinbody.ItisquitepossiblethattheverysamereasonwhichguidedtheconductofMissTemplesuggesteditselftoamanofthebreedingandeducationof theyouth;andit isverycertain that, ifsuchwere thecase,ElizabethroseinsteadoffallingintheestimationofMr.Edwards.The oarswere now raised from thewater, and the boat shot close in to theland, where it lay gently agitated by waves of its own creating, while theyoungman,firstcastingacautiousandsearchingglancearoundhimineverydirection,put a smallwhistle tohismouth, andblewa long, shrillnote thatrang among the echoing rocks behind the hut.At this alarm, the hounds ofNatty rushed out of their bark kennel, and commenced their long, piteoushowls, leaping about as if half frantic, though restrained by the leashes ofbuckskinbywhichtheywerefastened."Quiet,Hector, quiet," saidOliver, again applying hiswhistle to hismouth,anddrawingout notes stillmore shrill thanbefore.No replywasmade, thedogshavingreturnedtotheirkennelatthesoundofhisvoice.Edwardspulledthebowsoftheboatontheshore,andlanding,ascendedthebeachandapproachedthedoorofthecabin.Thefasteningsweresoonundone,and he entered, closing the door after him, when all was as silent, in thatretiredspot,asifthefootofmanhadnevertrodthewilderness.Thesoundsofthehammers,thatwereinincessantmotioninthevillage,werefaintlyheardacrossthewater;butthedogshadcrouchedintotheirlairs,satisfiedthatnonebuttheprivilegedhadapproachedtheforbiddenground.Aquarterofanhourelapsedbefore theyouth reappeared,whenhe fastenedthedooragain,andspokekindlytothehounds.Thedogscameoutatthewell-knowntones,andtheslutjumpeduponhisperson,whiningandbarkingasifentreatingOlivertoreleaseherfromprison.ButoldHectorraisedhisnoseto

thelightcurrentofair,andopenedalonghowl,thatmighthavebeenheardforamile."Ha!whatdoyouscent,oldveteranofthewoods?"criedEdwards."Ifabeast,itisaboldone;andifaman,animpudent."Hesprangthroughthetopofapinethathadfallennearthesideofthehut,andascendedasmallhillockthatshelteredthecabintothesouth,wherehecaughtaglimpseoftheformalfigureofHiramDoolittle,asitvanished,withunusualrapidityforthearchitect,amidthebushes."Whatcanthatfellowbewantinghere?"mutteredOliver."Hehasnobusinessinthisquarter,unlessitbecuriosity,whichisanendemicinthesewoods.ButagainstthatIwilleffectuallyguard,thoughthedogsshouldtakealikingtohisuglyvisage,and lethimpass."Theyouth returned to thedoor,whilegivingvent to thissoliloquy,andcompleted thefasteningsbyplacingasmallchainthroughastaple,andsecuringittherebyapadlock."Heisapettifogger,andsurely must know that there is such a thing as feloniously breaking into aman'shouse."Apparentlywellsatisfiedwiththisarrangement,theyouthagainspoketothehounds;and,descendingtotheshore,helaunchedhisboat,andtakinguphisoars,pulledoffintothelake.Therewere severalplaces in theOtsego thatwerecelebrated fishing-groundfor perch. One was nearly opposite to the cabin, and another, still morefamous,wasnearapoint,atthedistanceofamileandahalfaboveit,underthebrowofthemountain,andonthesamesideofthelakewiththehut.OliverEdwards pulled his little skiff to the first, and sat, for aminute, undecidedwhethertocontinuethere,withhiseyesonthedoorofthecabin,ortochangehisground,withaviewtogetsuperiorgame.Whilegazingabouthim,hesawthelight-coloredbarkcanoeofhisoldcompanionsridingonthewater,atthepointwehavementioned,andcontainingtwofigures,thatheatonceknewtobeMoheganandtheLeather-Stocking.Thisdecidedthematter,andtheyouthpulled,inaveryfewminutes,totheplacewherehisfriendswerefishing,andfastenedhisboattothelightvesseloftheIndian.TheoldmenreceivedOliverwithwelcomingnods,butneitherdrewhislinefrom the water nor in the least varied his occupation. When Edwards hadsecuredhisownboat,hebaitedhishookandthrewit intothelake,withoutspeaking."Didyoustopatthewigwam,lad,asyourowedpast?"askedNatty."Yes,andIfoundallsafe;butthatcarpenterandjusticeofthepeace,Mr.,orastheycallhim,Squire,Doolittle,wasprowlingthroughthewoods.Imadesureof the door before I left the hut, and I think he is too great a coward toapproachthehounds.""There'slittletobesaidinfavorofthatman,"saidNatty,whilehedrewina

perchandbaitedhishook."Hecravesdreadfullytocomeintothecabin,andhasasgoodasaskedmeasmuchtomyface;butIputhimoffwithunsartainanswers,sothatheisnowiserthanSolomon.Thiscomesofhavingsomanylawsthatsuchamanmaybecalledontointarpretthem.""Ifearheismoreknavethanfool,"criedEdwards;"hemakesatoolof,thatsimpleman,thesheriff;andIdreadthathisimpertinentcuriositymayyetgiveusmuchtrouble.""Ifheharbors toomuchabout thecabin, lad, I'llshoot thecreatur',"said theLeather-Stocking,quitesimply."No,no,Natty,youmustrememberthelaw,"saidEdwards,"orweshallhaveyouintrouble;andthat,oldman,wouldbeanevildayandsoretidingstousall.""Wouldit,boy?"exclaimedthehunter,raisinghiseyes,withalookoffriendlyinterest,towardtheyouth."Youhavethetruebloodinyourveins,Mr.Oliver;andI'llsupportit tothefaceofJudgeTempleorinanycourtinthecountry.Howisit,John?DoIspeakthetrueword?Istheladstanch,andoftherightblood?""He is a Delaware," said Mohegan, "and my brother. The Young Eagle isbrave,andhewillbeachief.Noharmcancome.""Well, well," cried the youth impatiently, "say no more about it, my goodfriends;ifIamnotallthatyourpartialitywouldmakeme,Iamyoursthroughlife,inprosperityasinpoverty.Wewilltalkofothermatters."Theoldhuntersyieldedtohiswish,whichseemedtobetheirlaw.Forashorttimeaprofoundsilenceprevailed,duringwhicheachmanwasverybusywithhishookandline,butEdwards,probablyfeelingthatitremainedwithhimtorenewthediscourse,soonobserved,withtheairofonewhoknewnotwhathesaid:"Howbeautifully tranquilandglassythelakeis!Sawyouitevermorecalmandeventhanatthismoment,Natty?""I have known the Otsego water for five-and-forty years," said Leather—Stocking, "and Iwill say that for it,which is, that a cleaner springorbetterfishingisnottobefoundintheland.Yes,yes;Ihadtheplacetomyselfonce,andacheerfultimeIhadofit.Thegamewasplentyasheartcouldwish;andthere was none to meddle with the ground unless there might have been ahuntingpartyoftheDelawarescrossingthehills,or,maybe,ariflingscoutofthemthieves,theIroquois.TherewasoneortwoFrenchmenthatsquattedinthe flats furtherwest, andmarried squaws; and someof theScotch-Irishers,fromtheCherryValley,wouldcomeontothelake,andborrowmycanoetotakeamessofparch,ordropalineforsalmon-trout;but,inthemain,itwasa

cheerfulplace,andIhadbutlittletodisturbmeinit.Johnwouldcome,andJohnknows."Mohegan turnedhis dark face at this appeal; and,movinghishand forwardwith gracefulmotion of assent, he spoke, using theDelawarelanguage:"Thelandwasownedbymypeople;wegaveittomybrotherincouncil—totheFire-eater; andwhat theDelawares give lasts as long as thewaters run.Hawk-eyesmokedatthatcouncil,forwelovedhim.""No,no,John,"saidNatty,"Iwasnochief,seeing that Iknowednothingofscholarship, and had awhite skin.But itwas a comfortable hunting-groundthen,lad,andwouldhavebeensothisday,butforthemoneyofMarmadukeTemple,andthetwistywaysofthelaw.""It must have been a sight ofmelancholy pleasure in deed," said Edwards,whilehiseye rovedalong theshoresandover thehills,where theclearings,groaningwiththegoldencorn,werecheeringtheforestwiththesignsoflife,"tohaveroamedoverthesemountainsandalongthissheetofbeautifulwater,withoutalivingsoultospeakto,ortothwartyourhumor.""Haven't I said itwas cheerful?" saidLeather-Stocking. "Yes,yes,when thetreesbegantobecoveredwithleaves,andtheicewasoutofthehake,itwasasecond paradise. I have travelled the woods for fifty-three years, and havemadethemmyhomeformorethanforty,andIcansaythatIhavemetbutoneplace thatwasmore tomyliking;and thatwasonly toeyesight,andnotforhuntingorfishing.""Andwherewasthat?"askedEdwards."Where!why, up on theCatskills. I used often to go up into themountainsafterwolves'skinsandbears;oncetheypaidmetogetthemastuffedpainter,andsoIoftenwent.There'saplaceinthemhillsthatIusedtoclimbtowhenIwantedtoseethecarryingsonoftheworld,thatwouldwellpayanymanforabarked shin or a tornmoccasin. You know the Catskills, lad; for youmusthaveseenthemonyourleft,asyoufollowedtheriverupfromYork,lookingas blue as a piece of clear sky, and holding the clouds on their tops, as thesmokecurlsovertheheadofanIndianchiefatthecouncilfire.Well,there'stheHigh-peak and the Round-top, which lay back like a father andmotheramongtheirchildren,seeingtheyarefarabovealltheotherhills.ButtheplaceImean isnext to the river,whereoneof the ridges jutsouta little from therest,andwheretherocksfall,forthebestpartofathousandfeet,somuchupanddown,thatamanstandingontheiredgesisfoolenoughtothinkhecanjumpfromtoptobottom.""Whatseeyouwhenyougetthere?"askedEdwards,"Creation," said Natty, dropping the end of his rod into the water, andsweepingonehandaroundhiminacircle,"allcreation,lad.Iwasonthathill

whenVaughanburned'Sopusinthelastwar;andIsawthevesselscomeoutof the Highlands as plain as I can see that lime-scow rowing into theSusquehanna, though onewas twenty times farther fromme than the other.Theriverwasinsightforseventymiles,lookinglikeacurledshavingundermy feet, though it was eight longmiles to its banks. I saw the hills in theHampshire grants, the highlands of the river, and all thatGod had done, ormancoulddo,faraseyecouldreach—youknowthat theIndiansnamedmeformysight, lad;andfromtheflatonthetopofthatmountain,Ihaveoftenfound the placewhereAlbany stands. And as for 'Sopus, the day the royaltroopsburntthetown,thesmokeseemedsonigh,thatIthoughtIcouldhearthescreechesofthewomen.""Itmusthavebeenworththetoiltomeetwithsuchagloriousview.""Ifbeingthebestpartofamileintheairandhavingmen'sfarmsandhousesyour feet, with rivers looking like ribbons, and mountains bigger than the'Vision seeming to be hay-stacks of green grass under you, gives anysatisfaction toaman, I can recommend the spot.When I first came into thewoods to live, I used to haveweak spellswhen I felt lonesome: and then Iwouldgo into theCatskills,andspenda fewdayson thathill to lookat thewaysofman;butit'snowmanyayearsinceIfeltanysuchlongings,andIamgettingtoooldforruggedrocks.Butthere'saplace,ashorttwomilesbackofthatveryhill,thatinlatetimesIrelishedbetterthanthemountains:foritwasmorecoveredwiththetrees,andnatural.""And where was that?" inquired Edwards, whose curiosity was stronglyexcitedbythesimpledescriptionofthehunter."Why,there'safallinthehillswherethewateroftwolittleponds.thatlieneareachother,breaksoutoftheirboundsandrunsovertherocksintothevalley.Thestreamis,maybe,suchaoneaswouldturnamill,ifsouselessthingwaswanted in thewilderness. But the hand thatmade that 'Leap' nevermade amill.There thewatercomescrookingandwindingamong the rocks, first soslowthatatroutcouldswiminit,andthenstartingandrunninglikeacreatur'thatwantedtomakeafarspring,tillitgetstowherethemountaindivides,liketheclefthoofofadeer, leavingadeephollowfor thebrook to tumble into.The first pitch is nigh two hundred feet, and thewater looks like flakes ofdriven snow afore it touches the bottom; and there the stream gathers itselftogetheragain foranewstart, andmaybe fluttersover fifty feetof flat rockbefore it falls for anotherhundred,when it jumpsabout fromshelf to shelf,first turning this-away and then turning that-away, striving to get out of thehollow,tillitfinallycomestotheplain.""Ihaveneverheardofthisspotbefore;itisnotmentionedinthebooks.""I never read a book inmy life," saidLeather-Stocking; "andhow should a

manwhohaslivedintownsandschoolsknowanythingaboutthewondersofthe woods? No, no, lad; there has that little stream of water been playingamong the hills sinceHemade theworld, and not a dozenwhitemen haveever laid eyes on it. The rock sweeps likemason-work, in a half-round, onbothsidesofthefall,andshelvesoverthebottomforfiftyfeet;sothatwhenI'vebeensittingatthefootofthefirstpitch,andmyhoundshaverunintothecaverns behind the sheet of water, they've looked no bigger than so manyrabbits.Tomyjudgment,lad,it'sthebestpieceofworkthatI'vemetwithinthe woods; and none know how often the hand of God is seen in thewilderness,butthemthatroveitforaman'slife.""Whatbecomesofthewater?Inwhichdirectiondoesitrun?IsitatributaryoftheDelaware?""Anan!"saidNatty."DoesthewaterrunintotheDelaware?""No,no;it'sadropfortheoldHudson,andamerrytimeithastillitgetsdownoff themountain. I've sat on the shelving rockmany a long hour, boy, andwatched thebubbles as they shot byme, and thought how long itwouldbebeforethatverywater,whichseemedmadeforthewilderness,wouldbeunderthebottomofavessel,andtossinginthesaltsea.Itisaspottomakeamansolemnize.YougorightdownintothevalleythatliestotheeastoftheHighPeak,where, in the fall of the year, thousandsof acres ofwoods are beforeyoureyes,inthedeephollow,andalongthesideofthemountain,paintedliketen thousand rainbows, by no hand ofman, thoughwithout the ordering ofGod'sprovidence.""Youareeloquent,Leather-Stocking,"exclaimedtheyouth."Anan!"repeatedNatty."The recollection of the sight haswarmedyour blood, oldman.Howmanyyearsisitsinceyousawtheplace?"Thehuntermadenoreply;but,bendinghisearnearthewater,hesatholdinghisbreath,and listeningattentivelyas if tosomedistantsound.At lengthheraisedhishead,andsaid:"If I hadn't fastened the hounds with my own hands, with a fresh leash ofgreenbuckskin,I'dtakeaBibleoaththatIheardoldHectorringinghiscryonthemountain.""It is impossible," said Edwards; "it is not an hour since I saw him in hiskennel."By this time the attention of Mohegan was attracted to the sounds; but,notwithstandingtheyouthwasbothsilentandattentive,hecouldhearnothingbutthelowingofsomecattlefromthewesternhills.Helookedattheoldmen,

Natty sittingwithhis hand tohis ear, like a trumpet, andMoheganbendingforward,with an arm raised to a levelwith his face, holding the forefingerelevatedasasignalforattention,andlaughedaloudatwhathedeemedtobeimaginarysounds."Laugh ifyouwill,boy,"saidLeather-Stocking,"thehoundsbeout,andarehuntingadeer,Nomancandeceivemeinsuchamatter.Iwouldn'thavehadthe thing happen for a beaver's skin. Not that I care for the law; but thevenisonisleannow,andthedumbthingsrunthefleshofftheirownbonesfornogood.Nowdoyouhearthehounds?"Edwards started, as a full cry broke on his ear, changing from the distantsoundsthatwerecausedbysomeinterveninghill,toconfusedechoesthatrangamong therocks that thedogswerepassing,and thendirectly toadeepandhollow baying that pealed under the forest under the Lake shore. Thesevariationsinthetonesofthehoundspassedwithamazingrapidity;and,whilehiseyeswereglancingalongthemarginofthewater,atearingofthebranchesofthealderanddogwoodcaughthisattention,ataspotnearthemandatthenextmomentanoblebucksprangontheshore,andburiedhimselfinthelake.A full-mouthed cry followed, when Hector and the slut shot through theopening in the bushes, and darted into the lake also, bearing their breastsgallantlyagainstthewater.

CHAPTERXXVII.

"OftinthefulldescendingfloodhetriesTolosethescent,andlavehisburningsides."—Thomson."Iknowedit—Iknowedit!"criedNatty,whenbothdeerandhoundswereinfullview;"thebuckhasgonebythemwiththewind,andithasbeentoomuchforthepoorrogues;butImustbreakthemofthesetricks,orthey'llgivemeadeal of trouble. He-ere, he-ere—shore with you, rascals—shore with you—willye?Oh!offwithyou,oldHector,orI'llhackleyourhidewithmyramrodwhenIgetye."The dogs knew their master's voice, and after swimming in a circle, as ifreluctant to give over the chase, and yet afraid to persevere, they finallyobeyed,andreturnedtotheland,wheretheyfilledtheairwiththeircries.Inthemeantimethedeer,urgedbyhisfears,hadswumoverhalfthedistancebetweentheshoreandtheboats,beforehisterrorpermittedhimtoseethenewdanger.ButatthesoundsofNatty'svoice,heturnedshortinhiscourseandfor

a fewmoments seemed about to rush back again, and brave the dogs. Hisretreatinthisdirectionwas,however,effectuallycutoff,and,turningasecondtime,heurgedhiscourseobliquelyforthecentreofthelake,withanintentionoflandingonthewesternshore.Asthebuckswambythefishermen,raisinghisnosehighintotheair,curlingthewaterbeforehisslimnecklikethebeakofagalley,theLeather-Stockingbegantositveryuneasyinhiscanoe."'Tisanoblecreatur'!"heexclaimed;"whatapairofhorns!amanmighthangupallhisgarmentsonthebranches.Letmesee—Julyisthelastmonth,andthefleshmustbegettinggood."Whilehewastalking,Nattyhadinstinctivelyemployedhimselfinfasteningtheinnerendofthebarkrope,thatservedhimfor a cable, to a paddle, and, rising suddenly on his legs, he cast this buoyaway,andcried;"Strikeout,John!lethergo.Thecreatur'safooltotemptamaninthisway."Moheganthrewthefasteningoftheyouth'sboatfromthecanoe,andwithonestrokeofhispaddlesentthelightbarkoverthewaterlikeameteor."Hold!"exclaimedEdwards."Rememberthelaw,myoldfriends.Youare inplain sight of the village, and I know that Judge Temple is determined toprosecuteall,indiscriminately,whokilldeeroutofseason."Theremonstrancecametoolate;thecanoewasalreadyfarfromtheskiff,andthetwohuntersweretoomuchengagedinthepursuittolistentohisvoice.The buck was now within fifty yards of his pursuers, cutting the watergallantly,andsnortingateachbreathwith terrorandhisexertions,while thecanoeseemedtodanceoverthewavesasitroseandfellwiththeundulationsmadeby itsownmotion.Leather-Stocking raisedhis rifle and freshened thepriming,butstoodinsuspensewhethertoslayhisvictimornot."Shall I, Johnorno?"hesaid."It seemsbutapooradvantage to takeof thedumbthing,too.Iwon't;ithastakentothewateronitsownnatur',whichisthereasonthatGodhasgiventoadeer,andI'llgiveitthelakeplay;so,John,layoutyourarm,andmindthe turnof thebuck; it'seasytocatchthem,butthey'llturnlikeasnake."The Indian laughed at the conceit of his friend, but continued to send thecanoeforwardwithavelocity' thatproceededmuchmorefromskill thanhisstrength.BothoftheoldmennowusedthelanguageoftheDelawareswhentheyspoke."Hugh!" exclaimedMohegan; "the deer turns his head. Hawk-eye, lift yourspear."Natty never moved abroad without taking with him every implement thatmight, by possibility, be of service in his pursuits. From his rifle he neverparted;andalthoughintendingtofishwiththeline,thecanoewasinvariably

furnishedwithallofitsutensils,eventoitsgrateThisprecautiongrewoutofthehabitsofthehunter,whowasoftenled,byhisnecessitiesorhissports,farbeyondthelimitsofhisoriginaldestination.Afewyearsearlierthanthedateofourtale,theLeather-StockinghadlefthishutontheshoresoftheOtsego,withhisrifleandhishounds,forafewdays'huntinginthehills;butbeforehereturnedhehadseenthewatersofOntario.One, two,oreventhreehundredmileshadoncebeennothingtohissinews,whichwerenowalittlestiffenedbyage.ThehunterdidasMoheganadvised,andpreparedtostrikeablowwiththebarbedweaponintotheneckofthebuck."Layhermore to the left, John,"hecried, "layhermore to the left; anotherstrokeofthepaddleandIhavehim."Whilespeakingheraisedthespear,anddarteditfronthimlikeanarrow.Atthat instant the buck turned, the long pole glanced by him, the iron strikingagainsthishorn,andburieditselfharmlesslyinthelake."Backwater,"criedNatty,asthecanoeglidedovertheplacewherethespearhadfallen;"holdwater,John."Thepolesoonreappeared,shootingupfromthelake,and,asthehunterseizeditinhishand,theIndianwhirledthelightcanoeround,andrenewedthechase.But thisevolutiongave thebuckagreatadvantage;and italsoallowed timeforEdwardstoapproachthesceneofaction."Holdyourhand,Natty!"criedtheyouth,"holdyourhand;rememberitisoutofseason."This remonstrancewasmadeas thebatteauarrivedclose to theplacewherethedeerwasstrugglingwiththewater,hisbacknowrisingtothesurface,nowsinking beneath it, as the waves curled from his neck, the animal stillsustainingitselfnoblyagainsttheodds,"Hurrah!" shouted Edwards, inflamed beyond prudence at the sight; "mindhim as he doubles—mind him as he doubles; sheer more to the right,Mohegan,moretotheright,andI'llhavehimbythehorns;I'llthrowtheropeoverhisantlers."Thedarkeyeoftheoldwarriorwasdancinginhisheadwithawildanimation,andthesluggishreposeinwhichhisagedframehadbeenrestinginthecanoewas now changed to all the rapid inflections of practiced agility.The canoewhirledwitheachcunningevolutionofthechase, likeabubblefloatinginawhirlpool;andwhenthedirectionofthepursuitadmittedofastraightcoursethelittlebarkskimmedthelakewithavelocitythaturgedthedeertoseekitssafetyinsomenewturn.It was the frequency of these circuitous movements that, by confining theactiontososmallacompass,enabledtheyouthtokeepnearhiscompanions.

Morethantwentytimesboththepursuedandthepursuerglidedbyhim,justwithoutthereachofhisoars,untilhethoughtthebestwaytoviewthesportwas to remainstationary,and,bywatchinga favorableopportunity,assistasmuchashecouldintakingthevictim.Hewasnotrequiredtowaitlong,fornosoonerhadheadoptedthisresolution,andrisenintheboat,thanhesawthedeercomingbravelytowardhim,withanapparent intention of pushing for a point of land at some distance from thehounds,whowerestillbarkingandhowlingontheshore.Edwardscaughtthepainterofhisskiff,and,makinganoose,cast it fromhimwithallhisforce,and luckilysucceeded indrawing itsknotclosearoundoneof theantlersofthebuck.For one instant the skiff was drawn through the water, but in the next thecanoe glided before it, and Natty, bending low, passed his knife across thethroatoftheanimal,whosebloodfollowedthewound,dyeingthewaters.Theshorttimethatwaspassedinthelaststrugglesoftheanimalwasspentbythehunters in bringing their boats together and securing them in that position,whenLeather-Stockingdrewthedeerfromthewaterandlaiditslifelessforminthebottomofthecanoe.Heplacedhishandsontheribs,andondifferentparts of the body of his prize, and then, raising his head, he laughed in hispeculiarmanner."So much for Marmaduke Temple's law!" he said, "This warms a body'sblood,oldJohn:Ihaven'tkilledabuckinthelakeaforethis,sin'manyayear.I call that good venison, lad: and I know them thatwill relish the creatur'ssteaksforallthebettermentsintheland."The Indian had long been drooping with his years, and perhaps under thecalamitiesofhisrace,butthisinvigoratingandexcitingsportcausedagleamof sunshine to cross his swarthy face that had long been absent from hisfeatures.Itwasevidenttheoldmanenjoyedthechasemoreasamemorialofhis youthful sports and deeds thanwith any expectation of profiting by thesuccess.Hefeltthedeer,however,lightly,hishandalreadytremblingwiththereactionofhisunusualexertions,andsmiledwithanodofapprobation,ashesaid,intheemphaticandsententiousmannerofhispeople:"Good.""Iamafraid,Natty,"saidEdwards,whentheheatofthemomenthadpassed,andhisbloodbegantocool,"thatwehaveallbeenequallytransgressorsofthelaw.Butkeepyourowncounsel,andtherearenoneheretobetrayus.Yethowcamethosedogsatlarge?Ileftthemsecurelyfastened,Iknow,forIfeltthethongsandexaminedtheknotswhenIwasatthehunt.""Ithasbeen toomuchfor thepoor things,"saidNatty,"tohavesuchabucktakethewindofthem.See,lad, thepiecesofthebuckskinarehangingfrom

theirnecksyet.Letuspaddleup,John,andIwillcalltheminandlookalittleintothematter."Whentheoldhunterlandedandexaminedthethongsthatwereyetfasttothehounds,hiscountenancesensiblychanged,andheshookhisheaddoubtingly."Herehasbeenaknifeatwork,"hesaid;"thisskinwasnevertorn,noristhisthemarkofahound'stooth.No,no—Hectorisnotinfault,asIfeared.""Hastheleatherbeencut?"criedEdwards."No,no—Ididn't say ithadbeencut, lad;but this is amark thatwasnevermadebyajumporabite.""Couldthatrascallycarpenterhavedared!""Ay! he durst do anything when there is no danger," said Natty; "he is acuriousbody,andlovestobehelpingotherpeopleonwiththeirconsarns.Buthehadbestnotharborsomuchnearthewigwam!"Inthemeantime,Moheganhadbeenexamining,withanIndian'ssagacity,theplacewheretheleatherthonghadbeenseparated.Afterscrutinizingitclosely,hesaid,inDelaware:"Itwascutwithaknife—asharpbladeandalonghandle—themanwasafraidofthedogs.""Howis this,Mohegan?"exclaimedEdwards;"yousawitnot!howcanyouknowthesefacts?""Listen,son,"saidthewarrior."Theknifewassharp,forthecutwassmooth;thehandlewaslong,foraman'sarmwouldnotreachfromthisgashtothecutthatdidnotgothroughtheskin;hewasacoward,orhewouldhavecut thethongsaroundthenecksofthehounds.""Onmylife,"criedNatty,"Johnisonthescent!Itwasthecarpenter;andhehasgotontherockbackofthekennelandletthedogsloosebyfasteninghisknifetoastick.Itwouldbeaneasymattertodoitwhereamanissominded.""Andwhyshouldhedoso?"askedEdwards;"whohasdonehimwrong,thatheshouldtroubletwooldmenlikeyou?""It's a hardmatter, lad, to knowmen's ways, I find, since the settlers havebrought in their new fashions, But is there nothing to be found out in theplace? and maybe he is troubled with his longings after other people'sbusiness,asheoftenis.""Yoursuspicionsarejust.Givemethecanoe;Iamyoungandstrong,andwillgetdownthereyet,perhaps,intimetointerrupthisplans.Heavenforbidthatweshouldbeatthemercyofsuchaman!"His proposal was accepted, the deer being placed in the skiff in order to

lighten the canoe, and in less than fiveminutes the little vessel of barkwasgildingovertheglassylake,andwassoonhidbythepointsoflandasitshotclosealongtheshore.Moheganfollowedslowlywiththeskiff,whileNattycalledhishoundstohim,bade themkeep close, and, shoulderinghis rifle, he ascended themountain,withanintentionofgoingtothehutbyland.

CHAPTERXXVIII.

"Askmenotwhatthemaidenfeels,Leftinthatdreadfulhouralone:Perchance,herreasonstoops,orreel!Perchance,acouragenotherownBraceshermindtodesperatetone."—Scott.While thechasewasoccurringonthelake,MissTempleandhercompanionpursuedtheirwalkonthemountain.Maleattendantsonsuchexcursionswerethoughttobealtogetherunnecessary,fornonewereevenknowntoofferinsultto a female who respected herself. After the embarrassment created by theparting discourse with Edwards had dissipated, the girls maintained aconversationthatwasasinnocentandcheerfulasthemselves.The path they took led them but a short distance above the hut of Leather-Stocking, and therewas a point in the roadwhich commanded a bird's-eyeviewofthesequesteredspot.Froma feeling thatmighthavebeen,natural, andmusthavebeenpowerful,neither of the friends, in their frequent and confidential dialogues, had evertrustedherselftoutteronesyllableconcerningtheequivocalsituationinwhichthe youngman who was now so intimately associated with them had beenfound. If judgeTemplehaddeemed it prudent tomake any inquiries on thesubject,hehadalsothoughtitpropertokeeptheanswerstohimself;thoughitwassocommonanoccurrencetofindthewell-educatedyouthoftheEasternStatesineverystageoftheircareertowealth,thatthesimplecircumstanceofhisintelligence,connectedwithhispoverty,wouldnot,atthatdayandinthatcountry,haveexcitedanyverypowerfulcuriosity.Withhisbreeding,itmighthavebeendifferent;buttheyouthhimselfhadsoeffectuallyguardedagainstsurpriseonthissubject,byhiscoldandeven,insomecases,rudedeportment,thatwhenhismannersseemedtosoftenbytime,theJudge,ifhethoughtaboutitatall,wouldhavebeenmostlikelytoimaginethattheimprovementwasthe

result of his late association. But women are always more alive to suchsubjectsthanmen;andwhattheabstractionofthefatherhadoverlooked,theobservation of the daughter had easily detected. In the thousand littlecourtesies of polished life she had early discovered that Edwards was notwanting, though his gentleness was so often crossed bymarks of what sheconceived to be fierce and uncontrollable passions. It may, perhaps, beunnecessarytotellthereaderthatLouisaGrantneverreasonedsomuchafterthefashionsoftheworld.Thegentlegirl,however,hadherownthoughtsonthesubject,and,likeothers,shedrewherownconclusions."Iwouldgiveallmyothersecrets,Louisa,"exclaimedMissTemple,laughing,and shaking back her dark locks,with a look of childish simplicity that herintelligent face seldomexpressed, "to bemistress of all that those rude logshaveheardandwitnessed."They were both looking at the secluded hut at the instant, andMiss Grantraisedhermildeyesassheanswered:"IamsuretheywouldtellnothingtothedisadvantageofMr.Edwards.""Perhapsnot;buttheymight,atleast,tellwhoheis.""Why, dearMissTemple,we know all that already. I have heard it all veryrationallyexplainedbyyourcousin—""The executive chief! he can explain anything. His ingenuity will one daydiscoverthephilosopher'sstone.Butwhatdidhesay?""Say!"echoedLouisa,withalookofsurprise;"why,everythingthatseemedtome to be satisfactory, and I now believed it to be true. He said that NattyBumppohad livedmost of his life in thewoods and among the Indians, bywhich means he had formed an acquaintance with old John, the Delawarechief.""Indeed! thatwas quite amatter-of-fact tale forCousinDickon.What camenext?""I believe he accounted for their close intimacy by some story about theLeather-StockingsavingthelifeofJohninabattle.""Nothingmorelikely,"saidElizabeth,alittleimpatiently;"butwhatisallthistothepurpose?""Nay,Elizabeth,youmustbearwithmyignorance,andIwillrepeatallthatIremembertohaveoverheardforthedialoguewasbetweenmyfatherandthesheriff, so lately as the last time theymet,He then added that the kings ofEngland used to keep gentlemen as agents among the different tribes ofIndians,andsometimesofficersinthearmy,whofrequentlypassedhalftheirlivesontheedgeofthewilderness."

"Toldwithwonderfulhistoricalaccuracy!Anddidheendthere?""Oh! no—then he said that these agents seldom married; and—and—theymusthavebeenwickedmen,Elizabeth!butIassureyouhesaidso.""Nevermind,"saidMissTemple,blushingandsmiling,thoughsoslightlythatbothwereunheededbyhercompanion;"skipallthat.""Well, then,hesaid that theyoften tookgreatpride in theeducationof theirchildren,whomtheyfrequentlysenttoEngland,andeventothecolleges;andthisisthewaythatheaccountsfortheliberalmannerinwhichMr.Edwardshasbeentaught;forheacknowledgesthatheknowsalmostasmuchasyourfather—ormine—orevenhimself.""Quite a climax in learning'. And so he made Mohegan the granduncle orgrandfatherofOliverEdwards.""Youhaveheardhimyourself,then?"saidLouisa."Often; but not on this subject. Mr. Richard Jones, you know, dear, has atheoryforeverything;buthasheonewhichwillexplainthereasonwhythathut is theonlyhabitationwithin fiftymilesofuswhosedoor isnotopen toeverypersonwhomaychoosetoliftitslatch?""I have never heard him say anything on this subject," returned theclergyman'sdaughter;"butIsupposethat,astheyarepoor,theyverynaturallyareanxioustokeepthelittlethattheyhonestlyown.Itissometimesdangeroustoberich,MissTemple;butyoucannotknowhowharditistobevery,verypoor.""Noryou,Itrust,Louisa;atleastIshouldhopethat,inthislandofabundance,noministerofthechurchcouldbeleftinabsolutesuffering.""Therecannotbeactualmisery,"returnedtheother,inalowandhumbletone,"wherethereisadependenceonourMaker;buttheremaybesuchsufferingaswillcausethehearttoache.""But not you—not you," said the impetuous Elizabeth—"not you, dear girl,youhaveneverknownthemiserythatisconnectedwithpoverty.""Ah!MissTemple,youlittleunderstandthetroublesofthislife,Ibelieve.Myfatherhasspentmanyyearsasamissionary in thenewcountries,wherehispeoplewerepoor,andfrequentlywehavebeenwithoutbread;unabletobuy,and ashamed to beg, becausewewould not disgrace his sacred calling.ButhowoftenhaveIseenhimleavehishome,wherethesickandthehungryfelt,whenheleftthem,thattheyhadlosttheironlyearthlyfriend,torideonadutywhichcouldnotbeneglectedfordomesticevils!Oh!howharditmustbetopreachconsolationtootherswhenyourownheartisburstingwithanguish!""Butitisallovernow!yourfather'sincomemustnowbeequaltohiswants—

itmustbe—itshallbe—""It is," repliedLouisa, droppingher headonherbosom to conceal the tearswhichflowedinspiteofhergentleChristianity—"fortherearenonelefttobesuppliedbutme."The turn the conversation had taken drove from the minds of the youngmaidensallotherthoughtsbutthoseofholycharity;andElizabethfoldedherfriendinherarms,whenthelattergaveventtohermomentarygriefinaudiblesobs. When this burst of emotion had subsided, Louisa raised her mildcountenance,andtheycontinuedtheirwalkinsilence.Bythistimetheyhadgainedthesummitofthemountain,wheretheyleftthehighway, and pursued their course under the shade of the stately trees thatcrowned the eminence.Thedaywas becomingwarm, and the girls plungedmoredeeplyintotheforest,astheyfounditsinvigoratingcoolnessagreeablycontrasted to the excessive heat they had experienced in the ascent. Theconversation, as if by mutual consent, was entirely changed to the littleincidents and scenes of their walk, and every tall pine, and every shrub orflower,calledforthsomesimpleexpressionofadmiration.In this manner they proceeded along the margin of the precipice, catchingoccasionalglimpsesoftheplacidOtsego,orpausingtolistentotherattlingofwheels and the sounds of hammers that rose from the valley, tomingle thesignsofmenwiththescenesofnature,whenElizabethsuddenlystarted,andexclaimed:"Listen!therearethecriesofachildonthismountain!Isthereaclearingnearus,orcansomelittleonehavestrayedfromitsparents?""Suchthingsfrequentlyhappen,"returnedLouisa."Letusfollowthesounds;itmaybeawandererstarvingonthehill."Urged by this consideration, the females pursued the low,mournful sounds,that proceeded from the forest, with quick and impatient steps. More thanonce, the ardentElizabethwas on the point of announcing that she saw thesufferer,whenLouisacaughtherbythearm,andpointingbehindthem,cried:"Lookatthedog!"Bravehadbeentheircompanion,fromthetimethevoiceofhisyoungmistressluredhimfromhiskennel,tothepresentmoment.Hisadvancedagehadlongbeforedeprivedhimofhisactivity;andwhenhiscompanionsstoppedtoviewthescenery,ortoaddtotheirbouquets,themastiffwouldlayhishugeframeon the ground and await their movements, with his eyes closed, and alistlessness in his air that ill accordedwith the character of a protector.Butwhen,arousedbythiscryfromLouisa,MissTempleturned,shesawthedogwithhiseyeskeenlysetonsomedistantobject,hisheadbentneartheground,

andhishairactually risingonhisbody, throughfrightoranger. Itwasmostprobably the latter, for he was growling in a low key, and occasionallyshowinghisteeth,inamannerthatwouldhaveterrifiedhismistress,hadshenotsowellknownhisgoodqualities."Brave!"shesaid,"bequiet,Brave!Whatdoyousee,fellow?"At the sounds of her voice, the rage of the mastiff, instead of being at alldiminished,wasverysensiblyincreased.Hestalkedinfrontoftheladies,andseated himself at the feet of his mistress, growling louder than before, andoccasionallygivingventtohisirebyashort,surlybarking."Whatdoeshesee?"saidElizabeth;"theremustbesomeanimalinsight."Hearing no answer from her companion,Miss Temple turned her head andbeheldLouisa,standingwithherfacewhitenedtothecolorofdeath,andherfingerpointingupwardwithasortofflickering,convulsedmotion.Thequickeye ofElizabeth glanced in the direction indicated by her friend,where shesaw the fierce front and glaring eyes of a female panther, fixed on them inhorridmalignity,andthreateningtoleap."Let us fly," exclaimed Elizabeth, grasping the arm of Louisa, whose formyieldedlikemeltingsnow.Therewasnot a single feeling in the temperament ofElizabethTemple thatcouldprompthertodesertacompanioninsuchanextremity.Shefellonherknees by the side of the inanimate Louisa, tearing from the person of herfriend,withinstinctivereadiness,suchpartsofherdressasmightobstructherrespiration,andencouraging theironly safeguard, thedog,at the same time,bythesoundsofhervoice."Courage,Brave!" she cried, her own tones beginning to tremble, "courage,courage,goodBrave!"Aquarter-growncub,thathadhithertobeenunseen,nowappeared,droppingfromthebranchesofasaplingthatgrewundertheshadeofthebeechwhichhelditsdam.Thisignorantbutviciouscreatureapproachedthedog,imitatingthe actions and sounds of its parent, but exhibiting a strangemixture of theplayfulnessofakittenwiththeferocityofitsrace.Standingonitshind-legs,itwouldrendthebarkofatreewithitsfore-paws,andplaytheanticsofacat;and then,by lashing itselfwith its tail,growling,andscratching theearth, itwouldattemptthemanifestationsofangerthatrendereditsparentsoterrific.All this timeBrave stood firm and undaunted, his short tail erect, his bodydrawn backward on its haunches, and his eyes following themovements ofbothdamandcub.Ateverygambolplayedbythelatter,itapproachednigherto thedog, thegrowlingof the threebecomingmorehorridateachmoment,until the younger beast, over-leaping its intended bound, fell directly before

themastiff.Therewasamomentoffearfulcriesandstruggles,buttheyendedalmostassoonascommenced,bythecubappearingintheair,hurledfromthejawsofBrave,withaviolencethatsentitagainstatreesoforciblyastorenderitcompletelysenseless.Elizabethwitnessedtheshortstruggle,andherbloodwaswarmingwiththetriumphofthedog,whenshesawtheformoftheoldpanther in theair, springing twenty feet from thebranchof thebeech to thebackofthemastiff.Nowordsofourscandescribethefuryoftheconflictthatfollowed.Itwasaconfusedstruggleonthedryleaves,accompaniedbyloudandterrificcries.MissTemplecontinuedonherknees,bendingovertheformofLouisa,hereyesfixedontheanimalswithaninterestsohorrid,andyetsointense, that she almost forgot her own stake in the result. So rapid andvigorousweretheboundsoftheinhabitantoftheforest,thatitsactiveframeseemed constantly in the air, while the dog nobly faced his foe at eachsuccessive leap. When the panther lighted on the shoulders of the mastiff,whichwasitsconstantaim,oldBrave,thoughtornwithhertalons,andstainedwithhisownblood, thatalreadyflowedfromadozenwounds,wouldshakeoffhisfuriousfoelikeafeather,and,rearingonhishind-legs,rushtothefrayagain,with jaws distended, and a dauntless eye.But age, and his pamperedlife, greatly disqualified the noblemastiff for such a struggle. In everythingbut courage, he was only the vestige of what he had once been. A higherboundthaneverraisedthewaryandfuriousbeastfarbeyondthereachofthedog,whowasmaking a desperate but fruitless dash at her, fromwhich shealighted in a favorable position, on the back of her aged foe. For a singlemoment only could the panther remain there, the great strength of the dogreturningwith a convulsive effort.ButElizabeth saw, asBrave fastened histeethinthesideofhisenemy,thatthecollarofbrassaroundhisneck,whichhadbeenglitteringthroughoutthefray,wasofthecolorofblood,anddirectlythat his frame was sinking to the earth, where it soon lay prostrate andhelpless. Severalmighty efforts of thewild-cat to extricate herself from thejawsof thedogfollowed,but theywerefruitless,until themastiff turnedonhisback,hislipscollapsed,andhisteethloosened,whentheshortconvulsionsandstillnessthatsucceededannouncedthedeathofpoorBrave.Elizabeth now lay wholly at the mercy of the beast. There is said to besomethinginthefrontoftheimageoftheMakerthatdauntstheheartsoftheinferiorbeingsofhiscreation;anditwouldseemthatsomesuchpower,inthepresentinstance,suspendedthethreatenedblow.Theeyesofthemonsterandthekneelingmaidenmetforaninstant,whentheformerstoopedtoexamineher fallenfoe;next, toscenther lucklesscub.Fromthe latterexamination itturned, however, with its eyes apparently emitting flashes of fire, its taillashingitssidesfuriously,anditsclawsprojectinginchesfromherbroadfeet.MissTempledidnotorcouldnotmove.Herhandswereclaspedintheattitudeof prayer, but her eyes were still drawn to her terrible enemy—her cheeks

wereblanchedtothewhitenessofmarble,andherlipswereslightlyseparatedwithhorror.Themoment seemed now to have arrived for the fatal termination, and thebeautifulfigureofElizabethwasbowingmeeklytothestroke,whenarustlingofleavesbehindseemedrathertomocktheorgansthantomeetherears."Hist!hist!"saidalowvoice,"stooplower,gal;yourbonnethidesthecreatur'shead."Itwas rather the yielding of nature than a compliancewith this unexpectedorder, that caused the head of our heroine to sink on her bosom;when sheheardthereportoftherifle,thewhizzingofthebullet,andtheenragedcriesofthebeast,whowasrollingoverontheearth,bitingitsownflesh,andtearingthe twigs and brancheswithin its reach.At the next instant the form of theLeather-Stockingrushedbyher,andhecalledaloud:"Comein,Hector!comein,oldfool; 'tisahard-livedanimal,andmayjumpagin."Natty fearlessly maintained his position in front of the females,notwithstanding the violent bounds and threatening aspect of the woundedpanther,whichgaveseveralindicationsofreturningstrengthandferocity,untilhis riflewas again loaded,when he stepped up to the enraged animal, and,placingthemuzzleclosetoitshead,everysparkoflifewasextinguishedbythedischarge.ThedeathofherterribleenemyappearedtoElizabethlikearesurrectionfromherowngrave.Therewasanelasticityinthemindofourheroinethatrosetomeetthepressureofinstantdanger,andthemoredirectithadbeen,themorehernaturehadstruggled toovercomethem.Butstill shewasawoman.Hadshebeenlefttoherselfinherlateextremity,shewouldprobablyhaveusedherfaculties to the utmost, and with discretion, in protecting her person; but,encumberedwithherinanimatefriend,retreatwasathingnottobeattempted.Notwithstandingthefearfulaspectofherfoe,theeyeofElizabethhadnevershrunkfromitsgaze,andlongaftertheeventherthoughtswouldrecurtoherpassing sensations, and the sweetness of her midnight sleep would bedisturbed, as her active fancy conjured, in dreams, the most triflingmovementsofsavagefurythatthebeasthadexhibitedinitsmomentofpower.WeshallleavethereadertoimaginetherestorationofLouisa'ssenses,andtheexpressionsofgratitudewhich fell from theyoungwomen.The formerwaseffectedbyalittlewater,thatwasbroughtfromoneofthethousandspringsofthosemountains,inthecapoftheLeather-Stocking;andthelatterwereutteredwiththewarmththatmightbeexpectedfromthecharacterofElizabeth.Nattyreceivedhervehementprotestationsofgratitudewithasimpleexpressionofgood-will, and with indulgence for her present excitement, but with a

carelessnessthatshowedhowlittlehethoughtoftheservicehehadrendered."Well,well,"hesaid,"beitso,gal;letitbeso,ifyouwishit—we'lltalkthethingoveranothertime.Come,come—letusgetintotheroad,foryou'vehadterrorenoughtomakeyouwishyourselfinyourfather'shouseagin."Thiswasutteredas theywereproceeding, at apace thatwasadapted to theweakness of Louisa, toward the highway; on reaching which the ladiesseparatedfromtheirguide,declaringthemselvesequaltotheremainderofthewalkwithouthisassistance,andfeelingencouragedbythesightofthevillagewhich lay beneath their feet like a picture,with its limpid lake in front, thewinding stream along its margin, and its hundred chimneys of whitenedbricks.The reader neednot be told thenatureof the emotionswhich twoyouthful,ingenuous, andwell-educated girlswould experience at their escape from adeathsohorridastheonewhichhadimpendedoverthem,whiletheypursuedtheirwayinsilencealongthetrackonthesideofthemountain;norhowdeepweretheirmentalthankstothatPowerwhichhadgiventhemtheirexistence,andwhich had not deserted them in their extremity; neither howoften theypressedeachother'sarmsastheassuranceoftheirpresentsafetycame,likeahealingbalm,athwarttheirtroubledspirits,whentheirthoughtswererecurringtotherecentmomentsofhorror.Leather-Stockingremainedonthehill,gazingaftertheirretiringfigures,untiltheywere hidden by a bend in the road,when hewhistled in his dogs, andshoulderinghisrifle,hereturnedintotheforest."Well,itwasaskearythingtotheyoungcreatur's,"saidNatty,whileheretrodthe path toward the plain. "Itmight frighten an olderwoman, to see a she-paintersonearher,withadeadcubbyitsside.IwonderifIhadaimedatthevarmint'seye,ifIshouldn'thavetouchedthelifesoonerthanintheforehead;buttheyarehard-livedanimals,anditwasagoodshot,consid'ringthatIcouldseenothingbuttheheadandthepeakofitstail.Hah!whogoesthere?""Howgoes it,Natty?" saidMr.Doolittle, steppingoutof thebushes,withamotion that was a good deal accelerated by the sight of the rifle, that wasalready lowered in his direction. "What! shooting thiswarmday!Mind, oldman,thelawdon'tgetholdonyou.""Thelaw,squire!Ihaveshookhandswiththelawthesefortyyear,"returnedNatty;"forwhathasamanwholivesinthewildernesstodowiththewaysofthelaw?""Notmuch,maybe,"saidHiram;"butyousometimestradeinvenison.Is'poseyouknow,Leather-Stocking, that there is an act passed to lay a fineof fivepoundscurrency,ortwelvedollarsandfiftycents,bydecimals,oneverymanwhokillsadeerbetwixtJanuaryandAugust.TheJudgehadagreathandin

gettingthelawthrough.""Icanbelieveit,"returnedtheoldhunter;"Icanbelievethatoranythingofamanwhocarriesonashedoesinthecountry.""Yes, thelawisquitepositive,andtheJudgeisbentonputtingit inforce—fivepoundspenalty.IthoughtIheardyourhoundsoutonthescentofso'thingthismorning;Ididn'tknowbuttheymightgetyouindifficulty.""Theyknow theirmanners toowell," saidNattycarelessly. "AndhowmuchgoestotheState'sevidence,squire?""Howmuch?"repeatedHiram,quailingunderthehonestbutsharplookofthehunter;"theinformergetshalf,I—Ibelieve—yes,Iguessit'shalf.Butthere'sblood on your sleeve, man—you haven't been shooting anything thismorning?""Ihave, though,"saidthehunter,noddinghisheadsignificantly to theother,"andagoodshotImadeofit.""H-e-m!"ejaculatedthemagistrate;"andwhereisthegame?Is'poseit'sofagoodnatur',foryourdogswon'thuntanythingthatisn'tchoice.""They'llhuntanything I tell them to, squire,"criedNatty, favoring theotherwithhislaugh."They'llhuntyou,ifIsayso.He-e-e-re,he-e-e-re,Hector—he-e-e-re,slut—comethisa-way,pups—comethisa-way—-comehither.""Oh! I have always heard a good character of the dogs," returned Mr.Doolittle,quickeninghispacebyraisingeach leg inrapidsuccession,as thehounds scented around his person. "And where is the game, Leather-Stocking?"During thisdialogue, the speakershadbeenwalkingat avery fast gait, andNatty swung the end of his rifle round, pointing through the bushes, andreplied:"Thereliesone.Howdoyoulikesuchmeat?""This!"exclaimedHiram;"why,thisisJudgeTemple'sdogBrave.Takecare,Leather-Stocking,anddon'tmakeanenemyoftheJudge.Ihopeyouhaven'tharmedtheanimal?""Look for yourself, Mr. Doolittle," said Natty, drawing his knife from hisgirdle,andwipingitinaknowingmanner,onceortwiceacrosshisgarmentofbuckskin;"doeshisthroatlookasifIhadcutitwiththisknife?""Itisdreadfullytorn!it'sanawfulwound—noknifeeverdidthisdeed.Whocouldhavedoneit?""Thepaintersbehindyou,squire.""Painters!"echoedHiram,whirlingonhisheelwithanagilitythatwouldhavedonecredittoadancing'master.

"Beeasy,man,"saidNatty;"there'stwoofthevenomousthings;butthedogfinished one, and I have fastened the other's jaws for her; so don't befrightened,squire;theywon'thurtyou.""Andwhere'sthedeer?"criedHiram,staringabouthimwithabewilderedair."Anan?deer!"repeatedNatty."Sartain;an't therevenisonhere,ordidn'tyoukillabuck?""What!when the law forbids the thing, squire!" said theoldhunter, "Ihopethere'snolawagin'killingthepainters.""No! there's a bounty on the scalps—but—will your dogs hunt painters,Natty?""Anything;didn'tItellyoutheywouldhuntaman?He-e-re,he-e-re,pups—""Yes,yes,Iremember.Well,theyarestrangedogs,Imustsay—Iamquiteinawonderment."Nattyhadseatedhimselfontheground,andhavinglaidthegrimheadofhislateferociousenemyinhis lap,wasdrawinghisknifewithapracticedhandaroundtheears,whichhetorefromtheheadofthebeastinsuchamannerastopreservetheirconnection,whenheanswered;"Whatat,squire?didyouneverseeapainter'sscalpafore?Come,youareamagistrate,Iwishyou'dmakemeoutanorderforthebounty.""Thebounty!"repeatedHiram,holdingtheearsontheendofhisfingerforamoment, as if uncertainhow toproceed. "Well, let usgodown toyourhut,whereyoucantaketheoath,andIwillwriteouttheorder,IsupposeyouhaveaBible?AllthelawwantsisthefourevangelistsandtheLord'sprayer.""I keep no books," said Natty, a little coldly; "not such a Bible as the lawneeds.""Oh!there'sbutonesortofBiblethat'sgoodinlaw,"returnedthemagistrate,"and your'n will do as well as another's. Come, the carcasses are worthnothing,man;letusgodownandtaketheoath.""Softly, softly, squire," said the hunter, lifting his trophies very deliberatelyfromtheground,andshoulderinghisrifle;"whydoyouwantanoathatall,for a thing that your own eyes has seen? Won't you believe yourself, thatanothermanmustsweartoafactthatyouknowtobetrue?Youhaveseenmescalpthecreatur's,andifImustsweartoit,itshallbebeforeJudgeTemple,whoneedsanoath.""Butwehavenopenorpaperhere,Leather-Stocking;wemustgotothehutforthem,orhowcanIwritetheorder?"Nattyturnedhissimplefeaturesonthecunningmagistratewithanotherofhislaughs,ashesaid:

"AndwhatshouldIbedoingwithscholars'tools?Iwantnopensorpaper,notknowingtheuseofeither;andIkeepnone.No,no,I'llbringthescalps intothevillage,squire,andyoucanmakeouttheorderononeofyourlaw-books,anditwillbeallthebetterforit.Thedeucetakethisleatherontheneckofthedog,itwillstrangletheoldfool.Canyoulendmeaknife,squire?"Hiram, who seemed particularly anxious to be on good terms with hiscompanion,unhesitatinglycomplied.Nattycutthethongfromtheneckofthehound,and,ashereturnedtheknifetoitsowner,carelesslyremarked:"'Tis a good bit of steel, and has cut such leather as this very same, beforenow,Idaresay.""Do you mean to charge me with letting your hounds loose?" exclaimedHiram,withaconsciousnessthatdisarmedhiscaution."Loose!" repeated the hunter—"I let them loose myself. I always let themloosebeforeIleavethehut."The ungovernable amazement with which Mr. Doolittle listened to thisfalsehoodwouldhavebetrayedhis agency in the liberationof thedogs,hadNattywantedanyfurtherconfirmation;andthecoolnessandmanagementoftheoldmannowdisappearedinopenindignation."Look you here, Mr. Doolittle," he said, striking the breech of his rifleviolentlyontheground;"whatthereisinthewigwamofapoormanlikeme,thatonelikeyoucancrave,Idon'tknow;butthisItellyoutoyourface,thatyounevershallputfootundertheroofofmycabinwithmyconsent,andthat,if you harbor round the spot as you have done lately, you may meet withtreatmentthatyouwilllittlerelish.""And letme tellyou,Mr.Bumppo," saidHiram, retreating,however,withaquickstep,"thatIknowyou'vebrokethelaw,andthatI'mamagistrate,andwillmakeyoufeelittoo,beforeyouareadayolder.""That for you and your law, too," cried Natty, snap ping his fingers at thejusticeofthepeace;"awaywithyou,youvarmint,beforethedeviltemptsmetogiveyouyourdesarts.Takecare,ifIevercatchyourprowlingfaceinthewoodsagin,thatIdon'tshootitforanowl."Thereissomethingatalltimescommandinginhonestindignation,andHiramdidnotstay toprovoke thewrathof theoldhunter toextremities.When theintruderwasoutofsight,Nattyproceededtothehut,wherehefoundallquietasthegrave.Hefastenedhisdogs,andtappingatthedoor,whichwasopenedbyEdwards,asked;"Isallsafe,lad?""Everything,"returnedtheyouth."Someoneattemptedthelock,butitwastoostrongforhim."

"Iknowthecreatur',"saidNatty,"buthe'llnottrusthimselfwithinthereachofmyrifleverysoon——"Whatmorewasutteredby theLeather-Stocking, inhisvexation,wasrenderedinaudiblebytheclosingofthedoorofthecabin.

CHAPTERXXIX.

"Itisnoised,hehathamassoftreasure."—TimonofAthens.WhenMarmadukeTempleandhiscousinrodethroughthegateoftheformer,theheartofthefatherhadbeentoorecentlytouchedwiththebestfeelingsofour nature, to leave inclination for immediate discourse. There was animportance in the air of Richard, which would not have admitted of theordinaryinformalconversationofthesheriff,withoutviolatingalltherulesofconsistency; and the equestrians pursued theirwaywith great diligence, formorethanamile,inprofoundsilence.AtlengththesoftexpressionofparentalaffectionwasslowlychasedfromthehandsomefeaturesoftheJudge,andwasgraduallysupplantedby thecastofhumorandbenevolence thatwasusuallyseatedonhisbrow."Well,Dickon,"hesaid,"sinceIhaveyieldedmyselfsofarimplicitlytoyourguidance, I think the moment has arrived when I am entitled to furtherconfidence. Why and wherefore are we journeying together in this solemngait?"Thesheriffgavealoudhem,thatrangfarintheforest,andkeepinghiseyesfixedonobjectsbeforehimlikeamanwhoislookingdeepintofuturity:"Therehasalwaysbeenonepointofdifferencebetweenus,JudgeTemple,Imaysay, sinceournativity,"he replied; "not that Iwould insinuate thatyouare at all answerable for the acts of Nature; for a man is no more to becondemnedfor themisfortunesofhisbirth, thanhe is tobecommendedforthenatural advantageshemaypossess; but ononepointwemaybe said tohavedifferedfromourbirths,andthey,youknow,occurredwithintwodaysofeachother.""Ireallymarvel,Richard,whatthisonepointcanbe,for,tomyeyes,weseemtodiffersomaterially,andsooften—""Mere consequences, sir," interrupted the sheriff; "all ourminor differencesproceedfromonecause,andthatis,ouropinionsoftheuniversalattainmentsofgenius.""Inwhat,Dickon?""IspeakplainEnglish,Ibelieve,JudgeTemple:atleastIought;formyfather,

whotaughtme,couldspeak——""GreekandLatin,"interruptedMarmaduke."Iwellknowthequalificationsofyour family in tongues, Dickon. But proceed to the point; why are wetravellingoverthismountainto-day?""Todojusticetoanysubject,sir, thenarratormustbesufferedtoproceedinhisownway,"continuedthesheriff."Youareofopinion,JudgeTemple,thataman is to be qualified by nature and education to do only one thing well,whereasIknowthatgeniuswillsupplytheplaceoflearning,andthatacertainsortofmancandoanythingandeverything.""Likeyourself,Isuppose,"saidMarmaduke,smiling."Iscornpersonalities,sir,Isaynothingofmyself;buttherearethreemenonyourPatent,of thekindthatIshouldtermtalentedbynatureforhergeneralpurposesthoughactingundertheinfluenceofdifferentsituations.""Wearebetteroff,then,thanIhadsupposed.Whoarethesetriumviri?""Why,sir,one isHiramDoolittle;acarpenterby trade,asyouknow—andIneedonlypoint to thevillage to exhibit hismerits.Thenhe is amagistrate,andmightshamemanyaman,inhisdistributionofjustice,whohashadbetteropportunities.""Well,heisone,"saidMarmaduke,withtheairofamanthatwasdeterminednottodisputethepoint."JothamRiddelisanother.""Who?""JothamRiddel.""What,thatdissatisfied,shiftless,lazy,speculatingfellow!hewhochangeshiscountyeverythreeyears,hisfarmeverysixmonths,andhisoccupationeveryseason!anagriculturistyesterday,ashoemakerto-day,andaschoolmasterto-morrow! that epitome of all the unsteady and profitless propensities of thesettlerswithout one of their good qualities to counterbalance the evil! Nay,Richard,thisistoobadforeven—butthethird.""As the third is not used to hearing such comments on his character, JudgeTemple,Ishallnotnamehim.""Theamountofall this, then,Dickon, is that the trio,ofwhichyouareone,andtheprincipal,havemadesomeimportantdiscovery.""IhavenotsaidthatIamone,JudgeTemple.AsItoldyoubefore,saynothingegotistical.Butadiscoveryhasbeenmade,andyouaredeeply interested init.""Proceed—Iamallears."

"No,no,'Duke,youarebadenough,Iown,butnotsobadasthat,either;yourearsarenotquitefullgrown."The sheriff laughed heartily at his ownwit, and put himself in goodhumorthereby,whenhegratifiedhispatientcousinwiththefollowingexplanation:"Youknow,'Duke,thereisamanlivingonyourestatethatgoesbythenameofNattyBumppo.Herehasthismanlived,bywhatIcanlearn,formorethanfortyyears—byhimself,untillately;andnowwithstrangecompanions.""Partverytrue,andallveryprobable,"saidtheJudge."Alltrue,sir;alltrue.Well,withintheselastfewmonthshaveappearedashiscompanionsanoldIndianchief,thelast,oroneofthelastofhistribethatistobefoundinthispartofthecountry,andayoungman,whoissaidtobethesonofsomeIndianagent,byasquaw.""Who says that?" cried Marmaduke, with an interest; that he had notmanifestedbefore."Who?why,commonsense—commonreport—thehueandcry.Butlistentillyouknowall.Thisyouthhasveryprettytalents—yes,whatIcallveryprettytalents—and has beenwell educated, has seen very tolerable company, andknowshowtobehavehimselfwhenhehasamindto.Now,JudgeTemple,canyoutellmewhathasbroughtthreesuchmenasIndianJohn,NattyBumppo,andOliverEdwardstogether?"Marmaduketurnedhiscountenance,inevidentsurprise,tohiscousin,andrepliedquickly:"Thouhastunexpectedlyhitonasubject,Richard,thathasoftenoccupiedmymind.Butknowest thouanythingof thismystery,orare theyonly thecrudeconjecturesof—""Crude nothing, 'Duke, crude nothing: but facts, stub-born facts. You knowthere are mines in these mountains; I have often heard you say that youbelievedintheirexistence.""Reasoningfromanalogy,Richard,butnotwithanycertaintyofthefact.""Youhaveheardthemmentioned,andhaveseenspecimensoftheore,sir;youwillnotdenythat!and,reasoningfromanalogy,asyousay,iftherebeminesinSouthAmerica,oughttherenottobeminesinNorthAmericatoo?""Nay,nay,Idenynothing,mycousin.Icertainlyhaveheardmanyrumorsofthe existence of mines in these hills: and I do believe that I have seenspecimensofthepreciousmetalsthathavebeenfoundhere.Itwouldoccasionme no surprise to learn that tin and silver, or what I consider of moreconsequence,goodcoal—""Damnyourcoal,"criedthesheriff;"whowantstofindcoalintheseforests?No,no—silver,'Duke;silveristheonethingneedful,andsilveristobefound.

Butlisten:youarenottobetoldthatthenativeshavelongknowntheuseofgoldandsilver;nowwhosolikelytobeacquaintedwheretheyaretobefoundas theancient inhabitantsofacountry?Ihave thebest reasonsforbelievingthatbothMoheganandtheLeather-Stockinghavebeenprivytotheexistenceofamineinthisverymountainformanyyears."The sheriffhadnow touchedhis cousin in a sensitive spot; andMarmadukelentamoreattentiveeartothespeaker,who,afterwaitingamomenttoseetheeffectofthisextraordinarydevelopment,proceeded:"Yes,sir,Ihavemyreasons,andatapropertimeyoushallknowthem.""Notimeissogoodasthepresent.""Well,well,beattentive,"continuedRichard,lookingcautiouslyabouthim,tomakecertainthatnoeavesdropperwashidintheforest,thoughtheywereinconstantmotion. "I have seenMohegan and the Leather-Stocking, withmyowneyes—andmyeyesareasgoodasanybody'seyes—Ihaveseenthem,Isay,bothgoingupthemountainandcomingdownit,withspadesandpicks;and others have seen them carrying things into their hut, in a secret andmysteriousmanner,afterdark.Doyoucallthisafactofimportance?"The Judgedidnot reply, buthisbrowhad contracted,with a thoughtfulnessthathealwaysworewhenmuchinterested,andhiseyesrestedonhiscousininexpectationofhearingmore.Richardcontinued:"Itwasore.Now,sir,IaskifyoucantellmewhothisMr.OliverEdwardsis,thathasmadeapartofyourhouseholdsinceChristmas?"Marmadukeagainraisedhiseyes,butcontinuedsilent,shakinghisheadinthenegative."Thathe isahalf-breedweknow,forMohegandoesnotscruple tocallhimopenlyhiskinsman;thatheiswelleducatedweknow.Butastohisbusinesshere—doyourememberthataboutamonthbeforethisyoungmanmadehisappearanceamongus,Nattywasabsentfromhomeseveraldays?Youdo;foryou inquired for him, as youwanted some venison to take to your friends,whenyouwentforBess.Well,hewasnottobefound.OldJohnwasleft inthehutalone,andwhenNattydidappear,althoughhecameoninthenight,hewasseendrawingoneof thosejumpers that theycarry theirgrain tomill in,and to takeout somethingwithgreatcare, thathehadcoveredupunderhisbear-skins.Now letmeaskyou, JudgeTemple,whatmotivecould induceamanliketheLeather-Stockingtomakeasled,andtoilwithaloadoverthesemountains,ifhehadnothingbuthisrifleorhisammunitiontocarry?""Theyfrequentlymakethesejumperstoconveytheirgamehome,andyousayhehadbeenabsentmanydays.""Howdidhekillit?Hisriflewasinthevillage,tobemended.No,no—thathe

wasgonetosomeunusualplaceiscertain; thathebroughtbacksomesecretutensilsismorecertain;andthathehasnotallowedasoultoapproachhishutsinceismostcertainofall.""Hewasneverfondofintruders———""I know it," interrupted Richard; "but did he drive them from his cabinmorosely?Within a fortnight of his return, thisMr. Edwards appears. Theyspendwholedays in themountains,pretending tobeshooting,but in realityexploring;thefrostspreventtheirdiggingatthattime,andheavailshimselfofaluckyaccidenttogetintogoodquarters.Butevennow,heisquitehalfofhistimeinthathut—manyhourseverynight.Theyaresmelting, 'Duketheyaresmelting,andastheygrowrich,yougrowpoor.""Howmuchofthisisthineown,Richard,andhowmuchcomesfromothers?Iwouldsiftthewheatfromthechaff.""Partismyown,forIsawthejumper,thoughitwasbrokenupandburntinadayortwo.IhavetoldyouthatIsawtheoldmanwithhisspadesandpicks.HirammetNatty,ashewascrossingthemountain,thenightofhisarrivalwiththe sled, andverygood-naturedlyoffered—Hiram isgood-natured—tocarryup part of his load, for the old man had a heavy pull up the back of themountain,buthewouldn'tlistentothething,andrepulsedtheofferinsuchamannerthatthesquiresaidhehadhalfamindtoswearthepeaceagainsthim.Since the snow has been off,more especially after the frosts got out of theground,we have kept awatchful eye on the gentleman, inwhichwe havefoundJothamuseful."MarmadukedidnotmuchliketheassociatesofRichardinthisbusiness;stillheknewthemtobecunningandreadyexpedients;andastherewascertainlysomethingmysterious,notonlyintheconnectionbetweentheoldhuntersandEdwards,butinwhathiscousinhadjustrelated,hebeganto revolve the subject in his own mind with more care. On reflection, heremembered various circumstances that tended to corroborate thesesuspicions, and, as the whole business favored one of his infirmities, heyieldedthemorereadilytotheirimpression.ThemindofJudgeTemple,atalltimes comprehensive, had received from his peculiar occupations a bias tolook far into futurity, in his speculations on the improvements that posteritywere to make in his lands. To his eye, where others saw nothing but awilderness, towns, manufactories, bridges, canals, mines, and all the otherresourcesofanoldcountrywereconstantlypresentingthemselves,thoughhisgoodsensesuppressed,insomedegree,theexhibitionoftheseexpectations.Asthesheriffallowedhiscousinfulltimetoreflectonwhathehadheard,theprobabilityofsomepecuniaryadventurebeingtheconnectinglinkinthechainthat broughtOliverEdwards into the cabin ofLeather-Stocking appeared tohimeachmomenttobestronger.ButMarmadukewastoomuchinthehabitofexamining both sides of a subject not to perceive the objections, and he

reasonedwithhimselfaloud:"It cannot be so, or the youth would not be driven so near the verge ofpoverty.""Whatsolikelytomakeamandigformoneyasbeingpoor?"criedthesheriff."Besides, there is an elevation of character aboutOliver that proceeds fromeducation,whichwouldforbidsoclandestineaproceeding.""Couldanignorantfellowsmelt?"continuedRichard."Besshintsthathewasreducedeventohislastshillingwhenwetookhimintoourdwelling.""Hehadbeenbuyingtools.Andwouldhespendhislastsixpenceforashotataturkeyhadhenotknownwheretogetmore?""CanIhavepossiblybeensolongadupe?Hismannerhasbeenrudetomeattimes,butIattributedittohisconceivinghimselfinjured,andtohismistakingtheformsoftheworld.""Haven'tyoubeenadupeallyourlife,'Duke,andan'twhatyoucallignoranceofformsdeepcunning,toconcealhisrealcharacter?""Ifhewerebentondeception,hewouldhaveconcealedhisknowledge,andpassedwithusforaninferiorman.""He cannot. I could no more pass for a fool, myself, than I could fly.Knowledgeisnottobeconcealed,likeacandleunderabushel.""Richard," said the Judge, turning to his cousin, "there are many reasonsagainstthetruthofthyconjectures,butthouhastawakenedsuspicionswhichmustbesatisfied.Butwhyarewetravellinghere?""Jotham,whohasbeenmuchinthemountainlatterly,beingkepttherebymeandHiram,hasmadeadiscovery,whichhewillnotexplain,hesays,forheisboundbyanoath;buttheamountis,thatheknowswheretheorelies,andhehas this day begun to dig. Iwould not consent to the thing, 'Duke,withoutyourknowledge, for the land isyours;andnowyouknowthe reasonofourride.Icallthisacountermine,ha!""Andwhereis thedesirablespot?"askedtheJudgewithanairhalfcomical,halfserious."Athand;andwhenwehavevisited that, Iwill showyouoneof theplacesthat we have found within a week, where our hunters have been amusingthemselvesforsixmonthspast."Thegentlemencontinuedtodiscussthematter,whiletheirhorsespickedtheirway under the branches of the trees and over the uneven ground of themountain.Theysoonarrivedattheendoftheirjourney,where,intruth,they

foundJothamalreadyburiedtohisneckinaholethathehadbeendigging.Marmadukequestionedtheminerverycloselyastohisreasonsforbelievingintheexistenceofthepreciousmetalsnearthatparticularspot;butthefellowmaintainedanobstinatemystery inhis answers.He asserted that hehad thebestofreasonsforwhathedid,andinquiredofthejudgewhatportionoftheprofitswouldfalltohisownshare,intheeventofsuccess,withanearnestnessthat proved his faith.After spending an hour near the place, examining thestones, and searching for the usual indications of the proximity of ore, theJudge remountedandsufferedhiscousin to lead theway to theplacewherethemysterioustriohadbeenmakingtheirexcavation.ThespotchosenbyJothamwasonthebackofthemountainthatoverhungthehutofLeather-Stocking,andtheplaceselectedbyNattyandhiscompanionswasontheothersideofthesamehill,butabovetheroad,and,ofcourse,inanoppositedirectiontotheroutetakenbytheladiesintheirwalk."We shall be safe in approaching the place now," said Richard, while theydismounted and fastened their horses; "for I took a lookwith the glass, andsawJohnandLeather-Stockingintheircanoefishingbeforewelefthome,andOliverisinthesamepursuit;butthesemaybenothingbutshamstoblindoureye;sowewillbeexpeditious,foritwouldnotbepleasanttobecaughtherebythem.""Notonmyownland?"saidMarmadukesternly."Ifitbeasyoususpect,Iwillknowtheirreasonsformakingthisexcavation.""Mum,"saidRichard,layingafingeronhislip,andleadingthewaydownaverydifficultdescenttoasortofnaturalcavern,whichwasfoundinthefaceoftherock,andwasnotunlikeafireplaceinshape.Infrontofthisplacelayapile of earth, which had evidently been taken from the recess, and part ofwhich was yet fresh. An examination of the exterior of the cavern left theJudge indoubtwhether itwasoneofNature's frolics thathad thrownit intothat shape, or whether it had been wrought by the hands of man, at someearlierperiod.Buttherecouldbenodoubtthatthewholeoftheinteriorwasofrecent formation,and themarksof thepickwerestillvisiblewhere thesoft,lead-coloredrockhadopposeditselftotheprogressoftheminers.Thewholeformed an excavation of about twenty feet in width, and nearly twice thatdistance in depth. The height was much greater than was required for theordinarypurposesofexperiment,butthiswasevidentlytheeffectofchance,astheroofofthecavernwasanaturalstratumofrockthatprojectedmanyfeetbeyondthebaseofthepile.Immediatelyinfrontoftherecess,orcave,wasalittle terrace, partly formed by nature, and partly by the earth that had beencarelesslythrownasidebythelaborers.Themountainfelloffprecipitouslyinfrontoftheterrace,andtheapproachbyitssides,undertheridgeoftherocks,wasdifficultandalittledangerous.Thewholewaswild,rude,andapparently

incomplete; for,while looking among the bushes, the sheriff found the veryimplementsthathadbeenusedinthework.Whenthesheriffthoughtthathiscousinhadexaminedthespotsufficiently,heaskedsolemnly:"JudgeTemple,areyousatisfied?""Perfectly,thatthereissomethingmysteriousandperplexinginthisbusiness.Itisasecretspot,andcunninglydevised,Richard;yetIseenosymptomsofore.""Doyouexpect,sir,tofindgoldandsilverlyinglikepebblesonthesurfaceofthe earth?—dollars and dimes ready coined to your hands? No, no—thetreasure must be sought after to be won. But let them mine; I shallcountermine."The Judge took an accurate survey of the place, and noted in hismemorandum-booksuchmarksaswerenecessarytofinditagainintheeventofRichard'sabsence;whenthecousinsreturnedtotheirhorses.On reaching thehighway they separated, the sheriff to summon twenty-four"goodmenandtrue,"toattendasthcinquestofthecounty,onthesucceedingMonday, when Marmaduke held his stated court of "common pleas andgeneralsessionsofthepeace,"andtheJudgetoreturn,musingdeeplyonwhathehadseenandheardinthecourseofthemorning.Whenthehorseof the latter reachedthespotwhere thehighwayfell towardthevalley,theeyeofMarmadukerested,itistrue,onthesamescenethathad,tenminutesbefore, been so soothing to the feelingsofhisdaughter andherfriend,astheyemergedfromtheforest;butitrestedinvacancy.Hethrewthereinstohissurefootedbeast,andsufferedtheanimaltotravelathisowngait,whilehesoliloquizedasfollows:"There may be more in this than I at first supposed. I have suffered myfeelingstoblindmyreason,inadmittinganunknownyouthinthismannertomydwelling;yetthisisnotthelandofsuspicion.IwillhaveLeather-Stockingbeforeme,and,byafewdirectquestions,extractthetruthfromthesimpleoldman."At that instant the Judge caught a glimpse of the figures of Elizabeth andLouisa,whowereslowlydescendingthemountain,shortdistancebeforehim.Heput spurs tohishorse,and ridingup to them,dismounted,anddrovehissteed along the narrow path.While the agitated parent was listening to thevivid description that his daughter gave of her recent danger, and herunexpected escape, all thoughts of mines, vested rights, and examinationswere absorbed in emotion; and when the image of Natty again crossed hisrecollection, it was not as a law Less and depredating squatter, but as the

preserverofhischild.

CHAPTERXXX.

"Thecourtawardsit,andthelawdothgiveit."—MerchantofVenice.RemarkablePettibone,whohadforgottenthewoundreceivedbyherpride,incontemplationoftheeaseandcomfortsofhersituation,andwhostillretainedher station in the family of judge Temple, was dispatched to the humbledwelling which Richard already styled "The Rectory," in attendance onLouisa,whowassoonconsignedtothearmsofherfather.Inthemeantime,Marmadukeandhisdaughterwereclosetedformorethananhour, nor shall we invade the sanctuary of parental love, by relating theconversation.Whenthecurtainrisesonthereader,theJudgeisseenwalkingupanddowntheapartment,withatendermelancholyinhisair,andhischildrecliningonasettee,withaflushedcheek,andherdarkeyesseemingtofloatincrystals."Itwasa timelyrescue! itwas, indeed,a timelyrescue,mychild!"criedtheJudge."Thenthoudidstnotdesertthyfriend,mynobleBess?""IbelieveImayaswelltakethecreditoffortitude,"saidElizabeth,"thoughImuchdoubt ifflightwouldhaveavailedmeanything,hadIevencouragetoexecutesuchanintention.ButIthoughtnotoftheexpedient.""Ofwhat didst thou think, love?where did thy thoughts dwellmost, at thatfearfulmoment?""Thebeast!thebeast!"criedElizabeth,veilingherfacewithherhand."Oh!Isawnothing,Ithoughtofnothingbutthebeast.Itriedtothinkofbetterthings,butthehorrorwastooglaring,thedangertoomuchbeforemyeyes.""Well,well, thou art safe, andwewill converse nomore on the unpleasantsubject. Ididnot thinksuchananimalyet remained inour forests;but theywillstrayfarfromtheirhauntswhenpressedbyhunger,and—"Aloudknockingatthedooroftheapartmentinterruptedwhathewasabouttoutter,andhebidtheapplicantenter.ThedoorwasopenedbyBenjamin,whocameinwithadiscontentedair,as ifhefelt thathehadacommunicationtomakethatwouldbeoutofseason."Here is SquireDoolittle below, sir," commenced themajor-domo. "He hasbeenstandingoffandoninthedoor-yardforthematterofaglass;andhehassummatonhismindthathewantstoheaveup,d'yesee;butItellshim,saysI,

man, would you be coming aboard with your complaints, said I, when thejudgehasgottenhisownchild,asitwere,outofthejawsofalion?Butdamnthe bit of manners has the fellow, any more than if he was one of themGuineas down in the kitchen there; and so as hewas sheeringnearer, everystretchhemadetowardthehouse,Icoulddonobetterthantoletyourhonorknowthatthechapwasintheoffing.""He must have business of importance," said Marmaduke: "something inrelationtohisoffice,mostprobably,asthecourtsitssoshortly.""Ay,ay,youhaveit,sir,"criedBenjamin;"it'ssummataboutacomplaintthathehastomakeoftheoldLeather-Stocking,who,tomyjudgment,isthebettermanofthetwo.It'saverygoodsortofamanisthisMasterBumppo,andhehasawaywithaspear,allthesameasifhewasbroughtupatthebow-oarofthecaptain'sbarge,orwasbornwithaboat-hookinhishand.""Against the Leather-Stocking!" cried Elizabeth, rising from her recliningposture."Rest easy, my child; some trifle, I pledge you; I believe I am alreadyacquaintedwithitsimportTrustme,Bess,yourchampionshallbesafeinmycare.ShowMr.Doolittlein,Benjamin."MissTempleappearedsatisfiedwiththisassurance,butfastenedherdarkeyeson thepersonof thearchitect,whoprofitedby thepermission,and instantlymadehisappearance.All the impatience of Hiram seemed to vanish the instant he entered theapartment. After saluting the Judge and his daughter, he took the chair towhichMarmadukepointed,andsatforaminute,composinghisstraightblackhair,withagravityofdemeanorthatwasintendedtodohonortohisofficialstation.Atlengthhesaid:"It'slikely,fromwhatIhear,thatMissTemplehadanarrowchancewiththepainters,onthemountain."Marmaduke made a gentle inclination of his head, by way of assent, butcontinuedsilent."I s'pose the lawgivesabountyon the scalps," continuedHiram, "inwhichcasetheLeather-Stockingwillmakeagoodjobon't.""Itshallbemycaretoseethatheisrewarded,"returnedtheJudge."Yes,yes,IratherguessthatnobodyhereaboutsdoubtstheJudge'sgenerosity.Does he know whether the sheriff has fairly made up his mind to have areadingdeskoradeacon'spewunderthepulpit?""Ihavenotheardmycousinspeakonthatsubject,lately,"repliedMarmaduke."I think it's likely thatwewillhaveaprettydullcourton't, fromwhat Ican

gather. I hear that Jotham Riddel and the man who bought his bettermentshaveagreedtoleavetheirdifferencetomen,andIdon'tthinkthere'llbemorethantwocivilcasesinthecalendar.""Iamgladofit,"saidthejudge;"nothinggivesmemorepainthantoseemysettlerswasting their time and substance in the unprofitable struggles of thelaw.Ihopeitmayprovetrue,sir.""I rather guess 'twill be left out tomen," addedHiram,with an air equallybalancedbetweendoubtandassurance,butwhichjudgeTempleunderstoodtomeancertainty;"IsomethinkthatIamappointedarefereeinthecasemyself;Jothamasmuch as toldme that he should takeme.Thedefendant, I guess,means to take Captain Hollister, and we two have partly agreed on SquireJonesforthethirdman.""Arethereanycriminalstobetried?"askedMarmaduke."There's thecounterfeiters," returned themagistrate, "as theywerecaught inthe act, I think it likely that they'll be indicted, in which case it's probablethey'llbetried.""Certainly,sir;Ihadforgottenthosemen.Therearenomore,Ihope.""Why,there isa threaten tocome forwardwithanassault thathappenedat the lastindependenceday;butI'mnotsartainthatthelaw'lltakeholdon't.Therewasplaguey hardwords passed, butwhether they struck or not I haven't heard.There'ssomefolkstalkofadeerortwobeingkilledoutofseason,overonthewestsideofthePatent,bysomeofthesquattersonthe'Fractions.'""Letacomplaintbemade,byallmeans,"saidtheJudge;"Iamdeterminedtoseethelawexecutedtotheletter,onallsuchdepredators.""Why, yes, I thought the judge was of that mind; I came partly on such abusinessmyself.""You!"exclaimedMarmaduke,comprehending inan instanthowcompletelyhehadbeencaughtbytheother'scunning;"andwhathaveyoutosay,sir?""I some think thatNattyBumppohas thecarcassofadeer inhishutat thismoment,andaconsiderablepartofmybusinesswastogetasearch-warranttoexamine.""You think, sir!doyouknow that the lawexactsanoath,before Ican issuesuchaprecept?Thehabitationofacitizen isnot tobe idly invadedon lightsuspicion.""IratherthinkIcansweartoitmyself,"returnedtheimmovableHiram;"andJothamisinthestreet,andasgoodasreadytocomeinandmakeoathtothesamething.""Then issue the warrant thyself; thou art a magistrate, Mr. Doolittle; why

troublemewiththematter?""Why,seeingit'sthefirstcomplaintunderthelaw,andknowingthejudgesethisheartonthething,Ithoughtitbestthattheauthoritytosearchshouldcomefromhimself.Besides, as I'mmuch in thewoods, among the timber, Idon'taltogetherlikemakinganenemyoftheLeatherStocking.Now,theJudgehasaweightinthecountythatputshimabovefear."MissTemple turnedher face to thecallousArchitectasshesaid' "AndwhathasanyhonestpersontodreadfromsokindamanasBumppo?""Why,it'saseasy,miss,topullarifletriggeronamagistrateasonapainter.ButiftheJudgedon'tconcludetoissuethewarrant,Imustgohomeandmakeitoutmyself.""Ihavenotrefusedyourapplication,sir,"saidMarmaduke,perceivingatoncethat his reputation for impartiality was at stake; "go into my office, Mr.Doolittle,whereIwilljoinyou,andsignthewarrant."JudgeTemplestoppedthe remonstrances which Elizabeth was about to utter, after Hiram hadwithdrawn,bylayinghishandonhermouth,andsaying:"Itismoreterribleinsoundthanfrightfulinreality,mychild.IsupposethattheLeather-Stockinghasshotadeer,fortheseasonisnearlyover,andyousaythathewashuntingwithhisdogswhenhecamesotimelytoyourassistance.But itwillbeonly toexaminehiscabin,andfind theanimal,whenyoucanpay the penalty out of your own pocket, Bess. Nothing short of the twelvedollarsandahalfwillsatisfythisharpy,Iperceive;andsurelymyreputationasjudgeisworththattrifle."Elizabethwasagooddealpacifiedwiththisassurance,andsufferedherfathertoleaveher,tofulfilhispromisetoHiram.WhenMarmadukelefthisofficeafterexecutinghisdisagreeableduty,hemetOliverEdwards,walkingupthegravelledwalkinfrontofthemansion-housewith great strides, and with a face agitated by feeling. On seeing judgeTemple,theyouthturnedaside,andwithawarmthinhismannerthatwasnotoftenexhibitedtoMarmaduke,hecried:"Icongratulateyou,sir;fromthebottomofmysoul,Icongratulateyou,JudgeTemple.Oh!itwouldhavebeentoohorridtohaverecollectedforamoment!Ihavejustleftthehut,where,aftershowingmehisscalps,oldNattytoldmeoftheescapeoftheladies,asthethingtobementionedlast.Indeed,indeed,sir,nowordsofminecanexpresshalfofwhatIhavefelt"—theyouthpausedamoment, as if suddenly recollecting that he was overstepping prescribedlimits,andconcludedwithagooddealofembarrassment—"whatIhavefeltatthisdangertoMiss—Grant,and—andyourdaughter,sir."ButtheheartofMarmadukewastoomuchsoftenedtoadmithiscavillingat

trifles,and,withoutregardingtheconfusionoftheother,hereplied:"I thankthee, thankthee,Oliver;as thousayest, it isalmost toohorridtoberemembered.Butcome,letushastentoBess,forLouisahasalreadygonetotherectory."Theyoungmansprangforward,and,throwingopenadoor,barelypermittedthe Judge to precede him, when he was in the presence of Elizabeth in amoment.The cold distance that often crossed the demeanor of the heiress, in herintercourse with Edwards, was now entirely banished, and two hours werepassedbytheparty,inthefree,unembarrassed,andconfidingmannerofoldandesteemedfriends.JudgeTemplehadforgottenthesuspicionsengenderedduringhismorning'sride,andtheyouthandmaidenconversed,laughed,andweresadbyturns,asimpulsedirected.Atlength,Edwards,afterrepeatinghisintentiontodosoforthethirdtime,leftthemansion-housetogototherectoryonasimilarerrandoffriendship.During this short period, a scene was passing at the hut that completelyfrustratedthebenevolent intentionsofJudgeTempleinfavorof theLeather-Stocking, and at once destroyed the short-lived harmony between the youthandMarmaduke.WhenHiramDoolittlehadobtainedhissearch-warrant,hisfirstbusinesswasto procure a proper officer to see it executed. The sheriff was absent,summoninginpersonthegrandinquestforthecounty;thedeputywhoresidedin the village was riding on the same errand, in a different part of thesettlement;andtheregularconstableofthetownshiphadbeenselectedforhisstation from motives of charity, being lame of a leg. Hiram intended toaccompanytheofficerasaspectator,buthefeltnoverystrongdesiretobearthe brunt of the battle. It was, however, Saturday, and the sunwas alreadyturning the shadows of the pines toward the east; on the morrow theconscientiousmagistratecouldnotengageinsuchanexpeditionattheperilofhissoulandlongbeforeMonday,thevenison,andallvestigesofthedeathofthedeer,mightbesecretedordestroyed.Happily,theloungingformofBillyKirbymethiseye,andHiram,atalltimefruitfulinsimilarexpedients,sawhiswayclearatonce.Jotham,whowasassociatedinthewholebusiness,andwhohad left themountain in consequenceof a summons fromhis coadjutor, butwho failed, equally with Hiram, in the unfortunate particular of nerve, wasdirectedtosummonthewood-choppertothedwellingofthemagistrate.WhenBillyappeared,hewasverykindlyinvitedtotakethechairinwhichhehad already seated himself, andwas treated in all respects as if hewere anequal."JudgeTemplehassethisheartonputtingthedeerlawinforce,"saidHiram,

after the preliminary civilities were over, "and a complaint has been laidbefore him that a deer has been killed.He has issued a search-warrant, andsentformetogetsomebodytoexecuteit."Kirby,whohadno ideaof being excluded from thedeliberativepart of anyaffair in which he was engaged, drew up his bushy head in a reflectingattitude,andaftermusingamoment,repliedbyaskingafewquestions,"Thesheriffhasgoneoutoftheway?""Nottobefound.""Andhisdeputytoo?""BothgoneontheskirtsofthePatent.""ButIsawtheconstablehobblingabouttownanhourago.""Yes, yes," said Hiram, with a coaxing smile and knowing nod, "but thisbusinesswantsaman—notacripple.""Why,"saidBilly,laughing,"willthechapmakefight?""He'salittlequarrelsomeattimes,andthinkshe'sthebestmaninthecountryatroughandtumble.""I heard him brag once," said Jotham, "that there wasn't a man 'twixt theMohawkFlatsandthePennsylvanylinethatwashismatchataclosehug.""Did you?" exclaimedKirby, raising his huge frame in his seat, like a lionstretchinginhislair;"IratherguessheneverfeltaVarmounter'sknucklesonhisbackbone-Butwhoisthechap?""Why,"saidJotham,"it's—""It'sagin'lawtotell,"interruptedHiram,"unlessyou'llqualifytosarve.You'dbetheverymantotakehim,Bill,andI'llmakeoutaspecialdeputationinaminute,whenyouwillgetthefees.""What'sthefees?"saidKirby,layinghislargehandontheleavesofastatute-book thatHiramhadopened inorder togivedignity tohisoffice,whichheturnedover inhis roughmanner, as ifhewere reflectingona subject aboutwhich he had, in truth, already decided; "will they pay aman for a brokenhead?""They'llbesomethinghandsome,"saidHiram."Damn the fees," saidBilly, again laughing—"does the fellow thinkhe's thebestwrestlerinthecounty,though?what'shisinches?""He'stallerthanyoube,"saidJotham,"andoneofthebiggest—"Talkers,hewasabouttoadd,buttheimpatienceofKirbyinterruptedhim.Thewood-chopper had nothing fierce or even brutal in his appearance; the

characterofhisexpressionwasthatofgood-naturedvanity.Itwasevidenthepridedhimselfonthepowersofthephysicalman, likeallwhohavenothingbettertoboastof;and,stretchingouthisbroadhand,withthepalmdownward,hesaid,keepinghiseyesfastenedonhisownbonesandsinews:"Come,giveusatouchofthebook.I'llswear,andyou'llseethatI'mamantokeepmyoath."Hiramdidnotgive thewood-chopper time tochangehismind,but theoathwasadministeredwithoutunnecessarydelay.Sosoonasthispreliminarywascompleted,thethreeworthiesleftthehouse,andproceededbythenearestroadtoward the hut. They had reached the bank of the lake, andwere divergingfrom the route of the highway, before Kirby recollected that he was nowentitled to the privilege of the initiated, and repeated his question as to thenameoftheoffender,"Which way, which way, squire?" exclaimed the hardy wood-chopper; "Ithoughtitwastosearchahousethatyouwantedme,notthewoods.Thereisnobody lives on this side of the lake, for six miles, unless you count theLeather-StockingandoldJohnforsettlers.Come,tellmethechap'sname,andIwarrantmethatIleadyoutohisclearingbyastraighterpaththanthis,forIknoweverysaplingthatgrowswithintwomilesofTempleton.""Thisistheway,"saidHiram,pointingforwardandquickeninghisstep,asifapprehensivethatKirbywoulddesert,"andBumppoistheman."Kirbystoppedshort, and looked fromoneofhiscompanions to theother inastonishment.Hethenburstintoaloudlaugh,andcried:"Who?Leather-Stocking!Hemaybragofhisaimandhisrifle,forhehasthebestofboth,asIwillownmyself,forsin'heshotthepigeonIknockundertohim;butforawrestle!why,Iwouldtakethecreatur'betweenmyfingerandthumb,andtiehiminabow-knotaroundmyneckforaBarcelony.Themanisseventy,andwasneveranythingparticularforstrength.""He'sadeceivingman,"saidHiram,"likeall thehunters;heisstrongerthanheseems;besides,hehashisrifle.""Thatforhisrifle!"criedBilly;"he'dnomorehurtmewithhisriflethanhe'dfly.He'saharmlesscreatur',andImustsaythatIthinkhehasasgoodrighttokill deer as anyman on the Patent. It's hismain support, and this is a freecountry,whereamanisprivilegedtofollowanycallinghelikes.""Accordingtothatdoctrine,"saidJotham,"anybodymayshootadeer.""Thisistheman'scalling,Itellyou,"returnedKirby,"andthelawwasnevermadeforsuchashe.""The law was made for all," observed Hiram, who began to think that thedangerwas likely to fall tohisownshare,notwithstandinghismanagement;

"andthelawisparticularinnoticingparjury.""Seehere,SquireDoolittle,"saidtherecklesswoodchopper;"Idon'tcarethevalieofabeetleringforyouandyourparjurytoo.ButasIhavecomesofar,I'llgodownandhaveatalkwiththeoldman,andmaybewe'llfryasteakofthedeertogether.""Well, if you canget in peaceably, somuch the better," said themagistrate."Tomynotion,strifeisveryunpopular;Iprefar,atalltimes,cleverconducttoanuglytemper."As thewholepartymovedatagreatpace, theysoonreached thehut,whereHiram thought itprudent tohalton theoutsideof the topof the fallenpine,whichformedachevaux-de-frise,todefendtheapproachtothefortress,onthesidenextthevillage.ThedelaywaslittlerelishedbyKirby,whoclappedhishandstohismouth,andgavealoudhalloothatbroughtthedogsoutoftheirkennel, and, almost at the same instant, the scantily-covered head of Nattyfromthedoor."Lie down, old fool," cried the hunter; "do you think there's more paintersaboutyou?""Ha!Leather-Stocking,I'veanarrandwithyou,"criedKirby;"here'sthegoodpeopleoftheStatehavebeenwritingyouasmallletter,andthey'vehiredmetoridepost.""Whatwouldyouhavewithme,BillyKirby?"saidNatty,steppingacrosshisthreshold,andraisinghishandoverhiseyes,toscreenthemfromtheraysofthesettingsun,whilehetookasurveyofhisvisitor."I'venolandtoclear,andHeavenknowsIwouldsetoutsixtreesaforeIwouldcutdownone.—Down,Hector,Isay;intoyourkennelwithye.""Wouldyou,oldboy?" roaredBilly; "then somuch thebetter forme.But Imustdomyarrand.Here'saletterforyou,Leather-Stocking.Ifyoucanreadit,it'sallwell,andifyoucan't,here'sSquireDoolittleathand,toletyouknowwhat it means. It seems you mistook the twentieth of July for the first ofAugust,that'sall."BythistimeNattyhaddiscoveredthelankpersonofHiram,drawnupunderthecoverofahighstump;andallthatwascomplacentinhismannerinstantlygavewaytomarkeddistrustanddissatisfaction.Heplacedhisheadwithinthedoor of his hut, and said a few words in an undertone, when he againappeared,andcontinued:"I'venothingforye;soaway,aforetheEvilOnetemptsmetodoyouharm.Ioweyouno spite,BillyKirby, andwhat for shouldyou trouble anoldmanwhohasdoneyounoharm?"Kirbyadvancedthroughthetopofthepine,towithinafewfeetofthehunter,

whereheseatedhimselfontheendofalog,withgreatcomposure,andbeganto examine the nose of Hector, with whom he was familiar, from theirfrequentlymeeting in thewoods,where he sometimes fed the dog fromhisownbasketofprovisions."You'veoutshotme,and I'mnotashamed to say it," said thewood-chopper;"butIdon'toweyouagrudgeforthat,Natty!thoughitseemsthatyou'veshotoncetoooften,forthestorygoesthatyou'vekilledabuck.""I've fired but twice to-day, and both times at the painters," returned theLeather-Stocking;"see,hereare thescalps! Iwas justgoing inwith themtotheJudge'stoaskthebounty."WhileNattywasspeaking,hetossedtheearstoKirby,whocontinuedplayingwiththemwithacarelessair,holdingthemtothedogs,andlaughingattheirmovementswhentheyscentedtheunusualgame.But Hiram, emboldened by the advance of the deputed constable, nowventuredtoapproachalso,andtookupthediscoursewiththeairofauthoritythatbecamehiscommission.Hisfirstmeasurewastoreadthewarrantaloud,taking care togivedue emphasis to themostmaterial parts, and concludingwiththenameoftheJudgeinveryaudibleanddistincttones."Did Marmaduke Temple put his name to that bit of paper?" said Natty,shaking his head; "well, well, that man loves the new ways, and hisbetterments,andhislands,aforehisownfleshandblood.ButIwon'tmistrustthegal;shehasaneye likea full-grownbuck!poor thing,shedidn'tchooseherfather,andcan'thelpit.Iknowbutlittleofthelaw,Mr.Doolittle;whatistobedone,nowyou'vereadyourcommission?""Oh! it's nothing but form, Natty," said Hiram, endeavoring to assume afriendlyaspect."Let'sgoin,andtalkthethingoverinreason;Idaretosaythatthemoneycanbeeasilyfound,andIpartlyconclude,fromwhatpassed,thatJudgeTemplewillpayithimself."Theold hunter had kept a keen eye on themovements of his three visitors,fromthebeginning,andhadmaintainedhisposition,justwithoutthethresholdof thecabin,withadeterminedmanner, thatshowedhewasnot tobeeasilydrivenfromhispost.WhenHiramdrewnigher,asifexpectinghispropositionwouldbeaccepted,Nattyliftedhishand,andmotionedforhimtoretreat."Haven'tI toldyoumorethanonce,nottotemptme?"hesaid."Itroublenoman;whycan'tthelawleavemetomyself?Goback—goback,andtellyourJudgethathemaykeephisbounty;butIwon'thavehiswastywaysbroughtintomyhut."This offer, however, instead of appeasing the curiosity ofHiram, seemed toinflameitthemore;whileKirbycried:

"Well, that's fair, squire; he forgives the county his demand, and the countyshould forgive him the fine; it's what I call an even trade, and should beconcluded on the spot. I like quick dealings, andwhat's fair 'twixtman andman.""Idemandentranceintothishouse,"saidHiram,summoningallthedignityhecouldmustertohisassistance,"inthenameofthepeople;andbyvirtueofthiswarrant,andofmyoffice,andwiththispeaceofficer.""Stand back, stand back, squire, and don't tempt me," said the Leather-Stocking,motioninghimtoretire,withgreatearnestness."Stop us at your peril," continuedHiram. "Billy! Jotham! close up—Iwanttestimony."HiramhadmistakenthemildbutdeterminedairofNattyforsubmission,andhad already put his foot on the threshold to enter, when he was seizedunexpectedlybyhisshoulders,andhurledoverthelittlebanktowardthelake,to the distance of twenty feet. The suddenness of the movement, and theunexpected display of strength on the part of Natty, created a momentaryastonishment in his invaders, that silenced all noises; but at the next instantBillyKirbygaveventtohismirthinpealsoflaughter,thatheseemedtoheaveupfromhisverysoul."Welldone,oldstub!"heshouted;"thesquireknowedyoubetter thanIdid.Come,come,here'sagreenspot;takeitoutlikemen,whileJothamandIseefairplay.""WilliamKirby, I order you to do your duty," criedHiram, from under thebank;"seizethatman;Iorderyoutoseizehiminthenameofthepeople."But theLeather-Stockingnowassumed amore threatening attitude; his riflewasinhishand,anditsmuzzlewasdirectedtowardthewood-chopper."Standoff,Ibidye,"saidNatty;"youknowmyaim,BillyKirby;Idon'tcraveyourblood,butmineandyour'nbothshallturnthisgreengrassred,aforeyouputfootintothehut."Whiletheaffairappearedtrifling,thewood-chopperseemeddisposedtotakesides with the weaker party; but, when the firearms were introduced, hismanner very sensibly changed.He raised his large frame from the log, and,facingthehunterwithanopenfront,hereplied:"I didn't come here as your enemy, Leather-Stocking; but I don't value thehollowpieceofironinyourhandsomuchasabrokenaxe-helve;so,squire,saytheword,andkeepwithinthelaw,andwe'llsoonseewho'sthebestmainofthetwo."Butnomagistratewas tobeseen!The instant the riflewasproducedHiramandJothamvanished;andwhenthewood-chopperbenthiseyesabouthimin

surpriseatreceivingnoanswer,hediscoveredtheirretreatingfiguresmovingtoward thevillage at a rate that sufficiently indicated that theyhadnotonlycalculatedthevelocityofarifle-bullet,butalsoitsprobablerange."You'vescaredthecreatur'soff,"saidKirby,withgreatcontemptexpressedonhisbroadfeatures;"butyouarenotgoingtoscareme;so,Mr.Bumppo,downwith your gun, or there'll be trouble 'twixt us."Natty dropped his rifle, andreplied:"Iwishyounoharm,BillyKirby;but I leave it toyourself,whether anoldman'shut is tobe rundownbysuchvarmint. Iwon'tdeny thebuck toyou,Billy,andyoumaytake theskin in, ifyouplease,andshowitas testimony.Thebountywillpaythefine,andthatoughttosatisfyanyman.""Twill,oldboy,'twill,"criedKirby,everyshadeofdispleasurevanishingfromhisopenbrowatthepeace-offering;"throwoutthehide,andthatshallsatisfythelaw."Natty entered the hut, and soon reappeared, bringing with him the desiredtestimonial; and thewood-chopperdeparted, as thoroughly reconciled to thehunterasifnothinghadhappened.Ashepacedalongthemarginofthelakehe would burst into frequent fits of laughter, while he recollected thesummersetofHiram:and,on thewhole,he thought theaffair averycapitaljoke.LongbeforeBilly'reachedthevillage,however,thenewsofhisdanger,andofNatty'sdisrespectofthelaw,andofHiram'sdiscomfiture,wereincirculation.A good deal was said about sending for the sheriff; some hints were givenaboutcallingoutthepossecomitatustoavengetheinsultedlaws;andmanyofthecitizenswerecollected,deliberatinghowtoproceed.ThearrivalofBillywiththeskin,byremovingallgroundsforasearch,changedthecomplexionof thingsmaterially.Nothingnowremainedbut tocollect thefineandassertthedignityof thepeople;allofwhich, itwasunanimouslyagreed,couldbedone aswell on the succeedingMonday as on Saturday night—a time keptsacred by large portion of the settlers. Accordingly, all further proceedingsweresuspendedforsix-and-thirtyhours.

CHAPTERXXXI.

"Anddar'stthouthenTobeardthelioninhisden,TheDouglasinhishall."—Marmion.

The commotion was just subsiding, and the inhabitants of the village hadbegun todisperse fromthe littlegroups thathadformed,eachretiring tohisownhome,andclosinghisdoorafterhim,with thegraveairof amanwhoconsultedpublicfeelinginhisexteriordeportment,whenOliverEdwards,onhisreturnfromthedwellingofMr.Grant,encounteredtheyounglawyer,whois known to the reader asMr.Lippet.Therewasvery little similarity in themanners or opinions of the two; but as they both belonged to the moreintelligent class of a very small community, theywere, of course, known toeachother,andastheirmeetingwasatapointwheresilencewouldhavebeenrudeness,thefollowingconversationwastheresultoftheirinterview:"Afineevening,Mr.Edwards,"commencedthelawyer,whosedisinclinationtothedialoguewas,tosaytheleast,verydoubtful;"wewantrainsadly;that'stheworstof this climateofours, it's either adroughtor adeluge. It's likelyyou'vebeenusedtoamoreequaltemperature?""IamanativeofthisState,"returnedEdwards,coldly."Well. I've often heard that point disputed; but it's so easy to get a mannaturalized, that it'sof littleconsequencewherehewasborn. IwonderwhatcoursetheJudgemeanstotakeinthisbusinessofNattyBumppo!""OfNattyBumppo!"echoedEdwards;"towhatdoyouallude,sir?""Haven'tyouheard!"exclaimedtheother,withalookofsurprise,sonaturallyassumed as completely to deceive his auditor; "it may turn out an uglybusiness. It seems that theoldmanhasbeenout in thehills, andhas shotabuck this morning, and that, you know, is a criminal matter in the eyes ofJudgeTemple.""Oh!hehas,hashe?"saidEdwards,avertinghisfacetoconcealthecolorthatcollected in his sunburnt cheek. "Well, if that be all, hemust even pay thefine.""It's five pound currency," said the lawyer; "could Natty muster so muchmoneyatonce?""Couldhe!"criedtheyouth."Iamnotrich,Mr.Lippet;farfromit—Iampoor,andIhavebeenhoardingmysalaryforapurposethatliesnearmyheart;but,beforethatoldmanshouldlieonehourinajail,Iwouldspendthelastcenttopreventit.Besides,hehaskilledtwopanthers,andthebountywilldischargethefinemanytimesover.""Yes,yes,"saidthelawyer,rubbinghishandstogether,withanexpressionofpleasure thathadnoartificeabout it;"weshallmakeitout; Iseeplainlyweshallmakeitout.""Makewhatout,sir?Imustbeganexplanation.""Why,killingthebuckisbutasmallmattercomparedtowhattookplacethis

afternoon,"continuedMr.Lippet,withaconfidentialandfriendlyairthatwonupontheyouth,littleashelikedtheman."Itseemsthatacomplaintwasmadeofthefact,andasuspicionthattherewasvenisoninthehutwasswornto,allwhich is provided for in the statute,when JudgeTemple granted the searchwarrant.""Asearch-warrant!"echoedEdwards,inavoiceofhorror,andwithafacethatshouldhavebeen again averted to conceal its paleness; "andhowmuchdidtheydiscover?Whatdidtheysee?""TheysawoldBumppo'srifle;andthatisasightwhichwillquietmostmen'scuriosityinthewoods.""Didthey!didthey!"shoutedEdwards,burstingintoaconvulsivelaugh;"sotheoldherobeatthembackbeatthemback!didhe?"Thelawyerfastenedhiseyesinastonishmentontheyouth,but,ashiswondergavewaytothethoughtsthatwerecommonlyuppermostinhismind,hereplied:"It isnolaughingmatter, letmetellyou,sir; thefortydollarsofbountyandyoursixmonthsofsalarywillbemuchreducedbeforeyoucangetthematterfairly settled. Assaulting a magistrate in the execution of his duty, andmenacingaconstablewithfirearmsatthesametime,isaprettyseriousaffair,andispunishablewithbothfineandimprisonment.""Imprisonment!"repeatedOliver;"imprisontheLeather-Stocking!no,no,sir;itwouldbringtheoldmantohisgrave.TheyshallneverimprisontheLeather-Stocking.""Well,Mr.Edwards,"saidLippet,droppingallreservefromhismanner,"youarecalledacuriousman;butifyoucantellmehowajuryistobepreventedfromfindingaverdictofguilty,ifthiscasecomesfairlybeforethem,andtheproof is clear, I shall acknowledge that you knowmore law than I do,whohavehadalicenseinmypocketforthreeyears."BythistimethereasonofEdwardswasgettingtheascendencyofhisfeelings,and,ashebegantoseetherealdifficultiesofthecase,helistenedmorereadilytotheconversationofthelawyer.Theungovernableemotionthatescapedtheyouth,inthefirstmomentsofhissurprise,entirelypassedaway;and,althoughitwasstillevidentthathecontinuedtobemuchagitatedbywhathehadheard,hesucceededinyieldingforcedattentiontotheadvicewhichtheotheruttered.Notwithstanding the confused stateofhismind,Oliver soondiscovered thatmostoftheexpedientsofthelawyerweregroundedincunning,andplansthatrequired a time to execute them that neither suited his disposition nor hisnecessities.After,however,givingMr.Lippettounderstandthatheretainedhimintheeventofatrial,anassurancethatatoncesatisfiedthelawyer,theyparted,onetakinghiscoursewithadeliberatetreadinthedirectionofthelittlebuildingthathadawoodensignoveritsdoor,with"ChesterLippet,Attorney-

at-law," painted on it; and the other pacing over the groundwith enormousstridestowardthemansion-house.Weshalltakeleaveoftheattorneyforthepresent,anddirecttheattentionofthereadertotheclient.WhenEdwards entered the hall,whose enormous doorswere opened to thepassageoftheairofamildevening,hefoundBenjaminengagedinsomeofhisdomesticavocations,andinahurriedvoiceinquiredwhereJudgeTemplewastobefound."Why,theJudgehassteppedintohisoffice,withthatmastercarpenter,MisterDoolittle;butMissLizzyisinthatthereparlor.Isay,MasterOliver,we'dliketohavehadabadjobofthatpanther,orpainter'swork—somecallsitone,andsome calls it t'other—but I know little of the beast, seeing that it is not ofBritishgrowth. Isaidasmuchas that itwas in thehills the lastwinter for Ihearditmoaningonthelakeshoreoneeveninginthefall,whenIwaspullingdownfromthefishing-pointintheskiff.Hadtheanimalcomeintoopenwater,where a man could see where and how to work his vessel, I would haveengagedthethingmyself;butlookingaloftamongthetreesisallthesametomeasstandingonthedeckofoneship,andlookingatanothervessel'stops.Inevercantelloneropefromanother—""Well,well,"interruptedEdwards;"ImustseeMissTemple.""Andyoushallseeher,sir,"saidthesteward;"she'sinthishereroom.Lord,MasterEdwards,whatalossshe'dhavebeentotheJudge!Dam'meifIknowwherehewouldhavegotten such anotherdaughter; that is, full grown,d'yesee. I say, sir, thisMaster Bumppo is a worthy man, and seems to have ahandy way with him, with firearms and boat-hooks. I'm his friend, MasterOliver,andheandyoumaybothsetmedownasthesame.""Wemaywantyourfriendship,myworthyfellow,"criedEdwards,squeezinghishandconvulsively;"wemaywantyourfriendship,inwhichcaseyoushallknowit."WithoutwaitingtoheartheearnestreplythatBenjaminmeditated,theyouthextricated himself from the vigorous grasp of the steward, and entered theparlor.Elizabethwasalone,andstillrecliningonthesofa,wherewelast lefther.Ahand,whichexceededall thattheingenuityofartcouldmodel,inshapeandcolor, veiled her eyes; and themaidenwas sitting as if in deep communionwithherself.Struckbytheattitudeandlovelinessoftheformthatmethiseye,theyoungmancheckedhisimpatience,andapproachedherwithrespectandcaution."Miss Temple—Miss Temple," he said, "I hope I do not intrude; but I amanxiousforaninterview,ifitbeonlyforamoment."

Elizabethraisedherface,andexhibitedherdarkeyesswimminginmoisture."Isityou,Edwards?"shesaid,withasweetnessinhervoice,andasoftnessinherair,thatsheoftenusedtoherfather,butwhich,fromitsnoveltytohimself,thrilledoneverynerveoftheyouth;"howleftyouourpoorLouisa?""She iswith her father, happy andgrateful," saidOliver, "I neverwitnessedmorefeelingthanshemanifested,whenIventuredtoexpressmypleasureather escape. Miss Temple, when I first heard of your horrid situation, myfeelings were too powerful for utterance; and I did not properly find mytongue,until thewalk toMr.Grant'shadgivenme time to collectmyself. Ibelieve—I do believe, I acquitted myself better there, forMiss Grant evenweptatmysillyspeeches."ForamomentElizabethdidnot reply,butagainveiled her eyeswith her hand. The feeling that caused the action, however,soonpassedaway,and,raisingherfaceagaintohisgaze,shecontinuedwithasmile:"Your friend, the Leather-Stocking, has now becomemy friend, Edwards; Ihave been thinking how I can best serve him; perhaps you, who know hishabitsandhiswantssowell,cantellme——""I can," cried the youth,with an impetuosity that startled his companion. "Ican,andmayHeavenrewardyouforthewish,Nattyhasbeensoimprudentastoforgetthelaw,andhasthisdaykilledadeer.Nay,IbelieveImustshareinthe crimeand thepenalty, for Iwas an accomplice throughout.Acomplainthasbeenmadetoyourfather,andhehasgrantedasearch—""Iknowitall,"interruptedElizabeth;"Iknowitall.Theformsofthelawmustbecompliedwith,however;thesearchmustbemade,thedeerfound,andthepenaltypaid.ButImustretortyourownquestion.Haveyoulivedsolonginourfamilynottoknowus?Lookatme,OliverEdwards.DoIappearlikeonewhowouldpermitthemanthathasjustsavedherlifetolingerinajailforsosmallasumasthisfine?No,no,sir;myfatherisajudge,butheisamanandaChristian.Itisallunderstood,andnoharmshallfollow.""What a load of apprehension do your declarations remove!" exclaimedEdwards:"Heshallnotbedisturbedagain!yourfatherwillprotecthim!Ihaveassurance,MissTemple,thathewill,andImustbelieveit.""Youmayhavehisown,Mr.Edwards,"returnedElizabeth,"forherehecomestomakeit."But the appearance ofMarmaduke,who entered the apartment, contradictedtheflatteringanticipationsofhisdaughter.Hisbrowwascontracted,andhismannerdisturbed.NeitherElizabethnor theyouth spoke;but the Judgewasallowedtopaceonceortwiceacrosstheroomwithoutinterruption,whenhecried:

"Our plans are defeated, girl; the obstinacy of the Leather-Stocking hasbroughtdowntheindignationofthelawonhishead,anditisnowoutofmypowertoavertit.""How?inwhatmanner?"criedElizabeth;"thefineisnothingsurely—""Ididnot—Icouldnotanticipatethatanold,afriendlessmanlikehim,woulddaretoopposetheofficersofjustice,"interruptedtheJudge,"Isupposedthathewouldsubmit to the search,when the finecouldhavebeenpaid, and thelawwouldhavebeenappeased;butnowhewillhavetomeetitsrigor.""Andwhatmustthepunishmentbe,sir?"askedEdwards,strugglingtospeakwithfirmness.Marmaduke turnedquickly to the spotwhere the youth hadwithdrawn, andexclaimed:"Youhere!Ididnotobserveyou.Iknownotwhatitwillbe,sir;itisnotusualfor a judge to decide until he has heard the testimony, and the jury haveconvicted.Ofonething,however,youmaybeassured,Mr.Edwards;itshallbe whatever the law demands, notwithstanding any momentary weakness Imay have exhibited, because the luckless man has been of such eminentservicetomydaughter.""No one, I believe, doubts the sense of justice which Judge Templeentertains!"returnedEdwardsbitterly."But let us converse calmly, sir. Will not the years, the habits, nay, theignoranceofmyoldfriend,availhimanythingagainstthischarge?""Oughtthey?Theymayextenuate,butcantheyacquit?Wouldanysocietybetolerable,youngman,wheretheministersofjusticearetobeopposedbymenarmedwithrifles?IsitforthisthatIhavetamedthewilderness?""Hadyou tamed thebeasts thatso lately threatened the lifeofMissTemple,sir,yourargumentswouldapplybetter.""Edwards!"exclaimedElizabeth."Peace,mychild,"interruptedthefather;"theyouthisunjust;butIhavenotgiven him cause. I overlook thy remark, Oliver, for I know thee to be thefriendofNatty,andzealinhisbehalfhasovercomethydiscretion.""Yes,heismyfriend,"criedEdwards,"andIgloryinthetitle.Heissimple,unlettered,evenignorant;prejudiced,perhaps,thoughIfeelthathisopinionoftheworldistootrue;buthehasaheart,JudgeTemple,thatwouldatoneforathousandfaults;heknowshisfriends,andneverdesertsthem,evenifitbehisdog.""Thisisagoodcharacter,Mr.Edwards,"returnedMarmaduke,mildly;"butIhaveneverbeenso fortunateas to securehisesteem, for tomehehasbeen

uniformly repulsive; yet I have endured it, as anoldman'swhim,However,whenheappearsbeforeme,ashisjudge,heshallfindthathisformerconductshall not aggravate, any more than his recent services shall extenuate, hiscrime.""Crime!"echoedEdwards:"isitacrimetodriveapryingmiscreantfromhisdoor?Crime!Oh,no,sir;iftherebeacriminalinvolvedinthisaffair,itisnothe.""Andwhomayitbe,sir?"askedJudgeTemple,facingtheagitatedyouth,hisfeaturessettledtotheirusualcomposure.Thisappealwasmore than theyoungmancouldbear.Hithertohehadbeendeeplyagitatedbyhisemotions;butnowthevolcanoburstitsboundaries."Who! and this tome!" he cried; "ask your own conscience, JudgeTemple.Walktothatdoor,sir,andlookoutuponthevalley,thatplacidlake,andthoseduskymountains,andsaytoyourownheart,ifheartyouhave,whencecametheseriches,thisvale,thosehills,andwhyamItheirowner?Ishouldthink,sir, that the appearance of Mohegan and the Leather-Stocking, stalkingthroughthecountry,impoverishedandforlorn,wouldwitheryoursight."Marmaduke heard this burst of passion, at first, with deep amazement; butwhentheyouthhadended,hebeckonedtohisimpatientdaughterforsilence,andreplied:"Oliver Edwards, thou forgettest in whose presence thou standest. I haveheard, youngman, that thou claimest descent from thenativeowners of thesoil; but surely thy education has been given thee to no effect, if it has nottaught thee the validity of the claims that have transferred the title to thewhites.Theselandsareminebytheverygrantsofthyancestry,ifthouartsodescended;andIappealtoHeavenforatestimonyoftheusesIhaveputthemto.Afterthislanguage,wemustseparate.Ihavetoolongshelteredtheeinmydwelling;butthetimehasarrivedwhenthoumustquitit.Cometomyoffice,andIwilldischargethedebtIowethee.Neithershallthypresentintemperatelanguagemarthyfuturefortunes,ifthouwilthearkentotheadviceofonewhoisbymanyyearsthysenior."The ungovernable feeling that caused the violence of the youth had passedaway, and he stood gazing after the retiring figure of Marmaduke, with avacancy in his eye that denoted the absence of his mind. At length herecollected himself, and, turning his head slowly around the apartment, hebeheldElizabeth, still seated on the sofa, butwith her head dropped on herbosom,andherfaceagainconcealedbyherhands."MissTemple,"hesaid—allviolencehadlefthismanner—"MissTemple—Ihave forgottenmyself—forgottenyou.Youhaveheardwhat your father hasdecreed,andthisnightIleavehere.Withyou,atleast,Iwouldpartinamity."

Elizabeth slowly raised her face, across which a momentary expression ofsadness stole; but as she left her seat, herdark eyes lightedwith their usualfire, her cheek flushed to burning, and her whole air seemed to belong toanothernature."Iforgiveyou,Edwards,andmyfatherwillforgiveyou,"shesaid,whenshereached the door. "You do not knowus, but the timemay comewhen youropinionsshallchange—""Ofyou!never!"interruptedtheyouth;"I—""Iwouldspeak,sir,andnot listen.Thereissomethinginthisaffair thatIdonotcomprehend;buttelltheLeather-Stockinghehasfriendsaswellasjudgesin us. Do not let the old man experience unnecessary uneasiness at thisrupture.Itisimpossiblethatyoucouldincreasehisclaimshere;neithershallthey be diminished by any thing you have said. Mr. Edwards, I wish youhappiness,andwarmerfriends."Theyouthwouldhavespoken,butshevanishedfromthedoorsorapidly,thatwhen he reached the hall her form was nowhere to be seen. He paused amoment, in stupor, and then, rushing from the house, instead of followingMarmaduke in his "office," he took his way directly for the cabin of thehunters.

CHAPTERXXXII.

"Whomeasuredearth,describedthestarryspheres,Andtracedthelongrecordsoflunaryears."—Pope.Richarddidnotreturnfromtheexerciseofhisofficialdutiesuntillateintheevening of the following day. It had been one portion of his business tosuperintendthearrestofpartofagangofcounterfeiters,thathad,evenatthatearlyperiod,buriedthemselvesinthewoods,tomanufacturetheirbasecoin,whichtheyafterwardcirculatedfromoneendof theUnionto theother.Theexpedition had been completely successful, and about midnight the sheriffentered thevillage, at theheadofaposseofdeputiesandconstables, in thecentre of whom rode, pinioned, four of the malefactors. At the gate of themansion-house they separated,Mr. Jonesdirectinghis assist ants toproceedwith their charge to the county jail, while he pursued his own way up thegravelwalk,with thekindof self-satisfaction thatamanofhisorganizationwouldfeel,whohadreallyforoncedoneaverycleverthing."Holla!Aggy!"shoutedthesheriff,whenhereachedthedoor;"whereareyou,

you black dog?will you keepme here in the dark all night?Holla! Aggy!Brave! Brave! hoy, hoy—where have you got to, Brave? Off his watch!Everybodyisasleepbutmyself!PoorImustkeepmyeyesopen, thatothersmaysleepinsafety.Brave!Brave!Well,Iwillsaythisforthedog,lazyashe'sgrown,thatitisthefirsttimeIeverknewhimtoletanyonecometothedoorafterdark,withouthavingasmell toknowwhether itwasanhonestmanornot.Hecouldtellbyhisnose,almostaswellasIcouldmyselfbylookingatthem.Holla! youAgamemnon!where are you?Oh! here comes the dog atlast."By this time the sheriff had dismounted, and observed a form, which hesupposedtobethatofBrave,slowlycreepingoutofthekennel;when,tohisastonishment, it reared itselfon two legs insteadof four,andhewasable todistinguish,bythestarlight,thecurlyheadanddarkvisageofthenegro."Ha!whatthedevilareyoudoingthere,youblackrascal?"hecried."IsitnothotenoughforyourGuineabloodinthehousethiswarmnight,butyoumustdriveoutthepoordog,andsleepinhisstraw?"By this time the boy was quite awake, and, with a blubbering whine, heattemptedtoreplytohismaster."Oh!masserRichard!masserRichard!suchating!suchating!Inebbertinkacould 'appen! neber tink he die! Oh, Lor-a-gor! ain't bury—keep 'em tillmasserRichardgetback—gotagrabedug—"Herethefeelingsofthenegrocompletelygotthemastery,and,insteadofmakinganyintelligibleexplanationofthecausesofhisgrief,heblubberedaloud."Eh! what! buried! grave! dead!" exclaimed Richard, with a tremor in hisvoice;"nothingserious?NothinghashappenedtoBenjamin,Ihope?Iknowhehasbeenbilious,butIgavehim—""Oh,worser 'an dat! worser 'an dat!" sobbed the negro. "Oh! de Lor!Miss'Lizzyan'MissGrant—walk—mountain—poorBravy '—killalady—painter—-Oh, Lor, Lor!—NattyBumppo—tare he troat open—come a see,masserRichard—herehebe—herehebe."Asall thiswasperfectlyinexplicabletothesheriff,hewasverygladtowaitpatientlyuntiltheblackbroughtalanternfromthekitchen,whenhefollowedAggyto thekennel,wherehebeheldpoorBrave, indeed, lying inhisblood,stiffandcold,butdecentlycoveredwiththegreatcoatofthenegro.Hewasonthe point of demanding an explanation; but the grief of the black,who hadfallenasleeponhisvoluntarywatch,havingburstout afreshonhiswaking,utterly disqualified the lad from giving one. Luckily, at this moment theprincipaldoorofthehouseopened,andthecoarsefeaturesofBenjaminwerethrustoverthethreshold,withacandleelevatedabovethem,sheddingitsdimrays around in such a manner as to exhibit the lights and shadows of his

countenance.Richardthrewhisbridle to theblack,and,biddinghimlooktothe horse, he entered the hall. "What is the meaning of the dead dog?" hecried."WhereisMissTemple?"Benjaminmade one of his square gestures,with the thumb of his left handpointingoverhisrightshoulder,asheanswered:"Turnedin.""JudgeTemple—whereishe?""Inhisberth.""Butexplain;whyisBravedead?andwhatisthecauseofAggy'sgrief?""Why,it'salldown,squire,"saidBenjamin,pointingtoaslatethatlayonthetable,bythesideofamugoftoddy,ashortpipeinwhichthetobaccowasyetburning,andaprayer-book.AmongtheotherpursuitsofRichard,hehadapassiontokeeparegisterofallpassingevents;andhisdiary,whichwaswritteninthemannerofajournal,orlog, book, embraced not only such circumstances as affected himself, butobservations on the weather, and all the occurrences of the family, andfrequentlyofthevillage.Sincehisappointmenttotheofficeofsheriffandhisconsequent absences from home, he had employed Benjamin to makememoranda on a slate, of whatever might be thought worth remembering,which, on his return, were regularly transferred to the journal with propernotations of the time,manner, and other little particulars. There was, to besure,onematerialobjectiontotheclerkshipofBenjamin,whichtheingenuityofnoonebutRichardcouldhaveovercome.Thestewardreadnothingbuthisprayer-book,andthatonlyinparticularparts,andbytheaidofagooddealofspelling,andsomemisnomers;buthecouldnotformasingleletterwithapen.Thiswouldhavebeenaninsuperablebar to journalizingwithmostmen;butRichard invented a kind of hieroglyphical character, whichwas intended tonotealltheordinaryoccurrencesofaday,suchashowthewindblew,whetherthesunshone,orwhetheritrained,thehours,etc.;andfortheextraordinary,aftergivingcertainelementarylecturesonthesubject,thesheriffwasobligedtotrusttotheingenuityofthemajor-domo.Thereaderwillatonceperceive,that it was to this chronicle that Benjamin pointed, instead of directlyansweringthesheriff'sinterrogatory.WhenMr.Joneshaddrunkaglassof toddy,hebroughtforthfromitssecretplace his proper journal, and, seating himself by the table, he prepared totransferthecontentsoftheslatetothepaper,atthesametimethatheappeasedhis curiosity.Benjamin laidonehandon thebackof the sheriff's chair, in afamiliarmanner,whilehekepttheotheratlibertytomakeuseofaforefinger,

thatwas bent like some of his own characters, as an index to point out hismeaning.Thefirstthingreferredtobythesheriffwasthediagramofacompass,cutinone corner of the slate for permanent use. The cardinal pointswere plainlymarkedonit,andalltheusualdivisionswereindicatedinsuchamannerthatnomanwhohadeversteeredashipcouldmistakethem."Oh!"saidthesheriff,seatinghimselfdowncomfortablyinhischair,"you'dthewindsoutheast,Isee,alllastnightIthoughtitwouldhaveblownuprain.""Devilthedrop,sir,"saidBenjamin;"Ibelievethatthescuttle-buttupaloftisemptied, for therehasn't somuchwater fell in the country for the last threeweeks as would float Indian John's canoe, and that draws just one inchnothing,light.""Wellbutdidn'tthewindchangeherethismorning?therewasachangewhereIwas.""Tobesureitdid,squire;andhaven'tIloggeditasashiftofwind?""Idon'tseewhere,Benjamin—""Don'tsee!"interruptedthesteward,alittlecrustily;"ain't thereamarkagin'east-and-by-nothe-half-nothe,withsummatlikearisingsunattheendofit,toshow'twasinthemorningwatch?""Yes,yes,thatisverylegible;butwhereisthechangenoted?""Where!whydoesn'titseethisheretea-kettle,withamarkrunfromthespoutstraight, or mayhap a little crooked or so, into west-and-by-southe-half-southe?nowIcallthisashiftofwind,squire.Well,doyouseethishereboar'sheadthatyoumadeforme,alongsideofthecompass—""Ay, ay—Boreas——-I see. Why, you've drawn lines from its mouth,extendingfromoneofyourmarkstotheother.""It'snofaultofmine,SquireDickens;'tisyourd——dclimate.Thewindhasbeenatall themtheremarks thisveryday,and that'sall round thecompass,exceptalittlematterofanIrishman'shurricaneatmeridium,whichyou'llfindmarked right up and down. Now, I've known a sow-wester blow for threeweeks,inthechannel,withacleandrizzle,inwhichyoumightwashyourfaceandhandswithoutthetroubleofhaulinginwaterfromalongside.""Verywell,Benjamin,"saidthesheriff,writinginhisjournal;"IbelieveIhavecaughttheidea.Oh!here'sacloudovertherisingsun—soyouhadithazyinthemorning?""Ay,ay,sir,"saidBenjamin."Ah it's Sunday, and here are themarks for the length of the sermon—one,two,three,four—what!didMr.Grantpreachfortyminutes?"

"Ay,summatlikeit;itwasagoodhalf-hourbymyownglass,andthentherewas the time lost in turning it, and some little allowance for leeway in notbeingover-smartaboutit.""Benjamin, this is as longas aPresbyterian;younever couldhavebeen tenminutesinturningtheglass!""Why,doyousee,Squire, theparsonwasverysolemn,andI justclosedmyeyesinordertothinkthebetterwithmyself,justthesameasyou'dputinthedead-lights to make all snug, and when I opened them agin I found thecongregationweregettingunderwayforhome,soIcalculatedthetenminuteswouldcovertheleewayaftertheglasswasout.Itwasonlysomesuchmatterasacat'snap.""Oh,ho!MasterBenjamin,youwereasleep,wereyou?but I'll setdownnosuchslanderagainstanorthodoxdivine."Richardwrotetwenty-nineminutesinhisjournal,andcontinued:"Why,what'sthisyou'vegotoppositeteno'clockA.M.?A fullmoon! had you amoon visible by day? I have heard of suchportentsbeforenow,but—eh!what'sthisalongsideofit?anhour-glass?""That!"saidBenjamin, lookingcoollyover thesheriff'sshoulder,androllingthetobaccoaboutinhismouthwithajocularair;"why,that'sasmallmatterofmyown.It'snomoon,squire,butonlyBettyHollister'sface;for,dyesee,sir,hearing all the same as if she had got up a new cargo of Jamaiky from theriver,IcalledinasIwasgoingtothechurchthismorning—tenA.M.wasit?—just the time—and tried a glass; and so I logged it, to putme inmindofcallingtopayherlikeanhonestman.""Thatwasit,wasit?"saidthesheriff,withsomedispleasureatthisinnovationonhismemoranda;"andcouldyounotmakeabetterglassthanthis?itlookslikeadeath's-headandanhour-glass.""Why, as I liked the stuff, squire," returned the steward, "I turned in,homewardbound,andtookt'otherglass,whichIsetdownatthebottomofthefirst,andthatgivesthethingtheshapeithas.ButasIwasthereagainto-night,andpaidforthethreeatonce,yourhonormayaswellrunthespongeoverthewholebusiness.""Iwill buy you a slate for your own affairs, Benjamin," said the sheriff; "Idon'tliketohavethejournalmarkedoverinthismanner.""Youneedn't—youneedn't,squire;for,seeingthatIwaslikelytotradeoftenwiththewomanwhilethisbarrellasted.I'veopenedafairaccountwithBetty,andshekeepshermarksonthebackofherbar-door,andIkeepsthetallyonthisherebitofastick."AsBenjaminconcludedheproducedapieceofwood,onwhich fivevery large,honestnotcheswereapparent.The sheriff casthiseyesonthisnewledgerforamoment,andcontinued:

"Whathavewehere!Saturday,twoP.M.—Whyhere'sawholefamilypiece!twowine-glassesupside-down!""That's two women; the one this a-way is Miss 'Lizzy, and t'other is theparson'syoung'un.""CousinBess andMissGrant!" exclaimed the sheriff, in amazement; "whathavetheytodowithmyjournal?""They'denoughtodotogetoutofthejawsofthattherepainterorpanther,"said the immovable steward. "This here thingumy, squire, thatmaybe lookssummat like a rat, is the beast, d'ye see; and this here t'other thing, keeluppermost, is poor old Brave, who died nobly, all the same as an admiralfightingforhiskingandcountry;andthatthere—""Scarecrow,"interruptedRichard."Ay,mayhapitdolookalittlewildorso,"continuedthesteward;"buttomyjudgment,squire, it's thebest imageI'vemade,seeing it'smost like themanhimself;well,that'sNattyBumppo,whoshotthisherepainter,thatkilledthattheredog,whowouldhaveeatenordoneworsetothemhereyoungladies.""Andwhatthedevildoesallthismean?"criedRichard,impatiently."Mean!" echoedBenjamin; "it is as true as theBoadishey's logbook—"Hewas interrupted by the sheriff, who put a few direct questions to him, thatobtainedmoreintelligibleanswers,bywhichmeanshebecamepossessedofatolerablycorrectideaofthetruth,Whenthewonder,andwemustdoRichardthejusticetosay,thefeelingsalso,thatwerecreatedbythisnarrative,hadinsomedegreesubsided,thesheriffturnedhiseyesagainonhisjournal,wheremoreinexplicablehieroglyphicsmethisview."Whathavewehere?"hecried;"twomenboxing!Hastherebeenabreachofthepeace?Ah,that'stheway,themomentmybackisturned—.""That's the JudgeandyoungMasterEdwards," interrupted the steward,verycavalierly."How!'DukefightingwithOliver!whatthedevilhasgotintoyouall?Morethingshavehappenedwithinthelastthirty-sixhoursthanintheprecedingsixmonths.""Yes,it'ssoindeed,squire,"returnedthesteward,"I'veknownasmartchase,anda fightat the tailof it,where lesshasbeen logged than I'vegoton thatthereslate.Howsomever, theydidn'tcome to facers,onlypasseda little jawforeandaft.""Explain!explain!"criedRichard;"itwasaboutthemines,ha!Ay,ay,Iseeit,I see it; here is a man with a pick on his shoulder. So you heard it all,Benjamin?"

"Why,yes, itwasabout theirminds,Ibelieve,squire,"returnedthesteward;"and, by what I can learn, they spoke them pretty plainly to one another.Indeed,ImaysaythatIoverheardasmallmatterofitmyself,seeingthatthewindowswasopen,andIhardby.Butthishereisnopick,butananchoronaman's shoulder; andhere's theother flukedownhisback,maybea little tooclose,whichsignifiesthattheladhasgotunderwayandlefthismoorings.""HasEdwardsleftthehouse?""Hehas."Richardpursued this advantage; and, after a long and close examination, hesucceededingettingoutofBenjaminallthatheknew,notonlyconcerningthemisunderstanding, but of the attempt to search the hut, and Hiram'sdiscomfiture. The sheriff was no sooner possessed of these facts, whichBenjamin relatedwith all possible tenderness to the Leather-Stocking, than,snatchinguphishat,andbiddingtheastonishedstewardsecurethedoorsandgotohisbed,heleftthehouse.Foratleastfiveminutes,afterRicharddisappeared,Benjaminstoodwithhisarmsakimbo, andhis eyes fastenedon thedoor;when,having collectedhisastonishedfaculties,hepreparedtoexecutetheordershehadreceived.Ithasbeenalreadysaidthatthe"courtofcommonpleasandgeneralsessionsof the peace," or, as it is commonly called, the "county court," over whichJudge Temple presided, held one of its stated sessions on the followingmorning.TheattendantsofRichardwereofficerswhohadcometothevillage,asmuchtodischargetheirusualdutiesatthiscourt,astoescorttheprisonersandthesheriffknewtheirhabitstoowell,nottofeelconfidentthatheshouldfindmost, if not all of them, in the public room of the jail, discussing thequalities of the keeper's liquors. Accordingly he held his way through thesilent streets of the village, directly to the small and insecure building thatcontainedalltheunfortunatedebtorsandsomeofthecriminalsofthecounty,andwherejusticewasadministeredtosuchunwaryapplicantsasweresosillyastothrowawaytwodollarsinordertoobtainonefromtheirneighbors.Thearrivaloffourmalefactorsinthecustodyofadozenofficerswasanevent,atthatday,inTempleton;and,whenthesheriffreachedthejail,hefoundeveryindicationthathissubordinatesintendedtomakeanightofit.Thenodof the sheriff brought twoofhisdeputies to thedoor,who in theirturndrewoff sixor sevenof theconstables.With this forceRichard led theway through the village, toward the bank of the lake, undisturbed by anynoise, except the barking of one or two curs, who were alarmed by themeasured tread of the party, and by the lowmurmurs that ran through theirown numbers, as a few cautious questions and answers were exchanged,relative to the object of their expedition. When they had crossed the little

bridge of hewn logs that was thrown over the Susquehanna, they left thehighway, and struck into that fieldwhich had been the scene of the victoryoverthepigeons.Fromthistheyfollowedtheirleaderintothelowbushesofpinesandchestnutswhichhadsprungupalongtheshoresofthelake,wheretheploughhadnotsucceededthefallofthetrees,andsoonenteredtheforestitself.HereRichardpausedandcollectedhistrooparoundhim."I have required your assistance,my friends," he cried, in a low voice, "inordertoarrestNathanielBumppo,commonlycalledtheLeather-StockingHehasassaultedamagistrate,andresistedtheexecutionofasearch-warrant,bythreateningthelifeofaconstablewithhisrifle.Inshort,myfriends,hehassetanexampleofrebelliontothelaws,andhasbecomeakindofoutlaw.Heissuspected of other misdemeanors and offences against private rights; and Ihavethisnighttakenonmyself,bythevirtueofmyofficeassheriff,toarrestthesaidBumppo,andbringhimtothecountyjail,thathemaybepresentandforthcoming to answer to these heavy charges before the court to-morrowmorning. In executing this duty, friends and fellow-citizens, you are to usecourageanddiscretion;courage,thatyoumaynotbedauntedbyanylawlessattemptthatthismanmaymakewithhisrifleandhisdogstoopposeyou;anddiscretion,which heremeans caution and prudence, that hemay not escapefromthissuddenattack—andforothergoodreasonsthatIneednotmention.Youwillformyourselvesinacompletecirclearoundhishut,andattheword'advance,'calledaloudbyme,youwill rushforwardand,withoutgiving thecriminaltimefordeliberation,enterhisdwellingbyforce,andmakehimyourprisoner.Spreadyourselvesforthispurpose,whileIshalldescendtotheshorewithadeputy, to takechargeof thatpoint; andall communicationsmustbemadedirectlytome,underthebankinfrontofthehut,whereIshallstationmyselfandremain,inordertoreceivethem."Thisspeech,whichRichardhadbeenstudyingduringhiswalk,hadtheeffectthat all similar performances produce, of bringing the dangers of theexpeditionimmediatelybeforetheeyesofhisforces.Themendivided,someplungingdeeperintotheforest,inordertogaintheirstationswithoutgivinganalarm,andothersContinuingtoadvance,atagaitthatwouldallowthewholeparty togo inorder;butalldevising thebestplan to repulse theattackofadog, or to escape a rifle-bullet. It was a moment of dread expectation andinterest.Whenthesheriff thought timeenoughhadelapsedfor thedifferentdivisionsofhisforcetoarriveattheirstations,heraisedhisvoiceinthesilenceoftheforest, and shouted the watchword. The sounds played among the archedbranchesofthetreesinhollowcadences;butwhenthelastsinkingtonewaslost on the ear, in place of the expected howls of the dogs, no other noiseswere returned but the crackling of torn branches and dried sticks, as they

yieldedbeforetheadvancingstepsoftheofficers.Eventhissoonceased,asifbyacommonconsent,whenthecuriosityandimpatienceofthesheriffgettingthe complete ascendency over discretion, he rushed up the bank, and in amomentstoodonthelittlepieceofclearedgroundinfrontofthespotwhereNattyhadsolonglived,Tohisamazement,inplaceofthehuthesawonlyitssmoulderingruins.The party gradually drew together about the heap of ashes and the ends ofsmoking logs;whileadim flame in thecentreof the ruin,whichstill foundfuel to feed its lingering life, threwitspale light, flickeringwith thepassingcurrentsoftheair,aroundthecircle—nowshowingafacewitheyesfixedinastonishment, and then glancing to another countenance, leaving the formershaded in the obscurity of night. Not a voice was raised in inquiry, nor anexclamation made in astonishment. The transition from excitement todisappointmentwastoopowerfulforSpeech;andevenRichardlosttheuseofanorganthatwasseldomknowntofailhim.Thewholegroupwereyet in the fullnessof their surprise,whena tall formstalkedfromthegloomintothecircle,treadingdownthehotashesanddyingembers with callous feet; and, standing over the light, lifted his cap, andexposed the bare head andweather-beaten features of the Leather-Stocking.For amoment he gazed at the dusky figureswho surrounded him,more insorrowthaninangerbeforehespoke."Whatwouldyewithanoldandhelplessman?"hesaid,"You'vedrivenGod'screatur'sfromthewilderness,whereHisprovidencehadputthemforHisownpleasure;andyou'vebroughtinthetroublesanddiviltriesofthelaw,wherenomanwaseverknowntodisturbanother.Youhavedrivenme,thathavelivedfortylongyearsofmyappointedtimeinthisveryspot,frommyhomeandtheshelterofmyhead,lestyoushouldputyourwickedfeetandwastywaysinmycabin.You'vedrivenmetoburntheselogs,underwhichI'veeatenanddrunk—thefirstofHeaven'sgifts,andtheotherofthepuresprings—forthehalfofahundredyears;andtomourntheashesundermyfeet,asamanwouldweepandmourn for the children of his body.You've rankled the heart of an oldman,thathasneverharmedyouoryour'n,withbitterfeelingstowardhiskind,atatimewhenhisthoughtsshouldbeonabetterworld;andyou'vedrivenhimtowishthatthebeastsoftheforest,whoneverfeastonthebloodoftheirownfamilies,washiskindredandrace;andnow,whenhehascometoseethelastbrandofhishut,beforeitisincitedintoashes,youfollowhimup,atmidnight,like hungry hounds on the track of a worn-out and dying deer.Whatmorewouldyehave?forIamhere—onetoomany.Icometomourn,nottofight;and,ifitisGod'spleasure,workyourwillonme."Whentheoldmanendedhestood,withthelightglimmeringaroundhisthinlycoveredhead,lookingearnestlyatthegroup,whichrecededfromthepilewith

an involuntarymovement,without the reachof thequivering rays, leavingafreepassage forhis retreat into thebushes,wherepursuit in thedarkwouldhave been fruit less. Natty seemed not to regard this advantage, but stoodfacingeachindividualinthecircleinsuccession,asiftoseewhowouldbethefirsttoarresthim.AfterapauseofafewmomentsRichardbegantorallyhisconfusedfaculties,and,advancing,apologizedforhisduty,andmadehimhisprisoner.Thepartyflowcollected,and,precededbythesheriff,withNattyintheircentre,theytooktheirwaytowardthevillage.During the walk, divers questions were put to the prisoner concerning hisreasonsforburningthehut,andwhitherMoheganhadretreated;buttoallofthemheobservedaprofoundsilence,until,fatiguedwiththeirpreviousduties,andthelatenessofthehour,thesheriffandhisfollowersreachedthevillage,anddispersedtotheirseveralplacesofrest,afterturningthekeyofajailontheagedandapparentlyfriendlessLeather-Stocking.

CHAPTERXXXIII.

"Fetchherethestocks,ho!Youstubbornancientknave,youreverendbragget,We'llteachyou."—Lear.The long days and early sun of July allowed time for a gathering of theinterested,beforethelittlebellof theacademyannouncedthat theappointedhourhadarrivedforadministeringrighttothewronged,andpunishmenttotheguilty.Eversincethedawnofday,thehighwaysandwoodpathsthat,issuingfrom the forests, andwinding among the sides of themountains, centred inTempleton, had been thronged with equestrians and footmen, bound to thehaven of justice. There was to be seen a well-clad yeoman, mounted on asleek, switch-tailed steed, rambling along the highway, with his red faceelevated in amanner that said, "Ihavepaid formy land, and fearnoman;"whilehisbosomwasswellingwiththeprideofbeingoneofthegrandinquestfor the county.At his side rode a companion, his equal in independence offeeling, perhaps, but his inferior in thrift, as in property and consideration.Thiswasaprofesseddealerinlawsuits—amanwhosenameappearedineverycalendar—whosesubstance,gainedinthemultifariousexpedientsofasettler'schangeablehabits,waswasted in feeding theharpiesof thecourts.Hewasendeavoringtoimpressthemindofthegrandjurorwiththemeritsofacausenowat issue,Alongwith thesewasapedestrian,who,having thrownariflefrockoverhisshirt,andplacedhisbestwoolhatabovehissunburntvisage,

had issued from his retreat in thewoods by a footpath, andwas striving tokeepcompanywiththeothers,onhiswaytohearandtodecidethedisputesofhisneighbors, asapetit juror.Fifty similar littleknotsofcountrymenmighthave been seen, on that morning, journeying toward the shire-town on thesameerrand.By ten o'clock the streets of the village were filled with busy faces; sometalking of their private concerns, some listening to a popular expounder ofpoliticalcreeds;andothersgapinginattheopenstores,admiringthefinery,orexamining scythes, axes, and such other manufactures as attracted theircuriosityorexcited theiradmiration.Afewwomenwere in thecrowd,mostcarryinginfants,andfollowed,atalounging,listlessgait,bytheirrusticlordsandmasters.Therewasoneyoungcouple, inwhomconnubial lovewasyetfresh, walking at a respectful distance from each other; while the swaindirectedthetimidstepsofhisbride,byagallantofferingofathumb.At the first stroke of the bell, Richard issued from the door of the "BoldDragoon," flourishing a sheathed sword, that he was fond of saying hisancestors had carried in one of Cromwell's victories, and crying, in anauthoritative tone, to "clear the way for the court." The order was obeyedpromptly, thoughnotservilely, themembersof thecrowdnoddingfamiliarlytothemembersoftheprocessionasitpassed.Apartyofconstableswiththeirstaves followed the sheriff, preceding Marmaduke and four plain, grave-lookingyeomen,whowerehisassociatesonthebench.Therewasnothingtodistinguish these Subordinate judges from the better part of the spectators,exceptgravity,whichtheyaffectedalittlemorethancommon,andthatoneoftheir number was attired in an old-fashioned military coat, with skirts thatreachedno lower than themiddleofhis thighs, andbearing two little silverepaulets,nothalfsobigasamodernpairofshoulder-knots.Thisgentlemanwas a colonel of the militia, in attendance on a court-martial, who foundleisure tostealamoment fromhismilitary toattend tohiscivil jurisdiction;butthisincongruityexcitedneithernoticenorcomment.Threeorfourclean-shavedlawyersfollowed,asmeekasiftheywerelambsgoingtotheslaughter.Oneortwooftheirnumberhadcontrivedtoobtainanairofscholasticgravityby wearing spectacles. The rear was brought up by another posse ofconstables, and themob followed thewhole into the roomwhere the courthelditssitting.Theedificewascomposedofabasementofsquaredlogs,perforatedhereandthere with small grated windows, through which a few wistful faces weregazing at the crowdwithout.Among the captiveswere the guilty, downcastcountenancesof thecounterfeiters, and thesimplebuthonest featuresof theLeather-Stocking.Thedungeonsweretobedistinguished,externally,fromthedebtors' apartments only by the size of the apertures, the thickness of the

grates, and by the heads of the spikes that were driven into the logs as aprotectionagainsttheillegaluseofedge-tools.Theupperstorywasofframework,regularlycoveredwithboards,andcontainedoneroomdecentlyfittedup for the purpose of justice. A bench, raised on a narrow platform to theheightofamanabovethefloor,andprotectedinfrontbyalightrailing,ranalongoneofitssides.Inthecentrewasaseat,furnishedwithrudearms,thatwasalwaysfilledbythepresidingjudge.Infront,onalevelwiththefloorofthe room, was a large table covered with green baize, and surrounded bybenches;andateitherofitsendswererowsofseats,risingoneovertheother,for jury-boxes. Each of these divisions was surrounded by a railing. Theremainderoftheroomwasanopensquare,appropriatedtothespectators.When the judgeswereseated, the lawyershad takenpossessionof the table,and thenoiseofmovingfeethadceased in thearea, theproclamationsweremadeintheusualform,thejurorsweresworn,thechargewasgiven,andthecourtproceededtohearthebusinessbeforethem.Weshallnotdetain the readerwithadescriptionof thecaptiousdiscussionsthatoccupiedthecourtforthefirsttwohours,JudgeTemplehadimpressedonthejury,inhischarge,thenecessityfordispatchontheirpart,recommendingtotheirnotice,frommotivesofhumanity,theprisonersinthejailasthefirstobjectsoftheirattention.Accordingly,aftertheperiodwehavementionedhadelapsed,thecryoftheofficerto"clearthewayforthegrandjury,"announcedtheentranceofthatbody.Theusualformswereobserved,whentheforemanhandeduptothebenchtwobills,onbothofwhichtheJudgeobserved,atthefirst glance of his eye, the name of Nathaniel Bumppo. It was a leisuremomentwith thecourt;some lowwhisperingpassedbetween thebenchandthe sheriff,whogavea signal tohisofficers, and in avery fewminutes thesilence that prevailed was interrupted by a general movement in the outercrowd, when presently the Leather-Stocking made his appearance, usheredintothecriminal'sbarunderthecustodyoftwoconstables,Thehumceased,thepeopleclosed into theopenspaceagain,and thesilencesoonbecamesodeepthatthehardbreathingoftheprisonerwasaudible.Natty was dressed in his buckskin garments, without his coat, in place ofwhichheworeonlyashirtofcoarselinen-cheek,fastenedathisthroatbythesinew of a deer, leaving his red neck andweather-beaten face exposed andbare.Itwasthefirsttimethathehadevercrossedthethresholdofacourtofjustice,andcuriosityseemedtobestronglyblendedwithhispersonalfeelings.He raised his eyes to the bench, thence to the jury-boxes, the bar, and thecrowd without, meeting everywhere looks fastened on himself. Aftersurveyinghisownperson,assearchingthecauseofthisunusualattraction,heoncemore turned his face around the assemblage, andopened hismouth inoneofhissilentandremarkablelaughs.

"Prisoner,removeyourcap,"saidJudgeTemple.Theorderwaseitherunheardorunheeded."NathanielBumppo,beuncovered,"repeatedtheJudge.Nattystartedatthesoundofhisname,and,raisinghisfaceearnestlytowardthebench,hesaid:"Anan!"Mr.Lippet arose fromhis seat at the table, andwhispered in the ear of theprisoner; when Natty gave him a nod of assent, and took the deer-skincoveringfromhishead."Mr.DistrictAttorney,"saidtheJudge,"theprisonerisready;wewaitfortheindictment."The duties of public prosecutor were discharged by Dirck Van der School,whoadjustedhisspectacles,castacautiouslookaroundhimathisbrethrenofthebar,whichheendedbythrowinghisheadasidesoastocatchoneglanceover theglasses,whenheproceeded to read thebill aloud. Itwas theusualcharge for an assault andbatteryon thepersonofHiramDoolittle, andwascouched in the ancient language of such instruments, especial care havingbeen takenby the scribenot toomit thenameof a singleoffensiveweaponknown to the law. When he had done, Mr. Van der School removed hisspectacles, which he closed and placed in his pocket, seemingly for thepleasureofagainopeningandreplacingthemonhisnose,Afterthisevolutionwas repeated once or twice, he handed the bill over to Mr. Lippet, with acavalierair,thatsaidasmuchas"Pickaholeinthatifyoucan."Natty listened to thechargewithgreat attention, leaning forward toward thereaderwithanearnestness thatdenotedhis interest;and,whenitwasended,he raised his tall body to the utmost, and drew a long sigh. All eyes wereturnedtotheprisoner,whosevoicewasvainlyexpectedtobreakthestillnessoftheroom."You have heard the presentment that the grand jury havemade, NathanielBumppo,"saidtheJudge;"whatdoyoupleadtothecharge?"Theoldmandroopedhisheadforamomentinareflectingattitude,andthen,raisingit,helaughedbeforeheanswered:"ThatIhandledthemanalittleroughorso,isnottobedenied;butthattherewasoccasiontomakeuseofallthethingsthatthegentlemanhasspokenofisdownrightuntrue.Iamnotmuchofawrestler,seeingthatI'mgettingold;butIwasoutamongtheScotch-Irishers—letmesee—itmusthavebeenaslongagoasthefirstyearoftheoldwar—""Mr.Lippet, if you are retained for theprisoner," interrupted JudgeTemple,

"instructyourclienthowtoplead;ifnot,thecourtwillassignhimcounsel."Arousedfromstudyingtheindictmentbythisappeal,theattorneygotup,andafterashortdialoguewiththehunterinalowvoice,heinformedthecourtthattheywerereadytoproceed."Doyoupleadguiltyornotguilty?"saidtheJudge."Imaysaynotguilty,withacleanconscience,"returnedNatty;"forthere'snoguilt indoingwhat's right;and I'd ratherdiedon thespot, thanhadhimputfootinthehutatthatmoment."Richard started at this declaration and bent his eyes significantly onHiram,whoreturnedthelookwithaslightmovementofhiseyebrows."Proceedtoopenthecause,Mr.DistrictAttorney,"continuedtheJudge."Mr.Clerk,enterthepleaofnotguilty."AfterashortopeningaddressfromMr.VanderSchool,Hiramwassummonedtothebartogivehistestimony.Itwasdeliveredtotheletter,perhaps,butwithall that moral coloring which can be conveyed under such expressions as,"thinkingnoharm,""feelingitmyboundendutyasamagistrate,"and"seeingthat theconstablewasback'ard in thebusiness."Whenhehaddone,and thedistrictattorneydeclinedputtinganyfurtherinterrogatories,Mr.Lippetarose,withanairofkeeninvestigation,andaskedthefollowingquestions:"Areyouaconstableofthiscounty,sir?""No,sir,"saidHiram,"I'monlyajustice-peace.""I ask you, Mr. Doolittle, in the face of this court, put ting it to yourconscienceandyourknowledgeofthelaw,whetheryouhadanyrighttoenterthatman'sdwelling?""Hem!" said Hiram, undergoing a violent struggle between his desire forvengeance,andhisloveoflegalfame:"Idosuppose—thatin—thatis—strictlaw—thatsupposing—maybeIhadn'tareal—lawfulright;butasthecasewas—andBillywassoback'ard—IthoughtImightcomefor'ardinthebusiness.""I ask you again, sir," continued the lawyer, following up his success,"whetherthisold,thisfriendlessoldman,didordidnotrepeatedlyforbidyourentrance?""Why, Imust say," saidHiram, "thathewasconsiderable cross-grained;notwhatIcallclever,seeingthatitwasonlyoneneighborwantingtogointothehouseofanother.""Oh!thenyouownitwasonlymeantforaneighborlyvisitonyourpart,andwithoutthesanctionoflaw.Remember,gentlemen,thewordsofthewitness,'one neighborwanting to enter the house of another.' Now, sir, I ask you ifNathanielBumppodidnotagainandagainorderyounottoenter?"

"There was some words passed between us," said Hiram, "but I read thewarranttohimaloud.""Irepeatmyquestion;didhetellyounottoenterhishabitation?""Therewasagooddealpassedbetwixtus—butI'vethewarrantinmypocket;maybethecourtwouldwishtoseeit?""Witness,"saidJudgeTemple,"answerthequestiondirectly;didordidnottheprisonerforbidyourenteringhishut?""Why,Isomethink—""Answerwithoutequivocation,"continuedtheJudgesternly."Hedid.""Anddidyouattempttoenterafterhisorder?""Idid;butthewarrantwasinmyhand.""Proceed,Mr.Lippet,withyourexamination."Buttheattorneysawthattheimpressionwasinfavorofhisclient,andwavinghishandwithasuperciliousmanner,asifunwillingtoinsulttheunderstandingofthejurywithanyfurtherdefence,hereplied:"No,sir;Ileaveitforyourhonortocharge;Irestmycasehere.""Mr.DistrictAttorney,"saidtheJudge,"haveyouanythingtosay?"Mr.VanderSchoolremovedhisspectacles,foldedthemand,replacingthemoncemoreonhisnose,eyedtheotherbillwhichheheldinhishand,andthensaid,lookingatthebaroverthetopofhisglasses;"Ishallresttheprosecutionhere,ifthecourtplease."JudgeTemplearoseandbeganthecharge."Gentlemenof the jury,"he said, "youhaveheard the testimony,and I shalldetainyoubutamoment.Ifanofficermeetwithresistanceintheexecutionofaprocess,hehasanundoubtedrighttocallanycitizentohisassistance;andtheactsofsuchassistantcomewithintheprotectionof thelaw.Ishall leaveyou to judge, gentlemen, from the testimony, how far the witness in thisprosecution can be so considered, feeling less reluctance to submit the casethusinformallytoyourdecision,becausethereisyetanotherindictmenttobetried,whichinvolvesheavierchargesagainsttheunfortunateprisoner."ThetoneofMarmadukewasmildandinsinuating,and,ashissentimentsweregivenwithsuchapparentimpartiality,theydidnotfailofcarryingdueweightwiththejury.Thegrave-lookingyeomenwhocomposedthistribunallaidtheirheadstogetherforafewminutes,withoutleavingthebox,whentheforemanarose,and,aftertheformsofthecourtweredulyobserved,hepronouncedtheprisonertobe"Notguilty."

"Youareacquittedofthischarge,NathanielBumppo,"saidtheJudge."Anan!"saidNatty."YouarefoundnotguiltyofstrikingandassaultingMr.Doolittle.""No,no,I'llnotdenybutthatItookhimalittleroughlybytheshoulders,"saidNatty,lookingabouthimwithgreatsimplicity,"andthatI—""Youareacquitted,"interruptedtheJudge,"andthereisnothingfurthertobesaidordoneinthematter."Alookofjoylightedupthefeaturesoftheoldman,whonowcomprehendedthecase,and,placinghiscapeagerlyonhisheadagain,hethrewupthebarofhislittleprison,andsaid,feelingly:"Imustsaythisforyou,JudgeTemple,thatthelawhasnotbeensohardonmeasIdreaded.IhopeGodwillblessyouforthekindthingsyou'vedonetomethisday."But the staff of the constable was opposed to his egress, and Mr. Lippetwhispered a fewwords in his ear,when the aged hunter sank back into hisplace,and,removinghiscap,strokeddowntheremnantsofhisgrayandsandylocks,withanairofmortificationmingledwithsubmission."Mr.DistrictAttorney,"saidJudgeTemple,affectingtobusyhimselfwithhisminutes,"proceedwiththesecondindictment."Mr.VanderSchooltookgreatcarethatnopartofthepresentment,whichhenowread,shouldbelostonhisauditors.Itaccusedtheprisonerofresistingtheexecution of a search-warrant, by force of arms, and particularized in thevaguelanguageofthelaw,amongavarietyofotherweapons,theuseoftherifle. This was indeed a more serious charge than an ordinary assault andbattery, and a corresponding degree of interest was manifested by thespectators in its result. The prisonerwas duly arraigned, and his plea againdemanded.Mr.LippethadanticipatedtheanswersofNatty,andinawhisperadvisedhimhowtoplead.Butthefeelingsof theoldhunterwereawakenedbysomeoftheexpressionsintheindictment,and,forgetfulofhiscaution,heexclaimed:"'Tis awicked untruth; I crave noman's blood. Them thieves, the Iroquois,won'tsay it toanyface that Iever thirstedafterman'sblood, Ihavefou'tassoldierthatfearedhisMakerandhisofficer,butIneverpulledtriggeronanybutawarriorthatwasupandawake.NomancansaythatIeverstruckevenaMingo inhis blanket. I believe there's somewho thinks there's noGod in awilderness!""Attendtoyourplea,Bumppo,"saidtheJudge;"youhearthatyouareaccusedofusingyourrifleagainstanofficerofjustice?Areyouguiltyornotguilty?"

BythistimetheirritatedfeelingsofNattyhadfoundvent:andherestedonthebarforamoment,inamusingposture,whenheliftedhisface,withhissilentlaugh,and,pointingtowherethewood-chopperstood,hesaid:"WouldBillyKirbybestandingthere,d'yethink,ifIhadusedtherifle?""Thenyoudenyit,"saidMr.Lippet;"youpleadnotguilty?""Sartain," said Natty; "Billy knows that I never fired at all. Billy, do youremembertheturkeylastwinter?Ahme!thatwasbetterthancommonfiring;butIcan'tshootasIusedtocould.""Enter the plea of not guilty," said Judge Temple, strongly affected by thesimplicityoftheprisoner.Hiramwasagainsworn,andhistestimonygivenonthesecondcharge.Hehaddiscovered his former error, and proceededmore cautiously than before.Herelatedverydistinctlyand,fortheman,withamazingterseness,thesuspicionagainstthehunter,thecomplaint,theissuingofthewarrant,andtheswearinginofKirby;allofwhich,heaffirmed,weredoneindueformoflaw.Hethenadded the manner in which the constable had been received; and stated,distinctly,thatNattyhadpointedtherifleatKirby,andthreatenedhislifeifheattempted to execute his duty. All this was confirmed by Jotham,whowasobservedtoadherecloselytothestoryofthemagistrate.Mr.Lippetconductedanartfulcross-examinationofthesetwowitnesses,but,afterconsumingmuchtime, was compelled to relinquish the attempt to obtain any advantage, indespair.AtlengththeDistrictAttorneycalledthewood-choppertothebar,Billygavean extremely confused account of the whole affair, although he evidentlyaimedatthetruth,untilMr.VanderSchoolaidedhim,byaskingsomedirectquestions:"Itappearsfromexaminingthepapers,thatyoudemandedadmissionintothehutlegally;soyouwereputinbodilyfearbyhisrifleandthreats?""Ididn'tmindthemthat,man,"saidBilly,snappinghisfingers;"IshouldbeapoorsticktomindoldLeather-Stocking.""ButIunderstoodyoutosay(referring toyourpreviouswords[asdeliveredhere in court] in the commencementofyour testimony) that you thoughthemeanttoshootyou?""To be sure I did; and so would you, too, squire, if you had seen a chapdropping amuzzle that nevermisses, and cocking an eye that has a naturalsquintbylongpracticeIthoughttherewouldbeaduston't,andmybackwasupatonce;butLeather-Stockinggi'nuptheskin,andsothematterended.""Ah! Billy," said Natty, shaking his head, "'twas a lucky thought in me tothrowoutthehide,ortheremighthavebeenbloodspilt;andI'msure,ifithad

beenyour'n,IshouldhavemourneditsorelythelittlewhileIhavetostay.""Well,Leather-Stocking," returnedBilly, facing the prisonerwith a freedomandfamiliarity thatutterlydisregardedthepresenceof thecourt,"asyouareonthesubjectitmaybethatyou'veno—""Goonwithyourexamination,Mr.DistrictAttorney."Thatgentlemaneyedthefamiliaritybetweenhiswitnessandtheprisonerwithmanifestdisgust,andindicatedtothecourtthathewasdone."Thenyoudidn'tfeelfrightened,Mr.Kirby?"saidthecounselfortheprisoner."Me!no,"saidBilly,castinghiseyesovenhisownhugeframewithevidentself-satisfaction;"I'mnottobeskearedsoeasy.""Youlooklikeahardyman;wherewereyouborn,sir?""Varmount State; 'tis a mountaynious place, but there's a stiff soil, and it'sprettymuchwoodedwithbeechandmaple.""Ihavealwaysheardso,"saidMr.Lippetsoothingly."Youhavebeenusedtotherifleyourselfinthatcountry.""Ipullthesecondbesttriggerinthiscounty.IknockundertoNattyBumppo,there,sin'heshotthepigeon."Leather-Stockingraisedhishead,andlaughedagain,whenheabruptlythrustoutawrinkledhand,andsaid:"You'reyoungyet,Billy,andhaven'tseenthematchesthatIhave;buthere'smyhand;Ibearnomalicetoyou,Idon't."Mr.Lippetallowed thisconciliatoryoffering tobeaccepted,and judiciouslypaused,whilethespiritofpeacewasexercisingitsinfluenceoverthetwo;buttheJudgeinterposedhisauthority."This is an improper place for suchdialogues," he said; "proceedwithyourexaminationofthiswitness,Mr.Lippet,orIshallorderthenext."Theattorneystarted,asifunconsciousofanyimpropriety,andcontinued:"SoyousettledthematterwithNattyamicablyonthespot,didyou?""Hegi'nmetheskin,andIdidn'twanttoquarrelwithanoldman;formypart,Iseenosuchmightymatterinshootingabuck!""Andyoupartedfriends?andyouwouldneverhave thoughtofbringing thebusinessupbeforeacourt,hadn'tyoubeensubpoenaed?""Idon'tthinkIshould;hegi'ntheskin,andIdidn'tfeelahardthought,thoughSquireDoolittlegotsomeaffronted.""I have done, sir," said Mr. Lippet, probably relying on the charge of theJudge, as he again seated himself, with the air of a main who felt that his

successwascertain.WhenMr.VanderSchoolarosetoaddressthejury,hecommencedbysaying:"Gentlemenofthejury,Ishouldhaveinterruptedtheleadingquestionsputbytheprisoner'scounsel(by leadingquestionsImeantellinghimwhat tosay),didInotfeelconfidentthatthelawofthelandwassuperiortoanyadvantages(Imean legaladvantages)whichhemightobtainbyhisart.Thecounsel fortheprisoner,gentlemen,hasendeavoredtopersuadeyou,inoppositiontoyourown good sense, to believe that pointing a rifle at a constable (elected ordeputed)isaveryinnocentaffair;andthatsociety(Imeanthecommonwealth,gentlemen)shallnotbeendangeredthereby.Butletmeclaimyourattention,whilewelookovertheparticularsofthisheinousoffence."HereMr.VainderSchool favored the jury with an abridgment of the testimony, recounted insuchamannerasutterlytoconfusethefacultiesofhisworthylisteners.Afterthisexhibitionheclosedasfollows:"Andnow,gentlemen,havingthusmadeplaintoyoursensesthecrimeofwhichthisunfortunatemanhasbeenguilty(unfortunatebothonaccountofhisignoranceandhisguilt),Ishallleaveyouto your own consciences; not in the least doubting that you will see theimportance(notwithstandingtheprisoner'scounsel[doubtlessrelyingonyourformer verdict] wishes to appear so confident of success) of punishing theoffender,andassertingthedignityofthelaws."ItwasnowthedutyoftheJudgetodeliverhischarge.Itconsistedofashort,comprehensive summary of the testimony, laying bare the artifice of theprisoner'scounsel,andplacingthefacts insoobviousalight that theycouldnotwellbemisunderstood."Livingaswedo,gentlemen,"heconcluded,"onthe skirtsof society, itbecomesdoublynecessary toprotect theministersofthe law. Ifyoubelieve thewitnesses, in their constructionof the actsof theprisoner, it isyourduty toconvicthim;but ifyoubelieve that theoldman,who this day appears before you,meant not to harm the constable, butwasactingmoreundertheinfluenceofhabitthanbytheinstigationsofmalice,itwillbeyourdutytojudgehim,buttodoitwithlenity."Asbefore, the jurydidnot leave theirbox;but,afteraconsultationofsomelittletime,theirforemanarose,andpronouncedtheprisonerGuilty.Therewasbutlittlesurprisemanifestedinthecourtroomatthisverdict,asthetestimony,thegreaterpartofwhichwehaveomitted,wastooclearanddirecttobepassedover.Thejudgesseemedtohaveanticipatedthissentiment,foraconsultationwaspassingamongthemalso,duringthedeliberationofthejury,and the preparatory movements of the "bench" announced the comingsentence."NathanielBumppo,"commencedtheJudge,makingthecustomarypause.Theoldhunter,whohadbeenmusingagain,withhisheadonthebar,raised

himself,andcried,withaprompt,militarytone:"Here."TheJudgewavedhishandforsilence,andproceeded:"In forming their sentence, the court have been governed as much by theconsideration of your ignorance of the laws as by a strict sense of theimportanceofpunishingsuchoutragesasthisofwhichyouhavebeenfoundguilty.Theyhavethereforepassedover theobviouspunishmentofwhippingonthebareback,inmercytoyouryears;but,asthedignityofthelawrequiresanopenexhibitionoftheconsequencesofyourcrime,itisorderedthatyoubeconveyedfromthis roomto thepublicstocks,whereyouare tobeconfinedforonehour;thatyoupayafinetotheStateofonehundreddollars;andthatyou be imprisoned in the jail of this county for one calendar month, and,furthermore, thatyour imprisonmentdonotceaseuntil thesaidfineshallbepaid.Ifeelitmyduty,NathanielBumppo—""And where should I get the money?" interrupted the Leather-Stockingeagerly; "whereshould Iget themoney?you'll takeaway thebountyon thepainters,becauseIcutthethroatofadeer;andhowisanoldmantofindsomuchgoldorsilverinthewoods?No,no,Judge;thinkbetterofit,anddon'ttalkofshuttingmeupinajailforthelittletimeIhavetostay.""If you have anything to urge against the passing of the sentence, the courtwillyethearyou,"saidtheJudge,mildly."I have enough to say agin' it," cried Natty, grasping the bar on which hisfingers were working with a convulsed motion. "Where am I to get themoney?Letmeoutintothewoodsandhills,whereI'vebeenusedtobreathetheclearair,andthoughI'mthreescoreandten,ifyou'veleftgameenoughinthe country, I'll travel night anddaybut I'llmakeyouup the sumafore theseasonisover.Yes,yes—youseethereasonofthething,andthewickednessofshuttingupanoldmanthathasspenthisdays,asonemaysay,wherehecouldalwayslookintothewindowsofheaven.""Imustbegovernedbythelaw—""Talknottomeoflaw,MarmadukeTemple,"interruptedthehunter."Didthebeastoftheforestmindyourlaws,whenitwasthirstyandhungeringforthebloodofyourownchild?ShewaskneelingtoherGodforagreaterfavorthanIask,andheheardher;andifyounowsaynotomyprayers,doyouthinkhewillbedeaf?""Myprivatefeelingsmustnotenterinto—""Hear me, Marmaduke Temple," interrupted the old man, with melancholyearnestness,"andhearreason.I'vetravelledthesemountainswhenyouwasnojudge,butaninfantinyourmother'sarms;andIfeelasifIhadarightanda

privilege to travel them agin afore I die.Have you forgot the time that youcomeontothelakeshore,whentherewasn'tevenajailtolodgein:anddidn'tIgiveyoumyownbear-skintosleepon,andthefatofanoblebucktosatisfythe cravings of your hunger?Yes, yes—you thought it no sin then to kill adeer!And this Idid, though Ihadno reason to loveyou, foryouhadneverdoneanythingbutharmto themthat lovedandshelteredme.Andnow,willyou shut me up in your dungeons to pay me for my kindness? A hundreddollars!WhereshouldIget themoney?No,no—there's themthatsayshardthingsofyou,MarmadukeTemple,butyouain'tsobadas towish toseeanoldmandieinaprison,becausehestoodupfortheright.Come,friend,letmepass; it's long sin' I've been used to such crowds, and I crave to be in thewoods agin. Don't fear me, Judge—I bid you not to fear me; for if there'sbeaver enough left on the streams, or the buckskins will sell for a shillingapiece,youshallhave the lastpennyof the fine.Whereareye,pups?comeaway, dogs, come away!we have a grievous toil to do for our years, but itshallbedone—yes,yes,I'vepromisedit,anditshallbedone!"ItisunnecessarytosaythatthemovementoftheLeather-Stockingwasagaininterceptedbytheconstable;but,beforehehadtimetospeak,abustlinginthecrowd,andaloudhem,drewalleyestoanotherpartoftheroom.Benjaminhadsucceededinedginghiswaythroughthepeople,andwasnowseenbalancinghisshortbody,withonefoot inawindowandtheotheronarailingofthejury-box.Totheamazementofthewholecourt,thestewardwasevidentlypreparingtospeak.Afteragooddealofdifficulty,hesucceededindrawingfromhispocketasmallbag,andthenfoundutterance."If-so-be,"hesaid,"thatyourhonorisagreeabletotrustthepoorfellowoutonanothercruiseamongthebeasts,here'sasmallmatter thatwillhelptobringdowntherisk,seeingthatthere'sjustthirty-fiveofyourSpaniardsinit;andIwish,fromthebottomofmyheart,thattheywasraalBritishguineas,forthesakeoftheoldboy.But'tisasitis;andifSquireDickenswilljustbesogoodas tooverhaul thissmallbitofanaccount,and takeenoughfromthebag tosettle the same, he'swelcome toholdonupon the rest, till such time as theLeather-Stocking can grapple with them said beaver, or, for that matter,forever,andnothanksasked."AsBenjaminconcluded,hethrustoutthewoodenregisterofhisarrearstothe"BoldDragoon"withonehand,whileheofferedhisbagofdollarswith theother.Astonishmentatthissingularinterruptionproducedaprofoundstillnessintheroom,whichwasonlyinterruptedbythesheriff,whostruckhisswordonthetable,andcried:"Silence!""Theremust be an end to this," said the Judge, struggling to overcome hisfeelings. "Constable, lead the prisoner to the stocks.Mr.Clerk,what standsnextonthecalendar?"

Natty seemed to yield to his destiny, for he sankhis headonhis chest, andfollowed theofficer from thecourt room in silence.Thecrowdmovedbackfor thepassageof theprisoner, andwhenhis tall formwas seendescendingfromtheouterdoor,arushofthepeopletothesceneofhisdisgracefollowed.

CHAPTERXXXIV.

"Ha!ha!look!hewearscruelgarters!"—Lear.Thepunishmentsofthecommonlawwerestillknown,atthetimeofourtale,to the people of NewYork; and the whipping-post, and its companion, thestocks,werenotyetsupplantedbythemoremercifulexpedientsofthepublicprison. Immediately in front of the jail those relics of the older timesweresituated,asalessonofprecautionaryjusticetotheevil-doersofthesettlement.Nattyfollowedtheconstablestothisspot,bowinghisheadinsubmissiontoapowerthathewasunabletooppose,andsurroundedbythecrowdthatformedacircleabouthisperson,exhibitingintheircountenancesstrongcuriosity.Aconstableraisedtheupperpartofthestocks,andpointedwithhisfingertotheholes where the old man was to place his feet. Without making the leastobjection to the punishment, the Leather-Stocking quietly seated himself ontheground,andsufferedhislimbstobelaidintheopenings,withoutevenamurmur;thoughhecastoneglanceabouthim,inquestofthatsympathythathuman nature always seems to require under suffering but hemet no directmanifestationsofpity, neitherdidhe see anyunfeeling exultation, or hear asingle reproachfulepithet.Thecharacterof themob, if itcouldbecalledbysuchaname,wasthatofattentivesubordination.The constablewas in the act of lowering the upper plank,whenBenjamin,whohadpressedclosetothesideoftheprisoner,said,inhishoarsetone,asifseekingforsomecausetocreateaquarrel:"Where away,master constable, is the use of clapping aman in them herebilboes?Itneitherstopshisgrognorhurtshisback;whatforisitthatyoudothething?""'Tis the sentence of the court, Mr. Penguillium, and there's law for it, Is'pose.""Ay,ay,Iknowthatthere'slawforthething;butwhereawaydoyoufindtheuse,Isay?itdoesnoharm,anditonlykeepsamanbytheheelsforthesmallmatteroftwoglasses.""Isitnoharm,BennyPump,"saidNatty,raisinghiseyeswithapiteouslookin thefaceof thesteward—"is itnoharmtoshowoffamaninhisseventy-

firstyear,likeatamebear,forthesettlerstolookon?Isitnoharmtoputanoldsoldier,thathasservedthroughthewarof'fifty-six,andseentheenemyinthe 'seventy-six business, into a place like this,where the boys can point athimandsay,Ihaveknownthetimewhenhewasaspectacleforthecounty?Isit noharm tobringdown theprideof anhonestman tobe the equalof thebeastsoftheforest?"Benjaminstaredabouthimfiercely,andcouldhehavefoundasinglefacethatexpressedcontumely,hewouldhavebeenprompt toquarrelwith itsowner;but meeting everywhere with looks of sobriety, and occasionally ofcommiseration,heverydeliberatelyseatedhimselfby thesideof thehunter,and,placinghislegsinthetwovacantholesofthestocks,hesaid:"Now lower away, master constable, lower away, I tell ye! If-so-be there'ssuchathinghereabouts,asamanthatwantstoseeabear,lethimlookandbed—d,andheshallfindtwoofthem,andmayhaponeofthesamethatcanbiteaswellasgrowl.""ButIhavenoorderstoputyouinthestocks,Mr.Pump,"criedtheconstable;"youmustgetupandletmedomyduty.""You'vemyorders,andwhatdoyouneedbettertomeddlewithmyownfeet?soloweraway,willye,andletmeseethemanthatchoosestoopenhismouthwithagrinonit.""Therecan'tbeanyharmin lockingupacreatur' thatwillenter thepound,"saidtheconstable,laughing,andclosingthestocksonthemboth.Itwasfortunatethatthisactwasexecutedwithdecision,forthewholeofthespectators, when they saw Benjamin assume the position he took, felt aninclinationformerriment,whichfewthoughtitworthwhiletosuppress.Thestewardstruggledviolentlyforhis libertyagain,withanevident intentionofmaking battle on those who stood nearest to him; but the key was alreadyturned,andallhiseffortswerevain."Hark ye,master constable," he cried, "just clear away your bilboes for thesmallmatterofalog-glass,willye,andletmeshowsomeofthemtherechapswhoitistheyaresomerryabout.""No,no,youwouldgoin,andyoucan'tcomeout,"returnedtheofficer,"untilthetimehasexpiredthattheJudgedirectedforthekeepingoftheprisoner."Benjamin, finding that his threats and his struggles were useless, had goodsense enough to learnpatience from the resignedmannerof his companion,andsoonsettledhimselfdownbythesideofNatty,withacontemptuousnessexpressedinhishardfeatures,thatshowedhehadsubstituteddisgustforrage.Whentheviolenceofthesteward'sfeelingshadinsomemeasuresubsided,heturnedtohisfellow-sufferer,and,withamotivethatmighthavevindicateda

worseeffusion,heattemptedthecharitableofficeofconsolation,"Takingitbyandlarge,MasterBump-ho,it'sbutasmallmatterafterall,"hesaid."Now,I'veknownverygoodsortofmen,aboardoftheBoadishey,laidby the heels, for nothing, mayhap, but forgetting that they'd drunk theirallowancealready,whenaglassofgroghascomeintheirway.Thisisnothingmore thanridingwith twoanchorsahead,waitingfora turn in the tide,orashiftofwind,d'yesee,withasoftbottomandplentyofroomforthesweepofyourhawse.NowI'veseenmanyaman,forover-shootinghisreckoning,asItold ye moored head and starn, where he couldn't so much as heave hisbroadsideround,andmayhapastopperclappedonhistonguetoo,intheshapeofapump-boltlashedathwartshiphisjaws,allthesameasanoutriggeralongsideofataffrel-rail."Thehunterappearedtoappreciatethekindintentionsoftheother,thoughhecouldnotunderstandhiseloquence,and,raisinghishumbledcountenance,heattemptedasmile,ashesaid:"Anan!""'Tisnothing,Isay,butasmallmatterofasquall thatwillsoonblowover,"continuedBenjamin."Toyouthathassuchalengthofkeel,itmustbeallthesameasnothing;thof,seeingthatIamlittleshortinmylowertimbers,they'vetricedmyheelsupinsuchawayastogivemeabitofacant.ButwhatcaresI,MasterBump-ho,iftheshipstrainsalittleatheranchor?it'sonlyforadog-watch,anddam'mebutshe'llsailwithyouthenonthatcruiseafterthemsaidbeaver. I'm notmuch used to small arms, seeing that Iwas stationed at theammunition-boxes, being summat too low-rigged to see over the hammock-cloths;butIcancarrythegame,dyesee,andmayhapmakeouttolendahandwiththetraps;andifso,beyou'reanywaysohandywiththemasyebewithyourboat-hook,'twillbebutashortcruiseafterall,I'vesquaredtheyardswithSquireDickens thismorning,andIshallsendhimword thatheneedn'tbearmynameonthebooksagaintillsuchtimeasthecruiseisover.""You'reused todwellwithmen,Benny," saidLeather-Stocking,mournfully,"andthewaysofthewoodswouldbehardonyou,if——""Notabit—notabit,"criedthesteward;"I'mnoneofyourfair-weatherchaps,MasterBump-ho,assailsonlyinsmoothwater.WhenIfindafriend,Isticksbyhim,dyesee.Now,there'snobettermana-goingthanSquireDickens,andIlovehimaboutthesameasIlovesMistressHollister'snewkegofJamaiky."Thestewardpaused,andturninghisuncouthvisageonthehunter,hesurveyedhimwitharoguishleerofhiseye,andgraduallysufferedthemusclesofhishardfeaturestorelax,untilhisfacewasilluminatedbythedisplayofhiswhiteteeth,whenhedroppedhisvoice,andadded;"Isay,MasterLeather-Stocking,'tisfresherandlivelierthananyHollandsyou'llgetinGarnsey.Butwe'llsend

ahandoverandask thewomanfora taste, for I'mso jammed in theseherebilboesthatIbegintowantsummattolightenmyupperworks."Natty sighed, and gazed about him on the crowd, that already began todisperse,andwhichhadnowdiminishedgreatly,as itsmembersscattered intheir variouspursuits.He lookedwistfully atBenjamin, but didnot reply; adeeply-seatedanxietyseemingtoabsorbeveryothersensation,andtothrowamelancholygloomover hiswrinkled features,whichwereworkingwith themovementsofhismind.Thestewardwasabouttoactontheoldprinciple,thatsilencegivesconsent,whenHiramDoolittle, attendedby Jotham, stalkedout of the crowd, acrosstheopenspace,andapproachedthestocks.ThemagistratepassedbytheendwhereBenjaminwas seated, andpostedhimself, at a safedistance from thesteward, in front of the Leather-Stocking. Hiram stood, for a moment,cowering before the keen looks that Natty fastened on him, and sufferingunder an embarrassment that was quite new; when having in some degreerecovered himself, he looked at the heavens, and then at the smokyatmosphere,as if itwereonlyanordinarymeetingwithafriend,andsaidinhisformal,hesitatingway:"Quite a scurcity of rain, lately; I some thinkwe shall have a long droughton't."Benjaminwasoccupiedinuntyinghisbagofdollars,anddidnotobservetheapproachofthemagistrate,whileNattyturnedhisface,inwhicheverymusclewas working, away from him in disgust, without answering. Ratherencouraged than daunted by this exhibition of dislike, Hiram, after a shortpause,continued:"The clouds look as if they'd nowater in them, and the earth is dreadfullyparched.Tomyjudgment,there'llbeshortcropsthisseason,iftheraindoesn'tfailquitespeedily."The air with which Mr. Doolittle delivered this prophetical opinion waspeculiartohisspecies.Itwasajesuitical,cold,unfeeling,andselfishmanner,thatseemedtosay,"Ihavekeptwithinthelaw,"tothemanhehadsocruellyinjured.Itquiteovercametherestraintthattheoldhunterhadbeenlaboringtoimposeonhimself,andheburstoutinawarmglowofindignation."Whyshouldtherainfallfromtheclouds,"hecried,"whenyouforcethetearsfromtheeyesoftheold,thesick,andthepoor!Awaywithye—awaywithye!youmaybeformedintheimageoftheMaker,butSatandwellsinyourheart.Away with ye, I say! I am mournful, and the sight of ye brings bitterthoughts."Benjaminceased thumbinghismoney,andraisedhisheadat the instant thatHiram, who was thrown off his guard by the invectives of the hunter,

unluckilytrustedhispersonwithinreachofthesteward,whograspedoneofhis legswith a hand that had the grip of a vise, andwhirled themagistratefromhisfeet,beforehehadeithertimetocollecthissensesortoexercisethestrength he did really possess. Benjamin wanted neither proportions normanhood in his head, shoulders, and arms, though all the rest of his frameappeared to be originally intended for a very different sort of a man. Heexerted his physical powers on the present occasion, with much discretion;and, as he had taken his antagonist at a great disadvantage, the struggleresulted very soon in Benjamin getting the magistrate fixed in a posturesomewhatsimilartohisown,andmanfullyplacedfacetoface."You're a ship's cousin, I tell ye,MasterDoo-but-little," roared the steward;"some suchmatter as a ship's cousin, sir. I know you, I do,with your fair-weatherspeechestoSquireDickens,tohisface,andthenyougoandsarveoutyourgrumblingtoall theoldwomeninthetown,doye?Ain't itenoughforany Christian, let him harbor never so much malice, to get an honest oldfellow laidby theheels in this fashion,without carrying sail sohardon thepoor dog, as if youwould run himdown as he lay at his anchors?But I'veloggedmanyahardthingagainstyourname,master,andnowthetime'scometo foot up the day's work, d'ye see; so square yourself, you lubber, squareyourself,andwe'llsoonknowwho'sthebetterman.""Jotham!" cried the frightened magistrate—"Jotham! call in the constables.Mr.Penguillium,Icommandthepeace—Iorderyoutokeepthepeace.""There's been more peace than love atwixt us, master," cried the steward,making some very unequivocal demonstrations toward hostility; "so mindyourself! square your self, I say! do you smell this here bit of a sledge-hammer?""Layhandsonmeifyoudare!"exclaimedHiram,aswellashecould,underthe grasp which the steward held on his throttle—"lay hands onme if youdare!""If you call this laying, master, you are welcome to the eggs," roared thesteward.Itbecomesourdisagreeabledutytorecordhere,thattheactsofBenjaminnowbecameviolent;forhedartedhissledge-hammerviolentlyontheanvilofMr.Doolittle'scountenance,andtheplacebecameinaninstantasceneoftumultandconfusion.Thecrowdrushedinadensecirclearoundthespot,whilesomerantothecourtroomtogivethealarm,andoneortwoofthemorejuvenilepartof themultitudehadadesperate trialofspeedtoseewhoshouldbe thehappymantocommunicatethecriticalsituationofthemagistratetohiswife.Benjaminworked away,with great industry and a good deal of skill, at hisoccupation,usingonehandtoraiseuphisantagonist,whileheknockedhim

overwiththeother;forhewouldhavebeendisgracedinhisownestimation,hadhestruckablowonafallenadversary.BythisconsideratearrangementhehadfoundmeanstohammerthevisageofHiramoutofallshape,bythetimeRichard succeeded in forcing his way through the throng to the point ofcombat.Thesheriffafterwarddeclaredthat,independentlyofhismortificationaspreserverofthepeaceofthecounty,atthisinterruptiontoitsharmony,hewasneversogrievedinhislifeaswhenhesawthisbreachofunitybetweenhisfavorites.Hiramhadinsomedegreebecomenecessarytohisvanity,andBenjamin, strange as it may appear, he really loved. This attachment wasexhibitedinthefirstwordsthatheuttered."Squire Doolittle! Squire Doolittle! I am ashamed to see a man of yourcharacterandofficeforgethimselfsomuchastodisturbthepeace,insultthecourt,andbeatpoorBenjamininthismanner!"At the sound ofMr. Jones' voice, the steward ceased his employment, andHiram had an opportunity of raising his discomfited visage toward themediator. Emboldened by the sight of the sheriff, Mr. Doolittle again hadrecoursetohislungs."I'llhavelawonyouforthis,"hecrieddesperately;"I'llhavethelawonyoufor this. Icallonyou,Mr.Sheriff, toseize thisman,andIdemand thatyoutakehisbodyintocustody."BythistimeRichardwasmasterofthetruestateofthecase,and,turningtothesteward,hesaidreproachfully:"Benjamin,howcameyouinthestocks?Ialwaysthoughtyouweremildanddocileasalamb.ItwasforyourdocilitythatImostesteemedyou.Benjamin!Benjamin! you have not only disgraced yourself, but your friends, by thisshameless conduct, Bless me! bless me! Mr. Doolittle, he seems to haveknockedyourfaceallofoneside."Hiramby this timehadgot on his feet again, andwith out the reachof thesteward,whenhe broke forth in violent appeals for vengeance.Theoffencewastooapparenttobepassedover,andthesheriff,mindfuloftheimpartialityexhibitedbyhiscousinintherecenttrialoftheLeather-Stocking,cametothepainfulconclusionthatitwasnecessarytocommithismajor-domotoprison.AsthetimeofNatty'spunishmentwasexpired,andBenjaminfoundthattheyweretobeconfined,forthatnightatleast,inthesameapartment,hemadenoverystrongobjectiontothemeasure,norspokeofbail,though,asthesheriffprecededthepartyofconstablesthatconductedthemtothejail,heutteredthefollowingremonstrance:"As tobeingberthedwithMasterBump-ho for anightor so, it's but little Ithinkofit,SquireDickens,seeingthatIcallshimanhonestman,andoneashas a handywaywith boat-hooks and rifles; but as for owning that aman

desarvesanythingworsethanadoubleallowance,forknockingthatcarpentersfacea-one-side,asyoucallit,I'llmaintainit'sagin'reasonandChristianity.Ifthere'sabloodsuckerinthis 'erecounty,it's thatverychap.Ay!Iknowhim!and if he hasn't got all the same as deadwood in his headworks, he knowssummatofme.Where'sthemightyharm,squire, thatyoutakeitsomuchtoheart? It's all the same as any other battle, d'ye see sir, being broadside tobroadside,onlythatitwasfootatanchor,whichwaswhatwedidinPortPraya roads,whenSuff'ringcame inamongus; anda suff'ring timehehadof itbeforehegotoutagain."Richardthoughtitunworthyofhimtomakeanyreplytothisspeech,butwhenhisprisonersweresafelylodgedinanouterdungeon,orderingtheboltstobedrawnandthekeyturned,hewithdrew.Benjaminheldfrequentandfriendlydialogueswithdifferentpeople,throughtheirongratings,duringtheafternoon;buthiscompanionpacedtheirnarrow'limits,inhismoccasins,withquick,impatienttreads,hisfacehangingonhisbreast in dejection, orwhen lifted, atmoments, to the idlers at thewindow,lighted,perhaps,foraninstant,withthechildishaspectofagedforgetfulness,whichwouldvanishdirectlyinanexpressionofdeepandobviousanxiety.Atthecloseoftheday,Edwardswasseenatthewindow,inearnestdialoguewith his friend; and after he de parted it was thought that he hadcommunicatedwordsofcomforttothehunter,whothrewhimselfonhispalletand was soon in a deep sleep. The curious spectators had exhausted theconversationofthesteward,whohaddrunkgoodfellowshipwithhalfofhisacquaintance,and,asNattywasno longer inmotion,byeighto'clock,BillyKirby,whowas the last lounger at thewindow, retired into the "TempletonCoffee-house,"whenNatty roseandhungablanketbefore theopening, andtheprisonersapparentlyretiredforthenight.

CHAPTERXXXV.

"Andtoavoidthefoe'spursuit,Withspurringputtheircattleto't;Andtillallfourwereoutofwind,Anddangertoo,neerlookedbehind."—Hudibras.As the shades of evening approached, the jurors, wit nesses, and otherattendantsonthecourtbegantodisperse,andbeforenineo'clockthevillagewasquiet,and itsstreetsnearlydeserted.At thathourJudgeTempleandhis

daughter, followedatashortdistancebyLouisaGrant,walkedslowlydownthe avenue, under the slight shadows of the young poplars, holding thefollowingdiscourse:"Youcanbestsoothehiswoundedspirit,mychild,"saidMarmaduke;"butitwillbedangeroustotouchonthenatureofhisoffence;thesanctityofthelawsmustberespected.""Surely, sir," cried the impatientElizabeth, "those laws that condemnamanliketheLeather-Stockingtososevereapunishment,foranoffencethatevenImustthinkveryvenial,cannotbeperfectinthemselves.""Thoutalkestofwhatthoudostnotunderstand,Elizabeth,"returnedherfather."Societycannotexistwithoutwholesomerestraints.Thoserestraintscannotbeinflictedwithoutsecurityandrespect to thepersonsof thosewhoadministerthem;anditwouldsoundillindeedtoreportthatajudgehadextendedfavortoaconvictedcriminal,becausehehadsavedthelifeofhischild.""Isee—Iseethedifficultyofyoursituation,dearsir,"criedthedaughter;"but,inappreciatingtheoffenceofpoorNatty,Icannotseparatetheministerofthelawfromtheman.""There thou talkest as a woman, child; it is not for an assault on HiramDoolittle, but for threatening the life of a constable, who was in theperformanceof—""Itisimmaterialwhetheritbeoneortheother,"interruptedMissTemple,withalogicthatcontainedmorefeelingthanreason;"IknowNattytobeinnocent,andthinkingsoImustthinkallwrongwhooppresshim.""Hisjudgeamongthenumber!thyfather,Elizabeth?""Nay, nay, nay; do not put such questions tome; givememy commission,father,andletmeproceedtoexecuteit."TheJudgepausedamoment,smilingfondlyonhischild,andthendroppedhishandaffectionatelyonhershoulder,asheanswered:"Thouhast reason,Bess,andmuchof it, too,but thyheart lies toonear thyhead,Butlisten;inthispocketbookaretwohundreddollars.Gototheprison—therearenone in thispace toharm thee—give thisnote to the jailer,and,whenthouseestBumppo,saywhatthouwilttothepooroldman;givescopetothefeelingofthywarmheart;buttrytoremember,Elizabeth,thatthelawsaloneremoveusfromtheconditionofthesavages;thathehasbeencriminal,andthathisjudgewasthyfather."MissTemplemade no reply, but she pressed the hand that held the pocket-book to her bosom, and, taking her friend by the arm, they issued togetherfromtheinclosureintotheprincipalstreetofthevillage.

As they pursued their walk in silence, under the row of houses, where thedeeper gloom of the evening effectually concealed their persons, no soundreachedthem,exceptingtheslowtreadofayokeofoxen,withtherattlingofacart,thatweremovingalongthestreetinthesamedirectionwiththemselves.Thefigureof theteamsterwasjustdiscerniblebythedimlight, loungingbythesideofhiscattlewithalistlessair,asiffatiguedbythetoiloftheday.Atthecorner,wherethejailstood,theprogressoftheladieswasimpeded,foramoment, by the oxen, whowere turned up to the side of the building, andgiven a lock of hay,which they had carried on their necks, as a reward fortheir patient labor, The whole of this was so natural, and so common, thatElizabethsawnothingtoinduceasecondglanceat theteam,untilsheheardtheteamsterspeakingtohiscattleinalowvoice:"Mindyourself,Brindle;willyou,sir!willyou!"The language itselfwassounusualtooxen,withwhichallwhodwellinanewcountryarefamiliar;buttherewassomethinginthevoice,also, thatstartledMissTempleOnturningthecorner,shenecessarilyapproachedtheman,andher lookwasenabledtodetect the person of Oliver Edwards, concealed under the coarse garb of ateamster.Theireyesmetatthesameinstant,and,notwithstandingthegloom,andtheenvelopingcloakofElizabeth,therecognitionwasmutual."Miss Temple!" "Mr. Edwards!" were exclaimed simultaneously, though afeelingthatseemedcommontobothrenderedthewordsnearlyinaudible."Is it possible!" exclaimedEdwards, after themoment of doubt had passed;"doIseeyousonighthejail!butyouaregoingtotherectory:Ibegpardon,MissGrant,Ibelieve;Ididnotrecognizeyouatfirst."The sigh which Louisa tittered was so faint, that it was only heard byElizabeth, who replied quickly, "We are going not only to the jail, Mr.Edwards' but into it.Wewish to show theLeather-Stocking thatwe do notforget his services, and that at the same timewemust be just, we are alsograteful. I supposeyouareona similarerrand;but letmebeg thatyouwillgive us leave to precede you ten minutes. Good-night, sir; I—I—am quitesorry,Mr. Edwards, to see you reduced to such labor; I am suremy fatherwould—""Ishallwaityourpleasure,madam,"interruptedtheyouthcoldly."MayIbegthatyouwillnotmentionmybeinghere?""Certainly," said Elizabeth, returning his bow by a slight inclination of herhead,andurgingthetardyLouisaforward.Astheyenteredthejailer'shouse,however,MissGrantfoundleisuretowhisper:"WoulditnotbewelltoofferpartofyourmoneytoOliver?halfofitwillpaythefineofBumppo;andheissounusedtohardships!Iamsuremyfatherwillsubscribemuch of his little pittance, to place him in a station that is more

worthyofhim."TheinvoluntarysmilethatpassedoverthefeaturesofElizabethwasblendedwithanexpressionofdeepandheartfeltpity.Shedidnotreply,however,andtheappearanceofthejailersoonrecalledthethoughtsofbothtotheobjectoftheirvisit.Therescueoftheladies,andtheirconsequentinterestinhisprisoner,togetherwiththeinformalmannersthatprevailedinthecountry,allunitedtopreventanysurpriseonthepartofthejailer,attheirrequestforadmissiontoBumppo.ThenoteofJudgeTemple,however,wouldhavesilencedallobjections,ifhehadfeltthemandheledthewaywithouthesitationtotheapartmentthatheldtheprisoners.The instant thekeywasput into the lock, thehoarsevoiceofBenjaminwasheard,demanding:"Yohoy!whocomesthere?""Somevisitorsthatyou'llbegladtosee,"returnedthejailer."Whathaveyoudonetothelock,thatitwon'tturn.""Handsomely,handsomely,master,"criedthesteward:"Ihavejustdroveanailintoaberthalongsideof thisherebolt,asastopper,d'yesee,so thatMasterDoo-but-littlecan'tberunninginandbreezingupanotherfightatwixtus:for,tomyaccount,there'llbebutahan-yanwithmesoon,seeingthatthey'llmulctmeofmySpaniards,allthesameasifI'dover-floggedthelubber.Throwyourshipintothewind,andlaybyforasmallmatter,willye?andI'llsoonclearapassage."Thesoundsofhammeringgaveanassurancethatthestewardwasinearnest,andinashorttimethelockyielded,whenthedoorwasopened.Benjaminhadevidentlybeenanticipatingtheseizureofhismoney,forhehadmadefrequentdemandsonthefavoritecaskatthe"BoldDragoon,"duringtheafternoonandevening,andwasnowinthatstatewhichbymarineimageryiscalled"half-seas-over."Itwasnoeasythingtodestroythebalanceoftheoldtarby theeffectsof liquor, for,asheexpressed ithimself, "hewas too low-riggednottocarrysailinallweathers;"buthewaspreciselyinthatconditionwhichissoexpressivelytermed"muddy."Whenheperceivedwhothevisitorswere,heretreatedtothesideoftheroomwherehispalletlay,and,regardlessofthepresenceofhisyoungmistress,seatedhimselfonitwithanairofgreatsobriety,placinghisbackfirmlyagainstthewall."Ifyouundertaketospoilmylocksinthismanner,Mr.Pump,"saidthejailer,"I shallputa stopper,asyoucall it,onyour legs,and tieyoudown toyourbed.""Whatforshouldye,master?"grumbledBenjamin;"I'verodeoutonesquallto-dayanchoredbytheheels,andIwantsnomoreofthem.Where'stheharm

o' doing all the sameasyourself?Leave that theredoor freeoutboard, andyou'llfindnolockinginboard,I'llpromiseye.""Imustshutupfor thenightatnine,"saidthejailer,"andit'snowforty-twominutes past eight." He placed the little candle on a rough pine table, andwithdrew."Leather-Stocking!" saidElizabeth,when thekeyof thedoorwas turnedonthemagain,"mygoodfriend,Leather-Stocking!Ihavecomeonamessageofgratitude.Hadyousubmittedtothesearch,worthyoldman,thedeathofthedeerwouldhavebeenatrifle,andallwouldhavebeenwell———""Submit to thesarch!" interruptedNatty, raisinghis face fromrestingonhisknees,withoutrisingfromthecornerwherehehadseatedhimself;"d'yethinkgal,Iwouldletsuchavarmintintomyhut?No,no—Iwouldn'thaveopenedthedoortoyourownsweetcountenancethen.Buttheyarewelcometosearchamongthecoalsandashesnow;they'llfindonlysomesuchheapasis tobeseenateverypot-asheryinthemountains."The oldman dropped his face again on one hand, and seemed to be lost inmelancholy."Thehutcanberebuilt,andmadebetterthanbefore,"returnedMissTemple;"anditshallbemyofficetoseeitdone,whenyourimprisonmentisended.""Canye raise thedead, child?" saidNatty, in a sorrowfulvoice: "canyegointotheplacewhereyou'velaidyourfathers,andmothers,andchildren,andgather together their ashes, andmake the samemen andwomenof themasafore?Youdonotknowwhat 'tis to layyourheadformore thanfortyyearsunderthecoverofthesamelogs,andtolookatthesamethingsforthebetterpartof Iaman's life.Youareyoungyet,child,butyouareoneof themostpreciousofGod'screatures.Ihadhopedforyethatitmightcometopass,butit'sallovernow;this,puttothat,willdrivethethingquiteoutofhismindforever."MissTemplemusthaveunderstoodthemeaningoftheoldmanbetterthantheotherlisteners;forwhileLouisastoodinnocentlybyherside,commiseratingthegriefsofthehunter,shebentherheadaside,soastoconcealherfeatures.Theactionandthefeelingthatcauseditlastedbutamoment."Otherlogs,andbetter,though,canbehad,andshallbefoundforyou,myolddefender," she continued. "Your confinementwill soon be over, and, beforethat time arrives, I shall have a house prepared for you, where I you mayspendthecloseofyourlongandharmlesslifeineaseandplenty.""Easeandplenty!house!"repeatedNatty,slowly."Youmeanwell,youmeanwell, and I quitemourn that it cannot be; but he has seenme a sight and alaughing-stockfor—"

"Damnyourstocks,"saidBenjamin,flourishinghisbottlewithonehand,fromwhichhehadbeentakinghastyandrepeateddraughts,whilehemadegesturesofdisdainwiththeother:"whocaresforhisbilboes?There'sa legthatbeenstuckuponendlikeajibboomforanhour,d'yesee,andwhat'sit theworsefor't,ha?cansttellme,what'sittheworser,ha?""Ibelieveyouforget,Mr.Pump,inwhosepresenceyouare,"saidElizabeth."Forgetyou,MissLizzy?"returnedthesteward;"ifIdo,dam'me;youarenotto be forgot, like Goody Pretty-bones, up at the big house there. I say, oldsharpshooter,shemayhaveprettybones,butIcan'tsaysomuchforherflesh,d'yesee,forshelookssomewhatlikeanatomywithanotherman'sjacketon.Nowfortheskinofherface,it'sallthesameasanewtopsailwithatautbolt-rope,beingsnugattheleeches,butallinabightabouttheinnercloths.""Peace—Icommandyoutobesilent,sir!"saidElizabeth."Ay, ay, ma'am," returned the steward. "You didn't say I shouldn't drink,though.""Wewillnotspeakofwhatistobecomeofothers,"saidMissTemple,turningagaintothehunter—"butofyourownfortunes,Natty.Itshallbemycaretoseethatyoupasstherestofyourdaysineaseandplenty.""Easeandplenty!"againrepeatedtheLeather-Stocking;"whateasecantherebetoanoldman,whomustwalkamileacrosstheopenfields,beforehecanfindashadetohidehimfromascorchingsun!orwhatplentyistherewhereyouhuntaday,andnot startabuck,or seeanythingbigger thanamink,ormaybeastrayfox!Ah!Ishallhaveahardtimeafter themverybeavers, forthisfine.ImustgolowtowardthePennsylvanialineinsearchofthecreatures,maybe a hundredmile; for they are not to be got here-away.No, no—yourbetterments and clearings have druv the knowing things out of the country,andinsteadofbeaver-dams,whichisthenateroftheanimal,andaccordingtoProvidence, you turn back thewaters over the low groundswith yourmill-dams,asif'twasinmantostaythedropsfromgoingwhereHewillsthemtogo—Benny,unlessyoustopyourhandfromgoingsooftentoyourmouth,youwon'tbereadytostartwhenthetimecomes."Hark'ee,MasterBump-ho,"saidthesteward;"don'tyoufearforBen,Whenthe watch is called, set me of my legs and give me the bearings and thedistanceofwhereyouwantmetosteer,andI'llcarrysailwiththebestofyou,Iwill.""Thetimehascomenow,"saidthehunter, listening;"Ihear thehornsof theoxenrubbingagin'thesideofthejail.""Well,saytheword,andthenheaveahead,shipmate,"saidBenjamin."You won't betray us, gal?" said Natty, looking simply into the face of

Elizabeth—"youwon'tbetrayanoldman,whocravestobreathetheclearairofheaven?Imeannoharm;andif the lawsays thatImustpaythehundreddollars,I'lltaketheseasonthrough,butitshallbeforthcoming;andthisgoodmanwillhelpme.""Youcatchthem,"saidBenjamin,withasweepinggestureofhisarm,"andiftheygetawayagain,callmeaslink,that'sall.""Butwhatmeanyou?"criedthewonderingElizabeth."Hereyoumuststayforthirtydays;butIhavethemoneyforyourfineinthispurse.Takeit;payitinthemorning,andsummonpatienceforyourmouth. Iwillcomeoften toseeyou, with my friend; we will make up your clothes with our own hands;indeed,indeed,youshallbecomfortable.""Would ye, children?" saidNatty, advancing across the floorwith an air ofkindness,andtakingthehandofElizabeth,"wouldyebesokearfulofanoldman,andjustforshootingabeastwhichcosthimnothing?Suchthingsdoesn'trun in the blood, I believe, for you seem not to forget a favor. Your littlefingerscouldn'tdomuchonabuckskin,norbeyouusedtopushsuchathreadassinews.Butifhehasn'tgotpasthearing,heshalthearitandknowit,thathemaysee,likeme,thereissomewhoknowhowtorememberakindness.""Tellhimnothing,"criedElizabeth,earnestly;"ifyouloveme, ifyouregardmy feelings, tell him nothing. It is of yourself only I would talk, and foryourselfonlyIact. Igrieve,Leather-Stocking, that the lawrequires thatyoushouldbedetainedhereso long;but,afterall, itwillbeonlyashortmonth,and——""Amonth?"exclaimedNatty,openinghismouthwithhisusuallaugh,"notaday, nor a night, nor an hour, gal. JudgeTemplemay sintence, but he can'tkeepwithoutabetterdungeonthanthis.IwastakenoncebytheFrench,andtheyputsixty-twoofusinablock-house,nighhandtooldFrontinac;but'twaseasy to cut throughapine log to them thatwasused to timber."Thehunterpaused, and looked cautiously around the room, when, laughing again, heshoved the steward gently from his post, and removing the bedclothes,discoveredaholerecentlycutinthelogswithamalletandchisel."It'sonlyakick,andtheoutsidepieceisoff,andthen—""Off!ay,off!"criedBenjamin,risingfromhisstupor;"well,here'soff.Ay!ay!youcatch'em,andI'llholdontothemsaidbeaver-hats.""Ifearthisladwilltroublememuch,"saidNatty;"'twillbeahardpullforthemountain,shouldtheytakethescentsoon,andheisnotinastateofmindtorun.""Run!"echoedthesteward;"no,sheeralongside,andlet'shaveafightofit.""Peace!"orderedElizabeth.

"Ay,ay,ma'am.""Youwillnot leaveus,surely,Leather-Stocking,"continuedMissTemple;"Ibeseechyou,reflectthatyouwillbedriventothewoodsentirely,andthatyouare fast getting old. Be patient for a little time, when you can go abroadopenly,andwithhonor.""Istherebeavertobecatchedhere,gal?""Ifnot,hereismoneytodischargethefine,andinamonthyouarefree.See,hereitisingold.""Gold!"saidNatty,withakindofchildishcuriosity;"it'slongsin'I'veseenagold-piece.Weusedtogetthebroadjoes,intheoldwar,asplentyasthebearsbenow.IremembertherewasamaninDieskau'sarmy,thatwaskilled,whohadadozenof theshiningthingssewedupinhisshirt. Ididn'thandle themmyself, but I seen them cut out with my own eyes; they was bigger andbrighterthanthembe.""TheseareEnglishguineas,andareyours,"saidElizabeth;"anearnestofwhatshallbedoneforyou.""Me!whyshouldyougivemethistreasure!"saidNatty,lookingearnestlyatthemaiden."Why!haveyounotsavedmylife?Didyounotrescuemefromthejawsofthebeast?"exclaimedElizabeth,veilinghereyes,as if tohidesomehideousobjectfromherview.Thehuntertookthemoney,andcontinuedturningitinhishandforsometime,piecebypiece,talkingaloudduringtheoperation."There'sa rifle, theysay,outon theCherryValley, thatwillcarryahundredrodsandkill.I'veseengoodgunsinmyday,butnonequiteequaltothat.Ahundredrodswithanysartaintyisgreatshooting!Well,well—I'mold,andthegunIhavewillanswermytime.Here,child,takebackyourgold.Butthehourhascome;Ihearhimtalkingtothecattle,andImustbegoing.Youwon'ttellofus,gal—youwon'ttellofus,willye?""Tell of you!" echoed Elizabeth. "But take the money, old man; take themoney,evenifyougointothemountains.""No, no," saidNatty, shaking his head kindly; "Iwould not rob you so fortwentyrifles.Butthere'sonethingyoucandoforme,ifyewill,thatnootherisathandtodo."Nameit—nameit.""Why, it's only to buy a canister of powder—'twill cost two silver dollars.BennyPumphasthemoneyready,butwedaren'tcomeintothetowntogetit.NobodyhasitbuttheFrenchman. 'Tisofthebest,andjustsuitsarifle.Will

yougetitforme,gal?—say,willyougetitforme?""WillI?Iwillbringittoyou,Leather-Stocking,thoughItoiladayinquestofyouthroughthewoods.ButwhereshallIfindyou,andhow?""Where?" saidNatty,musing amoment—"to-morrow on theVision; on theverytopoftheVision,I'llmeetyou,child,justasthesungetsoverourheads.Seethatit'sthefinegrain;you'llknowitbytheglossandtheprice.""Iwilldoit,"saidElizabeth,firmly.Nattynowseatedhimself,andplacinghisfeetinthehole,withaslighteffortheopenedapassage through into the street.The ladiesheard the rustlingofhay, andwell understood the reasonwhyEdwardswas in the capacity of ateamster."Come,Benny," said the hunter: "'twill be no darker to-night, for themoonwillriseinanhour.""Stay!" exclaimed Elizabeth; "it should not be said that you escaped in thepresenceof thedaughterof JudgeTemple.Return,Leather-Stocking,and letusretirebeforeyouexecuteyourplan."Natty was about to reply, when the approaching footsteps of the jailerannouncedthenecessityofhisimmediatereturn.Hehadbarelytimetoregainhisfeet,andtoconceal theholewiththebedclothes,acrosswhichBenjaminveryopportunelyfell,beforethekeywasturned,andthedooroftheapartmentopened."Isn'tMissTemple ready togo?"said thecivil jailer;"it's theusualhour forlockingup.""Ifollowyou,sir,"returnedElizabeth"good-night,Leather-Stocking.""It'safinegrain,gal,andI thinktwillcarryleadfurtherthancommon.Iamgettingold,andcan'tfollowupthegamewiththestepIusedtocould."MissTemplewavedherhandforsilence,andprecededLouisaandthekeeperfromtheapartment.Themanturnedthekeyonce,andobservedthathewouldreturnand securehisprisoners,whenhehad lighted the ladies to the street.Accordinglytheypartedatthedoorofthebuilding,whenthejailerretiredtohisdungeons,andtheladieswalked,withthrobbinghearts,towardthecorner."NowtheLeather-Stockingrefusesthemoney,"whisperedLouisa,"itcanallbegiventoMr.Edwards,andthataddedto—""Listen!"saidElizabeth;"Ihear the rustlingof thehay; theyareescapingatthismoment.Oh!theywillbedetectedinstantly!"Bythistimetheywereatthecorner,whereEdwardsandNattywereintheactof drawing the almost helpless body ofBenjamin through the aperture. Theoxenhadstartedbackfromtheirhay,andwerestandingwiththeirheadsdown

thestreet,leavingroomforthepartytoactin."Throwthehayintothecart,"saidEdwards,"ortheywillsuspecthowithasbeendone.Quick,thattheymaynotseeit."Natty had just returned from executing this order, when the light of thekeeper's candle shone through thehole, and instantlyhisvoicewasheard inthejailexclaimingforhisprisoners."Whatistobedonenow?"saidEdwards;"thisdrunkenfellowwillcauseourdetection,andwehavenotamomenttospare.""Who'sdrunk,yelubber?"mutteredthesteward."Abreak-jail!abreak-jail!"shoutedfiveorsixvoicesfromwithin."Wemustleavehim,"saidEdwards."'Twouldn't be kind, lad," returned Natty; "he took half the disgrace of thestocksonhimselfto-day,andthecreatur'hasfeeling."At thismoment two or threemenwere heard issuing from the door of the"BoldDragoon,"andamongthemthevoiceofBillyKirby."There'snomoonyet,"criedthewood-chopper;"butit'saclearnight.Come,who'sforhome?Hark!whatarumpusthey'rekickingupinthejail—here'sgoandseewhatit'sabout.""Weshallbelost,"saidEdwards,"ifwedon'tdropthisman."AtthatinstantElizabethmovedclosetohim,andsaidrapidly,inalowvoice:"Layhiminthecart,andstarttheoxen;noonewilllookthere.""There'sawoman'squicknessinthethought,"saidtheyouth.Thepropositionwasnosoonermade thanexecuted.Thestewardwasseatedonthehay,andenjoinedtoholdhispeaceandapplythegoadthatwasplacedinhishand,while theoxenwereurgedon.Sosoonas thisarrangementwascompleted,Edwardsandthehunterstolealongthehousesforashortdistance,when they disappeared through an opening that led into the rear of thebuildings.Theoxenwereinbriskmotion,andpresentlythecriesofpursuitwereheardinthestreet.Theladiesquickenedtheirpace,withawishtoescapethecrowdofconstables and idlers that were approaching, some execrating, and somelaughingat theexploitof theprisoners. In theconfusion, thevoiceofKirbywasplainlydistinguishableabovealltheothers,shoutingandswearingthathewouldhave thefugitives, threatening tobringbackNatty inonepocket,andBenjaminintheother."Spread yourselves, men," he cried, as he passed the ladies, his heavy feetsoundingalongthestreetlikethetreadofadozen;"spreadyourselves;tothe

mountains; they'llbeinthemountainsinaquarterofanhour,andthenlookoutforalongrifle."Hiscrieswereechoedfromtwentymouths,fornotonlythejailbutthetavernshadsentforththeirnumbers,someearnestinthepursuit,andothersjoiningitasinsport.AsElizabeth turned inather father'sgateshesawthewood-chopperstopatthecart,whenshegaveBenjaminupforlost.Whiletheywerehurryingupthewalk,twofigures,stealingcautiouslybutquicklyundertheshadesofthetrees,met theeyesof the ladies,andinamomentEdwardsandthehuntercrossedtheirpath."MissTemple,Imayneverseeyouagain,"exclaimedtheyouth;"letmethankyouforallyourkindness;youdonot,cannotknowmymotives.""Fly! fly!" cried Elizabeth; "the village is alarmed. Do not be foundconversingwithmeatsuchamoment,andinthesegrounds.""Nay,Imustspeak,thoughdetectionwerecertain.""Your retreat to thebridge is already cut off; beforeyou cangain thewoodyourpursuerswillbethere.If—""Ifwhat?" cried the youth. "Your advice has savedme once already; Iwillfollowittodeath.""Thestreet isnowsilentandvacant,"saidElizabeth,afterapause;"cross it,andyouwillfindmyfather'sboatinthelake.Itwouldbeeasytolandfromitwhereyoupleaseinthehills.""ButJudgeTemplemightcomplainofthetrespass.""Hisdaughtershallbeaccountable,sir."Theyouthutteredsomethinginalowvoice,thatwasheardonlybyElizabeth,andturnedtoexecutewhatshehadsuggested.Astheywereseparating,Nattyapproachedthefemales,andsaid:"You'llrememberthecanisterofpowder,children.Thembeaversmustbehad,andIandthepupsbegettingold;wewantthebestofammunition.""Come,Natty,"saidEdwards,impatiently."Coming, lad, coming.Godblessyou, youngones, bothof ye, for yemeanwellandkindlytotheoldman."Theladiespauseduntiltheyhadlostsightoftheretreatingfigures,whentheyimmediatelyenteredthemansion-house.Whilethisscenewaspassinginthewalk,Kirbyhadovertakenthecart,whichwashisown,andhadbeendrivenbyEdwards,withoutaskingtheowner,fromtheplacewherethepatientoxenusuallystoodatevening,waitingthepleasure

oftheirmaster."Woa—comehither,Golden,"hecried;"why,howcomeyouofftheendofthebridge,whereIleftyou,dummies?""Heaveahead,"mutteredBenjamin,givingarandomblowwithhislash,thatalightedontheshoulderoftheother."Whothedevilbeyou?"criedBilly, turningroundinsurprise,butunabletodistinguish, in the dark, the hard visage thatwas just peering over the cart-rails."Who be I? why, I'm helmsman aboard of this here craft d'ye see, and astraightwakeI'mmakingofit.Ay,ay!I'vegotthebridgerightahead,andthebilboesdeadaft:Icallsthatgoodsteerage,boy.Heaveahead.""Layyourlashintherightspot,Mr.BennyPump,"saidthewood-chopper,"orI'llputyou in thepalmofmyhandandboxyourears.Wherebeyougoingwithmyteam?""Team!""Ay,mycartandoxen.""Why,youmustknow,MasterKirby, that theLeather-StockingandI—that'sBenny Pump—you knows Ben?—well, Benny and I—no, me and Benny;dam'meifIknowhow'tis;butsomeofusareboundafteracargoofbeaver-skins,d'yesee,sowe'vepressed thecart toship them 'ome in. Isay,MasterKirby,whatalubberlyoaryoupull—youhandleanoar,boy,prettymuchasacowwouldamusket,oraladywouldamarling-spike."Billyhaddiscoveredthestateofthesteward'smind,andhewalkedforsometimealongsideofthecart,musingwithhimself,whenhetookthegoadfromBenjamin(whofellbackonthehayandwassoonasleep)anddrovehiscattledown the street, over the bridge, and up themountain, toward a clearing inwhichhewastoworkthenextday,withoutanyotherinterruptionthanafewhastyquestionsfrompartiesoftheconstables.Elizabethstoodforanhouratthewindowofherroom,andsawthetorchesofthepursuersglidingalongthesideofthemountain,andheardtheirshoutsandalarms; but, at the end of that time, the last party returned, wearied anddisappointed,andthevillagebecameasstillaswhensheissuedfromthegateonhermissiontothejail.

CHAPTERXXXVI.

"AndIcouldweep"—

th'OneidachiefHisdescantwildlythusbegun—"ButthatImaynotstainwithgriefThedeath-songofmyfather'sson."—GertrudeofWyoming.Itwasyetearlyonthefollowingmorning,whenElizabethandLouisametbyappointment, and proceeded to the store of Monsieur Le Quoi, in order toredeemthepledgetheformerhadgiventotheLeather-Stocking.Thepeoplewereagainassemblingforthebusinessoftheday,butthehourwastoosoonforacrowd,andtheladiesfoundtheplaceinpossessionofitspoliteowner,BillyKirby,onefemalecustomer,andtheboywhodidthedutyofhelperorclerk.Monsieur Le Quoi was perusing a packet of letters with manifest delight,whilethewood-chopper,withonehandthrustinhisbosom,andtheotherinthefoldsofhisjacket,holdinganaxeunderhisrightarm,stoodsympathizingin the Frenchman's pleasure with good-natured interest. The freedom ofmanners that prevailed in the new settlements commonly levelled alldifferenceinrank,andwithit,frequently,allconsiderationsofeducationandintelligence.Atthetimetheladiesenteredthestore,theywereunseenbytheowner,whowassayingtoKirby:"Ah!ha!MonsieurBeel,dis lettairmakmedemosthappiofmans.Ah!machéreFrance!Ivillseeyouagain.""I rejoice, monsieur, at anything that contributes to your happiness," saidElizabeth,"buthopewearenotgoingtoloseyouentirely."The complaisant shopkeeper changed the language to French and recountedrapidlytoElizabethhishopesofbeingpermittedtoreturntohisowncountry.Habithad,however,sofaralteredthemannersofthispliablepersonage,thathecontinued toserve thewood-chopper,whowas inquestofsometobacco,while he related to hismore gentle visitor the happy change that had takenplaceinthedispositionsofhisowncountrymen.Theamountofitallwas,thatMr.LeQuoi,whohadfledfromhisowncountrymore through terror than because he was offensive to the ruling powers inFrance,hadsucceededat lengthingettinganassurancethathisreturntotheWest Indieswouldbeunnoticed;and theFrenchman,whohadsunk into thecharacterofacountryshopkeeperwithsomuchgrace,wasabout toemergeagainfromhisobscurityintohisproperlevelinsociety.We need not repeat the civil things that passed between the parties on thisoccasion, nor recount the endless repetitions of sorrow that the delightedFrenchmanexpressedatbeingcompelledtoquitthesocietyofMissTemple.

Elizabethtookanopportunity,duringthisexpenditureofpoliteexpressions,topurchasethepowderprivatelyoftheboy,whoborethegenericappellationofJonathan.Be fore they parted, however,Mr.LeQuoi,who seemed to thinkthathehadnotsaidenough,solicitedthehonorofaprivateinterviewwiththeheiress,withagravityinhisairthatannouncedtheimportanceofthesubject.After conceding the favor, and appointing a more favorable time for themeeting, Elizabeth succeeded in getting out of the store, into which thecountrymen now began to enter, as usual, where they met with the sameattentionandbienseanceasformerly.Elizabeth and Louisa pursued their walk as far as the bridge in profoundsilence; but when they reached that place the latter stopped, and appearedanxioustouttersomethingthatherdiffidencesuppressed."Areyouill,Louisa?"exclaimedMissTemple;"hadwenotbetterreturn,andseekanotheropportunitytomeettheoldman?""Not ill, but terrified.Oh! I never, never cangoon that hill againwith youonly.Iamnotequaltoit,indeedIamnot."This was an unexpected declaration to Elizabeth, who, although sheexperiencednoidleapprehensionofadangerthatnolongerexisted,feltmostsensitively all the delicacy of maiden modesty. She stood for some time,deeplyreflectingwithinherself;but,sensibleitwasatimeforactioninsteadofreflection,shestruggledtoshakeoffherhesitation,andreplied,firmly:"Well,thenitmustbedonebymealone.Thereisnootherthanyourselftobetrusted,orpooroldLeather-Stockingwillbediscovered.Wait forme in theedgeof thesewoods, that at least Imaynotbe seen strolling in thehillsbymyselfjustnow,Onewouldnotwishtocreateremarks,Louisa—if—if—Youwillwaitforme,deargirl?""Ayear, in sight of the village,MissTemple," returned the agitatedLouisa,"butdonot,donotaskmetogoonthathill."Elizabeth found that her companionwas really unable to proceed, and theycompleted theirarrangementbypostingLouisaoutof theobservationof thepeoplewhooccasionallypassed,butnigh the road, and inplainviewof thewholevalley.MissTemplethenproceededalone.Sheascendedtheroadwhichhas been so oftenmentioned in our narrative,with an elastic and firm step,fearfulthat thedelayinthestoreofMr.LeQuoi,andthetimenecessaryforreaching the summit, would prevent her being punctual to the appointmentWhenevershepressedanopeninginthebushes,shewouldpauseforbreath,or,perhaps,drawnfromherpursuitbythepictureatherfeet,wouldlingeramomenttogazeatthebeautiesofthevalley.Thelongdroughthad,however,changeditscoatofverduretoahueofbrown,and,thoughthesamelocalitieswere there, theviewwanted the livelyandcheeringaspectofearlysummer.

Eventheheavensseemedtoshareinthedriedappearanceoftheearth,forthesunwasconcealedbyahazinessintheatmosphere,whichlookedlikeathinsmokewithoutaparticleofmoisture,ifsuchathingwerepossible.Theblueskywasscarcelytobeseen,thoughnow,andthentherewasafaintlightingupinspots throughwhichmassesofrollingvaporcouldbediscernedgatheringaround thehorizon, as ifnaturewere struggling tocollecther floods for thereliefofman.TheveryatmospherethatElizabethinhaledwashotanddry,andbythetimeshereachedthepointwherethecourseledherfromthehighwayshe experienced a sensation like suffocation. But, disregarding her feelings,she hastened to execute her mission, dwelling on nothing but thedisappointment, and even the helplessness, the hunter would experiencewithoutheraid.OnthesummitofthemountainwhichJudgeTemplehadnamedthe"Vision,"alittlespothadbeencleared,inorderthatabetterviewmightbeobtainedofthevillage and thevalley.At this pointElizabethunderstood the hunter shewas to meet him; and thither she urged her way, as expeditiously as thedifficultyof the ascent, and the impedimentof a forest, in a stateofnature,wouldadmit.Numberlesswerethefragmentsofrocks,trunksoffallentrees,and branches,withwhich she had to contend; but every difficulty vanishedbefore her resolution, and, by her ownwatch, she stoodon the desired spotseveralminutesbeforetheappointedhour.Afterrestingamomentontheendofalog,MissTemplecastaglanceabouther in quest of her old friend, but hewas evidently not in the clearing; shearoseandwalkedarounditsskirts,examiningeveryplacewhereshethoughtitprobable Natty might deem it prudent to conceal him self. Her search wasfruitless;and,afterexhaustingnotonlyherself,butherconjectures,ineffortsto discover or imagine his situation, she ventured to trust her voice in thatsolitaryplace."Natty!Leather-Stocking!oldman!"shecalledaloud,ineverydirection;butnoanswerwasgiven,exceptingthereverberationsofherowncleartones,astheywereechoedintheparchedforest.Elizabeth approached the brow of themountain, where a faint cry, like thenoiseproducedbystrikingthehandagainst themouth,at thesametimethatthe breath is strongly exhaled, was heard answering to her own voice. NotdoubtingintheleastthatitwastheLeather-Stockinglyinginwaitforher,andwhogavethatsignaltoindicatetheplacewherehewastobefound,Elizabethdescended for near a hundred feet, until she gained a little natural terrace,thinlyscatteredwithtrees, thatgrewinthefissuresoftherocks,whichwerecoveredbyascantysoil.Shehadadvancedtotheedgeofthisplatform,andwas gazing over the perpendicular precipice that formed its face, when arustlingamongthedryleavesnearherdrewhereyesinanotherdirection.Our

heroinecertainlywasstartledby theobject that she thensaw,butamomentrestoredherself-possession,andsheadvancedfirmly,andwithsomeinterestinhermanner,tothespot.Moheganwasseatedonthetrunkofafallenoak,withhistawnyvisageturnedtowardher,andhiseyesfixedonherfacewithanexpressionofwildnessandfire, thatwould have terrified a less resolute female.His blanket had fallenfrom his shoulders, and was lying in folds around him, leaving his breast,arms,andmostofhisbodybare.'ThemedallionofWashingtonreposedonhischest, a badge of distinction that Elizabethwell knew he only produced ongreatandsolemnoccasions.Butthewholeappearanceoftheagedchiefwasmorestudied thancommon,and insomeparticulars itwas terrific.The longblack hair was plaited on his head, failing away, so as to expose his highforehead and piercing eyes. In the enormous incisions of his ears wereentwinedornamentsofsilver,beads,andporcupine'squills,mingledinarudetaste, and after the Indian fashions. A large drop, composed of similarmaterials,wassuspendedfromthecartilageofhisnose,and,fallingbelowhislips, restedonhis chin.Streaks of redpaint crossedhiswrinkledbrow, andwere traceddownhis cheeks,with suchvariations in the lines as capriceorcustomsuggested.Hisbodywasalsocoloredinthesamemanner;thewholeexhibiting an Indian warrior prepared for some event of more than usualmoment."John!how fareyou,worthy John?" saidElizabeth, as she approachedhim;"you have long been a stranger in the village. You promised me a willowbasket,andIhavelonghadashirtofcalicoinreadinessforyou."TheIndianlookedsteadilyatherforsometimewithoutanswering,andthen,shakinghishead,hereplied,inhislow,gutturaltones:"John'shandcanmakebasketsnomore—hewantsnoshirt.""Butifheshould,hewillknowwheretocomeforit,"returnedMissTemple."Indeedold John. I feel as ifyouhadanatural right toorderwhatyouwillfromus.""Daughter," said the Indian, "listen: Six times ten hot summers have passedsince Johnwas young tall like a pine; straight like the bullet ofHawk-eye,strong as all buffalo; spry as the cat of themountain.Hewas strong, and awarriorliketheYoungEagle.IfhistribewantedtotracktheMaquasformanysuns, the eye of Chingachgook found the print of their moccasins. If thepeople feastedandwereglad,as theycounted thescalpsof theirenemies, itwasonhispoletheyhung.Ifthesquawscriedbecausetherewasnomeatfortheir children, hewas the first in the chase.His bulletwas swifter than thedeer.Daughter,thenChingachgookstruckhistomahawkintothetrees;itwasto tell the lazy ones where to find him and theMingoes—but he made no

baskets.""Thosetimeshavegoneby,oldwarrior,"returnedElizabeth;"sincethenyourpeople have disappeared, and, in place of chasing your enemies, you havelearnedtofearGodandtoliveatpeace.""Stand here, daughter,where you can see the great spring, thewigwams ofyourfather,andthelandonthecrookedriver.Johnwasyoungwhenhistribegaveawaythecountry,incouncil,fromwherethebluemountainstandsabovethewater,towheretheSusquehannaishidbythetrees.Allthis,andallthatgrewinit,andallthatwalkedoverit,andallthatfedthere,theygavetotheFire-eater——fortheylovedhim.Hewasstrong,andtheywerewomen,andhehelpedthem.NoDelawarewouldkilladeerthatraninhiswoods,norstopa bird that flew over his land; for it was his. Has John lived in peace?Daughter, since Johnwasyoung,hehas seen thewhiteman fromFrontinaccomedownonhiswhitebrothersatAlbanyandfight.DidtheyfearGod?Hehas seen his English and his American fathers burying their tomahawks ineachother'sbrains, for thisvery land.Did theyfearGod,and live inpeace?HehasseenthelandpassawayfromtheFire-eater,andhischildren,andthechildofhischild,andanewchiefsetoverthecountry.Didtheyliveinpeacewhodidthis?didtheyfearGod?""Such is the custom of the whites, John. Do not the Delawares fight, andexchangetheirlandsforpowder,andblankets,andmerchandise?"TheIndianturnedhisdarkeyesonhiscompanion,andkeptthemtherewithascrutinythatalarmedheralittle."Where are the blankets andmerchandise that bought the right of the Fire-eater?" he replied in a more animated voice; "are they with him in hiswigwam?Didtheysaytohim,Brother,sellusyourland,andtakethisgold,thissilver,theseblankets,theserifles,oreventhisrum?No;theytoreitfronthim,asascalpistornfromanenemy;andtheythatdiditlookednotbehindthem,toseewhetherhelivedordied.DosuchmenliveinpeaceandfeartheGreatSpirit?""But you hardly understand the circumstances," said Elizabeth, moreembarrassedthanshewouldown,eventoherself."Ifyouknewourlawsandcustomsbetter,youwouldJudgedifferentlyofouracts.Donotbelieveevilofmyfather,oldMohegan,forheisjustandgood.""ThebrotherofMiquonisgood,andhewilldoright.IhavesaidittoHawk-eye—-IhavesaidittotheYoungEaglethatthebrotherofMiquonwoulddojustice.""WhomcallyoutheYoungEagle?"saidElizabeth,avertingherfacefromthegazeoftheIndian,assheaskedthequestion;"whencecomeshe,andwhatarehisrights?"

"Hasmydaughter livedso longwithhimtoask thisquestion?"returnedtheIndian warily. "Old age freezes up the blood, as the frosts cover the greatspringinwinter;butyouthkeepsthestreamsofthebloodopenlikeasuninthetimeofblossoms.TheYoungEaglehaseyes;hadhenotongue?"Thelovelinesstowhichtheoldwarrioralludedwasinnodegreediminishedbyhisallegoricalspeech;fortheblushesofthemaidenwholistenedcoveredherburningcheekstillherdarkeyesseemedtoglowwiththeirreflection;but,after struggling a moment with shame, she laughed, as if unwilling tounderstandhimseriously,andrepliedinpleasantry:"Nottomakemethemistressofhissecret.HeistoomuchofaDelawaretotellhissecretthoughtstoawoman.""Daughter, theGreatSpiritmadeyourfatherwithawhiteskin,andhemademinewithared;buthecoloredboththeirheartswithblood.Whenyoung,itisswiftandwarm;butwhenold,itisstillandcold.Istheredifferencebelowtheskin?No.OnceJohnhadawoman.Shewasthemotherofsomanysons"—heraised his hand with three fingers elevated—"and she had daughters thatwould havemade the youngDelawares happy. Shewas kind, daughter, andwhatIsaidshedid.Youhavedifferentfashions;butdoyouthinkJohndidnotlovethewifeofhisyouth—themotherofhischildren?""Andwhathasbecomeofyourfamily,John—yourwifeandyourchildren?"askedElizabeth,touchedbytheIndian'smanner."Whereistheicethatcoveredthegreatspring?Itismelted,andgonewiththewaters.Johnhaslivedtillallhispeoplehavelefthimfor thelandofspirits;histimehascome,andheisready."Mohegan dropped his head in his blanket, and sat in silence.Miss Templeknewnotwhattosay.Shewishedtodrawthethoughtsoftheoldwarriorfromhis gloomy recollections, but there was a dignity in his sorrow, and in hisfortitude,thatrepressedhereffortstospeak.Afteralongpause,however,sherenewedthediscoursebyasking:"WhereistheLeather-Stocking,John?Ihavebroughtthiscanisterofpowderathisrequest;butheisnowheretobeseen.Willyoutakechargeofit,andseeitdelivered?"TheIndianraisedhisheadslowlyandlookedearnestlyatthegift,whichsheputintohishand."Thisisthegreatenemyofmynation.Withoutthis,whencouldthewhitemandrive the Delawares? Daughter, the Great Spirit gave your fathers to knowhow tomake guns and powder, that theymight sweep the Indians from theland.Therewillsoonbenored-skininthecountry.WhenJohnhasgone,thelast will leave these hills, and his family will be dead." The aged warrior

stretchedhisbodyforward,leaninganelbowonhisknee,andappearedtobetakingapartinglookattheobjectsofthevale,whichwerestillvisiblethroughthe misty atmosphere, though the air seemed to thicken at each momentaround Miss Temple, who became conscious of an increased difficulty ofrespiration. The eye of Mohegan changed gradually from its sorrowfulexpression to a look of wildness that might be supposed to border on theinspiration of a prophet, as he continued: "But hewill go on to the countrywherehisfathershavemet.ThegameshallbeplentyastheAshinthelakes.Nowomanshallcryformeat:noMingocanevercomeThechaseshallbeforchildren;andalljustredmenshalllivetogetherasbrothers.""John! this is not the heaven of aChristian," criedMiss Temple; "you dealnowinthesuperstitionofyourforefathers.""Fathers! sons!" saidMohegan,with firmness.—"all gone—all gone!—havenosonbuttheYoungEagle,andhehasthebloodofawhiteman.""Tellme,John,"saidElizabeth,willingtodrawhisthoughtstoothersubjects,andatthesametimeyieldingtoherownpowerfulinterestintheyouth;"whoisthisMr.Edwards?whyareyousofondofhim,andwhencedoeshecome?"TheIndianstartedatthequestion,whichevidentlyrecalledhisrecollectiontoearth.Takingherhand,hedrewMissTempletoaseatbesidehim,andpointedtothecountrybeneaththem."See,daughter,"hesaid,directingherlookstowardthenorth;"asfarasyouryoungeyescansee,itwasthelandofhis.Butimmensevolumesofsmokeatthatmomentrolledovertheirheath,and,whirlingintheeddiesformedbythemountains,interposedabarriertotheirsight,whilehewasspeaking.Startledby this circumstance,MissTemple sprang to her feet, and, turning her eyestowardthesummitofthemountain,shebeheldItcoveredbyasimilarcanopy,while a roaring soundwas heard in the forest above her like the rushing ofwinds."Whatmeansit,John?"sheexclaimed:"weareenvelopedinsmoke,andIfeelaheatliketheglowofafurnace."BeforetheIndiancouldreply,avoicewasheardcryingInthewoods:"John!whereareyou,oldMohegan!thewoodsareonfire,andyouhavebutaminuteforescape."The chief put his hand before his mouth, and, making it lay on his lips,produced thekindofnoise thathadattractedElizabeth to theplace,whenaquick and hurried stepwas heard dashing through the dried underbrush andbushes,andpresentlyEdwardsrushedtohisside,withhorroraneveryfeature.

CHAPTERXXXVII.

"Loverulesthecourt,thecamp,thegrove."—LayoftheLastMinstrel."ITwouldhavebeensad,indeed,toloseyouinsuchmanner,myoldfriend,"saidOliver, catching his breath for utterance. "Up and away! even nowwemaybetoolate;theflamesarecirclingroundthepointoftherockbelow,and,unlesswecanpassthere,ouronlychancemustbeovertheprecipice.Away!away!shakeoffyourapathy,John;nowisthetimeofneed."MoheganpointedtowardElizabeth,who,forgettingherdanger,hadsunkbacktoaprojectionoftherockassoonassherecognizedthesoundsofEdwards'voice,andsaidwithsomethinglikeawakenedanimation:"Saveher—leaveJohntodie.""Her!whommeanyou?"criedtheyouth,turningquicklytotheplacetheotherindicated;butwhenhesawthefigureofElizabethbendingtowardhiminanattitude thatpowerfullyspoke terror,blendedwith reluctance tomeethiminsuchaplace,theshockdeprivedhimofspeech."Miss Temple!" he cried,when he foundwords; "you here! is such a deathreservedforyou!""No, no, no—no death, I hope, for any of us, Mr. Edwards," she replied,endeavoringtospeakcalmly; there issmoke,butnofire toharmus."Letusendeavortoretire.""Takemyarm,"saidEdwards;"theremustbeanopeninginsomedirectionforyourretreat.Areyouequaltotheeffort?""Certainly.Yousurelymagnifythedanger,Mr.Edwards.Leadmeoutthewayyoucame.""Iwill—Iwill,"criedtheyouth,withakindofhystericalutterance."No,no—thereisnodanger—Ihavealarmedyouunnecessarily.""ButshallweleavetheIndian—canweleavehim,ashesays,todie?"An expression of painful emotion crossed the face of the young man; hestoppedandcastalonginglookatMoheganbut,dragginghiscompanionafterhim,evenagainstherwill,hepursuedhiswaywithenormousstridestowardthepassbywhichhehadjustenteredthecircleofflame."Donotregardhim,"hesaid,inthosetonesthatdenoteadesperatecalmness;"heisusedtothewoods,andsuchscenes;andhewillescapeupthemountain—overtherock—orhecanremainwhereheisinsafety.""You thoughtnot so thismoment,Edwards!Donot leavehim there tomeet

with suchadeath," criedElizabeth, fixinga lookon thecountenanceofherconductorthatseemedtodistrusthissanity."AnIndianborn!whoeverheardofanIndiandyingbyfire?AnIndiancannotburn; the idea is ridiculous.Hasten,hasten,MissTemple,or thesmokemayincommodateyou.""Edwards!yourlook,youreye,terrifiesme!Tellmethedanger;isitgreaterthanitseems?Iamequaltoanytrial.""Ifwereachthepointofyonrockbeforethatsheetoffire,wearesafe,MissTemple,"exclaimedtheyoungmaninavoicethatburstwithouttheboundsofhisforcedcomposure."Fly!thestruggleisforlife!"Theplaceof the interviewbetweenMissTempleand the Indianhasalreadybeendescribedasoneofthoseplatformsofrock,whichformasortofterracein themountains of that country, and the face of it,wehave said,was bothhighandperpendicular.Itsshapewasnearlyanaturalarc,theendsofwhichblendedwiththemountain,atpointswhereitssideswerelessabruptintheirdescent.ItwasroundoneoftheseterminationsofthesweepoftherockthatEdwards had ascended, and it was toward the same place that he urgedElizabethtoadesperateexertionofspeed.Immense clouds of white smoke had been pouring over the summit of themountain,andhadconcealedtheapproachandravagesoftheelement;butacracklingsounddrew theeyesofMissTemple, as she flewover thegroundsupportedbytheyoungman,towardtheoutlineofsmokewhereshealreadyperceived the waving flames shooting forward from the vapor, now flaringhighintheair,andthenbendingtotheearth,seemingtolightintocombustionevery stick and shrub on which they breathed. The sight aroused them toredoubledefforts;but,unfortunately,acollectionofthetopsoftrees,oldanddried,laydirectlyacrosstheircourse;andattheverymomentwhenbothhadthoughttheirsafetyinsured,thewarmcurrentoftheairsweptaforkedtongueofflameacrossthepile,whichlightedatthetouch;andwhentheyreachedthespot,theflyingpairwereopposedbythesurlyroaringofabodyoffire,asifafurnacewereglowingintheirpath.Theyrecoiledfromtheheat,andstoodonapointoftherock,gazinginastuporattheflameswhichwerespreadingrapidlydownthemountain,whoseside,too,becameasheetoflivingfire.Itwasdangerous for one clad in the light and airy dress of Elizabeth to approacheven the vicinity of the raging element; and those flowing robes, that gavesuch softness and grace to her form, seemed now to be formed for theinstrumentsofherdestruction.The villagerswere accustomed to resort to that hill, in quest of timber andfuel;inprocuringwhich,itwastheirusagetotakeonlythebodiesofthetrees,leaving the tops andbranches to decay under the operations of theweather.

Much of the hill was, consequently, covered with such light fuel, which,havingbeenscorchedunderthesunforthelasttwomonths,wasignitedwithatouch.Indeed,insomecases,theredidnotappeartobeanycontactbetweenthefireandthesepiles,buttheflamesseemedtodartfromheaptoheap,asthefabulousfireofthetempleisrepresentedtoreillumineitsneglectedlamp.Therewas beauty aswell as terror in the sight, andEdwards andElizabethstoodviewingtheprogressofthedesolation,withastrangemixtureofhorrorand interest. The former, however, shortly roused himself to new exertions,and,drawinghiscompanionafterhim,theyskirtedtheedgeofthesmoke,theyoung man penetrating frequently into its dense volumes in search of apassage,butineveryinstancewithoutsuccess.Inthismannertheyproceededinasemicirclearoundtheupperpartoftheterrace,untilarrivingatthevergeoftheprecipiceoppositetothepointwhereEdwardshadascended,thehorridconviction burst on both, at the same instant, that they were completelyencircled by fire. So long as a single pass up or down the mountain wasunexplored, there was hope: but when retreat seemed to be absolutelyimpracticable,thehorroroftheirsituationbrokeuponElizabethaspowerfullyasifshehadhithertoconsideredthedangerlight."Thismountain isdoomed tobe fatal tome!" shewhispered; "weshall findourgravesonit!""Saynotso,MissTemple;thereisyethope,"returnedtheyouth,inthesametone,while the vacant expression of his eye contradicted hiswords; "let usreturntothepointoftherock—thereis—theremustbe—someplaceaboutitwherewecandescend."Leadmethere,"exclaimedElizabeth;"letusleavenoeffortuntried."Shedidnotwaitforhiscompliance,butturning,retracedherstepstothebrowoftheprecipice,murmuring to herself, in suppressed, hysterical sobs, "My father!mypoor,mydistractedfather!"Edwards was by her side in an instant, and with aching eyes he examinedeveryfissureinthecragsinquestofsomeopeningthatmightofferfacilitiesforflight.Butthesmooth,evensurfaceoftherocksaffordedhardlyaresting-placeforafoot,muchlessthosecontinuedprojectionswhichwouldhavebeennecessary for a descent of nearly a hundred feet. Edwardswas not slow infeeling the conviction that this hope was also futile, and, with a kind offeverish despair that still urged him to action, he turned to some newexpedient."There is nothing left, Miss Temple," he said, "but to lower you from thisplace to the rock beneath. IfNattywere here, or even that Indian could beroused,theiringenuityandlongpracticewouldeasilydevisemethodstodoit;but Iamachildat thismoment ineverythingbutdaring.Whereshall I find

means? This dress ofmine is so light, and there is so little of it—then theblanketofMohegan;wemusttry—wemusttry—anythingisbetterthantoseeyouavictimtosuchadeath!""Andwhatwillbecomeofyou?"saidElizabeth."Indeed,indeed,neitheryounorJohnmustbesacrificedtomysafety."Heheardhernot,forhewasalreadybythesideofMohegan,whoyieldedhisblanket without a question, retaining his seat with Indian dignity andcomposure, thoughhisownsituationwasevenmorecritical than thatof theothers.Theblanketwascutintoshreds,andthefragmentsfastenedtogether:the loose linen jacket of the youth and the lightmuslin shawl of Elizabethwereattachedtothem,andthewholethrownovertherockswiththerapidityoflightning;buttheunitedPiecesdidnotreachhalf-waytothebottom."Itwillnotdo—itwillnotdo!"criedElizabeth;"formethereisnohope!Thefirecomesslowly,butcertainly.See,itdestroystheveryearthbeforeit!"Hadtheflamesspreadonthatrockwithhalfthequicknesswithwhichtheyleapedfrombushtotreeinotherpartsofthemountain,ourpainfultaskwouldhave soon ended; for they would have consumed already the captives theyinclosed. But the peculiarity of their situation afforded Elizabeth and hercompanion the respite of which they had availed themselves to make theeffortswehaverecorded.The thin covering of earth on the rock supported but a scanty and fadedherbage,andmostofthetreesthathadfoundrootinthefissureshadalreadydied, during the in tense heats of preceding summers. Those which stillretainedtheappearanceoflifeboreafewdryandwitheredleaves,whiletheothersweremerelythewrecksofpines,oaks,andmaples.Nobettermaterialsto feed the fire could be found, had there been a communication with theflames; but the ground was destitute of the brush that led the destructiveelement, like a torrent, over the remainder of the hill. As auxiliary to thisscarcityoffuel,oneofthelargespringswhichaboundinthatcountrygushedout of the side of the ascent above, and, after creeping sluggishly along thelevel land,saturating themossycoveringof therockwithmoisture, it sweptaround the base of the little cone that formed the pinnacle of themountain,and,enteringthecanopyofsmokenearoneoftheterminationsoftheterrace,founditswaytothelake,notbydashingfromrocktorock,butbythesecretchannelsof theearth. Itwouldrise to thesurface,hereand there, in thewetseasons,but in thedroughtsofsummer itwas tobe tracedonlyby thebogsandmoss thatannounced theproximityofwater.When the fire reached thisbarrier, it was compelled to pause, until a concentration of its heat couldovercome themoisture, like an army awaiting the operations of a batteringtrain,toopenitswaytodesolation.

Thatfatalmomentseemednowtohavearrived,forthehissingsteamsofthespringappearedtobenearlyexhausted,andthemossoftherockswasalreadycurlingunder the intenseheat,whilefragmentsofbark, thatyetclung to thedead trees, began to separate from their trunks, and fall to the ground incrumblingmasses.Theairseemedquiveringwithraysofheat,whichmightbeseenplayingalongtheparchedstemsofthetrees.Thereweremomentswhendarkcloudsofsmokewouldsweepalongthelittleterrace;and,astheeyelostitspower,theothersensescontributedtogiveeffecttothefearfulhorrorofthescene.Atsuchmoments,theroaringoftheflames,thecracklingofthefuriouselement,withthetearingoffallingbranches,andoccasionallythethunderingechoesofsomefallingtree,unitedtoalarmthevictims.Ofthethree,however,the youth appeared much the most agitated. Elizabeth, having relinquishedentirely the ideaof escape,was fastobtaining that resignedcomposurewithwhichthemostdelicateofhersexaresometimesknowntomeetunavoidableevils;whileMohegan,whowasmuchnearertothedanger,maintainedhisseatwiththeinvincibleresignationofanIndianwarrior.Onceortwicetheeyeoftheagedchief,whichwasordinarilyfixedinthedirectionofthedistanthills,turnedtowardtheyoungpair,whoseemeddoomedtosoearlyadeath,withaslight indication of pity crossing his composed features, but it wouldimmediately revert again to its former gaze, as if already looking into thewomboffuturity.MuchofthetimehewaschantingakindoflowdirgeintheDelawaretongue,usingthedeepandremarkablegutturaltonesofhispeople."At such a moment, Mr. Edwards, all earthly distinctions end," whisperedElizabeth;"persuadeJohntomovenearertous—letusdietogether.""Icannot—hewillnotstir,"returnedtheyouth,inthesamehorridlystilltones."Heconsidersthisasthehappiestmomentofhislife,heispastseventy,andhasbeendecayingrapidlyforsometime;hereceivedsomeinjuryinchasingthat unlucky deer, too, on the lake, Oh!Miss Temple, that was an unluckychase,indeed!ithasled,Ifear,tothisawfulscene."ThesmileofElizabethwascelestial."Whynamesucha triflenow?—atthismomenttheheartisdeadtoallearthlyemotions!""Ifanythingcouldreconcileamantothisdeath,"criedtheyouth,"itwouldbetomeetitinsuchcompany!""Talknotso,Edwards;talknotso,"interruptedMissTemple."Iamunworthyofit,anditisunjusttoyourself.Wemustdie;yes—yes—wemustdie—itisthewillofGod,andletusendeavortosubmitlikehisownchildren.""Die!" the youth rather shrieked than exclaimed, "no—no—no—there mustyetbehope—you,atleast,must-not,shallnotdie.""In what way can we escape?" asked Elizabeth, pointing with a look ofheavenlycomposuretowardthefire"Observe!theflameiscrossingthebarrier

ofwetground—it comes slowly,Edwards,but surely.Ah! see! the tree! thetreeisalreadylighted!"Herwordsweretootrue.Theheatoftheconflagrationhadatlengthovercomethe resistanceof the spring, and the firewas slowly stealing along the half-driedmoss;whileadeadpinekindledwiththetouchofaforkedflame,that,foramoment,wreathedaroundthestemofthetree,asitwhined,inoneofitsevolutions,under the influenceof the air.Theeffectwas instantaneous,Theflamesdancedalongtheparchedtrunkofthepinelikelightningquiveringonachain,andimmediatelyacolumnoflivingfirewasragingontheterrace.Itsoonspreadfromtreetotree,andthescenewasevidentlydrawingtoaclose.The log on which Mohegan was seated lighted at its further end, and theIndianappearedtobesurroundedbyfire.Stillhewasunmoved.Ashisbodywas unprotected, his sufferingsmust have been great; but his fortitudewassuperiortoall.Hisvoicecouldyetbeheardeveninthemidstofthesehorrors.Elizabethturnedherheadfromthesight,andfacedthevalleyFuriouseddiesofwindwerecreatedbytheheat,and,justatthemoment,thecanopyoffierysmoke thatoverhung thevalleywasclearedaway, leavingadistinctviewofthe peaceful village beneath them. "My father!——my father!" shriekedElizabeth"Oh!this—surelymighthavebeensparedme—butIsubmit."Thedistancewasnotsogreatbut thefigureofJudgeTemplecouldbeseen,standing in his own grounds, and apparently contemplating, in perfectunconsciousnessofthedangerofhischild,themountaininflames.Thissightwasstillmorepainfulthantheapproachingdanger;andElizabethagainfacedthehill."My intemperate warmth has done this!" cried Edwards, in the accents ofdespair. "If Ihadpossessedbutamoietyofyourheavenly resignation,MissTemple,allmightyethavebeenwell.""Name it not—name it not," she said. "It is now of no avail.Wemust die,Edwards, we must die—let us do so as Christians. But—no—you may yetescape,perhaps.Yourdressisnotsofatalasmine.Fly!Leaveme,Anopeningmayyetbefoundforyou,possibly—certainlyitisworththeeffort.Fly!leaveme—butstay!Youwill seemyfather!mypoor,mybereavedfather!Say tohim,then,Edwards,saytohim,allthatcanappeasehisanguish.TellhimthatIdiedhappyandcollected; that Ihavegone tomybelovedmother; that thehoursofthislifearenothingwhenbalancedinthescalesofeternity.Sayhowwe shallmeet again.And say," she continued, dropping her voice, that hadrisenwithher feelings,as ifconsciousofherworldlyweakness,"howclear,howverydear,wasmyloveforhim;thatitwasnear,toonear,tomyloveforGod."Theyouth listened toher touching accents, butmovednot. In amomenthefoundutterance,andreplied:

"Andisitmethatyoucommandtoleaveyou!toleaveyouontheedgeofthegrave?Oh!MissTemple,howlittlehaveyouknownme!"hecried,droppingonhisknees ather feet, andgatheringher flowing robe inhis armsas if toshieldher from the flames. "Ihavebeendriven to thewoods indespair,butyour society has tamed the lion within me. If I have wasted my time indegradation,'twasyouthatcharmedmetoit.IfIhaveforgottenmynameandfamily, your form supplied the place of memory. If I have forgotten mywrongs, 'twasyou that taughtmecharity.No—no—dearestElizabeth, Imaydiewithyou,butIcanneverleaveyou!"Elizabethmovednot, nor answered. Itwasplain that her thoughts hadbeenraised from the earth,The recollectionof her father, andher regrets at theirseparation,hadbeenmellowedbyaholysentiment, that liftedherabovethelevelofearthlythings,andshewasfastlosingtheweaknessofhersexinthenearviewofeternity.Butasshelistenedtothesewordsshebecameoncemorewoman.Shestruggledagainst these feelings,andsmiled,as she thought shewasshakingoffthelastlingeringfeelingofnature,whentheworld,andallitsseductions, rushed again to her heart, with the sounds of a human, voice,cryinginpiercingtones:"Gal!wherebeye,gal!gladden theheartofanoldman, ifyeyetbelong to'arth!""Hist!"saidElizabeth;"'tistheLeather-Stocking;heseeksme!""'TisNatty!"shoutedEdwards,"andwemayyetbesaved!"Awideandcirclingflameglaredontheireyesforamoment,evenabovethefireofthewoods,andaloudreportfollowed."'Tisthecanister,'tisthepowder,"criedthesamevoice,evidentlyapproachingthem."'Tisthecanister,andthepreciouschildislost."At the next instant Natty rushed through the steams of the spring, andappearedon the terrace,withouthisdeerskincap,hishairburnt tohishead,hisshirt,ofcountrycheck,blackandfilledwithholes,andhisredfeaturesofadeepercolorthanever,bytheheathehadencountered.

CHAPTERXXXVIII.

"Evenfromthelandofshadows,nowMyfather'sawfulghostappears."—GertrudeOfWyoming.For an hour after Louisa Grant was left by Miss Temple, in the situation

alreadymentioned, she continued in feverish anxiety, awaiting the return ofher friend.Butas the timepassedbywithout the reappearanceofElizabeth,theterrorofLouisagraduallyincreased,untilheralarmedfancyhadconjuredeveryspeciesofdangerthatappertainedtothewoods,exceptingtheonethatreally existed. The heavens had become obscured by degrees, and vastvolumesof smokewerepouringover the valley; but the thoughts ofLouisawere still recurring to beasts, without dreaming of the real cause forapprehension. Shewas stationed in the edge of the lowpines and chestnutsthatsucceedthefirstorlargegrowthoftheforest,anddirectlyabovetheanglewherethehighwayturnedfromthestraightcoursetothevillage,andascendedthemountainlaterally.Consequently,shecommandedaview,notonlyofthevalley, but of the road beneath her. The few travellers that passed, sheobserved, were engaged in earnest conversation, and frequently raised theireyestothehill,andatlengthshesawthepeopleleavingthecourthouse,andgazingupwardalso.Whileunder the influenceof thealarmexcitedby suchunusual movements, reluctant to go, and yet fearful to remain, Louisa wasstartled by the low, cracking, but cautious treads of some one approachingthrough thebushes.Shewason theeveof flight,whenNattyemergedfromthecover,andstoodatherside.Theoldmanlaughedasheshookherkindlybyahandthatwaspassivewithfear."Iamgladtomeetyouhere,child,"hesaid;"forthebackofthemountainisa-fire,anditwouldbedangeroustogoupitnow,tillithasbeenburntoveronce,andthedeadwoodisgone.There'safoolishman,thecomradeofthatvarmintwhohasgivenmeallthistrouble,diggingfororeontheeastside.Itoldhimthatthekearlessfellows,whothoughttocatchapractysedhunterinthewoodsafter dark, had thrown the lighted pine-knots in the brush, and that 'twouldkindle like tow, andwarned him to leave the hill. But hewas set upon hisbusiness, and nothing short of Providence couldmove him, if he isn't burntand buried in a grave of his own digging, he'smade of salamanders.Why,whatailsthechild?Youlookasskearyasifyou'dseedmorepainters.Iwishthere were more to be found! they'd count up faster than the beaver. Butwhere'sthegoodchildwithabadfather?Didsheforgetherpromisetotheoldman?""The hill! the hill!" shrieked Louisa; "she seeks you on the hill with thepowder!"Nattyrecoiledseveralfeetatthisunexpectedintelligence."The Lord of Heaven havemercy on her! She's on theVision, and that's asheetoffireagin'this.Child,ifyelovethedearone,andhopetofindafriendwhenyeneeditmost,tothevillage,andgivethealarm.Themenareusedtofightingfire,andtheremaybeachanceleft,Fly!Ibidyefly!norstopevenforbreath."

The Leather-Stocking had no sooner uttered this injunction, than hedisappearedinthebushes,and,whenlastseenbyLouisa,wasrushingupthemountain,withaspeed thatnonebut thosewhowereaccustomedto the toilcouldattain."HaveIfoundye!" theoldmanexclaimed,whenheburstoutof thesmoke;"GodbepraisedthatIhavefoundye;butfollow—there'snotimefortalking.""My dress!" said Elizabeth; "it would be fatal to trust myself nearer to theflamesinit.""Ibethoughtmeofyourflimsythings,"criedNatty,throwingloosethefoldsofacoveringbuckskinthathecarriedonhisarm,andwrappingherforminit,insuchamannerastoenvelopherwholeperson;"nowfollow,forit'samatteroflifeanddeathtousall.""ButJohn!whatwillbecomeofJohn?"criedEdwards;"canweleavetheoldwarriorheretoperish?"TheeyesofNattyfollowedthedirectionofEdwards'finger,wherehebeheldtheIndianstillseatedasbefore,withtheveryearthunderhisfeetconsumingwith fire. Without delay the hunter approached the spot, and spoke inDelaware:"Upandaway,Chingachgook!willyestayhere toburn, likeaMingoat thestake?TheMoravianshaveteachedyebetter,Ihope;theLordpreservemeifthepowderhasn'tflashedatweenhislegs,andtheskinofhisbackisroasting.Willyecome,Isay;willyefollowme?""WhyshouldMohegango?" returned the Indian,gloomily."Hehasseen thedaysofaneagle,andhiseyegrowsdimHelooksonthevalley;helooksonthewater;helooksinthehunting-grounds—butheseesnoDelawares.Everyonehasawhiteskin.Myfatherssay,fromthefar-offland,Come.Mywomen,my youngwarriors,my tribe, say, Come. TheGreat Spirit says, Come. LetMohegandie.""Butyouforgetyourfriend,"criedEdwards,"'Tis useless to talk to an Indianwith the death-fit onhim, lad," interruptedNatty, who seized the strips of the blanket, and with wonderful dexteritystrapped the passive chieftain to his own back;when he turned, andwith astrengththatseemedtobiddefiance,notonlytohisyears,buttohisload,heled the way to the point whence he had issued. As they crossed the littleterrace of rock, one of the dead trees, that had been tottering for severalminutes, fell on the spot where they had stood, and filled the air with itscinders.Such an event quickened the steps of the party, who followed the Leather-Stockingwiththeurgencyrequiredbytheoccasion.

"Treadonthesoftground,"hecried,whentheywereinagloomwheresightavailedthembutlittle,"andkeepinthewhitesmoke;keeptheskincloseonher,lad;she'sapreciousone—anotherwillbehardtobefound."Obedient to the hunter's directions, they followed his steps and adviceimplicitly;and,althoughthenarrowpassagealongthewindingofthespringledamidburninglogsandfallingbranches,theyhappilyachieveditinsafety.Noonebutamanlongaccustomedtothewoodscouldhavetracedhisroutethroughthesmoke,inwhichrespirationwasdifficult,andsightnearlyuseless;buttheexperienceofNattyconductedthemtoanopeningthroughtherocks,where, with a little difficulty, they soon descended to another terrace, andemergedatonceintoatolerablyclearatmosphere.ThefeelingsofEdwardsandElizabethatreachingthisspotmaybeimagined,though not easily described.No one seemed to exultmore than their guide,whoturned,withMoheganstill lashedtohisback,and, laughing inhisownmanner,said:"I knowed 'twa the Frenchman's powder, gal; it went so all together; yourcoarsegrainwillsquibforaminute.TheIroquoishadnoneofthebestpowderwhenIwentagin'theCanadatribes,underSirWilliam.DidIevertellyouthestory,lad,consarningthescrimmagewith—""ForGod'ssake,tellmenothingnow,Natty,untilweareentirelysafe.Whereshallwegonext?""Why, on the platform of rock over the cave, to be sure; you will be safeenoughthere,orwe'llgoIntoIt,ifyoubesominded."Theyoungmanstarted,and appeared agitated; but, Looking around him with an anxious eye, saidquickly:"Shaltwebesafeontherock?cannotthefirereachusthere,too?""Can't theboy see?" saidNatty,with the coolnessofoneaccustomed to thekindofdangerhehadjustencountered."Hadyestayedintheplaceabovetenminutes longer, youwould both have been in ashes, but here youmay stayforever, and no fire can touch you, until they burn the rocks aswell as thewoods."Withthisassurance,whichwasobviouslytrue,theyproceededtothespot,andNatty deposited his load, placing the Indian on the ground with his backagainstafragmentoftherocks.Elizabethsankontheground,andburiedherface inherhands,whileherheartwas swellingwithavarietyofconflictingemotions."Let me urge you to take a restorative, Miss Temple," said Edwardsrespectfully;"yourframewillsinkelse.""Leaveme,leaveme,"shesaid,raisingherbeamingeyesforamomenttohis;

"Ifeeltoomuchforwords!Iamgrateful,Oliver,forthismiraculousescape;andnexttomyGodtoyou."Edwardswithdrewtotheedgeoftherock,andshouted:"Benjamin!whereareyou,Benjamin?"Ahoarsevoicereplied,asiffromthebowelsoftheearth:"Hereaway,master;stowedinthisherebitofahole,whichisall thetimeashot as the cook's coppers. I'm tired ofmy berth, d'ye see, and if-so-be thatLeatherStockinghasgotmuchoverhauling to dobefore he sails after themsaidbeaver I'llgo intodockagain,andrideoutmyquarantine, till Icangetprottickfromthelaw,andsoholdonupontherestofmy'spaniolas.""Bringupaglassofwaterfromthespring,"continuedEdwards,"andthrowalittlewineinit;hasten,Ientreatyou!""Iknowsbutlittleofyoursmalldrink,MasterOliver,"returnedthesteward,hisvoiceissuingoutofthecaveintotheopenair,"andtheJamaikeyheldoutnolongerthantotakeapartingkisswithBillyKirby,whenheanchoredmealongside thehighway lastnight,whereyou runmedown in thechase.Buthere's summat of a red color that may suit a weak stomach, mayhap. ThatMasterKirbyisnofirst-rateinaboat;buthe'lltackacartamongthestumps,all the same as a Lon'on pilotwill back and fill, through the colliers in thePool."Asthestewardascendedwhiletalking,bythetimehehadendedhisspeechheappearedontherockwiththedesiredrestoratives,exhibitingtheworn-outandbloatedfeaturesofamanwhohadrundeepinadebauch,andthatlately.Elizabeth took from the hands of Edwards the liquor which he offered andthenmotionedtobeleftagaintoherself.Theyouthturnedatherbidding,andobservedNattykindlyassiduousaroundthepersonofMohegan.Whentheireyesmet,thehuntersaidsorrowfully:"Histimehascome,lad;seeitinhiseyes—whenanIndianfixeshiseye,hemeanstogobuttooneplace;andwhatthewilfulcreaturesputtheirmindson,they'resuretodo."Aquicktreadpreventedthereply,andinafewmoments,totheamazementofthewholeparty,Mr.Grantwasseenclingingtothesideofthemountain,andstriving to reach theplacewhere theystood.Oliversprang tohisassistance,andby their united efforts theworthydivinewas soonplaced safely amongthem."Howcameyouaddedtoournumber?"criedEdwards."Isthehillalivewithpeopleatatimelikethis?"Thehastybutpiousthanksgivingsoftheclergymanweresoonejaculated,and,

whenhesucceededincollectinghisbewilderedsenses,hereplied:"Iheard thatmychildwasseencoming to themountain;and,when the firebroke over its summit,my uneasiness drewme up the road,where I foundLouisa, in terror forMiss Temple. It was to seek her that I came into thisdangerousplace;andIthink,butforGod'smercy,throughthedogsofNatty,Ishouldhaveperishedintheflamesmyself.""Ay! follow the hounds, and if there's an opening they'll scent it out," saidNatty;"theirnosesbegiventhemthesameasman'sreason.""Ididso,andtheyledmetothisplace;but,praisebetoGodthatIseeyouallsafeandwell.""No,no,"returnedthehunter;"safewebe,butasforwell,Johncan'tbecalledin a goodway, unless you'll say that for aman that's takinghis last look at'arth.""Hespeaksthetruth!"saidthedivine,withtheholyawewithwhichheeverapproachedthedying;"Ihavebeenbytoomanydeath-beds,nottoseethatthehandofthetyrantislaidonthisoldwarrior.Oh!howconsolingitistoknowthathehasnot rejected theofferedmercy in thehourofhis strengthandofworldlytemptations!Theoffspringofaraceofheathens,hehasintruthbeen'asabrandpluckedfromtheburning.'""No,no,"returnedNatty,whoalonestoodwithhimbythesideof thedyingwarrior;"it isnoburning thatailshim, thoughhis Indianfeelingsmadehimscorn to move, unless it be the burning of man's wicked thoughts for nearfourscore years; but it's natur' giving out in a chasm that's run too long.—Down with ye, Hector! down, I say! Flesh Isn't iron, that a man can liveforever,andseehiskithandkindriventoafarcountry,andhelefttomourn,withnonetokeephimcompany.""John," said thedivine, tenderly, "doyouhearme?doyouwish theprayersappointedbythechurch,atthistryingmoment?"TheIndian turnedhisghastly face toward thespeaker,andfastenedhisdarkeyesonhim,steadily,butvacantly.Nosignofrecognitionwasmade:andinamomenthemovedhisheadagainslowly toward thevale,andbegan tosing,usinghisown language, in thoselow,gutturaltones,thathavebeensooftenmentioned,hisnotesrisingwithhistheme,tilltheyswelledsoloudastobedistinct."Iwillcome!Iwillcome!tothelandofthejustIwillcome!TheMaquasIhaveslain!IhaveslaintheMaquas!andtheGreatSpiritcallstohisson.Iwillcome!Iwillcometothelandofthejust!Iwillcome!""What says he, Leather-Stocking?" Inquired the priest, with tender interest;"singshetheRedeemer'spraise?"

"No, no—'tis his own praise that he speaks now," said Natty, turning in amelancholymanner from the sightofhisdying friend; "andagood righthehastosayitall,forIknoweverywordtobetrue.""May heaven avert such self-righteousness from his heart! Humility andpenitencearethesealsofChristianity;and,withoutfeelingthemdeeplyseatedinthesoul,allhopeisdelusive,andleadstovainexpectations.Praisehimselfwhen hiswhole soul and body should unite to praise hisMaker! John! youhaveenjoyedtheblessingsofagospelministry,andhavebeencalledfromouta multitude of sinners and pagans, and, I trust, for a wise and graciouspurpose.DoyounowfeelwhatitistobejustifiedbyourSaviour'sdeath,andreject allweak and idle dependence on goodworks, that spring fromman'sprideandvainglory?"The Indiandidnot regardhis interrogator,buthe raisedhisheadagain, andsaidinalow,distinctvoice:"WhocansaythattheMaqousknowthebackoftheMohegan?Whatenemythattrustedinhimdidnotseethemorning?WhatMingothathechasedeversangthesongoftriumph?DidMoheganeverhe?No;thetruthlivedinhim,andnoneelsecouldcomeoutofhim.Inhisyouthhewasawarrior,andhismoccasins left the stain of blood. In his age hewaswise; hiswords at thecouncilfiredidnotblowawaywiththewinds.""Ah! he has abandoned that vain relic of paganism, his songs," cried thedivine;"whatsayshenow?ishesensibleofhisloststate?""Lord!!man,"saidNatty,"heknowshisendisathandaswellasyouorI;but,sofarfromthinkingitaloss,hebelievesit tobeagreatgain.Heisoldandstiff,andyouhavemadethegamesoscarceandshy,thatbettershotsthanhimfind it hard to get a livelihood.Now he thinks he shall travelwhere itwillalways be good hunting; Where no wicked or unjust Indians can go; andwhereheshallmeetallhistribetogetheragin.There'snotmuchlossinthat,toamanwhosehandsarehardlyfitforbasket-makingLoss!iftherebeanyloss,'twillbetome.I'msureafterhe'sgone,therewillbebutlittleleftformebuttofollow.""His example and end, which, I humbly trust, shall yet bemade glorious,"returnedMr.Grant,"shouldleadyourmindtodwellonthethingsofanotherlife.ButIfeelittobemydutytosmooththewayforthepartingspirit.Thisisthemoment,John,whenthereflectionthatyoudidnotrejectthemediationoftheRedeemer,will bring balm to your soul. Trust not to any act of formerdays,butlaytheburdenofyoursinsathisfeet,andyouhavehisownblessedassurancethathewillnotdesertyou.""Thoughallyousaybe true,andyouhavescriptur'gospels for it, too,"saidNatty,"youwillmakenothingoftheIndian.Hehasn'tseenaMoravianpsin'

thewar; and it's hard to keep them fromgoing hack to their nativeways. Ishould think 'twouldbeaswell to let theoldmanpass inpeace.He'shappynow;Iknowitbyhiseye;andthat'smorethanIwouldsayforthechief,sin'thetimetheDelawaresbrokeupfromtheheadwatersoftheirriverandwentwest.Ah'sme!'tisagreviouslongtimethat,andmanydarkdayshaveweseentogethersin'it.""Hawk-eye!"saidMohegan,rousingwiththelastglimmeringoflife."Hawk-eye!listentothewordsofyourbrother.""Yes, John,"said thehunter, inEnglish, stronglyaffectedby theappeal,anddrawingtohisside,"wehavebeenbrothers;andmoresothanitmeansintheIndiantongue.Whatwouldyehavewithme,Chingachgook?""Hawk-eye! my fathers call me to the happy hunting grounds. The path isclear,andtheeyesofMohegangrowyoung.Ilook—butIseenowhite-skins;therearenonetobeseenbutjustandbraveIndians.Farewell,Hawk-eye—youshallgowith theFire-eaterand theYoungEagle to thewhiteman'sheaven;but I go after my fathers. Let the bow, and tomahawk, and pipe, and thewampumofMoheganhe laid inhisgrave; forwhenhestarts 'twilbe in thenight,likeawarrioronawar-party,andhecannotstoptoseekthem.""What says he, Nathaniel?" cried Mr. Grant, earnestly, and with obviousanxiety;"doesherecallthepromisesofthemediation?andtrusthissalvationtotheRockofAges?"Althoughthefaithofthehunterwasbynomeansclear,yetthefruitsofearlyinstructionhadnotentirelyfalleninthewilderness.HebelievedinoneCod,andoneheaven;andwhenthestrongfeelingexcitedbytheleave-takingofhisoldcompanion,whichwasexhibitedbythepowerfulworkingofeverymuscleinhisweather-beatenface,sufferedhimtospeak,hereplied:"No—no—he trusts only to theGreat Spirit of the savages, and to his owngooddeeds.Hethinks,likeallhispeople,thatheistobeyoungagin,andtohunt, andbe happy to the endof etarnity, its prettymuch the samewith allcolors,parson.IcouldneverbringmyselftothinkthatIshallmeetwiththesehounds, ormy piece, in anotherworld; though the thought of leaving themforever sometimesbringshard feelingsoverme, andmakesmecling to lifewithagreatercravingthanbeseemsthree-Score-and-ten.""TheLordinhismercyavertsuchadeathfromonewhohasbeensealedwiththesignofthecross!"criedtheminister,inholyfervor."John—"Hepausedfortheelements.Duringtheperiodoccupiedbytheeventswhichwehave related, thedarkclouds in thehorizonhadcontinued to increase innumbers and multitude; and the awful stillness that now pervaded the air,announced a crisis in the state of the atmosphere. The flames, which yetcontinued to rage along the sides of the mountain, no longer whirled in

uncertaincurrentsoftheirowneddies,butblazedhighandsteadilytowardtheheavens.Therewasevenaquietudeintheravagesofthedestructiveelement,as if it foresaw thatahandgreater titaneven itsowndesolatingpower,wasabout to stay its progress. The piles of smoke which lay above the valleybegantorise,andweredispellingrapidly;andstreaksoflividlightningweredancing through themasses of clouds that impended over thewestern hills.WhileMr.Grantwasspeaking,aflash,whichsentitsquiveringlightthroughthe gloom, laying bare thewhole opposite horizon,was followed by a loudcrash of thunder, that rolled away among the hills, seeming to shake thefoundations of the earth to their centre. Mohegan raised him self, as if inobedience toasignal forhisdeparture,andstretchedhiswastedarmtowardthe west. His dark face lighted with a look of joy; which, with all otherexpressions,graduallydisappeared;themusclesstiffeningastheyretreatedtoastateofrest;aslightconvulsionplayed,forasingleinstant,abouthis lips;andhisarmslowlydroppedbyhisside,leavingtheframeofthedeadwarriorreposingagainst the rockwith itsglassyeyesopen, and fixedon thedistanthills, as if the deserted shell were tracing the flight of the spirit to its newabode.All thisMr.Grantwitnessed in silent awe; butwhen the last echoes of thethunder died away he clasped his bands together, with pious energy, andrepeated,inthefull,richtonesofassuredfaith;"Lord!howunsearchableareThyjudgments;andThywayspastfindingout!'IknowthatmyRedeemerliveth,andthatheshallstandatthelatterdayupontheearth;andthoughaftermyskin,wormsdestroythisbody,yetinmyfleshshallIseeGod,whomIshallseeformyself,andmineeyesshallbehold,andnotanother."Asthedivineclosedthisburstofdevotion,hebowedhisheadmeeklytohisbosom,andlookedallthedependenceandhumilitythattheinspiredlanguageexpressed.WhenMr.Grantretiredfromthebody,thehunterapproached,andtakingtherigidhandofhisfriend,lookedhimwistfullyinthefaceforsometimewithoutspeaking,whenhegaveventtohisfeelingsbysaying,inthemournfulvoiceofonewhofeltdeeply:"Redskinorwhite,it'sallovernow!he'stobejudgedbyarighteousJudge,andbynolawsthat'smadetosuittimes,andnewways.Well,there'sonlyonemoredeath,andtheworldwillbelefttomeandthehounds,Ah'sme!amanmustwait the time ofGod's pleasure, but I begin toweary of life. There isscarcelyatreestandingthatIknow,andit'shardtofindafacethatIwasac-quaintedwithinmyyoungerdays."Largedropsof rainnowbegan to fall, anddiffuse themselvesover thedry

rock, while the approach of the thunder showerwas rapid and certain. ThebodyoftheIndianwashastilyremovedintothecavebeneath,followedbythewhininghounds,whomissedandmoanedforthelookofintelligencethathadalwaysmettheirsalutationstothechief.EdwardsmadesomehastyandconfusedexcusefornottakingElizabethintothesameplace,whichwasnowcompletelyclosedinfrontwithlogsandbark,saying some-thing that she hardly understood about its darkness, and theunpleasantnessofbeingwith thedeadbody.MissTemple,however, foundasufficientshelteragainstthetorrentofrainthatfell,undertheprojectionofarockwhichoverhungthem,Butlongbeforetheshowerwasover,thesoundsof voiceswere heard below themcrying aloud forElizabeth, andmen soonappearedbeating the dying embers of the bushes, as theyworked theirwaycautiouslyamongtheunextinguishedbrands.Atthefirstshortcessationintherain,OliverconductedElizabethtotheroad,wherehelefther.Beforeparting,however,hefoundtimetosay,inaferventmannerthathiscompanionwasnowatnolosstointerpret."Themomentofconcealmentisover,MissTemple.Bythistimeto-morrow,Ishallremoveaveilthatperhapsithasbeenweaknesstokeeparoundmeandmyallaussolong.ButIhavehadromanticandfoolishwishesandweakness;andwhohas not, that is young and torn by conflicting passions?Godblessyou!Ihearyourfather'svoice;heiscominguptheroad,andIwouldnot,justnow,subjectmyselftodetention.ThankHeaven,youaresafeagain;thataloneremovestheweightofaworldfrommyspirit!"He waited for no answer, but sprang into the woods. Elizabeth,notwithstandingsheheardthecriesofherfatherashecalleduponhername,pauseduntilhewasconcealedamongthesmokingtrees,whensheturned,andinamomentrushedintothearmsofherhalf-distractedParent.Acarriagehadbeenprovided,intowhichMissTemplehastilyentered;whenthecrywaspassedalongthehill,thatthelostonewasfound,andthepeoplereturned to the village wet and dirty, but elated with the thought that thedaughteroftheirlandlordhadescapedfromsohorridanduntimelyanend.**Theprobabilityofafireinthewoodssimilartothatheredescribedhasbeenquestioned.ThewritercanonlysaythatheoncewitnessedafireinanotherpartofNewYorkthatcompelledamantodeserthiswagonandhorsesinthehighway,andinwhichthelatterweredestroyed.Inordertoestimatetheprobabilityofsuchanevent,itisnecessarytoremembertheeffectsofalongdroughtinthatclimateandtheabundanceofdeadwoodwhichisfoundinaforestlikethat

described,ThefiresintheAmericanforestsfrequentlyragetosuchanextentastoproduceasensibleeffectontheatmosphereatadistanceoffiftymiles.Houses,barns,andfencesarequitecommonlysweptawayintheircourse.

CHAPTERXXXIX.

"Selictar!unsheathethenourchief'sscimetar;Tambourgi!thy'larumgivespromiseofwar;Yemountains!thatseeusdescendtotheshore,Shallviewusasvictors,orviewusnomore."—Byron.Theheavyshowersthatprevailedduringtheremainderofthedaycompletelystopped the progress of the flames; though glimmering fires were observedduringthenight,ondifferentpartsofthehill,wherevertherewasacollectionof fuel to feed the element. The next day the woods for 'manymiles wereblack and smoking, and were stripped of every vestige of brush and deadwood;butthepinesandhemlocksstillrearedtheirheadsproudlyamongthehills,andeventhesmaller treesof theforestretainedafeebleappearanceoflifeandvegetation.ThemanytonguesofrumorwerebusyinexaggeratingthemiraculousescapeofElizabeth;andareportwasgenerallycredited, thatMoheganhadactuallyperished in the flames. This belief became confirmed, and was indeedrendered probable, when the direful intelligence reached the village thatJothamRiddel,theminer,wasfoundinhishole,nearlydeadwithsuffocation,andburnttosuchadegreethatnohopeswereentertainedofhislife.Thepublicattentionbecamemuchalivetotheeventsofthelastfewdays;and,justatthiscrisis,theconvictedcounterfeiterstookthehintfromNatty,and,onthenightsucceedingthefire,foundmeanstocutthroughtheirlogprisonalso,and to escape unpunished. When this news began to circulate through thevillage, blended with the fate of Jotham, and the exaggerated and torturedreportsoftheeventsonthehill,thepopularopinionwasfreelyexpressed,astotheproprietyofseizingsuchofthefugitivesasremainedwithinreach.Mentalkedofthecaveasasecretreceptacleofguilt;and,astherumoroforesandmetalsfounditswayintotheconfusedmedleyofconjectures,counterfeiting,and everything else thatwaswicked and dangerous to the peace of society,suggestedthemselvestothebusyfanciesofthepopulace.

Whilethepublicmindwasinthisfeverishstate, itwashintedthat thewoodhad been set on fire by Edwards and the Leather-Stocking, and that,consequently,theyalonewereresponsibleforthedamages.Thisopinionsoongainedground,beingmostcirculatedbythosewho,bytheirownheedlessness,had caused the evil; and there was one irresistible burst of the commonsentimentthatanattemptshouldbemadetopunishtheoffenders.Richardwasbynomeansdeaftothisappeal,andbynoonhesetaboutinearnesttoseethelawsexecuted.Severalstoutyoungmenwereselected,andtakenapartwithanappearanceofsecrecy, where they received some important charge from the sheriff,immediately under the eyes, but far removed from the ears, of all in thevillage.Possessedofaknowledgeoftheirduty,theseyouthshurriedintothehills, with a bustlingmanner, as if the fate of the world depended on theirdiligence,and,atthesametime,withanairofmysteryasgreatasiftheywereengagedonsecretmattersofthestate.At twelve precisely a drumbeat the "long roll" before the "BoldDragoon,"and Richard appeared, accompanied by Captain Hollister, who was clad inInvestments as commander of the "Templeton Light Infantry," when theformerdemandedofthelattertheaidofthepossecomitatusinenforcingthelaws of the country. We have not room to record the speeches of the twogentlemenonthisoccasion,buttheyarepreservedinthecolumnsofthelittlebluenewspaper,whichisyettobefoundonthefile,andaresaidtobehighlycreditable to the legal formula of one of the parties, and to the militaryprecisionof theother.Everythinghadbeenpreviously arranged, and, as thered-coateddrummercontinuedtorollouthisclatteringnotes,somefive-and-twentyprivatesappearedintheranks,andarrangedthemselvesintheorderofbattle.Asthiscorpswascomposedofvolunteers,andwascommandedbyamanwhohadpassedthefirstfive-and-thirtyyearsofhislifeincampsandgarrisons,itwas thenon-parallelofmilitary science in thatcountry,andwasconfidentlypronouncedbythejudiciouspartoftheTempletoncommunity,tobeequalinskill and appearance to any troops in the known world; in physicalendowmentstheywere,certainly,muchsuperior!Tothisassertiontherewerebutthreedissentingvoices,andonedissentingopinion.TheopinionbelongedtoMarmaduke,who,however,sawnonecessity for itspromulgation.Of thevoices, one, and that a pretty loud one', came from the spouse of thecommander himself, who frequently reproached her husband forcondescending to leadsuchan irregularbandofwarriors,afterhehad filledthehonorablestationofsergeant-majortoadashingcorpsofVirginiacavalrythroughmuchoftherecentwar.AnotheroftheseskepticalsentimentswasinvariablyexpressedbyMr.Pump,

wheneverthecompanyparadedgenerallyinsomesuchtermsasthese,whichwere uttered with that sort of meekness that a native of the island of ourforefathers is apt to assumewhen he condescends to praise the customs orcharacterofhertruantprogeny:"It'smayhapthattheyknowssummataboutloadingandfiring,d'yesee,butasforworkingship?why,acorporal'sguardof theBoadishey'smarineswouldbackandfillontheirquarters insuchamannerastosurroundandcaptivatethem all in half a glass." As there was no one to deny this assertion, themarinesoftheBoadiceawereheldinacorrespondingdegreeofestimation.The third unbeliever wasMonsieur Le Quoi, whomerely whispered to thesheriff,thatthecorpswasoneofthefinesthehadeverseensecondonlytotheMousquetairesofLeBoaLouis!However,asMrs.Hollisterthoughttherewassomething like actual service in the present appearances, and was, inconsequence, too busily engaged with certain preparations of her own, tomake her comments; as Benjamin was absent, and Monsieur Le Quoi toohappytofindfaultwithanything,thecorpsescapedcriticismandcomparisonaltogether on thismomentous day, when they certainly had greater need ofself-confidencethanonanyotherpreviousoccasion.MarmadukewassaidtobeagainclosetedwithMr.VanderSchoolandnointerruptionwasofferedtothemovements of the troops.At two o'clock precisely the corps shoulderedarms,beginningontherightwing,nexttotheveteran,andcarryingthemotionthroughtotheleftwithgreatregularity.Wheneachmusketwasquietlyfixedinitspropersituation,theorderwasgiventowheeltotheleft,andmarch.Asthis was bringing raw troops, at once, to face their enemy, it is not to besupposed that themanoeuverwasexecutedwith theirusualaccuracy;butasthe music struck up the inspiring air of Yankee-doodle, and Richard,accompanied by Mr. Doolittle preceded the troops boldly down the street,CaptainHollister ledon,withhisheadelevated to forty-fivedegrees,withalittle, lowcockedhat perchedonhis crown, carrying a tremendousdragoonsabreatapoise,andtrailingathisheelsahugesteelscabbard,thathadwarinits very clattering. There was a good deal of difficulty in getting all theplatoons(thereweresix)tolookthesameway;but,bythetimetheyreachedthedefileofthebridge,thetroopswereinsufficientlycompactorder.Inthismanner they marched up the hill to the summit of the mountain, no otheralterationtakingplaceinthedispositionoftheforces,exceptingthatamutualcomplaintwasmade,by the sheriff and themagistrate, of a failure inwind,whichgradually'broughtthesegentlementotherear.Itwillbeunnecessarytodetail the minute movements that succeeded. We shall briefly say, that thescouts came in and reported, that, so far from retreating, as had beenanticipated,thefugitiveshadevidentlygainedaknowledgeoftheattack,andwere fortifying for adesperate resistance.This intelligence certainlymadeamaterialchange,notonlyintheplansoftheleaders,butinthecountenances

of the soldiery also.Themen looked at one anotherwith serious faces, andHiramandRichardbegantoconsulttogether,apart.At this conjuncture, they were joined by Billy Kirby, who came along thehighway, with his axe under his arm, as much in advance of his team asCaptainHollisterhadbeenofhistroopsintheascent.Thewood-chopperwasamazed at themilitary array, but the sheriff eagerly availed himself of thispowerfulreinforcement,andcommandedhisassistanceinputtingthelawsinforce.BillyheldMr.Jonesintoomuchdeferencetoobject;anditwasfinallyarranged that he should be the bearer of a summons to the garrison tosurrenderbefore theyproceeded toextremities.The troopsnowdivided,onepartybeingledbythecaptain,overtheVision,andwerebroughtinontheleftofthecave,whiletheremainderadvanceduponitsright,undertheordersofthelieutenant.Mr.JonesandDr.Todd—forthesurgeonwasinattendancealso—appeared on the platform of rock, immediately over the heads of thegarrison, thoughoutof their sight.Hiram thought thisapproaching toonear,andhethereforeaccompaniedKirbyalongthesideofthehilltowithinasafedistanceofthefortifications,wherehetookshelterbehindatree.Mostofthemen discovered great accuracy of eye in bringing some object in rangebetweenthemandtheirenemy,andtheonly twoof thebesiegers,whowereleftinplainsightofthebesieged,wereCaptainHollisterononeside,andthewood-chopper on the other. The veteran stood up boldly to the front,supporting his heavy sword in one undeviating position, with his eye fixedfirmlyonhisenemy,whilethehugeformofBillywasplacedinthatkindofquietrepose,witheitherhandthrustintohisbosom,bearinghisaxeunderhisrightarm,whichpermittedhim,likehisownoxen,toreststanding.Sofar,notawordhadbeenexchangedbetweenthebelligerents.Thebesiegedhaddrawntogetherapileofblacklogsandbranchesoftrees,whichtheyhadformedintoachevaux-de-frise,makingalittlecircularabatisinfrontoftheentrancetothecave. As the ground was steep and slippery in every direction around theplace,andBenjaminappearedbehindtheworksononeside,andNattyontheother,thearrangementwasbynomeanscontemptible,especiallyasthefrontwassufficientlyguardedbythedifficultyoftheapproach.Bythistime,Kirbyhadreceivedhisorders,andheadvancedcoollyalongthemountain,pickinghis way with the same indifference as if he were pursuing his ordinarybusiness.Whenhewaswithinahundredfeetoftheworks,thelongandmuch-dreadedrifleof theLeather-Stockingwasseen issuingfromtheparapet,andhisvoicecriedaloud:"Keepoff!BillyKirby, keepoff! Iwishyenoharm;but if amanof ye allcomesastepnigher,there'llbebloodspiltatwixtus.Godforgivetheonethatdrawsitfirst,butsoitmustbe.""Come,oldchap,"saidBilly,good-naturedly,"don'tbecrabb'd,buthearwhat

amanhasgot tosayI'venoconsarn in thebusiness,only toseeright 'twixtmanandman;andIdon'tkearthevalieofabeetle-ringwhichgetsthebetter;but there'sSquireDoolittle,yonderbehindthebeechsapling,hehas invitedmetocomeinandaskyoutogiveuptothelaw—that'sall.""Isee thevarmint! Iseehisclothes!"cried the indignantNatty:"and ifhe'llonly show somuch flesh aswill bury a rifle bullet, thirty to the pound, I'llmakehimfeelme.Goaway,Billy,Ibidye;youknowmyaim,andIbearyounomalice.""Youover-calculateyour aim,Natty," said theother, ashe steppedbehindapine that stoodnearhim,"ifyou think toshootaman througha treewithathree-footbutt.Icanlaythistreerightacrossyouintenminutesbyanyman'swatch,andinlesstime,too;sobecivil—Iwantnomorethanwhat'sright."Therewasa simpleseriousness in thecountenanceofNatty, that showedhewasmuch in earnest; but it was also evident that he was reluctant to shedhumanblood.Heansweredthetauntofthewood-chopper,bysaying:"Iknowyoudropatreewhereyouwill,BillyKirby;butifyoushowahand,oranarm,indoingit,there'llbebonestobeset,andbloodtostaunch.Ifit'sonlytogetintothecavethatyewant,waittillatwohours'sun,andyoumayenter it inwelcome; but come innowyou shall not.There's onedeadbodyalready, lying on the cold rocks, and there's another in which the life canhardlybesaidtostay.Ifyouwillcomein,there'llbedeadwithoutaswellaswithin."Thewood-choppersteppedoutfearlesslyfromhiscover,andcried:"That'sfair;andwhat'sfairisright.Hewantsyoutostoptillit'stwohourstosundown;andIseereasoninthething.Amancangiveupwhenhe'swrong,ifyoudon'tcrowdhimtoohard;butyoucrowdaman,andhegetstobelikeastubbornox—themoreyoubeat,theworsehekicks."The sturdy notions of independence maintained by Billy neither suited theemergencynortheimpatienceofMr.Jones,whowasburningwithadesiretoexamine the hid den mysteries of the cave. He therefore interrupted thisamicabledialoguewithhisownvoice;"I command you Nathaniel Bumppo, by my authority, to surrender yourperson to the law,"hecried. "And I commandyou,gentlemen, toaidme inperforming my duty. Benjamin Penguillan I arrest you, and order you tofollowmetothejailofthecounty,byvirtueofthiswarrant.""I'd followye, SquireDickens," saidBenjamin, removing the pipe fromhismonth (for during the whole scene the ex-major-domo had been verycomposedlysmoking);"ay!I'dsailinyourwake,totheendoftheworld,if-so—bethattherewassuchaplace,wherethereisn't,seeingthatit'sround.Now

mayhap, Master Hollister, having lived all your life on shore, you isn'tacquaintedthattheworld,d'yesee.""Surrender!" interrupted theveteran, in a voice that startledhis hearers, andwhich actually caused his own forces to recoil several paces; "surrender,BenjaminPengullan,orexpectnoquarter.'""Damn your quarter!" said Benjamin, rising from the log onwhich hewasseated, and taking a squint along the barrel of the swivel, which had beenbroughtonthehillduringthenight,andnowformedthemeansofdefenceonhis side of the works. "Look you, master or captain, thof I questions if yeknowthenameofarope,excepttheonethat'stohangye,there'snoneedofsingingout,asifyewashailingadeafmanonatopgallantyard.May-hapyouthinkyou'vegotmytruenameinyoursheepskin;butwhatBritishsailorfindsitworthwhile to sail in these seas,without a sham on his stern, in case ofneed,d'yesee.IfyoucallmePenguillan,youcallsmebythenameofthemanonwhosehand, dye see, I hove intodaylight; andhewas agentleman; andthat'smore thanmyworst enemywill sayofanyof the familyofBenjaminStubbs.""Send thewarrant round tome, and I'll put in an alias," criedHiram, frombehindhiscover."Put in a jackass, and you'll put in yourself,MisterDoo-but-little," shoutedBenjamin,whokeptsquintingalonghislittleirontube,withgreatsteadiness."Igiveyoubutonemoment toyield,"criedRichard. "Benjamin!Benjamin!thisisnotthegratitudeIexpectedfromyou.""Itellyou,RichardJones,"saidNatty,whodreadedthesheriff'sinfluenceoverhis comrade; "though the canister the gal brought be lost, there's powderenough in thecave to lift the rockyoustandon. I'll takeoffmyroof ifyoudon'tholdyourpeace.""I think it beneath the dignity of my office to parley further with theprisoners,"thesheriffobservertohiscompanion,whiletheybothretiredwithaprecipitancythatCaptainHollistermistookforthesignaltoadvance."Chargebaggonet!"shoutedtheveteran;"march!"Although this signal was certainly expected, it took the assailed a little bysurprise, and theveteran approached theworks, crying, "Courage,mybravelads!give themnoquarterunless theysurrender;"andstrucka furiousblowupwardwithhissabre, thatwouldhavedividedthestewardintomoietiesbysubjectinghimtotheprocessofdecapitation,butforthefortunateinterferenceofthemuzzleoftheswivel.Asitwas,thegunwasdismountedatthecriticalmoment that Benjamin was applying his pipe to the priming, and inconsequencesomefiveorsixdozenofriflebulletswereprojectedintotheair,

innearlyaperpendicularline.Philosophyteachesusthattheatmospherewillnotretainlead;andtwopoundsofthemetal,mouldedintobulletsofthirtytothe pound, after describing an ellipsis in their journey, returned to the earthrattlingamongthebranchesofthetreesdirectlyovertheheadsofthetroopsstationedintherearoftheircaptain.Muchofthesuccessofanattack,madeby irregular soldiers, depends on the direction inwhich they are first got inmotion. In the present instance itwas retrograde, and in less than aminuteafter the bellowing report of the swivel among the rocks and caverns, thewholeweightof the attack from the left restedon theprowessof the singlearmof theveteran.Benjamin receiveda severecontusion from the recoilofhis gun,whichproduced a short stupor, duringwhichperiod the ex-stewardwas prostrate on the ground. Captain Hollister availed himself of thiscircumstance to scramble ever the breastwork and obtain a footing in thebastion—forsuchwas thenatureof thefortress,asconnectedwith thecave.The moment the veteran found himself within the works of his enemy, herushed to the edge of the fortification, and,waving his sabre over his head,shouted:"Victory!comeon,mybraveboys,thework'sourown!"All thiswasperfectlymilitary,andwassuchanexampleasagallantofficerwas in some measure bound to exhibit to his men but the outcry was theunluckycauseof turning the tideofsuccess.Natty,whohadbeenkeepingavigalent eye on the wood-chopper, and the enemy immediately before him,wheeled at this alarm, and was appalled at beholding his comrade on theground,andtheveteranstandingonhisownbulwark,givingforththecryofvictory!Themuzzleofthelongriflewasturnedinstantlytowardthecaptain.TherewasamomentwhenthelifeoftheoldsoldierwasingreatjeopardybuttheobjecttoshootatwasbothtoolargeandtoonearfortheLeather-Stocking,who, insteadofpullinghis trigger,applied thegun to the rearofhisenemy,and by a powerful shove sent him outside of the works withmuch greaterrapidity than he had entered them. The spot on which Captain Hollisteralightedwasdirectlyinfront,where,ashisfeettouchedtheground,sosteepand slipperywas the side of themountain, it seemed to recede from underthem.Hismotionwasswift,andsoirregularasutterlytoconfusethefacultiesoftheoldsoldier.Duringitscontinuance,hesupposedhimselftobemounted,andchargingthroughtheranksofhisenemy.Ateverytreehemadeablow,ofcourse,asatafoot-soldier;andjustashewasmakingthecut"St.George"atahalfburntsaplinghelandedinthehighway,and,tohisutteramazement,atthefeet of his own spouse. When Mrs. Hollister, who was toiling up the hill,followedbyat least twentycuriousboys, leaningwithonehandon thestaffwith which she ordinarily walked, and bearing in the other an empty bag,witnessedthisexploitofherhusband,indignationimmediatelygotthebetter,notonlyofherreligion,butofherphilosophy.

"Why, sargeant! is it flying ye are?" she cried—"that I should live to see ahusbandofmineturnhishacktoaninimy!andsuchaone!HereIhavebeentellingtheb'ys,aswecomealong,allaboutthesaigeofYorrektown,andhowyewashurted;andhowye'dbeactingthesameagintheday;andImateyeretraiting jist as the first gun is fired.Och! Imay trowaway thebag! for ifthere'splunder,'twillnotbethewifeofsichasyerselfthatwillbeprivilegedtobegettingthesame.Theydosay,too,thereisapowerofgooldandsilverintheplace—theLord forgiveme for settingmyheartonwoorldly things;butwhatfallsinthebattle,there'sscriptur'forbelieving,isthejustpropertyofthevictor.""Retreating!"exclaimedtheamazedveteran;"where'smyhorse?hehasbeenshotunderme—I——""Isthemanmad?"interruptedhiswife—"devilthehorsedoyeown,sargeant,andye'renothingbutashabbycaptainofmalaishy.Oh!ifthera'alcaptainwashere, tis the other way ye'd be riding, dear, or you would not follow yourlaider!"Whilethisworthycouplewerethusdiscussingevents,thebattlebegantoragemoreviolentlythaneverabovethem.WhenLeather-Stockingsawhisenemyfairlyunderheadway,asBenjaminwouldexpress it,hegavehisattentiontothe rightwingof theassailants. Itwouldhavebeeneasy forKirby,withhispowerfulframe,tohaveseizedthemomenttoscalethebastion,and,withhisgreatstrength,tohavesentbothofitsdefendersinpursuitoftheveteran;buthostilityappearedtobethepassionthatthewood-chopperindulgedtheleastinatthatmoment,for,inavoicethatwasheardbytheretreatingleftwing,heshouted:"Hurrah well done, captain! keep it up! how he handles his bush-hook! hemakesnothingofasapling!"andsuchotherencouragingexclamationstotheflying veteran, until, overcome by mirth, the good-natured fellow seatedhimselfontheground,kickingtheearthwithdelight,andgivingventtopealafterpealoflaughter.Nattystoodallthistimeinamenacingattitude,withhisriflepointedoverthebreastwork,watchingwithaquickandcautionseyetheleastmovementoftheassail ants. The outcry unfortunately tempted the ungovernable curiosity ofHiramtotakeapeepfrombehindhiscoveratthestateofthebattle.Thoughthis evolution was performedwith great caution, in protecting his front, heleft, like many a better commander, his rear exposed to the attacks of hisenemy. Mr. Doolittle belonged physically to a class of his countrymen, towhomNature has denied, in their formation, the use of curved lines. Everythingabouthimwaseitherstraightorangular.Buthistailorwasawomanwhoworked, like a regimental contractor, by a set of rules that gave the sameconfigurationtothewholehumanspecies.Consequently,whenMr.Doolittle

leanedforwardinthemannerdescribed,aloosedraperyappearedbehindthetree,atwhichtherifleofNattywaspointedwiththequicknessoflightning.Alessexperiencedmanwouldhaveaimedattheflowingrobe,whichhunglikeafestoonhalf-waytotheearth;buttheLeather-Stockingknewboththemanandhis female tailor better; and when the smart report of the rifle was heard,Kirby,whowatchedthewholemanoeuvreinbreathlessexpectation,sawthebarkflyfromthebeechandthecloth,atsomedistanceabovetheloosefolds,wave at the same instant. No battery was ever unmasked with morepromptitiudethanHiramadvancedfrombehindthetreeatthissummons.Hemadetwoorthreesteps,withgreatprecision,tothefrontand,placingonehandontheafflictedpart,stretchedforththeotherwithamenacingairtowardNatty,andcriedaloud:"Gawl darn ye: this shan't he settled so easy; I'll follow it up from the'commonpleas'tothe'courtoferrors.'"Suchashocking imprecation, fromthemouthofsoorderlyamanasSquireDoolittle,withthefearlessmannerinwhichheexposedhimself,togetherwith,perhaps,theknowledgethatNatty'sriflewasunloaded,encouragedthetroopsintherear,whogavealoudshout,andfiredavolleyintothetree-tops,afterthecontentsoftheswivel.Animatedbytheirownnoise,themennowrushedoninearnest;andBillyKirby,whothoughtthejoke,goodasitwas,hadgonefarenough,wasintheactofscalingtheworks,whenJudgeTempleappearedontheoppositeside,exclaiming:"Silenceandpeace!whydoIseemurderandbloodshedattempted?Isnotthelaw sufficient to protect itself, that armed bands must be gathered, as inrebellionandwar,toseejusticeperformed?""'Tisthepossecomitatus,"shoutedthesheriff,fromadistantrock,"who-""Sayratheraposseofdemons.Icommandthepeace.""Holdshiednotblood!"criedavoicefromthetopoftheVision."Hold,forthesakeofHeaven,firenomore!allshallbeyielded!youshallenterthecave!"Amazement produced the desired effect.Natty,who had reloaded his piece,quietlyseatedhimselfonthelogs,andrestedhisheadonhishands,whilethe"Light Infantry" ceased their military movements, and waited the issue insuspense.InlessthanaminuteEdwardscamerushingdownthehill,followedbyMajorHartman,withavelocity thatwassurprising forhisyears.Theyreached theterraceinaninstant,fromwhichtheyouthledtheway,bythehollowintherock, to the mouth of the cave, into which they both entered, leaving allwithoutsilent,andgazingafterthemwithastonishment.

CHAPTERXL.

"Iamdumb.Wereyouthedoctor,andIknewyounot?"—Shakespeare.During the five or six minutes that elapsed before the youth and Majorreappeared.JudgeTempleandthesherifftogetherwithmostofthevolunteers,ascendedtotheterrace,wherethelatterbegantoexpresstheirconjecturesoftheresult,andtorecounttheirindividualservicesintheconflict.Butthesightofthepeace-makersascendingtheravineshuteverymouth.Onarudechair,coveredwithundresseddeer-skins, theysupportedahumanbeing, whom they seated carefully and respectfully in the midst of theassembly.Hisheadwascoveredbylong,smoothlocksofthecolorofsnow.Hisdress,whichwasstudiouslyneatandclean,wascomposedofsuchfabricsasnonebutthewealthiestclasseswear,butwasthreadbareandpatched;andonhisfeetwereplacedapairofmoccasins,ornamentedinthebestmannerofIndianingenuity.Theoutlinesofhisfaceweregraveanddignified,thoughhisvacanteye,whichopenedandturnedslowlytothefacesofthosearoundhiminunmeaning looks, too surely' announced that theperiodhadarrivedwhenagebringsthementalimbecilityofchildhood.Nattyhadfollowedthesupportersofthisunexpectedobjecttothetopofthecave,andtookhisstationatalittledistancebehindhim,leaningnohisrifle,inthemidstofhispursuers,withafearlessnessthatshowedthatheavierintereststhanthosewhichaffectedhimselfweretobedecided.MajorHartmannplacedhimselfbesidetheagedman,uncovered,withhiswholesoulbeamingthroughthoseeyeswhichsocommonlydancedwithfrolicandhumor.Edwardsrestedwithonehandfamiliarlybutaffectionatelyonthechair,thoughhisheartwasswellingwithemotionsthatdeniedhimutterance.Alleyesweregazingintently,buteachtonguecontinuedmute.Atlengththedecrepit stranger, turning his vacant looks from face to face,made a feebleattempt to rise,while a faint smile crossed hiswasted face, like an habitualeffortatcourtesy,ashesaid,inahollow,tremulousvoice:"Bepleasedtobeseated,gentlemen.Thecouncilwillopenimmediately.Eachone who loves a good and virtuous king will wish to see these coloniescontinueloyal.Beseated—Iprayyou,beseated,gentlemen.Thetroopsshallhaltforthenight.""This is thewanderingof insanity!"saidMarmaduke:"whowillexplainthisscene.""No, sir," said Edwards firmly, "'tis only the decay of nature; who is

answerableforitspitifulcondition,remainstobeshown.""Willthegentlemendinewithus,myson?"saidtheoldstranger,turningtoavoicethathebothknewandloved."OrderarepastsuitableforhisMajesty'sofficers.Youknowwehavethebestofgamealwaysatcommand.""Who is this man?" asked Marmaduke, in a hurried voice, in which thedawningsofconjectureunitedwithinteresttoputthequestion."Thisman,"returnedEdwardscalmly,hisvoice,however,graduallyrisingasheproceeded;"thisman,sir,whomyoubeholdhidincaverns,anddeprivedofevery-thing that can make life desirable, was once the companion andcounsellorofthosewhoruledyourcountry.Thisman,whomyouseehelplessand feeble,wasonce awarrior, sobrave and fearless, that even the intrepidnatives gave him the name of the Fire-eater. Thisman,whomyou now seedestituteofeventheordinarycomfortofacabin,inwhichtoshelterhishead,wasonce theownerofgreat riches—and,JudgeTemple,hewas therightfulproprietor of this very soil onwhichwe stand. Thismanwas the father of———""This, then," criedMarmaduke,with a powerful emotion, "this, then, is thelostMajorEffingham!""Lostindeed,"saidtheyouth,fixingapiercingeyeontheother."Andyou!andyou!"continuedtheJudge,articulatingwithdifficulty."Iamhisgrandson."Aminutepassedinprofoundsilence.Alleyeswerefixedonthespeakers,andeven the old German appeared to wait the issue in deep anxiety. But themomentofagitationsoonpassed.Marmadukeraisedhisheadfromhisbosom,whereithadsunk,notinshame,butindevoutmentalthanksgivings,and,aslarge tears fell over his fine,manly face, he grasped the hand of the youthwarmly,andsaid:"Oliver, I forgive all thy harshness—all thy suspicions. I now see it all. Iforgivetheeeverything,butsufferingthisagedmantodwellinsuchaplace,whennotonlymyhabitation,butmyfortune,wereathisandthycommand.""He's true as ter steel!" shoutedMajor Hartmann; "titn't I tell you, lat, datMarmatukeTemplevasafrienddatwoultneverfailinterdimeasofneet?""It is true, Judge Temple, that my opinions of your conduct have beenstaggered by what this worthy gentle man has told me. When I found itimpossible toconveymygrandfatherbackwhence theenduring loveof thisoldmanbroughthim,withoutdetectionandexposure,IwenttotheMohawkinquestofoneofhisformercomrades,inwhosejusticeIhaddependence.Heisyourfriend,JudgeTemple,but,ifwhathesaysbetrue,bothmyfatherandmyselfmayhavejudgedyouharshly."

"Younameyourfather!"saidMarmaduketenderly—"washe, indeed, lost inthepacket?""He was. He had left me, after several years of fruit less application andcomparativepoverty,inNovaScotia,toobtainthecompensationforhislosseswhichtheBritishcommissionershadatlengthawarded.AfterspendingayearinEngland,hewasreturningtoHalifax,onhiswaytoagovernmenttowhichhehadbeenappointed,intheWestIndies,intendingtogototheplacewheremygrand father had sojournedduring and since thewar, and takehimwithus.""Butthou!"saidMarmaduke,withpowerfulinterest;"Ihadthoughtthatthouhadstperishedwithhim."Aflushpassedoverthecheeksoftheyoungman,whogazedabouthimatthewonderingfacesofthevolunteers,andcontinuedsilent.Marmaduketurnedtotheveterancaptain,whojustthenrejoinedhiscommand,andsaid:"Marchthysoldiersbackagain,anddismissthem,thezealofthesheriffhasmuchmistakenhis duty.—Dr.Todd, Iwill thankyou to attend to the injurywhichHiramDoolittlehasreceivedinthisuntowardaffair,—Richard,youwillobligemebysendingupthecarriagetothetopofthehill.—Benjamin,returntoyourdutyinmyfamily."Unwelcome as these orderswere tomost of the auditors, the suspicion thatthey had somewhat exceeded thewhole some restraints of the law, and thehabitual respect with which all the commands of the Judge were received,inducedapromptcompliance.Whentheyweregone,andtherockwaslefttothepartiesmostinterestedinanexplanation,Marmaduke, pointing to the agedMajorEffingham, said to hisgrandson:"Hadwenotbetterremovethyparentfromthisopenplaceuntilmycarriagecanarrive?""Pardonme,sir,theairdoeshimgood,andhehastakenitwhenevertherewasnodreadofadiscovery.Iknownothowtoact,JudgeTemple;oughtI,canIsufferMajorEffinghamtobecomeaninmateofyourfamily?""Thoushaltbethyselfthejudge,"saidMarmaduke."Thyfatherwasmyearlyfriend.He intrustedhis fortune tomycare.Whenweseparatedhehadsuchconfidenceinmethathewishedonsecurity,noevidenceofthetrust,evenhadtherebeentimeorconvenienceforexactingit.Thisthouhastheard?""Mosttruly,sir,"saidEdwards,orratherEffinghamaswemustnowcallhim."Wedifferedinpolitics.If thecauseof thiscountrywassuccessful, thetrustwassacredwithme, fornoneknewof thyfather's interest, if thecrownstillhelditssway,itwouldbeeasytorestorethepropertyofsoloyalasubjectas

ColonelEffingham.Isnotthisplain?'""Thepremisesaregood,sir,"continuedtheyouth,withthesameincredulouslookasbefore."Listen—listen,poy,"saidtheGerman,"DereisnotahairasofterrogueinterhetofHerrTchooge.""Weallknowthe issueof thestruggle,"continuedMarmaduke,disregardingboth. "Thy grandfather was left in Connecticut, regularly supplied by thyfatherwith themeansof such a subsistence as suitedhiswants.This Iwellknew,thoughIneverhadintercoursewithhim,eveninourhappiestdays.ThyfatherretiredwiththetroopstoprosecutehisclaimsonEngland.Atallevents,hislossesmustbegreat,forhisrealestatesweresold,andIbecamethelawfulpurchaser. Itwasnotunnatural towish thathemighthavenobar to its justrecovery.""Therewasnone,butthedifficultyofprovidingforsomanyclaimants.""Buttherewouldhavebeenone,andaninsuperableone,andIannouncedtotheworldthatIheldtheseestates,multipliedbythetimesandmyindustry,ahundredfold in value, only as his trustee.Thou knowest that I supplied himwithconsiderablesumsimmediatelyafterthewar.""Youdid,until—""Myletterswerereturnedunopened.Thyfatherhadmuchof thyownspirit,Oliver; he was sometimes hasty and rash." The Judge continued, in a self-condemning manner; "Perhaps my fault lies the other way: I may possiblylooktoofarahead,andcalculatetoodeeply.ItcertainlywasaseveretrialtoallowthemanwhomImostloved,tothinkillofmeforsevenyears,inorderthat hemight honestly apply for his just remunerations.But, hadheopenedmylastletters,thouwouldsthavelearnedthewholetruth.ThoseIsenthimtoEngland,bywhatmyagentwritesme,hedidread.Hedied,Oliver,knowingall,hediedmyfriend,andIthoughtthouhadstdiedwithhim.""Our povertywouldnot permit us to pay for twopassages," said the youth,with the extraordinary emotionwithwhich he ever alluded to the degradedstateofhisfamily;"IwasleftintheProvincetowaitforhisreturn,and,whenthesadnewsofhislossreachedme,Iwasnearlypenniless.""Andwhatdidstthou,boy?"askedMarmadukeinafalteringvoice."Itookmypassagehereinsearchofmygrandfather;forIwellknewthathisresourcesweregone,withthehalfpayofmyfather.Onreachinghisabode,Ilearned that he had left it in secret; though the reluctant hireling, who haddesertedhiminhispoverty,ownedtomyurgententreaties, thathebelievedhehadbeencarriedawaybyanoldmanwhohadformerlybeenhisservant.IknewatonceitwasNatty,formyfatheroften—"

"WasNattyaservantofthygrandfather?"exclaimedtheJudge."Ofthattoowereyouignorant?"saidtheyouthinevidentsurprise."HowshouldIknowit?InevermettheMajor,norwasthenameofBumppoevermentionedtome.Iknewhimonlyasamanofthewoods,andonewholivedbyhunting.Suchmenaretoocommontoexcitesurprise.""Hewas reared in the familyofmygrandfather; servedhim formanyyearsduringtheircampaignsat theWest,wherehebecameattachedtothewoods;andhewaslefthereasakindoflocumtenensonthelandsthatoldMohegan(whoselifemygrandfatheroncesaved)inducedtheDelawarestogranttohimwhentheyadmittedhimasanhonorarymemberoftheirtribe."This,then,isthyIndianblood?""Ihavenoother,"saidEdwards,smiling—"MajorEffinghamwasadoptedasthesonofMohegan,whoatthattimewasthegreatestmaninhisnation;andmy father, who visited those people when a boy, received the name of theEaglefromthem,onaccountof theshapeofhis face,as Iunderstand.Theyhaveextendedhistitletome,IhavenootherIndianbloodorbreeding;thoughIhaveseenthehour,JudgeTemple,whenIcouldwishthatsuchhadbeenmylineageandeducation.""Proceedwiththytale,"saidMarmaduke."Ihavebutlittlemoretosay,sir,IfollowedtothelakewhereIhadsooftenbeentoldthatNattydwelt,andfoundhimmaintaininghisoldmasterinsecret;forevenhecouldnotbeartoexhibittotheworld,inhispovertyanddotage,amanwhomawholepeopleoncelookeduptowithrespect.""Andwhatdidyou?""What did I? I spentmy lastmoney in purchasing a rifle, cladmyself in acoarsegarb,andlearnedtobeahunterbythesideofLeather-Stocking.Youknowtherest,JudgeTemple.""Ant vere vas olt Fritz Hartmann?" said the German, reproachfully; "didstneverhearanameasofoltFritzHartmannfromtermoutofterfader,lat?""Imayhavebeenmistaken,gentlemen,"returnedtheyouth,"butIhadpride,and could not submit to such an exposure as this day even has reluctantlybrought to light. Ihadplans thatmighthavebeenvisionary;but, shouldmyparentsurvive tillautumn, Ipurposed takinghimwithme to thecity,wherewe have distant relatives,whomust have learned to forget theTory by thistime.Hedecaysrapidly,"hecontinuedmournfully,"andmustsoonliebythesideofoldMohegan."The air being pure, and the day fine, the party continued conversing on therock,untilthewheelsofJudgeTemple'scarriagewereheardclatteringupthe

sideofthemountain,duringwhichtimetheconversationwasmaintainedwithdeep interest, eachmoment clearing up somedoubtful action, and lesseningthe antipathy of the youth to Marmaduke. He no longer objected to theremovalofhisgrandfather,whodisplayedachildishpleasurewhenhefoundhimselfseatedoncemoreinacarriage.Whenplacedintheamplehallofthemansion-house,theeyesoftheagedveteranturnedslowlytotheobjectsintheapartment,andalooklikethedawnofintellectwould,formomentsflitacrosshisfeatures,whenheinvariablyofferedsomeuselesscourtesiestothosenearhim,wandering painfully in his subjects. The exercise and the change soonproducedanexhaustionthatcausedthemtoremovehimtohisbed,wherehelayforhours,evidentlysensibleofthechangeinhiscomforts,andexhibitingthat mortifying picture of human nature, which too plainly shows that thepropensitiesof theanimalcontinueevenafter thenoblerpartof thecreatureappearstohavevanished.Untilhisparentwasplacedcomfortablyinbed,withNattyseatedathisside,Effinghamdidnotquithim.HethenobeyedasummonstothelibraryoftheJudge,wherehefoundthelatter,withMajorHartmann,waitingforhim."Read this paper,Oliver," saidMarmaduke tohim, ashe entered, "and thouwiltfindthat,sofarfromintendingthyfamilywrongduringlife,ithasbeenmycaretoseethatjusticeshouldbedoneatevenalaterday."Theyouthtookthepaper,whichhisfirstglancetoldhimwasthewilloftheJudge. Hurried and agitated as he was, he discovered that the datecorrespondedwith the timeof theunusualdepressionofMarmaduke.Asheproceeded,hiseyesbegantomoisten,andthehandwhichheldtheinstrumentshookviolently.Thewillcommencedwith theusual forms,spunoutby the ingenuityofMr.Van der School: but, after this subject was fairly exhausted, the pen ofMarmaduke became plainly visible. In clear, distinct, manly, and eveneloquent language, he recounted his obligations to Colonel Effingham, thenatureoftheirconnection,andthecircumstancesinwhichtheyseparated.Hethenproceededtorelatethemotivesofhissilence,mentioning,however,largesums that hehad forwarded tohis friend,whichhadbeen returnedwith theletters unopened.After this, he spoke of his search for the grandfatherwhounaccountablydisappeared,andhis fears that thedirectheirof the trustwasburiedintheoceanwithhisfather.After, in short, recounting in a clear narrative, the eventswhich our readersmustnowbeabletoconnect,heproceededtomakeafairandexactstatementofthesumsleftinhiscarebyColonelEffingham.Adeviseofhiswholeestateto certain responsible trustees followed; to hold the same for the benefit, inequalmoieties,ofhisdaughter,ononepart,andofOliverEffingham,formerlyamajorinthearmyofGreatBritain,andofhissonEdwardEffingham,and

of his son Edward Oliver Effingham, or to the survivor of them, and thedescendants of such survivor, forever, on the other part. The trust was toendure until 1810, when, if no person appeared, or could be found, aftersufficient notice, to claim the moiety so devised, then a certain sum,calculatingtheprincipalandinterestofhisdebttoColonelEffingham,wastobepaidtotheheirs-at-lawoftheEffinghamfamily,andthebulkofhisestatewastobeconveyedinfeetohisdaughter,orherheirs.The tears fell from the eyes of the young man, as he read this undeniabletestimonyofthegoodfaithofMarmaduke,andhisbewilderedgazewasstillfastenedonthepaper,whenavoice, that thrilledoneverynerve,spokenearhim,saying:"Doyouyetdoubtus,Oliver?""Ihaveneverdoubtedyou!"cried theyouth, recoveringhis recollectionandhisvoice,ashesprangtoseizethehandofElizabeth;"no,notonemomenthasmyfaithinyouwavered.""Andmyfather—""Godblesshim!""I thank thee,my son," said the Judge, exchanging awarm pressure of thehandwiththeyouth;"butwehavebotherred:thouhastbeentoohasty,andIhavebeentooslow.One-halfofmyestatesshallbethineassoonastheycanbeconveyedtothee;and,ifwhatmysuspicionstellmebetrue,Isupposetheothermust follow speedily."He took the handwhich he held, and united itwiththatofhisdaughter,andmotionedtowardthedoortotheMajor."Iteltyouvat,gal!"saidtheoldGerman,good-humoredly;"ifIvasasIvasvenIservitmithisgrand-faderonterlakes,terlazytogshouldn'tvinterprizeasfornottin'.""Come, come, old Fritz," said the Judge; "you are seventy, not seventeen;Richardwaitsforyouwithabowlofeggnog,inthehall.""Richart! ter duyvel!" exclaimed the other, hastening out of the room; "hemakes ter nog as for ter horse vilt show ter sheriffmitmy own hants! Terduyvel!IpelievehesweetensmitterYankeemelasses!"Marmadukesmiledandnoddedaffectionatelyattheyoungcouple,andclosedthedoorafterthem.Ifanyofourreadersexpectthatwearegoingtoopenitagain,fortheirgratification,theyaremistaken.Thetete-a-tetecontinuedforaveryunreasonabletime—howlongweshallnotsay;butitwasendedbysixo'clockintheevening,foratthathourMonsieurLeQuoimadehisappearanceagreeably to theappointmentof theprecedingday,andclaimedtheearofMissTemple.Hewasadmitted;whenhemadeanofferofhishand,withmuchsuavity,togetherwithhis"amisbeegandleet',his

père,hismereandhissucreboosh."Elizabethmight,possibly,havepreviouslyenteredintosomeembarrassingandbindingengagementswithOliver,forshedeclined the tender of all, in terms as polite, though perhaps a little moredecided,thanthoseinwhichtheyweremade.The Frenchman soon joined the German and the sheriff in the hall, whocompelled him to take a seat with them at the table, where, by the aid ofpunch,wine,andeggnog,theysoonextractedfromthecomplaisantMonsieurLeQuoithenatureofhisvisit,itwasevidentthathehadmadetheoffer,asadutywhichawell-bredmanowedtoaladyinsucharetiredplace,beforehehad left the country, and that his feelings were but very little, if at all,interestedinthematter.Afterafewpotations,thewaggishpairpersuadedtheexhilaratedFrenchman that therewasan inexcusablepartiality inoffering toonelady,andnotextendingasimilarcourtesytoanother.Consequently,aboutnine,MonsieurLeQuoi sallied forth to the rectory, on a similarmission toMissGrant,whichprovedassuccessfulashisfirsteffortinlove.Whenhereturned to themansion-house,at ten,Richardand theMajorwerestill seatedat the table.Theyat tempted topersuade theGaul, as the sheriffcalled him, that he should next try Remarkable Pettibone. But, thoughstimulatedbymentalexcitementandwine, twohoursofabstruse logicwerethrownawayon this subject; forhedeclined their advice,with apertinacitytrulyastonishinginsopoliteaman.WhenBenjaminlightedMonsieurLeQuoifromthedoor,hesaid,atparting:"If-so-be,Mounsheer,you'drunalongsideMistressPettybones,astheSquireDickenswas bidding ye, 'tismy notion you'd have been grappled; inwhichcase, d'ye see, youmought have been troubled in swinging clear agin in ahandsomemanner;forthofMissLizzyandtheparson'syoung'unbetidylittlevessels,thatshootbyabodyonawind,MistressRemarkableissummatofagalliotfashion:whenyouoncetakes'emintow,theydoesn'tliketobecastoffagin."

CHAPTERXLI.

"Yes,sweepyeon!—Wewillnotleave,Forthemwhotriumphthosewhogrieve.WiththatarmadagayBelaughterloud,andjocundshout—ButwiththatskillAbidestheminstreltale."

—LordoftheIsles.Theeventsofourtalecarryusthroughthesummer;andaftermakingnearlythecircleoftheyear,wemustconcludeourlaborsinthedelightfulmonthofOctober.Manyimportantincidentshad,however,occurredintheinterveningperiod;afewofwhichitmaybenecessarytorecount.ThetwoprincipalwerethemarriageofOliverandElizabeth,andthedeathofMajorEffingham.They both took place early inSeptember; and the formerpreceded the latter only a few days. The oldman passed away like the lastglimmering of a taper; and, though his death cast a melancholy over thefamily, grief could not follow such an end. One of the chief concerns ofMarmadukewastoreconciletheevenconductofamagistratewiththecoursethathisfeelingsdictatedtothecriminals.Thedaysucceedingthediscoveryatthe cave, however,Natty andBenjamin re-entered the jail peaceably,wherethey continued, well fed and comfortable, until the return of an express toAlbany, who brought the governor's pardon to the Leather-Stocking. In themeantime,propermeanswereemployedtosatisfyHiramfortheassaultsonhisperson;andonthesamedaythetwocomradesissuedtogetherintosocietyagain,withtheircharactersnotatallaffectedbytheimprisonment.Mr.Doolittlebegantodiscoverthatneitherarchitecturenorhislawwasquitesuitable to the growing wealth and intelligence of the settlement; and afterexacting the last cent that was attainable in his compromise, to use thelanguage of the country he "pulled up stakes," and proceeded farther west,scatteringhisprofessionalscienceandlegallearningthroughtheland;vestigesofbothofwhicharetobediscoveredthereeventothepresenthour.PoorJotham,whoselifepaidtheforfeitureofhisfolly,acknowledged,beforehedied,thathisreasonsforbelievinginaminewereextractedfromthelipsofasibyl,who,bylookinginamagicglass,wasenabledtodiscoverthehiddentreasuresof theearth.Suchsuperstitionwasfrequent in thenewsettlements;and,after thefirstsurprisewasover, thebetterpartof thecommunityforgotthesubject.But,atthesametimethatitremovedfromthebreastofRichardalingering suspicion of the acts of the three hunter, it conveyed amortifyinglesson to him, which brought many quiet hours, in future, to his cousinMarmaduke. Itmay be remembered that the sheriff confidently pronouncedthistobeno"visionary"scheme,andthatwordwasenoughtoshuthislips,atanytimewithinthenexttenyears.MonsieurLeQuoi,whohasbeenintroducedtoourreadersbecausenopictureofthatcountrywouldbefaithfulwithoutsomesuchcharacter,foundtheislandof Martinique, and his "sucreboosh," in possession of the English butMarmadukeandhis familyweremuchgratified in soonhearing that hehadreturnedtohisbureau,inParis;whereheafterwardissuedyearlybulletinsofhishappiness,andofhisgratitudetohisfriendsinAmerica.

Withthisbriefexplanation,wemustreturntoournarrative.LettheAmericanreader imagineoneofourmildestOctobermornings,when the sun seemsaball of silvery fire, and the elasticity of the air is felt while it is inhaled,impartingvigor and life to thewhole system; theweather,neither toowarmnor too cold, but of that happy temperature which stirs the blood, withoutbringingthelassitudeofspring.Itwasonsuchamorning,aboutthemiddleofthemonth,thatOliverenteredthehallwhereElizabethwasissuingherusualordersfor theday,andrequestingher to joinhiminashortexcursion to thelakeside. The tender melancholy in the manner of her husband caught theattention of Elizabeth, who instantly abandoned her concerns, threw a lightshawlacrosshershoulders,and,concealingherravenhairunderagypsyhat,andtookhisarm,andsubmittedherself,withoutaquestion, tohisguidance.Theycrossedthebridge,andhadturnedfromthehighway,alongthemarginof the lake, before a word was exchanged. Elizabeth well knew, by thedirection,theobjectofthewalk,andrespectedthefeelingsofhercompaniontoomuchtoindulgeinuntimelyconversation.Butwhentheygainedtheopenfields, and her eye roamed over the placid lake, covered with wild fowlalready journeyingfromthegreatnorthernwaters toseekawarmersun,butlingering to play in the limpid sheet of the Otsego, and to the sides of themountain,whichweregaywith the thousanddyesof autumn, as if togracetheirbridal,theswellingheartoftheyoungwifeburstoutinspeech."Thisisnotatimeforsilence,Oliver!"shesaid,clingingmorefondlytohisarm; "everything in Nature seems to speak the praises of the Creator; whyshouldwe,whohavesomuchtobegratefulfor,besilent?""Speakon!"saidherhusband,smiling;"Ilovethesoundsofyourvoice.Youmustanticipateourerrandhither:Ihavetoldyoumyplans:howdoyoulikethem?""Imustfirstseethem,"returnedhiswife."ButIhavehadmyplans,too;itistimeIshouldbegintodivulgethem.""You!Itissomethingforthecomfortofmyoldfriend,Natty,Iknow.""CertainlyofNatty;butwehaveotherfriendsbesidestheLeather-Stockingtoserve.DoyouforgetLouisaandherfather?""No,surely;haveInotgivenoneofthebestfarmsinthecountytothegooddivine?AsforLouisa,Ishouldwishyoutokeepheralwaysnearus.""Youdo!"saidElizabeth,slightlycompressingherlips;"butpoorLouisamayhaveotherviewsforherself;shemaywishtofollowmyexample,andmarry.""Idon't think it," saidEffingham,musingamoment, "reallydon'tknowanyonehereaboutsgoodenoughforher.""Perhaps not her; but there are other places besides Templeton, and other

churchesbesides'NewSt.Paul's.'""Churches,Elizabeth!youwouldnotwishtoloseMr.Grant,surely!Thoughsimple, he is an excellent man I shall never find another who has half theveneration formy orthodoxy.Youwould humbleme from a saint to a verycommonsinner.""Itmustbedone,sir,"returnedthelady,withahalf-concealedsmile,"thoughitdegradesyoufromanangeltoaman.""Butyouforgetthefarm?""Hecanleaseit,asothersdo.Besides,wouldyouhaveaclergymantoilinthefields?""Wherecanhego?YouforgetLouisa.""No,IdonotforgetLouisa,"saidElizabeth,againcompressingherbeautifullips."Youknow,Effingham,thatmyfatherhastoldyouthatIruledhim,andthatIshouldruleyou.Iamnowabouttoexertmypower.""Anything,anything,dearElizabeth,butnotattheexpenseofusall:notattheexpenseofyourfriend.""Howdoyouknow,sir,thatitwillbesomuchattheexpenseofmyfriend?"saidthelady,fixinghereyeswithasearchinglookonhiscountenance,wheretheymetonlytheunsuspectingexpressionofmanlyregret."HowdoIknowit?Why,itisnaturalthatsheshouldregretus.""It isourduty to strugglewithournatural feelings," returned the lady; "andthereisbutlittlecausetofearthatsuchaspiritasLouisa'swillnoteffectit.""Butwhatisyourplan?""Listen,andyoushallknow.Myfatherhasprocuredacall forMr.Grant, tooneof the townson theHudsonwherehe can livemore at his ease than injourneyingthroughthesewoods;wherehecanspendtheeveningofhislifeincomfort andquiet; andwherehisdaughtermaymeetwith such society, andformsuchaconnection,asmaybeproperforoneofheryearsandcharacter.""Bess!youamazeme!Ididnotthinkyouhadbeensuchamanager!""Oh! I manage more deeply than you imagine, sir," said the wife, archlysmilingagain;"but it is thywillandit isyourduty tosubmit—fora timeatleast."Effinghamlaughed;but,astheyapproachedtheendoftheirwalk,thesubjectwaschangedbycommonconsent.Theplaceatwhichtheyarrivedwasthelittlespotoflevelgroundwherethecabin of theLeather-Stocking had so long stood.Elizabeth found it entirelyclearedofrubbish,andbeautifullylaiddowninturf,bytheremovalofsods,

which, in commonwith the surrounding country, had grown gay, under theinfluenceofprofuseshowers,asifasecondspringhadpassedovertheland.Thislittleplacewassurroundedbyacircleofmason-work,andtheyenteredby a small gate, near which, to the surprise of both, the rifle of Nattywasleaningagainstthewall.Hectorandtheslutreposedonthegrassbyitsside,asif conscious that, however altered, theywere lying on the ground andweresurroundedbyobjectswithwhichtheywerefamiliar.Thehunterhimselfwasstretchedontheearth,beforeahead-stoneofwhitemarble,pushingasidewithhis fingers the longgrass thathadalready sprungup from the luxuriant soilarounditsbase,apparentlytolaybaretheinscription.Bythesideofthisstone,which was a simple slab at the head of a grave, stood a rich monument,decoratedwithanurnandornamentedwiththechisel.OliverandElizabethapproachedthegraveswithalighttread,unheardbytheoldhunter,whosesunburntfacewasworking,andwhoseeyestwinkledasifsomething impeded their vision.After some little timeNatty raised himselfslowlyfromtheground,andsaidaloud:"Well,well—I'mboldtosayit'sallright!There'ssomethingthatIsupposeisreading;but I can'tmakeanythingof it; though thepipeand the tomahawk,andthemoccasins,beprettywell—prettywell,foramanthat,Idarestosay,never seed 'ither of the things.Ah'sme! there they lie, side by side, happyenough!Whowilltherebetoputmeinthe'arthwhenmytimecomes?""When that unfortunate hour arrives, Natty, friends shall not be wanting toperform the last offices for you," saidOliver, a little touched at thehunter'ssoliloquy.Theoldman turned,withoutmanifesting surprise, for hehadgot the Indianhabits in thisparticular,and, runninghishandunder thebottomofhisnose,seemedtowipeawayhissorrowwiththeaction."You'vecomeout tosee thegraves,children,haveye?"hesaid;"well,well,they'rewholesomesightstoyoungaswellasold.""I hope they are fitted toyour liking," saidEffingham, "noonehas abetterrightthanyourselftobeconsultedinthematter.""Why,seeingthatIain'tusedtofinegraves,"returnedtheoldman,"itisbutlittlematter consarningmy taste. Ye laid theMajor's head to thewest, andMohegan'stotheeast,didye,lad?""Atyourrequestitwasdone.""It'ssobest,"saidthehunter;"theythoughttheyhadtojourneydifferentways,children:thoughthereisOnegreaterthanall,who'llbringthejusttogether,atHisowntime,andwho'llwhitentheskinofablackamoor,andplacehimonafootingwithprinces."

"Thereisbutlittlereasontodoubtthat,"saidElizabeth,whosedecidedtoneswerechangedtoasoft,melancholyvoice;"Itrustweshallallmeetagain,andbehappytogether.""Shallwe,child,shallwe?"exclaimedthehunter,withunusualfervor,"there'scomfort in that thought too.Butbefore Igo, I should like toknowwhat 'tisyou tell these people, that be flocking into the country like pigeons in thespring,of theoldDelaware,andof thebravestwhiteman thatever trod thehills?"Effingham and Elizabeth were surprised at the manner of the Leather-Stocking,whichwas unusually impressive and solemn; but, attributing it tothescene,theyoungmanturnedtothemonument,andreadaloud:"SacredtothememoryofOliverEffinghamEsquire,formallyaMajorinhisB.Majesty's60thFoot;asoldieroftriedvalor;asubjectofchivalrousloyalty;andamanofhonesty.TothesevirtuesheaddedthegracesofaChristian.Themorningofhislifewasspentinhonor,wealth,andpower;butitseveningwasobscuredbypoverty,neglect,anddisease,whichwerealleviatedonlybythetender care of his old, faithful, and upright friend and attendant NathanielBumppo.Hisdescendantsrestthisstonetothevirtuesofthemaster,andtotheenduringgratitudeoftheservant."TheLeather-Stockingstartedatthesoundofhisownname,andasmileofjoyilluminatedhiswrinkledfeatures,ashesaid:"AnddidyesayIt,lad?haveyouthengottheoldman'snamecutinthestone,bythesideofhismaster's!Godblessye,children! 'twasakindthought,andkindnessgoestotheheartasLifeshortens."Elizabeth turnedherback to the speakers.Effinghammade a fruitless effortbeforehesucceededinsaying:"It is there cut in plainmarble; but it should have beenwritten in letters ofgold!""Showmethename,boy,"saidNatty,withsimpleeagerness;"letmeseemyownnameplacedinsuchhonor.'Tisagin'rousgifttoamanwholeavesnoneofhisnameandfamilybehindhiminacountrywherehehastarriedsolong."Effinghamguidedhis finger to thespot,andNattyfollowed thewindingsoftheletterstotheendwithdeepinterest,whenheraisedhimselffromthetomb,andsaid:"I suppose it's all right; and it's kindly thought, and kindly done! Butwhathaveyeputoverthered-skin?""Youshallhear:ThisstoneisraisedtothememoryofanIndianChiefoftheDelaware tribe, who was known by the several names of John MoheganMohican———'"

"Mo-hee-can,lad,theycalltheirselves!'hecan.""Mohican;andChingagook—""'Gach, boy; 'gach-gook; Chingachgook, which interpreted, means Big-sarpent.Thenameshouldbesetdownright,foranIndian'snamehasalwayssomemeaninginit.""Iwillseeitaltered. 'Hewasthelastofhispeoplewhocontinuedtoinhabitthiscountry;anditmaybesaidofhimthathisfaultswerethoseofanIndian,andhisvirtuesthoseofaman.'""Youneversaidtruerword,Mr.Oliver;ah'sme!ifyouhadknowedhimasIdid, inhisprime, inthatverybattlewheretheoldgentleman,whosleepsbyhissidesavedhislife,whenthemthieves,theIroquois,hadhimatthestake,you'dhavesaidallthat,andmoretoo.Icutthethongswiththisveryhand,andgavehimmyown tomahawkandknife, seeing that the riflewasalwaysmyfav'riteweapon.Hedidlayabouthimlikeaman!ImethimasIwascominghome from the trail, with eleven Mingo scalps on his pole. You needn'tshudder,MadamEffingham,fortheywasallfromshavedheadsandwarriors.WhenIlookaboutme,atthesehills,whereIusedtocouldcountsometimestwentysmokes,curlingoverthetree-tops,fromtheDelawarecamps,itraisesmournfulthoughts,tothinkthatnotared-skinisleftofthemall;unlessitbeadrunkenvagabondfromtheOneidas,orthemYankeeIndians,who,theysay,bemovingupfromtheseashore;andwhobelongtononeofGodscreatures,tomyseeming,being,asitwere,neitherfishnorflesh—neitherwhitemannorsavage.Well,well!thetimehascomeatlast,andImustgo——""Go!"echoedEdwards,"whitherdoyougo?"The Leather-Stocking; who had imbibed unconsciously,many of the Indianqualities, though he always thought of himself as of a civilized being,comparedwitheventheDelawares,avertedhisfacetoconceal theworkingsofhismuscles,ashestoopedtoliftalargepackfrombehindthetomb,whichheplaceddeliberatelyonhisshoulders."Go!"exclaimedElizabeth,approachinghimwithahurriedstep;"youshouldnotventuresofarinthewoodsalone,atyourtimeoflife,Natty;indeed,itIsImprudent,Heisbent,Effingham,onsomedistanthunting.""What Mrs. Effingham tells you is true, Leather-Stocking," said Edwards;"there can be no necessity for your submitting to such hardships now. Sothrowasideyourpack,andconfineyourhunttothemountainsnearus,ifyouwillgo.""Hardship!'tisapleasure,children,andthegreatestthatisleftmeonthissidethegrave.""No,no;youshallnotgotosuchadistance,"criedElizabeth,layingherwhite

handonhisdeer-skinpack—"Iamright!Ifeelhiscamp-kettle,andacanisterof powder! He must not be suffered to wander so far from us, Oliver;rememberhowsuddenlyMohegandroppedaway.""Iknowedthepartingwouldcomehard,children—Iknoweditwould!"saidNatty,"andsoIgotasidetolookatthegravesbymyself,andthoughtifIleftyethekeepsakewhichtheMajorgaveme,whenwefirstpartedinthewoods,yewouldn't take it unkind, butwould know that, let the oldman's body gowhereitmight,hisfeelingsstayedbehindhim.""Thismeanssomethingmorethancommon,"exclaimedtheyouth."Whereisit,Natty,thatyoupurposegoing?"Thehunterdrewnighhimwithaconfident,reasoningair,asIfwhathehadtosaywouldsilenceallobjections,andreplied:"Why,lad,theytellmethatonthebiglakesthere'sthebestofhunting,andagreat rangewithoutawhitemanon itunless itmaybeone likemyself. I'mweary of living in clearings, andwhere the hammer is sounding inmy earsfromsunrisetosundown.AndthoughI'mmuchboundtoyeboth,children—Iwouldn'tsayitifItwasnottrue—Icravetogointothewoodsagin—Ido.""Woods!"echoedElizabeth,tremblingwithherfeelings;"doyounotcalltheseendlessforestswoods?""Ah!child,thesebenothingtoamanthat'susedtothewilderness.Ihavetookbutlittlecomfortsin'yourfathercomeonwithhissettlers;butIwouldn'tgofar,whilethelifewasinthebodythatliesunderthesodthere.Butnowhe'sgone,andChingachgookIsgone;andyoubebothyoungandhappy.Yes!thebighousehas rungwithmerriment thismonthpast!AndnowI thoughtwasthe time to get a little comfort in the close of my days.Woods! indeed! Idoesn'tcallthesewoods,MadamEffingham,whereIlosemyselfeverydayofmylifeintheclearings.""Iftherebeanythingwantingtoyourcomfort,nameit,Leather-Stocking;ifitbeattainableitisyours.""Youmean all for the best, lad, I know; and so doesmadam, too; but yourwaysisn'tmyways.'Tislikethedeadthere,whothought,whenthebreathwasin them, that one went east, and one went west, to find their heavens; butthey'llmeetatlast,andsoshallwe,children.Yes,andasyou'vebegun,andweshallmeetinthelandofthejustatlast.""This is so new! so unexpected!" said Elizabeth, in almost breathlessexcitement;"Ihadthoughtyoumeanttolivewithusanddiewithus,Natty.""Wordsareofnoavail,"exclaimedherhusband:"thehabitsoffortyyearsarenot tobedispossessedbythe tiesofaday.Iknowyoutoowell tourgeyoufurther,Natty; unless youwill letme build you a hut on one of the distant

hills,wherewecansometimesseeyou,andknowthatyouarecomfortable.""Don't fear for theLeather-Stocking, children;Godwill see thathisdaysbeprovidedfor,andhisindianhappy.Iknowyoumeanallforthebest,butourwaysdoesn'tagree.Ilovethewoods,andyerelishthefaceofman;Ieatwhenhungry,anddrinkwhena-dry;andyekeepstatedhoursand rules;nay,nay,youevenover-feedthedogs, lad,frompurekindness;andhoundsshouldbegauntytorunwell.ThemeanestofGod'screaturesbemadeforsomeuse,andI'mformedforthewilderness,Ifyeloveme,letmegowheremysoulcravestobeagin!"Theappealwasdecisive;andnotanotherwordofentreatyforhimtoremainwas thenuttered;butElizabethbentherhead toherbosomandwept,whileherhusbanddashedawaythetearsfromhiseyes;and,withhandsthatalmostrefused toperformtheiroffice,heprocuredhispocket-book,andextendedaparcelofbank-notestothehunter."Takethese,"hesaid,"atleasttakethese;securethemaboutyourperson,andinthehourofneedtheywilldoyougoodservice."Theoldmantookthenotes,andexaminedthemwithcuriouseye."This,then,issomeofthenew-fashionedmoneythatthey'vebeenmakingatAlbany,outofpaper! Itcan'tbeworthmuch to they thathasn't larning!No,no,lad——takebackthestuff;itwilldomenosarvice,ItookkeartogetalltheFrenchman'spowderaforehebrokeup,andtheysayleadgrowswhereI'mgoing, it isn'teven fit forwads, seeing that Iusenonebut leather!—MadamEffingham,letanoldmankissyourhand,andwishGod'schoicestblessingsonyouandyour'n.""Once more let me beseech you, stay!" cried Elizabeth. "Do not, Leather-Stocking, leave me to grieve for the man who has twice rescued me fromdeath,andwhohasserved those I loveso faithfully.Formysake, ifnot foryour own, stay. I shall see you in those frightful dreams that still hauntmynights,dyinginpovertyandage,bythesideofthoseterrificbeastsyouslew.Therewill be no evil, that sickness, want, and solitude can inflict, thatmyfancywillnotconjureasyourfate.Staywithus,oldman,ifnotforyourownsake,atleastforours.""Such thoughts and bitter dreams,Madam Effingham," returned the hunter,solemnly,"willneverhauntan innocentparson long.They'llpassawaywithGod'spleasure.Andifthecat-a-mountsbeyetbroughttoyoureyesinsleep,tisnot formysake,but to showyou thepowerofHim that ledme there tosaveyou.TrustinGod,madam,andyourhonorablehusband,andthethoughtsforanoldmanlikemecanneverbelongnorbitter.IpraythattheLordwillkeepyouinmind—theLordthatlivesinclearingsaswellasinthewilderness—andblessyou,andall thatbelong toyou, fromthis time till thegreatday

whenthewhitesshallmeetthered-skinsinjudgement,andjusticeshallbethelaw,andnotpower."Elizabethraisedherhead,andofferedhercolorlesscheektohissalute,whenhe lifted his cap and touched it respectfully. His hand was grasped withconvulsive fervor by the youth, who continued silent. The hunter preparedhimselfforhis journey,drawinghisbelt tighter,andwastinghismoments inthe little reluctant movements of a sorrowful departure. Once or twice heessayed to speak, but a rising in his throat prevented it. At length heshoulderedhisrifle,andcriedwithaclearhuntsman'scallthatechoedthroughthewoods:"He-e-e-re,he-e-e-re,pups—away,dogs,away!—ye'llbefootsoreaforeyeseetheendofthejourney!"Thehounds leaped from theearthat this cry, and scentingaround thegraveandsilentpair,asifconsciousoftheirowndestination,theyfollowedhumblyat theheelsof theirmaster.Ashortpausesucceeded,duringwhicheven theyouth concealed his face on his grandfather's tomb. When the pride ofmanhood,however,hadsuppressedthefeelingsofnature,heturnedtorenewhisentreaties,butsawthatthecemeterywasoccupiedonlybyhimselfandhiswife."Heisgone!"criedEffingham.Elizabethraisedherface,andsawtheoldhunterstandinglookingbackforamoment, on thevergeof thewood.Ashe caught their glances, hedrewhishardhandhastily acrosshis eyes again,waved it onhigh for anadieu, and,utteringa forcedcry tohisdogs,whowerecrouchingathis feet,heenteredtheforest.This was the last they ever saw of the Leather-Stocking, whose rapidmovements preceded the pursuit which Judge Temple both ordered andconducted.Hehadgonefartowardthesettingsun—theforemostinthatbandofpioneerswhoareopening theway for themarchof thenationacross thecontinent.

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