Chapter XII.
"She speaks much of her father; says she hears, There's tricks i' the world; and hems, and beats her breast; Spurns enviously at straws; speaks things in doubt, That carry but half sense; her speech is nothing, Yet the unshaped use of it doth move The hearers to collection;"
Hamlet, IV.v.4-9.
We left the occupants of the castle and the ark, buried in sleep. Once,or twice, in the course of the night, it is true, Deerslayer or theDelaware, arose and looked out upon the tranquil lake; when, findingall safe, each returned to his pallet, and slept like a man who was noteasily deprived of his natural rest. At the first signs of the dawn theformer arose, however, and made his personal arrangements for the day;though his companion, whose nights had not been tranquil or withoutdisturbances of late, continued on his blanket until the sun had fairlyrisen; Judith, too, was later than common that morning, for the earlierhours of the night had brought her little of either refreshment orsleep. But ere the sun had shown himself over the eastern hills thesetoo were up and afoot, even the tardy in that region seldom remaining ontheir pallets after the appearance of the great luminary. Chingachgookwas in the act of arranging his forest toilet, when Deerslayer enteredthe cabin of the Ark and threw him a few coarse but light summervestments that belonged to Hutter.
"Judith hath given me them for your use, chief," said the latter, as hecast the jacket and trousers at the feet of the Indian, "for it's ag'inall prudence and caution to be seen in your war dress and paint. Washoff all them fiery streaks from your cheeks, put on these garments, andhere is a hat, such as it is, that will give you an awful oncivilizedsort of civilization, as the missionaries call it. Remember that Hist isat hand, and what we do for the maiden must be done while we aredoing for others. I know it's ag'in your gifts and your natur' to wearclothes, unless they are cut and carried in a red man's fashion, butmake a vartue of necessity and put these on at once, even if they dorise a little in your throat."
Chingachgook, or the Serpent, eyed the vestments with strong disgust;but he saw the usefulness of the disguise, if not its absolutenecessity. Should the Iroquois discover a red man, in or about theCastle, it might, indeed, place them more on their guard, and givetheir suspicions a direction towards their female captive. Any thing wasbetter than a failure, as it regarded his betrothed, and, after turningthe different garments round and round, examining them with a speciesof grave irony, affecting to draw them on in a way that defeated itself,and otherwise manifesting the reluctance of a young savage to confinehis limbs in the usual appliances of civilized life, the chief submittedto the directions of his companion, and finally stood forth, so faras the eye could detect, a red man in colour alone. Little was to beapprehended from this last peculiarity, however, the distance from theshore, and the want of glasses preventing any very close scrutiny,and Deerslayer, himself, though of a brighter and fresher tint, had acountenance that was burnt by the sun to a hue scarcely less red thanthat of his Mohican companion. The awkwardness of the Delaware in hisnew attire caused his friend to smile more than once that day, but hecarefully abstained from the use of any of those jokes which would havebeen bandied among white men on such an occasion, the habits of a chief,the dignity of a warrior on his first path, and the gravity of thecircumstances in which they were placed uniting to render so much levityout of season.
The meeting at the morning meal of the three islanders, if we may usethe term, was silent, grave and thoughtful. Judith showed by her looksthat she had passed an unquiet night, while the two men had the futurebefore them, with its unseen and unknown events. A few words of courtesypassed between Deerslayer and the girl, in the course of the breakfast,but no allusion was made to their situation. At length Judith, whoseheart was full, and whose novel feelings disposed her to entertainsentiments more gentle and tender than common, introduced the subject,and this in a way to show how much of her thoughts it had occupied, inthe course of the last sleepless night.
"It would be dreadful, Deerslayer," the girl abruptly exclaimed, "shouldanything serious befall my father and Hetty! We cannot remain quietlyhere and leave them in the hands of the Iroquois, without bethinking usof some means of serving them."
"I'm ready, Judith, to sarve them, and all others who are in trouble,could the way to do it be p'inted out. It's no trifling matter to fallinto red-skin hands, when men set out on an ar'n'd like that which tookHutter and Hurry ashore; that I know as well as another, and I wouldn'twish my worst inimy in such a strait, much less them with whom I'vejourneyed, and eat, and slept. Have you any scheme, that you would liketo have the Sarpent and me indivour to carry out?"
"I know of no other means to release the prisoners, than by bribingthe Iroquois. They are not proof against presents, and we might offerenough, perhaps, to make them think it better to carry away what to themwill be rich gifts, than to carry away poor prisoners; if, indeed, theyshould carry them away at all!"
"This is well enough, Judith; yes, it's well enough, if the inimy isto be bought, and we can find articles to make the purchase with. Yourfather has a convenient lodge, and it is most cunningly placed, thoughit doesn't seem overstock'd with riches that will be likely to buy hisransom. There's the piece he calls Killdeer, might count for something,and I understand there's a keg of powder about, which might be amake-weight, sartain; and yet two able bodied men are not to be boughtoff for a trifle--besides--"
"Besides what?" demanded Judith impatiently, observing that the otherhesitated to proceed, probably from a reluctance to distress her.
"Why, Judith, the Frenchers offer bounties as well as our own side, andthe price of two scalps would purchase a keg of powder, and a rifle;though I'll not say one of the latter altogether as good as Killdeer,there, which your father va'nts as uncommon, and unequalled, like. Butfair powder, and a pretty sartain rifle; then the red men are not theexpartest in fire arms, and don't always know the difference atwixt thatwhich is ra'al, and that which is seeming."
"This is horrible!" muttered the girl, struck by the homely manner inwhich her companion was accustomed to state his facts. "But you overlookmy own clothes, Deerslayer, and they, I think, might go far with thewomen of the Iroquois."
"No doubt they would; no doubt they would, Judith," returned the other,looking at her keenly, as if he would ascertain whether she were reallycapable of making such a sacrifice. "But, are you sartain, gal, youcould find it in your heart to part with your own finery for such apurpose? Many is the man who has thought he was valiant till dangerstared him in the face; I've known them, too, that consaited they werekind and ready to give away all they had to the poor, when they'vebeen listening to other people's hard heartedness; but whose fistshave clench'd as tight as the riven hickory when it came to downrightofferings of their own. Besides, Judith, you're handsome--uncommon inthat way, one might observe and do no harm to the truth--and they thathave beauty, like to have that which will adorn it. Are you sartain youcould find it in your heart to part with your own finery?"
The soothing allusion to the personal charms of the girl was well timed,to counteract the effect produced by the distrust that the young manexpressed of Judith's devotion to her filial duties. Had another saidas much as Deerslayer, the compliment would most probably have beenoverlooked in the indignation awakened by the doubts, but even theunpolished sincerity, that so often made this simple minded hunter barehis thoughts, had a charm for the girl; and while she colored, and foran instant her eyes flashed fire, she could not find it in her heartto be really angry with one whose very soul seemed truth and manlykindness. Look her reproaches she did, but conquering the desire toretort, she succeeded in answering in a mild and friendly manner.
"You must keep all your favorable opinions for the Delaware girls,Deerslayer, if you seriously think thus of those of your own colour,"she said, affecting to laugh. "But try me; if you find that I regreteither ribbon or feather, silk or muslin, then may you think what youplease of my heart, and say what you think."
"That's justice
! The rarest thing to find on 'arth is a truly just man.So says Tamenund, the wisest prophet of the Delawares, and so all mustthink that have occasion to see, and talk, and act among Mankind. I lovea just man, Sarpent. His eyes are never covered with darkness towardshis inimies, while they are all sunshine and brightness towards hisfri'nds. He uses the reason that God has given him, and he uses it witha feelin' of his being ordered to look at, and to consider things asthey are, and not as he wants them to be. It's easy enough to find menwho call themselves just, but it's wonderful oncommon to find them thatare the very thing, in fact. How often have I seen Indians, gal, whobelieved they were lookin' into a matter agreeable to the will of theGreat Spirit, when in truth they were only striving to act up to theirown will and pleasure, and this, half the time, with a temptation togo wrong that could no more be seen by themselves, than the stream thatruns in the next valley can be seen by us through yonder mountain',though any looker on might have discovered it as plainly as we candiscover the parch that are swimming around this hut."
"Very true, Deerslayer," rejoined Judith, losing every trace ofdispleasure in a bright smile--"very true, and I hope to see you act onthis love of justice in all matters in which I am concerned. Above all,I hope you will judge for yourself, and not believe every evil storythat a prating idler like Hurry Harry may have to tell, that goes totouch the good name of any young woman, who may not happen to have thesame opinion of his face and person that the blustering gallant has ofhimself."
"Hurry Harry's idees do not pass for gospel with me, Judith; but evenworse than he may have eyes and ears," returned the other gravely.
"Enough of this!" exclaimed Judith, with flashing eye and a flush thatmounted to her temples, "and more of my father and his ransom. 'Tis asyou say, Deerslayer; the Indians will not be likely to give up theirprisoners without a heavier bribe than my clothes can offer, andfather's rifle and powder. There is the chest."
"Ay, there is the chest as you say, Judith, and when the question getsto be between a secret and a scalp, I should think most men would preferkeeping the last. Did your father ever give you any downright commandsconsarning that chist?"
"Never. He has always appeared to think its locks, and its steel bands,and its strength, its best protection."
"'Tis a rare chest, and altogether of curious build," returnedDeerslayer, rising and approaching the thing in question, on whichhe seated himself, with a view to examine it with greater ease."Chingachgook, this is no wood that comes of any forest that you or Ihave ever trailed through! 'Tisn't the black walnut, and yet it's quiteas comely, if not more so, did the smoke and the treatment give it fairplay."
The Delaware drew near, felt of the wood, examined its grain, endeavoredto indent the surface with a nail, and passed his hand curiously overthe steel bands, the heavy padlocks, and the other novel peculiaritiesof the massive box.
"No--nothing like this grows in these regions," resumed Deerslayer."I've seen all the oaks, both the maples, the elms, the bass woods, allthe walnuts, the butternuts, and every tree that has a substance andcolour, wrought into some form or other, but never have I before seensuch a wood as this! Judith, the chest itself would buy your father'sfreedom, or Iroquois cur'osity isn't as strong as red-skin cur'osity, ingeneral; especially in the matter of woods."
"The purchase might be cheaper made, perhaps, Deerslayer. The chest isfull, and it would be better to part with half than to part with thewhole. Besides, father--I know not why--but father values that chesthighly."
"He would seem to prize what it holds more than the chest, itself,judging by the manner in which he treats the outside, and secures theinside. Here are three locks, Judith; is there no key?"
"I've never seen one, and yet key there must be, since Hetty told us shehad often seen the chest opened."
"Keys no more lie in the air, or float on the water, than humans, gal;if there is a key, there must be a place in which it is kept."
"That is true, and it might not be difficult to find it, did we dare tosearch!"
"This is for you, Judith; it is altogether for you. The chist is your'n,or your father's; and Hutter is your father, not mine. Cur'osity is awoman's, and not a man's failing, and there you have got all the reasonsbefore you. If the chist has articles for ransom, it seems to me theywould be wisely used in redeeming their owner's life, or even in savinghis scalp; but that is a matter for your judgment, and not for ourn.When the lawful owner of a trap, or a buck, or a canoe, isn't present,his next of kin becomes his riprisentyve by all the laws of the woods.We therefore leave you to say whether the chist shall, or shall not beopened."
"I hope you do not believe I can hesitate, when my father's life's indanger, Deerslayer!"
"Why, it's pretty much putting a scolding ag'in tears and mourning.It's not onreasonable to foretell that old Tom may find fault withwhat you've done, when he sees himself once more in his hut, here, butthere's nothing unusual in men's falling out with what has been done fortheir own good; I dare to say that even the moon would seem a differentthing from what it now does, could we look at it from the other side."
"Deerslayer, if we can find the key, I will authorize you to openthe chest, and to take such things from it as you may think will buyfather's ransom."
"First find the key, gal; we'll talk of the rest a'terwards. Sarpent,you've eyes like a fly, and a judgment that's seldom out. Can you helpus in calculating where Floating Tom would be apt to keep the key of achist that he holds to be as private as this?"
The Delaware had taken no part in the discourse until he was thusdirectly appealed to, when he quitted the chest, which had continued toattract his attention, and cast about him for the place in which a keywould be likely to be concealed under such circumstances. As Judith andDeerslayer were not idle the while, the whole three were soon engaged inan anxious and spirited search. As it was certain that the desired keywas not to be found in any of the common drawers or closets, of whichthere were several in the building, none looked there, but all turnedtheir inquiries to those places that struck them as ingenious hidingplaces, and more likely to be used for such a purpose. In this mannerthe outer room was thoroughly but fruitlessly examined, when theyentered the sleeping apartment of Hutter. This part of the rude buildingwas better furnished than the rest of the structure, containing severalarticles that had been especially devoted to the service of the deceasedwife of its owner, but as Judith had all the rest of the keys, it wassoon rummaged without bringing to light the particular key desired.
They now entered the bed room of the daughters. Chingachgook wasimmediately struck with the contrast between the articles and thearrangement of that side of the room that might be called Judith's, andthat which more properly belonged to Hetty. A slight exclamation escapedhim, and pointing in each direction he alluded to the fact in a lowvoice, speaking to his friend in the Delaware tongue.
"'Tis as you think, Sarpent," answered Deerslayer, whose remarks wealways translate into English, preserving as much as possible of thepeculiar phraseology and manner of the man, "'Tis just so, as any onemay see, and 'tis all founded in natur'. One sister loves finery, somesay overmuch; while t'other is as meek and lowly as God ever createdgoodness and truth. Yet, after all, I dare say that Judith has hervartues, and Hetty has her failin's."
"And the 'Feeble-Mind' has seen the chist opened?" inquiredChingachgook, with curiosity in his glance.
"Sartain; that much I've heard from her own lips; and, for that matter,so have you. It seems her father doesn't misgive her discretion, thoughhe does that of his eldest darter."
"Then the key is hid only from the Wild Rose?" for so Chingachgookhad begun gallantly to term Judith, in his private discourse with hisfriend.
"That's it! That's just it! One he trusts, and the other he doesn't.There's red and white in that, Sarpent, all tribes and nations agreeingin trusting some, and refusing to trust other some. It depends oncharacter and judgment."
"Where could a key be put, so little likely to be found by the WildRose, as among
coarse clothes?"
Deerslayer started, and turning to his friend with admiration expressedin every lineament of his face, he fairly laughed, in his silent buthearty manner, at the ingenuity and readiness of the conjecture.
"Your name's well bestowed, Sarpent--yes, 'tis well bestowed! Sureenough, where would a lover of finery be so little likely to s'arch, asamong garments as coarse and onseemly as these of poor Hetty's. I daresto say, Judith's delicate fingers haven't touched a bit of clothas rough and oncomely as that petticoat, now, since she first madeacquaintance with the officers! Yet, who knows? The key may be as likelyto be on the same peg, as in any other place. Take down the garment,Delaware, and let us see if you are ra'ally a prophet." Chingachgookdid as desired, but no key was found. A coarse pocket, apparently empty,hung on the adjoining peg, and this was next examined. By this time,the attention of Judith was called in that direction, and she spokehurriedly and like one who wished to save unnecessary trouble.
"Those are only the clothes of poor Hetty, dear simple girl!" she said,"Nothing we seek would be likely to be there."
The words were hardly out of the handsome mouth of the speaker, whenChingachgook drew the desired key from the pocket. Judith was too quickof apprehension not to understand the reason a hiding place so simpleand exposed had been used. The blood rushed to her face, as much withresentment, perhaps, as with shame, and she bit her lip, though shecontinued silent. Deerslayer and his friend now discovered the delicacyof men of native refinement, neither smiling or even by a glancebetraying how completely he understood the motives and ingenuity of thisclever artifice. The former, who had taken the key from the Indian, ledthe way into the adjoining room, and applying it to a lock ascertainedthat the right instrument had actually been found. There were threepadlocks, each of which however was easily opened by this single key.Deerslayer removed them all, loosened the hasps, raised the lid a littleto make certain it was loose, and then he drew back from the chestseveral feet, signing to his friend to follow.
"This is a family chist, Judith," he said, "and 'tis like to hold familysecrets. The Sarpent and I will go into the Ark, and look to the canoes,and paddles, and oars, while you can examine it by yourself, and findout whether any thing that will be a make-weight in a ransom is, or isnot, among the articles. When you've got through give us a call, andwe'll all sit in council together touching the valie of the articles."
"Stop, Deerslayer," exclaimed the girl, as he was about to withdraw."Not a single thing will I touch--I will not even raise the lid--unlessyou are present. Father and Hetty have seen fit to keep the inside ofthis chest a secret from me, and I am much too proud to pry into theirhidden treasures unless it were for their own good. But on no accountwill I open the chest alone. Stay with me, then; I want witnesses ofwhat I do."
"I rather think, Sarpent, that the gal is right! Confidence and reliancebeget security, but suspicion is like to make us all wary. Judith has aright to ask us to be present, and should the chist hold any of MasterHutter's secrets, they will fall into the keeping of two as closemouthed young men as are to be found. We will stay with you, Judith--butfirst let us take a look at the lake and the shore, for this chist willnot be emptied in a minute."
The two men now went out on the platform, and Deerslayer swept the shorewith the glass, while the Indian gravely turned his eye on the water andthe woods, in quest of any sign that might betray the machinationsof their enemies. Nothing was visible, and assured of their temporarysecurity, the three collected around the chest again, with the avowedobject of opening it.
Judith had held this chest and its unknown contents in a species ofreverence as long as she could remember. Neither her father nor hermother ever mentioned it in her presence, and there appeared to be asilent convention that in naming the different objects that occasionallystood near it, or even lay on its lid, care should be had to avoid anyallusion to the chest itself. Habit had rendered this so easy, and somuch a matter of course, that it was only quite recently the girl hadbegan even to muse on the singularity of the circumstance. But there hadnever been sufficient intimacy between Hutter and his eldest daughter toinvite confidence. At times he was kind, but in general, with her moreespecially, he was stern and morose. Least of all had his authority beenexercised in a way to embolden his child to venture on the liberty shewas about to take, without many misgivings of the consequences, althoughthe liberty proceeded from a desire to serve himself. Then Judith wasnot altogether free from a little superstition on the subject of thischest, which had stood a sort of tabooed relic before her eyes fromchildhood to the present hour. Nevertheless the time had come whenit would seem that this mystery was to be explained, and that undercircumstances, too, which left her very little choice in the matter.
Finding that both her companions were watching her movements, in gravesilence, Judith placed a hand on the lid and endeavored to raise it. Herstrength, however, was insufficient, and it appeared to the girl, whowas fully aware that all the fastenings were removed, that she wasresisted in an unhallowed attempt by some supernatural power.
"I cannot raise the lid, Deerslayer!" she said--"Had we not better giveup the attempt, and find some other means of releasing the prisoners?"
"Not so--Judith; not so, gal. No means are as sartain and easy, as agood bribe," answered the other. "As for the lid, 'tis held by nothingbut its own weight, which is prodigious for so small a piece of wood,loaded with iron as it is."
As Deerslayer spoke, he applied his own strength to the effort, andsucceeded in raising the lid against the timbers of the house, where hetook care to secure it by a sufficient prop. Judith fairly trembledas she cast her first glance at the interior, and she felt a temporaryrelief in discovering that a piece of canvas, that was carefully tuckedin around the edges, effectually concealed all beneath it. The chest wasapparently well stored, however, the canvas lying within an inch of thelid.
"Here's a full cargo," said Deerslayer, eyeing the arrangement, "andwe had needs go to work leisurely and at our ease. Sarpent, bring somestools while I spread this blanket on the floor, and then we'll beginwork orderly and in comfort."
The Delaware complied, Deerslayer civilly placed a stool for Judith,took one himself, and commenced the removal of the canvas covering.This was done deliberately, and in as cautious a manner as if it werebelieved that fabrics of a delicate construction lay hidden beneath.When the canvass was removed, the first articles that came in view weresome of the habiliments of the male sex. They were of fine materials,and, according to the fashions of the age, were gay in colours and richin ornaments. One coat in particular was of scarlet, and had buttonholes worked in gold thread. Still it was not military, but was part ofthe attire of a civilian of condition, at a period when social rankwas rigidly respected in dress. Chingachgook could not refrain from anexclamation of pleasure, as soon as Deerslayer opened this coat and heldit up to view, for, notwithstanding all his trained self-command, thesplendor of the vestment was too much for the philosophy of an Indian.Deerslayer turned quickly, and he regarded his friend with momentarydispleasure as this burst of weakness escaped him, and then hesoliloquized, as was his practice whenever any strong feeling suddenlygot the ascendancy.
"'Tis his gift!--yes, 'tis the gift of a red-skin to love finery, andhe is not to be blamed. This is an extr'ornary garment, too, andextr'ornary things get up extr'ornary feelin's. I think this will do,Judith, for the Indian heart is hardly to be found in all America thatcan withstand colours like these, and glitter like that. If this coatwas ever made for your father, you've come honestly by the taste forfinery, you have."
"That coat was never made for father," answered the girl, quickly--"itis much too long, while father is short and square."
"Cloth was plenty if it was, and glitter cheap," answered Deerslayer,with his silent, joyous laugh. "Sarpent, this garment was made for a manof your size, and I should like to see it on your shoulders."
Chingachgook, nothing loath, submitted to the trial, throwing aside thecoarse and thread bare
jacket of Hutter, to deck his person in a coatthat was originally intended for a gentleman. The transformation wasludicrous, but as men are seldom struck with incongruities in their ownappearance, any more than in their own conduct, the Delaware studiedthis change in a common glass, by which Hutter was in the habit ofshaving, with grave interest. At that moment he thought of Hist, andwe owe it to truth, to say, though it may militate a little against thestern character of a warrior to avow it, that he wished he could be seenby her in his present improved aspect.
"Off with it, Sarpent--off with it," resumed the inflexible Deerslayer."Such garments as little become you as they would become me. Your giftsare for paint, and hawk's feathers, and blankets, and wampum, and mineare for doublets of skins, tough leggings, and sarviceable moccasins.I say moccasins, Judith, for though white, living as I do in the woodsit's necessary to take to some of the practyces of the woods, forcomfort's sake and cheapness."
"I see no reason, Deerslayer, why one man may not wear a scarlet coat,as well as another," returned the girl. "I wish I could see you in thishandsome garment."
"See me in a coat fit for a Lord!--Well, Judith, if you wait till thatday, you'll wait until you see me beyond reason and memory. No--no--gal,my gifts are my gifts, and I'll live and die in 'em, though I neverbring down another deer, or spear another salmon. What have I done thatyou should wish to see me in such a flaunting coat, Judith?"
"Because I think, Deerslayer, that the false-tongued and false-heartedyoung gallants of the garrisons, ought not alone to appear in finefeathers, but that truth and honesty have their claims to be honored andexalted."
"And what exaltification"--the reader will have remarked that Deerslayerhad not very critically studied his dictionary--"and what exaltificationwould it be to me, Judith, to be bedizened and bescarleted like a Mingochief that has just got his presents up from Quebec? No--no--I'm well asI am; and if not, I can be no better. Lay the coat down on the blanket,Sarpent, and let us look farther into the chist."
The tempting garment, one surely that was never intended for Hutter, waslaid aside, and the examination proceeded. The male attire, all of whichcorresponded with the coat in quality, was soon exhausted, and thensucceeded female. A beautiful dress of brocade, a little the worsefrom negligent treatment, followed, and this time open exclamations ofdelight escaped the lips of Judith. Much as the girl had been addictedto dress, and favorable as had been her opportunities of seeingsome little pretension in that way among the wives of the differentcommandants, and other ladies of the forts, never before had she behelda tissue, or tints, to equal those that were now so unexpectedly placedbefore her eyes. Her rapture was almost childish, nor would she allowthe inquiry to proceed, until she had attired her person in a robe sounsuited to her habits and her abode. With this end, she withdrew intoher own room, where with hands practised in such offices, she soon gotrid of her own neat gown of linen, and stood forth in the gay tints ofthe brocade. The dress happened to fit the fine, full person of Judith,and certainly it had never adorned a being better qualified by naturalgifts to do credit to its really rich hues and fine texture. When shereturned, both Deerslayer and Chingachgook, who had passed the brieftime of her absence in taking a second look at the male garments, arosein surprise, each permitting exclamations of wonder and pleasure toescape him, in a way so unequivocal as to add new lustre to the eyesof Judith, by flushing her cheeks with a glow of triumph. Affecting,however, not to notice the impression she had made, the girl seatedherself with the stateliness of a queen, desiring that the chest mightbe looked into, further.
"I don't know a better way to treat with the Mingos, gal," criedDeerslayer, "than to send you ashore as you be, and to tell 'em that aqueen has arrived among 'em! They'll give up old Hutter, and Hurry, andHetty, too, at such a spectacle!"
"I thought your tongue too honest to flatter, Deerslayer," returned thegirl, gratified at this admiration more than she would have cared toown. "One of the chief reasons of my respect for you, was your love fortruth."
"And 'tis truth, and solemn truth, Judith, and nothing else. Never dideyes of mine gaze on as glorious a lookin' creatur' as you be yourself,at this very moment! I've seen beauties in my time, too, both white andred; and them that was renowned and talk'd of, far and near; but neverhave I beheld one that could hold any comparison with what you are atthis blessed instant, Judith; never."
The glance of delight which the girl bestowed on the frank-speakinghunter in no degree lessened the effect of her charms, and as thehumid eyes blended with it a look of sensibility, perhaps Judith neverappeared more truly lovely, than at what the young man had called that"blessed instant." He shook his head, held it suspended a momentover the open chest, like one in doubt, and then proceeded with theexamination.
Several of the minor articles of female dress came next, all of aquality to correspond with the gown. These were laid at Judith's feet,in silence, as if she had a natural claim to their possession. One ortwo, such as gloves, and lace, the girl caught up, and appended to heralready rich attire in affected playfulness, but with the real designof decorating her person as far as circumstances would allow. Whenthese two remarkable suits, male and female they might be termed, wereremoved, another canvas covering separated the remainder of thearticles from the part of the chest which they had occupied. As soonas Deerslayer perceived this arrangement he paused, doubtful of thepropriety of proceeding any further.
"Every man has his secrets, I suppose," he said, "and all men havea right to their enj'yment. We've got low enough in this chist in myjudgment to answer our wants, and it seems to me we should do well bygoing no farther; and by letting Master Hutter have to himself, and hisown feelin's, all that's beneath this cover.
"Do you mean, Deerslayer, to offer these clothes to the Iroquois asransom?" demanded Judith, quickly.
"Sartain. What are we prying into another man's chist for, but to sarveits owner in the best way we can. This coat, alone, would be very aptto gain over the head chief of the riptyles, and if his wife or dartershould happen to be out with him, that there gownd would soften theheart of any woman that is to be found atween Albany and Montreal. I donot see that we want a larger stock in trade than them two articles."
"To you it may seem so, Deerslayer," returned the disappointed girl,"but of what use could a dress like this be to any Indian woman? Shecould not wear it among the branches of the trees, the dirt and smoke ofthe wigwam would soon soil it, and how would a pair of red arms appear,thrust through these short, laced sleeves!"
"All very true, gal, and you might go on and say it is altogether out oftime, and place and season, in this region at all. What is it to us howthe finery is treated, so long as it answers our wishes? I do not seethat your father can make any use of such clothes, and it's lucky he hasthings that are of no valie to himself, that will bear a high price withothers. We can make no better trade for him, than to offer these dudsfor his liberty. We'll throw in the light frivol'ties, and get Hurry offin the bargain."
"Then you think, Deerslayer, that Thomas Hutter has no one in hisfamily--no child--no daughter, to whom this dress may be thoughtbecoming, and whom you could wish to see in it, once and awhile, eventhough it should be at long intervals, and only in playfulness?"
"I understand you, Judith--yes, I now understand your meaning, and Ithink I can say, your wishes. That you are as glorious in that dress asthe sun when it rises or sets in a soft October day, I'm ready to allow,and that you greatly become it is a good deal more sartain than that itbecomes you. There's gifts in clothes, as well as in other things. NowI do not think that a warrior on his first path ought to lay on the sameawful paints as a chief that has had his virtue tried, and knows fromexper'ence he will not disgrace his pretensions. So it is with all ofus, red or white. You are Thomas Hutter's darter, and that gownd wasmade for the child of some governor, or a lady of high station, and itwas intended to be worn among fine furniture, and in rich company. Inmy eyes, Judith, a modest maiden never looks more becoming than whenbecomingly c
lad, and nothing is suitable that is out of character.Besides, gal, if there's a creatur' in the colony that can afford todo without finery, and to trust to her own good looks and sweetcountenance, it's yourself."
"I'll take off the rubbish this instant, Deerslayer," cried the girl,springing up to leave the room, "and never do I wish to see it on anyhuman being, again."
"So it is with 'em, all, Sarpent," said the other, turning to his friendand laughing, as soon as the beauty had disappeared. "They like finery,but they like their natyve charms most of all. I'm glad the gal hasconsented to lay aside her furbelows, howsever, for it's ag'in reasonfor one of her class to wear em; and then she is handsome enough, as Icall it, to go alone. Hist would show oncommon likely, too, in such agownd, Delaware!"
"Wah-ta-Wah is a red-skin girl, Deerslayer," returned the Indian, "likethe young of the pigeon, she is to be known by her own feathers. Ishould pass by without knowing her, were she dressed in such a skin.It's wisest always to be so clad that our friends need not ask us forour names. The 'Wild Rose' is very pleasant, but she is no sweeter forso many colours."
"That's it!--that's natur', and the true foundation for love andprotection. When a man stoops to pick a wild strawberry, he does notexpect to find a melon; and when he wishes to gather a melon, he'sdisapp'inted if it proves to be a squash; though squashes be oftenbrighter to the eye than melons. That's it, and it means stick to yourgifts, and your gifts will stick to you."
The two men had now a little discussion together, touching the proprietyof penetrating any farther into the chest of Hutter, when Judithre-appeared, divested of her robes, and in her own simple linen frockagain.
"Thank you, Judith," said Deerslayer, taking her kindly by the hand--"forI know it went a little ag'in the nat'ral cravings of woman, to layaside so much finery, as it might be in a lump. But you're more pleasingto the eye as you stand, you be, than if you had a crown on your head,and jewels dangling from your hair. The question now is, whether to liftthis covering to see what will be ra'ally the best bargain we can makefor Master Hutter, for we must do as we think he would be willing to do,did he stand here in our places."
Judith looked very happy. Accustomed as she was to adulation, the homelyhomage of Deerslayer had given her more true satisfaction, than she hadever yet received from the tongue of man. It was not the terms in whichthis admiration had been expressed, for they were simple enough, thatproduced so strong an impression; nor yet their novelty, or their warmthof manner, nor any of those peculiarities that usually give value topraise; but the unflinching truth of the speaker, that carried hiswords so directly to the heart of the listener. This is one of thegreat advantages of plain dealing and frankness. The habitual and wilyflatterer may succeed until his practices recoil on himself, and likeother sweets his aliment cloys by its excess; but he who deals honestly,though he often necessarily offends, possesses a power of praising thatno quality but sincerity can bestow, since his words go directly tothe heart, finding their support in the understanding. Thus it was withDeerslayer and Judith. So soon and so deeply did this simple hunterimpress those who knew him with a conviction of his unbending honesty,that all he uttered in commendation was as certain to please, as all heuttered in the way of rebuke was as certain to rankle and excite enmity,where his character had not awakened a respect and affection, that inanother sense rendered it painful. In after life, when the career ofthis untutored being brought him in contact with officers of rank, andothers entrusted with the care of the interests of the state, this sameinfluence was exerted on a wider field, even generals listening to hiscommendations with a glow of pleasure, that it was not always in thepower of their official superiors to awaken. Perhaps Judith was thefirst individual of his own colour who fairly submitted to this naturalconsequence of truth and fair-dealing on the part of Deerslayer. She hadactually pined for his praise, and she had now received it, and thatin the form which was most agreeable to her weaknesses and habits ofthought. The result will appear in the course of the narrative.
"If we knew all that chest holds, Deerslayer," returned the girl, whenshe had a little recovered from the immediate effect produced by hiscommendations of her personal appearance, "we could better determine onthe course we ought to take."
"That's not onreasonable, gal, though it's more a pale-face than ared-skin gift to be prying into other people's secrets."
"Curiosity is natural, and it is expected that all human beings shouldhave human failings. Whenever I've been at the garrisons, I've foundthat most in and about them had a longing to learn their neighbor'ssecrets."
"Yes, and sometimes to fancy them, when they couldn't find 'em out!That's the difference atween an Indian gentleman and a white gentleman.The Sarpent, here, would turn his head aside if he found himselfonknowingly lookin' into another chief's wigwam, whereas in thesettlements while all pretend to be great people, most prove they'vegot betters, by the manner in which they talk of their consarns. I'll bebound, Judith, you wouldn't get the Sarpent, there, to confess therewas another in the tribe so much greater than himself, as to become thesubject of his idees, and to empl'y his tongue in conversations abouthis movements, and ways, and food, and all the other little matters thatoccupy a man when he's not empl'y'd in his greater duties. He who doesthis is but little better than a blackguard, in the grain, and them thatencourages him is pretty much of the same kidney, let them wear coats asfine as they may, or of what dye they please."
"But this is not another man's wigwam; it belongs to my father, theseare his things, and they are wanted in his service."
"That's true, gal; that's true, and it carries weight with it. Well,when all is before us we may, indeed, best judge which to offer for theransom, and which to withhold."
Judith was not altogether as disinterested in her feelings as sheaffected to be. She remembered that the curiosity of Hetty hadbeen indulged in connection with this chest, while her own had beendisregarded, and she was not sorry to possess an opportunity of beingplaced on a level with her less gifted sister in this one particular. Itappearing to be admitted all round that the enquiry into the contents ofthe chest ought to be renewed, Deerslayer proceeded to remove the secondcovering of canvass.
The articles that lay uppermost, when the curtain was again raised onthe secrets of the chest, were a pair of pistols, curiously inlaid withsilver. Their value would have been considerable in one of the towns,though as weapons in the woods they were a species of arms seldomemployed; never, indeed, unless it might be by some officer fromEurope, who visited the colonies, as many were then wont to do, so muchimpressed with the superiority of the usages of London as to fancy theywere not to be laid aside on the frontiers of America. What occurred onthe discovery of these weapons will appear in the succeeding chapter.
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