The Deerslayer

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seems remote and obscure, the thousand changes that thicken along the links of recollections, throwing back the origin of the nation to a day so distant as seemingly to reach the mists of time; and yet four lives of ordinary duration would suffice to transmit, from mouth to mouth, in the form of tradition, all that civilized man has achieved within the limits of the republic. Although New York alone possesses a popul

, such as Claverack, Kinderhook, and even Poughkeepsie, were not regarded as safe from Indian incursions a century since; and there is still standing on the banks of the same river, and within musket-shot of the wharves of Albany, a residence of a younger branch of the Van Rensselaers, that has loopholes constructed for defence against the same crafty enemy, although it dates

e first river, but they even crossed it, stretching away into New England, and affording forest covers to the noiseless moccasin of the native warrior, as he trod the secret and bloody war-path. A bird's-eye view of the whole region east of the Mississippi must then have offered one vast expanse of woods, relieved by a comparatively narrow fringe of cultivation along the sea, dotted by the glittering surfaces

in their stated order with a sublime precision, affording to man one of the noblest of all the occasions he enjoys of proving the high pow

andeur in the shades beneath. The calls were in different tones, evidently proceeding from two men who had lost their way, and were searching in different directions for their path. At length a shout proclaimed success, and presently a man of gigantic mould broke out of the tangled labyrinth of a small swamp, emerging into an opening t

mself under a clear sky, shaking his huge frame like a mastiff that has just escaped f

e swamp, and appeared in the area. After making a hurried adjustment of his arms and dis

the one called Deerslayer, "or do

as just happened. My name is not Hurry Harry, if this be not the very spot where the land-hunters camped the last summer, and passed a week. See I yonder are the dead bushes of their bower, and here is the spring. Much as I like the sun,

ugal but hearty meal. We will profit by this pause in the discourse to give the reader some idea o

uently he was termed Hurry Skurry, a nickname he had obtained from a dashing, reckless offhand manner, and a physical restlessness that kept him so constantly on the move, as to cause him to be known along the whole line of scattered habitations that lay between the province and the Canadas. The stature of Hurry Harry exceeded six feet four, and being unusually

ld have had little to recommend it except youth, were it not for an expression that seldom failed to win upon those who had leisure to examine it, and to yield to the feeling of confidence it created. This expression was simply that of guileless truth, sustained by an earnestness of purpose, and a sincerity

r-skins, and had the usual signs of belonging to those who pass their time between the skirts of civilized society and the boundless forests. There was, notwithstanding, some attention to smartness and the picturesque in the arrangements of Deerslayer's dress, more particula

cial aids, wore everything in a careless, slovenly manner, as if he felt a noble scorn for the trifling accessories of dress and ornaments. Perha

setting the example by opening his mouth to receive a slice of cold venison steak that would have made an entire meal for a European

a catamount," returned the other, disposing himself to comply. "The Delawares have given me my name, not so much on account of a bold heart, a

, the mouth being too full to permit it to be fairly opened, "or they woul

as his companion was dangerous as an enemy; "the Mengwe fill the woods with their lies, and misconstruct words and treaties. I hav

; answer me one question; you have had so much luck among the game as to have gotten a title, it would seem, but did you

the youth, that was easily to be traced in the workings of his ingenuous countenance. The struggle wa

n never offered. The Delawares have been peaceable since my sojourn with 'em, and I

nd do the law on him with your own hands, by way of saving the magistrate

ill not turn my back on any man of my years, atween the Hudson and the St. Lawrence. I never offer a

nciples, and now we have what you call a lawful war on our hands, the sooner you wipe that disgrace off your character, the sounder will be your sleep; if it only come from knowing

, if you see occasion. I have a fri'nd waiting for me, who will think it no d

rly in the season," muttered Hurry to himself, in a way to show equally distrust and a rec

tchets. This rock have I often heard the Delawares mention, though lake and rock are equally strangers to me. The country is claimed by both Mingos a

ter would say to that! He claims the lake as his own property, in vartue of fifteen years' posse

me owner, the gentry pushing their cravings into the wilderness, even where t

of sile in this part of the country. Pen was never put to paper consarning either hill or valley hereaway, as I've heard old Tom sa

either Mingo, Delaware, nor pale-face. His possession, too, has been long, by your

ways of any other fellow-creatur'. Some think he was a free liver on the salt water, in his youth, and a companion of a sartain Kidd, who was hanged for piracy, long afore you and I were

very wrong. A man can enjoy

ain that enjoyed it best in a corner. Some men have no peace if they don't find plunder, and some if they do. Human nature' is crooked in these matters. Old To

s, who've hunted this a way, tell their histories

; but she has now been dead a

looking up at his compa

the last of her, as I can testify, being an eye-witness of the ceremony; but whether Tom did it to save digging, whic

cked, that her husband should t

y of taking it. There was a little steel in her temper, it's true, and, as old Hutter is pretty much flint, they struck out sparks once-and-a-while; but, on the whole, they might be said to live amicable like. When they did kindle, the listeners got some such insights into the

was pronounced after a fashion of their own. From their di

with a fancy, and that, too, consarning one like Judith? You are but a boy-a sapling, that has scarce got root. Judith has had men among her s

heat is not wanted," answered the other, altogether undisturbed; "any one may ha

pausing a moment to reflect, "come, Deerslayer, we are sworn friends, and will not quarrel about a light-minded, jilting jade, just because she happens to be handsome; more especially as you have never seen her. Judi

and pleasant of speech; but over-g

say that they are philosophers, and understand a man as well as they understand a beaver, and a woman as well as they understand either. Now that's Judith's character to a ribb

the hunter, who continued to eat like one t

hter, or waves in the wind with an easier bend, nor did you ever see the doe that bounded with a more nat'ral motion. If that was all, every tongu

ays come back? Nothing is ever ma

that I do not feel a wish to swear about it. If you know'd all that I know consarning Judith, you'd find a justification for a little cussing. Now, the officers sometimes stray over to the lake,

eerslayer gravely, "the officers are all gentry, and

right. On the whole, I wish to look upon her as modest and becoming, and yet the clouds that drive among these hills are not more unsartain. Not

nd altogether to the forest; that will not deceive you

about the officers, I would carry the gal off to the Mohawk by force, make her marry me in spite of her whiffling, and leave old To

layer, raising his eyes with a species of half-awaken

sister, I tell thee, boy, is such another as is not to be found atween this and the sea: Judith is as full of

red, again, t

direction, but sometimes does not know how. 'Compass'for the p'int, and 'meant us' for the intention. No, poor Hetty i

ll who fall short of their proper share of reason. The red-skins honor and respect them who are so gifted, knowi

s I have told you. Old Tom has a feeling for the gal, and so has Judith, quick-witted and glorious as she is herself

uented sheet," observed the Deerslayer, evidentl

frontiersmen-hunters and trappers, and scouts, and the like,-can do a deal of mischief if they try. 'T

aith, to encourage yo

s,-and yet I could not get the hussy to a promise, or even a cordial willing smile, though she will laugh by the h

osen, Hurry, simply because she found

f me in a matter that touches me as near as the kindness of Judith Hutter! Besides, when we live beyond law, we must be our own judges and executioners. And

nd, after what has passed, I might tell enou

re to think of informing against Hurry Harry in so

th, Hurry, consarning you

emed to threaten much more earnestness than the occasion would appear to call for. Whatever might be the real intention of March, and it is probable there was none settled in his mind, it is certain that he was unusually aroused; and most men who found themselves throttled by one of a mould so gigantic, in such a mood, and in

l you shake from me. It is probable that Judith Hutter has no husband to slay, and you may never have a c

and sat regarding the oth

ngth added; "but you've got the last secr

d human laws,-and perhaps we are so, in fact, whatever it may be in right,-but there is a law and a law-ma

e at heart a Moravian, and no fair-minded, pla

ger is foolish, and proves how little you have sojourned with the red man. Judith Hutter no doubt is still single, and y

oud, good-natured laugh, which brought tears to his eyes. After t

lawyers in the towns than like sensible men in the woods. They tell me, Deerslayer, much ill-blood grows

e, and more especially about a husband that this Judith Hutter may never see, or never wish to see. For my part, I feel more cur'osity about the feeble-witted sister than about your beauty. There's something that comes close to a man's feelin's, when he meets with a fellow-creatur' that has all the outward show of an accountable mortal, and who fails of being wha

hat they are headstrong and given to having their own way, without much bethinking 'em of other people's rights or feelin's,-and

God's power as especially under his care. I rejoice to hear what you say, however, I rejoice to hear it; but as the sun is beginning to turn towards

ed; then the travelers shouldered their packs, resumed their arms, and, quitting