ntion of again entering the
river. "He will not be so mad as to return to the other shore for any
trifle he may have forgotten?"

"Not he, not he; he is as prudent as he is brave, in the main, though
so forgetful of himself in the late ambushment. Hark'e, Jasper," leading
the other a little aside, just as they heard the Indian's plunge into
the water,--"hark'e, lad; Chingachgook is not a Christian white man,
like ourselves, but a Mohican chief, who has his gifts and traditions to
tell him what he ought to do; and he who consorts with them that are not
strictly and altogether of his own kind had better leave natur' and use
to govern his comrades. A king's soldier will swear and he will drink,
and it is of little use to try to prevent him; a gentleman likes his
delicacies, and a lady her feathers and it does not avail much to
struggle against either; whereas an Indian's natur' and gifts are much
stronger than these, and no doubt were bestowed by the Lord for wise
ends, though neither you nor me can follow them in all their windings."

"What does this mean? See, the Delaware is swimming towards the body
that is lodged on the rock? Why does he risk this?"

"For honor and glory and renown, as great gentlemen quit their quiet
homes beyond seas--where, as they tell me, heart has nothing left to
wish for; that is, such hearts as can be satisfied in a clearing--to
come hither to live on game and fight the Frenchers."

"I understand you--your friend has gone to secure the scalp."

"'Tis his gift, and let him enjoy it. We are white men, and cannot
mangle a dead enemy; but it is honor in the eyes of a red-skin to do
so. It may seem singular to you, Eau-douce, but I've known white men of
great name and character manifest as remarkable idees consarning their
honor, I have."

"A savage will be a savage, Pathfinder, let him keep what company he
may."

"It is well for us to say so, lad; but, as I tell you, white honor will
not always conform to reason or to the will of God. I have passed days
thinking of these matters, out in the silent woods, and I have come
to the opinion, boy, that, as Providence rules all things, no gift is
bestowed without some wise and reasonable end."

"The Serpent greatly exposes himself to the enemy, in order to get his
scalp! This may lose us the day."

"Not in his mind, Jasper. That one scalp has more honor in it, according
to the Sarpent's notions of warfare, than a field covered with slain,
that