re the strivings
of man against the working of the devil! Ay, if kind offers and good
wishes could have done the thing, I might have been a congress man, or
perhaps a governor, years agone. Your grand'ther wished the same, and
there are them still lying in the Otsego mountains, as I hope, who
would gladly have given me a palace for my dwelling. But what are riches
without content! My time must now be short, at any rate, and I hope
it's no mighty sin for one, who has acted his part honestly near ninety
winters and summers, to wish to pass the few hours that remain in
comfort. If you think I have done wrong in coming thus far to quit
you again, Captain, I will own the reason of the act, without shame or
backwardness. Though I have seen so much of the wilderness, it is not
to be gainsayed, that my feelings, as well as my skin, are white. Now it
would not be a fitting spectacle, that yonder Pawnee Loups should look
upon the weakness of an old warrior, if weakness he should happen to
show in parting for ever from those he has reason to love, though he
may not set his heart so strongly on them, as to wish to go into the
settlements in their company."

"Harkee, old trapper," said Paul, clearing his throat with a desperate
effort, as if determined to give his voice a clear exit; "I have just
one bargain to make, since you talk of trading, which is neither more or
less than this. I offer you, as my side of the business, one half of my
shanty, nor do I much care if it be the biggest half; the sweetest and
the purest honey that can be made of the wild locust; always enough to
eat, with now and then a mouthful of venison, or, for that matter, a
morsel of buffaloe's hump, seeing that I intend to push my acquaintance
with the animal, and as good and as tidy cooking as can come from
the hands of one like Ellen Wade, here, who will shortly be Nelly
somebody-else, and altogether such general treatment as a decent man
might be supposed to pay to his best friend, or for that matter, to his
own father; in return for the same, you ar' to give us at odd moments
some of your ancient traditions, perhaps a little wholesome advice on
occasions, in small quantities at a time, and as much of your agreeable
company as you please."

"It is well--it is well, boy," returned the old man, fumbling at his
wallet; "honestly offered, and not unthankfully declined--but it cannot
be; no, it can never be."

"Venerable venator," said Dr. Battius; "there are