e to his
happy hunting-grounds, and that's the whole of it. A man of white blood
and white gifts is not to be expected to boast of his expl'ites and to
flourish scalps."

Judith listened almost breathlessly; and when Deerslayer, in his quiet,
modest manner, seemed disposed to quit the subject, she rose, and
crossing the room, took a seat by his side. The manner of the girl had
nothing forward about it, though it betrayed the quick instinct of a
female's affection, and the sympathizing kindness of a woman's heart.
She even took the hard hand of the hunter, and pressed it in both her
own, unconsciously to herself, perhaps, while she looked earnestly and
even reproachfully into his sun burnt face.

"You have been fighting the savages, Deerslayer, singly and by
yourself!" she said. "In your wish to take care of us---of Hetty--of me,
perhaps, you've fought the enemy bravely, with no eye to encourage your
deeds, or to witness your fall, had it pleased Providence to suffer so
great a calamity!"

"I've fou't, Judith; yes, I have fou't the inimy, and that too, for the
first time in my life. These things must be, and they bring with 'em a
mixed feelin' of sorrow and triumph. Human natur' is a fightin' natur',
I suppose, as all nations kill in battle, and we must be true to our
rights and gifts. What has yet been done is no great matter, but should
Chingachgook come to the rock this evening, as is agreed atween us, and
I get him off it onbeknown to the savages or, if known to them, ag'in
their wishes and designs, then may we all look to something like
warfare, afore the Mingos shall get possession of either the castle, or
the ark, or yourselves."

"Who is this Chingachgook; from what place does he come, and why does he
come here?"

"The questions are nat'ral and right, I suppose, though the youth has a
great name, already, in his own part of the country. Chingachgook is a
Mohican by blood, consorting with the Delawares by usage, as is the case
with most of his tribe, which has long been broken up by the increase of
our color. He is of the family of the great chiefs; Uncas, his father,
having been the considerablest warrior and counsellor of his people.
Even old Tamenund honors Chingachgook, though he is thought to be
yet too young to lead in war; and then the nation is so disparsed and
diminished, that chieftainship among 'em has got to be little more than
a name.

"Well, this war having commenced in 'arnest, the Delaware