not unknown
to me; for the gallants of the garrisons frequently speak of the lessons
you have given them in hunting, and all proclaim your honesty."

"Do they ever talk of the shooting, gal?" inquired the other eagerly,
after, however, laughing in a silent but heartfelt manner. "Do they ever
talk of the shooting? I want to hear nothing about my own, for if that
isn't sartified to by this time, in all these parts, there's little
use in being skilful and sure; but what do the officers say of their
own--yes, what do they say of their own? Arms, as they call it, is their
trade, and yet there's some among 'em that know very little how to use
'em!"

"Such I hope will not be the case with your friend Chingachgook, as you
call him--what is the English of his Indian name?"

"Big Sarpent--so called for his wisdom and cunning, Uncas is his ra'al
name--all his family being called Uncas until they get a title that has
been 'arned by deeds."

"If he has all this wisdom, we may expect a useful friend in him, unless
his own business in this part of the country should prevent him from
serving us."

"I see no great harm in telling you his arr'nd, a'ter all, and, as
you may find means to help us, I will let you and Hetty into the whole
matter, trusting that you'll keep the secret as if it was your own. You
must know that Chingachgook is a comely Injin, and is much looked upon
and admired by the young women of his tribe, both on account of his
family, and on account of himself. Now, there is a chief that has a
daughter called Wah-ta-Wah, which is intarpreted into Hist-oh-Hist, in
the English tongue, the rarest gal among the Delawares, and the one
most sought a'ter and craved for a wife by all the young warriors of the
nation. Well, Chingachgook, among others, took a fancy to Wah-ta-Wah,
and Wah-ta-Wah took a fancy to him." Here Deerslayer paused an instant;
for, as he got thus far in his tale, Hetty Hutter arose, approached,
and stood attentive at his knee, as a child draws near to listen to
the legends of its mother. "Yes, he fancied her, and she fancied him,"
resumed Deerslayer, casting a friendly and approving glance at the
innocent and interested girl; "and when that is the case, and all the
elders are agreed, it does not often happen that the young couple keep
apart. Chingachgook couldn't well carry off such a prize without making
inimies among them that wanted her as much as he did himself. A sartain
Briarthorn, as we call him