gal, if there's a creatur' in the colony that can afford to
do without finery, and to trust to her own good looks and sweet
countenance, it's yourself."

"I'll take off the rubbish this instant, Deerslayer," cried the girl,
springing up to leave the room, "and never do I wish to see it on any
human being, again."

"So it is with 'em, all, Sarpent," said the other, turning to his friend
and laughing, as soon as the beauty had disappeared. "They like finery,
but they like their natyve charms most of all. I'm glad the gal has
consented to lay aside her furbelows, howsever, for it's ag'in reason
for one of her class to wear em; and then she is handsome enough, as I
call it, to go alone. Hist would show oncommon likely, too, in such a
gownd, Delaware!"

"Wah-ta-Wah is a red-skin girl, Deerslayer," returned the Indian, "like
the young of the pigeon, she is to be known by her own feathers. I
should pass by without knowing her, were she dressed in such a skin.
It's wisest always to be so clad that our friends need not ask us for
our names. The 'Wild Rose' is very pleasant, but she is no sweeter for
so many colours."

"That's it!--that's natur', and the true foundation for love and
protection. When a man stoops to pick a wild strawberry, he does not
expect to find a melon; and when he wishes to gather a melon, he's
disapp'inted if it proves to be a squash; though squashes be often
brighter to the eye than melons. That's it, and it means stick to your
gifts, and your gifts will stick to you."

The two men had now a little discussion together, touching the propriety
of penetrating any farther into the chest of Hutter, when Judith
re-appeared, divested of her robes, and in her own simple linen frock
again.

"Thank you, Judith," said Deerslayer, taking her kindly by the hand-"for
I know it went a little ag'in the nat'ral cravings of woman, to lay
aside so much finery, as it might be in a lump. But you're more pleasing
to the eye as you stand, you be, than if you had a crown on your head,
and jewels dangling from your hair. The question now is, whether to lift
this covering to see what will be ra'ally the best bargain we can make
for Master Hutter, for we must do as we think he would be willing to do,
did he stand here in our places."

Judith looked very happy. Accustomed as she was to adulation, the homely
homage of Deerslayer had given her more true satisfaction, than she had
ever yet received from the tongue of man. It wa