, the forests
and the springs. Much l'arning may be got in this way, as well as out
of books; and, yet, I sometimes think it is a white man's gift to read!
When I hear from the mouths of the Moravians the words of which Hetty
speaks, they raise a longing in my mind, and I then think I will know
how to read 'em myself; but the game in summer, and the traditions, and
lessons in war, and other matters, have always kept me behind hand."

"Shall I teach you, Deerslayer?" asked Hetty, earnestly. "I'm
weak-minded, they say, but I can read as well as Judith. It might save
your life to know how to read the Bible to the savages, and it will
certainly save your soul; for mother told me that, again and again!"

"Thankee, Hetty--yes, thankee, with all my heart. These are like to be
too stirring times for much idleness, but after it's peace, and I come
to see you ag'in on this lake, then I'll give myself up to it, as if
'twas pleasure and profit in a single business. Perhaps I ought to
be ashamed, Judith, that 'tis so; but truth is truth. As for these
Iroquois, 'tisn't very likely they'll forget a beast with two tails, on
account of a varse or two from the Bible. I rather expect they'll give
up the prisoners, and trust to some sarcumvenion or other to get 'em
back ag'in, with us and all in the castle and the Ark in the bargain.
Howsever, we must humour the vagabonds, first to get your father and
Hurry out of their hands, and next to keep the peace atween us, until
such time as the Sarpent there can make out to get off his betrothed
wife. If there's any sudden outbreakin' of anger and ferocity, the
Indians will send off all their women and children to the camp at once,
whereas, by keeping 'em calm and trustful we may manage to meet Hist at
the spot she has mentioned. Rather than have the bargain fall through,
now, I'd throw in half a dozen of them effigy bow-and-arrow men, such as
we've in plenty in the chist."

Judith cheerfully assented, for she would have resigned even the
flowered brocade, rather than not redeem her father and please
Deerslayer. The prospects of success were now so encouraging as to
raise the spirits of all in the castle, though a due watchfulness of
the movements of the enemy was maintained. Hour passed after hour,
notwithstanding, and the sun had once more begun to fall towards the
summits of the western hills, and yet no signs were seen of the return
of the raft. By dint of sweeping the shore with the glass,