be talking of such matters, to-day,
but it's one of our weaknesses never to know what will come to pass.
Step into the Ark with me, Judith, for a minute; I wish to convarse with
you."

Judith complied with a willingness she could scarce conceal. Following
the hunter into the cabin, she took a seat on a stool, while the young
man brought Killdeer, the rifle she had given him, out of a corner, and
placed himself on another, with the weapon laid upon his knees. After
turning the piece round and round, and examining its lock and its breech
with a sort of affectionate assiduity, he laid it down and proceeded to
the subject which had induced him to desire the interview.

"I understand you, Judith, to say that you gave me this rifle," he said.
"I agreed to take it, because a young woman can have no particular use
for firearms. The we'pon has a great name, and it desarves it, and
ought of right to be carried by some known and sure hand, for the best
repitation may be lost by careless and thoughtless handling."

"Can it be in better hands than those in which it is now, Deerslayer?
Thomas Hutter seldom missed with it; with you it must turn out to be--"

"Sartain death!" interrupted the hunter, laughing. "I once know'd a
beaver-man that had a piece he called by that very name, but 'twas all
boastfulness, for I've seen Delawares that were as true with arrows,
at a short range. Howsever, I'll not deny my gifts--for this is a gift,
Judith, and not natur'--but, I'll not deny my gifts, and therefore allow
that the rifle couldn't well be in better hands than it is at present.
But, how long will it be likely to remain there? Atween us, the truth
may be said, though I shouldn't like to have it known to the Sarpent and
Hist; but, to you the truth may be spoken, since your feelin's will not
be as likely to be tormented by it, as those of them that have known me
longer and better. How long am I like to own this rifle or any other?
That is a serious question for our thoughts to rest on, and should
that happen which is so likely to happen, Killdeer would be without an
owner."

Judith listened with apparent composure, though the conflict within
came near overpowering her. Appreciating the singular character of her
companion, however, she succeeded in appearing calm, though, had not his
attention been drawn exclusively to the rifle, a man of his keenness of
observation could scarce have failed to detect the agony of mind with
which the girl