of his rifle. Returning to the platform, he first took
the Delaware aside, and informed him that this celebrated piece was
to become his property, in the event of any thing serious befalling
himself.

"This is a new reason why you should be wary, Sarpent, and not run into
any oncalculated danger," the hunter added, "for, it will be a victory
of itself to a tribe to own such a piece as this! The Mingos will turn
green with envy, and, what is more, they will not ventur' heedlessly
near a village where it is known to be kept. So, look well to it,
Delaware, and remember that you've now to watch over a thing that has
all the valie of a creatur', without its failin's. Hist may be,
and should be precious to you, but Killdeer will have the love and
veneration of your whole people."

"One rifle like another, Deerslayer," returned the Indian, in English,
the language used by the other, a little hurt at his friend's lowering
his betrothed to the level of a gun. "All kill; all wood and iron. Wife
dear to heart; rifle good to shoot."

"And what is a man in the woods without something to shoot with?-a
miserable trapper, or a forlorn broom and basket maker, at the best.
Such a man may hoe corn, and keep soul and body together, but he can
never know the savory morsels of venison, or tell a bear's ham from a
hog's. Come, my fri'nd, such another occasion may never offer ag'in,
and I feel a strong craving for a trial with this celebrated piece.
You shall bring out your own rifle, and I will just sight Killdeer in a
careless way, in order that we may know a few of its secret vartues."

As this proposition served to relieve the thoughts of the whole party,
by giving them a new direction, while it was likely to produce no
unpleasant results, every one was willing to enter into it; the girls
bringing forth the firearms with an alacrity bordering on cheerfulness.
Hutter's armory was well supplied, possessing several rifles, all of
which were habitually kept loaded in readiness to meet any sudden demand
for their use. On the present occasion it only remained to freshen the
primings, and each piece was in a state for service. This was soon done,
as all assisted in it, the females being as expert in this part of the
system of defence as their male companions.

"Now, Sarpent, we'll begin in a humble way, using Old Tom's commoners
first, and coming to your we'pon and Killdeer as the winding up
observations," said Deerslayer, delighted to be a