"
"I'm glad to hear this, Harry, and look upon it as a sign that
you're coming to your right senses. Hetty would make a much safer
and more rational companion than Jude, and would be much the most
likely to listen to your suit, as the officers have, I greatly
fear, unsettled her sister's mind."
"No man needs a safer wife than Hetty," said Hurry, laughing,
"though I'll not answer for her being of the most rational. But
no matter; Deerslayer has not misconceived me, when he told you
I should be found at my post. I'll not quit you, Uncle Tom, just
now, whatever may be my feelin's and intentions respecting your
eldest darter."
Hurry had a respectable reputation for prowess among his
associates, and Hutter heard this pledge with a satisfaction that
was not concealed. Even the great personal strength of such an aid
became of moment, in moving the ark, as well as in the species of
hand-to-hand conflicts, that were not unfrequent in the woods; and
no commander who was hard pressed could feel more joy at hearing
of the arrival of reinforcements, than the borderer experienced at
being told this important auxiliary was not about to quit him. A
minute before, Hutter would have been well content to compromise
his danger, by entering into a compact to act only on the defensive;
but no sooner did he feel some security on this point, than the
restlessness of man induced him to think of the means of carrying
the war into the enemy's country.
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