Each party acted according
to his gifts, I suppose, and blame can light on neither. You were
treacherous, according to your natur' in war, and I was a little
oversightful, as I'm apt to be in trusting others. Well, this is
my first battle with a human mortal, though it's not likely to be
the last. I have fou't most of the creatur's of the forest, such as
bears, wolves, painters, and catamounts, but this is the beginning
with the red-skins. If I was Injin born, now, I might tell of
this, or carry in the scalp, and boast of the expl'ite afore the
whole tribe; or, if my inimy had only been even a bear, 'twould have
been nat'ral and proper to let everybody know what had happened;
but I don't well see how I'm to let even Chingachgook into this
secret, so long as it can be done only by boasting with a white
tongue. And why should I wish to boast of it a'ter all? It's
slaying a human, although he was a savage; and how do I know that
he was a just Injin; and that he has not been taken away suddenly
to anything but happy hunting-grounds. When it's onsartain whether
good or evil has been done, the wisest way is not to be boastful -
still, I should like Chingachgook to know that I haven't discredited
the Delawares, or my training!"
Part of this was uttered aloud, while part was merely muttered
between the speaker's teeth; his more confident opinions enjoying
the first advantage, while his doubts were expressed in the latter
mode.
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