"
"They've done their duty, gal, this time; yes, they've done their
duty. Rifles have been sighted this morning, ay, and triggers pulled,
too, though not as often a they might have been. One warrior has
gone to his happy hunting-grounds, and that's the whole of it. A
man of white blood and white gifts is not to be expected to boast
of his expl'ites and to flourish scalps."
Judith listened almost breathlessly; and when Deerslayer, in his
quiet, modest manner, seemed disposed to quit the subject, she
rose, and crossing the room, took a seat by his side. The manner
of the girl had nothing forward about it, though it betrayed
the quick instinct of a female's affection, and the sympathizing
kindness of a woman's heart. She even took the hard hand of the
hunter, and pressed it in both her own, unconsciously to herself,
perhaps, while she looked earnestly and even reproachfully into
his sun burnt face.
"You have been fighting the savages, Deerslayer, singly and by
yourself!" she said. "In your wish to take care of us -- of Hetty
-- of me, perhaps, you've fought the enemy bravely, with no eye
to encourage your deeds, or to witness your fall, had it pleased
Providence to suffer so great a calamity!"
"I've fou't, Judith; yes, I have fou't the inimy, and that too, for
the first time in my life.
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