"
"Chingachgook has seen them. An old man, and a young warrior -
the falling hemlock and the tall pine."
"You're not so much out, Delaware; you're not so much out. Old
Hutter is decaying, of a sartainty, though many solid blocks might
be hewn out of his trunk yet, and, as for Hurry Harry, so far as
height and strength and comeliness go, he may be called the pride
of the human forest. Were the men bound, or in any manner suffering
torture? I ask on account of the young women, who, I dare to say,
would be glad to know."
"It is not so, Deerslayer. The Mingos are too many to cage their
game. Some watch; some sleep; some scout; some hunt. The pale-faces
are treated like brothers to-day; to-morrow they will lose their
scalps."
"Yes, that's red natur', and must be submitted to! Judith and
Hetty, here's comforting tidings for you, the Delaware telling
me that neither your father nor Hurry Harry is in suffering, but,
bating the loss of liberty, as well off as we are ourselves. Of
course they are kept in the camp; otherwise they do much as they
please."
"I rejoice to hear this, Deerslayer," returned Judith, "and now
we are joined by your friend, I make no manner of question that we
shall find an opportunity to ransom the prisoners.
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