Your father has a convenient lodge, and it is most cunningly
placed, though it doesn't seem overstock'd with riches that will
be likely to buy his ransom. There's the piece he calls Killdeer,
might count for something, and I understand there's a keg of powder
about, which might be a make-weight, sartain; and yet two able
bodied men are not to be bought off for a trifle - besides - "
"Besides what?" demanded Judith impatiently, observing that the
other hesitated to proceed, probably from a reluctance to distress
her.
"Why, Judith, the Frenchers offer bounties as well as our own
side, and the price of two scalps would purchase a keg of powder,
and a rifle; though I'll not say one of the latter altogether as
good as Killdeer, there, which your father va'nts as uncommon, and
unequalled, like. But fair powder, and a pretty sartain rifle; then
the red men are not the expartest in fire arms, and don't always
know the difference atwixt that which is ra'al, and that which is
seeming."
"This is horrible!" muttered the girl, struck by the homely manner
in which her companion was accustomed to state his facts. "But
you overlook my own clothes, Deerslayer, and they, I think, might
go far with the women of the Iroquois.
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