It opens the way, howsever, to
a treaty for the ransom, and I will hear what Hetty has to say."
Judith, as soon as her surprise and alarm had a little abated,
discovered a proper share of affectionate joy at the return of her
sister. She folded her to her bosom, and kissed her, as had been
her wont in the days of their childhood and innocence. Hetty
herself was less affected, for to her there was no surprise, and
her nerves were sustained by the purity and holiness of her purpose.
At her sister's request she took a seat, and entered into an account
of her adventures since they had parted. Her tale commenced just
as Deerslayer returned, and he also became an attentive listener,
while the young Iroquois stood near the door, seemingly as indifferent
to what was passing as one of its posts.
The narrative of the girl was sufficiently clear, until she reached
the time where we left her in the camp, after the interview with
the chiefs, and, at the moment when Hist quitted her, in the abrupt
manner already related. The sequel of the story may be told in
her own language.
"When I read the texts to the chiefs, Judith, you could not have
seen that they made any changes on their minds," she said, "but if
seed is planted, it will grow.
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