The instant, however, the eyes of the savage fell
upon the wrought ivory, and the images of the wonderful, unknown
beasts, surprise and admiration got the mastery of him. The manner
in which the natives of the South Sea Islands first beheld the toys
of civilized life has been often described, but the reader is not
to confound it with the manner of an American Indian, under similar
circumstances. In this particular case, the young Iroquois or
Huron permitted an exclamation of rapture to escape him, and then
he checked himself like one who had been guilty of an indecorum.
After this, his eyes ceased to wander, but became riveted on the
elephants, one of which, after a short hesitation, he even presumed
to handle. Deerslayer did not interrupt him for quite ten minutes,
knowing that the lad was taking such note of the curiosities, as
would enable him to give the most minute and accurate description
of their appearance to his seniors, on his return. When he thought
sufficient time had been allowed to produce the desired effect,
the hunter laid a finger on the naked knee of the youth and drew
his attention to himself.
"Listen," he said; "I want to talk with my young friend from the
Canadas.
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