The transition from "Yengeese,"
thus pronounced, to "Yankees" is quite easy. If the former is
pronounced "Yangis," it is almost identical with "Yankees," and
Indian words have seldom been spelt as they are pronounced. Thus
the scene of this tale is spelt "Otsego," and is properly pronounced
"Otsago." The liquids of the Indians would easily convert "En"
into "Yen."]
"Chin-gach-gook," repeated Hetty, in the same deliberate manner.
"Yes, so Hist called it, and you must be the chief."
"Wah-ta-Wah," added the Delaware.
"Wah-ta-Wah, or Hist-oh-Hist. I think Hist prettier than Wah, and
so I call her Hist."
"Wah very sweet in Delaware ears!"
"You make it sound differently from me. But, never mind, I did
hear the bird you speak of sing, Great Serpent."
"Will my sister say words of song? What she sing most - how she
look - often she laugh?"
"She sang Chin-gach-gook oftener than any thing else; and she laughed
heartily, when I told how the Iroquois waded into the water after
us, and couldn't catch us. I hope these logs haven't ears, Serpent!"
"No fear logs; fear sister next room. No fear Iroquois; Deerslayer
stuff his eyes and ears with strange beast.
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