There was
something like a flush on his cheek as he answered, after quite a
minute had passed.
"I don't know whether a white man ought to be ashamed, or not, to
own he can't read, but such is my case, Judith. You are skilful,
I find, in all such matters, while I have only studied the hand of
God as it is seen in the hills and the valleys, the mountain-tops,
the streams, the forests and the springs. Much l'arning may be got
in this way, as well as out of books; and, yet, I sometimes think
it is a white man's gift to read! When I hear from the mouths of
the Moravians the words of which Hetty speaks, they raise a longing
in my mind, and I then think I will know how to read 'em myself;
but the game in summer, and the traditions, and lessons in war,
and other matters, have always kept me behind hand."
"Shall I teach you, Deerslayer?" asked Hetty, earnestly. "I'm
weak-minded, they say, but I can read as well as Judith. It might
save your life to know how to read the Bible to the savages, and
it will certainly save your soul; for mother told me that, again
and again!"
"Thankee, Hetty - yes, thankee, with all my heart. These are like
to be too stirring times for much idleness, but after it's peace,
and I come to see you ag'in on this lake, then I'll give myself
up to it, as if 'twas pleasure and profit in a single business.
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