Perhaps I ought to be ashamed, Judith, that 'tis so; but truth is
truth. As for these Iroquois, 'tisn't very likely they'll forget
a beast with two tails, on account of a varse or two from the Bible.
I rather expect they'll give up the prisoners, and trust to some
sarcumvenion or other to get 'em back ag'in, with us and all in the
castle and the Ark in the bargain. Howsever, we must humour the
vagabonds, first to get your father and Hurry out of their hands,
and next to keep the peace atween us, until such time as the Sarpent
there can make out to get off his betrothed wife. If there's any
sudden outbreakin' of anger and ferocity, the Indians will send
off all their women and children to the camp at once, whereas, by
keeping 'em calm and trustful we may manage to meet Hist at the
spot she has mentioned. Rather than have the bargain fall through,
now, I'd throw in half a dozen of them effigy bow-and-arrow men,
such as we've in plenty in the chist."
Judith cheerfully assented, for she would have resigned even the
flowered brocade, rather than not redeem her father and please
Deerslayer. The prospects of success were now so encouraging as to
raise the spirits of all in the castle, though a due watchfulness
of the movements of the enemy was maintained.
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