He also inquired
where the key had been found. The habitual frankness of Deerslayer
prevented any prevarication, and the conference soon terminated by
the return of the two to the outer room, or that which served for
the double purpose of parlour and kitchen.
"I wonder if it's peace or war, between us and the savages!"
exclaimed Hurry, just as Deerslayer, who had paused for a single
instant, listened attentively, and was passing through the outer
door without stopping. "This givin' up captives has a friendly
look, and when men have traded together on a fair and honourable
footing they ought to part fri'nds, for that occasion at least. Come
back, Deerslayer, and let us have your judgment, for I'm beginnin'
to think more of you, since your late behaviour, than I used to
do."
"There's an answer to your question, Hurry, since you're in such
haste to come ag'in to blows."
As Deerslayer spoke, he threw on the table on which the other was
reclining with one elbow a sort of miniature fagot, composed of a
dozen sticks bound tightly together with a deer-skin thong. March
seized it eagerly, and holding it close to a blazing knot of pine
that lay on the hearth, and which gave out all the light there was
in the room, ascertained that the ends of the several sticks had
been dipped in blood.
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