But even
Hurry was awed by the stern composure of the chief, and he, too,
knew that such a man was not to be outraged with impunity; he
therefore turned to vent his rage on Deerslayer, where he foresaw
no consequences so terrible. What might have been the result of
this second demonstration if completed, is unknown, since it was
never made.
"Hurry," said a gentle, soothing voice at his elbow, "it's wicked
to be so angry, and God will not overlook it. The Iroquois treated
you well, and they didn't take your scalp, though you and father
wanted to take theirs."
The influence of mildness on passion is well known. Hetty, too,
had earned a sort of consideration, that had never before been
enjoyed by her, through the self-devotion and decision of her recent
conduct. Perhaps her established mental imbecility, by removing
all distrust of a wish to control, aided her influence. Let the
cause be as questionable as it might, the effect we sufficiently
certain. Instead of throttling his old fellow-traveler, Hurry
turned to the girl and poured out a portion of his discontent, if
none of his anger, in her attentive ears.
"Tis too bad, Hetty!" he exclaimed; "as bad as a county gaol or
a lack of beaver, to get a creatur' into your very trap, then to
see it get off.
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