"
"Then tell her the truth. I see no reason Judith Hutter shouldn't
hear the truth about me, as well as a lie. I'm a captyve in Indian
hands, and Providence only knows what will come of it! Harkee,
Hetty," dropping his voice and speaking still more confidentially,
"you are a little weak minded, it must be allowed, but you know
something of Injins. Here I am in their hands, after having slain
one of their stoutest warriors, and they've been endivouring to
work upon me through fear of consequences, to betray your father,
and all in the Ark. I understand the blackguards as well as
if they'd told it all out plainly, with their tongues. They hold
up avarice afore me, on one side, and fear on t'other, and think
honesty will give way atween 'em both. But let your father and Hurry
know, 'tis all useless; as for the Sarpent, he knows it already."
"But what shall I tell Judith? She will certainly send me back,
if I don't satisfy her mind."
"Well, tell Judith the same. No doubt the savages will try the
torments, to make me give in, and to revenge the loss of their
warrior, but I must hold out ag'in nat'ral weakness in the best manner
I can. You may tell Judith to feel no consarn on my account-it
will come hard I know, seeing that a white man's gifts don't run to
boasting and singing under torment, for he generally feels smallest
when he suffers most - but you may tell her not to have any consarn.
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