I think I shall make out to stand it, and she may rely on this,
let me give in, as much as I may, and prove completely that I am
white, by wailings, and howlings, and even tears, yet I'll never fall
so far as to betray my fri'nds. When it gets to burning holes in
the flesh, with heated ramrods, and to hacking the body, and tearing
the hair out by the roots, natur' may get the upperhand, so far
as groans, and complaints are consarned, but there the triumph of
the vagabonds will ind; nothing short of God's abandoning him to
the devils can make an honest man ontrue to his colour and duty."
Hetty listened with great attention, and her mild but speaking
countenance manifested a strong sympathy in the anticipated agony
of the supposititious sufferer. At first she seemed at a loss
how to act; then, taking a hand of Deerslayer's she affectionately
recommended to him to borrow her Bible, and to read it while the
savages were inflicting their torments. When the other honestly
admitted that it exceeded his power to read, she even volunteered
to remain with him, and to perform this holy office in person. The
offer was gently declined, and Rivenoak being about to join them,
Deerslayer requested the girl to leave him, first enjoining her again
to tell those in the Ark to have full confidence in his fidelity.
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