"
"Oh! I never thought fathers could read much, but mothers ought
all to read, else how can they teach their children? Depend on
it, Judith, Deerslayer could never have had a mother, else he would
know how to read."
"Did you tell him I sent you ashore, Hetty, and how much concern
I feel for his misfortune?" asked the other, impatiently.
"I believe I did, Judith; but you know I am feeble-minded, and
I may have forgotten. I did tell him you brought me ashore. And
he told me a great deal that I was to say to you, which I remember
well, for it made my blood run cold to hear him. He told me to
say that his friends - I suppose you are one of them, sister?"
"How can you torment me thus, Hetty! Certainly, I am one of the
truest friends he has on earth."
"Torment you! yes, now I remember all about it. I am glad you
used that word, Judith, for it brings it all back to my mind. Well,
he said he might be tormented by the savages, but he would try to
bear it as becomes a Christian white man, and that no one need be
afeard - why does Deerslayer call it afeard, when mother always
taught us to say afraid?"
"Never mind, dear Hetty, never mind that, now," cried the other,
almost gasping for breath.
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