"Every man
must meet his own debts, and answer for his own sins. I'm amazed,
howsever, that a lad as skilful and watchful as Deerslayer should
have been caught in such a trap! Didn't he know any better than
to go prowling about a Huron camp at midnight, with no place to
retreat to but a lake? or did he think himself a buck, that by
taking to the water could throw off the scent and swim himself out
of difficulty? I had a better opinion of the boy's judgment, I'll
own; but we must overlook a little ignorance in a raw hand. I say,
Master Hutter, do you happen to know what has become of the gals
- I see no signs of Judith, or Hetty, though I've been through the
Ark, and looked into all its living creatur's."
Hutter briefly explained the manner in which his daughters had
taken to the canoe, as it had been related by the Delaware, as well
as the return of Judith after landing her sister, and her second
departure.
"This comes of a smooth tongue, Floating Tom," exclaimed Hurry,
grating his teeth in pure resentment - "This comes of a smooth
tongue, and a silly gal's inclinations, and you had best look into
the matter! You and I were both prisoners - " Hurry could recall that
circumstance now - "you and I were both prisoners and yet Judith
never stirred an inch to do us any sarvice! She is bewitched with
this lank-looking Deerslayer, and he, and she, and you, and all
of us, had best look to it.
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