No tender wife, reared in the refinements of the highest
civilization, ever met a husband on his return from the field with
more of sensibility in her countenance than Hist discovered, as
she saw the Great Serpent of the Delawares step, unharmed, into the
Ark. Still she repressed her emotion, though the joy that sparkled
in her dark eyes, and the smile that lighted her pretty mouth,
spoke a language that her betrothed could understand.
"Well, Sarpent," cried Hurry, always the first to speak, "what news
from the muskrats? Did they shew their teeth, as you surrounded
their dwelling?"
"I no like him," sententiously returned the Delaware. "Too still.
So still, can see silence!"
"That's downright Injin - as if any thing could make less noise
than nothing! If you've no better reason than this to give, old
Tom had better hoist his sail, and go and get his breakfast under
his own roof. What has become of the moccasin?"
"Here," returned Chingachgook, holding up his prize for the general
inspection. The moccasin was examined, and Hist confidently
pronounced it to be Huron, by the manner in which the porcupine's
quills were arranged on its front. Hutter and the Delaware, too,
were decidedly of the same opinion.
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