Then he signed for him to follow, and led
the way into the Ark, where he might pursue the subject unheard by
those whose feelings he feared might get the mastery over their
reason. Here he stopped, and pursued the conversation in a more
confidential tone.
"'Twas a little onreasonable in you Sarpent," he said, "to bring
up such a subject afore Hist, and when the young women of my own
colour might overhear what was said. Yes, 'twas a little more
onreasonable than most things that you do. No matter; Hist didn't
comprehend, and the other didn't hear. Howsever, the question is
easier put than answered. No mortal can say where he will be when
the sun rises tomorrow. I will ask you the same question, Sarpent,
and should like to hear what answer you can give."
"Chingachgook will be with his friend Deerslayer - if he be in
the land of spirits, the Great Serpent will crawl at his side; if
beneath yonder sun, its warmth and light shall fall on both."
"I understand you, Delaware," returned the other, touched with the
simple self-devotion of his friend, "Such language is as plain in
one tongue as in another. It comes from the heart, and goes to the
heart, too. 'Tis well to think so, and it may be well to say so,
for that matter, but it would not be well to do so, Sarpent.
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