Deerslayer,
however, was more natural, nor would he have at all cared about
giving way to his feelings, had not the recent conduct and language
of Judith given him some secret, though ill defined apprehensions
of a scene. He was too humble to imagine the truth concerning the
actual feelings of that beautiful girl, while he was too observant
not to have noted the struggle she had maintained with herself, and
which had so often led her to the very verge of discovery. That
something extraordinary was concealed in her breast he thought
obvious enough, and, through a sentiment of manly delicacy that
would have done credit to the highest human refinement, he shrunk
from any exposure of her secret that might subsequently cause regret
to the girl, herself. He therefore determined to depart, now, and
that without any further manifestations of feeling either from him,
or from others.
"God bless you! Sarpent - God bless you!" cried the hunter, as
the canoe left the side of the platform. "Your Manitou and my God
only know when and where we shall meet ag'in; I shall count it a
great blessing, and a full reward for any little good I may have
done on 'arth, if we shall be permitted to know each other, and
to consort together, hereafter, as we have so long done in these
pleasant woods afore us!"
Chingachgook waved his hand.
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