given you so many good lessons, Hetty, that my fears
for you are not as great as they were. Nevertheless, a young woman
without parents, in your state of mind, and who is not without beauty,
must always be in danger in such a lawless region as this. I would say
nothin' amiss of Hurry, who, in the main, is not a bad man for one
of his callin', but you ought to know one thing, which it may not be
altogether pleasant to tell you, but which must be said. March has a
desperate likin' for your sister Judith."

"Well, what of that? Everybody admires Judith, she's so handsome, and
Hurry has told me, again and again, how much he wishes to marry her.
But that will never come to pass, for Judith don't like Hurry. She likes
another, and talks about him in her sleep; though you need not ask me
who he is, for all the gold in King George's crown, and all the jewels
too, wouldn't tempt me to tell you his name. If sisters can't keep each
other's secrets, who can?"

"Sartainly, I do not wish you to tell me, Hetty, nor would it be any
advantage to a dyin' man to know. What the tongue says when the mind's
asleep, neither head nor heart is answerable for."

"I wish I knew why Judith talks so much in her sleep, about officers,
and honest hearts, and false tongues, but I suppose she don't like to
tell me, as I'm feeble minded. Isn't it odd, Deerslayer, that Judith
don't like Hurry--he who is the bravest looking youth that ever comes
upon the lake, and is as handsome as she is herself. Father always said
they would be the comeliest couple in the country, though mother didn't
fancy March any more than Judith. There's no telling what will happen,
they say, until things actually come to pass."

"Ahs! me--well, poor Hetty, 'tis of no great use to talk to them that
can't understand you, and so I'll say no more about what I did wish
to speak of, though it lay heavy on my mind. Put the paddle in motion
ag'in, gal, and we'll push for the shore, for the sun is nearly up, and
my furlough is almost out."

The canoe now glided ahead, holding its way towards the point where
Deerslayer well knew that his enemies expected him, and where he now
began to be afraid he might not arrive in season to redeem his
plighted faith. Hetty, perceiving his impatience without very clearly
comprehending its cause, however, seconded his efforts in a way that
soon rendered their timely return no longer a matter of doubt. Then,
and then only, did the young man suffer his