such things, I must allow; and we pay 'em off
pretty much in their own c'ine. Women would not be on the war-path,
sartainly; and, so far, there's reason in your idee."

"Nor would a hunter be in his war-paint," returned Deerslayer. "I saw
the Mingos, and know that they are out on the trail of mortal men; and
not for beaver or deer."

"There you have it ag'in, old fellow," said Hurry. "In the way of an
eye, now, I'd as soon trust this young man, as trust the oldest settler
in the colony; if he says paint, why paint it was."

"Then a hunting-party and a war-party have met, for women must have been
with 'em. It's only a few days since the runner went through with the
tidings of the troubles; and it may be that warriors have come out to
call in their women and children, to get an early blow."

"That would stand the courts, and is just the truth," cried Hurry;
"you've got it now, old Tom, and I should like to hear what you mean to
make out of it."

"The bounty," returned the other, looking up at his attentive companion
in a cool, sullen manner, in which, however, heartless cupidity and
indifference to the means were far more conspicuous than any feelings of
animosity or revenge.

"If there's women, there's children; and big and little have scalps; the
colony pays for all alike."

"More shame to it, that it should do so," interrupted Deerslayer;
"more shame to it, that it don't understand its gifts, and pay greater
attention to the will of God."

"Hearken to reason, lad, and don't cry out afore you understand a
case," returned the unmoved Hurry; "the savages scalp your fri'nds, the
Delawares, or Mohicans whichever they may be, among the rest; and why
shouldn't we scalp? I will own, it would be ag'in right for you and me
now, to go into the settlements and bring out scalps, but it's a very
different matter as concerns Indians. A man shouldn't take scalps, if he
isn't ready to be scalped, himself, on fitting occasions. One good turn
desarves another, the world over. That's reason, and I believe it to be
good religion."

"Ay, Master Hurry," again interrupted the rich voice of Judith, "is it
religion to say that one bad turn deserves another?"

"I'll never reason ag'in you, Judy, for you beat me with beauty, if you
can't with sense. Here's the Canadas paying their Injins for scalps, and
why not we pay-"

"Our Indians!" exclaimed the girl, laughing with a sort of melancholy
merriment. "Father, father! think no more