of their discourse, and probable that the reasons of her
unlooked-for appearance were matters of discussion. This phlegm of
manner is characteristic of the North American Indian--some say of his
white successor also--but, in this case much should be attributed to the
peculiar situation in which the party was placed. The force in the Ark,
the presence of Chingachgook excepted, was well known, no tribe or body
of troops was believed to be near, and vigilant eyes were posted round
the entire lake, watching day and night the slightest movement of those
whom it would not be exaggerated now to term the besieged.

Hutter was inwardly much moved by the conduct of Hetty, though he
affected so much indifference of manner. He recollected her gentle
appeal to him before he left the Ark, and misfortune rendered that of
weight which might have been forgotten amid the triumph of success. Then
he knew the simple, single-hearted fidelity of his child, and understood
why she had come, and the total disregard of self that reigned in all
her acts.

"This is not well, Hetty," he said, deprecating the consequences to the
girl herself more than any other evil. "These are fierce Iroquois, and
are as little apt to forget an injury, as a favor."

"Tell me, father--" returned the girl, looking furtively about her as
if fearful of being overheard, "did God let you do the cruel errand
on which you came? I want much to know this, that I may speak to the
Indians plainly, if he did not."

"You should not have come hither, Hetty; these brutes will not
understand your nature or your intentions!"

"How was it, father; neither you nor Hurry seems to have any thing that
looks like scalps."

"If that will set your mind at peace, child, I can answer you, no. I had
caught the young creatur' who came here with you, but her screeches soon
brought down upon me a troop of the wild cats, that was too much for any
single Christian to withstand. If that will do you any good, we are as
innocent of having taken a scalp, this time, as I make no doubt we shall
also be innocent of receiving the bounty."

"Thank God for that, father! Now I can speak boldly to the Iroquois, and
with an easy conscience. I hope Hurry, too, has not been able to harm
any of the Indians?"

"Why, as to that matter, Hetty," returned the individual in question,
"you've put it pretty much in the natyve character of the religious
truth. Hurry has not been able, and that is the long and sho