r, though how it is to
be explained is more than I can exactly tell you. This I know; all my
people consait that fact, and what all the pale-faces consait, is very
likely to be true."

"When the sun is in the top of that pine to-morrow, where will my
brother Deerslayer be?"

The hunter started, and he looked intently, though totally without
alarm, at his friend. 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. You are no longer
alone in life, for though you have the lodges to change, and other
ceremonies to go through, afore Hist becomes your lawful wife, yet are
you as good as married in all that bears on the feelin's, and joy, and
misery. No--no--Hist must not be desarted, because a cloud is passing
atween you and me, a little onexpectedly and a little darker than we may
have looked for."

"Hist is a daughter of the Mohicans. She knows how to obey her husband.
Where he goes, she will follow. Both will be with the Great Hunter of
the Delawares, when the sun shall be in the pine to-morrow."

"The Lord bless and protect you! Chief, this is downright madness. Can
either, or both of you, alter a Mingo natur'? Will your grand looks,
or Hist's tears and beauty, change a wolf into a squirrel, or make a
catam