Chapter 15 - Page 2

feigned levity that
she was far from feeling. "That Hetty and I should have grieved
for father was to be expected; but we fairly rained tears for you."

"We were sorry for poor Hurry, as well as for father, Judith!" put
in her innocent and unconscious sister.

"True, girl, true; but we feel sorrow for everybody that's in
trouble, you know," returned the other in a quick, admonitory manner
and a low tone. "Nevertheless, we are glad to see you, Master
March, and out of the hands of the Philipsteins, too."

"Yes, they're a bad set, and so is the other brood of 'em, down on
the river. It's a wonderment to me how you got us off, Deerslayer;
and I forgive you the interference that prevented my doin' justice
on that vagabond, for this small service. Let us into the secret,
that we may do you the same good turn, at need. Was it by lying,
or by coaxing?"

"By neither, Hurry, but by buying. We paid a ransom for you both,
and that, too, at a price so high you had well be on your guard
ag'in another captyvement, lest our stock of goods shouldn't hold
out."

"A ransom! Old Tom has paid the fiddler, then, for nothing of
mine would have bought off the hair, much less the skin. I didn't
think men as keen set as them vagabonds would let a fellow up so
easy, when they had him fairly at a close hug, and floored. But
money is money, and somehow it's unnat'ral hard to withstand.
Indian or white man, 'tis pretty much the same. It must be owned,
Judith, there's a considerable of human natur' in mankind ginirally,
arter all!"

Hutter now rose, and signing to Deerslayer, he led him to an inner
room, where, in answer to his questions, he first learned the price
that had been paid for his release. The old man expressed neither
resentment nor surprise at the inroad that had been made on his
chest, though he did manifest some curiosity to know how far the
investigation of its contents had been carried. He also inquired
where the key had been found. The habitual frankness of Deerslayer
prevented any prevarication, and the conference soon terminated by
the return of the two to the outer room, or that which served for
the double purpose of parlour and kitchen.

"I wonder if it's peace or war, between us and the savages!"
exclaimed Hurry, just as Deerslayer, who had paused for a single
instant, listened attentively, and was passing through the outer
door without stopping. "This givin' up captives has a friendly
look, and when men have traded together on a fair and honourable
footing they ought to part fri'nds, for that occasion at least. Come
back, Deerslayer, and let us have your judgment, for I'm beginnin'