Chapter 24

"Thy secret pleasure turns to open shame;
Thy private feasting to a public fast;
Thy smoothing titles to a ragged name;
Thy sugar'd tongue to bitter worm wood taste:
Thy violent vanities can never last."

Shakespeare, Rape of Lucrece, 11. 890-94.

Judith was waiting the return of Deerslayer on the platform, with
stifled impatience, when the latter reached the hut. Hist and Hetty
were both in a deep sleep, on the bed usually occupied by the two
daughters of the house, and the Delaware was stretched on the floor
of the adjoining room, his rifle at his side, and a blanket over
him, already dreaming of the events of the last few days. There
was a lamp burning in the Ark, for the family was accustomed to
indulge in this luxury on extraordinary occasions, and possessed
the means, the vessel being of a form and material to render it
probable it had once been an occupant of the chest.

As soon as the girl got a glimpse of the canoe, she ceased her
hurried walk up and down the platform and stood ready to receive
the young man, whose return she had now been anxiously expecting
for some time. She helped him to fasten the canoe, and by aiding
in the other little similar employments, manifested her desire to
reach a moment of liberty as soon as possible. When this was done,
in answer to an inquiry of his, she informed him of the manner in
which their companions had disposed of themselves. He listened
attentively, for the manner of the girl was so earnest and impressive
as to apprise him that she had something on her mind of more than
common concern.

"And now, Deerslayer," Judith continued, "you see I have lighted
the lamp, and put it in the cabin of the Ark. That is never done
with us, unless on great occasions, and I consider this night as
the most important of my life. Will you follow me and see what I
have to show you - hear what I have to say."

The hunter was a little surprised, but, making no objections, both
were soon in the scow, and in the room that contained the light.
Here two stools were placed at the side of the chest, with the lamp
on another, and a table near by to receive the different articles
as they might be brought to view. This arrangement had its rise
in the feverish impatience of the girl, which could brook no delay
that it was in her power to obviate. Even all the padlocks were
removed, and it only remained to raise the heavy lid, again, to
expose all the treasures of this long secreted hoard.

"I see, in part, what all this means," observed Deerslayer - "yes,
I see through it, in part. But why is not Hetty present? Now Thomas
Hutter is gone, she is one of the owners of these cur'osities, and
ought to see