makes the wise silly, and the strong weak. Yes, I've seen proofs
of that, time and ag'in! Well, it's kind and softhearted in you,
Judith, to feel this consarn for a fellow creatur', and I shall
always say that you are kind and of true feelings, let them that
envy your good looks tell as many idle stories of you as they may."

"Deerslayer!" hastily said the girl, interrupting him, though nearly
choked by her own emotions; "do you believe all you hear about a
poor, motherless girl? Is the foul tongue of Hurry Harry to blast
my life?"

"Not it, Judith - not it. I've told Hurry it wasn't manful to
backbite them he couldn't win by fair means; and that even an Indian
is always tender, touching a young woman's good name."

"If I had a brother, he wouldn't dare to do it!" exclaimed Judith,
with eyes flashing fire. "But, finding me without any protector but
an old man, whose ears are getting to be as dull as his feelings,
he has his way as he pleases!"

"Not exactly that, Judith; no, not exactly that, neither! No
man, brother or stranger, would stand by and see as fair a gal as
yourself hunted down, without saying a word in her behalf. Hurry's
in 'arnest in wanting to make you his wife, and the little he does
let out ag'in you, comes more from jealousy, like, than from any
thing else. Smile on him when he awakes, and squeeze his hand
only half as hard as you squeezed mine a bit ago, and my life on
it, the poor fellow will forget every thing but your comeliness.
Hot words don't always come from the heart, but oftener from the
stomach than anywhere else. Try him, Judith, when he awakes, and