At the farther end of the vessel a form was faintly seen, guiding its motions, and using a paddle with the ease of one who felt there was no necessity for exertion.
The Leather-Stocking struck his spear lightly against the short staff which up held, on a rude grating framed of old hoops of iron, the knots of pine that composed the fuel, and the light, which glared high, for an instant fell on the swarthy features and dark, glancing eyes of Mohegan.
The boat glided along the shore until it arrived opposite the fishing-ground, when it again changed its direction and moved on to the land, with a motion so graceful, and yet so rapid, that it seemed to possess the power of regulating its own progress.
The water in front of the canoe was hardly ruffled by its passage and no sound betrayed the collision, when the light fabric shot on the gravelly beach for nearly half its length, Natty receding a step or two from its bow, in order to facilitate the landing.
“Approach, Mohegan,” said Marmaduke; “approach, Leather-Stocking, and load your canoe with bass.
It would be a shame to assail the animals with the spear, when such multitudes of victims lie here, that will be lost as food for the want of mouths to consume them.”
“No, no, Judge,” returned Natty, his tall figure stalking over the narrow beach, and ascending to the little grassy bottom where the fish were laid in piles;
“I eat of no man’s wasty ways.
I strike my spear into the eels or the trout, when I crave the creatur’; but I wouldn’t be helping to such a sinful kind of fishing for the best rifle that was ever brought out from the old countries.
If they had fur, like the beaver, or you could tan their hides, like a buck, something might be said in favor of taking them by the thousand with your nets; but as God made them for man’s food, and for no other disarnable reason, I call it sinful and wasty to catch more than can be eat.”
“Your reasoning is mine; for once, old hunter, we agree in opinion; and I heartily wish we could make a convert of the sheriff.
A net of half the size of this would supply the whole village with fish for a week at one haul.”
The Leather-Stocking did not relish this alliance in sentiment; and he shook his head doubtingly as he answered;
“No, no; we are not much of one mind, Judge, or you’d never turn good hunting-grounds into stumpy pastures.
And you fish and hunt out of rule; but, to me, the flesh is sweeter where the creatur’ has some chance for its life; for that reason, I always use a single ball, even if it be at a bird or a squirrel.
Besides, it saves lead; for, when a body knows how to shoot, one piece of lead is enough for all, except hard-lived animals.”
The sheriff heard these opinions with great indignation; and when he completed the last arrangement for the division, by carrying with his own hands a trout of a large size, and placing it on four different piles in succession, as his vacillating ideas of justice required, gave vent to his spleen.
“A very pretty confederacy, indeed! Judge Temple, the landlord and owner of a township, with Nathaniel Bumppo a lawless squatter, and professed deer-killer, in order to preserve the game of the county!
But, ‘Duke, when I fish I fish; so, away, boys, for another haul, and we’ll send out wagons and carts in the morning to bring in our prizes.”
Marmaduke appeared to understand that all opposition to the will of the sheriff would be useless, and he strolled from the fire to the place where the canoe of the hunters lay, whither the ladies and Oliver Edwards had already preceded him.
Curiosity induced the females to approach this spot; but it was a different motive that led the youth thither.
Elizabeth examined the light ashen timbers and thin bark covering of the canoe, in admiration of its neat but simple execution, and with wonder that any human being could be so daring as to trust his life in so frail a vessel.
But the youth explained to her the buoyant properties of the boat, and its perfect safety when under proper management; adding, in such glowing terms, a description of the manner in which the fish were struck with the spear, that she changed suddenly, from an apprehension of the danger of the excursion, to a desire to participate in its pleasures.
She even ventured a proposition to that effect to her father, laughing at the same time at her own wish, and accusing herself of acting under a woman’s caprice.
“Say not so, Bess,” returned the Judge;
“I would have you above the idle fears of a silly girl.
These canoes are the safest kind of boats to those who have skill and steady nerves.
I have crossed the broadest part of the Oneida in one much smaller than this.”
“And I the Ontary,” interrupted the Leather-Stocking; “and that with squaws in the canoe, too.
But the Delaware women are used to the paddle, and are good hands in a boat of this natur’, If the young lady would like to see an old man strike a trout for his breakfast, she is welcome to a seat.
John will say the same, seeing that he built the canoe, which was only launched yesterday; for I’m not over-curious at such small work as brooms, and basket-making, and other like Indian trades.”
Natty gave Elizabeth one of his significant laughs, with a kind nod of the head, when he concluded his invitation but Mohegan, with the native grace of an Indian, approached, and taking her soft white hand into his own swarthy and wrinkled palm, said:
“Come, granddaughter of Miquon, and John will be glad.
Trust the Indian; his head is old, though his hand is not steady.
The Young Eagle will go, and see that no harm hurts his sister.”
“Mr. Edwards,” said Elizabeth, blushing slightly, “your friend Mohegan has given a promise for you.
Do you redeem the pledge?”
“With my life, if necessary, Miss Temple,” cried the youth, with fervor.
“The sight is worth some little apprehension; for of real danger there is none, I will go with you and Miss Grand, however, to save appearances.”
“With me!” exclaimed Louisa.
“No, not with me, Mr. Edwards; nor, surely, do you mean to trust yourself in that slight canoe.”
“But I shall; for I have no apprehensions any longer,” said Elizabeth, stepping into the boat, and taking a seat where the Indian directed.
“Mr. Edwards, you may remain, as three do seem to be enough for such an egg shell.”
“It shall hold a fourth,” cried the young man, springing to her side, with a violence that nearly shook the weak fabric of the vessel asunder.
“Pardon me, Miss Temple, that I do not permit these venerable Charons to take you to the shades unattended by your genius.”
“Is it a good or evil spirit?” asked Elizabeth.
“Good to you.”
“And mine,” added the maiden, with an air that strangely blended pique with satisfaction.
But the motion of the canoe gave rise to new ideas, and fortunately afforded a good excuse to the young man to change the discourse.
It appeared to Elizabeth that they glided over the water by magic, so easy and graceful was the manner in which Mohegan guided his little bark.