"They are devils incarnate! After all, what schoolmaster is a
match for an Indian, in looking into natur'! Some people think
they are only good on a trail or the war-path, but I say that they
are philosophers, and understand a man as well as they understand
a beaver, and a woman as well as they understand either. Now
that's Judith's character to a ribbon! To own the truth to you,
Deerslayer, I should have married the gal two years since, if it
had not been for two particular things, one of which was this very
lightmindedness."

"And what may have been the other?" demanded the hunter, who
continued to eat like one that took very little interest in the
subject.

"T'other was an insartainty about her having me. The hussy
is handsome, and she knows it. Boy, not a tree that is growing
in these hills is straighter, or waves in the wind with an easier
bend, nor did you ever see the doe that bounded with a more nat'ral
motion. If that was all, every tongue would sound her praises;
but she has such failings that I find it hard to overlook them,
and sometimes I swear I'll never visit the lake again."

"Which is the reason that you always come back? Nothing is ever
made more sure by swearing about it."

"Ah, Deerslayer, you are a novelty in these particulars; keeping
as true to education as if you had never left the settlements.
With me the case is different, and I never want to clinch an idee,
that I do not feel a wish to swear about it. If you know'd all that