"I meant no harm, Deerslayer," he answered, in a deprecating
manner, "and hope you'll forget what I've said. If you're not
downright handsome, you've a sartain look that says, plainer than
any words, that all's right within. Then you set no value by looks,
and will the sooner forgive any little slight to your appearance.
I will not say that Jude will greatly admire you, for that might
raise hopes that would only breed disapp'intment; but there's Hetty,
now, would be just as likely to find satisfaction in looking at
you, as in looking at any other man. Then you're altogether too
grave and considerate-like, to care much about Judith; for, though
the gal is oncommon, she is so general in her admiration, that a
man need not be exalted because she happens to smile. I sometimes
think the hussy loves herself better than she does anything else
breathin'."

"If she did, Hurry, she'd do no more, I'm afeard, than most queens
on their thrones, and ladies in the towns," answered Deerslayer,
smiling, and turning back towards his companion with every trace
of feeling banished from his honest-looking and frank countenance.
"I never yet know'd even a Delaware of whom you might not say
that much. But here is the end of the long p'int you mentioned,
and the 'Rat's Cove' can't be far off."

This point, instead of thrusting itself forward, like all the
others, ran in a line with the main shore of the lake, which here
swept within it, in a deep and retired bay, circling round south
again, at the distance of a quarter of a mile, and crossed the
valley, forming the southern termination of the water. In this
bay Hurry felt almost certain of finding the ark, since, anchored