Chapter XIX.

by James Fenimore Cooper

　　"And yet, poor Edwin was no vulgar boy."--Beattie.

　　The close of Christmas Day, A.D. 1793, was tempestuous, butcomparatively warm. When darkness had again hid the objects in thevillage from the gaze of Elizabeth, she turned from the window, whereshe had remained while the least vestige of light lingered over thetops of the dark pines, with a curiosity that was rather excited thanappeased by the passing glimpses of woodland scenery that she hadcaught during the day.

　　With her arm locked in that of Miss Grant, the young mistress of themansion walked slowly up and down the hall, musing on scenes that wererapidly recurring to her memory, and possibly dwelling, at times, inthe sanctuary of her thoughts, on the strange occurrences that had ledto the introduction to her fathers family of one whose Manners sosingularly contradicted the inferences to be drawn from his situation.The expiring heat of the apartment--for its great size required a dayto reduce its temperature--had given to her cheeks a bloom thatexceeded their natural color, while the mild and melancholy featuresof Louisa were brightened with a faint tinge, that, like the hectic ofdisease, gave a painful interest to her beauty.

　　The eyes of the gentlemen, who were yet seated around the rich winesof Judge Temple, frequently wandered from the table, that was placedat one end of the hall, to the forms that were silently moving overits length. Much mirth, and that, at times, of a boisterous kind,proceeded from the mouth of Richard; but Major Hartmann was not yetexcited to his pitch of merriment, and Marmaduke respected thepresence of his clerical guest too much to indulge in even theinnocent humor that formed no small ingredient in his character.

　　Such were, and such continued to be, the pursuits of the party, forhalf an hour after the shutters were closed, and candles were placedin various parts of the hall, as substitutes for departing daylight.The appearance of Benjamin, staggering under the burden of an armfulof wood, was the first interruption to the scene.

　　"How now, Master Pump!" roared the newly appointed sheriff; "is therenot warmth enough in Dukes best Madeira to keep up the animal heatthrough this thaw? Remember, old boy, that the Judge is particularwith his beech and maple, beginning to dread already a scarcity of theprecious articles. Ha! ha! ha! Duke, you are a good, warm-heartedrelation, I will own, as in duty bound, but you have some queernotions about you, after all. Come, let us be jolly, and cast awayfolly."

　　The notes gradually sank into a hum, while the major-domo threw downhis load, and, turning to his interrogator with an air of earnestness,replied:

　　"Why, look you, Squire Dickon, mayhap theres a warm latitude roundabout the table there, thof its not the stuff to raise the heat in mybody, neither; the raal Jamaiky being the only thing to do that,besides good wood, or some such matter as Newcastle coal. But, if Iknow anything of the weather, dye see, its time to be getting allsnog, and for putting the ports in and stirring the fires a bit.Mayhap Ive not followed the seas twenty-seven years, and livedanother seven in these here woods, for nothing, gemmen."

　　"Why, does it bid fair for a change in the weather, Benjamin?"inquired the master of the house.

　　"Theres a shift of wind, your honor," returned the steward; "and whentheres a shift of wind, you may look for a change in this hereclimate. I was aboard of one of Rodneys fleet, dye see, about thetime we licked De Grasse, Mounsheer Lor Quaws countryman, there; andthe wind was here at the southard and east'ard; and I was below,mixing a toothful of hot stuff for the captain of marines, who dined,dye see, in the cabin, that there very same day; and I suppose hewanted to put out the captains fire with a gun-room ingyne; and so,just as I got it to my own liking, after tasting pretty often, for thesoldier was difficult to please, slap came the foresail agin themast, whiz went the ship round on her heel, like a whirligig. And alucky thing was it that our helm was down; for as she gatheredstarnway she paid off, which was more than every ship in the fleetdid, or could do. But she strained herself in the trough of the sea,and she shipped a deal of water over her quarter. I never swallowedso much clear water at a time in my life as I did then, for I waslooking up the after-hatch at the instant."

　　"I wonder, Benjamin, that you did not die with a dropsy!" saidMarmaduke.

　　"I mought, Judge," said the old tar, with a broad grin; "but there wasno need of the medicine chest for a cure; for, as I thought the brewwas spoilt for the marines taste, and there was no telling whenanother sea might come and spoil it for mine. I finished the mug onthe spot. So then all hands was called to the pumps, and there webegan to ply the pumps--"

　　"Well, but the weather?" interrupted Marmaduke;

　　"what of the weather without doors?"

　　"Why here the wind has been all day at the south, and now theres alull, as if the last blast was out of the bellows; and theres astreak along the mountains, to the northard, that, just now, wasntwider than the bigness of your hand; and then the clouds drive aforeit as youd brail a mainsail, and the stars are heaving in sight, likeso many lights and beacons, put there to warn us to pile on the wood;and, if so be that Im a judge of weather, its getting to be time tobuild on a fire, or you'll have half of them there porter bottles, andthem dimmyjohns of wine, in the locker here, breaking with the frost,afore the morning watch is called."

　　"Thou art a prudent sentinel," said the Judge. "Act thy pleasure withthe forests, for this night at feast."

　　Benjamin did as he was ordered; nor had two hours elapsed, before theprudence of his precautions became very visible. The south wind had,indeed, blown itself cut, and it was succeeded by the calmness thatusually gave warning of a serious change in the weather. Long beforethe family retired to rest, the cold had become cuttingly severe; andwhen Monsieur Le Quoi sallied c forth under a bright moon, to seek hisown abode, he was compelled to beg a blanket, in which he mightenvelop c his form, in addition to the numerous garments that hissagacity had provided for the occasion. The divine and s his daughterremained as inmates of the mansion-house during the night, and theexcess of last nights merriment c induced the gentlemen to make anearly retreat to their several apartments, Long before midnight, thewhole s family were invisible.

　　Elizabeth and her friend had not yet lost their senses in sleep, andthe howlings of the northwest wind were heard around the buildings,and brought with them that exquisite sense of comfort that is everexcited under such circumstances, in an apartment where the fire hasnot yet ceased to glimmer, and curtains, and shutters, and feathersunite to preserve the desired temperature. Once, just as her eyes hadopened, apparently in the last stage of drowsiness, the roaring windsbrought with them a long and plaintive howl, that seemed too wild fora dog, and yet resembled the cries of that faithful animal, when nightawakens his vigilance, and gives sweetness and solemnity to itscharms. The form of Louis Grant instinctively pressed nearer to thatof the young heiress, who, finding her companion was yet awake, saidin a low tone, as if afraid to break a charm with her voice:

　　"Those distant cries are plaintive, and even beautiful. Can they bethe hounds from the hut of Leather-Stocking?"

　　"They are wolves, who have ventured from the mountain, on the lake,"whispered Louisa, "and who are only kept from the village by thelights. One night, since we have been here, hunger drove them to ourvery door. Oh, what a dreadful night it was! But the riches of JudgeTemple have given him too many safeguards, to leave room for fear inthis house."

　　"The enterprise of Judge Temple is taming the very forests!" exclaimedElizabeth, throwing off the covering, and partly rising in the bed."How rapidly is civilization treading on the foot of Nature!" shecontinued, as her eye glanced over not only the comforts, hut theluxuries of her apartment, and her ear again listened to the distant.but often repeated howls from the lake. Finding, how-ever, that thetimidity of her companion rendered the sounds painful to her,Elizabeth resumed her place, and soon forgot the changes in thecountry, with those in her own condition, in a deep sleep.

　　The following morning, the noise of the female servant, who enteredthe apartment to light the fire, awoke the females. They arose, andfinished the slight preparations I of their toilets in a clear, coldatmosphere, that penetrated through all the defences of even MissTemples warm room. When Elizabeth was attired, she approached awindow and drew its curtain, and throwing open its shutters sheendeavored to look abroad on the village and the lake. But a thickcovering of frost on the glass, while it admitted the light, shut outthe view. She raised the sash, and then, indeed, a glorious scene mether delighted eye.

　　The lake had exchanged its covering of unspotted snow for a face ofdark ice, that reflected the rays of the rising sun like a polishedmirror. The houses clothed in a dress of the same description, butwhich, owing to its position, shone like bright steel; while theenormous icicles that were pendent from every roof caught thebrilliant light, apparently throwing it from one to the other, as eachglittered, on the side next the luminary, with a golden lustre thatmelted away, on its opposite, into the dusky shades of a background.But it was the appearance of the boundless forests that covered thehills as they rose in the distance, one over the other, that mostattracted the gaze of Miss Temple. The huge branches of the pines andhemlocks bent with the weight of the ice they supported, while theirsummits rose above the swelling tops of the oaks, beeches, and maples,like spires of burnished silver issuing from domes of the samematerial. The limits of the view, in the west, were marked by anundulating outline of bright light, as if, reversing the order ofnature, numberless suns might momentarily he expected to heave abovethe horizon. In the foreground of the picture, along the shores ofthe lake, and near to the village, each tree seemed studded withdiamonds. Even the sides of the mountains where the rays of the suncould not yet fall, were decorated with a glassy coat, that presentedevery gradation of brilliancy, from the first touch of the luminary tothe dark foliage of the hemlock, glistening through its coat ofcrystal. In short, the whole view was one scene of quiveringradiancy, as lake, mountains, village, and woods, each emitted aportion of light, tinged with its peculiar hue, and varied by itsposition and its magnitude.

　　"See!" cried Elizabeth; "see, Louisa; hasten to the window, andobserve the miraculous change!"

　　Miss Grant complied; and, after bending for a moment in silence fromthe opening, she observed, in a low tone, as if afraid to trust thesound of her voice:

　　"The change is indeed wonderful! I am surprised that he should be ableto effect it so soon."

　　Elizabeth turned in amazement, to hear so skeptical a sentiment fromone educated like her companion; but was surprised to find that,instead of looking at the view, the mild blue eyes of Miss Grant weredwelling on the form of a well-dressed young man, who was standingbefore the door of the building, in earnest conversation with herfather. A second look was necessary before she was able to recognizethe person of the young hunter in a plain, but assuredly the ordinary,garb of a gentleman.

　　"Everything in this magical country seems to border on themarvellous," said Elizabeth; "and, among all the changes, this iscertainly not the least wonderful, The actors are as unique as thescenery."

　　Miss Grant colored and drew in her head.

　　"I am a simple country girl, Miss Temple, and I am afraid you willfind me but a poor companion," she said. "I--I am not sure that Iunderstand all you say. But I really thought that you wished me tonotice the alteration in Mr. Edwards, Is it not more wonderful when werecollect his origin? They say he is part Indian."

　　"He is a genteel savage; but let us go down, and give the sachem histea; for I suppose he is a descendant of King Philip, if not agrandson of Pocahontas."

　　The ladies were met in the hall by Judge Temple, who took his daughteraside to apprise her of that alteration in the appearance of their newinmate, with which she was already acquainted.

　　"He appears reluctant to converse on his former situation," continuedMarmaduke "but I gathered from his discourse, as is apparent from hismanner, that he has seen better days; and I am really inclining to theopinion of Richard, as to his origin; for it was no unusual thing forthe Indian agents to rear their children in a laudable manner, and--"

　　"Very well, my dear sir," interrupted his daughter, laughing andaverting her eyes; "it is all well enough, I dare say; but, as I donot understand a word of the Mohawk language he must be content tospeak English; and as for his behavior, I trust to your discernment tocontrol it."

　　"Ay! but, Bess," cried the judge, detaining her gently by the hand,"nothing must be said to him of his past life. This he has beggedparticularly of me, as a favor, He is, perhaps, a little soured, justnow, with his wounded arm; the injury seems very light, and anothertime he may be more communicative,"

　　"Oh! I am not much troubled, sir, with that laudable thirst afterknowledge that is called curiosity. I shall believe him to he thechild of Corn-stalk, or Corn-planter, or some other renownedchieftain; possibly of the Big Snake himself; and shall treat him assuch until he sees fit to shave his good-looking head, borrow somehalf-dozen pair of my best earrings, shoulder his rifle again, anddisappear as suddenly as he made his entrance. So come, my dear sir,and let us not forget the rites of hospitality, for the short time heis to remain with us."

　　Judge Temple smiled at the playfulness of his child, and taking herarm they entered the breakfast parlor, where the young hunter wasseated with an air that showed his determination to domesticatehimself in the family with as little parade as possible.

　　Such were the incidents that led to this extraordinary increase in thefamily of Judge Temple, where, having once established the youth, thesubject of our tale requires us to leave him for a time, to pursuewith diligence and intelligence the employments that were assigned himby Marmaduke.

　　Major Hartmann made his customary visit, and took his leave of theparty for the next three months. Mr. Grant was compelled to be absentmost of his time, in remote parts of the country, and his daughterbecame almost a constant visitor at the mansion-house. Richardentered, with his constitutional eagerness, on the duties of his newoffice; and, as Marmaduke was much employed with the constantapplications of adventures for farms, the winter passed swiftly away.The lake was the principal scene f or the amusements of the youngpeople; where the ladies, in their one-horse cutter, driven byRichard, and attended, when the snow would admit of it, by young Edwards on his skates, spent many hours taking the benefit of exercisein the clear air of the hills. The reserve of the youth graduallygave way to time and his situation, though it was still evident, to aclose observer, that he had frequent moments of bitter and intensefeeling.

　　Elizabeth saw many large openings appear in the sides of the mountainsduring the three succeeding months, where different settlers had, inthe language of the country "made their pitch," while the numberlesssleighs that passed through the village, loaded with wheat and barrelsof potashes, afforded a clear demonstration that all these labors werenot undertaken in vain. In short, the whole country was exhibitingthe bustle of a thriving settlement, where the highways were throngedwith sleighs, bearing piles of rough household furniture, studded,here and there, with the smiling faces of women and children, happy inthe excitement of novelty; or with loads of produce, hastening to thecommon market at Albany, that served as so many snares to induce theemigrants to enter into those wild mountains in search of competenceand happiness.

　　The village was alive with business, the artisans in creasing inwealth with the prosperity of the country, and each day witnessingsome nearer approach to the manners and usages of an old-settled town.The man who carried the mail or "the post," as he was called, talkedmuch of running a stage, and, once or twice during the winter, he wasseen taking a single passenger, in his cutter, through the snow-banks,toward the Mohawk, along which a regular vehicle glided, semi-weekly,with the velocity of lightning, and under the direction of a knowingwhip from the "down countries," Toward spring, divers families, whohad been into the "old States" to see their relatives, returned intime to save the snow, frequently bringing with them wholeneighborhoods, who were tempted by their representations to leave thefarms of Connecticut and Massachusetts, to make a trial of fortune inthe woods.

　　During all this time, Oliver Edwards, whose sudden elevation excitedno surprise in that changeful country, was earnestly engaged in theservice of Marmaduke, during the days; but his nights were often spentin the hut of Leather-Stocking. The intercourse between the threehunters was maintained with a certain air of mystery, it is true, butwith much zeal and apparent interest to all the parties. Even Moheganseldom came to the mansion-house, and Natty never; but Edwards soughtevery leisure moment to visit his former abode, from which he wouldoften return in the gloomy hours of night. through the snow, or, ifdetained beyond the time at which the family retired to rest, with themorning sun. These visits certainly excited much speculation in thoseto whom they were known, but no comments were made, exceptingoccasionally in whispers from Richard, who would say:

　　"It is not at all remarkable; a half-breed can never be weaned fromthe savage ways--and, for one of his lineage, the boy is much nearercivilization than could, in reason, be expected."