Chapter XXX.

by James Fenimore Cooper

　　"The court awards it, and the law doth give it."--Merchant of Venice.

　　Remarkable Pettibone, who had forgotten the wound received by herpride, in contemplation of the ease and comforts of her situation, andwho still retained her station in the family of judge Temple, wasdispatched to the humble dwelling which Richard already styled "TheRectory," in attendance on Louisa, who was soon consigned to the armsof her father.

　　In the mean time, Marmaduke and his daughter were closeted for morethan an hour, nor shall we invade the sanctuary of parental love, byrelating the conversation. When the curtain rises on the reader, theJudge is seen walking up and down the apartment, with a tendermelancholy in his air, and his child reclining on a settee, with aflushed cheek, and her dark eyes seeming to float in crystals.

　　"It was a timely rescue! it was, indeed, a timely rescue, my child!"cried the Judge. "Then thou didst not desert thy friend, my nobleBess?"

　　"I believe I may as well take the credit of fortitude," saidElizabeth, "though I much doubt if flight would have availed meanything, had I even courage to execute such an intention. But Ithought not of the expedient."

　　"Of what didst thou think, love? where did thy thoughts dwell most, atthat fearful moment?"

　　"The beast! the beast!" cried Elizabeth, veiling her face with herhand. "Oh! I saw nothing, I thought of nothing but the beast. Itried to think of better things, but the horror was too glaring, thedanger too much before my eyes."

　　"Well, well, thou art safe, and we will converse no more on theunpleasant subject. I did not think such an animal yet remained inour forests; but they will stray far from their haunts when pressed byhunger, and--"

　　A loud knocking at the door of the apartment interrupted what he wasabout to utter, and he bid the applicant enter. The door was openedby Benjamin, who came in with a discontented air, as if he felt thathe had a communication to make that would be out of season.

　　"Here is Squire Doolittle below, sir," commenced the major-domo. "Hehas been standing off and on in the door-yard for the matter of aglass; and he has summat on his mind that he wants to heave up, dyesee; but I tells him, says I, man, would you be coming aboard withyour complaints, said I, when the judge has gotten his own child, asit were, out of the jaws of a lion? But damn the bit of manners hasthe fellow, any more than if he was one of them Guineas down in thekitchen there; and so as he was sheering nearer, every stretch he madetoward the house, I could do no better than to let your honor knowthat the chap was in the offing."

　　"He must have business of importance," said Marmaduke: "something inrelation to his office, most probably, as the court sits so shortly."

　　"Ay, ay, you have it, sir," cried Benjamin; "its summat about acomplaint that he has to make of the old Leather-Stocking, who, to myjudgment, is the better man of the two. Its a very good sort of aman is this Master Bumppo, and he has a way with a spear, all the sameas if he was brought up at the bow-oar of the captains barge, or wasborn with a boat-hook in his hand."

　　"Against the Leather-Stocking!" cried Elizabeth, rising from herreclining posture.

　　"Rest easy, my child; some trifle, I pledge you; I believe I amalready acquainted with its import Trust me, Bess, your champion shallbe safe in my care. Show Mr. Doolittle in, Benjamin"

　　Miss Temple appeared satisfied with this assurance, but fastened herdark eyes on the person of the architect, who profited by thepermission, and instantly made his appearance.

　　All the impatience of Hiram seemed to vanish the instant he enteredthe apartment. After saluting the Judge and his daughter, he took thechair to which Marmaduke pointed, and sat for a minute, composing hisstraight black hair, with a gravity of demeanor that was in tended todo honor to his official station. At length he said:

　　"Its likely, from what I hear, that Miss Temple had a narrow chancewith the painters, on the mountain."

　　Marmaduke made a gentle inclination of his head, by way of assent, butcontinued silent.

　　"I spose the law gives a bounty on the scalps," continued Hiram, "inwhich case the Leather-Stocking will make a good job ont."

　　"It shall be my care to see that he is rewarded," returned the Judge.

　　"Yes, yes, I rather guess that nobody hereabouts doubts the Judgesgenerosity. Does he know whether the sheriff has fairly made up hismind to have a reading desk or a deacons pew under the pulpit?""I have not heard my cousin speak on that subject, lately," repliedMarmaduke."I think its likely that we will have a pretty dull court on't, fromwhat I can gather. I hear that Jotham Riddel and the man who boughthis betterments have agreed to leave their difference to men, and Idont think therell be more than two civil cases in the calendar."

　　"I am glad of it," said the judge; "nothing gives me more pain than tosee my settlers wasting their time and substance in the unprofitablestruggles of the law. I hope it may prove true, sir."

　　"I rather guess twill be left out to men," added Hiram, with an airequally balanced between doubt and assurance, but which judge Templeunderstood to mean certainty; "I some think that I am appointed areferee in the case myself; Jotham as much as told me that he shouldtake me. The defendant, I guess, means to take Captain Hollister, andwe two have partly agreed on Squire Jones for the third man."

　　"Are there any criminals to be tried?" asked Marmaduke.

　　"There's the counterfeiters," returned the magistrate, "as they werecaught in the act, I think it likely that theyll be indicted, inwhich case its probable theyll be tried."

　　"Certainly, sir; I had forgotten those men. There are no more, Ihope.""Why, there is a threaten to come forward with an assault thathappened at the last independence day; but Im not sartain that thelaw'll take hold ont. There was plaguey hard words passed, butwhether they struck or not I havent heard. Theres some folks talkof a deer or two being killed out of season, over on the west side ofthe Patent, by some of the squatters on the Fractions."

　　"Let a complaint be made, by all means," said the Judge; "I amdetermined to see the law executed to the letter, on all suchdepredators."

　　"Why, yes, I thought the judge was of that mind; I came partly on sucha business myself."

　　"You!" exclaimed Marmaduke, comprehending in an instant how completelyhe had been caught by the others cunning; "and what have you to say,sir?"

　　"I some think that Natty Bumppo has the carcass of a deer in his hutat this moment, and a considerable part of my business was to get asearch-warrant to examine."

　　"You think, sir! do you know that the law exacts an oath, before I canissue such a precept? The habitation of a citizen is not to be idlyinvaded on light suspicion."

　　"I rather think I can swear to it myself," returned the immovableHiram; "and Jotham is in the street, and as good as ready to come inand make oath to the same thing."

　　"Then issue the warrant thyself; thou art a magistrate, Mr. Doolittle;why trouble me with the matter?"

　　"Why, seeing its the first complaint under the law, and knowing thejudge set his heart on the thing, I thought it best that the authorityto search should come from himself. Besides, as Im much in thewoods, among the timber, I dont altogether like making an enemy ofthe Leather Stocking. Now, the Judge has a weight in the county thatputs him above fear."

　　Miss Temple turned her face to the callous Architect as she said "Andwhat has any honest person to dread from so kind a man as Bumppo?"

　　"Why, its as easy, miss, to pull a rifle trigger on a magistrate ason a painter. But if the Judge dont conclude to issue the warrant, Imust go home and make it out myself."

　　"I have not refused your application, sir," said Marmaduke, perceivingat once that his reputation for impartiality was at stake; "go into myoffice, Mr. Doolittle, where I will join you, and sign the warrant."Judge Temple stopped the remonstrances which Elizabeth was about toutter, after Hiram had withdrawn, by laying his hand on her mouth, andsaying:

　　"It is more terrible in sound than frightful in reality, my child. Isuppose that the Leather-Stocking has shot a deer, for the season isnearly over, and you say that he was hunting with his dogs when hecame so timely to your assistance. But it will be only to examine hiscabin, and find the animal, when you can pay the penalty out of yourown pocket, Bess. Nothing short of the twelve dollars and a half willsatisfy this harpy, I perceive; and surely my reputation as judge isworth that trifle."

　　Elizabeth was a good deal pacified with this assurance, and sufferedher father to leave her, to fulfil his promise to Hiram.

　　When Marmaduke left his office after executing his disagreeable duty,he met Oliver Edwards, walking up the gravelled walk in front of themansion-house with great strides, and with a face agitated by feeling.On seeing judge Temple, the youth turned aside, and with a warmth inhis manner that was not often exhibited to Marmaduke, he cried:

　　"I congratulate you, sir; from the bottom of my soul, I congratulateyou, Judge Temple. Oh! it would have been too horrid to haverecollected for a moment! I have just left the hut, where, aftershowing me his scalps, old Natty told me of the escape of the ladies,as the thing to be mentioned last. Indeed, indeed, sir, no words ofmine can express half of what I have felt "--the youth paused a moment,as if suddenly recollecting that he was overstepping prescribedlimits, and concluded with a good deal of embarrassment--" what I havefelt at this danger to Miss--Grant, and--and your daughter, sir,"

　　But the heart of Marmaduke was too much softened to admit hiscavilling at trifles, and, without regarding the confusion of theother, he replied:

　　"I thank thee, thank thee, Oliver; as thou sayest, it is almost toohorrid to be remembered. But come, let us hasten to Bess, for Louisahas already gone to the rectory."

　　The young man sprang forward, and, throwing open a door, barelypermitted the Judge to precede him, when he was in the presence ofElizabeth in a moment.

　　The cold distance that often crossed the demeanor of the heiress, inher intercourse with Edwards, was now entirely banished, and two hourswere passed by the party, in the free, unembarrassed, and confidingmanner of old and esteemed friends. Judge Temple had forgotten thesuspicions engendered during his mornings ride, and the youth andmaiden conversed, laughed, and were sad by turns, as impulse directed.

　　At length, Edwards, after repeating his intention to do so for thethird time, left the mansion-house to go to the rectory on a similarerrand of friendship.

　　During this short period, a scene was passing at the hut thatcompletely frustrated the benevolent intentions of Judge Temple infavor of the Leather-Stocking, and at once destroyed the short-livedharmony between the youth and Marmaduke.

　　When Hiram Doolittle had obtained his search-warrant, his firstbusiness was to procure a proper officer to see it executed. Thesheriff was absent, summoning in person the grand inquest for thecounty; the deputy who resided in the village was riding on the sameerrand, in a different part of the settlement; and the regularconstable of the township had been selected for his station frommotives of charity, being lame of a leg. Hiram intended to accompanythe officer as a spectator, but he felt no very strong desire to bearthe brunt of the battle. It was, however, Saturday, and the sun wasalready turning the shadows of the pines toward the east; on themorrow the conscientious magistrate could not engage in such anexpedition at the peril of his soul and long before Monday, thevenison, and all vestiges of the death of the deer, might be secretedor destroyed. Happily, the lounging form of Billy Kirby met his eye,and Hiram, at all time fruitful in similar expedients, saw his wayclear at once. Jotham, who was associated in the whole business, andwho had left the mountain in consequence of a summons from hiscoadjutor, but who failed, equally with Hiram, in the unfortunateparticular of nerve, was directed to summon the wood-chopper to thedwelling of the magistrate.

　　When Billy appeared, he was very kindly invited to take the chair inwhich he had already seated himself, and was treated in all respectsas if he were an equal.

　　"Judge Temple has set his heart on putting the deer law in force,"said Hiram, after the preliminary civilities were over, "and acomplaint has been laid before him that a deer has been killed. Hehas issued a search-warrant, and sent for me to get somebody toexecute it."

　　Kirby, who had no idea of being excluded from the deliberative part ofany affair in which he was engaged, drew up his bushy head in areflecting attitude, and after musing a moment, replied by asking afew questions,

　　"The sheriff has gone out of the way?"

　　"Not to be found."

　　"And his deputy too?"

　　"Both gone on the skirts of the Patent."

　　"But I saw the constable hobbling about town an hour ago."

　　"Yes, yes," said Hiram, with a coaxing smile and knowing nod, "butthis business wants a man--not a cripple."

　　"Why," said Billy, laughing, " will the chap make fight?" "Hes alittle quarrelsome at times, and thinks hes the best man in thecountry at rough and tumble."

　　"I heard him brag once," said Jotham, "that there wasnt a man twixtthe Mohawk Flats and the Pennsylvany line that was his match at aclose hug."

　　"Did you?" exclaimed Kirby, raising his huge frame in his seat, like alion stretching in his lair; "I rather guess he never felt aVarmounters knuckles on his backbone-But who is the chap?"

　　"Why," said Jotham, " its--"

　　"Its agin law to tell," interrupted Hiram unless youll qualify tosarve. Youd be the very man to take him, Bill, and I'll make out aspecial deputation in a minute, when you will get the fees."

　　"Whats the fees?" said Kirby, laying his large hand on the leaves ofa statute-book that Hiram had opened in order to give dignity to hisoffice, which he turned over in his rough manner, as if he werereflecting on a subject about which he had, in truth, already decided;"will they pay a man for a broken head?"

　　"Theyll be something handsome," said Hiram.

　　"Damn the fees," said Billy, again laughing--" does the fellow thinkhes the best wrestler in the county, though? whats his inches?"

　　"Hes taller than you be," said Jotham, "and one of the biggest--"

　　Talkers, he was about to add, but the impatience of Kirby interruptedhim. The wood-chopper had nothing fierce or even brutal in hisappearance; the character of his expression was that of good-naturedvanity. It was evident he prided himself on the powers of thephysical man, like all who have nothing better to boast of; and,stretching out his broad hand, with the palm downward, he said,keeping his eyes fastened on his own bones and sinews:

　　"Come, give us a touch of the book. Ill swear, and youll see thatIm a man to keep my oath."

　　Hiram did not give the wood-chopper time to change his mind, but theoath was administered without unnecessary delay. So soon as thispreliminary was completed, the three worthies left the house, andproceeded by the nearest road toward the hut. They had reached thebank of the lake, and were diverging from the route of the highway,before Kirby recollected that he was now entitled to the privilege ofthe initiated, and repeated his question as to the name of theoffender,

　　"Which way, which way, squire?" exclaimed the hardy wood-chopper; "Ithought it was to search a house that you wanted me, not the woods.There is nobody lives on this side of the lake, for six miles, unlessyou count the Leather-Stocking and old John for settlers. Come, tellme the chaps name, and I warrant me that I lead you to his clearingby a straighter path than this, for I know every sapling that growswithin two miles of Templeton."

　　"This is the way," said Hiram, pointing forward and quickening hisstep, as if apprehensive that Kirby would desert, "and Bumppo is theman."

　　Kirby stopped short, and looked from one of his companions to theother in astonishment. He then burst into a loud laugh, and cried:

　　"Who? Leather-Stocking! He may brag of his aim and his rifle, for hehas the best of both, as I will own myself, for sin he shot thepigeon I knock under to him; but for a wrestle! why, I would take thecreatur between my finger and thumb, and tie him in a bow-knot aroundmy neck for a Barcelony. The man is seventy, and was never anythingparticular for strength."

　　"Hes a deceiving man," said Hiram, "like all the hunters; he isstronger than he seems; besides, he has his rifle."

　　"That for his rifle!" cried Billy; "hed no more hurt me with hisrifle than hed fly. Hes a harmless creatur, and I must say that Ithink he has as good right to kill deer as any man on the Patent.Its his main support, and this is a free country, where a man isprivileged to follow any calling he likes."

　　"According to that doctrine," said Jotham, "anybody may shoot a deer."

　　This is the mans calling, I tell you," returned Kirby, "and the lawwas never made for such as he."

　　"The law was made for all," observed Hiram, who began to think thatthe danger was likely to fall to his own share, notwithstanding hismanagement; "and the law is particular in noticing parjury."

　　"See here, Squire Doolittle," said the reckless woodchopper; "I dontcare the valie of a beetlering for you and your parjury too. But as Ihave come so far, Ill go down and have a talk with the old man, andmaybe well fry a steak of the deer together."

　　"Well, if you can get in peaceably, so much the better," said themagistrate. "To my notion, strife is very unpopular; I prefar, at alltimes, clever conduct to an ugly temper."

　　As the whole party moved at a great pace, they soon reached the hut,where Hiram thought it prudent to halt on the outside of the top ofthe fallen pine, which formed a chevaux-de-frise, to defend theapproach to the fortress, on the side next the village. The delay waslittle relished by Kirby, who clapped his hands to his mouth, and gavea loud halloo that brought the dogs out of their kennel, and, almostat the same instant, the scantily-covered head of Natty from the door.

　　"Lie down, old fool," cried the hunter; "do you think theres morepainters about you?"

　　"Ha! Leather-Stocking, Ive an arrand with you," cried Kirby; "heresthe good people of the State have been writing you a small letter, andtheyve hired me to ridepost."

　　"What would you have with me, Billy Kirby?" said Natty, steppingacross his threshold, and raising his hand over his eyes, to screenthem from the rays of the setting sun, while he took a survey of hisvisitor. Ive no land to clear, and Heaven knows I would set out sixtrees afore I would cut down one.--Down, Hector, I say; into yourkennel with ye."

　　"Would you, old boy?" roared Billy; "then so much the better for me.But I must do my arrand. Heres a letter for you, Leather-Stocking.If you can read it, its all well, and if you cant, heres SquireDoolittle at hand, to let you know what it means. It seems youmistook the twentieth of July for the first of August. thats all."

　　By this time Natty had discovered the lank person of Hiram, drawn upunder the cover of a high stump; and all that was complacent in hismanner instantly gave way to marked distrust and dissatisfaction. Heplaced his head within the door of his hut, and said a few words in anundertone, when he again appeared, and continued:

　　"Ive nothing for ye; so away, afore the Evil One tempts me to do youharm. I owe you no spite, Billy Kirby, and what for should youtrouble an old man who has done you no harm?"

　　Kirby advanced through the top of the pine, to within a few feet ofthe hunter, where he seated himself on the end of a log, with greatcomposure, and began to examine the nose of Hector, with whom he wasfamiliar, from their frequently meeting in the woods, where hesometimes fed the dog from his own basket of provisions.

　　"Youve outshot me, and Im not ashamed to say it," said the wood-chopper; "but I dont owe you a grudge for that, Natty! though itseems that youve shot once too often, for the story goes that youvekilled a buck."

　　"Ive fired but twice to-day, and both times at the painters,"returned the Leather-Stocking; "see, here are the scalps! I was justgoing in with them to the Judges to ask the bounty."

　　While Natty was speaking, he tossed the ears to Kirby, who continuedplaying with them with a careless air, holding them to the dogs, andlaughing at their movements when they scented the unusual game.

　　But Hiram, emboldened by the advance of the deputed constable, nowventured to approach also, and took up the discourse with the air ofauthority that became his commission. His first measure was to readthe warrant aloud, taking care to give due emphasis to the mostmaterial parts, and concluding with the name of the Judge in veryaudible and distinct tones.

　　"Did Marmaduke Temple put his name to that bit of paper?" said Natty,shaking his head; "well, well, that man loves the new ways, and hisbetterments, and his lands, afore his own flesh and blood. But Iwont mistrust the gal; she has an eye like a full-grown buck! poorthing, she didnt choose her father, and cant help it. I know butlittle of the law, Mr. Doolittle; what is to be done, now youve readyour commission?"

　　"Oh! its nothing but form, Natty," said Hiram, endeavoring to assumea friendly aspect. "Lets go in, and talk the thing over in reason; Idare to say that the money can be easily found, and I partly conclude,from what passed, that Judge Temple will pay it himself."

　　The old hunter had kept a keen eye on the movements of his threevisitors, from the beginning, and had maintained his position, justwithout the threshold of the cabin, with a determined manner, thatshowed he was not to be easily driven from his post. When Hiram drewnigher, as if expecting his proposition would be accepted, Nattylifted his hand, and motioned for him to retreat.

　　"Havent I told you more than once, not to tempt me?" he said. "Itrouble no man; why cant the law leave me to myself? Go back--go back,and tell your Judge that he may keep his bounty; but I wont have hiswasty ways brought into my hut."

　　This offer, however, instead of appeasing the curiosity of Hiram,seemed to inflame it the more; while Kirby cried:

　　"Well, thats fair, squire; he forgives the county his demand, and thecounty should forgive him the fine; its what I call an even trade,and should be concluded on the spot. I like quick dealings, andwhats fair twixt man and man."

　　"I demand entrance into this house," said Hiram, summoning all thedignity he could muster to his assistance, "in the name of the people;and by virtue of this war rant, and of my office, and with this peaceofficer."

　　"Stand back, stand back, squire, and dont tempt me," said theLeather-Stocking, motioning him to retire, with great earnestness.

　　"Stop us at your peril," continued Hiram. "Billy! Jotham! close up--Iwant testimony."

　　Hiram had mistaken the mild but determined air of Natty forsubmission, and had already put his foot on the threshold to enter,when he was seized unexpectedly by his shoulders, and hurled over thelittle bank toward the lake, to the distance of twenty feet. Thesuddenness of the movement, and the unexpected display of strength onthe part of Natty, created a momentary astonishment in his invaders,that silenced all noises; but at the next instant Billy Kirby gavevent to his mirth in peals of laughter, that he seemed to heave upfrom his very soul.

　　"Well done, old stub!" he shouted; "the squire knowed you better thanI did. Come, come, heres a green spot; take it out like men, whileJotham and I see fair play."

　　"William Kirby, I order you to do your duty," cried Hiram, from underthe bank; "seize that man; I order you to seize him in the name of thepeople."

　　But the Leather-Stocking now assumed a more threatening attitude; hisrifle was in his hand, and its muzzle was directed toward the wood-chopper.

　　"Stand off, I bid ye," said Natty; "you know my aim, Billy Kirby; Idont crave your blood, but mine and yourn both shall turn this greengrass red, afore you put foot into the hut."

　　While the affair appeared trifling, the wood-chopper seemed disposedto take sides with the weaker party; but, when the firearms wereintroduced, his manner very sensibly changed. He raised his largeframe from the log, and, facing the hunter with an open front, hereplied:

　　"I didnt come here as your enemy, Leather-Stocking; but I dont valuethe hollow piece of iron in your hand so much as a broken axe-helve;so, squire, say the word, and keep within the law, and well soon seewhos the best main of the two."

　　But no magistrate was to be seen! The instant the rifle was producedHiram and Jotham vanished; and when the wood-chopper bent his eyesabout him in surprise at receiving no answer, he discovered theirretreating figures moving toward the village at a rate thatsufficiently indicated that they had not only calculated the velocityof a rifle-bullet, but also its probable range.

　　"Youve scared the creaturs off," said Kirby, with great contemptexpressed on his broad features; "but you are not going to scare me;so, Mr. Bumppo, down with your gun, or therell be trouble twixt us."Natty dropped his rifle, and replied:

　　"I wish you no harm, Billy Kirby; but I leave it to yourself, whetheran old mans hut is to be run down by such varmint. I wont deny thebuck to you, Billy, and you may take the skin in, if you please, andshow it as testimony. The bounty will pay the fine, and that ought tosatisfy any man,"

　　"Twill, old boy, twill," cried Kirby, every- shade of displeasurevanishing from his open brow at the peace-offering; "throw out thehide, and that shall satisfy the law."

　　Natty entered the hut, and soon reappeared, bringing with him thedesired testimonial; and the wood-chopper departed, as thoroughlyreconciled to the hunter as if nothing had happened. As he pacedalong the margin of the lake he would burst into frequent fits oflaughter, while he recollected the summerset of Hiram: and, on thewhole, he thought the affair a very capital joke.

　　Long before Billy reached the village, however, the news of hisdanger, and of Nattys disrespect of the law, and of Hiramsdiscomfiture, were in circulation. A good deal was said about sendingfor the sheriff; some hints were given about calling out the possecomitatus to avenge the insulted laws; and many of the citizens werecollected, deliberating how to proceed. The arrival of Billy with theskin, by removing all grounds for a search, changed the complexion ofthings materially. Nothing now remained but to collect the fine andassert the dignity of the people; all of which, it was unanimouslyagreed, could be done as well on the succeeding Monday as on Saturdaynight--a time kept sacred by large portion of the settlers.Accordingly, all further proceedings were suspended for six-and-thirtyhours.