Chapter XXXI.

by James Fenimore Cooper

　　And darst thou thenTo beard the lion in his den,The Douglas in his hall "--Marmion.

　　The commotion was just subsiding, and the inhabitants of the villagehad begun to disperse from the little groups that had formed, eachretiring to his own home, and closing his door after him, with thegrave air of a man who consulted public feeling in his exteriordeportment, when Oliver Edwards, on his return from the dwelling ofMr. Grant, encountered the young lawyer, who is known to the reader asMr. Lippet. There was very little similarity in the manners oropinions of the two; but as they both belonged to the more intelligentclass of a very small community, they were, of course, known to eachother, and as their meeting was at a point where silence would havebeen rudeness, the following conversation was the result of theirinterview:

　　"A fine evening, Mr. Edwards," commenced the lawyer, whosedisinclination to the dialogue was, to say the least, very doubtful;"we want rain sadly; thats the worst of this climate of ours, itseither a drought or a deluge. Its likely youve been used to a moreequal temperature?"

　　"I am a native of this State," returned Edwards, coldly.

　　"Well. Ive often heard that point disputed; but its so easy to geta man naturalized, that its of little consequence where he was born.I wonder what course the Judge means to take in this business of NattyBumppo!""Of Natty Bumppo!" echoed Edwards; "to what do you allude, sir?""Havent you heard!" exclaimed the other, with a look of surprise, sonaturally assumed as completely to deceive his auditor; "it may turnout an ugly business. It seems that the old man has been out in thehills, and has shot a buck this morning, and that, you know, is acriminal matter in the eyes of Judge Temple."

　　"Oh! he has, has he?" said Edwards, averting his face to conceal thecolor that collected in his sunburnt cheek. "Well, if that be all, hemust even pay the fine."

　　"Its five pound currency," said the lawyer; "could Natty muster somuch money at once?"

　　"Could he!" cried the youth. "I am not rich, Mr. Lippet; far from it--I am poor, and I have been hoarding my salary for a purpose that liesnear my heart; but, be fore that old man should lie one hour in ajail, I would spend the last cent to prevent it. Besides, he haskilled two panthers, and the bounty will discharge the fine many timesover."

　　"Yes, yes," said the lawyer, rubbing his hands together, with anexpression of pleasure that had no artifice about it; "we shall makeit out; I see plainly we shall make it out."

　　"Make what out, sir? I must beg an explanation."

　　"Why, killing the buck is but a small matter compared to what tookplace this afternoon," continued Mr. Lippet, with a confidential andfriendly air that won upon the youth, little as he liked the man. "Itseems that a complaint was made of the fact, and a suspicion thatthere was venison in the hut was sworn to, all which is provided forin the statute, when Judge Temple granted the search warrant."

　　"A search-warrant!" echoed Edwards, in a voice of horror, and with aface that should have been again averted to conceal its paleness; "andhow much did they discover? What did they see

　　"They saw old Bumppos rifle; and that is a sight which will quietmost mens curiosity in the woods."

　　"Did they! did they!" shouted Edwards, bursting into a convulsivelaugh; "so the old hero beat them back beat them back! did he?"The lawyer fastened his eyes in astonishment on the youth, but, as hiswonder gave way to the thoughts that were commonly uppermost in hismind, he replied:

　　"It is no laughing matter, let me tell you, sir; the forty dollars ofbounty and your six months of salary will be much reduced before youcan get the matter fairly settled. Assaulting a magistrate in theexecution of his duty, and menacing a constable with firearms at thesame time, is a pretty serious affair, and is punishable with bothfine and imprisonment."

　　"Imprisonment!" repeated Oliver; "imprison the Leather-Stocking! no,no, sir; it would bring the old man to his grave. They shall neverimprison the Leather-Stocking."

　　"Well, Mr. Edwards," said Lippet, dropping all reserve from hismanner, "you are called a curious man; but if you can tell me how ajury is to be prevented from finding a verdict of guilty, if this casecomes fairly before them, and the proof is clear, I shall acknowledgethat you know more law than I do, who have had a license in my pocketfor three years."

　　By this time the reason of Edwards was getting the ascendency of hisfeelings, and, as he began to see the real difficulties of the case,he listened more readily to the conversation of the lawyer. Theungovernable emotion that escaped the youth, in the first moments ofhis surprise, entirely passed away; and, although it was still evidentthat he continued to be much agitated by what he had heard, hesucceeded in yielding forced attention to the advice which the otheruttered.

　　Notwithstanding the confused state of his mind, Oliver soon discoveredthat most of the expedients of the lawyer were grounded in cunning,and plans that required a time to execute them that neither suited hisdisposition nor his necessities. After, however, giving Mr. Lippet tounder stand that he retained him in the event of a trial, an assurancethat at once satisfied the lawyer, they parted, one taking his coursewith a deliberate tread in the direction of the little building thathad a wooden sign over its door, with "Chester Lippet, Attorney-at-law," painted on it; and the other pacing over the ground withenormous strides toward the mansion-house. We shall take leave of theattorney for the present, and direct the attention of the reader tothe client.

　　When Edwards entered the hall, whose enormous doors were opened to thepassage of the air of a mild evening, he found Benjamin engaged insome of his domestic avocations, and in a hurried voice inquired whereJudge Temple was to be found.

　　Why, the Judge has stepped into his office, with that mastercarpenter, Mister Doolittle; but Miss Lizzy is in that there parlor.I say, Master Oliver, wed like to have had a bad job of that panther,or painters work-- some calls it one, and some calls it tother--but Iknow little of the beast, seeing that it is not of British growth. Isaid as much as that it was in the hills the last winter for I heardit moaning on the lake shore one evening in the fall, when I waspulling down from the fishing-point in the skiff. Had the animal comeinto open water, where a man could see where and how to work hisvessel, I would have engaged the thing myself; but looking aloft amongthe trees is all the same to me as standing on the deck of one ship,and looking at another vessels tops. I never can tell one rope fromanother--"

　　"Well, well," interrupted Edwards; "I must see Miss Temple."

　　"And you shall see her, sir," said the steward; "shes in this hereroom. Lord, Master Edwards, what a loss shed have been to the Judge!Damme if I know where he would have gotten such another daughter;that is, full grown, dye see. I say, sir, this Master Bumppo is aworthy man, and seems to have a handy way with him, with firearms andboat-hooks. Im his friend, Master Oliver, and he and you may bothset me down as the same."

　　"We may want your friendship, my worthy fellow," cried Edwards,squeezing his hand convulsively; "we may want your friendship, inwhich case you shall know it."

　　Without waiting to hear the earnest reply that Benjamin meditated, theyouth extricated himself from the vigorous grasp of the steward, andentered the parlor.

　　Elizabeth was alone, and still reclining on the sofa, where we lastleft her. A hand, which exceeded all that the ingenuity of art couldmodel, in shape and color, veiled her eyes; and the maiden was sittingas if in deep communion with herself. Struck by the attitude andloveliness of the form that met his eye, the young man checked hisimpatience, and approached her with respect and caution.

　　"Miss Temple--Miss Temple," he said, "I hope I do not intrude; but I amanxious for an interview, if it be only for a moment."

　　Elizabeth raised her face, and exhibited her dark eyes swimming inmoisture.

　　Is it you, Edwards?" she said, with a sweetness in her voice, and asoftness in her air, that she often used to her father, but which,from its novelty to himself, thrilled on every nerve of the youth;"how left you our poor Louisa?"

　　"She is with her father, happy and grateful," said Oliver, " I neverwitnessed more feeling than she manifested, when I ventured to expressmy pleasure at her escape. Miss Temple, when I first heard of yourhorrid situation, my feelings were too powerful for utterance; and Idid not properly find my tongue, until the walk to Mr. Grants hadgiven me time to collect myself. I believe--I do believe, I acquittedmyself better there, for Miss Grant even wept at my silly speeches."For a moment Elizabeth did not reply, but again veiled her eyes withher hand. The feeling that caused the action, however, soon passedaway, and, raising her face again to his gaze, she continued with asmile:

　　"Your friend, the Leather-Stocking, has now become my friend, Edwards;I have been thinking how I can best serve him; perhaps you, who knowhis habits and his wants so well, can tell me----"

　　"I can," cried the youth, with an impetuosity that startled hiscompanion. "I can, and may Heaven reward you for the wish, Natty hasbeen so imprudent as to for get the law, and has this day killed adeer. Nay, I believe I must share in the crime and the penalty, for Iwas an accomplice throughout. A complaint has been made to yourfather, and he has granted a search--"

　　"I know it all," interrupted Elizabeth; "I know it all. The forms ofthe law must be complied with, however; the search must be made, thedeer found, and the penalty paid. But I must retort your ownquestion. Have you lived so long in our family not to know us? Lookat me, Oliver Edwards. Do I appear like one who would permit the manthat has just saved her life to linger in a jail for so small a sum asthis fine? No, no, sir; my father is a judge, but he is a man and aChristian. It is all under stood, and no harm shall follow."

　　"What a load of apprehension do your declarations remove!" exclaimedEdwards: " He shall not be disturbed again! your father will protecthim! I have assurance, Miss Temple, that he will, and I must believeit."

　　"You may have his own, Mr. Edwards," returned Elizabeth, "for here hecomes to make it."

　　But the appearance of Marmaduke, who entered the apartment,contradicted the flattering anticipations of his daughter. His browwas contracted, and his manner disturbed. Neither Elizabeth nor theyouth spoke; but the Judge was allowed to pace once or twice acrossthe room without interruption, when he cried:

　　"Our plans are defeated, girl; the obstinacy of the Leather-Stockinghas brought down the indignation of the law on his head, and it is nowout of my power to avert it."

　　"How? in what manner?" cried Elizabeth; "the fine is nothing surely--"

　　"I did not--I could not anticipate that an old, a friendless man likehim, would dare to oppose the officers of justice," interrupted theJudge, "I supposed that he would submit to the search, when the finecould have been paid, and the law would have been appeased; but now hewill have to meet its rigor."

　　"And what must the punishment be, sir?" asked Ed wards, struggling tospeak with firmness.

　　Marmaduke turned quickly to the spot where the youth had withdrawn,and exclaimed:

　　"You here! I did not observe you. I know not what it will be, sir; itis not usual for a judge to decide until he has heard the testimony,and the jury have convicted. Of one thing, however, you may beassured, Mr. Edwards; it shall be whatever the law demands,notwithstanding any momentary weakness I may have exhibited, becausethe luckless man has been of such eminent service to my daughter."

　　"No one, I believe, doubts the sense of justice which Judge Templeentertains!" returned Edwards bitterly.

　　"But let us converse calmly, sir. Will not the years, the habits,nay, the ignorance of my old friend, avail him any thing against thischarge?"

　　"Ought they? They may extenuate, but can they ac quit? Would anysociety be tolerable, young man, where the ministers of justice are tobe opposed by men armed with rifles? Is it for this that I have tamedthe wilder ness?"

　　"Had you tamed the beasts that so lately threatened the life of MissTemple, sir, your arguments would apply better."

　　"Edwards!" exclaimed Elizabeth.

　　"Peace, my child," interrupted the father; " the youth is unjust; butI have not given him cause. I overlook thy remark, Oliver, for I knowthee to be the friend of Natty, and zeal in his behalf has overcomethy discretion,"

　　"Yes, he is my friend," cried Edwards, "and I glory in the title. Heis simple, unlettered, even ignorant; prejudiced, perhaps, though Ifeel that his opinion of the world is too true; but he has a heart,Judge Temple, that would atone for a thousand faults; he knows hisfriends, and never deserts them, even if it be his dog."

　　"This is a good character, Mr. Edwards," returned Marmaduke, mildly;"but I have never been so fortunate as to secure his esteem, for to mehe has been uniformly repulsive; yet I have endured it, as an oldmans whim, However, when he appears before me, as his judge, he shallfind that his former conduct shall not aggravate, any more than hisrecent services shall extenuate, his crime."

　　"Crime!" echoed Edwards: "is it a crime to drive a prying miscreantfrom his door? Crime! Oh, no, sir; if there be a criminal involved inthis affair, it is not he."

　　"And who may it be, sir?" asked Judge Temple, facing the agitatedyouth, his features settled to their usual composure.

　　This appeal was more than the young man could bear. Hitherto he hadbeen deeply agitated by his emotions; but now the volcano burst itsboundaries.

　　"Who! and this to me!" he cried; "ask your own conscience, JudgeTemple. Walk to that door, sir, and look out upon the valley, thatplacid lake, and those dusky mountains, and say to your own heart, ifheart you have, whence came these riches, this vale, those hills, andwhy am I their owner? I should think, sir, that the appearance ofMohegan and the Leather-Stocking, stalking through the country,impoverished and forlorn, would wither your sight."

　　Marmaduke heard this burst of passion, at first, with deep amazement;but when the youth had ended, he beckoned to his impatient daughterfor silence, and replied:

　　"Oliver Edwards, thou forgettest in whose presence thou standest. Ihave heard, young man, that thou claimest descent from the nativeowners of the soil; but surely thy education has been given thee to noeffect, if it has not taught thee the validity of the claims that havetransferred the title to the whites. These lands are mine by the verygrants of thy ancestry, if thou art so descended; and I appeal toHeaven for a testimony of the uses I have put them to. After thislanguage, we must separate. I have too long sheltered thee in mydwelling; but the time has arrived when thou must quit it. Come to myoffice, and I will discharge the debt I owe thee. Neither shall thypresent intemperate language mar thy future fortunes, if thou wilthearken to the advice of one who is by many years thy senior."

　　The ungovernable feeling that caused the violence of the youth hadpassed away, and he stood gazing after the retiring figure ofMarmaduke, with a vacancy in his eye that denoted the absence of hismind. At length he recollected himself, and, turning his head slowlyaround the apartment, he beheld Elizabeth, still seated on the sofa,but with her head dropped on her bosom, and her face again concealedby her hands.

　　"Miss Temple," he said--all violence had left his manner--" Miss Temple--I have forgotten myself--forgotten you. You have heard what yourfather has decreed, and this night I leave here. With you, at least,I would part in amity."

　　Elizabeth slowly raised her face, across which a momentary expressionof sadness stole; but as she left her seat, her dark eyes lighted withtheir usual fire, her cheek flushed to burning, and her whole airseemed to belong to another nature.

　　"I forgive you, Edwards, and my father will forgive you," she said,when she reached the door. "You do not know us, but the time may comewhen your opinions shall change--"

　　"Of you! never!" interrupted the youth; "I--"

　　"I would speak, sir, and not listen. There is something in thisaffair that I do not comprehend; but tell the Leather-Stocking he hasfriends as well as judges in us. Do not let the old man experienceunnecessary uneasiness at this rupture. It is impossible that youcould increase his claims here; neither shall they be diminished byany thing you have said. Mr. Edwards, I wish you happiness, andwarmer friends,"

　　The youth would have spoken, but she vanished from the door sorapidly, that when he reached the hall her form was nowhere to beseen. He paused a moment, in stupor, and then, rushing from thehouse, instead of following Marmaduke in his "office," he took his waydirectly for the cabin of the hunters.