"I have not said that I am one, Judge Temple. As I told you before, I say nothing of myself. But a discovery has been made, and you are deeply interested in it."
"Proceed—I am all ears."
"No, no, 'duke, you are bad enough, I own, but not so bad as that either; your ears are not quite full grown."
The Sheriff laughed heartily at his own wit, and put himself in good humour thereby, when he gratified his patient cousin with the following explanation:—
"You know, 'duke, that there is a man living on your estate that goes by the name of Natty Bumppo. Here has this man lived, by what I can learn, for more than forty years—by himself, until lately; and now with strange companions."
"Part very true, and all very probable," said the Judge.
"All true, sir; all true. Well, within these last few months have appeared as his companions, an old Indian chief, the last, or one of the last of his tribe that is to be found in this part of the country, and a young man, who is said to be the son of some Indian agent, by a squaw."
"Who says that!" cried Marmaduke, with an interest that he had not manifested before.
"Who! why common sense—common report. But listen till you know all. This youth has very pretty talents—yes, what I call very pretty talents—and has been well educated, has seen very tolerable company, and knows how to behave himself, when he has a mind to. Now, Judge Temple, can you tell me what has brought three such men as Indian John, Natty Bumppo, and Oliver Edwards, together?"
Marmaduke turned his countenance, in evident surprise, to his cousin, and replied quickly—
