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Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

"The Prairie"

Poor reason, I
allow; but still there is a great deal of the man in an Indian. Ah's
me! your Delawares were the redskins of which America might boast; but
few and scattered is that mighty people, now! Well! the traveller may
just make his pitch where he is; he has plenty of water, though natur'
has cheated him of the pleasure of stripping the 'arth of its lawful
trees. He has seen the last of his four-footed creatures, or I am but
little skilled in Sioux cunning."
"Had we not better join the party of Ishmael?" said the bee-hunter.
"There will be a regular fight about this matter, or the old fellow
has suddenly grown chicken-hearted."
"No--no--no," hastily exclaimed Ellen.
She was stopped by the trapper, who laid his hand gently on her mouth,
as he answered--
"Hist--hist!--the sound of voices might bring us into danger. Is your
friend," he added, turning to Paul, "a man of spirit enough?"
"Don't call the squatter a friend of mine!" interrupted the youth. "I
never yet harboured with one who could not show hand and zeal for the
land which fed him.


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