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Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

"The Prairie"

"
"Ay, give it all to us, stranger," continued Paul; "we are used to
these matters in Kentuck, and, I must say, I think a story none the
worse for having a few scalps in it!"
"But he told you of Uncas, did he?" resumed the trapper, without
regarding the slight interruptions of the bee-hunter, which amounted
to no more than a sort of by-play. "And what thought he and said he of
the lad, in his parlour, with the comforts and ease of the settlements
at his elbow?"
"I doubt not he used a language similar to that he would have adopted
in the woods, and had he stood face to face, with his friend--"
"Did he call the savage his friend; the poor, naked, painted warrior?
he was not too proud then to call the Indian his friend?"
"He even boasted of the connection; and as you have already heard,
bestowed a name on his first-born, which is likely to be handed down
as an heir-loom among the rest of his descendants."
"It was well done! like a man: ay! and like a Christian, too! He used
to say the Delaware was swift of foot--did he remember that?"
"As the antelope! Indeed, he often spoke of him by the appellation of
Le Cerf Agile, a name he had obtained by his activity.


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