Go back among your children, friend; go,
and remember that you are not a prowling bear, but a Christian man,
and thank God that you ar' a lawful husband!"
The clamour of Esther was anticipated by the judicious trapper. He had
easily foreseen that her meek temper would overflow at so scandalous a
proposal as repudiation, and he now profited by the tempest, to retire
to a place where he was at least safe from any immediate violence on
the part of her less excited, but certainly more dangerous husband.
Ishmael, who had made his demands with a stout determination to
enforce them, was diverted by the windy torrent, like many a more
obstinate husband, from his purpose, and in order to appease a
jealousy that resembled the fury with which the bear defends her cubs,
was fain to retire to a distance from the lodge, that was known to
contain the unoffending object of the sudden uproar.
"Let your copper-coloured minx come forth, and show her tawney beauty
before the face of a woman who has heard more than one church bell,
and seen a power of real quality," cried Esther, flourishing her hand
in triumph, as she drove Ishmael and Abiram before her, like two
truant boys, towards their own encampment.
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