"
"It is well--it is well, boy," returned the old man, fumbling at his
wallet; "honestly offered, and not unthankfully declined--but it
cannot be; no, it can never be."
"Venerable venator," said Dr. Battius; "there are obligations, which
every man owes to society and to human nature. It is time that you
should return to your countrymen, to deliver up some of those stores
of experimental knowledge that you have doubtless obtained by so long
a sojourn in the wilds, which, however they may be corrupted by
preconceived opinions, will prove acceptable bequests to those whom,
as you say, you must shortly leave for ever."
"Friend physicianer," returned the trapper, looking the other steadily
in the face, "as it would be no easy matter to judge of the temper of
the rattler by considering the fashions of the moose, so it would be
hard to speak of the usefulness of one man by thinking too much of the
deeds of another. You have your gifts like others, I suppose, and
little do I wish to disturb them. But as to me, the Lord has made me
for a doer and not a talker, and therefore do I consider it no harm to
shut my ears to your invitation.
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