His virtues were those of simplicity, because such were the fruits of his habits, as were indeed his very prejudices.

In courage he was the equal of his red associates; in warlike skill, being better instructed, their superior.

'In short, he was a noble shoot from the stock of human nature, which never could attain its proper elevation and importance, for no other reason, than because it grew in the forest:' such, old hunter, were the very words of my grandfather, when speaking of the man you imagine so worthless!" The eyes of the trapper had sunk to the earth, as the stranger delivered this character in the ardent tones of generous youth.

He played with the ears of his hound; fingered his own rustic garment, and opened and shut the pan of his rifle, with hands that trembled in a manner that would have implied their total unfitness to wield the weapon.

When the other had concluded, he hoarsely added-- "Your grand'ther didn't then entirely forget the white man!" "So far from that, there are already three among us, who have also names derived from that scout." "A name, did you say ?" exclaimed the old man, starting; "what, the name of the solitary, unl'arned hunter?
Do the great, and the rich, and the honoured, and, what is better still, the just, do they bear his very, actual name ?" "It is borne by my brother, and by two of my cousins, whatever may be their titles to be described by the terms you have mentioned." "Do you mean the actual name itself; spelt with the very same letters, beginning with an N and ending with an L ?" "Exactly the same," the youth smilingly replied.