James Fenimore Cooper

“ His manner has been rude to me at times, but I attributed it to his conceiving himself injured, and to his mistaking the forms of the world."
"Haven’t you been a dupe all your life, ‘Duke, and an’t what you call ignorance of forms deep cunning, to conceal his real character?"
"If he were bent on deception, he would have concealed his knowledge, and passed with us for an inferior man." ”

“ But proceed to the point; why are we travelling over this mountain to-day?"
"To do justice to any subject, sir, the narrator must he suffered to proceed in his own way," continued the sheriff. "You are of opinion, Judge Temple, that a man is to be qualified by nature and education to do only one thing well, whereas I know that genius will supply the place of learning, and that a certain sort of man can do anything and everything."
"Like yourself, I suppose," said Marmaduke, smiling. ”

“ Old John was left in the hut alone, and when Natty did appear, although he came on in the night, he was seen drawing one of those jumpers that they carry their grain to mill in, and to take out something with great care, that he had covered up under his bear- skins. Now let me ask you, Judge Temple, what motive could induce a man like the Leather-Stocking to make a sled, and toil with a load over these mountains, if he had nothing but his rifle or his ammunition to carry? ”

“ Hiram met Natty, as he was crossing the mountain, the night of his arrival with the sled, and very good-naturedly offered — Hiram is good-natured — to carry up part of his load, for the old man had a heavy pull up the back of the mountain, but he wouldn't listen to the thing, and repulsed the offer in such a manner that the squire said he had half a mind to swear the peace against him. ”

“ But listen till you know all. This youth has very pretty talents — yes, what I call very pretty talents — and has been well educated, has seen very tolerable company, and knows how to behave himself when he has a mind to. Now, Judge Temple, can you tell me what has brought three such men as Indian John, Natty Bumppo, and Oliver Edwards together?" Marmaduke turned his countenance, in evident surprise, to his cousin, and replied quickly:
"Thou hast unexpectedly hit on a subject, Richard, that has often occupied my mind. ”

“ I scorn personalities, sir, I say nothing of myself; but there are three men on your Patent, of the kind that I should term talented by nature for her general purposes though acting under the influence of different situations. ”

“ No, no — silver, ‘Duke; silver is the one thing needful, and silver is to be found. But listen: you are not to be told that the natives have long known the use of gold and silver; now who so likely to be acquainted where they are to be found as the ancient inhabitants of a country? I have the best reasons for believing that both Mohegan and the Leather-Stocking have been privy to the existence of a mine in this very mountain for many years."
The sheriff had now touched his cousin in a sensitive spot ”

“ I will have Leather-Stocking before me, and, by a few direct questions, extract the truth from the simple old man."
At that instant the Judge caught a glimpse of the figures of Elizabeth and Louisa, who were slowly descending the mountain, short distance before him. He put spurs to his horse, and riding up to them, dismounted, and drove his steed along the narrow path. While the agitated parent was listening to the vivid description that his daughter gave of her recent danger, and her unexpected escape, all thoughts of mines, vested rights, and examinations were absorbed in emotion ”