James Fenimore Cooper

“ The Leather-Stocking; who had imbibed unconsciously, many of the Indian qualities, though he always thought of himself as of a civilized being, compared with even the Delawares, averted his face to conceal the workings of his muscles, as he stooped to lift a large pack from behind the tomb, which he placed deliberately on his shoulders.
"Go!" exclaimed Elizabeth, approaching him with a hurried step; "you should not venture so far in the woods alone, at your time of life, Natty; indeed, it Is Imprudent, He is bent, Effingham, on some distant hunting." ”

“ Ah! child, these be nothing to a man that’s used to the wilderness. I have took but little comfort sin’ your father come on with his settlers; but I wouldn’t go far, while the life was in the body that lies under the sod there. But now he’s gone, and Chingachgook Is gone; and you be both young and happy. Yes! the big house has rung with merriment this month past! And now I thought was the time to get a little comfort in the close of my days. Woods! indeed! I doesn’t call these woods, Madam Effingham, where I lose myself every day of my life in the clearings. ”

“ When the pride of manhood, however, had sup pressed the feelings of nature, he turned to renew his en treaties, but saw that the cemetery was occupied only by himself and his wife.
"He is gone!" cried Effingham.
Elizabeth raised her face, and saw the old hunter standing looking back for a moment, on the verge of the wood. As he caught their glances, he drew his hard hand hastily across his eyes again, waved it on high for an adieu, and, uttering a forced cry to his dogs, who were crouching at his feet, he entered the forest. ”

“ Don’t fear for the Leather-Stocking, children; God will see that his days be provided for, and his ind happy. I know you mean all for the best, but our ways doesn't agree. I love the woods, and ye relish the face of man; I eat when hungry, and drink when a-dry; and ye keep stated hours and rules; nay, nay, you even over-feed the dogs, lad, from pure kindness; and hounds should be gaunty to run well. The meanest of God’s creatures be made for some use, and I’m formed for the wilderness, If ye love me, let me go where my soul craves to be agin! ”

“ Who will there be to put me in the ‘arth when my time comes?"
"When that unfortunate hour arrives, Natty, friends shall not be wanting to perform the last offices for you," said Oliver, a little touched at the hunter’s soliloquy.
The old man turned, without manifesting surprise, for he had got the Indian habits in this particular, and, running his hand under the bottom of his nose, seemed to wipe away his sorrow with the action.
"You’ve come out to see the graves, children, have ye?" he said; " well, well, they’re wholesome sights to young as well as old." ”

“ The hunter drew nigh him with a confident, reasoning air, as If what he had to say would silence all objections, and replied:
"Why, lad, they tell me that on the big lakes there’s the best of hunting, and a great range without a white man on it unless it may be one like myself. I’m weary of living in clearings, and where the hammer is sounding in my ears from sunrise to sundown. And though I’m much bound to ye both, children--I wouldn’t say it if It was not true--I crave to go into the woods agin--I do."
"Woods!" echoed Elizabeth, trembling with her feelings ”

“ When I look about me, at these hills, where I used to could count sometimes twenty smokes, curling over the tree-tops, from the Delaware camps, it raises mournful thoughts, to think that not a red-skin is left of them all ”

“ It can't be worth much to they that hasn’t larning! No, no, lad-----take back the stuff; it will do me no sarvice, I took kear to get all the Frenchman’s powder afore he broke up, and they say lead grows where I’m going. it isn’t even fit for wads, seeing that I use none but leather!--Madam Effingham, let an old man kiss your hand, and wish God’s choicest blessings on you and your’n"
"Once more let me beseech you, stay!" cried Elizabeth. Do not, Leather-Stocking, leave me to grieve for the man who has twice rescued me from death, and who has served those I love so faithfully. ”

“ Why, it is natural that she should regret us." It is our duty to struggle with our natural feelings," returned the lady; "and there is but little cause to fear that such a spirit as Louisa’s will not effect it." ”