James Fenimore Cooper

Name: The Prairie — Chapter XI
Author: James Fenimore Cooper

Summary

“The Prairie — Chapter XI”, published in 1827, is a work by James Fenimore Cooper. It explores elements such as Ishmael, Esther and Asa.

Quotes from The Prairie — Chapter XI (James Fenimore Cooper)

James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie — Chapter XI (1827)

“ Ellen! Ellen! the man with whom I have unwittingly formed a compactum, or agreement, is sadly forgetful of the obligations of honesty! Thy uncle, child."
"You mean Ishmael Bush, my father's brother's widow's husband," returned the offended girl, a little proudly.—"Indeed, indeed, it is cruel to reproach me with a tie that chance has formed, and which I would rejoice so much to break for ever!"
The humbled Ellen could utter no more, but sinking on a projection of the rock, she began to sob in a manner that rendered their situation doubly critical. ”

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Source: Wikisource

James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie — Chapter XI (1827)

“ As the wife of the squatter concluded, she raised a hollow, taunting laugh, that was echoed from the mouths of several juvenile imitators, whom she was training to a life as shiftless and lawless as her own; but which, notwithstanding its uncertainty, was not without its secret charms.
"Holloa! old Eester;" shouted the well-known voice of her husband, from the plain beneath; "ar' you keeping your junkets, while we are finding you in venison and buffaloe beef? Come down—come down, old girl, with all your young; and lend us a hand to carry up the meat;— why, what a frolic you ar' in, woman! ”

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Source: Wikisource

James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie — Chapter XI (1827)

“ Esther pettishly observed. "When all is finished and to rights, we shall have the boy coming up, grumbling for his meal, and hungry as a bear after his winter's nap. His stomach is as true as the best clock in Kentucky, and seldom wants winding up to tell the time, whether of day or night. A desperate eater is Asa, when a-hungered by a little work!"
Ishmael looked sternly around the circle of his silent sons, as if to see whether any among them would presume to say aught in favour of the absent delinquent. ”

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Source: Wikisource

James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie — Chapter XI (1827)

“ The flashing flame gleamed from one sun-burnt countenance to another, exhibiting every variety of expression, from the juvenile simplicity of the children, mingled as it was with a shade of the wildness peculiar to their semi-barbarous lives, to the dull and immovable apathy that dwelt on the features of the squatter, when unexcited. Occasionally a gust of wind would fan the embers ”

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Source: Wikisource

James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie — Chapter XI (1827)

“ I am a citizen, and a freeholder, and a graduate of two universities; and I stand upon my rights! Beware of malice prepense, of chance-medley, and of manslaughter. It is I—your amicus; a friend and inmate. I—Dr. Obed Battius."
"Who?" demanded Esther, in a voice that nearly refused to convey her words to the ears of the anxious listener beneath. "Did you say it was not Asa?"
"Nay, I am neither Asa, nor Absalom, nor any of the Hebrew princes, but Obed, the root and stock of them all. ”

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Source: Wikisource

James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie — Chapter XI (1827)

“ But wait till Asa comes in. He pass'd the spot where I found the marks, and the boy knows something of such matters too."
"Ay, the boy knows too much of many things," returned Ishmael, gloomily. "It will be better for him when he thinks he knows less. But what matters it, Hetty, if all the Sioux tribes, west of the big river, are within a mile of us; they will find it no easy matter to scale this rock, in the teeth of ten bold men." ”

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Source: Wikisource

James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie — Chapter XI (1827)

“ Battius," the girl gravely demanded, "may I know the reason why you have run so great a risk of flying from this place, without wings, and at the certain expense of your neck?"
"Nothing shall be concealed from thee, worthy and trusty Nelly—but are you certain that Ishmael will not awake?"
"No fear of him; he will sleep until the sun scorches his eyelids. The danger is from my aunt."
"Esther sleepeth!" the Doctor sententiously replied. "Ellen, you have been watching on this rock, to-day?" ”

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Source: Wikisource

James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie — Chapter XI (1827)

“ Then, as a father, he is as generous as a lord; for his sons have only to name the spot where they would like to pitch, and he gives 'em a deed of the plantation, and no charge for papers is ever made! ”

James Fenimore Cooper

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Quotes from The Prairie — Chapter XI (James Fenimore Cooper)

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