Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 1).djvu/49

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THE MOHICANS.
33

panion's colour altered even to paleness, as she slowly rode ahead, like one who already tired of the interview.

"If you journey to the lake, you have mistaken your route," said Heyward, haughtily; "the highway thither is at least half-a-mile behind you."

"Even so," returned the stranger, nothing daunted by this cold reception; "I have tarried at 'Edward' a week, and I should be dumb, not to have inquired the road I was to journey; and if dumb, there would be an end to my calling." After simpering in a small way, like one whose modesty prohibited a more open expression of his admiration of a witticism, that was perfectly unintelligible to his hearers, he continued, with becoming gravity, "It is not prudent for one of my profession to be too familiar with those he has to instruct; for which reason, I follow not the line of the army: besides which, I conclude that a gentleman of your character has the best judgment in matters of way-faring; I have therefore decided to join company, in or-