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Chapter 32
"Doyouknow,friend,"askedthescoutgravely,andperhapswithalittleoftheprideofconsciousdeservinginhismanner,"thatthisisabandofrangerschosenforthemostdesperateservice,andputunderthecommandofonewho,thoughanothermightsayitwithabetterface,willnotbeapttoleavethemidle.Itmaynotbefive,itcannotbethirtyminutesbeforewetreadonthebodyofaHuron,livingordead."
"Thoughnotadmonishedofyourintentionsinwords,"returnedDavid,whosefacewasalittleflushed,andwhoseordinarilyquietandunmeaningeyesglimmeredwithanexpressionofunusualfire,"yourmenhaveremindedmeofthechildrenofJacobgoingouttobattleagainsttheShechemites,forwickedlyaspiringtowedlockwithawomanofaracethatwasfavoredoftheLord.Now,Ihavejourneyedfar,andsojournedmuchingoodandevilwiththemaidenyeseek;andthoughnotamanofwar,withmyloinsgirdedandmyswordsharpened,yetwouldIgladlystrikeablowinherbehalf."
Thescouthesitated,asifweighingthechancesofsuchastrangeenlistmentinhismindbeforeheanswered—
"Youknownottheuseofanywe’pon.Youcarrynorifle;andbelieveme,whattheMingostaketheywillfreelygiveagain."
"ThoughnotavauntingandbloodilydisposedGoliath,"returnedDavid,drawingaslingfrombeneathhisparti-coloredanduncouthattire,"IhavenotforgottentheexampleoftheJewishboy.WiththisancientinstrumentofwarhaveIpractisedmuchinmyyouth,andperadventuretheskillhasnotentirelydepartedfromme."
