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Chapter 6
Howdoyounameyourself?"
"Gamut—DavidGamut,"returnedthesinging-master,preparingtowashdownhissorrowsinapowerfuldraughtofthewoodman’shigh-flavoredandwell-lacedcompound.
"Averygoodname,and,Idaresay,handeddownfromhonestforefathers.I’manadmiratorofnames,thoughtheChristianfashionsfallfarbelowsavagecustomsinthisparticular.ThebiggestcowardIeverknewwascalledLyon;andhiswife,Patience,wouldscoldyououtofhearinginlesstimethanahunteddeerwouldrunarod.WithanIndian’tisamatterofconscience;whathecallshimself,hegenerallyis—notthatChingachgook,whichsignifiesBigSarpent,isreallyasnake,bigorlittle;butthatheunderstandsthewindingsandturningsofhumannatur’,andissilent,andstrikeshisenemieswhentheyleastexpecthim.Whatmaybeyourcalling?"
"Iamanunworthyinstructorintheartofpsalmody."
"Anan!"
"Iteachsingingtotheyouths,oftheConnecticutlevy."
"Youmightbebetteremployed.Theyounghoundsgolaughingandsingingtoomuchalreadythroughthewoods,whentheyoughtnottobreathelouderthanafoxinhiscover.Canyouusethesmoothbore,orhandletherifle?"
"PraisedbeGod,Ihaveneverhadoccasiontomeddlewithmurderousimplements!"
"Perhapsyouunderstandthecompass,andlaydownthewater-coursesandmountainsofthewildernessonpaper,inorderthattheywhofollowmayfindplacesbytheirgivennames?"
"Ipractisenosuchemployment."
