| The habitual and wily flatterer may succeed until his practices recoil on himself, and like other sweets his aliment cloys by its excess; but he who deals honestly, though he often necessarily offends, possesses a power of praising that no quality but sincerity can bestow, since his words go directly to the heart, finding their support in the understanding. Thus it was with Deerslayer and Judith. So soon and so deeply did this simple hunter impress those who knew him with a conviction of his unbending honesty, that all he uttered in commendation was as certain to please, as all he uttered in the way of rebuke was as certain to rankle and excite enmity, where his character had not awakened a respect and affection, that in another sense rendered it painful. In after life, when the career of this untutored being brought him in contact with officers of rank, and others entrusted with the care of the interests of the state, this same influence was exerted on a wider field, even generals listening to his commendations with a glow of pleasure, that it was not always in the power of their official superiors to awaken. Perhaps Judith was the first individual of his own colour who fairly submitted to this natural consequence of truth and fair-dealing on the part of Deerslayer. She had actually pined for his praise, and she had now received it, and that in the form which was most agreeable to her weaknesses and habits of thought. The result will appear in the course of the narrative. | В то же время своей откровенностью и прямотой суждений юноша мог бы нажить себе множество врагов, если бы его характер не возбуждал невольного уважения. Ему нередко приходилось иметь дело с военными и с гражданскими властями, и у всех он в короткое время завоевал безграничное доверие. Джудит тоже дорожила его мнением и была рада, когда он похвалил ее. |
| "If we knew all that chest holds, Deerslayer," returned the girl, when she had a little recovered from the immediate effect produced by his commendations of her personal appearance, "we could better determine on the course we ought to take." | - Если мы узнаем, что хранится в этом сундуке, Зверобой, - сказала девушка, немного успокоившись, - легче будет решить, как нам поступать дальше. |
| "That's not onreasonable, gal, though it's more a pale-face than a red-skin gift to be prying into other people's secrets." | - Это довольно разумно, девушка. Рыться в чужих секретах свойственно белым, а не краснокожим. |
| "Curiosity is natural, and it is expected that all human beings should have human failings. | - Любопытство - чувство естественное и свойственно всем. |
| Whenever I've been at the garrisons, I've found that most in and about them had a longing to learn their neighbor's secrets." | Когда я жила вблизи форта, то заметила, что большинство тамошних жителей интересуется секретами своих соседей. |
| "Yes, and sometimes to fancy them, when they couldn't find 'em out! | - Да, и часто придумывают их, когда не могут доискаться правды. |
| That's the difference atween an Indian gentleman and a white gentleman. | В этом-то и состоит разница между индейским джентльменом и белым джентльменом. |
| The Sarpent, here, would turn his head aside if he found himself onknowingly lookin' into another chief’s wigwam, whereas in the settlements while all pretend to be great people, most prove they've got betters, by the manner in which they talk of their consarns. | Вот, например, Змей поспешил бы отвернуться в сторону, если бы ненароком заглянул в вигвам другого вождя. А в поселениях белых, где все напускают на себя такую важность, поступают совершенно иначе. |
