5. CHAPTER V.
The moon rose cheerfully above Donner Lake.
On its placid bosom a dug-out canoe glided rapidly,
containing Natty Bumpo and Genevra Tompkins.
Both were silent. The same thought possessed
each, and perhaps there was sweet companionship
even in the unbroken quiet. Genevra bit the handle
of her parasol and blushed. Natty Bumpo took
a fresh chew of tobacco. At length Genevra said,
as if in half-spoken reverie:
“The soft shining of the moon and the peaceful
ripple of the waves, seem to say to us various things
of an instructive and moral tendency.”
“You may bet yer pile on that, Miss,” said her
companion gravely. “It's all the preachin' and
psalm-singin' I've heern since I was a boy.”
“Noble being!” said Miss Tompkins to herself,
glancing at the stately Pike as he bent over his paddle
to conceal his emotion. “Reared in this wild
seclusion, yet he has become penetrated with visible
consciousness of a Great First Cause.” Then, collecting
herself, she said aloud: “Methinks 'twere
pleasant to glide ever thus down the stream of life,
hand in hand with the one being whom the soul
claims as its affinity. But what am I saying?”—and
the delicate-minded girl hid her face in her hands.
A long silence ensued, which was at length broken
by her companion.
“Ef you mean you're on the marry,” he said,
thoughtfully, I ain't in no wise partikler!”
“My husband,” faltered the blushing girl; and she
fell into his arms.
In ten minutes more the loving couple had landed
at Judge Tompkins's.
