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 tinued Mr. Lippet, with a confidential and friendly air, that insensibly won upon the youth, as little as he liked the man. "It seems, that a complaint was made of the fact, and the suspicion that there was venison in the hut was sworn to, all which is provided for in the statoote, when Judge Temple granted a search-warrant"

"A search-warrant!" echoed Edwards, in a voice of horror, and with a face that should have been again averted, to conceal its paleness; "and how much did they discover? What did they see?"

"They saw old Bumppo's rifle; and that is a sight which will quiet most men's curiosity in the woods."

"Did they! did they!" shouted Edwards, bursting into a convulsive laugh; "so the old hero beat them back he beat them back! did he?"

The lawyer fastened his eyes in astonishment on the youth; but, as his wonder gave way to the thoughts that were" commonly uppermost in his mind, he replied—

"It's no laughing matter, let me tell you, sir; the forty dollars of bounty, and your six months of salary, will be much reduced before you get the matter fairly settled. Assaulting a magistrate in the execootion of his duty, and menacing a constable with fire-arms, at the same time, is a pretty serious affair, and is punishable with both fine and imprisonment."

"Imprisonment!" repeated Oliver; "imprison the Leather-stocking! no, no, sir; it would bring the old man to his grave. They shall never imprison the Leather-stocking."

"Well, Mr. Edwards," said Lippet, dropping all reserve from his manner, "you are called a curious man; but if you can tell me how a jury