with an assault, that happened at the last independence day; but I'm not sartain that the law'll take hold on't. There was plaguey hard words passed, but whether they struck or not I haven't heern. There's some folks talk of a deer or two being killed oat of season, over on the west side of the patent, by some of the squatters on the 'Fractions.'"
"Let a complaint be made, by all means," cried the Judge; "I am determined to see the law executed, to the letter, on all such depredators."
"Why, yes, I thought the Judge was of that mind; I come, partly, on such a business myself."
"You!" exclaimed Marmaduke, comprehending, in an instant, how completely he had been caught by the other's cunning; "and what have you to say, Sir?"
"I some think that Natty Bumppo has the carcass of a deer in his hut at this moment, and a considerable part of my business was to get a sarch warrant to examine."
"You think, sir! do you know that the law exacts an oath, before I can issue such a precept. The habitation of a citizen is not to be idly invaded on light suspicion."
"I rather think I can swear to it myself," returned the immoveable Hiram; "and Jotham is in the street, and as good as ready to come in and make oath to the same thing."
"Then issue the warrant thyself; thou art a magistrate, Mr. Doolittle; why trouble me with the matter?"
"Why, seeing it's the first complaint under the law, and knowing the Judge set his heart on the thing, I thought it best that the authority to sarch should come from himself. Besides, as I'm much in the woods, among the timber, I don't altogether
