Deerslayer (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (91 page)

True essence (French).

It is no more than justice to say that the Greenbush Van Rensselaers claim to be the oldest branch of that ancient and respectable family. (Cooper’s note, 1841)

Lest the similarity of the names should produce confusion, it may be well to say that the Uncas here mentioned is the grandfather of him who plays so conspicuous a part in The Last of the Mohicans. (Cooper’s note, 1841 )

Harry and Natty arrive at the lake on its eastern shore south of Point Judith.

Projecting pieces cut out of a piece of wood that are fit into the mortises (slots or grooves) of other pieces of wood to form joints.

Exploit.

Inertia (Latin).

Totality (French).

It is singular there should be any question concerning the origin of the well-known sobriquet of “Yankees.” Nearly all the old writers who speak of the Indians first known to the colonists make them pronounce the word “English” as “Yengeese.” Even at this day, it is a provincialism of New England to say “English” instead of “Inglish,” and there is a close conformity of sound between “English,” and “Yengeese,” more especially if the latter word, as was probably the case, be pronounced short. The transition from “Yengeese,” thus pronounced, to “Yankees” is quite easy. If the former is pronounced “Yangis,” it is almost identical with “Yankees,” and Indian words have seldom been spelled as they are pronounced. Thus the scene of this tale is spelt “Otsego,” and is properly pronounced “Otsago.” The liquids of the Indians would easily convert “En” into “Yen.” (Cooper’s note, 1841)

The Otsego is a favorite place for the caravan keepers to let their elephants bathe. The writer has seen two at a time, since the publication of this book, swimming about in company. (Cooper’s note, 1841)