Re: Hello and three questions. . .

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: : Eric wrote:

: : : 1.  When Hawkeye et al are in the Cameron's Cabin, he mentions he has been trapping "west of the Cuyahoga".  Is there any reference to the Cuyahoga River in the book?  I can't find any.

: : Eric,
: : The answer to this one is that the Hawkeye of LOTM and the Hawkeye of "The Leatherstocking Tales" are two different people.  Mann created a history for his character which drew from the whole longhunter tradition, and a reference to trapping west of the Cuyahoga would have been entirely appropriate. The Hawkeye of the Cooper books, however, never traveled beyond Pennsylvania until he was in his seventies, when he removed west to the territory which is now Wyoming and the Dakotas.

: : As for trapping, in "The Deerslayer", Hawkeye clearly voices his distain for the practice.  "I am no trapper, Hurry," returned the young man proudly: "I live by the rifle, a we'pon at which I will not turn my back on any man of my years, atween the Hudson and the St. Lawrence.  I never offer a skin that has not a hole in its head besides them which natur' made to see with or to breathe through."

: : Hawkeye did not resort to trapping until he was in his eighties, in "The Prairie", when failing eyesight and trembling hands forced him to a surer means of survival.  Then in his words: "You are mistaken, friend, in calling me a hunter; I am nothing better than a trapper."  The settler to whom he speaks says, "If you ar' much of the one, I', bold to say you ar' something of the other; for the two callings go mainly together in these districts."  And Hawkeye replies: "To the shame of the man who is able to follow the first be it so said!" returned [Hawkeye]; "for more than fifty years did I carry my rifle in the wilderness, without so much as setting a snare for even a bird that flies the heavens; much less a beast that has nothing but legs for gifts."

: : So there's the difference between the two Hawkeyes.

: : Gayle

: : P.S.  The short answer to your original question is, no. ;-)

: 
: Wow.  Thanks.  You answered my question and then some!  I am envious of your literary dexterity.

: -E


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