The DeerSlayer: Chapter 11

Summary – Chapter Eleven
The camp is described and when Hetty appears she sees her father and Hurry. Hutter and his captors reveal no surprise at her entrance as he tries to be as stoical as them.
 
One of the chief asks about her and Wah-ta! –Wah explains her ‘deficiency’ and the effect is as she expected as they now see Hetty as having ‘sacredness’. Hetty is called over by the chiefs and Wah-ta! –Wah is asked to be an interpreter.
 
On being prompted, Hetty explains who she is and that she has come to convince them to not harm her father or Hurry. She then asks to be translated word for word and says how both men came for scalps for the bounty, but did not do this. Wah-ta! –Wah feels compelled to do as she is asked, as she knows some of those present know some English.
 
After this, Hetty asks if they know there is a God and they say yes (as the Great Spirit) and she then produces her Bible, which she explains has ‘sacred pages’. She says how the Bible also orders men to forgive their enemies and to not seek revenge.  She reads the words ‘love thy neighbor as thyself’ and asks for this to be translated as well as the tenet of turning the other cheek.
 
One of the chiefs, who knows of the Bible from missionaries, speaks and Wah-ta! –Wah translates what he says. He asks if this is the law by which ‘white brethren profess to live’. He then asks why white men take double from ‘the poor Indian’ who asks for nothing. He (Rivenoak) continues and asks why the white man also offers gold for the scalps of women and children and calls them ‘beasts’ for taking the scalp of a warrior killed in war.
 
Hetty implores Wah-ta! –Wah that she does not know what to tell them as she knows the Bible is true, but knows it does not seem so with this conduct. Wah-ta! –Wah is ironic about white people and Hetty is embarrassed and cries till she comforts her.
 
Hutter and Hurry are brought over and Wah-ta! –Wah is told to ask Hutter why he came to the camp. He is frank, and knows that he has to be. Hurry also tells the truth and the four captives are left alone.
 
Analysis – Chapter Eleven
Hetty’s Christian views are given full vent in this chapter as she asks to be translated in her understanding of certain Christian tenets. It is of interest that these views are questioned by men such as Rivenoak and the hypocrisy of the white men in power is referred to. However, it is also noteworthy that Hetty is unable to give a response to these charges of double thinking and the queries and anger of the Native Americans is shifted away from with little analysis.