The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1826-02-18


equal texture. Torches are lighted which CLEAN
wildly and fitfully around the gloom and among
the assures of the rock-some venison is broiled
for supper, and David is devoutly closing the
proceedings of the evening by singing a divine
song from Strenhold and Hopkins, in whchhe is
joined by the ladies-when they are interrupted
by an appalling noise from without, believed by
Hawk-eye and the Indians to be supernatural
The strange noise is repeated, and sounds thro'
the Utmost recesses of the cavern Hawk-eye
still did not understand it, and to the inquiry
of Cora, who was resolute and unappalled, he
says
"Lady," returned the scout, solemny, 81 have
listened to all the sounds of the woods for Thirty
years. as man will listen, whose life and death de-
ponds so often the quickness of his ears. There
is no whine of the panther no whistle of the cat
bird nor any invention of the devsh Mingoes,
that can cheat me i have heard the forests moan
like mortal men in their affiiction often and again
have listened TO the wind playing its music in the
branches of the girdled trees and have heard the
lightning cracking in the air, like the swapping of
blazing brush, it spitted forth sparks and forked
flames; but never have thought that heard more
than the pleasure of Him, who sported with the
things of his hand. But neither the Mohicans, nor
|, who am a white without cross, can explain
the cry just heard. We, therefore, believe it sign
given for our good. Up. 81.
Hayward, Hawk-eye, and the Indians, leave
the cavern to reconnotre--the noise is repeated,
at which all are alarmed, save the former, who
remarks: -' lis the horrid shrek that horse
VIII give IN his agony oftcner drawn from him
In pam, though sometimes in his terror Nv
charger Is either prey to the beasts of the f.
rest or he sees his danger without the power 10
avoid IT," After this discovery the ladies re
tire to rest upon bed leaves and sassafras. in
an inner cavern, and the men mount guard
among the rocks At the first glimpse OF dav
Hawk-eye admonishes the party to prepare for
instant departure for Fort Edw ard but before
they are we'll awake, the woods resound with
the demoniac yell of the Maquas, by whom it i,
but too evident they are now surrounded. A
shower of bullets succeeds. by one of which the
man of psalmody is slightly wounded. The
scout brings one of the foe down, and they re
treat but to gather fresh strength and renew the
attack. The watchful eye OF the scout perceivrs
that five OF them have attempted to reach the
upper part OF the island, or the narrow rock
which still connected it with the cataract. nv
swimming to it. One Of them missed his point.
and was tumbled headl0ng amidst the rocks and
whrlpools below. The four others succeed in
cfectlng their lsndinG-the scout and Uncas
bring down two with their rifles, and with The
other two the former and Hayward are comncl
led to grappe III the fearful strife. After an oh
stInate and terrific conflict, one of the foe is
Killed, outright. and the other hurled into the
abyss below The battle is taken up at this point
in the chapter which we published last week.
Finally, after exhaustiug their ammunition. and
at the earnestentrcaties OF Cora. Hawk eye and
the Mohicans make their escape by dropping
ia tbo o. -,