Frostburg mining journal., 1883-12-08
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.
[Continued from tirst page

The conduct of this savage had
formed a solitary exception to that of
all his fellows. While the others were
busily occupied in seeking to crafty
their childish passion for finery, by
plundering even the miserable effects
of the scout, or had been searching
with such bloodthirsty vengeance i'll
their looks, for their absent owner, lie
Renard had stood little distance
from the prisoners, with a demeanoi
so quiet and satisfied, as to betray
that he had already effected the grand
purpose of his treachery. When the
eyes of Hayward first met those of his
recent guide, he turned them away IL
horror at the sinister, though cain
look he encountered. Conquering hi
disgust, however, he was able.
with an averted face, to address his
successful enemy.
"Lo Renard Subtil is too much of Il
warrior" said the reluctant Hayward.
''to refuse telling an unarmed mai
what his conquerors say"
"They ask for the hunter who kno' 5
the path through the woods" returned
Magua, in his broken English, laying
his hand, at the same time, with a
ferocious smile, on the bundle OF
leaves with which wound in his own
shoulder was bandaged. "La Tongue
Carabine his rife is good, and his
eye never shut; but like the short
gun of the white chief, it is nothing
against the life of lie Subtil."
'sLe Renard is too brave to remem-
ber the hurts received in war, or the
hands that gave"
"Was it war, when the tired lndiaE
rested at the sugar-tree to taste hls
corn +? who filed the bushes with
creeping enemies, who drew the knife !
whose tongue was peace, while his
heart was covered with blood Did
Magua say that the hatchet was out OF
the ground, and that his hand had dug
it upq"
AS Duncan dared not retort upol
his accuser by reminding him Of his
own premeditated treachery, and dis
dained to deprecate his resentment by
any words of apology, he remained
silent. Magua also seemed content
to rest the controversy rs well as ali
further communication there, for lie
resumed the leaning attitude against
the rock, from which, in momentary
energy, he had arisen. But the cry OF
LA Tongue Carabine' was renewed
the instant the impatient savages per
ceived that the short dialogue was
ended.
"You hear" said Magua, with stul-
born indifference; "the red Hurons
call for the life of The Long Rife or
they will have the blood of them that
keep him hid"
''He is gone-escaped; he is far DC
yond their reach"
Renard smiled with cold contempt as
he answered.
''Whcn the white man dies, he
thinks he is at peace; but the red men
know how to torture even the ghosts
of their enemies. Where is his body
Let the Hurons see his s.alp!'
"He is not dead, but escaped
Magua shook his head incredulously
'.1s he a bird to spread his wings OF
is he fish, to swim without air ? Tn,
white chief reads in his books, and he
believes the Hurons are fools"
''Though no fish, the long Rife
can swim. He foated down the
stream when the powder was all burnt
and when the eyes of the Hurons wcr,
behind cloud"
"And why did the white chief stay ~
demanded the still incredulous Indian.
SIS he stone that goes to the bottom,
or does the scalp burn his head r.
'.That | am not a stone, your dead
comrade, who fell into the tails, might
answer, were The tie siill in him"
slid the provoked youn" man, using.
in his anger. the boastful language
which was most likely 10 excite til,
admiration of an Indian. "The whit,
man thinks none but towards desert
their women"
Magua uttered few words. inaud;-
bly,, between his teeth, before he con
tinued aloud,
'Can the Delawares swim, too, aS
we'll as crawl in the bushes Where
is lie gros Serpent D"
Duncan, who perceived by the use
of these Canadian appellations, that
his late companions were much bet
bet known to his enemies than to
himself, answered reluctantly, "He
also has gone down with the water"
LIE Cert agile is not here y
81 know not whom you call The
nimble Deer" said Duncan, gladly
profting by any excuse to create
delay.
"Uncas," returned Magua, pro-
nouncing the Delaware name with
even greater difficulty than he called
his English words. Bounding Elk