Frostburg mining journal., 1883-12-01

while, break the twigs OH the bushes
as you pass, and make the marks of
your trail as broad as you can, when,
if mortal eyes can see them, depend
on having u friend who will follow to
the ends of the 'arth afore he desarts
YOU"
He gave Cora an atfectionate shake
of the hand, lifted his rifle, and after
regarding it moment with melan-
choly solicitude, laid it carefully
aside, and descended to the place
where Chingachgook had just disap-
peared. For an instant he hung sus-
pended by the rock, and looking
about him with countenance OF
peculiar care, he added, bitterly
"EIad the powder held out, this dis
grace could never have befallen !!
then, loosening his hold, the water
closed above his head, and he alsc
became lost to view.
All eyes were now turned on I'm,
cas-, who stood leaning against the
ragged rock, in immovable compos.
ure. After waiting Il short time
Cora pointed down the river, and
said :
"Your friends have not been seen
and are now most probably, in safety
is it not time for You to follow?'
"Uncas will stay" the young Mo
hican calmly answered in English.
''To increase the horror of oul
capture, and to diminish the chances
of our release ! Go, generous young
man." Cora continued, lowering hel
eyes under the gaze of the Mohican
and, perhaps with an intuitive con-
sciousness of her power; "go to my
father, as | have said, and be the
most confidential of my messengers
Tell him to trust you with the means
to buy the freedom of his daughters
Go. It's my wish, tits my prayer
that you will go.w
The settled, calm look of the young
chief changed to an expression ol
gloom, but he no longer hesitated
With noiseless step he crossed the
rock, and then dropped into the
troubled stream, Hardly breath
was drawn by those he left behind
until they caught Il glimpse of his
head emerging for air, far down the
current, when he again sank, and was
seen no more.
These sudden and apparently sue
cessful experiments had all taker
place in few minutes of that time
which had now become so precious
After the last look at Uncas, Cor;
turned, and, with quiyering lip ad
dressed herself to Heyward:-
81 have heard of your boasted skill
in the water, too, Duncan" she sale
follow, then, the wise example set yol
by these simple and faithful be
ings."
SIS such the faith that Cora Nun
70 would exact from her PROTECTOR
said the young man, smiling mourn
fully, but with bitterness.
"This is not time for idle subtle
ties and false opinions, she answered
"but moment when every dut.
should be equally considered. Il
lis YOU can be of no further servic,
here, but your precious life may b
saved for other and nearer friends"
He made no reply, though his eye
fell wishfully on the beautiful form
of Alice, who was clinging to his arm
with the dependency of an infant.
"Consider," continued Cora, after
pause, during which she seemed t.
struggle with pang even more acut
than any that her fears had excited
"that the worst to us can be but death
a tribute thatall must pay at the gooC
time of Gods appointment"
"There are evils worse than death,
said Duncan, speaking hoarsely, ant
as if fretful at her importantly, "bu
which the presence of one who woulC
die in your behalf may avert"
Cora ceased her entreaties; and
yelling her face in her shawl, drew
the nearly insensible Alice after he
into the deepest recess in the inneI
cavern.
CHAPTER TX.