Frostburg mining journal., 1883-11-03
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.
[Continued from tirst page. ]

foreordained from the first foundation
of the 'arth |"
While his auditors received a cheer
ing assurance of the security of their
place of concealment from this un-
tutored description of Glenn's,* they
were much inclined to judge differently
from Hawkeye, of its wild beauties.
But they were not in situation to
suffer their thoughts to dwell on the
charms of natural objects; and as the
scout had not found it necessary to
cease his culinary labors while he
spoke, unless to point out, with a
broken fork, the direction OF some
particularly obnoxious point in the re-
bellious stream, they now suffered
their attention to be drawn to the
necessary, though more vulgar con-
sideration of their supper.
The repast, which was greatly aided
by the addition of a few delicacies
that Hayward had the prcaution to
bring with him when they left the
horses, was exceedingly refreshing to
the wearied party. Uncas acted as
attendant to the females, performing
all the little offices in his power, with
a mixture of dignity and anxious grace,
that served to amuse Hayward, who
well knew that it was an utter in
novation on the Indian customs,
which forbid their warriors to descend
to any menial employment, especially
in favor of their women. AS the
rites of hospitality were, however,
considered sacred among them, this
little departure from the dignity of
manhood excited no audible comment.
Had there been one there sufficiently
disengaged to become close observer,
he might have fancied that the SER
vices of the young chief were not en-
tirely impartial. That while he ten
dered to Alice the gourd of sweet
water, and the venison in trencher,
neatly carved from the knot of the
pepperidge, with sufficient courtesy,
in performing the same Offices to her
sister, his dark eye fingered on her
rich, speaking countenance. Once or
twice he was compelled to speak, to
command the attention of those he
served. In such cases, he made use of
English, broken and imperfect, but suf-
fciently Ineligible, and which he rem
dered so mild and musical, by his deept
cultural voice, that it never failed to
cause both ladies to look up in admira-
ton and astonishment. In the course of
these civilities, few sentences were
exchanged that served to establish the
appearance of an amicable intercourse
between the parties.
In the meanwhile, the gravity of
Chingachgook remained immovable.
He had seated himself more within the
circle of light, where the frequent un-
easy glances of his guests were better
enabled to separate the natural ex-
preston of his face from the artificial
terrors of the war-paint. They found
strong resemblance between father
and son, with the difference that
might be expected from age and hard
ships. The ferceness of his coun-
tenance seemed to slumber, and in its
place was to be seen the quiet, vacant
composure, which distinguishes an
Indian warrior, when his faculties are
not required for any of the greater
purposes of his existence. 1t was
easy to be seen, by the occasional
CLEANS that shot across his swarthy
visage, that it was only necessary to
arouse his passions, in order to give
full effect to the terrific device which
he had adopted to intimidate his en-
emies. On the other hand, the quick,
rowing eye of the scout seldom rested.
He ate and drank with an appetite
that no sense of danger could disturb,
but his vigilance seemed never to de-
sert him. Twenty times the gourd or
the venison was suspended before his
lips, while his head was turned aside,
as though he listened to some distant
and distrusted sounds-a movement
that never failed to recall his guests
from regarding the novelties of their
situation, to recollection OF the
alarming reasons that had driven
them to seek it. AS these frequent
pauses were never followed by any
remark, the momentary uneasiness
they created quickly passed away,
and for time was forgotten.
'Come, friend" said Hawkeye,
drawing out keg from beneath a
cover leaves, toward the close of the
repast, and addressing the stranger
who sat his elbow, doing great justice
to his culinary skill, TRY little
spruce; twill wash away all thoughts
of the colt, and quicken the life in
your bosom. drink to our better
friendship, hoping that a little horse