Frostburg mining journal., 1883-12-15
CONTIN UED STORY.
THE
LAST OF THE MOHICANS.
u. Fenim0re Cooper.
CONTINUED from last week. |

hulCl.
AS there was nothing improbable
to an Indian in the manner of the
escape, Magua admitted the truth Of
what he had heard, with u readiness
that afforded additional evidence how
little he would prize such worthless
captives. With his companions,
however, the feeling was manilestly
different.
The lIurons had awaited the re-
suit of this short dialogue with char
acteristic patience, and with II silence
that increased until there was Il gen.
eral stiffness in the band. When
Hayward ceased to speak, they turn
ed their eyes as one man on Magua,
demanding, in this expressive man
ner, an explanation of what had been
said. Their interpreter pointed to
the river and made them acquainted
with the result, rs much by the
action as by the few words he uttered.
When the fact was generally under
stood, the savages raised Il frightful
yell, which declared the extent Of
their disappointment.
But, while Duncan resorted to
words of consolation to quiet the ap-
prehensions of the sisters, he was not
so weak as to deceive himself. He
we'll knew that the authority of an
Indian chief was so little convention
al, that it was oftener maintained by
physical superiority than by any
moral supremacy he might possess.
Danger was, therefore, magnifed
exactly in proportion to the number
Of the savage spirits by which they
were surrounded.
His apprehensions were, however,
greatly relieved, when he saw that
the leader had summoned his war
riors to himself in council. Their
deliberations were short, and it would
seem, by the silence of most Of the
party, the decision unanimous.
During this short conference, Hey
ward, finding respite from his
greatest fears, had leisure to admire
the cautious manner i'll which the
llurons had made their approaches,
even when hostilities had ceased.
1t has already been stated, that the
upper half Of the island was Il naked
rock, and destitute of any other de-
fences than few scattered logs Of
drift-wood. They had selected this
point to make their descent, having
borne the canoe through the wood
mouud the cataract for that purpose.
AS soon as this change was made,
the leader made signs to the prisoners
to descend and enter.
As resistance was useless, Hayward
set the example Of submission, by
leading the way into the canoe, where
he was soon seated with the sisters,
and the still wondering David.
Here was held another short but
earnest consultation, during which
the horses, to whose panic their owners
ascribed their heaviest misfortune,
were led from the cover Of the woods,
and brought to the sheltered spot.
The band now divided.
Duncan had been fond Of believing,
from the uncommon forbearance Of
the sayages, that he was reserved as
Il prisoner to Montcalm.
All those busy and ingenious specu-
lations were now annihilated by the
conduct Of his captors. That portion
of the band who had followed the
huge warrior took the route towards
the foot of the Horican, and no other
expectation was left for himself and
companions, than that they were to
be retained as hopeless captiyes by
their savage conquerors. Anxious to
klfow the worst, and willing, in such
an emergency, to try the potency OF
gold, he overcame his reluctance to
speak to Magua. Addressing himself
to his former guide, who had how as
sumed the authority and manner OF
one who was to direct the future
movements of the party, he sad, in
tones us friendly and confident as he
could assume,-
81 would speak to M sua, what is
ft only for 50 great chief to hear"
The Indian turned his eyes on the
young soldier scornfully, as he an
swered--
"Speak; trees have no ears y
"But the red Aulons are not deaf;