Frostburg mining journal., 1883-11-24
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.
[Continued from first page. ]

son on the occasion, shook his head at
his own momentary weakness, even
uttering his self-disapprobation aloud.
"'Twas the last charge in my horn,
and the last bullet in my pouch, and
twas the act of boy," he said "what
mattered it whether he struck the rock
living or dead ; feeling would soon be
over. Uncas, lad, go down to the ca
noe and bring up the big horn it is
all the powder we have left, and we
shall need it to the last grain, or | am
ignorant of the Mingo nature"
The young Mohican complied, leav-
ing the scout turning over the useless
contents of his pouch, and shaking the
empty horn with renewed discomfort.
From this unsatisfactory examination,
however, he was soon called by loud
and piercing exclamation from Uncas,
that sounded, even to the unpracticed
ears of Duncan, as the signal of some
new and unexpected calamity. Every
thought filled with apprehension for
the precious treasure he had concealed
in the cavern, the young men started
to his feet, tot ..,y regardless of The
hazard he incur ed by such an expos
ure. As if actuated by common i'm
pulse, his movement was initiated by
his companions, and together they
rushed down the ~ to the friendly
chasm, with rapidity that rendered
the scattering fire of their enemies
perfectly harmless. The unwonted
cry had brought the sisters together
with the wounded David, from their
places of refuge and the whole party,
at single glance, was made acquaint-
ed with the nature of the disaster that
had disturbed even the practiced
stoicism of their youthful Indian scout.
At short distance from the rock,
their little bark was to be seen floating
across the eddy, towards the swift
current of the river, in a manner
which proved that its course was di-
rected by some hidden agent. The
moment this unwelcome sight caught
the eye of the scout, his rifle was lev
elled, as by instinct, but the barrel
gave no answer to the bright sparks of
the flint.
"'Tis too late, tits too late !" Hawk
eye exclaimed, dropping the useless
piece in bitter disappointment" !" the
miscreant has struck the rapid; and
had we powder, it could hardly send
the lead swifter than he goes"
The adventur )us Huron raised his
head above the shelter of the canoe,
and while it glided swiftly down the
stream, he waved his hand, and gave
forth the shout, which was the known
signal of success. His cry was an
swered by yell and a laugh from the
woods, as tauntingly exulting as if
fifty demons were uttering their bias
phemies at the fall of some Christian
soul.
"Well may you laugh, We children of
the devil" said the scout, seating HIM
self on projection of the rock, and
suffering his gun to fall neglected at
his feet, "for the three quickest and
truest rifles in these woods are no bet
ter than so many stalks of mullen, or
the last years horns of buck
"What is to be done ~ demanded
Duncan, losing the first feeling of dis
appointment in more manly desire
for exertion; "what will become of us ?"
Hawk-eye made no other reply than
by passing his finger around the crown
of his head, in a manner so significant,
that none who witnessed the action
could mistake its meaning.
"Surely, surely, our case is not so
desperate !" exclaimed the youth
"the Hurons are not here; we may
make good the caverns; we may OPP
pose their landing"
with what ?" coolly demanded the
scout. "The arrows of Uncas, or such
tears as women shed No, no ; YOU are
young, and rich, and have friends, aud
at such an age ] know it is hard TO die
but" glancins his eye at the Mohi-
cans, "let us remember we are men
without a cross, and let US teach these
natives of the forest, that white blood
can run as freely as red, when the APP
pointed hour is come"
Duncan turned quickly in the di.
rection indicated by the others eyes,
and read confirmation of his worst
apprehensions in the conduct of the
Indians. Chingachgook, placing him
self in IA dignified posture on another
fragment of the rock. had already laid
aside his knife and tomahawk. and was
Ill the act Of taking the eagles plume
from his head and smoothing the soli-
tary tuft of hair in readiness to per-
form its last and revolving office. His
countenance was composed, though
thoughtful, while his dark, cleaning
eyes were gradually losing the fierce
ness of the combat in an expression
better suited to the change he expect
49,. Il