Frostburg mining journal., 1883-11-17
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.
fContinued from first page,l

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stunted pines had found root,
forming thicket, into which Hawk
eye darted with the swiftness of a
deer, followed by the active Duncan.
Here they secured themselves, as well
as circumstances would permit, among
the shrubs and fragments of stone that
were scattered about the place. Above
them was bare, rounded rock, on each
side of which the water played its gam
bols, and plunged into the abysses be-
meath, in the manner already described
AS the day had now dawned, the oppo-
site shores no longer presented con-
fused outline, but they were able to
look into the woods and distinguish OBJ
jects beneath a canopy of gloomy pines.
A long and anxious watch succeeded,
but without any further evidence of
renewed attack and Duncan began to
hope that their fire had proved more
fatal than was supposed, and that their
enemies had been effectually repulsed.
When he ventured to utter this i'm
preston to his companion, it was met
by Hawk-eye with shake of the head.
"You know not the nature of Ma
qua if you think he is so easily beaten
back without a scalp y he answered.
''If there was one of the imps yelling
this morning, there were forty and
they know our number and quality too
well to give up the chase so soon.
Hist look into the water above, just
where it breaks over the rocks. | am
no mortal if the risky devils haven't
swan down upon the very pitch, and
as bad luck would have it, they have
hit the head of the island. Hist man,
keep close or the hair will be off your
crown in the turn of knife !"
Hayward lifted his head from the
cover and beheld what he justly con-
sidered prodigy of rashness and skill.
The river had worn away the edge of
the soft rock in such manner as to
render its first pitch less abrupt and
perpendicular than is usual at water
falls. With no other guide than the
ripple of the stream where it met the
head of the island, party of their in
satiabls foes had ventured into the
current and swan down upon this point
knowing the ready access it would give,
if successful, to their intended victims.
AS Hawk-eye ceased speaking, four
human heads could be seen peering
above few logs of driftwood that had
lodged ON these naked rocks, and which
had probably suggested the practical
bility of the hazardous undertaking.
At the next moment fifth form was
seen floating over the green edge of the
fall, little from the line of the island.
The savage struggled powerfully to
gain the point of safety, and, favored
by the glancing water, he was already
stretching forth an arm to meet the
grasp of his companions, when he shot
away again with the whirling current,
appeared to rise in the air, with up
lifted arms and starting eyeballs, and
fell, with plunge, into that yawning
abyss over which he lowered. A sin
gle wild, despairing shrek rose from
the cavern, and all was hushed again
as the grave.
The first generous impulse of Dun
can was to rush to the rescue of the
hapless wretch but he felt himself
bound to the spot by the iron grasp of
the immovable scout.
"Would you bring certain death up
on us, by telling the Mingoes where
we lie 7" demanded Hawk-eye sternly;
"'tis a charge of powder saved, and
ammunition is as precious now as
breath to worried deer! Freshen
the printing of your pistols-the mist
of the falls is apt to dampen the brim-
stone-and stand firm for close strug-
gle, while | fire ON their rush."
He placed finger in his mouth, and
drew long, shrill whistle, which was
answered by the rocks that were
guarded by the Mohicans. Duncan
caught glimpses of heads above the
scattered drift wood, as this signal rose
on the air, but they disappeared again
as suddenly as they had glanced upon
his sight. A low, rustling sound, next
drew his attention behind him, and
turning his head, he beheld Uncas
within few feet, creeping to his side.
Hawk-eye spoke to him in Delaware,
when the young chief took his position
with singular caution and undisturbed
GOODNESS. To Hayward this was mo-
ment of feverish and impatient sus-
pense though the scout saw fit to Sc
lect it as fit occasion 10 read Il lecture
to his more youthful associates on the
art OF usin!; firearms with discretion.
''Of all we'pons," he commenced,
"the long -barrelled, true-grooved, soft
metaled rifle is the most dangerous in
skilful hands, though it wants a strong
arm, a quick eye and great judgment
in charging to put forth all its beau
ties. The gunsmiths can have but lit
tie insight into their trade, when they