Frostburg mining journal., 1883-11-24

lutilCI ldisC'i lllo NolIC Ill d olHSiC lS-
sponsive cry, after which his busy
piece alone proved that he still guard
ed his pass with unwearied diligence.
In this manner many minutes flew
by with the swiftness of thought;
the rifles of the assailants speaking,
at times, in rattling volleys, and at
others, in occasional, scattering shots.
Though the rocks, the trees, and the
shrubs, were cut and torn in hum
dred places around the besieged, their
cover was so close, and so rigidly
maintained, that, as yet, David had
been the only sufferer in their lit
tie band.
'Let them burn their POWDER" said
the deliberate scout, while bullet
after bullet whizzed by the place
where he securely lay; "there will be
Il fine gathering of lead when it is
over, and fancy the imps will tire
of the sport, afore these old stones cry
out for mercy! Uncas, boy, you waste
your kernals by overcharging; and II
kicking rifle never carries true bull
let. told you to take that loping
miscreant under the line of the white
paint; now, if your bullet went Il
hairs breath, it went two inches above
it. The life lies low in a Mingo,
and humanity teaches us to make
Il quick end Of tho sarpents."
A quiet smile lighted the naughty
features of the young Mohican, be-
traying his knowledge of the English
language, as well as the others mean
ing; but he suffered it to pass away
without vindication or reply.
q cannot permit you to accuse
Uncas Of want Of judgement or of
skill" said Duncan che saved my
life in the coolest and readiest manner,
and he has made Il friend who never
will require to be reminded of the
debt he owes"
Uncas partly raised his body, and
offered his hand to the grasp of Hey
ward. During this act Of friendship,
the two yonng men exchanged looks
of intelligence which caused Duncan
to forget the character and condition
of his wild associate. In the mean
while Hawk-eye, who looked on this
burst Of youthful feeling with cool
but kind regard, made the following
reply =
Life is an obligation which friends
often owe to each other in the wilder
ness. | dare say | may have served
Uncas some such turn myself before
now; and | very well remember that
he has stood between me and death
five different times: three times from
the Mingoes, oncein crossing Horican,
and"
"That bullet was better aimed
than common ~ exclaimed Duncan,
involuntarily shrinking from shot
which struck the rock at his side
with a smart rebound.
Hawk-eye laid his hand on the
shapeless metal, and shook his head,
as he examined it, saying, failing
lead is never hattened. Had it
come from the cloud this might
have happened.'
But the rifle of Uncas was deliber-
ately raised towards the heavens,
directing the eyes Of his companions
to Il point where the mystery was
Immediately explained. A ragged
oak grew on the right bank of the
river, nearly opposite to their posi-
ton, which seeking the freedom of
the open space, had inclined so far
forward, that its upper branches
overhung that arm of the stream
which flowed nearest TO its own shore.
Among the topmost leaves, which
.scantily concealed the gnarled and
stnnted limbs, II savage was conceal
ed by the trunk of the tree, and part
~ exposed, as though looking down
upon them to ascertain the effect pro-
duced by his treachcrous aim.
''rhcse devils will scale heaven to
circumyent as to our ruin," said
IIawk-eye; "keep him in play, boy,
until can bring 'kill-deer' to bear,
when we will try his metal on each
side of the tree at once"
Uncas delayed his fire until the
scout uttered the word. The rifles
flashed, the leaves and bark of the
oak flew into the air, and were scat
tered by the wind, but the Indian
answered their assault by a taunting