Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-15
CONTINUED STORY.
THE
LAST OF THE MOHICANs.
BY
j. Feni,nOre Cooper.
[Continued from last week. I

The Mohicans and thescout listen
ed to his imperfect narrative with an
interest that increased as he proceed
ed; and it was while attempting to
| explain the pursuits Of the COM
munity in which Cora was detained,
that the latter demanded
"Did you see the fashion of their
knives? were they Of English Or
French formation?"
"My thoughts were bent on no
such vanities, but rather mingled in
consolation with those of the maid
ems"
"The time may come when you will
not consider the knife of savage
such a despisable vanity" returned
the scout. "Had they held their
corn-feast-or can you say anything
of the totems of their tribe?"
"Of corn we had many feasts; for
the grain being in the milk, is sweet
to the mouth and comfortable to the
stomach. Of totem, | know not the
meaning; but if it appertalneth to
the art of Indian music, it need not
be inquired after. They never Join
in praise, it would seem they are
among the profanest of the idol
atrous."
''Therein you belle the Indian.
Even the Mingo adores the true and
living God"
at may be So" said David; "but
| have seen strange images drawn in
their paint, of which their admira-
ton savored Of spiritual pride, espec-
tally one, and that loathsome OBJ
iect."
WAS 1t a sarpent?1' demanded the
scout.
''Much the same. 1t was in the
likeness Of Il creeping tortoise"
"Hugh!' exclaimed both the at
tentive Mohicans in a breath while
the scout shook his head with the
air of one who had made an import
ant discovery. Then the father
spoke, in the language of the Del
awares, and with dignity that ar
rested attention. His gestures were
impressive, and at times energetic;
threw aside the folds of his mantle, a
finger resting on his breast, as if he
would enforce his meaning by the at
titude. Duncan's eyes followed the
movement, and he perceived that the
animal just mentioned was worked
in blue tint, on the breast of the
chief. He awaited the proper mo-
ment to speak, but the wish was an
ticipated by the scout, who turned
from his friend, saying
1--WE have found that which may
be good or evil to us, as Heaven dis
poses. The Sycamore is of the high
blood of the Delawares, and is the
great chief of their Tortoises! That
some of this stock are among the peo-
pie of whom the singer tells us, is
plain by his words; and had he spent
half the breath in prudent questions,
that he has blown away in making a
trumpet of his throat, we might
have known how many warriors they
numbered. 1t is, altogether, a dam
gerous path we move in for friend
whose face is turned from you often
bears bloodier mind than the enemy
who seeks your scalp"
"Explain," said Duncan.
"'Tis a tradition, and one | little
like to think of; for it is not to be
denied, that the evil has been mainly
done by men with white skins. But
it has ended in turning the toma-
hawk of brother against brother, and
brought the Mingo and the Delaware
to travel in the same path"
"You then suspect it is a portion
of that people among whom Cora re-
sides" :"
The scout nodded his head in as
sent. The impatient Duncan now
made several desperate propositions
to attempt the release of the sisters.
Munro listened to the wild schemes
of the young man with Difference
that his gray hairs should have de-
MED. But the scout, after suffering
the ardor of the lover to expend itself,
found means to convince him of the
folly of precipitation, in matter that
would require their coolest Judgment
and utmost fortltude.
at would be WE'LL" he added "to
let this man go in again, as usual,
o,J fo,. hin, tO tarrv in tha lol oas