Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-05-10
CONTINUED STORY.
THE
LAST OF THE MOHICANS.
BY
j. Fenimore Cooper.
(Continued from last week. |

the impious joy that fiends are
thought to take in mischief, but
Magua stayed the uplifted arms.
The Huron chief, after casting the
weapons he had wrested from his
companions over the rock, drew his
knife, and turned to his captive, with
a look in which conflicting passions
fiercely contended.
"Woman v' he said, "choose the
wigwam or the knife of LIE Subtilw
Cora regarded him not, but drop
ping on her knees, she raised her eyes
and stretched herarms toward heaven,
saying in meek and yet confiding
voice
81 am thine! do with me as thou
seest bestH'
"Woman," repeated Magua, hoarse-
ly, and endeavoring IN vain to catch o
glance from her serene and beaming
eye; "choose"
But Cora neither heard nor needed
his demand. The form of the Huron
trembled in every fibre, and he raised
his arm on high, but dropped it again
with q bewildered air, like one who
doubted. Once more he struggled
with himself and lifted the keen
weapon again-but just then pierc-
| ing cry was heard above them, and
Cncas appeared. leaping fran .ioaliy,
from a fearful height, upon the ledge.
Magua recoiled step; and one of his
assistants, profting by the chance,
sheathed his own knife in the bosom
Of Cora.
The Huron sprang like tiger on
his offending and already retreating
countryman, but the falling form of
Uncas separated the unnatural COM
batants. Diverted from his object by
this interruption, and maddened by
the murder he had just witnessed.
Magua buried his weapon in the back
of the PROSTATE Delaware, uttering an
unearthly shout as he committed the
dastardly deed. But Uncas arose from
the blow, as the panther turns upon
his toe, and struck the murderer of
Cora to his feet, by an effort in
which the last Of his failing strength
was expended. Then with a stern
look, he turned to lie Subtil, and in
dicated, by the expression of his eye,
all that he would do, had not the
power deserted him. The latter seized
the nerveless arm of the unresisting
Delaware, and passed his knife into
his bosom three several times, before
his victim, still keeping his gaze rivet-
eted on his enemy with look of in
extinguishable scorn, fell dead at his
feet.
"Mercy! mercy! Huron" cried
Hayward, from above, in tones nearly
choked by horror;'' give mercy, and
thou shalt receive itv'
Whirling the bloody knifeup at the
imploring youth, the victorious Magua
uttered i. cry So joyous, that it con-
veyed the sounds of savage triumph
to the ears of those who fought in
the valley, Il thousand feet below. He
was answered by a burst from the lips
of the scout, whose tall person was
just then seen moving swiftly towards
him, with steps as bold and reckless
as if he possessed the power to move
in air. Bat when the hunter reached
the scene of the ruthless massacre,
the ledge was tenanted only by the
dead.
His keen eye took II single look
ut the victims, and then shot its
gIances over the difficulties of the
ascent in his front. A form stood at
the brow of the mountain, on the very
edge Of the giddy height, with uplift-
ed arms, in an awful attitude of men,
ace. Without stopping to consider
his person, the ille of Hawk-eye was
raised: but rock, which fell on the
head of one of the fugitives below, ex.
posed the indignant and glowing
countenance of the honest Gamut.
Then Magua issued from crevice,
and stepping with calm indifference
over the body Of the last Of his asso,
ciates, he leaped a wide tissure and
assembled the rocks at point where
the arm Of David could not reach him.
A single bound would carry him to
brow of the preclpice, and assure his
safety. Before taking the leap, how
ever, the Huron paused, and shaking
his hand at the scout, he shouted