Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-01


''your two eyes would answer your
own question. Have you forgotten
the skulking reptile that Uncas
slew ?"
''By no means. But he was said
to be alone, ard dead men give no
cause for fear"
GAY, he was alone in his deviltry
but an Indian, whose tribe counts SO
many warriors, need seldom fear his
blood will run, without the death
shrek coming speedily from some of
his enemlcs."
"But our presence-the authority
of Colone! Munro would prove suf-
ficient protection against the anger Of
our allies, especially in case where
the wretch so well merited his fate.
| trust in Heaven you have not
deviated a single foot from the direct
line of our course, with 50 slight
reason"
"Do you think that varlet's rifle
would have turned aside, though his
sacred Majesty, the King, had stood
in its path" returned the scout.
"Why did not the grand Frencher
bury the tomahawks of the Hurons,
if a word from white can work SO
strongly on the natur' Of an Indian"
The reply of Hayward was inter-
rupted by groan from Munro; but
after he had paused moment in def
erence to the sorrow of his aged friend,
he resumed the subject.
"The Marquis of Aontcalm can
only settle that error with his God"
said the young man solemnly.
Gay, ay, now there is reason in
your words, for they are bottomed on
religion and honesty"
with foes in front and foes in our
rear, our journey is like to be one Of
danger"
danger !" repeated Hawk-eye calm
ly; ''no, not absolutely of danger, for
with vigilant ears and quick eyes, We
can manage to keep few hours ahead
Of the knaves; or, if We must try the
rife, there are three Of us who under
stand its gifts as well any one you
can name on the borders. No, not
Of danger; but that we shall hsve
what you may call brisk push Of it,
is probable; and it may happen q
skrimmage, Or some such diversion,
but always where covers are good and
ammunition abundant"
1t IS possible that Heywsrd's esti-
mate of danger differed in some de-
gree from that Of the scout, for,
instead of replying, he now sat IN
silence while the canoe glided over
several miles Of water.
Chingachgook laid aside his pad
die; while Uncas and the scout
urged the light vessel through crook
ed and intricate channels, where every
foot that they advanced exposed them
to the danger of some sudden rising
on their progress.
Hayward, who was doubly inter-
ested spectator, was just believing that
he had permitted the latter to be ex-
cited without reason, when the pad
die ceased moving, in obedience to Q
Il signal from Chingachgook.
"Hugh !" exclaimed Uncas.
"What now:" asked the scout;
''the lake is as smooth as if the
winds had blown, and ! can see along
its sheet for miles; there is.
not so much as the black head Of
loon dotting the water"
The Indian gravely raised his
paddle, and pointing in the direction
n which his own steady look was
riveted. Duncan's eyes followed the
motion.
Il see nothing" he said, "but land
and water; and lovely scene it is."
'Hist!" interrupted the scout.
CAV. Sycamore, there is always
reason for what you do. TITS but q
shade, and yet it is not natural. You
see the mist, Major, that is rising
above the island You can't call it q
fog, for it is more like streak Of thin
cloud,-"
at is vapor from the water"
"That child could tell. But what
is the edging of blacker smoke that
hangs along its lower side, and which
you may trace down into the thicket
of hazel? 'Tis from fire; but one
that, in my judgment, has been
suffered to burn low."
"Lst us then push for the place,
and relieve our doubts" said Dun