Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-01-26
TWE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.

Inc Walls are cftllnDlluS aDOuI our
ears, and provisions begin to fail u.s.
continued Hayward "even the men
show signs of discomfort and alarm"
major Hayward" said Munro, turn
ing to his youthful associate with the
dignity of his years and superior rank;
81 should have served his majesty
for half century, and earned these
gray hairs in vain, were ignorant of
all you say, and of the pressing nature
everything due to the honor of the
kings arm and something to ourselves.
While there is hope of succor, this
fortress will l defend, though it be to
be done with pebbles gathered on the
lake shore. 1t is sight of the letter,
therefore, that we want, that we may
know the intentions of the man the
Earl of Loudon has left among US as
his substitute"
''And can be of service in the mat
ter ?"
"Sir, you can; the Marquis of Mont
calm, has in addition to his other civ
ilities, invited me to personal inter
view between the works and his own
camp in order, as he says, to impart
some additional information. Now, |
think, it would not be wise to show any
undue solicitude to meet him, and l
would employ you, an officer of rank,
as my substitute; for it would but i'll
comport with the honor of Scotland to
let it be said one of her gentlemen was
outdone in civility by native of any
other country on earth.'
As Duncan could only act as the re-
preventative of the commandment of the
fort, the ceremonies which should have
accompanied meeting between the
heads of the adverse forces We're, of
course, dispensed with.
The general of the enemy received
the youthful messenger, surrounded by
his principal officers, and by q swarthy
band of the native chiefs, who had fol-
lowed him to the field, with the war
riors of their several tribes. Hayward
paused short, when glancing his eyes
rapidly over the dark group of the lat
ter, he beheld the maligant counten-
ance of Magua, regarding him with the
calm but sullen attention which mark
ed the expression of that subtle saw
age. A slight exclamation of surprise
even burst from the lips of the young
man but, instantly recollecting his
errand and the presence in which he
stood, he suppressed every appearance
of emotion, and turned to the hostile
leader, who had already advanced a
step to receive him.
The Marquis Of Montcalm was, at
the period Of which we write. in the
flower of his age, and, it may be adj
ded, in the zenith of his fortunes.
Duncan, in turning his eyes from the
malign expression of Magua, suffered
them to rest with pleasure on the smil-
ing and polished features and the noble
military air of the French general.
''Eh bien monsieur speaking in
French ''though I should have been
proud of receiving your commandment,
[ am very happy that he has seen
proper to employ an officer so disting-
uished, and who, l am sure, is so ami
able as yourself"
Duncan bowed low, pleased with
the compliment. Montcalm, after q
pause of moment, as if to collect his
thoughts, proceeded
''Your commandment is brave man,
and well qualified to repel my assault.
MATS, monsieur, is it not time to be
gin to take more counsel of humanity,
and less of your courage? The one as
strongly characterizes the hero as the
other.n
1--WE consider the qualities as insep-
arable," returned Duncan, smiling;
"but while we find in the vigor OF your
excellency every motive to stimulate
the one, we can, as yet see no partlcu-
lar call for the exercise Of the other"
Montcalm, in his turn, slightly.
bowed. After musin9 a moment, he
added
''lt is possible my glasses have de
ceived me, and that your works resist
our cannon better than had supposed.
You know our force ?"
''Our accounts valy," said Duncan,
carelessly: "the highest however, has
not exceeded twenty thousand men,"
The Frenchman bit his lip, and
fastened his eyes keeniy on the other
rs if he read his thoughts; then, with
a readiness peculiar to himself, he
continued, as if asserting to the truth
of an enumeration which quite doubled
his army
SIT is poor compliment Of the Wig
lance of US soldiers, monsieur, that.
do what we will, we never can conceal
our numbers. If it We're to be done at
all, we would believe it might succeed
in these woods. Though you think it
cpn,, 70 Hcta,, 70 tho ll., nf h.,