Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-08
THE LAST OF THE MOHICAkS.
CONTINUED from first page. ]

lSOHtluutu hioe PuSS'J
but it is good to examine the forma-
ton of things. This is my schooling,
major; and If one neglects the book
there is little hope Of learning from
the open hand of Providence"
"Will this assist in explaining the
difficulty 2" said Hayward, pointing
towards the fragments Of sort of
handbarrow.
"'Tis explained {" cried Hawk-eye.
eff them varlets have paused a min
ute, they have spent more hours in
trying to fabricate lying end to their
trail! Here we have three pair of
moccasins and two of little feet. 1t is
amazing that any mortal beings can
journey on limbs so small"
"The tender limbs of my daughters
are unequal to these hardships," said
Munro 1--WE shall find their fainting
forms in this desert"
"Of that there is little cause Of fear"
returned the scout "this is a firm and
straight, though light step, and not
over long. See the heel has hardly
touched the ground; and there the
dark"hair has made little jump, from
root.to root. No, no; my knowledge
for it, neither of them was nigh faint
ing hereaway. Now, the singer was
beginning to be foot-sore and leg
weary, as is plain by his trail. There,
you see, he slipped; here he has trav-
slled wide, and tottered !; and there,
again, it looks as though he journeyed
on snow-shoes. Ay, ay, a man who
uses his throat altogether, can hardly
give his legs proper training"
81 scent the Hurons," he said, speak
ing to the Mohicans; ''yonder is open
sky through the tree-tops, and we are
getting near an encampment. Saga
more, you will take the hillside to the
right; Uncas will bend along the brook
to the left, while will try the trail. If
anything should happen, the call will
be three croaks of a crow. saw one
Of the birds tanning himself in the air,
just beyond the dead oak-another
sign that we are touching an encamp-
ment."
The Indians departed their several
ways without reply. Hayward soon
pressed to the side of their guide, eager
to catch an early glimpse of those
enemies he had pursued with SO much
anxiety. His companion told him to
steal to the edge of tho wood, for he
wished to examine certain suspicious
signs, little on one side. Duncan
obeyed, and soon found himself in a
situation to command view extraor-
binary as it was novel.
The trees Of many acres had been
felled, and the glow of mild summers
evening had fallen on the clearing, in
beautiful contrast to the gray light of
the forest. A hundred earthen dwell
lngs stood on the margin Of a. lake.
Alarmed, he was about to attempt the
signal of the crows, when the rustling
of leaves at hand drew his eyes in
another direction.
The young man started, and recoiled
few PAGES instinctively, when he
found himself within a hundred yards
OF stranger Indian.
An instant of calm observation
served to assure Duncan that he was
undiscovered.
The scout stole silently and cautious
ly to his side.
"You see we have reached their
settlement Or encampment," whispered
the young man; land here is one of
the ssvages himself in a very en-
barassing position for our further
movements"
Hawk-eys started, and dropped his
rife, when directed by the finger of
his companion, the stranger came
under his view.
"The imp is not a Huron" he said,
"nor of any of the Canada tribe and
yet you see by his clothes the knave
has been plundering white. Ay,
Montcalm has raked the weeds for his
inroad, and whooping, numbering
set of varlets has he gathered together.
Can you see where he has put his rife
or his bow?"
"He appears to have no arms; nor
does he seem to be viciously inclined.
Unless he communicates the alarm to
his fellows, who, as you see, are dodg-
ing about the water, we have but little
to fear from him."
The scont turned to Hayward, and
regarded him with unconcealed amaze
ment. Then opening his mouth, he in
dulged in heartfelt laughter, though
in that silent manner which danger
had so long taught him to practise.
Repeating the words, "fellows who
are lodging about the water" he add
ed, $50 much for schooling and passing
ing boyhood in the settlements The
knave has long legs, though, and shall
not be trusted. Do you keep him under
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