Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-29
CONTINUED STORY.
THE
LAST OF THE MOHICANs.
By
u. FeninOre Cooper.
[Continued from last week. |

lContlnued from last week
Il had misgivings that such would
be his fate" resumed the scout, in s
less confident tone. But, soon re.
gained his firm voice again, he con.
ed,-"His bad fortune is the true
reason of my being here, for it would
never do to abandon such boy tc
the Hurons. A rare time the knaves
would have of it, could they tie "The
bounding Elk" and "The long Cara.
bine," as they call me, to the same
stake! Though why have they given
NE such name / never knew, there
being as little likeness between the
gifts of ''Kill-deer' and the perform
ance of one of your real Canada cara
bines, as there is between the natur'
of a plpe-stone and flint"
"Keep to your tale" said Hayward
eve know not at what moment the
Hurons may return"
"No fear of them. A coniurer
must have his time, like q struggling
priest IN the settlements. Well, I'm
cas- and l fell in with return party
of the varlets; the lad was much too
forward for scout; nay, for that
matter, being of hot blood, he was
not to blame and, after all, one of
the Hurons proved u coward, and in
fleeing led him into an ambush.
ment."
"And dearly has he paid for the
Weakness"
The scout significantly passed his
hand across his own throat, and nod
ded, as if he said, 81 comprehend your
meaning.". After which he contin-
ued, in q more audible though scarce
ly more ineligible language
after the loss Of the boy turned
upon the Hurons, as you may judge.
There have been skrimmages atween
here nor there. So, after | had shot
the imps, | got in pretty nigh to the
lodges without further commotion.
Then what should luck do in my IA
yor, but lead me to the very spot
one Of the most famous conjurers of
the tribe was dressing himself, as |
well knew, for some great battle
with Satan-though why should |
call that luck, which it now seems
was an especial ordering from Provi-
dence. 10 ajudgmatical rap over
the head stiffened the lying impostor
for time, and leaving him bit Of
walnut for his supper, to prevent an
uproar, and stringing him up atween
two saplings, l made free with his
finery, and took the part of the bear
on myself, in order that the opera
tions might proceed"
"And admirably did you enact the
character; the animal itself might
have been shamed by the represents
ton"
"Lord, major" returned the woods.
man, 81 should be but a poor scholar
for one who has studied SO long in
the wilderness, did | not know how
to set forth the movements and natur
of such beast. Had it been now q
catamount or even full sized pan.
ther, | would have emblemished q
performance for you worth regarding.
But it is no such marvellous feat to
exhibit the feats of SO dull a beast
though, for that matter, too, a bear
may be oyer-acted. Yes, yes, it is
not every imitator that knows
natur' may be outdone easier than
she is equalled. But all our work is
yet before us. Where is the gentle
one?'
"lleaven knows; | have examined
every lodge in the village, without
discovering the slightest trace of hel
presence in the tribe"
"You heard what the singer said
as he left us-'She is at hand, anG
expects YOU"
Il have been compelled to believe
he alluded to this unhappy woman
''The simpleton was frightened
but he had deeper meaning. Her,
are walls enough to separate tn,
whole settlement. A bear ought tt
climb; therefore, | will take u lool
above them. There may be honey
pots hid in these rocks and | am {
beast, you know that has a hankerine
for the sweets"
The scout looked behind him
laughing at his own conceit, while h,
clambered up the partition, initiating
as he went, the clumsy motions O
l. \