Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-03-29
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS.
CONTINUED from first page.]

"AAASAA@ - N60es AA0S SVhCt 0hu VAA~A&
now presented too many obstacles to q
quick retreat.
"Bring on the gentle one, Them
continued his friend; "we must make
q push for the woods by the other out
let"
"'Tis impossible" said Duncan
'fear has overcome her, and she is
helpless. Alice! my sweet, my own
Alice, arouse yourself! now is the mo-
ment to fly. IT'S in vain! she hears,
but is unable to follow. Go, noble
and worthy friend; save yourself, and
leave me to my fate !"
"Every trail has its end, and every
calamity brings its lesson!" returned
the scout. "There, wrap her in them
Indian cloths. Conceal all of her little
form. Nay, that foot has no fellow in
the wilderness; it will betray her.
All, every part. Now, take her in
your arms and follow. Leave the rest
to me-"
Duncan was eagerly obeying; and
as the other finished speaking, he took
the light person of Alice in his arms
and followed. They found the sick
woman as they had left her, still alone,
and passed swiftly on to the place of
entrance. AS they approached the
door of bark, q murmur without an
nounced that the friends and relatives
Of the invalid were catered about the
place, patiently awaiting a summons
to re-enter.
"1f open my lips to speak," Hawk
eye whispered, "my English, which is
the genuine tongue of a white-skin,
will tell the varlets that an enemy is
among them. You must give 'em
your jargon, major; and say that we
have shut the evil spirit up in the cave,
and are taking the woman to the woods
in order to find strengthening roots.
Practyse all your cunning, for it is
lawful undertaking."
The door opened little, as if one
without was listening to the proceed
ings within, and compelled the scout
to cease his directions. A fierce growl
repealed the eaves-dropper, and then
the scout threw open the covering of
bark, and left the place, enacting the
character of the bear as he proceeded.
Duncan kept close at his heels, and
soon found himself in the centre of
twenty anxious relatives and friends.
The crowd fell back little, and per-
mitted the father, and the husband of
the woman to approach.
"Has my brother driven away the
evil spirit 7" demanded the former.
"What has he in his armsi"
"Thy child" returned Duncan grave
ly "the disease has gone out of her !;
it is shut up in the rocks. l take the
woman to a distance where I will
strengthen her against any further at
tacks. She shall be in the wigwa,n of
the young man when the sun comes
again"
When the father had translated the
meaning Of the strangers words into
the Huron language, a murmur an
nounced the satisfaction with which
this intelligence was received. The
chief himself waved his hand for Dun
can to proceed, saying aloud in a lofty
manner
"Go-I am man, and I will enter
the rock and fight the wicked one"
Hayward had gladly obeyed, and was
already past the little group, when
these startling words arrested him.
SIS my brother mad :" he exclaimed
lis he cruel! He will meet the disease,
and it will chase his daughter into the
woods. No-let my children wait
without, and if the spirit appears beat
him down with clubs. He is cunning,
and will bury himself in the mountain
when he sees how many are ready to
fight him."
This singular warning had the de-
sired effect. Instead of entering the
cavern the father and husband drew
their tomahawks and posted themselves
in readiness to deal their vengeance
Oh the imaginary tormentor of their
sick relative.
Hawk-eye at the same time that he
had presumed so far on the nature OF
the Indians, superstitions, was not ig-
norant that they were rather tolerated
than relied on by the wisest of the
chiefs.
Alice revived under the renovating
influence of the open air, and stood
in no need Of any explanation of that
which had occurred.
"Now let me make an effort to walk, y
she said, when they had entered the
forest; ~ am indeed restored"
'Nay, Alice, you are yet too weak
The maiden struggled gently to re,
lease herself, and Hayward was COM
PEELED to part with his precious bur
% den. The bear had certainly been an
entire stranger to the delicious emo
tons Of the lover while his arms en-.