Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-02-09
CONTINUED STORY.
THE
LAST OF THE M0HICANs,
BY
j. FenilnOre Cooper.
Continued from last week.

CONTINUED from last week.
''Here is no deceptionw exclaimed
Duncan "This is the signature of
Webb, and must be the captured
letter."
''Thc man has betrayed meH'
Munro exclaimed: ''he has brought
dishonor to the door of one where
disgrace was never before known to
dwell, and shame has he heaped
heavily on my gray hairs"
''Say not So" cried Duncan ''we
are yet masters of the fort and of our
honor. Let us then sell our lives at
such a rate as shall make our en-
emies believe the purchase too dear"
''Boy, | thank thee" exclaimed
the old man; 'you have, for once,
reminded Munro of his duty. We
will go back, and dig our graves be-
hind these ramparts."
"AIessleurs," said Montcalm, ad-
vancing towards them step, in gen.
erous interest, "you little know Louis
de st. Veran, if you believe him
capable Of profting by this letter
to humble brave men, or to build up
a dishonest reputation for himself.
Listen to my terms before you leave
me-"
"What says the Frenchman ?" de-
manded the veteran; ''does he make
q merit Of having captured
scout with anote from headquarters?
Sir, he had better raise this siege, to
go and sit down before Edward if he
wishes to frighten his enemy with
words"
Duncan explained the others
meaning.
'''Io retain the fort is now impossi-
ble," said his liberal enemy; sit is
necessary to the interests of my mas
ter that it should be destroyed; but
as for yourselves and your brave
comrades, there is no privilege dear
to soldier that shall be denied"
'Our colors:" demanded Hayward.
Garry them to Eng and and show
them to your king"
sour arms p
keep them; none can use them
better"
Sour march our surrender of the
place.
"Shall all be done in manner
most honorable to yourselves ?"
Duncan now turned to explain
these proposals to his commander, who
heard him with amazement, and a
sensibility that was deeply touched
by so unusual and unexpected gen.
erosity.
$50 you, Duncan" he said |; ''go
with this marques, as, indeed, mar
guess he should be; go to his mar
gee and arrange it all. | have lived
to shiee two tngs in my old age, that
never did expect to behold-an
Englishman afraid to support
friend, and a Frenchman too honest
to profit by the advantage"
So saying the veteran again drop
ped his head to his chest, and return
ed slowly towards the fort. exhibit
ing by the detection of his air, to the
anxious garrison, Il harbinger of evil
tidings.
From the shock Of this unexpected
blow the naughty feelings of Munro
never recovered; but from that mo-
ment there commenced a change in
his deterH,ined character, which ac-
companied him to speedy grave.
Duncan remained to settle the terms
Of the capitulation. He was seen to
re-enter the works during the first
watches of the night, and imme-
diately after Il private conference
with the conlmandant, to leave them
again. 1t was then openly an
nounced that hostilities must cease
Munro having signed Il treaty, by
which the place was to be yielded to
the enemy with the morning; the
garrison to retain their arms, their
colors and their baggage, and consc-
quently, according to military opin-
ION, their honor.
CHAPTER XVII.
Weave wetlle woof. Tie thread is spun.
The web is wove. The work is done
... Gray.