Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-01-12
CONTINUED STORY.
THE
LAST OF THE MOHICANs.
u. FeniDaOrc Cooper.

nor could the two latter, notwith-
Standing the terrific scenes they had
so recently passed through, entirely
suppress an emotion of natural hor-
ror, when they found themselves in
such familiar contact with the grave
Of the dead Mohawks. The gray
light, the gloomy little area Of dark
grass, surrounded by its border of
brush, beyond which the pines rose
in breathing silence, apparently into
the very clouds, and the deathlike
stiffness Of the vast forest, were all
in unison to deepen such d sensa-
ton.
"They are gone, and they are
harmless" continued Hawk-eye,
waving his hand, with a melancholy
smile, at their manifest alarm ;
''they'll never shout the war-whoop
nor strike q blow with the tomahawk
again. And Of all those who aided
in placing them where they lie,
Chingachgook and | only are living
The brothers and family of the Mo-
hican formed our war party; and You
see before you all that are now left of
his race
The eyes Of the listeners involun-
tarily sought the forms of the Indians
with a compassionate interest in their
desolate fortune. Their dark persons
were still to be seen in the shadows
OF the block-house, the son listening
to the relation of his father with
that sort Of intenseness which
would be created by a narrative that
redounded so much to the honor of
those whose names he had long re-
yered for their courage and savage
virtues.
81 had thought the Delawares q
pacific people," said Duncan, "and
that that they never waged a war in
person; trusting the defence of their
lands to those very Mohawks that
you slewn'
'Tis true in part" returned the
scout, 'and yet, at the bottom, It's a
wicked lie. Such treaty was made
in ages gone by, through the deviltries
OF the butchers, who wished to dis
arm the natives, that had the best
right to the country, where they had
settled themselves. The Mohicans,
though a part Of the same nation,
never entered into the silly bargain,
but kept to their manhood; as in
truth did the Delawares, when their
eyes were opened to their folly. You
see before you q chief Of the great
Mohican Sagamores. Once his
family could chase their deer over
tracts iof country wider than that
which belongs to the Albany Pat
teroon, without crossing brook OF
hill that was not their own; but
what is left to their descendants. He
may find his six feet of earth, when
God chooses, and keep it in. peace,
perhaps, ifhe has friend who will
take the pains to sink hB head sc
low that the ploughshates cannot
reach it.
Enough" said Hayward, apprc-
hensive that the subject might lead
to discussion interyuptive of the
harmony so necessary to the pre-
servation of his fair companions; 'we
have journeyed far, and few among
us are blessed with forms like that OF
yours, which seems to know neither
fatigue nor weakness"
! i uS SlISNS dllIl DOllco VI IL lllul
carry me through it ALL" said the
hunter, surveying his muscular limbs
with a simplicity that betrayed the
honest pleasure the compliment af-
forded him; 'there are larger and
heavier men to be found in the set
Elements, but you might travel many
days in a city before you could meet
one able t0>Walk fifty miles without
stopping to take i breath, or who has
kept the hounds within hearing
during chase of hours. However,
as flesh and blood are!not always the
same, it is quite reasonable to suppose
that the gentle ones are willing to
rest, after all they fpsye seen and done
this day. Uncas, clear out the spring,
while your father and | make cover
for their tender heads Of these chest
nut shoots, and bed Of grass and
leaves"
| Duncan had prepared himself to