The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-07-13

{ B, J.FENIMoRE COOPER +
Z Condensation by 7
T Thomas D. Connolly !
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Hardly had WashingtOn Irving be-
xun the career with his KnickerbOcker
History and the Sketch-book which
made him the frst American man Of
letters to achieve an international
reputation, when he was Joined in that
sleasant eminence By James Fenimore
Cooper.
Irving wrote On the traditional lines
Of English literature. Cooper found
something new. He presented the re-
cent but romantic past Of his Qwn
country ON land and sea, and he intro
duced to the world the figure Of the
noble red man. with the glamour Of
mystery which the unknown always
adds to romance. He IL much more
read today than Irving, his hold in
foreign lands 10 particularly strong,
probably due to the fact that his style
could only be improved by TRANSLATION.
The thrill that comes from q wholesome
story Of adventure has a lure for all
humanity, ~ have brave deeds Of der
ringdo. The thirteen-year-old Yale
freshman (who never got his degree)
IL known to thousands who have never
heard Of his great president, Timothy
Dwight. '"The Spy" "The Pilot,o ''The
Last Of the Mohicans," "The Two ADJ
mirals," "The PiOneers,o s'rhe Prairie,"
1.-THE Red Rover" 'The Pathfinder" are
some of his books most familiar, but
everyone has his own particular taste
In adventure. Bon voyage to the young
In heart who have yet to meet James
Fenlm0re Cooper.
TN THE third year of the war be-
tween France and England in
Il North America, news came to
Fort Edward, where lay General Webb
with 5000 men, that Montcalm was
advancing on Fort William Henry, held
by the veteran Scotchman. Munro.
Webb, instead Of going to the assist
ance Of Munro, sent him a scant hand
full Of men.
Munro's daughters, Cora and Alice,
determined to visit their father de-
spite the danger. Capt. Duncan Hey
ward, deeply in love with Alice, offered
to serve as their escort. The party
set out by little-frequented paths,
guided by an Indian, LIE Renard Sub
til, or Magua, as he was known to his
tribe. An eccentric singing master,
David Gamut, attached himself to the
party, despite Heyward's protests.
AS the unsuspecting travellers passed
through the thick forests a savage
face glared at them from a thicket.
Magua was leading the party into a
trap.
Two men sat by the banks of small
stream about an hours journey from
Fort Edward. One, magnificent
specimen of Indian manhood, had a
terrifying emblem of death painted
upon his naked breast. The other,
tall, with the 1.-THE muscles of the
woodsman, was white.
"Listen, Hawkeye," said the Indian.
1--WE Mohicans came and made this
land ours. Then came the Dutch, and
gave my people the fire-water. Then
they parted with their land. Now I,
a chief and Sycamore, have never
seen the sun shine except through the
trees, and have never visited the
graves Of my fathers. And my son,
Oncas, the last of the tribe, is the last
Of the Mohicans."
AS his name was mentioned. Uncas
slipped into view, and seated himself
gravely by the side of his father,
Chingachgook.
Almost Immediately the little cavak
cade from Fort Edwards came into
view. Hayward, addressing Hawkeye,
inquired as to their whereabouts, ex-
planning that their Indian guide had
lost his way.
IAN Indian lost in the woods?" said
the scout in perplexity. II should
like a look at the creature"
He crept stealthily into the thicket,
to return after a moment, his suspi-
cions fully confirmed. Explaining to
Hayward that the Indian had tried to
trap the party. he outlined a plan for
the capture Of the traitor. But. as
they stole upon him, Magua OWNED
their plan, and vanished In the thick
woods.
Hawkeye realized the serious plight
OF the little party, and volunteered to
help them. They set up the river In
q canoe bound for a cave, where none
but the scout and his Indian compan.
ions had ever set foot. This haven
they reached In safety, although pur-
sued BY a band Of Indians as they
crossed the lake.
They had barely reached their is.
land fortress when Magua's band ap-
peared on their trail. The scout and
his companions vallantly defended their
cave against horde of Indians, in
hicting heavy losses until their am
nunition gave out. Then Cora, see
Ing that resistance was useless, begged
the scout and the two Indians to slip
down the river, and attempt to secuup
Se-enfOrcementS at Fort William