The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-07-08

FenimOre Cooper.
IN THE third year Of the war be-
tween France and England in
- 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 scant hand
full Of men.
Munro's daughters, Cora and Alice,
determined to visit their father de-
spite the danger. Cart. 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 savage
face glared at them from a thicket.
Magua was leading the party into a
trap.
Two ulen sat by the banks of small
stream about an hours journey from
Fort Edward. One, a 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.
"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 !,
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,
Uncas, the last of the tribe, is the last
Of the Mohicahs"
As his name was mentioned, Uncas
slipped intoAxiew. and seated himself
gravely by the side of his father,
Chingachgook.
Almost Immediately the little caval-
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.
/ "An Indian lost In the woodsi" said
the scout in perplsxity Il should
like a look at the creature.nssN
he crept stealthIly Int the thicket,
to return after 4 moment, his suspi-
cions fully confirmed. Explaining to
Hayward that the Indian had tried to
trap the party. he outlined 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
0 canoe bound for cave. where none
but the scout and his Indian compan-
ions had ever set foot. This haven
they reached 10 safety, although pur-
sued by a baud of Indians as they
crossed the lake.
They had barely reached their Is
land fortress when Magua's band ap-
peared on their tran. The scout and
his companions vallantly defended their
cave against a horde of Indians. In
fiicting heavy losses until their am
munition gave ont. Then Cora, see
ing that resistance was useless, begged
the scout and the two Indians to slip
down the river. and attempt to secure
re-enforcements at Fort William
Henry. But a short while after the
scouts set OF. Magua and his war.
riors appeared, and made captive the
whites who remained In the cave.
Hagua divided his band. and set OF
with his captives attended by hand
full Of braves. BE offered to send
Alice to her father. II Cora would 60
with him to his wigwam. Alice indig-
nsntiy refused. and Magus, enraged,
prepared to torture his captives.
Just as a brave rushed at Alice.
with tsmahavk raised. a ride cracked.
and the Indian dropped. Hawkeye
fallewed By Uncas and Chingzchgook.