Not by birth, though adopted in that tribe; I think his birthplace was farther north, and he is one of those you call a Huron.

Hugh! exclaimed the two companions of the scout, who had continued until this part of the dialogue, seated immovable, and apparently indifferent to what passed, but who now sprang to their feet with an activity and interest that had evidently got the better of their reserve by surprise.

A Huron! repeated the sturdy scout, once more shaking his head in open distrust; they are a thievish race, nor do I care by whom they are adopted; you can never make anything of them but skulls and vagabonds. Since you trusted yourself to the care of one of that nation, I only wonder that you have not fallen in with more.

Of that there is little danger, since William Henry is so many miles in our front. You forget that I have told you our guide is now a Mohawk, and that he serves with our forces as a friend.

And I tell you that he who is born a Mingo will die a Mingo, returned the other positively. A Mohawk! No, give me a Delaware or a Mohican for honesty; and when they will fight, which they won't all do, having suffered their cunning enemies, the Maquas, to make them women - but when they will fight at all, look to a Delaware, or a Mohican, for a warrior!

Enough of this, said Heyward, impatiently; I wish not to inquire into the character of a man that I know, and to whom you must be a stranger. You have not yet answered my question; what is our distance from the main army at Edward?

It seems that may depend on who is your guide. One would think such a horse as that might get over a good deal of ground atwixt sun-up and sun-down.

I wish no contention of idle words with you, friend, said Heyward, curbing his dissatisfied manner, and speaking in a more gentle voice; if you will tell me the distance to Fort Edward, and conduct me thither, your labor shall not go without its reward.

And in so doing, how know I that I don't guide an enemy and a spy of Montcalm, to the works of the army? It is not every man who can speak the English tongue that is an honest subject.

If you serve with the troops, of whom I judge you to be a scout, you should know of such a regiment of the king as the Sixtieth.

The Sixtieth! you can tell me little of the Royal Americans that I don't know, though I do wear a hunting- shirt instead of a scarlet jacket.

Well, then, among other things, you may know the name of its major?

Its major! interrupted the hunter, elevating his body like one who was proud of his trust. If there is a man in the country who knows Major Effingham, he stands before you.

It is a corps which has many majors; the gentleman your name is the senior, but I speak of the junior of them all; he who commands the companies in garrison at William Henry.

Yes, yes, I have heard that a young gentleman of vast riches, from one of the provinces far south, has got the place. He is over young, too, to hold such rank, and to be put above men whose heads are beginning to bleach; and yet they say he is a soldier in his knowledge, and a gallant gentleman!

Whatever he may be, or however he may be qualified for his rank, he now speaks to you and, of course, can be no enemy to dread.