eyes at the Mohicans, let us remember we are men without a cross, and let us teach these natives of the forest that white blood can run as freely as red, when the appointed hour is come.

Duncan turned quickly in the direction indicated by the other's eyes, and read a confirmation of his worst apprehensions in the conduct of the Indians. Chingachgook, placing himself in a dignified posture on another fragment of the rock, had already laid aside his knife and tomahawk, and was in the act of taking the eagle's plume from his head, and smoothing the solitary tuft of hair in readiness to perform its last and revolting office. His countenance was composed, though thoughtful, while his dark, gleaming eyes were gradually losing the fierceness of the combat in an expression better suited to the change he expected momentarily to undergo.

Our case is not, cannot be so hopeless! said Duncan; even at this very moment succor may be at hand. I see no enemies! They have sickened of a struggle in which they risk so much with so little prospect of gain!

It may be a minute, or it may be an hour, afore the wily sarpents steal upon us, and it is quite in natur' for them to be lying within hearing at this very moment, said Hawkeye; but come they will, and in such a fashion as will leave us nothing to hope! Chingachgook - he spoke in Delaware - my brother, we have fought our last battle together, and the Maquas will triumph in the death of the sage man of the Mohicans, and of the pale face, whose eyes can make night as day, and level the clouds to the mists of the springs!

Let the Mingo women go weep over the slain! returned the Indian, with characteristic pride and unmoved firmness; the Great Snake of the Mohicans has coiled himself in their wigwams, and has poisoned their triumph with the wailings of children, whose fathers have not returned! Eleven warriors lie hid form the graves of their tribes since the snows have melted, and none will tell where to find them when the tongue of Chingachgook shall be silent! Let them draw the sharpest knife, and whirl the swiftest tomahawk, for their bitterest enemy is in their hands. Uncas, topmost branch of a noble trunk, call on the cowards to hasten, or their hearts will soften, and they will change to women!

They look among the fishes for their dead! returned the low, soft voice of the youthful chieftain; the Hurons float with the slimy eels! They drop from the oaks like fruit that is ready to be eaten! and the Delawares laugh!

Ay, ay, muttered the scout, who had listened to this peculiar burst of the natives with deep attention; they have warmed their Indian feelings, and they'll soon provoke the Maquas to give them a speedy end. As for me, who am of the whole blood of the whites, it is befitting that I should die as becomes my color, with no words of scoffing in my mouth, and without bitterness at the heart!

Why die at all! said Cora, advancing from the place where natural horror had, until this moment, held her riveted to the rock; the path is open on every side; fly, then, to the woods, and call on God for succor. Go, brave men, we owe you too much already; let us no longer involve you in our hapless fortunes!

You but little know the craft of the Iroquois, lady, if you judge they have left the path open to the woods! returned Hawkeye, who, however, immediately added in his simplicity, the down stream current, it is certain, might soon sweep us beyond the reach of their rifles or the sound of their voices.

Then try the river. Why linger to add to the number of the victims of our merciless enemies?

Why, repeated the scout, looking about him proudly; because it is better for a man to die at peace with himself than to live haunted by an evil conscience! What answer could we give Munro, when he asked us where and how we left his children?

Go to him, and say that you left them with a message to hasten to their aid, returned Cora, advancing nigher to the scout in her generous ardor; that the Hurons bear them into the northern wilds, but that by vigilance and speed they may yet be rescued; and if, after all, it should please heaven that his assistance