but impatiently, and finally closed the discussion, by answering, in a tone that instantly silenced Alice,
while it told Heyward how fruitless any further remonstrances would be.
I have heard, he said, that there is a feeling in youth which binds man to woman closer than the father
is tied to the son. It may be so. I have seldom been where women of my color dwell; but such may be
the gifts of nature in the settlements. You have risked life, and all that is dear to you, to bring off this
gentle one, and I suppose that some such disposition is at the bottom of it all. As for me, I taught the
lad the real character of a rifle; and well has he paid me for it. I have fou't at his side in many a bloody
scrimmage; and so long as I could hear the crack of his piece in one ear, and that of the Sagamore in
the other, I knew no enemy was on my back. Winters and summer, nights and days, have we roved
the wilderness in company, eating of the same dish, one sleeping while the other watched; and afore it
shall be said that Uncas was taken to the torment, and I at hand - There is but a single Ruler of us all,
whatever may the color of the skin; and Him I call to witness, that before the Mohican boy shall perish for
the want of a friend, good faith shall depart the 'arth, and killdeer become as harmless as the tooting
we'pon of the singer!
Duncan released his hold on the arm of the scout, who turned, and steadily retraced his steps toward
the lodges. After pausing a moment to gaze at his retiring form, the successful and yet sorrowful Heyward
and Alice took their way together toward the distant village of the Delawares.