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08 - The Last Of The Mohicans - James Cooper · Adventure Books Collection

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Chapter eight quote they linger yet avengers of their native land quote by Gray.
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The warning call of the scout was not muttered without occasion during the occurrence of
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the deadly encounter just related, the roar of the falls was unbroken by any
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human sound. Whatever. It would seem that interest in the result had kept
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the natives on the opposite shores in breathless suspense, while the quick evolutions and
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swift changes in the positions of the combatants effectually prevented a fire that might prove
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dangerous alike to friend an enemy. But the moment the struggle was decided,
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a yell arose, as fierce and savage as wild and revengeful passions could throw
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into the air. It was followed by the swift flashes of the rifles,
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which sent their leaden messenger across the rock in volleys, as though the assassillance
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would pour out their impotent fury on the insensible scene of the fatal contest.
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A steady, though deliberate return was made from the rifle of Chinkotchkok, who
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had maintained his post throughout the fray with unmoved resolution. When the triumphant shout
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of Uncas was borne to his ears. The gratified father raised his voice in
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a single responsive cry, after which his busy peace alone proved that he still
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guarded his pass with unwearied diligence. In this manner, many minutes flew by
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with the swiftness of thought, the rifles of the assailants speaking at times in
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rattling volleys, and at others in occasional scattering shots. Though the rock,
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the trees, and the shrubs were cut and torn in a hundred places around
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the besieged. Their cover was so close and so rigidly maintained, that as
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yet David had been the only so in their little band. Let them burn
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their powder, said the deliberate scout, while bullet after bullet whizzed by the
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place where he securely lay. There will be a fine gathering of lead when
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it is over, and I fancy the imps will tire of the sport before
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these old stones cry out for mercy. Uncas, boy, you waste the
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kernels by overcharging. And a kicking rifle never carries a true bullet. I
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told you to take that loping miscreant under the line of white point. Now,
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if your bullet went a hair's breadth, it went two inches above it.
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The life lies low in a mingo, and humanity teaches us to make
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a quick end to the serpents. A quiet smile lighted the haughty features of
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the young Mohican, betraying his knowledge of the English language as well as of
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the other's meaning. But he suffered it to pass away without vindication of reply.
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I cannot permit you to accuse Uncas of want, of judgment or of
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skill, said Duncan. He saved my life in the coolest and readiest manner,
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and he has made a friend who will never require to be reminded of
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the debt he owed. Uncas partly raised his body and offered his hand to
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the grasp of Heyward. During this act of friendship, the two young men
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exchanged looks of intelligence, which caused Duncan to forget the character and condition of
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his wild associate. In the meanwhile, Hawkeye, who looked on this burst
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of youthful feeling with a cool but kind regard, made the following reply.
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Life is an obligation which friends often owe each other in the wilderness. I
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dare say I may have served Uncas some such turn myself before now, and
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I very well remember that he has stood between me and death five different times,
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three times from the mingoes, once in crossing the Horican, and that
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bullet was better aimed than common exclaimed Duncan, involuntary shrinking from a shot which
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struck the rock at his side with a smart rebound. Hawkeye laid his hand
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on the shapeless metal and shook his head as he examined it, saying,
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falling lead is never flattened. Had it come from the clouds, this might
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have happened, but the rifle of Uncas was deliberately raised toward the heavens,
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directing the eyes of his companions to a point where the mystery was immediately explained.
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A ragged oak grew on the right bank of the river, nearly opposite
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to their position, which, seeking the freedom of open space, hand inclined
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so far forward that its upper branches overhung that arm of the stream which flowed
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nearest to its shore. Among the topmost leaves, which scantily concealed the gnarled
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and stunded limbs, a savage was partly concealed by the trunk of the tree
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and partly exposed, as though looking down upon them to ascertain the effect produced
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by his treacherous aim. These devils will scale heaven to circumvent us to our
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ruin, said Hawkeye. Keep him in, playboy, until I can bring
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kildeer to bear, when we will try his metal on each side of the
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tree at once. Uncas delayed his fire until the scout uttered the word.
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The rifles flashed, and the leaves and bark of the oak flew into the
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air and were scattered by the wind. But the Indian answered their assault by
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a taunting laugh, sending down upon them another bullet in return that struck the
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cap of Hawkeye from his head. Once more, the savage yells burst out
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of the woods, and the leaden hail whistled above the heads of the besieged,
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as if to confine them to a place where they might become easy victims.
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To the enterprise of the warrior who had mounted the tree, this must
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be looked to, said the skin, glancing about him with an anxious eye.
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Uncas, call up, your father, We have need of all of
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our weapons to bring the cunning varment from his roost. The signal was instantly
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given, and before Hawkeye had reloaded his rifle, they were joined by Chinotchkok.
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When his son pointed out to the experienced warrior the situation of their dangerous
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enemy. The usual exclamatory hugh burst from his lips, after which no further
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expression of surprise or alarm was suffered to escape him. Hawkeye and the Mohicans
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conversed earnestly together in Delaware for a few moments, when each quietly took his
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post in order to execute the plan they had speedily devised. The warrior in
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the oak had maintained a quick, though ineffectual fire from the moment of his
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discovery, but his aim was interrupted by the vigilance of his enemies, whose
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rifles instantaneously bore on any part of his person that was left exposed. Still,
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his bullets fell in the center of the crouching party. The clothes of
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Heyward, which rendered him particularly conspicuous, were repeatedly cut, and once blood
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was drawn from a slight wound in his arm. At length, Emboldened by
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the long and patient watchfulness of his enemies, the Huron attempted a better and
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more fatal aim. The quick eyes of the Mohicans caught the dark line of
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his lower limbs, incautiously exposed through the thin foliage a few inches from the
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trunk of the tree. Their rifles made a common report. When, sinking
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on his wounded whim, part of the body of the savage came into view.
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Swift as thought, Hawkeye seized the advantage and discharged his fatal weapon into
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the top of the oak. The LEAs were unusually agitated. The dangerous rifle
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fell from its commanding elevation, and after a few moments of vain struggling,
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the form of the savage was seen swinging in the wind while he still grasped
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a ragged and naked branch of the tree, with hands clenched in desperation.
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Give him in pity, give him the contents of another rifle, cried Duncan,
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turning away his eyes in horror from the spectacle of a fellow creature in
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such awful jeopardy. Not a carnal, exclaimed the abdured Hawkeye. His death
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is certain, and we have no powder to spare. For Indian fights sometimes
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lasts for days. Tis, their scalps are ours, and God who made
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us, has put into our nature's the craving tis. Keep the skin on
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the head against this stern and unyielding morality, supported as it was by such
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visible policy, there was no appeal. From that moment. The yells in
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the forest once more ceased, the fire was suffered to decline, and all
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eyes, those of friends as well as enemies, became fixed on the hopeless
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condition of the wretch who was dangling between heaven and earth. The body yielded
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to the currents of the air, and though no murmur or groan escaped the
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victim, there were instants when he grimly faced his foes, and the anguish
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of cold despair might be traced through the intervening distance. In possession of his
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swarthy lineaments. Three several times the scout raised his peace in mercy, and
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as often prudence getting the better of his intention, it was again silently lowered.
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At length. One hand of the huron lost its hold and dropped,
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exhausted to his side. A desperate and fruitless struggle to recover the branch succeeded,
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and then the savage was seen for a fleeting instant, grasping wildly at
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the empty air. The lightning is not quicker than was the flame from the
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rifle of Hawkeye. The limbs of the victim trembled and contracted. The head
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fell to the bosom, and the body parted the foaming waters like lead.
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When the element closed above it in its ceaseless velocity, and every vistage of
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the unhappy huron was lost forever. No shout of triumph succeeded this important advantage,
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but even the Mohicans gazed at each other in silent horror. A single
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yell burst from the woods, and all was again still. Hawkeye, who
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alone appeared to reason on the occasion, shook his head at his own momentary
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weakness, even uttering his self disapprobation aloud. Twas the last charge in my
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horn, and the last bullet in my pouch, and twas the act of
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a boy. He said, what mattered whether he struck the rock living or
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dead. Filling would soon be over. Uncas lad, coult down to the
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canoe and bring up the big horn. It is all the powder we have
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left, and we shall need it to the last grain, Or I am
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ignorant of the Mingo nature, the young Mohican complied, leaving the scalp,
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turning over the useless contents of his pouch, and shaking the empty horn with
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renewed discontent. From this unsatisfactory examination, however, he was soon called by
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a loud and piercing exclamation from Uncas that sounded even to the unpracticed ears of
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Duncan as the signal of some new and unexpected calamity. Every thought filled with
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apprehension for the previous treasure he had concealed in the cavern, the young man
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started to his feet, totally regardless of the hazard he incurred by such an
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exposure, as if actuated by a common impulse. His movement was imitated by
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his companions, and together they rushed down the pass to the friendly chasm with
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a rapidity that rendered the scattering fire of their enemies perfectly harmless. The unwonted
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cry had brought the sisters together with the wounded David from their place of refuge,
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and the whole party, at a single glance was made acquainted with the
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nature of the disaster that had disturbed even the practiced stoicism of their youthful Indian
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protector. At a short distance from the rock, their little bark was to
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be seen floating across the eddy toward the swift current of the river, in
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a manner which proved that its course was directed by some hidden agent. The
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instant this unwelcome sight caught the eye of the scout. His rifle was leveled
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as by instinct, but the barrel gave no answer to the bright sparks of
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the flint. Tis too late, Tis too late, Hawkeye exclaimed, dropping
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the useless peace in bitter disappointment. The miscreant has struck the rapid, and
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had we powder, it could hardly send the lead swifter than he now goes
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use. The adventuro Churon raised his head above the shelter of the canoe,
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and while it glided swiftly down the stream, he waved his hand and gave
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forth a shout, which was the known signal of success. His cry was
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answered by a yelling a laugh from the woods, as tawningly exalting, as
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if fifty demons were undering their blasphemies at the fall of some Christian soul.
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Well may you laugh, ye, children of the devil, said the scout,
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seating himself on a projection of the rock, and suffering his gun to
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fall neglected at his feet. For the three quickest and truest rifles in these
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woods are no better than so many stalks of mullein, or the last year's
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horns of a buck. What is to be done, demanded Duncan, losing
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the first feeling of disappointment in a more manly desire for exertion. What will
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become of us? Hawkeye made no other reply than by passing his finger around
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the crown his head in a manner so significant that none who witnessed the action
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could mistake its meaning. Surely our case is not so desperate, exclaimed the
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youth. The Hurons are not here. We may make good the caverns.
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We may oppose their landing with what coolly demanded the scout, the heirs of
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uncas, or such tears as women shed. No, No, you are
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young and rich and have friends, and at such an age, I know
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it is hard to die. But glancing his eyes at the Mohicans, let
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us remember we are men without a cross, and let us teach these natives
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of the forest that white blood can run as freely as red. When the
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appointed hour is come, Duncan turned quickly in the direction indicated by the other's
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eyes and read a confirmation of his worst apprehensions in the conduct of the Indians
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Chinch Gootchkok, placing himself in a dignified posture on another fragment of the rock,
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had already laid aside his knife and tomahawk, and was in the act
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of taking the eagle plume from his head and smoothing the solitary tuft of hair,
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in readiness to perform its last and revolting office. His countenance was composed,
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though thoughtful, while his dark, gleaming eyes were gradually losing the fierceness
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of the combat, in an expression better suited to the change he expected momentarily
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to undergo. Our case. Cannot be so hopeless, said Duncan. Even
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at this very moment, succor may be at hand. I see no enemies.
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They have sickened of a struggle in which they risked so much with so
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little prospect of gain. It may be a minute, or it may be
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an hour. Afore the wily serpents steal upon us, and it is quite
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in nature for them to be lying within hearing at this very moment, said
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Hawkeye. Come they will, and in such a fashion as will leave us
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nothing to hope. Chingotchkook, he spoke in delaware, my brother, we
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have fought our last battle together, and the makers will triumph in the death
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of the sage man of the Mohicans and of the pale face, whose eyes
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can make night as day and level the clouds to the midst of the springs.
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Let the Mingo women weep over the slain. Returned the Indian with characteristic
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pride and unmoved firmness. The great snake of the Mohicans has coiled himself in
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their wigwams, and has poisoned their triumph with the wailings of children whose fathers
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have not returned. Eleven warriors lie hid from the graves of their tribes since
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the snows have melted, and none will tell where to find them. When
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the tongue of chinotch cook shall be silent, Let them draw the sharpest knife
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and whirl the swiftest tomahawk, for their bitterest enemy is in their hands.
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Uncas topmost branch of a noble trunk, call on the cowers to hasten,
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or their hearts will soften and they will change to women. They look among
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the fishes for their dead returned the low, soft voice of the chieftain.
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The urons float with the slimy eels. They drop from the oaks like fruit
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that is ready to be eaten, and the telawares laugh. Aye, Aye,
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muttered the scout, who had listened to this peculiar burst of the natives
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with deep attention. They have warmed their Indian feelings, and they'll soon provoke
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the Maquas to give them a speedy end. As for me, who am
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the whole blood of the whites, it is befitting that I should die as
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becomes my color, with no words of scoffing in my mouth, and without
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bitterness at the heart. Why die at all? Said Cora, advancing from
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the place where natural horror had until this moment held her riveted to the rock.
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The path is open on every side. Fly then to the woods and
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call on God for succor go, brave men, we owe you too much
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already, Let us no longer involve you in our hapless fortunes. You know
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little of the craft of the Iroquois, lady, if you judge, they
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have left the path open to the woods, returned Hawkeye, who, however,
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immediately added in his simplicity, the downstream current, it is certain,
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might soon sweep us beyond the reach of their rifles or the sound of their
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voices. Then try the river, Why linger to add to the number of
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the victims of our merciless enemies. Why, repeated the scout, looking about
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him proudly, Because it is better for a man to die at peace with
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himself than to live haunted by an evil conscience. What answer could we give
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Monroe when he asked us where and how we left his children? Go to
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him and say that you left them with a message to hasten their aid,
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returned Cora, advancing nigher to the Scout in her generous ardor that the Hurons
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bear them into the northern wilds, but that by vigilance and speed they may
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be rescued. And if after all it should please Heaven in his assistance,
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come too late. Pair to him. She continued, her voice, gradually
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lowering until it seemed nearly choked the love, the blessings, the final prayers
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of his tatters, and bid him not more in their early fate, but
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to look forward with humble confidence to the Christians, go to meet his children.
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The hard, well beaten features of the scalp began to work, and
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when she had ended, he dropped his chin to his hand, like a
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man, musing profoundly on the nature of the proposal. There is reason,
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in her words, at length broke from his compressed and trembling lips. Aye,
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they bear the spirit of Christianity. What might be right and proper in
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a red skin may be sinful in a man who has not even a cross
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in blood to plead for his ignorance. Chinchkotchkok Uncas hear the talk of the
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dark eyed woman, he now spoke in delaware to his companions, and his
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address, though calm and deliberate, seemed very decided. The elder Mohican heard
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with deep gravity and appeared to ponder on his words, as though he felt
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the importance of their import After a moment of hesitation, he waved his hand
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in assent and muttered the English word good with the peculiar emphasis of his people.
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Then replacing his knife and tomahawk in his girdle, the warrior moved silently
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to the edge of the rock, which was most concealed from the banks of
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the river. Here he paused a moment, pointed significantly to the woods below,
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and sang a few words in his own language, as if indicating his
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intended route. He dropped into the water and sank from before the eyes of
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the witnesses of his movements. The scout delayed his departure to speak to the
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generous girl, whose breathing became lighter as she saw the success of her remonstrance.
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Wisdom is sometimes given to the young as well as the old, he
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said, and what you have spoken is wise not to call it by a
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better word. You are let into the woods. That is such of you
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as may be spared for a while. Break the twigs on the bushes as
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you pass, and make the marks of your trail as broad as you can,
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when if mortal eyes can see them, depend on having a friend who
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will follow to the ends of the earth before he desarts you. He gave
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Cora an affectionate shake of the hand, lifted his rifle, and, after
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regarding it a moment with melancholy solicitude, laid it carefully aside, and descended
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to the place where Tchinoschkok had just disappeared. For an instant he hung suspended
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by the rock, and, looking about him with a countenance of peculiar care,
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he added, bitterly, have the powder held out. This disgrace could
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never have befallen. Then losing his hold, the water closed over his head,
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and he also became lost to view. All eyes now were turned on
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Uncas, who stood leaning against the ragged rock in immovable composure. After waiting
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a short time, Cora pointed down the river and said, your friends have
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not been seen and are now most probably in safety. Is it not time
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for you to follow? Uncas? Will stay? The young Mohican calmly answered
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in English, to increase the horror of our capture and diminish the chances of
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our release. Go generous, young man. Cora continued, lowering her eyes
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under the gaze of the Mohican, and, perhaps with an intuitive consciousness of
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her power, go to my father, as I have said, and be
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the most confidential of my messengers. Tell him to trust you with the means
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to buy the freedom of his daughters. Go tis my wish, tis my
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prayer that you will go. The settled, calm look of the young chief
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changed to an expression of gloom, but he no longer hesitated. With a
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noiseless step, he crossed the rock and dropped into the troubled stream. Hardly
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a breath was drawn by those left behind, until they caught a glimpse of
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his head emerging for air far down the current, when he again sank and
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was seen no more. These sudden and apparently successful experiments had all taken place
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in a few minutes of that time which had now become so precious. After
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a last look at Uncas, Cora turned and, with a quivering lip,
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addressed herself to Hayward. I have heard you boasted skill in the water too.
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Duncan she said? Follow? Then? The wise example set you by
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the simple and faithful beings is such the faith that Coram and Roe would exchect
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from her protector, said the young man, smiling mournfully, but with bitterness.
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This is not a time for idle subtleties and false opinions, she answered,
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but a moment when every duty should be equally considered to us. You
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can be of no further service here, but your precious life may be saved
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for other and nearer friends. He made no reply, though his eye fell
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wistfully on the beautiful form of Alice, who was clinging to his arm with
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the dependency of an infant. Consider, continued Cora, after a pause during
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which she seemed to struggle with a pang even more acute than any that her
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fears had excited. That the worst to us can peep at death a tribute
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that all must pay for the good time of God's appointment. There are evils
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worse than death, said Duncan, speaking hoarsely, and as if fretful at
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her importunity, but which the presence of one who would die in your behalf
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may avert. Cora seized her entreaties, and, veiling her face in her
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shawl, drew the nearly insensible alice after her into the deepest recess of the
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inner cavern. End of chapter eight