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 bo
an hour, afore the wily serpents steal
upon us, aud it is quite in natur’. for
them to bo lying within hearing at
this very moment,” said Hawk-eye;
“but come they will, and in such a
fashion as will leave us nothing to
hope, Chingachgook,”—he spoke in
Delaware “my brother, wo have
fought our last battle together, and
the Maquas will triumph in the sage
man of the Mohicans, and of the pale
face whose eyes can make night as
day, and level the elouds to the mists
of the springs.”
“Let the Mingo women go weep over
their slain!” returned the Indian, with
characteristic pride and amoved firm
ness ; the Great Snake of the Mohi
cans has coiled himself in the wig-
J warns, and has poisoned their triumph
with the wailings of children, whose
fathers have not returned! Eleven
warriors lie hid from the graves of
their tribes since the snows have melt
ed, and none will toll where to find I
them when the tongue of Chingachgook
shall be silent! Let them draw the
sharpest knife, and whirl the swiftest j
tomahawk, for their bitterest enemy is j
in their hands. Uncas, topmost
branch ot a noble trunk, call on the
cowards to hasten or their hearts will (
soften, and they will change to wo
men.”
“They look among the fishes for 1
their dead!" returned the low, soft
voice of the youthful chieftain ; “the j
Hurons float with the slimy eels ! They
drop from the oaks like fruit that is
ready to be eaten ! and the Delawares ,
laugh !
To be continued.
