University of Virginia Library

9. CHAPTER IX.

Notwithstanding the high resolution of Hawk-eye,
he fully comprehended all the difficulties and
dangers he was about to incur. In his return to the
camp, his acute and practised intellects were intently
engaged in devising means to counteract a
watchfulness and suspicion on the part of his enemies,
that he knew were, in no degree, inferior to his own.
Nothing but the colour of his skin saved the lives of
Magua and the conjuror, who would have been the
first victims to his security, had not the scout believed
such an act, however congenial it might be to
the nature of an Indian, utterly unworthy of one
who boasted a descent from men that knew no cross
of blood. Accordingly, he trusted to the withes
and ligaments with which he had bound his captives,
and pursued his way directly towards the centre of
the lodges.

As he approached the buildings, his steps became
more deliberate, and his vigilant eye suffered no sign,
whether friendly or hostile, to escape him. A
neglected hut was a little in advance of the others,

and appeared as though it had been deserted when
half completed—most probably on account of failing
in some of the more important requisites; such as of
wood or water. A faint light glimmered through its
cracks, however, and announced, that notwithstanding
its imperfect structure, it was not now without a
tenant. Thither, then, the scout proceeded, like a
prudent general, who was about to feel the advanced
positions of his enemy, before he hazarded his main
attack.

Throwing himself into a suitable posture for the
beast he represented, Hawk-eye crawled to a little
opening, where he might command a view of the interior.
It proved to be the abiding-place of David
Gamut. Hither the faithful singing-master had now
brought himself, together with all his sorrows, his
apprehensions, and his meek dependence on the
protection of Providence. At the precise moment
when his ungainly person came under the observation
of the scout, in the manner just mentioned, the
woodsman himself, though in his assumed character,
was the subject of the solitary being's profoundest
reflections.

However implicit the faith of David was in the
performance of ancient miracles, he eschewed the
belief of any direct supernatural agency in the management
of modern morality. In other words,
while he had implicit faith in the ability of Balaam's
ass to speak, he was somewhat sceptical on the subject
of a bear's singing; and yet he had been assured
of the latter, on the testimony of his own exquisite
organs! There was something in his air and manner,

that betrayed to the scout the utter confusion of
the state of his mind. He was seated on a pile of
brush, a few twigs from which occasionally fed his
low fire, with his head leaning on his arm, in a posture
of melancholy musing. The costume of the
votary of music had undergone no other alteration
from that so lately described, except that he had
covered his bald head with the triangular beaver,
which had not proved sufficiently alluring to excite
the cupidity of any of his captors.

The ingenious Hawk-eye, who recalled the hasty
manner in which the other had abandoned his post
at the bed-side of the sick woman, was not without
his suspicions concerning the subject of so much
solemn deliberation. First making the circuit of
the hut, and ascertaining that it stood quite alone,
and that the character of its inmate was likely to
protect it from visiters, he ventured through its low
door, into the very presence of Gamut. The position
of the latter brought the fire between them;
and when Hawk-eye had seated himself on end,
near a minute elapsed, during which the two remained
regarding each other without speaking.
The suddenness and the nature of the surprise, had
nearly proved too much for—we will not say the
philosophy—but for the faith and resolution of David.
He fumbled for his pitch-pipe, and arose with
a confused intention of attempting a musical exorcism.

“Dark and mysterious monster!” he exclaimed,
while with trembling hands he disposed of his auxiliary
eyes, and sought his never-failing resource in

trouble, the gifted version of the Psalms; “I know
not your nature nor intents; but if aught you meditate
against the person and rights of one of the humblest
servants of the temple, listen to the inspired
language of the youth of Israel, and repent.”

The bear shook his shaggy sides in an inexplicable
emotion, and then a well-known voice replied—

“Put up your tooting we'pon, and teach your
throat modesty. Five words of plain and comprehendible
English, are worth, just now, an hour of
squalling.”

“What art thou?” demanded David, utterly disqualified
to pursue his original intention, and nearly
gasping for breath.

“A man like yourself; and one whose blood is as
little tainted by the cross of a bear as your own.
Have you so soon forgotten from whom you received
the foolish instrument you hold in your hand?”

“Can these things be?” returned David, breathing
more freely, as the truth began to dawn upon
him. “I have found many marvels during my sojourn
with the heathen, but, surely, nothing to excel
this!”

“Come, come,” returned Hawk-eye, uncasing
his honest countenance, the better to assure the wavering
confidence of his companion; “you may see
a skin, which, if it be not as white as one of the gentle
ones, has no tinge of red to it, that the winds of
the heaven and the sun has not bestowed. Now let
us to business.”

“First tell me of the maiden, and of the youth
who so bravely sought her,” interrupted David.

“Ay, they are happily freed from the tomahawks
of these varlets! But can you put me on the scent
of Uncas?”

“The young man is in bondage, and much I fear
is his death decreed. I greatly mourn, that one so
well disposed should die in his ignorance, and I have
sought a goodly hymn—”

“Can you lead me to him?”

“The task will not be difficult,” returned David,
hesitating; “though I greatly fear your presence
would rather increase than mitigate his unhappy fortunes.”

“No more words, but lead on,” returned Hawk-eye,
concealing his face again, and setting the example
in his own person, by instantly quitting the
lodge.

As they proceeded, the scout ascertained that his
companion found access to Uncas, under privilege
of his imaginary infirmity, aided by the favour he
had acquired with one of the guards, who, in consequence
of speaking a little English, had been selected
by David as the subject of a religious conversion.
How far the Huron comprehended the intentions of
his new friend, may well be doubted; but as exclusive
attention is as flattering to a savage as to a more
civilized individual, it had, assuredly, produced the
effect we have mentioned. It is unnecessary to repeat
the shrewd manner with which the scout extracted
these particulars from the simple David;
neither shall we dwell, in this place, on the nature of
the instructions he delivered, when completely master
of all the necessary facts, as the whole will be

sufficiently explained to the reader in the due course
of the narrative.

The lodge in which Uncas was confined, was in
the very centre of the village, and in a situation,
perhaps, more difficult than any other to approach or
leave without observation. But it was not the policy
of Hawk-eye to affect the least concealment.
Presuming on his disguise, and his ability to sustain
the character he had assumed, he took the most plain
and direct route to the place. The hour, however,
afforded him some little of that protection, which he
appeared so much to despise. The boys were already
buried in sleep, and all the women, and most
of the warriors, had now retired to their lodges for the
night. Four or five of the latter, only, lingered
about the door of the prison of Uncas, wary, but
close observers of the manner of their captive.

At the sight of Gamut, accompanied by one in the
well known masquerade of their most distinguished
conjuror, they readily made a passage to the entrance.
Still, they betrayed no intention to depart.
On the other hand, they were evidently disposed to
remain bound to the place by an additional interest
in the mysterious mummeries that they, of course,
expected from such a visit. From the total inability
of the scout to address the Hurons, in their own language,
he was compelled to trust the conversation
entirely to David. Notwithstanding the simplicity
of the latter, he did ample justice to the instructions
he had received, more than fulfilling the strongest
hopes of his teacher.

“The Delawares are women!” he exclaimed.

addressing himself to the savage who had a slight
understanding of the language, in which he spoke;
“the Yengeese, my foolish countrymen, have told
them to take up the tomahawk, and strike their
fathers in the Canadas, and they have forgotten their
sex. Does my brother wish to hear `le Cerf Agile'
ask for his petticoats, and see him weep before the
Hurons, at the stake?”

The exclamation, “hugh,” delivered in a strong
tone of assent, announced the gratification the savage
would receive, in witnessing such an exhibition
of weakness in an enemy so long hated and so much
feared.

“Then let him step aside, and the cunning man
will blow upon the dog! Tell it to my brothers.”

The Huron explained the meaning of David to his
fellows, who, in their turn, listened to the project
with that sort of satisfaction, that their untamed
spirits might be expected to find, in such a refinement
in cruelty. They drew back a little from the entrance,
and motioned to the supposed conjuror to
enter. But the bear, instead of obeying, maintained
the seat it had taken, and growled.

“The cunning man is afraid that his breath will
blow upon his brothers, and take away their courage
too,” continued David, improving the hint he received;
“they must stand further off.”

The Hurons, who would have deemed such a
misfortune the heaviest calamity that could befall
them, fell back in a body, taking a position where
they were out of ear-shot, though, at the same time,
they could command a view of the entrance to the

lodge. Then, as if satisfied of their safety, the scout
left his position, and slowly entered the place. It
was silent and gloomy, being tenanted solely by the
captive, and lighted by the dying embers of a fire,
which had been used for the purposes of cookery.

Uncas occupied a distant corner, in a reclining
attitude, being rigidly bound, both hands and feet,
by strong and painful withes. When the frightful
object first presented itself to the young Mohican
he did not deign to bestow a single glance on the
animal. The scout, who had left David at the door,
to ascertain they were not observed, thought it prudent
to preserve his disguise until assured of their
privacy. Instead of speaking, therefore, he exerted
himself to enact one of the antics of the animal
he represented. The young Mohican, who, at first,
believed his enemies had sent in a real beast to torment
him, and try his nerves, detected, in those performances
that to Heyward had appeared so accurate,
certain blemishes, that at once betrayed the
counterfeit. Had Hawk-eye been aware of the low
estimation in which the more skilful Uncas held his
representations, he would, probably, have prolonged
the entertainment a little in pique. But the scornful
expression of the young man's eye, admitted of so
many constructions, that the worthy scout was spared
the mortification of such a discovery. As soon, therefore,
as David gave the preconcerted signal, a low,
hissing sound, was heard in the lodge, in place of the
fierce growlings of the bear.

Uncas had cast his body back against the wall of
the but, and closed his eyes, as if willing to exclude

such contemptible and disagreeable objects from his
sight. But the moment the noise of the serpent was
heard, he arose, and cast his looks on each side of
him, bending his head low, and turning it inquiringly
in every direction, until his keen eye rested on the
shaggy monster, where it remained riveted, as though
fixed by the power of a charm. Again the same
sounds were repeated, evidently proceeding from
the mouth of the beast. Once more the eyes of the
youth roamed over the interior of the lodge, and returning
to their former resting-place, he uttered, in a
deep, suppressed voice, the usual exclamation—

“Hugh!”

“Cut his bands,” said Hawk-eye to David, who
just then approached them.

The singer did as he was ordered, and Uncas
found his limbs released. At the same moment, the
dried skin of the animal rattled hurriedly, and presently
the scout arose to his feet, in his proper person.
The Mohican appeared to comprehend the
nature of the attempt his friend had made, intuitively;
neither tongue nor feature betraying another
symptom of surprise. When Hawk-eye had cast his
shaggy vestment, which was done by simply loosing
certain thongs of skin, he drew a long glittering knife,
and put it in the hands of Uncas.

“The red Hurons are without,” he said; “let
us be ready.”

At the same time, he laid his finger significantly on
another similar weapon; both being the fruits of his
prowess among their enemies during the evening.

“We will go!” said Uncas.

“Whither?”

“To the Tortosies—they are the children of my
grandfathers!”

“Ay, lad,” said the scout in English, a language
he was apt to use when a little abstracted in mind;
“the same blood runs in your veins, I believe; but
time and distance has a little changed its colour!
What shall we do with the Mingoes at the door!
They count six, and this singer is as good as nothing.”

“The Hurons are boasters!” said Uncas, scornfully;
“their `totem' is a moose; and they run like
snails. The Delawares are children of the tortoise;
and they outstrip the deer!”

“Ay, lad, there is truth in what you say; and I
doubt not, on a rush, you would pass the whole nation;
and in a straight race of two miles, would be
in, and get your breath again, afore a knave of them
all was within hearing of the other village! But the
gift of a white man lies more in his arms than in his
legs. As for myself, I can brain a Huron, as well as
a better man, but when it comes to a race, the knaves
would prove too much for me.”

Uncas, who had already approached the door, in
readiness to lead the way, now recoiled, and placed
himself, once more, in the bottom of the lodge. But
Hawk-eye, who was too much occupied with his own
thoughts to note the movement, continued speaking
more to himself than to his companion.

“After all,” he said, “it is unreasonable to keep
one man in bondage to the gifts of another. So,
Uncas, you had better take the leap, while I will put

on the skin again, and trust to cunning for want of
speed.”

The young Mohican made no reply, but quietly
folded his arms, and leaned his body against one of
the upright posts that supported the wall of the hut.

“Well,” said the scout, looking up at him, in
some surprise, “why do you tarry; there will be
time enough for me, as the knaves will give chase
to you at first.”

“Uncas will stay,” was the calm reply.

“For what?”

“To fight with his father's brother, and die with
the friend of the Delawares.”

“Ay, lad,” returned Hawk-eye, squeezing the
hand of Uncas between his own iron fingers; “'twould
have been more like a Mingo than a Mohican, had
you left me. But I thought I would make the offer,
seeing that youth commonly loves life. Well, what
can't be done by main courage, in war, must be done
by circumvention. Put on the skin—I doubt not
you can play the bear nearly as well as myself.”

Whatever might have been the private opinion of
Uncas of their respective abilities, in this particular,
his grave countenance manifested no opinion of his
own superiority. He silently and expeditiously encased
himself in the covering of the beast, and then
awaited such other movements as his more aged
companion saw fit to dictate.

“Now, friend,” said Hawk-eye, addressing David,
“an exchange of garments will be a great convenience
to you, inasmuch as you are but little accustomed
to the make-shifts of the wilderness. Here,

take my hunting shirt and cap, and give me your
blanket and hat. You must trust me with the book
and spectacles, as well as the tooter, too; if we ever
meet again, in better times, you shall have all back
again, with many thanks in the bargain.”

David parted with the several articles named with
a readiness that would have done great credit to his
liberality, had he not certainly profited, in many particulars,
by the exchange. Hawk-eye was not long
in assuming his borrowed garments; and when his
keen, restless eyes were hid behind the glasses, and
his head was surmounted by the triangular beaver, as
their statures were not dissimilar, he might readily
have passed for the singer, by star-light. As soon as
these dispositions were made, the scout turned to
David, and gave him his parting instructions.

“Are you much given to cowardice?” he bluntly
asked, by way of obtaining a suitable understanding
of the whole case, before he ventured a prescription.

“My pursuits are peaceful, and my temper, I
humbly trust, is greatly given to mercy and love,”
returned David, a little nettled at so direct an attack
on his manhood; “but there are none who can say,
that I have ever forgotten my faith in the Lord, even
in the greatest straits.”

“Your chiefest danger will be at the moment when
the savages find out that they have been deceived.
If you are not then knocked in the head, your being
a non-compossur will protect you, and you'll then
have good reason to expect to die in your bed. If you
stay, it must be to sit down here in the shadow, and
take the part of Uncas, until such time as the cunning

of the Indians discover the cheat, when, as I
have already said, your time of trial will come. So
choose for yourself, to make a rush, or tarry here.”

“Even so,” said David, firmly; “I will abide in
the place of the Delaware; bravely and generously
has he battled in my behalf, and this, and more, will
I dare in his service.”

“You have spoken as a man, and like one who,
under wiser schooling, would have been brought to
better things. Hold your head down, and draw in
your legs; their formation might tell the truth too
early. Keep silent as long as may be; and it would
be wise when you do speak, to break out suddenly
in one of your shoutings, which will serve to remind
the Indians that you are not altogether as responsible
as men should be. If, however, they take
your scalp, as I trust and believe they will not, depend
on it, Uncas and I will not forget the deed,
but revenge it, as becomes true warriors and trusty
friends.”

“Hold!” said David, perceiving that with this
assurance they were about to leave him; “I am an
unworthy and humble follower of one, who taught
not the damnable principle of revenge. Should I
fall, therefore, seek no victims to my manes, but
rather forgive my destroyers; and if you remember
them at all, let it be in prayers for the enlightening of
their minds, and for their eternal welfare!”

The scout hesitated, and appeared to muse deeply.

“There is a principle in that,” he said, “different
from the law of the woods! and yet it is fair and

noble to reflect upon!” Then, heaving a heavy
sigh, probably among the last he ever drew in pining
for the condition he had so long abandoned, he added—“It
is what I would wish to practyse myself, as
one without a cross of blood, though it is not always
easy to deal with an Indian, as you would with a fellow
christian. God bless you, friend; I do believe
your scent is not greatly wrong, when the matter is
duly considered, and keeping eternity before the eyes,
though much depends on the natural gifts, and the
force of temptation.”

So saying, the scout returned, and shook David
cordially by the hand; after which act of friendship,
he immediately left the lodge, attended by the new
representative of the beast.

The instant Hawk-eye found himself under the
observation of the Hurons, he drew up his tall form
in the rigid manner of David, threw out his arm in
the act of keeping time, and commenced, what he intended
for an imitation of his psalmody. Happily,
for the success of this delicate adventure, he had to
deal with ears but little practised in the concord of
sweet sounds, or the miserable effort would infallibly
have been detected. It was necessary to pass within
a dangerous proximity of the dark groupe of savages,
and the voice of the scout grew louder as they
drew nigher. When at the nearest point, the Huron
who spoke the English, thrust out an arm, and
stopped the supposed singing-master.

“The Delaware dog!” he said, leaning forward,
and peering through the dim light to catch the expression

of the other's features; “is he afraid? will
the Hurons hear his groans?”

A growl, so exceedingly fierce and natural, proceeded
from the beast, that the young Indian released
his hold, and started aside, as if to assure
himself that it was not a veritable bear, and no counterfeit,
that was rolling before him. Hawk-eye,
who feared his voice would betray him to his subtle
enemies, gladly profited by the interruption, to break
out anew, in such a burst of musical expression, as
would, probably, in more refined state of society,
have been termed a “grand crash.” Among his actual
auditors, however, it merely gave him an additional
claim to that respect, which they never withhold
from such as are believed to be the subjects of mental
alienation. The little knot of Indians drew back,
in a body, and suffered, as they thought, the conjuror
and his inspired assistant to proceed.

It required no common exercise of fortitude in
Uncas and the scout, to continue the dignified and
deliberate pace they had assumed in passing the
lodges; especially, as they immediately perceived,
that curiosity had so far mastered fear, as to induce
the watchers to approach the hut, in order to witness
the effect of the incantations. The least injudicious
or impatient movement on the part of David,
might betray them, and time was absolutely necessary
to insure the safety of the scout. The loud
noise the latter conceived it politic to continue,
drew many curious gazers to the doors of the different
huts, as they passed; and once or twice a dark
looking warrior stepped across their path, led to the

act by superstition or watchfulness. They were
not, however, interrupted; the darkness of the hour,
and the boldness of the attempt, proving their principal
friends.

The adventurers had got clear of the village, and
were now swiftly approaching the shelter of the
woods, when a loud and long cry arose from the
lodge where Uncas had been confined. The Mohican
started on his feet, and shook his shaggy covering,
as though the animal he counterfeited was about
to make some desperate effort.

“Hold!” said the scout, grasping his friend by the
shoulder, “let them yell again! 'Twas nothing but
their wonderment.”

He had no occasion to delay, for at the next instant
a burst of cries filled the outer air, and ran
along the whole extent of the village. Uncas cast
his skin, and stepped forth in his own lofty and
beautiful proportions. Hawk-eye tapped him lightly
on the shoulder, and glided ahead.

“Now let the devils strike our scent!” said the
scout, tearing two rifles, with all their attendant accoutrements
from beneath a bush, and flourishing
`kill-deer' as he handed Uncas a weapon; “two,
at least, will find it to their deaths.”

Then throwing their pieces to a low trail, like
sportsmen in readiness for their game, they dashed
forward, and were soon buried in the sombre darkness
of the forest.