During this act of friendship, the two young men exchanged looks of intelligence which caused Duncan to forget the character and condition of his wild associate. Uncas partly raised his body, and offered his hand to the grasp of Heyward. "I cannot permit you to accuse Uncas of want of judgment or of skill," said Duncan "he saved my life in the coolest and readiest manner, and he has made a friend who never will require to be reminded of the debt he owes." The life lies low in a Mingo, and humanity teaches us to make a quick end to the sarpents."Ī quiet smile lighted the haughty features of the young Mohican, betraying his knowledge of the English language as well as of the other's meaning but he suffered it to pass away without vindication of reply. I told you to take that loping miscreant under the line of white point now, if your bullet went a hair's breadth it went two inches above it. "Let them burn their powder," said the deliberate scout, while bullet after bullet whizzed by the place where he securely lay "there will be a fine gathering of lead when it is over, and I fancy the imps will tire of the sport afore these old stones cry out for mercy! Uncas, boy, you waste the kernels by overcharging and a kicking rifle never carries a true bullet. Though the rock, the trees, and the shrubs, were cut and torn in a hundred places around the besieged, their cover was so close, and so rigidly maintained, that, as yet, David had been the only sufferer in their little band. In this manner many minutes flew by with the swiftness of thought the rifles of the assailants speaking, at times, in rattling volleys, and at others in occasional, scattering shots. When the triumphant shout of Uncas was borne to his ears, the gratified father raised his voice in a single responsive cry, after which his busy piece alone proved that he still guarded his pass with unwearied diligence. It was followed by the swift flashes of the rifles, which sent their leaden messengers across the rock in volleys, as though the assailants would pour out their impotent fury on the insensible scene of the fatal contest.Ī steady, though deliberate return was made from the rifle of Chingachgook, who had maintained his post throughout the fray with unmoved resolution. But the moment the struggle was decided, a yell arose as fierce and savage as wild and revengeful passions could throw into the air. It would seem that interest in the result had kept the natives on the opposite shores in breathless suspense, while the quick evolutions and swift changes in the positions of the combatants effectually prevented a fire that might prove dangerous alike to friend and enemy. During the occurrence of the deadly encounter just related, the roar of the falls was unbroken by any human sound whatever. The warning call of the scout was not uttered without occasion. "They linger yet, Avengers of their native land."-Gray