David gazed about him, at the fierce and wild-looking
chiefs, in mute wonder; but assured by the presence
of faces that he knew, he soon rallied his faculties
so far as to make an intelligent reply.
“The heathen are abroad in goodly numbers,”
said David; “and, I fear, with evil intent.
There has been much howling and ungodly revelry, together
with such sounds as it is profanity to utter, in their
habitations within the past hour, so much so, in truth,
that I have fled to the Delawares in search of peace.”
“Your ears might not have profited much by the
exchange, had you been quicker of foot,” returned
the scout a little dryly. “But let that
be as it may; where are the Hurons?”
“They lie hid in the forest, between this spot
and their village in such force, that prudence would
teach you instantly to return.”
Uncas cast a glance along the range of trees which
concealed his own band and mentioned the name of:
“Magua?”
“Is among them. He brought in the maiden
that had sojourned with the Delawares; and, leaving
her in the cave, has put himself, like a raging wolf,
at the head of his savages. I know not what has
troubled his spirit so greatly!”
“He has left her, you say, in the cave!”
interrupted Heyward; “’tis well that we
know its situation! May not something be done
for her instant relief?”
Uncas looked earnestly at the scout, before he asked:
“What says Hawkeye?”
“Give me twenty rifles, and I will turn to the
right, along the stream; and, passing by the huts
of the beaver, will join the Sagamore and the colonel.
You shall then hear the whoop from that quarter; with
this wind one may easily send it a mile. Then,
Uncas, do you drive in the front; when they come within
range of our pieces, we will give them a blow that,
I pledge the good name of an old frontiersman, shall
make their line bend like an ashen bow. After
which, we will carry the village, and take the woman
from the cave; when the affair may be finished with
the tribe, according to a white man’s battle,
by a blow and a victory; or, in the Indian fashion,
with dodge and cover. There may be no great learning,
major, in this plan, but with courage and patience
it can all be done.”
“I like it very much,” cried Duncan, who
saw that the release of Cora was the primary object
in the mind of the scout; “I like it much.
Let it be instantly attempted.”
After a short conference, the plan was matured, and
rendered more intelligible to the several parties;
the different signals were appointed, and the chiefs
separated, each to his allotted station.
“But plagues shall
spread, and funeral fires increase,
Till the great king,
without a ransom paid,
To her own Chrysa send
the black-eyed maid.”
—Pope.
During the time Uncas was making this disposition
of his forces, the woods were as still, and, with
the exception of those who had met in council, apparently
as much untenanted as when they came fresh from the
hands of their Almighty Creator. The eye could
range, in every direction, through the long and shadowed
vistas of the trees; but nowhere was any object to
be seen that did not properly belong to the peaceful
and slumbering scenery.
