Chapter 28 Summary

Deerslayer's canoe is captured and he is once more the prisoner of the Iroquois. He is returned to shore and has no further chance to escape. He meets Hetty, who is wandering in the area. Rivenoak wants to pardon Deerslayer but cannot accept the insult made by Deerslayer's rejection of an Iroquois wife.

Deerslayer's body is bound. The widow comes forward to state her case. Deerslayer again refuses her. The tribe takes this as a collective insult and prepares to begin the torture.

Chapter 28 Analysis

Rivenoak is impressed with Deerslayer's honesty as well as his sharp eye in throwing the tomahawk. He personally wants to let Deerslayer go. However, he is bound by the feelings of his tribe, who are insulted by Deerslayer and want to punish him. The group prepares to torture him along Native American traditions.