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THE MOHICANS.
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sounds, or the miserable effort would infallibly have been detected. It was necessary to pass within a dangerous proximity of the dark group 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 a more refined state of society, have been termed a "grand crash." Among