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THE LAST OF

come to a fall; mount the hill on your right, and you will see the fires of the other people. There you must go, and demand protection; if they are true Delawares, you will be safe. A distant flight with that gentle one, just now, is impossible. The Hurons would follow up our trail, and master our scalps, before we had got a dozen miles. Go, and Providence be with you."

"And you!" demanded Heyward in surprise; "surely we part not here!"

"The Hurons hold the pride of the Delawares; the last of the high blood of the Mohicans, is in their power!" returned the scout; "I go to see what can be done in his favour. Had they mastered your scalp, major, a knave should have fallen for every hair it held, as I promised; but if the young Sagamore is to be led to the stake, the Indians shall see also how a man without a cross can die!"

Not in the least offended with the decided preference that the sturdy woodsman gave to one who might in some degree be called the child of his adoption, Dun-