rugged outline of mountain, to which they were steering,
presented no distinctive marks to the eyes of Duncan, the Mohican
entered the little haven he had selected with the confidence and
accuracy of an experienced pilot.

The boat was again lifted and borne into the woods, where it was
carefully concealed under a pile of brush. The adventurers assumed their
arms and packs, and the scout announced to Munro and Heyward that he and
the Indians were at last in readiness to proceed.

CHAPTER 21

"If you find a man there, he shall die a flea's death."
--Merry Wives of Windsor.

The party had landed on the border of a region that is, even to this
day, less known to the inhabitants of the States than the deserts
of Arabia, or the steppes of Tartary. It was the sterile and rugged
district which separates the tributaries of Champlain from those of the
Hudson, the Mohawk, and the St. Lawrence. Since the period of our tale
the active spirit of the country has surrounded it with a belt of rich
and thriving settlements, though none but the hunter or the savage is
ever known even now to penetrate its wild recesses.

As Hawkeye and the Mohicans had, however, often traversed the mountains
and valleys of this vast wilderness, they did not hesitate to plunge
into its depth, with the freedom of men accustomed to its privations
and difficulties. For many hours the travelers toiled on their laborious
way, guided by a star, or following the direction of some water-course,
until the scout called a halt, and holding a short consultation with
the Indians, they lighted their fire, and made the usual preparations to
pass the remainder of the night where they then were.

Imitating the example, and emulating the confidence of their more
experienced associates, Munro and Duncan slept without fear, if not
without uneasiness. The dews were suffered to exhale, and the sun had
dispersed the mists, and was shedding a strong and clear light in the
forest, when the travelers resumed their journey.

After proceeding a few miles, the progress of Hawkeye, who led the
advance, became more deliberate and watchful. He often stopped to
examine the trees; nor did he cross a rivulet without attentively
considering the quantity, the velocity, and the color of its waters.
Distrusting his own judgment, his appeals to the opinion of Chingachgook
were frequent and earnest. During one of these conferences Heyward
observed that Uncas stood a patie