nt and silent, though, as he imagined,
an interested listener. He was strongly tempted to address the young
chief, and demand his opinion of their progress; but the calm and
dignified demeanor of the native induced him to believe, that, like
himself, the other was wholly dependent on the sagacity and intelligence
of the seniors of the party. At last the scout spoke in English, and at
once explained the embarrassment of their situation.

"When I found that the home path of the Hurons run north," he said, "it
did not need the judgment of many long years to tell that they would
follow the valleys, and keep atween the waters of the Hudson and the
Horican, until they might strike the springs of the Canada streams,
which would lead them into the heart of the country of the Frenchers.
Yet here are we, within a short range of the Scaroons, and not a sign of
a trail have we crossed! Human natur' is weak, and it is possible we may
not have taken the proper scent."

"Heaven protect us from such an error!" exclaimed Duncan. "Let us
retrace our steps, and examine as we go, with keener eyes. Has Uncas no
counsel to offer in such a strait?"

The young Mohican cast a glance at his father, but, maintaining his
quiet and reserved mien, he continued silent. Chingachgook had caught
the look, and motioning with his hand, he bade him speak. The moment
this permission was accorded, the countenance of Uncas changed from its
grave composure to a gleam of intelligence and joy. Bounding forward
like a deer, he sprang up the side of a little acclivity, a few rods in
advance, and stood, exultingly, over a spot of fresh earth, that looked
as though it had been recently upturned by the passage of some heavy
animal. The eyes of the whole party followed the unexpected movement,
and read their success in the air of triumph that the youth assumed.

"'Tis the trail!" exclaimed the scout, advancing to the spot; "the lad
is quick of sight and keen of wit for his years."

"'Tis extraordinary that he should have withheld his knowledge so long,"
muttered Duncan, at his elbow.

"It would have been more wonderful had he spoken without a bidding.
No, no; your young white, who gathers his learning from books and can
measure what he knows by the page, may conceit that his knowledge, like
his legs, outruns that of his fathers', but, where experience is the
master, the scholar is made to know the value of years, and respects
them accordingly."

"See!" said Un