and honest nature
would never have permitted in a more healthful state of mind. The scout
led Heyward aside, and acquainted him with his intention to leave the
veteran in some safe encampment, in charge of Chingachgook, while he and
Uncas pursued their inquiries among the people they had reason to
believe were Delawares. Then renewing his cautions and advice, he
concluded by saying, with a solemnity and warmth of feeling, with which
Duncan was deeply touched:

"And now God bless you! You have shown a spirit that I like; for it is
the gift of youth, more especially one of warm blood and a stout heart.
But believe the warning of a man who has reason to know all he says to
be true. You will have occasion for your best manhood, and for a sharper
wit than what is to be gathered in books, afore you outdo the cunning,
or get the better of the courage of a Mingo. God bless you! if the
Hurons master your scalp, rely on the promise of one who has two stout
warriors to back him. They shall pay for their victory, with a life for
every hair it holds. I say, young gentleman, may Providence bless your
undertaking, which is altogether for good; and remember, that to outwit
the knaves it is lawful to practise things that may not be naturally the
gift of a white skin."

Duncan shook his worthy and reluctant associate warmly by the hand, once
more recommended his aged friend to his care, and returning his good
wishes, he motioned to David to proceed. Hawkeye gazed after the
high-spirited and adventurous young man for several moments, in open
admiration; then shaking his head doubtingly, he turned, and led his own
division of the party into the concealment of the forest.

The route taken by Duncan and David lay directly across the clearing of
the beavers, and along the margin of their pond.

When the former found himself alone with one so simple, and so little
qualified to render any assistance in desperate emergencies, he first
began to be sensible of the difficulties of the task he had undertaken.
The fading light increased the gloominess of the bleak and savage
wilderness that stretched so far on every side of him; and there was
even a fearful character in the stillness of those little huts, that he
knew were so abundantly peopled. It struck him, as he gazed at the
admirable structures and the wonderful precautions of their sagacious
inmates, that even the brutes of these vast wilds were possessed of an
instinct nearly commensurate