tisfied of
their safety, the scout left his position, and slowly entered the place.
It was silent and gloomy, being tenanted solely by the captive, and
lighted by the dying embers of a fire, which had been used for the
purposes of cookery.

Uncas occupied a distant corner, in a reclining attitude, being rigidly
bound, both hands and feet, by strong and painful withes. When the
frightful object first presented itself to the young Mohican, he did not
deign to bestow a single glance on the animal. The scout, who had left
David at the door, to ascertain they were not observed, thought it
prudent to preserve his disguise until assured of their privacy. Instead
of speaking, therefore, he exerted himself to enact one of the antics of
the animal he represented. The young Mohican, who at first believed his
enemies had sent in a real beast to torment him, and try his nerves,
detected, in those performances that to Heyward had appeared so
accurate, certain blemishes, that at once betrayed the counterfeit. Had
Hawkeye been aware of the low estimation in which the more skilful Uncas
held his representations, he would probably have prolonged the
entertainment a little in pique. But the scornful expression of the
young man's eye admitted of so many constructions, that the worthy scout
was spared the mortification of such a discovery. As soon, therefore, as
David gave the pre-concerted signal, a low hissing sound was heard in
the lodge, in place of the fierce growlings of the bear.

Uncas had cast his body back against the wall of the hut, and closed
his eyes, as if willing to exclude so contemptible and disagreeable an
object from his sight. But the moment the noise of the serpent was
heard, he arose, and cast his looks on each side of him, bending his
head low, and turning it inquiringly in every direction, until his keen
eye rested on the shaggy monster, where it remained riveted, as though
fixed by the power of a charm. Again the same sounds were repeated,
evidently proceeding from the mouth of the beast. Once more the eyes of
the youth roamed over the interior of the lodge, and returning to their
former resting place, he uttered, in a deep, suppressed voice,--

"Hawkeye!"

"Cut his bands," said Hawkeye to David, who just then approached them.

The singer did as he was ordered, and Uncas found his limbs released. At
the same moment the dried skin of the animal rattled, and presently the
scout arose to his feet, in proper perso