rew out his arm
in the act of keeping time, and commenced what he intended for an
imitation of his psalmody. Happily for the success of this delicate
adventure, he had to deal with ears but little practised in the concord
of sweet sounds, or the miserable effort would infallibly have been
detected. It was necessary to pass within a dangerous proximity of the
dark group of the savages, and the voice of the scout grew louder as
they drew nigher. When at the nearest point, the Huron who spoke the
English thrust out an arm, and stopped the supposed singing-master.

"The Delaware dog!" he said, leaning forward, and peering through the
dim light to catch the expression of the other's features; "is he
afraid? will the Hurons hear his groans?"

A growl so exceedingly fierce and natural proceeded from the beast, that
the young Indian released his hold and started aside, as if to assure
himself that it was not a veritable bear, and no counterfeit, that was
rolling before him. Hawkeye, who feared his voice would betray him to
his subtle enemies, gladly profited by the interruption, to break out
anew in such a burst of musical expression as would, probably, in a
more refined state of society have been termed "a grand crash." Among
his actual auditors, however, it merely gave him an additional claim to
that respect which they never withhold from such as are believed to be
the subjects of mental alienation. The little knot of Indians drew back
in a body, and suffered, as they thought, the conjurer and his inspired
assistant to proceed.

It required no common exercise of fortitude in Uncas and the scout, to
continue the dignified and deliberate pace they had assumed in passing
the lodges; especially as they immediately perceived that curiosity had
so far mastered fear, as to induce the watchers to approach the hut, in
order to witness the effect of the incantations. The least injudicious
or impatient movement on the part of David might betray them, and time
was absolutely necessary to insure the safety of the scout. The loud
noise the latter conceived it politic to continue, drew many curious
gazers to the doors of the different huts as they passed; and once or
twice a dark-looking warrior stepped across their path, led to the act
by superstition or watchfulness. They were not, however, interrupted;
the darkness of the hour, and the coldness of the attempt, proving their
principal friends.

The adventurers had got clear of the vil