rative
language with which the young Sagamore imparted his ideas. Uncas himself
watched the effect of his brief explanation with intelligent eyes, and
gradually dropped the air of authority he had assumed, as he perceived
that his auditors were content. Then permitting his looks to wander over
the silent throng that crowded around the elevated seat of Tamenund, he
first perceived Hawkeye in his bonds. Stepping eagerly from his stand,
he made way for himself to the side of his friend; and cutting his
thongs with a quick and angry stroke of his own knife, he motioned to
the crowd to divide. The Indians silently obeyed, and once more they
stood ranged in their circle, as before his appearance among them. Uncas
took the scout by the hand, and led him to the feet of the patriarch.

"Father," he said, "look at this pale-face; a just man, and the friend
of the Delawares."

"Is he a son of Minquon?"

"Not so; a warrior known to the Yengeese, and feared by the Maquas."

"What name has he gained by his deeds?"

"We call him Hawkeye," Uncas replied, using the Delaware phrase; "for
his sight never fails. The Mingos know him better by the death he gives
their warriors; with them he is 'The Long Rifle.'"

"La Longue Carabine!" exclaimed Tamenund, opening his eyes, and
regarding the scout sternly. "My son has not done well to call him
friend."

"I call him so who proves himself such," returned the young chief, with
great calmness, but with a steady mien. "If Uncas is welcome among the
Delawares, then is Hawkeye with his friends."

"The pale-face has slain my young men; his name is great for the blows
he has struck the Lenape."

"If a Mingo has whispered that much in the ear of the Delaware, he has
only shown that he is a singing-bird," said the scout, who now believed
that it was time to vindicate himself from such offensive charges, and
who spoke in the tongue of the man he addressed, modifying his Indian
figures, however, with his own peculiar notions. "That I have slain the
Maquas I am not the man to deny, even at their own council-fires; but
that, knowingly, my hand has ever harmed a Delaware, is opposed to the
reason of my gifts, which is friendly to them, and all that belongs to
their nation."

A low exclamation of applause passed among the warriors, who exchanged
looks with each other like men that first began to perceive their error.

"Where is the Huron?" demanded Tamenund. "Has he stopped my ears?"

Magua, who