among the Delaware
warriors manifesting pleasure at the manliness of the intended
sacrifice. Magua paused, and for an anxious moment, it might be said, he
doubted; then casting his eyes on Cora, with an expression in which
ferocity and admiration were strangely mingled, his purpose became fixed
forever.

He intimated his contempt of the offer with a backward motion of his
head, and said, in a steady and settled voice,--

"Le Renard Subtil is a great chief; he has but one mind. Come," he
added, laying his hand too familiarly on the shoulder of his captive to
urge her onward; "a Huron is no tattler; we will go."

The maiden drew back in lofty womanly reserve, and her dark eye kindled,
while the rich blood shot, like the passing brightness of the sun, into
her very temples, at the indignity.

"I am your prisoner, and at a fitting time shall be ready to follow,
even to my death. But violence is unnecessary," she coldly said; and
immediately turning to Hawkeye, added, "Generous hunter! from my soul I
thank you. Your offer is in vain, neither could it be accepted; but
still you may serve me, even more than in your own noble intention. Look
at that drooping, humbled child! Abandon her not until you leave her in
the habitation of civilized men. I will not say," wringing the hard hand
of the scout, "that her father will reward you--for such as you are
above the rewards of men--but he will thank you, and bless you. And,
believe me, the blessing of a just and aged man has virtue in the sight
of Heaven. Would to God, I could hear one from his lips at this awful
moment!" Her voice became choked, and, for an instant, she was silent;
then advancing a step nigher to Duncan, who was supporting her
unconscious sister, she continued, in more subdued tones, but in which
feeling and the habits of her sex maintained a fearful struggle,--"I
need not tell you to cherish the treasure you will possess. You love
her, Heyward; that would conceal a thousand faults, though she had them.
She is kind, gentle, sweet, good, as mortal may be. There is not a
blemish in mind or person at which the proudest of you all would sicken.
She is fair--O! how surpassingly fair!" laying her own beautiful, but
less brilliant hand, in melancholy affection on the alabaster forehead
of Alice, and parting the golden hair which clustered about her brows;
"and yet her soul is pure and spotless as her skin! I could say
much--more, perhaps, than cooler reason would appro