.«
    »It is true - it is true,« returned the sage - a flash of recollection
destroying all his pleasing fancies, and restoring him, at once, to a
consciousness of the true history of his nation. »Our wise men have often said
that two warriors of the unchanged race were in the hills of the Yengeese; why
have their seats at the council fires of the Delawares been so long empty?«
    At these words, the young man raised his head, which he had still kept bowed
a little, in reverence, and lifting his voice, so as to be heard by the
multitude, as if to explain, at once, and for ever, the policy of his family, he
said, aloud -
    »Once we slept where we could hear the salt lake speak in its anger. Then we
were rulers and Sagamores over the land. But when a pale-face was seen on every
brook, we followed the deer back to the river of our nation. The Delawares were
gone! Few warriors of them all stayed to drink of the stream they loved. Then
said my fathers - here will we hunt. The waters of the river go into the salt
lake. If we go towards the setting sun, we shall find streams that run into the
great lakes of sweet water; there would a Mohican die, like fishes of the sea,
in the clear springs. When the Manitto is ready, and shall say, »come,« we will
follow the river to the sea, and take our own again. Such, Delawares, is the
belief of the children of the Turtle! Our eyes are on the rising, and not
towards the setting sun! We know whence he comes, but we know not whither he
goes. It is enough.«
    The men of the Lenape listened to his words with all the respect that
superstition could lend, finding a secret charm even in the figurative 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 Hawk-eye, in his bonds.
Stepping eagerly from his stand, he made a 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
