 of nations, and even of tribes, to which Hawk-eye alluded,
existed at that period in the fullest force. The great tie of language, and, of
course, of a common origin, was severed in many places; and it was one of its
consequences that the Delaware and the Mingo, (as the people of the Six Nations
were called,) were found fighting in the same ranks, while the latter sought the
scalp of the Huron, though believed to be the root of his own stock. The
Delawares were even divided among themselves. Though love for the soil which had
belonged to his ancestors, kept the Sagamore of the Mohicans, with a small band
of followers who were serving at Edward, under the banners of the English king,
by far the largest portion of his nation were known to be in the field as allies
of Montcalm. The reader probably knows, if enough has not already been gleaned
from this narrative, that the Delaware, or Lenape, claimed to be the progenitors
of that numerous people, who once were masters of most of the eastern and
northern states of America, of whom the community of the Mohicans was an ancient
and highly honoured member.
    It was, of course, with a perfect understanding of the minute and intricate
interests, which had armed friend against friend, and brought natural enemies to
combat by each other's side, that the scout and his companions now disposed
themselves to deliberate on the measures that were to govern their future
movements, amid so many jarring and savage races of men. Duncan knew enough of
Indian customs, to understand the reason that the fire was replenished, and why
the warriors, not excepting Hawk-eye, took their seats within the curl of its
smoke, with so much gravity and decorum. Placing himself at an angle of the
works, where he might be a spectator of the scene within, while he kept a
watchful eye against any danger from without, he awaited the result, with as
much patience as he could summon.
    After a short and impressive pause, Chingachgook lighted a pipe, whose bowl
was curiously carved in one of the soft stones of the country, and whose stem
was a tube of wood, and commenced smoking. When he had inhaled enough of the
fragrance of the soothing weed, he passed the instrument into the hands of the
scout. In this manner the pipe had made its rounds three several times, amid the
most profound silence, before either of the party opened his lips. Then the
Sagamore, as the oldest and highest in rank, in a few calm and
