 than some of the boldest and most forward among them sprang into the
arena, tomahawk in hand. Here they prepared to throw that dangerous weapon, the
object being to strike the tree as near as possible to the victim's head,
without absolutely hitting him. This was so hazardous an experiment, that none
but those who were known to be exceedingly expert with the weapon, were allowed
to enter the lists, at all, lest an early death might interfere with the
expected entertainment. In the truest hands it was seldom that the captive
escaped injury in these trials, and it often happened that death followed, even
when the blow was not premeditated. In the particular case of our hero, Rivenoak
and the older warriors were apprehensive that the example of the Panther's fate
might prove a motive with some fiery spirit suddenly to sacrifice his conqueror,
when the temptation of effecting it in precisely the same manner, and possibly
with the identical weapon with which the warrior had fallen, offered. This
circumstance of itself, rendered the ordeal of the tomahawk doubly critical for
the Deerslayer.
    It would seem, however, that all who now entered, what we shall call the
lists, were more disposed to exhibit their own dexterity, than to resent the
deaths of their comrades. Each prepared himself for the trial, with the feelings
of rivalry, rather than with the desire for vengeance, and, for the first few
minutes, the prisoner had little more connection with the result, than grew out
of the interest that necessarily attached itself to a living target. The young
men were eager, instead of being fierce, and Rivenoak thought he still saw signs
of being able to save the life of the captive, when the vanity of the young men
had been gratified; always admitting, that it was not sacrificed to the delicate
experiments that were about to be made.
    The first youth who presented himself, for the trial, was called The Raven,
having as yet had no opportunity of obtaining a more warlike sobriquet. He was
remarkable for high pretension, rather than for skill, or exploits, and those
who knew his character thought the captive in imminent danger, when he took his
stand, and poised the tomahawk. Nevertheless, the young man was good natured,
and no thought was uppermost in his mind, other than the desire to make a better
cast, than any of his fellows. Deerslayer got an inkling of this warrior's want
of reputation, by the injunctions that he had received from the seniors, who,
indeed, would have objected to his appearing in the arena, at all
