, to be able to declare any
thing satisfactory concerning their name or character. He only knew that they
had not engaged in the late expedition against William Henry; that, like the
Hurons themselves, they were allies of Montcalm; and that they maintained an
amicable, though a watchful, intercourse with the warlike and savage people,
whom chance had, for a time, brought in such close and disagreeable contact with
themselves.
    The Mohicans and the scout listened to his interrupted and imperfect
narrative, with an interest that obviously increased as he proceeded, and it was
while attempting to explain the pursuits of the community, in which Cora was
detained, that the latter abruptly demanded -
    »Did you see the fashion of their knives? were they of English or French
formation?«
    »My thoughts were bent on no such vanities, but rather mingled in
consolation with those of the maidens.«
    »The time may come when you will not consider the knife of a savage such a
despisable vanity,« returned the scout, with a strong expression of contempt for
the other's dulness. »Had they held their corn-feast - or can you say any thing
of the totems of their tribe?«
    »Of corn, we had many and plentiful feasts; for the grain, being in the
milk, is both sweet to the mouth and comfortable to the stomach. Of totem, I
know not the meaning; but if it appertaineth in any wise to the art of Indian
music, it need not be inquired after at their hands. They never join their
voices in praise, and it would seem that they are among the profanest of the
idolatrous.«
    »Therein you belie the nature of an Indian. Even the Mingo adores but the
true and living God! 'Tis a wicked fabrication of the whites, and I say it to
the shame of my colour, that would make the warrior bow down before images of
his own creation. It is true, they endeavour to make truces with the wicked one
- as who would not with an enemy he cannot conquer - but they look up for favour
and assistance to the Great and Good Spirit only.«
    »It may be so,« said David; »but I have seen strange and fantastic images
drawn in their paint, of which their admiration and care, savoured of spiritual
pride; especially one, and that too a foul and loathsome object.«
    »Was it a sarpent?« quickly demanded the scout.
    »Much the same. It was in the likeness of an abject and creeping tortoise!«
    »Hugh!« exclaimed
