 a feeble, but contemptuous
shout, and immediately a second bullet was sent after him, from another part of
the cover. At the next instant he appeared on the level above, elevating his
guns in triumph, while he moved, with the air of a conqueror, towards the
renowned hunter, who had honoured him by so glorious a commission.
    Notwithstanding the lively interest Hawk-eye had taken in the fate of his
messenger, he received kill-deer with a satisfaction that, momentarily, drove
all other recollections from his mind. After examining the piece with an
intelligent eye, and opening and shutting the pan some ten or fifteen times, and
trying sundry other equally important experiments on the lock, he turned to the
boy, and demanded, with great manifestations of kindness, if he was hurt. The
urchin looked proudly up in his face, but made no reply.
    »Ay! I see, lad, the knaves have barked your arm!« added the scout, taking
up the limb of the patient sufferer, across which a deep flesh wound had been
made by one of the bullets; »but a little bruised alder will act like a charm.
In the mean time, I will wrap it in a badge of wampum! You have commenced the
business of a warrior early, my brave boy, and are likely to bear a plenty of
honourable scars to your grave. I know many young men that have taken scalps,
who cannot show such a mark as this! Go;« having bound up the arm; »you will be
a chief!«
    The lad departed, prouder of his flowing blood than the vainest courtier
could be of his blushing riband; and stalked among the fellows of his age, an
object of general admiration and envy.
    But in a moment of so many serious and important duties, this single act of
juvenile fortitude, did not attract the general notice and commendation it would
have received under milder auspices. It had, however, served to apprise the
Delawares of the position and the intentions of their enemies. Accordingly, a
party of adventurers, better suited to the task than the weak, though spirited
boy, was ordered to dislodge the skulkers. The duty was soon performed, for most
of the Hurons retired of themselves, when they found they had been discovered.
The Delawares followed to a sufficient distance from their own encampment, and
then halted for orders, apprehensive of being led into an ambush. As both
parties secreted themselves, the woods were again as still and quiet, as a mild
summer morning and deep solitude could render them.
    The
