Le Cerf Agile is not here?«
    »I know not whom you call the nimble deer,« said Duncan, gladly profiting by
any excuse to create delay.
    »Uncas,« returned Magua, pronouncing the Delaware name with even greater
difficulty than he spoke his English words. »Bounding elk is what the white man
says when he calls to the young Mohican.«
    »Here is some confusion in names between us, le Renard,« said Duncan, hoping
to provoke a discussion. »Daim is the French for deer, and cerf for stag; élan
is the true term, when one would speak of an elk.«
    »Yes,« muttered the Indian, in his native tongue; »the pale faces are
prattling women! they have two words for each thing, while a red skin will make
the sound of his voice speak for him.« Then changing his language, he continued,
adhering to the imperfect nomenclature of his provincial instructers, »The deer
is swift, but weak; the elk is swift, but strong; and the son of le serpent is
le cerf agile. Has he leaped the river to the woods?«
    »If you mean the younger Delaware, he too is gone down with the water.«
    As there was nothing improbable to an Indian, in the manner of the escape,
Magua admitted the truth of what he had heard, with a readiness that afforded
additional evidence how little he would prize such worthless captives. With his
companions, however, the feeling was manifestly different.
    The Hurons had awaited the result of this short dialogue with characteristic
patience, and with a silence, that increased, until there was a general
stillness in the band. When Heyward ceased to speak, they turned their eyes, as
one man, on Magua, demanding, in this expressive manner, an explanation of what
had been said. Their interpreter pointed to the river, and made them acquainted
with the result, as much by the action as by the few words he uttered. When the
fact was generally understood, the savages raised a frightful yell, which
declared the extent of their disappointment. Some ran furiously to the water's
edge, beating the air with frantic gestures, while others spat upon the element,
to resent the supposed treason it had committed against their acknowledged
rights as conquerors. A few, and they not the least powerful and terrific of the
band, threw lowering looks, in which the fiercest passion was only tempered by
habitual self-command, at those captives who still remained in their power;
while one or two even gave vent
