fastened to the two Dunham boats, by this bold
and successful attempt the savages were at once deprived of the means of
quitting the island, unless by swimming, and they appeared to be instantly aware
of the very important fact. Rising in a body, they filled the air with yells,
and poured in a harmless fire. While up, in this unguarded manner, two rifles
were discharged by their adversaries. One came from the summit of the block, and
an Iroquois fell dead in his tracks, shot through the brain. The other came from
the Scud. The last was the piece of the Delaware, but, less true than that of
his friend, it only maimed an enemy for life. The people of the Scud shouted,
and the savages, sank again, to a man, as if it might be into the earth.
    »That was the Sarpent's voice,« said Pathfinder, as soon as the second piece
was discharged. »I know the crack of his rifle, as well as I do that of
Killdeer. 'Tis a good barrel, though not sartain death. Well - well - with
Chingachgook and Jasper on the water, and you and I in the block, friend Cap, it
will be hard, if we do'n't teach these Mingo scamps the rationality of a fight!«
    All this time, the Scud was in motion. As soon as she had reached the end of
the island, Jasper sent his prizes adrift, and they went down before the wind,
until they stranded on a point, more than a mile to leeward. He then wore, and
came stemming the current again, through the other passage. Those on the summit
of the block, could now perceive that something was in agitation on the deck of
the Scud, and to their great delight, just as the cutter came abreast of the
principal cover, or the spot where most of the enemy lay, the howitzer, which
composed her sole armament, was unmasked, and a shower of case shot was sent
hissing into the bushes. A bevy of quail would not have risen quicker than this
unexpected discharge of iron hail, put up the Iroquois, when a second savage
fell by a messenger sent from Killdeer, and another went limping away, by a
visit from the rifle of Chingachgook. New covers were immediately found,
however, and each party seemed to prepare for the renewal of the strife, in
another form. But, the appearance of June bearing a white flag, and accompanied
by the French officer and Muir, stayed the hands of all