Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 1).djvu/232

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216
THE LAST OF

will give as a great chief should, for such a service. The medal of Magua will no longer be of tin, but of beaten gold; his horn will run over with powder; dollars will be as plenty in his pouch, as pebbles on the shore of Horican; and the deer will lick his hand, for they will know it to be vain to fly from before the rifle he will carry! As for myself, I know not how to exceed the gratitude of the Scotchman, but I—yes, I will—"

"What will the young chief, who comes from towards the sun, give?" demanded the Huron, observing that Heyward hesitated in his desire to end the enumeration of benefits with that which might form the climax of an Indian's wishes.

"He will make the fire-water from the islands in the salt lake, flow before the wigwam of Magua, swifter than yon noisy Hudson, until the heart of the Indian shall be lighter than the feathers of the humming bird, and his breath sweeter than the wild honeysuckle."

Le Renard had listened with the deepest silence, as Heyward slowly proceeded