Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 2).djvu/125

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THE MOHICANS.
119

over the warlike tribes he had gathered, was to be maintained by concession, rather than by power, complied, reluctantly, with the other's request. The savage placed the finger of the French commander on a deep scar in his bosom, and then exultingly demanded—

"Does my father know that?"

"What warrior does not! 'tis where the leaden bullet has cut."

"And this!" continued the Indian, who had turned his naked back to the other, his body being without its usual calico mantle.

"This!—my son, has been sadly injured, here! who has done this?"

"Magua slept hard in the English wigwams, and the sticks have left their mark," returned the savage, with a hollow laugh, which did not, nor could not, however, conceal the fierce temper that nearly choked him. Then, recollecting himself, with sudden and native dignity, he added—"Go; teach your young men, it is peace! le Renard Subtil knows how to speak to a Huron warrior!"