Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 3).djvu/150

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144
THE LAST OF

eyes on the white men. Has not my brother scented spies in the woods?"

The Delaware, whose name, in English signified "Hard-heart," an appellation that the French had translated into "Le-cœurdur," forgot that obduracy of purpose, which had probably obtained him so significant a title. His countenance grew very sensibly less stern, and he now deigned to answer more directly.

"There have been strange moccasins about my camp. They have been tracked into my lodges."

"Did my brother beat out the dogs?" asked Magua, without adverting in any manner to the former equivocation of the chief.

"It would not do. The stranger is always welcome to the children of the Lenape."

"The stranger, but not the spy!"

"Would the Yengeese send their women as spies? Did not the Huron chief say he took women in the battle?"

"He told no lie. The Yengeese have sent out their scouts. They have been in