Page 642 - THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS

The Last of the Mohicans

hurt. The urchin looked proudly up in his face, but made
no reply.
‘Ah! I see, lad, the knaves have barked your arm!’
added the scout, taking up the limb of the patient sufferer,

across which a deep flesh wound had been made by one of
the bullets; ‘but a little bruised alder will act like a charm.
In the meantime I will wrap it in a badge of wampum!
You have commenced the business of a warrior early, my
brave boy, and are likely to bear a plenty of honorable
scars to your grave. I know many young men that have
taken scalps who cannot show such a mark as this. Go! ‘
having bound up the arm; ‘you will be a chief!’
The lad departed, prouder of his flowing blood than
the vainest courtier could be of his blushing ribbon; and
stalked among the fellows of his age, an object of general
admiration and envy.
But, in a moment of so many serious and important
duties, this single act of juvenile fortitude did not attract
the general notice and commendation it would have
received under milder auspices. It had, however, served to
apprise the Delawares of the position and the intentions of
their enemies. Accordingly a party of adventurers, better
suited to the task than the weak though spirited boy, was
ordered to dislodge the skulkers. The duty was soon

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