Chapter 21

Summary

Munro and Duncan pass the night without fear as Hawkeye and the Mohicans stand alert. The next morning, they continue their journey. Hawkeye is dejected that he cannot find any trace of the Hurons or Magua. Uncas hints that he wishes to say something, which he does with his father's permission. With a flourish he points out the trail and indicates that Cora has gone north. They begin following the trail in earnest, and, although Magua has left several false trails, the party is rarely deceived and manage to stay on track. When they find the horses they realize they are deep in Huron territory. Hawkeye reassures Duncan that Indians do not as a rule harm women. They lose the trail temporarily, but Uncas once again finds a print. It seems David Gamut has been made to walk first and the rest have trod on his print, with the women being carried for a time so as to throw the trackers off their trail. When they believe they are close to the Hurons, the party splits up. Duncan discovers what he thinks is an Indian village and spots an Indian. He alerts Hawkeye, who sees the Indian, but who seems to be amused by Duncan's casual reference to the village and the other Indians he sees about. As Hawkeye walks up to the figure, he begins laughing. He taps the figure on the shoulder and greets him; it is David, dressed in Indian's clothing, sitting near a beaver pond!

Uncas' sense of duty and keen sense of sight is again noted in this chapter. He is the only one among the party to spot a trail or mark left by Cora, but he refuses to speak until his father gives him the permission to do so.

Magua's strategic abilities are also emphasized, as he first makes David Gamut, who is a big man with big feet, walk and the rest follow in his footsteps. The women are carried in order to fool the hunters. This chapter also emphasizes the fact that Indians do not harm women who are in their fold.

Table of Contents | Printable Version