Chapter 28

Summary

In the morning, Magua appears in the Delaware camp and is formally greeted. After eating he speaks with Hard Heart, the chief orator of the Delawares. Hard Heart is a bit distant toward Magua, politely declining to turn over Cora, saying that "she is welcome" to stay, and remaining noncommittal as to whether they have seen any white men. Shrewdly Magua gives the Delawares the baubles he obtained while pillaging and murdering the English women. They are appeased. He then shocks the Delawares by telling them that they have among them their enemy La Longue Carabine. The Delawares are now excited, and after a brief council the entire nation is called to an assembly. An old wise man comes in. He is Tamenund, a famous warrior, and is revered and respected by all. After everyone pays him their respects, a few men are sent off and return with their prisoners.

Magua, an opportunist, uses his alliances and connections among the tribes according to his whims and self-interest. He shrewdly analyses the Delawares' reaction to him, and when he senses a certain coolness, he presents them with baubles in order to appease them. The baubles are distributed to all the men according to their status and have value accordingly. This is an indication of Magua's craftiness.

The travelers have been caught in the same village that has imprisoned Cora. Magua, again with skilled oration, tells the tribe that their enemy, La Longue Carabine, is also one of the prisoners kept by the tribe.

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