Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 1).djvu/286

 are cunning, but they outwitted themselves when they placed all their fire-arms out of reach; and had Uncas or his father been gifted with only their common Indian patience, we should have come in upon the knaves with three bullets instead of one, and that would have made a finish of the whole pack; yon lopeing varlet as well as his commerades. But 'twas all foreordered, and for the best!"

"Thou sayest well," returned David, "and hast caught the true spirit of Christianity. He that is to be saved will be saved, and he that is predestined to be damned will be damned! This is the doctrine of truth, and most consoling and refreshing it is to the true believer."

The scout, who by this time was seated, examining into the state of his rifle with a species of parental assiduity, now looked up at the other in a displeasure that he did not affect to conceal, roughly interrupting his further speech.

"Doctrine, or no doctrine," said the sturdy woodsman, " 'tis the belief of