Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 2).djvu/255

 legs though and shall not be trusted. Do you keep him under your rifle while I creep in behind, through the bush, and take him alive. Fire on no account!"

Heyward had already permitted his companion to bury part of his person in the thicket, when stretching forth an arm, he arrested him in order to ask—

"If I see you in danger, may I not risk a shot?"

Hawk-eye regarded him a moment, like one who knew not how to take the question; then nodding his head, he answered, still laughing, though inaudibly—

"Fire a whole platoon, Major."

In the next moment he was concealed by the leaves. Duncan waited several minutes in feverish impatience, before he caught another glimpse of the scout. Then he re-appeared, creeping along the earth, from which his dress was hardly distinguishable, directly in the rear of his intended captive. Having reached within a few yards of the latter, he arose to his feet, silently and slowly. At that instant several loud blows were struck on the water, and