Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 3).djvu/28

 spectators; and a youngster who was just quitting the condition of a boy, to enter the state of manhood, attempted to assit the termagant, by flourishing his tomahawk before their victim, and adding his empty boasts to the taunts of the woman. Then, indeed, the captive turned his face towards the light, and looked down on the stripling with a loftiness of expression, that was even superior to contempt. At the next moment, he resumed his quiet and reclining attitude against the post. But the action and the change of posture had permitted Duncan to exchange glances with the firm and piercing eyes of Uncas.

Breathless with amazement, and heavily oppressed with the critical situation of his friend, Heyward recoiled before the look, trembling lest its meaning expression might, in some unknown manner, hasten the prisoner's fate. There was not, however, any instant cause for such an apprehension. Just then a warrior forced his way into the exasperated crowd. Motioning the women and children aside with a stern gesture, he took Uncas by the arm, and led him towards