Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 3).djvu/80

 through the private outlet he had himself used. He was watched in all his movements by Heyward, who however remained firm, still folding the fragile form of Alice to his heart, at once too proud and too hopeless to ask favour of an enemy so often foiled. When Magua had effected his object, he approached his prisoners, and said, in English—

"The pale-faces trap the cunning beavers; but the red-skins know how to take the Yengeese!"

"Huron, do your worst!" exclaimed the excited Heyward, forgetful that a double stake was involved in his life; "you and your vengeance are alike despised."

"Will the white man speak these words at the stake?" asked Magua; manifesting, at the same time, how little faith he had in the other's resolution, by the sneer that accompanied his words.

"Here; singly to your face," continued the undaunted Heyward, "or in the presence of your assembled nation!"

"Le Renard Subtil is a great chief!" returned the Indian; "he will go and