"It is the canoe," returned the guide, greatly relieved. "All must
be safe, or we should have heard from the lad."

In another minute the two canoes, which became visible to those
they carried only as they drew near each other, again floated side
by side, and the form of Jasper was recognized at the stern of his
own boat. The figure of a second man was seated in the bow; and,
as the young sailor so wielded his paddle as to bring the face of
his companion near the eyes of the Pathfinder and Mabel, they both
recognized the person of the Delaware.

"Chingachgook -- my brother!" said the guide in the dialect of
the other's people, a tremor shaking his voice that betrayed the
strength of his feelings. "Chief of the Mohicans! My heart is very
glad. Often have we passed through blood and strife together, but
I was afraid it was never to be so again."

"Hugh! The Mingos are squaws! Three of their scalps hang at my
girdle. They do not know how to strike the Great Serpent of the
Delawares. Their hearts have no blood; and their thoughts are on
their return path, across the waters of the Great Lake."

"Have you been among them, chief? and what has become of the warrior
who was in the river?"

"He has turned into a fish, and lies at the bottom with the eels!
Let his brothers bait their hooks for him. Pathfinder, I have
counted the enemy, and have touched their rifles."

"Ah, I thought he would be venturesome!" exclaimed the guide in