to tell him where the cover is to be found through the nose? No,
no; deny your appetites; and learn one virtue from a red-skin, who
will pass a week without eating even, to get a single scalp. Did
you hear nothing, Jasper?"

"The Serpent is coming."

"Then let us see if Mohican eyes are better than them of a lad who
follows the water."

The Mohican had indeed made his appearance in the same direction as
that by which Jasper had rejoined his friends. Instead of coming
directly on, however, no sooner did he pass the bend, where he was
concealed from any who might be higher up stream, than he moved
close under the bank; and, using the utmost caution, got a position
where he could look back, with his person sufficiently concealed
by the bushes to prevent its being seen by any in that quarter.

"The Sarpent sees the knaves!" whispered Pathfinder. "As I'm a
Christian white man, they have bit at the bait, and have ambushed
the smoke!"

Here a hearty but silent laugh interrupted his words, and nudging
Cap with his elbow, they all continued to watch the movements of
Chingachgook in profound stillness. The Mohican remained stationary
as the rock on which he stood full ten minutes; and then it was
apparent that something of interest had occurred within his view,
for he drew back with a hurried manner, looked anxiously and keenly
along the margin of the stream, and moved quickly down it, taking
care to lose his trail in the shallow water. He was evidently in