a hurry and concerned, now looking behind him, and then casting
eager glances towards every spot on the shore where he thought a
canoe might be concealed.

"Call him in," whispered Jasper, scarcely able to restrain his
impatience, -- "call him in, or it will be too late! See! he is
actually passing us."

"Not so, not so, lad; nothing presses, depend on it;" returned his
companion, "or the Sarpent would begin to creep. The Lord help
us and teach us wisdom! I _do_ believe even Chingachgook, whose
sight is as faithful as the hound's scent, overlooks us, and will
not find out the ambushment we have made!"

This exultation was untimely; for the words were no sooner spoken
than the Indian, who had actually got several feet lower down the
stream than the artificial cover, suddenly stopped; fastened a
keen-riveted glance among the transplanted bushes; made a few hasty
steps backward; and, bending his body and carefully separating
the branches, he appeared among them.

"The accursed Mingos!" said Pathfinder, as soon as his friend was
near enough to be addressed with prudence.

"Iroquois," returned the sententious Indian.

"No matter, no matter; Iroquois, devil, Mingo, Mengwes, or furies
-- all are pretty much the same. I call all rascals Mingos. Come
hither, chief, and let us convarse rationally."