no sign of life, and I had begun to hope that he had been hit and would ultimately perish there, as wild things perish in solitude and silence.

Then the Mohican said in my ear:

“Unless we can stir him to move and expose himself, we must lose him. For his fellows will surely track us to this place.”

“Good God! By what unfortunate accident should such a hiding place exist so near!” I said miserably.

The Sagamore’s stern visage slightly relaxed.

“It is no accident, Loskiel. Do you not suppose he knew it was here? Else he had never dared attempt what he did.”

“The vile Witch-cat has been here many a