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Chapter 29
ThegourdwasoneoftheusuallittlevesselsusedbytheIndians,anditwassuspendedfromadeadbranchofasmallpine,byathongofdeer-skin,atthefulldistanceofahundredyards.Sostrangelycompoundedisthefeelingofself-love,thattheyoungsoldier,whileheknewtheutterworthlessnessofthesuffragesofhissavageumpires,forgotthesuddenmotivesofthecontestinawishtoexcel.Ithasbeenseen,already,thathisskillwasfarfrombeingcontemptible,andhenowresolvedtoputforthitsnicestqualities.Hadhislifedependedontheissue,theaimofDuncancouldnothavebeenmoredeliberateorguarded.Hefired;andthreeorfouryoungIndians,whosprangforwardatthereport,announcedwithashout,thattheballwasinthetree,averylittleononesideoftheproperobject.Thewarriorsutteredacommonejaculationofpleasure,andthenturnedtheireyesinquiringlyonthemovementsofhisrival.
"ItmaydofortheRoyalAmericans!"saidHawkeye,laughingoncemoreinhisownsilent,heartfeltmanner;"buthadmygunoftenturnedsomuchfromthetrueline,manyamarten,whoseskinisnowinalady’smuff,wouldstillbeinthewoods;ay,andmanyabloodyMingo,whohasdepartedtohisfinalaccount,wouldbeactinghisdeviltriesatthisveryday,atweentheprovinces.
