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           Notalimbwasmoved,norwasabreathdrawnlouderandlongerthancommon,untiltheclosingsyllableofthisfinaldecreehadpassedthelipsofTamenund.Thenacryofvengeanceburstatonce,asitmightbe,fromtheunitedlipsofthenation;afrightfulauguryoftheirruthlessintentions.Inthemidstoftheseprolongedandsavageyells,achiefproclaimed,inahighvoice,thatthecaptivewascondemnedtoendurethedreadfultrialoftorturebyfire.Thecirclebrokeitsorder,andscreamsofdelightmingledwiththebustleandtumultofpreparation.Heywardstruggledmadlywithhiscaptors;theanxiouseyesofHawkeyebegantolookaroundhim,withanexpressionofpeculiarearnestness;andCoraagainthrewherselfatthefeetofthepatriarch,oncemoreasuppliantformercy.

           Throughoutthewholeofthesetryingmoments,Uncashadalonepreservedhisserenity.Helookedonthepreparationswithasteadyeye,andwhenthetormentorscametoseizehim,hemetthemwithafirmanduprightattitude.Oneamongthem,ifpossible,morefierceandsavagethanhisfellows,seizedthehunting-shirtoftheyoungwarrior,andatasingleefforttoreitfromhisbody.Then,withayelloffranticpleasure,heleapedtowardshisunresistingvictim,andpreparedtoleadhimtothestake.But,atthatmoment,whenheappearedmostastrangertothefeelingsofhumanity,thepurposeofthesavagewasarrestedassuddenlyasifasupernaturalagencyhadinterposedinthebehalfofUncas.