Останній з Могікан

           If,however,theytakeyourscalp,asItrustandbelievetheywillnot,dependonit,UncasandIwillnotforgetthedeed,butrevengeitasbecomestruewarriorsandtrustyfriends."

           "Hold!"saidDavid,perceivingthatwiththisassurancetheywereabouttoleavehim;"IamanunworthyandhumblefollowerofOnewhotaughtnotthedamnableprincipleofrevenge.ShouldIfall,therefore,seeknovictimstomymanes,butratherforgivemydestroyers;andifyourememberthematall,letitbeinprayersfortheenlighteningoftheirminds,andfortheireternalwelfare."

           Thescouthesitated,andappearedtomuse.

           "Thereisaprincipleinthat,"hesaid,"differentfromthelawofthewoods;andyetitisfairandnobletoreflectupon."Then,heavingaheavysigh,probablyamongthelastheeverdrewinpiningforaconditionhehadsolongabandoned,headded,"ItiswhatIwouldwishtopractise,myself,asonewithoutacrossofblood,thoughitisnotalwayseasytodealwithanIndianasyouwouldwithafellowChristian.Godblessyou,friend;Idobelieveyourscentisnotgreatlywrong,whenthematterisdulyconsidered,andkeepingeternitybeforetheeyes,thoughmuchdependsonthenaturalgifts,andtheforceoftemptation."

           Sosaying,thescoutreturnedandshookDavidcordiallybythehand;afterwhichactoffriendshipheimmediatelyleftthelodge,attendedbythenewrepresentativeofthebeast.