15 Duncan Meets a Bear

CHAPTER 15 Duncan Meets a Bear The bear continued to grunt, and then proceeded to roll around the cave floor. The chief stepped forward and told the other young women caring for the girl to leave. "Let this brother help you," he said to the sick girl. Then, turning to Duncan, he said, "I leave you here, and trust you will do your best to make her better." Duncan now found himself alone with the bear and the poor, sick girl. The bear came toward

him, shaking all over. Duncan looked around quickly to see if he could run, but there was nowhere to go. The bear shook itself so hard that Duncan didn't know what to do. Then its head came off! It was a costume—underneath the fur was Hawkeye! "Goodness!" Duncan cried, "What on earth are you doing?" "I left the general and Chingachgook at the old beaver lodge," Hawkeye said, "where they are safe from the Hurons. Then Uncas and I made our way to the other camp—have you seen him?" "Yes," Duncan answered. "They captured him. They will kill him tomorrow. It's terrible!" "Oh, I knew it. That's why I am here. I could never leave him to such a terrible fate." "What happened?" Duncan asked. "Uncas moved too far forward for me to follow—he was too quick. Then a scuffle with one of the Hurons, a coward who ran away from

the fighting, led Uncas into an ambush!" "He has paid dearly for his speed," Duncan said. "But how did you get this costume?" Hawkeye laughed. "I came across one of the Hurons dressing up as a bear for a celebration. I tied him up and took the bear suit so I could come find you, and we could save Uncas and Alice." "Well," Duncan said, "you make a very good bear!" "One does not live in the woods for so long without learning the way a bear moves," Hawkeye replied. "Any luck finding Alice?" Duncan shook his head. "I have searched all of the lodges in the village and have seen no sign of her. I was hoping she might be in here." "You heard David," Hawkeye said. "He said that she expects you." "I think he was talking about this poor girl," Duncan said, pointing to the girl on the bed. "Maybe he was, but there's only one way to

find out. I will get back into this costume and climb up above to see what I can discover," Hawkeye said as he put the bear's head back on. Hawkeye climbed up the walls of the cave, just as a bear would. It took him a while, but when he reached the top, he had a good look around. "Alice is here," he whispered. "There is another door behind you. She is on the other side of it." Duncan stepped forward. "I would say something to her," Hawkeye continued, "but I am afraid she will be scared, seeing as I am dressed up like a bear." The scout laughed. "Of course, you're not much better in your disguise." "Do I look that frightening?" Duncan asked. "You could probably scare a wolf," Hawkeye answered. "Look, there's a spring over there. You can wash your face first." It took only a few minutes for Duncan to shed

his disguise. Then he raced down the passageway to the other door, while Hawkeye looked around the Hurons' secret hideaway for another way out. At last Duncan came to the farthest room and flung open the bark door. "Duncan!" Alice said. "Alice!" "I knew you would come for me!" she said. "But you are all alone?" Duncan told her that he had come with the Mohicans to rescue her. "Now," he said, "we need to get out of here— but you'll have to be very strong. Keep thinking of your father, and how happy he will be to see you." They were speaking quietly when Duncan felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Magua standing there! "What do you want?" Alice said. She folded her arms across her chest. Duncan stepped in front of her and stared at Magua. At first, no one

moved. Then Magua stepped around Duncan and locked the door. There would be no escape. "You can try to keep us against our will," Duncan said, "but we will have our revenge. You will be dead—and by my hand!" Magua laughed. "Will you be so angry tomorrow when we punish you with Uncas?" The warrior turned and was about to leave, when a loud growl stopped him. Magua knew that it was a trick—he had seen the bear costume many times before. But when he tried to step around the bear, a louder and even angrier growl greeted him. The bear stood on its back legs and shook its front paws. "Foolish tricks," Magua said. "Go play with the children." The bear jumped forward and grabbed Magua. Duncan, acting quickly, grabbed some rope from the cave and tied him up. Magua pushed and pulled, but it didn't matter. He was bound up tightly in the rope.