42 pages 1 hour read

James Fenimore Cooper

The Last of the Mohicans

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1826

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Chapters 23-33Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 23-24 Summary

Having traveled with Gamut to the Huron’s village, Heyward attempts to stay calm despite the danger surrounding him. He explains that he has arrived to find out if there are any sick people in the village. The residents ask about his painted skin and Heyward replies that his “brothers” gave it to him, and he is proud to wear it; this explanation satisfies the Hurons. Suddenly, there is a loud commotion as prisoners are brought in. One of them turns out to be Uncas, who has been captured by the Hurons. Despite the dire situation, Uncas remains defiant.

Heyward, still in his medicine-man disguise, is asked to heal an old woman in the Huron village. The warriors plan to torture and kill Uncas, who nevertheless openly criticizes Magua. However, Magua decides to wait until the morning to execute Magua. Heyward is taken to the sick woman, accompanied by Gamut and a tamed bear (Bumppo in disguise). Heyward immediately realizes that the woman is too sick to be helped. Gamut plays a song on his pipes and then exits. Before he goes, he secretly lets Heyward know the daughters know that he is there to rescue them.