# XXI explained — The Last of the Mohicans

> Chapter companion for The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper.

## What happens

The party continues their pursuit of the Hurons through a rugged and little-known wilderness. Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Uncas use their tracking skills to follow a deliberately concealed trail. Uncas discovers the hidden path, and the group deduces that the Hurons used a handbarrow to carry Cora and Alice without leaving obvious footprints. The chapter ends with Hawkeye sensing they are nearing the Huron encampment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wilderness vs. Civilization

The chapter emphasizes the contrast between the untamed wilderness and the settlers' encroaching civilization, as the party navigates a region unknown to most colonists.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

The Hurons' cunning concealment of the trail reflects betrayal, while the protagonists' relentless pursuit demonstrates loyalty to the captured women.

## Character check-ins

### Hawkeye

Leads the pursuit, interprets the trail, and senses proximity to the Huron camp.

### Uncas

Demonstrates keen tracking skills, finding the hidden trail and the moccasin print.

### Chingachgook

Assists Hawkeye in reading the trail and consults with him on their course.

### Major Duncan Heyward

Travels with the party, expresses concern, and points out the handbarrow fragments.

### Colonel Munro

Travels with the group, worried about his daughters' endurance.

### David Gamut

His footprint is identified by Hawkeye, indicating he was forced to walk first to mislead pursuers.

## Key lines

> If you find a man there, he shall die a flea’s death.

If you find a man there, he will die a miserable death.

_Epigraph from Merry Wives of Windsor, setting a tone of danger and pursuit._

> The party had landed on the border of a region that is, even to this day, less known to the inhabitants of the States than the deserts of Arabia, or the steppes of Tartary.

The group arrived at the edge of an area still largely unknown to Americans, more so than distant deserts.

_Highlights the remoteness and unfamiliarity of the wilderness._

> Human natur’ is weak, and it is possible we may not have taken the proper scent.

Human nature is fallible, and we might have missed the correct trail.

_Hawkeye expresses doubt about their tracking accuracy._

> The lad is quick of sight and keen of wit for his years.

The young man has sharp eyes and cleverness beyond his age.

_Hawkeye praises Uncas for finding the trail._

> Such cunning is not without its deviltry.

Such cleverness is certainly diabolical.

_Hawkeye comments on the Hurons' deceptive trail concealment._

> This lad will be an honor to his people, ay, and a thorn in the sides of the Hurons.

This young man will bring honor to his tribe and trouble to the Hurons.

_Hawkeye predicts Uncas's future prowess._

> The tender limbs of my daughters are unequal to these hardships.

My daughters' delicate bodies cannot endure such difficulties.

_Munro expresses paternal concern for Cora and Alice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters