The Last of the Mohicans · Chapter
XXII explained
Magua separates his prisoners, sending Cora to a neighboring tribe while David Gamut remains with the Hurons.
What happens
Magua separates his prisoners, sending Cora to a neighboring tribe while David Gamut remains with the Hurons. Hawkeye, Chingachgook, Uncas, Duncan Heyward, and Colonel Munro learn from David's account that Cora's captors may be Delawares, as indicated by a tortoise totem. Duncan resolves to rescue Alice from the Hurons by disguising himself as a fool, with Chingachgook painting him accordingly. Hawkeye agrees to the plan and leads the others to investigate the Delaware camp, while Duncan and David set off toward the Huron lodges.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Betrayal
Duncan's daring plan to rescue Alice demonstrates personal loyalty, while the scout warns of potential betrayal from 'a friend whose face is turned from you.'
Colonial Warfare and Imperialism
The separation of prisoners and the use of tribal alliances (Hurons, Delawares) reflect the broader colonial conflict between the French and British.
Characters to notice
- Magua
Separates the prisoners, sending Cora to a different tribe and keeping David with the Hurons.
- David Gamut
Provides an imperfect account of Cora's location and the customs of her captors, noting a tortoise totem.
- Hawkeye
Interrogates David about the tribe's knives and totems, identifies the tortoise as a Delaware symbol, and agrees to Duncan's plan after initial reluctance.
- Chingachgook
Reveals his tortoise totem as a sign of his Delaware high blood; paints Duncan to disguise him as a fool.
- Major Duncan Heyward
Resolves to rescue Alice from the Hurons, insisting on accompanying David in disguise despite Hawkeye's warnings.
- Uncas
Listens attentively to David's narrative; will accompany Hawkeye to investigate the Delaware camp.
Key passages
“Did you see the fashion of their knives? were they of English or French formation?”
Hawkeye asks David if he noticed whether the knives carried by Cora's captors were English or French in design.
Hawkeye uses the knife style to determine the tribe's allegiance.
“The Sagamore is of the high blood of the Delawares, and is the great chief of their Tortoises!”
Hawkeye reveals that Chingachgook is a high-ranking Delaware chief from the Tortoise clan.
This identification links Cora's captors to the Delaware tribe via the tortoise totem.
“I too can play the madman, the fool, the hero; in short, any or everything to rescue her I love.”
Duncan declares he will act as a madman, fool, or hero—whatever it takes—to save Alice.
Duncan's passionate resolve drives his decision to disguise himself and infiltrate the Huron camp.