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Setting
The Last of the Mohicans takes place in the third year of the French-Indian war, 1757, in New York close to the Hudson River
"A wide and apparently an impervious boundary
of forests severed the possessions of the hostile provinces of France and England." (Cooper, 1) -
The Last of the Mohicans
Fort William Henry is under siege by the French and 1,000 men are sent there for reinforcements from the colonies. General Munro, of Fort William Henry, sends for his daughters and trusts the Indian Magua and Major Heyward to accompany them to the fort. Along the way, the meet Gamut, a religious singer.
"A young man, in the dress of an officer, conducted to their steeds two females, who, as it was apparent by their dresses, were prepared to encounter the fatigues of a journey through woods." (1) -
Magua Leads the Group Astray
Magua leads the group in the wrong direction and they encounter the white woodsmen Hawkeye and his two Mohican companions, Uncas and his father, Chingachgook.
"A Huron! They are a thievish race, nor do I care by whom they are adopted; you can never make anything of them but skulks and vagabonds." (Chapter 4) -
Magua Escapes for the First Time
Magua escapes when he is found to have ulterior motives and is revealed as the villain of the story -
The Group Finds Shelter
The group finds shelter at cooper's cave and sleeps there.
"Are we quite safe in this cavern? Is there no danger of surprise? A single armed man at its entrance, would hold us at his mercy." (Chapter 6) -
Magua Attacks
Magua attacks the cave the next morning and takes the girls and Gamut. -
Hawkeye Saves the Girls
After a long journey, Hawkeye and the Mohicans save the girls ans gamut from Magua
"Well done for the Delawares! Victory to the Mohican! A finishing blow from a man without a cross will never tell against his honor, nor rob him of his right to the scalp." (Chapter 12) -
Magua Escapes Again
The woodsmen save the girls, but Magua manages to escape for the second time -
The Group Reaches Fort William Henry
The group finally reaches the fort to see the girls' father and he promptly surrenders to the French because he knows he isn't going to receive any help from the English. -
The Indians Slaughter the British
After the British surrender, the Indians kill all of them for no reason at all.
"Several of the [Huron] chiefs had proposed deep and treacherous schemes to surprise the Delawares, and, by gaining possession of their camp, to recover their prisoners by the same blow; for all agreed that their honor, their interests, and the peace and happiness of their dead countrymen, imperiously required them speedily to immolate some victims to their revenge." (Chapter 27) -
Magua Takes Cora and a Battle Ensues
Alice and Gamut are rescued, but Magua keep Cora. The woodsmen chase Magua. A battle ensues and Cora is killed. Uncas tries to kill the Indian who killed her, but is stabbed in the back by Magua. -
The Story Ends
Hawkeye shoots Magua in the face. Uncas and Cora are buried the next day and Chingachgook is the last Mohican
