Duncan’s conductor led him to a cave which went some distance into the rocky side of the mountain.  As he entered, Duncan saw a dark; mysterious-looking object that rose unexpectedly in his path.  It was a bear, and though the young soldier knew that the Indians often kept such animals as pets, its deep growls, and the manner in which it clutched at him as he passed up the long, narrow passage of the cave, caused him not a little uneasiness.

Having shown him the sick woman, who, it was clear, was dying, the Indians left the supposed medicine man to fight the devils by himself.  To his horror, Duncan saw that the bear remained behind, growling savagely.  Watching it uneasily, he noticed its head suddenly fall on one side, and in its place appeared the sturdy countenance of the scout.  As quickly as he could Hawk-eye explained how he had come across a wizard preparing for a seance, how he had knocked him on the head and taken the bear’s skin in which the charlatan had proposed to make his magic.

While the scout rearranged his disguise, Duncan, searching the cave, in another compartment discovered Alice.  But even as the girl was in the first throes of delight at this unexpected meeting, the guttural laugh of Magua was heard, and she saw the dark form and malignant visage of the savage.

“Huron, do your worst!” exclaimed the excited Heyward, as he saw that all his plans were brought to nought.

“Will the white man speak these words at the stake?” asked Magua, turning to leave the cave.  As he did so the bear growled loudly and threateningly; believing it to be one of the wizards, Magua attempted to pass it contemptuously.  Suddenly the animal rushed at him, and, seizing him in its arms, completely overpowered him.  Duncan at once ran to the scout’s assistance, and secured the savage.

At Hawk-eye’s suggestion, Alice was wrapped up in the dying woman’s clothes, and, completely hidden from view, was carried out of the cave.

“The disease has gone out of her,” explained Duncan to the father and husband who waited without.  “I go to take the woman to a distance, where I will strengthen her against any further attack.  Let my children wait without, and if the evil spirit appears beat him down with clubs.”

Leaving the Indians with a certainty that they would not enter the cavern and discover Magua, Duncan and the scout made their way to the hut where Uncas lay bound.  Entering with David, they released the Mohican, and immediately hastened to take the next step suggested by the resourceful Hawk-eye.  David was secure from all harm; so the scout, stepping out of his bear-skin, dressed himself in the singing-master’s clothes, while Uncas donned the wizard’s disguise.  Thus arrayed they ventured out among the natives, leaving David within.  Without being suspected, they passed through the encampment; but they had not got far before a yell announced that their subterfuge had been discovered.  Uncas cast his skin, and having used their rifles with deadly effect, he and the scout made their escape into the woods, taking Alice with them.