Chapter 27 Summary

Deerslayer returned to the encampment where he is honored for keeping his promise. Rivenoak offers Deerslayer his freedom with one big condition. He must marry the widow of the Iroquois that he killed earlier. Deerslayer refuses because he does not believe in interracial marriage. The brother of the widow is insulted by his refusal and throws his tomahawk at Deerslayer's head. Deerslayer catches the tomahawk and throws it back at the man, hitting him in the forehead and killing him instantly. Deerslayer runs quickly into the woods, trying to escape. He hides under a fallen tree to elude the warriors. He makes his way back to the canoe and jumps in. There is not a strong enough current to carry the canoe into the water and Deerslayer cannot sit up to paddle it because the Iroquois are firing rifles at him. He lies...