James Fenimore Cooper's Frontier: The Pioneers as History

Chapter 27: 

[Natty Kills a Deer] Despite Oliver Edwards' warning that Judge Temple has 

vowed to prosecute anyone killing deer out of season, Natty, John Mohegan, and Edwards 

pursue the deer in the water; Edwards catches its antlers in a noose and Natty cuts its throat. The 

hounds are examined, and it is seen that the thongs with which they were tied up have been cut 

with a knife on the end of a long stick.  

Chapter 28:

 [Threatened by a Panther] Meanwhile Elizabeth Temple and Louisa Grant ramble 

through the woods overlooking the east side of the Lake (Prospect Rock) above Natty's cabin. 

Louisa tells Elizabeth what she has heard about Natty's background, and speculates that he may 

be Oliver Edwards' father. She also mentions the abject poverty of her own upbringing, when she 

and her siblings were left hungry at home while her father, too proud to beg, rode off to console 

others. The two young women encounter the cub of a panther (mountain lion), which is killed by 

the mastiff Brave, and are then attacked by the cub's mother. Brave dies trying to defend them, 

Louisa faints, and Elizabeth has given herself up for dead when Natty silently appears and shoots 

the panther. They return to the village, and Natty returns to his cabin, near which he encounters 

Hiram Doolittle, who has heard his shot. Doolittle obliquely accuses Natty of illegally shooting 

deer, and Natty leads him on until they come to the bodies of the dead mastiff and the panthers. 

Natty claims the bounty on panther scalps, and Hiram persistently but unsuccessfully tries to 

gain admission to his cabin on pretext of preparing the bounty order. Natty examines Doolittle's 

knife, making it clear he thinks Doolittle responsible for loosing his hounds, and Doolittle's 

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discomfiture demonstrates his guilt. Natty warns Doolittle to stay away from his cabin, and 

Doolittle responds that he knows Natty has broken the law and as Magistrate intends to bring 

him to justice. Oliver Edwards assures Natty that nobody has entered the cabin.