Magua has reached the neighboring tribe of the Delawares where Hawkeye, Uncas, Heyward, and Alice are hiding. It is also with the Delawares that Cora has been placed as Magua's captive.

Magua walks calmly through the Delaware village, holding himself as erect as a prince, as he now feels like the best and most noble leader of his tribe of Hurons. He has come to the Delawares with a special message, one that he believes will turn the Delawares against Hawkeye and his group.

After walking through the Delaware village, Magua meets and agrees to sit down with one of the Delaware chiefs. At first the Delaware leader is leery of Magua. The Hurons, in general, are much more warlike than the Delaware. The Delaware try to avoid wars as much as possible. For this, the Huron tend to make fun of the Delaware, often insulting them by calling them women and stating that the Delaware are more useful with a hoe than a gun in their hands.

So when Magua begins to speak with the Delaware chief, searching for information, first about Cora (suggesting that it might be time for the Delaware to send Cora to the Huron village) and second about any suspicious strangers the Delaware might have seen recently, the Delaware chief evades answering Magua's questions. He tells Magua that strangers are always welcome in the Delaware village and that Cora is causing them no trouble. However, when Magua tells the chief that the strangers staying in his village include a spy, the Delaware chief begins to worry.

In the recent massacre by the Hurons as Munro surrendered his fort, the French forces were much aware of the absence of any Delaware Indians, whom the French believed supported them. Magua takes advantage of the Delawares' obvious absence from that battle and warns the chief that the great white Canadian "father" is not pleased with their recent absence.

This particular tribe of Delaware people has taken refuge in Canada, so they are well aware that they must respect the Canadian politicians to remain safely inside the French territories. Therefore, when Magua says that the Delaware are harboring an enemy of the French people, the chief pays closer attention to what Magua is telling him and answers his questions less evasively.

The Delaware chief becomes even more concerned after asking Magua to name this enemy: "La Longue Carabine." This is the nickname the French people gave to Hawkeye. The name evolved from the special rifle Hawkeye uses, a gun with a long barrel.

Upon hearing Hawkey's name, the Delaware chief, recognizing the name as belonging to a known enemy of the French, decides that he must call a special council. A very important decision must be made concerning this information.

The council the chief orders is so special, it is only called when very critical decisions must be made. Upon hearing that this council will be meeting, the entire village becomes excited. Everyone, including women and children, comes out to take part.

As everyone takes their place, there is a very long silence. According to custom, everyone must wait for the oldest person present to speak first. There are many gray-headed men at the council, but none of them is saying anything. It is as if they are waiting for an even older member of the tribe to appear.

After more time passes, a group of three men, all with long white hair, finally approach the gathering. The oldest of them must be helped into his chair. He is a highly decorated man, his chest covered in medals. His name is Tamenund, a respected old chief with a reputation of having been endowed with great wisdom. This chief is more than 100 years old.