Uncas has told Magua that he will give the Huron a a brief truce before coming after him. Uncas warned Magua that when the sun was over the top of the trees, he would seek his revenge for Magua having taken Cora against her wishes. Uncas is determined to save Cora.

While he waits, Uncas meditates on the mission before him. Some of the Delaware warriors gather around him, sensing the impending battle as well as Uncas' growing anger. After sitting quietly with Uncas for a while, the Delaware warriors, in an attempt to brew their own anger before the fight to which they have now committed themselves, strip bark off a nearby tree, paint the trunk of the tree in war colors, and then assault the tree with their hatchets and knives as if the tree were their enemy. The warriors' frenzy spreads and by the time Uncas is ready to leave the Delaware camp, almost 200 warriors are prepared and determined to go with him.

Hawkeye is also in the process of preparing himself for the battle. Prior to entering the Delaware village, Hawkeye hid his gun in the woods. This allowed him to enter the village without looking threatening. Now he must retrieve his gun, but he suspects that there might be scouts from the nearby Huron tribe hiding in the forest, waiting to entrap him. So Hawkeye asks one of the younger Delaware boys to find his gun and bring it back to him. The young boy is glad to be so honored, having been asked to take on such an adult-like challenge.

The boy walks into the woods, confident that the Huron will not be very suspicious of him because of his youth. The boy is too young to fight in the upcoming battle. However, when the boy finds and retrieves Hawkeye's gun, the Huron shoot their guns in his direction.

The boy is clever and not afraid. However, one of the bullets cuts through the outer portion of his arm. He returns to Hawkeye with the gun and willingly accepts Hawkeye's praise. Hawkeye bandages the boy's arm and tells him that his bravery will more than likely lead the boy to one day become a chief in his tribe.

As Uncas and the Delaware warriors leave their village on their way to seek Magua and rescue Cora, they see what looks like a Huron scout sneaking through the woods. Uncas tells Hawkeye to shoot the scout.

Hawkeye takes aim, but just as he is about to shoot, he recognizes Gamut. Hawkeye sings out a melody that Gamut recognizes, and he turns to greet his friend. Gamut then informs Hawkeye that the Hurons are also preparing themselves for a battle. They have taken Cora to the cave where they hide all their treasures. This is the same place where Hawkeye caught Magua off guard when Hawkeye was dressed in bear skins.

Uncas and Hawkeye are grateful for the information that Gamut has shared with them. They believe that the battle with the Huron and Magua as well as the rescue of Cora will be an easy task.