Uncas looks amazed at Alice, whose eyes reflect a rage that he has never seen in her before.

George, who seems to have recovered himself from the initial shock of seeing such a furious Alice, says in a calm tone "I made clear that I wanted to talk with the indian in private".

"This is between you and me George. What you want to say, say it in front of me" Alice resolves, as she places herself in front of Uncas in a protective instinct.

"So the little princess comes here to save her beloved savage" George says amused, as he observes Uncas trying to hold back his urge to launch over him. He won't dare to attack me. He knows the consequences. Feeling safe, he keeps on in a menacing tone. "This is a men's business; I won't deal it with a woman. And it seems your savage wants to fight with me, so I advise you to step aside if you don't want to be hurt".

"I can handle him Alice, go home please" Uncas knows what will mean for him to fight George. He will be arrested and hanged for sure. But he is willing to die as long as she is not hurt. However, ignoring his pleads, Alice doesn't move and keeps staring at George with raging eyes. "Don't you dare to touch him, George!"

The officer chuckles amused by her reaction. "It seems you have become very brave since I abandoned you…" He walks slowly towards her and Alice can feel his menacing eyes fixed on her. She feels her body starting to tremble but she manages to hold it back. This man still manages to scare her, but now she is stronger. Not wanting to show her fear, she holds back his gaze.

"I've already hit you before Alice, I don't mind doing it again". In a matter of seconds, Alice feels her chin being grabbed violently by George, but as soon as his hand touches her skin, Uncas grabs it in a quick motion, making him release her and punches him, knocking him to the floor. "Don't touch her!"

George recovers quickly and gets up furiously. Aware that he has nothing to do against the savage in a fair fight, he remembers the pistol in his jacket. In a quick motion, he grabs it and points at them. "I should kill you both!"

Alice notices as Uncas is about to place himself between her and the pistol, but she reacts first, and places herself in front of him instead. Noticing as he tries to change their positions, she grabs him, keeping him at her back. That is between she and George and she won't allow Uncas to risk his life because of her again. This time I'll be the one to protect you.

"If I were you, I wouldn't do it George" Alice says in a calm tone, trying to hold back the fear that she is feeling at the vision of that monster holding a pistol in front of her. "The officers will come as soon as they hear the shots. And how are you going to explain that you killed a helpless woman and an unarmed man?" Seeing the spark of doubt in George's eyes, she keeps on. "It won't matter that the man attacked you, he was unarmed after all. It wouldn't be very honourable for an English officer; don't you think so?"

She is alright, it would be a foolish thing to do. Feeling himself very stupid for acting without thinking the consequences, George has no other option than to save the pistol in his pocket again, enduring the humiliation of seeing Alice's features relax, knowing that she has some power over him. But I still can arrest them both.

As if she was reading his mind, Alice keeps on. "And if you try to arrest us, I will tell the rest of the officers that you are the father of my son. A child who we conceive without being married. Maybe that fact will ruin your marriage plans in England".

"No one will believe you!" George furiously exclaims, realizing that probably Alice is smarter than what he always thought.

"Maybe not, but still there will be rumours. I don't think you want to take the risk" Alice says, praying that her threat works and allow them and their family to leave the town without problems.

Aware that he has no other option, and humiliated by the fact that he is cornered by a girl who, until now, he had considered totally stupid, George accepts the deal. "Alright, I will leave you go. But don't you dare to go back to town. I don't want to see any of you again". Still, he can't bare the idea of a son from his own blood being raised by indians, but there is nothing he can do. Alice would never sell him the baby and for some mysterious reason, the savage seems infatuated with her, so he won't accept the deal either.

Eager to leave that place, Alice motions Uncas to go, but she is stopped by George's horrible voice.

"You have always been so pathetic Alice. An English Colonel's daughter who ruins her own life and ends being a savage's lover". George says in a mocking tone. Maybe he won't get what he wanted but he is not going to leave her go without making clear who has the power here. He won't be humiliated by a woman like her.

Alice notices Uncas clenching his fists at her side, but she places herself in front of him again, looking at George with hateful eyes.

"You are wrong; I didn't ruin my life. You are the one who tried to ruin it" Alice remarks the word tried to make clear that he didn't get it. "But now I'm happier than I ever thought I would be. I have a beautiful baby and the most honourable man I've ever known by my side. A man who stands head and shoulders above you." Seeing George's surprised expression at her speech, probably believing that her reaction would be to bow her head and leave, she feels more self-confidence growing inside her

Extremely uncomfortable at being humiliated again by Alice and without more arguments to add, he tries with the most common word to insult a woman. "You are no more than a whore".

Hearing that statement, Uncas tries to launches towards George, but he is restrained again by Alice. She doesn't want him to get in trouble because of her and, this time, she knows how to handle the situation.

"Why I'm a whore?" Because I laid with you without being married? You laid with me too. What is the difference between us? You are not better than me". Alice says, tired that the world seems to consider her a woman with low moral for losing her virtue but not the man who took it.

"It's not the same…" George tries to argue but he is cut off by Alice.

"You are right, it's not the same. It's worse in your case because you lied to me to get what you wanted and then abandoned me. You are no more than a rat". Then, looking directly at his eyes, with deep hate reflected in her own, she adds. "And take for granted that I prefer to be a whore than a disgusting rat like you"

George goes speechless at Alice's words. Getting used to humiliate her in the past, he doesn't know how to react now that it's the other way around. He tries desperately to find something cruel to tell her but he has the feeling that anything he could say would not hurt her in the way he would like. Against all odds, she seems happy in her new and weird life and very proud of herself. The timid and insecure girl he used to know seems to have become a totally different person. He still wants to mock her but he doesn't know how. How do you humiliate such a self-confident person?

"And don't you ever dare to try to take my son away from me" Alice adds fiercely. For the first time, she is not afraid of George anymore. He can seem intimidating but he is only an arrogant fool. And feeling Uncas behind her gives her new strength too. He is touching her waist from behind and she knows what the gesture means. I know you can handle this alone, but I'm here in case you need me.

"I couldn't bear the thought of my blood son being raised by savages" George simply admits.

"So you finally admit he is your son? Fortunately, he has already a father. One who will raise him to be a good man like him. I would be ashamed if he had a father like you. Especially, after you tried to steal him from his mother". Alice says, looking at him with contempt.

Feeling rage invading him at her comment, George yells furiously. "Yes, I've always known he is my son but you have no proof about it. And I will never admit to anyone that I got you pregnant a year ago and I've just tried to steal the baby from you!"

As soon as he finishes the statement, the three of them look at the door, where an officer has just entered. He is a middle-aged man who wears the red uniform of the British army and he seems perplexed about what he has just heard. Noticing his mistake, George pales, aware that he should have kept his mouth shut.

"What are you talking about, Lieutenant Clarke?" The man asks very serious.

George pales even more, as he desperately tries to find an explanation that justifies what he has just said. "I'm…I'm sorry, Captain Morrison, I…I…I can explain it…". He stutters, not finding the right words.

"I think you have already explain it perfectly" Captain Morrison looks at him with angry eyes. "You have just admitted that you have a baby with this woman!"

Aware that he has no other choice but to confess the truth, George finally admits it. "Well…it was a mistake, Captain Morrison. It was a long time ago…and it was her fault. She provoked me and I couldn't resist…" He looks at Alice, who is observing the scene with cautious eyes, Uncas holding her from behind, his arms around her waist protectively. "No one knows about it. I'm sure when I return to England, this won't be a problem to…"

"Do you truly believe I'm going to let you marry my daughter, knowing that you have a bastard child with a frontier woman? I would be a fool if I allowed it!" The Captain says, his face full of rage.

"Your daughter will never know it. Please sir, nobody in England or America will know about this incident" George tries desperately to fix the situation.

"I know it and that it is enough!" Captain Morrison yells, not believing what he is hearing. "What a kind of father I would be if I lied to my daughter? If I allow her to marry a man who is lying to her? He has to hold back his urge to grab him by the collar and shake him. "And what would happen if, for some reason, your secret was revealed? The scandal would humiliate my family and my daughter's heart would break, especially if she discovered that I knew it".

"Sir I…I promise I will be a good husband for her" George pleads, in a last attempt to not lose his prosperous future.

"I also heard you saying that you were trying to steal the baby from her. What were you planning to do?" The captain asks, ignoring his pleads.

"This woman is living with this indian and his family. She is her lover" George looks at Alice with disgust. "I didn't want for a white child from my own blood to be raised by savages. I wanted to give him to a family of settlers who will raise him properly".

Captain Morrison looks at the young couple and seems to think about it for some seconds. Alice studies the man's expression. It's obvious he has no idea that I'm Colonel Munro's disowned daughter. He thinks I'm only a common frontier woman. And George won't tell him either because it would be worse to him. The scandal would be bigger if someone discovered that he is the father of Alice Munro's son. She feels safer this way because she knows if she wants to live freely with Uncas, it will be easier if no one discovers who she is. And now everybody thinks that she died with her father in the massacre.

Then, the captain finally resolves "Though I agree with you that it's more proper for a white child to live among his people, the fact that you tried to steal him from his mother is intolerable. I won't never approve a relationship between a white woman and a native man but, as a soldier of the British army and a gentleman, I was taught to be always respectful with women. What kind of officer you are? What kind of person is able to do such a horrible thing like stealing a baby? His eyes reflect disappointment and anger towards the man he was sure he was going to be the perfect son in law, not so long ago. "You are not a good man Clarke. I love my daughter above everything and I will never allow her to marry someone as miserable as you".

Unable to keep on trying to justify himself, George bows his head ashamed and totally humiliated.

The captain keeps on "As soon as I leave this place, I'll write to my daughter to inform her about my discovery and the engagement will be officially broken. I'll make sure everyone in England and here know the kind of person you are, and how I discovered it before it was too late and you had brought shame to my family".

George's face fills with terror at the thought of everybody in England knowing about his secret and how it had ruined his future marriage with a wealthy captain's daughter. Probably his own family would disown him because of their own humiliation. "No sir please…"

"And I'll make sure you are sent to a fort where you will have to fight and work harder than here. Your time of living a quiet life in this town is over."

"But…but this indian hit me. Look at my face…Doesn't he deserve some kind of punishment?" George asks, amazed that the captain still haven't asked him why he is bleeding.

"Honestly Liutenant…after what I've heard, I think you deserved it" Watching George incredulous face, he adds. "You were very disrespectful with this woman, trying to steal his baby and, from my point of view, this man was only protecting her, as any gentleman should do. I have nothing more to say, Clarke. Now I want you to get out of my sight".

Totally devastated, George looks one last time at Alice and he can see a sneaky smile on her face, as she returns his gaze. Without looking back, he leaves the quarters.

Captain Morrison turns to Alice and Uncas, realizing that maybe he should have spoken to George Clarke in private and not in front of strangers.

"I'm sorry you have to witnessed this scene" he says, visibly uncomfortable at being talking to an interracial couple. He resolves to end the matter quickly. "I hope he hasn't caused you too much trouble. Now, you can leave".

Both Uncas and Alice nod respectfully and leave the quarters. As soon as they reach the street, Alice sees Chingachgook running to them. After everything that happened in the quarters, she feels that she needs some fatherly comfort, so she runs into his arms and closes her eyes as the old Mohican returns her embrace.

"What happened?" he asks worried.

"Everything is fine, father. We will tell you later. We should go to the cabin to take everything and then leave" Uncas reassures him, touching his father's shoulder.

"Where is the rest of the family?" Alice asks Chingachgook, as soon as she parts away from him.

"They are safe in the cabin. When we discovered you had run away, we were so worried for you that I came as soon as possible, while Nathaniel stayed with Cora and the baby". Chingachgook explains. "They are waiting for us. Let's go then".


What will become of me? George walks down the empty street, thinking about how his life has changed in the last hour. He was going to return to England and marry a wealthy captain's daughter and now all his future plans have been destroyed because of Alice. He had tried to ruin her life, but finally it was her who ruined his own. He could try to get revenge on her, but what use would it be? The damage is already done. Or maybe was I who ruined my own life?

He is aware that he has no place to go. He can't return to England, where he will have to endure the humiliation and shame he brought to him and his family. As a British officer, everybody will look down on him because of his actions. Even my own family will disown me for sure. And here in America the situation is not better. Everybody will also know the truth and he will have to endure a hard life in a fort, where the rest of the officers will look down on him too. He will have to fight in the war, until maybe one day he will be killed and nobody will care.

He is not made for that kind of life. Since he was a common soldier in England, he has always wanted to improve his status. To become an important soldier and marry a wealthy lady, which would bring him the chance to live among the British high society. He can't endure the thought of not being someone. He prefers to die than living in a world where everybody will look down on him and he will have to endure the humiliation of being a man who has lost the chance of his life. He doesn't want to live that life. And honestly, he doesn't know how to live it.

But there is nothing I can do…or maybe there is still one thing... He remembers the pistol in his pocket and grabs it with a tremulous hand. Slowly, he lifts it up to his head and points to his temple. He manages to hold back the trembling that is invading his whole body and takes a deep breath. Finally, with an empty expression in his eyes, he pulls the trigger.


Alice and Uncas walk through the forest, leaving the town with their family. As soon as they reunited, they took everything they needed for the journey, before leaving the cabin. Watching Alice walking in front of him, carrying Tommy in the cradleboard in her back, Uncas realizes he hasn't talked to her since they left the quarters. He is still impressed about how she handled the situation with George. She was so brave and he is very proud of her. She didn't let him humiliate her again, telling him exactly what she thought about him and showing him the miserable man he was. And of course, he is aware about how she placed herself between he and George all the time, willing to protect him against that monster. More than once, he wanted to intervene but he knew she needed to handle it by herself. And she couldn't have done it better.

In an impulse, he runs to her and grabbing her by the waist, kisses her deeply. When they part away from each other, she seems surprised by his action but happy as well. A smile comes to her lips, despite the fact that the rest of the family are looking at them amused, which makes her blush.

"You were amazing before. I haven't had the chance to tell you" Uncas says honestly.

"Well, I did what I could" Then she adds with a mischievous smile. "But I felt so good telling that idiot what I thought about him. And did you see his face when he was discovered?"

Uncas chuckles, enjoying watching her so happy after what they have been trough.

"You were amazing too. It's obvious that he deserved that broken nose" Alice chuckles, remembering how he was bleeding and the moment when he tried to hurt her and Uncas punched him again. That bastard was no match for Uncas.

"Now everything will be better for us. We are going to be very happy living among my people" Uncas says softly, holding her hand to walk along her.

Suddenly, they hear a distant commotion. Screams which seem to come from the town. They tried to understand anything but it's impossible. Until a statement reaches their ears.

"Lieutenant Clarke has killed himself! He is dead!"

In that moment, the family share a look. They are aware they shouldn't feel happy about someone's death but this man deserved it for sure.

Uncas looks at Alice and he can see a relief expression crossing her features. She returns his gaze and he can see what she is telling him with no words. We are safe now. No one will hurt us anymore. He nods at her and grabbing her waist, they keep on walking together.

A new life is awaiting for them.


Author's note: Sorry for the long break after the last update. Right after posting the last chapter I had covid and, though my condition was not so bad and I could recover myself at home, my lack of energy after that, made impossible for me to sit in front of the computer and write a whole chapter. But I'm back again! I hope you patient readers keep enoying this story, that maybe you thought I had abandoned. I'll try to update more often from now on.

In this chapter, I hope you have enjoyed reading about George's punishment as much as I've enjoyed writing about it. Definitely, he deserved it after how badly he treated Alice. Being humiliated by her, punched by Uncas, his secret revealed, his future plans ruined and finally he ending with his own life is enough punishment for him, don't you think so?

There are only a few chapters left, maybe three or four, until we reach the end of this story. And though I feel sad about finishing a story that I've been writing for over a year, I'm happy because when I started, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish it. It has been a challenge for me! And I have to tell you that I already have in mind an original idea for a future story, and I'm eager to start working on it because I think nobody has written about something similar before, at least in this page.

Thank you for your support, you are all amazing!