The Pioneers, or The Sources of the Susquehanna by James Fenimore Cooper. Short summary

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An adventure novel about the first settlers, pioneers who were not afraid to settle in the dangerous lands of the Wild West. Brave hunter Nathaniel Bampo, nicknamed Leather Stocking, is always ready to help his friends.

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The novel is set in the late 18th century. Judge Marmaduke Temple and his daughter Elizabeth are among the first residents of Templeton Township, located near the headwaters of the Susquehanna River. Thanks to Judge, the village thrives and grows.

One day on his way home, Temple meets an old friend, Nathaniel Bampo, nicknamed Leather Stocking. Together they rescue an injured guy who introduces himself as Oliver Edwards. Bampo saves Elizabeth from a cougar, but soon finds himself behind bars for killing a deer. The hunter manages to escape, helped by Oliver.

Elizabeth plans to meet Oliver in the woods, but finds the Indian Chingachgook unconscious. There is a fire in the forest, Oliver tries to save the girl. Bampo comes to the rescue again, he leads Edwards and the judge’s daughter to safety, but Chingachgook dies.

In the finale, Edwards and Elizabeth marry, Bampo buries his friend Chingachgook and goes off to conquer new lands.