The Pioneers

The story takes place on the rapidly advancing frontier of New York State and features a middle-aged Leatherstocking, Natty Bumppo. The story begins with an argument between the Judge and Leatherstocking over who killed a buck, and as Cooper reviews many of the changes to New York's Lake Otsego, questions of environmental stewardship, conservation, and use prevail. The plot develops as the Leatherstocking and Chingachgook begin to compete with the Temples for the loyalties of a mysterious young …