# David Gamut — The Last of the Mohicans character guide

> David Gamut in The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** David, Gamut

**First appearance:** 0001-the-last-of-the-mohicans

## Snapshot

A psalm-singing itinerant music teacher whose head is so full of hymns he cannot tell a Huron knife from a French one.

## Who they are

David Gamut drifts into the frontier party as a harmless eccentric, offering sacred song where others offer scoutcraft, and reading the wilderness through the lens of his own piety. His obliviousness — he notices corn feasts but not totems, consolation but not weaponry — makes him both comic relief and a quiet indictment of those who travel among Native peoples without seeing them. For the Mohicans and Hawkeye, his fragments of observation become unexpected intelligence, and his presence tests the patience and charity of everyone around him.

## Relationships

### [Hawkeye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/characters/hawkeye)

_friendship_

David Gamut and Hawkeye become traveling companions, with Hawkeye tolerating David's eccentricities while protecting him.

### [Hawkeye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/characters/hawkeye)

_friendship_

David Gamut and Hawkeye become traveling companions, with Hawkeye tolerating David's eccentricities while protecting him.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/ii)

Gamut, a psalmist, joins the party unexpectedly, insisting on traveling with them. He is awkward on horseback and discusses his profession of singing.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/iv)

The singing master, present with the party, and is heard talking with the scout.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/vi)

Introduces himself as a singing master, produces his psalm book, and leads the hymn singing.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/vii)

Wounded and unconscious, he is carried to safety and begins to recover.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/viii)

Mentioned as the only sufferer in the band so far, having been wounded earlier.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/ix)

Sings 'Isle of Wight' in the cave, providing a soothing influence; later bewildered after being struck.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/x)

Captive and still recovering from his wound; travels on foot after his mare is taken by the larger chief.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned as silent and deliberating on the propriety of the unusual occurrence.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xiv)

Mentioned as part of the group, but not featured prominently.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xvii)

David follows the captors on a deserted horse, singing psalms and acting as a protective presence.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxi)

His footprint is identified by Hawkeye, indicating he was forced to walk first to mislead pursuers.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxii)

Provides an imperfect account of Cora's location and the customs of her captors, noting a tortoise totem.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxiii)

Leads the way into the Huron council lodge, familiar with the scene, and sits in silence with Duncan.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxv)

Mentioned as having delivered a message about Alice's location.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxvi)

Found alone in a hut, terrified by the bear disguise, but later assists Hawkeye in freeing Uncas.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxvii)

Discovered by Hurons in Uncas's prison lodge, his substitution is exposed; he prepares for death by singing a funeral anthem.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/characters/david_gamut
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/characters