# Major Duncan Heyward — The Last of the Mohicans character guide > Major Duncan Heyward in The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Heyward, Duncan, Major Heyward, Major Duncan Heyward **First appearance:** 0001-the-last-of-the-mohicans ## Snapshot A young British officer whose polished manners and soldierly pride are tested by ambush, captivity, and the unnerving customs of the wilderness he barely understands. ## Who they are Heyward serves as escort to Colonel Munro's daughters and as the reader's conventional lens on a frontier that keeps exceeding his expectations. His courage is real but his confidence is brittle: he starts at a war-cry, misreads his guide, and must weigh his own honor against the cunning of enemies and the competence of backwoods allies. His courtship and his command decisions alike place him at the hinge of the novel's early action. ## In the story ### [The Last of the Mohicans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/the-last-of-the-mohicans) Escorting the Munro sisters to Fort William Henry; initially trusts Magua as a guide. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/i) Escorts Cora and Alice Munro, rides with them toward Fort William Henry. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/ii) Heyward leads the party, explaining the guide's role and attempting to reassure Alice. He is initially reluctant to allow David Gamut to join but eventually yields to Alice's request. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/iv) Leads the party, reveals his rank to the scout, and attempts to manage the situation with Magua. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/v) Negotiates with Hawkeye, assists in guiding the canoe, and remains protective of Cora and Alice. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/vi) Expresses admiration for Uncas's appearance and discusses the nature of savage virtue with Alice and Cora. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/vii) Leads the sisters to safety, reassures Cora, and fights alongside Hawkeye and the Mohicans. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/viii) Shows concern for the wounded Huron, pleads for mercy, but is overruled by Hawkeye's pragmatism. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/ix) Attempts to comfort Alice and Cora, conceals the cave entrance, and fires at Magua when discovered. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/x) Interrogated by Magua about the escape of his companions; attempts to bribe Magua with promises of gold, powder, and firewater. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xi) Observes the dialogue from a distance, demands the result, and is bound as a captive awaiting torture. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xii) Engages in hand-to-hand combat with a Huron; helps release Alice after the battle. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xiii) Vigilant and anxious, he prepares to defend the party and questions the safety of their resting place. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xiv) Leads the party, converses with the French sentinel in French, and shows concern for the sisters' safety. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xv) Represents Colonel Munro in a parley with Montcalm; expresses concern for Cora and Alice's safety and his duty. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xvi) Embarrassed by his racial prejudice, he admits his love for Alice and serves as interpreter during the surrender negotiations. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xvii) Heyward seeks to assist Munro and rushes to find the sisters, but they are already taken. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xviii) Accompanies Munro in searching the dead for signs of Cora and Alice; defers to Hawkeye's plan to return to the fort. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xix) Observes the scene from the rampart, uneasy about potential attacks, and questions the scout about the noises. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xx) Impatient and eager, takes up a paddle when Hawkeye shoots, and urges speed. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxi) Travels with the party, expresses concern, and points out the handbarrow fragments. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxii) Resolves to rescue Alice from the Hurons, insisting on accompanying David in disguise despite Hawkeye's warnings. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxiii) Enters the Huron village with David Gamut, observes the trial and execution of a cowardly Huron, and watches the gauntlet run of a young captive. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxiv) Observes the proceedings, feeling relief when Magua leaves; follows a chief out of the lodge to breathe fresh air. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxv) Finds Alice in the cavern, cleans his war paint, and helps capture Magua. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxix) Participates in the shooting contest, is bound by the Delawares, and is engrossed with protecting Alice. ### [The Sacrifice and the Captivity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxx) Heyward is anguished by Cora's captivity and threatens to pursue Magua, but is restrained by Hawkeye. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxxi) Eagerly anticipates the contest, escorts Alice to safety, and participates in planning the rescue of Cora. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/chapters/xxxii) Fights alongside Hawkeye, witnesses the deaths of Cora and Uncas, and pleads for mercy from Magua. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_of_the_mohicans_se/characters/major_heyward - 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