The pioneers: This first Leatherstocking tale takes place on the rapidly advancing frontier of New York States and features a middle-aged Leatherstocking (Natty Bumppo), Judge Marmaduke Temple of Templeton, and Elizabeth Temple of Cooperstown. The story begins with an argument between the Judge and Leatherstocking over who killed a buck, and reviews many of the changes to New York's Lake Otsego, questions of environmental stewardship, conservation,...