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The Pioneers is a novel by James Fenimore Cooper that was published in 1823. It tells the story of three characters who live in Templeton, New York between Christmas Eve 1793 and October 1794. The book is part of a series called the Leatherstocking Tales.

The main character is an old man who lives in the woods and resents civilization. The judge of Templeton wants to create a society that respects nature while building up his city. There’s also a young man with a mysterious past who lives with the old man and has some kind of grudge against Judge Temple.

The story begins on Christmas Eve, 1793 as the widowed Temple is bringing his young daughter, Elizabeth home to Templeton after she has completed her schooling in New York. Edward Effingham placed his wealth under the care of Temple and they attended school together until the Revolutionary War broke out between their countries. During that time, they found themselves on opposite sides of the conflict; however, when it was over they were able to put aside their differences and start a town together called Templeton.

As the sleigh approaches Templeton, a deer runs by and Temple shoots at it—as do Leatherstocking and Oliver. All three claim to have killed the deer, but only Oliver’s shot hit it. The group brings the injured animal back to town where they meet with Richard Jones, one of Temple’s cousins who is also his secretary. Richard tries to turn around in a nearby quarry but nearly drives off a cliff before being saved by Oliver.

At the Mansion House, a doctor and “Indian” John Mohegan treat Oliver’s wound. The townspeople celebrate Christmas with a sermon by the new priest, Mr. Grant. Elizabeth becomes friends with Louisa Grant, the daughter of the priest who delivered that sermon. Richard is promoted to Sherriff and he offers Oliver his job as secretary to replace him in that position. Later on at a turkey shoot organized by Temple, Leatherstocking wins for Elizabeth over Billy Kirby (the woodcutter).

In the spring of 1794, a massive flock of pigeons flies overhead and people go out to kill them with whatever weapons they have. Leatherstocking is disgusted by this senseless slaughter and kills only one bird for his supper. Later in the spring, Richard leads an expedition that involves dragging the lake with nets. Leatherstocking witnesses Benjamin Pump getting knocked into the water in a canoe while spearfishing with Mohegan, who saves him from drowning.

Oliver, Leatherstocking, and Mohegan are fishing one day when they see a deer chase into the water. Despite a recently passed law that forbids killing deer out of season, Leatherstocking kills the animal. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Louisa are taking a walk together in the woods when they’re attacked by mountain lions. Brave saves them but dies in the process. At the same time, Temple and Richard go on an expedition to explore Leatherstocking’s secret cave where Richard believes he is mining silver illegally.

Temple issues a search warrant on Leatherstocking’s hut, but he refuses to let anyone in. He threatens the lives of those who try to enter and burns down his home. Oliver learns about this and argues with Temple, who fires him from his job as Richard’s assistant. Richard returns with force to arrest Leatherstocking for threatening an officer of the law, but finds that he has already been jailed for burning down his house.

In the book, The Last of the Mohicans, Hawkeye breaks out of jail with help from his friends. He asks Elizabeth to buy him gunpowder so they can meet again. When she shows up at their meeting spot, he’s not there but instead it’s Mohegan who tells her that Hawkeye is trapped in a forest fire and needs help. Shortly thereafter Oliver arrives as well and the three are soon trapped by flames themselves before being saved by Hawkeye himself. After this event, Mohegan renounces Christianity and dies shortly after due to his wounds