Latest / Adventure Books Collection / 15 - The Last Of The Mohicans - James Cooper

Transcript

15 - The Last Of The Mohicans - James Cooper · Adventure Books Collection

0:00
Chapter fifteen. Quote, then go we end to know his embassy, which
0:07
I could, with ready guests declare before the Frenchman speak a word of it.
0:12
Unquote from King Henry the fifth. A few seceding days were passed amid
0:18
the privations, the uproar, and the dangers of the siege, which was
0:23
vigorously pressed by a power against whose approaches Monroe possessed no competent means of resistance.
0:29
It appeared as if Webb, with his army, which lay slumbering on
0:32
the banks of the Hudson, had utterly forgotten the strait to which his countrymen
0:37
were reduced. Montcalm had filled the woods of the portage with his savages,
0:42
every yell and hoop of whom rang through the British encampment, chilling the hearts
0:47
of men who were already but too much disposed to magnify the danger. Not
0:52
so, however, with the besieged, animated by the words and stimulated by
0:58
the examples of their leaders, they had found their courage and maintained their ancient
1:03
reputation with a zeal that did justice to the stern character of their commander,
1:07
as if satisfied with the toil of marching through the wilderness to encounter his enemy.
1:12
The French general, though of approved skill, had neglected to seize the
1:18
adjacent mountains, whence the besieged might have been exterminated with impunity, and which
1:25
in the more modern warfare of the country would not have been neglected for a
1:29
single hour. This sort of contempt for eminences, or rather dread of the
1:34
labour of ascending them, might have been termed the besetting weakness of the warfare
1:38
of the period. It originated in the simplicity of the Indian contest, in
1:45
which, from the nature of the combats and the density of the forest,
1:49
fortresses were rare and artillery next to useless. The carelessness engendered by these usages
1:56
descended even to the War of the Revolution and lost the States the important fortress
2:01
of Ticonderoga, opening a way for the army of Brigogne into what was then
2:06
the bosom of the country. We look back at this ignorance or infatuation,
2:12
whichever it may be called, with wonder, knowing that the neglect of an
2:15
eminence whose difficulties, like those of mount Defiance, have been so greatly exaggerated,
2:22
would at the present time prove fatal to the reputation of the engineer who
2:27
had planned the works at their base, or to that general whose lot it
2:30
was to defend them. The tourist, the valetudinarian, or the amateur of
2:37
the beauties of nature, who, in the train of his foreign hand,
2:40
now rolls through the scenes we have attempted to describe in quest of information,
2:46
health or pleasure, or float steadily toward his object. On those artificial waters
2:52
which have sprung up under the administration of a statesman who has dared to stake
2:57
his political character on the hazardous issue. Is not to suppose that his ancestors
3:02
traversed those hills or struggled with the same currents with equal facility. Footnote.
3:10
Evidently the late DeWitt Clinton, who died Governor of New York in eighteen twenty
3:15
eight en footnote. The transportation of a single heavy gun was often considered equal
3:23
to a victory gained, if happily the difficulties of the passage had not so
3:29
far separated from its necessary concomitant, the ammunition, as to render it no
3:34
more than a useless tube of unwieldy iron. The evils of this state of
3:38
things pressed heavily on the fortunes of the resolute Scotsmen who now defended William Henry.
3:45
Though his adversary neglected the heels, he had planted his batteries with judgment
3:50
on the plain and caused them to be served with vigor and skill. Against
3:55
this assault. The besiege could only oppose the imperfect and hasty preparations of a
4:00
fortress in the wilderness. It was on the afternoon of the fifth day of
4:05
the siege, and the fourth of his own service in it, that Major
4:10
Hayward profited by a parley that had just been beaten, by repairing to the
4:15
ramparts of one of the water bastions, to breathe the cool air from the
4:18
lake and to take a survey of the progress of the siege. He was
4:24
alone, if the solitary sentinel who paced the mound be accepted, for the
4:29
artillerists had hastened also to profit by the temporary suspension of their arduous duties.
4:35
The evening was delightfully calm, and the light air from the limpid water fresh
4:41
and soothing. It seemed as if, with the termination of the roar of
4:45
artillery and the plunging of shot, nature had also seized the moment to assume
4:50
her mildest and most captivating form. The sun poured down his parting glory on
4:57
the scene without the oppression of the those fierce rays that belonged to the climate,
5:01
and in the season, the mountains looked green and fresh and lovely,
5:06
tempered with the milder light, or softened in shadow, as thin vapors floated
5:13
between them and the sun. The numerous islands rested on the bosom of the
5:16
Horican, some low and sunken as if embedded in the waters, and others
5:23
appearing to hover above the element in little hillocks of green velvet, among which
5:29
the fishermen of the beleaguering army peacefully rode their skiffs or floated at rest on
5:33
the glassy mirror in pursuit of their employment. The scene was at once animated
5:41
and still. All that pertained to nature was sweet or simply grand, while
5:46
those parts which depended on the temper and movements of man were lively and playful.
5:51
Two little spotless flags were abroad, the one on a salient angle of
5:58
the fort, and the other on the advanced battery of the besiegers, emblems
6:02
of the truth which existed not only to the acts but it would seem also
6:09
to the enmity of the combatants. Behind these again swung heavily, opening and
6:15
closing in silken folds the rival standards of England and France. A hundred gay
6:23
and thoughtless young Frenchmen were drawing a net to the pebbly beach with in dangerous
6:28
proximity to the sullen but silent cannon of the fort, while the eastern mountain
6:33
was sending back the loud shouts and gay merriment that attended their sport. Some
6:39
were rushing eagerly to enjoy the aquatic games of the lake, and others were
6:43
already toiling their way up the neighboring hills with the restless curiosity of their nation
6:48
to all these sports and pursuits. Those of the enemy who watched the besieged
6:54
and the besieged themselves, were, however, merely the idle, though sympathizing
6:59
spectators. Here and there a picket had indeed raised a song, or mingled
7:04
in a dance, which had drawn the dusky savages around them from their lairs
7:10
in the forest. In short, everything were rather the appearance of a day
7:15
of pleasure than of an hour stolen from the dangers and toil of a bloody
7:20
and vindictive warfare. Duncan had stood in amusing attitude contemplating this scene a few
7:28
minutes when his eyes were directed to the glossy in front of the sally port,
7:32
already mentioned by the sounds of approaching footsteps. He walked to an angle
7:38
of the bastion and beheld the scout advancing under the custody of a French officer
7:45
to the body of the fort. The countenance of Hawkeye was haggard and careworn,
7:49
and his air dejected, as though he felt the deepest degradation at having
7:55
fallen into the power of his enemies. He was without his favorite way,
8:00
and his arms were even bound behind him with thongs made of the skin of
8:03
a deer. The arrival of flags to cover the messengers of summons had occurred
8:09
so often of late that when Hayford first drew his careless glance on this group,
8:15
he expected to see another of the officers of the enemy charged with a
8:18
similar office. But the instant he recognized the tall person and the still sturdy
8:24
their downcast features of his friend, the woodsman. He started with surprise and
8:30
turned to descend from the bastion into the bosom of the work. The sounds
8:33
of other voices, however, caught his attention and for a moment caused him
8:39
to forget his purpose. At the inner angle of the mound, he met
8:43
the sisters walking along the parapet in search, like himself, of air and
8:48
relief from confinement. They had not met from that painful moment when he deserted
8:52
them on the plane, only to assure their safety. He had parted with
8:58
them, worn with care and jaded with fatigue. He now saw them refreshed
9:03
and blooming. Though timid and anxious under such an inducement, it will cause
9:09
no surprise that the young man lost sight, of a time of other objects
9:13
in order to address them. He was, however, anticipated by the voice
9:18
of the ingenious and youthful Alice. Oh you tyrant, you recreant knight.
9:24
He abandons his damsels in the very list. She cried, here have we
9:30
been days, nay ages, expecting you at our feet, imploring mercy and
9:35
forgetfulness of your craven backsliding, or I should rather say back running, for
9:43
verily you fled in the matter that no stricken dear as our worthy friend,
9:46
the scout would say could be equal. You know that, Alice, means
9:52
our thanks and our blessings, added the graver and more thoughtful Cora. In
9:56
truth, we have a little wonder why you should so rigidly absent yourself from
10:01
a place where the gratitude of the daughters might receive the support of a parent's
10:07
thanks. Your father himself could tell you that, though absent from your presence,
10:13
I have not been altogether forgetful of your safety, returned the young man.
10:18
The mastery of yonder village of huts, pointing to the entrenched camp has
10:24
been keenly disputed, and he who holds it is sure to be possessed of
10:28
this fort and that which it contains. My days and nights have all been
10:35
passed there since we separated, because I thought that duty called me thither,
10:41
But he added with an air of chagrin, which he endeavored, though unsuccessfully
10:45
to conceal. Had I been aware that what I then believed a soldier's conduct
10:50
could be so construed, shame would have added to the list of reasons Hayward
10:58
duncan exclaim, aimed Alice, bending forward to read his half averted countenance,
11:03
until a lock of her golden hair rested on her flushed cheek and nearly concealed
11:09
the tear that had started to her eye. Did I think this idle tongue
11:13
of mine had pain you? I would silence it forever, Cora can say,
11:18
if Cora would, how justly we have prized your services? And how
11:22
deep I had almost said, how fervent is our gratitude? And will Cora
11:28
attest the truth of this? Cried Duncan, suffering the cloud to be chased
11:33
from his countenance by a smile of open pleasure. What says the graver sister?
11:39
Will she find an excuse for the neglect of the knight in the duty
11:43
of a soldier. Cora made no immediate answer, but turned her face toward
11:48
the water, as if looking on the sheet of the Horican. When she
11:52
did bend her eyes on the young man, they were yet filled with an
11:56
expression of anguish that at once shrow every thought but that of kind solitude from
12:03
his mind. You are not well, dearest miss Monroe, he exclaimed,
12:07
We have trifled while you are in suffering. Tis nothing, She answered,
12:15
refusing his support with feminine reserve, that I cannot see the sonny of a
12:20
picture of life like this artless but ardent enthusiast, she added, laying her
12:26
hand lightly but affectionately on the arm of her sister. Is the penalty of
12:31
experience, and perhaps the misfortune of my nature. See, she continued,
12:39
as if determined to shake off infirmity in a sense of duty. Look around
12:43
you, Major Heyward, and tell me what a prospect it is for the
12:48
daughter of a soldier whose greatest happiness is his honor and his military renown,
12:54
neither ought nor shall be tarnished by circumstances over which he has had no control.
13:01
Duncan warmly replied, But your words recall me to my own duty.
13:07
I go now to your gallant father to hear his determination and manners of the
13:11
last moment of the defense. God bless you in every fortune, Noble Cora,
13:18
I may and must call you. She frankly gave him her hand,
13:24
though her lip quivered and her cheeks gradually became of ashy paleness. In every
13:30
fortune, I know you will be an ornament and honor to your sex.
13:35
Alice, Adieu. His voice changed from admiration to tenderness. Adie, Alice,
13:43
we shall soon meet again as conquerors. I trust and amid rejoicings.
13:50
Without waiting for an answer from either, the young man threw himself down the
13:54
grassy steps of the bastion, and moving rapidly across the parade, he was
13:58
quickly the presence of their father. Monroe, was pacing his narrow apartment with
14:05
the disturbed air and gigantic strides as Duncan entered. You have anticipated my wishes,
14:13
Major Heyward, he said, I was about to request this favor.
14:18
I am sorry to see, sir, that the messenger I so warmly recommended
14:24
has returned in custody of the French. I hope there is no reason to
14:28
distrust his fidelity. The fidelity of the long rifle is well known to me,
14:35
returned Monroe, and is above suspicion. Though his usual good fortune seems
14:39
at last to have failed. Montcalm is got in, and with the accursed
14:45
politeness of his nation, he has sent him with a dul feltale of knowing
14:52
how I valued the fellow, he could not think of retaining him, a
14:56
jesuitical way that Major Duncan haben of telling a man of his misfortunes. But
15:03
the General and his succor did he look to the south. Has he entered,
15:11
and could ye not see them? Said the old soldier, laughing bitterly.
15:18
Hoot, hoot. You are an impatient boy, sir, and cannot
15:22
give the gentleman leisure for their march. They are coming. Then the scout
15:28
has said as much, when and by what path? For the dances omitted
15:33
to tell me this? There is a letter, It would seem too and
15:37
the only agreeable part of the matter. For the customary tensions of your Marquis
15:43
of Montcalm, I warrant me Duncan that he of Lothonian would buy a dozen
15:50
such marquisets. But if the news of the letter were bad, the gentility
15:54
of this French monsieur would certainly compel him to let us know it. He
16:02
keeps the letter, then while he releases the messenger. Aye, that does
16:07
he, and all for the sake of what you call your bon homie,
16:12
I would venture if the truth was known. The fellow's grandfather taught the noble
16:18
science of dancing. But what says the scout, he has eyes and ears
16:23
in a tongue. What verbal report does he make? Oh, sir,
16:30
he is not wanting natural organs, and he is free to tell all that
16:34
he has seen and heard. The whole amount is this. There is a
16:40
fort of his majesties on the bags of the Hudson called Edward in honor of
16:45
his gracious Highness of York, you'll know, and it is well filled with
16:49
our men, as such a work should be. But was there no movement,
16:56
no signs of any intention to advance to our relief? There were the
17:00
morning and evening parades. And when one of the provincial looms You'll know,
17:06
Duncan, you're half a scotsman yourself, when one of them dropped his powder
17:11
over his porridge. If it touched the coals, it just burned. Then,
17:15
suddenly changing his bitter and ironical manner to one more grave and thoughtful,
17:21
he continued, and yet there might and there must be something in that letter
17:29
which it would be well to know. Our decision should be speedy, said
17:33
Duncan, gladly availing himself of this change of humor to press the more important
17:40
objects of their interview. I cannot conceal from you, sir, that the
17:45
camp will not be much longer tenable, and I am sorry to add that
17:51
things appear no better in the fort. More than half the guns are bursted
17:56
and how should it be otherwise, And how should it be otherwise? Some
18:00
were fished from the bottom of the lake, some have been rusting in wood
18:04
since the discovery of the country, and some were never guns at all,
18:11
mere private teersman's playthings. Do you think, sir, you can have Woolwich
18:15
Warren in the midst of a wilderness three thousand miles from Great Britain. The
18:22
walls are crumbling about our ears and provisions begin to fail us, continued Heyward,
18:27
without regarding the new burst of indignation. Even the men show signs of
18:32
discontent and alarm. Major Hayward, said Monroe, turning to his youthful associate,
18:37
with the dignity of his years and superior rank, I should have served
18:42
his Majesty for half a century and earned these gray hairs in vain. Were
18:48
I ignorant of all you say and of the pressing nature of our circumstances.
18:56
Still there is everything due to honor of the King's arms, and something to
19:00
ourselves. While there is hope of succor, this fortress will I defend,
19:07
though it be done with pebbles gathered on the lake shore. It is a
19:12
sight of the letter, therefore, that we want that we may know the
19:18
intentions of the Earl of Ludin has left among us as his substitute. And
19:25
can I be of service in that matter, sir? You can? The
19:30
Marquis of Montcalm, has an addition to his other civilities, invited me to
19:37
a personal interview between the works and his own camp, in order, as
19:41
he says, to impart some additional information. Now, I think it would
19:48
not be wise to show any undue solitude to meet him, and I would
19:55
employ you, an officer of rank, as my substitute, for it would
20:00
but ill comport with honor of Scotland to let it be said one of her
20:04
gentlemen was outdone in civility by a native of any other country on Earth.
20:11
Without assuming the supererogatory task of entering into a discussion of the comparative merits of
20:18
national courtesy, Duncan cheerfully ascended to supply the place of the veteran in the
20:23
approaching interview. A long and confidential communication now succeeded, during which the young
20:30
men received some additional insight into his duty from the experience and native acuteness of
20:37
his commander. And then the former took his leave, as Duncan could only
20:41
act as the representative of jess Or, of course, dispersed with the truce
20:48
still existed, and with a roll and beat of the drum, and covered
20:52
by a little white flag, Duncan left the sally port within ten minutes after
20:56
his instructions were ended. He was by the French officer in advance with the
21:03
usual formalities, and immediately accompanied to a distant marquis of the renowned soldier who
21:08
led the forces of France. The general of the enemy received the youthful messenger,
21:15
surrounded by his principal officers and by a swarthy band of the native chiefs,
21:21
who had followed him to the field with the warriors of their several tribes.
21:26
Heyward paused short when, in glancing his eyes rapidly over the dark group
21:32
of the latter, he beheld the malignant countenance of Maqua, regarding him with
21:37
the calm but sullen attention which marked the expression of that subtle savage. A
21:44
slight exclamation of surprise even burst from the lips of the young man, but
21:48
instantly recollecting his errand and the presence in which he stood, he suppressed every
21:53
appearance of emotion and turned to the hostile leader, who had already advanced a
21:59
step to receive him. The Marquis of Montcalm was at that period of which
22:04
we write in the flower of his age, and it may be added in
22:11
the zenith of his fortunes. But even in that enviable situation, he was
22:15
affable and distinguished, as much for his attention to the forms of courtesy as
22:22
for that chivalrous courage, which only two short years afterwards induced him to throw
22:27
away his life on the plains of Abraham. Duncan, in turning his eyes
22:33
from the malign expression of Magua, suffered them to rest with pleasure on the
22:37
smiling and polished features and the noble military heir of the French general Monsieur,
22:45
said the latter, Jaibuclet di Prisiah bah OUIs enterpret juquurt monsieur kennisseur par necessaire
22:55
Heyward modestly replied Geripoudon Fronselois ah Jesseubiuenis said montcalmb taking Duncan familiarly by the arm,
23:06
and leading him deep into the marquis a little out of earshot to get
23:11
Detesse, said Prouvovas. When Saint Jemasieuricleur ill appeared on Viciu ibion Mosieur.
23:18
He continued, still speaking in French. Though I should have been proud of
23:22
receiving your commandant, I am very happy that he has seemed proper to employ
23:27
an officer so distinguished and who I am sure is so amiable as yourself.
23:34
Duncan bowed, low, pleased with the compliment, in spite of a most
23:38
heroic determination to suffer no artifice to allure him into forgetfulness of the interest of
23:45
his Prince. Anne. Montcalm, after a pause of a moment, as
23:49
if to collect his thoughts, proceeded. Your commandant is a brave man and
23:55
well qualified to repel my assault, Maice monsieur. Is it not time to
24:00
make more counsel of humanity and less of your courage. The one has strongly
24:07
characterized the hero as the other. We consider the qualities as inseparable, returned
24:15
Duncan, smiling. But while we find in the vigor of your excellency every
24:21
motive to stimulate the one, we can as yet see no particular call for
24:26
the exercise of the other. Montcalm, in his turn, slightly bowed.
24:32
But it was with the air of a man too practiced to remember the language
24:36
of flattery. After amusing a moment, he added, it is possible my
24:41
glasses have deceived me, and that your works resist our cannon better than I
24:45
had supposed. You know our force, our accounts vary, said Duncan carelessly.
24:53
The highest, however, has not exceeded twenty thousand men. The Frenchman
24:59
bit his lip and fastened his eyes keenly on the other, as if to
25:03
read his thoughts. Then, with a readiness peculiar to himself, he continued,
25:10
as if assenting to the truth of an enumeration which quite doubled his army.
25:15
It is a poor compliment to the vigilance of a soldier's monsieur that do
25:19
what we will. We never can conceal our numbers. If it were to
25:25
be done at all, one would believe it might succeed in these woods.
25:30
Though you think it too soon to listen to the calls of humanity, he
25:33
added, smiling archly, I may be permitted to believe that gallantry is not
25:38
forgotten by one so young as yourself. The daughters of the Commandant Unlourne have
25:45
passed into the fort since it was invested it is true, monsieur, but
25:52
so far from weakening our efforts, they set us an example of courage.
25:56
In their own fortitude, were nothing but necessary to repel so accomplished a soldier
26:03
as M. D. Macom. I would gladly trust the defense of William
26:07
Henry to the elder of those ladies. We have a wise ordinance in our
26:12
silk laws, which says the Crown of France shall never degrade the lance of
26:18
the distaff, said Montcalm, dryly and with a little hot jar, but
26:22
instantly adding with his former frank and easy air, as oh, the nobler
26:29
qualities are hereditary. I can easily credit you, though, as I said
26:33
before, courage has its limits, and humanity must not be forgotten. I
26:41
trust, monsieur, you come authorized to treat for a surrender of the police.
26:48
Has your excellency found our defense so feeble as to believe the major necessary?
26:53
I would be sorry to have the defense protracted in such a manner as
26:57
to irritate my red fo friends. There, continued Montcalm, glancing his eyes
27:03
at the group of grave and attentive Indians, without attending to the other's questions.
27:08
I find it difficult even now to limit them to the usages of war.
27:15
Heyward was silent, for a painful recollection of the dangers he had so
27:19
recently escaped came over his mind and recalled the images of those defenseless beings who
27:27
had shared in all his sufferings, Say Monsieur, Le said Montcalm, following
27:33
up the advantage which he conceived he had gained. Are most formidable when baffled,
27:38
and it is unnecessary to tell you with what difficulty they are restrained in
27:45
their anger. He beyond, Monsieur, shall we speak of the terms.
27:51
I fear your excellently has been deceived as to the strength of William Henry and
27:56
the resources of its garrison. I have not sat down before Quebec. But
28:00
an earthen work that is defended by twenty three hundred gallon men was the light
28:07
coonic reply. Our mounds are earthen, certainly, nor are they seated on
28:11
the rocks of Cape Diamond. But they stand on that shore which proved so
28:15
destructive to descow on his army. There is also a powerful force. Within
28:21
a few hours march of us, which we account upon as part of our
28:25
means. Some six or eight thousand men returned Montcalm, with much apparent indifference,
28:32
whom their leader wisely judges to be safer in their works than in the
28:37
field. It was now Heyward's turn to bite his lip with vexation, as
28:42
the other so coolly alluded to a force which the young man knew to be
28:47
overrated. Both mused a little while in silence, when Montcalm renewed the conversation
28:53
in a way that showed he believed the visit of his guest was solely to
28:57
propose terms of capitulation. On the other hand, Heyward began to throw sundry
29:03
inducements in the way of the French general to betray the discoveries he had made
29:07
through the intercepted letter. The artifice of neither, however, succeeded, and
29:12
after a protracted and fruitless interview, Duncan took his leave favorably, impressed with
29:19
an opinion of the courtesy and talents of the enemy's captain, but as ignorant
29:25
of what he came to learn as when he arrived, Montcombe followed him as
29:30
far as the entrance of the marquis, renewing his invitations to the commandant of
29:34
the fort to give him an immediate meeting in the open ground between the two
29:40
armies. There they separated, and Duncan returned to the advanced post of the
29:45
French, accompanied as before, whence he instantly proceeded to the fort and to
29:52
the quarters of his own commander. End of Chapter fifteen.