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25 - The Last Of The Mohicans - James Cooper · Thrilling Adventures - Daily

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  Speaker 1: Chapter twenty five. Quote snug have you the lion's part written,
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  Speaker 1: pray you, if it be, give it to me, for
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  Speaker 1: I am slow of study. Quincy, you may do it
• 0:16
  Speaker 1: ex tempore, for it is nothing but roaring. Unquote from
• 0:21
  Speaker 1: Midsummer Night's Dream. There was a strange blending of the
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  Speaker 1: ridiculous with that which was solemn. In this scene. The
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  Speaker 1: beast still continued its rolling and apparently untiring movements, though
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  Speaker 1: its ludicrous attempt to imitate the melody of David ceased
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  Speaker 1: the instant the latter abandoned the field. The words of
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  Speaker 1: Gimut were as has been seen in his native tongue,
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  Speaker 1: and to Duncan they seemed pregnant with some hidden meaning,
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  Speaker 1: though nothing present assisted him in discovering the object of
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  Speaker 1: their illusion. A speedy end was, however, put to every
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  Speaker 1: conjecture on the subject by the manner of the chief,
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  Speaker 1: who advanced to the bedside of the invalid and beckoned
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  Speaker 1: away the whole group of female attendants that had clustered
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  Speaker 1: there to witness the skill of the stranger. He was implicitly,
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  Speaker 1: though reluctantly obeyed, and when the low echo which rang
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  Speaker 1: along the hollow natural gallery from the distant closing door
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  Speaker 1: had ceased. Pointing toward his insensible daughter, he said, now
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  Speaker 1: let my brother show his power. Thus unequivocally called on
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  Speaker 1: to exercise the functions of his assumed character, Heyward was
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  Speaker 1: apprehensive that the smallest delay might prove dangerous Endeavoring then
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  Speaker 1: to collect his ideas, he prepared to perform that species
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  Speaker 1: of incantation and those uncouth rites under which the Indian
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  Speaker 1: conjurors are accustomed to conceal their ignorance and impotency. It
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  Speaker 1: is more than probable that, in the disordered state of
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  Speaker 1: his thoughts, he would soon have fallen into some suspicious,
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  Speaker 1: if not fatal air, had not his incipient attempts been
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  Speaker 1: interrupted by a fierce growl from the quadruped Three several
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  Speaker 1: times did he renew his efforts to proceed, and as
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  Speaker 1: often was he met by the same unaccountable opposition, each
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  Speaker 1: interruption seeming more savage and threatening than the preceding. The
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  Speaker 1: cunning ones are jealous, said the huron. I go, brother.
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  Speaker 1: The woman is the wife of one of my bravest
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  Speaker 1: young men. Deal justly by her peace, he added, beckoning
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  Speaker 1: to the discontented beast to be quiet. I go the
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  Speaker 1: chief was as good as his word, and Duncan now
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  Speaker 1: found himself alone in that wild and desolate abode, with
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  Speaker 1: the helpless, invalid and the fierce and dangerous brute. He
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  Speaker 1: listened to the movements of the Indian with that air
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  Speaker 1: of sagacity that a bear is known to possess, until
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  Speaker 1: another echo announced that he had also left the cavern.
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  Speaker 1: When it turned and came waddling up to Duncan, before
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  Speaker 1: whom it seated himself in its natural attitude, erect like
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  Speaker 1: a man, the youth looked anxiously about him for some
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  Speaker 1: weapon with which he might make a resistance against the
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  Speaker 1: attack he now seriously expected. It seemed, however, as the
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  Speaker 1: humor of the animal had suddenly changed. Instead of continuing
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  Speaker 1: its discontented growls or manifesting any further signs of anger,
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  Speaker 1: the whole of its shaggy body shook violently, as if
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  Speaker 1: agitated by some strange internal convulsion. The huge and unwieldly
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  Speaker 1: talons pawed stupidly about the grinning muzzle, and while Heyward
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  Speaker 1: kept his eyes riveted on its movements with jealous watchfulness,
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  Speaker 1: the grim head fell on one side, and in its
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  Speaker 1: place appeared the honest sturdy countenance of the scout, who
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  Speaker 1: was indulging from the bottom of his soul in his
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  Speaker 1: own peculiar expression of merriment, st said the wary woodsman,
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  Speaker 1: interrupting Heyward's exclamation of surprise. The varlets are about the place,
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  Speaker 1: and any sounds that are not natural to witchcraft would
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  Speaker 1: bring them back upon us in a body. Tell me
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  Speaker 1: the meaning of this masquerade and why you have attempted
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  Speaker 1: so desperate an adventure. Ah, Reason and calculation are often
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  Speaker 1: outdone by accident, returned the scout. But as a story
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  Speaker 1: should always commence from the beginning, I will tell you
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  Speaker 1: the whole in order. After we departed, I placed the
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  Speaker 1: Commandant and the Sagamore in an old beaver lodge, where
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  Speaker 1: they are safer from the Hurons than they would be
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  Speaker 1: in the garrison of Edward. For your high north West Indians,
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  Speaker 1: not having as yet got the traders among them, continued
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  Speaker 1: to venerate the beaver, after which Uncas and I pushed
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  Speaker 1: for the other encampment as was agreed. Have you seen
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  Speaker 1: the lad to my great grief, he is captive and
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  Speaker 1: condemned to die at the rising of the sun. I
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  Speaker 1: had misgivings that such would be his fate, resumed the
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  Speaker 1: scout in a less confident and joyous tone, but soon
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  Speaker 1: regaining his naturally firm voice, he continued, his bad fortune
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  Speaker 1: is the true reason for my being here. For it
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  Speaker 1: would never do to abandon such a boy to the Urons.
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  Speaker 1: O rare time the knaves would have it? Could they
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  Speaker 1: tie the bounding elk and the long Caribbean, as they
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  Speaker 1: call me, to the same stake. Though why they have
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  Speaker 1: given me such a name, I never knew, there being
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  Speaker 1: as little likeness between the gifts of killed and the
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  Speaker 1: performance of one of your real Canada carabines as there
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  Speaker 1: is between the nature of a pipe stone and a flint.
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  Speaker 1: Keep to your tail, said the impatient Heyward. We know
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  Speaker 1: not at what moment the Hurons may return. No fear
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  Speaker 1: of them. A conjurer must have his time like a
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  Speaker 1: straggling priest in the settlements. We are as safe from
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  Speaker 1: interruption as a missionary would be. At the beginning of
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  Speaker 1: a two hours discourse, well, uncas and I fell in
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  Speaker 1: with a return party of the varlets. The lad was
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  Speaker 1: much too forward for a scout. Nay, for that matter,
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  Speaker 1: being of hot blood, he was not so much to
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  Speaker 1: blame and after all one of the Urons proved a coward,
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  Speaker 1: and in fleeing, led him into an ambushment, and dearly
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  Speaker 1: has he paid for the weakness. The scout significantly passed
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  Speaker 1: his hand across his own throat and nodded as if
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  Speaker 1: he said, I comprehend your meaning, after which he continued
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  Speaker 1: in a more audible, though scarcely more intelligible language. After
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  Speaker 1: the loss of the boy, I turned upon the Hurons.
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  Speaker 1: As you may judge, there have been scrimmages between one
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  Speaker 1: or two of their outliers and myself, but that is
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  Speaker 1: neither here nor there. So after I had shot the imps,
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  Speaker 1: I got pretty nigh to the lodges without further commotion.
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  Speaker 1: Then what should luck do in my favor but lead
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  Speaker 1: me to the very spot where one of the most
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  Speaker 1: famous conjurors of the tribe was dressing himself, as I
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  Speaker 1: well knew, for some great battle with Satan. Though why
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  Speaker 1: should I call that luck, which it now seems was
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  Speaker 1: an especial ordering of providence. So a judgedmatical rap over
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  Speaker 1: the head stiffened the lying imposture for a time, and
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  Speaker 1: leaving him a bit of walnut for his super To
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  Speaker 1: prevent an uproar and stringing him up between two samplings.
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  Speaker 1: I made free with his finery and took the part
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  Speaker 1: of the bear on myself, in order that the operations
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  Speaker 1: might proceed, And admirably did you enact the character the
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  Speaker 1: animal itself? Might have been shamed by the representation? Lord
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  Speaker 1: Major returned the flattered woodsman. I should be but a
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  Speaker 1: poor schollar for one who has studied so long in
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  Speaker 1: the wilderness. Did I not know how to set forth
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  Speaker 1: the movements or nature of such a beast? Had it
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  Speaker 1: been now a catamount, or even a full sized panther,
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  Speaker 1: I would have embellished a performance for you worth regarding.
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  Speaker 1: But it is no such marvelous feat to exhibit the
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  Speaker 1: feats of so dulla beast. Though for that matter, too
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  Speaker 1: a bear may be overacted. Yes, yes it is not.
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  Speaker 1: Every imitator that knows nature may be outdone easier than
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  Speaker 1: she is equaled. But all our work is yet before us.
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  Speaker 1: Where is the gentle one? Heaven knows? I have examined
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  Speaker 1: every lodge in the village without discovering the slightest trace
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  Speaker 1: of her presence in the trod. You heard what the
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  Speaker 1: singer said as he left us. She is at hand
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  Speaker 1: and expects you I have been compelled to believe, he
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  Speaker 1: alluded to this unhappy woman. The simpleton was frightened and
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  Speaker 1: blundered through his message. But he had a deeper meaning.
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  Speaker 1: Here are walls enough to separate the whole settlement a
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  Speaker 1: bear ought to climb. Therefore, I will take a look
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  Speaker 1: above them. There may be honey pots hid in these rocks.
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  Speaker 1: And I am a beast, you know that, as a
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  Speaker 1: hankering for the sweets. The scout looked behind him, laughing
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  Speaker 1: at his own conceit, while he clambered up the partition,
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  Speaker 1: imitating as he went the clumsy motions of the beast
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  Speaker 1: he represented. But the instant the summit was gained, he
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  Speaker 1: made a gesture of silence and slid down with the
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  Speaker 1: utmost precipitation. She is here, he whispered, and by that
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  Speaker 1: door you will find her. I would have spoken a
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  Speaker 1: word of comfort to the afflicted soul, but the sight
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  Speaker 1: of such a monster might upset her reason. Though for
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  Speaker 1: that matter, Major, you are none of the most inviting
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  Speaker 1: yourself in your paint. Duncan, who had already swung eagerly forward,
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  Speaker 1: drew instantly back on hearing these discouraging words, am I
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  Speaker 1: then so very revolting, he demanded, with an air of chagrin.
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  Speaker 1: You might not startle a wolf or turn the Royal
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  Speaker 1: Americans from a discharge, but I have seen the time
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  Speaker 1: when you had better favored. Look. Your street countenances are
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  Speaker 1: not ill judged of by the squaws, but young women
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  Speaker 1: of white blood give the preference to their own color. See,
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  Speaker 1: he added, pointing to a place where the water trickled
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  Speaker 1: from a rock, forming a little crystal spring before it
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  Speaker 1: found an issue through the adjacent crevices. You may easily
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  Speaker 1: get rid of the sagamore's daub, and when you come back,
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  Speaker 1: I will try my hand at a new embellishments. It's
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  Speaker 1: as common for a conjurer to alter his paint as
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  Speaker 1: for a buck in settlements to change his finery. The
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  Speaker 1: deliberate woodsman had little occasion to hunt for arguments to
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  Speaker 1: enforce his advice. He was yet speaking when Duncan and
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  Speaker 1: veiled himself of the water. In a moment, every frightful
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  Speaker 1: or offensive mark was obliterated, and the youth appeared again
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  Speaker 1: in the lineaments with which he had been gifted by nature.
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  Speaker 1: Thus prepared for an interview with his mistress. He took
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  Speaker 1: a hasty leave of his companion and disappeared through the
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  Speaker 1: indicated passage. The scout witnessed his departure with complacency, nodding
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  Speaker 1: his head after him and muttering his good wishes, after
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  Speaker 1: which he very coolly set about an examination of the
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  Speaker 1: state of the latter. Among the Hurons, the cavern, among
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  Speaker 1: other purposes, being used as a receptacle for the fruits
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  Speaker 1: of their hunts, Duncan had no other guide than a distant,
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  Speaker 1: glimmering light, which served, however, the office of a polar
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  Speaker 1: star to the lover. By its aid he was enabled
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  Speaker 1: to enter the haven of his hopes, which it was
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  Speaker 1: merely another apartment of the cavern that had been solely
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  Speaker 1: appropriated to the safe keeping of so important a prisoner
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  Speaker 1: as the daughter of the Commandant of William Henry. It
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  Speaker 1: was profusely strewed with the plunder of that unlucky fortress.
• 12:49
  Speaker 1: In the midst of this confusion he found her. He sought, pale,
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  Speaker 1: anxious and terrified, but lovely David had prepared her for
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  Speaker 1: such a visit. Duncan, she exclaimed, in a voice that
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  Speaker 1: seemed to tremble at the sounds created by itself, Alice,
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  Speaker 1: he answered, leaping carelessly among trunks, boxes, arms, and furniture
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  Speaker 1: until he stood at her side. I knew you would
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  Speaker 1: never desert me, she said, looking up with a momentary
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  Speaker 1: glow on her otherwise dejected countlimence. But you are alone,
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  Speaker 1: grateful as it is to be thus remembered. I could
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  Speaker 1: wish to think you are not entirely alone. Duncan, observing
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  Speaker 1: that she trembled in a manner which betrayed her inability
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  Speaker 1: to stand, gently induced her to be seated while he
• 13:43
  Speaker 1: recounted those leading incidents which it has been artasked to accord.
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  Speaker 1: Alice listened with breathless interest, and though the young man
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  Speaker 1: touched lightly on the sorrows of the stricken father, taking care, however,
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  Speaker 1: not to wound the self love of his auditor, the
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  Speaker 1: tears ran as freely down the cheeks of the daughter
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  Speaker 1: as though she had never wept before. The soothing tenderness
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  Speaker 1: of Duncan, however, soon quieted the first burst of her emotions,
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  Speaker 1: and she then heard him to the clothes with undivided attention,
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  Speaker 1: if not with composure. And now, Alice, he added, you
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  Speaker 1: will see how much is still expected of you by
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  Speaker 1: the assistance of our experienced and invaluable friend, the scout,
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  Speaker 1: we may find our way from this savage people. But
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  Speaker 1: you will have to exert your utmost fortitude. Remember that
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  Speaker 1: you fly to the arms of your venerable parent. And
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  Speaker 1: how much is happiness as well as your own, depends
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  Speaker 1: on these exertions. Can I do otherwise for a father
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  Speaker 1: who has done so much for me and for me too,
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  Speaker 1: continued the youth, gently pressing the hand he held in
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  Speaker 1: both his own. The look of innocence and surprise which
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  Speaker 1: he received in return, convinced Duncan of the necessity of
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  Speaker 1: being more explicit. This is neither the place nor the
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  Speaker 1: occasion to detain you with selfish wishes, he added. But
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  Speaker 1: what heart loaded like mine would not wish to cast
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  Speaker 1: its burden? They say misery is the closest of all ties.
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  Speaker 1: Our common suffering in your behalf left but little to
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  Speaker 1: be explained between your father and myself and dearest Cora, Duncan.
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  Speaker 1: Surely Cora was not forgotten, not forgotten, no regretted, as
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  Speaker 1: woman was seldom mourned before. Your venerable father knew no
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  Speaker 1: difference between his children. But I, Alice, you will not
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  Speaker 1: be offended when I say that to me, her worth
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  Speaker 1: was in a degree obscured. Then you knew not the
• 16:05
  Speaker 1: merit of my sister, said Alice, withdrawing her hand of you,
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  Speaker 1: she ever speaks as one who is her dearest friend.
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  Speaker 1: I would gladly believe her such, returned Duncan hastily. I
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  Speaker 1: could wish her to be even more. But with you, Alice,
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  Speaker 1: I have the permission of your father to aspire to
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  Speaker 1: a still nearer and dearer tie. Alice trembled violently, and
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  Speaker 1: there was an instant during which she bent her face aside,
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  Speaker 1: yielding to the emotions calmon to her sex. But they
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  Speaker 1: quickly passed away, leaving her mistress of her deportment, if
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  Speaker 1: not of her affections. Hayward, she said, looking him full
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  Speaker 1: in the face with a touching expression of innocence and dependency,
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  Speaker 1: Give me the sacred presence and the holy sanction of
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  Speaker 1: that parent before you urge me further. The more I
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  Speaker 1: should not less, I could not say. The youth was
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  Speaker 1: about to answer when he was interrupted by a light
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  Speaker 1: tap on his shoulder. Starting to his feet, he turned and,
• 17:18
  Speaker 1: confronting the intruder, his looks fell on the dark form
• 17:21
  Speaker 1: and the malignant visage of Magua. The deep, guttural laugh
• 17:26
  Speaker 1: of the savage sounded as such a moment to Duncan,
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  Speaker 1: like the hellish taunt of a demon. Had he pursued
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  Speaker 1: the sudden and fierce impulse of the instant, he would
• 17:36
  Speaker 1: have cast himself on the huron and committed their fortunes
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  Speaker 1: to the issue of a deadly struggle. But without arms
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  Speaker 1: of any description, ignorant of what succor his subtle enemy
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  Speaker 1: could command, and charged with the safety of one who
• 17:52
  Speaker 1: was just then dearer than ever to his heart, he
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  Speaker 1: no sooner entertained than he abandoned the desperate And what
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  Speaker 1: is your purpose? Said Alice, meekly, folding her arms on
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  Speaker 1: her bosom and struggling to conceal an agony of apprehension
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  Speaker 1: in behalf of Heyward, in the usual cold and distant
• 18:13
  Speaker 1: manner with which she received the visits of her captor.
• 18:17
  Speaker 1: The exalting Indian had resumed his austere countenance. Though he
• 18:21
  Speaker 1: drew wearily back from the menacing glance of the young
• 18:24
  Speaker 1: man's fiery eye. He regarded both his captives for a
• 18:28
  Speaker 1: moment with a steady look, and then stepping aside, he
• 18:33
  Speaker 1: dropped a log of wood across a door different from
• 18:35
  Speaker 1: that by which Duncan had entered. The latter, now comprehended
• 18:40
  Speaker 1: the manner of his surprise, and believing him irretrievably lost,
• 18:45
  Speaker 1: he drew Alice to his bosom and stood prepared to
• 18:49
  Speaker 1: meet a fate which he hardly regretted, since it was
• 18:53
  Speaker 1: suffered in such company. But Maqua meditated no immediate violence.
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  Speaker 1: His first measures were very evidently taken to secure his
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  Speaker 1: new captive, nor did he even bestow a second glance
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  Speaker 1: at the motionless forms at the center of the cavern
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  Speaker 1: until he had completely cut off every hope of retreat
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  Speaker 1: through the private outlet he had himself used. He was
• 19:21
  Speaker 1: watched in all his movements by Heyward, who, however, remained
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  Speaker 1: firm still folding the fragile form of Alice to his heart,
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  Speaker 1: at once too proud and too hopeless to ask favor
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  Speaker 1: of an enemy so often foiled. When Magua had affected
• 19:38
  Speaker 1: his object, he approached his prisoners and said in English,
• 19:42
  Speaker 1: the pale faces trapped the cunning beavers, but the redskins
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  Speaker 1: know how to take the Yengeese. Yuron, do your worst,
• 19:52
  Speaker 1: exclaimed the excited Heyward, forgetful that a double stake was
• 19:56
  Speaker 1: involved in his life. You and your vengeance are alike despised.
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  Speaker 1: Will o white man speak these words at the stake,
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  Speaker 1: asked Magua, manifesting at the same time how little faith
• 20:10
  Speaker 1: he had in the other's resolution by the sneer that
• 20:13
  Speaker 1: accompanied his words. Here singly in your face or in
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  Speaker 1: the presence of your nation, Le Renard Septilli is a
• 20:22
  Speaker 1: great chief, returned the Indian. He will go and bring
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  Speaker 1: his young men to see how bravely a pale face
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  Speaker 1: can laugh at tortures. He turned away while speaking, and
• 20:34
  Speaker 1: was about to leave the place through the avenue by
• 20:36
  Speaker 1: which Duncan had approached, when a growl caught his ear
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  Speaker 1: and caused him to hesitate. The figure of the bear
• 20:43
  Speaker 1: appeared in the door, where it sat, rolling from side
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  Speaker 1: to side in its customary restlessness. Magua, like the father
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  Speaker 1: of the sick woman, eyed it keenly for a moment,
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  Speaker 1: as if to ascertain its character. He was far abo
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  Speaker 1: the more vulgar superstitions of his tribe, and so soon
• 21:04
  Speaker 1: as he recognized the well known attire of the conjurer,
• 21:08
  Speaker 1: he prepared to pass it in cold contempt. But a
• 21:12
  Speaker 1: louder and more threatening growl caused him again to pause.
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  Speaker 1: Then he seemed as if suddenly resolved to trifle no longer,
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  Speaker 1: and moved resolutely forward. The mimic animal, which had advanced
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  Speaker 1: a little, retired slowly in his front, until it arrived
• 21:31
  Speaker 1: again at the pass. When rearing on its hinder legs,
• 21:36
  Speaker 1: it beat the air with its paws in the manner
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  Speaker 1: practiced by its brutal prototype. Fool exclaimed the chief in Huron,
• 21:44
  Speaker 1: go play with the children and squaws, leave men to
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  Speaker 1: their wisdom. He once more endeavored to pass the supposed
• 21:52
  Speaker 1: epiric scorning even the parade of threatening to use the
• 21:56
  Speaker 1: knife for Tomahawk that was pendant from his belt. Suddenly
• 22:00
  Speaker 1: the beasts extended its arms, or rather legs, and enclosed
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  Speaker 1: him in a grass that would have vide with far
• 22:06
  Speaker 1: famed power of the bear's hug itself. Heyward had watched
• 22:10
  Speaker 1: the whole procedure on the part of Hawkeye with breathless interest.
• 22:14
  Speaker 1: At first he relinquished his hold on Alice. Then he
• 22:19
  Speaker 1: caught up a thong of buckskin which had been used
• 22:21
  Speaker 1: around some bundle, and when he beheld his enemy about
• 22:25
  Speaker 1: his two arms pinned to his side by the iron
• 22:28
  Speaker 1: muscles of the scout. He rushed upon him and effectually
• 22:32
  Speaker 1: secured them. There, arms, legs, and feet were encircled in
• 22:36
  Speaker 1: twenty folds of the thong in less time than we
• 22:39
  Speaker 1: have taken to record the circumstance. When the formidable Huron
• 22:44
  Speaker 1: was completely pinioned, the Scout released his hold, and Duncan
• 22:48
  Speaker 1: laid his enemy on his back, utterly helpless. Throughout the
• 22:54
  Speaker 1: whole of this sudden and extraordinary operation Maqua, So he
• 23:00
  Speaker 1: had struggled violently until assured he was in the hands
• 23:04
  Speaker 1: of one whose nerves were far better strung than his own,
• 23:07
  Speaker 1: had not uttered the slightest exclamation. But when Hawkeye, by
• 23:12
  Speaker 1: way of making a summary explanation of his conduct, removed
• 23:16
  Speaker 1: the shaggy jaws of the beast and exposed his own,
• 23:20
  Speaker 1: rugged and earnest countenance to the gaze of the ran,
• 23:24
  Speaker 1: the philosophy of the latter was so far mastered as
• 23:27
  Speaker 1: to permit him to utter the never failing hog. I
• 23:33
  Speaker 1: you found your tongue, said his undisturbed conquer Now, in
• 23:38
  Speaker 1: order that you shall not use it to our ruin,
• 23:41
  Speaker 1: I must make free to stop your mouth. And there
• 23:45
  Speaker 1: was no time to be lost. The scout immediately set
• 23:48
  Speaker 1: about effecting so necessary a precaution, and when he had
• 23:52
  Speaker 1: gagged the Indian, his enemy might safely have been considered
• 23:56
  Speaker 1: as Ur's de combat. What place did the enter, asked
• 24:02
  Speaker 1: the industrious scout, when his work was ended. Not a
• 24:06
  Speaker 1: soul has passed my way since you left me. Duncan
• 24:10
  Speaker 1: pointed out the door by which Maqua had come, and
• 24:12
  Speaker 1: which now presented too many obstacles for a quick retreat.
• 24:16
  Speaker 1: Bring on, the gentle one, then continued his friend. We
• 24:20
  Speaker 1: must make a push for the woods by the other outlet.
• 24:23
  Speaker 1: 'tis impossible, said Duncan. Fear has overcome her and she
• 24:29
  Speaker 1: is helpless. Alice, my sweet, my own Alice. Arouse yourself.
• 24:35
  Speaker 1: Now's the moment to flytis in vain, she hears, but
• 24:41
  Speaker 1: is unable to follow. Go, noble and worthy, friend, save
• 24:47
  Speaker 1: yourself and leave me to my fate. Every trail has
• 24:52
  Speaker 1: its end, and every calamity brings its lesson, returned the scout.
• 24:57
  Speaker 1: There wrap her in them Indian cloth, conceal all of
• 25:01
  Speaker 1: her little form. Nay, that foot has no fellow in
• 25:06
  Speaker 1: the wilderness. It will betray her all every part. Now
• 25:10
  Speaker 1: take her in your arms and follow leave the rest
• 25:15
  Speaker 1: to me. Duncan, as may be gathered from the words
• 25:19
  Speaker 1: of his companion, was eagerly obeying, and as the other
• 25:22
  Speaker 1: finished speaking, he took the light person of Alice in
• 25:25
  Speaker 1: his arms and followed in the footsteps of the scout.
• 25:29
  Speaker 1: They found the sick woman as they had left her,
• 25:32
  Speaker 1: still alone, and passed swiftly on by the natural gallery
• 25:36
  Speaker 1: to the place of entrance. As they approached the little
• 25:39
  Speaker 1: door of Bark, a murmur of voices without announced that
• 25:42
  Speaker 1: the friends and relatives of the invalid were gathered about
• 25:46
  Speaker 1: the place, patiently awaiting a summons to re enter. If
• 25:50
  Speaker 1: I open my lips to speak, Hawkeye whispered, my English,
• 25:55
  Speaker 1: which is the genuine tongue of a white skin, will
• 25:58
  Speaker 1: tell the varlets that an enemy is among them. You
• 26:02
  Speaker 1: must give them your jargon major and say that we
• 26:06
  Speaker 1: have shut the evil spirit in the cave, and we
• 26:08
  Speaker 1: are taking the woman to the woods in order to
• 26:12
  Speaker 1: find strengthening roots. Practice all your cunning, for it is
• 26:17
  Speaker 1: a lawful undertaking. The door opened a little, as if
• 26:22
  Speaker 1: one without was listening to the proceedings within, and compelled
• 26:26
  Speaker 1: the scout to cease his directions. A fierce growl repelled
• 26:31
  Speaker 1: the eavesdropper, and then the scout boldly threw open the
• 26:34
  Speaker 1: covering of bark and left the place, enacting the character
• 26:38
  Speaker 1: of a bear as he proceeded. Duncan kept close at
• 26:41
  Speaker 1: his heels, and soon found himself in the center of
• 26:45
  Speaker 1: a cluster of twenty anxious relatives and friends. The crowd
• 26:49
  Speaker 1: fell back a little and permitted the father and one
• 26:52
  Speaker 1: who appeared to be the husband of the woman to approach.
• 26:56
  Speaker 1: Has it my brother driven away? The evil spirit demanded
• 26:59
  Speaker 1: the what has he in his arms? Thy child? Returned
• 27:05
  Speaker 1: Duncan gravely. The disease is got out of her. It
• 27:09
  Speaker 1: is shut up in the rocks. I take the woman
• 27:12
  Speaker 1: to a distance where I will strengthen her against any
• 27:16
  Speaker 1: further attacks. She will be in the wigwam of the
• 27:19
  Speaker 1: young man when the sun comes again. When the father
• 27:24
  Speaker 1: had translated the meaning of the stranger's words into the
• 27:27
  Speaker 1: Huron language, a suppressed murmur announced the satisfaction with which
• 27:32
  Speaker 1: this intelligence was received. The chief himself waved his hand
• 27:37
  Speaker 1: for Duncan to proceed, saying aloud, in a firm voice
• 27:40
  Speaker 1: and with a lofty manner, go I am a man,
• 27:44
  Speaker 1: and I will enter the rock and fight the wicked one.
• 27:48
  Speaker 1: Hey were gladly obeyed, and was already past the little
• 27:52
  Speaker 1: group when those startling words arrested him. Is my brother mad,
• 27:57
  Speaker 1: he exclaimed? Is he cruel? He will meet the disease
• 28:01
  Speaker 1: and it will enter him, Or he will drive out
• 28:04
  Speaker 1: the disease and it will chase his daughter into the woods. No,
• 28:09
  Speaker 1: let my children wait without, And if the spirit appears,
• 28:13
  Speaker 1: beat him down with clubs. He is cunning and will
• 28:17
  Speaker 1: bury himself in the mountain when he sees how many
• 28:20
  Speaker 1: are ready to fight him. This singular warning had the
• 28:24
  Speaker 1: desired effect. Instead of entering the cavern, the father and
• 28:29
  Speaker 1: the husband drew their tomahawks and posted themselves in readiness
• 28:33
  Speaker 1: to deal their vengeance on the imaginary tormentor of their
• 28:37
  Speaker 1: sick relative, while the woman and children broke branches from
• 28:40
  Speaker 1: the bushes or ceased fragments of the rock with a
• 28:44
  Speaker 1: similar intention. At this favorable moment, the counterfeit conjurors disappeared.
• 28:50
  Speaker 1: Hawkeye at the same time that he had presumed so
• 28:53
  Speaker 1: far in the nature of the Indian superstitions, was not
• 28:57
  Speaker 1: ignorant that they were rather tolerated than relied on by
• 29:00
  Speaker 1: the wisest of the chiefs. He well knew the value
• 29:04
  Speaker 1: of time in the present emergency. Whatever might be the
• 29:08
  Speaker 1: extent of the self delusion of his enemies, and however
• 29:13
  Speaker 1: it had tended to assist his schemes, the slightest cause
• 29:17
  Speaker 1: of suspicion, acting on the subtle nature of an Indian
• 29:20
  Speaker 1: would be likely to prove fatal. Taking the path therefore
• 29:25
  Speaker 1: that was most likely to avoid observation, he rather skirted
• 29:30
  Speaker 1: than entered the village. The warriors were still to be
• 29:33
  Speaker 1: seen in the distance by the fading light of the fires,
• 29:37
  Speaker 1: stalking from lodge to lodge, But the children had abandoned
• 29:41
  Speaker 1: their sports for their beds of skins, and the quiet
• 29:45
  Speaker 1: night was already beginning to prevail over the turbulence and
• 29:49
  Speaker 1: excitement of so busy and important an evening. Alice revived
• 29:54
  Speaker 1: under the renovating influence of the open air, and as
• 29:57
  Speaker 1: her physical rather than her mental power, had been the
• 30:01
  Speaker 1: subject of weakness, she stood in no need of any
• 30:04
  Speaker 1: explanation of that which had occurred. Now let me make
• 30:08
  Speaker 1: an effort to walk, she said, as they had entered
• 30:12
  Speaker 1: the forest, blushing, though unseen that she had not been
• 30:16
  Speaker 1: sooner able to quit the arms of Duncan I am
• 30:19
  Speaker 1: indeed restored. Nay, Alice, you are yet too weak. The
• 30:25
  Speaker 1: maiden struggled gently to release herself, and Heyward was compelled
• 30:30
  Speaker 1: to part with his precious burden. The representative of the
• 30:34
  Speaker 1: bear had certainly been an entire stranger to the delicious
• 30:37
  Speaker 1: emotions of the lover while his arms encircled his mistress,
• 30:41
  Speaker 1: and he was perhaps a stranger also to the nature
• 30:45
  Speaker 1: of that feeling of ingenuous shame that oppressed the trembling Alice.
• 30:50
  Speaker 1: But when he found himself at a suitable distance from
• 30:53
  Speaker 1: the lodges, he made a halt and spoke on a
• 30:56
  Speaker 1: subject of which he was thoroughly the master. This path
• 31:01
  Speaker 1: will lead you to the brook, he said, follow its
• 31:04
  Speaker 1: northern bank until you come to a fall. Mount the
• 31:08
  Speaker 1: hill on your right, and you will see the fires
• 31:11
  Speaker 1: of the other people. There. You must go and demand protection.
• 31:16
  Speaker 1: If they are true delawares, you will be safe. A
• 31:20
  Speaker 1: distant flight with that gentleman just now is impossible. The
• 31:26
  Speaker 1: Hurons would follow up our trail and master our scalps
• 31:29
  Speaker 1: before we got a dozen miles. Go and Providence be
• 31:34
  Speaker 1: with you, and you demanded Heyward, in surprise, surely we
• 31:40
  Speaker 1: not part here. The Hurons hold the pride of the Delawares,
• 31:46
  Speaker 1: the last of the high blood of the Mexicans. In
• 31:48
  Speaker 1: their power, returned the Scout. I go to see what
• 31:52
  Speaker 1: can be done in his favor. Had they mastered your Scout,
• 31:56
  Speaker 1: major and knaves should have fallen for every hair it
• 31:59
  Speaker 1: had heel as I promised. But if the young Sagamore
• 32:03
  Speaker 1: is to be led to the stake, the Indians shall
• 32:06
  Speaker 1: also see how a man without a cross can die.
• 32:11
  Speaker 1: Not in the least offended with the decided preference that
• 32:14
  Speaker 1: the sturdy woodsman gave to one who might in some
• 32:17
  Speaker 1: degree be called the child of his adoption, Duncan still
• 32:21
  Speaker 1: continued to urge such reasons against so desperate an effort
• 32:24
  Speaker 1: as presented themselves. He was aided by Alice, who mingled
• 32:29
  Speaker 1: her entreaties with those of Heyward that he would abandon
• 32:32
  Speaker 1: a resolution that promised so much danger with so little
• 32:36
  Speaker 1: hope of success. Their eloquence and ingenuity were expended in vain.
• 32:42
  Speaker 1: The Scout heard them attentively but impatiently, and finally closed
• 32:47
  Speaker 1: the discussion by answering in a tone that instantly silenced Alice,
• 32:52
  Speaker 1: while it told Heyward how fruitless any further remonstrances would be.
• 32:58
  Speaker 1: I have heard he said that there is a feeling
• 33:01
  Speaker 1: in youth which binds man to a woman closer than
• 33:05
  Speaker 1: father is tied to the sun. It may be so.
• 33:09
  Speaker 1: I have seldom been where woman of my color dwell.
• 33:13
  Speaker 1: But such may be the gifts of nature in the settlements.
• 33:18
  Speaker 1: You have risked life and all that is dear to
• 33:20
  Speaker 1: you to bring off this gentle one. And I suppose
• 33:25
  Speaker 1: that some such disposition is at the bottom of it all.
• 33:29
  Speaker 1: As for me, I taught the lad the real character
• 33:32
  Speaker 1: of a rifle, and well has he paid me for it.
• 33:37
  Speaker 1: I fought at his side in many a bloody scrimmage,
• 33:41
  Speaker 1: And so long as I could hear the crack of
• 33:43
  Speaker 1: his piece in one ear and that of the sagamore
• 33:46
  Speaker 1: in the other, I knew no enemy was on my back.
• 33:51
  Speaker 1: Winters and summer nights and days we have rove the
• 33:55
  Speaker 1: wilderness in company, eating of the same dish, one sleeping
• 33:59
  Speaker 1: while the other watched. And if for it shall be
• 34:02
  Speaker 1: said that Uncas was taken to the torment and I
• 34:04
  Speaker 1: at hand, there is but a single ruler of us all,
• 34:09
  Speaker 1: whatever may the color of the skin, and him I
• 34:13
  Speaker 1: call to witness that before the Mohican boy shall perish
• 34:17
  Speaker 1: for the want of a friend, good faith shall depart
• 34:20
  Speaker 1: the earth, and Kildeer become as harmless as the touting
• 34:24
  Speaker 1: weapon of the singer. Duncan released his hold on the
• 34:27
  Speaker 1: arm of the Scout, who turned and steadily retraced his
• 34:31
  Speaker 1: steps toward the lodges. After pausing a moment to gaze
• 34:35
  Speaker 1: at his retiring form, the successful and yet sorrowful Heyward
• 34:40
  Speaker 1: and Alice took their way together toward the distant village
• 34:45
  Speaker 1: of the Delawares end of Chapter twenty five.