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02 - The Last Of The Mohicans - James Cooper · Adventure Books Library

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Chapter two quote Sola Sola woe ha ho sola unquote by Shakespeare. While one
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of the lovely beings we have so curiously presented to the reader was thus lost
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in thought, the other quickly recovered from the alarm which had induced the exclamation,
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and, laughing at her own weakness, she inquired of the youth who
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rode by her side? Are such specters frequent in the woods, heyward?
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Or is this sight and especial entertainment ordered on our behalf? If the latter,
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gratitude must close our mouths. But if the former, both Cora and
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I shall have need to draw largely on that stock of hereditary courage which we
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boast even before we were made to encounter the redoubtable montcalmb Yon Indian is a
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runner of the army, and after the fashion of his people, he may
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be accounted a hero. Returned the officer he has volunteered to guide us to
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the lake by a path but little known. Sooner than if we followed the
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tardy movements of the column, and by a consequence more agreeably I like him
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not, said the lady, shuddering partly, and assumed yet more in real
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terror. You know him Duncan, or would you not trust yourself so freely
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to his keeping? Say rather, Alice, that I would not trust you
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I do know him, or he would not have my confidence. And least
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of all, at this moment, he is said to be a Canadian too.
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And yet he served with our friends, the Mohawks, who, as
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you know, are one of the six Allied nations. He was brought among
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us, as I have heard, by some strange accident in which your father
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was interested, and in which the savage was rigidly dealt by. But I
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forget the idle tale. It is enough he is now our friend. If
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he has been my father's enemy, I like him still less exclaimed the know
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really anxious girl, Will you not speak to him, Major Heyward, that
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I may hear his tones? Foolish though it may be, you have often
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heard me avow my faith in the tones of the human voice. It would
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be in vain, and answered, most probably by an ejaculation. Though he
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may understand it, he affects, like most of his people, to be
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ignorant of the English. And least of all will he condescend to speak it
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now that the war demands the utmost exercise of his dignity, but he stops
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the private path by which we are to journey is doubtless at hand. The
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conjecture of Major Heyward was true when they reached the spot where the Indians stood,
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Pointing into the thicket that fringed the military road, A narrow and blind
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path which might, with some little inconvenience receive one person at a time,
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became visible. Here then lies our way, said the young man in a
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low voice. Manifest no distrust, or you may invite the danger you appear
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to apprehend. Cora, what think you asked the reluctant fair one. If
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we journey with the troops, though we may find their presence irksome, shall
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we not feel better assurance of our safety, being little accustomed to the practices
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of the savages? Alice, you mistake the place of real danger, said
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Heyward. If enemies have reached the portage at all, a thing by no
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means probable. As our scalps are abroad, they will surely be found skirting
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the column where scalps abound most the route of the detachment is known, while
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ours, having been determined within the hour, must still be secret. Should
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we distrust the man because his men are not our manners, and that his
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skin is dark. Coldly asked Cora Alice hesitated no longer, but giving her
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Narragansett a smart cut of the whip, she was the first to dash aside
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the slight branches of the bushes, and to follow the runner along the dark
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and tangled pathway. Footnote. In the state of Rhode Island, there is
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a bay called Narraganset, so named after a powerful tribe of Indians which formerly
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dwelt on its banks. Accident or one of those unaccountable freaks which nature sometimes
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plays. In the animal world gave rise to a breed of horses which were
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once well known in America and distinguished by their habit of pacing. Horses of
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this race were and are still in much request as saddle horses on account of
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their hardiness and the ease of their movements, as they were also sure of
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foot. The Narraganset were greatly sought for by females who were obliged to travel
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over the roots and holes in the new countries and a footnote. The young
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man regarded the last speaker in open admiration and even permitted her fare, though
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certainly not more beautiful companion to proceed unattended, while he said uselessly opened the
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way himself for the passage of her, who has been called Cora. It
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would seem that the domestics had been previously instructed, for instead of penetrating the
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thicket, they followed the route of the column, a mesure which Heyward stated
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had been dictated by the sagacity of their guide, in order to diminish the
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marks of their trail. If haply the Canadian savages should be lurking so far
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in advance of their army. For many minutes, the intricacy of the route
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admitted of no further dialog, after which they emerged from the broad border of
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underbrush which grew along the line of the highway and entered under the high but
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dark arches of the forest. Here their progress was less interrupted, and the
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instant the guide perceived that the females could command their steeds. He moved on
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at a pace between a trot and a walk, and at a rate which
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kept the surefooted and peculiar animals. They rode at a fast yet easy amble.
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The youth had turned to speak to the dark eyed Cora, when the
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distant sound of horses hoofs clattering over the roots of the broken way in its
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rear caused him to check his charger, and as his companions drew their reins
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at the same instant, the whole party came to a halt in order to
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obtain an explanation of the unlooked for interruption. In a few moments, a
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colt was seen gliding like a fallow deer among the straight trunks of the pines,
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and in another instant, the person of the ungainly man described in the
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preceding chapter came into view with as much rapidity as he could excite his meager
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beasts to endure without coming to an open rupture. Until now his personage had
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escaped the observation of the travelers. If he possessed the power to arrest any
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wondering eye when exhibiting the glories of his altitude on foot, his equestrian graces
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were still more likely to attract attention, notwithstanding a constant application of his one
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armed heel to the flanks of the mare. The most confirmed gait that he
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could establish was a Canterbury gallop with the hind legs, in which those more
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forward assisted for doubtful moments, and generally content to maintain eloping trot. Perhaps
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the rapidity of the changes from one of these paces to the other created an
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optical illusion which might thus magnify the powers of the beast. For it is
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certain that Heyward, who possessed a true eye for the merits of a horse,
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was unable, with his utmost ingenuity to decide by what sort of movement
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his pursuer worked his sinuous way on his footsteps. With such persevering hardihood,
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the industry and the movements of the rider were not less remarkable than those of
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the ridden. At each change in the evolutions of the latter, the former
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raised his tall person in the stirrups, producing in this matter by the undoe
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elongation of his legs such sudden growths and diminishings of the stature as baffled every
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conjecture that might be made as to his dimensions. If to this be added
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the fact, in consequence of the exparte application of the spur, one side
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of the mare appeared to journey faster than the other, and that the aggrieved
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flank was resolutely indicated by unremitted flourishes of a bushy tail. We finished the
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picture of both horse and man. The frown which had gathered around the handsome,
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open and manly brow of Hayward gradually relaxed, and his lips curled into
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a slight smile as he regarded the stranger. Alice made no very powerful effort
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to control her merriment, and even the dark, thoughtful eye of Cora lighted
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with the humor that it would seem the habit rather than nature of its mistress
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repressed. Seek you any here, demanded Heyward, when the other had arrived
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sufficiently nigh to abate his speed. I trust you are no messenger of evil
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tidings. Even so, replied the stranger, making diligent use of his triangular
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castor to produce a circulation in the close air of the woods, and leaving
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his hearers in doubt to which of the young man's questions he responded, When,
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however, he had cooled his face and recovered his breath, he continued,
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I hear you are writing to William Henry, as I am journing thither
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word myself, I concluded good company would seem consistent to the wishes of both
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parties. You appear to possess the privilege of a casting vote, returned,
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Heyward, we are three, while you have consulted no one but yourself.
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Even so, the first point to be obtained is to know one's own mind.
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Once sure of that, and were women and concerned, it is not
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easy. The next is to act up to the decision. I have endeavored
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to do both, and here I am. If you make the journey to
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the lake, you have mistaken your route, said Heyward, haughtily. The
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highway thither is least a half a mile behind you. Even so, replied
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the stranger, nothing daunted by his cold reception. I have tarried at Edward
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a week, and I should be dumb not to have inquired the road I
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was to journey. And if dumb, there would be an end to my
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calling. After simpering in a small way, like one whose modesty prohibited a
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more open expression of his admiration of a witticism that was perfectly unintelligible to his
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hearers, he continued, is it not prudent for any one of my profession
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to be too familiar with those he has to instruct? For which reason I
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follow not the line of the army, Besides which I conclude that a gentleman
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of your character is the best judgment in matters of wayfaring. I have therefore
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decided to join company in order that the ride may be made agreeable and partake
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of social communion. A most arbitrary, if not a hasty decision, exclaimed
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Heyward, undecided whether to give vent to his growing anger or to laugh in
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the other's face. But you speak of instruction and of a profession. Are
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you an adjunct to the provincial corps as a master of the noble science of
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defense and offense? Or perhaps you're the one who draws lines and angles under
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the pretense of expounding the mathematics. The stranger regarded his interrogreator for a moment
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in wonder, and then, losing every mark of self satisfaction, in an
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expression of solemn humility, he answered, of offense, I hope there is
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none to either party. Of defense, I make none, by God's good
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mercy, having committed no palpable sin since last entreating his pardoning Great, I
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understand not your allusions about lines and angles, and I leave expounding to those
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who have been called and set apart for that holy office. I lay claim
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through no higher gift than a small insight into the glorious art of petitioning and
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thanksgiving as practice in Psalmoity. This man is most manifestly a disciple of Apollo,
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cried the amused Alice. And I take him under my own especial protection.
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Nay, throw aside that frown heyward, and in pity to my longing
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ears, suffer him to journey in our trade. Besides, she added in
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a low and hurried voice, casting a glance at the distant Cora, who
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slowly followed the footsteps of their silent but sullen guide. It may be a
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friend added to her strength in the time of need, think you, Alice,
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I would trust those I loved by this secret path. Did I imagine
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such need could happen? Nay, nay, I think not of it now.
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But this strange man amuses me. And if he hath music in his
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soul, let us not courlyously reject his company. She pointed persuasively along the
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path with her riding whip, while her eyes met in a look which the
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young men lingered a moment to prolong. Then, yielding to her gentle influence,
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he clapped his spurs to his charger, and in a few bounds was
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again at the side of Cora. I am glad to encounter thee friend,
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continued the maiden, waving her hand to the stranger to proceed, as she
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urged her narro against to renew its amble. Partial relatives have almost persuaded me
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that I am not entirely worthless in a duet myself. And we may enliven
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our wayfaring by indulging in our favorite pursuit. It might be of signal advantage
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to one ignorant as I, to hear the opinions and experience of a master
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of the art. It is refreshing both to the spirits and the body to
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indulge in psalmody in befitting seasons, returned the master of song, unhesitatingly,
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complying with her intimation to follow. And nothing would relieve the mind more than
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such a consoling communion. But four parts are altogether necessary for the perfection of
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melody. You have all the manifestations of a soft and rich trouble. I
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can buy a special aid carry a full tenor to the highest letter, but
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we lack counter and base yon. Officer of the King, who hesitated to
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admit me to his company, might fill the letter if one may judge from
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the intonations of his voice in common dialog. Judge not too rashly from hasty
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and deceptive appearances, said the lady, smiling. Though Major Heyward can assume
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such deep notes on occasion, believe me his natural tones are better fitted to
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a mellow tenor than the base you heard. Is he then much practiced in
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the art of psalmody, demanded her simple companion, Alice, felt disposed to
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laugh, though she succeeded in suppressing her merriment. She answered, I apprehend
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that he is rather addicted to profane song. The chances of a soldier's life
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are but little fitted to the encouragement of more sober inclinations. Man's voice was
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given to him, like his other talents, to be used and not to
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be abused. None can say they have ever known me to neglect my gifts.
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I am thankful that, through my boyhood may be said to have been
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set apart, like the youth of the Royal David, for the purposes of
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music. No syllable of rude verse has ever profaned my lips. You have
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then limited your efforts to sacred song, even so as the psalms of David
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exceed all other language. So does the psalmody that has been fitted to them
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by the divines and sages of the land surpass all vain poetry. Happily,
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I may say that I utter nothing but the thoughts and wishes of the King
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of Israel himself. For though the times may call for some slight changes,
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yet does this version which we use in the colonies of New England so much
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exceed all other versions, that, by its richness, its exactness, and
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its spiritual simplicity, it approacheth as near as may be, the great work
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of the inspired writer. I never abide in any place, sleeping or waking
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without an example of this gifted work. Tis the sixth and twentieth edition promulgated
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at Boston, Agno Domini, seventeen forty four, and is entitled The Psalms,
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Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Old and New Testaments, Faithfully translated into
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English meter for the use, edification and comfort of the Saints in public and
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private, especially in New England. During his euloquium on the rare production of
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his native poets, the Stranger had drawn the book from him his pocket,
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and fitting a pair of iron rimmed spectacles to his nose, opened the volume
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with a care and veneration suited to its sacred purposes. Then, without circumlocution
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or apology, first pronounced the word standish, and placing the unknown engine already
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described to his mouth, from which he drew a high, shrill sound that
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was followed by an octave below from his own voice. He commenced singing the
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following words in full, sweet and melodious tones that set the music, the
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poetry, and even the uneasy motion of his ill trained beast at defiance.
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How good it is o c and how it pleaseth well together Ian in unity
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for brethren, so to dwell. It's like the choice ointment from the head
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to the beard did go down aaron's head, that downward went his garment skirts.
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Unto the delivery of these skillful rhymes was accompanied on the part of the
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stranger by a regular rise and fall of his right hand, which terminated at
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the descent, by suffering the fingers to dwell a moment on the leaves of
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the little volume, and on assent by a flourish of the member. As
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none but the initiated might ever hope to imitate, it would seem long practice
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had rendered this manual accompaniment necessary, for it did not cease until the proposition
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which the poet had selected for the close of his verse had been duly delivered,
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like a word of two syllables. Such an innovation on the silence and
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the retirement of the forest could not fail to enlist the ears of those who
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journeyed at so short a distance. In advance. The Indian muttered a few
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words in broken English to Heyward, who, in his turn spoke to the
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stranger, at once interrupting and for the time closing his musical efforts. Though
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we are not in danger, common prudence would teach us to journey through this
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wilderness and as quiet a manner as possible. You will then pardon me,
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Alice, should I diminish your enjoyments by requesting this gentleman to postpone him chance
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until a safer opportunity, you will diminish them. Indeed, returned the arch
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girl, for never did I hear a more unworthy conjunction of execution and language
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than that to which I have been listening, And I was far gone in
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a learned inquiry into the causes of such an unfitness between sound and sense when
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you broke the charm of my musing by that bass of yours. Duncan I
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know not what you call my bass, said Heyward, piqued at her remark,
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But I know that your safety, in that of Cora, is far
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dearer to me than could be any orchestra of Handel's music. He paused and
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turned his head quickly toward a thicket, and then bent his eyes suspiciously on
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their guide, who continued his steady face in undisturbed gravity. The young man
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smiled to himself, for he believed he had mistaken some shining berry of the
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woods for the glistening eyeballs of a prowling savage. As he rode forward,
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continuing the conversation which had been interrupted by the passing thought, Major Heyward was
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mistaken only in suffering his youthful and generous pride to suppress his active watchfulness.
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The cavalcade had not long passed before the branches of the bushes that formed the
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thicket were cautiously moved asunder, and a human visage as fiercely wild as savage
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art and unbridled passions could make it peered out on the retiring footsteps of the
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travelers. A gleam of exultation shot across the darkly painted lineaments of the inhabitant
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of the forest as he traced the route of his intended victims, who rode
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unconsciously onward. The light and graceful forms of the females waving among the trees
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in the curvatures of their path, followed at each bend by the manly figure
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of Hayward, until finally the shapeless person of the Singing Master was concealed behind
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the numberless trunks of trees that rose in dark lines in the intermediate space.
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End of Chapter two