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

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