Latest / Adventure Books Library / 25 - The Last Of The Mohicans - James Cooper

Transcript

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

0:00
Chapter twenty five. Quote snug have you the lion's part written, pray you,
0:08
if it be, give it to me, for I am slow of
0:12
study. Quincy, you may do it ex tempore, for it is nothing
0:18
but roaring. Unquote from Midsummer Night's Dream. There was a strange blending of
0:25
the ridiculous with that which was solemn. In this scene. The beast still
0:30
continued its rolling and apparently untiring movements, though its ludicrous attempt to imitate the
0:37
melody of David ceased the instant the latter abandoned the field. The words of
0:42
Gimut were as has been seen in his native tongue, and to Duncan they
0:47
seemed pregnant with some hidden meaning, though nothing present assisted him in discovering the
0:53
object of their illusion. A speedy end was, however, put to every
0:57
conjecture on the subject by the manner of the chief, who advanced to the
1:02
bedside of the invalid and beckoned away the whole group of female attendants that had
1:07
clustered there to witness the skill of the stranger. He was implicitly, though
1:11
reluctantly obeyed, and when the low echo which rang along the hollow natural gallery
1:19
from the distant closing door had ceased. Pointing toward his insensible daughter, he
1:23
said, now let my brother show his power. Thus unequivocally called on to
1:30
exercise the functions of his assumed character, Heyward was apprehensive that the smallest delay
1:37
might prove dangerous Endeavoring then to collect his ideas, he prepared to perform that
1:44
species of incantation and those uncouth rites under which the Indian conjurors are accustomed to
1:52
conceal their ignorance and impotency. It is more than probable that, in the
1:57
disordered state of his thoughts, he would soon have fallen into some suspicious,
2:02
if not fatal air, had not his incipient attempts been interrupted by a fierce
2:07
growl from the quadruped Three several times did he renew his efforts to proceed,
2:15
and as often was he met by the same unaccountable opposition, each interruption seeming
2:22
more savage and threatening than the preceding. The cunning ones are jealous, said
2:28
the huron. I go, brother. The woman is the wife of one
2:32
of my bravest young men. Deal justly by her peace, he added,
2:39
beckoning to the discontented beast to be quiet. I go the chief was as
2:46
good as his word, and Duncan now found himself alone in that wild and
2:50
desolate abode, with the helpless, invalid and the fierce and dangerous brute.
2:55
He listened to the movements of the Indian with that air of sagacity that a
3:00
bear is known to possess, until another echo announced that he had also left
3:07
the cavern. When it turned and came waddling up to Duncan, before whom
3:12
it seated himself in its natural attitude, erect like a man, the youth
3:17
looked anxiously about him for some weapon with which he might make a resistance against
3:23
the attack he now seriously expected. It seemed, however, as the humor
3:30
of the animal had suddenly changed. Instead of continuing its discontented growls or manifesting
3:38
any further signs of anger, the whole of its shaggy body shook violently,
3:45
as if agitated by some strange internal convulsion. The huge and unwieldly talons pawed
3:52
stupidly about the grinning muzzle, and while Heyward kept his eyes riveted on its
3:57
movements with jealous watchfulness, the grim head fell on one side, and in
4:02
its place appeared the honest sturdy countenance of the scout, who was indulging from
4:10
the bottom of his soul in his own peculiar expression of merriment, st said
4:16
the wary woodsman, interrupting Heyward's exclamation of surprise. The varlets are about the
4:21
place, and any sounds that are not natural to witchcraft would bring them back
4:28
upon us in a body. Tell me the meaning of this masquerade and why
4:32
you have attempted so desperate an adventure. Ah, Reason and calculation are often
4:39
outdone by accident, returned the scout. But as a story should always commence
4:44
from the beginning, I will tell you the whole in order. After we
4:48
departed, I placed the Commandant and the Sagamore in an old beaver lodge,
4:55
where they are safer from the Hurons than they would be in the garrison of
4:59
Edward. For your high north West Indians, not having as yet got the
5:04
traders among them, continued to venerate the beaver, after which Uncas and I
5:10
pushed for the other encampment as was agreed. Have you seen the lad to
5:15
my great grief, he is captive and condemned to die at the rising of
5:21
the sun. I had misgivings that such would be his fate, resumed the
5:26
scout in a less confident and joyous tone, but soon regaining his naturally firm
5:31
voice, he continued, his bad fortune is the true reason for my being
5:36
here. For it would never do to abandon such a boy to the Urons.
5:43
O rare time the knaves would have it? Could they tie the bounding
5:47
elk and the long Caribbean, as they call me, to the same stake.
5:53
Though why they have given me such a name, I never knew,
5:57
there being as little likeness between the gifts of killed and the performance of one
6:01
of your real Canada carabines as there is between the nature of a pipe stone
6:06
and a flint. Keep to your tail, said the impatient Heyward. We
6:12
know not at what moment the Hurons may return. No fear of them.
6:17
A conjurer must have his time like a straggling priest in the settlements. We
6:23
are as safe from interruption as a missionary would be. At the beginning of
6:28
a two hours discourse, well, uncas and I fell in with a return
6:32
party of the varlets. The lad was much too forward for a scout.
6:38
Nay, for that matter, being of hot blood, he was not so
6:42
much to blame and after all one of the Urons proved a coward, and
6:47
in fleeing, led him into an ambushment, and dearly has he paid for
6:54
the weakness. The scout significantly passed his hand across his own throat and nodded
7:00
as if he said, I comprehend your meaning, after which he continued in
7:04
a more audible, though scarcely more intelligible language. After the loss of the
7:10
boy, I turned upon the Hurons. As you may judge, there have
7:14
been scrimmages between one or two of their outliers and myself, but that is
7:18
neither here nor there. So after I had shot the imps, I got
7:23
pretty nigh to the lodges without further commotion. Then what should luck do in
7:29
my favor but lead me to the very spot where one of the most famous
7:33
conjurors of the tribe was dressing himself, as I well knew, for some
7:39
great battle with Satan. Though why should I call that luck, which it
7:43
now seems was an especial ordering of providence. So a judgedmatical rap over the
7:49
head stiffened the lying imposture for a time, and leaving him a bit of
7:54
walnut for his super To prevent an uproar and stringing him up between two samplings.
8:00
I made free with his finery and took the part of the bear on
8:03
myself, in order that the operations might proceed, And admirably did you enact
8:09
the character the animal itself? Might have been shamed by the representation? Lord
8:15
Major returned the flattered woodsman. I should be but a poor schollar for one
8:20
who has studied so long in the wilderness. Did I not know how to
8:24
set forth the movements or nature of such a beast? Had it been now
8:28
a catamount, or even a full sized panther, I would have embellished a
8:33
performance for you worth regarding. But it is no such marvelous feat to exhibit
8:39
the feats of so dulla beast. Though for that matter, too a bear
8:43
may be overacted. Yes, yes it is not. Every imitator that knows
8:50
nature may be outdone easier than she is equaled. But all our work is
8:54
yet before us. Where is the gentle one? Heaven knows? I have
9:00
examined every lodge in the village without discovering the slightest trace of her presence in
9:07
the trod. You heard what the singer said as he left us. She
9:11
is at hand and expects you I have been compelled to believe, he alluded
9:18
to this unhappy woman. The simpleton was frightened and blundered through his message.
9:24
But he had a deeper meaning. Here are walls enough to separate the whole
9:30
settlement a bear ought to climb. Therefore, I will take a look above
9:35
them. There may be honey pots hid in these rocks. And I am
9:39
a beast, you know that, as a hankering for the sweets. The
9:45
scout looked behind him, laughing at his own conceit, while he clambered up
9:48
the partition, imitating as he went the clumsy motions of the beast he represented.
9:54
But the instant the summit was gained, he made a gesture of silence
10:00
and slid down with the utmost precipitation. She is here, he whispered,
10:07
and by that door you will find her. I would have spoken a word
10:11
of comfort to the afflicted soul, but the sight of such a monster might
10:16
upset her reason. Though for that matter, Major, you are none of
10:20
the most inviting yourself in your paint. Duncan, who had already swung eagerly
10:26
forward, drew instantly back on hearing these discouraging words, am I then so
10:33
very revolting, he demanded, with an air of chagrin. You might not
10:39
startle a wolf or turn the Royal Americans from a discharge, but I have
10:45
seen the time when you had better favored. Look. Your street countenances are
10:50
not ill judged of by the squaws, but young women of white blood give
10:56
the preference to their own color. See, he added, pointing to a
11:01
place where the water trickled from a rock, forming a little crystal spring before
11:05
it found an issue through the adjacent crevices. You may easily get rid of
11:11
the sagamore's daub, and when you come back, I will try my hand
11:15
at a new embellishments. It's as common for a conjurer to alter his paint
11:22
as for a buck in settlements to change his finery. The deliberate woodsman had
11:26
little occasion to hunt for arguments to enforce his advice. He was yet speaking
11:33
when Duncan and veiled himself of the water. In a moment, every frightful
11:37
or offensive mark was obliterated, and the youth appeared again in the lineaments with
11:43
which he had been gifted by nature. Thus prepared for an interview with his
11:48
mistress. He took a hasty leave of his companion and disappeared through the indicated
11:54
passage. The scout witnessed his departure with complacency, nodding his head after him
12:01
and muttering his good wishes, after which he very coolly set about an examination
12:07
of the state of the latter. Among the Hurons, the cavern, among
12:13
other purposes, being used as a receptacle for the fruits of their hunts,
12:18
Duncan had no other guide than a distant, glimmering light, which served,
12:22
however, the office of a polar star to the lover. By its aid
12:28
he was enabled to enter the haven of his hopes, which it was merely
12:33
another apartment of the cavern that had been solely appropriated to the safe keeping of
12:39
so important a prisoner as the daughter of the Commandant of William Henry. It
12:43
was profusely strewed with the plunder of that unlucky fortress. In the midst of
12:50
this confusion he found her. He sought, pale, anxious and terrified,
12:56
but lovely David had prepared her for such a visit. Duncan, she exclaimed,
13:03
in a voice that seemed to tremble at the sounds created by itself,
13:09
Alice, he answered, leaping carelessly among trunks, boxes, arms, and
13:13
furniture until he stood at her side. I knew you would never desert me,
13:20
she said, looking up with a momentary glow on her otherwise dejected countlimence.
13:26
But you are alone, grateful as it is to be thus remembered.
13:30
I could wish to think you are not entirely alone. Duncan, observing that
13:37
she trembled in a manner which betrayed her inability to stand, gently induced her
13:41
to be seated while he recounted those leading incidents which it has been artasked to
13:46
accord. Alice listened with breathless interest, and though the young man touched lightly
13:54
on the sorrows of the stricken father, taking care, however, not to
13:58
wound the self love of his auditor, the tears ran as freely down the
14:03
cheeks of the daughter as though she had never wept before. The soothing tenderness
14:09
of Duncan, however, soon quieted the first burst of her emotions, and
14:13
she then heard him to the clothes with undivided attention, if not with composure.
14:20
And now, Alice, he added, you will see how much is
14:24
still expected of you by the assistance of our experienced and invaluable friend, the
14:30
scout, we may find our way from this savage people. But you will
14:35
have to exert your utmost fortitude. Remember that you fly to the arms of
14:43
your venerable parent. And how much is happiness as well as your own,
14:48
depends on these exertions. Can I do otherwise for a father who has done
14:56
so much for me and for me too, continued the youth, gently pressing
15:03
the hand he held in both his own. The look of innocence and surprise
15:07
which he received in return, convinced Duncan of the necessity of being more explicit.
15:13
This is neither the place nor the occasion to detain you with selfish wishes,
15:18
he added. But what heart loaded like mine would not wish to cast
15:24
its burden? They say misery is the closest of all ties. Our common
15:31
suffering in your behalf left but little to be explained between your father and myself
15:37
and dearest Cora, Duncan. Surely Cora was not forgotten, not forgotten,
15:45
no regretted, as woman was seldom mourned before. Your venerable father knew no
15:52
difference between his children. But I, Alice, you will not be offended
15:58
when I say that to me, her worth was in a degree obscured.
16:03
Then you knew not the merit of my sister, said Alice, withdrawing her
16:10
hand of you, she ever speaks as one who is her dearest friend.
16:15
I would gladly believe her such, returned Duncan hastily. I could wish her
16:21
to be even more. But with you, Alice, I have the permission
16:26
of your father to aspire to a still nearer and dearer tie. Alice trembled
16:33
violently, and there was an instant during which she bent her face aside,
16:38
yielding to the emotions calmon to her sex. But they quickly passed away,
16:44
leaving her mistress of her deportment, if not of her affections. Hayward,
16:49
she said, looking him full in the face with a touching expression of innocence
16:55
and dependency, Give me the sacred presence and the holy sanction of that parent
17:00
before you urge me further. The more I should not less, I could
17:07
not say. The youth was about to answer when he was interrupted by a
17:12
light tap on his shoulder. Starting to his feet, he turned and,
17:18
confronting the intruder, his looks fell on the dark form and the malignant visage
17:22
of Magua. The deep, guttural laugh of the savage sounded as such a
17:29
moment to Duncan, like the hellish taunt of a demon. Had he pursued
17:33
the sudden and fierce impulse of the instant, he would have cast himself on
17:37
the huron and committed their fortunes to the issue of a deadly struggle. But
17:42
without arms of any description, ignorant of what succor his subtle enemy could command,
17:49
and charged with the safety of one who was just then dearer than ever
17:53
to his heart, he no sooner entertained than he abandoned the desperate And what
18:00
is your purpose? Said Alice, meekly, folding her arms on her bosom
18:06
and struggling to conceal an agony of apprehension in behalf of Heyward, in the
18:11
usual cold and distant manner with which she received the visits of her captor.
18:17
The exalting Indian had resumed his austere countenance. Though he drew wearily back from
18:22
the menacing glance of the young man's fiery eye. He regarded both his captives
18:27
for a moment with a steady look, and then stepping aside, he dropped
18:33
a log of wood across a door different from that by which Duncan had entered.
18:37
The latter, now comprehended the manner of his surprise, and believing him
18:42
irretrievably lost, he drew Alice to his bosom and stood prepared to meet a
18:48
fate which he hardly regretted, since it was suffered in such company. But
18:55
Maqua meditated no immediate violence. His first measures were very evidently taken to secure
19:03
his new captive, nor did he even bestow a second glance at the motionless
19:10
forms at the center of the cavern until he had completely cut off every hope
19:15
of retreat through the private outlet he had himself used. He was watched in
19:21
all his movements by Heyward, who, however, remained firm still folding the
19:26
fragile form of Alice to his heart, at once too proud and too hopeless
19:32
to ask favor of an enemy so often foiled. When Magua had affected his
19:37
object, he approached his prisoners and said in English, the pale faces trapped
19:44
the cunning beavers, but the redskins know how to take the Yengeese. Yuron,
19:48
do your worst, exclaimed the excited Heyward, forgetful that a double stake
19:55
was involved in his life. You and your vengeance are alike despised. Will
20:03
o white man speak these words at the stake, asked Magua, manifesting at
20:07
the same time how little faith he had in the other's resolution by the sneer
20:11
that accompanied his words. Here singly in your face or in the presence of
20:18
your nation, Le Renard Septilli is a great chief, returned the Indian.
20:25
He will go and bring his young men to see how bravely a pale face
20:29
can laugh at tortures. He turned away while speaking, and was about to
20:33
leave the place through the avenue by which Duncan had approached, when a growl
20:38
caught his ear and caused him to hesitate. The figure of the bear appeared
20:44
in the door, where it sat, rolling from side to side in its
20:48
customary restlessness. Magua, like the father of the sick woman, eyed it
20:53
keenly for a moment, as if to ascertain its character. He was far
20:59
abo the more vulgar superstitions of his tribe, and so soon as he recognized
21:04
the well known attire of the conjurer, he prepared to pass it in cold
21:10
contempt. But a louder and more threatening growl caused him again to pause.
21:18
Then he seemed as if suddenly resolved to trifle no longer, and moved resolutely
21:23
forward. The mimic animal, which had advanced a little, retired slowly in
21:29
his front, until it arrived again at the pass. When rearing on its
21:34
hinder legs, it beat the air with its paws in the manner practiced by
21:40
its brutal prototype. Fool exclaimed the chief in Huron, go play with the
21:45
children and squaws, leave men to their wisdom. He once more endeavored to
21:51
pass the supposed epiric scorning even the parade of threatening to use the knife for
21:56
Tomahawk that was pendant from his belt. Suddenly the beasts extended its arms,
22:02
or rather legs, and enclosed him in a grass that would have vide with
22:06
far famed power of the bear's hug itself. Heyward had watched the whole procedure
22:11
on the part of Hawkeye with breathless interest. At first he relinquished his hold
22:15
on Alice. Then he caught up a thong of buckskin which had been used
22:21
around some bundle, and when he beheld his enemy about his two arms pinned
22:26
to his side by the iron muscles of the scout. He rushed upon him
22:30
and effectually secured them. There, arms, legs, and feet were encircled
22:36
in twenty folds of the thong in less time than we have taken to record
22:41
the circumstance. When the formidable Huron was completely pinioned, the Scout released his
22:45
hold, and Duncan laid his enemy on his back, utterly helpless. Throughout
22:53
the whole of this sudden and extraordinary operation Maqua. So he had struggled violently
23:02
until assured he was in the hands of one whose nerves were far better strung
23:06
than his own, had not uttered the slightest exclamation. But when Hawkeye,
23:11
by way of making a summary explanation of his conduct, removed the shaggy jaws
23:17
of the beast and exposed his own, rugged and earnest countenance to the gaze
23:22
of the ran, the philosophy of the latter was so far mastered as to
23:26
permit him to utter the never failing hug. I you found your tongue,
23:34
said his undisturbed conquer Now, in order that you shall not use it to
23:40
our ruin, I must make free to stop your mouth. And there was
23:45
no time to be lost. The scout immediately set about effecting so necessary a
23:49
precaution, and when he had gagged the Indian, his enemy might safely have
23:56
been considered as Ur's de combat. What place did the enter, asked the
24:02
industrious scout, when his work was ended. Not a soul has passed my
24:07
way since you left me. Duncan pointed out the door by which Maqua had
24:11
come, and which now presented too many obstacles for a quick retreat. Bring
24:17
on, the gentle one, then continued his friend. We must make a
24:19
push for the woods by the other outlet.'tis impossible, said Duncan.
24:26
Fear has overcome her and she is helpless. Alice, my sweet, my
24:33
own Alice. Arouse yourself. Now's the moment to flytis in vain, she
24:41
hears, but is unable to follow. Go, noble and worthy friend,
24:47
save yourself and leave me to my fate. Every trail has its end,
24:52
and every calamity brings its lesson, returned the scout. There wrap her in
24:59
them Indian cloth, conceal all of her little form. Nay, that foot
25:03
has no fellow in the wilderness. It will betray her all every part.
25:10
Now take her in your arms, and follow leave the rest to me.
25:15
Duncan, as may be gathered from the words of his companion, was eagerly
25:21
obeying, and as the other finished speaking, he took the light person of
25:25
Alice in his arms and followed in the footsteps of the scout. They found
25:30
the sick woman as they had left her, still alone, and passed swiftly
25:33
on by the natural gallery to the place of entrance. As they approached the
25:38
little door of Bark, a murmur of voices without announced that the friends and
25:42
relatives of the invalid were gathered about the place, patiently awaiting a summons to
25:48
re enter. If I open my lips to speak, Hawkeye whispered my English,
25:55
which is the genuine tongue of a white skin, will tell the varlets
25:59
that an enemy is among them. You must give them your jargon major and
26:04
say that we have shut the evil spirit in the cave, and we are
26:08
taking the woman to the woods in order to find strengthening roots. Practice all
26:15
your cunning, for it is a lawful undertaking. The door opened a little,
26:22
as if one without was listening to the proceedings within, and compelled the
26:26
scout to cease his directions. A fierce growl repelled the eavesdropper, and then
26:33
the scout boldly threw open the covering of bark and left the place, enacting
26:37
the character of a bear as he proceeded. Duncan kept close at his heels,
26:41
and soon found himself in the center of a cluster of twenty anxious relatives
26:47
and friends. The crowd fell back a little and permitted the father and one
26:52
who appeared to be the husband of the woman to approach. Has it my
26:56
brother driven away? The evil spirit demanded the what has he in his arms?
27:03
Thy child, returned Duncan gravely. The disease is got out of her.
27:08
It is shut up in the rocks. I take the woman to a
27:11
distance where I will strengthen her against any further attacks. She will be in
27:18
the wigwam of the young man when the sun comes again. When the father
27:23
had translated the meaning of the stranger's words into the Huron language, a suppressed
27:29
murmur announced the satisfaction with which this intelligence was received. The chief himself waved
27:36
his hand for Duncan to proceed, saying aloud, in a firm voice and
27:41
with a lofty manner, go I am a man, and I will enter
27:45
the rock and fight the wicked one. Hey were gladly obeyed, and was
27:51
already past the little group when those startling words arrested him. Is my brother
27:56
mad, he exclaimed? Is he cruel? He will meet the disease and
28:02
it will enter him, Or he will drive out the disease and it will
28:06
chase his daughter into the woods. No, let my children wait without,
28:11
And if the spirit appears, beat him down with clubs. He is cunning
28:15
and will bury himself in the mountain when he sees how many are ready to
28:21
fight him. This singular warning had the desired effect. Instead of entering the
28:26
cavern, the father and the husband drew their tomahawks and posted themselves in readiness
28:33
to deal their vengeance on the imaginary tormentor of their sick relative, while the
28:38
woman and children broke branches from the bushes or ceased fragments of the rock with
28:42
a similar intention. At this favorable moment, the counterfeit conjurors disappeared. Hawkeye,
28:51
at the same time that he had presumed so far in the nature of
28:53
the Indian superstitions, was not ignorant that they were rather tolerated than relied on
29:00
by the wisest of the chiefs. He well knew the value of time in
29:04
the present emergency. Whatever might be the extent of the self delusion of his
29:11
enemies, and however it had tended to assist his schemes, the slightest cause
29:17
of suspicion, acting on the subtle nature of an Indian would be likely to
29:21
prove fatal. Taking the path therefore that was most likely to avoid observation,
29:27
he rather skirted than entered the village. The warriors were still to be seen
29:33
in the distance by the fading light of the fires, stalking from lodge to
29:38
lodge, But the children had abandoned their sports for their beds of skins,
29:44
and the quiet night was already beginning to prevail over the turbulence and excitement of
29:49
so busy and important an evening. Alice revived under the renovating influence of the
29:56
open air, and as her physical rather than her mental power, had been
30:00
the subject of weakness, she stood in no need of any explanation of that
30:04
which had occurred. Now let me make an effort to walk, she said,
30:11
as they had entered the forest, blushing, though unseen that she had
30:15
not been sooner able to quit the arms of duncan, I am indeed restored.
30:21
Nay, Alice, you are yet too weak. The maiden struggled gently
30:26
to release herself, and Heyward was compelled to part with his precious burden.
30:32
The representative of the bear had certainly been an entire stranger to the delicious emotions
30:37
of the lover while his arms encircled his mistress, and he was perhaps a
30:41
stranger also to the nature of that feeling of ingenuous shame that oppressed the trembling
30:48
Alice. But when he found himself at a suitable distance from the lodges,
30:53
he made a halt and spoke on a subject of which he was thoroughly the
30:59
master. This path will lead you to the brook, he said, follow
31:03
its northern bank until you come to a fall. Mount the hill on your
31:08
right, and you will see the fires of the other people. There.
31:12
You must go and demand protection. If they are true delawares, you will
31:18
be safe. A distant flight with that gentleman just now is impossible. The
31:26
Hurons would follow up our trail and master our scalps before we got a dozen
31:30
miles. Go and Providence be with you, and you demanded Heyward, in
31:37
surprise. Surely we not part here the Hurons hold the pride of the Delawares,
31:45
the last of the high blood of the Mexicans, in their power,
31:48
returned the Scout. I go to see what can be done in his favor.
31:55
Had they mastered your scout, major and knaves should have fallen for every
31:59
hair it had heel as I promised. But if the young Sagamore is to
32:04
be led to the stake, the Indians shall also see how a man without
32:08
a cross can die. Not in the least offended with the decided preference that
32:14
the sturdy woodsman gave to one who might in some degree be called the child
32:17
of his adoption, Duncan still continued to urge such reasons against so desperate an
32:22
effort as presented themselves. He was aided by Alice, who mingled her entreaties
32:29
with those of Heyward that he would abandon a resolution that promised so much danger
32:35
with so little hope of success. Their eloquence and ingenuity were expended in vain.
32:42
The Scout heard them attentively but impatiently, and finally closed the discussion by
32:47
answering in a tone that instantly silenced Alice, while it told Heyward how fruitless
32:53
any further remonstrances would be. I have heard he said that there is a
33:00
feeling in youth which binds man to a woman closer than father is tied to
33:06
the sun. It may be so. I have seldom been where woman of
33:10
my color dwell. But such may be the gifts of nature in the settlements.
33:17
You have risked life and all that is dear to you to bring off
33:22
this gentle one. And I suppose that some such disposition is at the bottom
33:27
of it all. As for me, I taught the lad the real character
33:31
of a rifle, and well has he paid me for it. I fought
33:37
at his side in many a bloody scrimmage, And so long as I could
33:43
hear the crack of his piece in one ear and that of the sagamore in
33:45
the other, I knew no enemy was on my back. Winters and summer
33:52
nights and days we have rove the wilderness in company, eating of the same
33:58
dish, one sleeping while the other watched. And if for it shall be
34:01
said that Uncas was taken to the torment and I at hand. There is
34:06
but a single ruler of us all, whatever may the color of the skin,
34:12
and him I call to witness that before the Mohican boy shall perish for
34:16
the want of a friend, good faith shall depart the earth, and Kildeer
34:22
become as harmless as the touting weapon of the singer. Duncan released his hold
34:27
on the arm of the Scout, who turned and steadily retraced his steps toward
34:31
the lodges. After pausing a moment to gaze at his retiring form, the
34:37
successful and yet sorrowful Heyward and Alice took their way together toward the distant village
34:45
of the Delawares end of Chapter twenty five.