English
“CursedbemytribeIfIforgivehim.”
—Shylock
TheIndianhadselectedforthisdesirablepurposeoneofthosesteep,pyramidalhills,whichbearastrongresemblancetoartificialmounds,andwhichsofrequentlyoccurinthevalleysofAmerica.
Theoneinquestionwashighandprecipitous;itstopflattened,asusual;butwithoneofitssidesmorethanordinarilyirregular.
Itpossessednootherapparentadvantageforarestingplace,thaninitselevationandform,whichmightrenderdefenseeasy,andsurprisenearlyimpossible.
AsHeyward,however,nolongerexpectedthatrescuewhichtimeanddistancenowrenderedsoimprobable,heregardedtheselittlepeculiaritieswithaneyedevoidofinterest,devotinghimselfentirelytothecomfortandcondolenceofhisfeeblercompanions.
TheNarragansettsweresufferedtobrowseonthebranchesofthetreesandshrubsthatwerethinlyscatteredoverthesummitofthehill,whiletheremainsoftheirprovisionswerespreadundertheshadeofabeech,thatstretcheditshorizontallimbslikeacanopyabovethem.
Notwithstandingtheswiftnessoftheirflight,oneoftheIndianshadfoundanopportunitytostrikeastragglingfawnwithanarrow,andhadbornethemorepreferablefragmentsofthevictim,patientlyonhisshoulders,tothestoppingplace.
Withoutanyaidfromthescienceofcookery,hewasimmediatelyemployed,incommonwithhisfellows,ingorginghimselfwiththisdigestiblesustenance.
Maguaalonesatapart,withoutparticipatingintherevoltingmeal,andapparentlyburiedinthedeepestthought.
Thisabstinence,soremarkableinanIndian,whenhepossessedthemeansofsatisfyinghunger,atlengthattractedthenoticeofHeyward.
TheyoungmanwillinglybelievedthattheHurondeliberatedonthemosteligiblemannerofeludingthevigilanceofhisassociates.
Withaviewtoassisthisplansbyanysuggestionofhisown,andtostrengthenthetemptation,heleftthebeech,andstraggled,asifwithoutanobject,tothespotwhereLeRenardwasseated.
“HasnotMaguakeptthesuninhisfacelongenoughtoescapealldangerfromtheCanadians?”
heasked,asthoughnolongerdoubtfulofthegoodintelligenceestablishedbetweenthem;“andwillnotthechiefofWilliamHenrybebetterpleasedtoseehisdaughtersbeforeanothernightmayhavehardenedhishearttotheirloss,tomakehimlessliberalinhisreward?”
“Dothepalefaceslovetheirchildrenlessinthemorningthanatnight?”askedtheIndian,coldly.
“Bynomeans,”returnedHeyward,anxioustorecallhiserror,ifhehadmadeone;“thewhitemanmay,anddoesoften,forgettheburialplaceofhisfathers;hesometimesceasestorememberthoseheshouldlove,andhaspromisedtocherish;buttheaffectionofaparentforhischildisneverpermittedtodie.”
“Andistheheartofthewhite–headedchiefsoft,andwillhethinkofthebabesthathissquawshavegivenhim?Heishardonhiswarriorsandhiseyesaremadeofstone?”
“Heisseveretotheidleandwicked,buttothesoberanddeservingheisaleader,bothjustandhumane.
Ihaveknownmanyfondandtenderparents,butneverhaveIseenamanwhoseheartwassoftertowardhischild.
Youhaveseenthegray–headinfrontofhiswarriors,Magua;butIhaveseenhiseyesswimminginwater,whenhespokeofthosechildrenwhoarenowinyourpower!”
Heywardpaused,forheknewnothowtoconstruetheremarkableexpressionthatgleamedacrosstheswarthyfeaturesoftheattentiveIndian.
Atfirstitseemedasiftheremembranceofthepromisedrewardgrewvividinhismind,whilehelistenedtothesourcesofparentalfeelingwhichweretoassureitspossession;but,asDuncanproceeded,theexpressionofjoybecamesofiercelymalignantthatitwasimpossiblenottoapprehenditproceededfromsomepassionmoresinisterthanavarice.
“Go,”saidtheHuron,suppressingthealarmingexhibitioninaninstant,inadeath–likecalmnessofcountenance;“gotothedark–haireddaughter,andsay,‘Maguawaitstospeak’Thefatherwillrememberwhatthechildpromises.”
Duncan,whointerpretedthisspeechtoexpressawishforsomeadditionalpledgethatthepromisedgiftsshouldnotbewithheld,slowlyandreluctantlyrepairedtotheplacewherethesisterswerenowrestingfromtheirfatigue,tocommunicateitspurporttoCora.
“YouunderstandthenatureofanIndian’swishes,”heconcluded,asheledhertowardtheplacewhereshewasexpected,“andmustbeprodigalofyouroffersofpowderandblankets.
Ardentspiritsare,however,themostprizedbysuchashe;norwoulditbeamisstoaddsomeboonfromyourownhand,withthatgraceyousowellknowhowtopractise.
Remember,Cora,thatonyourpresenceofmindandingenuity,evenyourlife,aswellasthatofAlice,mayinsomemeasuredepend.”
“Heyward,andyours!”
“Mineisoflittlemoment;itisalreadysoldtomyking,andisaprizetobeseizedbyanyenemywhomaypossessthepower.
Ihavenofathertoexpectme,andbutfewfriendstolamentafatewhichIhavecourtedwiththeinsatiablelongingsofyouthafterdistinction.Buthush!weapproachtheIndian.
Magua,theladywithwhomyouwishtospeak,ishere.”
TheIndianroseslowlyfromhisseat,andstoodfornearaminutesilentandmotionless.HethensignedwithhishandforHeywardtoretire,saying,coldly:
“WhentheHurontalkstothewomen,histribeshuttheirears.”
Duncan,stilllingering,asifrefusingtocomply,Corasaid,withacalmsmile:
“Youhear,Heyward,anddelicacyatleastshouldurgeyoutoretire.GotoAlice,andcomfortherwithourrevivingprospects.”
Shewaiteduntilhehaddeparted,andthenturningtothenative,withthedignityofhersexinhervoiceandmanner,sheadded:“WhatwouldLeRenardsaytothedaughterofMunro?”
“Listen,”saidtheIndian,layinghishandfirmlyuponherarm,asifwillingtodrawherutmostattentiontohiswords;amovementthatCoraasfirmlybutquietlyrepulsed,byextricatingthelimbfromhisgrasp:“MaguawasbornachiefandawarrioramongtheredHuronsofthelakes;hesawthesunsoftwentysummersmakethesnowsoftwentywintersrunoffinthestreamsbeforehesawapaleface;andhewashappy!
ThenhisCanadafatherscameintothewoods,andtaughthimtodrinkthefire–water,andhebecamearascal.
TheHuronsdrovehimfromthegravesofhisfathers,astheywouldchasethehuntedbuffalo.
Herandowntheshoresofthelakes,andfollowedtheiroutlettothe‘cityofcannon’Therehehuntedandfished,tillthepeoplechasedhimagainthroughthewoodsintothearmsofhisenemies.
Thechief,whowasbornaHuron,wasatlastawarrioramongtheMohawks!”
“SomethinglikethisIhadheardbefore,”saidCora,observingthathepausedtosuppressthosepassionswhichbegantoburnwithtoobrightaflame,asherecalledtherecollectionofhissupposedinjuries.
“WasitthefaultofLeRenardthathisheadwasnotmadeofrock?Whogavehimthefire–water?whomadehimavillain?‘Twasthepalefaces,thepeopleofyourowncolor.”
“AndamIanswerablethatthoughtlessandunprincipledmenexist,whoseshadesofcountenancemayresemblemine?”Coracalmlydemandedoftheexcitedsavage.
“No;Maguaisaman,andnotafool;suchasyouneveropentheirlipstotheburningstream:theGreatSpirithasgivenyouwisdom!”
“What,then,haveIdoto,orsay,inthematterofyourmisfortunes,nottosayofyourerrors?”
“Listen,”repeatedtheIndian,resuminghisearnestattitude;“whenhisEnglishandFrenchfathersdugupthehatchet,LeRenardstruckthewar–postoftheMohawks,andwentoutagainsthisownnation.
Thepalefaceshavedriventhered–skinsfromtheirhuntinggrounds,andnowwhentheyfight,awhitemanleadstheway.
TheoldchiefatHorican,yourfather,wasthegreatcaptainofourwar–party.
HesaidtotheMohawksdothis,anddothat,andhewasminded.
Hemadealaw,thatifanIndianswallowedthefire–water,andcameintotheclothwigwamsofhiswarriors,itshouldnotbeforgotten.
Maguafoolishlyopenedhismouth,andthehotliquorledhimintothecabinofMunro.Whatdidthegray–head?lethisdaughtersay.”
“Heforgotnothiswords,anddidjustice,bypunishingtheoffender,”saidtheundaunteddaughter.
“Justice!”repeatedtheIndian,castinganobliqueglanceofthemostferociousexpressionatherunyieldingcountenance;“isitjusticetomakeevilandthenpunishforit?
Maguawasnothimself;itwasthefire–waterthatspokeandactedforhim!butMunrodidbelieveit.
TheHuronchiefwastiedupbeforeallthepale–facedwarriors,andwhippedlikeadog.”
Coraremainedsilent,forsheknewnothowtopalliatethisimprudentseverityonthepartofherfatherinamannertosuitthecomprehensionofanIndian.
“See!”continuedMagua,tearingasidetheslightcalicothatveryimperfectlyconcealedhispaintedbreast;“herearescarsgivenbyknivesandbullets––oftheseawarriormayboastbeforehisnation;butthegray–headhasleftmarksonthebackoftheHuronchiefthathemusthidelikeasquaw,underthispaintedclothofthewhites.”
“Ihadthought,”resumedCora,“thatanIndianwarriorwaspatient,andthathisspiritfeltnotandknewnotthepainhisbodysuffered.”
“WhentheChippewastiedMaguatothestake,andcutthisgash,”saidtheother,layinghisfingeronadeepscar,“theHuronlaughedintheirfaces,andtoldthem,Womenstrucksolight!Hisspiritwasthenintheclouds!
ButwhenhefelttheblowsofMunro,hisspiritlayunderthebirch.
ThespiritofaHuronisneverdrunk;itremembersforever!”
“Butitmaybeappeased.Ifmyfatherhasdoneyouthisinjustice,showhimhowanIndiancanforgiveaninjury,andtakebackhisdaughters.YouhaveheardfromMajorHeyward––”
Maguashookhishead,forbiddingtherepetitionofoffershesomuchdespised.
“Whatwouldyouhave?”continuedCora,afteramostpainfulpause,whiletheconvictionforceditselfonhermindthatthetoosanguineandgenerousDuncanhadbeencruellydeceivedbythecunningofthesavage.
“WhataHuronloves––goodforgood;badforbad!”
“Youwould,then,revengetheinjuryinflictedbyMunroonhishelplessdaughters.Woulditnotbemorelikeamantogobeforehisface,andtakethesatisfactionofawarrior?”
“Thearmsofthepalefacesarelong,andtheirknivessharp!”
returnedthesavage,withamalignantlaugh:“whyshouldLeRenardgoamongthemusketsofhiswarriors,whenheholdsthespiritofthegray–headinhishand?”
“Nameyourintention,Magua,”saidCora,strugglingwithherselftospeakwithsteadycalmness.
“Isittoleadusprisonerstothewoods,ordoyoucontemplateevensomegreaterevil?
Istherenoreward,nomeansofpalliatingtheinjury,andofsofteningyourheart?
Atleast,releasemygentlesister,andpouroutallyourmaliceonme.
Purchasewealthbyhersafetyandsatisfyyourrevengewithasinglevictim.
Thelossofbothhisdaughtersmightbringtheagedmantohisgrave,andwherewouldthenbethesatisfactionofLeRenard?”
“Listen,”saidtheIndianagain.“ThelighteyescangobacktotheHorican,andtelltheoldchiefwhathasbeendone,ifthedark–hairedwomanwillswearbytheGreatSpiritofherfatherstotellnolie.”
“WhatmustIpromise?”demandedCora,stillmaintainingasecretascendancyoverthefiercenativebythecollectedandfemininedignityofherpresence.
“WhenMagualefthispeoplehiswifewasgiventoanotherchief;hehasnowmadefriendswiththeHurons,andwillgobacktothegravesofhistribe,ontheshoresofthegreatlake.
LetthedaughteroftheEnglishchieffollow,andliveinhiswigwamforever.”
HoweverrevoltingaproposalofsuchacharactermightprovetoCora,sheretained,notwithstandingherpowerfuldisgust,sufficientself–commandtoreply,withoutbetrayingtheweakness.
“AndwhatpleasurewouldMaguafindinsharinghiscabinwithawifehedidnotlove;onewhowouldbeofanationandcolordifferentfromhisown?
ItwouldbebettertotakethegoldofMunro,andbuytheheartofsomeHuronmaidwithhisgifts.”
TheIndianmadenoreplyfornearaminute,butbenthisfiercelooksonthecountenanceofCora,insuchwaveringglances,thathereyessankwithshame,underanimpressionthatforthefirsttimetheyhadencounteredanexpressionthatnochastefemalemightendure.
Whileshewasshrinkingwithinherself,indreadofhavingherearswoundedbysomeproposalstillmoreshockingthanthelast,thevoiceofMaguaanswered,initstonesofdeepestmalignancy:
“WhentheblowsscorchedthebackoftheHuron,hewouldknowwheretofindawomantofeelthesmart.
ThedaughterofMunrowoulddrawhiswater,hoehiscorn,andcookhisvenison.
Thebodyofthegray–headwouldsleepamonghiscannon,buthisheartwouldliewithinreachoftheknifeofLeSubtil.”
“Monster!welldostthoudeservethytreacherousname,”criedCora,inanungovernableburstoffilialindignation.
“Nonebutafiendcouldmeditatesuchavengeance.Butthouoverratestthypower!
Youshallfinditis,intruth,theheartofMunroyouhold,andthatitwilldefyyourutmostmalice!”
TheIndianansweredthisbolddefiancebyaghastlysmile,thatshowedanunalteredpurpose,whilehemotionedheraway,asiftoclosetheconferenceforever.
Cora,alreadyregrettingherprecipitation,wasobligedtocomply,forMaguainstantlyleftthespot,andapproachedhisgluttonouscomrades.
Heywardflewtothesideoftheagitatedfemale,anddemandedtheresultofadialoguethathehadwatchedatadistancewithsomuchinterest.
But,unwillingtoalarmthefearsofAlice,sheevadedadirectreply,betrayingonlybyheranxiouslooksfastenedontheslightestmovementsofhercaptors.
Tothereiteratedandearnestquestionsofhersisterconcerningtheirprobabledestination,shemadenootheranswerthanbypointingtowardthedarkgroup,withanagitationshecouldnotcontrol,andmurmuringasshefoldedAlicetoherbosom.
“There,there;readourfortunesintheirfaces;weshallsee;weshallsee!”
Theaction,andthechokedutteranceofCora,spokemoreimpressivelythananywords,andquicklydrewtheattentionofhercompanionsonthatspotwhereherownwasrivetedwithanintensenessthatnothingbuttheimportanceofthestakecouldcreate.
WhenMaguareachedtheclusteroflollingsavages,who,gorgedwiththeirdisgustingmeal,laystretchedontheearthinbrutalindulgence,hecommencedspeakingwiththedignityofanIndianchief.
Thefirstsyllablesheutteredhadtheeffecttocausehislistenerstoraisethemselvesinattitudesofrespectfulattention.
AstheHuronusedhisnativelanguage,theprisoners,notwithstandingthecautionofthenativeshadkeptthemwithintheswingoftheirtomahawks,couldonlyconjecturethesubstanceofhisharanguefromthenatureofthosesignificantgestureswithwhichanIndianalwaysillustrateshiseloquence.
Atfirst,thelanguage,aswellastheactionofMagua,appearedcalmanddeliberative.
Whenhehadsucceededinsufficientlyawakeningtheattentionofhiscomrades,Heywardfancied,byhispointingsofrequentlytowardthedirectionofthegreatlakes,thathespokeofthelandoftheirfathers,andoftheirdistanttribe.
Frequentindicationsofapplauseescapedthelisteners,who,astheyutteredtheexpressive“Hugh!”
lookedateachotherincommendationofthespeaker.
LeRenardwastooskillfultoneglecthisadvantage.
Henowspokeofthelongandpainfulroutebywhichtheyhadleftthosespaciousgroundsandhappyvillages,tocomeandbattleagainsttheenemiesoftheirCanadianfathers.
Heenumeratedthewarriorsoftheparty;theirseveralmerits;theirfrequentservicestothenation;theirwounds,andthenumberofthescalpstheyhadtaken.
Wheneverhealludedtoanypresent(andthesubtleIndianneglectednone),thedarkcountenanceoftheflatteredindividualgleamedwithexultation,nordidheevenhesitatetoassertthetruthofthewords,bygesturesofapplauseandconfirmation.
Thenthevoiceofthespeakerfell,andlosttheloud,animatedtonesoftriumphwithwhichhehadenumeratedtheirdeedsofsuccessandvictory.
HedescribedthecataractofGlenn’s;theimpregnablepositionofitsrockyisland,withitscavernsanditsnumerousrapidsandwhirlpools;henamedthenameof“LaLongueCarabine,”andpauseduntiltheforestbeneaththemhadsentupthelastechoofaloudandlongyell,withwhichthehatedappellationwasreceived.
Hepointedtowardtheyouthfulmilitarycaptive,anddescribedthedeathofafavoritewarrior,whohadbeenprecipitatedintothedeepravinebyhishand.
Henotonlymentionedthefateofhimwho,hangingbetweenheavenandearth,hadpresentedsuchaspectacleofhorrortothewholeband,butheactedanewtheterrorsofhissituation,hisresolutionandhisdeath,onthebranchesofasapling;and,finally,herapidlyrecountedthemannerinwhicheachoftheirfriendshadfallen,neverfailingtotouchupontheircourage,andtheirmostacknowledgedvirtues.
Whenthisrecitalofeventswasended,hisvoiceoncemorechanged,andbecameplaintiveandevenmusical,initslowgutturalsounds.
Henowspokeofthewivesandchildrenoftheslain;theirdestitution;theirmisery,bothphysicalandmoral;theirdistance;and,atlast,oftheirunavengedwrongs.
Thensuddenlyliftinghisvoicetoapitchofterrificenergy,heconcludedbydemanding:
“AretheHuronsdogstobearthis?WhoshallsaytothewifeofMenowguathatthefisheshavehisscalp,andthathisnationhavenottakenrevenge!
WhowilldaremeetthemotherofWassawattimie,thatscornfulwoman,withhishandsclean!
Whatshallbesaidtotheoldmenwhentheyaskusforscalps,andwehavenotahairfromawhiteheadtogivethem!
Thewomenwillpointtheirfingersatus.
ThereisadarkspotonthenamesoftheHurons,anditmustbehidinblood!”
Hisvoicewasnolongeraudibleintheburstofragewhichnowbrokeintotheair,asifthewood,insteadofcontainingsosmallaband,wasfilledwiththenation.
Duringtheforegoingaddresstheprogressofthespeakerwastooplainlyreadbythosemostinterestedinhissuccessthroughthemediumofthecountenancesofthemenheaddressed.
Theyhadansweredhismelancholyandmourningbysympathyandsorrow;hisassertions,bygesturesofconfirmation;andhisboasting,withtheexultationofsavages.
Whenhespokeofcourage,theirlookswerefirmandresponsive;whenhealludedtotheirinjuries,theireyeskindledwithfury;whenhementionedthetauntsofthewomen,theydroppedtheirheadsinshame;butwhenhepointedouttheirmeansofvengeance,hestruckachordwhichneverfailedtothrillinthebreastofanIndian.
Withthefirstintimationthatitwaswithintheirreach,thewholebandsprangupontheirfeetasoneman;givingutterancetotheirrageinthemostfranticcries,theyrushedupontheirprisonersinabodywithdrawnknivesandupliftedtomahawks.
Heywardthrewhimselfbetweenthesistersandtheforemost,whomhegrappledwithadesperatestrengththatforamomentcheckedhisviolence.
ThisunexpectedresistancegaveMaguatimetointerpose,andwithrapidenunciationandanimatedgesture,hedrewtheattentionofthebandagaintohimself.
Inthatlanguageheknewsowellhowtoassume,hedivertedhiscomradesfromtheirinstantpurpose,andinvitedthemtoprolongthemiseryoftheirvictims.
Hisproposalwasreceivedwithacclamations,andexecutedwiththeswiftnessofthought.
TwopowerfulwarriorscastthemselvesonHeyward,whileanotherwasoccupiedinsecuringthelessactivesinging–master.
Neitherofthecaptives,however,submittedwithoutadesperate,thoughfruitless,struggle.
EvenDavidhurledhisassailanttotheearth;norwasHeywardsecureduntilthevictoryoverhiscompanionenabledtheIndianstodirecttheirunitedforcetothatobject.
Hewasthenboundandfastenedtothebodyofthesapling,onwhosebranchesMaguahadactedthepantomimeofthefallingHuron.
Whentheyoungsoldierregainedhisrecollection,hehadthepainfulcertaintybeforehiseyesthatacommonfatewasintendedforthewholeparty.
OnhisrightwasCorainadurancesimilartohisown,paleandagitated,butwithaneyewhosesteadylookstillreadtheproceedingsoftheirenemies.
Onhisleft,thewitheswhichboundhertoapine,performedthatofficeforAlicewhichhertremblinglimbsrefused,andalonekeptherfragileformfromsinking.
Herhandswereclaspedbeforeherinprayer,butinsteadoflookingupwardtowardthatpowerwhichalonecouldrescuethem,herunconsciouslookswanderedtothecountenanceofDuncanwithinfantiledependency.
Davidhadcontended,andthenoveltyofthecircumstanceheldhimsilent,indeliberationontheproprietyoftheunusualoccurrence.
ThevengeanceoftheHuronshadnowtakenanewdirection,andtheypreparedtoexecuteitwiththatbarbarousingenuitywithwhichtheywerefamiliarizedbythepractiseofcenturies.
Somesoughtknots,toraisetheblazingpile;onewasrivingthesplintersofpine,inordertopiercethefleshoftheircaptiveswiththeburningfragments;andothersbentthetopsoftwosaplingstotheearth,inordertosuspendHeywardbythearmsbetweentherecoilingbranches.
ButthevengeanceofMaguasoughtadeeperandmoremalignantenjoyment.
Whilethelessrefinedmonstersofthebandprepared,beforetheeyesofthosewhoweretosuffer,thesewell–knownandvulgarmeansoftorture,heapproachedCora,andpointedout,withthemostmalignexpressionofcountenance,thespeedyfatethatawaitedher:
“Ha!”headded,“whatsaysthedaughterofMunro?
HerheadistoogoodtofindapillowinthewigwamofLeRenard;willshelikeitbetterwhenitrollsaboutthishillaplaythingforthewolves?
HerbosomcannotnursethechildrenofaHuron;shewillseeitspituponbyIndians!”
“Whatmeansthemonster!”demandedtheastonishedHeyward.
“Nothing!”wasthefirmreply.“Heisasavage,abarbarousandignorantsavage,andknowsnotwhathedoes.Letusfindleisure,withourdyingbreath,toaskforhimpenitenceandpardon.”
“Pardon!”echoedthefierceHuron,mistakinginhisanger,themeaningofherwords;“thememoryofanIndianisnolongerthanthearmofthepalefaces;hismercyshorterthantheirjustice!
Say;shallIsendtheyellowhairtoherfather,andwillyoufollowMaguatothegreatlakes,tocarryhiswater,andfeedhimwithcorn?”
Corabeckonedhimaway,withanemotionofdisgustshecouldnotcontrol.
“Leaveme,”shesaid,withasolemnitythatforamomentcheckedthebarbarityoftheIndian;“youminglebitternessinmyprayers;youstandbetweenmeandmyGod!”
Theslightimpressionproducedonthesavagewas,however,soonforgotten,andhecontinuedpointing,withtauntingirony,towardAlice.
“Look!thechildweeps!Sheistooyoungtodie!SendhertoMunro,tocombhisgrayhairs,andkeeplifeintheheartoftheoldman.”
Coracouldnotresistthedesiretolookuponheryouthfulsister,inwhoseeyesshemetanimploringglance,thatbetrayedthelongingsofnature.
“Whatsayshe,dearestCora?”askedthetremblingvoiceofAlice.“Didhespeakofsendingmetoourfather?”
Formanymomentstheeldersisterlookedupontheyounger,withacountenancethatwaveredwithpowerfulandcontendingemotions.
Atlengthshespoke,thoughhertoneshadlosttheirrichandcalmfullness,inanexpressionoftendernessthatseemedmaternal.
“Alice,”shesaid,“theHuronoffersusbothlife,nay,morethanboth;heofferstorestoreDuncan,ourinvaluableDuncan,aswellasyou,toourfriends––toourfather––toourheart–stricken,childlessfather,ifIwillbowdownthisrebellious,stubbornprideofmine,andconsent––”
Hervoicebecamechoked,andclaspingherhands,shelookedupward,asifseeking,inheragony,intelligencefromawisdomthatwasinfinite.
“Sayon,”criedAlice;“towhat,dearestCora?Oh!thattheprofferweremadetome!tosaveyou,tocheerouragedfather,torestoreDuncan,howcheerfullycouldIdie!”
“Die!”repeatedCora,withacalmerandfirmervoice,“thatwereeasy!
Perhapsthealternativemaynotbelessso.
Hewouldhaveme,”shecontinued,heraccentssinkingunderadeepconsciousnessofthedegradationoftheproposal,“followhimtothewilderness;gotothehabitationsoftheHurons;toremainthere;inshort,tobecomehiswife!
Speak,then,Alice;childofmyaffections!sisterofmylove!
Andyou,too,MajorHeyward,aidmyweakreasonwithyourcounsel.
Islifetobepurchasedbysuchasacrifice?
Willyou,Alice,receiveitatmyhandsatsuchaprice?
Andyou,Duncan,guideme;controlmebetweenyou;forIamwhollyyours!”
“WouldI!”echoedtheindignantandastonishedyouth.“Cora!Cora!youjestwithourmisery!Namenotthehorridalternativeagain;thethoughtitselfisworsethanathousanddeaths.”
“Thatsuchwouldbeyouranswer,Iwellknew!”
exclaimedCora,hercheeksflushing,andherdarkeyesoncemoresparklingwiththelingeringemotionsofawoman.“WhatsaysmyAlice?
forherwillIsubmitwithoutanothermurmur.”
AlthoughbothHeywardandCoralistenedwithpainfulsuspenseandthedeepestattention,nosoundswereheardinreply.
ItappearedasifthedelicateandsensitiveformofAlicewouldshrinkintoitself,asshelistenedtothisproposal.
Herarmshadfallenlengthwisebeforeher,thefingersmovinginslightconvulsions;herheaddroppeduponherbosom,andherwholepersonseemedsuspendedagainstthetree,lookinglikesomebeautifulemblemofthewoundeddelicacyofhersex,devoidofanimationandyetkeenlyconscious.
Inafewmoments,however,herheadbegantomoveslowly,inasignofdeep,unconquerabledisapprobation.
“No,no,no;betterthatwedieaswehavelived,together!”
“Thendie!”shoutedMagua,hurlinghistomahawkwithviolenceattheunresistingspeaker,andgnashinghisteethwitharagethatcouldnolongerbebridledatthissuddenexhibitionoffirmnessintheonehebelievedtheweakestoftheparty.
TheaxecleavedtheairinfrontofHeyward,andcuttingsomeoftheflowingringletsofAlice,quiveredinthetreeaboveherhead.
ThesightmaddenedDuncantodesperation.
Collectingallhisenergiesinoneefforthesnappedthetwigswhichboundhimandrusheduponanothersavage,whowaspreparing,withloudyellsandamoredeliberateaim,torepeattheblow.
Theyencountered,grappled,andfelltotheearthtogether.
ThenakedbodyofhisantagonistaffordedHeywardnomeansofholdinghisadversary,whoglidedfromhisgrasp,androseagainwithonekneeonhischest,pressinghimdownwiththeweightofagiant.
Duncanalreadysawtheknifegleamingintheair,whenawhistlingsoundsweptpasthim,andwasratheraccompaniedthanfollowedbythesharpcrackofarifle.
Hefelthisbreastrelievedfromtheloadithadendured;hesawthesavageexpressionofhisadversary’scountenancechangetoalookofvacantwildness,whentheIndianfelldeadonthefadedleavesbyhisside.
Share this article to
FINISH