English
“Why,anything;
Anhonorablemurderer,ifyouwill;
FornaughtIdidinhate,butallinhonor.”
�Othello
Thebloodyandinhumansceneratherincidentallymentionedthandescribedintheprecedingchapter,isconspicuousinthepagesofcolonialhistorybythemeritedtitleof“TheMassacreofWilliamHenry.”
ItsofardeepenedthestainwhichapreviousandverysimilareventhadleftuponthereputationoftheFrenchcommanderthatitwasnotentirelyerasedbyhisearlyandgloriousdeath.
Itisnowbecomingobscuredbytime;andthousands,whoknowthatMontcalmdiedlikeaheroontheplainsofAbraham,haveyettolearnhowmuchhewasdeficientinthatmoralcouragewithoutwhichnomancanbetrulygreat.
Pagesmightyetbewrittentoprove,fromthisillustriousexample,thedefectsofhumanexcellence;toshowhoweasyitisforgeneroussentiments,highcourtesy,andchivalrouscouragetolosetheirinfluencebeneaththechillingblightofselfishness,andtoexhibittotheworldamanwhowasgreatinalltheminorattributesofcharacter,butwhowasfoundwantingwhenitbecamenecessarytoprovehowmuchprincipleissuperiortopolicy.
Butthetaskwouldexceedourprerogatives;and,ashistory,likelove,issoapttosurroundherheroeswithanatmosphereofimaginarybrightness,itisprobablethatLouisdeSaintVeranwillbeviewedbyposterityonlyasthegallantdefenderofhiscountry,whilehiscruelapathyontheshoresoftheOswegoandoftheHoricanwillbeforgotten.
Deeplyregrettingthisweaknessonthepartofasistermuse,weshallatonceretirefromhersacredprecincts,withintheproperlimitsofourownhumblevocation.
Thethirddayfromthecaptureofthefortwasdrawingtoaclose,butthebusinessofthenarrativemuststilldetainthereaderontheshoresofthe“holylake.”
Whenlastseen,theenvironsoftheworkswerefilledwithviolenceanduproar.
Theywerenowpossessedbystillnessanddeath.
Theblood–stainedconquerorshaddeparted;andtheircamp,whichhadsolatelyrungwiththemerryrejoicingsofavictoriousarmy,layasilentanddesertedcityofhuts.
Thefortresswasasmolderingruin;charredrafters,fragmentsofexplodedartillery,andrentmason–workcoveringitsearthenmoundsinconfuseddisorder.
Afrightfulchangehadalsooccurredintheseason.
Thesunhadhiditswarmthbehindanimpenetrablemassofvapor,andhundredsofhumanforms,whichhadblackenedbeneaththefierceheatsofAugust,werestiffeningintheirdeformitybeforetheblastsofaprematureNovember.
Thecurlingandspotlessmists,whichhadbeenseensailingabovethehillstowardthenorth,werenowreturninginaninterminableduskysheet,thatwasurgedalongbythefuryofatempest.
ThecrowdedmirroroftheHoricanwasgone;and,initsplace,thegreenandangrywaterslashedtheshores,asifindignantlycastingbackitsimpuritiestothepollutedstrand.
Stilltheclearfountainretainedaportionofitscharmedinfluence,butitreflectedonlythesombergloomthatfellfromtheimpendingheavens.
Thathumidandcongenialatmospherewhichcommonlyadornedtheview,veilingitsharshness,andsofteningitsasperities,haddisappeared,thenorthernairpouredacrossthewasteofwatersoharshandunmingled,thatnothingwaslefttobeconjecturedbytheeye,orfashionedbythefancy.
Thefiercerelementhadcroppedtheverdureoftheplain,whichlookedasthoughitwerescathedbytheconsuminglightning.
But,hereandthere,adarkgreentuftroseinthemidstofthedesolation;theearliestfruitsofasoilthathadbeenfattenedwithhumanblood.
Thewholelandscape,which,seenbyafavoringlight,andinagenialtemperature,hadbeenfoundsolovely,appearednowlikesomepicturedallegoryoflife,inwhichobjectswerearrayedintheirharshestbuttruestcolors,andwithoutthereliefofanyshadowing.
Thesolitaryandaridbladesofgrassarosefromthepassinggustsfearfullyperceptible;theboldandrockymountainsweretoodistinctintheirbarrenness,andtheeyeevensoughtrelief,invain,byattemptingtopiercetheillimitablevoidofheaven,whichwasshuttoitsgazebytheduskysheetofraggedanddrivingvapor.
Thewindblewunequally;sometimessweepingheavilyalongtheground,seemingtowhisperitsmoaningsinthecoldearsofthedead,thenrisinginashrillandmournfulwhistling,itenteredtheforestwitharushthatfilledtheairwiththeleavesandbranchesitscatteredinitspath.
Amidtheunnaturalshower,afewhungryravensstruggledwiththegale;butnosoonerwasthegreenoceanofwoodswhichstretchedbeneaththem,passed,thantheygladlystopped,atrandom,totheirhideousbanquet.
Inshort,itwasasceneofwildnessanddesolation;anditappearedasifallwhohadprofanelyenteredithadbeenstricken,atablow,bytherelentlessarmofdeath.
Buttheprohibitionhadceased;andforthefirsttimesincetheperpetratorsofthosefouldeedswhichhadassistedtodisfigurethesceneweregone,livinghumanbeingshadnowpresumedtoapproachtheplace.
Aboutanhourbeforethesettingofthesun,onthedayalreadymentioned,theformsoffivemenmighthavebeenseenissuingfromthenarrowvistaoftrees,wherethepathtotheHudsonenteredtheforest,andadvancinginthedirectionoftheruinedworks.
Atfirsttheirprogresswasslowandguarded,asthoughtheyenteredwithreluctanceamidthehorrorsofthepost,ordreadedtherenewalofitsfrightfulincidents.
Alightfigureprecededtherestoftheparty,withthecautionandactivityofanative;ascendingeveryhillocktoreconnoiter,andindicatingbygestures,tohiscompanions,theroutehedeemeditmostprudenttopursue.
Norwerethoseintherearwantingineverycautionandforesightknowntoforestwarfare.
Oneamongthem,healsowasanIndian,movedalittleononeflank,andwatchedthemarginofthewoods,witheyeslongaccustomedtoreadthesmallestsignofdanger.
Theremainingthreewerewhite,thoughcladinvestmentsadapted,bothinqualityandcolor,totheirpresenthazardouspursuit�thatofhangingontheskirtsofaretiringarmyinthewilderness.
Theeffectsproducedbytheappallingsightsthatconstantlyaroseintheirpathtothelakeshore,wereasdifferentasthecharactersoftherespectiveindividualswhocomposedtheparty.
Theyouthinfrontthrewseriousbutfurtiveglancesatthemangledvictims,ashesteppedlightlyacrosstheplain,afraidtoexhibithisfeelings,andyettooinexperiencedtoquellentirelytheirsuddenandpowerfulinfluence.
Hisredassociate,however,wassuperiortosuchaweakness.
Hepassedthegroupsofdeadwithasteadinessofpurpose,andaneyesocalm,thatnothingbutlongandinveteratepractisecouldenablehimtomaintain.
Thesensationsproducedinthemindsofeventhewhitemenweredifferent,thoughuniformlysorrowful.
One,whosegraylocksandfurrowedlineaments,blendingwithamartialairandtread,betrayed,inspiteofthedisguiseofawoodsman’sdress,amanlongexperiencedinscenesofwar,wasnotashamedtogroanaloud,wheneveraspectacleofmorethanusualhorrorcameunderhisview.
Theyoungmanathiselbowshuddered,butseemedtosuppresshisfeelingsintendernesstohiscompanion.
Ofthemall,thestragglerwhobroughtuptherearappearedalonetobetrayhisrealthoughts,withoutfearofobservationordreadofconsequences.
Hegazedatthemostappallingsightwitheyesandmusclesthatknewnothowtowaver,butwithexecrationssobitteranddeepastodenotehowmuchhedenouncedthecrimeofhisenemies.
Thereaderwillperceiveatonce,intheserespectivecharacters,theMohicans,andtheirwhitefriend,thescout;togetherwithMunroandHeyward.
Itwas,intruth,thefatherinquestofhischildren,attendedbytheyouthwhofeltsodeepastakeintheirhappiness,andthosebraveandtrustyforesters,whohadalreadyprovedtheirskillandfidelitythroughthetryingscenesrelated.
WhenUncas,whomovedinfront,hadreachedthecenteroftheplain,heraisedacrythatdrewhiscompanionsinabodytothespot.
Theyoungwarriorhadhaltedoveragroupoffemaleswholayinacluster,aconfusedmassofdead.
Notwithstandingtherevoltinghorroroftheexhibition,MunroandHeywardflewtowardthefesteringheap,endeavoring,withalovethatnounseemlinesscouldextinguish,todiscoverwhetheranyvestigesofthosetheysoughtweretobeseenamongthetatteredandmany–coloredgarments.
Thefatherandtheloverfoundinstantreliefinthesearch;thougheachwascondemnedagaintoexperiencethemiseryofanuncertaintythatwashardlylessinsupportablethanthemostrevoltingtruth.
Theywerestanding,silentandthoughtful,aroundthemelancholypile,whenthescoutapproached.
Eyeingthesadspectaclewithanangrycountenance,thesturdywoodsman,forthefirsttimesincehisenteringtheplain,spokeintelligiblyandaloud:
“Ihavebeenonmanyashockingfield,andhavefollowedatrailofbloodforwearymiles,”hesaid,“butneverhaveIfoundthehandofthedevilsoplainasitisheretobeseen!
RevengeisanIndianfeeling,andallwhoknowmeknowthatthereisnocrossinmyveins;butthismuchwillIsay�here,inthefaceofheaven,andwiththepoweroftheLordsomanifestinthishowlingwilderness�thatshouldtheseFrenchersevertrustthemselvesagainwithintherangeofaraggedbullet,thereisoneriflewhichshallplayitspartsolongasflintwillfireorpowderburn!
Ileavethetomahawkandknifetosuchashaveanaturalgifttousethem.
Whatsayyou,Chingachgook,”headded,inDelaware;“shalltheHuronsboastofthistotheirwomenwhenthedeepsnowscome?”
AgleamofresentmentflashedacrossthedarklineamentsoftheMohicanchief;heloosenedhisknifeinhissheath;andthenturningcalmlyfromthesight,hiscountenancesettledintoareposeasdeepasifheknewtheinstigationofpassion.
“Montcalm!Montcalm!”
continuedthedeeplyresentfulandlessself–restrainedscout;“theysayatimemustcomewhenallthedeedsdoneinthefleshwillbeseenatasinglelook;andthatbyeyesclearedfrommortalinfirmities.
Woebetidethewretchwhoisborntobeholdthisplain,withthejudgmenthangingabouthissoul!
Ha�asIamamanofwhiteblood,yonderliesared–skin,withoutthehairofhisheadwherenaturerootedit!
Looktohim,Delaware;itmaybeoneofyourmissingpeople;andheshouldhaveburiallikeastoutwarrior.
Iseeitinyoureye,Sagamore;aHuronpaysforthis,aforethefallwindshaveblownawaythescentoftheblood!”
Chingachgookapproachedthemutilatedform,and,turningitover,hefoundthedistinguishingmarksofoneofthosesixalliedtribes,ornations,astheywerecalled,who,whiletheyfoughtintheEnglishranks,weresodeadlyhostiletohisownpeople.
Spurningtheloathsomeobjectwithhisfoot,heturnedfromitwiththesameindifferencehewouldhavequittedabrutecarcass.
Thescoutcomprehendedtheaction,andverydeliberatelypursuedhisownway,continuing,however,hisdenunciationsagainsttheFrenchcommanderinthesameresentfulstrain.
“Nothingbutvastwisdomandunlimitedpowershoulddaretosweepoffmeninmultitudes,”headded;“foritisonlytheonethatcanknowthenecessityofthejudgment;andwhatisthere,shortoftheother,thatcanreplacethecreaturesoftheLord?
Iholditasintokillthesecondbuckaforethefirstiseaten,unlessamarchinfront,oranambushment,becontemplated.
Itisadifferentmatterwithafewwarriorsinopenandruggedfight,for‘tistheirgifttodiewiththerifleorthetomahawkinhand;accordingastheirnaturesmayhappentobe,whiteorred.
Uncas,comethisway,lad,andlettheravenssettleupontheMingo.
Iknow,fromoftenseeingit,thattheyhaveacravingforthefleshofanOneida;anditisaswelltoletthebirdfollowthegiftofitsnaturalappetite.”
“Hugh!”exclaimedtheyoungMohican,risingontheextremitiesofhisfeet,andgazingintentlyinhisfront,frighteningtheravenstosomeotherpreybythesoundandtheaction.
“Whatisit,boy?”whisperedthescout,loweringhistallformintoacrouchingattitude,likeapantherabouttotakehisleap;“GodsenditbeatardyFrencher,skulkingforplunder.
Idobelieve‘killdeer’wouldtakeanuncommonrangetoday!”
Uncas,withoutmakinganyreply,boundedawayfromthespot,andinthenextinstanthewasseentearingfromabush,andwavingintriumph,afragmentofthegreenriding–veilofCora.
Themovement,theexhibition,andthecrywhichagainburstfromthelipsoftheyoungMohican,instantlydrewthewholepartyabouthim.
“Mychild!”saidMunro,speakingquicklyandwildly;“givememychild!”
“Uncaswilltry,”wastheshortandtouchinganswer.
Thesimplebutmeaningassurancewaslostonthefather,whoseizedthepieceofgauze,andcrusheditinhishand,whilehiseyesroamedfearfullyamongthebushes,asifheequallydreadedandhopedforthesecretstheymightreveal.
“Herearenodead,”saidHeyward;“thestormseemsnottohavepassedthisway.”
“That’smanifest;andclearerthantheheavensaboveourheads,”returnedtheundisturbedscout;“buteithershe,ortheythathaverobbedher,havepassedthebush;forIremembertheragsheworetohideafacethatalldidlovetolookupon.
Uncas,youareright;thedark–hairhasbeenhere,andshehasfledlikeafrightenedfawn,tothewood;nonewhocouldflywouldremaintobemurdered.
Letussearchforthemarkssheleft;for,toIndianeyes,Isometimesthinkahumming–birdleaveshistrailintheair.”
TheyoungMohicandartedawayatthesuggestion,andthescouthadhardlydonespeaking,beforetheformerraisedacryofsuccessfromthemarginoftheforest.
Onreachingthespot,theanxiouspartyperceivedanotherportionoftheveilflutteringonthelowerbranchofabeech.
“Softly,softly,”saidthescout,extendinghislongrifleinfrontoftheeagerHeyward;“wenowknowourwork,butthebeautyofthetrailmustnotbedeformed.
Asteptoosoonmaygiveushoursoftrouble.
Wehavethem,though;thatmuchisbeyonddenial.”
“Blessye,blessye,worthyman!”exclaimedMunro;“whitherthen,havetheyfled,andwherearemybabes?”
“Thepaththeyhavetakendependsonmanychances.
Iftheyhavegonealone,theyarequiteaslikelytomoveinacircleasstraight,andtheymaybewithinadozenmilesofus;butiftheHurons,oranyoftheFrenchIndians,havelaidhandsonthem,‘tisprobablytheyarenownearthebordersoftheCanadas.Butwhatmattersthat?”
continuedthedeliberatescout,observingthepowerfulanxietyanddisappointmentthelistenersexhibited;“herearetheMohicansandIononeendofthetrail,and,relyonit,wefindtheother,thoughtheyshouldbeahundredleaguesasunder!
Gently,gently,Uncas,youareasimpatientasamaninthesettlements;youforgetthatlightfeetleavebutfaintmarks!”
“Hugh!”exclaimedChingachgook,whohadbeenoccupiedinexamininganopeningthathadbeenevidentlymadethroughthelowunderbrushwhichskirtedtheforest;andwhonowstooderect,ashepointeddownward,intheattitudeandwiththeairofamanwhobeheldadisgustingserpent.
“Hereisthepalpableimpressionofthefootstepofaman,”criedHeyward,bendingovertheindicatedspot;“hehastrodinthemarginofthispool,andthemarkcannotbemistaken.Theyarecaptives.”
“Bettersothanlefttostarveinthewilderness,”returnedthescout;“andtheywillleaveawidertrail.
Iwouldwagerfiftybeaverskinsagainstasmanyflints,thattheMohicansandIentertheirwigwamswithinthemonth!
Stooptoit,Uncas,andtrywhatyoucanmakeofthemoccasin;formoccasinitplainlyis,andnoshoe.”
TheyoungMohicanbentoverthetrack,andremovingthescatteredleavesfromaroundtheplace,heexamineditwithmuchofthatsortofscrutinythatamoneydealer,inthesedaysofpecuniarydoubts,wouldbestowonasuspecteddue–bill.
Atlengthhearosefromhisknees,satisfiedwiththeresultoftheexamination.
“Well,boy,”demandedtheattentivescout;“whatdoesitsay?Canyoumakeanythingofthetell–tale?”
“LeRenardSubtil!”
“Ha!thatrampagingdevilagain!therewillneverbeanendofhislopingtill‘killdeer’hassaidafriendlywordtohim.”
Heywardreluctantlyadmittedthetruthofthisintelligence,andnowexpressedratherhishopesthanhisdoubtsbysaying:
“Onemoccasinissomuchlikeanother,itisprobablethereissomemistake.”
“Onemoccasinlikeanother!youmayaswellsaythatonefootislikeanother;thoughweallknowthatsomearelong,andothersshort;somebroadandothersnarrow;somewithhigh,andsomewithlowinsteps;someintoed,andsomeout.
Onemoccasinisnomorelikeanotherthanonebookislikeanother:thoughtheywhocanreadinoneareseldomabletotellthemarksoftheother.
Whichisallorderedforthebest,givingtoeverymanhisnaturaladvantages.
Letmegetdowntoit,Uncas;neitherbooknormoccasinistheworseforhavingtwoopinions,insteadofone.”
Thescoutstoopedtothetask,andinstantlyadded:
“Youareright,boy;hereisthepatchwesawsooftenintheotherchase.
Andthefellowwilldrinkwhenhecangetanopportunity;yourdrinkingIndianalwayslearnstowalkwithawidertoethanthenaturalsavage,itbeingthegiftofadrunkardtostraddle,whetherofwhiteorredskin.‘Tisjustthelengthandbreadth,too!
lookatit,Sagamore;youmeasuredtheprintsmorethanonce,whenwehuntedthevarmintsfromGlenn’stothehealthsprings.”
Chingachgookcomplied;andafterfinishinghisshortexamination,hearose,andwithaquietdemeanor,hemerelypronouncedtheword:
“Magua!”
“Ay,‘tisasettledthing;here,then,havepassedthedark–hairandMagua.”“AndnotAlice?”demandedHeyward.
“Ofherwehavenotyetseenthesigns,”returnedthescout,lookingcloselyaroundatthetrees,thebushesandtheground.“Whathavewethere?
Uncas,bringhitherthethingyouseedanglingfromyonderthorn–bush.”
WhentheIndianhadcomplied,thescoutreceivedtheprize,andholdingitonhigh,helaughedinhissilentbutheartfeltmanner.
”’Tisthetootingwe’ponofthesinger!nowweshallhaveatrailapriestmighttravel,”hesaid.
“Uncas,lookforthemarksofashoethatislongenoughtoupholdsixfeettwooftotteringhumanflesh.
Ibegintohavesomehopesofthefellow,sincehehasgivenupsquallingtofollowsomebettertrade.”
“Atleasthehasbeenfaithfultohistrust,”saidHeyward.“AndCoraandAlicearenotwithoutafriend.”
“Yes,”saidHawkeye,droppinghisrifle,andleaningonitwithanairofvisiblecontempt,“hewilldotheirsinging.
Canheslayabuckfortheirdinner;journeybythemossonthebeeches,orcutthethroatofaHuron?
Ifnot,thefirstcatbirdhemeetsistheclevererofthetwo.
Well,boy,anysignsofsuchafoundation?”
“Hereissomethinglikethefootstepofonewhohaswornashoe;canitbethatofourfriend?”
“Touchtheleaveslightlyoryou’lldisconsarttheformation.That!
thatistheprintofafoot,but‘tisthedark–hair’s;andsmallitis,too,foroneofsuchanobleheightandgrandappearance.
Thesingerwouldcoveritwithhisheel.”
“Where!letmelookonthefootstepsofmychild,”saidMunro,shovingthebushesaside,andbendingfondlyoverthenearlyobliteratedimpression.
Thoughthetreadwhichhadleftthemarkhadbeenlightandrapid,itwasstillplainlyvisible.
Theagedsoldierexamineditwitheyesthatgrewdimashegazed;nordidherisefromthisstoopingpostureuntilHeywardsawthathehadwateredthetraceofhisdaughter’spassagewithascaldingtear.
Willingtodivertadistresswhichthreatenedeachmomenttobreakthroughtherestraintofappearances,bygivingtheveteransomethingtodo,theyoungmansaidtothescout:
“Aswenowpossesstheseinfalliblesigns,letuscommenceourmarch.Amoment,atsuchatime,willappearanagetothecaptives.”
“Itisnottheswiftestleapingdeerthatgivesthelongestchase,”returnedHawkeye,withoutmovinghiseyesfromthedifferentmarksthathadcomeunderhisview;“weknowthattherampagingHuronhaspassed,andthedark–hair,andthesinger,butwhereissheoftheyellowlocksandblueeyes?
Thoughlittle,andfarfrombeingasboldashersister,sheisfairtotheview,andpleasantindiscourse.
Hasshenofriend,thatnonecareforher?”
“Godforbidsheshouldeverwanthundreds!Arewenotnowinherpursuit?
Forone,Iwillneverceasethesearchtillshebefound.”
“Inthatcasewemayhavetojourneybydifferentpaths;forhereshehasnotpassed,lightandlittleasherfootstepswouldbe.”
Heywarddrewback,allhisardortoproceedseemingtovanishontheinstant.Withoutattendingtothissuddenchangeintheother’shumor,thescoutaftermusingamomentcontinued:
“Thereisnowomaninthiswildernesscouldleavesuchaprintasthat,butthedark–hairorhersister.
Weknowthatthefirsthasbeenhere,butwherearethesignsoftheother?
Letuspushdeeperonthetrail,andifnothingoffers,wemustgobacktotheplainandstrikeanotherscent.
Moveon,Uncas,andkeepyoureyesonthedriedleaves.
Iwillwatchthebushes,whileyourfathershallrunwithalownosetotheground.
Moveon,friends;thesunisgettingbehindthehills.”
“IstherenothingthatIcando?”demandedtheanxiousHeyward.
“You?”repeatedthescout,who,withhisredfriends,wasalreadyadvancingintheorderhehadprescribed;“yes,youcankeepinourrearandbecarefulnottocrossthetrail.”
Beforetheyhadproceededmanyrods,theIndiansstopped,andappearedtogazeatsomesignsontheearthwithmorethantheirusualkeenness.
Bothfatherandsonspokequickandloud,nowlookingattheobjectoftheirmutualadmiration,andnowregardingeachotherwiththemostunequivocalpleasure.
“Theyhavefoundthelittlefoot!”exclaimedthescout,movingforward,withoutattendingfurthertohisownportionoftheduty.“Whathavewehere?
Anambushmenthasbeenplantedinthespot!
No,bythetruestrifleonthefrontiers,herehavebeenthemone–sidedhorsesagain!
Nowthewholesecretisout,andallisplainasthenorthstaratmidnight.Yes,heretheyhavemounted.
Therethebeastshavebeenboundtoasapling,inwaiting;andyonderrunsthebroadpathawaytothenorth,infullsweepfortheCanadas.”
“ButstilltherearenosignsofAlice,oftheyoungerMissMunro,”saidDuncan.
“UnlesstheshiningbaubleUncashasjustliftedfromthegroundshouldproveone.Passitthisway,lad,thatwemaylookatit.”
HeywardinstantlyknewitforatrinketthatAlicewasfondofwearing,andwhichherecollected,withthetenaciousmemoryofalover,tohaveseen,onthefatalmorningofthemassacre,danglingfromthefairneckofhismistress.
Heseizedthehighlyprizedjewel;andasheproclaimedthefact,itvanishedfromtheeyesofthewonderingscout,whoinvainlookedforitontheground,longafteritwaswarmlypressedagainstthebeatingheartofDuncan.
“Pshaw!”saidthedisappointedHawkeye,ceasingtoraketheleaveswiththebreechofhisrifle;”’tisacertainsignofage,whenthesightbeginstoweaken.
Suchaglitteringgewgaw,andnottobeseen!
Well,well,Icansquintalongacloudedbarrelyet,andthatisenoughtosettlealldisputesbetweenmeandtheMingoes.
Ishouldliketofindthething,too,ifitwereonlytocarryittotherightowner,andthatwouldbebringingthetwoendsofwhatIcallalongtrailtogether,forbythistimethebroadSt.Lawrence,orperhaps,theGreatLakesthemselves,arebetweenus.”
“Somuchthemorereasonwhyweshouldnotdelayourmarch,”returnedHeyward;“letusproceed.”
“Youngbloodandhotblood,theysay,aremuchthesamething.
Wearenotabouttostartonasquirrelhunt,ortodriveadeerintotheHorican,buttooutliefordaysandnights,andtostretchacrossawildernesswherethefeetofmenseldomgo,andwherenobookishknowledgewouldcarryyouthroughharmless.
AnIndianneverstartsonsuchanexpeditionwithoutsmokingoverhiscouncil–fire;and,thoughamanofwhiteblood,Ihonortheircustomsinthisparticular,seeingthattheyaredeliberateandwise.
Wewill,therefore,goback,andlightourfireto–nightintheruinsoftheoldfort,andinthemorningweshallbefresh,andreadytoundertakeourworklikemen,andnotlikebabblingwomenoreagerboys.”
Heywardsaw,bythemannerofthescout,thataltercationwouldbeuseless.
Munrohadagainsunkintothatsortofapathywhichhadbesethimsincehislateoverwhelmingmisfortunes,andfromwhichhewasapparentlytoberousedonlybysomenewandpowerfulexcitement.
Makingameritofnecessity,theyoungmantooktheveteranbythearm,andfollowedinthefootstepsoftheIndiansandthescout,whohadalreadybeguntoretracethepathwhichconductedthemtotheplain.
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