English
ButthoughthebeastofgameTheprivilegeofchasemayclaim;ThoughspaceandlawthestagwelendErehoundweslip,orbowwebend;Whoeverrecked,where,how,orwhenTheprowlingfoxwastrappedorslain?
—LadyoftheLake
Itisunusualtofindanencampmentofthenatives,likethoseofthemoreinstructedwhites,guardedbythepresenceofarmedmen.
Wellinformedoftheapproachofeverydanger,whileitisyetatadistance,theIndiangenerallyrestssecureunderhisknowledgeofthesignsoftheforest,andthelonganddifficultpathsthatseparatehimfromthosehehasmostreasontodread.
Buttheenemywho,byanyluckyconcurrenceofaccidents,hasfoundmeanstoeludethevigilanceofthescouts,willseldommeetwithsentinelsnearerhometosoundthealarm.
Inadditiontothisgeneralusage,thetribesfriendlytotheFrenchknewtoowelltheweightoftheblowthathadjustbeenstruck,toapprehendanyimmediatedangerfromthehostilenationsthatweretributarytothecrownofBritain.
WhenDuncanandDavid,therefore,foundthemselvesinthecenterofthechildren,whoplayedtheanticsalreadymentioned,itwaswithouttheleastpreviousintimationoftheirapproach.
Butsosoonastheywereobservedthewholeofthejuvenilepackraised,bycommonconsent,ashrillandwarningwhoop;andthensank,asitwere,bymagic,frombeforethesightoftheirvisitors.
Thenaked,tawnybodiesofthecrouchingurchinsblendedsonicelyatthathour,withthewitheredherbage,thatatfirstitseemedasiftheearthhad,intruth,swalloweduptheirforms;thoughwhensurprisepermittedDuncantobendhislookmorecuriouslyaboutthespot,hefounditeverywheremetbydark,quick,androllingeyeballs.
Gatheringnoencouragementfromthisstartlingpresageofthenatureofthescrutinyhewaslikelytoundergofromthemorematurejudgmentsofthemen,therewasaninstantwhentheyoungsoldierwouldhaveretreated.
Itwas,however,toolatetoappeartohesitate.
Thecryofthechildrenhaddrawnadozenwarriorstothedoorofthenearestlodge,wheretheystoodclusteredinadarkandsavagegroup,gravelyawaitingthenearerapproachofthosewhohadunexpectedlycomeamongthem.
David,insomemeasurefamiliarizedtothescene,ledthewaywithasteadinessthatnoslightobstaclewaslikelytodisconcert,intothisverybuilding.
Itwastheprincipaledificeofthevillage,thoughroughlyconstructedofthebarkandbranchesoftrees;beingthelodgeinwhichthetribehelditscouncilsandpublicmeetingsduringtheirtemporaryresidenceonthebordersoftheEnglishprovince.
Duncanfounditdifficulttoassumethenecessaryappearanceofunconcern,ashebrushedthedarkandpowerfulframesofthesavageswhothrongeditsthreshold;but,consciousthathisexistencedependedonhispresenceofmind,hetrustedtothediscretionofhiscompanion,whosefootstepshecloselyfollowed,endeavoring,asheproceeded,torallyhisthoughtsfortheoccasion.
Hisbloodcurdledwhenhefoundhimselfinabsolutecontactwithsuchfierceandimplacableenemies;buthesofarmasteredhisfeelingsastopursuehiswayintothecenterofthelodge,withanexteriorthatdidnotbetraytheweakness.
ImitatingtheexampleofthedeliberateGamut,hedrewabundleoffragrantbrushfrombeneathapilethatfilledthecornerofthehut,andseatedhimselfinsilence.
Sosoonastheirvisitorhadpassed,theobservantwarriorsfellbackfromtheentrance,andarrangingthemselvesabouthim,theyseemedpatientlytoawaitthemomentwhenitmightcomportwiththedignityofthestrangertospeak.
Byfarthegreaternumberstoodleaning,inlazy,loungingattitudes,againsttheuprightpoststhatsupportedthecrazybuilding,whilethreeorfouroftheoldestandmostdistinguishedofthechiefsplacedthemselvesontheearthalittlemoreinadvance.
Aflaringtorchwasburningintheplace,andsetitsredglarefromfacetofaceandfiguretofigure,asitwavedinthecurrentsofair.
Duncanprofitedbyitslighttoreadtheprobablecharacterofhisreception,inthecountenancesofhishosts.
Buthisingenuityavailedhimlittle,againstthecoldartificesofthepeoplehehadencountered.
Thechiefsinfrontscarcecastaglanceathisperson,keepingtheireyesontheground,withanairthatmighthavebeenintendedforrespect,butwhichitwasquiteeasytoconstrueintodistrust.
Themenintheshadowwerelessreserved.
Duncansoondetectedtheirsearching,butstolen,lookswhich,intruth,scannedhispersonandattireinchbyinch;leavingnoemotionofthecountenance,nogesture,nolineofthepaint,noreventhefashionofagarment,unheeded,andwithoutcomment.
Atlengthonewhosehairwasbeginningtobesprinkledwithgray,butwhosesinewylimbsandfirmtreadannouncedthathewasstillequaltothedutiesofmanhood,advancedoutofthegloomofacorner,whitherhehadprobablypostedhimselftomakehisobservationsunseen,andspoke.
HeusedthelanguageoftheWyandots,orHurons;hiswordswere,consequently,unintelligibletoHeyward,thoughtheyseemed,bythegesturesthataccompaniedthem,tobeutteredmoreincourtesythananger.
Thelattershookhishead,andmadeagestureindicativeofhisinabilitytoreply.
“DononeofmybrothersspeaktheFrenchortheEnglish?”hesaid,intheformerlanguage,lookingabouthimfromcountenancetocountenance,inhopesoffindinganodofassent.
Thoughmorethanonehadturned,asiftocatchthemeaningofhiswords,theyremainedunanswered.
“Ishouldbegrievedtothink,”continuedDuncan,speakingslowly,andusingthesimplestFrenchofwhichhewasthemaster,“tobelievethatnoneofthiswiseandbravenationunderstandthelanguagethatthe’GrandMonarque’useswhenhetalkstohischildren.
Hisheartwouldbeheavydidhebelievehisredwarriorspaidhimsolittlerespect!”
Alongandgravepausesucceeded,duringwhichnomovementofalimb,noranyexpressionofaneye,betrayedtheexpressionproducedbyhisremark.
Duncan,whoknewthatsilencewasavirtueamonghishosts,gladlyhadrecoursetothecustom,inordertoarrangehisideas.
Atlengththesamewarriorwhohadbeforeaddressedhimreplied,bydrylydemanding,inthelanguageoftheCanadas:
“WhenourGreatFatherspeakstohispeople,isitwiththetongueofaHuron?”
“Heknowsnodifferenceinhischildren,whetherthecoloroftheskinbered,orblack,orwhite,”returnedDuncan,evasively;“thoughchieflyishesatisfiedwiththebraveHurons.”
“Inwhatmannerwillhespeak,”demandedthewarychief,“whentherunnerscounttohimthescalpswhichfivenightsagogrewontheheadsoftheYengeese?”
“Theywerehisenemies,”saidDuncan,shudderinginvoluntarily;“anddoubtless,hewillsay,itisgood;myHuronsareverygallant.”
“OurCanadafatherdoesnotthinkit.InsteadoflookingforwardtorewardhisIndians,hiseyesareturnedbackward.HeseesthedeadYengeese,butnoHuron.Whatcanthismean?”
“Agreatchief,likehim,hasmorethoughtsthantongues.Helookstoseethatnoenemiesareonhistrail.”
“ThecanoeofadeadwarriorwillnotfloatontheHorican,”returnedthesavage,gloomily.“HisearsareopentotheDelawares,whoarenotourfriends,andtheyfillthemwithlies.”
“Itcannotbe.See;hehasbidme,whoamamanthatknowstheartofhealing,togotohischildren,theredHuronsofthegreatlakes,andaskifanyaresick!”
AnothersilencesucceededthisannunciationofthecharacterDuncanhadassumed.
Everyeyewassimultaneouslybentonhisperson,asiftoinquireintothetruthorfalsehoodofthedeclaration,withanintelligenceandkeennessthatcausedthesubjectoftheirscrutinytotremblefortheresult.
Hewas,however,relievedagainbytheformerspeaker.
“DothecunningmenoftheCanadaspainttheirskins?”theHuroncoldlycontinued;“wehaveheardthemboastthattheirfaceswerepale.”
“WhenanIndianchiefcomesamonghiswhitefathers,”returnedDuncan,withgreatsteadiness,“helaysasidehisbuffalorobe,tocarrytheshirtthatisofferedhim.
MybrothershavegivenmepaintandIwearit.”
Alowmurmurofapplauseannouncedthatthecomplimentofthetribewasfavorablyreceived.
Theelderlychiefmadeagestureofcommendation,whichwasansweredbymostofhiscompanions,whoeachthrewforthahandandutteredabriefexclamationofpleasure.
Duncanbegantobreathemorefreely,believingthattheweightofhisexaminationwaspast;and,ashehadalreadypreparedasimpleandprobabletaletosupporthispretendedoccupation,hishopesofultimatesuccessgrewbrighter.
Afterasilenceofafewmoments,asifadjustinghisthoughts,inordertomakeasuitableanswertothedeclarationtheirguestshadjustgiven,anotherwarriorarose,andplacedhimselfinanattitudetospeak.
Whilehislipswereyetintheactofparting,alowbutfearfulsoundarosefromtheforest,andwasimmediatelysucceededbyahigh,shrillyell,thatwasdrawnout,untilitequaledthelongestandmostplaintivehowlofthewolf.
ThesuddenandterribleinterruptioncausedDuncantostartfromhisseat,unconsciousofeverythingbuttheeffectproducedbysofrightfulacry.
Atthesamemoment,thewarriorsglidedinabodyfromthelodge,andtheouterairwasfilledwithloudshouts,thatnearlydrownedthoseawfulsounds,whichwerestillringingbeneaththearchesofthewoods.
Unabletocommandhimselfanylonger,theyouthbrokefromtheplace,andpresentlystoodinthecenterofadisorderlythrong,thatincludednearlyeverythinghavinglife,withinthelimitsoftheencampment.
Men,women,andchildren;theaged,theinform,theactive,andthestrong,werealikeabroad,someexclaimingaloud,othersclappingtheirhandswithajoythatseemedfrantic,andallexpressingtheirsavagepleasureinsomeunexpectedevent.
Thoughastounded,atfirst,bytheuproar,Heywardwassoonenabledtofinditssolutionbythescenethatfollowed.
Thereyetlingeredsufficientlightintheheavenstoexhibitthosebrightopeningsamongthetree–tops,wheredifferentpathslefttheclearingtoenterthedepthsofthewilderness.
Beneathoneofthem,alineofwarriorsissuedfromthewoods,andadvancedslowlytowardthedwellings.
Oneinfrontboreashortpole,onwhich,asitafterwardsappeared,weresuspendedseveralhumanscalps.
ThestartlingsoundsthatDuncanhadheardwerewhatthewhiteshavenotinappropriatelycalledthe“death–hallo”;andeachrepetitionofthecrywasintendedtoannouncetothetribethefateofanenemy.
ThusfartheknowledgeofHeywardassistedhimintheexplanation;andashenowknewthattheinterruptionwascausedbytheunlooked–forreturnofasuccessfulwar–party,everydisagreeablesensationwasquietedininwardcongratulation,fortheopportunereliefandinsignificanceitconferredonhimself.
Whenatthedistanceofafewhundredfeetfromthelodgesthenewlyarrivedwarriorshalted.
Theirplaintiveandterrificcry,whichwasintendedtorepresentequallythewailingsofthedeadandthetriumphtothevictors,hadentirelyceased.
Oneoftheirnumbernowcalledaloud,inwordsthatwerefarfromappalling,thoughnotmoreintelligibletothoseforwhoseearstheywereintended,thantheirexpressiveyells.
Itwouldbedifficulttoconveyasuitableideaofthesavageecstasywithwhichthenewsthusimpartedwasreceived.
Thewholeencampment,inamoment,becameasceneofthemostviolentbustleandcommotion.
Thewarriorsdrewtheirknives,andflourishingthem,theyarrangedthemselvesintwolines,formingalanethatextendedfromthewar–partytothelodges.
Thesquawsseizedclubs,axes,orwhateverweaponofoffensefirstoffereditselftotheirhands,andrushedeagerlytoacttheirpartinthecruelgamethatwasathand.
Eventhechildrenwouldnotbeexcluded;butboys,littleabletowieldtheinstruments,torethetomahawksfromthebeltsoftheirfathers,andstoleintotheranks,aptimitatorsofthesavagetraitsexhibitedbytheirparents.
Largepilesofbrushlayscatteredabouttheclearing,andawaryandagedsquawwasoccupiedinfiringasmanyasmightservetolightthecomingexhibition.
Astheflamearose,itspowerexceededthatofthepartingday,andassistedtorenderobjectsatthesametimemoredistinctandmorehideous.
Thewholesceneformedastrikingpicture,whoseframewascomposedofthedarkandtallborderofpines.
Thewarriorsjustarrivedwerethemostdistantfigures.
Alittleinadvancestoodtwomen,whowereapparentlyselectedfromtherest,astheprincipalactorsinwhatwastofollow.
Thelightwasnotstrongenoughtorendertheirfeaturesdistinct,thoughitwasquiteevidentthattheyweregovernedbyverydifferentemotions.
Whileonestooderectandfirm,preparedtomeethisfatelikeahero,theotherbowedhishead,asifpalsiedbyterrororstrickenwithshame.
Thehigh–spiritedDuncanfeltapowerfulimpulseofadmirationandpitytowardtheformer,thoughnoopportunitycouldoffertoexhibithisgenerousemotions.
Hewatchedhisslightestmovement,however,witheagereyes;and,ashetracedthefineoutlineofhisadmirablyproportionedandactiveframe,heendeavoredtopersuadehimself,that,ifthepowersofman,secondedbysuchnobleresolution,couldbearoneharmlessthroughsosevereatrial,theyouthfulcaptivebeforehimmighthopeforsuccessinthehazardousracehewasabouttorun.
InsensiblytheyoungmandrewnighertotheswarthylinesoftheHurons,andscarcelybreathed,sointensebecamehisinterestinthespectacle.
Justthenthesignalyellwasgiven,andthemomentaryquietwhichhadprecededitwasbrokenbyaburstofcries,thatfarexceededanybeforeheard.
Themoreabjectofthetwovictimscontinuedmotionless;buttheotherboundedfromtheplaceatthecry,withtheactivityandswiftnessofadeer.
Insteadofrushingthroughthehostilelines,ashadbeenexpected,hejustenteredthedangerousdefile,andbeforetimewasgivenforasingleblow,turnedshort,andleapingtheheadsofarowofchildren,hegainedatoncetheexteriorandsafersideoftheformidablearray.
Theartificewasansweredbyahundredvoicesraisedinimprecations;andthewholeoftheexcitedmultitudebrokefromtheirorder,andspreadthemselvesabouttheplaceinwildconfusion.
Adozenblazingpilesnowshedtheirluridbrightnessontheplace,whichresembledsomeunhallowedandsupernaturalarena,inwhichmaliciousdemonshadassembledtoacttheirbloodyandlawlessrites.
Theformsinthebackgroundlookedlikeunearthlybeings,glidingbeforetheeye,andcleavingtheairwithfranticandunmeaninggestures;whilethesavagepassionsofsuchaspassedtheflameswererenderedfearfullydistinctbythegleamsthatshotathwarttheirinflamedvisages.
Itwilleasilybeunderstoodthat,amidsuchaconcourseofvindictiveenemies,nobreathingtimewasallowedthefugitive.
Therewasasinglemomentwhenitseemedasifhewouldhavereachedtheforest,butthewholebodyofhiscaptorsthrewthemselvesbeforehim,anddrovehimbackintothecenterofhisrelentlesspersecutors.
Turninglikeaheadeddeer,heshot,withtheswiftnessofanarrow,throughapillarofforkedflame,andpassingthewholemultitudeharmless,heappearedontheoppositesideoftheclearing.
Here,too,hewasmetandturnedbyafewoftheolderandmoresubtleoftheHurons.
Oncemorehetriedthethrong,asifseekingsafetyinitsblindness,andthenseveralmomentssucceeded,duringwhichDuncanbelievedtheactiveandcourageousyoungstrangerwaslost.
Nothingcouldbedistinguishedbutadarkmassofhumanformstossedandinvolvedininexplicableconfusion.
Arms,gleamingknives,andformidableclubs,appearedabovethem,buttheblowswereevidentlygivenatrandom.
Theawfuleffectwasheightenedbythepiercingshrieksofthewomenandthefierceyellsofthewarriors.
NowandthenDuncancaughtaglimpseofalightformcleavingtheairinsomedesperatebound,andheratherhopedthanbelievedthatthecaptiveyetretainedthecommandofhisastonishingpowersofactivity.
Suddenlythemultituderolledbackward,andapproachedthespotwherehehimselfstood.
Theheavybodyintherearpresseduponthewomenandchildreninfront,andborethemtotheearth.
Thestrangerreappearedintheconfusion.
Humanpowercouldnot,however,muchlongerenduresosevereatrial.Ofthisthecaptiveseemedconscious.
Profitingbythemomentaryopening,hedartedfromamongthewarriors,andmadeadesperate,andwhatseemedtoDuncanafinalefforttogainthewood.
Asifawarethatnodangerwastobeapprehendedfromtheyoungsoldier,thefugitivenearlybrushedhispersoninhisflight.
AtallandpowerfulHuron,whohadhusbandedhisforces,pressedcloseuponhisheels,andwithanupliftedarmmenacedafatalblow.
Duncanthrustforthafoot,andtheshockprecipitatedtheeagersavageheadlong,manyfeetinadvanceofhisintendedvictim.
Thoughtitselfisnotquickerthanwasthemotionwithwhichthelatterprofitedbytheadvantage;heturned,gleamedlikeameteoragainbeforetheeyesofDuncan,and,atthenextmoment,whenthelatterrecoveredhisrecollection,andgazedaroundinquestofthecaptive,hesawhimquietlyleaningagainstasmallpaintedpost,whichstoodbeforethedooroftheprincipallodge.
Apprehensivethattheparthehadtakenintheescapemightprovefataltohimself,Duncanlefttheplacewithoutdelay.
Hefollowedthecrowd,whichdrewnighthelodges,gloomyandsullen,likeanyothermultitudethathadbeendisappointedinanexecution.
Curiosity,orperhapsabetterfeeling,inducedhimtoapproachthestranger.
Hefoundhim,standingwithonearmcastabouttheprotectingpost,andbreathingthickandhard,afterhisexertions,butdisdainingtopermitasinglesignofsufferingtoescape.
Hispersonwasnowprotectedbyimmemorialandsacredusage,untilthetribeincouncilhaddeliberatedanddeterminedonhisfate.
Itwasnotdifficult,however,toforetelltheresult,ifanypresagecouldbedrawnfromthefeelingsofthosewhocrowdedtheplace.
TherewasnotermofabuseknowntotheHuronvocabularythatthedisappointedwomendidnotlavishlyexpendonthesuccessfulstranger.
Theyfloutedathisefforts,andtoldhim,withbitterscoffs,thathisfeetwerebetterthanhishands;andthathemeritedwings,whileheknewnottheuseofanarroworaknife.
Toallthisthecaptivemadenoreply;butwascontenttopreserveanattitudeinwhichdignitywassingularlyblendedwithdisdain.
Exasperatedasmuchbyhiscomposureasbyhisgood–fortune,theirwordsbecameunintelligible,andweresucceededbyshrill,piercingyells.
Justthenthecraftysquaw,whohadtakenthenecessaryprecautiontofirethepiles,madeherwaythroughthethrong,andclearedaplaceforherselfinfrontofthecaptive.
Thesqualidandwitheredpersonofthishagmightwellhaveobtainedforherthecharacterofpossessingmorethanhumancunning.
Throwingbackherlightvestment,shestretchedforthherlong,skinnyarm,inderision,andusingthelanguageoftheLenape,asmoreintelligibletothesubjectofhergibes,shecommencedaloud:
“Lookyou,Delaware,”shesaid,snappingherfingersinhisface;“yournationisaraceofwomen,andthehoeisbetterfittedtoyourhandsthanthegun.
Yoursquawsarethemothersofdeer;butifabear,orawildcat,oraserpentwerebornamongyou,yewouldflee.
TheHurongirlsshallmakeyoupetticoats,andwewillfindyouahusband.”
Aburstofsavagelaughtersucceededthisattack,duringwhichthesoftandmusicalmerrimentoftheyoungerfemalesstrangelychimedwiththecrackedvoiceoftheirolderandmoremalignantcompanion.
Butthestrangerwassuperiortoalltheirefforts.
Hisheadwasimmovable;nordidhebetraytheslightestconsciousnessthatanywerepresent,exceptwhenhishaughtyeyerolledtowardtheduskyformsofthewarriors,whostalkedinthebackgroundsilentandsullenobserversofthescene.
Infuriatedattheself–commandofthecaptive,thewomanplacedherarmsakimbo;and,throwingherselfintoapostureofdefiance,shebrokeoutanew,inatorrentofwordsthatnoartofourscouldcommitsuccessfullytopaper.
Herbreathwas,however,expendedinvain;for,althoughdistinguishedinhernationasaproficientintheartofabuse,shewaspermittedtoworkherselfintosuchafuryasactuallytofoamatthemouth,withoutcausingamuscletovibrateinthemotionlessfigureofthestranger.
Theeffectofhisindifferencebegantoextenditselftotheotherspectators;andayoungster,whowasjustquittingtheconditionofaboytoenterthestateofmanhood,attemptedtoassistthetermagant,byflourishinghistomahawkbeforetheirvictim,andaddinghisemptyboaststothetauntsofthewomen.
Then,indeed,thecaptiveturnedhisfacetowardthelight,andlookeddownonthestriplingwithanexpressionthatwassuperiortocontempt.
Atthenextmomentheresumedhisquietandrecliningattitudeagainstthepost.
ButthechangeofposturehadpermittedDuncantoexchangeglanceswiththefirmandpiercingeyesofUncas.
Breathlesswithamazement,andheavilyoppressedwiththecriticalsituationofhisfriend,Heywardrecoiledbeforethelook,tremblinglestitsmeaningmight,insomeunknownmanner,hastentheprisoner’sfate.
Therewasnot,however,anyinstantcauseforsuchanapprehension.
Justthenawarriorforcedhiswayintotheexasperatedcrowd.
Motioningthewomenandchildrenasidewithasterngesture,hetookUncasbythearm,andledhimtowardthedoorofthecouncil–lodge.
Thitherallthechiefs,andmostofthedistinguishedwarriors,followed;amongwhomtheanxiousHeywardfoundmeanstoenterwithoutattractinganydangerousattentiontohimself.
Afewminuteswereconsumedindisposingofthosepresentinamannersuitabletotheirrankandinfluenceinthetribe.
Anorderverysimilartothatadoptedintheprecedinginterviewwasobserved;theagedandsuperiorchiefsoccupyingtheareaofthespaciousapartment,withinthepowerfullightofaglaringtorch,whiletheirjuniorsandinferiorswerearrangedinthebackground,presentingadarkoutlineofswarthyandmarkedvisages.
Intheverycenterofthelodge,immediatelyunderanopeningthatadmittedthetwinklinglightofoneortwostars,stoodUncas,calm,elevated,andcollected.
Hishighandhaughtycarriagewasnotlostonhiscaptors,whooftenbenttheirlooksonhisperson,witheyeswhich,whiletheylostnoneoftheirinflexibilityofpurpose,plainlybetrayedtheiradmirationofthestranger’sdaring.
ThecasewasdifferentwiththeindividualwhomDuncanhadobservedtostandforthwithhisfriend,previouslytothedesperatetrialofspeed;andwho,insteadofjoininginthechase,hadremained,throughoutitsturbulentuproar,likeacringingstatue,expressiveofshameanddisgrace.
Thoughnotahandhadbeenextendedtogreethim,noryetaneyehadcondescendedtowatchhismovements,hehadalsoenteredthelodge,asthoughimpelledbyafatetowhosedecreeshesubmitted,seemingly,withoutastruggle.
Heywardprofitedbythefirstopportunitytogazeinhisface,secretlyapprehensivehemightfindthefeaturesofanotheracquaintance;buttheyprovedtobethoseofastranger,and,whatwasstillmoreinexplicable,ofonewhoboreallthedistinctivemarksofaHuronwarrior.
Insteadofminglingwithhistribe,however,hesatapart,asolitarybeinginamultitude,hisformshrinkingintoacrouchingandabjectattitude,asifanxioustofillaslittlespaceaspossible.
Wheneachindividualhadtakenhisproperstation,andsilencereignedintheplace,thegray–hairedchiefalreadyintroducedtothereader,spokealoud,inthelanguageoftheLenniLenape.
“Delaware,”hesaid,“thoughoneofanationofwomen,youhaveprovedyourselfaman.
Iwouldgiveyoufood;buthewhoeatswithaHuronshouldbecomehisfriend.
Restinpeacetillthemorningsun,whenourlastwordsshallbespoken.”
“Sevennights,andasmanysummerdays,haveIfastedonthetrailoftheHurons,”Uncascoldlyreplied;“thechildrenoftheLenapeknowhowtotravelthepathofthejustwithoutlingeringtoeat.”
“Twoofmyyoungmenareinpursuitofyourcompanion,”resumedtheother,withoutappearingtoregardtheboastofhiscaptive;“whentheygetback,thenwillourwisemansaytoyou‘live’or‘die’.”
“HasaHuronnoears?”scornfullyexclaimedUncas;“twice,sincehehasbeenyourprisoner,hastheDelawareheardagunthatheknows.Youryoungmenwillnevercomeback!”
Ashortandsullenpausesucceededthisboldassertion.
Duncan,whounderstoodtheMohicantoalludetothefatalrifleofthescout,bentforwardinearnestobservationoftheeffectitmightproduceontheconquerors;butthechiefwascontentwithsimplyretorting:
“IftheLenapearesoskillful,whyisoneoftheirbravestwarriorshere?”
“Hefollowedinthestepsofaflyingcoward,andfellintoasnare.Thecunningbeavermaybecaught.”
AsUncasthusreplied,hepointedwithhisfingertowardthesolitaryHuron,butwithoutdeigningtobestowanyothernoticeonsounworthyanobject.
Thewordsoftheanswerandtheairofthespeakerproducedastrongsensationamonghisauditors.
Everyeyerolledsullenlytowardtheindividualindicatedbythesimplegesture,andalow,threateningmurmurpassedthroughthecrowd.
Theominoussoundsreachedtheouterdoor,andthewomenandchildrenpressingintothethrong,nogaphadbeenleft,betweenshoulderandshoulder,thatwasnotnowfilledwiththedarklineamentsofsomeeagerandcurioushumancountenance.
Inthemeantime,themoreagedchiefs,inthecenter,communedwitheachotherinshortandbrokensentences.
Notawordwasutteredthatdidnotconveythemeaningofthespeaker,inthesimplestandmostenergeticform.
Again,alonganddeeplysolemnpausetookplace.
Itwasknown,byallpresent,tobethebraveprecursorofaweightyandimportantjudgment.
Theywhocomposedtheoutercircleoffaceswereontiptoetogaze;andeventheculpritforaninstantforgothisshameinadeeperemotion,andexposedhisabjectfeatures,inordertocastananxiousandtroubledglanceatthedarkassemblageofchiefs.
Thesilencewasfinallybrokenbytheagedwarriorsooftennamed.
Hearosefromtheearth,andmovingpasttheimmovableformofUncas,placedhimselfinadignifiedattitudebeforetheoffender.
Atthatmoment,thewitheredsquawalreadymentionedmovedintothecircle,inaslow,sidlingsortofadance,holdingthetorch,andmutteringtheindistinctwordsofwhatmighthavebeenaspeciesofincantation.
Thoughherpresencewasaltogetheranintrusion,itwasunheeded.
ApproachingUncas,sheheldtheblazingbrandinsuchamannerastocastitsredglareonhisperson,andtoexposetheslightestemotionofhiscountenance.
TheMohicanmaintainedhisfirmandhaughtyattitude;andhiseyes,sofarfromdeigningtomeetherinquisitivelook,dweltsteadilyonthedistance,asthoughitpenetratedtheobstacleswhichimpededtheviewandlookedintofuturity.
Satisfiedwithherexamination,shelefthim,withaslightexpressionofpleasure,andproceededtopractisethesametryingexperimentonherdelinquentcountryman.
TheyoungHuronwasinhiswarpaint,andverylittleofafinelymoldedformwasconcealedbyhisattire.
Thelightrenderedeverylimbandjointdiscernible,andDuncanturnedawayinhorrorwhenhesawtheywerewrithinginirrepressibleagony.
Thewomanwascommencingalowandplaintivehowlatthesadandshamefulspectacle,whenthechiefputforthhishandandgentlypushedheraside.
“Reed–that–bends,”hesaid,addressingtheyoungculpritbyname,andinhisproperlanguage,“thoughtheGreatSpirithasmadeyoupleasanttotheeyes,itwouldhavebeenbetterthatyouhadnotbeenborn.
Yourtongueisloudinthevillage,butinbattleitisstill.
Noneofmyyoungmenstrikethetomahawkdeeperintothewar–post––noneofthemsolightlyontheYengeese.
Theenemyknowtheshapeofyourback,buttheyhaveneverseenthecolorofyoureyes.
Threetimeshavetheycalledonyoutocome,andasoftendidyouforgettoanswer.
Yournamewillneverbementionedagaininyourtribe––itisalreadyforgotten.”
Asthechiefslowlyutteredthesewords,pausingimpressivelybetweeneachsentence,theculpritraisedhisface,indeferencetotheother’srankandyears.
Shame,horror,andpridestruggledinitslineaments.
Hiseye,whichwascontractedwithinwardanguish,gleamedonthepersonsofthosewhosebreathwashisfame;andthelatteremotionforaninstantpredominated.
Hearosetohisfeet,andbaringhisbosom,lookedsteadilyonthekeen,glitteringknife,thatwasalreadyupheldbyhisinexorablejudge.
Astheweaponpassedslowlyintohisheartheevensmiled,asifinjoyathavingfounddeathlessdreadfulthanhehadanticipated,andfellheavilyonhisface,atthefeetoftherigidandunyieldingformofUncas.
Thesquawgavealoudandplaintiveyell,dashedthetorchtotheearth,andburiedeverythingindarkness.
Thewholeshudderinggroupofspectatorsglidedfromthelodgeliketroubledsprites;andDuncanthoughtthatheandtheyetthrobbingbodyofthevictimofanIndianjudgmenthadnowbecomeitsonlytenants.
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