English
Snug.––Haveyouthelion’spartwritten?Prayyou,ifitbe,giveittome,forIamslowofstudy.
Quince.––Youmaydoitextempore,foritisnothingbutroaring.
—MidsummerNight’sDream
Therewasastrangeblendingoftheridiculouswiththatwhichwassolemninthisscene.
Thebeastsillcontinueditsrolling,andapparentlyuntiringmovements,thoughitsludicrousattempttoimitatethemelodyofDavidceasedtheinstantthelatterabandonedthefield.
ThewordsofGamutwere,ashasbeenseen,inhisnativetongue;andtoDuncantheyseempregnantwithsomehiddenmeaning,thoughnothingpresentassistedhimindiscoveringtheobjectoftheirallusion.
Aspeedyendwas,however,puttoeveryconjectureonthesubject,bythemannerofthechief,whoadvancedtothebedsideoftheinvalid,andbeckonedawaythewholegroupoffemaleattendantsthathadclusteredtheretowitnesstheskillofthestranger.
Hewasimplicitly,thoughreluctantly,obeyed;andwhenthelowechowhichrangalongthehollow,naturalgallery,fromthedistantclosingdoor,hadceased,pointingtowardhisinsensibledaughter,hesaid:
“Nowletmybrothershowhispower.”
Thusunequivocallycalledontoexercisethefunctionsofhisassumedcharacter,Heywardwasapprehensivethatthesmallestdelaymightprovedangerous.
Endeavoring,then,tocollecthisideas,hepreparedtoperformthatspeciesofincantation,andthoseuncouthrites,underwhichtheIndianconjurersareaccustomedtoconcealtheirignoranceandimpotency.
Itismorethanprobablethat,inthedisorderedstateofhisthoughts,hewouldsoonhavefallenintosomesuspicious,ifnotfatal,errorhadnothisincipientattemptsbeeninterruptedbyafiercegrowlfromthequadruped.
Threeseveraltimesdidherenewhiseffortstoproceed,andasoftenwashemetbythesameunaccountableopposition,eachinterruptionseemingmoresavageandthreateningthanthepreceding.
“Thecunningonesarejealous,”saidtheHuron;“IgoBrother,thewomanisthewifeofoneofmybravestyoungmen;dealjustlybyher.Peace!”
headded,beckoningtothediscontentedbeasttobequiet;“Igo.”
Thechiefwasasgoodashisword,andDuncannowfoundhimselfaloneinthatwildanddesolateabodewiththehelplessinvalidandthefierceanddangerousbrute.
ThelatterlistenedtothemovementsoftheIndianwiththatairofsagacitythatabearisknowntopossess,untilanotherechoannouncedthathehadalsoleftthecavern,whenitturnedandcamewaddlinguptoDuncanbeforewhomitseateditselfinitsnaturalattitude,erectlikeaman.
Theyouthlookedanxiouslyabouthimforsomeweapon,withwhichhemightmakearesistanceagainsttheattackhenowseriouslyexpected.
Itseemed,however,asifthehumoroftheanimalhadsuddenlychanged.
Insteadofcontinuingitsdiscontentedgrowls,ormanifestinganyfurthersignsofanger,thewholeofitsshaggybodyshookviolently,asifagitatedbysomestrangeinternalconvulsion.
Thehugeandunwieldytalonspawedstupidlyaboutthegrinningmuzzle,andwhileHeywardkepthiseyesrivetedonitsmovementswithjealouswatchfulness,thegrimheadfellononesideandinitsplaceappearedthehoneststurdycountenanceofthescout,whowasindulgingfromthebottomofhissoulinhisownpeculiarexpressionofmerriment.
“Hist!”saidthewarywoodsman,interruptingHeyward’sexclamationofsurprise;“thevarletsareabouttheplace,andanysoundsthatarenotnaturaltowitchcraftwouldbringthembackuponusinabody.”
“Tellmethemeaningofthismasquerade;andwhyyouhaveattemptedsodesperateanadventure?”
“Ah,reasonandcalculationareoftenoutdonebyaccident,”returnedthescout.
“But,asastoryshouldalwayscommenceatthebeginning,Iwilltellyouthewholeinorder.
AfterwepartedIplacedthecommandantandtheSagamoreinanoldbeaverlodge,wheretheyaresaferfromtheHuronsthantheywouldbeinthegarrisonofEdwardforyourhighnorth–westIndians,nothavingasyetgotthetradersamongthem,continuedtoveneratethebeaver.
AfterwhichUncasandIpushedfortheotherencampmentaswasagreed.Haveyouseenthelad?”
“Tomygreatgrief!Heiscaptive,andcondemnedtodieattherisingofthesun.”
“Ihadmisgivingsthatsuchwouldbehisfate,”resumedthescout,inalessconfidentandjoyoustone.
Butsoonregaininghisnaturallyfirmvoice,hecontinued:“Hisbadfortuneisthetruereasonofmybeinghere,foritwouldneverdotoabandonsuchaboytotheHurons.
Araretimetheknaveswouldhaveofit,couldtheytie‘TheBoundingElk’and‘TheLongCarabine’,astheycallme,tothesamestake!
ThoughwhytheyhavegivenmesuchanameIneverknew,therebeingaslittlelikenessbetweenthegiftsof‘killdeer’andtheperformanceofoneofyourrealCanadacarabynes,asthereisbetweenthenatur’ofapipe–stoneandaflint.”
“Keeptoyourtale,”saidtheimpatientHeyward;“weknownotatwhatmomenttheHuronsmayreturn.”
“Nofearofthem.Aconjurermusthavehistime,likeastragglingpriestinthesettlements.
Weareassafefrominterruptionasamissionarywouldbeatthebeginningofatwohours’discourse.
Well,UncasandIfellinwithareturnpartyofthevarlets;theladwasmuchtooforwardforascout;nay,forthatmatter,beingofhotblood,hewasnotsomuchtoblame;and,afterall,oneoftheHuronsprovedacoward,andinfleeingledhimintoanambushment.”
“Anddearlyhashepaidfortheweakness.”
Thescoutsignificantlypassedhishandacrosshisownthroat,andnodded,asifhesaid,“Icomprehendyourmeaning.”
Afterwhichhecontinued,inamoreaudiblethoughscarcelymoreintelligiblelanguage:
“AfterthelossoftheboyIturnedupontheHurons,asyoumayjudge.
Therehavebeenscrimmagesatweenoneortwooftheiroutlyersandmyself;butthatisneitherherenorthere.
So,afterIhadshottheimps,Igotinprettynightothelodgeswithoutfurthercommotion.
Thenwhatshouldluckdoinmyfavorbutleadmetotheveryspotwhereoneofthemostfamousconjurersofthetribewasdressinghimself,asIwellknew,forsomegreatbattlewithSatan––thoughwhyshouldIcallthatluck,whichitnowseemswasanespecialorderingofProvidence.
Soajudgmaticalrapovertheheadstiffenedthelyingimpostorforatime,andleavinghimabitofwalnutforhissupper,topreventanuproar,andstringinghimupatweentwosaplings,Imadefreewithhisfinery,andtookthepartofthebearonmyself,inorderthattheoperationsmightproceed.”
“Andadmirablydidyouenactthecharacter;theanimalitselfmighthavebeenshamedbytherepresentation.”
“Lord,major,”returnedtheflatteredwoodsman,“Ishouldbebutapoorscholarforonewhohasstudiedsolonginthewilderness,didInotknowhowtosetforththemovementsofnatur’ofsuchabeast.
Haditbeennowacatamount,orevenafull–sizepanther,Iwouldhaveembellishedaperformanceforyouworthregarding.
Butitisnosuchmarvelousfeattoexhibitthefeatsofsodullabeast;though,forthatmatter,too,abearmaybeoveracted.
Yes,yes;itisnoteveryimitatorthatknowsnatur’maybeoutdoneeasierthansheisequaled.Butallourworkisyetbeforeus.Whereisthegentleone?”
“Heavenknows.Ihaveexaminedeverylodgeinthevillage,withoutdiscoveringtheslightesttraceofherpresenceinthetribe.”
“Youheardwhatthesingersaid,asheleftus:‘Sheisathand,andexpectsyou’?”
“Ihavebeencompelledtobelievehealludedtothisunhappywoman.”
“Thesimpletonwasfrightened,andblunderedthroughhismessage;buthehadadeepermeaning.
Herearewallsenoughtoseparatetheholesettlement.
Abearoughttoclimb;thereforewillItakealookabovethem.
Theremaybehoney–potshidintheserocks,andIamabeast,youknow,thathasahankeringforthesweets.”
Thescoutlookedbehindhim,laughingathisownconceit,whileheclamberedupthepartition,imitating,ashewent,theclumsymotionsofthebeastherepresented;buttheinstantthesummitwasgainedhemadeagestureforsilence,andsliddownwiththeutmostprecipitation.
“Sheishere,”hewhispered,“andbythatdooryouwillfindher.
Iwouldhavespokenawordofcomforttotheafflictedsoul;butthesightofsuchamonstermightupsetherreason.
Thoughforthatmatter,major,youarenoneofthemostinvitingyourselfinyourpaint.”
Duncan,whohadalreadyswungeagerlyforward,drewinstantlybackonhearingthesediscouragingwords.
“AmI,then,soveryrevolting?”hedemanded,withanairofchagrin.
“Youmightnotstartleawolf,orturntheRoyalAmericansfromadischarge;butIhaveseenthetimewhenyouhadabetterfavoredlook;yourstreakedcountenancesarenotill–judgedofbythesquaws,butyoungwomenofwhitebloodgivethepreferencetotheirowncolor.
See,”headded,pointingtoaplacewherethewatertrickledfromarock,formingalittlecrystalspring,beforeitfoundanissuethroughtheadjacentcrevices;“youmayeasilygetridoftheSagamore’sdaub,andwhenyoucomebackIwilltrymyhandatanewembellishment.
It’sascommonforaconjurertoalterhispaintasforabuckinthesettlementstochangehisfinery.”
Thedeliberatewoodsmanhadlittleoccasiontohuntforargumentstoenforcehisadvice.
HewasyetspeakingwhenDuncanavailedhimselfofthewater.
Inamomenteveryfrightfuloroffensivemarkwasobliterated,andtheyouthappearedagaininthelineamentswithwhichhehadbeengiftedbynature.
Thuspreparedforaninterviewwithhismistress,hetookahastyleaveofhiscompanion,anddisappearedthroughtheindicatedpassage.
Thescoutwitnessedhisdeparturewithcomplacency,noddinghisheadafterhim,andmutteringhisgoodwishes;afterwhichheverycoollysetaboutanexaminationofthestateofthelarder,amongtheHurons,thecavern,amongotherpurposes,beingusedasareceptacleforthefruitsoftheirhunts.
Duncanhadnootherguidethanadistantglimmeringlight,whichserved,however,theofficeofapolarstartothelover.
Byitsaidhewasenabledtoenterthehavenofhishopes,whichwasmerelyanotherapartmentofthecavern,thathadbeensolelyappropriatedtothesafekeepingofsoimportantaprisonerasadaughterofthecommandantofWilliamHenry.
Itwasprofuselystrewedwiththeplunderofthatunluckyfortress.
Inthemidstofthisconfusionhefoundherhesought,pale,anxiousandterrified,butlovely.
Davidhadpreparedherforsuchavisit.
“Duncan!”sheexclaimed,inavoicethatseemedtotrembleatthesoundscreatedbyitself.
“Alice!”heanswered,leapingcarelesslyamongtrunks,boxes,arms,andfurniture,untilhestoodatherside.
“Iknewthatyouwouldneverdesertme,”shesaid,lookingupwithamomentaryglowonherotherwisedejectedcountenance.“Butyouarealone!
Gratefulasitistobethusremembered,Icouldwishtothinkyouarenotentirelyalone.”
Duncan,observingthatshetrembledinamannerwhichbetrayedherinabilitytostand,gentlyinducedhertobeseated,whileherecountedthoseleadingincidentswhichithasbeenourtasktoaccord.
Alicelistenedwithbreathlessinterest;andthoughtheyoungmantouchedlightlyonthesorrowsofthestrickenfather;takingcare,however,nottowoundtheself–loveofhisauditor,thetearsranasfreelydownthecheeksofthedaughterasthoughshehadneverweptbefore.
ThesoothingtendernessofDuncan,however,soonquietedthefirstburstofheremotions,andshethenheardhimtotheclosewithundividedattention,ifnotwithcomposure.
“Andnow,Alice,”headded,“youwillseehowmuchisstillexpectedofyou.
Bytheassistanceofourexperiencedandinvaluablefriend,thescout,wemayfindourwayfromthissavagepeople,butyouwillhavetoexertyourutmostfortitude.
Rememberthatyouflytothearmsofyourvenerableparent,andhowmuchhishappiness,aswellasyourown,dependsonthoseexertions.”
“CanIdootherwiseforafatherwhohasdonesomuchforme?”
“Andforme,too,”continuedtheyouth,gentlypressingthehandheheldinbothhisown.
ThelookofinnocenceandsurprisewhichhereceivedinreturnconvincedDuncanofthenecessityofbeingmoreexplicit.
“Thisisneithertheplacenortheoccasiontodetainyouwithselfishwishes,”headded;“butwhatheartloadedlikeminewouldnotwishtocastitsburden?
Theysaymiseryistheclosestofallties;ourcommonsufferinginyourbehalfleftbutlittletobeexplainedbetweenyourfatherandmyself.”
“And,dearestCora,Duncan;surelyCorawasnotforgotten?”
“Notforgotten!no;regretted,aswomanwasseldommournedbefore.
Yourvenerablefatherknewnodifferencebetweenhischildren;butI––Alice,youwillnotbeoffendedwhenIsay,thattomeherworthwasinadegreeobscured––”
“Thenyouknewnotthemeritofmysister,”saidAlice,withdrawingherhand;“ofyousheeverspeaksasofonewhoisherdearestfriend.”
“Iwouldgladlybelievehersuch,”returnedDuncan,hastily;“Icouldwishhertobeevenmore;butwithyou,Alice,Ihavethepermissionofyourfathertoaspiretoastillneareranddearertie.”
Alicetrembledviolently,andtherewasaninstantduringwhichshebentherfaceaside,yieldingtotheemotionscommontohersex;buttheyquicklypassedaway,leavinghermistressofherdeportment,ifnotofheraffections.
“Heyward,”shesaid,lookinghimfullinthefacewithatouchingexpressionofinnocenceanddependency,“givemethesacredpresenceandtheholysanctionofthatparentbeforeyouurgemefurther.”
“ThoughmoreIshouldnot,lessIcouldnotsay,”theyouthwasabouttoanswer,whenhewasinterruptedbyalighttaponhisshoulder.
Startingtohisfeet,heturned,and,confrontingtheintruder,hislooksfellonthedarkformandmalignantvisageofMagua.
Thedeepgutturallaughofthesavagesounded,atsuchamoment,toDuncan,likethehellishtauntofademon.
Hadhepursuedthesuddenandfierceimpulseoftheinstant,hewouldhavecasthimselfontheHuron,andcommittedtheirfortunestotheissueofadeadlystruggle.
But,withoutarmsofanydescription,ignorantofwhatsuccorhissubtleenemycouldcommand,andchargedwiththesafetyofonewhowasjustthendearerthanevertohisheart,henosoonerentertainedthanheabandonedthedesperateintention.
“Whatisyourpurpose?”saidAlice,meeklyfoldingherarmsonherbosom,andstrugglingtoconcealanagonyofapprehensioninbehalfofHeyward,intheusualcoldanddistantmannerwithwhichshereceivedthevisitsofhercaptor.
TheexultingIndianhadresumedhisausterecountenance,thoughhedrewwarilybackbeforethemenacingglanceoftheyoungman’sfieryeye.
Heregardedbothhiscaptivesforamomentwithasteadylook,andthen,steppingaside,hedroppedalogofwoodacrossadoordifferentfromthatbywhichDuncanhadentered.
Thelatternowcomprehendedthemannerofhissurprise,and,believinghimselfirretrievablylost,hedrewAlicetohisbosom,andstoodpreparedtomeetafatewhichhehardlyregretted,sinceitwastobesufferedinsuchcompany.
ButMaguameditatednoimmediateviolence.
Hisfirstmeasureswereveryevidentlytakentosecurehisnewcaptive;nordidheevenbestowasecondglanceatthemotionlessformsinthecenterofthecavern,untilhehadcompletelycutoffeveryhopeofretreatthroughtheprivateoutlethehadhimselfused.
HewaswatchedinallhismovementsbyHeyward,who,however,remainedfirm,stillfoldingthefragileformofAlicetohisheart,atoncetooproudandtoohopelesstoaskfavorofanenemysooftenfoiled.
WhenMaguahadeffectedhisobjectheapproachedhisprisoners,andsaidinEnglish:
“Thepalefacestrapthecunningbeavers;butthered–skinsknowhowtotaketheYengeese.”
“Huron,doyourworst!”exclaimedtheexcitedHeyward,forgetfulthatadoublestakewasinvolvedinhislife;“youandyourvengeancearealikedespised.”
“Willthewhitemanspeakthesewordsatthestake?”askedMagua;manifesting,atthesametime,howlittlefaithhehadintheother’sresolutionbythesneerthataccompaniedhiswords.
“Here;singlytoyourface,orinthepresenceofyournation.”
“LeRenardSubtilisagreatchief!”returnedtheIndian;“hewillgoandbringhisyoungmen,toseehowbravelyapalefacecanlaughattortures.”
Heturnedawaywhilespeaking,andwasabouttoleavetheplacethroughtheavenuebywhichDuncanhadapproached,whenagrowlcaughthisear,andcausedhimtohesitate.
Thefigureofthebearappearedinthedoor,whereitsat,rollingfromsidetosideinitscustomaryrestlessness.
Magua,likethefatherofthesickwoman,eyeditkeenlyforamoment,asiftoascertainitscharacter.
Hewasfarabovethemorevulgarsuperstitionsofhistribe,andsosoonasherecognizedthewell–knownattireoftheconjurer,hepreparedtopassitincoolcontempt.
Butalouderandmorethreateninggrowlcausedhimagaintopause.
Thenheseemedasifsuddenlyresolvedtotriflenolonger,andmovedresolutelyforward.
Themimicanimal,whichhadadvancedalittle,retiredslowlyinhisfront,untilitarrivedagainatthepass,when,rearingonhishinderlegs,itbeattheairwithitspaws,inthemannerpractisedbyitsbrutalprototype.
“Fool!”exclaimedthechief,inHuron,“goplaywiththechildrenandsquaws;leavementotheirwisdom.”
Heoncemoreendeavoredtopassthesupposedempiric,scorningeventheparadeofthreateningtousetheknife,ortomahawk,thatwaspendentfromhisbelt.
Suddenlythebeastextendeditsarms,orratherlegs,andinclosedhiminagraspthatmighthaveviedwiththefar–famedpowerofthe“bear’shug”itself.
Heywardhadwatchedthewholeprocedure,onthepartofHawkeye,withbreathlessinterest.
AtfirstherelinquishedhisholdofAlice;thenhecaughtupathongofbuckskin,whichhadbeenusedaroundsomebundle,andwhenhebeheldhisenemywithhistwoarmspinnedtohissidebytheironmusclesofthescout,herusheduponhim,andeffectuallysecuredthemthere.
Arms,legs,andfeetwereencircledintwentyfoldsofthethong,inlesstimethanwehavetakentorecordthecircumstance.
WhentheformidableHuronwascompletelypinioned,thescoutreleasedhishold,andDuncanlaidhisenemyonhisback,utterlyhelpless.
Throughoutthewholeofthissuddenandextraordinaryoperation,Magua,thoughhehadstruggledviolently,untilassuredhewasinthehandsofonewhosenerveswerefarbetterstrungthanhisown,hadnotutteredtheslightestexclamation.
ButwhenHawkeye,bywayofmakingasummaryexplanationofhisconduct,removedtheshaggyjawsofthebeast,andexposedhisownruggedandearnestcountenancetothegazeoftheHuron,thephilosophyofthelatterwassofarmasteredastopermithimtouttertheneverfailing:
“Hugh!”
“Ay,you’vefoundyourtongue,”saidhisundisturbedconqueror;“now,inorderthatyoushallnotuseittoourruin,Imustmakefreetostopyourmouth.”
Astherewasnotimetobelost,thescoutimmediatelysetabouteffectingsonecessaryaprecaution;andwhenhehadgaggedtheIndian,hisenemymightsafelyhavebeenconsideredas“horsdecombat.”
“Bywhatplacedidtheimpenter?”askedtheindustriousscout,whenhisworkwasended.“Notasoulhaspassedmywaysinceyouleftme.”
DuncanpointedoutthedoorbywhichMaguahadcome,andwhichnowpresentedtoomanyobstaclestoaquickretreat.
“Bringonthegentleone,then,”continuedhisfriend;“wemustmakeapushforthewoodsbytheotheroutlet.”
”’Tisimpossible!”saidDuncan;“fearhasovercomeher,andsheishelpless.Alice!
mysweet,myownAlice,arouseyourself;nowisthemomenttofly.‘Tisinvain!shehears,butisunabletofollow.
Go,nobleandworthyfriend;saveyourself,andleavemetomyfate.”
“Everytrailhasitsend,andeverycalamitybringsitslesson!”returnedthescout.“There,wrapherinthemIndiancloths.Concealallofherlittleform.
Nay,thatfoothasnofellowinthewilderness;itwillbetrayher.All,everypart.Nowtakeherinyourarms,andfollow.Leavetheresttome.”
Duncan,asmaybegatheredfromthewordsofhiscompanion,waseagerlyobeying;and,astheotherfinishedspeaking,hetookthelightpersonofAliceinhisarms,andfollowedinthefootstepsofthescout.
Theyfoundthesickwomanastheyhadlefther,stillalone,andpassedswiftlyon,bythenaturalgallery,totheplaceofentrance.
Astheyapproachedthelittledoorofbark,amurmurofvoiceswithoutannouncedthatthefriendsandrelativesoftheinvalidweregatheredabouttheplace,patientlyawaitingasummonstore–enter.
“IfIopenmylipstospeak,”Hawkeyewhispered,“myEnglish,whichisthegenuinetongueofawhite–skin,willtellthevarletsthatanenemyisamongthem.
Youmustgive‘emyourjargon,major;andsaythatwehaveshuttheevilspiritinthecave,andaretakingthewomantothewoodsinordertofindstrengtheningroots.
Practiseallyourcunning,foritisalawfulundertaking.”
Thedooropenedalittle,asifonewithoutwaslisteningtotheproceedingswithin,andcompelledthescouttoceasehisdirections.
Afiercegrowlrepelledtheeavesdropper,andthenthescoutboldlythrewopenthecoveringofbark,andlefttheplace,enactingthecharacterofabearasheproceeded.
Duncankeptcloseathisheels,andsoonfoundhimselfinthecenterofaclusteroftwentyanxiousrelativesandfriends.
Thecrowdfellbackalittle,andpermittedthefather,andonewhoappearedtobethehusbandofthewoman,toapproach.
“Hasmybrotherdrivenawaytheevilspirit?”demandedtheformer.“Whathasheinhisarms?”
“Thychild,”returnedDuncan,gravely;“thediseasehasgoneoutofher;itisshutupintherocks.
Itakethewomantoadistance,whereIwillstrengthenheragainstanyfurtherattacks.
Shewillbeinthewigwamoftheyoungmanwhenthesuncomesagain.”
Whenthefatherhadtranslatedthemeaningofthestranger’swordsintotheHuronlanguage,asuppressedmurmurannouncedthesatisfactionwithwhichthisintelligencewasreceived.
ThechiefhimselfwavedhishandforDuncantoproceed,sayingaloud,inafirmvoice,andwithaloftymanner:
“Go;Iamaman,andIwillentertherockandfightthewickedone.”
Heywardhadgladlyobeyed,andwasalreadypastthelittlegroup,whenthesestartlingwordsarrestedhim.
“Ismybrothermad?”heexclaimed;“ishecruel?
Hewillmeetthedisease,anditwillenterhim;orhewilldriveoutthedisease,anditwillchasehisdaughterintothewoods.
No;letmychildrenwaitwithout,andifthespiritappearsbeathimdownwithclubs.
Heiscunning,andwillburyhimselfinthemountain,whenheseeshowmanyarereadytofighthim.”
Thissingularwarninghadthedesiredeffect.
Insteadofenteringthecavern,thefatherandhusbanddrewtheirtomahawks,andpostedthemselvesinreadinesstodealtheirvengeanceontheimaginarytormentoroftheirsickrelative,whilethewomenandchildrenbrokebranchesfromthebushes,orseizedfragmentsoftherock,withasimilarintention.
Atthisfavorablemomentthecounterfeitconjurersdisappeared.
Hawkeye,atthesametimethathehadpresumedsofaronthenatureoftheIndiansuperstitions,wasnotignorantthattheywererathertoleratedthanreliedonbythewisestofthechiefs.
Hewellknewthevalueoftimeinthepresentemergency.
Whatevermightbetheextentoftheself–delusionofhisenemies,andhoweverithadtendedtoassisthisschemes,theslightestcauseofsuspicion,actingonthesubtlenatureofanIndian,wouldbelikelytoprovefatal.
Takingthepath,therefore,thatwasmostlikelytoavoidobservation,heratherskirtedthanenteredthevillage.
Thewarriorswerestilltobeseeninthedistance,bythefadinglightofthefires,stalkingfromlodgetolodge.
Butthechildrenhadabandonedtheirsportsfortheirbedsofskins,andthequietofnightwasalreadybeginningtoprevailovertheturbulenceandexcitementofsobusyandimportantanevening.
Alicerevivedundertherenovatinginfluenceoftheopenair,and,asherphysicalratherthanhermentalpowershadbeenthesubjectofweakness,shestoodinnoneedofanyexplanationofthatwhichhadoccurred.
“Nowletmemakeanefforttowalk,”shesaid,whentheyhadenteredtheforest,blushing,thoughunseen,thatshehadnotbeensoonerabletoquitthearmsofDuncan;“Iamindeedrestored.”
“Nay,Alice,youareyettooweak.”
Themaidenstruggledgentlytoreleaseherself,andHeywardwascompelledtopartwithhispreciousburden.
Therepresentativeofthebearhadcertainlybeenanentirestrangertothedeliciousemotionsoftheloverwhilehisarmsencircledhismistress;andhewas,perhaps,astrangeralsotothenatureofthatfeelingofingenuousshamethatoppressedthetremblingAlice.
Butwhenhefoundhimselfatasuitabledistancefromthelodgeshemadeahalt,andspokeonasubjectofwhichhewasthoroughlythemaster.
“Thispathwillleadyoutothebrook,”hesaid;“followitsnorthernbankuntilyoucometoafall;mountthehillonyourright,andyouwillseethefiresoftheotherpeople.
Thereyoumustgoanddemandprotection;iftheyaretrueDelawaresyouwillbesafe.
Adistantflightwiththatgentleone,justnow,isimpossible.
TheHuronswouldfollowupourtrail,andmasterourscalpsbeforewehadgotadozenmiles.Go,andProvidencebewithyou.”
“Andyou!”demandedHeyward,insurprise;“surelywepartnothere?”
“TheHuronsholdtheprideoftheDelawares;thelastofthehighbloodoftheMohicansisintheirpower,”returnedthescout;“Igotoseewhatcanbedoneinhisfavor.
Hadtheymasteredyourscalp,major,aknaveshouldhavefallenforeveryhairitheld,asIpromised;butiftheyoungSagamoreistobeledtothestake,theIndiansshallseealsohowamanwithoutacrosscandie.”
Notintheleastoffendedwiththedecidedpreferencethatthesturdywoodsmangavetoonewhomight,insomedegree,becalledthechildofhisadoption,Duncanstillcontinuedtourgesuchreasonsagainstsodesperateaneffortaspresentedthemselves.
HewasaidedbyAlice,whomingledherentreatieswiththoseofHeywardthathewouldabandonaresolutionthatpromisedsomuchdanger,withsolittlehopeofsuccess.
Theireloquenceandingenuitywereexpendedinvain.
Thescoutheardthemattentively,butimpatiently,andfinallyclosedthediscussion,byanswering,inatonethatinstantlysilencedAlice,whileittoldHeywardhowfruitlessanyfurtherremonstranceswouldbe.
“Ihaveheard,”hesaid,“thatthereisafeelinginyouthwhichbindsmantowomancloserthanthefatheristiedtotheson.Itmaybeso.
Ihaveseldombeenwherewomenofmycolordwell;butsuchmaybethegiftsofnatureinthesettlements.
Youhaveriskedlife,andallthatisdeartoyou,tobringoffthisgentleone,andIsupposethatsomesuchdispositionisatthebottomofitall.
Asforme,Itaughttheladtherealcharacterofarifle;andwellhashepaidmeforit.
Ihavefou’tathissideinmanyabloodyscrimmage;andsolongasIcouldhearthecrackofhispieceinoneear,andthatoftheSagamoreintheother,Iknewnoenemywasonmyback.
Wintersandsummer,nightsanddays,havewerovedthewildernessincompany,eatingofthesamedish,onesleepingwhiletheotherwatched;andaforeitshallbesaidthatUncaswastakentothetorment,andIathand––ThereisbutasingleRulerofusall,whatevermaythecoloroftheskin;andHimIcalltowitness,thatbeforetheMohicanboyshallperishforthewantofafriend,goodfaithshalldepartthe‘arth,and‘killdeer’becomeasharmlessasthetootingwe’ponofthesinger!”
Duncanreleasedhisholdonthearmofthescout,whoturned,andsteadilyretracedhisstepstowardthelodges.
Afterpausingamomenttogazeathisretiringform,thesuccessfulandyetsorrowfulHeywardandAlicetooktheirwaytogethertowardthedistantvillageoftheDelawares.
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