English
Theassemblyseated,risingo’ertherest,Achillesthusthekingofmenaddressed.
—Pope’sIlliad
Corastoodforemostamongtheprisoners,entwiningherarmsinthoseofAlice,inthetendernessofsisterlylove.
Notwithstandingthefearfulandmenacingarrayofsavagesoneverysideofher,noapprehensiononherownaccountcouldpreventthenobler–mindedmaidenfromkeepinghereyesfastenedonthepaleandanxiousfeaturesofthetremblingAlice.
CloseattheirsidestoodHeyward,withaninterestinboth,that,atsuchamomentofintenseuncertainty,scarcelyknewapreponderanceinfavorofherwhomhemostloved.
Hawkeyehadplacedhimselfalittleintherear,withadeferencetothesuperiorrankofhiscompanions,thatnosimilarityinthestateoftheirpresentfortunescouldinducehimtoforget.Uncaswasnotthere.
Whenperfectsilencewasagainrestored,andaftertheusuallong,impressivepause,oneofthetwoagedchiefswhosatatthesideofthepatriarcharose,anddemandedaloud,inveryintelligibleEnglish:
“WhichofmyprisonersisLaLongueCarabine?”
NeitherDuncannorthescoutanswered.Theformer,however,glancedhiseyesaroundthedarkandsilentassembly,andrecoiledapace,whentheyfellonthemalignantvisageofMagua.
Hesaw,atonce,thatthiswilysavagehadsomesecretagencyintheirpresentarraignmentbeforethenation,anddeterminedtothroweverypossibleimpedimentinthewayoftheexecutionofhissinisterplans.
HehadwitnessedoneinstanceofthesummarypunishmentsoftheIndians,andnowdreadedthathiscompanionwastobeselectedforasecond.
Inthisdilemma,withlittleornotimeforreflection,hesuddenlydeterminedtocloakhisinvaluablefriend,atanyoreveryhazardtohimself.
Beforehehadtime,however,tospeak,thequestionwasrepeatedinaloudervoice,andwithaclearerutterance.
“Giveusarms,”theyoungmanhaughtilyreplied,“andplaceusinyonderwoods.Ourdeedsshallspeakforus!”
“Thisisthewarriorwhosenamehasfilledourears!”
returnedthechief,regardingHeywardwiththatsortofcuriousinterestwhichseemsinseparablefromman,whenfirstbeholdingoneofhisfellowstowhommeritoraccident,virtueorcrime,hasgivennotoriety.
“WhathasbroughtthewhitemanintothecampoftheDelawares?”
“Mynecessities.Icomeforfood,shelter,andfriends.”
“Itcannotbe.Thewoodsarefullofgame.
Theheadofawarriorneedsnoothershelterthanaskywithoutclouds;andtheDelawaresaretheenemies,andnotthefriendsoftheYengeese.
Go,themouthhasspoken,whiletheheartsaidnothing.”
Duncan,alittleatalossinwhatmannertoproceed,remainedsilent;butthescout,whohadlistenedattentivelytoallthatpassed,nowadvancedsteadilytothefront.
“ThatIdidnotanswertothecallforLaLongueCarabine,wasnotowingeithertoshameorfear,”hesaid,“forneitheronenortheotheristhegiftofanhonestman.
ButIdonotadmittherightoftheMingoestobestowanameononewhosefriendshavebeenmindfulofhisgifts,inthisparticular;especiallyastheirtitleisalie,‘killdeer’beingagroovedbarrelandnocarabyne.
Iamtheman,however,thatgotthenameofNathanielfrommykin;thecomplimentofHawkeyefromtheDelawares,wholiveontheirownriver;andwhomtheIroquoishavepresumedtostylethe‘LongRifle’,withoutanywarrantyfromhimwhoismostconcernedinthematter.”
Theeyesofallpresent,whichhadhithertobeengravelyscanningthepersonofDuncan,werenowturned,ontheinstant,towardtheuprightironframeofthisnewpretendertothedistinguishedappellation.
Itwasinnodegreeremarkablethatthereshouldbefoundtwowhowerewillingtoclaimsogreatanhonor,forimpostors,thoughrare,werenotunknownamongthenatives;butitwasaltogethermaterialtothejustandsevereintentionsoftheDelawares,thatthereshouldbenomistakeinthematter.
Someoftheiroldmenconsultedtogetherinprivate,andthen,asitwouldseem,theydeterminedtointerrogatetheirvisitoronthesubject.
“Mybrotherhassaidthatasnakecreptintomycamp,”saidthechieftoMagua;“whichishe?”
TheHuronpointedtothescout.
“WillawiseDelawarebelievethebarkingofawolf?”
exclaimedDuncan,stillmoreconfirmedintheevilintentionsofhisancientenemy:”adogneverlies,butwhenwasawolfknowntospeakthetruth?”
TheeyesofMaguaflashedfire;butsuddenlyrecollectingthenecessityofmaintaininghispresenceofmind,heturnedawayinsilentdisdain,wellassuredthatthesagacityoftheIndianswouldnotfailtoextracttherealmeritsofthepointincontroversy.
Hewasnotdeceived;for,afteranothershortconsultation,thewaryDelawareturnedtohimagain,andexpressedthedeterminationofthechiefs,thoughinthemostconsideratelanguage.
“Mybrotherhasbeencalledaliar,”hesaid,“andhisfriendsareangry.Theywillshowthathehasspokenthetruth.Givemyprisonersguns,andletthemprovewhichistheman.”
Maguaaffectedtoconsidertheexpedient,whichhewellknewproceededfromdistrustofhimself,asacompliment,andmadeagestureofacquiescence,wellcontentthathisveracityshouldbesupportedbysoskillfulamarksmanasthescout.
Theweaponswereinstantlyplacedinthehandsofthefriendlyopponents,andtheywerebidtofire,overtheheadsoftheseatedmultitude,atanearthenvessel,whichlay,byaccident,onastump,somefiftyyardsfromtheplacewheretheystood.
Heywardsmiledtohimselfattheideaofacompetitionwiththescout,thoughhedeterminedtopersevereinthedeception,untilapprisedoftherealdesignsofMagua.
Raisinghisriflewiththeutmostcare,andrenewinghisaimthreeseveraltimes,hefired.
Thebulletcutthewoodwithinafewinchesofthevessel;andageneralexclamationofsatisfactionannouncedthattheshotwasconsideredaproofofgreatskillintheuseofaweapon.
EvenHawkeyenoddedhishead,asifhewouldsay,itwasbetterthanheexpected.
But,insteadofmanifestinganintentiontocontendwiththesuccessfulmarksman,hestoodleaningonhisrifleformorethanaminute,likeamanwhowascompletelyburiedinthought.
Fromthisreverie,hewas,however,awakenedbyoneoftheyoungIndianswhohadfurnishedthearms,andwhonowtouchedhisshoulder,sayinginexceedinglybrokenEnglish:
“Canthepalefacebeatit?”
“Yes,Huron!”exclaimedthescout,raisingtheshortrifleinhisrighthand,andshakingitatMagua,withasmuchapparenteaseasifitwereareed;“yes,Huron,Icouldstrikeyounow,andnopoweronearthcouldpreventthedeed!
ThesoaringhawkisnotmorecertainofthedovethanIamthismomentofyou,didIchoosetosendabullettoyourheart!WhyshouldInot?Why!
––becausethegiftsofmycolorforbidit,andImightdrawdownevilontenderandinnocentheads.
IfyouknowsuchabeingasGod,thankHim,therefore,inyourinwardsoul;foryouhavereason!”
Theflushedcountenance,angryeyeandswellingfigureofthescout,producedasensationofsecretaweinallthatheardhim.
TheDelawaresheldtheirbreathinexpectation;butMaguahimself,evenwhilehedistrustedtheforbearanceofhisenemy,remainedimmovableandcalm,wherehestoodwedgedinbythecrowd,asonewhogrewtothespot.
“Beatit,”repeatedtheyoungDelawareattheelbowofthescout.
“Beatwhat,fool!––what?”exclaimedHawkeye,stillflourishingtheweaponangrilyabovehishead,thoughhiseyenolongersoughtthepersonofMagua.
“Ifthewhitemanisthewarriorhepretends,”saidtheagedchief,“lethimstrikenighertothemark.”
Thescoutlaughedaloud––anoisethatproducedthestartlingeffectofanunnaturalsoundonHeyward;thendroppingthepiece,heavily,intohisextendedlefthand,itwasdischarged,apparentlybytheshock,drivingthefragmentsofthevesselintotheair,andscatteringthemoneveryside.
Almostatthesameinstant,therattlingsoundoftheriflewasheard,ashesufferedittofall,contemptuously,totheearth.
Thefirstimpressionofsostrangeascenewasengrossingadmiration.
Thenalow,butincreasingmurmur,ranthroughthemultitude,andfinallyswelledintosoundsthatdenotedalivelyoppositioninthesentimentsofthespectators.
Whilesomeopenlytestifiedtheirsatisfactionatsounexampleddexterity,byfarthelargerportionofthetribewereinclinedtobelievethesuccessoftheshotwastheresultofaccident.
Heywardwasnotslowtoconfirmanopinionthatwassofavorabletohisownpretensions.
“Itwaschance!”heexclaimed;“nonecanshootwithoutanaim!”
“Chance!”echoedtheexcitedwoodsman,whowasnowstubbornlybentonmaintaininghisidentityateveryhazard,andonwhomthesecrethintsofHeywardtoacquiesceinthedeceptionwereentirelylost.
“DoesyonderlyingHuron,too,thinkitchance?
Givehimanothergun,andplaceusfacetoface,withoutcoverordodge,andletProvidence,andourowneyes,decidethematteratweenus!
Idonotmaketheoffer,toyou,major;forourbloodisofacolor,andweservethesamemaster.”
“ThattheHuronisaliar,isveryevident,”returnedHeyward,coolly;“youhaveyourselfheardhimassetyoutobeLaLongueCarabine.”
ItwereimpossibletosaywhatviolentassertionthestubbornHawkeyewouldhavenextmade,inhisheadlongwishtovindicatehisidentity,hadnottheagedDelawareoncemoreinterposed.
“Thehawkwhichcomesfromthecloudscanreturnwhenhewill,”hesaid;“givethemtheguns.”
Thistimethescoutseizedtheriflewithavidity;norhadMagua,thoughhewatchedthemovementsofthemarksmanwithjealouseyes,anyfurthercauseforapprehension.
“Nowletitbeproved,inthefaceofthistribeofDelawares,whichisthebetterman,”criedthescout,tappingthebuttofhispiecewiththatfingerwhichhadpulledsomanyfataltriggers.
“Youseethatgourdhangingagainstyondertree,major;ifyouareamarksmanfitfortheborders,letmeseeyoubreakitsshell!”
Duncannotedtheobject,andpreparedhimselftorenewthetrial.
ThegourdwasoneoftheusuallittlevesselsusedbytheIndians,anditwassuspendedfromadeadbranchofasmallpine,byathongofdeerskin,atthefulldistanceofahundredyards.
Sostrangelycompoundedisthefeelingofself–love,thattheyoungsoldier,whileheknewtheutterworthlessnessofthesuffragesofhissavageumpires,forgotthesuddenmotivesofthecontestinawishtoexcel.
Ithadbeenseen,already,thathisskillwasfarfrombeingcontemptible,andhenowresolvedtoputforthitsnicestqualities.
Hadhislifedependedontheissue,theaimofDuncancouldnothavebeenmoredeliberateorguarded.
Hefired;andthreeorfouryoungIndians,whosprangforwardatthereport,announcedwithashout,thattheballwasinthetree,averylittleononesideoftheproperobject.
Thewarriorsutteredacommonejaculationofpleasure,andthenturnedtheireyes,inquiringly,onthemovementsofhisrival.
“ItmaydofortheRoyalAmericans!”saidHawkeye,laughingoncemoreinhisownsilent,heartfeltmanner;“buthadmygunoftenturnedsomuchfromthetrueline,manyamarten,whoseskinisnowinalady’smuff,wouldstillbeinthewoods;ay,andmanyabloodyMingo,whohasdepartedtohisfinalaccount,wouldbeactinghisdeviltriesatthisveryday,atweentheprovinces.
Ihopethesquawwhoownsthegourdhasmoreoftheminherwigwam,forthiswillneverholdwateragain!”
Thescouthadshookhispriming,andcockedhispiece,whilespeaking;and,asheended,hethrewbackafoot,andslowlyraisedthemuzzlefromtheearth:themotionwassteady,uniform,andinonedirection.
Whenonaperfectlevel,itremainedforasinglemoment,withouttremororvariation,asthoughbothmanandriflewerecarvedinstone.
Duringthatstationaryinstant,itpouredforthitscontents,inabright,glancingsheetofflame.
AgaintheyoungIndiansboundedforward;buttheirhurriedsearchanddisappointedlooksannouncedthatnotracesofthebulletweretobeseen.
“Go!”saidtheoldchieftothescout,inatoneofstrongdisgust;“thouartawolfintheskinofadog.Iwilltalktothe‘LongRifle’oftheYengeese.”
“Ah!hadIthatpiecewhichfurnishedthenameyouuse,Iwouldobligatemyselftocutthethong,anddropthegourdwithoutbreakingit!”
returnedHawkeye,perfectlyundisturbedbytheother’smanner.
“Fools,ifyouwouldfindthebulletofasharpshooterinthesewoods,youmustlookintheobject,andnotaroundit!”
TheIndianyouthsinstantlycomprehendedhismeaning––forthistimehespokeintheDelawaretongue––andtearingthegourdfromthetree,theyhelditonhighwithanexultingshout,displayingaholeinitsbottom,whichhadbeenbutbythebullet,afterpassingthroughtheusualorificeinthecenterofitsupperside.
Atthisunexpectedexhibition,aloudandvehementexpressionofpleasureburstfromthemouthofeverywarriorpresent.
Itdecidedthequestion,andeffectuallyestablishedHawkeyeinthepossessionofhisdangerousreputation.
ThosecuriousandadmiringeyeswhichhadbeenturnedagainonHeyward,werefinallydirectedtotheweather–beatenformofthescout,whoimmediatelybecametheprincipalobjectofattentiontothesimpleandunsophisticatedbeingsbywhomhewassurrounded.
Whenthesuddenandnoisycommotionhadalittlesubsided,theagedchiefresumedhisexamination.
“Whydidyouwishtostopmyears?”hesaid,addressingDuncan;“aretheDelawaresfoolsthattheycouldnotknowtheyoungpantherfromthecat?”
“TheywillyetfindtheHuronasinging–bird,”saidDuncan,endeavoringtoadoptthefigurativelanguageofthenatives.
“Itisgood.Wewillknowwhocanshuttheearsofmen.Brother,”addedthechiefturninghiseyesonMagua,“theDelawareslisten.”
Thussingled,anddirectlycalledontodeclarehisobject,theHuronarose;andadvancingwithgreatdeliberationanddignityintotheverycenterofthecircle,wherehestoodconfrontedbytheprisoners,heplacedhimselfinanattitudetospeak.
Beforeopeninghismouth,however,hebenthiseyesslowlyalongthewholelivingboundaryofearnestfaces,asiftotemperhisexpressionstothecapacitiesofhisaudience.
OnHawkeyehecastaglanceofrespectfulenmity;onDuncan,alookofinextinguishablehatred;theshrinkingfigureofAlicehescarcelydeignedtonotice;butwhenhisglancemetthefirm,commanding,andyetlovelyformofCora,hiseyelingeredamoment,withanexpressionthatitmighthavebeendifficulttodefine.
Then,filledwithhisowndarkintentions,hespokeinthelanguageoftheCanadas,atonguethathewellknewwascomprehendedbymostofhisauditors.
“TheSpiritthatmademencoloredthemdifferently,”commencedthesubtleHuron.
“Someareblackerthanthesluggishbear.
TheseHesaidshouldbeslaves;andHeorderedthemtoworkforever,likethebeaver.
Youmayhearthemgroan,whenthesouthwindblows,louderthanthelowingbuffaloes,alongtheshoresofthegreatsaltlake,wherethebigcanoescomeandgowiththemindroves.
SomeHemadewithfacespalerthantheermineoftheforests;andtheseHeorderedtobetraders;dogstotheirwomen,andwolvestotheirslaves.
Hegavethispeoplethenatureofthepigeon;wingsthatnevertire;young,moreplentifulthantheleavesonthetrees,andappetitestodevourtheearth.
Hegavethemtongueslikethefalsecallofthewildcat;heartslikerabbits;thecunningofthehog(butnoneofthefox),andarmslongerthanthelegsofthemoose.
WithhistonguehestopstheearsoftheIndians;hisheartteacheshimtopaywarriorstofighthisbattles;hiscunningtellshimhowtogettogetherthegoodsoftheearth;andhisarmsinclosethelandfromtheshoresofthesalt–watertotheislandsofthegreatlake.Hisgluttonymakeshimsick.
Godgavehimenough,andyethewantsall.Sucharethepalefaces.
“SometheGreatSpiritmadewithskinsbrighterandredderthanyondersun,”continuedMagua,pointingimpressivelyupwardtotheluridluminary,whichwasstrugglingthroughthemistyatmosphereofthehorizon;“andthesedidHefashiontoHisownmind.
HegavethemthisislandasHehadmadeit,coveredwithtrees,andfilledwithgame.
Thewindmadetheirclearings;thesunandrainripenedtheirfruits;andthesnowscametotellthemtobethankful.
Whatneedhadtheyofroadstojourneyby!Theysawthroughthehills!
Whenthebeaversworked,theylayintheshade,andlookedon.
Thewindscooledtheminsummer;inwinter,skinskeptthemwarm.
Iftheyfoughtamongthemselves,itwastoprovethattheyweremen.
Theywerebrave;theywerejust;theywerehappy.”
Herethespeakerpaused,andagainlookedaroundhimtodiscoverifhislegendhadtouchedthesympathiesofhislisteners.
Hemeteverywhere,witheyesrivetedonhisown,headserectandnostrilsexpanded,asifeachindividualpresentfelthimselfableandwilling,singly,toredressthewrongsofhisrace.
“IftheGreatSpiritgavedifferenttonguestohisredchildren,”hecontinued,inalow,stillmelancholyvoice,“itwasthatallanimalsmightunderstandthem.
SomeHeplacedamongthesnows,withtheircousin,thebear.
Someheplacednearthesettingsun,ontheroadtothehappyhuntinggrounds.
Someonthelandsaroundthegreatfreshwaters;buttoHisgreatest,andmostbeloved,Hegavethesandsofthesaltlake.
Domybrothersknowthenameofthisfavoredpeople?”
“ItwastheLenape!”exclaimedtwentyeagervoicesinabreath.
“ItwastheLenniLenape,”returnedMagua,affectingtobendhisheadinreverencetotheirformergreatness.“ItwasthetribesoftheLenape!
Thesunrosefromwaterthatwassalt,andsetinwaterthatwassweet,andneverhidhimselffromtheireyes.
ButwhyshouldI,aHuronofthewoods,tellawisepeopletheirowntraditions?
Whyremindthemoftheirinjuries;theirancientgreatness;theirdeeds;theirglory;theirhappiness;theirlosses;theirdefeats;theirmisery?
Istherenotoneamongthemwhohasseenitall,andwhoknowsittobetrue?Ihavedone.
Mytongueisstillformyheartisoflead.Ilisten.”
Asthevoiceofthespeakersuddenlyceased,everyfaceandalleyesturned,byacommonmovement,towardthevenerableTamenund.
Fromthemomentthathetookhisseat,untilthepresentinstant,thelipsofthepatriarchhadnotsevered,andscarcelyasignoflifehadescapedhim.
Hesatbentinfeebleness,andapparentlyunconsciousofthepresencehewasin,duringthewholeofthatopeningscene,inwhichtheskillofthescouthadbeensoclearlyestablished.
AtthenicelygraduatedsoundofMagua’svoice,however,hebetrayedsomeevidenceofconsciousness,andonceortwiceheevenraisedhishead,asiftolisten.
ButwhenthecraftyHuronspokeofhisnationbyname,theeyelidsoftheoldmanraisedthemselves,andhelookedoutuponthemultitudewiththatsortofdull,unmeaningexpressionwhichmightbesupposedtobelongtothecountenanceofaspecter.
Thenhemadeanefforttorise,andbeingupheldbyhissupporters,hegainedhisfeet,inaposturecommandingbyitsdignity,whilehetotteredwithweakness.
“WhocallsuponthechildrenoftheLenape?”
hesaid,inadeep,gutturalvoice,thatwasrenderedawfullyaudiblebythebreathlesssilenceofthemultitude;“whospeaksofthingsgone?
Doesnottheeggbecomeaworm––thewormafly,andperish?
WhytelltheDelawaresofgoodthatispast?
BetterthanktheManitouforthatwhichremains.”
“ItisaWyandot,”saidMagua,steppingnighertotherudeplatformonwhichtheotherstood;“afriendofTamenund.”
“Afriend!”repeatedthesage,onwhosebrowadarkfrownsettled,impartingaportionofthatseveritywhichhadrenderedhiseyesoterribleinmiddleage.“AretheMingoesrulersoftheearth?WhatbringsaHuroninhere?”
“Justice.Hisprisonersarewithhisbrothers,andhecomesforhisown.”
Tamenundturnedhisheadtowardoneofhissupporters,andlistenedtotheshortexplanationthemangave.
Then,facingtheapplicant,heregardedhimamomentwithdeepattention;afterwhichhesaid,inalowandreluctantvoice:
“JusticeisthelawofthegreatManitou.Mychildren,givethestrangerfood.Then,Huron,takethineownanddepart.”
Onthedeliveryofthissolemnjudgment,thepatriarchseatedhimself,andclosedhiseyesagain,asifbetterpleasedwiththeimagesofhisownripenedexperiencethanwiththevisibleobjectsoftheworld.
AgainstsuchadecreetherewasnoDelawaresufficientlyhardytomurmur,muchlessopposehimself.
Thewordswerebarelyutteredwhenfourorfiveoftheyoungerwarriors,steppingbehindHeywardandthescout,passedthongssodexterouslyandrapidlyaroundtheirarms,astoholdthembothininstantbondage.
Theformerwastoomuchengrossedwithhispreciousandnearlyinsensibleburden,tobeawareoftheirintentionsbeforetheywereexecuted;andthelatter,whoconsideredeventhehostiletribesoftheDelawaresasuperiorraceofbeings,submittedwithoutresistance.
Perhaps,however,themannerofthescoutwouldnothavebeensopassive,hadhefullycomprehendedthelanguageinwhichtheprecedingdialoguehadbeenconducted.
Maguacastalookoftriumpharoundthewholeassemblybeforeheproceededtotheexecutionofhispurpose.
Perceivingthatthemenwereunabletoofferanyresistance,heturnedhislooksonherhevaluedmost.
Coramethisgazewithaneyesocalmandfirm,thathisresolutionwavered.
Then,recollectinghisformerartifice,heraisedAlicefromthearmsofthewarrioragainstwhomsheleaned,andbeckoningHeywardtofollow,hemotionedfortheencirclingcrowdtoopen.
ButCora,insteadofobeyingtheimpulsehehadexpected,rushedtothefeetofthepatriarch,and,raisinghervoice,exclaimedaloud:
“JustandvenerableDelaware,onthywisdomandpowerweleanformercy!
Bedeaftoyonderartfulandremorselessmonster,whopoisonsthyearswithfalsehoodstofeedhisthirstforblood.
Thouthathastlivedlong,andthathastseentheeviloftheworld,shouldknowhowtotemperitscalamitiestothemiserable.”
Theeyesoftheoldmanopenedheavily,andheoncemorelookedupwardatthemultitude.
Asthepiercingtonesofthesuppliantswelledonhisears,theymovedslowlyinthedirectionofherperson,andfinallysettledthereinasteadygaze.
Corahadcastherselftoherknees;and,withhandsclenchedineachotherandpresseduponherbosom,sheremainedlikeabeauteousandbreathingmodelofhersex,lookingupinhisfadedbutmajesticcountenance,withaspeciesofholyreverence.
GraduallytheexpressionofTamenund’sfeatureschanged,andlosingtheirvacancyinadmiration,theylightedwithaportionofthatintelligencewhichacenturybeforehadbeenwonttocommunicatehisyouthfulfiretotheextensivebandsoftheDelawares.
Risingwithoutassistance,andseeminglywithoutaneffort,hedemanded,inavoicethatstartleditsauditorsbyitsfirmness:
“Whatartthou?”
“Awoman.Oneofahatedrace,itthouwilt––aYengee.Butonewhohasneverharmedthee,andwhocannotharmthypeople,ifshewould;whoasksforsuccor.”
“Tellme,mychildren,”continuedthepatriarch,hoarsely,motioningtothosearoundhim,thoughhiseyesstilldweltuponthekneelingformofCora,“wherehavetheDelawarescamped?”
“InthemountainsoftheIroquois,beyondtheclearspringsoftheHorican.”
“Manyparchingsummersarecomeandgone,”continuedthesage,“sinceIdrankofthewaterofmyownrivers.
ThechildrenofMinquonarethejustestwhitemen,buttheywerethirstyandtheytookittothemselves.Dotheyfollowussofar?”
WilliamPennwastermedMinquonbytheDelawares,and,asheneverusedviolenceorinjusticeinhisdealingswiththem,hisreputationforprobitypassedintoaproverb.
TheAmericanisjustlyproudoftheoriginofhisnation,whichisperhapsunequaledinthehistoryoftheworld;butthePennsylvanianandJerseymanhavemorereasontovaluethemselvesintheirancestorsthanthenativesofanyotherstate,sincenowrongwasdonetheoriginalownersofthesoil.
“Wefollownone,wecovetnothing,”answeredCora.
“Captivesagainstourwills,havewebeenbroughtamongstyou;andweaskbutpermissiontodeparttoourowninpeace.
ArtthounotTamenund––thefather,thejudge,Ihadalmostsaid,theprophet––ofthispeople?”
“IamTamenundofmanydays.”
”’Tisnowsomesevenyearsthatoneofthypeoplewasatthemercyofawhitechiefonthebordersofthisprovince.
HeclaimedtobeofthebloodofthegoodandjustTamenund.
‘Go’,saidthewhiteman,‘forthyparent’ssakethouartfree’DostthourememberthenameofthatEnglishwarrior?”
“Iremember,thatwhenalaughingboy,”returnedthepatriarch,withthepeculiarrecollectionofvastage,“Istooduponthesandsoftheseashore,andsawabigcanoe,withwingswhiterthantheswan’s,andwiderthanmanyeagles,comefromtherisingsun.”
“Nay,nay;Ispeaknotofatimesoverydistant,butoffavorshowntothykindredbyoneofmine,withinthememoryofthyyoungestwarrior.”
“WasitwhentheYengeeseandtheDutchmannefoughtforthehunting–groundsoftheDelawares?ThenTamenundwasachief,andfirstlaidasidethebowforthelightningofthepalefaces––”
“Notyetthen,”interruptedCora,“bymanyages;Ispeakofathingofyesterday.Surely,surely,youforgetitnot.”
“Itwasbutyesterday,”rejoinedtheagedman,withtouchingpathos,“thatthechildrenoftheLenapeweremastersoftheworld.
Thefishesofthesaltlake,thebirds,thebeasts,andtheMengeeofthewoods,ownedthemforSagamores.”
Corabowedherheadindisappointment,and,forabittermomentstruggledwithherchagrin.
Then,elevatingherrichfeaturesandbeamingeyes,shecontinued,intonesscarcelylesspenetratingthantheunearthlyvoiceofthepatriarchhimself:
“Tellme,isTamenundafather?”
Theoldmanlookeddownuponherfromhiselevatedstand,withabenignantsmileonhiswastedcountenance,andthencastinghiseyesslowlyoverthewholeassemblage,heanswered:
“Ofanation.”
“FormyselfIasknothing.Liketheeandthine,venerablechief,”shecontinued,pressingherhandsconvulsivelyonherheart,andsufferingherheadtodroopuntilherburningcheekswerenearlyconcealedinthemazeofdark,glossytressesthatfellindisorderuponhershoulders,“thecurseofmyancestorshasfallenheavilyontheirchild.
ButyonderisonewhohasneverknowntheweightofHeaven’sdispleasureuntilnow.
Sheisthedaughterofanoldandfailingman,whosedaysareneartheirclose.
Shehasmany,verymany,toloveher,anddelightinher;andsheistoogood,muchtooprecious,tobecomethevictimofthatvillain.”
“Iknowthatthepalefacesareaproudandhungryrace.
Iknowthattheyclaimnotonlytohavetheearth,butthatthemeanestoftheircolorisbetterthantheSachemsoftheredman.
Thedogsandcrowsoftheirtribes,”continuedtheearnestoldchieftain,withoutheedingthewoundedspiritofhislistener,whoseheadwasnearlycrushedtotheearthinshame,asheproceeded,“wouldbarkandcawbeforetheywouldtakeawomantotheirwigwamswhosebloodwasnotofthecolorofsnow.
ButletthemnotboastbeforethefaceoftheManitoutooloud.
Theyenteredthelandattherising,andmayyetgooffatthesettingsun.
Ihaveoftenseenthelocustsstriptheleavesfromthetrees,buttheseasonofblossomshasalwayscomeagain.”
“Itisso,”saidCora,drawingalongbreath,asifrevivingfromatrance,raisingherface,andshakingbackhershiningveil,withakindlingeye,thatcontradictedthedeath–likepalenessofhercountenance;“butwhy––itisnotpermittedustoinquire.
Thereisyetoneofthineownpeoplewhohasnotbeenbroughtbeforethee;beforethoulettesttheHurondepartintriumph,hearhimspeak.”
ObservingTamenundtolookabouthimdoubtingly,oneofhiscompanionssaid:
“Itisasnake––ared–skininthepayoftheYengeese.Wekeephimforthetorture.”
“Lethimcome,”returnedthesage.
ThenTamenundoncemoresankintohisseat,andasilencesodeepprevailedwhiletheyoungmanpreparedtoobeyhissimplemandate,thattheleaves,whichflutteredinthedraughtofthelightmorningair,weredistinctlyheardrustlinginthesurroundingforest.
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