English
Butplaguesshallspread,andfuneralfiresincrease,Tillthegreatking,withoutaransompaid,ToherownChrysasendtheblack–eyedmaid.
—Pope
DuringthetimeUncaswasmakingthisdispositionofhisforces,thewoodswereasstill,and,withtheexceptionofthosewhohadmetincouncil,apparentlyasmuchuntenantedaswhentheycamefreshfromthehandsoftheirAlmightyCreator.
Theeyecouldrange,ineverydirection,throughthelongandshadowedvistasofthetrees;butnowherewasanyobjecttobeseenthatdidnotproperlybelongtothepeacefulandslumberingscenery.
Hereandthereabirdwasheardflutteringamongthebranchesofthebeeches,andoccasionallyasquirreldroppedanut,drawingthestartledlooksofthepartyforamomenttotheplace;buttheinstantthecasualinterruptionceased,thepassingairwasheardmurmuringabovetheirheads,alongthatverdantandundulatingsurfaceofforest,whichspreaditselfunbroken,unlessbystreamorlake,oversuchavastregionofcountry.
AcrossthetractofwildernesswhichlaybetweentheDelawaresandthevillageoftheirenemies,itseemedasifthefootofmanhadnevertrodden,sobreathinganddeepwasthesilenceinwhichitlay.
ButHawkeye,whosedutyledhimforemostintheadventure,knewthecharacterofthosewithwhomhewasabouttocontendtoowelltotrustthetreacherousquiet.
Whenhesawhislittlebandcollected,thescoutthrew“killdeer”intothehollowofhisarm,andmakingasilentsignalthathewouldbefollowed,heledthemmanyrodstowardtherear,intothebedofalittlebrookwhichtheyhadcrossedinadvancing.
Herehehalted,andafterwaitingforthewholeofhisgraveandattentivewarriorstocloseabouthim,hespokeinDelaware,demanding:
“Doanyofmyyoungmenknowwhitherthisrunwillleadus?”
ADelawarestretchedforthahand,withthetwofingersseparated,andindicatingthemannerinwhichtheywerejoinedattheroot,heanswered:
“Beforethesuncouldgohisownlength,thelittlewaterwillbeinthebig.”Thenheadded,pointinginthedirectionoftheplacehementioned,“thetwomakeenoughforthebeavers.”
“Ithoughtasmuch,”returnedthescout,glancinghiseyeupwardattheopeninginthetree–tops,“fromthecourseittakes,andthebearingsofthemountains.
Men,wewillkeepwithinthecoverofitsbankstillwescenttheHurons.”
Hiscompanionsgavetheusualbriefexclamationofassent,but,perceivingthattheirleaderwasabouttoleadthewayinperson,oneortwomadesignsthatallwasnotasitshouldbe.
Hawkeye,whocomprehendedtheirmeaningglances,turnedandperceivedthathispartyhadbeenfollowedthusfarbythesinging–master.
“Doyouknow,friend,”askedthescout,gravely,andperhapswithalittleoftheprideofconsciousdeservinginhismanner,“thatthisisabandofrangerschosenforthemostdesperateservice,andputunderthecommandofonewho,thoughanothermightsayitwithabetterface,willnotbeapttoleavethemidle.
Itmaynotbefive,itcannotbethirtyminutes,beforewetreadonthebodyofaHuron,livingordead.”
“Thoughnotadmonishedofyourintentionsinwords,”returnedDavid,whosefacewasalittleflushed,andwhoseordinarilyquietandunmeaningeyesglimmeredwithanexpressionofunusualfire,“yourmenhaveremindedmeofthechildrenofJacobgoingouttobattleagainsttheShechemites,forwickedlyaspiringtowedlockwithawomanofaracethatwasfavoredoftheLord.
Now,Ihavejourneyedfar,andsojournedmuchingoodandevilwiththemaidenyeseek;and,thoughnotamanofwar,withmyloinsgirdedandmyswordsharpened,yetwouldIgladlystrikeablowinherbehalf.”
Thescouthesitated,asifweighingthechancesofsuchastrangeenlistmentinhismindbeforeheanswered:
“Youknownottheuseofanywe’pon.Youcarrynorifle;andbelieveme,whattheMingoestaketheywillfreelygiveagain.”
“ThoughnotavauntingandbloodilydisposedGoliath,”returnedDavid,drawingaslingfrombeneathhisparti–coloredanduncouthattire,“IhavenotforgottentheexampleoftheJewishboy.
WiththisancientinstrumentofwarhaveIpractisedmuchinmyyouth,andperadventuretheskillhasnotentirelydepartedfromme.”
“Ay!”saidHawkeye,consideringthedeer–skinthongandapron,withacoldanddiscouragingeye;“thethingmightdoitsworkamongarrows,orevenknives;buttheseMengwehavebeenfurnishedbytheFrencherswithagoodgroovedbarrelaman.
However,itseemstobeyourgifttogounharmedamidfire;andasyouhavehithertobeenfavored—major,youhaveleftyourrifleatacock;asingleshotbeforethetimewouldbejusttwentyscalpslosttonopurpose—singer,youcanfollow;wemayfinduseforyouintheshoutings.”
“Ithankyou,friend,”returnedDavid,supplyinghimself,likehisroyalnamesake,fromamongthepebblesofthebrook;“thoughnotgiventothedesiretokill,hadyousentmeawaymyspiritwouldhavebeentroubled.”
“Remember,”addedthescout,tappinghisownheadsignificantlyonthatspotwhereGamutwasyetsore,“wecometofight,andnottomusickate.
Untilthegeneralwhoopisgiven,nothingspeaksbuttherifle.”
Davidnodded,asmuchtosignifyhisacquiescencewiththeterms;andthenHawkeye,castinganotherobservantglanceoverthisfollowersmadethesignaltoproceed.
Theirroutelay,forthedistanceofamile,alongthebedofthewater–course.
Thoughprotectedfromanygreatdangerofobservationbytheprecipitousbanks,andthethickshrubberywhichskirtedthestream,noprecautionknowntoanIndianattackwasneglected.
Awarriorrathercrawledthanwalkedoneachflanksoastocatchoccasionalglimpsesintotheforest;andeveryfewminutesthebandcametoahalt,andlistenedforhostilesounds,withanacutenessoforgansthatwouldbescarcelyconceivabletoamaninalessnaturalstate.
Theirmarchwas,however,unmolested,andtheyreachedthepointwherethelesserstreamwaslostinthegreater,withoutthesmallestevidencethattheirprogresshadbeennoted.
Herethescoutagainhalted,toconsultthesignsoftheforest.
“Wearelikelytohaveagooddayforafight,”hesaid,inEnglish,addressingHeyward,andglancinghiseyesupwardattheclouds,whichbegantomoveinbroadsheetsacrossthefirmament;“abrightsunandaglitteringbarrelarenofriendstotruesight.
Everythingisfavorable;theyhavethewind,whichwillbringdowntheirnoisesandtheirsmoke,too,nolittlematterinitself;whereas,withusitwillbefirstashot,andthenaclearview.
Buthereisanendtoourcover;thebeavershavehadtherangeofthisstreamforhundredsofyears,andwhatatweentheirfoodandtheirdams,thereis,asyousee,manyagirdledstub,butfewlivingtrees.”
Hawkeyehad,intruth,inthesefewwords,givennobaddescriptionoftheprospectthatnowlayintheirfront.
Thebrookwasirregularinitswidth,sometimesshootingthroughnarrowfissuresintherocks,andatothersspreadingoveracresofbottomland,forminglittleareasthatmightbetermedponds.
Everywherealongitsbandswerethemolderingrelicsofdeadtrees,inallthestagesofdecay,fromthosethatgroanedontheirtotteringtrunkstosuchashadrecentlybeenrobbedofthoseruggedcoatsthatsomysteriouslycontaintheirprincipleoflife.
Afewlong,low,andmoss–coveredpileswerescatteredamongthem,likethememorialsofaformerandlong–departedgeneration.
Alltheseminuteparticularswerenotedbythescout,withagravityandinterestthattheyprobablyhadneverbeforeattracted.
HeknewthattheHuronencampmentlayashorthalfmileupthebrook;and,withthecharacteristicanxietyofonewhodreadedahiddendanger,hewasgreatlytroubledatnotfindingthesmallesttraceofthepresenceofhisenemy.
Onceortwicehefeltinducedtogivetheorderforarush,andtoattemptthevillagebysurprise;buthisexperiencequicklyadmonishedhimofthedangerofsouselessanexperiment.
Thenhelistenedintently,andwithpainfuluncertainty,forthesoundsofhostilityinthequarterwhereUncaswasleft;butnothingwasaudibleexceptthesighingofthewind,thatbegantosweepoverthebosomoftheforestingustswhichthreatenedatempest.
Atlength,yieldingrathertohisunusualimpatiencethantakingcounselfromhisknowledge,hedeterminedtobringmatterstoanissue,byunmaskinghisforce,andproceedingcautiously,butsteadily,upthestream.
Thescouthadstood,whilemakinghisobservations,shelteredbyabrake,andhiscompanionsstilllayinthebedoftheravine,throughwhichthesmallerstreamdebouched;butonhearinghislow,thoughintelligible,signalthewholepartystoleupthebank,likesomanydarkspecters,andsilentlyarrangedthemselvesaroundhim.
Pointinginthedirectionhewishedtoproceed,Hawkeyeadvanced,thebandbreakingoffinsinglefiles,andfollowingsoaccuratelyinhisfootsteps,astoleaveit,ifweexceptHeywardandDavid,thetrailofbutasingleman.
Thepartywas,however,scarcelyuncoveredbeforeavolleyfromadozenrifleswasheardintheirrear;andaDelawareleapinghighintotheair,likeawoundeddeer,fellathiswholelength,dead.
“Ah,Ifearedsomedeviltrylikethis!”exclaimedthescout,inEnglish,adding,withthequicknessofthought,inhisadoptedtongue:“Tocover,men,andcharge!”
Thebanddispersedattheword,andbeforeHeywardhadwellrecoveredfromhissurprise,hefoundhimselfstandingalonewithDavid.
LuckilytheHuronshadalreadyfallenback,andhewassafefromtheirfire.
Butthisstateofthingswasevidentlytobeofshortcontinuance;forthescoutsettheexampleofpressingontheirretreat,bydischarginghisrifle,anddartingfromtreetotreeashisenemyslowlyyieldedground.
ItwouldseemthattheassaulthadbeenmadebyaverysmallpartyoftheHurons,which,however,continuedtoincreaseinnumbers,asitretiredonitsfriends,untilthereturnfirewasverynearly,ifnotquite,equaltothatmaintainedbytheadvancingDelawares.
Heywardthrewhimselfamongthecombatants,andimitatingthenecessarycautionofhiscompanions,hemadequickdischargeswithhisownrifle.
Thecontestnowgrewwarmandstationary.
Fewwereinjured,asbothpartieskepttheirbodiesasmuchprotectedaspossiblebythetrees;never,indeed,exposinganypartoftheirpersonsexceptintheactoftakingaim.
ButthechancesweregraduallygrowingunfavorabletoHawkeyeandhisband.
Thequick–sightedscoutperceivedhisdangerwithoutknowinghowtoremedyit.
Hesawitwasmoredangeroustoretreatthantomaintainhisground:whilehefoundhisenemythrowingoutmenonhisflank;whichrenderedthetaskofkeepingthemselvescoveredsoverydifficulttotheDelawares,asnearlytosilencetheirfire.
Atthisembarrassingmoment,whentheybegantothinkthewholeofthehostiletribewasgraduallyencirclingthem,theyheardtheyellofcombatantsandtherattlingofarmsechoingunderthearchesofthewoodattheplacewhereUncaswasposted,abottomwhich,inamanner,laybeneaththegroundonwhichHawkeyeandhispartywerecontending.
Theeffectsofthisattackwereinstantaneous,andtothescoutandhisfriendsgreatlyrelieving.
Itwouldseemthat,whilehisownsurprisehadbeenanticipated,andhadconsequentlyfailed,theenemy,intheirturn,havingbeendeceivedinitsobjectandinhisnumbers,hadlefttoosmallaforcetoresisttheimpetuousonsetoftheyoungMohican.
Thisfactwasdoublyapparent,bytherapidmannerinwhichthebattleintheforestrolledupwardtowardthevillage,andbyaninstantfallingoffinthenumberoftheirassailants,whorushedtoassistinmaintainingthefront,and,asitnowprovedtobe,theprincipalpointofdefense.
Animatinghisfollowersbyhisvoice,andhisownexample,Hawkeyethengavethewordtobeardownupontheirfoes.
Thecharge,inthatrudespeciesofwarfare,consistedmerelyinpushingfromcovertocover,nighertotheenemy;andinthismaneuverhewasinstantlyandsuccessfullyobeyed.
TheHuronswerecompelledtowithdraw,andthesceneofthecontestrapidlychangedfromthemoreopenground,onwhichithadcommenced,toaspotwheretheassailedfoundathickettorestupon.
Herethestrugglewasprotracted,arduousandseeminglyofdoubtfulissue;theDelawares,thoughnoneofthemfell,beginningtobleedfreely,inconsequenceofthedisadvantageatwhichtheywereheld.
Inthiscrisis,HawkeyefoundmeanstogetbehindthesametreeasthatwhichservedforacovertoHeyward;mostofhisowncombatantsbeingwithincall,alittleonhisright,wheretheymaintainedrapid,thoughfruitless,dischargesontheirshelteredenemies.
“Youareayoungman,major,”saidthescout,droppingthebuttof“killdeer”totheearth,andleaningonthebarrel,alittlefatiguedwithhispreviousindustry;“anditmaybeyourgifttoleadarmies,atsomefutureday,ag’intheseimps,theMingoes.
YoumayhereseethephilosophyofanIndianfight.
Itconsistsmainlyinreadyhand,aquickeyeandagoodcover.
Now,ifyouhadacompanyoftheRoyalAmericanshere,inwhatmannerwouldyousetthemtoworkinthisbusiness?”
“Thebayonetwouldmakearoad.”
“Ay,thereiswhitereasoninwhatyousay;butamanmustaskhimself,inthiswilderness,howmanyliveshecanspare.
No—horse,”continuedthescout,shakinghishead,likeonewhomused;“horse,Iamashamedtosaymustsoonerorlaterdecidethesescrimmages.
Thebrutesarebetterthanmen,andtohorsemustwecomeatlast.
Putashoddenhoofonthemoccasinofared–skin,and,ifhisriflebeonceemptied,hewillneverstoptoloaditagain.”
TheAmericanforestadmitsofthepassageofhorses,therebeinglittleunderbrush,andfewtangledbrakes.
TheplanofHawkeyeistheonewhichhasalwaysprovedthemostsuccessfulinthebattlesbetweenthewhitesandtheIndians.
Wayne,inhiscelebratedcampaignontheMiami,receivedthefireofhisenemiesinline;andthencausinghisdragoonstowheelroundhisflanks,theIndiansweredrivenfromtheircoversbeforetheyhadtimetoload.
OneofthemostconspicuousofthechiefswhofoughtinthebattleofMiamiassuredthewriter,thattheredmencouldnotfightthewarriorswith“longknivesandleatherstockings”;meaningthedragoonswiththeirsabersandboots.
“Thisisasubjectthatmightbetterbediscussedatanothertime,”returnedHeyward;“shallwecharge?”
“Iseenocontradictiontothegiftsofanymaninpassinghisbreathingspellsinusefulreflections,”thescoutreplied.
“Astorush,Ilittlerelishsuchameasure;forascalportwomustbethrownawayintheattempt.
Andyet,”headded,bendinghisheadaside,tocatchthesoundsofthedistantcombat,“ifwearetobeofusetoUncas,theseknavesinourfrontmustbegotridof.”
Then,turningwithapromptanddecidedair,hecalledaloudtohisIndians,intheirownlanguage.
Hiswordswereansweredbyashout;and,atagivensignal,eachwarriormadeaswiftmovementaroundhisparticulartree.
Thesightofsomanydarkbodies,glancingbeforetheireyesatthesameinstant,drewahastyandconsequentlyanineffectualfirefromtheHurons.
Withoutstoppingtobreathe,theDelawaresleapedinlongboundstowardthewood,likesomanypanthersspringingupontheirprey.
Hawkeyewasinfront,brandishinghisterriblerifleandanimatinghisfollowersbyhisexample.
AfewoftheolderandmorecunningHurons,whohadnotbeendeceivedbytheartificewhichhadbeenpracticedtodrawtheirfire,nowmadeacloseanddeadlydischargeoftheirpiecesandjustifiedtheapprehensionsofthescoutbyfellingthreeofhisforemostwarriors.
Buttheshockwasinsufficienttorepeltheimpetusofthecharge.
TheDelawaresbrokeintothecoverwiththeferocityoftheirnaturesandsweptawayeverytraceofresistancebythefuryoftheonset.
Thecombatenduredonlyforaninstant,handtohand,andthentheassailedyieldedgroundrapidly,untiltheyreachedtheoppositemarginofthethicket,wheretheyclungtothecover,withthesortofobstinacythatissooftenwitnessedinhuntedbrutes.
Atthiscriticalmoment,whenthesuccessofthestrugglewasagainbecomingdoubtful,thecrackofariflewasheardbehindtheHurons,andabulletcamewhizzingfromamongsomebeaverlodges,whichweresituatedintheclearing,intheirrear,andwasfollowedbythefierceandappallingyellofthewar–whoop.
“TherespeakstheSagamore!”shoutedHawkeye,answeringthecrywithhisownstentorianvoice;“wehavethemnowinfaceandback!”
TheeffectontheHuronswasinstantaneous.
Discouragedbyanassaultfromaquarterthatleftthemnoopportunityforcover,thewarriorsutteredacommonyellofdisappointment,andbreakingoffinabody,theyspreadthemselvesacrosstheopening,heedlessofeveryconsiderationbutflight.
Manyfell,inmakingtheexperiment,underthebulletsandtheblowsofthepursuingDelawares.
WeshallnotpausetodetailthemeetingbetweenthescoutandChingachgook,orthemoretouchinginterviewthatDuncanheldwithMunro.
Afewbriefandhurriedwordsservedtoexplainthestateofthingstobothparties;andthenHawkeye,pointingouttheSagamoretohisband,resignedthechiefauthorityintothehandsoftheMohicanchief.
Chingachgookassumedthestationtowhichhisbirthandexperiencegavehimsodistinguishedaclaim,withthegravedignitythatalwaysgivesforcetothemandatesofanativewarrior.
Followingthefootstepsofthescout,heledthepartybackthroughthethicket,hismenscalpingthefallenHuronsandsecretingthebodiesoftheirowndeadastheyproceeded,untiltheygainedapointwheretheformerwascontenttomakeahalt.
Thewarriors,whohadbreathedthemselvesfreelyintheprecedingstruggle,werenowpostedonabitoflevelground,sprinkledwithtreesinsufficientnumberstoconcealthem.
Thelandfellawayratherprecipitatelyinfront,andbeneaththeireyesstretched,forseveralmiles,anarrow,dark,andwoodedvale.
ItwasthroughthisdenseanddarkforestthatUncaswasstillcontendingwiththemainbodyoftheHurons.
TheMohicanandhisfriendsadvancedtothebrowofthehill,andlistened,withpractisedears,tothesoundsofthecombat.
Afewbirdshoveredovertheleafybosomofthevalley,frightenedfromtheirsecludednests;andhereandtherealightvaporycloud,whichseemedalreadyblendingwiththeatmosphere,aroseabovethetrees,andindicatedsomespotwherethestrugglehadbeenfierceandstationary.
“Thefightiscominguptheascent,”saidDuncan,pointinginthedirectionofanewexplosionoffirearms;“wearetoomuchinthecenteroftheirlinetobeeffective.”
“Theywillinclineintothehollow,wherethecoveristhicker,”saidthescout,“andthatwillleaveuswellontheirflank.
Go,Sagamore;youwillhardlybeintimetogivethewhoop,andleadontheyoungmen.
Iwillfightthisscrimmagewithwarriorsofmyowncolor.
Youknowme,Mohican;notaHuronofthemallshallcrosstheswell,intoyourrear,withoutthenoticeof‘killdeer’.”
TheIndianchiefpausedanothermomenttoconsiderthesignsofthecontest,whichwasnowrollingrapidlyuptheascent,acertainevidencethattheDelawarestriumphed;nordidheactuallyquittheplaceuntiladmonishedoftheproximityofhisfriends,aswellasenemies,bythebulletsoftheformer,whichbegantopatteramongthedriedleavesontheground,likethebitsoffallinghailwhichprecedetheburstingofthetempest.
Hawkeyeandhisthreecompanionswithdrewafewpacestoashelter,andawaitedtheissuewithcalmnessthatnothingbutgreatpractisecouldimpartinsuchascene.
Itwasnotlongbeforethereportsoftheriflesbegantolosetheechoesofthewoods,andtosoundlikeweaponsdischargedintheopenair.
Thenawarriorappeared,hereandthere,driventotheskirtsoftheforest,andrallyingasheenteredtheclearing,asattheplacewherethefinalstandwastobemade.
Theseweresoonjoinedbyothers,untilalonglineofswarthyfigureswastobeseenclingingtothecoverwiththeobstinacyofdesperation.
Heywardbegantogrowimpatient,andturnedhiseyesanxiouslyinthedirectionofChingachgook.
Thechiefwasseatedonarock,withnothingvisiblebuthiscalmvisage,consideringthespectaclewithaneyeasdeliberateasifhewerepostedtheremerelytoviewthestruggle.
“ThetimehascomefortheDelawaretostrike’!saidDuncan.
“Notso,notso,”returnedthescout;“whenhescentshisfriends,hewillletthemknowthatheishere.
See,see;theknavesaregettinginthatclumpofpines,likebeessettlingaftertheirflight.
BytheLord,asquawmightputabulletintothecenterofsuchaknotofdarkskins!”
Atthatinstantthewhoopwasgiven,andadozenHuronsfellbyadischargefromChingachgookandhisband.
Theshoutthatfollowedwasansweredbyasinglewar–cryfromtheforest,andayellpassedthroughtheairthatsoundedasifathousandthroatswereunitedinacommoneffort.
TheHuronsstaggered,desertingthecenteroftheirline,andUncasissuedfromtheforestthroughtheopeningtheyleft,attheheadofahundredwarriors.
Wavinghishandsrightandleft,theyoungchiefpointedouttheenemytohisfollowers,whoseparatedinpursuit.
Thewarnowdivided,bothwingsofthebrokenHuronsseekingprotectioninthewoodsagain,hotlypressedbythevictoriouswarriorsoftheLenape.
Aminutemighthavepassed,butthesoundswerealreadyrecedingindifferentdirections,andgraduallylosingtheirdistinctnessbeneaththeechoingarchesofthewoods.
OnelittleknotofHurons,however,haddisdainedtoseekacover,andwereretiring,likelionsatbay,slowlyandsullenlyuptheacclivitywhichChingachgookandhisbandhadjustdeserted,tominglemorecloselyinthefray.
Maguawasconspicuousinthisparty,bothbyhisfierceandsavagemien,andbytheairofhaughtyauthorityheyetmaintained.
Inhiseagernesstoexpeditethepursuit,Uncashadlefthimselfnearlyalone;butthemomenthiseyecaughtthefigureofLeSubtil,everyotherconsiderationwasforgotten.
Raisinghiscryofbattle,whichrecalledsomesixorsevenwarriors,andrecklessofthedisparityoftheirnumbers,herusheduponhisenemy.
LeRenard,whowatchedthemovement,pausedtoreceivehimwithsecretjoy.
Butatthemomentwhenhethoughttherashnessofhisimpetuousyoungassailanthadlefthimathismercy,anothershoutwasgiven,andLaLongueCarabinewasseenrushingtotherescue,attendedbyallhiswhiteassociates.
TheHuroninstantlyturned,andcommencedarapidretreatuptheascent.
Therewasnotimeforgreetingsorcongratulations;forUncas,thoughunconsciousofthepresenceofhisfriends,continuedthepursuitwiththevelocityofthewind.
InvainHawkeyecalledtohimtorespectthecovers;theyoungMohicanbravedthedangerousfireofhisenemies,andsooncompelledthemtoaflightasswiftashisownheadlongspeed.
Itwasfortunatethattheracewasofshortcontinuance,andthatthewhitemenweremuchfavoredbytheirposition,ortheDelawarewouldsoonhaveoutstrippedallhiscompanions,andfallenavictimtohisowntemerity.
But,eresuchacalamitycouldhappen,thepursuersandpursuedenteredtheWyandotvillage,withinstrikingdistanceofeachother.
Excitedbythepresenceoftheirdwellings,andtiredofthechase,theHuronsnowmadeastand,andfoughtaroundtheircouncil–lodgewiththefuryofdespair.
Theonsetandtheissuewerelikethepassageanddestructionofawhirlwind.
ThetomahawkofUncas,theblowsofHawkeye,andeventhestillnervousarmofMunrowereallbusyforthatpassingmoment,andthegroundwasquicklystrewedwiththeirenemies.
StillMagua,thoughdaringandmuchexposed,escapedfromeveryeffortagainsthislife,withthatsortoffabledprotectionthatwasmadetooverlookthefortunesoffavoredheroesinthelegendsofancientpoetry.
Raisingayellthatspokevolumesofangeranddisappointment,thesubtlechief,whenhesawhiscomradesfallen,dartedawayfromtheplace,attendedbyhistwoonlysurvivingfriends,leavingtheDelawaresengagedinstrippingthedeadofthebloodytrophiesoftheirvictory.
ButUncas,whohadvainlysoughthiminthemelee,boundedforwardinpursuit;Hawkeye,HeywardandDavidstillpressingonhisfootsteps.
Theutmostthatthescoutcouldeffect,wastokeepthemuzzleofhisriflealittleinadvanceofhisfriend,towhom,however,itansweredeverypurposeofacharmedshield.
OnceMaguaappeareddisposedtomakeanotherandafinalefforttorevengehislosses;but,abandoninghisintentionassoonasdemonstrated,heleapedintoathicketofbushes,throughwhichhewasfollowedbyhisenemies,andsuddenlyenteredthemouthofthecavealreadyknowntothereader.
Hawkeye,whohadonlyforbornetofireintendernesstoUncas,raisedashoutofsuccess,andproclaimedaloudthatnowtheywerecertainoftheirgame.
Thepursuersdashedintothelongandnarrowentrance,intimetocatchaglimpseoftheretreatingformsoftheHurons.
Theirpassagethroughthenaturalgalleriesandsubterraneousapartmentsofthecavernwasprecededbytheshrieksandcriesofhundredsofwomenandchildren.
Theplace,seenbyitsdimanduncertainlight,appearedliketheshadesoftheinfernalregions,acrosswhichunhappyghostsandsavagedemonswereflittinginmultitudes.
StillUncaskepthiseyeonMagua,asiflifetohimpossessedbutasingleobject.
Heywardandthescoutstillpressedonhisrear,actuated,thoughpossiblyinalessdegree,byacommonfeeling.
Buttheirwaywasbecomingintricate,inthosedarkandgloomypassages,andtheglimpsesoftheretiringwarriorslessdistinctandfrequent;andforamomentthetracewasbelievedtobelost,whenawhiterobewasseenflutteringinthefurtherextremityofapassagethatseemedtoleadupthemountain.
”’TisCora!”exclaimedHeyward,inavoiceinwhichhorroranddelightwerewildlymingled.
“Cora!Cora!”echoedUncas,boundingforwardlikeadeer.
”’Tisthemaiden!”shoutedthescout.“Courage,lady;wecome!wecome!”
Thechasewasrenewedwithadiligencerenderedtenfoldencouragingbythisglimpseofthecaptive.
Butthewaywasrugged,broken,andinspotsnearlyimpassable.
Uncasabandonedhisrifle,andleapedforwardwithheadlongprecipitation.
Heywardrashlyimitatedhisexample,thoughbothwere,amomentafterward,admonishedofhismadnessbyhearingthebellowingofapiece,thattheHuronsfoundtimetodischargedownthepassageintherocks,thebulletfromwhichevengavetheyoungMohicanaslightwound.
“Wemustclose!”saidthescout,passinghisfriendsbyadesperateleap;“theknaveswillpickusalloffatthisdistance;andsee,theyholdthemaidensoastheshieldthemselves!”
Thoughhiswordswereunheeded,orratherunheard,hisexamplewasfollowedbyhiscompanions,who,byincredibleexertions,gotnearenoughtothefugitivestoperceivethatCorawasbornealongbetweenthetwowarriorswhileMaguaprescribedthedirectionandmanneroftheirflight.
Atthismomenttheformsofallfourwerestronglydrawnagainstanopeninginthesky,andtheydisappeared.
Nearlyfranticwithdisappointment,UncasandHeywardincreasedeffortsthatalreadyseemedsuperhuman,andtheyissuedfromthecavernonthesideofthemountain,intimetonotetherouteofthepursued.
Thecourselayuptheascent,andstillcontinuedhazardousandlaborious.
Encumberedbyhisrifle,and,perhaps,notsustainedbysodeepaninterestinthecaptiveashiscompanions,thescoutsufferedthelattertoprecedehimalittle,Uncas,inhisturn,takingtheleadofHeyward.
Inthismanner,rocks,precipicesanddifficultiesweresurmountedinanincrediblyshortspace,thatatanothertime,andunderothercircumstances,wouldhavebeendeemedalmostinsuperable.
Buttheimpetuousyoungmanwererewardedbyfindingthat,encumberedwithCora,theHuronswerelosinggroundintherace.
“Stay,dogoftheWyandots!”exclaimedUncas,shakinghisbrighttomahawkatMagua;“aDelawaregirlcallsstay!”
“Iwillgonofurther!”criedCora,stoppingunexpectedlyonaledgeofrock,thatoverhungadeepprecipice,atnogreatdistancefromthesummitofthemountain.
“Killmeifthouwilt,detestableHuron;Iwillgonofurther.”
Thesupportersofthemaidenraisedtheirreadytomahawkswiththeimpiousjoythatfiendsarethoughttotakeinmischief,butMaguastayedtheupliftedarms.
TheHuronchief,aftercastingtheweaponshehadwrestedfromhiscompanionsovertherock,drewhisknife,andturnedtohiscaptive,withalookinwhichconflictingpassionsfiercelycontended.
“Woman,”hesaid,“chose;thewigwamortheknifeofLeSubtil!”
Coraregardedhimnot,butdroppingonherknees,sheraisedhereyesandstretchedherarmstowardheaven,sayinginameekandyetconfidingvoice:
“Iamthine;dowithmeasthouseestbest!”
“Woman,”repeatedMagua,hoarsely,andendeavoringinvaintocatchaglancefromhersereneandbeamingeye,“choose!”
ButCoraneitherheardnorheededhisdemand.
TheformoftheHurontrembledineveryfibre,andheraisedhisarmonhigh,butdroppeditagainwithabewilderedair,likeonewhodoubted.
Oncemorehestruggledwithhimselfandliftedthekeenweaponagain;butjustthenapiercingcrywasheardabovethem,andUncasappeared,leapingfrantically,fromafearfulheight,upontheledge.
Maguarecoiledastep;andoneofhisassistants,profitingbythechance,sheathedhisownknifeinthebosomofCora.
TheHuronspranglikeatigeronhisoffendingandalreadyretreatingcountryman,butthefallingformofUncasseparatedtheunnaturalcombatants.
Divertedfromhisobjectbythisinterruption,andmaddenedbythemurderhehadjustwitnessed,MaguaburiedhisweaponinthebackoftheprostrateDelaware,utteringanunearthlyshoutashecommittedthedastardlydeed.
ButUncasarosefromtheblow,asthewoundedpantherturnsuponhisfoe,andstruckthemurdererofCoratohisfeet,byaneffortinwhichthelastofhisfailingstrengthwasexpended.
Then,withasternandsteadylook,heturnedtoLeSubtil,andindicatedbytheexpressionofhiseyeallthathewoulddohadnotthepowerdesertedhim.
ThelatterseizedthenervelessarmoftheunresistingDelaware,andpassedhisknifeintohisbosomthreeseveraltimes,beforehisvictim,stillkeepinghisgazerivetedonhisenemy,withalookofinextinguishablescorn,feeldeadathisfeet.
“Mercy!mercy!Huron,”criedHeyward,fromabove,intonesnearlychokedbyhorror;“givemercy,andthoushaltreceivefromit!”
Whirlingthebloodyknifeupattheimploringyouth,thevictoriousMaguautteredacrysofierce,sowild,andyetsojoyous,thatitconveyedthesoundsofsavagetriumphtotheearsofthosewhofoughtinthevalley,athousandfeetbelow.
Hewasansweredbyaburstfromthelipsofthescout,whosetallpersonwasjustthenseenmovingswiftlytowardhim,alongthosedangerouscrags,withstepsasboldandrecklessasifhepossessedthepowertomoveinair.
Butwhenthehunterreachedthesceneoftheruthlessmassacre,theledgewastenantedonlybythedead.
Hiskeeneyetookasinglelookatthevictims,andthenshotitsglancesoverthedifficultiesoftheascentinhisfront.
Aformstoodatthebrowofthemountain,ontheveryedgeofthegiddyheight,withupliftedarms,inanawfulattitudeofmenace.
Withoutstoppingtoconsiderhisperson,therifleofHawkeyewasraised;butarock,whichfellontheheadofoneofthefugitivesbelow,exposedtheindignantandglowingcountenanceofthehonestGamut.
ThenMaguaissuedfromacrevice,and,steppingwithcalmindifferenceoverthebodyofthelastofhisassociates,heleapedawidefissure,andascendedtherocksatapointwherethearmofDavidcouldnotreachhim.
Asingleboundwouldcarryhimtothebrowoftheprecipice,andassurehissafety.
Beforetakingtheleap,however,theHuronpaused,andshakinghishandatthescout,heshouted:
“Thepalefacesaredogs!theDelawareswomen!Magualeavesthemontherocks,forthecrows!”
Laughinghoarsely,hemadeadesperateleap,andfellshortofhismark,thoughhishandsgraspedashrubonthevergeoftheheight.
TheformofHawkeyehadcrouchedlikeabeastabouttotakeitsspring,andhisframetrembledsoviolentlywitheagernessthatthemuzzleofthehalf–raisedrifleplayedlikealeafflutteringinthewind.
Withoutexhaustinghimselfwithfruitlessefforts,thecunningMaguasufferedhisbodytodroptothelengthofhisarms,andfoundafragmentforhisfeettoreston.
Then,summoningallhispowers,herenewedtheattempt,andsofarsucceededastodrawhiskneesontheedgeofthemountain.
Itwasnow,whenthebodyofhisenemywasmostcollectedtogether,thattheagitatedweaponofthescoutwasdrawntohisshoulder.
Thesurroundingrocksthemselveswerenotsteadierthanthepiecebecame,forthesingleinstantthatitpouredoutitscontents.
ThearmsoftheHuronrelaxed,andhisbodyfellbackalittle,whilehiskneesstillkepttheirposition.
Turningarelentlesslookonhisenemy,heshookahandingrimdefiance.
Buthisholdloosened,andhisdarkpersonwasseencuttingtheairwithitsheaddownward,forafleetinginstant,untilitglidedpastthefringeofshrubberywhichclungtothemountain,initsrapidflighttodestruction.
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