Adventure Books

16 - The Last Of The Mohicans - James Cooper

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Duration:: 33m
Broadcast on:: 01 Aug 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

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18 plus terms and conditions apply chapter 16 quote edg before you fight the battle oh this letter unquote from Lear major Hayward found Monroe attended only by his daughters Alice sat upon his knee parting the gray hairs of the forehead of the old man with her delicate fingers and whenever he affected to frown on her trifling appeasing his assumed anger by pressing her ruby lips fondly on his wrinkled brow chora was seated nigh them a calm and amused look her on regarding the wayward movements of her more youthful sister with that species of maternal fondness which characterized her love for Alice not only the dangers through which they had passed but those which still impended above them appeared to be momentarily forgotten in the soothing indulgence of such a family meeting it seemed as if they had profited by the short truce to devote an instant to the purest and best affection the daughters forgetting their fears and the veteran his cares in the security of the moment of this scene Duncan who in his eagerness to report his arrival had entered unannounced stood many moments an unobserved and a delighted spectator but the quick and dancing eyes of Alice soon caught a glimpse of his figure reflected from a glass and she sprang blushing from her father's knee exclaiming aloud major Hayward what of the lad demanded her father I have sent him to crack a little with the Frenchman ah sir you are young and you are nimble I'm way with you baggage as if there were not troubles enough for a soldier without having his camp filled with such prattling hussies as yourself Alice laughingly followed her sister who instantly led the way from an apartment where she perceived their presence was no longer desirable when row instead of demanding the result of the young man's mission paste the room for a few moments with his hands behind his back and his head inclined toward the floor like a man lost in thought at length he raised his eyes glistening with the father's fondness and exclaimed they are a pair of excellent girls Hayward and such as anyone may boast of you are not now to learn my opinion of your daughter's colonel Monroe true lad true interrupted the impatient old man you were about opening your mind more fully on that matter the day you got in but I did not think it becoming in an old soldier to be talking of nuptial blessings and wedding jokes when the enemies of his king were likely to be unbidden guest at the feast but I was wrong Duncan boy I was wrong there and I am now ready to hear what you have to say notwithstanding the pleasure your assurance gives me dear sir I have just now a message from one call let the French men and all his hosts go to the devil sir exclaimed the hasty veteran he has not yet master of William Henry nor shall he ever be provided web proves himself the man he should no sir thank heaven we are not yet in such a straight that it can be said Monroe is too much pressed to discharge the little domestic duties of his own family your mother was the only child of my bosom friend Duncan and I'll just give you a hearing though all the nights of St. Louis were in a body at the sally port with the French saint at their head crying to speak a word and her favor a pretty degree of knighthood sir is that which can be brought with sugar hog's heads and then your two penny mark he says the fissile is the order for dignity and integrity the veritable name oh may impun la sitt of chivalry he had ancestors in that degree Duncan and they were an ornament to the nobles of Scotland Hayward who perceived that his superior took a malicious pleasure in exhibiting his contempt for the message of the French general was feigned to humor a spleen that he knew would be short-lived he therefore replied with as much indifference as he could assume on such a subject my request as you know sir went so far as to presume the honor of being your son ha boy you found words to make yourself very plainly comprehended but let me ask you sir have you been as intelligible to the girl oh my honor no exclaimed Duncan warmly there would have been an abuse of a confided trust had I taken advantage of my situation for such a purpose your notions are those of a gentleman major Hayward and well enough in their place but Coramond Row is a maiden too discreet and of a mind too elevated and improved to need the guardianship even of a father Cora I cora we are talking of your pretensions to miss Monroe are we not sir I I was not conscious of having mentioned her name said Duncan stammering and to marry home then did you wish my consent major Hayward demanded the old soldier erecting himself in the dignity of offended feeling you have another and not less lovely child Alice exclaimed the father in an astonishment equal to that with which Duncan had just repeated the name of her sister such was the direction of my wishes sir the young man waited in silence the result of the extraordinary effect produced by communication which does it now appeared was so unexpected for several minutes when wrote paste the chamber with long and rapid strides his rigid features working convulsively and every faculty seemingly absorbed in the musings of his own mind at length he paused directly in front of Hayward and riveting his eyes upon those of the other he said with a lip the quivered finally Duncan Hayward I have loved you for the sake of him whose blood is in your veins I have loved you for your own good qualities and I have loved you because I thought you would contribute to the happiness of my child but all this love would turn to hatred where I assured that what I so much apprehend is true God forbid that any act or thought of mind should lead to such a change exclaimed the young man whose eye never quailed under the penetrating look it encountered without adverting to the impossibility of the others comprehending those feelings which were hid in his own bosom when Rose suffered himself to be appeased by the unaltered countenance he met and with a voice sensibly softened he continued he would be my son Duncan and your ignorant of the history the man you wish to call your father sit you down young man and I will open to you the wounds of a sacred heart in as few words as may be suitable by this time the message of Montgomery was as much forgotten by him who bored as by the man for whose ears it was intended each drew a chair and while the veteran communed a few moments with his own thoughts apparently in sadness the youth suppressed his impatience in a look and attitude of a respectful attention at length the former spoke you know already it better Hayward that my family was both ancient and honorable convinced the Scotsman though it might not altogether be endowed with that amount of wealth that should correspond with its degree I was maybe such n-1 as yourself when I plited my faith to Alice Graham the only child of a neighboring layered of some estate but the connection was disagreeable to her father on more accounts than my poverty I did therefore what an honest man should restored the maiden her trough and departed the country in the service of my king I had seen many regions and had shed much blood in different lands before duty called me to the islands of the West Indies there it was my lot to form a connection with one who in time became my wife and the mother of Cora she was the daughter of a gentleman of those aisles by a lady whose misfortune it was if you will said the old man proudly to be descended remotely from that unfortunate class who are so basically enslaved to administer to the once of a luxurious people I sir that is a curse entailed on Scotland by her unnatural union with a foreign and trading people but could I find a man among them who would dare to reflect on my child he should feel the weight of a father's anger ha major Hayward you are yourself born at the south where these unfortunate beings are considered of a race inferior to your own to his most unfortunately true sir said Duncan unable any longer to prevent his eyes from sinking to the floor in embarrassment and you cast it on my child as a reproach you're scorned and mingled the blood of the Hayward's with one so degraded lovely and virtuous though she be fiercely demanded the jealous parent heaven protect me from a prejudice so unworthy of my reason returned Duncan at the same time conscious of such a feeling and that as deeply rooted as if it had been engrafted in his nature the sweetness the beauty the witchery of your younger daughter Colonel Monroe might explain my motives without imputing to be this injustice yeah right sir returned the old man again changing his tones to those of gentleness or rather softness that girl is the image of what her mother was at her years and before she had become acquainted with grief when death deprived me of my wife I returned to Scotland enriched by the marriage and would you think it Duncan the suffering angel had remained in the heartless state of celibacy 20 long years and that for the sake of a man who could forget her she did more so she overlooked my want of faith and all difficulties being now removed she took me for her husband and became the mother of Alice exclaimed Duncan with an eagerness that might have proved dangerous at a moment when the thoughts of Monroe were less occupied than at present she did indeed said the old man and dearly did she pay for the blessing she bestowed but she is a saint in heaven sir and it ill becomes one whose foot rests on the grave to mourn a lot so blessed I had her been a single year though a short term of happiness for one who had seen her youth fade in hopeless pining there was something so commanding in the distress of the old man that Hayward did not dare to venture a syllable of consolation Monroe set utterly unconscious of the other's presence his features exposed and working with the anguish of his regrets while heavy tears fell from his eyes and rolled unheeded from his cheeks to the floor at length he moved and is if suddenly recovering his recollection when he arose and taking a single turn across the room he approached his companion with an air of military grandeur and demanded have you not measured Hayward some communication that I should hear from the Marquis de Malcolm Duncan started in his turn and immediately commenced in an embarrassed voice the half forgotten message it is unnecessary to dwell upon the evasive though polite manner with which the French general had eluded every attempt of Hayward to warm from him the purport of the communication he had proposed making or on the decided though still polished message by which he now gave his enemy to understand that unless he chose to receive it in person he should not receive it at all as Monroe listened to the detail of Duncan the excited feelings of the father gradually gave way before the obligations of his station and when the other was done he saw before him nothing but the veteran swelling with the wounded feelings of a soldier he have said enough major Hayward exclaimed the angry old man enough to make a volume of commentary on French civility here has this gentleman invited me to a conference and when I sent him a caperbo substitute figure out of that Duncan they're years beep but few he answers me with a riddle he may have thought less favorably of the substitute my dear sir and you will remember that the invitation which he now repeats was to the commandant of the works and not to his second well sir is not a substitute clothed with all the power and dignity of him who grants the commission he wishes to confer with Monroe faith sir I have much inclination to indulge the man if it should only be to let him behold the firm countenance we maintain in spite of his numbers and his summons there might not be bad policy in such a stroke young man Duncan who believed it of the last importance that they should speedily come to the contents of the letter borne by the scout gladly encouraged this idea without a doubt he could gather no confidence by witnessing our indifference he said you never said a truer word I could wish sir that he would visit the works in open day and in the forum of a storming party that is the least failing method of approving the countenance of an enemy and would be far preferable to the battering system he has chosen the beauty and manliness of warfare has been much different major Hayward by the arts of Monsoon Vobon our ancestors were fire above such scientific cowardice it may be very true sir but we are now obliged to repel art by art what is your pleasure in the matter of the interview I will meet the Frenchman and that without fear or delay promptly sir as becomes a servant of my royal master goal major Hayward and give them a flourish of the music and send out a messenger to let them know who is coming we will follow with a small guard for such respect is due to one who holds the honor of his king in keeping and Harky Duncan he added in a half whisper though they were alone it may be prudent to have some aid at hand in case there should be treachery at the bottom of it all the young man availed himself of this order to quit the apartment and as the day was fast coming to a close he hastened without delay to make the necessary arrangements like very few minutes only were necessary to parade a few files and to dispatch an orderly with a flag to announce the approach of the commandant of the fort when Duncan had done both east he led the guard to the sally port near which he found his superior ready waiting his appearance as soon as the usual ceremonials of a military departure were observed the veteran and his more youthful companion left the fortress attended by the escort they had proceeded only a few hundred yards from the works when the little array which attended the French general to the conference was seen issuing from a hollow way which formed the bed of a brook that ran between the batteries of the besiegers and the fort from the moment that Monroe left his own works to appear in front of his enemies his air had been grand and his step and countenance highly military the instant he caught a glimpse of the white plume that waved in the hat of Montcalm his eye lighted an age no longer appeared to possess any influence over his vast and steel muscular person speaking activity boys to be much for sir he said in an undertone to Duncan and to look well to their flint and steel for one is never safe with a servant of these louis at the same time we shall show them the front of men in deep security he will understand me major Hayward he was interrupted by the clamor of a drum from the approaching Frenchman which was immediately answered when each party pushed an orderly in advance bearing a white flag and the wary Scotsman halted with his guard close at his back as soon as the slight salutation had passed Montcalm moved toward them with a quick but graceful step bearing his head to the veteran and dropping his spotless plume neatly to the earth in courtesy if the air of Monroe was more commanding and manly it wanted both the ease and insinuating polish of that of the Frenchman neither spoke for a few moments each regarding the other with curious and interested eyes then as became his superior rank and the nature of the interview Montcalm broke the silence after uttering the usual words of greeting he turned to Duncan and continued with a smile of recognition speaking always in French I am rejoiced Montsour that you have given us the pleasure of your company on this occasion there will be no necessity to employ an ordinary interpreter for in your hands I feel the same security as if I spoke your language myself Duncan acknowledge the compliment when Montcalm turning to his guard which in imitation of that of their enemies press close upon him continued and I'll read myself once if I'll chow later a vote who before major Hayward could imitate this proof of confidence he glanced his eyes around the plane and be held with an easiness the numerous dusky groups of savages who looked out from the margin of the surrounding woods curious spectators of the interview Montsour take Montcalm will readily acknowledge the difference in our situation he said with some embarrassment pointing at the same time toward those dangerous foes who were to be seen in almost every direction where we to dismiss our guard we should stand here at the mercy of our enemies Montsour you have the plighted faith of ungentle home front slice for your safety return Montcalm laying his hand impressively on his heart it should suffice it shall fall back Duncan added to the officer who led the escort fall back sir beyond hearing and wait for orders Monroe witnessed this movement with manifest on easiness nor did he fail to demand an instant explanation is it not our interests are to betray distrust retorted Duncan Montsour de Montcalm pledges his word for our safety and I have ordered the men to withdraw a little in order to prove how much we depend on his assurance it may be alright sir but have no overwhelming reliance on the faith of these Marquesas or my keys as they told themselves their patents of nobility are too common to be certain that they bear the seal of true honor you forget dear sir that we confer with an officer distinguished alike in Europe and America for his deeds from a soldier of his reputation we can have nothing to apprehend the old man made a gesture of resignation though his rigid features still betrayed his obstinate adherence to a distrust which he derived from a sort of hereditary contempt of his enemy rather than from any present signs which might warrant so uncharitable feeling Montcalm waited patiently until this little dialogue and demi voice was ended when he drew nier and opened the subject of their conference I have solicited this interview from your superior Montsour he said because I believe he will allow himself to be persuaded that he has already done everything which is necessary for the honor of his prince and will now listen to the admonitions of humanity I will forever bear testimony that his resistance has been gallant and has continued as long as there was hope when this opening was translated to Monroe he answered with dignity but with sufficient courtesy however I may pry such testimony from Montsour Montcalm it will be more valuable when it shall be better merited the French general smiled as Duncan gave him the purport of his reply and observed what is so freely accorded to approve courage may be refused to useless obstinency Montsour would wish to see my camp and witness for himself our numbers and the impossibility of his resisting them with success I know that the king of Francis was served returned the unmoved Scotsman as soon as Duncan ended his translation but my own royal master has as many and as faithful troops though not at hand fortunately for us said Montcalm without waiting in his ardor for the interpreter there is destiny in war to which a brave man knows how to submit with the same courage that he faces his foes had I had been conscious that Montsour Montcalm was a master of the English I should have spared myself the trouble of so awkward a translation said the vexed Duncan dryley remembering instantly his recent bi-play with Monroe your pardon Montsour rejoined the Frenchman suffering a slight color to appear in his dark cheek there is a vast difference between understanding and speaking of foreign tongue you will therefore please to assist me still then after a short pause he added these hills afford us every opportunity of reconnoitering your works misshures and I am possibly as well acquainted with their weak condition as you can be yourselves ask the French general if he has glasses to reach the Hudson said Monroe proudly and if he knows when and where to expect the army of web let General Webby his own interpreter returned the politic Montcalm suddenly extending an open letter to word Monroe as he spoke you will dare learn Mansour that his movements are not likely to prove embarrassing to my army the veteran sees the offered paper without waiting for Duncan to translate the speech and with an eagerness that betrayed how important he deemed its contents as his eyes passed hastily over the words his countenance changed from its look of military pride to one of deep chagrin his lip began to quiver and suffering the paper to fall from his hand his head dropped upon his chest like that of a man whose hopes were withered in a single blow Duncan caught the letter from the ground and without apology for the liberty he took he read at a glance its cruel port their common superior so far from encouraging them to resist advised a speedy surrender urging in the plainest language as a reason the utter impossibility of his sending a single man to their rescue here is no deception exclaimed Duncan examining the bill at both inside and out this is the signature of web and must be the captured letter the man has betrayed me Monroe at length bitterly exclaimed he has brought this honor to the door of one where disgrace has never before known to dwell and shame has he reaped heavily on my gray hairs say not so cried Duncan we are yet masters of the fort and of our honor let us then sell our lives at such a rate as shall make our enemies believe the purchase to deer boy I thank thee exclaimed the old man rousing himself from a stupor you have there once reminded me of his duty we will go back and dig our graves behind those ramparts monsures sentmont calm advancing toward them a step in generous interest you little no lose they st fell on if you believe him capable of profiting by this letter to humble brave men or to build up a dishonest reputation for himself listen to my terms before you leave me what says the Frenchman demanded the veterans sternly does he make a merit of having captured a scout with a note from headquarters sir he had better raise his siege to go and sit before Edward if he wishes to frighten his enemy with words Duncan explained the others meaning man sir man tongue we will hear you the veteran added more calmly as Duncan ended to retain the fort is now impossible set his liberal enemy it is necessary in the interest of my master that it should be destroyed but as for yourself and your brave comrades there is no privilege dear to a soldier that shall be denied our colors demanded Hayward carry them to England and show them to your king our arms keep them none can use them better our march the surrender of the place shall be done in a way most honorable to yourselves Duncan now turned to explain these proposals to his commander who heard them with amazement and a sensibility that was deeply touched by so unusual and unexpected generosity go you Duncan he said go with this Marques has indeed Marques he should be go to his marquee and arrange it all I have lived to see two things in my old age that never did I expect to behold an English man afraid to support a friend and a Frenchman too honest to profit by his advantage so saying the veteran again dropped his head to his chest and returned slowly toward the fort exhibiting by the dejection of his air to the anxious garrison a harbinger of evil tidings from the shock of this unexpected blow the haughty feelings of Monroe never recovered but from that moment there commenced a changed in his determined character which accompanied him to a speedy grave Duncan remained to settle the terms of the capitulation he was seen to re-enter the works during the first watches of the night and immediately after a private conference with the prominent to leave them again it was then openly announced that hostilities must cease Monroe having signed a treaty by which the place was to be yielded to the enemy with the morning the garrison to retain their arms the colors and their baggage and 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