Adventure Books
20 - The Last Of The Mohicans - James Cooper
https://www.solgoodmedia.com Listen to hundreds of audiobooks, thousands of short stories, and ambient sounds all ad-free! Step into a world of daily intrigue and timeless tales with our Classic Adventure Podcast Series! Each day, we bring to life a new chapter from a beloved classic, inviting you on an exhilarating journey through some of the greatest adventure stories ever written. Imagine unraveling the mysteries with Sherlock Holmes, exploring bizarre landscapes with Alice, or circumnavigating the globe in just eighty days. Why settle for mundane daily commutes or routine chores when you can escape into the thrilling escapades of "Treasure Island" or the eerie encounters in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"? Our podcast transforms your every day into a captivating adventure, perfect for both the literary enthusiast and the casual listener seeking an escape from the ordinary. Join us as we traverse the dark depths of "Heart of Darkness," soar through the imaginative realms of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," and survive the wilds with "Robinson Crusoe." Each episode is crafted to make the classics accessible and exciting, ensuring that whether you're reliving your favorite tales or discovering them for the first time, you're guaranteed a gripping experience. Subscribe to our Classic Adventure Podcast Series today and start your daily adventure! Let us awaken the explorer in you as we delve into these timeless narratives, chapter by chapter, transforming your daily routine into an extraordinary journey through the pages of history's most thrilling adventures. Don't just listen to stories—live them every day with us!
- Duration:
- 32m
- Broadcast on:
- 05 Aug 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
It's time for today's Lucky Land horoscope with Victoria Cash. Life's gotten mundane, so shake up the daily routine and be adventurous with a trip to Lucky Land. You know what they say. Your chance to win starts with a spin. So go to luckylandslots.com to play over a hundred social casino style games for free for your chance to redeem some serious prizes. Get lucky today at luckylandslots.com. No purchase necessary. BGW Group void were prohibited by law. 18+ terms of condition supply. At your job, do you ever have to deal with a nose roller? How about a snub bully? Well, if you're installing a new conveyor belt system, dealing with the different components can sound like you're speaking a foreign language. Luckily, you've got a team ready to help. Granger's technical product specialists are fluent in maintenance, repair, and operations. So whenever you want to talk shop, just reach out. Call clickgranger.com or just out by Granger for the ones who get it done. CHAPTER XX Land of Albania, let me bend my eyes on thee, thou rugged nurse of savage men. By Child Harold. The heavens were still studded with stars when Hawkeye came to arouse the sleepers. Casting aside their cloaks, Monroe and Hayward were on their feet, while the woodsman was still making his low calls at the entrance of the rude shelter where they had passed the night. When they issued from beneath its concealment, they found the scout awaiting their appearance nigh by, and the only salutation between them was the significant gesture of silence, made by their sagacious leader. "Think over your prayers," he whispered as they approached him, "for he to whom you make them knows all tongues, bad of the heart, as well as those of the mouth." But speak not a syllable. It is rare for a white voice to pitch itself properly in the woods, as we have seen by the example of that miserable devil, the singer. "Come," he continued, turning toward a curtain of the works, "let us get into the ditch on this side, and be regardful to step on the stones and fragments of wood as you go." His companions complied, though to two of them the reasons for this extraordinary precaution were yet a mystery. When they were in the locavity that surrounded the earthen fort on three sides, they found that passage nearly choked by the ruins. With care and patience, however, they succeeded in clamoring after the scout until they reached the sandy shore of the hurricane. "That's a trail that nothing but a nose can follow," said the satisfied scout, looking back along their difficult way. Grass is a treacherous carpet for a flying party to tread on, but wood and stone take no print from a moccasin. "Had you worn your arne boots, there might indeed have been something to fear, but with the deerskin suitably prepared, a man may trust himself, generally, on rocks with safety. "Shove in the canoe nire to the land, unclece. This sand will take a stamp as easily as the butter of the german's on the mohawk. Softly lads, softly. It must not touch the beach, or the naves will know by what road we have left the place. The young man observed the precaution, and the scout, laying aboard from the ruins to the canoe, made a sign for the two officers to enter. When this was done, everything was studiously restored to its former disorder, and then Hawkeye succeeded in reaching his little birch and vessel, without leaving behind any of those marks, which he appeared so much to dread. Hayward was silent until the Indians had cautiously paddled the canoe some distance from the fort, and with the broad and dark shadows that fell from the eastern mountain on the glassy surface of the lake, then he demanded. "What need have we for this stolen and hurried departure?" "If the blood of an anida could stain such a sheet of pure water as this we float on," returned the scout, "your two eyes would answer your own question. Have you forgotten the skulking reptile, Anka, slew?" "But no means, but he was said to be alone, and dead men give no cause for fear." "Aye, he was alone in his devil-tree, but an Indian whose tribe counts so many warriors needs seldom fear his blood will run without the death-streak coming speedly from some of his enemies. But our presence, the authority of Colonel Monroe, we prove sufficient protection against the anger of our allies, especially in a case where the rich so well-merited his fate. I trust in heaven you have not deviated a single foot, from the direct line of our course, with so slight a reason. Do you think the bullet of that varlet's rifle would have turned aside though his sacred majesty the king had stood in its path?" returned the stubborn scout. "Why did not the grand friendship, he who is captain general of the canada's, bury the tomahawk of the heroines? If a word from a white can work so strongly on the nature of an Indian, the reply of Hayward was interrupted by a groan from Monroe. But after he had paused a moment in deference to the sorrow of his aged friend, he resumed the subject. "The Marquis of Mon Calm can only settle that air with his god," said the young man solemnly. "I. I. Now there is reason in your word, for they are bottomed on religion and honesty. There is a vast difference between throwing a regiment of white coats, a twix the tribes and the prisoners, and coaxing an angry savage to forget he carries a knife and rifle, with words that must begin with calling him your son." "No, no," continued the scout, looking back at the dim shore of William Henry, which was now fast receding, and laughing in his own silent but heartfelt manner. "I have put a trail of water between us, and unless the imps can make friends with the fishes, and here who is paddled across their basin, this fine warning shall throw the length of the hurricane behind us, before they have made up their minds which path to take. With foes in front, and foes in our rear, our journey is like to be one of danger." "Danger," repeated Hawkeye calmly. "No, not absolutely of danger, for with vigilant ears and quick eyes, we can manage to keep a few hours ahead of the naves. Or if we must try the rifle, there are three of us who understand its gifts, as well as any you can name on the borders." "No, not of danger, but that we shall have what you may call a brisk push of it is probable, and it may happen, a brush, a scrimmage, or some such devotion, but always where covers are good, and ammunition abundant. It is possible the Hayward's estimate of danger differed in some degree from that of the scout. For instead of replying he now sat in silence, while the canoe glided over several miles of water. Just as the day dawn, they entered the narrows of the lake, and stole swiftly and cautiously among their numberless little islands." Footnote. "The beauties of Lake George are well known to every American tourist. In the height of the mountains were surrounded, and in the artificial accessories, it is inferior to the finest of the Swiss and Italian lakes; while, in outline and purity of water, it is fully there equal; and, in the number and disposition of its aisles and islets, much superior to them altogether. There are said to be some hundreds of islands in a sheet of water, less than thirty miles long. The narrows, which connect what may be called in truth to lakes, are crowded with islands to such a degree as to leave passages between them frequently of only a few feet in width. The lake itself varies in breadth from one to three miles." End Footnote. It was by this road that Mont Calm had retired with his army, and the adventurers knew not, but he had left some of his Indians in ambush, to protect the rear of his forces and collect the stragglers. They therefore approached the passage with the customary silence of their guarded habits. Chinggachkok laid aside his paddle; while Onkus and the scout urged the light vessel through crooked and intricate channels, where every foot that they advanced exposed them to the danger of some sudden rising on their progress. The eyes of the Sagamore moved wirly from islet to islet and cops to cops. As the canoe proceeded, and when a clear sheet of water permitted, his keen vision was bent along the bald rocks and impending forest that frowned upon the narrow straight. Hayward, who was a doubly interested spectator, as well from the beauties of the place, as from the apprehension natural to his situation, was just believing that he had permitted the later to be excited without sufficient reason, when the paddle ceased moving in obedience to a signal from Chinggachkok. Exclaimed Onkus, nearly at the moment that the light tap his father had made on the side of the canoe notified them of the vicinity of danger. "But now," asked the scout, "the lake is as smooth as if the winds had never blown, and I can see along its sheet for miles. There is not so much as the black head of a loom dotting the water." The Indian gravely raised his paddle and pointed in the direction in which his own steady look was riveted. Duncan's eyes followed the motion. A few rods in their front lay another of the wooded islets, but it appeared as calm and peaceful as if solitude had never been disturbed by the foot of man. "I see nothing," he said, but land and water, and a lovely scene it is. Interrupt the scout, "I sag more. There is always a reason for what you do. 'Tis but a shade, and yet it is not natural. You see the mist-major that is rising above the island? You can't call it a fog, for it is more like a streak of thin cloud. It is vapor from the water." That a child could tell, but what is the edging of black or smoke that hangs on its lower side, and which you may trace down into the thicket of hazel? 'Tis from a fire, but one that in my judgment has been suffered to burn low. "Let us then push for the place and relieve our doubts," said the impatient Duncan. The party must be small that can lie on such a bit of land. "If you judge of Indian cunning by the rules you find in books, or by white sagacity, they will lead you astray if not to your death," returned Hawkeye, examining the signs of the place with that acuteness which distinguished him. "If I may be permitted to speak in this matter, it will be to say that we have but two things to choose between. The one is, to return and give up all thoughts of following the heroines. Never!" exclaimed Hayward in a voice far too loud for their circumstances. "Well, well," continued Hawkeye, making a hasty sign to repress his impatience, "I am much of your mind myself, though I thought it becoming my experience to tell the whole. We must then make a push. And if the Indians or Frenchers are in the narrows, run the gauntlet through these toppling mountains. Is there reason in my words, Sagamor?" The Indian made no answer other than by dropping his paddle into the water and urging forward the canoe. As he held the office of directing its course, his resolution was sufficiently indicated by the movement. The whole party now plied their paddles vigorously, and in a very few moments they had reached a point once they might command an entire view of the northern shore of the island, the side that had hitherto been concealed. "There they are, by all the truth of signs, whispered the scalp. Two canoes and a smoke. The nays haven't got their eyes out of the mist, or we should hear it the accursed hoop. To the gather friends, we are leaving them, and we are already nearly out of whistle of a bullet." The well-known crack of a rifle whose ball came skipping along the placid surface of the strait, and a shrill yell from the island interrupted his speech, and announced that their passage was discovered. In another instance, several savages were seen rushing into canoes, which were soon dancing over the water in pursuit. These fearful precursors of a coming struggle produced no change in the countenance and movements of his three guides so far as Duncan could discover, except that the strokes of the paddle were longer and more in unison, and caused the little bark to spring forward like a creature possessing life and volition. "Hold them there, Sagmore," said Hawkeye, looking coolly backward over his left shoulder. While he still plied his paddle, "keep them just there. Them heroines have never a piece in their nation that will execute at this distance, but Kildir has a barrel on which a man may calculate." The scout, having ascertained that the meheacons were sufficient of themselves to maintain the requisite distance, deliberately laid aside his paddle and raised the fatal rifle. Three several times he brought the piece to his shoulder, and when his companions were expecting its report, he is often lowered it to request the Indians would permit their enemies to approach a little nier. At length, his accurate and fastidious eye seemed satisfied, and throwing out his left arm on the barrel, he was slowly elevating the muzzle when an exclamation from Unkis who sat at the bow, once more caused him to suspend the shot. "What now, lad?" demanded Hawkeye. "You save a Huron from the death-streak by that word." "Have you reason for what you do?" Unkis pointed toward a rocky shore a little in their front. Once another war canoe was darting directly across their course. It was too obvious now that their situation was imminently periloused, to need the aid of language to confirm it. The scout laid aside his rifle, and resumed the paddle. Watch in scotch-cooking climbed the bowels of the canoe, a little toward the western shore, in order to increase the distance between them and this new enemy. In the meantime, they were reminded of the presence of those who pressed upon their rear, by wild and exalting shouts. Their stirring scene awakened even men row from his apathy. "Let us make for the rocks on the main," he said, with the mean of a tired soldier, "and give battle to the savages. God forbid that I or those attached to me in mine should ever trust again to the faith of any servant of the Louis." "He who wishes to prosper in Indian warfare," returned the scout, "must not be too proud to learn from the wit of a native. Lay her more along the land, Sagmore. We are doubling on the varlets, and perhaps they may try to strike our trail on the long calculation." Hawkeye was not mistaken, for when the Huron found their course was likely to throw them behind their chase, they rendered it less direct, until, by gradually bearing more and more obliquely, the two canoes were air long, gliding on parallel lines, within 200 yards of each other. It now became entirely a trial of speed, so rapid was the progress of the light vessels, that the lake curled in their front in miniature waves, and their motion became undulating by its own velocity. It was perhaps owing to the circumstance, in addition to the necessity of keeping every hand employed at the paddles, that the Hurons had not immediate recourse to their firearms. The exertions of the fugitives were too severe to continue long, and the pursuers had the advantage of numbers. Duncan observed with uneasiness that the scout began to look anxiously about him, as if searching for some further means of assisting their flight. "Itch her little more from the Sun, Sagmore," said the stubborn woodsman. "I see the naves are sparing a man to the rifle. A single broken bone might lose us our scalps. Edge more from the Sun, and we will put the island between us. The expedient was not without its use. A long, low island lay at a little distance before them, and, as they closed with it, the chasing canoe was compelled to take a sight opposite to that on which the pursued passed. The scout and his companions did not neglect this advantage, but the instant they were hid from observation by the bushes, they redoubled efforts that before had seen prodigious. The two canoes came round the last low point, like two coarsers at the top of their speed, the fugitives taking the lead. This change had brought them nier to each other, however, while it altered their relative position. "You should knowledge in the shaping of a birch and bark, Enchus, when you chose this from among the Huron canoes," said the scout, smiling. Apparently, Warren's satisfaction of their superiority in the race, then from us prospect of final escape, which now began to open a little upon them. The hymps have put all their strength again at the paddles, and we are to struggle for our scout with bits of flattened wood instead of clouded barrels and true eyes, a long stroke and together friends. "They are preparing for a shot," said Hayward, "and as we are in line with them it can scarcely fail." "Get you then into the bottom of the canoe," returned the scout, "you and the colonel. It will be so much taken from the size of the mark," Hayward smiled as he answered. "It would be an ill example for the highest in rank to dodge, while the warriors were under fire." "Lord, Lord, that is now a white man's courage," exclaimed the scout, "and like too many of his notions, not to be maintained by reason. Do you think the Sagamore or Enchus or even I who am a man without a cross would deliberate upon finding a cover in the scrimmage when an open body would do no good? For what have the Frenchers reared up their Quebec if fighting is always to be done in the clearings?" "All that you say is very true, my friend," replied Hayward. "Still, our customs must prevent us from doing as you wish." A volley from the Hurons interrupted the discourse, and as the bullets whistled about them Duncan saw the head of Enchus turned looking back at himself and Monroe, notwithstanding the nearness of the enemy and his own great personal danger. The countenance of the young warrior expressed no other emotion as the former was compelled to think, then amazement at finding men so willing to encounter so useless an exposure. Chinschotch Cook was probably better acquainted with the notions of white men, for he did not even cast a glance aside from the riveted look his eye maintained on the object by which he governed their course. A ball soon struck the light and polished paddle from the hands of the chief and drove it through the air far in the advance. A shout arose from the Hurons who seized the opportunity to fire another volley. Enchus described an ark in the water with his own blade, and as the canoes passed swiftly on, Chinschotch Cook recovered his paddle, and flourishing it on high he gave the war hoop of the Mohicans, and then lent his strength and skill again to the important task. The clamorous sounds of "They're all serpent! They long caribbean! They serve for Jew!" burst at once from the canoes behind and seemed to give new zeal to the pursuers. The scout seized Kildir in his left hand, and elevating above his head, he shook it in triumph at his enemies. The savages answered the insult with a yell, and immediately another volley seceded. The bullets pattered along the lake, and one even pierced the bark of their little vessel. No perceptible emotion could be discovered in the Mohicans during this critical moment. Their rigid features expressing neither hope, nor alarm. But the scout again turned his head, and laughing in his own silent manner, he said to Hayward, "The nays love to hear the sound of their pieces. But the eye is not to be found among the Mingos that can calculate a true range in a dancing canoe. You see the dumb devils have taken off a man to charge, and by the smallest measurement that can be allowed, we move three feet to their two. Duncan, who was not altogether as easy under this nice estimate of distances as his companion, was glad to find, however, that owing to their superior dexterity and the diversion among their enemies, they were very sensibly obtaining the advantage. The Huron soon fired again, and a bullet struck the blade of Hawkeye's paddle without injury. "That will do," said the scout, examining the slight indentation with a curious eye. "It would not have cut the skin of an infant, much less of men who like us have been blown upon by the heavens in their anger. Now, Major, if you will try to use this piece of flattened wood, I'll let kill dear take part in the conversation." Hayward seized the paddle and applied himself to the work with an eagerness that supplied the place of skill. While Hawkeye was engaged in inspecting the priming of his rifle, the later then took a swift aim and fired. The Huron and the bowels of the leading canoe had risen with a similar object, and he now fell backwards suffering his gun to escape from his hands into the water. In an instant, however, he recovered his feet, though his gestures were wild and bewildered. At the same moment, his companions suspended their efforts, and the chasing canoes clustered together and became stationary. Chinchotch Cook and Anchis, profited by the interval to regain their win, though Duncan continued to work with the most persevering industry. The father and son now cast calm but inquiring glances at each other to learn if either had sustained any injury by the fire, for both well knew that no cry or exclamation would in such a moment of necessity have been permitted to betray the accident. A few large drops of blood were trickling down the shoulder of the sag more. Who, when he perceived the eyes of Anchis dwelt too long on the sight, raised some water in the hollow of his hand, and washing off the stain, was content to manifest in this simple manner the slightness of the injury. "Softly, softly major," said the scout, "who by this time had reloaded his rifle." "We are a little too far already for a rifle to put forth its beauties, and you see yonder yimps are holding a council. Let them come within striking distance. My eye may well be trusted in such a matter, and I will trail the violets the length of the hurricane, guaranteeing that not a shot of theirs shall at the worst more than break the skin, while killdear shall touch the life twice in three times." "We forget our errand," returned the dillot, Jim Duncan, "for God's sake let us profit by this advantage and increase our distance from the enemy." "Give me my children," said Monroe hoarsely, "try for no longer with our father's agony, but restow me my babes." Long and habitual deference to the mandates of his superiors had taught the scout the virtue of obedience. Throwing a last and lingering glance at the distant canoes, he laid aside his rifle, and relieving the weary Duncan resumed the paddle, which he wielded with sinews that never tired. His efforts were seconded by those of the Mohicans, and a very few minutes served to place such a sheet of water between them and their enemies, that Hayward once more breathed freely. The lake now began to expand, and the route lay along a wide reach that was lined as before by high and ragged mountains, but the islands were few and easily avoided. The strokes of the paddles grew more measured and regular, while they who plied them continued their labor after the close and deadly chase, from which they had just relieved themselves, with as much coolness as though their speed had been tried in support, rather than under such pressing nay, almost desperate circumstances. Instead of following the western shore, whether their errand led them, the wary Mohican inclined his course more toward those hills behind which Montgomery was known to have led his army, into the formidable fortress of Ticonderoga. As the Verons, to every appearance, had to abandon the pursuit, there was no apparent reason for this excess of caution. It was, however, maintained for hours, until they had reached a bay neither northern termination of the lake. Here, the canoe was driven upon the beach, and the whole party landed. Hawkeye and Hayward ascended in the adjacent bluff, where the former, after considering the expanse of water beneath him, pointed out to the latter a small black object, hovering under a headland at the distance of several miles. "Do you see it?" demanded the scout. "Now what would you account that spot where you left alone to wide experience to find your way through this wilderness?" "But for its distance and its magnitude, I would suppose it a bird. Can it be a living object?" Tis a canoe of birch and bark, and paddled by fierce and crafty mingos. Though providence has lent to those who inhabit the woods, eyes that would be needless to men in the settlements, where there are inventions to assist the sight, yet no human organs can see all the dangers which at this moment circumvent us. These varelets pretend to be bent chiefly on their sundown meal, but the moment it is dark, they will be on our trail as true as hounds on the scent. We must throw them off, or our pursuit of a reknowledge subdue may be given up. These lakes are useful at times, especially when the game take to the water, continue the scout, gazing about him with accountants of concern, but they give no cover except it be to the fishes. God knows what the country would be if the settlement should spread far from the two rivers. Both hunting and war would lose their beauty. Let us not delay a moment without some good and obvious cause. I little like that smoke, which you may see warming up along the rock above the canoe, interrupted the abstracted scout. My life on it, other eyes than ours see it, and know its meaning. Well, words will not mend the matter, and it is time that we were doing. Hawkeye moved away from the lookout and descended, musing profoundly to the shore. He communicated the result of his observations to his companions in Delaware, and a short and earnest consultation succeeded. When it terminated, the three instantly set about executing their new resolutions. The canoe was lifted from the water and borne on the shoulders of the party. They proceeded into the wood, making as broad and obvious a trail as possible. They soon reached the water course, which they crossed, and continuing onward until they came to an extensive and naked rock. At this point, where their footsteps might be expected to be no longer visible, they retraced their route to the brook, walking backward with the utmost care. They now followed the bed of the little stream to the lake, in to which they immediately launched their canoe again. A low point concealed them from the headland, and the margin of the lake was fringe for some distance, with dense and overhanging bushes. Under the cover of these natural advantages, they toiled their way with patient industry, until the scout pronounced that he believed it would be safe once more to land. The halt continued until evening rendered objects indistinct and uncertain to the eye. Then they resumed their route, and favored by the darkness, pushed silently invigorously toward the western shore. Although the rugged outline of a mountain to which they were steering presented no distinctive marks to the eyes of Duncan, the Mohican entered the little haven he had selected with the confidence and accuracy of an experienced pilot. The boat was again lifted and born into the woods, where it was carefully concealed under a pile of brush. The adventurers assumed their arms and packs, and the scout announced to Munro and Hayward that he and the Indians were at least in readiness to proceed. End of chapter 20. It's time for today's Lucky Land horoscope with Victoria Cash. Life's gotten mundane, so shake up the daily routine and be adventurous with a trip to Lucky Land. You know what they say. Your chance to win starts with a spin, so go to luckylandslots.com to play over a hundred social casino style games for free for your chance to redeem some serious prizes. Get lucky today at luckylandslots.com. No purchase necessary. BGW Group void were prohibited by law 18 plus terms of condition supply. Save on O'Reilly Break Parts Cleaner. Get two cans of O'Reilly Break Parts Cleaner for just eight dollars, valid in store only at O'Reilly Auto Parts. O'Reilly Auto Parts.