Adventure Books
22 - The Last Of The Mohicans - James Cooper
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- Duration:
- 34m
- Broadcast on:
- 07 Aug 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
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For a limited time, you can get a one-month free trial to our premium, ad-free service. Imagine having unlimited access to over 500 audiobooks, meditative sounds, and exclusive shows, all at your fingertips. Just head over to SaulGood Media dot com and sign up to start your free trial today. No ads, no interruptions just pure, immersive audio content. Don't miss out. Transform your listening experience with Saul Good Media. Visit SaulGoodMedia dot com and start your free trial now. We can't wait for you to join our audio community. Happy listening. Chapter 22. "But, a bibble, we all met, key, pat pat, and here's a marvelous, convenient place for our rehearsal." For Midsummer Night's Dream. The reader may better imagine than we describe the surprise of Hayward. His lurking Indians were suddenly converted into four-footed beast, his lake into a beaver pond, his cataract into a dam constructed by those industrious and ingenious quadrupeds, and a suspected enemy into his tried friend, David Gamoot, the master of psalmody. The presence of the latter created so many unexpected hopes relative to the sisters, that without a moment's hesitation the young man broke out of his ambush and sprang forward to join the two principal actors in the scene. The merriment of Hawkeye was not easily appeased. Without ceremony and with a rough hand, he twirled the supple Gamoot around on his heel, and more than once affirmed that the heurons had done themselves great credit in the fashion of his costume. Then, seizing the hand of the other, he squeezed it with a grip that brought tears into the eyes of the placid David, and wished him joy in his new condition. "You were about opening your throat-practicings among the beavers, were ye?" he said. "The cunning devils know half the trade already, for they beat the time with their tails, as you heard just now, and in good time it was too, or Kildir might have sounded the first note among them. I have known greater fools who could read and write than an experienced old beaver, but as for squalling, the animals are born dumb. What think of you as such a song as this?" David shut his sensitive ears, and even Hayward, apprised as he was of the nature of the cry, looked upward in quest of the bird, as the calling of a crow rang in the air about them. "See?" continued the laughing scout, as he pointed toward the remainder of the party, who, in obedience to the signal, were already approaching. This is music which has its natural virtues. It brings two good rifles to my elbow, to say nothing of the knives and tomahawks, but we see that you are safe. Now tell us what has become of the maidens." "They are captains of the heathen," said David, "and the greatly troubled in spirit, enjoying comfort and safety in the body." "Both demanded the breathless Hayward?" "Even so, though our wayfaring has been sore, and are sus than in scanty. We have had little other cause for complaint, except the violence done our feelings, but being thus led in captivity into a far land." "Bless ye for these very words," exclaimed the trembling Monroe, "I shall then receive my babes, spotless and angel-like as I lost them." "I know not that their deliver is at hand," returned the doubting David. "The leader of those savages is possessed of an evil spirit that no power short of omnipotence contained. I have tried him sleeping and walking, but neither sounds nor language seem to touch his soul." "Where is the nave?" bluntly interrupted the scout. "He hunts the moose today with his young men, and tomorrow, as I hear, they pass further into the forest and nier to the borders of Canada. The elder maiden is conveyed to a neighboring people, whose lodges are situated beyond yonder black pinnacle of rock, while the younger is detained among the woman of the Hurrons, whose dwellings are but too short miles hence on a table-land, where the fire had done the office of the axe, and prepared the place for their reception." "Alice, my gentle Alice," murmured Hayward, "she has lost the consolation of her sister's presence?" "Even so, but so far as praise and thanksgiving in psalmody can temper the spirit of affliction. She has not suffered." "Has she, then, a hut for music?" "Of the graver and more solemn character. Though it must be acknowledged that, in spite of all my endeavors, the maiden weeps, oftener than she smiles, and such moments I forbear to press the holy songs, but there are many sweet and comfortable periods of satisfactory communication, when the ears of the savages are astounded with the uplifting of our voices. And why are you permitted to go at large, unwatched?" David composed his features into what he intended should express an air of modest humility before he meekly replied. "Little be the praise to such a worm as I, but though the power of psalmody was suspended in the terrible business of that field of blood through which we have passed, it has recovered its influence over the souls of the heathen, and I am suffered to go and come at will." The scout laughed, and tapping his own forehead significantly, he perhaps explained the singular indulgence more satisfactorily when he said, "The Indians never harm a non-composer, but why, when the path lay open before your eyes, did you not strike back on your own trail? It is not as blind as that which a squirrel would make, and bring in the tidings to Edward. The scout, remembering only his own sturdy and iron nature, had probably exacted a task that David, under no circumstances, could have performed. But, without entirely losing the meekness of his air, the latter was content to answer, "Though my soul would rejoice, to visit the habitations of Christendom once more, my feet would rather follow the tender spirits and trust it to my keeping, even into the idolatrous province of the Jesuits, then take one step backward while they pined in captivity and sorrow." Though the figurative language of David was not very intelligible, the sincere and steady expression of his eye and the glow of his honest countenance were not easily mistaken. Oncus pressed closer to his side and regarded the speaker with a look of commendation, while his father expressed his satisfaction by the ordinary pithy exclamation of approbation. The scout shook his head as he rejoined. The Lord never intended that a man should place all his endeavors in his throat to the neglect of other and better gifts, but he has fallen into the hands of some silly woman when he should have been gathering his education under the blue sky, among the beauties of the forest. "Here, friend, I did intend to kindle a fire with this soothing whistle of thine, but, as you value the thing, take it and blow your best on it." Gemut received his pitch-pipe with as strong an expression of pleasure as he believed compatible with the grave functions he exercised. After assaying its virtues repeatedly, in contrast with his own voice, and satisfying himself that none of its melody was lost, he made a very serious demonstration toward achieving a few stanzas of one of the longest effusions in the little volume so often mentioned. Hayward, however, hastily interrupted his pious purpose by continuing questions concerning the past and present condition of his fellow captives, and in a manner more methodical than had been permitted by his feelings in the opening of their interview. David, though he regarded his treasure with longing eyes, was constrained to answer, especially as the venerable father took a part in the interrogatories with an interest too imposing to be denied. Nor did the scout fail to throw in a pertinent inquiry whenever a fitting occasion presented. In this manner, though with frequent interruptions which were filled with certain threatening sounds from the recovered instrument, the pursuers were put in possession of such leading circumstances as were likely to prove useful in accomplishing their great and engrossing object, the recovery of the sisters. The narrative of David was simple, and the facts but few. Machua had waited on the mountain until a safe moment to retire presented itself, when he had descended and taken the route along the western side of the hurricane in the direction of the Canada's, as the subtle Huron was familiar with the paths, and well knew that there was no immediate danger of pursuit. Their progress had been moderate, and far from fatiguing. It appeared from the unembellished statement of David that his own presence had been rather endured than desired, though even Machua had not been entirely exempt from the veneration with which the Indians regard those whom the great spirit had visited in their intellects. At night, the utmost care had been taken of the captives, both to prevent injury from the damps of the woods and to guard against an escape. At the spring, the horses were turned loose, as has been seen, and notwithstanding the remoteness and length of their trail, the artifices already named were resorted to in order to cut off every clue to the replace of retreat. On their arrival at the encampment of his people, Machua, in obedience to a policy seldom departed from, separated his prisoners. Cora had been sent to a tribe that temporarily occupied an adjacent valley, though David was far too ignorant of the customs and history of the natives to be able to declare anything satisfactory concerning their name or character. He only knew that they had not engaged in the late expedition against William Henry, that, like the heurons themselves, they were allies of Montcalm, and that they maintained an amicable, though a watchful intercourse with the warlike and savage people whom chance had for a time brought in such close and disagreeable contact with themselves. The Mohicans and the Scout listened to his interrupted and imperfect narrative, with an interest that obviously increased as he proceeded, and it was while attempting to explain the pursuits of the community in which Cora was detained, that the latter abruptly demanded. "Did you see the fashion of their knives? Were they of English or French formation?" "My thoughts were bent on no such vanities, but rather mingled in consolation with those of the maidens." "The time may come when you will not consider the knife of a savage such a despicable vanity," returned the Scout, "with a strong expression of contempt for the other's dullness. Had they held their corn feast, or can you say anything of the totems of the tribe?" "Of course we had mentee in plentiful feast, for the grain being in the milk is both sweet to the mouth, and comfortable to the stomach." "Of totem? I know not the meaning. But if it pertaineth in any wise to the art of Indian music, it need not be inquired after at their hands. They never join their voices in praise, and it would seem that they are among the profanest of the idolatrous." "Therein, you belive the nature of an Indian. Even the Mingo adores but the true and loving God." "Tis wicked fabrication of the whites, and I say it to the shame of my color that would make the warrior bow down before images of his own creation. It is true they endeavor to make truces to the wicked one, as who would not with an enemy he cannot conquer. But they look up for favor and assistance to the great and good spirit only." "It may be so," said David, "but I have seen strange and fantastic images drawn in their paint, of which their admiration and care savored of spiritual pride, especially one. And that, too, a foul and loathsome object." "Was it a serpent?" quickly demanded the scout. "Much the same. It was in the likeness of an object and creeping tortoise." "Huh," exclaimed both the attentive Mohicans in a breath, while the scout shook his head with the air of one who had made an important but by no means a pleasing discovery. Then the father spoke in the language of the Delaware's, and with a calmness and dignity that instantly arrested the attention, even of those to whom his words were unintelligible. His gestures were impressive, and at times energetic. Once he lifted his arm on high, and as it descended, the action threw aside the folds of his light mantle, a finger resting on his breast, as if he could enforce the meaning by the attitude. Duncan's eyes followed the movement, and he perceived that the animal just mentioned was beautifully, though faintly worked in blue tint on the swirly breast of the chief. All that he had ever heard of the violent separation of the vast tribes of the Delaware's rushed across his mind, and he awaited the proper moment to speak, with a suspense that was rendered nearly intolerable by his interest in the stake. His wish, however, was anticipated by the scout, who turned from his red friend, saying, "We have found that which may be good or evil to us, as heaven disposes. The Sagamore is of the high blood of the Delaware's, and is the great chief of their tortoises, that some of this stock are among the people of whom the singer tells us, is plain by his words, and, had he but spent half the breath, in prudent questions, that he has blown away in making a trumpet of his throat, we might have known how many warriors they numbered. It is altogether a dangerous path we move in, for a friend whose face is turned from you often bears a bloodier mind than the enemy who seeks your scalp." "Explain," said Duncan, "tis a long and melancholy tradition, and one I little like to think of, for it is not to be nigh that the evil has been mainly done by men with white skins. But it has ended in turning the tomahawk of brother against brother, and brought the Mingo and the Delaware to travel in the same path." "You then suspect it is a portion of that people, among whom Kora resides?" The scout nodded his head in a scent, though he seemed anxious to wave the further discussion of a subject that appeared painful. The impatient Duncan now made several hasty and desperate propositions to attempt the release of the sisters. Monroe seemed to shake off his apathy, and listened to the wild schemes of the young man with the deference that his gray hairs and reverend years should have denied. But the scout, after suffering the arder of the lover to expand itself a little, found means to convince him of the folly of precipitation in a manner that would require their coolest judgment and utmost fortitude. "It would be well," he added, "to let this man go in again as usual, and for him to teary in the lodges, giving notice to the gentle ones of our approach, until we call him out by signal to consult. You know the cry of a crow-friend from the whistle of a whipper-will?" "To his appeasing bird," returned David, and has a softened melancholy note, though the time is rather quick and ill-measured. "He speaks of the wish-ton wish," said the scout. "Well, since you like his whistle, it shall be your signal. Remember, then, when you hear the whipper-wheels call three times repeated. You are to come into the bushes where the bird might be supposed." "Dop!" interrupted Hayward. "I will accompany him." "You, exclaimed the astonished Hawkeye? Are you tired of seeing the sunrise and set?" "David is living proof that the Hurons can be merciful." "I, but David can use his throat, as no man in his senses would pervert the gift." "I too can play the madman, the fool the hero. In short, any or everything to rescue her I love, name your objections no longer. I am resolved." Hawkeye regarded the young man a moment in speechless amazement, but Duncan, who in deference to the other skill and services had hitherto submitted somewhat implicitly to his dictation, now assumed the superior with a manner that was not easily resisted. He waved his hand in sign of his dislike to all remonestrants, and then, in more tempered language, he continued. "You have the means to disguise. Change me. Paint me too, if you will. In short, order me to anything, a fool." "It is not for one like me to say that he who is already formed by so powerful a hand as providence stands in need of a change," muttered the discontented scout. "When you send your parties abroad in war, you find it prudent, at least, to arrange the marks and places of encampment in order that they who fight on your side may know when and where to expect a friend." "Listen," interrupted Duncan, "you have heard from this faithful follower of the captives that the Indians are of two tribes, if not of different nations, with one whom you think to be a branch of the Delaware's. It's she you call the dark hair. The other and younger of the ladies is undeniably with our declared enemies, the Huron. It becomes my youth and rank to attempt the latter adventure, while you, therefore, are negotiating with your friends for the release of one of the sisters. I will effect that of the other, or die." The awakened spirit of the young soldier gleamed in his eyes, and his form became imposing under its influence. Hawkeye, though too much accustomed to Indian artifices, not to foresee the danger of the experiment, knew not well how to combat this sudden resolution. Perhaps there was something in the proposal that suited his own hearty nature, and that secret love of desperate adventure, which had increased with his experience until hazard and danger had become, in some measure, necessary to the enjoyment of his existence. Instead of continuing to oppose the scheme of Duncan, his humor suddenly altered, and he lent himself to its execution. "Come," he said, with a good, humoured smile, "the buck that will take to the water must be headed and not followed." Chinchkachkok has as many different paints as the engineer's officer's wife, who takes down nature on scraps of paper, making the mountains look like crocs of rusty hay, and placing the blue sky in reach of your hand. The Sagamor can use them, too. "Seach yourself on the log, and my life on it. He can soon make a natural fool of you, and that well to your liking." Duncan complied, and the Mohican, who had been an attentive listener to their discourse, readily undertook the office. Long practised in all the subtle arts of his race, he drew with great dexterity and quickness, the fantastic shadow that the natives were accustomed to consider as the evidence of a friendly and jocular disposition. Every line that could possibly be interpreted into a secret inclination for war was carefully avoided, while, on the other hand, he studied those conceits that might be construed into amity. In short, he entirely sacrificed every appearance of the warrior to the masquerade of a buffoon. Such exhibitions were not uncommon among the Indians, and, as Duncan was already sufficiently disguised in his dress, there certainly did exist some reason for believing that, with his knowledge of French, he might pass for a juggler from Ticonderoga, straggly among the allied and friendly tribes. When he was thought to be sufficiently painted, the scout gave him much friendly advice, concerted signals, and appointed the place where they should meet in the event of mutual success. The parting between Monroe and his young friend was more melancholy. Still, the former submitted to the separation with an indifference that his warm and honest nature would never have permitted in a more helpful state of mind. The scout led Hayward aside, and acquainted him with his intention to lead the veteran in some safe encampment, in charge of Ticonderogachkok, while he and Enchus pursued their inquiries among the people they had reason to believe were Delaware's. Then, renewing his cautions and advice, he concluded by saying with the solemnity and warmth of feeling with which Duncan was deeply touched. And now, God bless you, you have shown a spirit that I like, for it is the gift of youth, more especially one of warm blood and a stout heart. But believe the warning of a man who has reason to know all he says to be true. You will have occasion for your best manhood, and for a sharper wit than what is to be gathered in books of for you outdo the cunning or get the better of the courage of a Mingo. God bless you. If the heroines master your scalp, rely on the promise of one who has two stout warriors to back him. They shall pay for their victory with a life for every hair it holds. I say, young gentleman, make providence bless your undertaking, which is altogether for good. And remember that out with the naves it is lawful to practice things that may not be naturally the gift of a white skin. Duncan shook his worthy and reluctant associate warmly by the hand. Once more, recommended the agent friend to his care and returning his good wishes, he motioned to David to proceed. Hawkeye gazed after the high spirited and adventurous young man for several moments in open admiration. Then, shaking his head doubtingly, he turned and led his own division of the party into the concealment of the forest. The route taken by Duncan and David laid directly across the clearing of the beavers and along the margin of their pond. When the former found himself alone with one so simple and so little qualified to render any assistance in desperate emergencies, he first began to be sensible of the difficulties of the task he had undertaken. The fading light increased the gloominess of the bleak and savage wilderness that stretched so far on every side of him, and there was even a fearful character in the stillness of those little huts that he knew were so abundantly peopled. It struck him as he gazed at the admirable structures and the wonderful precautions of their sagacious inmates that even the brutes of these vast wilds were possessed of an instinct, nearly commensurate with his own reason, and he could not reflect without anxiety on the unequal contest that he had so rashly courted. Then came the glowing image of Alice, her distress, her actual danger, and all the peril of his situation was forgotten. Cheering David he moved on with the light and vigorous step of youth and enterprise. After making nearly a semi-circle around the pond, they diverged from the watercourse and began to ascend to the level of a slight elevation in that bottom land, over which they journeyed. Within half an hour, they gained the margin of another opening that bore all the signs of having been also made by the beavers, and which those sagacious animals had probably been induced by some accident to abandon for the more eligible position they now occupied. A very natural sensation caused Duncan to hesitate a moment, unwilling to leave the cover of their bushy path, as a man pauses to collect his energies before he assays any hazardous experiment, in which he is secretly conscious they were all be needed. He profited by the halt to gather such information as might be obtained from his short and hasty glances. On the opposite side of the clearing and near the point where the brook tumbled over some rocks from a still higher level, some fifty or sixty lodges rudely fabricated of logs, brush, and earth intermingled, were to be discovered. They were arranged without any order and seemed to be constructed with very little attention to neatness or beauty. Indeed, so very inferior were they in the two latter particulars to the village Duncan had just seen, that he began to expect a second surprise, no less astonishing than the former. This expectation was in no degree diminished, when, by the doubtful twilight, he beheld twenty or thirty forms rising alternately from the cover of the tall coarse grass in front of the lodges, and then sinking again from the site, as it were, to burrow in the earth. By the sudden and hasty glimpses that he caught of these figures, they seemed more like dark, glancing specters, or some other unearthly beings, than creatures fashioned with the ordinary and vulgar materials of flesh and blood. A gaunt naked form was seen for a single instant, tossing its arms wildly in the air, and then the spot it had filled was vacant, the figure appearing suddenly in some other and distant place, or being seceded by another, possessing the same mysterious character. David, observing that his companion lingered, pursued the direction of his gaze, and in some measure recalled the recollection of Hayward by speaking. "There is much fruitful soil uncultivated here," he said, "and I may had, without the sinful leaven of self-comendation, that since my short sargeorn in these heathenish abodes, much good seed has been scattered by the wayside." "The tribes are founder of the chase, then of the arts of men of labor," returned the unconscious stunken, still gazing at the objects of his wonder. "It is rather joyth in labor to the spirit, to lift up the voice and praise, but sadly do these boys abuse their gifts. Rarely have I found any of their age, on whom nature has so freely bestowed the elements of Samadhi, and surely, surely, there are none who neglect them more. Three nights have I now tarried here, and three several times have I assembled the urchins to join in sacred song, and as often have they responded to my efforts with whoopings and howlings that have chilled my soul, of whom speak you, of those children of the devil who waste the precious moments in yonder vital antics. Oh, the wholesome restraint of discipline is but little known among the self-abandoned people. In a country of birches, a rod is never seen, and it ought not to appear a marvel in my eyes that the choicest blessings of providence are wasted in such cries as these." David closed his ears against the juvenile pack, whose yell just then rang shrilly through the forest. And Duncan, suffering his lip to curl as in mockery of his own superstition, said firmly, "We will proceed." Without removing the safeguards from his ears, the master of song complied, and together they pursued their way toward what David was sometimes want to call the "tense of the Philistines." End of chapter 22.