The Last of the Mohicans; A narrative of 1757
night that ‘killdeer’ had no hand in the death of this skulking
Oneida.”
Then, as if satisfied with the force of his own reasons, whatever might be
their effect on the opinions of the other disputant, the honest but implacable
woodsman turned from the fire, content to let the controversy slumber. Heyward
withdrew to the rampart, too uneasy and too little accustomed to the warfare of
the woods to remain at ease under the possibility of such insidious attacks.
Not so, however, with the scout and the Mohicans. Those acute and
long-practised senses, whose powers so often exceed the limits of all ordinary
credulity, after having detected the danger, had enabled them to ascertain its
magnitude and duration. Not one of the three appeared in the least to doubt
their perfect security, as was indicated by the preparations that were soon
made to sit in council over their future proceedings.
The confusion of nations, and even of tribes, to which Hawkeye alluded, existed
at that period in the fullest force. The great tie of language, and, of course,
of a common origin, was severed in many places; and it was one of its
consequences, that the Delaware and the Mingo (as the people of the Six Nations
were called) were found fighting in the same ranks, while the latter sought the
scalp of the Huron, though believed to be the root of his own stock. The
Delawares were even divided among themselves. Though love for the soil which
had belonged to his ancestors kept the Sagamore of the Mohicans with a small
band of followers who were serving at Edward, under the banners of the English
king, by far the largest portion of his nation were known to be in the field as
allies of Montcalm. The reader probably knows, if enough has not already been
gleaned form this narrative, that the Delaware, or Lenape, claimed to be the
progenitors of that numerous people, who once were masters of most of the
eastern and northern states of America, of whom the community of the Mohicans
was an ancient and highly honored member.
It was, of course, with a perfect understanding of the minute and intricate
interests which had armed friend against friend, and brought natural enemies to
combat by each other’s side, that the scout and his companions now
disposed themselves to deliberate on the measures that were to govern their
future movements, amid so many jarring and savage races of men. Duncan knew
enough of Indian customs to understand the reason that the fire was
replenished, and why the warriors, not excepting Hawkeye, took their seats
within the curl of its smoke with so much gravity and decorum. Placing himself
at an angle of the works, where he might be a spectator of the scene without,
he awaited the result with as much patience as he could summon.
After a short and impressive pause, Chingachgook lighted a pipe whose bowl was
curiously carved in one of the soft stones of the country, and whose stem was a
tube of wood, and commenced smoking. When he had inhaled enough of the
fragrance of the soothing weed, he passed the instrument into the hands of the
scout. In this manner the pipe had made its rounds three several times, amid
the most profound silence, before either of the party opened his lips. Then the
Sagamore, as the oldest and highest in rank, in a few calm and dignified words,
proposed the subject for deliberation. He was answered by the scout; and
Chingachgook rejoined, when the other objected to his opinions. But the
youthful Uncas continued a silent and respectful listener, until Hawkeye, in
complaisance, demanded his opinion. Heyward gathered from the manners of the
different speakers, that the father and son espoused one side of a disputed
question, while the white man maintained the other. The contest gradually grew
warmer, until it was quite evident the feelings of the speakers began to be
somewhat enlisted in the debate.
Notwithstanding the increasing warmth of the amicable contest, the most
decorous Christian assembly, not even excepting those in which its reverend
ministers are collected, might have learned a wholesome lesson of moderation
from the forbearance and courtesy of the disputants. The words of Uncas were
received with the same deep attention as those which fell from the maturer
wisdom of his father; and so far from manifesting any impatience, neither spoke
in reply, until a few moments of silent meditation were, seemingly, bestowed in
deliberating on what had already been said.
The language of the Mohicans was accompanied by gestures so direct and natural
that Heyward had but little difficulty in following the thread of their
argument. On the other hand, the scout was obscure; because from the lingering
pride of color, he rather affected the cold and artificial manner which
characterizes all classes of Anglo-Americans when unexcited. By the frequency
with which the Indians described the marks of a forest trial, it was evident
they urged a pursuit by land, while the repeated sweep of Hawkeye’s arm
toward the Horican denoted that he was for a passage across its waters.
The latter was to every appearance fast losing ground, and the point was about
to be decided against him, when he arose to his feet, and shaking off his
apathy, he suddenly assumed the manner of an Indian, and adopted all the arts
of native eloquence. Elevating an arm, he pointed out the track of the sun,
repeating the gesture for every day that was necessary to accomplish their
objects. Then he delineated a long and painful path, amid rocks and
water-courses. The age and weakness of the slumbering and unconscious Munro
were indicated by signs too palpable to be mistaken. Duncan perceived that even
his own powers were spoken lightly of, as the scout extended his palm, and
mentioned him by the appellation of the “Open Hand”—a name
his liberality had purchased of all the friendly tribes. Then came a
representation of the light and graceful movements of a canoe, set in forcible
contrast to the tottering steps of one enfeebled and tired. He concluded by
pointing to the scalp of the Oneida, and apparently urging the necessity of
their departing speedily, and in a manner that should leave no trail.
The Mohicans listened gravely, and with countenances that
reflected the
sentiments of the speaker.
The Mohicans listened gravely, and with countenances that reflected the
sentiments of the speaker. Conviction gradually wrought its influence, and
toward the close of Hawkeye’s speech, his sentences were accompanied by
the customary exclamation of commendation. In short, Uncas and his father
became converts to his way of thinking, abandoning their own previously
expressed opinions with a liberality and candor that, had they been the
representatives of some great and civilized people, would have infallibly
worked their political ruin, by destroying forever their reputation for
consistency.
The instant the matter in discussion was decided, the debate, and everything
connected with it, except the result appeared to be forgotten. Hawkeye, without
looking round to read his triumph in applauding eyes, very composedly stretched
his tall frame before the dying embers, and closed his own organs in sleep.
Left now in a measure to themselves, the Mohicans, whose time had been so much
devoted to the interests of others, seized the moment to devote some attention
to themselves. Casting off at once the grave and austere demeanor of an Indian
chief, Chingachgook commenced speaking to his son in the soft and playful tones
of affection. Uncas gladly met the familiar air of his father; and before the
hard breathing of the scout announced that he slept, a complete change was
effected in the manner of his two associates.
It is impossible to describe the music of their language, while thus engaged in
laughter and endearments, in such a way as to render it intelligible to those
whose ears have never listened to its melody. The compass of their voices,
particularly that of the youth, was wonderful—extending from the deepest
bass to tones that were even feminine in softness. The eyes of the father
followed the plastic and ingenious movements of the son with open delight, and
he never failed to smile in reply to the other’s contagious but low
laughter. While under the influence of these gentle and natural feelings, no
trace of ferocity was to be seen in the softened features of the Sagamore. His
figured panoply of death looked more like a disguise assumed in mockery than a
fierce annunciation of a desire to carry destruction in his footsteps.
After an hour had passed in the indulgence of their better feelings,
Chingachgook abruptly announced his desire to sleep, by wrapping his head in
his blanket and stretching his form on the naked earth. The merriment of Uncas
instantly ceased; and carefully raking the coals in such a manner that they
should impart their warmth to his father’s feet, the youth sought his own
pillow among the ruins of the place.
Imbibing renewed confidence from the security of these experienced foresters,
Heyward soon imitated their example; and long before the night had turned, they
who lay in the bosom of the ruined work, seemed to slumber as heavily as the
unconscious multitude whose bones were already beginning to bleach on the
surrounding plain.
CHAPTER XX.
“Land of Albania! let me bend mine eyes
On thee; thou rugged nurse of savage men!”
—Childe Harold
The heavens were still studded with stars, when Hawkeye came to arouse the
sleepers. Casting aside their cloaks Munro and Heyward 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 for 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; that 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 of this
extraordinary precaution were yet a mystery. When they were in the low cavity
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
clambering after the scout, until they reached the sandy shore of the Horican.
“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 armed boots, there might, indeed, have
been something to fear; but with the deer-skin suitably prepared, a man may
trust himself, generally, on rocks with safety. Shove in the canoe nigher to
the land, Uncas; this sand will take a stamp as easily as the butter of the
Jarmans on the Mohawk. Softly, lad, softly; it must not touch the beach, or the
knaves will know by what road we have left the place.”
The young man observed the precaution; and the scout, laying a board 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 birchen vessel, without leaving behind
him any of those marks which he appeared so much to dread. Heyward was silent