The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757

by James Fenimore Cooper

  CHAPTER X.

  "I fear we shall outsleep the coming morn As much as we this night have overwatched!"

  _Midsummer Night's Dream._

  The instant the shock of this sudden misfortune had abated, Duncan beganto make his observations on the appearance and proceedings of theircaptors. Contrary to the usages of the natives in the wantonness oftheir success, they had respected, not only the persons of the tremblingsisters, but his own. The rich ornaments of his military attire hadindeed been repeatedly handled by different individuals of the tribewith eyes expressing a savage longing to possess the baubles; but beforethe customary violence could be resorted to, a mandate in theauthoritative voice of the large warrior already mentioned, stayed theuplifted hand, and convinced Heyward that they were to be reserved forsome object of particular moment.

  While, however, these manifestations of weakness were exhibited by theyoung and vain of the party, the more experienced warriors continuedtheir search throughout both caverns, with an activity that denoted theywere far from being satisfied with those fruits of their conquest whichhad already been brought to light. Unable to discover any new victim,these diligent workers of vengeance soon approached their maleprisoners, pronouncing the name of "La Longue Carabine," with afierceness that could not easily be mistaken. Duncan affected not tocomprehend the meaning of their repeated and violent interrogatories,while his companion was spared the effort of a similar deception by hisignorance of French. Wearied, at length, by their importunities, andapprehensive of irritating his captors by too stubborn a silence, theformer looked about him in quest of Magua; who might interpret hisanswers to questions which were at each moment becoming more earnest andthreatening.

  The conduct of this savage had formed a solitary exception to that ofall his fellows. While the others were busily occupied in seeking togratify their childish passion for finery, by plundering even themiserable effects of the scout, or had been searching, with suchbloodthirsty vengeance in their looks, for their absent owner, Le Renardhad stood at a little distance from the prisoners, with a demeanor soquiet and satisfied, as to betray that he had already effected the grandpurpose of this treachery. When the eyes of Heyward first met those ofhis recent guide, he turned them away in horror at the sinister thoughcalm look he encountered. Conquering his disgust, however, he was able,with an averted face, to address his successful enemy.

  "Le Renard Subtil is too much of a warrior," said the reluctant Heyward,"to refuse telling an unarmed man what his conquerors say."

  "They ask for the hunter who knows the paths through the woods,"returned Magua, in his broken English, laying his hand, at the sametime, with a ferocious smile, on the bundle of leaves with which a woundon his own shoulder was bandaged. "La Longue Carabine! his rifle isgood, and his eye never shut; but, like the short gun of the whitechief, it is nothing against the life of Le Subtil!"

  "Le Renard is too brave to remember the hurts received in war, or thehands that gave them!"

  "Was it war, when the tired Indian rested at the sugar-tree to taste hiscorn! who filled the bushes with creeping enemies! who drew the knife!whose tongue was peace, while his heart was colored with blood! DidMagua say that the hatchet was out of the ground, and that his hand haddug it up?"

  As Duncan dared not retort upon his accuser by reminding him of his ownpremeditated treachery, and disdained to deprecate his resentment by anywords of apology, he remained silent. Magua seemed also content to restthe controversy as well as all further communication there, for heresumed the leaning attitude against the rock, from which, in momentaryenergy, he had arisen. But the cry of "La Longue Carabine" was renewedthe instant the impatient savages perceived that the short dialogue wasended.

  "You hear," said Magua, with stubborn indifference; "the red Hurons callfor the life of 'The Long Rifle,' or they will have the blood of themthat keep him hid!"

  "He is gone--escaped; he is far beyond their reach."

  Renard smiled with cold contempt, as he answered,--

  "When the white man dies, he thinks he is at peace; but the redmen knowhow to torture even the ghosts of their enemies. Where is his body? Letthe Hurons see his scalp!"

  "He is not dead, but escaped."

  Magua shook his head incredulously.

  "Is he a bird, to spread his wings; or is he a fish, to swim withoutair! The white chief reads in his books, and he believes the Hurons arefools!"

  "Though no fish, The Long Rifle can swim. He floated down the streamwhen the powder was all burnt, and when the eyes of the Hurons werebehind a cloud."

  "And why did the white chief stay?" demanded the still incredulousIndian. "Is he a stone that goes to the bottom, or does the scalp burnhis head?"

  "That I am not a stone, your dead comrade, who fell into the falls,might answer, were the life still in him," said the provoked young man,using, in his anger, that boastful language which was most likely toexcite the admiration of an Indian. "The white man thinks none butcowards desert their women."

  Magua muttered a few words, inaudibly, between his teeth, before hecontinued, aloud,--

  "Can the Delawares swim, too, as well as crawl in the bushes? Where isLe Gros Serpent?"

  Duncan, who perceived by the use of these Canadian appellations, thathis late companions were much better known to his enemies than tohimself, answered, reluctantly, "He also is gone down with the water."

  "Le Cerf Agile is not here?"

  "I know not whom you call 'The Nimble Deer,'" said Duncan, gladlyprofiting by any excuse to create delay.

  "Uncas," returned Magua, pronouncing the Delaware name with even greaterdifficulty than he spoke his English words. "'Bounding Elk' is what thewhite man says, when he calls to the young Mohican."

  "Here is some confusion in names between us, Le Renard," said Duncan,hoping to provoke a discussion. "_Daim_ is the French for deer, and_cerf_ for stag; _elan_ is the true term, when one would speak of anelk."

  "Yes," muttered the Indian, in his native tongue; "the pale-faces areprattling women! they have two words for each thing, while a redskinwill make the sound of his voice speak for him." Then changing hislanguage, he continued, adhering to the imperfect nomenclature of hisprovincial instructors, "The deer is swift, but weak; the elk is swift,but strong; and the son of Le Serpent is Le Cerf Agile. Has he leapedthe river to the woods?"

  "If you mean the younger Delaware, he too is gone down with the water."

  As there was nothing improbable to an Indian in the manner of theescape, Magua admitted the truth of what he had heard, with a readinessthat afforded additional evidence how little he would prize suchworthless captives. With his companions, however, the feeling wasmanifestly different.

  The Hurons had awaited the result of this short dialogue withcharacteristic patience, and with a silence that increased until therewas a general stillness in the band. When Heyward ceased to speak, theyturned their eyes, as one man, on Magua, demanding, in this expressivemanner, an explanation of what had been said. Their interpreter pointedto the river, and made them acquainted with the result, as much by theaction as by the few words he uttered. When the fact was generallyunderstood, the savages raised a frightful yell, which declared theextent of their disappointment. Some ran furiously to the water's edge,beating the air with frantic gestures, while others spat upon theelement, to resent the supposed treason it had committed against theiracknowledged rights as conquerors. A few, and they not the leastpowerful and terrific of the band, threw lowering looks, in which thefiercest passion was only tempered by habitual self-command, at thosecaptives who still remained in their power; while one or two even gavevent to their malignant feelings by the most menacing gestures, againstwhich neither the sex nor the beauty of the sisters was any protection.The young soldier made a desperate, but fruitless effort, to spring tothe side of Alice, when he saw the dark hand of a savage twisted in therich tresses which were flowing in volumes over her shoulders, while aknife was passed around the head from which they fell, as if to denotethe horri
d manner in which it was about to be robbed of its beautifulornament. But his hands were bound; and at the first movement he made,he felt the grasp of the powerful Indian who directed the band, pressinghis shoulder like a vise. Immediately conscious how unavailing anystruggle against such an overwhelming force must prove, he submitted tohis fate, encouraging his gentle companions by a few low and tenderassurances that the natives seldom failed to threaten more than theyperformed.

  But, while Duncan resorted to these words of consolation to quiet theapprehensions of the sisters, he was not so weak as to deceive himself.He well knew that the authority of an Indian chief was so littleconventional, that it was oftener maintained by physical superioritythan by any moral supremacy he might possess. The danger was, therefore,magnified exactly in proportion to the number of the savage spirits bywhich they were surrounded. The most positive mandate from him whoseemed the acknowledged leader, was liable to be violated at eachmoment, by any rash hand that might choose to sacrifice a victim to the_manes_ of some dead friend or relative. While, therefore, he sustainedan outward appearance of calmness and fortitude, his heart leaped intohis throat, whenever any of their fierce captors drew nearer than commonto the helpless sisters, or fastened one of their sullen wandering lookson those fragile forms which were so little able to resist the slightestassault.

  His apprehensions were, however, greatly relieved, when he saw that theleader had summoned his warriors to himself in council. Theirdeliberations were short, and it would seem, by the silence of most ofthe party, the decision unanimous. By the frequency with which the fewspeakers pointed in the direction of the encampment of Webb, it wasapparent they dreaded the approach of danger from that quarter. Thisconsideration probably hastened their determination, and quickened thesubsequent movements.

  During this short conference, Heyward, finding a respite from hisgreatest fears, had leisure to admire the cautious manner in which theHurons had made their approaches, even after hostilities had ceased.

  It has already been stated, that the upper half of the island was anaked rock, and destitute of any other defences than a few scatteredlogs of drift-wood. They had selected this point to make their descent,having borne the canoe through the wood around the cataract for thatpurpose. Placing their arms in the little vessel, a dozen men clingingto its sides had trusted themselves to the direction of the canoe, whichwas controlled by two of the most skilful warriors, in attitudes thatenabled them to command a view of the dangerous passage. Favored by thisarrangement, they touched the head of the island at that point which hadproved so fatal to their first adventures, but with the advantages ofsuperior numbers, and the possession of fire-arms. That such had beenthe manner of their descent was rendered quite apparent to Duncan; forthey now bore the light bark from the upper end of the rock, and placedit in the water, near the mouth of the outer cavern. As soon as thischange was made, the leader made signs to the prisoners to descend andenter.

  As resistance was impossible, and remonstrance useless, Heyward set theexample of submission, by leading the way into the canoe, where he wassoon seated with the sisters, and the still wondering David.Notwithstanding the Hurons were necessarily ignorant of the littlechannels among the eddies and rapids of the stream, they knew the commonsigns of such a navigation too well to commit any material blunder. Whenthe pilot chosen for the task of guiding the canoe had taken hisstation, the whole band plunged again into the river, the vessel glideddown the current, and in a few moments the captives found themselves onthe south bank of the stream, nearly opposite to the point where theyhad struck it the preceding evening.

  Here was held another short but earnest consultation, during which thehorses, to whose panic their owners ascribed their heaviest misfortune,were led from the cover of the woods, and brought to the sheltered spot.The band now divided. The great chief so often mentioned, mounting thecharger of Heyward, led the way directly across the river, followed bymost of his people, and disappeared in the woods, leaving the prisonersin charge of six savages, at whose head was Le Renard Subtil. Duncanwitnessed all their movements with renewed uneasiness.

  He had been fond of believing, from the uncommon forbearance of thesavages, that he was reserved as a prisoner to be delivered to Montcalm.As the thoughts of those who are in misery seldom slumber, and theinvention is never more lively than when it is stimulated by hope,however feeble and remote, he had even imagined that the parentalfeelings of Munro were to be made instrumental in seducing him from hisduty to the king. For though the French commander bore a high characterfor courage and enterprise, he was also thought to be expert in thosepolitical practices, which do not always respect the nicer obligationsof morality, and which so generally disgraced the European diplomacy ofthat period.

  All those busy and ingenious speculations were now annihilated by theconduct of his captors. That portion of the band who had followed thehuge warrior took the route towards the foot of the Horican, and noother expectation was left for himself and companions, than that theywere to be retained as hopeless captives by their savage conquerors.Anxious to know the worst, and willing, in such an emergency, to try thepotency of gold, he overcame his reluctance to speak to Magua.Addressing himself to his former guide, who had now assumed theauthority and manner of one who was to direct the future movements ofthe party, he said, in tones as friendly and confiding as he couldassume,--

  "I would speak to Magua, what is fit only for so great a chief to hear."

  The Indian turned his eyes on the young soldier scornfully, as heanswered,--

  "Speak; trees have no ears!"

  "But the red Hurons are not deaf; and counsel that is fit for the greatmen of a nation would make the young warriors drunk. If Magua will notlisten, the officer of the king knows how to be silent."

  The savage spoke carelessly to his comrades, who were busied, aftertheir awkward manner, in preparing the horses for the reception of thesisters, and moved a little to one side, whither, by a cautious gesture,he induced Heyward to follow.

  "Now speak," he said; "if the words are such as Magua should hear."

  "Le Renard Subtil has proved himself worthy of the honorable name givento him by his Canada fathers," commenced Heyward; "I see his wisdom, andall that he has done for us, and shall remember it, when the hour toreward him arrives. Yes! Renard has proved that he is not only a greatchief in council, but one who knows how to deceive his enemies!"

  "What has Renard done?" coldly demanded the Indian.

  "What! has he not seen that the woods were filled with outlying partiesof the enemies, and that the Serpent could not steal through themwithout being seen? Then, did he not lose his path to blind the eyes ofthe Hurons? Did he not pretend to go back to his tribe, who had treatedhim ill, and driven him from their wigwams like a dog? And, when we sawwhat he wished to do, did we not aid him, by making a false face, thatthe Hurons might think the white man believed that his friend was hisenemy? Is not all this true? And when Le Subtil had shut the eyes andstopped the ears of his nation by his wisdom, did they not forget thatthey had once done him wrong, and forced him to flee to the Mohawks? Anddid they not leave him on the south side of the river, with theirprisoners, while they have gone foolishly on the north? Does not Renardmean to turn like a fox on his footsteps, and to carry to the rich andgray-headed Scotchman his daughters? Yes, Magua, I see it all, and Ihave already been thinking how so much wisdom and honesty should berepaid. First, the chief of William Henry will give as a great chiefshould for such a service. The medal[16] of Magua will no longer be oftin, but of beaten gold; his horn will run over with powder; dollarswill be as plenty in his pouch as pebbles on the shore of Horican; andthe deer will lick his hand, for they will know it to be vain to flyfrom the rifle he will carry! As for myself, I know not how to exceedthe gratitude of the Scotchman, but I--yes, I will--"

  "What will the young chief who comes from towards the sun, give?"demanded the Huron, observing that Heyward hesitated in his desire toend the enumeration of benefits with that which might for
m the climax ofan Indian's wishes.

  "He will make the fire-water from the Islands in the salt lake flowbefore the wigwam of Magua, until the heart of the Indian shall belighter than the feathers of the humming-bird, and his breath sweeterthan the wild honeysuckle."

  Le Renard had listened gravely as Heyward slowly proceeded in his subtlespeech. When the young man mentioned the artifice he supposed the Indianto have practised on his own nation, the countenance of the listener wasveiled in an expression of cautious gravity. At the allusion to theinjury which Duncan affected to believe had driven the Huron from hisnative tribe, a gleam of such ungovernable ferocity flashed from theother's eyes, as induced the adventurous speaker to believe he hadstruck the proper chord. And by the time he reached the part where he soartfully blended the thirst of vengeance with the desire of gain, hehad, at least, obtained a command of the deepest attention of thesavage. The question put by Le Renard had been calm, and with all thedignity of an Indian; but it was quite apparent, by the thoughtfulexpression of the listener's countenance, that the answer was mostcunningly devised. The Huron mused a few moments, and then laying hishand on the rude bandages of his wounded shoulder, he said, with someenergy,--

  "Do friends make such remarks?"

  "Would La Longue Carabine cut one so light on an enemy?"

  "Do the Delawares crawl upon those they love, like snakes, twistingthemselves to strike?"

  "Would Le Gros Serpent have been heard by the ears of one he wished tobe deaf?"

  "Does the white chief burn his powder in the faces of his brothers?"

  "Does he ever miss his aim, when seriously bent to kill?" returnedDuncan, smiling with well acted sincerity.

  Another long and deliberate pause succeeded these sententious questionsand ready replies. Duncan saw that the Indian hesitated. In order tocomplete his victory, he was in the act of recommencing the enumerationof the rewards, when Magua made an expressive gesture and said--

  "Enough; Le Renard is a wise chief, and what he does will be seen. Go,and keep the mouth shut. When Magua speaks, it will be the time toanswer."

  Heyward, perceiving that the eyes of his companion were warily fastenedon the rest of the band, fell back immediately, in order to avoid theappearance of any suspicious confederacy with their leader. Maguaapproached the horses, and affected to be well pleased with thediligence and ingenuity of his comrades. He then signed to Heyward toassist the sisters into the saddles, for he seldom deigned to use theEnglish tongue, unless urged by some motive of more than usual moment.

  There was no longer any plausible pretext for delay; and Duncan wasobliged, however reluctantly, to comply. As he performed this office, hewhispered his reviving hopes in the ears of the trembling females, who,through dread of encountering the savage countenances of their captors,seldom raised their eyes from the ground. The mare of David had beentaken with the followers of the large chief; in consequence, its owner,as well as Duncan, was compelled to journey on foot. The latter did not,however, so much regret this circumstance, as it might enable him toretard the speed of the party; for he still turned his longing looks inthe direction of Fort Edward, in the vain expectation of catching somesound from that quarter of the forest, which might denote the approachof succor.

  When all were prepared, Magua made the signal to proceed, advancing infront to lead the party in person. Next followed David, who wasgradually coming to a true sense of his condition, as the effects of thewound became less and less apparent. The sisters rode in his rear, withHeyward at their side, while the Indians flanked the party, and broughtup the close of the march, with a caution that seemed never to tire.

  In this manner they proceeded in uninterrupted silence, except whenHeyward addressed some solitary word of comfort to the females, or Davidgave vent to the moanings of his spirit in piteous exclamations, whichhe intended should express the humility of resignation. Their directionlay towards the south, and in a course nearly opposite to the road toWilliam Henry. Notwithstanding this apparent adherence in Magua to theoriginal determination of his conquerors, Heyward could not believe histempting bait was so soon forgotten; and he knew the windings of anIndian path too well, to suppose that its apparent course led directlyto its object, when artifice was at all necessary. Mile after mile was,however, passed through the boundless woods, in this painful manner,without any prospect of a termination to their journey. Heyward watchedthe sun, as he darted his meridian rays through the branches of thetrees, and pined for the moment when the policy of Magua should changetheir route to one more favorable to his hopes. Sometimes he fancied thewary savage, despairing of passing the arm of Montcalm in safety, washolding his way towards a well-known border settlement, where adistinguished officer of the crown, and a favored friend of the SixNations, held his large possessions, as well as his usual residence. Tobe delivered into the hands of Sir William Johnson was far preferable tobeing led into the wilds of Canada; but in order to effect even theformer, it would be necessary to traverse the forest for many wearyleagues, each step of which was carrying him farther from the scene ofthe war, and, consequently, from the post, not only of honor, but ofduty.

  Cora alone remembered the parting injunctions of the scout, and wheneveran opportunity offered, she stretched forth her arm to bend aside thetwigs that met her hands. But the vigilance of the Indians rendered thisact of precaution both difficult and dangerous. She was often defeatedin her purpose, by encountering their watchful eyes, when it becamenecessary to feign an alarm she did not feel, and occupy the limb bysome gesture of feminine apprehension. Once, and once only, was shecompletely successful; when she broke down the bough of a large sumach,and, by a sudden thought, let her glove fall at the same instant. Thissign, intended for those that might follow, was observed by one of herconductors, who restored the glove, broke the remaining branches of thebush in such a manner that it appeared to proceed from the struggling ofsome beast in its branches, and then laid his hand on his tomahawk, witha look so significant, that it put an effectual end to these stolenmemorials of their passage.

  As there were horses, to leave the prints of their footsteps, in bothbands of the Indians, this interruption cut off any probable hopes ofassistance being conveyed through the means of their trail.

  Heyward would have ventured a remonstrance, had there been anythingencouraging in the gloomy reserve of Magua. But the savage, during allthis time, seldom turned to look at his followers, and never spoke. Withthe sun for his only guide, or aided by such blind marks as are onlyknown to the sagacity of a native, he held his way along the barrens ofpine, through occasional little fertile vales, across brooks andrivulets, and over undulating hills, with the accuracy of instinct, andnearly with the directness of a bird. He never seemed to hesitate.Whether the path was hardly distinguishable, whether it disappeared, orwhether it lay beaten and plain before him, made no sensible differencein his speed or certainty. It seemed as if fatigue could not affect him.Whenever the eyes of the wearied travellers rose from the decayed leavesover which they trod, his dark form was to be seen glancing among thestems of the trees in front, his head immovably fastened in a forwardposition, with the light plume on his crest fluttering in a current ofair, made solely by the swiftness of his own motion.

  But all this diligence and speed were not without an object. Aftercrossing a low vale, through which a gushing brook meandered, hesuddenly ascended a hill, so steep and difficult of ascent, that thesisters were compelled to alight, in order to follow. When the summitwas gained, they found themselves on a level spot, but thinly coveredwith trees, under one of which Magua had thrown his dark form, as ifwilling and ready to seek that rest which was so much needed by thewhole party.