The Leatherstocking Tales II

by James Fenimore Cooper

  “What is the Delaware about to do?” exclaimed Jasper, who observed, at that moment, that the chief suddenly left the Pathfinder, and advanced to the water’s edge, apparently with an intention of again entering the river. “He will not be so mad as to return to the other shore, for any trifle he may have forgotten!”

  “Not he—not he; he is as prudent as he is brave, in the main, though so forgetful of himself in the late ambushment. Harkee, Jasper,” leading the other a little aside, just as they heard the Indian’s plunge into the water—“Harkee, lad; Chingachgook is not a christian white man like ourselves, but a Mohican chief, who has his gifts and traditions to tell him what he ought to do; and he who consorts with them that are not strictly and altogether of his own kind, had better leave natur’ and use to govern his comrades. A king’s soldier will swear, and he will drink, and it is of little use to try to prevent him; a gentleman likes his delicacies, and a lady her feathers, and it does not avail much to struggle ag’in either; whereas an Indian’s natur’ and gifts are much stronger than these, and no doubt were bestowed by the Lord for wise inds, though neither you, nor me, can follow them in all their windings.”

  “What does this mean?—See, the Delaware is swimming towards the body that is lodged on the rock. Why does he risk this?”

  “For honor, and glory, and renown, as great gentlemen quit their quiet homes, beyond seas, where as they tell me, heart has nothing left to wish for, that is such hearts as can be satisfied in a clearin’, to come hither to live on game and fight the Frenchers.”

  “I understand you—your friend has gone to secure the scalp.”

  “’Tis his gift, and let him enjoy it. We are white men, and cannot mangle a dead enemy, but it is honor in the eyes of a red skin to do so. It may seem singular to you, Eau douce, but I’ve known white men of great name and character manifest as remarkable idees consarning their honor, I have.”

  “A savage will be a savage, Pathfinder, let him keep what company he may.”

  “It is well for us to say so, lad, but, as I tell you, white honor will not always conform to reason, or to the will of God. I have passed days thinking of them matters, out in the silent woods, and I have come to the opinion, boy, that, as Providence rules all things, no gift is bestowed without some wise and reasonable ind. If Injins are of no use, Injins would not have been created, and I do suppose, could one dive to the bottom of things, it would be found that even the Mingo tribes were produced for some rational and proper purpose, though I confess it surpasses my means to say what it is.”

  “The Serpent greatly exposes himself to the enemy, in order to get his scalp!—This may lose us the day.”

  “Not in his mind, Jasper. That one scalp has more honor in it, according to the Sarpent’s notions of warfare, than a field covered with slain, that kept the hair on their heads. Now, there was the fine young captain of the 60th that threw away his life, in trying to bring off a three-pounder from among the Frenchers, in the last skrimmage we had; he thought he was sarving honor; and I have known a young ensign wrap himself up in his colours, and go to sleep in his blood, fancying that he was lying on something softer even than buffaloe skins!”

  “Yes, yes; one can understand the merit of not hauling down an ensign—.”

  “And these are Chingachgook’s colours—he will keep them to show his children’s children—” here the Pathfinder interrupted himself, shook his head in melancholy, and slowly added—“Ah’s! me! no shoot of the old Mohican stem remains! He has no children to delight with his trophies; no tribe to honor by his deeds; he is a lone man in this world, and yet he stands true to his training and his gifts! There is something honest and respectable in that, you must allow, Jasper; yes, there is something decent in that.”

  Here a great outcry from among the Iroquois, was succeeded by the quick reports of their rifles, and so eager did the enemy become, in the desire to drive the Delaware back from his victim, that a dozen rushed into the river, several of whom even advanced near a hundred feet into the foaming current, as if they actually meditated a serious sortie. But Chingachgook continued as unmoved, as he remained unhurt by the missiles, accomplishing his task with the dexterity of long habit. Flourishing his reeking trophy, he gave the war-whoop in its most frightful intonations, and for a minute the arches of the silent woods, and the deep vista formed by the course of the river, echoed with cries so terrific that Mabel bowed her head, in irrepressible fear, while her uncle, for a single instant, actually meditated flight.

  “This surpasses all I have heard from the wretches,” Jasper exclaimed, stopping his ears, equally in horror and disgust.

  “’Tis their music, boy; their drum and fife; their trumpets and clarions. No doubt they love them sounds, for they stir up in them, fierce feelings, and a desire for blood,” returned the Pathfinder, totally unmoved. “I thought them rather frightful when a mere youngster, but they have got to be like the whistle of the whip-poor-will, or the song of the cat-bird in my ear, now. All the screeching riptyles that could stand atween the Falls and the garrison, would have no effect on my narves, at this time of day. I say it not in boasting, Jasper, for the man that lets in cowardice through the ears, must have but a weak heart, at the best; sounds and outcries being more intended to alarm women and children, than such as scout the forest, and face the foe. I hope the Sarpent is now satisfied, for here he comes with the scalp at his belt.”

  Jasper turned away his head as the Delaware rose from the water, in pure disgust at his late errand, but the Pathfinder regarded his friend with the philosophical coolness of one who had made up his mind to be indifferent to things he deemed immaterial. As the Delaware passed deeper into the bushes, with a view to wring his trifling calicoe dress, and to prepare his rifle for service, he gave one glance of triumph at his companions, and then all emotion connected with the recent exploit seemed to cease.

  “Jasper,” resumed the guide—“step down to the station of Master Cap, and ask him to join us. We have little time for a council, and yet our plans must be laid quickly, for it will not be long before them Mingos will be plotting our ruin.”

  The young man complied, and in a few minutes, the four were assembled near the shore, completely concealed from the view of their enemies, while they kept a vigilant watch over the proceedings of the latter, in order to consult on their own future movements. By this time, the day had so far advanced, as to leave but a few minutes between the passing light, and an obscurity that promised to be even deeper than common. The sun had already set, and the twilight of a low latitude would soon pass into the darkness of deep night. Most of the hopes of the party rested on this favorable circumstance, though it was not without its dangers, also, as the very obscurity which would favor their escape would be as likely to conceal the movements of their wily enemies.

  “The moment has come, men,” Pathfinder commenced, “when our plans must be coolly laid, in order that we may act together, and with a right understanding of our errand and gifts. In an hour’s time, these woods will be as dark as midnight, and if we are ever to gain the garrison, it must be done under favor of this advantage. What say you, Master Cap; for though none of the most exper’enced in combats and retreats in the woods, your years entitle you to speak first, in a matter like this, and in a council.”

  “And my near relationship to Mabel, Pathfinder, ought to count for something—”

  “I do’n’t know that—I do’n’t know that. Regard is regard, and liking, liking, whether it be a gift of natur’, or come from one’s own judgment and inclinations. I will say nothing for the Sarpent, who is past placing his mind on the women, but as for Jasper and myself, we are as ready to stand atween the Sarjeant’s daughter and the Mingos, as her own brave father, himself, could be. Do I say more than the truth, lad?”

  “Mabel may count on me, to the last drop of my blood,” said Jasper, speaking low, but with intense feeling.

  “Well, well,” rejoined the uncle, “we will not discuss this matter, as
all seem willing to serve the girl, and deeds are better than words. In my judgment, all we have to do, is to go on board the canoe, when it gets to be so dark the enemy’s look-outs ca’n’t see us, and run for the haven, as wind and tide will allow.”

  “That is easily said, but not so easily done,” returned the guide. “We shall be more exposed in the river than by following the woods, and then there is the Oswego rift below us, and I am far from sartain that Jasper, himself, can carry a boat safely through it, in the dark. What say you, lad, as to your own skill and judgment?”

  “I am of Master Cap’s opinion about using the canoe. Mabel is too tender to walk through swamps, and among roots of trees, on such a night as this promises to be, and then I always feel myself stouter of heart, and truer of eye, when afloat, than when ashore.”

  “Stout of heart, you always be, lad, and I think tolerably true of eye, for one who has lived so much in broad sunshine, and so little in the woods. Ah’s! me, the Ontario has no trees, or it would be a plain to delight a hunter’s heart! As to your opinion, friends, there is much for, and much ag’inst it. For it, it may be said water leaves no trail—”

  “What do you call the wake?” interrupted the pertinacious and dogmatical Cap.

  “Anan!”

  “Go on,” said Jasper. “Master Cap thinks he is on the Ocean—Water leaves no trail—”

  “It leaves none, Eau douce, hereaway, though I do not pretend to say what it may leave on the sea. Then a canoe is both swift and easy, when it floats with the current, and the tender limbs of the Sarjeant’s daughter will be favored by its motion. But, on the other hand, the river will have no cover but the clouds in the heavens, the rift is a ticklish spot for a bark to venture into even by day-light, and it is six fairly measured miles by water, from this spot to the garrison. Then a trail on land, is not easy to be found in the dark. I am troubled, Jasper, to say which way we ought to counsel and advise.”

  “If the Serpent and myself could swim into the river, and bring off the other canoe,” the young sailor replied, “it would seem to me, that our safest course would be the water.”

  “If, indeed! and yet it might easily be done, as soon as it is a little darker. Well, well, considering the Sarjeant’s daughter, and her gifts, I am not sartain it will not be the best. Though were we only a party of men, it would be like a hunt to the lusty and brave, to play at hide and seek with yonder miscreants, on the other shore. Jasper,” continued the guide, into whose character there entered no ingredient that belonged to vain display, or theatrical effect, “will you undertake to bring in the canoe?”

  “I will undertake any thing that will serve and protect Mabel, Pathfinder.”

  “That is an upright feeling, and I suppose it is natur’. The Sarpent, who is nearly naked already, can help you, and that will be cutting off, one of the means of them devils, to work their harm.”

  This material point being settled, the different members of the party, prepared themselves to put the project into execution. The shades of evening fell fast upon the forest, and by the time all was ready for the attempt, it was found impossible to discern objects on the opposite shore. Time now pressed, for Indian cunning could devise so many expedients for passing so narrow a stream, that the Pathfinder was getting impatient to quit the spot. While Jasper and his companion entered the river, armed with nothing but their knives and the Delaware’s tomahawk, observing the greatest caution not to betray their movements, the guide brought Mabel from her place of concealment, and bidding her and Cap proceed along the shore to the foot of the rapids, he got into the canoe that remained in his possession, in order to carry it to the same place.

  This was easily effected. The canoe was laid against the bank, and Mabel and her uncle entered it, taking their seats as usual, while the Pathfinder, erect in the stern, held by a bush, in order to prevent the swift stream from sweeping them down its current. Several minutes of intense and breathless expectation followed, while they awaited the result of the bold attempt of their comrades.

  It will be understood that the two adventurers were compelled to swim, across a deep and rapid channel, ere they could reach a part of the rift that admitted of wading. This portion of the enterprize was soon effected, and Jasper and the Serpent struck the bottom, side by side, at the same instant. Having secured firm footing, they took hold of each other’s hands, and waded slowly and with extreme caution, in the supposed direction of the canoe. But the darkness was already so deep, that they soon ascertained they were to be but little aided by the sense of sight, and that their search must be conducted on that species of instinct which enables the woodsman to find his way, when the sun is hid, no stars appear, and all would seem chaos to one less accustomed to the mazes of the forest. Under these circumstances Jasper submitted to be guided by the Delaware, whose habits best fitted him to take the lead. Still it was no easy matter to wade amid the roaring element, at that hour, and retain a clear recollection of the localities. By the time they believed themselves to be in the centre of the stream, the two shores were discernible merely by masses of obscurity denser than common, the outlines against the clouds being barely distinguishable by the ragged tops of the trees. Once or twice the wanderers altered their course in consequence of unexpectedly stepping into deep water, for they knew that the boat had lodged on the shallowest part of the rift. In short, with this fact for their compass, Jasper and his companion wandered about in the water, for near a quarter of an hour, and at the end of that period, which began to appear interminable to the young man, they found themselves apparently no nearer the object of their search than they had been at its commencement. Just as the Delaware was about to stop, in order to inform his associate that they would do well to return to the land, in order to take a fresh departure, he saw the form of a man, moving about in the water, almost within reach of his arm. Jasper was at his side, and he at once understood that the Iroquois were engaged in the same errand as he was himself.

  “Mingo!” he uttered in Jasper’s ear—“The Serpent will show his brother how to be cunning.”

  The young sailor caught a glimpse of the figure, at that instant, and the startling truth also flashed on his mind. Understanding the necessity of trusting all to the Delaware chief, he kept back, while his friend moved cautiously in the direction in which the strange form had vanished. In another moment, it was seen again evidently moving towards themselves. The waters made such an uproar, that little was to be apprehended from ordinary sounds, and the Indian, turning his head, hastily said—

  “Leave it to the cunning of the Great Serpent.”

  “Hugh!” exclaimed the strange savage, adding in the language of his people—“The canoe is found, but there were none to help me. Come; let us raise it from the rock.”

  “Willingly,” answered Chingachgook, who understood the dialect—“Lead; we will follow.”

  The stranger, unable to distinguish between voices and accents, amid the raging of the rapid, led the way in the necessary direction, and, the two others keeping close at his heels, all three speedily reached the canoe. The Iroquois laid hold of one end, Chingachgook placed himself in the centre, and Jasper went to the opposite extremity, as it was important that the stranger should not detect the presence of a pale-face, a discovery that might be made, by the parts of the dress the young man still wore, as well as by the general appearance of his head.

  “Lift—” said the Iroquois in the sententious manner of his race; and by a trifling effort, the canoe was raised from the rock, held a moment in the air to empty it, and then placed carefully on the water, in its proper position. All three held it firmly, lest it should escape from their hands, under the pressure of the violent current, while the Iroquois who led of course, being at the upper end of the boat, took the direction of the eastern shore, or towards the spot where his friends waited his return.

  As the Delaware and Jasper well knew there must be several more of the Iroquois on the rift, from the circumstance that their own appearan
ce had occasioned no surprise in the individual they had met, both felt the necessity of extreme caution. Men less bold and determined would have thought that they were incurring too great a risk, by thus venturing into the midst of their enemies, but these hardy borderers were unacquainted with fear, were accustomed to hazards, and so well understood the necessity of at least preventing their foes from getting the boat, that they would have cheerfully encountered even greater risks to secure their object. So all-important to the safety of Mabel, indeed, did Jasper deem the possession, or the destruction of this canoe, that he had drawn his knife and stood ready to rip up the bark, in order to render the boat temporarily unserviceable, should any thing occur to compel the Delaware and himself to abandon their prize.

  In the mean time, the Iroquois who led the way proceeded slowly, through the water, in the direction of his own party, still grasping the canoe, and dragging his reluctant followers in his train. Once, Chingachgook raised his tomahawk, and was about to bury it in the brain of his confiding and unsuspicious neighbor, but the probability that the death-cry, or the floating body might give the alarm, induced that wary chief to change his purpose. At the next moment, he regretted this indecision, for the three who clung to the canoe, suddenly found themselves in the centre of a party of no less than four others who were in quest of it.

  After the usual, brief, characteristic, exclamations of satisfaction, the savages eagerly laid hold of the canoe, for all seemed impressed with the necessity of securing this important boat, the one side in order to assail their foes, and the other to secure their retreat. The addition to the party, however, was so unlooked for, and so completely gave the enemy the superiority, that, for a few moments, the ingenuity and address of even the Delaware were at fault. The five Iroquois, who seemed perfectly to understand their errand, pressed forward towards their own shore, without pausing to converse, their object being in truth to obtain the paddles, which they had previously secured, and to embark three or four warriors, with all the rifles and powder-horns, the want of which had alone prevented their crossing the river, by swimming, as soon as it was dark.