the pathfinder-第15章

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have　struck　the　Mingos　from　behind；　since　the　waters
began　to　run。〃

〃I　know　your　gifts；　I　know　your　gifts；　and　respect　them
too。　　No　man　shall　hear　me　complain　that　a　red…skin　ob…
sarved　red…skin　natur'。　　But　prudence　as　much　becomes　a
warrior　as　valor；　and　had　not　the　Iroquois　devils　been
looking　after　their　friends　who　were　in　the　water；　a　hot
trail　they　would　have　made　of　yourn。〃

〃What　is　the　Delaware　about　to　do？〃　exclaimed　Jasper；
who　observed　at　that　moment　that　the　chief　had　suddenly
left　the　Pathfinder　and　advanced　to　the　water's　edge；　ap…
parently　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　ambush…
ment。　　Hark'e；　Jasper；〃　leading　the　other　a　little　aside；
just　as　they　heard　the　Indian's　plunge　into　the　water；　
〃hark'e；　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　against　either；　whereas　an　In…
dian's　natur'　and　gifts　are　much　stronger　than　these；　and
no　doubt　were　bestowed　by　the　Lord　for　wise　ends；　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　clearing　　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　these　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　end。〃

〃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　held　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　colors；　and
go　to　sleep　in　his　blood；　fancying　that　he　was　lying　on
something　softer　even　than　buffalo…skins。〃

〃Yes；　yes；　one　can　understand　the　merit　of　not　hauling
down　an　ensign。〃

〃And　these　are　Chingachgook's　colors　　he　will　keep
them　to　show　his　children's　children　　〃　　Here　the　Path…
finder　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
these；　you　must　allow；　Jasper。〃

Here　a　great　outcry　from　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　cur…
rent；　as　if　they　actually　meditated　a　serious　sortie。　　But
Chingachgook　continued　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　those　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　become　like　the　whistle　of　the　whip…poor…
will　or　the　song　of　the　cat…bird　in　my　ear　now。　　All　the
screeching　reptyles　that　could　stand　between　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　in…
difference　of　one　who　had　made　up　his　mind　to　be　indif…
ferent　to　things　he　deemed　immaterial。　　As　the　Delaware
passed　deeper　into　the　bushes　with　a　view　to　wring　his
trifling　calico　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　con…
sult　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　ob…
scurity　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　experi…
enced　in　combats　and　retreats　in　the　woods；　your　years
entitle　you　to　speak　first　in　a　matter　like　this　and　in　a
council。〃

〃Well；　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　can'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　in　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　sun…
shine　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　against　it。　　For　it；　it　may　be　said　water　leaves
no　trail　　〃

〃What　do　you　call　the　wake？〃　interrupted　the　pertina…
cious　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　cur…
rent；　and　the　tender　limbs　of　the　Sergeant'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　thing　for　boats　to　venture　into；　even
by　daylight；　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；　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　which　belonged　to　vain　display　or
theatrical　effect；　〃will　you　undertake　to　bring　in　the
canoe？〃

〃I　will　undertake　anything　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　this　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　in
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　Path…
finder　was　getting　impatient　to　quit　the　spot。　　While
Jasper