CHAPTER 20
"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 arousethe sleepers. Casting aside their cloaks Munro and Heyward were on theirfeet while the woodsman was still making his low calls, at the entranceof the rude shelter where they had passed the night. When they issuedfrom beneath its concealment, they found the scout awaiting theirappearance nigh by, and the only salutation between them was thesignificant gesture for silence, made by their sagacious leader.
"Think over your prayers," he whispered, as they approached him; "for Heto whom you make them, knows all tongues; that of the heart, as wellas those of the mouth. But speak not a syllable; it is rare for a whitevoice to pitch itself properly in the woods, as we have seen by theexample of that miserable devil, the singer. Come," he continued,turning toward a curtain of the works; "let us get into the ditch onthis side, and be regardful to step on the stones and fragments of woodas you go."
His companions complied, though to two of them the reasons of thisextraordinary precaution were yet a mystery. When they were in the lowcavity that surrounded the earthen fort on three sides, they found thatpassage nearly choked by the ruins. With care and patience, however,they succeeded in clambering after the scout, until they reached thesandy shore of the Horican.
"That's a trail that nothing but a nose can follow," said the satisfiedscout, looking back along their difficult way; "grass is a treacherouscarpet for a flying party to tread on, but wood and stone take no printfrom 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 thecanoe nigher to the land, Uncas; this sand will take a stamp as easilyas the butter of the Jarmans on the Mohawk. Softly, lad, softly; it mustnot touch the beach, or the knaves will know by what road we have leftthe place."
The young man observed the precaution; and the scout, laying a boardfrom the ruins to the canoe, made a sign for the two officers to enter.When this was done, everything was studiously restored to its formerdisorder; and then Hawkeye succeeded in reaching his little birchenvessel, without leaving behind him any of those marks which he appearedso much to dread. Heyward was silent until the Indians had cautiouslypaddled the canoe some distance from the fort, and within the broad anddark shadows that fell from the eastern mountain on the glassy surfaceof the lake; then he demanded:
"What need have we for this stolen and hurried departure?"
"If the blood of an Oneida could stain such a sheet of pure water asthis we float on," returned the scout, "your two eyes would answer yourown question. Have you forgotten the skulking reptile Uncas slew?"
"By no means. But he was said to be alone, and dead men give no causefor fear."
"Ay, he was alone in his deviltry! but an Indian whose tribe counts somany warriors, need seldom fear his blood will run without the deathshriek coming speedily from some of his enemies."
"But our presence--the authority of Colonel Munro--would provesufficient protection against the anger of our allies, especially in acase where the wretch so well merited his fate. I trust in Heaven youhave not deviated a single foot from the direct line of our course withso slight a reason!"
"Do you think the bullet of that varlet's rifle would have turned aside,though his sacred majesty the king had stood in its path?" returnedthe stubborn scout. "Why did not the grand Frencher, he who iscaptain-general of the Canadas, bury the tomahawks of the Hurons, if aword from a white can work so strongly on the natur' of an Indian?"
The reply of Heyward was interrupted by a groan from Munro; but afterhe had paused a moment, in deference to the sorrow of his aged friend heresumed the subject.
"The marquis of Montcalm can only settle that error with his God," saidthe young man solemnly.
"Ay, ay, now there is reason in your words, for they are bottomed onreligion and honesty. There is a vast difference between throwing aregiment of white coats atwixt the tribes and the prisoners, and coaxingan angry savage to forget he carries a knife and rifle, with words thatmust begin with calling him your son. No, no," continued the scout,looking back at the dim shore of William Henry, which was now fastreceding, and laughing in his own silent but heartfelt manner; "I haveput a trail of water atween us; and unless the imps can make friendswith the fishes, and hear who has paddled across their basin this finemorning, we shall throw the length of the Horican behind us before theyhave made up their minds which path to take."
"With foes in front, and foes in our rear, our journey is like to be oneof danger."
"Danger!" repeated Hawkeye, calmly; "no, not absolutely of danger; for,with vigilant ears and quick eyes, we can manage to keep a few hoursahead of the knaves; or, if we must try the rifle, there are three of uswho understand its gifts as well as any you can name on the borders. No,not of danger; but that we shall have what you may call a brisk push ofit, is probable; and it may happen, a brush, a scrimmage, or some suchdivarsion, but always where covers are good, and ammunition abundant."
It is possible that Heyward's estimate of danger differed in some degreefrom that of the scout, for, instead of replying, he now sat in silence,while the canoe glided over several miles of water. Just as the daydawned, they entered the narrows of the lake*, and stole swiftly andcautiously among their numberless little islands. It was by this roadthat Montcalm had retired with his army, and the adventurers knew notbut he had left some of his Indians in ambush, to protect the rear ofhis forces, and collect the stragglers. They, therefore, approached thepassage with the customary silence of their guarded habits.
* The beauties of Lake George are well known to every American tourist. In the height of the mountains which surround it, and in artificial accessories, it is inferior to the finest of the Swiss and Italian lakes, while in outline and purity of water it is fully their equal; and in the number and disposition of its isles and islets much superior to them all together. There are said to be some hundreds of islands in a sheet of water less than thirty miles long. The narrows, which connect what may be called, in truth, two lakes, are crowded with islands to such a degree as to leave passages between them frequently of only a few feet in width. The lake itself varies in breadth from one to three miles.
Chingachgook laid aside his paddle; while Uncas and the scout urged thelight vessel through crooked and intricate channels, where every footthat they advanced exposed them to the danger of some sudden risingon their progress. The eyes of the Sagamore moved warily from islet toislet, and copse to copse, as the canoe proceeded; and, when a clearersheet of water permitted, his keen vision was bent along the bald rocksand impending forests that frowned upon the narrow strait.
Heyward, who was a doubly interested spectator, as well from thebeauties of the place as from the apprehension natural to his situation,was just believing that he had permitted the latter to be excitedwithout sufficient reason, when the paddle ceased moving, in obedienceto a signal from Chingachgook.
"Hugh!" exclaimed Uncas, nearly at the moment that the light tap hisfather had made on the side of the canoe notified them of the vicinityof danger.
"What now?" asked the scout; "the lake is as smooth as if the winds hadnever blown, and I can see along its sheet for miles; there is not somuch as the black head of a loon dotting the water."
The Indian gravely raised his paddle, and pointed in the directionin which his own steady look was riveted. Duncan's eyes followed themotion. A few rods in their front lay another of the wooded islets,but it appeared as calm and peaceful as if its solitude had never beendisturbed by the foot of man.
"I see nothing," he said, "but land and water; and a lovely scene itis."
"Hist!" interrupted the scout. "Ay, Sagamore, there is always a reasonfor what you do. 'Tis but a shade, and yet it is not natural. You seethe mist, major, that is rising above the i
sland; you can't call it afog, for it is more like a streak of thin cloud--"
"It is vapor from the water."
"That a child could tell. But what is the edging of blacker smokethat hangs along its lower side, and which you may trace down into thethicket of hazel? 'Tis from a fire; but one that, in my judgment, hasbeen suffered to burn low."
"Let us, then, push for the place, and relieve our doubts," said theimpatient Duncan; "the party must be small that can lie on such a bit ofland."
"If you judge of Indian cunning by the rules you find in books, orby white sagacity, they will lead you astray, if not to your death,"returned Hawkeye, examining the signs of the place with that acutenesswhich distinguished him. "If I may be permitted to speak in this matter,it will be to say, that we have but two things to choose between: theone is, to return, and give up all thoughts of following the Hurons--"
"Never!" exclaimed Heyward, in a voice far too loud for theircircumstances.
"Well, well," continued Hawkeye, making a hasty sign to repress hisimpatience; "I am much of your mind myself; though I thought it becomingmy experience to tell the whole. We must, then, make a push, and if theIndians or Frenchers are in the narrows, run the gauntlet through thesetoppling mountains. Is there reason in my words, Sagamore?"
The Indian made no other answer than by dropping his paddle into thewater, and urging forward the canoe. As he held the office of directingits course, his resolution was sufficiently indicated by the movement.The whole party now plied their paddles vigorously, and in a very fewmoments they had reached a point whence they might command an entireview of the northern shore of the island, the side that had hithertobeen concealed.
"There they are, by all the truth of signs," whispered the scout, "twocanoes and a smoke. The knaves haven't yet got their eyes out of themist, or we should hear the accursed whoop. Together, friends! we areleaving them, and are already nearly out of whistle of a bullet."
The well-known crack of a rifle, whose ball came skipping along theplacid surface of the strait, and a shrill yell from the island,interrupted his speech, and announced that their passage was discovered.In another instant several savages were seen rushing into canoes, whichwere soon dancing over the water in pursuit. These fearful precursors ofa coming struggle produced no change in the countenances and movementsof his three guides, so far as Duncan could discover, except that thestrokes of their paddles were longer and more in unison, and causedthe little bark to spring forward like a creature possessing life andvolition.
"Hold them there, Sagamore," said Hawkeye, looking coolly backward overthis left shoulder, while he still plied his paddle; "keep them justthere. Them Hurons have never a piece in their nation that will executeat this distance; but 'killdeer' has a barrel on which a man maycalculate."
The scout having ascertained that the Mohicans were sufficient ofthemselves to maintain the requisite distance, deliberately laid asidehis paddle, and raised the fatal rifle. Three several times he broughtthe piece to his shoulder, and when his companions were expecting itsreport, he as often lowered it to request the Indians would permittheir enemies to approach a little nigher. At length his accurate andfastidious eye seemed satisfied, and, throwing out his left arm on thebarrel, he was slowly elevating the muzzle, when an exclamation fromUncas, who sat in the bow, once more caused him to suspend the shot.
"What, now, lad?" demanded Hawkeye; "you save a Huron from thedeath-shriek by that word; have you reason for what you do?"
Uncas pointed toward a rocky shore a little in their front, whenceanother war canoe was darting directly across their course. It was tooobvious now that their situation was imminently perilous to need the aidof language to confirm it. The scout laid aside his rifle, and resumedthe paddle, while Chingachgook inclined the bows of the canoe a littletoward the western shore, in order to increase the distance between themand this new enemy. In the meantime they were reminded of the presenceof those who pressed upon their rear, by wild and exulting shouts. Thestirring scene awakened even Munro from his apathy.
"Let us make for the rocks on the main," he said, with the mien of atired soldier, "and give battle to the savages. God forbid that I, orthose attached to me and mine, should ever trust again to the faith ofany servant of the Louis's!"
"He who wishes to prosper in Indian warfare," returned the scout, "mustnot be too proud to learn from the wit of a native. Lay her more alongthe land, Sagamore; we are doubling on the varlets, and perhaps they maytry to strike our trail on the long calculation."
Hawkeye was not mistaken; for when the Hurons found their course waslikely to throw them behind their chase they rendered it less direct,until, by gradually bearing more and more obliquely, the two canoeswere, ere long, gliding on parallel lines, within two hundred yards ofeach other. It now became entirely a trial of speed. So rapid was theprogress of the light vessels, that the lake curled in their front, inminiature waves, and their motion became undulating by its own velocity.It was, perhaps, owing to this circumstance, in addition to thenecessity of keeping every hand employed at the paddles, that the Huronshad not immediate recourse to their firearms. The exertions of thefugitives were too severe to continue long, and the pursuers had theadvantage of numbers. Duncan observed with uneasiness, that the scoutbegan to look anxiously about him, as if searching for some furthermeans of assisting their flight.
"Edge her a little more from the sun, Sagamore," said the stubbornwoodsman; "I see the knaves are sparing a man to the rifle. A singlebroken bone might lose us our scalps. Edge more from the sun and we willput the island between us."
The expedient was not without its use. A long, low island lay at alittle distance before them, and, as they closed with it, the chasingcanoe was compelled to take a side opposite to that on which the pursuedpassed. The scout and his companions did not neglect this advantage, butthe instant they were hid from observation by the bushes, they redoubledefforts that before had seemed prodigious. The two canoes came roundthe last low point, like two coursers at the top of their speed, thefugitives taking the lead. This change had brought them nigher to eachother, however, while it altered their relative positions.
"You showed knowledge in the shaping of a birchen bark, Uncas, whenyou chose this from among the Huron canoes," said the scout, smiling,apparently more in satisfaction at their superiority in the race thanfrom that prospect of final escape which now began to open a little uponthem. "The imps have put all their strength again at the paddles, and weare to struggle for our scalps with bits of flattened wood, instead ofclouded barrels and true eyes. A long stroke, and together, friends."
"They are preparing for a shot," said Heyward; "and as we are in a linewith them, it can scarcely fail."
"Get you, then, into the bottom of the canoe," returned the scout; "youand the colonel; it will be so much taken from the size of the mark."
Heyward smiled, as he answered:
"It would be but an ill example for the highest in rank to dodge, whilethe warriors were under fire."
"Lord! Lord! That is now a white man's courage!" exclaimed the scout;"and like to many of his notions, not to be maintained by reason. Do youthink the Sagamore, or Uncas, or even I, who am a man without a cross,would deliberate about finding a cover in the scrimmage, when an openbody would do no good? For what have the Frenchers reared up theirQuebec, if fighting is always to be done in the clearings?"
"All that you say is very true, my friend," replied Heyward; "still, ourcustoms must prevent us from doing as you wish."
A volley from the Hurons interrupted the discourse, and as the bulletswhistled about them, Duncan saw the head of Uncas turned, looking backat himself and Munro. Notwithstanding the nearness of the enemy, andhis own great personal danger, the countenance of the young warriorexpressed no other emotion, as the former was compelled to think, thanamazement at finding men willing to encounter so useless an exposure.Chingachgook was probably better acquainted with the notions of whitemen, for he did not even cast a glance aside from the riveted loo
k hiseye maintained on the object by which he governed their course. A ballsoon struck the light and polished paddle from the hands of the chief,and drove it through the air, far in the advance. A shout arose fromthe Hurons, who seized the opportunity to fire another volley. Uncasdescribed an arc in the water with his own blade, and as the canoepassed swiftly on, Chingachgook recovered his paddle, and flourishingit on high, he gave the war-whoop of the Mohicans, and then lent hisstrength and skill again to the important task.
The clamorous sounds of "Le Gros Serpent!" "La Longue Carabine!" "LeCerf Agile!" burst at once from the canoes behind, and seemed to givenew zeal to the pursuers. The scout seized "killdeer" in his left hand,and elevating it about his head, he shook it in triumph at his enemies.The savages answered the insult with a yell, and immediately anothervolley succeeded. The bullets pattered along the lake, and one evenpierced the bark of their little vessel. No perceptible emotion couldbe discovered in the Mohicans during this critical moment, their rigidfeatures expressing neither hope nor alarm; but the scout again turnedhis head, and, laughing in his own silent manner, he said to Heyward:
"The knaves love to hear the sounds of their pieces; but the eye isnot to be found among the Mingoes that can calculate a true range in adancing canoe! You see the dumb devils have taken off a man to charge,and by the smallest measurement that can be allowed, we move three feetto their two!"
Duncan, who was not altogether as easy under this nice estimate ofdistances as his companions, was glad to find, however, that owing totheir superior dexterity, and the diversion among their enemies, theywere very sensibly obtaining the advantage. The Hurons soon fired again,and a bullet struck the blade of Hawkeye's paddle without injury.
"That will do," said the scout, examining the slight indentation with acurious eye; "it would not have cut the skin of an infant, much less ofmen, who, like us, have been blown upon by the heavens in their anger.Now, major, if you will try to use this piece of flattened wood, I'lllet 'killdeer' take a part in the conversation."
Heyward seized the paddle, and applied himself to the work with aneagerness that supplied the place of skill, while Hawkeye was engagedin inspecting the priming of his rifle. The latter then took a swift aimand fired. The Huron in the bows of the leading canoe had risen with asimilar object, and he now fell backward, suffering his gun to escapefrom his hands into the water. In an instant, however, he recovered hisfeet, though his gestures were wild and bewildered. At the same momenthis companions suspended their efforts, and the chasing canoes clusteredtogether, and became stationary. Chingachgook and Uncas profited by theinterval to regain their wind, though Duncan continued to work withthe most persevering industry. The father and son now cast calm butinquiring glances at each other, to learn if either had sustained anyinjury by the fire; for both well knew that no cry or exclamationwould, in such a moment of necessity have been permitted to betray theaccident. A few large drops of blood were trickling down the shoulderof the Sagamore, who, when he perceived that the eyes of Uncas dwelttoo long on the sight, raised some water in the hollow of his hand, andwashing off the stain, was content to manifest, in this simple manner,the slightness of the injury.
"Softly, softly, major," said the scout, who by this time had reloadedhis rifle; "we are a little too far already for a rifle to put forth itsbeauties, and you see yonder imps are holding a council. Let themcome up within striking distance--my eye may well be trusted in sucha matter--and I will trail the varlets the length of the Horican,guaranteeing that not a shot of theirs shall, at the worst, more thanbreak the skin, while 'killdeer' shall touch the life twice in threetimes."
"We forget our errand," returned the diligent Duncan. "For God's sakelet us profit by this advantage, and increase our distance from theenemy."
"Give me my children," said Munro, hoarsely; "trifle no longer with afather's agony, but restore me my babes."
Long and habitual deference to the mandates of his superiors had taughtthe scout the virtue of obedience. Throwing a last and lingering glanceat the distant canoes, he laid aside his rifle, and, relieving thewearied Duncan, resumed the paddle, which he wielded with sinews thatnever tired. His efforts were seconded by those of the Mohicans and avery few minutes served to place such a sheet of water between them andtheir enemies, that Heyward once more breathed freely.
The lake now began to expand, and their route lay along a wide reach,that was lined, as before, by high and ragged mountains. But the islandswere few, and easily avoided. The strokes of the paddles grew moremeasured and regular, while they who plied them continued their labor,after the close and deadly chase from which they had just relievedthemselves, with as much coolness as though their speed had been triedin sport, rather than under such pressing, nay, almost desperate,circumstances.
Instead of following the western shore, whither their errand led them,the wary Mohican inclined his course more toward those hills behindwhich Montcalm was known to have led his army into the formidablefortress of Ticonderoga. As the Hurons, to every appearance, hadabandoned the pursuit, there was no apparent reason for this excess ofcaution. It was, however, maintained for hours, until they had reacheda bay, nigh the northern termination of the lake. Here the canoe wasdriven upon the beach, and the whole party landed. Hawkeye and Heywardascended an adjacent bluff, where the former, after considering theexpanse of water beneath him, pointed out to the latter a small blackobject, hovering under a headland, at the distance of several miles.
"Do you see it?" demanded the scout. "Now, what would you account thatspot, were you left alone to white experience to find your way throughthis wilderness?"
"But for its distance and its magnitude, I should suppose it a bird. Canit be a living object?"
"'Tis a canoe of good birchen bark, and paddled by fierce and craftyMingoes. Though Providence has lent to those who inhabit the woodseyes that would be needless to men in the settlements, where there areinventions to assist the sight, yet no human organs can see all thedangers which at this moment circumvent us. These varlets pretend to bebent chiefly on their sun-down meal, but the moment it is dark they willbe on our trail, as true as hounds on the scent. We must throw themoff, or our pursuit of Le Renard Subtil may be given up. These lakes areuseful at times, especially when the game take the water," continued thescout, gazing about him with a countenance of concern; "but they give nocover, except it be to the fishes. God knows what the country wouldbe, if the settlements should ever spread far from the two rivers. Bothhunting and war would lose their beauty."
"Let us not delay a moment, without some good and obvious cause."
"I little like that smoke, which you may see worming up along the rockabove the canoe," interrupted the abstracted scout. "My life on it,other eyes than ours see it, and know its meaning. Well, words will notmend the matter, and it is time that we were doing."
Hawkeye moved away from the lookout, and descended, musing profoundly,to the shore. He communicated the result of his observations to hiscompanions, in Delaware, and a short and earnest consultation succeeded.When it terminated, the three instantly set about executing their newresolutions.
The canoe was lifted from the water, and borne on the shoulders of theparty, they proceeded into the wood, making as broad and obvious a trailas possible. They soon reached the water-course, which they crossed,and, continuing onward, until they came to an extensive and naked rock.At this point, where their footsteps might be expected to be no longervisible, they retraced their route to the brook, walking backward, withthe utmost care. They now followed the bed of the little stream to thelake, into which they immediately launched their canoe again. A lowpoint concealed them from the headland, and the margin of the lake wasfringed for some distance with dense and overhanging bushes. Under thecover of these natural advantages, they toiled their way, with patientindustry, until the scout pronounced that he believed it would be safeonce more to land.
The halt continued until evening rendered objects indistinct anduncertain to the eye. Then they resumed their ro
ute, and, favored bythe darkness, pushed silently and vigorously toward the western shore.Although the rugged outline of mountain, to which they were steering,presented no distinctive marks to the eyes of Duncan, the Mohicanentered the little haven he had selected with the confidence andaccuracy of an experienced pilot.
The boat was again lifted and borne into the woods, where it wascarefully concealed under a pile of brush. The adventurers assumed theirarms and packs, and the scout announced to Munro and Heyward that he andthe Indians were at last in readiness to proceed.