Chapter 31 Chapter Thirty

If you reject me, your laws to hell! The decree of the city of Venice is like a dead letter. I am now awaiting the verdict, please answer me quickly, Can I have this pound of meat? ——Shakespeare① ① The first scene of the fourth act. After waiting anxiously for a long time, no human voice broke the silence of the venue.Finally, the crowd moved, gave way, and closed again.At this moment, Uncas was already standing in the center of the circle.At first everyone was staring at the face of the brigade commander curiously, seeing him as the source of their own wisdom, but now they all turned to look at the prisoner, secretly praising him for his straightness, flexibility, and perfection. An unblemished body.The young Mohican's self-possession was not disturbed in the slightest, though he stood before the dignified old chiefs, and in full view.He unhurriedly raised his eyes and looked at the people around him carefully, like a child staring at something curiously, calmly watching the hostile and gloomy expressions on the faces of the chiefs.However, when he finally saw Tamanon arrogantly, his eyes were fixed on the brigade commander, as if he had forgotten all the others.Then, quietly and slowly, he walked forward until he came directly to the philosopher's footstool.He stood there, eyeing the wise man carefully, but without attracting his attention, until one of the chiefs reported his arrival to the chief.

"What language did this prisoner speak to Manitou?" asked the Chief, without opening his eyes. "Like his ancestors," replied Uncas, "in the Delaware language." At this sudden and unexpected announcement, there rose through the crowd a muffled howl, perhaps comparable to that of a lion in display of his majesty--an indication of how powerful his future rage might be. dire omen.The words of Uncas had an equally strong effect on the philosopher, only in a different form.Covering his eyes with his hand, as if he did not want to see any trace of such a shameful scene, he repeated in his low guttural voice the words he had just heard.

"A Delaware! All my life I have seen the tribe of the Lenape driven from their council, and scurrying about the Iroquois like a herd of wild deer! I I have also seen the axes of foreigners cut down all the trees in our valley that have not been blown down by the strong wind! I have seen birds in the forest and animals in the mountains live in our huts! But I have never seen such The despicable Delaware crawled like a viper into the camp of his kindred." "That's the liar-birds chewing their tongues," replied Uncas in his soft, melodious voice; "Tamenon believed their song."

The brigade commander was startled, and turned his head to the side, as if trying to catch the passing music. "Is Tamanon dreaming?" he cried aloud. "What is that sound he hears? Is winter gone, and summer returning to the children of Lenape?" After hearing the series of incoherent words of the Prophet of Delaware, the people were in awe, and the entire venue was silent.His people were fully convinced that these arcane words showed him again in their usual mystical conversation with the Great God, and all awaited the result of this revelation with awe.However, after waiting patiently for a long time, an old chieftain realized that the patriarch had forgotten the person standing before him, so he ventured to remind him that there was another prisoner in front of him.

"The counterfeit Delaware is trembling for fear of hearing Tamanon," said he. "He's a hunting dog, and he'll bark if Anglicization gives him a target!" "And you?" asked Uncas, looking sternly about him. "You dogs, the French will throw you some leftover venison, and you will howl with delight!" At this sharp and perhaps well-earned retort many warriors sprang to their feet, dozens of knives flashing in the air; the peace of mind.At this time, if it wasn't for Tamenon's gestures, indicating that he was going to speak again, it would probably be more difficult to control if he went on.

"Delaware!" began the old man again, "you are not worthy of that name. My people have not seen the sun for many winters; a warrior who flees when his tribe is under a cloud is a double traitor The law of Manitou is just. It is so; so long as the rivers flow, and the mountains stand, and as long as the trees fade and bloom again, it must be so. Children, I hand him over to you, and you are just. Let him go!" All were motionless, breathless, and silent till Tamenon had spoken the last word of the final judgment, and immediately thereafter the whole tribe suddenly burst into a chorus of vengeful cries, a part of their cruel intentions. Scary omen.In the midst of this protracted and wild cry, one of the chieftains raised his voice and announced aloud: The prisoner is sentenced to be burned at the stake.The encirclement of the crowd dispersed.The cheers and screams of the people mixed with the bustle and bustle of preparations for the execution.Heyward struggled frantically in the hands of his captors; Hawkeye looked about him restlessly, with a peculiarly anxious air;

During all this embarrassing time Uncas alone remained calm.He watched the preparations with cold eyes.When the torturers came to grab him, he puffed out his chest and looked at them firmly.One of them, perhaps the fiercest and most savage of warriors, seized Uncas's hunting-shirt, and tore it from him with one blow.Then, with a wild cry of joy, he sprang up before the unresisting captive, and was about to drag him up to the stake to be tortured.But at the moment when he was most inhuman, suddenly, as if by a supernatural power, the native was held back for Uncas; he stared and opened his mouth, and was paralyzed with fright.Slowly, he raised his hand and pointed a finger at the captive's chest.His companions flocked to him in amazement, and like him, they all stared intently at the captive's chest, where there was a small turtle, blue in color, very beautiful.

Uncas enjoyed his victory for a moment, smiling calmly at the spectacle.Then, he arrogantly raised his hand and waved it to make everyone stand back, and then walked forward in front of his people with a regal posture, and raised his voice loudly, overpowering the murmurs of exclamation in the crowd: "Descendants of Lenny Lenapo! My clan supports the entire universe! You weak tribe, stand on my back! Could it be said that the fire lit by the Delawares can burn my ancestors to death? descendants of yours?" He pointed proudly at his plain coat of arms, and continued, "Blood from such ancestors will surely quench your flames! My clan is the ancestors of all peoples!"

"Who are you!" Tamanon stood up and asked, not because he heard the meaning of what the prisoner said, but because of the surprising tone. "Uncas, son of Chingachgod," answered the captive modestly, turning his face to the crowd, and bowing his head towards the patriarch in respect of his rank and advanced age: "The great Anne The descendants of Mies." ① Delaware, that is, tortoise. "The last days of Tamanon are coming!" cried the brigade commander. "Day will replace night at last! I thank Manito, and now there is someone who can preside over my council in my stead. Uncas, Unka The descendants of Si have been found! Let the dying eagle see the rising sun."

① The grandfather of young Uncas was also named Uncas. Silently, but proudly, the young man stepped onto the platform.There, the excited, amazed crowd could all see him.Stretching out his arms, Tamanon held Uncas in front of him, carefully inspecting every detail of his handsome face, and his endless joyful eyes showed that he was remembering the happiness of the past. years. "Am I still a lad?" cried the bewildered Prophet at last, "I've been dreaming? Dreaming of so much snow? Dreaming of my people being blown away like sand? Dreaming of so much England More leaves than a tree, man? Tamanon's arrows can't frighten a fawn; his arms are as thin as dead branches; he can run faster than a snail; and whenever they go to fight with Whiteface, Uncas is always ahead of him! Uncas, the leopard of his tribe, the eldest son of the Lenape, the wisest chief of the Mohicans! Tell me, you Delawares , did Tamanon sleep for a hundred winters?"

① Refers to Uncas' grandfather, Old Uncas. ② Refers to Uncas's grandfather, Old Sikas. After he finished speaking, there was a complete silence on the field, which fully showed that the people deeply respected the association of their patriarchs and great gods.No one dared to answer a word, and everyone listened with bated breath, waiting for him to speak.Uncas, who had been gazing at the patriarch's face with love and reverence like a favored child, then, in virtue of the lofty position he recognized, opened his mouth to answer. "Since Tamanon's comrade-in-arms ① led his people into battle," Uncas said, "the four chiefs in his brigade who fought together have all died in battle. Many chiefs have the blood of turtles on their bodies. , but they came from the field, and all went back to the field, and now Chingachgook and his son are left alone." ① Refers to Uncas' grandfather, Old Uncas. "Yes... yes," replied the Brigadier; a flash of memory dispelled all his fine fantasies, and brought back at once the true history of his race. "Our wise chiefs have often remarked that two warriors of that bloody line still live in the hills taken by the Britons. Why have their seats in the Delaware Council been so long vacant? " Hearing these words, the young man raised his head, which had been bowed slightly in respect, and at the same time, so that everyone could hear him, he raised his voice, as if to explain the course of action of his clan. general description.He said aloud: "Once upon a time, we lived where we could hear the roar of the salt lake. At that time, we were the masters and chiefs of this land. But when a white face appeared by every stream, we followed the magic deer, Back to the river where our nation was born. Then the Delawares all went away! Only a few warriors remained to drink the river they loved. At that time, my elders said: 'Here we are Hunt, the waters of these rivers go to the salt lakes. If we go towards the sunset, then we will see the waters of those rivers go to the fresh water lakes; there, the Mohicans will die like fish in the salt lake in those clear water springs. And here, when Manitou is ready and says "Come on," we can follow the river back to the salt lake and start over again. Take back everything we have.' People of Delaware, this is the belief of the descendants of the turtle family! Our eyes see the rising sun, not the setting sun! We only know where it comes from, not where it goes! That's enough!" ①Refers to the Hudson River, where the Mohicans originally lived in the upper reaches of the Hudson River. The descendants of Lenapo listened to Uncas's words with a superstitious reverence, and even felt that there was a mysterious magic in the vivid language of the young chief.Uncas also watched the effect of his short explanation with keen eyes. He didn't gradually put down his original authoritative posture until he saw that the audience was satisfied, and silently greeted the crowd around Tamanon's high seat. The silent crowd looked over.Only then did he see Hawkeye standing there bound for the first time.He stepped off the stage hastily, pushed the crowd aside, approached his friend, and immediately cut the rope with a sharp blow of his knife, and then waved the crowd out of the way.The Indians obeyed silently, and when he returned to the crowd, they gathered together to form a circle again.Uncas took the scout by the hand and led him to the patriarch. "The Patriarch," said he, "look at this pale face; he's a man of integrity, and a friend of the Delawares." "Is he Ming Kuang's son?" "No, he's a warrior the Brits know and the Makoa fear." "With his merits, what title has he won?" "We call him Hawkeye," replied Uncas in the Delaware, "because he shot a good shot. The Mingoes knew him, and many of their warriors died at his hands; they called him Lance." "Longgun!" cried Tamenon, who opened his eyes and gazed sternly at the scout. "My boy should not call him a friend." "I call him that, because he is such a man," replied the young chief, very calm, yet very determined, "and if the Delawares welcome Uncas, they should be friends with Hawkeye." "This white face has killed a lot of my lads. He's famous for killing Lenapes." "If any Mingo ever said that in the ears of a Delaware, he must be a liar," interjected the scout, thinking that it was time for him to stand up and clear himself of these trumped-up crimes. .He spoke the language of the brigade commander with whom he spoke, and enriched his Indian manners with his own peculiar imagination. "If I say that I killed a Makoa, it was in their council, and I will not deny it. But it is against my nature to say that my hand ever intentionally wounded a Delaware, for I am friendly to the Delawares, and to all that is their tribe." There was a soft cheer among the soldiers, and they exchanged glances, as if they had just begun to realize their mistakes. "Where is that Huron?" asked Tamanon, "has he blocked my ears?" Magua, whose feelings at the time of his victory at Uncas can be imagined, and need not be repeated here, heard this question, and ventured up to the patriarch. "The just Tamanon will not detain a man whom the Hurons bid him to keep," said he. "Tell me, my brother's descendant," asked the patriarch, avoiding the gloomy face of Diaohuhu, and turned his eyes happily to Uncas's, "is there any value for you in this Hughes?" A winner's right?" "No. A leopard may fall into a woman's trap, but he still has strength and knows how to get out." "And what about the long gun?" "He's laughing at the Mingos. Go, Hurons! Ask your wives what color the bears are!" "What about the stranger and the white-faced girl who came to our camp together?" "They should be left to travel freely." "And what about the woman this Huron entrusted to my warrior?" Uncas did not answer. "So, what about the woman that the Mingo people brought to our camp?" Tamanon repeated solemnly. "She is mine!" cried Magua, waving triumphantly at Uncas. "You know she is mine, Mohican!" "My child hasn't spoken yet," Tamenon said, trying to see the expression on the young man's face, but the other looked away sadly. "That's what happened," Uncas replied in a low voice. Followed by a brief.Unforgettable silence, from this it can be clearly seen that although everyone admits that the Minguo man's request is reasonable, they are very reluctant in their hearts.At last the philosopher, the only one who could decide, said with firmness: "Huron, let's go." "Just Tamanon, will he go back empty-handed as he came, or will he go back with the faith of the Delaware?" asked the cunning Magua. Give him a hand." The old patriarch pondered for a moment, then, leaning his head close to a respectable companion beside him, he asked: "Did I hear you right?" "yes." "Is this Mingo man the chief?" "The leader of his tribe." "Would you like it, girl? A good warrior wants you to be his wife. Go! Your descendants will never die." "I'd rather have my descendants cut off," Cora cried out, trembling with fright, "it's a million times better than suffering this kind of humiliation!" "Huron, her heart is in her parents' tent. A reluctant girl makes an unhappy home." "She speaks in the manner of her people," said Magua, looking sarcastically at Cora; "she is of a merchant's family, and intends to bargain with her beauty. Please. Talk to Tamanon." "Give you shell beads in exchange, and our respect." "Magua wants nothing but this woman whom he entrusts here." "Then take your men away. Great Manitou will not allow the Delawares to do injustice." Magua stepped forward and firmly grasped the arm of his captive; the Delawares retreated silently; Succumbed to the arrangements of fate. "Wait, wait!" cried Heyward, leaping forward, "do it, Huron! Her ransom will make you the richest man in the race." "Magua is a red man, and he doesn't want those white man's little beads." "Gold, silver, powder, bullets—whatever a warrior needs will be sent to your hut; everything that the greatest chieftain can use." "The fox is determined," cried Magua, shaking his hand, which was clung to the arm of the unresisting Cora, "and he wants revenge!" "O Almighty Lord," cried Heyward, clasping his fingers in agony, "how can such a thing be tolerated! I beseech you, just Tamanon, do it!" "The words of the Delawares have been spoken," answered the old patriarch, and he closed his eyes, and sat down, as if quite weary of energy and strength. "A man promises nothing." "It is reasonable for a chief to waste no time in undoing what he has said," said Hawkeye, waving to Heyward to silence him, "but every warrior is throwing his tomahawk at It is wise, too, to think before the captive's head is cut off. I do not like you, Huron, and I cannot say that I have spared any Mingo man. So it may be concluded that if this If this war does not end soon, there must be more of you warriors who will taste my strength in the woods. Now, you decide for yourself, whether you want to take such a woman back to the camp as a prisoner, or take such a woman like me People in your clan will be very happy to see a man like me put down his weapon." "Lance is willing to lay down his life for this woman?" asked Magua, who hesitated; he was ready to leave with the captive. "No, no, that's not what I meant," replied Hawkeye, who saw Magua's eagerness to hear his suggestion, and stepped back cautiously. Warrior, even the best girl on the frontier is not equal. I mean, I can agree to go to winter camp now-at least six weeks until the leaves change color-on condition that you release This girl." Magua shook his head, gesticulating impatiently to get the crowd out of the way. "Well, then," said the scout, with the hesitation of a man who has not yet made up his mind, "I'll hitch up my deer again. You can take an experienced hunter at his word, and in this area , there is no gun like it." Magua still refused to answer this, and continued to order the crowd to disperse. "Perhaps," said the scout, unable to maintain his feigned composure, as Magua expressed indifference to the exchange, "perhaps I could teach your lad all about the use of this weapon, and that would be all right." Eliminate our differences of opinion!" The Delawares still crowded around Magua in an impassable zone, and they all hoped in their hearts that he would accept this friendly proposal.Magua yelled fiercely to get out of his way, and he cast a glance at Tamenon, threatening to call upon their Prophet again to do justice. "Sooner or later, what is destined will happen," said Hawkeye, turning his face helplessly to Uncas with a sad face, and then laughed. "The scoundrel knows his advantage, so he will never let go! God bless you, my boy." You, you have found friends among your own people, and I hope they will be as faithful and reliable as some white people you have met. As far as I am concerned, sooner or later, there is death; now dead, only a few mourn for me Well, that's a good thing. Anyway, it seems that these devils are only willing to try to get my scalp, so in the long run, sooner or later, a day or two, it doesn't make much difference. God bless you. ’ said the frowning forest dweller, turning his face away, but then turning his head again, looking longingly at the young man, and going on: ‘Uncas, I have always loved you and your father, although we The color of the man is different, and the talents are a little different. Tell the war chief that even in the most difficult moments, I have never forgotten him. As for you, please think of me sometimes in happy moments. You can believe, my child, whether Is there one or two in heaven, in another world there must be a way that brings the righteous back together. Where we hid our guns, you'll find my gun. For my sake , you can take it and keep it by your side as a souvenir. Listen, boy, your national habit is in favor of revenge, so you can let it go and use it against the Minguo people. This will somewhat relieve your feeling of losing me I will feel better in my heart. Huron, I accept your terms, let this girl go, I am your prisoner!" There was a subdued, but still distinct, admiration in the crowd for this tragic proposition; even the most savage of the Delaware warriors expressed admiration for this heroic self-sacrifice.Magua paused, and hesitated a moment, as it were, anxiously; then, casting a glance at Cora, with an expression strangely mixed of ferocity and admiration, he made his final resolution. He threw back his head to express his contempt for the proposal, and said in a firm tone: "Diaohu Fox is a great chief, and he will never change his mind. Let's go," he continued, and at the same time stretched out a hand and put it on Cora's shoulder, but he didn't push it because he was too familiar. The girl stepped forward, "Hurons don't like empty words; let us go!" The girl took a step back, showing a proud woman's reserve to this slight and rude behavior; her dark eyes sparkled, and a blush spread on her cheeks, which was as red as the evening glow, and it continued to blush. temple. "I am your prisoner, and when the time comes, I will go with you, and I will not be afraid to die. There is no need to do violence to me," she said coldly; and then, turning her face to Hawkeye, she said: " Generous and generous hunter! I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your proposal did not come true, and in fact I could not accept it; but you can still do something for me, which is even more worthwhile than your kindness. You see That weary, helpless child! Don't leave her until you have brought her to the white ghetto. As for how her father will reward you," she said, squeezing the rough hand of the scout, " Then I don't need to say it, because a person like you will not care about rewards; but he will thank you and bless you. Believe me, the blessing of a righteous old man will move God. God How I long to hear a word of blessing from him at this dreadful hour!" She choked up and broke off; Beside me, I finally suppressed the fragile feelings of the woman, and continued in a softer voice: "For this baby who will belong to you, I don't need to tell you how to love her. Hayward, you love her, even if she A thousand faults, you can't see. She is a very kind, gentle, gentle, lovely girl; and there is not a single fault in her body and mind that would disgust the proudest among you. She is beautiful Oh, ah! How beautiful she is!" Sadly and affectionately, Cora put her beautiful, but slightly less beautiful hands on Alice's pink forehead, and spread them over her eyebrows for her. "And her heart is as pure as her skin! I have a lot more to say—perhaps more than reason will allow, but I don't want to make you and myself any worse..." She put her face on her younger sister's body, and her voice was too soft to be heard.After a long, passionate kiss, she stood up, looking dead, but there were no tears in her fiery eyes.Turning her back, and returning to her old haughty manner, she said to the Indian, "Well, sir, if you want me to go, I will go with you now." "Well, come on," cried Hayward, and let Alice lean into the arms of an Indian girl, "go, Magua, go! These Delawares have their laws, let them not hinder You, but I—I have no such obligation. Come on, you devil! Why are you delaying?" An indescribable expression came over Magua's face at this threat of following him.It looked cheerful at first, but then immediately changed to a sly and indifferent expression. "The door of the woods is open," he replied cheerfully, "come with a generous hand!" ① Refers to Hayward. "Wait a minute," cried Hawkeye, seizing Heyward by the arm, and would not let him go. "You don't know the tricks of the devil. He'll lead you into an ambush and kill you. " "The Hurons!" interposed Uncas, who had hitherto listened attentively and silently, in obedience to the strict customs of his people, "the Hurons, the justice of the Delawares, come from Manitou From there. Look at the sun. It has risen to the high branch of the thumb tree. The road you walk is open and not long. When the sun reaches the top of the tree, someone will catch up with you .” "I hear a crow croaking!" cried Magua, with a wry smile. Where are the Chinese skirts? Give the Wyandots their swords and arrows! They'll still have venison to eat and corn to hoe! You dogs! Rabbits! Thieves!—I spit on you face!" The Delawares listened to Magua's jeers and insults before leaving, but no one said a word, and there was an ominous silence in the field.Magua, swearing, triumphantly led his captive, protected by the inviolable hospitality of the Indians, straight into the forest without hindrance.