"_Bot._--Let me play the lion too."
_Midsummer Night's Dream._
Notwithstanding the high resolution of Hawkeye, he fully comprehended
all the difficulties and dangers he was about to incur. In his return to
the camp, his acute and practised intellects were intently engaged in
devising means to counteract a watchfulness and suspicion on the part of
his enemies, that he knew were, in no degree, inferior to his own.
Nothing but the color of his skin had saved the lives of Magua and the
conjurer, who would have been the first victims sacrificed to his own
security, had not the scout believed such an act, however congenial it
might be to the nature of an Indian, utterly unworthy of one who boasted
a descent from men that knew no cross of blood. Accordingly, he trusted
to the withes and ligaments with which he had bound his captives, and
pursued his way directly towards the centre of the lodges.
As he approached the buildings, his steps became more deliberate, and
his vigilant eye suffered no sign, whether friendly or hostile, to
escape him. A neglected hut was a little in advance of the others, and
appeared as if it had been deserted when half completed--most probably
on account of failing in some of the more important requisites; such as
food or water. A faint light glimmered through its cracks, however, and
announced that, notwithstanding its imperfect structure, it was not
without a tenant. Thither, then, the scout proceeded, like a prudent
general, who was about to feel the advanced positions of his enemy,
before he hazarded the main attack.
Throwing himself into a suitable posture for the beast he represented,
Hawkeye crawled to a little opening, where he might command a view of
the interior. It proved to be the abiding-place of David Gamut. Hither
the faithful singing-master had now brought himself, together with all
his sorrows, his apprehensions, and his meek dependence on the
protection of Providence. At the precise moment when his ungainly person
came under the observation of the scout, in the manner just mentioned,
the woodsman himself, though in his assumed character, was the subject
of the solitary being's profoundest reflections.
However implicit the faith of David was in the performance of ancient
miracles, he eschewed the belief of any direct supernatural agency in
the management of modern morality. In other words, while he had implicit
faith in the ability of Balsam's ass to speak, he was somewhat skeptical
on the subject of a bear's singing; and yet he had been assured of the
latter, on the testimony of his own exquisite organs. There was
something in his air and manner that betrayed to the scout the utter
confusion of the state of his mind. He was seated on a pile of brush, a
few twigs from which occasionally fed his low fire, with his head
leaning on his arm, in a posture of melancholy musing. The costume of
the votary of music had undergone no other alteration from that so
lately described, except that he had covered his bald head with the
triangular beaver, which had not proved sufficiently alluring to excite
the cupidity of any of his captors.
The ingenious Hawkeye, who recalled the hasty manner in which the other
had abandoned his post at the bedside of the sick woman, was not without
his suspicions concerning the subject of so much solemn deliberation.
First making the circuit of the hut, and ascertaining that it stood
quite alone, and that the character of its inmate was likely to protect
it from visitors, he ventured through its low door, into the very
presence of Gamut. The position of the latter brought the fire between
them; and when Hawkeye had seated himself on end, near a minute elapsed,
during which the two remained regarding each other without speaking. The
suddenness and the nature of the surprise had nearly proved too much
for--we will not say the philosophy--but for the faith and resolution of
David. He fumbled for his pitch-pipe, and arose with a confused
intention of attempting a musical exorcism.
"Dark and mysterious monster!" he exclaimed, while with trembling hands
he disposed of his auxiliary eyes, and sought his never-failing resource
in trouble, the gifted version of the Psalms: "I know not your nature
nor intents; but if aught you meditate against the person and rights of
one of the humblest servants of the temple, listen to the inspired
language of the youth of Israel, and repent."
The bear shook his shaggy sides, and then a well-known voice replied,--
"Put up the tooting we'pon, and teach your throat modesty. Five words of
plain and comprehensible English are worth, just now, an hour of
squalling."
"What art thou!" demanded David, utterly disqualified to pursue his
original intention, and nearly gasping for breath.
"A man like yourself; and one whose blood is as little tainted by the
cross of a bear, or an Indian, as your own. Have you so soon forgotten
from whom you received the foolish instrument you hold in your hand?"
"Can these things be?" returned David, breathing more freely, as the
truth began to dawn upon him. "I have found many marvels during my
sojourn with the heathen, but surely nothing to excel this!"
"Come, come," returned Hawkeye, uncasing his honest countenance, the
better to assure the wavering confidence of his companion; "you may see
a skin, which, if it be not as white as one of the gentle ones, has no
tinge of red to it that the winds of heaven and the sun have not
bestowed. Now let us to business."
"First tell me of the maiden, and of the youth who so bravely sought
her," interrupted David.
"Ay, they are happily freed from the tomahawks of these varlets. But can
you put me on the scent of Uncas?"
"The young man is in bondage, and much I fear his death is decreed. I
greatly mourn that one so well disposed should die in his ignorance, and
I have sought a goodly hymn--"
"Can you lead me to him?"
"The task will not be difficult," returned David, hesitating; "though I
greatly fear your presence would rather increase than mitigate his
unhappy fortunes."
"No more words, but lead on," returned Hawkeye, concealing his face
again, and setting the example in his own person, by instantly quitting
the lodge.
As they proceeded, the scout ascertained that his companion found access
to Uncas, under privilege of his imaginary infirmity, aided by the favor
he had acquired with one of the guards, who, in consequence of speaking
a little English, had been selected by David as the subject of a
religious conversation. How far the Huron comprehended the intentions of
his new friend, may well be doubted; but as exclusive attention is as
flattering to a savage as to a more civilized individual, it had
produced the effect we have mentioned. It is unnecessary to repeat the
shrewd manner with which the scout extracted these particulars from the
simple David; neither shall we dwell in this place on the nature of the
instructions he delivered, when completely master of all the necessary
facts; as the whole will be sufficiently explained to the reader in the
course of the narrative.
The lodge in which Uncas was confined was in the very centre of the
village, and in a situation, perhaps, more difficult than any other to
approach, or leave, without observation. But it was not the policy of
Hawkeye to affect the least concealment. Presuming on his disguise, and
his ability to sustain the character he had assumed, he took the most
plain and direct route to the place. The hour, however, afforded him
some little of that protection which he appeared so much to despise. The
boys were already buried in sleep, and all the women, and most of the
warriors, had retired to their lodges for the night. Four or five of the
latter only lingered about the door of the prison of Uncas, wary but
close observers of the manner of their captive.
At the sight of Gamut, accompanied by one in the well known masquerade
of their most distinguished conjurer, they readily made way for them
both. Still they betrayed no intention to depart. On the other hand,
they were evidently disposed to remain bound to the place by an
additional interest in the mysterious mummeries that they of course
expected from such a visit.
From the total inability of the scout to address the Hurons in their own
language, he was compelled to trust the conversation entirely to David.
Notwithstanding the simplicity of the latter, he did ample justice to
the instructions he had received, more than fulfilling the strongest
hopes of his teacher.
"The Delawares are women!" he exclaimed, addressing himself to the
savage who had a slight understanding of the language in which he spoke;
"the Yengeese, my foolish countrymen, have told them to take up the
tomahawk, and strike their fathers in the Canadas, and they have
forgotten their sex. Does my brother wish to hear Le Cerf Agile ask for
his petticoats, and see him weep before the Hurons, at the stake?"
The exclamation "Hugh!" delivered in a strong tone of assent, announced
the gratification the savage would receive in witnessing such an
exhibition of weakness in an enemy so long hated and so much feared.
"Then let him step aside, and the cunning man will blow upon the dog!
Tell it to my brothers."
The Huron explained the meaning of David to his fellows, who, in their
turn, listened to the project with that sort of satisfaction that their
untamed spirits might be expected to find in such a refinement in
cruelty. They drew back a little from the entrance, and motioned to the
supposed conjurer to enter. But the bear, instead of obeying, maintained
the seat it had taken, and growled.
"The cunning man is afraid that his breath will blow upon his brothers,
and take away their courage too," continued David, improving the hint he
received; "they must stand farther off."
The Hurons, who would have deemed such a misfortune the heaviest
calamity that could befall them, fell back in a body, taking a position
where they were out of ear-shot, though at the same time they could
command a view of the entrance to the lodge. Then, as if satisfied of
their safety, the scout left his position, and slowly entered the place.
It was silent and gloomy, being tenanted solely by the captive, and
lighted by the dying embers of a fire, which had been used for the
purposes of cookery.
Uncas occupied a distant corner, in a reclining attitude, being rigidly
bound, both hands and feet, by strong and painful withes. When the
frightful object first presented itself to the young Mohican, he did not
deign to bestow a single glance on the animal. The scout, who had left
David at the door, to ascertain they were not observed, thought it
prudent to preserve his disguise until assured of their privacy. Instead
of speaking, therefore, he exerted himself to enact one of the antics of
the animal he represented. The young Mohican, who at first believed his
enemies had sent in a real beast to torment him, and try his nerves,
detected, in those performances that to Heyward had appeared so
accurate, certain blemishes, that at once betrayed the counterfeit. Had
Hawkeye been aware of the low estimation in which the more skilful Uncas
held his representations, he would probably have prolonged the
entertainment a little in pique. But the scornful expression of the
young man's eye admitted of so many constructions, that the worthy scout
was spared the mortification of such a discovery. As soon, therefore, as
David gave the pre-concerted signal, a low hissing sound was heard in
the lodge, in place of the fierce growlings of the bear.
Uncas had cast his body back against the wall of the hut, and closed
his eyes, as if willing to exclude so contemptible and disagreeable an
object from his sight. But the moment the noise of the serpent was
heard, he arose, and cast his looks on each side of him, bending his
head low, and turning it inquiringly in every direction, until his keen
eye rested on the shaggy monster, where it remained riveted, as though
fixed by the power of a charm. Again the same sounds were repeated,
evidently proceeding from the mouth of the beast. Once more the eyes of
the youth roamed over the interior of the lodge, and returning to their
former resting place, he uttered, in a deep, suppressed voice,--
"Hawkeye!"
"Cut his bands," said Hawkeye to David, who just then approached them.
The singer did as he was ordered, and Uncas found his limbs released. At
the same moment the dried skin of the animal rattled, and presently the
scout arose to his feet, in proper person. The Mohican appeared to
comprehend the nature of the attempt his friend had made, intuitively;
neither tongue nor feature betraying another symptom of surprise. When
Hawkeye had cast his shaggy vestment, which was done by simply loosing
certain thongs of skin, he drew a long glittering knife, and put it in
the hands of Uncas.
"The red Hurons are without," he said; "let us be ready."
At the same time he laid his finger significantly on another similar
weapon, both being the fruits of his prowess among their enemies during
the evening.
"We will go," said Uncas.
"Whither?"
"To the Tortoises; they are the children of my grandfathers."
"Ay, lad," said the scout in English--a language he was apt to use when
a little abstracted in mind; "the same blood runs in your veins, I
believe; but time and distance have a little changed its color. What
shall we do with the Mingos at the door? They count six, and this singer
is as good as nothing."
"The Hurons are boasters," said Uncas scornfully; "their 'totem' is a
moose, and they run like snails. The Delawares are children of the
tortoise, and they outstrip the deer."
"Ay, lad, there is truth in what you say; and I doubt not, on a rush,
you would pass the whole nation; and, in a straight race of two miles,
would be in, and get your breath again, afore a knave of them all was
within hearing of the other village. But the gift of a white man lies
more in his arms than in his legs. As for myself, I can brain a Huron as
well as a better man; but when it comes to a race, the knaves would
prove too much for me."
Uncas, who had already approached the door, in readiness to lead the
way, now recoiled; and placed himself, once more, in the bottom of the
lodge. But Hawkeye, who was too much occupied with his own thoughts to
note the movement, continued speaking more to himself than to his
companion.
"After all," he said, "it is unreasonable to keep one man in bondage to
the gifts of another. So, Uncas, you had better take the leap, while I
put on the skin again, and trust to cunning for want of speed."
The young Mohican made no reply, but quietly folded his arms, and leaned
his body against one of the upright posts that supported the wall of the
hut.
"Well," said the scout, looking up at him, "why do you tarry? There will
be time enough for me, as the knaves will give chase to you at first."
"Uncas will stay," was the calm reply.
"For what?"
"To fight with his father's brother, and die with the friend of the
Delawares."
"Ay, lad," returned Hawkeye, squeezing the hand of Uncas between his own
iron fingers; "'twould have been more like a Mingo than a Mohican had
you left me. But I thought I would make the offer, seeing that youth
commonly loves life. Well, what can't be done by main courage, in war,
must be done by circumvention. Put on the skin; I doubt not you can play
the bear nearly as well as myself."
Whatever might have been the private opinion of Uncas of their
respective abilities in this particular, his grave countenance
manifested no opinion of his own superiority. He silently and
expeditiously encased himself in the covering of the beast, and then
awaited such other movements as his more aged companion saw fit to
dictate.
"Now, friend," said Hawkeye, addressing David, "an exchange of garments
will be a great convenience to you, inasmuch as you are but little
accustomed to the make-shifts of the wilderness. Here, take my hunting
shirt and cap, and give me your blanket and hat. You must trust me with
the book and spectacles, as well as the tooter, too; if we ever meet
again, in better times, you shall have all back again, with many thanks
into the bargain."
David parted with the several articles named with a readiness that would
have done great credit to his liberality, had he not certainly profited,
in many particulars, by the exchange. Hawkeye was not long in assuming
his borrowed garments; and when his restless eyes were hid behind the
glasses, and his head was surmounted by the triangular beaver, as their
statures were not dissimilar, he might readily have passed for the
singer by star-light. As soon as these dispositions were made, the scout
turned to David, and gave him his parting instructions.
"Are you much given to cowardice?" he bluntly asked, by way of obtaining
a suitable understanding of the whole case before he ventured a
prescription.
"My pursuits are peaceful, and my temper, I humbly trust, is greatly
given to mercy and love," returned David, a little nettled at so direct
an attack on his manhood; "but there are none who can say that I have
ever forgotten my faith in the Lord, even in the greatest straits."
"Your chiefest danger will be at the moment when the savages find out
that they have been deceived. If you are not then knocked in the head,
your being a non-composser will protect you; and you'll then have good
reason to expect to die in your bed. If you stay, it must be to sit down
here in the shadow, and take the part of Uncas, until such times as the
cunning of the Indians discover the cheat, when, as I have already said,
your time of trial will come. So choose for yourself,--to make a rush or
tarry here."
"Even so," said David, firmly; "I will abide in the place of the
Delaware. Bravely and generously has he battled in my behalf; and this,
and more, will I dare in his service."
"You have spoken as a man, and like one who, under wiser schooling,
would have been brought to better things. Hold your head down, and draw
in your legs; their formation might tell the truth too early. Keep
silent as long as may be; and it would be wise, when you do speak, to
break out suddenly in one of your shoutings, which will serve to remind
the Indians that you are not altogether as responsible as men should be.
If, however, they take your scalp, as I trust and believe they will not,
depend on it, Uncas and I will not forget the deed, but revenge it as
becomes true warriors and trusty friends."
"Hold!" said David, perceiving that with this assurance they were about
to leave him; "I am an unworthy and humble follower of One who taught
not the damnable principle of revenge. Should I fall, therefore, seek no
victims to my manes, but rather forgive my destroyers; and if you
remember them at all, let it be in prayers for the enlightening of their
minds, and for their eternal welfare."
The scout hesitated, and appeared to muse.
"There is a principle in that," he said, "different from the law of the
woods; and yet it is fair and noble to reflect upon." Then, heaving a
heavy sigh, probably among the last he ever drew in pining for a
condition he had so long abandoned, he added, "It is what I would wish
to practise, myself, as one without a cross of blood, though it is not
always easy to deal with an Indian as you would with a fellow Christian.
God bless you, friend; I do believe your scent is not greatly wrong,
when the matter is duly considered, and keeping eternity before the
eyes, though much depends on the natural gifts, and the force of
temptation."
So saying, the scout returned and shook David cordially by the hand;
after which act of friendship he immediately left the lodge, attended by
the new representative of the beast.
The instant Hawkeye found himself under the observation of the Hurons,
he drew up his tall form in the rigid manner of David, threw out his arm
in the act of keeping time, and commenced what he intended for an
imitation of his psalmody. Happily for the success of this delicate
adventure, he had to deal with ears but little practised in the concord
of sweet sounds, or the miserable effort would infallibly have been
detected. It was necessary to pass within a dangerous proximity of the
dark group of the savages, and the voice of the scout grew louder as
they drew nigher. When at the nearest point, the Huron who spoke the
English thrust out an arm, and stopped the supposed singing-master.
"The Delaware dog!" he said, leaning forward, and peering through the
dim light to catch the expression of the other's features; "is he
afraid? will the Hurons hear his groans?"
A growl so exceedingly fierce and natural proceeded from the beast, that
the young Indian released his hold and started aside, as if to assure
himself that it was not a veritable bear, and no counterfeit, that was
rolling before him. Hawkeye, who feared his voice would betray him to
his subtle enemies, gladly profited by the interruption, to break out
anew in such a burst of musical expression as would, probably, in a
more refined state of society have been termed "a grand crash." Among
his actual auditors, however, it merely gave him an additional claim to
that respect which they never withhold from such as are believed to be
the subjects of mental alienation. The little knot of Indians drew back
in a body, and suffered, as they thought, the conjurer and his inspired
assistant to proceed.
It required no common exercise of fortitude in Uncas and the scout, to
continue the dignified and deliberate pace they had assumed in passing
the lodges; especially as they immediately perceived that curiosity had
so far mastered fear, as to induce the watchers to approach the hut, in
order to witness the effect of the incantations. The least injudicious
or impatient movement on the part of David might betray them, and time
was absolutely necessary to insure the safety of the scout. The loud
noise the latter conceived it politic to continue, drew many curious
gazers to the doors of the different huts as they passed; and once or
twice a dark-looking warrior stepped across their path, led to the act
by superstition or watchfulness. They were not, however, interrupted;
the darkness of the hour, and the coldness of the attempt, proving their
principal friends.
The adventurers had got clear of the village, and were now swiftly
approaching the shelter of the woods, when a loud and long cry arose
from the lodge where Uncas had been confined. The Mohican started on his
feet, and shook his shaggy covering, as though the animal he
counterfeited was about to make some desperate effort.
"Hold!" said the scout, grasping his friend by the shoulder, "let them
yell again! 'Twas nothing but wonderment."
He had no occasion to delay, for the next instant a burst of cries
filled the outer air, and ran along the whole extent of the village.
Uncas cast his skin, and stepped forth in his own beautiful proportions.
Hawkeye tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and glided ahead.
"Now let the devils strike our scent!" said the scout, tearing two
rifles, with all their attendant accoutrements, from beneath a bush, and
flourishing "Killdeer" as he handed Uncas his weapon; "two, at least,
will find it to their deaths."
Then throwing their pieces to a low trail, like sportsmen in readiness
for their game, they dashed forward, and were soon buried in the sombre
darkness of the forest.