Последний из Могикан
Chapter 1
Theimbecilityofhermilitaryleadersabroad,andthefatalwantofenergyinhercouncilsathome,hadloweredthecharacterofGreatBritainfromtheproudelevationonwhichithadbeenplaced,bythetalentsandenterpriseofherformerwarriorsandstatesmen.Nolongerdreadedbyherenemies,herservantswerefastlosingtheconfidenceofself-respect.Inthismortifyingabasement,thecolonists,thoughinnocentofherimbecility,andtoohumbletobetheagentsofherblunders,werebutthenaturalparticipators.
Theyhadrecentlyseenachosenarmyfromthatcountry,which,reverencingasamother,theyhadblindlybelievedinvincible—anarmyledbyachiefwhohadbeenselectedfromacrowdoftrainedwarriors,forhisraremilitaryendowments,disgracefullyroutedbyahandfulofFrenchandIndians,andonlysavedfromannihilationbythecoolnessandspiritofaVirginianboy,whoseriperfamehassincediffuseditself,withthesteadyinfluenceofmoraltruth,totheuttermostconfinesofChristendom.Awidefrontierhadbeenlaidnakedbythisunexpecteddisaster,andmoresubstantialevilswereprecededbyathousandfancifulandimaginarydangers.Thealarmedcolonistsbelievedthattheyellsofthesavagesmingledwitheveryfitfulgustofwindthatissuedfromtheinterminableforestsofthewest.Theterrificcharacteroftheirmercilessenemiesincreasedimmeasurablythenaturalhorrorsofwarfare.
