Последний из Могикан
Chapter 24
Howevermuchhisinfluenceamonghispeoplehadbeenimpairedbyhisoccasionalandbesettingweakness,aswellasbyhisdesertionofthetribe,hiscourageandhisfameasanoratorwereundeniable.Heneverspokewithoutauditors,andrarelywithoutmakingconvertstohisopinions.Onthepresentoccasion,hisnativepowerswerestimulatedbythethirstofrevenge.
HeagainrecountedtheeventsoftheattackontheislandatGlenn’s,thedeathofhisassociates,andtheescapeoftheirmostformidableenemies.Thenhedescribedthenatureandpositionofthemountwhitherhehadledsuchcaptivesashadfallenintotheirhands.Ofhisownbloodyintentionstowardsthemaidens,andofhisbaffledmalicehemadenomention,butpassedrapidlyontothesurpriseofthepartybyLaLongueCarabine,anditsfataltermination.Herehepaused,andlookedabouthim,inaffectedvenerationforthedeparted,but,intruth,tonotetheeffectofhisopeningnarrative.Asusual,everyeyewasrivetedonhisface.Eachduskyfigureseemedabreathingstatue,somotionlesswastheposture,sointensetheattentionoftheindividual.
ThenMaguadroppedhisvoice,whichhadhithertobeenclear,strong,andelevated,andtoucheduponthemeritsofthedead.NoqualitythatwaslikelytocommandthesympathyofanIndianescapedhisnotice.Onehadneverbeenknowntofollowthechaseinvain;anotherhadbeenindefatigableonthetrailoftheirenemies.Thiswasbrave,thatgenerous.
