Последний из Могикан
Chapter 5
Glancinghiseyesaround,withavainefforttopiercethegloomthatwasthickeningbeneaththeleafyarchesoftheforest,hefeltasif,cutofffromhumanaid,hisunresistingcompanionswouldsoonlieattheentiremercyofthosebarbarousenemies,who,likebeastsofprey,onlywaitedtillthegatheringdarknessmightrendertheirblowsmorefatallycertain.Hisawakenedimagination,deludedbythedeceptivelight,convertedeachwavingbush,orthefragmentofsomefallentree,intohumanforms,andtwentytimeshefanciedhecoulddistinguishthehorridvisagesofhislurkingfoes,peeringfromtheirhiding-places,innever-ceasingwatchfulnessofthemovementsofhisparty.Lookingupward,hefoundthatthethinfleecyclouds,whicheveninghadpaintedonthebluesky,werealreadylosingtheirfaintesttintsofrose-color,whiletheimbeddedstream,whichglidedpastthespotwherehestood,wastobetracedonlybythedarkboundaryofitswoodedbanks.
"Whatistobedone?"hesaid,feelingtheutterhelplessnessofdoubtinsuchapressingstrait;"desertmenot,forGod’ssake!remaintodefendthoseIescort,andfreelynameyourownreward!"
Hiscompanions,whoconversedapartinthelanguageoftheirtribe,heedednotthissuddenandearnestappeal.Thoughtheirdialoguewasmaintainedinlowandcautioussounds,butlittleaboveawhisper,Heyward,whonowapproached,couldeasilydistinguishtheearnesttonesoftheyoungerwarriorfromthemoredeliberatespeechesofhisseniors.
