Останній з Могікан
Chapter 9
Theveryslightnessofthedefencewasitschiefmerit,fornoonethoughtofdisturbingamassofbrush,whichallofthembelieved,inthatmomentofhurryandconfusion,hadbeenaccidentallyraisedbythehandsoftheirownparty.
Astheblanketsyieldedbeforetheoutwardpressure,andthebranchessettledinthefissureoftherockbytheirownweight,formingacompactbody,Duncanoncemorebreathedfreely.Withalightstep,andlighterheart,hereturnedtothecentreofthecave,andtooktheplacehehadleft,wherehecouldcommandaviewoftheopeningnexttheriver.Whilehewasintheactofmakingthismovement,theIndians,asifchangingtheirpurposebyacommonimpulse,brokeawayfromthecaverninabody,andwereheardrushinguptheislandagain,towardsthepointwhencetheyhadoriginallydescended.Hereanotherwailingcrybetrayedthattheywereagaincollectedaroundthebodiesoftheirdeadcomrades.
Duncannowventuredtolookathiscompanions;for,duringthemostcriticalmomentsoftheirdanger,hehadbeenapprehensivethattheanxietyofhiscountenancemightcommunicatesomeadditionalalarmtothosewhoweresolittleabletosustainit.
