Останній з Могікан
Chapter 14
Batterieswerealreadythrownupintheirfront,andevenwhilethespectatorsabovethemwerelookingdown,withsuchdifferentemotions,onascenewhichlaylikeamapbeneaththeirfeet,theroarofartilleryrosefromthevalley,andpassedoffinthunderingechoes,alongtheeasternhills.
"Morningisjusttouchingthembelow,"saidthedeliberateandmusingscout,"andthewatchershaveamindtowakeupthesleepersbythesoundofcannon.Weareafewhourstoolate?MontcalmhasalreadyfilledthewoodswithhisaccursedIroquois."
"Theplaceis,indeed,invested,"returnedDuncan,"butistherenoexpedientbywhichwemayenter?captureintheworkswouldbefarpreferabletofallingagainintothehandsofrovingIndians."
"See!"exclaimedthescout,unconsciouslydirectingtheattentionofCoratothequartersofherownfather,"howthatshothasmadethestonesflyfromthesideofthecommandant’shouse!Ay!theseFrencherswillpullittopiecesfasterthanitwasputtogether,solidandthickthoughitbe."
"Heyward,IsickenatthesightofdangerthatIcannotshare,"saidtheundaunted,butanxiousdaughter."LetusgotoMontcalm,anddemandadmission:hedarenotdenyachildtheboon."
"YouwouldscarcefindthetentoftheFrenchmanwiththehaironyourhead,"saidthebluntscout."IfIhadbutoneofthethousandboatswhichlieemptyalongthatshore,itmightbedone.
