Останній з Могікан
Chapter 18
Butwhatmattersthat?"continuedthedeliberatescout,observingthepowerfulanxietyanddisappointmentthelistenersexhibited;"herearetheMohicansandIononeendofthetrail,and,relyonit,wefindtheother,thoughtheyshouldbeahundredleaguesasunder!Gently,gently,Uncas,youareasimpatientasamaninthesettlements;youforgetthatlightfeetleavebutfaintmarks!"
"Hugh!"exclaimedChingachgook,whohadbeenoccupiedinexamininganopeningthathadbeenevidentlymadethroughthelowunderbrush,whichskirtedtheforest;andwhonowstooderect,ashepointeddownwards,intheattitudeandwiththeairofamanwhobeheldadisgustingserpent.
"Hereisthepalpableimpressionofthefootstepofaman,"criedHeyward,bendingovertheindicatedspot;"hehastrodinthemarginofthispool,andthemarkcannotbemistaken.Theyarecaptives."
"Bettersothanlefttostarveinthewilderness,"returnedthescout;"andtheywillleaveawidertrail.Iwouldwagerfiftybeaverskinsagainstasmanyflints,thattheMohicansandIentertheirwigwamswithinthemonth!Stooptoit,Uncas,andtrywhatyoucanmakeofthemoccasin;formoccasinitplainlyis,andnoshoe."
TheyoungMohicanbentoverthetrack,andremovingthescatteredleavesfromaroundtheplace,heexamineditwithmuchofthatsortofscrutinythatamoney-dealer,inthesedaysofpecuniarydoubts,wouldbestowonasuspecteddue-bill.Atlengthhearosefromhisknees,satisfiedwiththeresultoftheexamination.
