Останній з Могікан
Chapter 20
"Weforgetourerrand,"returnedthediligentDuncan."ForGod’ssakeletusprofitbythisadvantage,andincreaseourdistancefromtheenemy."
"Givememychildren,"saidMunrohoarsely;"triflenolongerwithafather’sagony,butrestorememybabes."
Longandhabitualdeferencetothemandatesofhissuperiorshadtaughtthescoutthevirtueofobedience.Throwingalastandlingeringglanceatthedistantcanoes,helaidasidehisrifle,andrelievingtheweariedDuncan,resumedthepaddle,whichhewieldedwithsinewsthatnevertired.HiseffortsweresecondedbythoseoftheMohicans,andaveryfewminutesservedtoplacesuchasheetofwaterbetweenthemandtheirenemies,thatHeywardoncemorebreathedfreely.
Thelakenowbegantoexpand,andtheirroutelayalongawidereach,thatwaslined,asbefore,byhighandraggedmountains.Buttheislandswerefew,andeasilyavoided.Thestrokesofthepaddlesgrewmoremeasuredandregular,whiletheywhopliedthemcontinuedtheirlabor,afterthecloseanddeadlychasefromwhichtheyhadjustrelievedthemselves,withasmuchcoolnessasthoughtheirspeedhadbeentriedinsport,ratherthanundersuchpressing,nay,almostdesperatecircumstances.
Insteadoffollowingthewesternshore,whithertheirerrandledthem,thewaryMohicaninclinedhiscoursemoretowardsthosehillsbehindwhichMontcalmwasknowntohaveledhisarmyintotheformidablefortressofTiconderoga.
