Останній з Могікан

           Thescoutlaughed,andtappinghisownforeheadsignificantly,heperhapsexplainedthesingularindulgencemoresatisfactorilywhenhesaid—

           "TheIndiansneverharmanon-composser.Butwhy,whenthepathlayopenbeforeyoureyes,didyounotstrikebackonyourowntrail(itisnotsoblindasthatwhichasquirrelwouldmake),andbringinthetidingstoEdward?"

           Thescout,rememberingonlyhisownsturdyandironnature,hadprobablyexactedataskthatDavid,undernocircumstances,couldhaveperformed.But,withoutentirelylosingthemeeknessofhisair,thelatterwascontenttoanswer—

           "ThoughmysoulwouldrejoicetovisitthehabitationsofChristendomoncemore,myfeetwouldratherfollowthetenderspiritsintrustedtomykeeping,evenintotheidolatrousprovinceoftheJesuits,thantakeonestepbackward,whiletheypinedincaptivityandsorrow."

           ThoughthefigurativelanguageofDavidwasnotveryintelligible,thesincereandsteadyexpressionofhiseye,andtheglowonhishonestcountenance,werenoteasilymistaken.Uncaspressedclosertohisside,andregardedthespeakerwithalookofcommendation,whilehisfatherexpressedhissatisfactionbytheordinarypithyexclamationofapprobation.Thescoutshookhisheadasherejoined—

           "TheLordneverintendedthatthemanshouldplaceallhisendeavorsinhisthroat,totheneglectofotherandbettergifts!Buthehasfallenintothehandsofsomesillywoman,whenheshouldhavebeengatheringhiseducationunderabluesky,amongthebeautiesoftheforest.