Останній з Могікан
Chapter 22
’Tisawickedfabricationofthewhites,andIsayittotheshameofmycolor,thatwouldmakethewarriorbowdownbeforeimagesofhisowncreation.Itistrue,theyendeavortomaketruceswiththewickedone—aswhowouldnotwithanenemyhecannotconquer!—buttheylookupforfavorandassistancetotheGreatandGoodSpiritonly."
"Itmaybeso,"saidDavid;"butIhaveseenstrangeandfantasticimagesdrawnintheirpaint,ofwhichtheiradmirationandcaresavoredofspiritualpride;especiallyone,andthat,too,afoulandloathsomeobject."
"Wasitasarpent?"quicklydemandedthescout.
"Muchthesame.Itwasinthelikenessofanabjectandcreepingtortoise."
"Hugh!"exclaimedboththeattentiveMohicansinabreath;whilethescoutshookhisheadwithanairofonewhohadmadeanimportant,butbynomeansapleasingdiscovery.Thenthefatherspoke,inthelanguageoftheDelawares,andwithacalmnessanddignitythatinstantlyarrestedtheattentionevenofthosetowhomhiswordswereunintelligible.Hisgestureswereimpressive,andattimesenergetic.Onceheliftedhisarmonhigh;andasitdescended,theactionthrewasidethefoldsofhislightmantle,afingerrestingonhisbreast,asifhewouldenforcehismeaningbytheattitude.Duncan’seyesfollowedthemovement,andheperceivedthattheanimaljustmentionedwasbeautifully,thoughfaintly,workedinabluetint,ontheswarthybreastofthechief.
