Останній з Могікан
Chapter 23
Duncanfounditdifficulttoassumethenecessaryappearanceofunconcern,ashebrushedthedarkandpowerfulframesofthesavageswhothrongeditsthreshold;but,consciousthathisexistencedependedonhispresenceofmind,hetrustedtothediscretionofhiscompanion,whosefootstepshecloselyfollowed,endeavoring,asheproceeded,torallyhisthoughtsfortheoccasion.Hisbloodcurdledwhenhefoundhimselfinabsolutecontactwithsuchfierceandimplacableenemies;buthesofarmasteredhisfeelingsastopursuehiswayintothecentreofthelodge,withanexteriorthatdidnotbetraytheweakness.ImitatingtheexampleofthedeliberateGamut,hedrewabundleoffragrantbrushfrombeneathapilethatfilledacornerofthehut,andseatedhimselfinsilence.
Sosoonastheirvisitorhadpassed,theobservantwarriorsfellbackfromtheentrance,andarrangingthemselvesabouthim,theyseemedpatientlytoawaitthemomentwhenitmightcomportwiththedignityofthestrangertospeak.Byfarthegreaternumberstoodleaning,inlazy,loungingattitudes,againsttheuprightpoststhatsupportedthecrazybuilding,whilethreeorfouroftheoldestandmostdistinguishedofthechiefsplacedthemselvesontheearthalittlemoreinadvance.
Aflaringtorchwasburningintheplace,andsentitsredglarefromfacetofaceandfiguretofigure,asitwavedinthecurrentsofair.Duncanprofitedbyitslighttoreadtheprobablecharacterofhisreception,inthecountenancesofhishosts.
