Останній з Могікан
Chapter 31
ButDuncandeclinedthecharge,professinghisreadinesstoserveasavolunteerbythesideofthescout.Afterthisdisposition,theyoungMohicanappointedvariousnativechiefstofillthedifferentsituationsofresponsibility,andthetimepressing,hegaveforththewordtomarch.Hewascheerfully,butsilently,obeyedbymorethantwohundredmen.
Theirentranceintotheforestwasperfectlyunmolested;nordidtheyencounteranylivingobjects,thatcouldeithergivethealarm,orfurnishtheintelligencetheyneeded,untiltheycameuponthelairsoftheirownscouts.Hereahaltwasordered,andthechiefswereassembledtoholda"whisperingcouncil."
Atthismeetingdiversplansofoperationweresuggested,thoughnoneofacharactertomeetthewishesoftheirardentleader.HadUncasfollowedthepromptingsofhisowninclinations,hewouldhaveledhisfollowerstothechargewithoutamoment’sdelay,andputtheconflicttothehazardofaninstantissue;butsuchacoursewouldhavebeeninoppositiontoallthereceivedpracticesandopinionsofhiscountrymen.Hewas,therefore,faintoadoptacautionthatinthepresenttemperofhismindheexecrated,andtolistentoadviceatwhichhisfieryspiritchafed,underthevividrecollectionofCora’sdangerandMagua’sinsolence.
Afteranunsatisfactoryconferenceofmanyminutes,asolitaryindividualwasseenadvancingfromthesideoftheenemy,withsuchapparenthaste,astoinducethebeliefhemightbeamessengerchargedwithpacificovertures.
