The Last of the Mohicans | Page 9

tied at his bunches of knees by large knots of
white ribbon, a good deal sullied by use. Clouded cotton stockings, and
shoes, on one of the latter of which was a plated spur, completed the
costume of the lower extremity of this figure, no curve or angle of
which was concealed, but, on the other hand, studiously exhibited,
through the vanity or simplicity of its owner.
From beneath the flap of an enormous pocket of a soiled vest of
embossed silk, heavily ornamented with tarnished silver lace, projected
an instrument, which, from being seen in such martial company, might
have been easily mistaken for some mischievous and unknown
implement of war. Small as it was, this uncommon engine had excited
the curiosity of most of the Europeans in the camp, though several of
the provincials were seen to handle it, not only without fear, but with

the utmost familiarity. A large, civil cocked hat, like those worn by
clergymen within the last thirty years, surmounted the whole,
furnishing dignity to a good-natured and somewhat vacant countenance,
that apparently needed such artificial aid, to support the gravity of some
high and extraordinary trust.
While the common herd stood aloof, in deference to the quarters of
Webb, the figure we have described stalked into the center of the
domestics, freely expressing his censures or commendations on the
merits of the horses, as by chance they displeased or satisfied his
judgment.
"This beast, I rather conclude, friend, is not of home raising, but is from
foreign lands, or perhaps from the little island itself over the blue
water?" he said, in a voice as remarkable for the softness and sweetness
of its tones, as was his person for its rare proportions; "I may speak of
these things, and be no braggart; for I have been down at both havens;
that which is situate at the mouth of Thames, and is named after the
capital of Old England, and that which is called 'Haven', with the
addition of the word 'New'; and have seen the scows and brigantines
collecting their droves, like the gathering to the ark, being outward
bound to the Island of Jamaica, for the purpose of barter and traffic in
four-footed animals; but never before have I beheld a beast which
verified the true scripture war-horse like this: 'He paweth in the valley,
and rejoiceth in his strength; he goeth on to meet the armed men. He
saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off,
the thunder of the captains, and the shouting' It would seem that the
stock of the horse of Israel had descended to our own time; would it not,
friend?"
Receiving no reply to this extraordinary appeal, which in truth, as it
was delivered with the vigor of full and sonorous tones, merited some
sort of notice, he who had thus sung forth the language of the holy
book turned to the silent figure to whom he had unwittingly addressed
himself, and found a new and more powerful subject of admiration in
the object that encountered his gaze. His eyes fell on the still, upright,
and rigid form of the "Indian runner," who had borne to the camp the

unwelcome tidings of the preceding evening. Although in a state of
perfect repose, and apparently disregarding, with characteristic stoicism,
the excitement and bustle around him, there was a sullen fierceness
mingled with the quiet of the savage, that was likely to arrest the
attention of much more experienced eyes than those which now
scanned him, in unconcealed amazement. The native bore both the
tomahawk and knife of his tribe; and yet his appearance was not
altogether that of a warrior. On the contrary, there was an air of neglect
about his person, like that which might have proceeded from great and
recent exertion, which he had not yet found leisure to repair. The colors
of the war-paint had blended in dark confusion about his fierce
countenance, and rendered his swarthy lineaments still more savage
and repulsive than if art had attempted an effect which had been thus
produced by chance. His eye, alone, which glistened like a fiery star
amid lowering clouds, was to be seen in its state of native wildness. For
a single instant his searching and yet wary glance met the wondering
look of the other, and then changing its direction, partly in cunning, and
partly in disdain, it remained fixed, as if penetrating the distant air.
It is impossible to say what unlooked-for remark this short and silent
communication, between two such singular men, might have elicited
from the white man, had not his active curiosity been again drawn to
other objects. A general movement among the domestics, and a low
sound of gentle voices, announced the approach of those