Page 331 - THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS

The Last of the Mohicans

‘La victorie,’ said the other, drawing so nigh as to be
heard in a loud whisper.
‘C’est bien,’ returned the sentinel, throwing his musket
from the charge to his shoulder; ‘vous promenez bien

matin, monsieur!’
‘Il est necessaire d’etre vigilant, mon enfant,’ the other
observed, dropping a fold of his cloak, and looking the
soldier close in the face as he passed him, still continuing
his way toward the British fortification. The man started;
his arms rattled heavily as he threw them forward in the
lowest and most respectful salute; and when he had again
recovered his piece, he turned to walk his post, muttering
between his teeth:
‘Il faut etre vigilant, en verite! je crois que nous avons
la, un caporal qui ne dort jamais!’
The officer proceeded, without affecting to hear the
words which escaped the sentinel in his surprise; nor did
he again pause until he had reached the low strand, and in
a somewhat dangerous vicinity to the western water
bastion of the fort. The light of an obscure moon was just
sufficient to render objects, though dim, perceptible in
their outlines. He, therefore, took the precaution to place
himself against the trunk of a tree, where he leaned for
many minutes, and seemed to contemplate the dark and

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