Page 689 - THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS

The Last of the Mohicans

spoken their tribute of praise over the manes of the
deceased chief. When each had ended, another deep and
breathing silence reigned in all the place.
Then a low, deep sound was heard, like the suppressed

accompaniment of distant music, rising just high enough
on the air to be audible, and yet so indistinctly, as to leave
its character, and the place whence it proceeded, alike
matters of conjecture. It was, however, succeeded by
another and another strain, each in a higher key, until they
grew on the ear, first in long drawn and often repeated
interjections, and finally in words. The lips of
Chingachgook had so far parted, as to announce that it
was the monody of the father. Though not an eye was
turned toward him nor the smallest sign of impatience
exhibited, it was apparent, by the manner in which the
multitude elevated their heads to listen, that they drank in
the sounds with an intenseness of attention, that none but
Tamenund himself had ever before commanded. But they
listened in vain. The strains rose just so loud as to become
intelligible, and then grew fainter and more trembling,
until they finally sank on the ear, as if borne away by a
passing breath of wind. The lips of the Sagamore closed,
and he remained silent in his seat, looking with his riveted
eye and motionless form, like some creature that had been

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