Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 3).djvu/182

 graduated sounds of Magua's voice, however, he had betrayed some evidence of consciousness, and once or twice he had even raised his head as if to listen. But when the crafty Huron spoke of his nation by name, the eye-lids of the old man raised themselves, and he looked out on the multitude, with that sort of dull, unmeaning expression, which might be supposed to belong to the countenance of a spectre. Then he made an effort to rise, and being upheld by his supporters, he gained his feet, in a posture commanding by its dignity, while he tottered with weakness.

"Who calls upon the children of the Lenape!" he said, in a deep, guttural voice, that was rendered awfully audible by the breathless silence of the multitude; "who speaks of things gone! Does not the egg become a worm—the worm a fly—and perish! Why tell the Delawares of good that is past? Better thank the Manitto for that which remains."

"It is a Wyandot," said Magua, stepping nigher to the rude platform on which the other stood; "a friend of Tamenund."