Calico Illustrated Classics: The Last of the Mohicans
chapter 1 A Journey Begins It was a hot July afternoon in the third year of the French and Indian War A native runner carried a note to Fort Edward in the wilderness of New York Colonel Munro requested help from the small fort William Henry The French commander Montcalm was leading a massive army to attack the small outpost At dawn General Webb sent 1,500 of his 5,000 troops toward Fort William Henry They traveled down the military highway to offer aid Soon after a half dozen riders also prepared to depart On the near empty parade grounds stood a man in a sky blue coat and buff-colored trousers The man’s legs and arms were so thin and long 4
he looked like a giant insect in fancy dress The hat of a clergyman was perched on his head The clergyman’s eye turned toward the silent figure of the army runner Magua The runner wore few clothes and his dark face paint was smeared For an instant he caught the eye of the clergyman but then he looked away Major Duncan Heyward strode toward the horses With him were Alice and Cora Munro the daughters of Fort William Henry’s commander They were eager to return to their father The younger sister’s riding veil blew in the morning air revealing golden hair and bright blue eyes Alice smiled at the young officer as he helped her into the saddle The other sister kept her features behind her veil The officer helped her into her saddle then sprang lightly into his own They walked their horses out the northern entrance of the fort Near the edge of the woods the native runner raced by them The women gasped at 5
his sudden passage Cora’s startled movement rustled her veil and revealed dark eyes and raven black hair Alice turned toward the officer who rode beside her Who is the ghost who runs with us Duncan she asked He is our guide Heyward replied He knows a shorter route to Fort William Henry I find him frightening Alice said shivering The major smiled He is our friend Just ahead the runner stopped He pointed to a narrow trail that turned from the military road I’m not certain we should leave the highway Alice frowned and turned to her sister Cora what do you think we should do Which frightens you Cora asked her sister The narrow path or our guide’s brown skin At this Alice turned her bay down the dark path behind the guide Heyward watched Alice’s spirited dash but he paused to allow Cora to pass before following them 6
