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  .., 2026.



James Fenimore Cooper   

Pioneers, or At the Source of the Susquehanna ,    



Chapter I  I

Look, the gloomy winter is coming ,   

Accompanied by a powerful retinue    

Snowstorms, clouds and ice. ,   .

Tamson, "The Seasons" ,  



In the very heart of New York State lies a vast region where high hills alternate with wide ravines, or, as it is more often written in geography books, where mountains alternate with valleys.     -   ,        ,      ,     . There, among these hills, the Delaware River has its source; and in the valleys hundreds of crystal springs gurgle, and swift streams run from transparent lakes - these are the sources of the Susquehanna, one of the proudest rivers in all the United States. ,   ,     ;       ,         ,         .

Both the slopes and the summits of the mountains are covered with fertile soil, although jagged rocks are often to be seen there, giving this region an extremely romantic and picturesque appearance.        ,        ,        . The valleys are not wide, and through each flows a stream, irrigating fertile, well-cultivated fields.  ,     ,  ,   . Along the banks of the rivers and lakes are located beautiful prosperous villages - they arise where it is convenient to engage in some kind of craft, and in the valleys, on the slopes of the hills and even on their summits are scattered many farms, the owners of which, to all appearances, are prosperous and prosperous.             ,    - ,   ,           ,  ,   ,   . Roads are visible everywhere: they stretch along open valleys and wind through an intricate labyrinth of cliffs and saddles.   :             . The eye of a traveler who comes to these places for the first time notices an "academy" or some other educational institution every few miles; and all kinds of churches and prayer houses testify to the true piety of the local inhabitants and the freedom of conscience strictly observed here.  ,     ,            ;                  . In short, everything around shows what can be achieved even in a wild land with a harsh climate, if the laws there are reasonable, and each person cares about the benefit of the whole community, for he is aware of himself as a part of it.  ,   ,          ,    ,        ,     . And every house here is no longer a temporary pioneer hut, but a solid dwelling of a farmer, who knows that his ashes will rest in the soil loosened by his plow; or the home of his son, who was born here and does not even think of parting with the place where his father's grave is located.         ,    , ,       ,    ;    ,         ,    ,     . And yet only forty years ago virgin forests rustled here.          .

After the peace treaty of 1783 established the independence of the United States, its citizens set about rapidly developing the natural resources of their vast country.  ,    1783     ,          . Before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, only one-tenth of the territory of the New York colony was inhabiteda narrow strip along the mouths of the Hudson and Mohawk, about fifty miles long, the islands of Nassau and Staten, and a few particularly favorable spots along the river banksand was inhabited by only two hundred thousand people.       -                   ,            ,        . But in the short time mentioned above, this number had increased to one and a half million people, who were spread throughout the state and lived in abundance, knowing that centuries would pass before the black day would come when the land they owned could no longer support them.            ,         , ,   ,     ,          .

Our narrative begins in 1793, about seven years after the founding of one of those first settlements which later contributed so wonderfully to the transformation of New York State.     1793 ,          ,       -.

The cold December day was already drawing to a close, and the slanting rays of the setting sun illuminated the sleigh as it slowly climbed the slope of one of the mountains we have described.       ,       ,         . The day was surprisingly clear for this time of year, and only two or three clouds floated in the pure blue sky, appearing even whiter due to the light reflected by the snow cover on the ground.        ,        - ,     ,   . The road wound along the edge of a cliff; On one side it was reinforced with a log ramp, and on the other the mountain slope was cut away, so that the carriages of that time could move along it quite freely.     ;        ,       ,           . But both the road and the ramp were now buried under a thick layer of snow.            . The sleighs moved along a narrow track two feet deep.         . In the valley lying deep below and on the slopes of the hills the forest had been cut down by new settlers, but where the road, having reached the top, went along a flat plateau, a hundred-year-old pine forest was still preserved.              ,  ,  ,  ,    ,    . Myriads of sparkling sequins swirled in the air, and the sides of the noble bay horses harnessed to the sleigh were covered with shaggy frost.      ,            . Clouds of steam burst from their nostrils, and the clothes of the travelers, as well as the whole surrounding landscape, spoke of the fact that winter had long since come into its own.      ,   ,      ,   ,        . The dull black harness It did not shine with varnish, like the present-day ones, and was decorated with huge copper plates and buckles, which flashed like gold when the sun's rays fell on them, having managed to break through the dense branches of the trees.      ,  ,        ,  ,  ,      ,      . To the large, nail-covered saddles on the horses' backs was attached cloth, which served as a blanket, and these same saddles served as a base for four square turrets through which strong reins were passed.  ,         ,  ,          ,      . They were clutched in the hand of the coachman, a Negro of about twenty.     ,   . His face, usually black and glossy, was now gray with cold, and in his large, clear eyes there were tears - a tribute of respect that the local frosts invariably exact from all his African relatives.  ,    ,    ,          ,          . Nevertheless, his good-natured face every now and then broke into a smile: he was looking forward to coming home, how he would warm himself by Christmas fireplace and celebrate Christmas joyfully with the other servants.           :  ,   ,              .

The sleigh was one of those roomy old-fashioned carriages which might comfortably accommodate a whole family, but now, besides the driver, there were only two passengers.         ,        ,  ,  ,      . The outside of the sleigh was painted a sober green, and the inside a fiery red, to create the illusion of warmth in cold weather.       ,    -,       . The seat and floor were covered with large buffalo skins, trimmed along the edges with red cloth scallops.        ,      . These same skins served as a cavity in which the passengers, a middle-aged man and a very young girl, covered their legs.     ,             . The former seemed to be of a large build, but it was difficult to judge of his appearance, so carefully was he wrapped up. , -,   ,            . A heavy fur coat with a lush fur trim completely concealed his figure, and on his head he wore a marten cap with a morocco lining; her ear-flaps were lowered and tied under her chin with a black ribbon.          ,         ;          . The top of the cap was decorated with the tail of the same animal whose fur was used to make it, and this tail fell gracefully down the back of its owner.         ,      ,           .

Under the cap one could see the upper part of a handsome, manly face; it was especially adorned by expressive blue eyes, which spoke of great intelligence, sly humor and kindness.          ;      ,    ,    .

His companion was completely drowned in her numerous clothes: from under a wide camlet cloak with a thick flannel lining, which, judging by the cut and size, was sewn for a man, furs and silks peeked out.        : -       , ,     ,    ,    . A large hood of black silk, lined with down, covered not only her head, but also her face - only in a narrow slit left for breathing, cheerful black eyes sometimes sparkled.     ,  ,     ,        ,   ,     .

Both father and daughter (for that was the degree of relationship to which our travelers were related) were deep in thought, and the silence was broken only by the barely audible creaking of the runners as they glided easily over the packed snow.     (        )     ,        ,     . The former recalled how four years before his wife had pressed their only daughter to her bosom as she bade her farewell, reluctantly consenting to let her continue her education in one of the New York boarding schools (at that time only this city had such educational institutions).  ,            ,    ,          -  (         ). A few months later death separated him from his faithful companion in life, and he was left all alone.          ,     . However, his deep love for his daughter did not allow him to take her away to this wilderness until the time he himself had appointed for her improvement in the sciences had expired.             ,    ,         . The girl's thoughts were less sad, and she looked with pleasure at the beautiful views that opened before her at every new turn of the road.     ,        ,        .

The mountain they were traveling along was overgrown with giant pine trees, whose trunks rose seventy to eighty feet before the first branch branched off from them, and the height of the crown also often reached eighty feet. ,    ,   ,         ,       ,        . The proud forest giants hardly blocked the distance, and our travelers could even see the top of the mountain on the opposite side of the valley where their path lay; only occasionally was it hidden by some distant hillock.       ,            ,    ;     -  . Dark trunks rose in slender columns above the white snow, and only at a dizzying height did the gaze finally meet branches covered with sparse evergreen needles, whose gloomy appearance presented a melancholy discord with all of nature immersed in winter sleep.        ,         ,    ,             . There was no wind below, but the tops of the pines swayed smoothly, creaking dully and plaintively - this sound was surprisingly in harmony with the surrounding landscape.    ,     ,    ,        .

The sleigh had been traveling along the plateau for several minutes, and the girl was looking at the forest with curiosity and some timidity, when suddenly a long, drawn-out howl was heard from there, as if a pack of hounds were racing through the real forest arcades.       ,          ,     ,  ,       . As soon as this sound reached her fathers ears, he shouted to the coachman:       ,    :

- Stop, Aggie!  , ! Hector is on the trail, I would recognize his voice among tens of thousands.    ,       . Leatherstocking decided to hunt, fortunately today was a clear day, and his dogs raised game.    ,     ,     . There is a deer trail ahead, Bess, and if you are not afraid of gunfire, we will have roast saddle of deer for Christmas dinner.     , , ,     ,         .

With a cheerful grin, the Negro stopped the horses and began to clap his hands to warm his frozen fingers, while his master stood up to his full height, threw off his fur coat and stepped out of the sleigh onto the snow crust, which easily supported his weight.  ,       ,    ,       ,         ,     .

A few seconds later, he managed to extract a double-barreled hunting shotgun from a chaotic pile of bags and cardboard boxes.              . He threw off his thick mittens, revealing fur-lined leather gloves underneath, checked the bait, and was about to move forward when a soft clatter of feet came from the forest and a magnificent deer leaped out onto the path right next to him.    ,       ,        ,                  . Although it appeared completely unexpectedly and ran with incredible speed, this did not faze the passionate hunting enthusiast.          ,      . In an instant, he raised the double-barreled shotgun, took aim, and pulled the trigger with a steady hand.      ,      . The deer ran even faster - apparently, the bullet had not hit it.      -,    . Without lowering the gun, the hunter turned the muzzle after the animal and fired a second time.   ,         . And again, it seemed, he missed, since the deer did not slow down.  , , ,      .

All this took only an instant, and the girl did not yet have time to rejoice at the rescue of the deer, for whom in the depths of her soul she sympathized, when it flashed past her like an arrow.     ,        ,      ,      . But then her hearing was struck by a short, dry crack, not at all like the roar of her father's gun; and yet it could only have been produced by a firearm.        ,       ;          . The deer jumped high above the snowdrift; again the same crack was heard, and the deer, barely touching the ground, fell and rolled on the crust.     ;     ,  ,   ,     . The invisible shooter shouted loudly, and two people came out from behind the pines, behind which they had obviously been hiding, waiting for the appearance of the deer.    ,     - ,   , , ,   .

Ah, Natty!  , ! If I had known you were setting up an ambush here, I wouldnt have shot, said the owner of the sleigh, heading towards the killed deer, and the driver, beaming with delight, pulled off the road, trying to get closer to the place too.    ,     ,     ,    ,    ,        ,      . But, hearing old Hector barking, I couldnt help myself.   ,    ,    . However, I dont think I even hit him. , , ,    .

Yes, Judge, the hunter replied with a silent chuckle, casting at him a look full of triumph and confidence in his superiority, you burned your powder just to warm your nose.  , ,      ,    ,       ,    ,   . It is really cold today.     . Did you really think to kill a full-grown deer with that cracker, especially when Hector is overtaking him and he is running with all his might?        ,            ? There are plenty of pheasants in the swamp, and snow partridges fly right to your porch.    ,        . Feed them crumbs and shoot at your leisure; and if you want to get venison or bear meat, take a long-barreled gun and a well-salted wad, otherwise you will spend more powder than you get.        ;        ,       ,     ,   .

Having finished his speech, the hunter passed his ungloved hand under his nose and laughed silently again, opening his large mouth wide.   ,             ,    .

That gun shoots well, Natty, and weve shot more than one deer with it, the sleigh owner replied with a good-natured smile.      , ,        ,       . One barrel was loaded with large shot, and the other with bird shot.        ,    . The deer received two wounds - in the neck and right in the heart.           . And its still unknown, Natty, maybe I wounded him in the neck.   , ,  ,     .

"Well, whoever killed him," answered Natty sullenly, "his flesh will be good for food."  ,     ,    ,      . With these words he drew a large knife from a leather sheath tucked into his belt and cut the deer's throat.                   . "Since there are two wounds, if I were you, I would ask whether he was hit by two bullets; what kind of shotgun leaves such jagged wounds as this on the neck?"      ,      ,       ;            ? And you will not dispute, Judge, that the deer fell after the fourth shot, fired by a harder and younger hand than mine or yours.      , ,      ,     ,    . Poor as I am, I can do without this venison, but why should I give up my lawful game, if I live in a free country?    ,     ,           ,     ? However, if it comes to that, even here force often prevails over law, as happened in the Old World. ,     ,        ,     .

The hunter spoke sullenly and angrily, but caution won out, and he spoke his last phrases so quietly that only an angry mutter could be heard.     ,   ,       ,      .

Thats not the point, Natty, his companion replied, still good-naturedly.     , ,        . I just want to know who deserves the credit for the successful shot.      ,     . A venison is worth two or three dollars, but Id be sorry to miss the opportunity to pin the honorable trophy of this beautys tail to my cap.   - ,                . Just think, Natty, how Id shame Dick Jones: he does nothing but laugh at my hunting skills, and all hes shot all season is a marmot and a couple of squirrels!  , ,      :    ,      ,       -    !

All these clearings and buildings of yours are killing off the game, Judge, said the old hunter with a hopeless sigh.          , ,       . There was a time when I shot thirteen deer at one go from the threshold of my hut, not to mention the fallow deer!    ,            ,     ! And when you needed a bears ham, you only had to keep watch on a moonlit night, and you would certainly lay the beast down through a crack in the wall.      ,      ,         . And you didnt have to worry about falling asleep in ambush: the wolves wouldnt let you close your eyes with their howls And heres Hector, he added, affectionately stroking a large white hound with yellow and black spots, which ran out of the forest accompanied by another dog.    ,    :           ,   ,          ,        . Theres a scar on his neck - the wolves tore it apart that night when I drove them away from the venison smoking on the stove. pipe.                ,      ,    . Such a friend is more reliable than any other person: he will not abandon a comrade in trouble and will not bite the hand that feeds him.     :          ,   .

The hunter's peculiar appearance and manners interested the young girl.        . From the moment he emerged from behind the pine tree, she had been looking at him with curiosity.   ,    - ,     . He was tall and so thin that he seemed even taller than his six feet.       ,       . The fox cap on his head, covered with straight reddish hair, already greatly thinned, was similar to the judge's cap we have described, but was much inferior to it in cut and decoration.     ,    ,   ,       ,        . His face was thin, as if after a long fast, but no signs of illness could be seen in it, on the contrary, it testified to unshakable robust health.     ,    ,        ,        . The winds and frosts had given the hunter's skin a copper-red tint.       - . Bushy eyebrows, almost completely gray, hung over his gray eyes; The wrinkled neck was not at all different in color from the face and was completely open, although under the jacket the collar of a shirt made of checkered homespun material was visible.       ,   ;             ,          . This jacket, made of tanned deer skins with the hair outside, was tightly belted with a colorful woolen sash.  ,       ,      . His feet were shod in moccasins made of deer skin, decorated, according to Indian custom, with porcupine quills; He also wore gaiters of the same material, tied above his knees over his worn buckskin trousers, and it was for these gaiters that the settlers nicknamed him Leatherstocking.         , ,   ,  ;  ,       ,         ,   -       . Over his shoulder was slung a belt from which hung a large bull's horn, so carefully scraped that the powder contained in it was visible through the walls.      ,      ,   ,        . A wooden base was skillfully attached to the wide end of the horn, and at the narrow end it was tightly stoppered with a wooden plug.          ,          . A leather bag hung near the horn, and the hunter, having finished his speech, took a measure from it, carefully measured out the powder and began to reload his gun.      ,  ,   ,    ,        . When he placed it in front of him, resting the butt in the snow, the muzzle rose almost to the very top of his fox-skin cap.      ,    ,         .

The judge, who had been examining the wounds on the carcass all this time, now, not listening to the hunters sullen grumbling, exclaimed: ,        , ,     , :

Still, Natty, I would like to firmly establish whose trophy this is.  -   , ,  ,   . If I wounded the deer in the neck, then it is mine, because the shot to the heart was unnecessary - an excess of necessity, as we say in court.      , ,  ,         ,     .

You know a lot of learned words, judge, replied the hunter.  -    , ,   . Throwing the gun over his left hand, he opened the copper cap in the butt, took out a circle of greasy leather, wrapped a bullet in it, forcefully drove the ball into the muzzle over the gunpowder and, without stopping talking, continued to push the charge deeper and deeper.     ,      ,    ,   ,          ,   ,     . But its much easier to pour out learned words than to knock down a deer on the run.         ,     . And it was a younger hand than mine or yours that killed him, as I already said.     ,    ,    .

What do you think, my dear fellow?     , ? the judge said kindly, turning to Leatherstockings comrade.     ,     . Shouldnt we toss our trophy in a coin toss?          ? And if you lose, the dollar I toss will be yours. ,   , ,   ,  . What do you say, friend?  , ?

Ill say that I killed the deer, the young man answered with some arrogance, leaning on a gun, the same as Nattys.  ,    ,       ,   ,  ,   .

Then its two against one, said the judge, smiling.  ,   ,   , . Im in the minority, in other words, my arguments are dismissed, as we judges say.      ,   ,   ,   , . Aggie, since hes a slave, has no right to vote, and Bess is a minor. ,  ,    ,   . Theres nothing to be done, I retreat.  ,  . But sell me the venison, and Ill be able to tell the story of how this deer was killed.    ,       ,     .

The meat is not mine, and I cannot sell it, replied Leatherstocking, as if infected with the arrogance of his comrade.    ,      ,    ,     . I know many cases where a deer, wounded in the neck, ran for several more days, and I am not one of those who will take away from a man his lawful prey.   -   ,  ,   ,    ,     ,        .

Its probably the cold that makes you so stubbornly defend your rights today, Natty, the judge answered with unperturbed good nature.  ,         , ,      . And what would you say, friend, if I offered you three dollars for the deer?      , ,        ?

First, let us decide to our mutual satisfaction to whom it rightfully belongs, said the young man, whose speech and behavior did not at all correspond to his modest clothing, respectfully but firmly.        ,     ,  ,     ,          . How many pellets were in your gun?        ?

Five, sir, replied the judge, who was somewhat impressed by the strangers manners.  , ,   ,       . And I think thats enough to kill such a deer.   , -,  ,    .

One would have been enough, but Leatherstockings comrade approached the tree behind which he had been hiding, waiting for the deer.     ,         ,   ,  . You were shooting in this direction, sir, werent you?       , ,   ? Four pellets lodged right here, in the trunk.     ,  .

The judge carefully examined the fresh damage to the bark and, shaking his head, said with a laugh:       ,  ,   :

Your arguments turn against you, my young lawyer.       ,   . Where is the fifth?   ?

Here, the young man answered, opening his rough leather jacket.  ,    ,     . A hole was visible in his shirt, through which large drops of blood were oozing.     ,      .

My God!   ! the judge exclaimed in horror.      . Here I am arguing over some empty trophy, and a man wounded by my hand is silent, giving no sign of his suffering!      - -  ,  ,   , ,     ! Quick! ! Quick, get into my sleighits only a mile to the village, and theres a doctor there who can bandage you.           ,    ,    . Ill pay for everything, and until your wound heals, youll live with me, and then as long as you want.    , ,     ,     ,     .

I thank you for your good intentions, but I must decline your offer.      ,      . I have a close friend who will be very worried if he learns that I am wounded.     ,   ,  ,   . It is only a scratch, and not a single bone is affected.    ,      . As I understand it, sir, you now agree to recognize my right to the venison?   , ,        ?

Do you agree?   ? repeated the agitated judge.       . I hereby grant you the right to shoot deer, bears, and any other animal in my forests.             ,     . Until now, only Leatherstocking has enjoyed this privilege, and the time will soon come when it will be considered quite valuable.         ,    ,      . And I am buying the deer from you; here, take this note, it will pay for both your and my shots.      ;  ,        .

The old hunter stood up straight to his full height, but waited for the judge to finish his speech.         ,  ,    .

"There are men still alive," he said then, "who can testify that Nathaniel Bumppo's right to shoot game in these parts is older than Marmaduke Temple's right to forbid him to do so.    ,    ,    ,                 . And if there is such a law (though who ever heard of a law forbidding a man to shoot deer wherever he pleased?       (     ,       ?), it should forbid hunting with a shotgun. ),        . When you pull the trigger of that vile thing, you never know where your lead will fly.      ,   ,    .

Ignoring Natty's monologue, the young man thanked the judge with a slight bow, but replied:      ,     ,  :

- Please excuse me, but I need the venison myself.    ,     .

But with this money you can buy as many deer as you want, objected the judge.           ,   . Take them, please.    ,  . And, lowering his voice, he added: Here is a hundred dollars.   ,  ,  :    .

The young man seemed to hesitate, but then a blush of shame spread over his cheeks, already red from the cold, as if he were annoyed at his weakness, and he again refused the judges offer. , , ,               ,       ,        .




  .


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   ,     (https://www.litres.ru/book/dzheims-fenimor-kupe-34070503/pionery-ili-u-istokov-saskuikhanny-anglo-russkaia-bil-74517949/)  .

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