第7章

类别:其他 作者:Washington Irving字数:10123更新时间:19/01/07 14:58:29
InthiswayPhilipbecameathemeofuniversalapprehension。The mysteryinwhichhewasenvelopedexaggeratedhisrealterrors。Hewas anevilthatwalkedindarkness;whosecomingnonecouldforesee, andagainstwhichnoneknewwhentobeonthealert。Thewholecountry aboundedwithrumorsandalarms。Philipseemedalmostpossessedof ubiquity;for,inwhateverpartofthewidely—extendedfrontieran irruptionfromtheforesttookplace,Philipwassaidtobeits leader。Manysuperstitiousnotionsalsowerecirculatedconcerning him。Hewassaidtodealinnecromancy,andtobeattendedbyanold Indianwitchorprophetess,whomheconsulted,andwhoassistedhimby hercharmsandincantations。Thisindeedwasfrequentlythecase withIndianchiefs;eitherthroughtheirowncredulity,ortoactupon thatoftheirfollowers:andtheinfluenceoftheprophetandthe dreameroverIndiansuperstitionhasbeenfullyevidencedinrecent instancesofsavagewarfare。 AtthetimethatPhilipeffectedhisescapefromPocasset,his fortuneswereinadesperatecondition。Hisforceshadbeenthinnedby repeatedfights,andhehadlostalmostthewholeofhisresources。In thistimeofadversityhefoundafaithfulfriendinCanonchet, chiefSachemofalltheNarragansetts。Hewasthesonandheirof Miantonimo,thegreatSachem,who,asalreadymentioned,afteran honorableacquittalofthechargeofconspiracy,hadbeenprivately puttodeathattheperfidiousinstigationsofthesettlers。\"Hewas theheir,\"saystheoldchronicler,\"ofallhisfather’sprideand insolence,aswellasofhismalicetowardstheEnglish;\"—he certainlywastheheirofhisinsultsandinjuries,andthelegitimate avengerofhismurder。Thoughhehadforbornetotakeanactivepart inthishopelesswar,yethereceivedPhilipandhisbrokenforces withopenarms;andgavethemthemostgenerouscountenanceand support。ThisatoncedrewuponhimthehostilityoftheEnglish; anditwasdeterminedtostrikeasignalblowthatshouldinvolveboth theSachemsinonecommonruin。Agreatforcewas,therefore gatheredtogetherfromMassachusetts,Plymouth,andConnecticut,and wassentintotheNarragansettcountryinthedepthofwinter,when theswamps,beingfrozenandleafless,couldbetraversedwith comparativefacility,andwouldnolongerafforddarkandimpenetrable fastnessestotheIndians。 Apprehensiveofattack,Canonchethadconveyedthegreaterpartof hisstores,togetherwiththeold,theinfirm,thewomenand childrenofhistribe,toastrongfortress;whereheandPhiliphad likewisedrawnupthefloweroftheirforces。Thisfortress,deemedby theIndiansimpregnable,wassituateduponarisingmoundorkindof island,offiveorsixacres,inthemidstofaswamp;itwas constructedwithadegreeofjudgmentandskillvastlysuperiorto whatisusuallydisplayedinIndianfortification,andindicativeof themartialgeniusofthesetwochieftains。 GuidedbyarenegadeIndian,theEnglishpenetrated,through Decembersnows,tothisstronghold,andcameuponthegarrisonby surprise。Thefightwasfierceandtumultuous。Theassailantswere repulsedintheirfirstattack,andseveraloftheirbravest officerswereshotdownintheactofstormingthefortressswordin hand。Theassaultwasrenewedwithgreatersuccess。Alodgmentwas effected。TheIndiansweredrivenfromoneposttoanother。They disputedtheirgroundinchbyinch,fightingwiththefuryofdespair。 Mostoftheirveteranswerecuttopieces;andafteralongandbloody battle,PhilipandCanonchet,withahandfulofsurvivingwarriors, retreatedfromthefort,andtookrefugeinthethicketsofthe surroundingforest。 Thevictorssetfiretothewigwamsandthefort;thewholewassoon inablaze;manyoftheoldmen,thewomenandthechildrenperished intheflames。Thislastoutrageovercameeventhestoicismofthe savage。Theneighboringwoodsresoundedwiththeyellsofrageand despair,utteredbythefugitivewarriors,astheybeheldthe destructionoftheirdwellings,andheardtheagonizingcriesoftheir wivesandoffspring。\"Theburningofthewigwams,\"saysacontemporary writer,\"theshrieksandcriesofthewomenandchildren,andthe yellingofthewarriors,exhibitedamosthorribleandaffecting scene,sothatitgreatlymovedsomeofthesoldiers。\"Thesamewriter cautiouslyadds,\"theywereinmuchdoubtthen,andafterwards seriouslyinquired,whetherburningtheirenemiesalivecouldbe consistentwithhumanity,andthebenevolentprinciplesofthe Gospel。\"**MS。oftheRev。W。Ruggles。 ThefateofthebraveandgenerousCanonchetisworthyofparticular mention:thelastsceneofhislifeisoneofthenoblestinstanceson recordofIndianmagnanimity。 Brokendowninhispowerandresourcesbythissignaldefeat,yet faithfultohisally,andtothehaplesscausewhichhehad espoused,herejectedalloverturesofpeace,offeredoncondition ofbetrayingPhilipandhisfollowers,anddeclaredthat\"hewould fightitouttothelastman,ratherthanbecomeaservanttothe English。\"Hishomebeingdestroyed;hiscountryharassedandlaid wastebytheincursionsoftheconquerors;hewasobligedtowander awaytothebanksoftheConnecticut;whereheformedarallyingpoint tothewholebodyofwesternIndians,andlaidwasteseveralofthe Englishsettlements。 Earlyinthespringhedepartedonahazardousexpedition,withonly thirtychosenmen,topenetratetoSeaconck,inthevicinityof MountHope,andtoprocureseedcorntoplantforthesustenanceof histroops。Thislittlebandofadventurershadpassedsafely throughthePequodcountry,andwereinthecentreofthe Narragansett,restingatsomewigwamsnearPawtucketRiver,whenan alarmwasgivenofanapproachingenemy。—Havingbutsevenmenby himatthetime,Canonchetdespatchedtwoofthemtothetopofa neighboringhill,tobringintelligenceofthefoe。 Panic—struckbytheappearanceofatroopofEnglishandIndians rapidlyadvancing,theyfledinbreathlessterrorpasttheir chieftain,withoutstoppingtoinformhimofthedanger。Canonchet sentanotherscout,whodidthesame。Hethensenttwomore,oneof whom,hurryingbackinconfusionandaffright,toldhimthatthewhole Britisharmywasathand。Canonchetsawtherewasnochoicebut immediateflight。Heattemptedtoescaperoundthehill,butwas perceivedandhotlypursuedbythehostileIndiansandafewofthe fleetestoftheEnglish。Findingtheswiftestpursuercloseuponhis heels,hethrewoff,firsthisblanket,thenhissilver—lacedcoatand beltofpeag,bywhichhisenemiesknewhimtobeCanonchet,and redoubledtheeagernessofpursuit。 Atlength,indashingthroughtheriver,hisfootslippedupona stone,andhefellsodeepastowethisgun。Thisaccidentso struckhimwithdespair,that,asheafterwardsconfessed,\"his heartandhisbowelsturnedwithinhim,andhebecamelikearotten stick,voidofstrength。\" Tosuchadegreewasheunnerved,that,beingseizedbyaPequod Indianwithinashortdistanceoftheriver,hemadenoresistance, thoughamanofgreatvigorofbodyandboldnessofheart。Buton beingmadeprisonerthewholeprideofhisspiritarosewithinhim; andfromthatmoment,wefind,intheanecdotesgivenbyhis enemies,nothingbutrepeatedflashesofelevatedandprince—like heroism。BeingquestionedbyoneoftheEnglishwhofirstcameupwith him,andwhohadnotattainedhistwenty—secondyear,the proud—heartedwarrior,lookingwithloftycontemptuponhisyouthful countenance,replied,\"Youareachild—youcannotunderstand mattersofwar—letyourbrotheroryourchiefcome—himwillI answer。\" Thoughrepeatedoffersweremadetohimofhislife,onconditionof submittingwithhisnationtotheEnglish,yetherejectedthemwith disdain,andrefusedtosendanyproposalsofthekindtothegreat bodyofhissubjects;saying,thatheknewnoneofthemwould comply。Beingreproachedwithhisbreachoffaithtowardsthe whites;hisboastthathewouldnotdeliverupaWampanoagnorthe paringofaWampanoag’snail;andhisthreatthathewouldburnthe Englishaliveintheirhouses;hedisdainedtojustifyhimself, haughtilyansweringthatotherswereasforwardforthewaras himself,and\"hedesiredtohearnomorethereof。\" Sonobleandunshakenaspirit,sotrueafidelitytohiscause andhisfriend,mighthavetouchedthefeelingsofthegenerousand thebrave;butCanonchetwasanIndian;abeingtowardswhomwarhad nocourtesy,humanitynolaw,religionnocompassion—hewascondemned todie。Thelastwordsofhimthatarerecorded,areworthythe greatnessofhissoul。Whensentenceofdeathwaspasseduponhim, heobserved\"thathelikeditwell,forheshoulddiebeforehisheart wassoft,orhehadspokenanythingunworthyofhimself。\"Hisenemies gavehimthedeathofasoldier,forhewasshotatStoningham,by threeyoungSachemsofhisownrank。 ThedefeatattheNarragansettfortress,andthedeathofCanonchet, werefatalblowstothefortunesofKingPhilip。Hemadean ineffectualattempttoraiseaheadofwar,bystirringuptheMohawks totakearms;butthoughpossessedofthenativetalentsofa statesman,hisartswerecounteractedbythesuperiorartsofhis enlightenedenemies,andtheterroroftheirwarlikeskillbeganto subduetheresolutionoftheneighboringtribes。Theunfortunate chieftainsawhimselfdailystrippedofpower,andhisranksrapidly thinningaroundhim。Someweresubornedbythewhites;othersfell victimstohungerandfatigue,andtothefrequentattacksbywhich theywereharassed。Hisstoreswereallcaptured;hischosenfriends weresweptawayfrombeforehiseyes;hisunclewasshotdownbyhis side;hissisterwascarriedintocaptivity;andinoneofhis narrowescapeshewascompelledtoleavehisbelovedwifeandonlyson tothemercyoftheenemy。\"Hisruin,\"saysthehistorian,\"beingthus graduallycarriedon,hismiserywasnotprevented,butaugmented thereby;beinghimselfmadeacquaintedwiththesenseandexperimental feelingofthecaptivityofhischildren,lossoffriends,slaughter ofhissubjects,bereavementofallfamilyrelations,andbeing strippedofalloutwardcomforts,beforehisownlifeshouldbe takenaway。\" Tofillupthemeasureofhismisfortunes,hisownfollowersbegan toplotagainsthislife,thatbysacrificinghimtheymight purchasedishonorablesafety。Throughtreacheryanumberofhis faithfuladherents,thesubjectsofWetamoe,anIndianprincessof Pocasset,anearkinswomanandconfederateofPhilip,werebetrayed intothehandsoftheenemy。Wetamoewasamongthematthetime,and attemptedtomakeherescapebycrossinganeighboringriver:either exhaustedbyswimming,orstarvedbycoldandhunger,shewasfound deadandnakednearthewaterside。Butpersecutionceasednotat thegrave。Evendeath,therefugeofthewretched,wherethewicked commonlyceasefromtroubling,wasnoprotectiontothisoutcast female,whosegreatcrimewasaffectionatefidelitytoherkinsmanand herfriend。Hercorpsewastheobjectofunmanlyanddastardly vengeance;theheadwasseveredfromthebodyandsetuponapole,and wasthusexposedatTaunton,totheviewofhercaptivesubjects。They immediatelyrecognizedthefeaturesoftheirunfortunatequeen,and weresoaffectedatthisbarbarousspectacle,thatwearetoldthey brokeforthintothe\"mosthorridanddiabolicallamentations。\" HoweverPhiliphadborneupagainstthecomplicatedmiseriesand misfortunesthatsurroundedhim,thetreacheryofhisfollowersseemed towringhisheartandreducehimtodespondency。Itissaidthat \"heneverrejoicedafterwards,norhadsuccessinanyofhisdesigns。\" Thespringofhopewasbroken—theardorofenterprisewas extinguished—helookedaround,andallwasdangeranddarkness;there wasnoeyetopity,noranyarmthatcouldbringdeliverance。Witha scantybandoffollowers,whostillremainedtruetohisdesperate fortunes,theunhappyPhilipwanderedbacktothevicinityofMount Hope,theancientdwellingofhisfathers。Herehelurkedabout, likeaspectre,amongthescenesofformerpowerandprosperity,now bereftofhome,offamilyandfriend。Thereneedsnobetterpictureof hisdestituteandpiteoussituation,thanthatfurnishedbythehomely penofthechronicler,whoisunwarilyenlistingthefeelingsofthe readerinfavorofthehaplesswarriorwhomhereviles。\"Philip,\"he says,\"likeasavagewildbeast,havingbeenhuntedbytheEnglish forcesthroughthewoods,aboveahundredmilesbackwardand forward,atlastwasdriventohisowndenuponMountHope,wherehe retired,withafewofhisbestfriends,intoaswamp,whichproved butaprisontokeephimfasttillthemessengersofdeathcameby divinepermissiontoexecutevengeanceuponhim。\" Eveninthislastrefugeofdesperationanddespair,asullen grandeurgathersroundhismemory。Wepicturehimtoourselves seatedamonghiscare—wornfollowers,broodinginsilenceoverhis blastedfortunes,andacquiringasavagesublimityfromthewildness anddrearinessofhislurking—place。Defeated,butnotdismayed— crushedtotheearth,butnothumiliated—heseemedtogrowmore haughtybeneathdisaster,andtoexperienceafiercesatisfactionin drainingthelastdregsofbitterness。Littlemindsaretamedand subduedbymisfortune;butgreatmindsriseaboveit。Theveryideaof submissionawakenedthefuryofPhilip,andhesmotetodeathoneof hisfollowers,whoproposedanexpedientofpeace。Thebrotherof thevictimmadehisescape,andinrevengebetrayedtheretreatofhis chieftain。AbodyofwhitemenandIndianswereimmediatelydespatched totheswampwherePhiliplaycrouched,glaringwithfuryanddespair。 Beforehewasawareoftheirapproach,theyhadbeguntosurroundhim。 Inalittlewhilehesawfiveofhistrustiestfollowerslaiddead athisfeet;allresistancewasvain;herushedforthfromhiscovert, andmadeaheadlongattempttoescape,butwasshotthroughthe heartbyarenegadeIndianofhisownnation。 Suchisthescantystoryofthebrave,butunfortunateKing Philip;persecutedwhileliving,slanderedanddishonoredwhendead。 If,however,weconsidereventheprejudicedanecdotesfurnishedusby hisenemies,wemayperceiveinthemtracesofamiableandlofty charactersufficienttoawakensympathyforhisfate,andrespect forhismemory。Wefindthat,amidstalltheharassingcaresand ferociouspassionsofconstantwarfare,hewasalivetothesofter feelingsofconnubialloveandpaternaltenderness,andtothe generoussentimentoffriendship。Thecaptivityofhis\"belovedwife andonlyson\"arementionedwithexultationascausinghimpoignant misery:thedeathofanynearfriendistriumphantlyrecordedasanew blowonhissensibilities;butthetreacheryanddesertionofmany ofhisfollowers,inwhoseaffectionshehadconfided,issaidtohave desolatedhisheart,andtohavebereavedhimofallfurther comfort。Hewasapatriotattachedtohisnativesoil—aprincetrue tohissubjects,andindignantoftheirwrongs—asoldier,daringin battle,firminadversity,patientoffatigue,ofhunger,ofevery varietyofbodilysuffering,andreadytoperishinthecausehehad espoused。Proudofheart,andwithanuntamableloveofnatural liberty,hepreferredtoenjoyitamongthebeastsoftheforestsor inthedismalandfamishedrecessesofswampsandmorasses,rather thanbowhishaughtyspirittosubmission,andlivedependentand despisedintheeaseandluxuryofthesettlements。Withheroic qualitiesandboldachievementsthatwouldhavegracedacivilized warrior,andhaverenderedhimthethemeofthepoetandthe historian;helivedawandererandafugitiveinhisnativeland, andwentdown,likealonelybarkfounderingamiddarknessand tempest—withoutapityingeyetoweephisfall,orafriendlyhandto recordhisstruggle。 THEEND。 1819—20 THESKETCHBOOK RIPVANWINKLE APOSTHUMOUSWRITINGOFDIEDRICHKNICKERBOCKER byWashingtonIrving ByWoden,GodofSaxons, FromwhencecomesWensday,thatisWodensday。 TruthisathingthateverIwillkeep UntothylkedayinwhichIcreepinto Mysepulchre— CARTWRIGHT。 [ThefollowingTalewasfoundamongthepapersofthelate DiedrichKnickerbocker,anoldgentlemanofNewYork,whowasvery curiousintheDutchhistoryoftheprovince,andthemannersofthe descendantsfromitsprimitivesettlers。Hishistoricalresearches, however,didnotliesomuchamongbooksasamongmen;forthe formerarelamentablyscantyonhisfavoritetopics;whereashe foundtheoldburghers,andstillmoretheirwives,richinthat legendarylore,soinvaluabletotruehistory。Whenever,therefore,he happeneduponagenuineDutchfamily,snuglyshutupinitslow—roofed farmhouse,underaspreadingsycamore,helookeduponitasalittle claspedvolumeofblack—letter,andstudieditwiththezealofa book—worm。 Theresultofalltheseresearcheswasahistoryoftheprovince duringthereignoftheDutchgovernors,whichhepublishedsomeyears since。Therehavebeenvariousopinionsastotheliterarycharacter ofhiswork,and,totellthetruth,itisnotawhitbetterthanit shouldbe。Itschiefmeritisitsscrupulousaccuracy,whichindeed wasalittlequestionedonitsfirstappearance,buthassincebeen completelyestablished;anditisnowadmittedintoallhistorical collections,asabookofunquestionableauthority。 Theoldgentlemandiedshortlyafterthepublicationofhiswork, andnowthatheisdeadandgone,itcannotdomuchharmtohismemory tosaythathistimemighthavebeenmuchbetteremployedinweightier labors。He,however,wasapttoridehishobbyhisownway;andthough itdidnowandthenkickupthedustalittleintheeyesofhis neighbors,andgrievethespiritofsomefriends,forwhomhefeltthe truestdeferenceandaffection;yethiserrorsandfolliesare remembered\"moreinsorrowthaninanger,\"anditbeginstobe suspected,thatheneverintendedtoinjureoroffend。Buthoweverhis memorymaybeappreciatedbycritics,itisstillhelddearbymany folk,whosegoodopinioniswellworthhaving;particularlybycertain biscuit—bakers,whohavegonesofarastoimprinthislikenesson theirnew—yearcakes;andhavethusgivenhimachancefor immortality,almostequaltothebeingstampedonaWaterlooMedal,or aQueenAnne’sFarthing。] WHOEVERhasmadeavoyageuptheHudsonmustrememberthe Kaatskillmountains。Theyareadismemberedbranchofthegreat Appalachianfamily,andareseenawaytothewestoftheriver, swellinguptoanobleheight,andlordingitoverthesurrounding country。Everychangeofseason,everychangeofweather,indeed, everyhouroftheday,producessomechangeinthemagicalhuesand shapesofthesemountains,andtheyareregardedbyallthegood wives,farandnear,asperfectbarometers。Whentheweatherisfair andsettled,theyareclothedinblueandpurple,andprinttheirbold outlinesonthecleareveningsky;but,sometimes,whentherestof thelandscapeiscloudless,theywillgatherahoodofgrayvapors abouttheirsummits,which,inthelastraysofthesettingsun, willglowandlightuplikeacrownofglory。 Atthefootofthesefairmountains,thevoyagermayhavedescried thelightsmokecurlingupfromavillage,whoseshingle—roofsgleam amongthetrees,justwherethebluetintsoftheuplandmeltaway intothefreshgreenofthenearerlandscape。Itisalittle village,ofgreatantiquity,havingbeenfoundedbysomeofthe Dutchcolonists,intheearlytimesoftheprovince,justaboutthe beginningofthegovernmentofthegoodPeterStuyvesant,(mayherest inpeace!)andthereweresomeofthehousesoftheoriginal settlersstandingwithinafewyears,builtofsmallyellowbricks broughtfromHolland,havinglatticedwindowsandgablefronts, surmountedwithweather—cocks。 Inthatsamevillage,andinoneoftheseveryhouses(which,to telltheprecisetruth,wassadlytime—wornandweather—beaten),there livedmanyyearssince,whilethecountrywasyetaprovinceof GreatBritain,asimplegood—naturedfellow,ofthenameofRipVan Winkle。HewasadescendantoftheVanWinkleswhofiguredso gallantlyinthechivalrousdaysofPeterStuyvesant,and accompaniedhimtothesiegeofFortChristina。Heinherited,however, butlittleofthemartialcharacterofhisancestors。Ihave observedthathewasasimplegood—naturedman;hewas,moreover,a kindneighbor,andanobedienthen—peckedhusband。Indeed,tothe lattercircumstancemightbeowingthatmeeknessofspiritwhich gainedhimsuchuniversalpopularity;forthosemenaremostapttobe obsequiousandconciliatingabroad,whoareunderthedisciplineof shrewsathome。Theirtempers,doubtless,arerenderedpliantand malleableinthefieryfurnaceofdomestictribulation;anda curtainlectureisworthallthesermonsintheworldforteachingthe virtuesofpatienceandlong—suffering。Atermagantwifemay, therefore,insomerespects,beconsideredatolerableblessing;and ifso,RipVanWinklewasthriceblessed。 Certainitis,thathewasagreatfavoriteamongallthegoodwives ofthevillage,who,asusual,withtheamiablesex,tookhispart inallfamilysquabbles;andneverfailed,whenevertheytalked thosemattersoverintheireveninggossipings,tolayalltheblame onDameVanWinkle。Thechildrenofthevillage,too,wouldshoutwith joywheneverheapproached。Heassistedattheirsports,madetheir playthings,taughtthemtoflykitesandshootmarbles,andtold themlongstoriesofghosts,witches,andIndians。Wheneverhewent dodgingaboutthevillage,hewassurroundedbyatroopofthem, hangingonhisskirts,clamberingonhisback,andplayinga thousandtricksonhimwithimpunity;andnotadogwouldbarkat himthroughouttheneighborhood。 ThegreaterrorinRip’scompositionwasaninsuperableaversion toallkindsofprofitablelabor。Itcouldnotbefromthewantof assiduityorperseverance;forhewouldsitonawetrock,witha rodaslongandheavyasaTartar’slance,andfishalldaywithout amurmur,eventhoughheshouldnotbeencouragedbyasingle nibble。Hewouldcarryafowling—pieceonhisshoulderforhours together,trudgingthroughwoodsandswamps,anduphillanddown dale,toshootafewsquirrelsorwildpigeons。Hewouldnever refusetoassistaneighborevenintheroughesttoil,andwasa foremostmanatallcountryfrolicsforhuskingIndiancorn,or buildingstone—fences;thewomenofthevillage,too,usedtoemploy himtoruntheirerrands,andtodosuchlittleoddjobsastheirless obliginghusbandswouldnotdoforthem。InawordRipwasreadyto attendtoanybody’sbusinessbuthisown;butastodoingfamilyduty, andkeepinghisfarminorder,hefounditimpossible。 Infact,hedeclareditwasofnousetoworkonhisfarm;itwas themostpestilentlittlepieceofgroundinthewholecountry; everythingaboutitwentwrong,andwouldgowrong,inspiteof him。Hisfenceswerecontinuallyfallingtopieces;hiscowwould eithergoastray,orgetamongthecabbages;weedsweresuretogrow quickerinhisfieldsthananywhereelse;therainalwaysmadeapoint ofsettinginjustashehadsomeout—doorworktodo;sothat thoughhispatrimonialestatehaddwindledawayunderhis management,acrebyacre,untiltherewaslittlemoreleftthanamere patchofIndiancornandpotatoes,yetitwastheworstconditioned farmintheneighborhood。