Page 112 - Traveller_2nd_Pre-Interm_SB_SE

8d Times past

. READING JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
A. Discuss. THE LAST OF
• What do you know about
the Native Americans? THE MOHICANS
B. Read the extract from an adapted version
of the story The Last of the Mohicans.
Who is Hawkeye?

wore buckskin pants and he held a tomahawk and a Publications

CHAPTER 3 Chingachgook turned to his friend and said:
‘Hawkeye, let us eat well tonight and show those
With fall approaching, the evenings were getting Maquas that we are men tomorrow.’
colder. Two men were talking by a river. One of them It was not long before they heard an animal
had dark skin and his body was painted with different moving in the bushes. Hawkeye raised his rifle, but
© MM
colors. He had a shaved head, apart from a crest down Uncas whispered to him.
‘If I were you, I wouldn’t shoot. The Maquas will
the middle and his name was Chingachgook. He hear. Those thieves would want to eat too if you killed
rifle. The other man was of European origin, but his the animal.’
skin was dark from the sun. He was dressed like a Hawkeye put his rifle down and watched as Uncas
Native American too, and had a rifle of great length. threw himself to the ground and moved silently
Chingachgook was telling him stories of his fathers, towards his prey. Soon enough, there was an arrow
who were proud warriors before the white men came in its side. The wounded animal jumped out of the
from the setting sun. bushes and Uncas finished the job with his knife.
‘I wish there were more of my people. But when I ‘Shhhh! I hear something,’ said Chingachgook.
die, my son Uncas, will be the last of the Mohicans,’ ‘Maybe it’s wolves following the animal,’ suggested
said Chingachgook. Hawkeye.
‘Uncas is here!’ said another voice, and a young ‘No. The horses of white men are coming.
warrior came and sat with them. The father showed Hawkeye, they are your brothers, speak to them. With
no surprise and they all sat silently for several the Maquas nearby, this is a dangerous place for them,’
minutes. said Chingachgook.
‘Did you see any of those thieves from the Maquas
tribe?’ asked Chingachgook.
‘I have been on their trail, and there are as many fall (AmE) = autumn (BrE)
as the fingers on both my hands. But they hide like pants (AmE) = trousers (BrE)
color (AmE) = colour (BrE)
cowards!’ replied his son.
The Last of the Mohicans 59
58 The Last of the Mohicans

When you read a text, try to understand which of the unknown words
are really important for understanding the text. Try to guess the TIP
meaning of as many of these words as possible from the context.

110

4/1/2021 5:07:05 µµ
Traveller_Rev_Pre_Interm_SB.indb 110
Traveller_Rev_Pre_Interm_SB.indb 110 4/1/2021 5:07:05 µµ