Nineteen-year-old Mabel Dunhen, accompanied by her uncle, the old sailor Cap, and two Indians have been making their way through the endless American wilds from New York to a small English fortress on the shores of Lake Ontario for many days. They are on their way to Mabel's father, Sergeant Dunham. Having overcome another "windfall" - a place where uprooted trees are piled on top of each other, travelers notice the smoke of a fire. During the war, chance meetings are always dangerous - a small detachment, with great precautions, reconnoiters who is preparing dinner for themselves: friends or enemies? Fortunately, friends: Pathfinder with constant companion Chingachgook and a new friend, young man Jasper Westorn.
The remaining few miles of the road will be remembered by Mabel for a long time. Possible thanks to the skill of Jasper, a descent in a pirogue along a waterfall and rifts, victorious skirmishes with superior enemy forces, Chingachgook's desperate courage - this is not forgotten. The sergeant can be doubly pleased: his daughter was delivered safe and sound, and, apart from
Togo, along the way Dunham hoped she might develop feelings for his old friend Nathaniel Bumpo. Indeed, Mabel was imbued with ... daughters! Almost forty-year-old Pathfinder for a nineteen-year-old girl is more like a father than a possible husband. True, Mabel herself has no idea about anything yet; the sergeant decided without her and, without asking his daughter, managed to convince his friend that he - courageous and honest - could not fail to please the girl. And even shooting competitions, when Jasper “begged” him for victory, did not reveal to the Pathfinder who had feelings for whom and what kind. He himself - on his own grief - enchanted by Mabel and believing her father, falls in love in earnest. So much so that when it comes time to change the guard at a secret post, the Pathfinder allows himself to neglect the duties of a scout and does not go with Chingachgook to the lake shore, but goes along with the girl and the sergeant on a small single-masted boat - a cutter.
Before sailing, the commander of the fortress confesses to Sergeant Dunham that he has received an anonymous letter accusing Cutter Captain Jasper Western of treason. Dunham will carefully follow the young man and, in which case, remove him from captain's duties, entrusting the ship to his wife's brother, an experienced sailor Cap. And, despite many years of acquaintance with Jasper, the sergeant starts all of them - the most harmless ones! - actions to reinterpret in their own way. Finally, the burden of responsibility becomes unbearable for Dunham - he removes Western from command of the cutter and entrusts the ship to Cap. A brave sailor bravely gets down to business, but ... - "lake" navigation has its own specifics! Not only does no one know anything about the location of the desired island - it’s not very easy to “ride” on a cutter! A storm that has broken out in earnest drives the boat right onto the stones. And, probably, if it were not for the persuasion of Mabel and the Pathfinder - not for a minute, by the way, who did not doubt the honesty of Jasper - Cap and Dunham would have preferred to die “correctly” than to escape according to the rules. But pity for his daughter shook the stubbornness of the sergeant - he returns command to Western. The amazing art of the young man saves the ship.
While the cutter, anchored at the last moment by anchors a few meters from the stone ridge, was waiting out the excitement, the sergeant - supposedly for hunting - invited the Pathfinder and Mabel to go ashore with him. Having landed, the group broke up: Dunham went in one direction, Bumpo with the girl - in the other, nothing seems to prevent the Pathfinder from explaining himself, but, resolute and courageous in battle, he is shy with the girl. Finally, overcoming the excitement and somehow coping with. in an unexpectedly numb tongue, he explains. Mabel does not understand at first, but when she understands, she is embarrassed. She herself has feelings of a different kind for a well-aimed shooter and a skilled warrior. If not quite affiliated, then only friendly. And no others. Appreciation, gratitude - it seems to the girl that this is not enough for a happy marriage. On the other hand, she does not want to disappoint her father or the Pathfinder. The question, however, is put directly - it is impossible to get away from a direct answer. With all possible tact, carefully choosing words, Mabel refuses to become the wife of the Pathfinder.
Upon the return of the “hunters”, the cutter is removed from the anchor - fortunately, the storm subsided and the excitement subsided. Further voyage - under the command of Jasper Western, who knows the lake very well - is made much calmer. The sergeant who took command is preparing an expedition - the British intend to intercept the “strategic” goods supplied by those Indian allies from the French: guns, gunpowder, lead, knives, tomahawks. The Pathfinder, along with Chingachgook, goes on reconnaissance. At night, the garrison, led by a sergeant, sets out on a campaign. Blockhouse - cut down from thick logs, with loopholes instead of windows, a two-story fortification - remains in the care of not very skilled warriors: a corporal, three soldiers, Cap and Lieutenant Muir.
The girl is restless. She worries about her father and - for some reason! - for Jasper suspected of betrayal. To ease her anxiety, Mabel takes a walk around the island. Suddenly, from behind the bushes, a quiet familiar voice calls out to the girl - the June Dew. It turns out that her husband, the Shattering Arrow, a long-time secret agent of the French, openly took their side and led the Indians who were about to attack the island. June Dew advises Mabel to take cover in the blockhouse and wait out the attack there. Unreasonable anxiety is replaced by fear - what awaits the father now? And her? June Dew reassures: to become the second wife of the Striking Arrow is a great honor. But such a prospect seems to Mabel worse than death. And there is no one to consult with: the uncle and the lieutenant disappeared somewhere, and the corporal is a stubborn Scot! - He doesn't want to know anything about some Indians. The girl tries to convince him, but the corporal is filled with contempt for the "savages". Mabel sees how, suddenly jumping up, the Scot falls prone. At first, not understanding anything, she rushes to help, but the corporal expires, having managed to croak: "Hurry to the blockhouse." The girl takes refuge in the building and locks the door - the Indians, having shot the soldiers who rushed to help from behind the bushes, take possession of the island. At night, the Pathfinder sneaks into the blockhouse - a frightened Mabel is slightly encouraged. But not for long - led by a sergeant and returning with a victory, the detachment is ambushed. The tracker, taking advantage of the darkness, manages to drag the seriously wounded Dunham into the blockhouse. Nathaniel resolutely repulsed the ensuing attack, shooting several Indians who were about to set fire to the fortification. The next morning, the winners offer surrender - the Pathfinder refuses. A cutter appears - the situation changes dramatically: the Indians caught in the crossfire, losing their dead and wounded, scatter around the island and hide. Now the French captain, who led the recent winners, is asking for surrender. Having agreed on favorable terms for himself, the Pathfinder and Jasper agree. Disarmed Indians leave the island. All this time, Lieutenant Muir, who was in captivity, insists that - contrary to evidence! Jasper is the traitor. Unexpectedly Shattering Arrow with the words: “Where are the guns, where are the scalps?” - hits the lieutenant with a knife and takes off running. The French captain confirms that in reality the traitor was Muir, who was killed by the Indian.
Dying from his wounds, Sergeant Dunham managed to bind Mabel with a promise that the girl would give her hand to the Pathfinder. Then she - filled with gratitude to Nathaniel and not having the strength to refuse her dying father - agreed. But ... the sergeant was buried, Jasper says goodbye to her in a trembling voice, something oppresses the girl. The Pathfinder, delighted with the agreement, suddenly begins to see clearly: finally, it is revealed to him who is really superfluous in the resulting triangle. After talking alone with Jasper, he calls Mabel and, with difficulty holding back tears, says: “The sergeant left me as your protector, not a tyrant, the main thing for me is your happiness ...” hidden in the depths of the soul; the tongue pronounces: "Nathaniel" - the heart taps out: "Jasper." Youth, alas, is right as always: the Pathfinder is a voluntary victim of his own generosity! - saying goodbye to the lovers, lingers on the island. Something necessary in this world is lost to them forever, but something is no less necessary in that! - probably purchased. And if not, then the essence still remains unchanged: the Pathfinder cannot be a tyrant… only a defender…
- J.F. Cooper Pathfinder, or On the Shores of Ontario Nineteen-year-old Mabel Dunhen, accompanied by her uncle, the old sailor Cap, and two Indians (Striking Arrow...
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Who does not know what an impression of greatness comes from the immense! The most sublime, the most daring thoughts visit the poet when he looks into the abyss of immeasurable expanses, and then he feels his own insignificance with particular vivacity. He who for the first time sees the expanse of the ocean in front of him cannot remain indifferent, and even in the vastness of the night our mind finds a semblance of greatness that strikes us in the grandiose phenomena of nature, the full power of which our senses are unable to comprehend. Something close to delight and awe, this product of the sublime, was felt when looking at the landscape stretched out before them and the four dissimilar characters who happened to open our story. Four of them - two men and two women - they climbed a pile of wind-blown trees to look around. Such places are still called windblows in these parts. Letting heavenly light into the dark, stuffy forest slums, they form, as it were, oases in the solemn twilight of American uncut forests. The windblow described here was located on the slope of a gentle hill, and the gaze of a traveler who climbed to its top opened wide distances - an unexpected joy for a wanderer wandering in the wilds of the forest. It was a small piece of land, but due to its position high on the hillside, above a clearing that descended downwards, the view from here extended much further than one might have imagined. Philosophers have not yet established the nature of the elements that produce such havoc in the forest; some scientists see it as the destructive action of winds like those that form whirlwinds in the ocean, while others look for the cause in sudden and strong electrical fluids; but the phenomenon itself is familiar enough to everyone. On the edge of the windblow, of which we are talking here, the blind elements piled tree upon tree in such a way that two wanderers not only climbed to a height of thirty feet themselves, but also dragged along - where by persuasion, and where by timely help - both of their companions . Huge trunks, broken and scattered at random by powerful gusts of wind, lay in heaps like spillikins, while their branches, still fragrant with withered leaves, intertwined, giving reliable support to the hands. One giant, uprooted from the ground, stuck out with a powerful butt upwards, and on its spreading roots a thick layer of earth was preserved, which served as a kind of comfortable scaffolding for our four travelers who looked around the surroundings.
Let the reader not expect here from me to describe people from the upper strata of society. They were just wanderers wandering in the wilds of the forest; but, even digressing from this, it must be said that neither their usual way of life, nor their position in the world did not accustom them to the advantages of the chosen circle. Two - a man and a woman - were local natives, the original owners of this land, for they belonged to the notorious Indian tribe of Tuscarors; as for their companions, the man, judging by his appearance, wandered the seas all his life, and only as a simple sailor, and the girl accompanying him came out of the same unpretentious environment, but youth and good looks, as well as modest and lively her manners gave her appearance that imprint of intelligence and spiritual grace, which gives the fair sex a double charm. Even now, her expressive blue eyes shone with delight, and her pretty face was covered with that light thoughtfulness that strong sensations evoke in gifted natures - even in those cases when they bring us only unclouded joy.
And in fact, who could remain indifferent to the pictures of the surrounding nature? To the west, in the direction in which the faces of the travelers were turned and where, in fact, immense distances opened up, the gaze wandered over the deciduous ocean, cast in all shades of green of the luxurious vegetation represented here and colored with the richest gamut of colors so common for the forty-second degree of latitude. Elm with its graceful weeping crown, all the numerous varieties of maple, as well as noble species of American oak and broad-leaved linden, known in the local vernacular as the washcloth - all these trees, intertwined with their upper branches, formed, as it were, an immense leafy tent, stretching towards the setting sun and lost in the clouds on the horizon, just as the waves of the sea merge with the blue sky at the base of the firmament. Here and there a small gap between the forest giants, formed either by the whim of nature or by the will of the raging elements, allowed some tree of not so powerful posture to break through to the sun and raise its modest peak almost to the level of the green canopy. These trees included birch - an important person in less blessed places, quivering aspen, various types of hazel, as well as other representatives of the smaller forest brethren; they seemed to be something like gaunt, unprepossessing guests, worming their way into the company of well-born and noble nobles. Here and there a slender, smooth trunk of a pine, breaking through this canopy, raised its head high above it, like an elegant obelisk skillfully erected above a leafy valley.
The boundless expanses and almost flawless expanse of the green ocean created the impression of grandeur here. The already gentle play of colors, muffled by the play of chiaroscuro, gave rise to a feeling of perfect beauty, while the solemn calm of nature set the feelings in a reverent way.
“Uncle,” the pleasantly surprised girl cried, turning to her older companion, whose elbow she almost imperceptibly held on to, obviously not trusting the strong enough, but somewhat shaky support under her feet, “doesn’t this look like your favorite ocean?
- Nonsense and childish fantasies, Magni! - So the uncle jokingly called his niece (paying tribute to her girlish attractiveness, he formed this name from the word "magnet"). “Only a child would think of comparing a handful of leaves with the Atlantic Ocean. All these tops of trees, if they are gathered in an armful, will fit only for a modest bouquet to decorate Neptune's chest.
- Well said, uncle, but you seem to have gone too far. Here, for miles and miles, there is nothing but leaves. What is special about your ocean?
- Compared! - the uncle got angry, impatiently pulling her elbow, for he thrust his hands deep into the pockets of the red cloth camisole, which were in use with the fashionistas of that time. - What a comparison, Magic! Well, where, tell me, are the foamy waves? Where is the blue water, and the salt spray, and the breakers, and again, where are the whales, and the ferocious typhoons, and the incessant churning of the waves in this unfortunate patch of forest, my child?
“Will you find these green plumes of trees on the sea, the blessed silence and the intoxicating smell of leaves and all this green charm?” Will you find anything like it at sea, uncle?
“Hell, Magni! If you knew anything, you would know that green water is a curse for a sailor! It's like a green rookie on watch.
But what about the green trees? Shhhh! Do you hear? It's the breeze breathing through the leaves.
- Well, if you like the wind, girl, you should listen to how the northwest howls in the gear! And where do you have storms and hurricanes here, where are the monsoons and trade winds in this God-saved forest side? I'm not talking about fish - it's not here at all.
There are books that do not let go from the very beginning of acquaintance to the last page. Not only are they not forgotten in adulthood, but on the contrary, they give no less pleasure from rereading. These are works that excite the hearts and make you empathize with the heroes, and even mourn the injustice of fate. These are books based on which films and cartoons are made, which are very popular among the people. One of them is "Pathfinder", summary which is known to all fans of the Western genre.
A few words about the creator
The author of the work, as well as a whole series about Nathaniel Bumpo, is Fenimore Cooper. This is a classic of American literature, the founder of the Western style. He grew up at a time when the colonists were just beginning to conquer America, so he knew the life of Indians and white aliens well. Before his eyes, the drama of the destruction of the Redskins, whom he loved and respected, flared up. He really sympathized with them, sympathized with such injustice, fought against it with his pen. But, unfortunately, nothing could change.
It is interesting that the writer (and after her other works) "Pathfinder" accidentally appeared. A brief summary will never be able to convey the atmosphere into which the reader is immersed, plunging into the pages of books. They are worth reading and re-reading in their entirety. It's worth it.
So Cooper wrote his first novel after arguing with his wife, but he liked it. Yes, and readers relished a completely new genre. Therefore, James had no choice but to continue working in the field of literature.
Skin Stocking Skin
A very attractive hero was created by F. Cooper. Pathfinder, a summary of which will be discussed below, talks about Natti Bumpo. At first glance, it will seem too artificial, since the author is prone to hyperbolization and naive romanticization. However, it is worth considering that before the eyes of the Leather Stocking, a story was being created in which he took an active part. At the same time, he was an outcast of the "normal" European society. Why? Because the main ailments of his contemporaries are alien to him: the lust for power, greed, injustice, lies. He cannot categorically put up with them, therefore he voluntarily refuses society, and finds peace only among people like him, that is, Indians. Reality often tried to bring him back to civilization, but each time the character was severely disappointed. And on the last pages of the cycle, Nathaniel remained a lone wolf, a seeker of the human ideal.
Fenimore Cooper "Pathfinder": a summary
Now it's time to remember what is discussed in the book written by F. Cooper. Pathfinder, a summary of which we will tell, is the third book in the cycle. On the pages of the novel, the reader will see the characters Natti Bumpo and Chingachgook familiar from the first works, and also get acquainted with new characters. This is the beautiful Mabel Dunham, the brave sailor Charles Cap ( Salty water), young Jasper Western and the Indian couple Arrowhead and June Dew. The action of the novel takes place on the banks of the picturesque
To retell the summary of the Pathfinder book, it tells about the struggle for influence between the French and the British, who were drawn into their conflict. At this time, the young girl Mabel Dunham sets off on a journey to see her father, who was serving in the fortress. She is accompanied by her uncle, a sailor, and guides, Tuscarora Indians. On the way they meet two white men and one red man. It was Leatherstocking, Chingachgook, and Jasper the Sailor. They were sent by Mabel's father to provide security. About how a group of travelers moved deep into America, and tells the Pathfinder. The summary of the novel should interest the reader, make him take this book in his hands and read it from cover to cover.
Unhappy love
During the journey, a group of daredevils will face dangerous adventures: a water crossing, skirmishes with the Iroquois. But when they reached the goal, it turns out that the continuation follows. Young Jasper is accused of espionage, and the girl's father decides to marry her to the Pathfinder. Nathaniel himself fell madly in love with Magni, so he gladly makes her a marriage proposal. But she refuses. Meanwhile, the French attack (the spy was actually Arrowhead), mortally wounding Sergeant Dunham. He wills his daughter to marry Leatherstocking, and she agrees. However, over time, the hero realizes that Mabel does not love him, but Jasper has long been the chosen one of her heart. Therefore, he breaks off the engagement and blesses the lovers.
If you read a very brief content ("Pathfinder"), then you may not know that the wedding of Magni and Jasper was, and Nathaniel congratulated them and disappeared. Many years later, a young woman, walking with her children, saw in the distance a figure that strongly resembled an old friend. Then she asked the locals about who it was. She was told that a legendary hunter called the Pathfinder had come. Magni realized that he could never stop loving her.
The Leather Stocking Cycle
Fenimore Cooper did not just create a beautiful image of a man who made history. He described the whole life of his hero, full of adventures and dangers, hardships and disappointments, joy and sorrow. The fate of Nathaniel fit in five books that tell about the young age of the character, his growing up and aging. And along with the fate of the Leather Stocking, the author depicted the life of America, the enmity between people who cannot share such immense wealth. He copied the tragedy of fate and insensibility, conquest and struggle, and with regret recorded the changes in the usual way of life.
pentology
We will present a list of books that are included in the cycle, in chronological order, since they were written at different times.
- "Deerslayer, or the First Warpath" - in the novel, Nathaniel is seventeen or eighteen years old. The book was written in 1841.
- "The Last of the Mohicans, or the Narrative of 1757". The main character is 32-34 years old, and the novel itself was published in 1826.
- Pathfinder, or On the Shores of Ontario, in which the character is about 35-38 years old. The work was written in 1840.
- "The Pioneers, or At the Origins of the Susquihanna" describes Nathaniel's life at the age of 67-68. The novel appeared in 1823.
- "Prairie (Steppes)" is the final book about the Pathfinder, who at the time of the story is 78-79 years old. Saw the light in 1827.
Popularity in the Union
It is worth noting that Fenimore Cooper's novels were very popular all over the world, and in the Soviet Union in particular. The books were first translated into Russian by A. O. Ishimova in the middle of the nineteenth century, and since then they have been repeatedly reprinted. Films and cartoons were shot based on the motives of works about the Leather Stocking, stamps were issued. And it is worth noting that many actors wanted to embody Cooper's heroes on the screen. Children studied novels according to the school curriculum, and then played in the yard, depicting brave hero and his friends.
Children's version
Undoubtedly, the works of Fenimore Cooper are designed for teenagers and older children. school age. But even small readers can get acquainted with the world of wonderful nature. It is possible that Skrebitsky wrote his Tales of the Pathfinder, a summary of which we will also consider, under inspiration after reading the adventures of Nathaniel Bumpo.
Works are designed for children But these are not ordinary fairy tales at all. They do not tell about good and evil wizards, serpents, bogatyrs and monsters. But the little admirer of literature is waiting for exciting descriptions of miracles, noticed by a keen eye. Skrebitsky appears before us as a pathfinder-lover of nature. "Tales of the Pathfinder", the summary of which cannot reveal all the magic of the book, tells about the world around. For example, about what the children found in the birdhouse and how they were looking for the owner of the thing. Little Pomuchki will get acquainted with an intractable and stubborn hedgehog, a cunning cuckoo, a kind and inconspicuous night bug who managed to get a flashlight and become a firefly. What did Skrebitsky want to convey to the children? "Tales of the Pathfinder", a summary of which is set out above, tells about animals and their habits, features, and forest signs. In a word, about the amazing surrounding world that needs to be studied and explored.
Instead of an afterword
Needless to say, the exciting world of literature opens up only to those who are not afraid to read works in full version? Good luck, friends, good luck!
Nine-teen-year-old Mabel Dunhen, accompanied by her uncle, the old sailor Cap, and two Indians (Striking Arrow and his wife of June Dew) have been making their way through the endless Americans for many days. Kanian wilds from New York to a small English fortress on the shores of Lake Ontario. They are on their way to Mabel's father, Sergeant Dunham. Having overcome another "windfall" - a place where uprooted trees piled on top of each other, travelers notice the smoke of a fire. During the war (and between the English and the French from 1755 to 1763, the battles practically didn’t stop) chance meetings are always dangerous - a small detachment with large warnings -no-sty, does it breathe, who is it preparing dinner for itself: friends or enemies? Fortunately, friends: the Pathfinder (all the same, previously known to us under the names of St. John's wort and Soko-li-eye, Nata-niel Bumpo) with the unchanged companion Ching-ch-guk and a new friend, the young man Jasper Westorn. (Indians allied with the French appeared in the vicinity of the fortress, and Sergeant Dunham sent a small but reliable detachment to meet his daughter.)
The remaining few miles of the road will be remembered by Mabel for a long time. Possible, thanks to the skill of Jas-Per, descent in a pirogue along a waterfall and over-rolls, victorious (under the guidance of the Path-Torture) skirmishes with superior forces against nick, the desperate courage of Ching-ch-guk - this is not forgotten. The sergeant could be doubly pleased: his daughter had been delivered safe and sound, and besides, along the way, Dunham hoped, she might develop feelings for his old friend Nathaniel Bumpo. Indeed, Mabel was imbued with ... daughters! Almost forty-year-old Pathfinder for a nine-to-twelve-year-old girl is more like a father than a possible husband. True, Mabel herself does not yet guess anything; the sergeant decided without her and, without asking his daughter, managed to convince his friend that he - courageous and honest - could not fail to please the girl. And even the shooting competitions, when Jasper “begged” him for a victory, did not reveal the Trace-experiment, who had feelings for whom and what kind. He himself is on his own grief - the enchanted Mabel and believing her father, falls in love in earnest. So much so that when it comes time to change the guard at a secret post, the Pathfinder allows himself to neglect the duties of a scout and does not go with Ching-ch-guk by the lake, but goes along with a girl and a sergeant on a small one-mast boat - a cutter.
Before sailing, the commander of the fortress confesses to Sergeant Dunham that he has received an anonymous letter accusing the cutter captain Jasper Western of betrayal. Dunham will carefully follow the young man and, in which case, remove him from the captain's duties, entrusting the ship to his wife's brother, an experienced sailor Cap. And, despite many years of acquaintance with Jasper, the sergeant starts all of them - the most harmless ones! - actions re-interpret-to-you-vat in your own way. Finally, the burden of responsibility becomes unbearable for Dunham - he removes Western from commanding the cutter and entrusts the ship to Cap. A brave sailor bravely gets down to business, but ... - “lake” navigation has its own specifics! Not only does no one know anything about the location of the desired island - it’s not very easy to “ride” on a cutter! A storm that plays out in earnest drives the boat right onto the stones. And, probably, if it weren’t for the persuasion of Mabel and the Pathfinder - not for a minute, by the way, without doubting Jasper’s honesty - Cap and Dunham would prefer to die “correctly” than not according to the rules to be saved. But pity for the daughter poko-le-bal the stubbornness of the sergeant - he returns the command to Western. The amazing art of the young man saves the ship.
While the cutter, anchored at the last moment by anchors a few meters from the stone ridge, was waiting for the excitement, the sergeant - supposedly for hunting - invited the Pathfinder and Mabel to go ashore with him. Astonished, the group disintegrated: Dunham went in one direction, Bumpo with the girl in the other, Nothing seems to prevent Traces-torture from explaining, but, resolute and courageous in battle, with he is shy of a girl. Finally, having overcome the excitement and somehow coping with the unexpectedly numb language, he explains himself. Mabel does not understand at first, but when she understands, she is confused. She herself has feelings of a different kind for a well-aimed shooter and a skilled warrior. If not quite affiliated, then only friendly. And no others. Appreciation, gratitude - it seems to the girl that this is not enough for a happy marriage. On the other hand, she doesn’t want to either her father or the Trace-attempt to raz-cha-ro-vy-vat. The question, however, is posed directly; a direct answer cannot be avoided. With all possible tact, carefully choosing words, Mabel refuses to become the wife of the Tracer-torture.
Upon the return of the “hunters”, the cutter is removed from the anchor - fortunately, the storm subsided and the excitement subsided. The further voyage - under the command of the well-knowing lake Jasper Western - is carried out much more calmly. The sergeant, who has taken command, is preparing an expedition - the English are going to intercept from the French what they supply to those Indian allies "stra-te-gi-che-sky" goods: guns, gunpowder, lead, knives, tomo-bows. The Pathfinder, along with Ching-ch-guk, goes on reconnaissance. At night, the garrison, led by a sergeant, sets out on a campaign. Blockhouse - cut down from Thick logs, with loopholes instead of windows, a two-story fortification - remains in the care of not very skilled warriors: a corporal, three soldiers, Cap and Lieutenant Muir. (The latter, grabbing for Mabel, volunteered.)
The girl is restless. She worries about her father and - for some reason! - for the commandment of the betrayal of Jasper. To ease her anxiety, Mabel takes a walk around the island. Suddenly, from behind the bushes, a quiet familiar voice calls out to the girl - the June Dew. It turns out that her husband, the Shattering Arrow, a long-time secret agent of the French, openly took their side and led the Indians who were going to attack the island. June Dew advises Mabel to take cover in the blockhouse and wait there for the attack. Unreasonable anxiety is replaced by fear - what awaits the father now? And her? The June Dew soothes: to become the second wife of the Smashing Arrow is a great honor. But such a prospect seems to Mabel worse than death. And there is no one to consult with: the uncle and the lieutenant have gone somewhere, and the corporal is a stubborn Scot! - He doesn't want to know anything about some Indians. The girl tries to convince him, but the corporal is filled with contempt for the "savages". Mabel sees how, suddenly jumping up, the Scot falls prone. At first, not understanding anything, she rushes to help, but the corporal expires, having managed to croak and sing: “Hurry to the block house.” The girl hides in the building and locks the door - the Indians, from behind the bushes, having shot the soldiers who rushed to help, seize the island. At night, the Pathfinder makes his way into the blockhouse - a frightened Mabel is slightly encouraged. But not for long - led by a sergeant and returning with a victory, the detachment is ambushed. The tracker, taking advantage of the darkness, manages to drag the heavy Dunham into the block house. Nata-Niel resolutely repels the attack that followed, then shot down several Indians who were about to set fire to the fortification. The next morning, the winners offer capitulation - Pathfinder refuses. A cutter appears - the situation changes dramatically: the Indians caught in the crossfire, losing their dead and wounded, scatter around the island and hide. Now the French captain, who led the recent winners, is asking for capitulation. Having agreed on favorable terms for himself, the Pathfinder and Jasper agree. The disarmed Indians leave the island. All this time, Lieutenant Muir, who has been in captivity, insists on the fact that - the obviousness of the record! - the traitor is Jasper. Unexpectedly, the Shattering Arrow with the words: “Where are the guns, where are the scalps?” - hits the lieutenant with a knife and starts running away. The French captain confirms that in reality the traitor was killed by the Indian Muir.
Dying from his wounds, Sergeant Dunham managed to tie Mabel up with a promise that the girl would give her hand to Trample Torture. Then she - filled with gratitude to Nathaniel and not having the strength to refuse her dying father - agreed. But ... the sergeant was buried, Jasper says goodbye to her in a trembling voice, something oppresses the girl. The Pathfinder, educated by agreement, suddenly sees clearly: at last, it is revealed to him who is really superfluous in the formed triangle. After talking alone with Jasper, he calls Mabel and, with difficulty holding back tears, says: “The sergeant left me as your protector, not a tyrant<...>the main thing for me is your happiness ... "The girl tries to object, but her babble is unconvincing - what is said in words does not agree more perfectly with what is hidden in the depths of the soul; the tongue pronounces: “Nata-niel” - the heart speaks: “Jasper”. Youth, alas, is right as always: the Pathfinder is a voluntary victim of his own great soul! - saying goodbye to lovers, lingers on the island. Something necessary in this world is lost to them forever, but something is no less necessary in that one! - probably acquired. And if not, then the essence still remains unchanged: by someone, but the Pathfinder cannot be a tyrant ... - only a defender ...
Nineteen-year-old Mabel Dunhen, accompanied by her uncle, the old sailor Cap, and two Indians (Striking Arrow and his wife June Dew) have been making their way through the endless American wilds from New York to a small English fortress on the shores of Lake Ontario for many days. They are on their way to Mabel's father, Sergeant Dunham. Having overcome another "windfall" - a place where uprooted trees are piled on top of each other, travelers notice the smoke of a fire. During the war (and between the British and the French from 1755 to 1763 there were practically no battles) chance meetings are always dangerous - a small detachment with great precautions reconnoiters who is preparing dinner for themselves: friends or enemies? Fortunately, friends: the Pathfinder (all the same, known to us earlier under the names of Deerslayer and Hawkeye, Nathaniel Bumpo) with the same companion Chingachgook and a new friend, the young man Jasper Westorn. (Indians allied with the French appeared in the vicinity of the fortress, and Sergeant Dunham sent a small but reliable detachment to meet his daughter.)
The remaining few miles of the road will be remembered by Mabel for a long time. Possible thanks to the skill of Jasper, a descent in a pirogue along a waterfall and rifts, victorious (under the guidance of the Pathfinder) skirmishes with superior enemy forces, the desperate courage of Chingachgook - this is not forgotten. The sergeant could be doubly pleased: his daughter had been delivered safe and sound, and besides, along the way, Dunham hoped, she might develop feelings for his old friend Nathaniel Bumpo. Indeed, Mabel was imbued with ... daughters! Almost forty-year-old Pathfinder for a nineteen-year-old girl is more like a father than a possible husband. True, Mabel herself has no idea about anything yet; the sergeant decided without her and, without asking his daughter, managed to convince his friend that he - courageous and honest - could not fail to please the girl. And even shooting competitions, when Jasper “begged” him for victory, did not reveal to the Pathfinder who had feelings for whom and what kind. He himself - on his own grief - enchanted by Mabel and believing her father, falls in love in earnest. So much so that when it comes time to change the guard at a secret post, the Pathfinder allows himself to neglect the duties of a scout and does not go with Chingachgook to the lake shore, but goes along with the girl and the sergeant on a small single-masted boat - a cutter.
Before sailing, the commander of the fortress confesses to Sergeant Dunham that he has received an anonymous letter accusing Cutter Captain Jasper Western of treason. Dunham will carefully follow the young man and, in which case, remove him from captain's duties, entrusting the ship to his wife's brother, an experienced sailor Cap. And, despite many years of acquaintance with Jasper, the sergeant starts all of his - the most harmless! - actions to reinterpret in their own way. Finally, the burden of responsibility becomes unbearable for Dunham - he removes Western from command of the cutter and entrusts the ship to Cap. A brave sailor bravely gets down to business, but ... - "lake" navigation has its own specifics! Not only does no one know anything about the location of the desired island - it’s not very easy to “ride” on a cutter! A storm that has broken out in earnest drives the boat right onto the stones. And, probably, if it were not for the persuasion of Mabel and the Pathfinder - not for a minute, by the way, who did not doubt the honesty of Jasper - Cap and Dunham would have preferred to die "correctly" than to escape according to the rules. But pity for his daughter shook the stubbornness of the sergeant - he returns command to Western. The amazing art of the young man saves the ship.
While the cutter, anchored at the last moment by anchors a few meters from the stone ridge, was waiting out the excitement, the sergeant - supposedly for hunting - invited the Pathfinder and Mabel to go ashore with him. Having landed, the group broke up: Dunham went in one direction, Bumpo with the girl - in the other. Nothing seems to prevent the Pathfinder from explaining himself, but, resolute and courageous in battle, he is shy with the girl. Finally, overcoming the excitement and somehow coping with. in an unexpectedly numb tongue, he explains. Mabel does not understand at first, but when she understands, she is embarrassed. She herself has feelings of a different kind for a well-aimed shooter and a skilled warrior. If not quite affiliated, then only friendly. And no others. Appreciation, gratitude - it seems to the girl that this is not enough for a happy marriage. On the other hand, she does not want to disappoint her father or the Pathfinder. The question, however, is put directly - it is impossible to get away from a direct answer. With all possible tact, carefully choosing words, Mabel refuses to become the wife of the Pathfinder.
Upon the return of the “hunters”, the cutter is removed from the anchor - fortunately, the storm subsided and the excitement subsided. Further voyage - under the command of Jasper Western, who knows the lake very well - is made much calmer. The sergeant who took command is preparing an expedition - the British intend to intercept the "strategic" goods supplied by those allied Indians from the French: guns, gunpowder, lead, knives, tomahawks. The Pathfinder, along with Chingachgook, goes on reconnaissance. At night, the garrison, led by a sergeant, sets out on a campaign. Blockhouse - cut down from thick logs, with loopholes instead of windows, a two-story fortification - remains in the care of not very skilled warriors: a corporal, three soldiers, Cap and Lieutenant Muir. (The latter, tugging at Mabel, volunteered.)
The girl is restless. She worries about her father and - for some reason! - for Jasper suspected of betrayal. To ease her anxiety, Mabel takes a walk around the island. Suddenly, from behind the bushes, a quiet familiar voice calls out to the girl - the June Dew. It turns out that her husband, the Shattering Arrow, a long-time secret agent of the French, openly took their side and led the Indians who were about to attack the island. June Dew advises Mabel to take cover in the blockhouse and wait out the attack there. Unreasonable anxiety is replaced by fear - what awaits the father now? And her? June Dew reassures: to become the second wife of the Striking Arrow is a great honor. But such a prospect seems to Mabel worse than death. And there is no one to consult with: the uncle and the lieutenant disappeared somewhere, and the corporal is a stubborn Scot! - He doesn't want to know anything about some Indians. The girl tries to convince him, but the corporal is filled with contempt for the "savages". Mabel sees how, suddenly jumping up, the Scot falls prone. At first, not understanding anything, she rushes to help, but the corporal expires, having managed to croak: "Hurry to the blockhouse." The girl takes refuge in the building and locks the door - the Indians, having shot the soldiers who rushed to help from behind the bushes, take possession of the island. At night, the Pathfinder sneaks into the blockhouse - a frightened Mabel is slightly encouraged. But not for long - led by a sergeant and returning with a victory, the detachment is ambushed. The tracker, taking advantage of the darkness, manages to drag the seriously wounded Dunham into the blockhouse. Nathaniel resolutely repulsed the ensuing attack, shooting several Indians who were about to set fire to the fortification. The next morning, the winners offer surrender - the Pathfinder refuses. A cutter appears - the situation changes dramatically: the Indians caught in the crossfire, losing their dead and wounded, scatter around the island and hide. Now the French captain, who led the recent winners, is asking for surrender. Having agreed on favorable terms for himself, the Pathfinder and Jasper agree. Disarmed Indians leave the island. All this time, Lieutenant Muir, who has been in captivity, insists that - contrary to evidence! Jasper is the traitor. Unexpectedly Shattering Arrow with the words: "Where are the guns, where are the scalps?" - strikes the lieutenant with a knife and takes off running. The French captain confirms that in reality the traitor was Muir, who was killed by the Indian.
Dying from his wounds, Sergeant Dunham managed to bind Mabel with a promise that the girl would give her hand to the Pathfinder. Then she - filled with gratitude to Nathaniel and not having the strength to refuse her dying father - agreed. But ... the sergeant was buried, Jasper says goodbye to her in a trembling voice, something oppresses the girl. The Pathfinder, delighted with the agreement, suddenly begins to see clearly: finally, it is revealed to him who is really superfluous in the resulting triangle. After talking alone with Jasper, he calls Mabel and, with difficulty holding back tears, says: “The sergeant left me as your protector, and not a tyrant, the main thing for me is your happiness ...” The girl tries to object, but her babble is unconvincing - what was expressed by words does not completely agree with hidden in the depths of the soul; the tongue pronounces: "Nathaniel" - the heart taps out: "Jasper." Youth, alas, is right as always: the Pathfinder is a voluntary victim of his own generosity! - saying goodbye to the lovers, lingers on the island. Something necessary in this world is lost to them forever, but something is no less necessary in that! - probably purchased. And if not, then the essence still remains unchanged: the Pathfinder cannot be a tyrant... - only a defender...