In the modern world of stamped and uninteresting series of novels about one hero, you are increasingly returning to classical characters and stories about them: Dumas - âThe Three Musketeersâ, Conan Doyle - âSherlock Holmesâ, Cooper - âThe Pathfinderâ. A summary of the adventures of everyone we remember all our lives. These are real literary diamonds. After all, how difficult it is equally interesting to write several stories, preserving the style and theme, keeping the reader and forcing him to return to the first novels of the series for details.
Who does not know Chingachgook
One of the amazing cycles of stories about the Indians was written by James Fenimore Cooper. The Ranger, or On the Ontario, is a logical continuation of previously published novels. The book was released in 1940 and immediately won the hearts of many readers who met again with their favorite characters. This is a brave hunter Nathaniel Bampo and his faithful red-skinned friend Chingachguk - the heroes of the previous two books âSt. John's wortâ and âThe Last of the Mohicansâ.
We are used to having the favorite character Cooper writes about as the Pathfinder. The main characters of the third novel are the young and beautiful Mabel Dunhen, the brave seasoned sailor Charles Kep, nicknamed "Salt Water", the young and decisive Jasper Western, who conquers with simplicity and straightforwardness. In addition, two new Native American characters appear: the warrior Blasting Arrow and his young wife June Dew.
Wonderful nature is the basis of inspiration
The novel takes place in 1759 during the brutal and bloody Franco-Indian war on the shores of Lake Ontario. It was here that the Pathfinder lived and fought; Cooper reviews have heard repeatedly about the stunning beauty of the Indians. Moreover, in his youth, the writer, having abandoned his studies at Yale University and enlisted in the Navy, received his first appointment in these places. Therefore, during the creation of most novels, the lake scene became the backdrop for his stories.
What is Cooper talking about? The Pathfinder, the summary of which, it seems, can be conveyed in a few words, is very multifaceted. So, in 1759, the country was engulfed in a bloody war. Not for life, but to death, the Indian soldiers fight with the regular French army. Since hostilities mainly take place in forests, travel in them is extremely unsafe. Even a few miles deep into the forest can cost a brave traveler life.
How it all started
What kind of adventure did Cooper describe in his third novel? The Pathfinder, a brief summary of which it is worth starting to retell with the fact that the nineteen-year-old American Mabel Dunchen seeks to get to Lake Ontario, where her father serves in the fortress, reveals the complexity of the relationship between the British, French and Indians. In a difficult and dangerous journey, the girl is accompanied by Uncle Charles Kem, an old sailor who earned the nickname âSalt Waterâ from the Indians. But the forest roads are unknown, therefore, an Indian couple is a guide with Mabel and the old sea wolf - a warrior from the Tuskaror tribe Razyataya Strela and his wife, June Rose, so nicknamed for her beauty and meekness. Having prepared, the detachment sets off ...
Meeting with Hypericum
Soon, a young hunter smells smoke from a fire. Having ordered the satellites to stop, the Blasting Arrow carefully peers into the dense thickets. After several minutes of observation, he reports to his wards about his thoughts. They boil down to the fact that only a white person could ignite this type of bonfire . The Indians do it differently and better in terms of masking the smoke itself. After a little military advice, it was decided to send the men for reconnaissance. However, Mabel opposed this plan, saying that she also wants to take a direct part in the sortie. They did not argue for long and decided together to meet the possible danger. This is exactly what leads us to the first meeting with the old heroes F. Cooper. The ranger does not hide or hide - he calmly declares his presence.
Cautiously creeping up to the source of smoke, the travelers saw a small clearing, which served as a resting place for three men - two white and one red-skinned. Mabel went to get acquainted with unnecessary aggression. After all, no good Christian will ever shoot a woman. Of course, men did not even think of clutching at weapons. The Indian looked curiously at Mabel and calmly returned to his meal.
A man of about forty, who at first glance liked the girl, rose to meet the girl. Despite the fact that in her dreams she did not at all represent the ideal warrior, this man had such all-consuming charisma and openness, such an honest and kind face that he immediately won the confidence of Mabel. He immediately assured the girl in the complete safety of his intentions and introduced himself as St. Johnâs Wort (thatâs exactly the way, although he called his trilogy Fenimore Cooper âPathfinder ...â).
At the request of the father
Noticing the surprise of the young lady, St. John's wort explained that the Indians gave him the nickname for his ability to recognize the secret signs of nature. But Mabel was surprised not at all by the strange name of this man. She remembered her fatherâs letter, which she received shortly before the trip. In it, a seasoned sergeant mentioned precisely a man with such a nickname, who, at his request, was supposed to accompany the girl through dangerous forests. And this meeting took place.
St. John's Wort meanwhile introduced his companions, they turned out to be the Indian leader Chingachgook, nicknamed the Great Serpent and the talented sailor Jasper Western. Mabel's small squad, significantly reinforced by three experienced fighters, continued on his way.
Dangerous road
Cooper described this amazingly picturesque adventure. The Pathfinder, a brief retelling of which fits into one sentence, is full of all sorts of surprises. More than once or twice Mabel and his companions risked their lives. They crossed the dangerous river, wandering in the thickets of the forest, bypassing the cunning traps set by the Indians. And finally, face to face, they met with the most militant Indian tribe - the Iroquois.
But always, of course, Nathaniel Bampo came to the rescue. That is exactly what St. John's Wort was called in the world. Thanks to his bold and decisive actions, knowledge of the surroundings, Mabel with friends was able to get to the English fortress on Lake Ontario.
Novel - a reflection of reality
However, upon arrival at the fortress, our travelers find themselves in even greater trouble. Like all remote military facilities that do not have frequent ties with the outside world, the fortress, or rather, its garrison, was subject to squabbles and lack of visible discipline. F. Cooper knew this very well: "The Pathfinder" tells of a phenomenon not at all rare and arising from idleness of personnel.
It was in such a ball of passions that Mabel and her companions fell. From the very first hours of the Mabelâs detachment in the fortress, her commandant suspected Captain Western of treason, accusing him of espionage. Old Sergeant Dunham at first doubts the veracity of the words of his superior, but gradually changes his mind, starting to relate to an honest sailor with suspicions.
In addition, he is obsessed with marrying a single daughter to Nathaniel Bampo. In his opinion, it is this person who can make up Mabel's happiness. She herself does not even suspect her father's plans. The sergeant in every way inspires St. John's Wort to think that Mabel has some secret and bright feelings towards him. Severe St. John's wort at first is skeptical about the comments of an old friend. In his life there were already several fatal women, after meeting with whom Bampo gave himself the vow to no longer allow his heart to fall in love.
Tracker and women
Complicated relations with the women of St. John's Wort were described in Cooper's first novels. The ranger, a summary of love stories which can be conveyed by the word "unfortunate", prefers to remain free and unbound by marriage. In previous stories, it is about the affection for him, Judith Harter, daughter of Floating Tom; and about young Alice Monroe, who also had the recklessness to inflame with feelings for the iron St. John's Wort. Then Nathaniel resisted. Preferred happiness with women a free life in nature with true friends.
But whether the impact of Dunham was very serious, or just tired of loneliness, St. John's wort, in the end, falls in love with Mabel. Gathering courage and weighing his impressive chances, as it seemed to him, he opens up to the young lady in her feelings and offers her a hand and a heart. Mabel's refusal was a serious blow to the pride of a forty-year-old hunter. That's what James Cooper intended the love line. The ranger was immensely surprised when Mabel's affection turned out to be a sincere friendly disposition.
The French do not sleep
Meanwhile, in the fortress completely bad things begin to happen. The Shattering Arrow, the same Indian who accompanied Mabel to his father, turned out to be a longtime French spy. His mission was to penetrate the territory of the fortress and the subsequent report on the number and power of its garrison to its owners.
On the one hand, this revelation removed the suspicion from Captain Western. But on the other hand, the inhabitants of the fortress realized that the enemy was not asleep and was ready to attack. Soon, the fortress was subjected to a powerful attack by the allies of the French troops, which was repelled by the courage of St. John's wort and its companions.
Promise to father
Unfortunately, the battle was the last for the old sergeant Dunham, who was mortally wounded. Dying in the arms of his daughter, he takes a promise from her - to marry only Nathaniel Bampo. Heartbroken Mabel vows to fulfill the last will of the old warrior. St. John's wort gladly accepts the girlâs consent to become his wife. Gradually, he comes to the realization that Mabel is doing this forcibly. Upon learning of the oath, Nathaniel frees the young lady from her. After all, he is a free hunter, and all sorts of manifestations of slavery are unacceptable to him.
In addition, the Pathfinder has repeatedly seen the views exchanged between Captain Western and young Mabel. This finally convinced the hunter of the correctness of his deed. Already married to the captain, Mabel experiences a slight sadness. She understands that St. John's wort truly loves her, but because of her decency, she will try not to meet her again.