Tekst: Mary Grundy Opracowanie językowe: Jacek
Transkrypt
Tekst: Mary Grundy Opracowanie językowe: Jacek
Tekst: Mary Grundy na podstawie powieści J. F. Coopera „Ostatni Mohikanin” Opracowanie językowe: Jacek Tomaszczyk Opracowanie graficzne: Piotr Szkutnik Nagranie: David Bennett Productions Ilustracje: Public domain © 2011 TEJP Jacek Tomaszczyk The Last of the Mohicans – www.isel.pl I T is the year 1757. North America is gripped by war. The French and the British are fighting for control of the land and its people. Both sides have Native American allies to act as guides and warriors in the hostile land. The European settlers live in terror, feeling they will lose, no matter who wins the war. No one wants to leave their fortress settlements, afraid of being killed by Indians or French and British soldiers. Two British forts, Fort Henry and Fort Edward, sit about 25 kilometres apart and defend the south from French and Indian invasion. Colonel Munro, commander of Fort Henry, needs more troops to fight against an upcoming French attack. 1500 men have been ordered to march from Fort Edward to Fort Henry. Munro’s daughters, Alice and Cora must travel to meet him at Fort Henry. He decides they will be safe if they accompany the soldiers. Duncan Heyward is to escort the young women. Magua, a Huron Indian has offered to guide them on a different route, which Magua insists will be quicker. The story begins at Fort Edward with Heyward, Alice and Cora discussing this plan. Magua is on foot while the others ride horses. Magua does not speak much and appears frightening to the women, especially to Alice. ‘Are you certain we can trust this man?’ Alice asks Heyward. ‘I know Magua, and I trust him. You must trust me, Alice.’ Heyward tells her. ‘He will take us on a route that others do not know. The troops are taking a well-known path. Magua’s way is safer.’ ‘He does not look trustworthy to me,’ Alice says. ‘Alice, we cannot judge a man by the colour of his skin.’ Cora has been listening, but interrupts. Heyward admires this statement and begins to take 2 gripped by war ogarnięty wojną ally (l.mn. allies) sprzymierzeniec, sojusznik guide zwiadowca, przewodnik; prowadzić warrior wojownik hostile wrogi settler osadnik no matter who bez względu na to, kto fortress settlements fortyfikacje soldier żołnierz fort fort sit about 25 kilometres apart być oddalonym od siebie o ok. 25 km colonel porucznik troop oddział upcoming zbliżający się, nadchodzący order rozkazać march maszerować safe bezpieczny accompany towarzyszyć escort eskortować route szlak insist uparcie twierdzić, upierać się on foot pieszo appear wydawać się trustworthy godny zaufania judge osądzać interrupt przerywać admire podziwiać statement wypowiedź The Last of the Mohicans – www.isel.pl notice of her beauty. Indeed, both Cora and her sister are beautiful, though opposite in nearly every way. Cora’s black hair, dark eyes and honey-coloured skin are equal in beauty to Alice’s blonde hair, blue eyes and pale complexion. ‘I suppose it will be better than travelling with 1500 noisy soldiers,’ Alice decides and follows Magua onto the path he has shown them. T HE group does not travel far before they stop dead. They can hear someone on horseback crashing about in the woods. Have they been followed by warriors? Has Magua betrayed them? Approaching from behind them is not an enemy warrior, but a very tall, strange looking man on a very young horse. ‘What are you doing here?’ Heyward demands of the stranger. ‘I am travelling to Fort Henry also, and I decided to follow you. I am sure your path will take me to my destination sooner,’ the stranger says. ‘Why should I let you join us? You should turn back and travel with the troops,’ Heyward says. ‘I have no gun, so I am not a threat to you or your group.’ ‘What is your business with the army if you do not carry a gun?’ ‘I am a singer. I sing from the Bible and spread the word of God.’ Heyward decides the man is right; he is not a threat. Alice is thrilled to have the stranger join them because she also loves to 3 take notice of zwracać uwagę na equal in beauty równie piękny pale complexion blada cera stop dead zatrzymać się nagle w miejscu on horseback konno crash about przemieszczać się z trzaskiem follow śledzić betray zdradzić approach zbliżać się enemy wróg demand zapytać stanowczo; domagać się destination cel podróży let pozwolić turn back zawrócić gun broń threat zagrożenie spread rozpowszechniać thrilled podekscytowany