Всадник без головы

Some of them were half mad with disappointment: for there were several-young Hancock among the number-who had not yet run their swords through a red-skin, though keenly desirous of doing so! No doubt there is inhumanity in the idea. But it must be remembered, that these ruthless savages have given to the white man peculiar provocation, by a thousand repetitions of three diabolical crimes-rape, rapine, and murder. To talk of their being the aborigines of the country-the real, but dispossessed, owners of the soil-is simple nonsense. This sophism, of the most spurious kind, has too long held dominion over the minds of men. The whole human race has an inherent right to the whole surface of the earth: and if any infinitesimal fraction of the former by chance finds itself idly roaming over an extended portion of the latter, their exclusive claim to it is almost too absurd for argument-even with the narrowest-minded disciple of an aborigines society. Admit it-give the hunter his half-dozen square miles-for he will require that much to maintain him-leave him in undisputed possession to all eternity-and millions of fertile acres must remain untilled, to accommodate this whimsical theory of national right. Nay, I will go further, and risk reproach, by asserting:-that not only the savage, so called, but civilised people should be unreservedly dispossessed-whenever they show themselves incapable of turning to a good account the resources which Nature has placed within their limits. The exploitation of Earth's treasures is a question not confined to nations. It concerns the whole family of mankind. In all this there is not one iota of agrarian doctrine-not a thought of it. He who makes these remarks is the last man to lend countenance to communism. It is true that, at the time spoken of, there were ruffians in Texas who held the life of a red-skin at no higher value than an English gamekeeper does that of a stoat, or any other vermin, that trespasses on his preserves. No doubt these ruffians are there still: for ten years cannot have effected much change in the morality of the Texan frontier. But, alas! we must now be a little cautious about calling names. Our own story of Jamaica-by heaven! the blackest that has blotted the pages of history-has whitewashed these border filibusteros to the seeming purity of snow! If things are to be judged by comparison, not so fiendish, then, need appear the fact, that the young officers of Fort Inge were some little chagrined at not having an opportunity to slay a score or so of red-skins. On learning that, during their absence, Indians had been seen on the other side, they were inspired by a new hope. They might yet find the opportunity of fleshing their swords, transported without stain-without sharpening, too-from the military school of West Point.

Молодые офицеры, жаждущие подвигов -- в том числе Генкок,-- которые не находили себе места от досады, услышав, что за Леоной видели краснокожих, воспрянули духом.