
Set against the rugged coast of early New England, this tale opens with a lyrical lament for a lost voice, hinting at the fragile world of the region’s original peoples. It paints a vivid picture of the four great nations—Massachusetts, Wampanoag, Narragansett, and Pequod—whose lives were woven together by clan ties, seasonal wars, and a complex relationship with the land. The narrator, steeped in reverence for the ancestors, seeks to preserve the customs and struggles that shaped the frontier before the tide of European settlement.
Through the eyes of a young member of a tribal lineage, listeners are drawn into the daily rhythms of hunting, council meetings, and the looming threat of conflict. As the first act unfolds, the protagonist grapples with the weight of inherited honor while the encroaching settlers bring unfamiliar ideas of authority and governance. The story balances rich historical detail with personal yearning, inviting listeners to hear the echo of a world on the brink of transformation.
Language
en
Duration
~14 hours (843K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
Release date
2005-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1789–1851
One of the first major American novelists, he helped define the adventure story with sweeping frontier tales, sea novels, and the unforgettable Leatherstocking series. His books brought early American landscapes and conflicts to readers around the world.
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