CHAPTER ELEVEN.
SAMSON'S ADVICE ABOUT BUFFALO-HUNTING--I SEE BUFFALO IN THE DISTANCE--OVERTAKEN BY A TERRIFIC STORM--BENIGHTED ON THE PLAIN--HUNGER-STRICKEN,I ALLOW MY HORSE TO TAKE HIS OWN WAY--I SWOON AWAY--THE SPANIARDS FINDME--PABLO, THE COOK--THE PRAIRIE ON FIRE--INDIANS APPROACHING, I DASHTHROUGH THE FLAMES--MY POOR HORSE IS FRIGHTFULLY SCORCHED--THE WOLVES INPURSUIT--I TAKE REFUGE IN A TREE--MY HORSE IS DEVOURED BY THE WOLVES--THE WOLVES DEPART IN CHASE OF BUFFALO--I DESCEND, AND EAT THE LOATHSOMEWOLF-FLESH IN MY HUNGER--LIGHTING A FIRE, I CAMP FOR THE NIGHT--SHOOTINGA BEAVER.
In vain we searched for the trail of our friends. We ought to havecaught them up by this time, even Samson acknowledged, unless they hadpushed on more rapidly than ox-trains generally travel.
Our provisions again ran short, and it was necessary to replenish ourlarder. Though we saw deer in the distance, they scented us, and wecould not get up to them; but we were in the region where buffalo mightbe found, and we hoped to fall in with a herd. I had gained experience,when with the Indians, in hunting these creatures, and both Samson andSandy were well acquainted with their habits, but Reuben had never evenseen them. Hunger, however, compelled us to follow a course on which weshould not otherwise have ventured.
Old Samson advised our inexperienced companion how to act.
"One thing remember, my boy--do not shoot any of us," he observed; "andtake care that the buffalo do not run their horns into you or yourhorse. The chances are that it is better acquainted with the habits ofthe buffalo than you are, so let it have its own way. It will generallymanage to carry you out of danger, if you give it the rein. Don't firetill you can aim at the animal's shoulder or chest; and the moment youfire, load again. Pour in the powder, and drop the ball after it; youought to be able to do so at full gallop. If you fancy you can managethis, you may try your hand, should you get near any buffalo; otherwise,just keep out of their way. If you manage to sight any, bring me word.A single fat cow is all we want, but they are harder to get up to thanthe bulls."
I saw that Reuben was not very confident of his skill. He thereforeundertook to act as a scout, keeping an eye on Samson's movements.Sandy and I agreed to ride to some distance: he was to go to the north,I to the south; and we were afterwards to meet under a hill we saw inthe distance. In case of the appearance of Indians, we were immediatelyto try and reunite.
These arrangements being made, I galloped off in the direction proposed.I had ridden for some time, when, on mounting a slight elevation, I sawafar off a number of black dots sprinkling the plain, and knew that theymust be buffalo, though I was unable to determine in what direction theywere heading. I therefore galloped on in order to ascertain this point,as it was necessary to do so before returning to inform Samson of mydiscovery. On descending to the lower ground they were lost to view;but I hoped, by moving forward, again to catch sight of them. On Igalloped, without observing the sudden change which had taken place inthe weather, so eager was I to get up with the buffalo.
Not till I had gone much further than I had supposed necessary, did Ibegin to suspect that, instead of feeding, as I had at first fancied,they were going at full rate, and that I must push my horse at hisutmost speed to come up with them; still I did not like the idea ofallowing them to escape me, without ascertaining whereabouts they wereto be found. I forgot at the moment that all I had to do was to comeupon their trail, and that we could then easily follow them up, howeverfar they might go. On I went, however, looking out for some higherground, from which I might again catch sight of them and mark theircourse. Eager in the pursuit of the animals, I did not notice how timewent by, or how far I was going, and thought not of the danger to whichI should be exposed if I encountered hostile Indians, nor of thedifficulty I might experience in regaining my companions.
I believed that I was pushing due south, but it did not occur to me thatI was running any risk of losing myself. Once again I caught sight ofthe buffalo; but though I had gained on them, they were still a long wayoff. I knew, therefore, that they must be moving rapidly; but yet Iwished to get nearer to them, and if possible to kill one of the rear ofthe herd, and return with the meat, in case my friends should have beenless successful. Being also desperately hungry, I contemplated eating aslice, even though I might not have time to cook it first. I had, ofcourse, flint and steel, and should not have been long in lighting afire.
I was first made aware of the storm which had for some time beenbrewing, by a bright flash of lightning which almost blinded me,followed quickly by a rattling peal of thunder; making my horse give astart, which, had I not had a firm hold of the saddle with my knees,would have unseated me. Another and still brighter flash was quicklyfollowed by a yet louder peal. My horse stood still, tremblingviolently, and afraid to move. In a wonderfully short time the wholesky was overcast with a dense mass of black clouds; and then, after asuccession of almost blinding flashes of lightning and terrific peals ofthunder, down came the rain in torrents, completely concealing from viewall objects at a distance.
Had I remained perfectly still, I might have ascertained the directionin which I was going, but when I attempted to make my horse move on hewheeled round and round, and the rain quickly obliterated the track Ihad previously made. I was thus utterly unable to determine what courseto pursue. There was no wind, even, to guide me, and the rain came downperpendicularly, so that I was in a few minutes wet to the skin. Ithought that perhaps my horse's instinct would lead him back to hisequine associates; or, if he was an old buffalo-hunter, that he mightfollow the trail of the herd we had been pursuing.
I was anxious to obtain both food and shelter. If I could overtake thebuffalo, I might satisfy the cravings of hunger; but how to findshelter, was a more difficult point to settle. I therefore gave mysteed the rein, and for some time he went in what I supposed was astraight course. Again, however, the lightning burst forth, with evenmore fearful flashes than before, while the thunder rattled like pealsof artillery fired close to my ears. My steed again stood stock-still;and when I attempted to urge him on, he, as before, wheeled round andround. Every moment I expected to be struck by the lightning, which,coming down from the clouds in forked flashes, ran hissing over theground like fiery serpents.
I was aware, from the time I had been out, that evening must beapproaching, but, more suddenly than I had calculated on, darkness camedown upon me, and I found myself benighted on the open plain, withoutthe slightest means of guiding my course. Still, I might perish if Iremained where I was, so I thought that the best thing I could do was tomove on, if I could get my horse to carry me. The thunderstorm,however, continued to rage with unabated fury, and while it lasted Icould not induce my steed to move. I got off and tried to lead him, buthe plunged so much that I was afraid he would break away, so I thereforemounted again. He went on at first slowly, but suddenly, for whatreason I could not tell, he broke into a gallop, and with all my effortsI was unable to check him. The darkness, too, prevented me from seeingthe features of the country, and I was thus utterly unable to ascertainin what direction I was going.
All night long he continued; sometimes stopping to regain breath, andthen going on again, in spite of the thunder and lightning. The rainhad ceased, and the water gradually drained out of my clothes, but Ifelt very damp and uncomfortable.
At last dawn broke, and the storm gradually died away, but not a gleamof ruddy light indicated in what direction the sun was to be found.Although not thirsty, I was suffering greatly from the pangs of hunger,and felt myself growing weaker and weaker. The appearance of thecountry was strange, and I could not discern any object which couldenable me to determine what course my horse had taken.
Although I could not obtain food for myself, I got off, and looseningthe bridle, allowed my steed to crop the grass, in order that he mightrecruit his strength; for my life would depend, I knew, on his beingable to carry me back to my companions, or to go in chase of game.After he had fed for a couple of hours I again mounted and let him goon, when h
e at once took the course he had before been pursuing.
I looked about on every side, in the hope of seeing some bird or animalthat I might shoot. The smallest would have been welcome, but neitherlarge nor small appeared. I was now becoming very faint; while my headfelt giddy and my eyes dim. I endeavoured to rouse myself, but in vain.Trying to stand up in my stirrups to look round, I fancied I saw beforeme a wood. Could I but reach it, I might shoot a bird or squirrel, orsome other of its inhabitants.
Another evening was approaching, as I calculated, when I neared thewood. I have a faint recollection of reaching it; then, utterlyexhausted, I felt myself slip from the saddle. I disengaged my foot,and was aware that I had reached the ground, on which I stretchedmyself, trying to hold the rein in my hand. The next instant I musthave swooned. There I lay, utterly unable to help myself--my faithfulhorse standing over me.
How long I had thus lain, I cannot say. Certain it is that,providentially, no wild beasts came near me, or I should have become aneasy prey. When I returned to semi-consciousness, I found severalpeople standing round me, one of whom had poured some brandy down mythroat, while others were rubbing my feet and hands. I again closed myeyes, unable to make out who the strangers were. They gave me, Ibelieve, more brandy, diluted with water, and then some broth, theeffect of which was that I speedily regained a little strength.
In half an hour I was able to sit up. I then discovered that theSamaritans who had relieved me were Spaniards, who, having encampedunder shelter of the wood, had, while in search of game for breakfast,discovered me at early dawn. When I was sufficiently recovered, theymoved me to their camp where they intended remaining for a day to drytheir clothes and packages, which had been saturated by the rain. Theyformed a large party, bound across the continent with goods for traffic;for only a strong body of well-armed men could venture to travel, withthe certainty of meeting bands of hostile Indians, who would berestrained from attacking so formidable a force through dread of theirrifles.
The day's rest, and the careful treatment I received from the Spaniards,quickly restored my strength. They had all been in the States, andconsequently many of them could speak English; but I had no wish to livelong amongst them, for, though kind to me, many of them were fierce,desperate characters, long accustomed to savage warfare with theIndians, and held life at a remarkably cheap rate. The one who wasespecially attentive to me was old Pablo,--who acted as cook,--and hewas constantly bringing me the most delicate messes he could concoct.
By the time they were ready to start I was well able to sit my horse.The question now was, In what direction should I proceed? They assuredme that, were I to attempt to make my way back to my friends, I shouldcertainly be cut off by the Indians, who were tracking their footsteps,looking out for stragglers, and ready to pounce down upon them shouldthey be found unprepared. They advised me to accompany them, andafterwards to try and make my way northward with any party of whitetrappers or hunters who might be going in that direction.
Pablo strongly urged me to take this course. He had his reasons, hesaid, for wishing to go to the northward, and would accompany me.Though his appearance was not attractive,--for he looked more like anold Jew pedlar than a son of the prairies, as he called himself,--I hadconfidence in him. I should have said that my new friends wereaccompanied by a small party of Indians, who acted as guides. To thesepeople Pablo had an especial aversion, the cause of which he did notdivulge to me; but I believe that his reason for wishing to quit theparty was to get away from the Indians.
The Spaniards remained a day longer than they intended; but we startedat dawn, and made considerable progress during the cooler hours of themorning. The sun then came out with withering heat, and the airappeared to me to be unusually oppressive; while, notwithstanding therain, the grass rapidly became as dry as before. A brown hue pervadedthe landscape.
We halted at night by the side of a stream, which, though very small,afforded water for our horses. By this time I felt quite myself again,and capable for any exertion.
The next day, about noon, I observed the Indian chief, who acted as ourprincipal guide, standing up in his stirrups and looking anxiouslytowards the south-west. He exchanged some words with our white leader;but still they advanced.
I now noticed a long thin line of what appeared like mist rising abovethe horizon, but rapidly increasing in height and extending on eitherhand. The rest of the party also began to look anxious. I rememberedthe appearance of the prairie fire from which I had before so narrowlyescaped, and I now became convinced that we were about to encounter asimilar danger.
The clouds of smoke rose higher and higher, and extended further botheast and west. Here and there, however, there were gaps, and ourleaders seemed to consider it possible that we might make our waythrough them. At all events, we continued to advance.
The Spaniards began to talk vehemently to each other, evidently notliking the appearance of things. The gaps, towards the broadest ofwhich we had been directing our course, now began to close up, andpresently a number of deer came scampering by, only turning slightlyaside to avoid us. Whole herds followed--their instinct telling them itwas time to make their escape from that region. Our leaders thoughtlikewise; so, turning our horses, we galloped back in the direction fromwhence we had come.
The whole party had been riding in somewhat less compact order thanusual, and they now became widely scattered. I was on the extremeright, and ahead of most of them. Pablo was near me. I urged on mysteed to its utmost speed, for I knew how rapidly the fire would spreadover the tall, dry grass through which we had passed. Before us waswhat, in the winter season, would have been a marsh. It was now mostlysolid, and here the grass grew even more luxuriantly than in otherplaces. By keeping to the right, I avoided it.
In our rear I heard a thundering sound, intermixed with loud bellowing,and glancing round for a moment I caught sight of a herd of buffalo,which, mad with fright, were dashing on to escape the flames, thecrackling and hissing sound of which, I fancied, could now be heard.Another glance showed me the horse of the chief plunging in the marsh,and the frantic herd bearing down directly upon him and several of theSpaniards, who, it seemed to me, must inevitably be overwhelmed; but Ihad to take care of myself, though I would gladly have gone to theirassistance had I been able to do so. Recollecting how Mike and I hadbefore escaped, I kept verging more and more to the right, where thecountry was higher, and the grass would, I knew, though equally dry, bemuch shorter. The fire too, in that direction, seemed to be advancingmuch more slowly than it was behind us. I therefore shouted to Pablo tofollow me, but was uncertain whether he heard my voice.
I at length lost sight of my companions, but as I without difficultykept well ahead of the flames, I was satisfied that I had followed thewisest course.
On looking round I saw a number of animals following me: stragglingbuffalo, deer of several descriptions, wolves, and many smallerquadrupeds. It would not do, however, to stop for a moment; so I pushedon as fast as my horse could go, and after galloping several miles I wassatisfied that I had gained considerably on the fire.
Looking to the right, it appeared to me that I might double on it, as itseemed not to be extending in that direction. I was therefore about tochange my course with that object, when I saw scampering along the plaina band of Indians, who, I guessed, from the tall plumes on their heads,their long spears, and general appearance, were on the war-path, andwould not hesitate to take the scalp of a white man for the sake ofadding to their trophies. Were I to continue as I had been going, Ishould ride almost into their midst. Of one thing, however, I feltsure--they would not willingly advance nearer the approaching fire.
They soon espied me, and several detached themselves from the main bodyand galloped forward. Should they come near me, my fate, I felt sure,would be sealed. I had not a moment to deliberate. I would rather rushthrough the flames than trust myself to their tender mercies; so,turning my horse's head, I galloped back towards the advancin
g fire.Directly in front of me was a spot where the flames reached to a muchless height than in other places, and the belt of fire seemed also muchnarrower. Unstrapping the blanket I carried on my saddle, withdesperate energy I tore off a broad strip and fastened it over myhorse's eyes. The larger portion I threw over my own head, fasteningthe ends round my body.
Before I had finished this operation I heard the wild whoops of theIndians directly behind me. Tightening the rein, I dug my heels into myhorse's flanks and urged him forward, steering him between thenumberless animals escaping from the fire. My poor horse knew not wherehe was going. I waited till the smoke began to curl round my head, thendrawing the blanket over my face and chest, in total darkness I dashedforward into the midst of the flames. The heat was intense, and I feltthat my boots were scorching, but the blanket kept the smoke from mymouth and nostrils, and I was able, though with difficulty, to breathe.I could feel the flames round me, and hear their crackling sound, so myonly hope of safety depended on my horse keeping his legs. Should hefall, I must be destroyed.
He kept up wonderfully, and at length I knew that the worst was past. Ithrew the blanket from my head, for I had begun to fear that I should besuffocated. I was able to draw a free breath, though the air was fullof smoke. I had passed safely through the fire, but my clothes werescorched, and my poor steed was fearfully burnt. The ground, too, overwhich I was passing was still strewed with smouldering embers, which myhorse's hoofs threw up behind him at every step.
The fire went rolling on. As I looked down my poor steed's neck andshoulders, I saw that the hair had been completely singed off. A plungein cold water, therefore, could alone restore him. A dreadful thirst,besides, had seized me. I knew by the course the fire had taken, thataway to the eastward I should find a broad stream or marsh. I thereforerode towards it, and the instinct of my steed showed him that I wasproceeding to where he could obtain relief from his sufferings.
After galloping along for some distance, having to hold him up with allthe strength I could muster, I saw before me the bright water shiningbetween the scorched trees. As I neared it, nothing could restrain thesuffering animal. Springing down the bank, he plunged in, carrying mewith him. I had not time to stop him; but after a minute I got him intoshallow water, and was able to leap off his back on to the shore.
Scarcely had I dismounted, when a chorus of howls saluted my ears; andlooking up, I saw a score or more of wolves, which had observed me asthey were following in the rear of the fire, according to their custom,to feed on the carcasses of the animals which had fallen victims to theflames. Some had sprung into the water, and were swimming towards me;others came along the bank. I fired at the nearest and knocked himover--the others I attacked with my gun barrel, keeping the cowardlycreatures at bay; but their sentinels, who remained on the upper part ofthe bank, were all the time uttering the fearful howls they make tosummon their companions to attack a living animal, or to feed on thecarcass they have discovered. I knew that in a few minutes I should besurrounded by a whole army of the savage creatures, and though I mightkeep a few at bay, I should be unable to resist the numbers which wouldere long surround me.
My horse seemed aware of his danger. Driving back the wolves, Ireloaded my rifle, and then shouting and firing at the most daring,while the howling pack retreated I mounted and dashed forward. Thewolves sprang up round my horse's legs, trying to seize his neck, but Ibeat them off; and, maddened with terror, he galloped on, sending thosehis heels reached right and left. Scorched and suffering from theflames though he was, he strained every muscle to keep ahead of theyelping pack, and soon completely distanced them; still, their horridyelps told me that they were continuing the pursuit. As I looked overmy shoulder I could see a long line of fresh animals joining from allsides.
On and on we went, till we left behind the region blackened by the fire,and I saw before me a wood which the flames had not reached. I made forit, hoping that the wolves would not follow; or, if they did, then Imight climb a tree, and defend my horse with my rifle as I sat amid thebranches.
I reached the wood, and discovered on the very borders just such a treeas I desired. The poor animal was trembling all over, and looked in awretched plight. My first aim was to make a fire, through which I knewthat the wolves would not venture to pass. While engaged in collectingfuel, their yelps again sounded in my ears, and before I could produce aflame I saw them coming on. My only chance now was to mount the tree.Springing on to my horse, I climbed from his back into the fork of thetree, where I was out of the reach of my foes. This was the lastservice my faithful horse rendered me.
On looking towards the wolves, I perceived, to my dismay, that therewere several large white ones among them, the most savage of theirtribe. I now knew that I must abandon all hope of saving my horse. Ifired at the nearest white wolf and knocked the creature over, but thisdid not avail my poor steed, for in an instant he was surrounded andpulled to the ground, where the dreadful brutes quickly destroyed him.I loaded and fired, in revenge, as fast as I could; and though at eachshot I killed a wolf, it appeared in no way to diminish their numbers,while the living lost no time in devouring their dead companions.Directly I killed a white wolf, the yelling brutes set upon him and torehim to pieces.
Strange as it may seem, I felt an extraordinary pleasure in thusdestroying the most savage animals of those wilds; but fortunately Iremembered in time that if I continued my sport I might exhaust myammunition. I therefore only fired when I was certain of bringing downone of the larger animals.
Darkness was coming on, but still the wolves showed no inclination totake their departure. As far as I could tell, they might starve me todeath. Not a particle of my horse was by this time left, for they hadtorn even the saddle and bridle to threads, and, excepting the wood andironwork, had devoured the whole.
Matters were becoming serious, for I was already desperately hungry.Could I have discovered even a small bird or any creature in the tree, Imight have satisfied the gnawings of my stomach, and held out longer.
At length, when I was beginning to despair of relief, my ear caught thesame yelping, yelling sound which had warned me of the approach of thewolves when I was in the river. On looking out, I saw a couple ofbuffalo bulls galloping across the prairie, with a pack of wolves ontheir trail. The animals still surrounding the tree also heard thesounds. They looked up wistfully at me, making a few desperate effortsto reach the branch on which I was seated; but finding that all theirattempts were vain, first one started off in the direction the otherpack had taken, then another and another went away. In a few minutesonly three hungry animals remained, gnawing at the bones of the whitewolves and some of their own nearer relatives whom I had shot. These Idid not fear to encounter. Killing one from where I sat, and thenreloading, I jumped down from my perch. The brutes snarled, and one ofthem made a spring at me; but I shot him, and knocked the other overwith the butt of my rifle, thereby saving a charge of powder and lead.
Hunger induced me to cut a slice out of one of the wolves, although itwas with no pleasant feelings that I did so. For some minutes I gnawedaway at the unsavoury morsel, till nausea compelled me to stop. I thenset to work to collect sticks and branches, the waning daylight scarcelyaffording me sufficient time to pick up as many as I required. Withthose I could obtain I lighted a fire, spreading it in a circle; then,satisfied that it would burn brightly for a couple of hours, and that nowolves would venture to break through it, I lay down to obtain the restI so much needed.
When I awoke, a circle of hot embers alone remained. As I had a smallsupply of wood yet unconsumed, I began to throw on stick after stick, tokeep up the fire as long as possible, when I again heard that horridyelping close to me, and through the darkness I could see the glaringeyeballs of numberless wolves gathering round. They dared not, however,pass the fiery boundary, and I knew that I was safe as long as I couldkeep up even a slight blaze; still, my stock of wood was growing lessand less, and should a black gap appear
in the circle, some of the mostsavage might break through.
Having exhausted the last twig, I saw that I must do something to ridmyself of my foes. Seizing a burning branch, the end of which remainedunconsumed, I waved it round and round in the faces of the wolves,shouting at the same time at the top of my voice. It had the effect Iwished; for, a panic seizing them, away they all scampered, leaving meonce more alone. I lost no time in springing over the fire andcollecting a sufficient quantity of wood to enable me to keep it blazingtill the morning.
The wolves did not return; and at dawn, having cut some more slices fromone of the wolves which I had drawn inside the circle, I set off, withmy face to the northward, hoping almost against hope that I might fallin with some of my late companions, or that I might find the means ofsupporting existence till I could strike the trail of old Samson and myother friends,--or the emigrant-train, should they have got so farsouth. Happily I saw no more of the wolves, and by keeping along thebank of the river, which here ran north and south, I avoided thedistrict ravaged by the fire. Through not falling in with any of theSpaniards, I began to fear that they must have perished.
The first day I fortunately shot a beaver; and having cooked it, I madea hearty meal--stowing away the rest in my wallet. That night I sleptup among the branches of a tree, which were so placed that I had no fearof falling down; and next morning, greatly refreshed, I pushed forwardon my solitary journey.
CHAPTER TWELVE.
I FIND POOR PABLO, AND ASSIST HIM--ROASTED SQUIRREL--PABLO'S REASON FORDESIRING TO JOIN THE ENGLISH--WE STALK A BUFFALO--PABLO'S TERROR AT THEAPPROACH OF INDIANS--MY SURPRISE AT BEING WELCOMED BY MANILICK--MIKE'SJOY AT SEEING ME ALIVE--WE AGAIN START IN THE DIRECTION OF THEWAGGON-TRAIN--OLD SAMSON, REUBEN, AND SANDY NEARLY ROASTED ALIVE BY THEAPACHES--QUAMBO'S CARE OF "DE FIDDLE"--LILY'S RELATIONSHIP TO OLDSAMSON--KEPENAU AND MANILICK--CONCLUSION.
I had been trudging on for some hours, directing my course by the sun,which shone brightly from an unclouded sky, when, feeling weary, I satdown to rest under the shade of a tree not far from the river's brink.Scarcely had I stretched out my legs, when I heard a voice, in a tone ofsuffering, calling to me; and going in the direction from whence itproceeded, what was my surprise to see, among the branches of a tree, mylate companion Pablo!
"Misericordia, Senor Roger!" he cried out. "I am starving, and too weakto get down of myself."
I climbed up and gave him some of the beaver-flesh, which soon revivedhim. He told me how he had been frightened up the tree by the wolves,and that, having lost his gun and his flint, he had no means ofdefending himself, or of lighting a fire, and should certainly haveperished had I not come to his aid. Having assisted him down, I led himtowards the river, where he quenched his thirst.
We made but little progress that day, for Pablo was ill able to walk;so, having reached a spot where we could obtain sufficient bark and woodto build a hut and keep up a blazing fire all night, we encamped.Leaving Pablo to finish the hut, I set off in search of game. I broughtdown two black squirrels; and I afterwards came upon several bushes ofberries, which would add a variety to our meal.
On my return to the camp, I found that Pablo had finished all thearrangements, and we soon had one of the squirrels roasting before thefire.
Pablo opened his heart to me. I had been the means, he said, of savinghis life, and he should ever be grateful. The reason, he told me, ofhis being so anxious to join the English, was, that he had met with amissionary--who proved to be no other than our friend Martin Godfrey--and that his object, therefore, was to live with those who held the sameopinions, for he was sure that they were the right ones. He carednothing for all the fatigue and danger he might have to go through,provided that he gained his wishes at last.
We travelled on for several days, sometimes having to encamp in the openprairie, where we were more especially exposed to the risk of beingattacked by wolves, or run over by a stampede of buffalo--though we didnot trouble our heads much on that score. Our chief risk lay inencountering any bands of hostile Indians who might be traversing theopen prairie, as it would be scarcely possible to conceal ourselves fromthem. I could only hope that, in the event of our being seen, theywould not attack two wayworn travellers who could not injure them.Pablo, however, observed that there were some tribes who would murder usfor the sake of our scalps, so as to be able to boast that they hadkilled two enemies in battle. He had no affection for the Indians, andwas inclined to doubt whether they possessed any good qualities.
How we should have got across the wide extent of prairie we traversed Iknow not, had we not been able to stalk a buffalo, by getting well toleeward of it, whereupon I brought it down with my rifle. Its stomachwas full of water, with which we quenched our thirst; and the fleshafforded us food for many days--partly eaten fresh, and partly dried inthe sun, and turned into a coarse description of pemmican. We werehoping soon to strike another river, where we could obtain water. Thiskept up our spirits; and we certainly needed something to do that, forwe were growing weary of our long tramp across the open country. As maybe supposed, too, we kept our eyes about us as we walked along; forshould we espy any suspicious horsemen, our best chance of escaping, weagreed, would be to fall flat on the ground, where we might be hidden bythe grass.
The sun was already verging towards the west, when Pablo, who happenedat the moment to be looking eastward, exclaimed, "Here come Indians!here come Indians! Down--down!"
We both dropped to the ground, hoping that we had not been seen, andthat they would pass by on one side or the other. I could catch sight,as I lay, of their feather, metal, and shell ornaments glittering in thesun, and of their spear-heads with long tufts waving in the wind. Theywere pushing rapidly across the prairie; but at the distance they stillwere from us I could not distinguish the tribe or nation to which theybelonged. They might be Apaches or Comanches, deadly foes; or a tribekeeping up a friendly intercourse with the white men.
At first I was doubtful in what direction they were going, but I wassoon convinced that they were riding directly towards the spot where welay, and that our chance of escape from their eagle-eyes was smallindeed. I observed their leader at length stand up in his stirrups andgaze around. From this I felt nearly sure that we had been seen, andthat he was looking for us.
"We are sure to be discovered," I whispered to Pablo. "Our wisest modeof proceeding will be to stand up and face them boldly. It will bebetter to die on our feet, than to be speared like skulking foxes."
"Do as you think best," answered Pablo.
I immediately rose, and, with outstretched hand, advanced towards theIndians. Their leader galloped forward, then, greatly to my surprise,threw himself from his horse as he got up to me, and putting out his ownhand, took mine.
"I have been searching for you! Don't you know me?" he exclaimed.
As he spoke I recognised Manilick, the young chief, Ashatea's lover.
"I happily met the friend of my tribe, Samson Micklan, who, with hiscompanions, are anxious about you," he continued. "Confident of yourcourage and hardihood, they would not believe that you were lost; andthey urged me to make a circuit to the south, in the possibility ofcoming on your trail. Glad I am to have fallen in with you, for I hadalmost given you up as lost. Right heartily will our aged friendrejoice that you have been found."
I thanked Manilick warmly for the interest he had taken in me, andinquired whether the waggons had turned back or continued their coursewestward, and whether they had been overtaken. He replied that Samsonhad discovered their trail, but, in his search for me, he had lost somuch time, that he had not yet been able to come up with them.
As the party had several spare horses, Pablo and I were at once providedwith steeds. We then pushed on at a quick rate, Manilick observing thathe wished to reach the camp of a friend the following day.
I inquired who the friend was.
"Kepenau," he answered. "He has, with his whole tribe, moved westward,under my protection. He has buried the ha
tchet with all mankind, andhas induced me to follow his example, provided we are not attacked; forshould we be, even he allows that it is both lawful and right to defendourselves. The good preacher, Martin Godfrey, has accompanied him, forthe purpose of instructing his people and mine; and he afterwardsintends to visit the Palefaces settled in other parts of the country."
"And has his daughter accompanied him?" I asked, looking at the youngchief.
"Yes," he answered, with a smile; "and she is shortly to become my wife,as she is satisfied that I am now a believer in the same faith she haslong held. I bless the day, too, when she won me over, though I had notbefore supposed it possible that I could abandon the religion of myforefathers."
I told Manilick how glad I was to hear this, and wished him everyhappiness.
We encamped that night in a wood near a stream, which we reached justbefore dark. The same precautions were taken against surprise which oursmall band had considered necessary; for, Manilick told me, should theApaches discover his trail, they would be certain to attack him.
"However," he observed, "we have hitherto been preserved by the GreatSpirit, and we have no fear of the result of a fight."
"Then you cannot be said altogether to have buried the hatchet," Iobserved.
"We have resolved to attack no one, and the sin will lie with those whoattack us," he answered; "while it is possible, we will avoid a quarrel,and proceed peaceably on our way."
As Manilick's party was numerous and well-armed, they were calculated toinspire respect; and if any foes did approach the camp, they probablythought it prudent to retire to a distance.
The next morning we continued our march, and towards evening came insight of a thick wood. I saw that Manilick's eagerness increased as werode on. We were still at some little distance from the wood, when Iobserved a man with a gun in his hand issuing from under the shelter ofthe trees. He looked towards us, apparently suspicious as to who wewere. I had no doubt, from his appearance, that he was a Paleface; andas we got still nearer to him, to my infinite satisfaction I recognisedMike Laffan. He knew me almost at the same moment, and throwing up hiscap, and giving vent to an Irish shout of joy, he ran forward.
"Sure! is it you, Masther Roger dear, alive and well?" he exclaimed."It brings back joy to me heart, for it was mighty throubled at thethoughts that you were lost intirely."
I jumped from my horse to receive the greetings of the honest fellow.He had, I found, overcome with the poignancy of his feelings at thethought of my death, been knocked up, and had remained with Kepenau,whose camp he told me was concealed within the wood. He led the wayround to a narrow opening, where Manilick dismounted. Proceedingthrough it, we soon reached an open spot on which Kepenau had pitchedhis tents. He himself was the first person who advanced to greet us.Behind him stood Ashatea, a lovely specimen of an Indian girl, hercountenance beaming with that intelligence which education could alonehave given her. Though she met Manilick with a bashful reserve, I hadlittle doubt that she had at length bestowed on him the heart he sought.Still I recollected honest Reuben's admiration. Yet I was very gladthat it was so; for, charming as he might deem her, she was still achild of the desert,--and one of our fair countrywomen would, I was verysure, make him a far more useful and companionable wife than Ashateawould prove.
Kepenau told me that he intended to pitch his tents in the neighbourhoodof the proposed settlement--remarking that he should now have no fear ofhis people being seduced by the terrible "fire water"--and that he hopedto change his skin-tents into substantial dwellings like those of thePalefaces, and to cultivate the ground instead of depending on the chasefor subsistence. In the meantime, however, he and his people must huntthe buffalo and deer to obtain support for themselves and theirfamilies; and he was only awaiting the arrival of Manilick and his tribeto set out with that object, as provisions were already running short inthe camp. Though I had borne the journey, I felt too much exhausted andweak to accompany him; and as both Mike and Pablo were much in the samecondition, they insisted on taking care of me and themselves withouttroubling the Indians, who had plenty to do in guarding the camp andlooking after the horses.
Mike and Pablo soon became great friends; and though I had no realauthority over either of them, they took a pleasure in serving me.
"Sit still and be aisy for once in your life, Masther Roger," said Mike,as he brought a bundle of sticks and piled them up on the fire he hadlit. "Sure, Pablo and I can do all the work, without you throublingyourself. There's Misthress Ashatea and the young chief billing andcooing at her tent-door like two turtle-doves; and if they were to seeyou moving about, maybe they'd think it necessary, out of courtesy, tocome and help you--and it would be a pity to disturb them."
Mike's arguments prevailed, and for once in my life, as he advised, Idid sit quiet,--and very glad I was to do so,--while I watched theIndians through the trees making preparations for their departure.
The young chief, after a short rest, started off with some of his besthunters in search of a herd of buffalo which had been seen in theneighbourhood; and before the end of the next day they returned with anample supply of meat. After remaining a couple of days to dry what wasnot required for immediate consumption, the camp was broken up, and weproceeded in the direction it was said the waggon-train had taken. Wewere, however, not able to travel very much faster than the steady-goingoxen, and we therefore had little hope of overtaking it before it hadreached its destination.
As trails were discovered which were pronounced to be those of Apaches,I felt some anxiety lest old Samson and his companions might have beenattacked and overpowered.
"He is too well acquainted with their ways to be caught," observedKepenau.
I remembered, however, the eagerness the old man had shown to overtakethe train, in order that he might ascertain whether Lily was, as he hadhoped, his grand-daughter; and he might thus push forward, when hisusual prudence would have induced him to remain concealed, or to haveretreated from his foes.
We advanced like an army in an enemy's country--with scouts ranging oneither side, so that there was no probability of our being taken bysurprise; while our main body was too numerous to have invited anattack.
We had made good progress for several days, when the sound ofrifle-shots reached our ears through the still air of a warm summernoon. Directly afterwards the scouts came in with the intelligence thata large number of Indians were collected in the neighbourhood of whatlooked like a log-hut, on the bank of a stream in the plain below us.We were, at the time, approaching the edge of a plateau over which wehad been travelling. In the far distance rose some blue hills, spurs ofa still more lofty range of mountains. It was at the foot of thesehills that the new settlement was, I understood, to be formed.
While our main body advanced slowly for the sake of the women andchildren, Manilick, with a chosen band of warriors, rode rapidlyforward. He at once expressed his opinion that a small party of whitemen had taken refuge in the hut, to defend themselves against theApaches, and that it was our duty to hasten to their relief. We waitedamong the trees on the upper portion of the slope, to give time to ourmain body to appear just before we should reach the enemy--who, findingthemselves menaced by superior numbers, would in all probability take toflight. At the proper moment Manilick shouted "Forward!" and we rapidlydescended the hill.
We did not arrive a moment too soon, for the fire of the little garrisonhad begun to slacken, and the besiegers were preparing to scale thewalls. On seeing us approach, and observing the large number of armedmen who at that moment reached the edge of the height, they took toflight, and endeavoured to make their escape to the southward. Wegained a bloodless victory, for Manilick would not allow them to bepursued.
No sooner had the enemy retreated than the door of the hut was thrownopen, and old Samson, followed by Reuben and Sandy, rushed out, whilethe hut burst into flames--the savages having just before set fire to itin several places.
"You have come just in time to save us
from roasting!" exclaimed the oldtrapper, recognising Manilick, but not seeing me. "We caught sight ofthe Apaches bearing down upon us, and had just time to take shelter inthe hut and barricade the doors and windows, before they readied it.They carried off our good steeds, but we have secured our packs andarms."
At length catching sight of me as I rode out from among the men, heexpressed his satisfaction with a vehemence I had never before seen himexhibit--almost bursting into tears as he shook my hand.
"I should have grieved if you had been lost, Roger, and I had had toannounce the sad tidings to my young grand-daughter; for that your Lilyis my grand-daughter, I feel as sure as I do of my own existence. Ihave dreamed about her every night since you told me her history, andsomething tells me I must be her grandfather. Nothing must now stop us.Our friend Manilick will supply us with horses, and we shall reach thesettlement before nightfall. They are all safe there long ago, for Icame upon their trail; and they were strong enough to beat off any ofthe Redskins who may have attempted to interfere with them."
Notwithstanding Samson's eagerness, we had to wait till the main bodycame up, when, horses having been supplied to my three friends, they,with Mike and I, and six of Manilick's tribe, set forward at a rapidrate in the direction of the new settlement.
The sun had not yet set when we saw before us, on the banks of a clearstream backed by a wood, some white tents, and the canvas covers of anumber of waggons. My heart began to beat with the anticipation of oncemore meeting Lily, my uncles and aunt, and other friends. As weapproached the bank we were observed by the inhabitants, who at onceassembled, rushing from all quarters with arms in their hands. On ourdrawing still nearer, however, they recognised us, and coming down tothe water, pushed off on a large raft, which they propelled with longpoles to the side on which we stood.
The first to spring on shore was Uncle Mark. He received Reuben, Mike,and me as people risen from the dead. Quambo followed closely, and,taking me in his arms, gave me a hug, in his joy, which almost squeezedthe breath out of my body. Mike came in for the same sort of greeting.
"Och, sure! do you take me for a baby?" exclaimed Mike--"though youwould have squeezed the life out of me if I had been one. But I ammoighty plased to see you; and, bedad, we'll be footing it away to thesound of me fiddle, I am hoping, before many hours are over. You havegot it all safe?"
"Yes. I keep de fiddle all right, and let no one play on it--not evenmyself," observed Quambo.
"True for you, Quambo," said Mike, laughing; "for the best of raisons--there's no one else but meself could make the music come out of it."
Our Indian escort having set off to return to the camp, according toorders, we crossed the river to the opposite bank, where our relativeshad collected to receive us.
Lily looked somewhat pale. Though she had not abandoned all hope, shehad been fearfully anxious about me; and she made me promise not to gowandering again over the wilds, if I could help it. Mr and MrsClaxton and Dora had been equally anxious about Reuben, and wereproportionably thankful to get him back safe.
Old Samson stood gazing at Lily while I was talking to her. He thenhastened up to Aunt Hannah.
"You have been a mother to that sweet child, and I will bless you for itas long as there is breath in my old body," he said. "But I want totake her from you. She is mine by right, for I am, I believe, her onlyliving relative. You have got the proofs; and if you do not wish to trythe feelings of an old man, which he thought were long ago dead andgone, show me the things you have taken care of since she was committedto your charge."
Aunt Hannah looked very much surprised at first; but the truth quicklydawned on her.
"You shall see them, Mr Micklan, for they are safe in my box in thewaggon; and if you recognise them, as you expect to do, Lily shall callyou `Grandfather;' but as to giving her up--No, no! you will not expectthat of us. For sixteen years she has been our child, and we have lovedher, and love her still, as if she were our own. You would not be sohard-hearted, even if you have the right, as to deprive us of her!"
"Well, well--I cannot gainsay you; but only let me know that I have gotsome one to love, and I will give up my wandering life and come andsettle down among you."
Lily and I accompanied Uncle Stephen and Aunt Hannah, with the oldhunter, to the waggon, where the baby-dress and the ornaments she hadworn were soon produced.
Samson gazed at them, without speaking, for some seconds. Then heexclaimed, "Yes, yes! there is no doubt about it.--Come, Lily, do not beafraid of your old grandfather. I will not run away with you; but justlet me love you, and watch over you, and take care of you, and I shallbe content, and end my days more happily than I had ever hoped to do."
Lily came forward and put her hand into that of the old man, who,stooping down, kissed her fair brow, and pressed her to his heart.
After this a change seemed to come over Samson Micklan. He was nolonger the rough old trapper he had hitherto appeared--though he workedas hard as any one in the camp, and took especial delight in assistingto build the house Lily was to occupy.
Every one, as may be supposed, was busy from sunrise to sunset, and avillage soon sprang up in that hitherto desert spot. Our Indian friendsrendered us important assistance, by supplying us with the meat theyobtained in their hunting expeditions, as also by acting as ourguardians; for they were constantly on the watch, and no foes wouldventure to attack us while supported by such formidable allies. Thesettlement flourished and rapidly increased, for we were soon joined byother parties from the eastward; and even my uncles acknowledged thatthey had no desire to make another move--greatly to Aunt Hannah'ssatisfaction.
Lily, in course of time, became my wife; and Mr Micklan, loved andrespected by the whole of the community, lived to hear the prattle ofhis great-grandchildren.
Our friends Reuben and Dora both married happily, and we, who were oncehardy backwoodsmen, became quiet and contented citizens. I own thatthough the life we had led possessed its attractions, our presentcondition was on many accounts preferable.
Mike and Quambo purchased a lot between them at a short distance fromthe settlement, and became prosperous farmers; but they remainedbachelors to the end of their days--Mike declaring that the sound of hisfiddle was more satisfactory to his ears than the scolding of a wife orthe squalling of children. Albeit, he never failed to bring it on hisfrequent visits, to the infinite delight of my youngsters, whoinvariably began to dance and snap their fingers when they caught sightof him and his sturdy nag approaching our door.
Kepenau and Manilick, having become civilised themselves, labouredincessantly in the civilisation of their people--aided by our reveredfriend, Martin Godfrey, who eventually settled down among them.
We were not altogether without some trials and troubles, but we had alsomuch to make us happy; and I can honestly say that we had good reason tobe thankful--though we could never be sufficiently so--to that MercifulBeing who had preserved us amid the many dangers we had passed throughduring the period I have described.
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends