CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
THE PURSUIT.
"Wapaw must have worked hard, for we should have overhauled him by thistime," said Walter to his uncle on the evening of the next day, as theyplodded steadily along through the snow.
"I would give up the pursuit," said Robin, somewhat gloomily, "for it'slosin' time that might be better spent on another search; but it won'tdo to leave the crittur, for if he's badly wounded he may die for wanto' help."
"Guess he can't be very bad, else he'd niver travel so fast," observedStiff, who, now that the chief murderer was punished, did not care muchto go in search of the wounded Indian.
"When a man thinks a band o' yellin' redskins are follerin' up histrail," said Slugs, "he's pretty sure to travel fast, wounded or notwounded--leastways if he's able. But I don't think we'll have to gomuch farther now, for I've noticed that his stride ain't so long as itwas, and that's a sartin sure sign that he's failin'; I only hope hewon't go under before we find him."
"Niver a fear o' that," said Larry O'Dowd, with a grin. "I've seed himas far gone as any one iver I comed across, wi' starvation; but the waythat fellow walked into the grub when he got the chance was wonderful tobehold! I thought he'd ait me out o' the house entirely; and he put somuch flesh on his bones in a week or two that he was able to go abouthis business, though he warn't no fatter when he began to ait than aconsumptive darnin' needle. True for ye--it's naither walkin',starvin', nor cowld, as'll kill Wapaw."
"What does the Black Swan think?" inquired Robin.
"We shall see Wapaw when the sun is low to-morrow," replied the Indian.
"Mayhap we shall," quoth Robin, "but it behooves us to get the steam upfor to-morrow: so, comrades, as there's a good clump o' timber hereaway, we'll camp."
Robin threw down his bundle as he spoke, and his example was at oncefollowed by the others, each of whom set to work vigorously to assist inpreparing the encampment.
They had all the requisite implements for this purpose, having returned,after the attack on the Indians, for the things they had left behindthem.
"It's a pity that we shall have to keep watch to-night," said Walter;"one of us will have to do it, I fancy; for though I don't believe thesemurderin' redskins have pluck to attack us, it would not do to trust tothat."
Slugs, to whom this remark was addressed, lowered the axe with which hewas about to fell a neighbouring tree for firewood.
"That's true," said he, looking round him in all directions; "hold on,comrades, yonder's a mound with a bare top, we'd better camp there.Makin' a big blaze on sitch a place'll show the red reptiles we don'tcare a gun-flint for them, and they'll not dare to come near, so wewon't have to watch."
"Arrah! an' a purty spot it'll be for the blackyirds to shoot us allaisy as we're sottin' at supper," exclaimed Larry O'Dowd.
"Doubtless there's a hollow on it," rejoined Slugs, "for the top isflat."
"Humph! maybe," growled Larry, who still seemed to object; but, as therest of the party were willing to adopt the suggestion, he said no more,and they all went to the top of the little mound, which commanded aclear view of the surrounding country.
As Slugs had surmised, there was a slight hollow on the summit of themound, which effectually screened the party from any one who might wishto fire at them from below; and as there was no other mound in theimmediate neighbourhood, they felt quite secure. Huge logs were cut andcarried to the top of the mound, the snow was cleared out of the hole,pine branches were spread over it, the fire was kindled, the kettle puton and filled with snow, and soon Larry O'Dowd was involved in the heat,steam, smoke, and activities of preparing supper, while his comradesspread out their blankets and lay down to smoke with their arms readybeside them.
The fire roared up into the wintry sky, causing the mound to resemblethe cone or crater of a volcano, which could be seen for miles round.Ever and anon, while supper was being eaten, the Black Swan or Slugswould rise, and going stealthily to the edge of the mound would peepcautiously over, to make sure that none of their enemies wereapproaching.
Immediately after supper, they all lay down to sleep, but, for a time,each motionless form that lay rolled tightly in its blanket like anEgyptian mummy, sent a series of little puffs from its head. At lastthe stars came out, and the pipes dropped from each sleeper's lips.Then the moon rose--a circumstance which rendered their position stillmore secure--and the fire sank low. But Slugs was too cautious a hunterto trust entirely to the alleged cowardice of the savages. He knew wellthat many, indeed most of the redskins, bad as well as good, had quiteenough of mere brute courage to make them dare and risk a good deal forthe sake of scalping a white hunter, so he rose once or twice during thenight to replenish the fire and take a look round; and as often as herose for these purposes, so often did he observe the glittering eye ofthe Black Swan glaring round the encampment, although its owner neveronce moved from his recumbent posture.
Thus the night was spent. The first glimmer of daylight found the wholeparty up and equipped for the journey.
They did not breakfast before setting out, as they preferred to taketheir morning meal later in the day. Few words were spoken. At thatearly hour, and in the sleepy condition which usually results from a_very_ early start, men are seldom inclined to talk. Only one or twomonosyllables were uttered as each man rolled up his blanket with hisshare of the provisions in it, and fastened on his snow-shoes. A fewminutes later Robin led the way down the slope, and the whole partymarched off in single file, and re-entered the woods.