CHAPTER NINETEEN.
ADVENTURES WITH THE PEIGANS--CRUSOE DOES GOOD SERVICE AS A DISCOVERER--THE SAVAGES OUTWITTED--THE RESCUE.
A run of twenty miles brought the travellers to a rugged defile in themountains, from which they had a view of a beautiful valley ofconsiderable extent. During the last two days a steady thaw had beenrapidly melting away the snow, so that it appeared only here and therein the landscape in dazzling patches. At the distance of about half amile from where they halted to breathe the horses before commencing thedescent into this vale, several thin wreaths of smoke were seen risingabove the trees.
"Is that your camp?" inquired Cameron, riding up to the Indian runnerswho stood in a group in front, looking as fresh after their twentymiles' run as though they had only had a short walk.
To this they answered in the affirmative, adding that there were abouttwo hundred Peigans there.
It might have been thought that thirty men would have hesitated toventure to attack so large a number as two hundred; but it had alwaysbeen found in the experience of Indian life, that a few resolute whitemen well armed were more than a match for ten times their number ofIndians. And this arose not so much from the superior strength oragility of the whites over their red foes, as from that bull-dog courageand utter recklessness of their lives in combat,--qualities which thecrafty savage can neither imitate nor understand. The information wasreceived with perfect indifference by most of the trappers, and withcontemptuous laughter by some, for a large number of Cameron's men werewild, evil-disposed fellows, who would have as gladly taken the life ofan Indian as a buffalo.
Just as the word was given to resume the march, Dick Varley rode up toCameron, and said in a somewhat anxious tone--"D'ye obsarve, sir, thatone o' the Red-skins has gone off ahead o' his comrades?"
"I see that, Master Dick, and it was a mistake of mine not to havestopped him, but he was gone too far before I observed it, and I thoughtit better to appear unconcerned. We must push on, though, and give himas short time as possible to talk with his comrades in the camp."
The trappers pressed forward accordingly at a gallop, and were soon infront of the clump of trees amongst which the Peigans were encamped.Their approach had evidently spread great alarm among them, for therewas a good deal of bustle and running to and fro, but by the time thetrappers had dismounted and advanced in a body on foot, the savages hadresumed their usual quiet dignity of appearance, and were seated calmlyround their fires with their bows and arrows beside them. There were notents, no women or children, and the general aspect of the men showedCameron conclusively that his surmise about their being a war-party wascorrect.
A council was immediately called; the trappers ranged themselves on oneside of the council-fire and the Indians on the other. Meanwhile, ourfriend Crusoe had been displaying considerable irritability against theIndians, and he would certainly have attacked the whole two hundredsingle-handed if he had not been ordered by his master to lie still, butnever in his life before had Crusoe obeyed with such a bad grace. Hebristled and whined in a low tremulous tone, and looked imploringly atDick as if for permission to fly at them.
"The Pale-faced traders are glad to meet with the Peigans," beganCameron, who determined to make no allusion to his knowledge that theywere a war-party, "for they wish to be friends with all the children ofthe woods and prairies. They wish to trade with them; to exchangeblankets, and guns, and beads, and other goods which the Peigansrequire, for furs of animals which the Pale-faces require."
"Ho! ho!" exclaimed the Indians; which expression might be translated,"Hear, hear."
"But," continued Cameron, "we wish to have no war. We wish to see thehatchet buried, and to see all the Red-men and the white men smoking thepipe of peace, and hunting like brothers."
The "Ho-ho-ing" at this was very emphatic.
"Now," resumed the trader, "the Peigans have got two prisoners--twoPale-faces--in their camp, and, as we cannot be on good terms while ourbrothers are detained, we have come to ask for them, and to _presentsome gifts_ to the Peigans."
To this there was no "Ho" at all, but a prolonged silence, which was atlength interrupted by a tall chief stepping forward to address thetrappers.
"What the Pale-face chief has said is good," began the Indian. "Hiswords are wise, and his heart is not double. The Red-men are willing tosmoke the pipe of peace, and to hunt with all men as brothers, but theycannot do it while many of their scalps are hanging in the lodges oftheir enemies and fringing the robes of the warriors. The Peigans musthave vengeance; then they will make peace."
After a short pause he continued--"The chief is wrong when he says thereare Pale-faces in the Peigan camp. The Peigans are not at war with thePale-faces; neither have they seen any on their march. The camp isopen. Let the Pale-faces look round and see that what we say is true."
The chief waved his hand towards his warriors as he concluded, as if tosay, "Search amongst them. There are no Pale-faces there."
Cameron now spoke to Dick in a low tone. "They speak confidently," hesaid, "and I fear greatly that your poor comrades have either beenkilled or conveyed away from the camp and hidden among the mountains, inwhich case, even though they should not be far off, it would be next toimpossible to find them, especially when such a band o' rascals is near,compelling us to keep together. But I'll try what a little temptingthem with goods will do. At any rate we shan't give in without ascuffle."
It now, for the first time, flashed across Dick Varley that there wassomething more than he imagined in Crusoe's restless anxiety, which hadnot in the least abated, and the idea of making use of him now occurredto his mind.
"I've a notion that I'll settle this matter in a shorter time than youthink," he said hurriedly, "if you'll agree to try what _threatening_will do."
The trader looked grave and undecided. "I never resort to that exceptas a last hope," he answered, "but I've a good deal of confidence inyour prudence, what would you advise?"
Dick and the trader whispered a few minutes together, while some of themen, in order to show the Indians how perfectly unconcerned they were,and how ready for _anything_, took out their pipes and began to smoke.Both parties were seated on the ground, and during this interval theIndians also held eager discussion.
At length Cameron stood up, and said to his men in a quiet tone, "Beready, lads, for instant action; when I give the word `Up,' spring toyour feet and cock your guns, but _don't fire a shot till you get theword_." He then stepped forward and said--
"The Peigan warriors are double-tongued; they know that they have hidthe Pale-face prisoners. We do not wish to quarrel, but if they are notdelivered up at once, the Pale-faces and the Peigans will not befriends."
Upon this the Indian chief again stood forward and said, "The Peigansare _not_ double-tongued. They have not seen Pale-faces till to-day.They can say no more."
Without moving hand or foot, Cameron then said in a firm tone, "Thefirst Peigan that moves shall die! Up, lads, and ready!"
In the twinkling of an eye the trappers sprang to their feet, andcocking their rifles stood perfectly motionless, scowling at thesavages, who were completely taken by surprise at the unusual suddennessand informality of such a declaration of war. Not a man moved, for,unlike white men, they seldom risk their lives in open fight; and asthey looked at the formidable row of muzzles that waited but a word tosend instant death into their midst, they felt that discretion was atthat time the better part of valour.
"Now," said Cameron, while Dick Varley and Crusoe stepped up beside him,"my young warrior will search for the Pale-face prisoners. If they arefound, we will take them and go away. If they are not found, we willask the Peigans to forgive us, and will give them gifts. But in themeantime, if a Peigan moves from the spot where he sits, or lifts a bow,my young men shall fire, and the Peigans know that the rifle of thePale-face always kills."
Without waiting for an answer, Dick immediately said, "Seek 'em out,pup," and Crusoe bounded away.
For a few minutes he sprang hither and thither through the camp, quiteregardless of the Indians, and snuffed the air several times, whining inan excited tone, as if to relieve his feelings. Then he put his nose tothe ground and ran straight forward into the woods. Dick immediatelybounded after him like a deer, while the trappers kept silent guard overthe savages.
For some time Crusoe ran straight forward. Then he came to a spot wherethere was a good deal of drifted snow on the ground. Here he seemed tolose the trail for a little, and ran about in all directions, whining ina most piteous tone.
"Seek 'em out, pup," repeated Dick encouragingly, while his own breastheaved with excitement and expectation.
In a few seconds the dog resumed its onward course, and led the way intoa wild, dark spot, which was so overshadowed by trees and precipitouscliffs that the light of the sun scarce found entrance. There were manyhuge masses of rock scattered over the ground, which had fallen from thecliffs. Behind one of these lay a mound of dried leaves, towards whichCrusoe darted and commenced scraping violently.
Trembling with dread that he should find this to be the grave of hismurdered companions, Dick rushed forward and hastily cleared away theleaves. The first handful thrown off revealed part of the figure of aman. Dick's heart beat audibly as he cleared the leaves from the face,and he uttered a suppressed cry on beholding the well-known features ofJoe Blunt! But they were not those of a dead man. Joe's eyes met hiswith a scowl of anger, which instantly gave place to one of intensesurprise.
"Joe Blunt!" exclaimed Dick in a voice of intense amazement, whileCrusoe sniffed round the heap of leaves, and whined with excitement.But Joe did not move, neither did he speak a word in reply--for the verygood reasons that his mouth was tightly bound with a band of leather,his hands and feet were tied, and his whole body was secured in a rigid,immovable position by being bound to a pole of about his own length.
In a moment Dick's knife was out, bands and cords were severed, and JoeBlunt was free.
"Thank God," exclaimed Joe with a deep, earnest sigh, the instant hislips were loosened, "and thanks to _you_, lad," he added, endeavouringto rise, but his limbs had become so benumbed in consequence of thecords by which they had been compressed that for some time he could notmove.
"I'll rub ye, Joe--I'll soon rub ye into a right state," said Dick,going down on his knees.
"No, no, lad, look sharp and dig up Henri. He's just beside me here."
Dick immediately rose, and, pushing aside the heap of leaves, foundHenri securely bound in the same fashion. But he could scarce refrainfrom laughing at the expression of that worthy's face. Hearing thevoices of Joe and Dick Varley in conversation, though unable to seetheir persons, he was filled with such unbounded amazement that hiseyes, when uncovered, were found to be at their largest possiblestretch, and as for the eyebrows, they were gone, utterly lost among theroots of his voluminous hair.
"Henri, friend, I knew I should find ye," said Dick, cutting the thongsthat bound him. "Get up if ye can, we haven't much time to lose, an'mayhap we'll have to fight afore we're done wi' the Red-skins. Can yerise?"
Henri could do nothing but lie on his back and gasp, "Eh! possible! monfrere! Oh, non, non, _not_ possible. Oui! my broder Deek!"
Here he attempted to rise, but, being unable, fell back again, and thewhole thing came so suddenly, and made so deep an impression on hisimpulsive mind, that he incontinently burst into tears; then he burstinto a long laugh. Suddenly he paused, and, scrambling up to a sittingposture, looked earnestly into Dick's face through his tearful eyes.
"Oh, non, non!" he exclaimed, stretching himself out at full lengthagain, and closing his eyes; "it are too goot to be true. I am dream.I vill wait till I am wake."
Dick roused him out of this resolute sleep, however, somewhat roughly.Meanwhile Joe had rubbed and kicked himself into a state of animation,exclaiming that he felt as if he wos walkin' on a thousand needles andpins, and in a few minutes they were ready to accompany their overjoyeddeliverer back to the Peigan camp. Crusoe testified his delight invarious elephantine gambols round the persons of his old friends, whowere not slow to acknowledge his services.
"They haven't treated us overly well," remarked Joe Blunt, as theystrode through the underwood.
"Non, de rascale, vraiment, de am villains. Oui! How de have talk,too, 'bout--oh-o-oo-ooo-wah!--roastin' us alive, an' puttin' our scalpin de vigvam for de poopoose to play wid!"
"Well, niver mind, Henri, we'll be quits wi' them now," said Joe, asthey came in sight of the two bands, who remained in precisely the sameposition in which they had been left, except that one or two of the morereckless of the trappers had lit their pipes and taken to smoking,without, however, laying down their rifles or taking their eyes off thesavages.
A loud cheer greeted the arrival of the prisoners, and looks ofconsiderable discomfort began to be evinced by the Indians.
"Glad to see you, friends," said Cameron, as they came up.
"Ve is 'appy ov de same," replied Henri, swaggering up in the jovialityof his heart, and seizing the trader's hand in his own enormous fist."Shall ve go to york an' slay dem all at vonce, or von at a time?"
"We'll consider that afterwards, my lad. Meantime go you to the rear,and get a weapon of some sort."
"Oui. Ah! c'est charmant," he cried, going with an immense flounderinto the midst of the amused trappers, and slapping those next to him onthe back. "Give me veapon, do, mes ami--gun, pistol, anyting--cannon,if you have von."
Meanwhile Cameron and Joe spoke together for a few moments.
"You had goods with you, and horses, I believe, when you were captured,"said the former.
"Ay, that we had. Yonder stand the horses under the pine-tree, alongwi' the rest o' the Red-skin troop, an a hard time they've had o't, astheir bones may tell without speakin'. As for the goods," he continued,glancing round the camp, "I don't know where--ah! yes, there they be inthe old pack. I see all safe."
Cameron now addressed the Indians.
"The Peigans," he said, "have not done well. Their hearts have not beentrue to the Pale-faces. Even now I could take your scalps where yousit; but white men do not like war, they do not like revenge. ThePeigans may go free."
Considering the fewness of their numbers, this was bold language to usetowards the Indians; but the boldest is generally the best policy onsuch occasions. Moreover, Cameron felt that, being armed with rifles,while the Indians had only bows and arrows, the trappers had a greatadvantage over them.
The Indian who had spoken before now rose and said he was sorry thereshould be any cause of difference between them, and added he was sorryfor a great many more things besides, but he did not say he was sorryfor having told a lie.
"But, before you go, you must deliver up the horses and goods belongingto these men," said Cameron pointing to Joe and Henri.
This was agreed to. The horses were led out, the two little packscontaining Joe's goods were strapped upon them, and then the trappersturned to depart. The Indians did not move until they had mounted; thenthey rose and advanced in a body to the edge of the wood, to see thePale-faces go away. Meanwhile Joe spoke a few words to Cameron, and themen were ordered to halt, while the former dismounted and led his horsetowards the band of savages.
"Peigans," he said, "you know the object for which I came into thiscountry was to make peace between you and the Pale-faces. I have oftentold you so when you would not listen, and when you told me that I had adouble heart, and told lies. You were wrong when you said this; but Ido not wonder, for you live among nations who do not fear God, and whothink it right to lie. I now repeat to you what I said before. Itwould be good for the Red-men if they would make peace with thePale-faces, and if they would make peace with each other. I will nowconvince you that I am in earnest, and have all along been speaking thetruth."
Hereupon Joe Blunt opened his bundle of goods, and presented fullyone-half of the gaudy and brilliant contents to the astonished Indians,who seemed q
uite taken aback by such generous treatment. The result ofthis was that the two parties separated with mutual expressions ofesteem and good will. The Indians then returned to the forest, and thewhite men galloped back to their camp among the hills.