Produced by Roger Frank
RUNNING FOX
The next instant his own arrow dropped his enemy to theground.]
RUNNING FOX
BY
ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR
AUTHOR OF "WHITE OTTER," ETC. ETC.
FRONTISPIECE BY D. C. HUTCHISON
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK--LONDON 1918
Copyright, 1918, by D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
Printed in the United States of America
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I beg to gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to Schoolcraft's works on the Eastern Indians, and to Morgan's "League of the Iroquois" for much valuable information about the old-time Lenape and Iroquois Indians, and to the Lenape-English Dictionary edited by Daniel G. Brinton, and published by The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, for many ancient Lenape words.
Elmer Russell Gregor.
Table of Contents
I--A LONELY VIGIL II--INTO THE PERILOUS NORTH III--A THRILLING ADVENTURE IV--IN THE GRIP OF THE RAPIDS V--WOLVES VI--A PROWLER IN THE DARK VII--THE MYSTERIOUS CANOE VIII--A NARROW ESCAPE IX--FORCED INTO HIDING X--SPOTTED DEER DISAPPEARS XI--A SKIRMISH WITH THE SHAWNEES XII--SMOKE XIII--SURPRISED XIV--ANXIOUS DAYS XV--A BATTLE WITH THE CHIPPEWAS XVI--THE ESCAPE XVII--PURSUED BY THE ENEMY XVIII--THE IROQUOIS BLUNDER INTO A TRAP XIX--THE ATTACK ON THE DELAWARE CAMP XX--VICTORY
RUNNING FOX
CHAPTER I--A LONELY VIGIL
Having reached the age of sixteen winters, Running Fox, the son of BlackPanther, a famous Delaware war-chief, determined to establish hisreputation as a warrior. He knew, however, that before he could gainadmission into the gallant company of fighting men he would have toprove his courage and ability in some daring exploit. Running Foxbelieved that the Delawares would expect some extraordinary achievementfrom the son of their most noted chief, and he resolved to surpass themost noteworthy deeds of his tribesmen. He spent many days trying tothink of something sufficiently heroic to gain him the fame he desired.As he could come to no decision, he finally went to his father, andasked him to name the greatest possible achievement for a Delaware.
The eyes of the stern Delaware war-chief lighted with pride as he heardthe bold request of his son. He spent some moments silently studying theface of the eager lad before him. Then, convinced that Running Fox wasin earnest, he answered him.
"My son, you have asked me to tell you the greatest thing a Delaware cando. I will tell you. Far away toward Lowaneu,The-Place-Where-The-Cold-Comes-From, in the Mohawk camp, lives a greatwar-leader named Standing Wolf. You have heard our warriors talk abouthim at the council-fires. He has killed many of our people. We havefought many battles with him, but we cannot kill him. It must be that hebears a charmed life. We believe that he has some mysterious power. Manytimes our young men have surrounded him, but when they rushed in todestroy him he always killed most of them and escaped. He has done somewonderful things. It must be that he possesses some mysterious medicinecharm. If you can go to the Mohawk camp and find out how Standing Wolfgets his power it will be the greatest thing you can do."
"I will go," Running Fox cried, impulsively.
"My son, you are brave enough, but you speak fast like a child," repliedBlack Panther. "You must think about this thing. Then you will begin tosee how hard it is. Many brave warriors have tried to do it. Not onefound out about it. Most of them lost their lives. The Mohawks are askeen as wolves. When you enter their country, you will be in constantdanger of losing your life. If they find your trail it will be hard toescape. But if you feel brave enough to try to do this great thing, thenyou must go and talk with Sky Dog. He is a great medicine-person,perhaps he will be able to help you. Now I have told you what to do."
"My father, I will do as you have told me," agreed Running Fox.
He went at once to find old Sky Dog, the venerable Delawaremedicine-man. When Running Fox arrived at the medicine-lodge and drewaside the huge bear robe that hung before the entrance, he saw the agedmedicine-man sitting upon the ground before a small fire. He was tossingsmall handfuls of dried sweet-grass upon the embers, and droning somesort of medicine-song. He took no notice of the lad standing uneasily inthe doorway, and Running Fox began to wonder whether he had betterwithdraw. While he hesitated, however, Sky Dog raised his head andlooked to see who his visitor might be.
"Hi, I see some one standing in the doorway of my lodge," he said,peevishly. "The light is bad, and my eyes are old, so that I cannot tellwho you are. Come in here, and let me look at you."
Running Fox entered, and stood before the medicine-man. Sky Dog noddedunderstandingly.
"Now I see who you are," he said, "You are the son of a great chief.Well, what do you want?" he demanded, sharply.
Running Fox suddenly felt bewildered in the presence of this greatmedicine-person. For some moments, therefore, he maintained an awkwardsilence.
"Well, have you no ears?" Sky Dog cried, impatiently. "I have asked yousomething. Has your tongue left your mouth? Come, I am not here to bestared at."
The sharp reproach instantly aroused Running Fox from his reverie. Hesaw that his stupid silence had angered Sky Dog, and he hastened toexplain the reason for his visit.
Sky Dog seemed astounded at his boldness. He shook his head, and staredthoughtfully at the fire. It was a long time before he replied.
"You have spoken big words," he said, finally. "You are only a boy, andyet you have asked me to help you do something which our bravestwarriors have been unable to do. Do you think that I will listen to suchfoolish prattle? No. You must show me that you are in earnest. Does yourfather know about this thing!"
"Yes, my father sent me here," replied Running Fox.
"Well, then I may do something about it," said Sky Dog. "But there aremany things to be done before you can start on such a journey."
"I am listening," declared Running Fox.
"That is right. Well, first you must go to the sweat-lodge, and purifyyourself so that you can pray to Getanittowit, the Great One. Then youmust go away from the village for three days. You must go to a highmountain, and ask Getanittowit, the Great One, to help you. You mustsing medicine-songs. You must not eat anything but a handful of parchedcorn once each day. Perhaps if you do these things Getanittowit willtake pity on you, and send you a vision. If that comes to pass you mustcome to me, and I will tell you the meaning of it. If you do not receivea vision it will be useless to set out upon the undertaking, for youwill surely be killed. I have told you what to do. Go."
Running Fox left the lodge in high spirits. He had little doubt that ifhe faithfully carried out the commands of Sky Dog he would receive aidand power that would enable him to achieve his ambition. He went to hisfather and told him what Sky Dog had said. Then he hurried to thesweat-lodge.
The Pimoakan, or sweat-lodge, was a low, dome-shaped structure made ofwillow boughs, and covered with several layers of animal robes. It waslocated close beside the river. As Running Fox approached it he saw SkyDog and an aged assistant heatin
g stones at a fire near the entrance tothe lodge.
When the hot stones had been rolled into the lodge Sky Dog orderedRunning Fox to remove his clothing and crawl into the Pimoakan. Then themedicine-man and his companion filled raw-hide buckets with river water,and dashed it over the hot stones. When the lodge was filled with steamthey hung a number of heavy bear robes over the entrance, and left thelad to his fate.
For some moments Running Fox believed that he would smother in thestifling clouds of steam. Gasping and choking, he was on the point ofcrying out to be released when he suddenly realized what it would mean.He told himself that such an act would not only disgust Sky Dog, butthat it might even arouse the anger of Getanittowit, the Great One. Thepossibility frightened him. He endured the ordeal with the uncomplainingfortitude of a hardened warrior. The hot, steam-laden atmosphere inducedprofuse perspiration, and water streamed from every pore in his body.Running Fox grew weak and dizzy. He fought to overcome his weakness,however, for he realized that it was only by thus cleansing himself thathe might become fit to hold communion with Getanittowit, the Great One.
While Running Fox was confined in the lodge, Sky Dog sat just outsidethe entrance, chanting medicine-songs. He ordered Running Fox to repeatthem until he could sing them through without a mistake. Then Sky Dogdrew aside the bear robes, and commanded Running Fox to come out. Thelad staggered out, pale and faint. He presented a pitiful appearance.Sky Dog pointed toward the river, and Running Fox stumbled down the bankand threw himself into the icy water. The shock quickly revived him, andin a few moments he clambered out quite recovered from his experience.
"Now you can go away and rest," said Sky Dog. "But you must keepthinking about the thing you wish to do. Then, when you feel strong, youmust take your robe and a little parched corn, and go away. You must dothat before two suns have passed. Go to some high place and stay therethree days. During that time you must continue to ask Getanittowit totake pity upon you, and send you a vision. You must also keep singingthe medicine-songs. You must not take any weapons with you for thatwould make Getanittowit very angry. At the end of three days come backand tell me what you have seen. Now I cannot tell you anything more.Go."
Late the following day Running Fox took his deer-skin robe, and a smallbag containing parched corn, and left the village. He made his waytoward a high pine-clad mountain directly behind the great Delawarecamp. There were few who saw him go away, for Running Fox had carefullyguarded his plans. Two, however, his father and old Sky Dog, stoodtogether at the edge of the village and watched him disappear into theshadows of the forest. Then they turned silently away, and walkedthoughtfully to their lodges.
When Running Fox finally reached the summit of the mountain the sun haddisappeared, and the purple evening shadows were settling in thevalleys. Seating himself upon the trunk of a fallen pine the youngDelaware looked wonderingly upon the glorious panorama that lay beforehim. Far below was the Delaware village beside a splendid river which,like a great serpent, glided down from the north between parallel ridgesof low wooded hills. Behind those ridges were others, rising one behindthe other, like great billows, until they eventually ended in a long,irregular line of ghostly gray peaks far away against the brilliantsunset sky. The entire country was covered with a vast primeval forestwhich continued in all directions as far as the eye could see. Atvarious intervals isolated woodland lakes flashed from its Bomber greenbackground and rushing mountain cataracts blazed narrow white trailsdown the hillsides. It was an unspoiled picture of natural grandeur, aland blessed by the bounteous generosity of Getanittowit, who had filledit with blessings for his children. The waters teemed with fish, theforests swarmed with game, and the air was perfumed with the fragranceof the pines. Running Fox looked upon it with pride and affection, forit was the home of the great Lenape nation, his people, the Delawares.
Then the lad turned his eyes toward the north, and his face grew sternand threatening. He realized that he was looking upon the huntinggrounds of his enemies, the fierce and warlike Mohawks. Somewhere in thegreat silent wilderness that stretched for unknown leagues beyond theheadwaters of the river was the Mohawk village in which lived the famouswar-chief, Standing Wolf. Running Fox knew that to learn the secretwhich would enable his people to triumph over their enemies he must findand enter the hostile camp. For the first time he began to understandthe difficulty and peril of his task. It seemed like a foolhardyundertaking for an untried lad of sixteen winters. Running Fox thoughtof the experienced warriors who had sacrificed their lives in theattempt. For a moment or so it weakened his confidence. He even wonderedwhether he might not have chosen a feat beyond his ability. The ideaangered him. He told himself that no task was too great for the son ofBlack Panther.
Running Fox continued his reveries until darkness closed about themountain-top. Then, as the fires began to twinkle down in the Delawarecamp, he rose and turned his face toward the sky. He stood some momentsgazing at the starry heavens. Then he suddenly began his appeal toGetanittowit, the Great One.
Late in the night Running Fox was interrupted by the sound of somethingmoving stealthily through the forest. He was instantly alert, for herecalled that more than one daring Iroquois scout had been detectedspying upon the Delaware camp from the summit of that very mountain. Fora moment Running Fox longed for his weapons. The next instant hebanished the thought for fear of angering Getanittowit. He believed thatas long as he sang the sacred medicine-songs, and repeated the wordswhich old Sky Dog had taught him, he would be safe from all danger. Thusassured, he listened without fear to the mysterious sounds in thedarkness. At last a startled snort told him that it was only Achtu, thedeer. A few moments later he heard it dashing away through the woods.
Dawn found the devout lad, heavy-eyed and weary, still gazing into thesky and calling upon Getanittowit to help him. "O Getanittowit, takepity on me and help me to do what I have set out to do. O Getanittowit,send me a vision. O Getanittowit, I have sung the sacred medicine-songsmany times to make you glad. O Getanittowit, take pity on me and helpme." Running Fox continued to repeat the earnest appeal and sing thesacred songs throughout the day. With the falling of darkness, however,the exhausted lad ceased his exertions, and soon afterward fell into aheavy slumber.
The following day Running Fox hovered on the verge of collapse. Thescant daily ration of parched corn was insufficient to maintain hisstrength, and the long, trying ordeal began to sap his vitality. He hadstationed himself on a bare granite ledge which formed the very peak ofthe mountain. There, in the full glare of the scorching summer sun, hestood and offered his prayers to Getanittowit. At times his head reeledand his legs trembled beneath him, but when that happened he staggeredto the shade of the forest, and refreshed himself at an icy spring whichbubbled forth between the roots of a massive hemlock. Then he toiledpainfully up to the ledge, and continued the sacred ceremony which hefelt confident would eventually win him the favor of Getanittowit.
More than half of the day had passed when Running Fox discoveredsomething which filled him with dismay. Far away toward the westthreatening black clouds were piling up above the hill-tops. The youngDelaware watched them with great anxiety. He knew that the Delawaresconsidered it a very bad omen to be overtaken by a thunder storm whileconducting one of their sacred ceremonies. It was considered especiallysignificant if one were praying to Getanittowit, the Great One. Underthose circumstances a thunderstorm was accepted as a sign ofGetanittowit's displeasure. The thought filled Running Fox with panic.Keeping anxious watch of the darkening western sky, the superstitiousyoung Delaware continued to chant the sacred medicine-songs to avert theill fortune that threatened him.
It was not long, however, before Running Fox realized that the storm wasactually approaching. The ominous black clouds had formed into a greatmass that was sweeping rapidly toward the sun, and the low, threateningrumble of distant thunder echoed among the hills. The air grew hot andstifling. A quick, darting line of fire cut the western sky. Running Foxturned his eyes appealingly toward the sun,
as he sang themedicine-songs in a high, hysterical tone. Each moment he saw the stormgaining greater force. The sky grew blacker, the thunder sounded louder,and the lightning flashes became more frequent. Then the sun disappearedbehind the edge of the storm-clouds, and a peculiar yellow light floodedthe valleys. An uncanny hush had fallen upon the wilderness. Running Foxwas awed by the sound of his own voice. It sounded harsh and unnaturalfor he was almost screaming the sacred songs in his eagerness to makethem effective. Then another sound reached his ears. The wind wasroaring over the ridge to the westward. A few moments later it sweptover the mountain-top. A hawk sailed across the sky on the crest of thegale. Running Fox ceased singing to watch it. He wished that he, too,might flee as easily. Before the bird had disappeared, the storm wasupon him. It began with a startling crash of thunder, and a cracklingflash of light.
Believing that his long ordeal had been in vain, and that he had in someway offended Getanittowit, the Great One, Running Fox wished to die. Heknew that if he returned to his people with the disfavor of Getanittowitupon him he would be shunned as one in league with Medsit, the Evil One.He might even be driven from the camp. His heart failed him as hethought of the disgrace which he had brought upon his father. Then, asthe first great drops of rain began to fall, he turned his eyes towardthe village. A number of people were standing at the edge of the camp,gazing at the mountain-top. Somewhat apart from the others stood asolitary figure, whom the disconsolate lad thought he recognized as hisfather. The possibility roused him. He believed that Black Panther wasthere to give him courage and to urge him to continue his petition. Thethought filled him with hope. Running Fox told himself that perhapsGetanittowit was only testing his faith and courage. Encouraged by theidea, he determined to show himself worthy. A few moments later,therefore, when the Delaware camp was swept from his sight by a terrificdeluge of rain, Running Fox turned his face fearlessly toward the sky,and again sang the medicine-songs. He was a heroic figure as he stoodalone on the mountain-top in the fury of the storm, calling upon thegreat being whom his people believed ruled over all their destinies.Most of the time his voice was lost in the crashing of thunder and theroaring of the wind, but in every lull it rose strong and confident withthe new hope that had entered his heart.
"O Getanittowit, I am still here singing the sacred medicine-songs," hecried. "O Getanittowit, take pity on me. O Getanittowit, do not send meback to my people without something good to tell them. O Getanittowit,when I first heard the dreadful Thunder Beings I was afraid. Now myheart is strong again. O Getanittowit, take pity on me."
A terrifying crash of thunder was followed by a blinding flash oflightning that shattered a huge dead pine and filled the air with giantsplinters. Running Fox was less than three bow-lengths from the tree.When it was struck he staggered backward with his hands before his face,and fell to the ground.
When Running Fox finally regained consciousness, he found himselfstaring into darkness. For some moments he blinked his eyes to make surethat they were open. When he had convinced himself, a great fear enteredhis heart. He told himself that Getanittowit had destroyed his sight.Raising his eyes toward the heavens in mute appeal he was astonished tosee the stars. He scarcely dared hope that they were real. He turned hishead and looked about him. He saw the dim, shadowy outlines of rocks,and the shattered trunk of the giant pine. Then the truth suddenlyflashed upon him. It was night. Getanittowit had taken pity upon him,and brought him back to life. Running Fox attempted to rise and givethanks, but he was too weak. Besides, he was wet and cold. He longed forhis fire-sticks. Then, as he began to tremble, he suddenly rememberedhis robe. He crawled about until he found it. It was quite dry on theunder side, and he wrapped it closely about him. Then exhaustionovercame him, and he fell back unconscious.
Running Fox had barely closed his eyes when he heard some one callinghis name. Then he saw Machque, the bear. For a moment Running Fox feltuneasy without his weapons, for the bear was a huge creature and lookedvery fierce. However, as he had heard it call his name he knew that itmust be a medicine-creature, and he believed that it had come to helphim. While he was looking at the bear, he heard some one behind, himcalling his name. He looked and saw Achtu, the deer. It showed no fearof the bear, and walked up and stood beside it. Then Running Fox knewthat they must be medicine-creatures. As he was thinking what to say tothem, he again heard his name, and this time it was Woakus, the fox. It,too, went and stood beside the others. Then came Quenischquney, thepanther, and Wisawanik, the squirrel, and Gokhos, the owl, and theterrible Wischalowe, the rattlesnake, whom the Delawares called "TheFrightener." When they all were assembled, the bear was made the leader.
"Running Fox, we have come here to help you," said this strangemedicine-creature. "You have stood the test, and now we are going tohelp you. You are setting out to do a hard thing. If you do exactly aswe tell you, you will go through with it. What I have to say is short.You know that my people are brave and powerful. You must fight and killone of my people. Then you must eat his heart, and wear his claws aboutyour neck. This will make you as strong and as brave as we are. I havefinished."
"Running Fox, you have heard some one who is stronger and braver than Iam," declared Achtu, the deer. "But you must remember that strength andcourage will not always save you. When you cannot fight you must run. Mypeople are the fastest people who live in the woods. You are going outto do a great thing. I will tell you that you must kill one of mypeople, and eat his heart. Then you will be able to run faster than yourenemies."
"Running Fox, you have heard Machque, who is strong and brave, andAchtu, who is very swift, but you must also be very cautious. You aregoing upon a dangerous journey. If you are not careful you will surelybe killed. My people are very hard to catch. If you can kill one of ourold men, and cut off his ears, you will be as sharp as we are," saidWoakus, the fox.
"Running Fox, you have heard some great people," growled Quenischquney,the panther. "Well, now I am going to help you. It is a good thing to bestrong, and brave, and swift, and cautious, but you must also be able tosteal up and surprise your enemies. No one can do that better than mypeople. But I must warn you that our young men are very fierce, and youwill have a hard fight if you try to kill one of them. However, I willgive you power to do it. Then you must take the longest claw from eachfoot, and keep them about you."
"Running Fox, I am smaller and weaker than all these great people whohave talked to you," barked Wisawanik, the squirrel. "However, I am alsomore nimble, and better at hiding. If you wish to travel safely to thevillage where Standing Wolf lives, you must be nimble and good athiding. If you will kill one of our chiefs who wear the black robes, andcarry his scalp with you, you will be able to hide so well that yourenemies will not be able to find you."
"Running Fox, you have been promised some good things, but I am going tooffer you the best of all," boasted Gokhos, the owl. "If you have allthe powers that these good friends are going to give you, it will all beuseless without my gift When darkness falls then it will be safer totravel through the forest. But to do that you must have eyes that canlook through the night. My people have this gift. If you can kill one ofour great white leaders, who live far away in the country of theMohawks, you will not only be able to see as well at night as by day,but you will also have magic power to overcome whoever may try to harmyou."
"Running Fox, you know me; I am called 'The Frightener'," saidWischalowe, the rattlesnake. "Whoever hears my warning trembles withfear. If you will kill one of our old men, and tie his war-drum to yourbelt so that it makes a noise when you walk you will frighten away allwho seek to harm you."
When Wischalowe finished speaking they all remained silent, waiting forsome talk from Running Fox. For some moments he was at a loss as to justhow to address these strange medicine-creatures. While he was thinkingjust how to thank them they suddenly disappeared. At that moment RunningFox regained consciousness. Day had dawned, and the sun was well abovethe eastern ridges. For a moment or so the bewildered lad lookedanxiously a
bout him, expecting to see the strange creatures that hadappeared in his delirium. When he failed to find them his heart gave agreat hound of joy, for he believed that they had beenmedicine-creatures sent by Getanittowit to help him. The idea gave himstrength, and he struggled to his feet and offered thanks toGetanittowit. Then he toiled painfully down the mountainside. It tookhim most of the day to reach the valley. When he finally staggered intothe camp he went directly to old Sky Dog, and collapsed as he reachedthe door of his lodge.