erratum 20977HEADmain

1 files changed, 83 insertions, 90 deletions

diff --git a/1239-0.txt b/1239-0.txt
index 9d99530..5251240 100644
--- a/1239-0.txt
+++ b/1239-0.txt
@@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
 *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1239 ***
 
-This etext was prepared by Bruce Metcalf of Chattanooga, TN.
-
-
 
 
 
@@ -52,7 +49,7 @@ nineteenth century were full of stirring adventure on the part of
 the colonists along the Atlantic coast, how crowded must they have
 been for the almost forgotten pioneers who daringly invaded the
 trackless wilds! None there was to chronicle the fight of these
-sturdy, travelers toward the setting sun. The story of their stormy
+sturdy travelers toward the setting sun. The story of their stormy
 lives, of their heroism, and of their sacrifice for the benefit of
 future generations is too little known.
 
@@ -512,7 +509,7 @@ affectionate caress, he turned away from his pet.
 
 "Come, Jim, I'll take you to Mr. Wells."
 
-They stated across the little square, while Mose went back under the
+They started across the little square, while Mose went back under the
 wagon; but at a word from Joe he bounded after them, trotting
 contentedly at their heels. Half way to the cabins a big, raw-boned
 teamster, singing in a drunken voice, came staggering toward them.
@@ -1128,7 +1125,7 @@ more joined the circle round the fire.
 coal and placing it in the bowl of his pipe. He took off his
 coon-skin cap and carefully laid it aside. His weather-beaten face
 beamed in answer to the girl's request. He drew a long and audible
-pull at his black pipe, and send forth slowly a cloud of white
+pull at his black pipe, and sent forth slowly a cloud of white
 smoke. Deliberately poking the fire with a stick, as if stirring
 into life dead embers of the past, he sucked again at his pipe, and
 emitted a great puff of smoke that completely enveloped the grizzled
@@ -1731,7 +1728,7 @@ Joe made no answer, and regarded questioner steadily.
 
 Joe laughed in the renegades face.
 
-"How'd you knew me?" growled Girty. "I'll see thet you hev cause to
+"How'd you know me?" growled Girty. "I'll see thet you hev cause to
 remember me after this."
 
 "I figured there was only one so-called white man in these woods who
@@ -1898,7 +1895,7 @@ consciousness.
 
 Chapter VI.
 
-One evening, several day previous to the capture of the brothers, a
+One evening, several days previous to the capture of the brothers, a
 solitary hunter stopped before a deserted log cabin which stood on
 the bank of a stream fifty miles or more inland from the Ohio River.
 It was rapidly growing dark; a fine, drizzling rain had set in, and
@@ -2216,7 +2213,7 @@ opening; a small, brown hand grasped the hilt. Another little hand
 followed and felt of the wall and floor, reaching out with groping
 fingers.
 
-The, hunter rolled again so that his back was against the wall and
+The hunter rolled again so that his back was against the wall and
 his wrists in front of the opening. He felt the little hand on his
 arm; then it slipped down to his wrists. The contact of cold steel
 set a tremor of joy through his heart. The pressure of his bonds
@@ -2337,7 +2334,7 @@ turned loose yer dog an' horse an' lit out on yer trail.''
 
 "Where are the Delawares now?"
 
-"I reckon there nosin' my back trail. We must be gittin'.
+"I reckon they're nosin' my back trail. We must be gittin'.
 Silvertip'll soon hev a lot of Injuns here."
 
 Joe intended to ask the hunter about what had frightened the
@@ -2356,7 +2353,7 @@ again when he saw the hunter scalp his victims. He shuddered the
 third time when he saw Wetzel pick up Silvertip's beautiful white
 eagle plume, dabble it in a pool of blood, and stick it in the bark
 of a tree. Bereft of its graceful beauty, drooping with its gory
-burden, the long leather was a deadly message. It had been
+burden, the long feather was a deadly message. It had been
 Silvertip's pride; it was now a challenge, a menace to the Shawnee
 chief.
 
@@ -2608,7 +2605,7 @@ Undoubtedly the Moravian missionaries have accomplished wonders with
 the Indians. Not long ago I visited the Village of Peace--the Indian
 name for the mission--and was struck by the friendliness and
 industry which prevailed there. Truly it was a village of peace. Yet
-it is almost to early to be certain of permanent success of this
+it is almost too early to be certain of permanent success of this
 work. The Indian's nature is one hard to understand. He is naturally
 roving and restless, which, however, may be owing to his habit of
 moving from place to place in search of good hunting grounds. I
@@ -2651,7 +2648,7 @@ with a quiet smile. "Our home was with uncle, and when he announced
 his intention of going west we decided our duty was to go with him."
 
 "You were right, and I hope you will find a happy home," rejoined
-Colonel Zane. "If life among the Indians, proves to be too hard, we
+Colonel Zane. "If life among the Indians proves to be too hard, we
 shall welcome you here. Betty, show the girls your pets and Indian
 trinkets. I am going to take the boys to Silas' cabin to see Mr.
 Wells, and then show them over the fort."
@@ -2694,7 +2691,7 @@ wall. Being a keen observer, he noticed many small, round holes in
 the logs. They were so near together that the timbers had an odd,
 speckled appearance, and there was hardly a place where he could
 have put his thumb without covering a hole. At first he thought they
-were made by a worm or bird peculiar to that region; but finally lie
+were made by a worm or bird peculiar to that region; but finally he
 concluded that they were bullet-holes. He thrust his knife blade
 into one, and out rolled a leaden ball.
 
@@ -2814,27 +2811,26 @@ cabin.
 
 "I am immensely interested in him," replied Joe.
 
-"Well, I don't think there's anything singular in that. I know
-Wetzel better, perhaps, than any man living; but have seldom talked
-about him. He doesn't like it. He is by birth a Virginian; I should
-say, forty years old. We were boys together, and and I am a little
-beyond that age. He was like any of the lads, except that he
-excelled us all in strength and agility. When he was nearly eighteen
-years old a band if Indians--Delawares, I think--crossed the border
-on a marauding expedition far into Virginia. They burned the old
-Wetzel homestead and murdered the father, mother, two sisters, and a
-baby brother. The terrible shock nearly killed Lewis, who for a time
-was very ill. When he recovered he went in search of his brothers,
-Martin and John Wetzel, who were hunting, and brought them back to
-their desolated home. Over the ashes of the home and the graves of
-the loved ones the brothers swore sleepless and eternal vengeance.
-The elder brothers have been devoted all these twenty years and more
-to the killing of Indians; but Lewis has been the great foe of the
-redman. You have already seen an example of his deeds, and will hear
-of more. His name is a household word on the border. Scores of times
-he has saved, actually saved, this fort and settlement. His
-knowledge of savage ways surpasses by far Boone's, Major
-McColloch's, Jonathan's, or any of the hunters'."
+"Well, I don't think there's anything singular in that. I know Wetzel
+better, perhaps, than any man living; but have seldom talked about
+him. He doesn't like it. He is by birth a Virginian; I should say,
+forty years old. We were boys together, and I am a little beyond that
+age. He was like any of the lads, except that he excelled us all in
+strength and agility. When he was nearly eighteen years old a band
+if Indians--Delawares, I think--crossed the border on a marauding
+expedition far into Virginia. They burned the old Wetzel homestead
+and murdered the father, mother, two sisters, and a baby brother. The
+terrible shock nearly killed Lewis, who for a time was very ill. When
+he recovered he went in search of his brothers, Martin and John Wetzel,
+who were hunting, and brought them back to their desolated home. Over
+the ashes of the home and the graves of the loved ones the brothers
+swore sleepless and eternal vengeance. The elder brothers have been
+devoted all these twenty years and more to the killing of Indians; but
+Lewis has been the great foe of the redman. You have already seen an
+example of his deeds, and will hear of more. His name is a household
+word on the border. Scores of times he has saved, actually saved, this
+fort and settlement. His knowledge of savage ways surpasses by far
+Boone's, Major McColloch's, Jonathan's, or any of the hunters'."
 
 "Then hunting Indians is his sole occupation?"
 
@@ -3000,7 +2996,7 @@ Joe smiled, and returned the friendly hand-pressure.
 English.
 
 Joe nodded his head, while Colonel Zane spoke once more in Shawnee,
-explaining the cause of Silvertip's emnity.
+explaining the cause of Silvertip's enmity.
 
 "Shawnee--chief--one--bad--Injun," replied Tome, seriously.
 "Silvertip--mad--thunder-mad. Ketch'um paleface--scalp'um sure."
@@ -3031,7 +3027,7 @@ I'm just surprised. Where is your brother now?"
 We are now on more friendly terms with the great Wyandots, or
 Hurons, as we call them, than ever before."
 
-"Who is this big man coming from the the fort?" asked Joe, suddenly
+"Who is this big man coming from the fort?" asked Joe, suddenly
 observing a stalwart frontiersman approaching.
 
 "Major Sam McColloch. You have met him. He's the man who jumped his
@@ -3392,7 +3388,7 @@ work."
 
 "A glorious work it is! Welcome, young ladies, to our peaceful
 village. And, young man, I greet you with heartfelt thankfulness. We
-need young men. Come in, all of your, and share my cabin. I'll have
+need young men. Come in, all of you, and share my cabin. I'll have
 your luggage brought up. I have lived in this hut alone. With some
 little labor, and the magic touch women bring to the making of a
 home, we can be most comfortable here."
@@ -4992,15 +4988,15 @@ camp-fire; the cheery glow of red embers; the crackling of dry
 stocks; the sweet smell of wood smoke, all had for the lad a subtle,
 potent charm.
 
-The hunter would broil a venison steak, or a partridge, on the
-coals. Then they would light their pipes and smoke while twilight
-deepened. The oppressive stillness of the early evening hour always
-brought to the younger man a sensation of awe. At first he
-attributed this to the fact that he was new to this life; however,
-as the days passed and the emotion remained, nay, grew stronger, he
-concluded it was imparted by this close communion with nature. Deep
-solemn, tranquil, the gloaming hour brought him no ordinary fullness
-of joy and clearness of perception.
+The hunter would broil a venison steak, or a partridge, on the coals.
+Then they would light their pipes and smoke while twilight deepened.
+The oppressive stillness of the early evening hour always brought to
+the younger man a sensation of awe. At first he attributed this to the
+fact that he was new to this life; however, as the days passed and the
+emotion remained, nay, grew stronger, he concluded it was imparted
+by this close communion with nature. Deep, solemn, tranquil, the
+gloaming hour brought him no ordinary fullness of joy and clearness of
+perception.
 
 "Do you ever feel this stillness?" he asked Wetzel one evening, as
 they sat near their flickering fire.
@@ -5662,7 +5658,7 @@ An unaccountable horror suddenly swept over the watching man. His
 hair stood straight up; a sensation as of cold stole chillingly over
 him. Whether it was the climax of this long night's excitement, or
 anticipation of the bloody struggle soon to come, he knew not. Did
-this boiling spring, shimmering in the sliver moon-rays, hold in its
+this boiling spring, shimmering in the silver moon-rays, hold in its
 murky depths a secret? Did these lonesome, shadowing trees, with
 their sad drooping branches, harbor a mystery? If a future tragedy
 was to be enacted here in this quiet glade, could the murmuring
@@ -6206,7 +6202,7 @@ ridicule more; so he continued his trickery unmolested. Joe's idea
 was to lead the savages to believe he was thoroughly happy in his
 new life, and so he was, but it suited him better to be free. He
 succeeded in misleading the savages. At first he was closely
-watched, the the vigilance relaxed, and finally ceased.
+watched, the vigilance relaxed, and finally ceased.
 
 This last circumstance was owing, no doubt, to a ferment of
 excitement that had suddenly possessed the Delawares. Council after
@@ -6475,7 +6471,7 @@ white lips.
 
 Terrible was this struggle, but brief. Joe seemingly had the
 strength of ten men. Twice he pulled Girty down as a wolf drags a
-deer. He dashed him against the wall, throwing him nearing and
+deer. He dashed him against the wall, throwing him nearer and
 nearer the knife. Once within reach of the blade Joe struck the
 renegade a severe blow on the temple and the villain's wrestling
 became weaker. Planting his heavy knee on Girty's breast, Joe
@@ -6970,7 +6966,7 @@ rally from her terrible shock. A dark shadow lay always before her,
 conscious of nothing present, living over again her frightful
 experience. Again she seemed sunk in dull apathy.
 
-"Dave, we're going to loose Nell. She's fading slowly," said George,
+"Dave, we're going to lose Nell. She's fading slowly," said George,
 one evening, several days after the girl's return. "Wetzel said she
 was unharmed, yet she seems to have received a hurt more fatal than
 a physical one. It's her mind--her mind. If we cannot brighten her
@@ -7163,7 +7159,7 @@ brought upon us by poor Kate's fate?"
 
 The missionary raised his hand as if to exhort some power above.
 
-"Curse the Girty's!" he exclaimed in a sudden burst of
+"Curse the Girtys!" he exclaimed in a sudden burst of
 uncontrollable passion. "Having conquered all other obstacles, must
 we fail because of wicked men of our own race? Oh, curse them!"
 
@@ -7244,7 +7240,7 @@ Mr. Wells took her hand soothingly, but he did not attempt to answer
 her question. He looked helplessly at Heckewelder, but that
 missionary was intently studying the expression on Nell's face.
 
-"Part of it was a dream," he answered,impressively.
+"Part of it was a dream," he answered, impressively.
 
 "Then that horrible man did take us away?"
 
@@ -7692,7 +7688,7 @@ these cattle and fields of grain."
 "That so? I met Wetzel and Jack Zane back a few miles in the woods.
 They're layin' for somebody, because when I asked them to come along
 they refused, sayin' they had work as must be done. They looked like
-it, too. I never hern tell of Wetzel advisin' any one before; but
+it, too. I never hearn tell of Wetzel advisin' any one before; but
 I'll say if he told me to do a thing, by Gosh! I'd do it."
 
 "As men, we might very well take the advice given us, but as
@@ -8326,7 +8322,7 @@ three times. She fell across the body of her lover, and clasped it
 convulsively.
 
 Girty gave one glance at his victims; deliberately wiped the gory
-knife on Wind's leggins, and, with another glance, hurried and
+knife on Winds' leggins, and, with another glance, hurried and
 fearful, around the glade, he plunged into the thicket.
 
 An hour passed. A dark stream crept from the quiet figures toward
@@ -8466,26 +8462,24 @@ strips of meat.
 
 "What luck did you have?"
 
-"I found Girty's trail, an old one, over here some eighteen or
-twenty miles, an' follered it until I went almost into the Delaware
-town. It led to a hut in a deep ravine. I ain't often surprised, but
-I wus then. I found the dead body of that girl, Kate Wells, we
-fetched over from Fort Henry. Thet's sad, but it ain't the
-surprisin' part. I also found Silvertip, the Shawnee I've been
-lookin' fer. He was all knocked an' cut up, deader'n a stone.
-There'd been somethin' of a scrap in the hut. I calkilate Girty
-murdered Kate, but I couldn't think then who did fer Silver, though
-I allowed the renegade might hev done thet, too. I watched round an'
-seen Girty come back to the hut. He had ten Injuns with him, an'
-presently they all made fer the west. I trailed them, but didn't
-calkilate it'd be wise to tackle the bunch single-handed, so laid
-back. A mile or so from the hut I came across hoss tracks minglin'
-with the moccasin-prints. About fifteen mile or from the Delaware
-town, Girty left his buckskins, an' they went west, while he stuck
-to the hoss tracks. I was onto his game in a minute. I cut across
-country fer Beautiful Spring, but I got there too late. I found the
-warm bodies of Joe and thet Injun girl, Winds. The snake hed
-murdered them."
+"I found Girty's trail, an old one, over here some eighteen or twenty
+miles, an' follered it until I went almost into the Delaware town.
+It led to a hut in a deep ravine. I ain't often surprised, but I wus
+then. I found the dead body of that girl, Kate Wells, we fetched over
+from Fort Henry. Thet's sad, but it ain't the surprisin' part. I also
+found Silvertip, the Shawnee I've been lookin' fer. He was all knocked
+an' cut up, deader'n a stone. There'd been somethin' of a scrap in the
+hut. I calkilate Girty murdered Kate, but I couldn't think then who did
+fer Silver, though I allowed the renegade might hev done thet, too. I
+watched round an' seen Girty come back to the hut. He had ten Injuns
+with him, an' presently they all made fer the west. I trailed them, but
+didn't calkilate it'd be wise to tackle the bunch single-handed, so
+laid back. A mile or so from the hut I came across hoss tracks minglin'
+with the moccasin-prints. About fifteen mile or so from the Delaware
+town, Girty left his buckskins, an' they went west, while he stuck to
+the hoss tracks. I was onto his game in a minute. I cut across country
+fer Beautiful Spring, but I got there too late. I found the warm bodies
+of Joe and thet Injun girl, Winds. The snake hed murdered them."
 
 "I allow Joe won over Winds, got away from the Delaware town with
 her, tried to rescue Kate, and killed Silver in the fight. Girty
@@ -8635,7 +8629,7 @@ we've rounded up all our acquaintances."
 The two bordermen lay close under the tall ferns and watched the
 proceedings with sharp eyes. They saw the converted Indians seat
 themselves before the platform. The crowd of hostile Indians
-surrounded the glade on all sides, except on, which, singularly
+surrounded the glade on all sides, except one, which, singularly
 enough, was next to the woods.
 
 "Look thar!" exclaimed Wetzel, under his breath. He pointed off to
@@ -8800,7 +8794,7 @@ herself, and to cheer, to inspire those around her.
 
 "I am a silly baby, and selfish!" she cried, freeing herself from
 his hold. "Always thinking of myself." She turned away and wiped the
-tears from her eyes. "Go, Jim, do you duty; I'll stand by and help
+tears from her eyes. "Go, Jim, do your duty; I'll stand by and help
 you all a woman can."
 
                 *       *       *
@@ -9555,11 +9549,11 @@ were concentrating around Girty's teepee, where already a great
 throng had congregated. Of all the Indians to be seen not one
 walked. They leaped by Jim, and ran over the grass nimble as deer.
 
-He saw the eager, fire in their dusky eyes, and the cruelly clenched
-teeth like those of wolves when they snarl. He felt the hissing
-breath of many savages as they raced by him. More than one whirled a
-tomahawk close to Jim's head, and uttered horrible yells in his ear.
-They were like tigers lusting for blood.
+He saw the eager, venomous fire in their dusky eyes, and the cruelly
+clenched teeth like those of wolves when they snarl. He felt the
+hissing breath of many savages as they raced by him. More than one
+whirled a tomahawk close to Jim's head, and uttered horrible yells in
+his ear. They were like tigers lusting for blood.
 
 Jim hurried to the church. Not an Indian was visible near the log
 structure. Even the savage guards had gone. He entered the open door
@@ -9696,7 +9690,7 @@ Nell over the stones and rough places. Mr. Wells labored in the
 rear.
 
 "Oh! Jim! Look back! Look back! See if we are pursued!" cried Nell
-frequently, with many a earful glance into the dense thickets.
+frequently, with many a fearful glance into the dense thickets.
 
 The Indian took a straight course through the woods. He leaped the
 brooks, climbed the rough ridges, and swiftly trod the glades that
@@ -9770,7 +9764,7 @@ love to kiss those white eyelids.
 
 Nell's eyes opened wide; a smile lay deep in their hazel shadows.
 
-"Where a I? Oh, I remember," she cried, sitting up. "Oh, Jim, I had
+"Where am I? Oh, I remember," she cried, sitting up. "Oh, Jim, I had
 such a sweet dream. I was at home with mother and Kate. Oh, to wake
 and find it all a dream! I am fleeing for life. But, Jim, we are
 safe, are we not?"
@@ -10499,7 +10493,7 @@ Slowly it dawned upon Wetzel that the chief could hardly have any
 reason for taking this circling course save that of pride and savage
 joy in misleading, in fooling the foe of the Delawares, in
 deliberately showing Deathwind that there was one Indian who could
-laugh at and loose him in the forests. To Wetzel this was bitter as
+laugh at and lose him in the forests. To Wetzel this was bitter as
 gall. To be led a wild goose chase! His fierce heart boiled with
 fury. His dark, keen eyes sought the grass and moss with terrible
 earnestness. Yet in spite of the anger that increased to the white
@@ -10620,7 +10614,7 @@ rifle.
 
 Wingenund had returned to bury Whispering Winds.
 
-Wetzel's teethe clenched, an awful struggle tore his heart. Slowly
+Wetzel's teeth clenched, an awful struggle tore his heart. Slowly
 the rifle rose, wavered and fell. It rose again, wavered and fell.
 Something terrible was wrong with him; something awful was awakening
 in his soul.
@@ -10748,10 +10742,9 @@ him until it was all over. He is going to have the lad educated."
 The others will remain out there, and try to get another hold, but I
 fear it's impossible."
 
-"It is impossible, not because the Indian does not want
-Christianity, but because such white men as the Girty's rule. The
-beautiful Village of Peace owes its ruin to the renegades," said
-Colonel Zane impressively.
+"It is impossible, not because the Indian does not want Christianity,
+but because such white men as the Girtys rule. The beautiful Village of
+Peace owes its ruin to the renegades," said Colonel Zane impressively.
 
 "Captain Williamson could have prevented the massacre," remarked
 Jim.