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diff --git a/25966-h/25966-h.htm b/25966-h/25966-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..921fe55 --- /dev/null +++ b/25966-h/25966-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8618 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Camp-fire And Wigwam, by Edward S. Ellis. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i3 {display: block; margin-left: 3em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Camp-fire and Wigwam, by Edward Sylvester Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Camp-fire and Wigwam + +Author: Edward Sylvester Ellis + +Release Date: July 4, 2008 [EBook #25966] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMP-FIRE AND WIGWAM *** + + + + +Produced by Taavi Kalju, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1>CAMP-FIRE AND WIGWAM.</h1> + +<h2>By EDWARD S. ELLIS</h2> + +<h3>AUTHOR OF "NED IN THE BLOCK-HOUSE," "NED IN THE WOODS," "NED ON THE +RIVER," "THE LOST TRAIL," ETC.</h3> + + + +<h3>PHILADELPHIA:<br /> +PORTER & COATES.</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1885,<br /> +BY PORTER & COATES.</h3> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="ill01" id="ill01"></a> +<img src="images/ill01.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Jack's Wrestling Bout with the Young Indian.</span></h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.—AT HOME</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.—A DOUBTFUL ENTERPRISE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.—WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.—CAPTORS AND CAPTIVES</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.—JOURNEYING SOUTHWARD</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.—AN INVOLUNTARY BATH</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.—TWO VISITORS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.—A SURPRISE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.—BY THE CAMP-FIRE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.—WAITING AND HOPING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.—THROUGH THE FOREST</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.—THE SIGNAL FIRES</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.—THE INDIAN VILLAGE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.—ON THE MOUNTAIN CREST</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.—THE RETURN AND DEPARTURE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.—A PERPLEXING QUESTION</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.—TWO ACQUAINTANCES AND FRIENDS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.—THE TRAPPERS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.—DEERFOOT'S WOODCRAFT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.—SAUK AND SHAWANOE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.—CHRISTIAN AND PAGAN</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.—AN ABORIGINAL SERMON</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.—IN THE LODGE OF OGALLAH</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.—A ROW</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.—THE WAR FEAST</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.—AN ALARMING DISCOVERY</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.—"GAH-HAW-GE"</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.—A PATIENT OF THE MEDICINE MAN</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.—CONVALESCENCE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.—OUT IN THE WORLD</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.—JOURNEYING EASTWARD</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.—A MISCALCULATION</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.—CONCLUSION</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#Famous_Castlemon_Books">Famous Castlemon Books.</a><br /> +<a href="#Algers_Renowned_Books">Alger's Renowned Books.</a><br /> +<a href="#By_C_A_Stephens">By C. A. Stephens.</a><br /> +<a href="#By_J_T_Trowbridge">By J. T. Trowbridge.</a><br /> +<a href="#By_Edward_S_Ellis">By Edward S. Ellis.</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<p><a href="#ill01"><span class="smcap">Jack's Wrestling Bout with the Young Indian</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#ill02"><span class="smcap">A Narrow Escape</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#ill03"><span class="smcap">The Signal</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#ill04"><span class="smcap">Deerfoot's Victory</span></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CAMP-FIRE AND WIGWAM.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>AT HOME.</h3> + + +<p>On the evening of a dismal, rainy day in spring, a mother and her son +were sitting in their log-cabin home in the southern portion of the +present State of Missouri. The settlement bore the name of Martinsville, +in honor of the leader of the little party of pioneers who had left +Kentucky some months before, and, crossing the Mississippi, located in +that portion of the vast territory known at that time as Louisiana.</p> + +<p>There were precisely twenty cabins, all of which had been constructed +with a view to rugged strength, durability, and comfort. Lusty arms had +felled the trees, that were cut the proper length and dovetailed in the +usual manner at the corners, the crevices being filled with a species of +plaster, made almost entirely from yellow clay. The interiors were +generally divided into two apartments, with a broad fireplace and the +rude furniture of the border. Colonel Martin himself, with the +assistance of his two full-grown sons, erected a more pretentious +dwelling with two stories and a loft, but the other houses, as has +already been stated, were of such a simple and familiar character that +the American reader needs no further description.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carleton was a widow, whose husband had been slain by Indians in +Kentucky some time previous, and who, in the daily requirement of her +duties, and in her great love for her only child, Jack, found some +relief from the dreadful sorrow that overshadowed her life. Kind +neighbors had lent willing hands, and her home was as well made as any +in the settlement. Jack and his companion, Otto Relstaub, had arrived +only a couple of days before, and each had wrought so hard in his +respective household that they had scarcely found time to speak to or +see each other.</p> + +<p>The evening meal had been eaten, the things cleared away, and wood +heaped upon the fire which filled the little room with cheerful +illumination. The mother was seated at one side, the silent +spinning-wheel just beyond, while her deft fingers were busy with her +knitting. Jack was half reclining on a rude bench opposite, recounting, +in his boyish fashion, the adventures of himself and Otto on their +memorable journey, which has been fully told in the "Lost Trail."</p> + +<p>The good mother possessed an education beyond the ordinary, and, knowing +its great value, insisted upon her son improving his spare moments in +study. Jack was well informed for his years, for no one could have been +blessed with a better teacher, counselor, and friend, than he was. Even +now, when we reintroduce him to the reader, he held an old-fashioned +spelling-book in his hand. He had tried to give his attention to his +lesson, but, boy-like, his mind persisted in wandering, and his mother, +looking fondly across the fire, was so pleased to hear him chat and to +ask and answer questions, that she could not find it in her heart to +chide him.</p> + +<p>"You have never seen Deerfoot, have you, mother?" he asked, abruptly +breaking in on his own narrative.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have seen him; he saved the life of your father."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Jack, straightening up and staring at his parent in +open-mouthed amazement: "I never heard of that before."</p> + +<p>"Didn't Deerfoot tell you?"</p> + +<p>"He never hinted anything of the kind. He once asked me about father's +death and about you, but I thought it was only a natural interest he +felt on my account. But tell me how it was, mother."</p> + +<p>"Some months before your father's death, he was absent a couple of days +on a hunt to the south of our home. He kindled a camp-fire in a deep +valley, where the undergrowth was so dense that he felt sure of being +safe against discovery. The night was very cold, and snow was flying in +the air. Besides that, he had eaten nothing all day, and was anxious to +broil a wild turkey he had shot just as it began to grow dark. He +started the fire, ate his supper, and was in the act of lying down for +the night, when a young Indian walked out from the woods, saying in the +best of English that he was his friend. Your father told me that he was +the most graceful and handsome youth he had ever looked upon——"</p> + +<p>"That was Deerfoot!" exclaimed the delighted Jack.</p> + +<p>"There can be no doubt of it, for he told your father that such was his +English name. I forget what his own people called him. Well, he said to +your father, in the most quiet manner, that a party of Shawanoes were +very near him. They had heard the report of his rifle, and, suspecting +what it meant, were carefully arranging to capture him for the purpose +of torture. Deerfoot had seen them, and, having also heard the gun, +learned what was going on. If your father had stayed where he was five +minutes longer, nothing could have saved him. I need not tell you that +he did not stay. Under the guidance of Deerfoot he managed to extricate +himself from his peril, and, by traveling the entire night, was beyond +all danger when the sun rose again. Deerfoot did not leave him until +certain he had no cause for fear. Then, when your father turned to thank +him, he was gone. He had departed as silently as a shadow."</p> + +<p>"That was just like Deerfoot!" exclaimed Jack, with kindling eye; "it +seems to me he is like Washington. Though he has been in any number of +dangers, I don't believe he has so much as a scar on his little finger. +He has been fired upon I don't know how often, but, like Washington, he +carries a charmed life."</p> + +<p>The serious mother shook her head, and, looking over her knitting at her +boy, made answer:</p> + +<p>"Such a thing is unknown in this world; more than likely he will fall by +the knife or bullet of an enemy."</p> + +<p>"I suppose he is liable to be shot, like any one else; but the Indian +that does it has got to be mighty smart to get ahead of him. Plenty of +them have tried it with knife and tomahawk, but they never lived to try +it on any one else. But that ain't the most wonderful part of it," added +Jack, shaking his head and gesticulating in his excitement with both +arms; "Deerfoot knows a good deal more about books than I do."</p> + +<p>"That does not imply that he possesses any remarkable education," said +the mother, with a quiet smile.</p> + +<p>The boy flushed, and sinking back said:</p> + +<p>"I know I ain't the best-educated fellow in the settlement, but who ever +heard of a young Indian knowing how to read and write? Why, that fellow +can write the prettiest hand you ever saw. He carries a little Bible +with him: the print is so fine I can hardly read it, but he will stretch +out in the light of a poor camp-fire, and read it for an hour at a time. +I can't understand where he picked it all up, but he told me about the +Pacific Ocean, which is away beyond our country, and he spoke of the +land where the Saviour lived when he was on earth. I never felt so +ashamed of myself as I did when he sat down and told me such things. He +can repeat verse after verse from the Bible; he pronounced the Lord's +Prayer in Shawanoe, and then told me and Otto that if we would only use +the English a little oftener the Great Spirit would hear us. What do you +think of <i>that</i>?"</p> + +<p>"It is very good advice."</p> + +<p>"Of course it is, but the idea of a young Indian being that sort of +fellow! Well, there's no use of talking," added Jack, as though unable +to do justice to the theme, "he beats anything I ever heard of. If the +truth should be written as to what he has done, and put in a book, I +don't 'spose one person in a hundred would believe it. He promised to +come and see us."</p> + +<p>"I hope he will," said the mother; "I shall always hold him in the +highest esteem and gratitude for his kindness to your father and to +you."</p> + +<p>"I tell you it would have gone rough with Otto and me if it hadn't been +for him. I wonder how Otto is getting along?" said Jack, with an +expression of misgiving on his face.</p> + +<p>"Why do you ask that?" inquired his mother.</p> + +<p>"I think Deerfoot was worried over him."</p> + +<p>"I do not understand you."</p> + +<p>"Why, you know Otto has got the meanest father in the whole United +States of America——"</p> + +<p>"Those are strong words," interrupted the parent reprovingly.</p> + +<p>"It is contrary to your teaching to talk that way, but you know, too, +that it is the solemn truth. Deerfoot stopped at Jacob Relstaub's cabin, +in this very settlement, some weeks ago, when it was raining harder than +now, and asked for something to eat, and to stay all night. What do you +'spose Relstaub did? He abused him and turned him away."</p> + +<p>"What a shame!" exclaimed the good woman indignantly. "Why did Deerfoot +not come here or to one of the other cabins?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but he went off in the woods by himself. Otto tried to +befriend him, and was whipped for it; but Deerfoot never forgot it, and +he risked his life to help Otto and me."</p> + +<p>"It was very unkind in Mr. Relstaub, but you have not told me why you +and Deerfoot were alarmed for Otto."</p> + +<p>"Otto had the best horse that his father owns. It ran away from us, and, +though we tried hard to get him again, we couldn't, and Otto and I came +home on foot. Knowing his father as well as we do, Deerfoot and I were +afraid the poor fellow would be punished because he lost the animal. I +haven't had a chance to say much to Otto, and when I did, I didn't want +to ask him about it, but I would like to know whether he has been +punished for what he couldn't help."</p> + +<p>"I can answer that question," said Mrs. Carleton, softly; "his father +whipped him most cruelly yesterday."</p> + +<p>"The old scamp——"</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut!" warned the parent, raising her finger, "it <i>was</i> cruel, but +Otto will survive it, as he has many other times, and before many years +he will become so large that his father will not be able to punish him."</p> + +<p>"I hope he will undertake it, and Otto will knock him——"</p> + +<p>"Stop!" said the mother, more sternly, "you have already allowed your +feelings to lead you too far."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, mother," said Jack, humbly, "I would not hurt your feelings +for the world; but there is such a contrast between his father and you, +and his mother is just as bad——"</p> + +<p>Jack checked himself again, for his quick ear detected something. He +turned quickly toward the door of the cabin, and his mother, reading the +meaning of the movement, did the same, holding her fingers motionless +while both listened.</p> + +<p>The rain beat upon the roof, dashed against the window-panes, and +rattled on the logs of the cabin, with a melancholy sound that made the +interior seem doubly cheerful by contrast. At times the wind roared +among the trees, and some of the pattering drops found their way down +the chimney, and hissed among the flaming brands, making tiny black +points that were instantly wiped out by the ardor of the fire itself.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the latch-string, which was only drawn in when the inmates were +ready to retire, was pulled, the latch raised, the door opened, and Otto +Relstaub, his garments dripping water, entered the room.</p> + +<p>"Good-evening!" he called, pausing a moment to close the door against +the driving storm.</p> + +<p>Both greeted the visitor, and Jack, laying aside his book, advanced and +warmly shook the hand of his friend, bringing him forward and giving him +a seat on the bench, which was drawn still nearer the fire.</p> + +<p>Otto was attired very much as when we saw him last, but he did not carry +his gun with him. He took off his peaked hat, shook the water from it, +and then his broad, good-natured face, gleaming with moisture and rugged +health, was raised to meet the mild, inquiring gaze of the lady, who +asked him how he was.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I ish well," he answered, speaking English much better than he did +a short time previous, "I have been working so hard dot I couldn't come +over before."</p> + +<p>"I'm real glad to see you," said Jack, cordially, slapping him on the +back and making the water fly; "if you hadn't called to-night I would +have dropped in to-morrow to see you. We've hardly had a chance to speak +to each other since we got back."</p> + +<p>"No, dot ish so," said Otto, with a sigh. "Father, he makes me work +harder as I never did, to make up for the time dot I wasted in play, he +says. By Jiminy! I don't think dot was much play, do you, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"It was the worst play I ever went through; two boys never worked harder +for their lives than did we, and if it hadn't been for Deerfoot, we +never would have reached Martinsville. I suppose your father gave you a +whipping for losing Toby?"</p> + +<p>"I should thinks he did! I hadn't been home one hours, when he went out +and cut a stick, and used it up on me, and he doned the same yesterday."</p> + +<p>Jack was about to break forth into vigorous language, when his mother +anticipated him. Her voice was slightly tremulous, for, despite her +enforced calmness, she could not altogether restrain her feelings.</p> + +<p>"Surely he could not have understood the matter; I will speak to your +mother."</p> + +<p>Otto shrugged his shoulders, with a laugh in which there was more +sadness than mirth.</p> + +<p>"Moder is worse than him; she tole him he didn't whips me half enough, +and so he tried it again yesterday. I heard her tells him to-night dot I +needed more, so I slips out and comes over here before he could get +everythings ready. May I stay here all night?"</p> + +<p>"All night!" repeated Jack, "you may stay a week—a month—a year—yes, +<i>forever</i>."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to stay dot long," said Otto, with his pleasant laugh; +"but fader, he tells me he will beat me every day till I brings back de +horse."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Jack, compressing his lips, "you won't go back till +you get the horse—if it takes five years."</p> + +<p>"Did your father tell you to stay away till you recovered the animal?" +asked Mrs. Carleton.</p> + +<p>"Dot vos just vot he says."</p> + +<p>"Then it is proper that you should obey him."</p> + +<p>Otto nodded his head to signify that his sentiments were those of his +friends. He glanced slyly around the room, but did not explain what he +was looking for, and, unfortunately, neither mother nor son suspected +the meaning of the look; but Otto's hard-hearted parents had actually +driven him from their home without allowing him to eat a mouthful of +dinner or supper. He was suffering with hunger, but was plucky enough to +bear it without complaining, since his friends had partaken and cleared +away the table long before.</p> + +<p>"What do you intend to do?" asked Mrs. Carleton, who deeply sympathized +with the poor lad.</p> + +<p>"I goes home in de mornings and gets my gun and powder-horn before they +can whips me, and then I goes off to hunt for Toby."</p> + +<p>"And I'll go with you!" exclaimed the impulsive Jack, springing to his +feet; "you'll let me, mother, won't you?" he asked, turning beseechingly +toward her.</p> + +<p>Recalling the perils through which her only child had passed so +recently, the widow could not but contemplate with dismay the prospect +of having him venture into the wilderness again; but she felt deeply for +poor honest Otto, who was so willing and good-natured, and who had shown +such a desire to help her while her own boy was in Kentucky.</p> + +<p>Furthermore, she knew that Louisiana was a much less dangerous country +than the Dark and Bloody Ground. Few of the Shawanoes, Hurons, and other +actively hostile tribes ever crossed to the western side of the +Mississippi, where the Osages gave little trouble to the settlers +scattered through that immense territory.</p> + +<p>Otto's eyes sparkled when Jack Carleton leaped to his feet and declared +he would go with him on the search for the lost horse (subject, of +course, to the consent of his mother), and the German youth looked +pleadingly toward the good woman, who, it is hardly necessary to say, +yielded consent, giving with it a large amount of motherly counsel, to +which the boys listened respectfully, though candor compels me to say +that the thoughts of both were far away among the green woods, beside +the sparkling streams, and in the shadows of the chasms, ravines, and +gloomy mountains, whither, as they well knew, the curious search would +lead them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>A DOUBTFUL ENTERPRISE.</h3> + + +<p>One of the commendable habits of the early settlers and old-fashioned +folks was that of retiring and rising early. They were ardent believers +in the saying of Poor Richard that "early to bed, and early to rise, +makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."</p> + +<p>It was not yet nine o'clock, when Jack and Otto, despite the deep +interest they felt in their projected campaign, voluntarily withdrew to +the other room, where they fell asleep within five minutes after their +heads touched the pillow. The mother remained by the fire some time +after the boys withdrew. Her small white fingers flitted hither back and +forth, while her mild brown eyes seemed to look beyond the flashing +needles, and into the glowing coals on the hearth. Her thoughts were sad +and sorrowful, as they always were when she sat thus alone. They +wandered back to that awful time when her loved husband was stricken +down in defence of her and their little boy.</p> + +<p>But to-night she was thinking more of that boy than of the father. She +saw how much like the latter he was growing, and she trembled when she +recalled that he was soon to start on another excursion into the +wilderness, to be gone for days, and likely for weeks, and with no +certainty of ever returning again.</p> + +<p>As the night advanced, the fury of the storm diminished. At "low twelve" +the fall of rain ceased altogether. The wind blew strongly, sometimes +with a power which caused the strongest trees to bow their heads to the +blast. As the morning approached, it died out altogether, and the sun +rose on one of the fairest days that ever was seen.</p> + +<p>Early as was the orb, the inmates of the cabin were waiting to greet it +when it appeared above the horizon. The boys were in high spirits over +the beautiful morning, and both felt that it promised well for the +venture before them.</p> + +<p>"I tell you <i>we're going to win</i>!" said Jack, compressing his lips and +shaking his head. "I feel it in my bones, as your father says, just +before a storm comes."</p> + +<p>"Dot's vot I dinks," assented Otto, whose only discomfort was his +exceeding hunger: "Vot you dinks, Mrs. Carleton?"</p> + +<p>"I hope you will not be disappointed; that is the most I can say. Jack's +feeling that you are going to succeed is simply his pleasure over the +prospect of a ramble in the woods. We will eat breakfast, after which +you can go home and make your preparations for the journey."</p> + +<p>When they were seated at the table and Otto's hunger was nearly +satisfied, he told his friends with a grin, that it was the first food +he had tasted in twenty-four hours. They were shocked, and both took him +to task for his failure to make known the truth the evening before. He +made the philosophic reply that if he had done so he would have missed +the boundless enjoyment of such a meal as that of which he was then +partaking.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carleton on rising in the morning felt that Otto ought not to be +allowed to go on the expedition until after a further talk with his +parents, who, despite what they had said, might be unwilling for him to +engage in such an undertaking; but when she learned how the poor fellow +had been made to suffer with hunger her feelings changed. It was hard to +repress her indignation, and she made up her mind to talk to the cruel +folks as they had never been talked to before; but she allowed no +impatient word to escape her in the presence of their son. She simply +advised him to depart as soon as he could upon the hunt for the horse, +and not to return, if possible, until it was recovered or another +obtained.</p> + +<p>"Dot is vot I does," replied Otto with a shake of his head and a +determined expression; "Otto doesn't comes back till he brings some kind +of animal—if it's only a 'coon or 'possum."</p> + +<p>When he walked over to his own home (the building for which was +precisely the same as that of widow Carleton), his father and mother +were eating their breakfast. They looked surlily at him as he entered, +and the mother showed her incredible heartlessness by asking her only +child in German:</p> + +<p>"Where is Toby that you lost?"</p> + +<p>"How can I tell, mother, except that he is in the woods? I tried hard to +find him again, and had it not been for Deerfoot I would have lost my +life; but he is gone."</p> + +<p>"Did I not tell you to go and not come back until you brought him with +you?" demanded the father, glaring at his boy as though he was ready to +throttle him.</p> + +<p>"So you did—so you did; but I couldn't do much last night, when it was +so dark and stormy. I have come over to get my gun and ammunition."</p> + +<p>The father and mother looked in each other's faces, as though in doubt +whether they would let the lad have the property, but before the +question could be debated Otto had flung the powder-horn over his +shoulders, adjusted the bullet-pouch, shoved the hunting-knife in the +girdle at his waist, and walked to the front door, where he halted and +looked back.</p> + +<p>"Can't I have breakfast before I go?"</p> + +<p>"No!" fairly shouted the father; "begone; you shall not have a mouthful +under my roof till you bring back the colt you have lost."</p> + +<p>"Nobody wants anything you've got on <i>that</i> table," the lad was +indignant enough to reply: "I've had one meal that was worth more than a +dozen like that. Good-by!"</p> + +<p>And before the dumfounded parents could rally from the unparalleled +impudence of the youth he was gone.</p> + +<p>When he reached the home of Jack Carleton, the latter was waiting and +impatient to start. Jack had already kissed his mother good-by several +times and he repeated the fond embrace. Tears were in the eyes of both, +and the mother stood in the door of her cabin shading her eyes with her +hand until the two passed from sight in the forest beyond the clearing.</p> + +<p>Several of the pioneers who were busy about the settlement greeted the +boys and inquired their errand. Colonel Martin shook hands with them, +and asked all the particulars of the business on which they were +engaged. His age and position authorized him to ask such searching +questions, had the couple been full-grown men instead of boys.</p> + +<p>Otto answered truthfully, and the colonel smiled grimly and shook his +head.</p> + +<p>"It's mighty little chance you have of ever finding <i>that</i> horse again, +but you may come upon another. Take my advice, however," added the +colonel with a wink of his left eye, "make certain the owner isn't in +sight when you walk off with the animal."</p> + +<p>"Why, colonel, you don't think we mean to steal a horse!" exclaimed the +horrified Jack.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not—certainly not," the principal man of the settlement +hastened to say, "I don't believe you could be persuaded to do such a +thing—that is if the owner was looking."</p> + +<p>"We couldn't be persuaded to do such a thing <i>under any circumstances</i>," +exclaimed Jack, his face flushing over the idea that any one who knew +him should suspect him capable of such a crime.</p> + +<p>"See here," said the colonel, dropping his voice and stepping in front +of them, "you tell me you are going after a horse. Have you the money +with you to buy one?"</p> + +<p>"No; we cannot get one <i>that</i> way."</p> + +<p>"I judged not; how then do you propose to obtain him?"</p> + +<p>"Toby, the colt belonging to Otto's father, is wandering in the woods +not very far away——"</p> + +<p>"How do you know he is?" interrupted the colonel.</p> + +<p>"Why, he was doing so only a few days ago."</p> + +<p>"That is no proof that he is keeping it up; in fact it is scarcely +possible that such is the case. Recollect, my boy, that several tribes +of Indians hunt through this portion of Louisiana, and they would be +much quicker than you to observe the trail of a horse wearing an iron +shoe; they would be inquiring enough also to investigate for themselves, +and, when they came upon the colt, they would snap him up quicker than +lightning."</p> + +<p>The boys felt that somehow or other the wonderful young Shawanoe would +appear at the right moment and lend them the help which they were +certain to need. Should he fail to do so, they could no more recapture +and take the colt to his owner than they could penetrate into the Dark +and Bloody Ground and bring back the great war chief Tecumseh as a +prisoner.</p> + +<p>But neither Colonel Martin nor any one in the village knew anything +about the extraordinary Indian youth, and, while Jack was asking himself +whether he should linger long enough to explain the situation, the +gentleman relieved them from the embarrassment by a hearty slap on the +shoulder of Jack, and the exclamations:</p> + +<p>"I was once a boy myself! I haven't forgotten that jolly time: we +always liked to have some sort of excuse when we went off on a frolic. +You see what a lot of work there is to do in clearing the ground and +getting it ready for cultivation; you would much rather be hunting and +rambling through the woods; I can't say I blame you, so off with you, +and when you come back with word that the horse was mean enough to keep +out of your way, why we won't be too hard on you."</p> + +<p>And with another resounding slap, the hearty colonel gave the boys a +vigorous shove which sent them forward among the trees, near which they +had halted.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Carleton was too sensible a youth to suppose that the Lost Trail +could be found by a blind wandering through the immense expanse of +wilderness, which stretched hundreds of miles in almost every direction +from the little settlement of Martinsville. Both he and Otto had a +strong hope, when they reached home after their stirring adventure with +Deerfoot, that the colt Toby would follow them of his own accord. He +belonged to a species possessing such unusual intelligence that there +would have been nothing remarkable in such a proceeding, and the fact +that he did not do so, gave ground for the belief that he had fallen +into the hands of parties who prevented the animal from doing as he +chose.</p> + +<p>One fact was clearly established; Toby had been within a comparatively +short distance of the settlement, and, if he had remained anywhere in +the neighborhood during the late storm, traces of him must be found +without much difficulty. But one of the easiest things in the world is +to theorize over any problem; to push that theory to a successful +conclusion is altogether another matter.</p> + +<p>While it lacked a couple of hours of noon, the boys reached an elevated +section which gave them an extended view in every direction. Looking to +the eastward, Otto fancied he could detect the gleam of the distant +Mississippi, but Jack assured him he was mistaken. Too many miles lay +between them and the mighty Father of Waters for the eye to traverse the +space.</p> + +<p>Young Carleton took off his cap and drew his handkerchief across his +perspiring forehead. Then he sighed and smiled.</p> + +<p>"This doesn't appear so hopeful to me as it did last night, when we sat +around the fire and talked it over; but of course we won't give up so +long as there's the least hope."</p> + +<p>"And it won't do for me to give him up then," replied Otto, with a +meaning shake of his head; "you don't know my fader as well as me."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to either," remarked Jack, who did not think it his duty +to refrain from showing the contempt he felt for the miserly, cruel +parent of his friend.</p> + +<p>"No," observed Otto, with a touch of that grim humor which he sometimes +displayed, "I doesn't dinks dot you and him could have much fun +together."</p> + +<p>The young friends were too accustomed to the immensity of nature, as +displayed on every hand, to feel specially impressed by the scene which +would have held any one else enthralled. It may be said they were "on +business," though it had very much the appearance of sport.</p> + +<p>"Halloo! I expected it!" called out Jack Carleton, whose gaze abruptly +rested on a point due southwest, and more than a mile away.</p> + +<p>His companion did not need the guidance of the outstretched arm and +index finger leveled toward the distant spot, where the smoke of a +camp-fire was seen climbing toward the blue sky. The scene on which the +boys looked was similar to that which met the eye of Ned Preston and +Deerfoot when they lay on the broad flat rock and gazed across at the +signal-fire in the distance.</p> + +<p>The wooded country gradually sloped to the south and west from the +elevation whereon the young friends had halted, slowly rising and +undulating until the eye could follow the blue wavy outlines no further. +At the point already named, and in the lowest portion of the intervening +country, a camp-fire was burning. The smoke, as it filtered upward +through the branches of the trees, and gradually dissolved in the pure +air above, was seen with such distinctness that it caught the eye of +Jack the moment it was turned in that direction.</p> + +<p>It was not a signal-fire, such as one is likely to detect when +journeying through an Indian country, but the vapor from the camp of +some body of men who were not making the slightest attempt to conceal +themselves, for it cannot be conceived that they had any reason for +doing so.</p> + +<p>If the party were Indians, they surely had no necessity for stationing a +sentinel on the outskirts of their camp to watch for danger.</p> + +<p>Jack and Otto looked in each other's faces and smiled; the natural +question had presented itself at the same moment. It was, "Can it be +that the horse we are seeking is with them?"</p> + +<p>"The only way to find out is to go forward and see for ourselves," said +Jack, after they had discussed the question for several minutes.</p> + +<p>"'Spose dot de horse is with them—what den?"</p> + +<p>Jack shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot used to say that he could never answer such a question until +he knew exactly how everything stood. Now, we can't be certain whether +they are Indians or white men, and I don't know as it makes much +difference one way or the other, for our own horse thieves over in +Kentucky were dreaded as much as were the Shawanoes. They were a good +deal meaner, too, for they oppressed their own race."</p> + +<p>"Dot is vot I sometimes dinks of fader," was the unexpected remark of +Otto; "if he was only a colored man or Injin I would have more respect +for him; dot is so."</p> + +<p>"Come on; we have started out to do something, and we can't gain +anything by staying here."</p> + +<p>The brief halt had refreshed the boys, and they now moved forward with +their naturally vigorous and almost bounding steps. While they had much +curiosity, and a somewhat singular misgiving, yet they were in no +particular fear, for it was impossible to believe they were in any real +peril.</p> + +<p>It was quite a tramp to reach the camp in which just then they felt so +much interest, and the sun was close to meridian when Jack, who was +slightly in advance, slackened his gait, and remarked in an undertone:</p> + +<p>"It can't be far—halloo!"</p> + +<p>While picking their way through the valley, they lost sight of the +wavering column of vapor, except once or twice when they were able to +catch a glimpse of it through the tree-tops. Jack's exclamation was +caused by another sight of the murky column, which, as he suspected, +proved to be little more than a hundred yards distant.</p> + +<p>There was so much undergrowth that nothing of the fire itself could be +observed, though the smoke showed itself distinctly in the clear air +above.</p> + +<p>"Vell, vot does we does now?" was the natural query of Otto, as he +placed himself beside his young friend.</p> + +<p>"I guess we may as well keep on, until we find out who they are."</p> + +<p>"After we finds out vot we does den?"</p> + +<p>"We shall see—come on."</p> + +<p>It was simple prudence that they should speak in whispers, and step with +as much care as if they were scouts entering the camp of an enemy. It +would have been rashness to neglect so simple a precaution, no matter +how favorable the circumstances.</p> + +<p>"Holds on!" whispered Otto, "I dinks I goes around the oder side while +you takes a look on dis side."</p> + +<p>"There is no need of doing that," interposed Jack; "we found out the +consequence of separating when in danger. You needn't keep behind me, +but you may walk at my side."</p> + +<p>"All right," responded Otto, obeying the suggestion.</p> + +<p>A rod or two further, and something red gleamed, among the trees and +undergrowth. Smoke was observed at the same moment, and immediately +after came the hum of voices and the sight of persons stretched on the +ground in lolling, indolent positions, while some were sitting on a +fallen tree, and two were engaged in broiling some venison, which +evidently was meant to furnish dinner for the rest. The majority were +smoking a species of red clay pipe, and the appearance of the party +suggested that they were resting after a laborious tramp through the +woods.</p> + +<p>There were precisely ten, and they were Indians—every one. Jack could +not be certain of the tribe to which they belonged, but inasmuch as it +was apparent they were neither Shawanoes nor Hurons, he was confident +they were Osages, though it was not impossible that their totem was +another altogether.</p> + +<p>Several peculiarities about the strange Indians interested the youth. +They were noticeably shorter in stature than the Hurons and Shawanoes +whom they had been accustomed to meet on the other side of the +Mississippi. The poetical American Indian is far different from the one +in real life. It is rarely that a really handsome warrior or squaw is +met. They are, generally a slouchy, frowsy, lazy, unclean people, of +whom nothing is truer than that distance lends enchantment to their +view.</p> + +<p>Those upon whom Jack and Otto gazed with natural curiosity, were not +only shorter in stature, but of homelier countenance. Their eyes were +smaller, more piggish, and further apart, their cheek-bones more +prominent, the foreheads lower and more sloping, while Jack always +asserted that they had much larger mouths than the Indians with whom he +was familiar.</p> + +<p>While asking themselves whether it was wise to go any closer and to make +their acquaintance, the lads stood side by side, each with the stock of +his gun resting on the earth, while their whole attention was absorbed +by the curious scene before them.</p> + +<p>It would naturally follow that if the Indian party was in such plain +sight of the boys, they themselves must have been visible to the red men +had they chosen to cast their searching glances towards the spot where +the two were standing, even though the latter were partially hidden by +the undergrowth.</p> + +<p>Had Jack and Otto been as vigilant and suspicious as they ought to have +been, their misgivings would have been awakened by what took place +within the next ten minutes. Two of the warriors, leaving their rifles +where they were leaning against a fallen tree, leisurely rose and +sauntered into the woods, taking a course directly opposite to that +which would have led them to where the boys stood. The latter observed +the movement, but thought nothing of it.</p> + +<p>"What do you say?" finally asked Jack, in a guarded voice; "shall we go +forward and make their acquaintance?"</p> + +<p>"Dey haven't any horses that we can see, and I dinks dot we better goes +away till some other time."</p> + +<p>"I am inclined to believe you are right——"</p> + +<p>At that moment, and without the least warning, a brawny, coppery arm +shot over the shoulder of Jack Carleton, and, grasping his rifle with an +iron grip, snatched it from him. At the same instant, a precisely +similar movement deprived Otto Relstaub of his most important weapon, +the two friends being made prisoners before they dreamed they were in +the least danger.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>CAPTORS AND CAPTIVES.</h3> + + +<p>With an exclamation of affright, Jack Carleton whirled on his heel and +found the broad, grinning face of one of the warriors almost against his +own. Holding the rifle back, as if expecting an attempt to recover it, +the savage thrust his head forward, with a tantalizing expression +overspreading his ugly features. At the same moment he muttered +something very rapidly in his own tongue. Not a word was understood by +Jack, but he was sure the warrior said, "Ah, ha, young man, I've caught +you, and you can't help yourself."</p> + +<p>The experience of Otto Relstaub was slightly different from that of his +companion. When he found his rifle gone and a squatty Indian at his +elbow, he was panic-stricken.</p> + +<p>"Mine gracious!" he exclaimed, "this ain't de best place for me; I dinks +I goes to some oder place."</p> + +<p>Naturally he made a dash to retrace his steps, but the warrior was too +quick for him. He had taken his second step only, when his captor +grasped the ankle of the foot that was rising from the ground, and drew +backward with such force that Otto sprawled on his face.</p> + +<p>Jack, who could not believe that these red men were of a very sanguinary +disposition, laughed outright over the discomfiture of his friend.</p> + +<p>"Can't you kick him loose?" he called.</p> + +<p>"If he don't hang on too tight," replied Otto, trying with might and +main to free himself.</p> + +<p>The moment the boys were captured, the attention of the entire company +was centred upon them. All talking ceased, and every one stood up and +looked toward the point of interest. Several went forward to meet the +captives, and the general grin that lighted up the aboriginal +countenances seemed to shed a mild sort of sunlight among and under the +trees.</p> + +<p>"It's no use," said Jack to his friend; "we can't get away until they +are ready to let us go."</p> + +<p>"Vot does they mean to do mit us?"</p> + +<p>"That is hard to tell," replied the young Kentuckian, with a serious +countenance; "I don't know to what tribe they belong, but I believe +they ain't half as bad as the Shawanoes."</p> + +<p>"Dey couldn't be any more cruel don dem," was the truthful observation +of the young German.</p> + +<p>In the course of a few seconds the boys were fully introduced to the +camp-fire of the strange Indians, who were not in war paint, and who, as +the boys rightly believed, belonged to a less bloodthirsty totem than +did the redskins on the eastern bank of the Mississippi.</p> + +<p>Every warrior was standing on his feet, and they all crowded around the +boys, as though they had never seen any of their race until that moment. +They continually talked in their guttural, grunting fashion, smiling and +nodding their heads. Two of them pinched the limbs of the boys as though +testing their muscle. So far from showing any alarm, Jack Carleton +clenched his fist and elevated his arm, swaying the hand back and forth +as if proud to display the development of his biceps. But Otto was in +too doleful a mood to indulge in anything of the kind.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, the Indians could not feel the slightest +misgiving on account of their prisoners. They must have known of the +settlement only a few miles distant, and they had not offered to disturb +it, nor had they molested any of the pioneers when they ventured into +the woods in quest of game.</p> + +<p>Such being the case, it can be readily seen that, so far as the settlers +were concerned, the Indians were safe. Although within gunshot of +Martinsville, the red men took no precaution at all against molestation +from them.</p> + +<p>It struck Jack as curious that among the warriors gathered around them, +not one had as yet spoken a word that he could understand. The American +race have shown a quickness from the first to pick up expressions from +the language of those near them. Who has forgotten Samoset's "Welcome, +Englishmen!" uttered to the first settlers at Plymouth, who were at a +loss to understand where the red man learned the pleasant words?</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton, who retained his self-possession much better than did his +friend, listened hopefully for some word which he could recognize.</p> + +<p>While he was disappointed in that respect, he could not believe that he +and Otto were in any imminent peril from their captors, though, on the +other hand, he was very far from feeling safe against harm. With a +coolness that must have awakened admiration among the barbarians, the +youth, standing in the middle of the group, folded his arms, and +smilingly looked in the repellant faces, none of which were at a greater +altitude than his own.</p> + +<p>After pinching different parts of the bodies of the boys, the Indians +seemed to be satisfied and stepped back. The majority sat down on the +log, others sauntered away, relighting their pipes that had burned out, +and the two who had been serving as cooks, gave their attention to the +venison steak, whose appetizing odor filled the surrounding space.</p> + +<p>"Otto, we may as well take it quietly," said Jack, sauntering to the +butt of the log, and seating himself, "they don't mean to tomahawk us +just yet, and I hope they will give us some dinner before they dispose +of us."</p> + +<p>The German imitated the action of Jack, but he did not share his +self-possession. He shook his head in a way which showed he was far from +feeling comfortable.</p> + +<p>"You seem more scared than when we were behind the logs, with the +Shawanoes and Hurons on the outside," said Jack; "I don't understand how +that can be. I am sure there is less to dread from these Indians than +from them."</p> + +<p>"It ain't de Injins dot makes me feel so bad," replied Otto with a +rueful expression, "but fader."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with him?"</p> + +<p>"De colt is lost and now dey takes mine gun from me; if I goes back dot +way, fader will whip me harder than ever."</p> + +<p>Jack was serious for a moment and then he laughed.</p> + +<p>"I never dreamed that <i>that</i> was your trouble. Of course, if you go home +without your gun the old gentleman will be angry, but there is one good +thing about the matter."</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"No matter what happens, he can't be any meaner and more cruel than he +is now."</p> + +<p>Otto removed his tall, conical hat, looked thoughtfully down at the +ground in front, and slowly scratched his head. Manifestly he was in +deep thought. Suddenly he looked up, his face aglow.</p> + +<p>"Dot is so. I don't care now vot dey takes, I will valks home and tells +fader and moder dot I lost it, den won't they be mad! Oh, mine +gracious!"</p> + +<p>And leaning far back on the log and donning his hat, he slapped his knee +with his right hand and shook all over with laughter. There is something +contagious in such an exhibition, as we all know, and not only did Jack +laugh in unison, but several of the warriors showed they were amused.</p> + +<p>"I thought all the time Otto was alarmed on account of the Indians," +said Jack to himself, "and it was nothing of the kind; he was only +afraid that his father will be madder than ever when he goes back not +only without the lost horse, but without some of the property he took +away with him. Now that fear is gone and Otto begins to feel better than +I do, for," thought the youth, looking around him, "we certainly are not +in the best situation in the world."</p> + +<p>The youth could not help observing that while the Indians seemed to pay +little attention to them, he and Otto were under strict surveillance. As +no motion had been made to bind them, the boys could make a sudden +break or dash for liberty whenever the whim took possession of them, but +nothing could be gained and a great deal might be lost by such an +attempt. Stumpy and heavy-set as were the warriors, they could easily +outrun their captives, and rather than permit them to get away, they +would doubtless riddle them with bullets. Consequently, while the same +thought came to each of the friends more than once, as they sat +conversing on the log, neither proposed any effort to get away.</p> + +<p>They had brought nothing in the shape of lunch with them, and it may be +doubted whether any one of the Indians was more ravenously hungry than +were they. It would go hard with them, if deprived of their share of the +dinner, prepared by the aboriginal cooks.</p> + +<p>When the huge slices of venison were half broiled, the distribution +followed. The cooks handled their hunting-knives with such deftness, +that in a twinkling, as may be said, the jaws of the entire party were +vigorously at work. After receiving their respective shares, few made +the slightest use of their knives. The aborigines live and eat so much +like wild animals, that, almost without exception, they possess +admirable teeth which need no artificial assistance.</p> + +<p>"My gracious!" whispered Jack, "I believe they don't mean to give us so +much as a bite."</p> + +<p>"If dey doesn't do so, den I dies mit hunger," was the despairing +exclamation of Otto, who forgot that only a few hours had passed since +he had partaken liberally of food. "I never felt so hungry as I feels +now, and now I'm growing worser——"</p> + +<p>Something thumped against the side of the speaker's head with such force +that his hat fell off. Jack had just time to see that it was a piece of +cooked venison, when a similar blessing struck him.</p> + +<p>The two Indians were dexterous throwers, and they and half a dozen were +grinning over the result.</p> + +<p>The result was satisfactory in every way to the victims, if such they +may be considered, for, besides furnishing them with the much-needed +nourishment, it was a strong proof of the indifference, if not the +good-will of their captors. Had they felt ill inclined toward the boys, +they would not have shown such kindness toward them.</p> + +<p>"When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do," laughed Jack, seating +himself on the fallen tree and devouring the half-cooked meat with the +gusto of those around him. Indeed he and Otto had eaten many a time in a +similar style, and few persons find difficulty in making savages of +themselves in every respect, whenever the inclination so to do takes +possession of them.</p> + +<p>The boys would have relished double the amount of food, but enough had +been given to remove all discomfort, and they would have found it hard +to describe the thorough enjoyment the lunch imparted.</p> + +<p>But now that the troublesome question was answered, the thought of the +youths naturally turned to the immediate future. Had these Indians +formed any purpose respecting their prisoners? If so, what was it likely +to be? Did they intend to kill them with rifle, tomahawk, or knife? Or +would they be taken away captives? Did the red men belong to the Osage +tribe of Indians, or was theirs some fiercer or milder totem from a +distant part of the country?</p> + +<p>It is a fact that among many of the early settlements in Missouri and +other Western States, the warriors who were occasionally encountered in +the forests, or who fired from the cover of the trees, belonged to +tribes whose hunting-grounds were many leagues away. They were not +Shawanoe, Huron, Pottawatomie, Osage, Miami, Delaware, Illinois, +Kickapoo, or Winnebago. Sometimes a veteran trapper recognized the dress +and general appearance that he had noted among the red men to the +northward, and far beyond the Assiniboine; others who had ventured +hundreds of miles to the westward, remembered exchanging shots with +similar dusky warriors on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains.</p> + +<p>Indeed it cannot be questioned that the American race not only produced +warriors, orators, and magnificent leaders, but it had its travelers and +explorers—the name being accepted in its restricted meaning.</p> + +<p>More than once Jack had wondered whether this party had not come from a +long distance in the interior, perhaps hundreds of miles, and that +having completed the errand on which they had journeyed so far, were now +on their return.</p> + +<p>"If this is so," he said to Otto, when they observed the party making +preparations to leave, "they will take us on a good long march."</p> + +<p>"I dinks maybe dey knocks us in the head, so as not to makes us feel bad +apout going away from home."</p> + +<p>Further conversation was checked by some minutes of bustle and activity. +The Indians seemed to have come very suddenly to the conclusion to +depart, and the boys naturally shared the excitement; but possibly their +dismay can be imagined, when it became apparent that the red men +intended to divide into two parties, and that as a consequence the boys +would have to part company, and who shall say whether it was to be for a +few days, a few years, or forever?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>JOURNEYING SOUTHWARD.</h3> + + +<p>It never occurred to Jack and Otto that their captors meant to separate +until the division actually took place. As if by a general +understanding, one half of the party moved to the right, and the rest +partly to the left, the course of the former being due west, and of the +latter directly south.</p> + +<p>"Halloo, Otto!" called Jack, turning his head and stopping among the +members of his own division who were moving off; "they're going to part +company."</p> + +<p>"Dot is vot it looks like; but I guess it ain't going to be for one +great vile. Good-by!"</p> + +<p>Jack was unwilling to part with his friend in this abrupt fashion, and +he started toward him with a view of shaking his hand. He did not dream +that his movement would awaken the least opposition; but he presumed too +much on the indulgence of the red men, for, before he could take three +steps, one of the warriors caught his arm, and, with a violent wrench, +flung him in the opposite direction.</p> + +<p>It required the utmost effort of Jack to save himself from falling, and +a stinging pain ran through his shoulder. His hot Kentucky blood was +aflame, and the instant he could poise his body he drew his knife and +rushed upon the Indian with the fury of a tiger.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you that you can't treat me that way!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>The warrior whom he was about to assail faced him in a crouching +posture, both hands resting on his knees, while his ugly countenance was +bisected by a tantalizing grin which showed the molars of both jaws. His +black eyes gleamed like those of a rattlesnake, and his whole attitude +and manner showed that he was seeking to goad the lad to attack him.</p> + +<p>The impetus was not needed. Jack Carleton had no thought of hesitation, +though even in his rage he felt that there was scarcely a shadow of hope +that he would escape with his life from such an encounter.</p> + +<p>The moment Jack was close enough he bounded forward and made a sweeping +blow, with the knife gripped in his right hand. Had the weapon struck +where it was aimed, there would have been one Indian less before the +spectators could have realized what had taken place. The other warriors +were looking upon the picture as though in doubt of what was coming. +Among those watching the scene was Otto Relstaub, whose eyes were +riveted on his friend. The thrilling encounter had opened so suddenly +that he fairly held his breath, certain that Jack would not live two +minutes longer.</p> + +<p>But the knife of the boy missed its mark altogether. The keen point +whizzed through empty air, the spiteful force of the blow turning the +lad half way around on his feet, and leaving him utterly at the mercy of +the warrior; the latter could have smitten him to the earth with the +suddenness of the lightning stroke.</p> + +<p>But the Indian did not so much as draw his weapon. With a quickness +which the eye could scarcely follow, he snatched the wrist of the boy's +hand and bent it back with such force that poor Jack was glad to let the +weapon fall to the ground. He was discomfited and helpless.</p> + +<p>Jack folded his arms, so as to bring the injured wrist against his left +side and under his elbow. Pressing it close to his body, he shut his +white lips and forced back the cry that struggled for utterance.</p> + +<p>With wonderful coolness the triumphant red man stooped to the ground, +picked up the hunting-knife, and with the same expanse of grin, +presented it to Jack, the handle toward him.</p> + +<p>"Takes him, Jack!" called out Otto, who was probably the most astounded +spectator of the scene; "but don't try to kills him ag'in."</p> + +<p>Young Carleton for a moment was as bewildered as a child; but his good +sense rapidly returned, and, with a smile in answer to that of the +Indian, he accepted the weapon and shoved it back in its place.</p> + +<p>Jack was mortified beyond expression at the sorry show he had made. He +had cut a ridiculous figure, and no wonder a general smile lighted up +the faces of the red men gathered around.</p> + +<p>But the youth made a mistake when he believed he had lowered himself in +the eyes of his captors. The American race (like all others) admire true +courage and pluck, even though judgment may be lacking, and the +dauntless style in which the young captive attacked his tormentor, when +there was no prospect of success, awoke a responsive chord in the breast +of all. Had Jack shown himself a coward, they might have treated him as +they often did such captives; but the brave young fellow was in no +danger, at least for the present.</p> + +<p>The occurrence took but a fraction of the time that has been occupied in +the telling, and Jack was only given opportunity to replace the knife, +when his captors, arranging themselves so as to surround him, resumed +their march to the westward. Precisely at the same instant the other +half of the company did the same in the other direction, and once more +Otto Relstaub called out:</p> + +<p>"Good-by, Jack! good-by to you!"</p> + +<p>"Good-by, my friend!" shouted Jack, his heart filled with a deep +misgiving over the singular event. "Keep up a good heart, though there's +no telling whether we shall ever meet again."</p> + +<p>"If I get home before you gets dere I will tell Colonel Martin, and +we'll follow you to the Rocky Mountains——"</p> + +<p>Even in that serious moment Jack Carleton broke into laughter when he +saw that the usual fortune of Otto clung to him. His foot caught in +some obstruction, and while in the act of waving his hand and exchanging +greetings with his friend, he stumbled forward and went down. Clambering +to his feet he turned to complete his words, but his captors seemed to +have lost patience on account of the delay. One seized his right and +another his left arm and began walking him rapidly off. The last sight +which Jack gained of the fellow showed him between two Indians, who were +hurrying him along with such vigor that his head rose and sank with each +unwilling footstep, as though he was alternately lifted from and pressed +down to the ground. A few seconds later and the intervening trees hid +him from sight.</p> + +<p>It would have been difficult for Jack Carleton to describe his varied +emotions when forced to admit the fact that he was an actual prisoner +among a band of wandering Indians. The memorable journey from Kentucky +into Louisiana had been attended by many stirring experiences, and more +than once every avenue of escape seemed to be closed, but, now for the +first time, he found himself a captive within a few miles of his own +home.</p> + +<p>Whither would these red men take him? Did they mean to hold him a +permanent captive, or, as is often the case with their race, would they +put him to torture and finally to death? The settlements of Kentucky and +Ohio were crimsoned with the deeds of the red men, and, though some +tribes were less warlike than others, it was not to be supposed that any +of them were distinguished for mercy and forbearance.</p> + +<p>"If Colonel Martin only knew this," thought Jack, while tramping +forward, "it wouldn't take him long to gather the men together, and they +would come down on these folks like a whirlwind; but Otto and I may be +gone for weeks before any one will suspect we are in trouble. Even then +they won't know what to do. No, sir," added Jack, compressing his lips, +"whatever is done must be done by myself, and, with the help of heaven, +I shall part company with these red men just as soon as the chance +presents itself."</p> + +<p>Any one in the situation of Jack Carleton cannot lack for themes on +which to employ his brain. It is safe to assert that the boy did more +thinking while on that eventful march than he had done in the same space +of time for years.</p> + +<p>It may be said that while the party were on the march, and the warriors +were together, it was utterly out of the question for Jack to leave +against their will. Three strode along in front, while two were in the +rear. Every one was fleeter of foot than he, and they had six rifles in +their possession, while he had none at all. Could he secure several +hundred yards' start, they would have no difficulty in trailing and +running him down, for the sky was clear, the sun bright, and the +footprints of the boy would show as distinctly to the keen eyes of the +red men as though made in the dust of the highway.</p> + +<p>No, he must wait for the darkness of the night, when a few yards between +him and his enemies would prove like a stone wall; when insidious sleep +would seal the eyes of the dusky barbarians, and he could steal out in +the gloom, leaving them to wait for hours before taking up his trail.</p> + +<p>One person was continually in the thoughts of Jack Carleton—<i>Deerfoot</i>. +"Where is he? Is he days' journey to the south? Is there any hope of him +playing the part of a friend for Otto and me?"</p> + +<p>These and similar questions were asked again and again while the youth +was tramping through the wood in the company of his captors, and his +heart sank when his own good sense obliged him to answer each one in the +most unsatisfactory manner.</p> + +<p>He recalled that Deerfoot parted with them only a few days before in a +manner which implied that considerable time must pass before they would +see each other again. The young Shawanoe could not suspect that when his +friends reached home, they would immediately proceed to get into +trouble, as they had just done.</p> + +<p>"No," added Jack, with a sigh, "from what I know and have heard of +Deerfoot, he has a wonderful way of turning up when wanted, but it's no +use to look for him in this case."</p> + +<p>The conclusion of the boy was a sensible one, and he resolutely faced +the situation as it presented itself to him. It was most serious, and it +may be said that every passing hour rendered it more so, for he was +moving away from home, and thereby increasing the difficulties of +returning thither, should it become his good fortune to gain the +opportunity to do so.</p> + +<p>The warriors who were walking in front, followed the usual custom of +their people—that is, they proceeded in Indian file, so that the boy +was given a fair view only of the one immediately before him—the +glimpses of the others being fragmentary. Glancing behind, he observed +the same fact, so that the entire party made but the single trail, for +Jack himself was wise enough to fall in with their custom.</p> + +<p>"It may be," he muttered, after traveling several miles in silence, +"that they live hundreds of miles off and that I won't have a chance to +leave them for weeks or months or—years," he added in a hushed voice, +and with an additional heart-throb, "but I shall never be reconciled to +live in the wigwams of the red men."</p> + +<p>It seemed curious to the young captive that a party of friends, like the +Indians, should tramp mile after mile as they did without speaking a +single word. Now and then, some one would utter an exclamation which +sounded more like the grunt of a porker than anything else, but +frequently they advanced steadily for an hour or more in perfect +silence.</p> + +<p>Sometimes the forest was open and free from undergrowth, then it was +cluttered up with running vines which would have annoyed any one +unaccustomed to them, but which proved no obstacle to the Indians. In +fact, they walked without showing the least regard to them. Where Jack, +if leading, would have lifted his feet, they shoved ahead and without +effort snapped and turned them aside as though they were so many +cobwebs.</p> + +<p>"It all comes from training," concluded our friend, as he attempted to +catch a switch which swung back and struck him across the face; "if I +was alone, it would take me twice as long as it takes them, and then I +would fare worse than they do."</p> + +<p>All at once, they came upon a creek. It was barely twenty feet in width, +but muddy, swift and deep. There was something impressive in the speed +with which the volume of water rushed through the woods, as if fleeing +in a panic from some peril at its heels.</p> + +<p>The entire party came to a halt, ranging themselves along the bank and +surveying the turbid torrents, as though they wished to talk with each +other upon the best method of placing themselves on the other side.</p> + +<p>"I hope they won't swim it," Jack said to himself, "for their people +make no allowance for those that are not as skillful as they, and I will +get into trouble."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>AN INVOLUNTARY BATH.</h3> + + +<p>It was not to be supposed that a party of Indians could be checked by a +stream of water. If necessary they could swim across, but, inasmuch as +the party separated, and while several went up, the rest walked down the +stream, it was evident they were searching for a more suitable spot in +which to make the passage.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton followed the larger party, which had gone only a few rods +when a whoop from the others made known they had found what was wanted. +The rest immediately turned around and joined them.</p> + +<p>Jack saw at once that the means were provided for passing over dry shod. +A tree, some six or eight inches in diameter, lay with the butt on one +shore and the upper portion on the opposite bank. A glance showed that +it had been felled by the axe of some pioneer, who probably thus formed +a bridge for himself and friends. The limbs had been trimmed away, and +the abraded bark proved that it had served a similar purpose for many +wild beasts in passing to and fro. The faded color of the gashes in the +trunk showed that a long time had passed since the bridge was made by +the woodman's axe.</p> + +<p>Nothing better could be required, and several grunts of satisfaction +escaped the warriors during the minute they stood together viewing the +support that awaited the pressing of their feet.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton stepped forward, but one of the Indians grasped his arm +and drew him back so violently as almost to throw him to the ground. The +boy looked wonderingly in his face, and saw that it was aglow with +passion. He shook his head rapidly and spoke fast and furious.</p> + +<p>"I think I can guess what you mean," said Jack, stepping back, so as to +allow the others to precede him, "and I will now await your commands."</p> + +<p>He stood still until three had gone over, when they beckoned him to +follow. Jack had noticed that when the Indians were walking on the log, +they were obliged to move carefully, for their foothold was narrow and +the swift running current was apt to make one dizzy. The lad, however, +stepped forward without hesitation and advanced slowly but with +certainty.</p> + +<p>The three warriors, who stood facing him on the shore, showed that like +Deerfoot the Shawanoe, they possessed a certain vein of waggery, for at +the moment Jack was over the middle of the stream, one of them stooped, +and, grasping the head of the trunk, moved it quickly fully a couple of +feet to the right, all three bursting into an audible snicker at the +same moment. The lad was looking downward, meanwhile stepping carefully, +when he glanced across to learn the meaning of the action, the stooping +Indian being in his field of vision.</p> + +<p>Jack understood the trick, but he was without the means of defeating it. +He stooped quickly with the intention of grasping the support with both +hands, but before he could do so, he lost his balance, flung his arms +aloft, and down he went with a loud splash that sent the spray flying in +all directions.</p> + +<p>No audience of countrymen ever laughed more heartily at the ancient +jokes of a clown than did the five Indians when the boy disappeared +under the water, his eyes staring with the shock of affright which came +with his sudden contact with the current.</p> + +<p>Jack was a capital swimmer, and he was satisfied there was no wish to +drown him; but he had scarcely passed below the surface, when it +occurred to him that there was a possibility of turning the jest upon +his captors. The water was very deep, and he kept sinking until his feet +softly touched the bottom. As he gave himself the slight impulse which +sent him upward again, he not only swam swiftly with the rapid current, +but moved as close to shore as possible, and began creeping up the side +of the bank.</p> + +<p>In doing this, he over-estimated his own strength. It took him a longer +time to reach the surface than he calculated upon, and he narrowly +escaped strangling; but he resolutely held out to the last second.</p> + +<p>At the moment the rushing waters seemed to roar through his brain, his +crown cleft the surface, and he drew a deep inspiration of the blessed +air; but, even in that trying moment, he kept his self-possession, and +the breath was taken so softly that no ear beside his own knew it.</p> + +<p>He had emerged close to shore and directly under some overhanging brush, +which was not so dense as he could wish, since he was able to see the +warriors standing on the land and looking for him. It followed, +therefore, that if they should scrutinize the bank very closely they +would discover him; but the boy's hope lay in their lack of suspicion +that such an artifice was in his mind.</p> + +<p>Several circumstances united to help the youth; the water was roiled, as +has already been said, while the friction of the swift current against +the shore made a noise which overcame the slight ripple caused by his +own movements. Only his nose and eyes were kept above the surface, and +the shrubbery which inclosed them made a tolerable screen, though less +effective than he desired.</p> + +<p>Jack had landed, as may be said, a dozen yards below the log from which +he had been thrown and on the side from which he set out, consequently +he was opposite the five Indians who stood on the shore. He was led to +do this from a natural desire to get as far away as he could from his +captors, but it was a mistake on his part, for had he crawled under the +other bank he would have been hidden altogether from the sight of the +Indians.</p> + +<p>Holding to a wire-like root with his left hand, he swung around so as to +face up stream, and, through the slight spaces in the shrubbery kept his +eyes fixed intently on the brawny red men.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="ill02" id="ill02"></a> +<img src="images/ill02.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3><span class="smcap">A Narrow Escape.</span></h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Very soon the warriors looked at each other, and talked rapidly and with +growing excitement. There could be no doubt they were discussing the +unexpected shape matters had taken; the joke played on their captive had +proven a very serious matter to him. It must have been that the +pale-faced youth was unable to swim and was drowned. The white warrior +was a pappoose.</p> + +<p>"By and by they will make search for me," was the thought of Jack +Carleton, still retaining his hold, "and then will come the tug of war. +It won't be the live boy they'll expect to find, but his dead body, +bobbing up and down and back and forth, and yet I don't see why they +will care to hunt me up."</p> + +<p>Whatever might be the issue, Jack was warranted in feeling hopeful, for +he was sure the incident had taken a turn entirely unexpected to the +warriors.</p> + +<p>"If I had only floated a little further down stream," he thought more +than once, noticing a sharp bend made by the current, "I would have been +in a good deal better situation than this, for I would have been out of +their sight altogether."</p> + +<p>Several times he was on the point of letting go and dropping further +down, but he dreaded some mistake which would draw attention to the +spot. If he should try to swim under the surface, he might be forced to +come up too soon, or might strike some obstruction in the stream that +would fling him over as though he was a porpoise. It was the fear of a +catastrophe of this nature which held him where he was, while he peered +through the shrubbery like some wild animal glaring out from his covert +upon his enemies.</p> + +<p>The face of every Indian was in sight, and he studied the expression of +each broad, coppery countenance. He knew they were talking by the +movements of the thin lips, and, despite the noise of the rushing +stream, he heard one of them grunt several times. This particular +warrior was shorter and more solidly built than the rest, and appeared +to be some kind of a leader, for he had the most to say, and the boy +noticed, while on the march, that he directed the actions of the rest.</p> + +<p>This Indian, as he stood, held his rifle in his right hand, while the +thumb of his left was hooked over the belt at his waist, which supported +his knife and tomahawk. His stomach protruded somewhat, and, when he +spoke in his sententious manner, the belt would rise and sink in a +spasmodic fashion which kept time with his words.</p> + +<p>Jack kept close watch of the black eyes, which, like those of +professional hunters and scouts, were never at rest. They flitted hither +and thither, up and down stream and even to the rear, as though danger +were apprehended from that direction.</p> + +<p>What the boy was expecting and dreading was a search on the part of the +Indians. None could know better than they how brief a time is required +for a person to drown, and they were not long in arriving at the +conclusion that the boy either was dead, or had left the stream at a +point below. Three savages walked hastily over the creek on the log and +began moving along shore, their serpent-like eyes scanning every foot of +land and water that came in their field of vision. At the same time, the +other two did the same from the opposite shore, and Jack Carleton knew +that the crisis had come.</p> + +<p>He felt quite secure against being seen by the two who were traveling +together, for he was able to dispose of the undergrowth so as to +increase its usefulness. While one hand held fast to the tough root, he +softly drew down the bush with the other, so that it interposed between +him and the couple who were held in such dread. If the others should +step to the edge of the stream and part the bushes, it would be all up +with the frightened lad.</p> + +<p>The necessities of the case forced Jack to raise his head until both +ears were above the surface, and thus, while he employed his eyes to +follow the movements of the couple, he sought to use his ears to +discover the approach of the trio, though the rushing torrent forbade +full success in that respect.</p> + +<p>The two warriors were in plain sight as they slowly picked their way +downward. Jack saw the upper parts of their bodies, and his heart +throbbed faster when they faced about and came down to the edge of the +water. However, they were still several yards above him, so that he was +quite certain they did not suspect his hiding-place. When they halted +and leaned over the stream, the fugitive gave no thought to those who +were undoubtedly much closer, but sank until only forehead, eyes and +nose were in the air, while the scanty bush was drawn still closer to +his face.</p> + +<p>All at once, Jack's heart seemed to stand still; he saw that one of the +Indians was looking straight at the spot where he was in hiding. The +black orbs were centered upon him with such an inquiring expression, +that he was sure he had been discovered. All hope was gone, until a +moment after he observed that the savage was peering at the undergrowth +below him, as though suspicious of everything which could afford any +sort of a hiding-place.</p> + +<p>"He didn't see me after all," was the conclusion of the delighted boy, +"and now if the others let me alone, I shall have a chance to give them +the slip."</p> + +<p>Again the waists and shoulders of the two were observed moving slowly +among the trees and undergrowth, until they passed out of sight, a +considerable distance below the crouching fugitive. The relief of the +latter was unspeakable, though he could not forget that other foes were +also to be avoided.</p> + +<p>But minute after minute passed, and still Jack saw and heard nothing of +the red men. With each passing minute his hopes rose, until at the end +of half an hour, he felt that his safety was well nigh secured.</p> + +<p>"They have concluded I was drowned and my body is not likely to come to +the surface for some time—anyway not until it is a long way from this +spot. If they don't return, I'm safe."</p> + +<p>But a thrill of alarm passed through him more than once, when he +recalled that the strategy he had employed was of such a simple nature +that it ought to suggest itself to the red men. If such was the case +they would be certain to return to the fallen tree, renew their search, +and prosecute it with greater care.</p> + +<p>It was the dread of the latter which led Jack to creep carefully out of +the stream, after he had been in hiding perhaps half an hour. Of course +his clothing was saturated, and he had become chilled from his long +submersion, so that his teeth rattled, and he trembled in every limb. +Extended flat on the ground, he crawled with the utmost care until a +couple of rods from the water. Then he stopped and listened. He was so +far from the stream that its noise did not prevent him detecting any +slight noise which might have been made by some other cause, but he +heard nothing at all.</p> + +<p>There was still considerable undergrowth around him, so that he felt +screened from the observation of any other Indians wandering in the +vicinity.</p> + +<p>"They thought they were very cunning," muttered Jack, with a chuckle, +"when they tumbled me into the water, but I played a trick on them worth +two of their kind. I only wish there was some way of letting them know +how completely I have outwitted them——"</p> + +<p>A cold shiver passed down the spine of Jack Carleton, when he distinctly +heard a guttural, grunting laugh behind him. Turning like a flash, he +saw the five Indian warriors from whom, up to that moment, he had +believed he was free, standing within a rod, and all grinning to an +extent that seemed to take the corners of their mouths around to their +ears.</p> + +<p>The truth broke upon Jack: the red men had never lost sight of him, +except for the moment he was under the water. They knew where he was +when he supposed himself invisible, and they had been amusing themselves +at his expense.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>TWO VISITORS.</h3> + + +<p>On the evening succeeding the departure of Jack Carleton and Otto +Relstaub from the little settlement of Martinsville, the widowed mother +of Jack was seated by her fireside engaged in knitting. The night was +cold, and the huge sticks of wood were roaring and crackling in the +broad fireplace, and throwing a cheerful glow and warmth through the +room. The tallow candle on the mantel had not been lit, for there was no +need of it, and, despite the loneliness and poverty of the sad-faced +woman, there was an air of neatness and comfort about her home which +would have tempted any one who could look through the narrow window into +the homely, old-fashioned apartment.</p> + +<p>The deft fingers flew back and forth as regularly as the most delicate +machinery, until all at once the lady stopped and allowed her hands to +rest in her lap. At the same moment a sigh escaped her, and she looked +into the glowing embers.</p> + +<p>It was not hard to guess where her thoughts were; they were with that +only child who had gone forth in the woods to help the German lad look +for the missing horse. Mrs. Carleton smiled as she reflected upon a +certain absurdity which marked the whole business, for, look at it as +she chose, there was something grotesque in the project of two youths +setting out to hunt for a horse that had been wandering for days in a +limitless wood. But the smile quickly gave way to the serious expression +which not often left the face of the mother since that awful night when +her husband was stricken down by the fierce red men of Kentucky.</p> + +<p>"I trust God will not forget my boy," were the almost inaudible words +that came to her lips. "He has wonderfully preserved him through many +perils, and my heart misgives me now that I allowed him to go from under +my roof."</p> + +<p>Just then the latch-string was spitefully pulled, the door was pushed +inward, and Jacob Relstaub entered. The angry man was short of stature, +clumsily dressed, and the only weapon he carried was a heavy, knotted +cane, if that may be termed such, which was his companion when moving +about the sparse settlement. It has already been said that he was +parsimonious, cross-grained, and cruel-hearted, and he had been in +specially ill-temper since the return of his boy without the horse upon +which so much value was set.</p> + +<p>The door swung to of itself, and the German, stopping short in the +middle of the room, banged his cane upon the floor, and, looking +savagely at the quiet lady who had nodded and bidden him good evening, +demanded:</p> + +<p>"Vere is mine poy, Otto?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you know?" asked the widow in return, with a tone of surprise.</p> + +<p>"No, I does not; he says he goes off mit your poy, but dey both +lies—don't it?"</p> + +<p>"My boy never tells a falsehood," was the quiet response of Mrs. +Carleton, whose pale cheek slightly flushed. "Your Otto told the truth +as you well know. Not only that, but he only obeyed you when he went out +in the woods to run into all kinds of danger in search of an animal +which I do not believe can possibly be found."</p> + +<p>"All poys ish bad," said the visitor with an impatient sniff, as he took +off his cap and slouched to a chair on the opposite side of the fire. +"Your poy ish badder dan any oder poy; mine Otto is lazy, and if he +doesn't pring pack dot horse I vill pounds him till he don't live."</p> + +<p>"He may <i>never</i> come back," said the lady in a low, impressive voice +which would have moved anyone else, but it was lost on the boorish +visitor.</p> + +<p>"Hoof! No fear of dot; he alvays comes back ven ve doesn't vant him to +come back."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mrs. Carleton with a sigh, "I am sorry I let Jack go, for +if he had insisted on staying home your boy would have done the same, +though if I was in Otto's place I would consider the woods, with all +their dangers and sufferings, preferable to living with a parent who is +as unfeeling as you."</p> + +<p>Jacob Relstaub had both of his horny hands folded over the top of his +heavy cane, which rested on the floor between his large shoes, while his +cap, somewhat resembling the peaked head-gear of his boy, lay beside +him. His broad, ill-favored countenance was darkened by a frown, and it +was easy for the lady to see that the fellow still doubted her word. His +manner of looking about the large room, and a habit of listening +intently, as though he expected to bear approaching footsteps, showed +that he suspected Otto was hiding somewhere in the cabin. Mrs. Carleton +understood his feelings and she was annoyed to anger, for her sensitive +nature felt the insult keenly. Beside, she despised the coarse nature of +the man who seemed so totally lacking in humanity.</p> + +<p>The lady was on the point of reproving him with sharp words, when both +were astonished by a gentle knock on the door, such a hail being +contrary to all the rules of the frontier, when the latch-string is not +drawn in. Both looked quickly toward the entrance, and the lady raised +her voice and said:</p> + +<p>"The latch-string is out!"</p> + +<p>The words were yet on her lips when it was pulled, and the door swung +inward.</p> + +<p>The firelight fell upon the figure of an Indian warrior, who stopped on +the threshold as if he doubted whether he would be welcome when those +within saw him. As he stood with the blank darkness behind him and the +crimson glow from the burning logs lighting up the front of his body, he +formed a most striking picture.</p> + +<p>He was the ideal of symmetry and manly beauty—one of those productions +of the American race which are very rare, but which, when seen, are the +nearest approach to physical and mental perfection that is ever attained +in this world. He was about five feet ten inches in height, and with +body and limbs in as perfect proportion as the chisel of Phidias ever +carved from marble. Even his long, black hair, which hung luxuriantly +and loosely about his shoulders, was of softer texture than is the rule +with his people. Several stained eagle feathers slanted upward and +outward from the crown, and a double row of brilliant beads encircled +his neck. A fine gold bracelet clasped his left wrist, and the deer-skin +hunting shirt and leggings were clean, and of the finest possible make. +They retained their dull, yellow hue, but the girdle which clasped his +body at the waist was of a red color, so bright that it seemed likely to +attract dangerous attention in the forest. The leggings were fringed, +and the delicate moccasins were also ornamented with colored beads. The +heavy blanket which he carried during severe weather was lacking, for it +would have been only an encumbrance when the climate was mild.</p> + +<p>Into the girdle were thrust a tomahawk and hunting knife, while a long +bow was carried in his right hand, and a quiver full of arrows rested +behind his right shoulder, where they could be snatched forth on the +instant. The youthful warrior carried no firearms, for he depended alone +on the primitive weapons which his people had used for centuries.</p> + +<p>Splendid as were the frame and limbs of the youth, the greatest +attraction lay in his countenance. His features were classical in their +regularity, excepting the nose, which was just enough aquiline to give +character to his face, and take away the femininity which otherwise +might cling to it.</p> + +<p>When he smiled in his faint, shadowy fashion, his teeth were seen to be +small, white, regular, and without the slightest defect, while the +lustrous black eyes glowed with light and feeling. Having closed the +door behind him, he still hesitated to advance until assured he was +welcome.</p> + +<p>Although Mrs. Carleton had never seen him before, she was certain of his +identity, and, rising from her seat, she asked:</p> + +<p>"Are you Deerfoot the Shawanoe?"</p> + +<p>He smiled and inclined his head.</p> + +<p>"You are the friend of my boy, and of Otto, the son of Mr. Relstaub. +There is no one in the world who could be more welcome than you. Come +forward and take a seat nearer the fire."</p> + +<p>The dusky countenance flushed with pleasure, for the words were warmer +than he was accustomed to hear.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot advanced a couple of steps, and, reaching over, drew the rude +stool to him. His diffidence would not allow him to go very near the +blaze.</p> + +<p>When Jacob Relstaub heard the name pronounced, he uttered an angry sniff +and banged his cane upon the floor. He said nothing; but he detested the +handsome Indian youth, whom he had driven from his door when he asked +for shelter, and he knew he had been the companion of his boy on the +stirring journey from Kentucky to Louisiana. It mattered not that the +masterful woodcraft of the dusky friend had saved the life of Otto +Relstaub; all that the German remembered was that the valuable horse was +lost, and he blamed this Indian for it, as he censured Jack Carleton for +the same misfortune. The man, however, said nothing for a few minutes.</p> + +<p>It was manifest from the manner of Deerfoot that he was disappointed +because he did not meet Jack Carleton. He cast but a single glance +around the apartment, which showed him his young friend was not present; +then, as he gently seated himself, he looked into the pale face of the +widow and said:</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot sees not his brother."</p> + +<p>"No; Jack and Otto set out on a long hunt this morning. They may be back +in a few days and perhaps not for a fortnight."</p> + +<p>"Have they gone to look for the horse that was lost?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the lady, with a smile; "I am ashamed to say they have; +but I ask your pardon; have you had supper? Will you not permit me to +give you to eat?"</p> + +<p>She was about to rise when Deerfoot, who was resting his bow on the +floor, while he grasped the center as though it was a cane, motioned +with his left hand for her to retain her seat.</p> + +<p>"The mother of my friend is good and kind, but Deerfoot cannot eat."</p> + +<p>He appeared to be on the point of saying something more, but restrained +himself. The mother was quick to perceive it, and a pang of dread +stirred her heart.</p> + +<p>"What were you about to say?" she asked, in her abrupt fashion, +suspending the knitting which she was in the very act of resuming.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot was too truthful to deceive her outright; but it is fair to +presume he did not say all that was in his thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot is sorry his brothers have gone to look for the horse."</p> + +<p>"Why?" quickly asked the mother.</p> + +<p>"They cannot find him."</p> + +<p>"Vy don't they finds him?" asked Jacob Relstaub, banging his cane again +and glaring fiercely at the youth, as though ready to spring upon him.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot looked calmly in the forbidding countenance, and asked, more +directly than was his custom:</p> + +<p>"Are you the father of my brother, Otto?"</p> + +<p>"Yaw; of course I ish. He is one pad poy, as you ish de wust Injin dot +effer vasn't."</p> + +<p>Without the least visible excitement, and in the same deliberate +monotone, Deerfoot still looking him straight in the face:</p> + +<p>"The father of Otto is a dog; he has no heart. The Great Spirit hides +his face with shame when he looks upon him."</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Vat</span>!" roared Jacob, half rising to his chair and grasping his knobby +cane with both hands, while he trembled with rage. "You don't speak dot +vays to me and I breaks your head."</p> + +<p>He suddenly straightened up, and all aglow with fury advanced upon +Deerfoot, who placed his left hand on his knife, quietly arose and faced +him, without speaking.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>A SURPRISE.</h3> + + +<p>Jacob Relstaub was so accustomed to the undisturbed abuse of his son +that he was struck almost speechless by the calm defiance of the Indian +youth. When he saw the latter place his hand on the knife at his girdle, +the German could not fail to know its meaning. He stopped short with his +cane half raised and glared savagely at Deerfoot.</p> + +<p>"You means to kills me, eh, don't it? Yaw,—I sees,—I sees!"</p> + +<p>And shaking his head very fast, and muttering some vigorous words in his +own language, he stamped towards the door, swung it open and passed out +in the darkness. Deerfoot stood motionless, looking in the direction +whence he had vanished, and then, without a word, sat down on the rude +chair and looked toward Mrs. Carleton, seated as she was near the fire.</p> + +<p>The good lady was terrified, but the incident was so brief that it was +over before she fairly understood its full meaning and the ill-natured +caller was gone.</p> + +<p>"He is such a bad-tempered man that I'm afraid he will hurt you for +this," said she, stepping hastily to the door, where she drew in the +latch-string, thus locking the humble cabin against intruders. When she +sat down, with her scared look and her words of misgiving on her lips, +Deerfoot looked from the crackling fire into her countenance. As the +yellow glow lit up his handsome features, they showed the faintest +possible smile, which vanished the same moment it appeared. The +matchless redskin must have appreciated the grim humor involved in the +thought of his feeling any fear of the curmudgeon who had just gone.</p> + +<p>Previous to that the young Shawanoe had glanced around the cabin, and +like another Houdin, impressed every point in his memory. He noted the +narrow windows through which a hostile shot could be fired from the +outside. He did not believe the late visitor would proceed to that +length, but he shifted his seat to a point several feet away, where, if +Relstaub relied on his previous knowledge for his aim, no possible harm +could be done.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot made his change in such a quiet fashion, that his hostess had +not the slightest suspicion of its meaning. She saw that he had simply +moved closer to the fire. The space between her own chair and that of +the visitor was such that there was no call for her to change her +location: had there been the slightest, Deerfoot would not have +permitted her to wait.</p> + +<p>"My brother will hurt no one," said he in his quiet fashion: "he is a +bad man; he has a good boy, Otto; Deerfoot calls him his brother, and +will do much for him; but Deerfoot does not like his father."</p> + +<p>"I was <i>so</i> afraid he would strike you with his cane," said the lady, +still trembling over the remembrance, "and then you would have used your +knife."</p> + +<p>The smile was more pronounced than before, but the words were scarcely +audible.</p> + +<p>"He could not hurt Deerfoot and Deerfoot would not hurt him."</p> + +<p>The lady fully understood his meaning, and it lifted a great fear from +her heart that Jacob Relstaub would return, demand admittance, and +attack her guest. True, he might do so, but she saw that in such an +event the results would be farcical rather than tragical.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot did not care to give any further thought to the despicable man. +He had come to the settlement to visit Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub, +and found they were absent on a singular hunt for the horse that had +been missing fully a week. His interest lay in them, and especially in +Jack. He had heard most of the facts from the mother, but he now +questioned her further in his gentle way until not a particle of +information was left for her to give.</p> + +<p>The substance of that information has already been told the reader,—it +being nothing more than the statement of their departure early that +morning. The startling events which followed could not be suspected by +the parent, who sat so quietly knitting and talking with the remarkable +Indian youth on the other side of her hearthstone, as ignorant as she of +the alarming situation in which both were placed.</p> + +<p>But while so quiet in his demeanor, the wonderful brain of the youth was +always busy during his waking hours. He could not feel that there was +cause for fear on account of his friends, for, as has already been +shown, that portion of the enormous territory of Louisiana was peopled +by Indians much less vicious in their hatred than were those who made +Kentucky their hunting-ground. A fierce party of Shawanoes had followed +the little party across the Mississippi the previous week, and they kept +matters moving in a very lively manner, as the reader learned long ago; +but it was not to be supposed that any of those daring and skillful +warriors were in the neighborhood, for it was not conceivable that a +cause existed for their presence.</p> + +<p>But a singular distrust took possession of Deerfoot. He could not +account for it, except as he accounted for all inexplainable things, as +being the direct prompting of the Great Spirit. Many a time the +instinctive belief had come over him, and he had never failed to follow +its guidance; the result in each instance proved that he did right, and +he resolved to do the same in the present case, though it will be seen +that he could take no real step forward until the coming of daylight.</p> + +<p>"You will stay here until morning," said Mrs. Carleton, looking into +the face of her visitor and speaking as though the matter was not at all +in the nature of a question.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot may stay awhile, though he would rather sleep in the woods, +where he can breathe the cool, pure air, and look at the stars, and +listen to the whispers of the Great Spirit who watches over him when he +is asleep or awake."</p> + +<p>"You can sleep on Jack's bed, and he will be pleased, when he comes +home, to learn that you did so, though he will be sorry that he was not +here to make you welcome."</p> + +<p>The Indian shook his head. He had no wish to lie on any such couch, and +he had not done so since he was wounded and a prisoner in the hands of +the white people.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot will sit here and read until he becomes weary; then he will +lie on the floor; and when he awakes he will seek his brothers who are +hunting for the horse that has long been lost."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carleton had been told by Jack how skillfully Deerfoot could read +and write, and she now ventured the hope that he would use the Bible +which lay on the table at the side of the cabin. She was on the point +of rising to get it for him, when he motioned her to keep her seat.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot has his Bible with him."</p> + +<p>And then he drew the tiny volume with its wooden covers from the +interior pocket of his hunting-shirt, and shifted his position so that +his back was turned toward the fire, whose glow passed over his +shoulders and fell upon the printed page. This gave him all the light he +needed, and, after rustling the leaves for a moment, he began, in his +low, sweet monotone.</p> + +<p>As may be supposed, he selected one of the chapters from Revelation, +overflowing as it does with the most impressive grandeur and +awe-inspiring glimpse of the mysterious life from whose portals no human +being has ever turned back to whisper to the vast procession waiting to +follow in his footsteps.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carleton saw that Deerfoot did not like her words of compliment and +she therefore refrained. When he had finished, he closed the book and +laid it away where he always carried it, and then the conversation went +on in the same vein as before.</p> + +<p>But the hour was later than that to which the good lady was accustomed, +and, despite the singular interest of the interview, she began to feel a +slight drowsiness. When she placed her hand over her mouth and yawned, +Deerfoot asked that she should retire. She consented, and bade him +good-night and withdrew.</p> + +<p>He sat motionless until he was alone, when he once more drew out his +Bible and resumed reading. The fire having smoldered, he stirred the +sticks, turning the unburned ends among the coals, so that in a few +moments the small room was filled with a brighter illumination than +before. Leaning backward with the book in front of his face and his +shapely legs extended in front, he studied with an interest more +absorbing than was ever felt by the most devout novel reader. He seemed +to lose all consciousness of time and place, and pored over the volume +which to him was more precious than any treasure it is possible for the +mind to conceive.</p> + +<p>By-and-by the fire burned low again and the light grew dim. Though the +youth might have continued the perusal much longer, he finally ceased +and put the book away for the night. Then, folding his arms, he looked +into the smoldering embers before him. Every one knows how such a scene +feeds the fancy and how imagination will run riot, while sitting alone +late at night, with the wind moaning outside, while he watches the +curious, grotesque, and endless procession of figures which take shape +and action before him. No one but Deerfoot himself could tell what +thoughts took shape in his brain, but they must have been of a +melancholy, serious nature, for he drew a deep sigh, muttered a few +words in prayer, and then deliberately lay down in the middle of the +floor. He lay on his side, with his arm doubled under his head for a +pillow, but had nothing but the hard planking beneath and nothing except +his own clothing above.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot required little sleep, and within less than two hours after he +had lain down, he opened his eyes and assumed the sitting position. The +fire had burned so low that only a slight glow filled a part of the +room, and he looked like some odd shadow, when he stepped silently +forward and stirred the embers until they once more lit up the +apartment. It was not yet morning, but he had concluded to wait no +longer. He therefore picked up his bow and then, without making the +least noise, opened and closed the door behind him.</p> + +<p>The young Shawanoe stood for a moment when he found himself in the clear +air on the outside. It was a bright starlit night, and, when he glanced +reverently upward at the thousands of blazing orbs, he saw that it still +lacked two hours of daylight. The rude cabins were dimly outlined, as +they faced each other in two irregular rows, those only which were the +furthest away being invisible. All were dark and silent excepting one. +He noticed the gleam of light from the window, and thought it likely +that some one was watching by the bed of sickness; but the thought had +hardly come to him when he recalled that it was the cabin of the German +Relstaub, who had left him in such a rage.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot was still in front of the house of his friend, when the door of +the cabin opened and the short, sturdy figure of Jacob Relstaub was +outlined against the blazing fire and candle-light behind him. The truth +was, he was so angered he could not sleep; he had tossed about until his +rage became ungovernable, when he told his frau that he was going over +to the widow Carleton's to chastise the rascally redskin that had dared +to insult him to his face. The wife sought to dissuade him, but he was +too angered to listen to reason; and, ordering her to stay in bed, he +dressed, caught up his heavy cane, and plunged from the door of his +home.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot drew back until sure he could not be seen, when he calmly +awaited the approach of the irate man. The latter stamped forward, +banging his heavy cane on the ground and muttering to himself:</p> + +<p>"Yaw, I preaks mine cane his head ofer—he talks to me—he calls me a +rascal und eferydings vot I vas. I shows him——"</p> + +<p>Just then, when he was close to the cabin, a figure emerged from the +darkness, moving as silently as if it was a section of the gloom itself, +and advancing straight toward him. It was the execrated young Indian, +grasping his long bow in his right hand, and holding his tomahawk in his +left, with his body bent and his head thrust forward.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mine gracious!" gasped Jacob Relstaub, his knees shaking and his +staff dropping from his trembling hand, "it ish him!"</p> + +<p>He managed to twist his body around, so as to face the other way, and +then he broke into a lumbering run for his cabin. He heard the sound of +the swift moccasins behind him, and he ran as never before. His hat flew +off, and odd quirps and pains developed themselves here and there in his +frame, because of the unusual and violent exercise to which he subjected +himself; but he kept forward, believing it was his only hope. +Fortunately the run was brief, but when he reached the threshold he was +in the last stage of exhaustion. He could not lift his foot high enough, +and went sprawling headlong into the room, with a crash that startled +his wife almost out of her senses.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot paused a moment surveying the wreck and ruin he had caused, and +then quietly shoved his tomahawk back in place. He had accomplished all +he wished, and was satisfied. His old shadowy smile lingered on his face +as he turned aside, and, making his way between the settlers' cabins, +disappeared in the woods.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>BY THE CAMP-FIRE.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Carleton cried in the bitterness of vexation and disappointment. +After his daring attempt to get away, and when hope was a-flutter within +him, he awoke to the fact that his captors were trifling with him. He +surveyed the array of gleaming visages, and was sure that the leader +indulged in a distinct wink and grotesque grimace, as expressive of his +views of the situation. Inasmuch as not one of the red men could utter a +syllable of English, perhaps it was as well that they should have +recourse to the sign language. Jack himself was humiliated beyond +expression. Finding he was discovered, he had risen to his feet and +faced his captors with the best grace he could, and that, it need not be +said, was scant indeed.</p> + +<p>The Indians grinned and grimaced while they walked around the lad, as if +desirous of surveying him from different points. Jack dashed the tears +from his eyes, and, compressing his lips, braved it out. He expected +some indignity would be offered him, but there was none. This curious +scene lasted only a few minutes, when the Indians gave the youth to +understand that the journey westward was to be resumed. He was motioned +to go forward, and was glad enough to obey, for his saturated clothes +and his highly nervous condition set his teeth chattering and his body +shaking as if with the ague.</p> + +<p>The afternoon was well along, and no great distance could be passed over +before night. Jack dreaded their arrival at the Indian village before +another halt. He was hopeful that in the stillness and darkness of night +he would gain a chance to steal away from his captors, while the chance +of doing so when with the tribe itself would be much more difficult.</p> + +<p>In one respect the wish of the youth was gratified. The party tramped +along in Indian file, without the slightest pause, until the darkness +began stealing among the trees. There was but the single warrior in +front, the others following the lad. Suddenly the leader stooped down +and paused. He was so close to Jack that evidently he meant to fling +him over his shoulders, and the boy barely escaped such discomfiture. +The others grinned again, and then the party appeared to fall apart and +take different positions. Two vanished in the wood, while the others +began hastily gathering dead limbs and decayed leaves. It seemed to Jack +that less than three minutes had gone by when he saw the dim outlines of +one of the warriors on his knees, striking the flint and steel, such as +the pioneers, and, indeed, all persons, used in those days. The little +lines of sparks shot back and forth, as they do upon the swiftly +revolving emery wheel when the metal is pressed against it, and in a +twinkling a tiny blaze was creeping among the little pile of leaves +toward the top. The twist of flame darted in and out like the crimson +tongue of some serpent, until it reached the air above, and in a very +few minutes a roaring camp fire was under full headway.</p> + +<p>Jack saw that it had been kindled against the shaggy bark of an oak +tree, which swept upward like a sealed chimney until lost in the gloom +above. The gleam of water a short distance off made known what he had +not suspected; a stream—only a few inches in depth and breadth—wound +by the spot, without giving forth the slightest ripple. Water, it may be +said, is indispensable to such an encampment, and a party of aborigines +scarcely ever halts at night without being near it.</p> + +<p>As the glow of the fire spread, it fell upon the figures of the +warriors, who looked grim and uncanny. Jack folded his arms and stood in +the full glow, as though seeking a bath in the firelight. But for his +recent experience, he might have been tempted to make a dash for +liberty; but his clothing was still wet from that furious essay, and he +was clearly of the opinion that the only thing for him to do was to make +his captors believe (if it was possible) that he had given over all hope +of getting away. Could he lull their suspicion, it would be a most +important point accomplished; but the youth might well feel misgivings +on that point, for it presupposed a stupidity on the part of the Indians +contrary to what he knew concerning them.</p> + +<p>It must not be thought that the boy believed he could make the warriors +think he was content to remain their prisoner; that would have been the +height of absurdity; but he did seek to convince them by his manner that +he had given up the intention of running away, because he knew the +attempt must be hopeless. Having failed so completely, he was not +foolish enough to repeat the essay, when he was likely to anger the +Indians to that point that they would punish him for it.</p> + +<p>It will be understood, therefore, why Jack Carleton remained standing +with folded arms, while his captors were busying themselves around him. +He looked at the flames as they crept up against the bark and scorched +the rough coat of the massive oak, and he noted more than one furtive +glance cast toward him. He pretended to see them not, but stood gloomy, +sorrowful, and despairing.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the dull crack of a rifle rang out, and Jack started. His first +impression was that a party of white men or Indians had attacked them, +but when he noticed the indifference of those around, he saw his +mistake. They did not so much as look to the right or left, nor make any +remark to each other. Evidently they expected something of the kind.</p> + +<p>Within the space of five minutes, the two warriors who had left a short +time before, reappeared. The foremost carried his rifle at a trail and +had no game, but his companion, directly behind him, held by the feet a +large wild gobbler, shot but a short time previous.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton could not but wonder how it was this dusky hunter was able +to secure the bird on such short notice. The turkeys, at the time he +started to look for them, must have all gone to roost among the trees. +The gloom was such that it was almost impossible for the keenest eye to +distinguish them. They may have given some evidence of their presence, +but Jack was surprised over the success of the red men in obtaining +supper before, as may be said, the fire could be made ready to roast it.</p> + +<p>"Otto and I have hunted for hours in Kentucky where the game is as +abundant as it is here, and we were not able to gain the first shot at +any sort of game. There must be some secret about this performance which +I don't understand, though Deerfoot, with his bow and arrow, never +failed to meet with the same success."</p> + +<p>The American Indian is by no means fastidious in his tastes, and the +manner in which they handled the game would hardly have satisfied a +party of modern hunters. Sometimes the red man half cooks his bird +without bothering himself with plucking out the feathers, and again he +doesn't take the trouble even to scorch his food. In the present +instance, they ripped off the principal part of the feathers, removed +the interior, and cutting the framework into several sections, laid them +directly on the coals that were spread out to receive them.</p> + +<p>They began the broiling or scorching operation at once, and the smell of +the burning meat was of the most appetizing nature. Jack caught a sniff +and it literally made his "mouth water," for despite his unpleasant +situation, his appetite was such as every person in vigorous health is +certain to feel at regular intervals.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether they mean to slight me," he suddenly asked himself +with a feeling of dismay; "if they do, I don't know what will become of +me, for I'm sure I never was so a-hungered in all my life."</p> + +<p>But I hasten to say that the disaster which the prisoner feared did not +come to him. Although the bird was unusually large, two or three of the +warriors could have devoured it with ease. As it was, therefore, it +afforded rather scant rations to the company, but Jack Carleton was +remembered and received a juicy slice of the game, which could not have +tasted better had it been hung up in the cold for a week and then cooked +by his mother. Ah, what art shall ever furnish a sauce like that of +hunger itself! The meal finished, the party disposed of themselves for +the night. Their red clay pipes, with the long reeds for stems, were +produced, filled with tobacco and lit from the fire in front of them. +The blankets—which were anything but clean—were spread out on the +ground and their owners assumed all sorts of lazy attitudes, puffed +their pipes, and occasionally grunted a few words to each other.</p> + +<p>As Jack had no blanket of his own he reclined on the leaves, which were +comfortable as he could wish. He took pains to place himself as near the +camp fire as he could bear, so as to show his captors he did not mean to +attempt to get away.</p> + +<p>Several times during the march and while at supper, Jack heard the +leader addressed, as he believed, by name. He could not catch the +precise word, but it sounded, as nearly as he could tell, like +"Ogallah," which of itself resembles the name of a tribe of western +Indians.</p> + +<p>Jack waited till he had heard it again, and then, from the manner in +which it was spoken, he was convinced it was the real name of the leader +of the party,—that is as near as he could pronounce it.</p> + +<p>By and by there came a lull in the disjointed conversation; the indolent +red men were lolling on their blankets, and the leader was sitting +cross-legged like a Turk, sending rings of smoke upward and watching +them as they curled inward upon themselves and climbed out of sight. The +dimensions of his mouth were that ample that he could have done the same +on either side of the stem without removing it from between his teeth.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton looked straight at him for a few seconds, and then, +imitating the guttural style of those around as best he could, +pronounced in a distinct voice the single word—</p> + +<p>"<i>Ogallah!</i>"</p> + +<p>At that moment the chin of the chief was in the air and a procession of +rings were tumbling over each other as they hastened from between his +lips. He dropped his head as abruptly as if some one had struck him in +the throat, and with his mouth still in circular shape allowed the rings +to go to ruin, while he stared in amazement at the boy who had +pronounced his name. The others showed as much wonder as did the +chieftain. They also stared at the lad and then gave expressions to +their feelings in their guttural, grunting fashion.</p> + +<p>It was quite embarrassing to Jack Carleton, who blushed, looked +confused, and then tried hard to appear as though he did not feel +specially proud over his performance. The leader addressed some words to +him, as if suspecting he understood his language after all, but Jack +could only smile and shake his head to signify that he had already +exhibited his full proficiency in the tongue of his captors.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>WAITING AND HOPING.</h3> + + +<p>It would be hard to measure the effect of the little achievement of Jack +Carleton upon the Indians who held him captive. He had pronounced the +name of the chieftain with such clearness that every one recognized it. +After all it was no great exploit, and it may have been the red men +feigned a goodly portion of the astonishment they seemed to feel.</p> + +<p>Jack did not make any more essays in that direction, and a few minutes +later the vagabonds gave their principal attention to their pipes. One +of them gathered an armful of brush and flung it on the fire; and +another, rising to his feet, turned his back toward the blaze with his +hands together behind him, as though the warmth was very pleasant. While +he stood thus, he held the stem of his pipe in his mouth and looked +absently at the boy, who could not see the face of the red man with much +distinctness, as it was in shadow.</p> + +<p>The fuel just thrown on the flames increased the warmth to such a degree +that those who were the nearest shifted their position. The warrior who +was on his feet stepped forward a single pace, and was still standing in +his idle fashion with his hands half folded behind him, when a spark +flew outward with a snap, and dropped down the neck of the unsuspicious +red man. When he felt the burn, like the thrust of a big needle, he +sprang several feet in the air, and began frantically clutching at the +tormenting substance. The second or third attempt secured the spark, +which clung to his hand, burning his fingers to that extent that he +emitted a rasping exclamation, bounded upward, and by a particularly +vigorous flirt of his hand freed it of the spark, which then expired of +itself.</p> + +<p>As I have said, no man has less humor in his composition than the North +American Indian, and yet it is not by any means lacking in him. It +assumes odd forms at times, and too often seems based on the physical +suffering of some person or animal; but in the instance of which I am +speaking, every one of the spectators was filled with mirth. The +laughter shook them from head to foot, though with all its vigor it +could not have been heard fifty feet away.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton had been so long depressed that something like a reaction +came over him. He threw his head back and the woods rang with his hearty +mirth as they never rang before. If there was any one else within half a +mile, he must have wondered what all the uproar meant.</p> + +<p>The cause of this amusement conducted himself very much like a civilized +being. When he had rubbed the blistered spot on the back of his neck +with the scorched hand, he glared angrily at the others, as if he saw no +adequate cause for the unusual mirth; then when it broke out afresh, he +made a weak attempt to join in, but failing to do so, he sullenly seated +himself on the ground and looked as glum as a man meditating some wicked +deed.</p> + +<p>All at once, he turned toward Jack Carleton with such a fierce scowl +that the boy was sobered. He believed with reason that the Indian was +ready to leap upon him with his knife, punishing him in that dreadful +manner for the provocation he felt toward the rest.</p> + +<p>"I guess I have laughed enough," was the prudent thought of the boy, +who straightway tried to look as if he sympathized with the red man for +his slight misfortune.</p> + +<p>Jack could not tell how well he succeeded in imparting a pitying +expression to his countenance, but all disposition to laugh at the +warrior's mishap had departed, and it is not improbable that the youth +owed his life to the fact.</p> + +<p>Although the overflowing mirth soon ended, there were a number of smiles +on the faces of the warriors for a long time afterward, doubtless caused +by the remembrance of the laughable performance earlier in the evening.</p> + +<p>As the halt was for the night, the boy could hardly suppress his +curiosity to see what shape matters would take. His strong hope was that +he would be allowed to lie where he then sat, and that none of the +warriors would arrange it so he could not change his position without +awaking him.</p> + +<p>It looked as if the prayer of Jack was to be granted. More wood was +thrown on the fire, and the Indians took but a brief time to dispose +themselves for slumber. The pipes were laid away, their guns examined, +and each placed his weapon alongside of him, as though it was his +intimate friend, from whose body he expected to obtain the warmth to +keep him comfortable through the night. The savage who held Jack's gun +was the only silent and reserved member of the party. The boy had heard +him utter less than half a dozen words since the journey began. He was +shorter and more squatty than the others, and his whole aim in life +appeared to be a desire to please Ogallah, their chief. During the +hilarity that reigned a short time before, he had grinned at his +companion, but his mirth was less hearty than that of the rest.</p> + +<p>The blankets were spread out on the leaves to their fullest extent, and +then the warriors lay down, with their backs against each other and +their moccasins pointing toward the fire. Then the covering was gathered +up in front of each and flung over behind, where the folds interlapped, +all that remained visible being a part of the black hair and the +feathers in the crowns of the warriors, who seemed to find not the least +difficulty in breathing with their heads swathed and bandaged up like a +wounded limb.</p> + +<p>Two couples were thus formed, who were separated by the space of six or +eight feet, while a rod beyond burned the camp-fire against the shaggy +trunk of the oak. The intervening area and some distance away was +lighted by the flames which had eaten into the bark, until the solid +wood beneath was charred and blackened by the heat. Ogallah, the chief, +strode to a point midway between the fire and the couples, flung his +blanket on the ground, and, pointing down to it, motioned to Jack +Carleton to come forward and use it for his couch.</p> + +<p>This was not the most agreeable order to receive, but it might have been +much worse, and he obeyed with a readiness that looked genuine, though +it could not have been entirely so. Jack nodded to the chief, as he took +his seat and gathered the heavy folds around him, lay down on his right +side, with his face toward the fire. Ogallah looked at the lad, whose +knees almost touched his chin, and muttering to himself, walked back to +the oak and sat with his back against it, his feet close to his body and +his arms folded in front.</p> + +<p>The chief was about one-fourth of the way around the oak from the +camp-fire, so that the light revealed his entire left side, and his not +very attractive profile, the whole being thrown against the blank +darkness beyond, which shut the rest of his body from view. This +proceeding indicated that Ogallah meant to act the part of sentinel +while his warriors slept. He did not require the blanket, as would have +been the case had he lain down to slumber, and he was magnanimous +enough, therefore, to turn it over the captive, who would have been as +well pleased never to touch it.</p> + +<p>It cannot be supposed that the sachem and his warriors were in any fear +of disturbance during the darkness, for they were in a country with +which they were familiar, and they knew no dangerous enemies were within +many miles of them. Had they met a party belonging to another tribe, +more than likely the two, as a matter of principle, would have fallen +upon each other like so many tigers; but none of their own race was +hunting for them, and the white settlers were altogether out of the +question. But the possibility of peril—remote though it might +be—always hangs over the hunter, as indeed it does over us all, and the +red men had no thought of trusting themselves to slumber without one of +their number standing guard over the rest.</p> + +<p>Sleep is so insidious in its approach that the sentry, as a usual thing, +can only fight it off by incessant action. So long as he paces back and +forth, his senses stay with him, but when he sits down a minute or so to +rest, unconsciousness is sure to come. But Ogallah would not have +assumed the easy position had he not felt sure of his self-control. It +will be perceived that he had so placed himself that he had a perfect +view of the camp, while he could see all that was possible of the +surrounding gloom. If required, he could use the oak as a shield, and +only a slight signal was needed on his part to rouse the sleeping +warriors to instant wakefulness.</p> + +<p>"Now, if he keeps awake," thought Jack Carleton, peeping through the +folds of his blanket with his half-closed eyes, "it don't look as though +there will be much chance for me, but if he drops into a doze I may slip +off, and I won't need much of a start to get away from him."</p> + +<p>The most natural query would be as to which was more likely to fall +asleep—the Indian or the boy. Ordinarily a youngster like Jack would +have been no match for the warrior, who had been trained to privation, +suffering, hardship, self-denial and watchfulness from his earliest +infancy; but it need not be said that the state of one's mind has +everything to do with his ability to slumber and secure rest therefrom. +Ogallah was mentally quiet; he had gone through a severe tramp, but no +more so than had been the case hundreds of times, and he was accustomed +to sleep at that hour. Such was the case also with Jack Carleton, but he +was in a fever of hope and nervousness, which made it hard for him to +hold his eyes partly closed in his effort to counterfeit +unconsciousness. It was accepted as a matter of course that the four +warriors who were lying down would speedily glide into the land of +dreams, since such was their wish. Slight as is the noise which is +sufficient to rouse a sleeping Indian, young Carleton would have felt no +misgiving respecting those so near him; it was Ogallah, the sentinel +chieftain, whom he feared.</p> + +<p>"If he suspects that I mean to try something of the kind," was the +conclusion of Jack, "he will not close his eyes any longer than to wink. +But I'll watch him."</p> + +<p>This task which the boy set himself was of the most trying nature. Had +his mind been composed he would have fallen asleep within five minutes, +but he was never more wide awake in all his life than he was two hours +after he had lain down with the Indian blanket wrapped about him, and +his face toward the camp-fire.</p> + +<p>During that period, so far as he was able to see, the Indian had not +moved so much as a muscle, and Jack himself had done very little more. +Lying on his right side, with his arm doubled under him for a pillow, +the cumbrous blanket enclosing him from head to foot, an irregular +opening in front of his face allowed him to peer through the folds at +the camp-fire, the oak, and the chieftain. The last still sat leaning +slightly backward, with his shoulders against the trunk, his arms folded +over his knees, while he seemed to be gazing off into vacancy. The heels +of his moccasins remained close against the thighs, so that the form of +the Indian bore quite a resemblance to the letter N.</p> + +<p>The flickering light from the camp-fire disclosed as it did at first, +the side and profile of the chieftain. Gradually the flames sank lower +and there came moments when the sentinel was scarcely visible. Then, +all at once, the fire would flare up for a few seconds and the figure +would be in brighter relief than before. Again the eyes of Jack would +rebel against the extreme tension to which they were subjected. The +Indian, instead of remaining with his back against the oak, would seem +to be hitching forward and upward in the most grotesque fashion. After +bumping about in the air for a time, he would sink, still bumping, to +the ground, where he would hitch backward to his place by the tree. Then +the latter, instead of standing as motionless as a rock, showed signs of +restlessness. It would begin by swaying back and forth until it too was +waltzing in an unearthly fashion around the camp-fire. Again the +surrounding gloom became studded with blinking stars, ogres and the most +grotesque figures, which performed in an indescribable fashion. Darkness +and light alternated, until the boy feared he was losing the power of +vision altogether; but it will be understood that this was the natural +protest of the eye against the painful and long continued strain to +which it was subjected.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>THROUGH THE FOREST.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Carleton occasionally gave his eyes fitful rest by holding them +closed for a few moments, but the tantalizing visions did not leave him +even then. His arm became so painfully cramped under his head that he +was compelled to shift his position; and he seized the occasion to +readjust his limbs, which were also becoming wearied because of the long +time he had held them motionless. He was prudent enough, however, to +give the whole movement the seeming of a natural action done in sleep. +He flung himself about for a few seconds, and then rolled back almost in +the same posture, apparently resuming his heavy slumber.</p> + +<p>But through the half closed eyelids, on which the dull glow of the +camp-fire fell, he was peering at the faint outlines of the figure +against the oak. He was sure Ogallah would start and rise to his feet, +ready to check any steps on the part of the captive looking toward +flight.</p> + +<p>But not the slightest stir was made, and the astonished lad, with a +painful throb of his heart, said to himself:</p> + +<p>"He is asleep! Now is my chance!"</p> + +<p>It seemed to be too good to be true, and yet it certainly had that +appearance. For some time past, Jack had known from the regular +breathing of the figures near him that the couples wrapped up in their +blankets were unconscious. Certainly there could be no doubt about the +one who had been burned by the spark of fire, for he snored amain, like +the "seven sleepers."</p> + +<p>It is at such times that one's senses are wonderfully acute, and Jack +Carleton not only saw but heard with unusual keenness. With his ear +close to, but not touching the ground, he distinctly caught a rippling +sound in the streamlet which flowed so near. The fact that he heard it +was proof that it was caused by some "foreign interference," since it +was entirely different from the slight rippling noise along the banks.</p> + +<p>The first thought of Jack was that it was Deerfoot come to his rescue, +and he could not but think how completely he would be master of the +situation, should he suddenly rise to his feet in front of Ogallah and +give him to understand he was not to move or speak; but a second thought +destroyed the hope. It was exceedingly improbable that the young +Shawanoe was within a score of miles, but while it was possible that he +might be hunting somewhere in the forest, it was incredible that he +would have betrayed his presence near camp in the manner named.</p> + +<p>Jack had barely reached this correct conclusion, when, peering at the +figure of Ogallah, as it was faintly shown, he caught the gleam of the +eyes of a wild beast just beyond, and in a direct line with the chief. +The eyes were large, round and quite close together, with that +phosphorescent, flickering glow often shown by animals when the light is +faint.</p> + +<p>"<i>That</i> will settle the question whether Ogallah is asleep or not," said +the boy, watching with an intensity of interest which cannot be +described.</p> + +<p>Whatever the nature of the animal, he was evidently on a reconnaissance, +and had no purpose of venturing closer until satisfied the path was +clear to do so. It must have been that he cared very little one way or +the other, for while the two orbs were glaring upon Jack, they vanished +with a suddenness that suggested that some one had seized his tail and +flung him back into the gloom from which he first emerged.</p> + +<p>It was incredible, too, that the chief should have sat quiet and +motionless with a wild beast so near him, unless he was asleep, but the +possibility of being mistaken after all, kept Jack from stirring for +fully a half hour longer.</p> + +<p>The time seemed much later than it really was, when the boy rose on his +elbow and hesitated, while he looked intently around and listened for +the slightest sound. He glanced right and left at the figures shrouded +in the blankets, but they might have been so many dead men. He could +barely discern their outlines in the gloom, for the fire was slowly, but +steadily, sinking. Several times he had asked himself whether it would +not be wise to wait until it died out altogether, but he was too +strongly convinced that the night was nearly gone, and he would need +every minute in which to widen the distance between him and his +pursuers.</p> + +<p>"No," he murmured, "it won't do to wait another second."</p> + +<p>He was on one knee, with his hand pressing the ground, when the largest +stick on the fire burned in two in the middle, and the larger portion +rolled back and in front of the chief. The disturbance caused it to +flare up for the moment with a glare which revealed the figure of +Ogallah more distinctly than at any time since he had taken his +position.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton paused in his painful movement and became like a figure +cut in marble, staring straight at the warrior brought into such +unexpected prominence. As he did so, he saw that Ogallah was not only +wide awake, but had turned his head, and was looking straight at him. +The cunning fellow had not slept a wink from the moment he took his +singular position. He had noted the wolf which ventured close enough to +take a peep into camp, but, well aware that there was no danger, and +convinced also that his captive was awaiting the chance to steal away, +he held himself as rigid as iron until such an attempt should be made.</p> + +<p>Poor Jack almost fainted in a collapse of despair. He saw that his +captors had trifled with him from the beginning, and with a sigh of +utter wretchedness, he dropped back on the ground, feeling that it was +worse than useless for him to expect or hope to outwit those cunning +children of the forest.</p> + +<p>Reaction followed, and the lad speedily sank into a deep slumber which +lasted until the sun had risen and the party had broken camp and were +ready to resume their journey. Even then it was necessary for Ogallah to +thrust his moccasin against him before he opened his eyes and stared +confusedly around. The sight of the warriors who stood ready to move, +recalled Jack to his hapless situation. He rubbed his eyes, and sprang +to his feet, and walking to the streamlet lay down, took a draught of +the cool, refreshing water in which he bathed his face, wiping it off +with his handkerchief, and then turned about to signify that he awaited +orders.</p> + +<p>He wondered that no signs of breakfast were to be seen, and at first +suspected that his captors had partaken while he slept, but afterward +concluded that like all their people they were anything but regular in +their meals, especially when on the tramp.</p> + +<p>Without any ceremony, the journey was taken up, Ogallah again walking at +the head, with the other four at the rear of the boy. They adopted their +favorite custom of walking in Indian file, each warrior stepping in the +tracks of the one in front. Jack was wise enough to adhere to the +practice, so that had any one sought to follow the party, he would have +noted but the single trail, though a skilled red or white man would have +been quick to discover the precise number of the company.</p> + +<p>"We have traveled a good many miles since yesterday noon," thought Jack, +"and it must be that we are not far from the Indian village. If that is +so, it won't do for me to make any other attempt to run away. Ogallah +knows I am anxious to go, for he saw me try it twice, and he will take +good care that I don't try it again."</p> + +<p>Still, while taking this sensible view of the matter, Jack Carleton +compressed his lips with the resolution that he would not throw away a +single chance. If it should prove that many miles still lay before them +and that several nights were to be spent on the road, he meant to do his +utmost to give his captors the slip.</p> + +<p>The journey assumed the most monotonous character. It was simply tramp, +tramp, without the least rest or variation. Jack was sure he had never +seen such sameness in the forest, lasting mile after mile. There were +the towering trees, their leafy branches interlocked overhead, the same +array of shaggy columns of bark, spreading limbs and sparse undergrowth. +Sometimes Ogallah would step so rapidly that a branch which he brushed +from his path would swing back and switch the lad in the face, and once +or twice a running vine would be uprooted by a vigorous fling or kick of +the foot.</p> + +<p>But all this time the squat figure of the chief advanced like a machine. +Jack noticed the swing of the muscular arms, the play of the legs and +the occasional slight turning or ducking of the head. The straggling +black hair, with the painted eagle feathers drooping like the plume of a +lady's hat, the blanket slung loosely over the shoulders, the fringed +hunting shirt and leggings, the faded moccasins, so soft that they +spread out of all manner of shape when the weight of the body rested on +them:—all these and much more were impressed upon the mind of the boy +with a distinctness that he was certain would last him all through life.</p> + +<p>"My gracious!" thought he, "they have come from a long distance; what +could have taken them down near Martinsville and so near the +Mississippi? I wonder whether it is possible the tribes who live on this +side the river ever cross over to look at the country on the other +shore. It would not be strange if they did so, but it don't seem like an +Indian to do that sort of thing. Can it be these warriors have their +hunting grounds away out toward the Rocky Mountains? If so, I shall have +a fine time in finding my way back home."</p> + +<p>The youth did not allow himself to consider the possibility that he +would never have the chance to attempt the journey. The shuddering fear +which first took hold of him was gone. Closely as the captors guarded +him, he was persuaded they meant to inflict no personal harm—at least +while on their way through the woods.</p> + +<p>It was a serious question indeed as to what would be his treatment after +reaching the Indian settlement. The American race is cruel, treacherous, +and revengeful, and though the red men frequently hold prisoners for +months and years, they more frequently subject them to torture and +death. It will be understood, therefore, why Jack Carleton was so +anxious to make his escape from the party before they could arrive home.</p> + +<p>Present discomforts often drive away future horrors, and, by the time +the sun was overhead, Jack gave his principal thought to one thing—the +question of food. He was a-hungered, and viewed with a mental groan the +prospect of keeping on the march until sunset, before securing anything +to eat.</p> + +<p>"I have gone a full day many a time without food," he said, as he +tramped along, "but it seems to me I never was as ravenous as now. I +believe I could eat a pair of boiled moccasins, that is, if they had +never been in use."</p> + +<p>He was ashamed of his weakness, and resolutely refrained from giving any +evidence of his suffering, but when he detected the pale green foliage +of the fragrant birch, he ventured to step out of the trail, break off a +branch and chew the bark, thus securing temporary relief from the +gnawing discomfort.</p> + +<p>High noon came, but no halt had been made. The lad had left the trail +several times, and the warriors themselves were more careless about +their own footsteps, but seemed to have no desire to partake of food.</p> + +<p>The first shock of surprise came when the party suddenly emerged from +the woods and paused on the bank of a deep, swift stream, fully a +hundred yards wide. The current, like the smaller one, was yellow and +roiled, and the boy looked upon it with a feeling akin to dismay. +Recalling the indignity to which he had been subjected earlier in the +day, he dreaded trusting himself in the water again.</p> + +<p>"<i>This</i> time they may take it into their heads to drown me," was his +thought.</p> + +<p>But his nerves were not subjected to the trial. Nothing showed more +clearly the wonderful woodcraft of the Indians than the fact that, after +journeying many long leagues through the wilderness, without the +slightest trail to guide them, they struck the stream within a hundred +yards of the point at which they aimed from the first.</p> + +<p>This was proven by the action of the warriors themselves. After talking +together for a few minutes, two of them walked a short distance up the +bank and drew a large canoe from under the shore, where they had left it +when journeying in the other direction.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>THE SIGNAL FIRES.</h3> + + +<p>The canoe was made of bark, with the ends turned up in the usual +fashion. Two long paddles belonging to it lay within, and were taken by +the warriors, who paddled it down to where the party were in waiting. +All stepped carefully inside, and the same Indians who brought it from +its hiding place turned the prow toward the other shore and began +swinging the paddles with the freedom and vigor peculiar to their +people. Jack was the last to seat himself, and he held fast as best he +could, dreading some of the rude jokes of his captors.</p> + +<p>When all were in position, and the craft began moving, great care was +necessary, for it sank to the gunwales, and a slight disturbance would +be enough to overturn the frail boat. Although Jack feared such an +occurrence, yet the Indians themselves were no more desirous it should +take place than was he.</p> + +<p>He naturally fixed his eyes on the line of warriors seated in front of +him. All faced the shore they were approaching, and the couple using the +paddles dipped first one end on the right and the other end on the left +of the canoe. They put forth little exertion. Had they chosen to do so, +they could have tripled the speed, though most likely an upset would +have been the consequence.</p> + +<p>The middle of the stream was not reached, when a small fish leaped out +of the water in front and fell back again. Ogallah uttered an +exclamation, and, reaching his hand over the side of the boat, held it +several inches under the surface. The two Indians not using the paddles +did the same, just as a party of young people will do when taking a +pleasure sail over some calm lake.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Ogallah gave a quick flirt of the submerged hand, flinging the +sparkling water over all. Something flashed in the sunlight, and a plump +fish, weighing fully a pound, dropped into the canoe. Almost immediately +the other two warriors did the same, one of them securing a prize +weighing as much as both the others. The fact was, the boat was passing +through something like a school of fish, and the red men found no +difficulty in capturing a number.</p> + +<p>"That looks like dinner," thought Jack with a chuckle, as he also dipped +his hand to grope for the finny delicacies. He had less than a minute to +wait when something cold and smooth touched his fingers. He made a +desperate clutch, sinking his arm to his elbow, but the fish was too +quick, and darted beyond his reach, just as Ogallah landed another +tempting one.</p> + +<p>Several more were taken, but Jack could not succeed in closing his +fingers quickly enough to keep the fish from slipping away. By the time +the other side of the stream was reached, a good supply had been +secured, and the boy forgot his sorrow in the pleasure of anticipating +that his hunger would be fully satisfied.</p> + +<p>Happily he was not disappointed in this respect, for, while the oarsmen +were drawing the boat out of the water, the others were preparing the +fire with which to cook the fish, that were speedily dressed. They were +the "white" species common in the west, and when browned to a juicy +crisp, formed as luscious a meal as any epicure could ask. Best of all, +there was an abundance, and Jack Carleton ate until he wanted no more.</p> + +<p>Having tramped so many miles since the rising of the sun, Ogallah and +his warriors were disposed to enjoy a good rest.</p> + +<p>Their pipes were relighted and they lolled about in the same lazy +fashion, paying no special heed to Jack, who knew the unwisdom of making +any effort to get away.</p> + +<p>All this convinced the boy that the party had still a considerable +distance to travel. Had they been in the neighborhood of their village, +they would have pushed on without stopping. At any rate, they would not +have paused to kindle the camp-fire and to cook a meal at mid-day.</p> + +<p>"It must be," Jack said to himself, with several nods of his head, "that +we are to spend another night on the road: if that is so, I'll make a +break if I have to suffer for it."</p> + +<p>These were vaunting words, but he was in earnest. Except for the hope +thus renewed within him, the youth would have given way to the +drowsiness which became quite common with the rest, but a line of +speculation was started which kept his mind occupied during the full +hour the party dawdled about the camp-fire.</p> + +<p>At the end of the time named, the ashes were knocked from the pipes, +several stretched their limbs and yawned, and the sullen-faced warrior +who had been taking care of Jack's rifle, passed it back to him with +some surly word, which most likely meant that thereafter the captive +should bear his own burdens. The boy was glad enough to regain his +weapon, but he smiled when he observed that it had no charge in it. His +captors were determined not to put temptation in his way.</p> + +<p>It took the company a considerable time to "shake themselves together." +They straggled and kept irregular step, and finally, when they began +ascending a slope, where the ground was much broken and covered with +stones, they gave it up altogether. The ascent continued until they +found themselves on an elevation several hundred feet high, and so +devoid of vegetation that a view was gained which covered an area of +hundreds of square miles in every direction.</p> + +<p>Standing on this lookout, as it may be called, the Indians devoted a +number of minutes to such survey. No employment just then could be more +entertaining, and Jack Carleton adopted it.</p> + +<p>The scene was too similar to those with which the reader of these pages +has become familiar to need any lengthened reference in this place. It +was green, billowy forest in every direction. Here and there a stream +wound like a silver ribbon through the emerald wilderness, sometimes +gleaming in the sunlight, and then disappearing among the vegetation, to +reappear miles away, and finally to vanish from sight altogether as it +wound its way toward the Gulf. At remote points the trained eye could +detect the thin, wavy column of vapor motionless against the sky, a mute +witness that beings other than those on the hill were stealing through +the vast solitude in their quest for game or prey.</p> + +<p>Inasmuch as Jack Carleton readily detected these "signs," as the hunter +terms them, it followed they must have been noted by the Indians +themselves; but they gave no evidence of any excitement on that account. +It was natural that such evidences of the presence of other persons in +the immense territory should present themselves.</p> + +<p>But the youth failed to find that for which he specially looked. +Observing the chieftain gazing earnestly toward the west, he did the +same, expecting to catch sight of the Indian village where Ogallah and +his warriors made their home. He descried a wooded ridge stretching +across his field of vision, but not the first resemblance to village or +wigwam could be discovered.</p> + +<p>"He is not looking for <i>that</i>," thought Jack, "but is expecting some +signal which will appear on the ridge."</p> + +<p>One of the other Indians was peering with equal intentness at the same +point, but the minutes passed and nothing presented itself. Jack joined +in the scrutiny, but he could not succeed where they failed.</p> + +<p>All at once the sachem seemed to lose patience. He said some vigorous +things, accompanied by equally vigorous gestures, and then the whole +party began hastily gathering wood. In a short while this was kindled +and burning strongly. When the flames were fairly going, one of the +warriors who had collected several handfuls of damp leaves by digging +under the dry ones, dropped them carefully on the blaze. It looked at +first as if the fire would be put out, but it struggled upward, and +by-and-by a column of dense black smoke stained the sky like the smutty +finger of some giant tracing a wavy line across it.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="ill03" id="ill03"></a> +<img src="images/ill03.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Signal</span></h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Then Ogallah and one of his men held his blanket spread out so as almost +to force the thick smoke to the ground, but such was not their purpose. +The blanket was abruptly lifted, then swayed in a peculiar fashion, the +two moving in perfect unison, without speaking, and repeating their +pantomime with the regularity of machinery, for the space of fully ten +minutes.</p> + +<p>The results were singular. The inky column of vapor was broken into a +number of sections, as may be said, so that when viewed from a distance +the figure was that of a black broad band of enormous height, separated +by belts of colorless air into a dozen pieces or divisions, the upper +ones gradually melting into nothingness. Besides this, so deftly had the +red men manipulated the fire and blanket, that these divisions showed a +peculiar wavy appearance, which would have excited wondering remark, no +matter by whom seen.</p> + +<p>"It is a signal to some one on the ridge yonder," was the conclusion of +Jack, who watched the proceeding with much interest.</p> + +<p>Having finished, Ogallah and the warrior threw the blanket on the +ground, and the whole five gazed at the ridge miles away. For a time +perfect silence reigned, and then one of the dusky watchers uttered an +exclamation, to which the chief responded with a grunt.</p> + +<p>While scanning the distant ridge, Jack detected a black brush of vapor +climbing slowly above the trees. It broke clean off, and as it went on +upward, was inclosed by clear air on all sides. But it was not long +before a second, third, fourth, and fifth appeared. Parties were +answering the signal of the chief in precisely the same manner that he +made it. The only difference was in the number, of which there were only +the five. Those, however, were sufficient, as the parties making it were +well aware.</p> + +<p>This aboriginal system of telegraphy, which has been in use from time +immemorial, is still a favorite means of communication among the Indians +of the West. More than once the news of the signing of some important +treaty, or the war movement of tribes, has been flashed by means of +signal fires from mountain top to mountain top over a distance of +hundreds of miles.</p> + +<p>The information given by the answering signal fire was satisfactory to +the chief Ogallah, who resumed the journey at a leisurely pace, making +no effort to walk in the close Indian file that he and his warriors did +when further away from home.</p> + +<p>"If we reach the village before going into camp," concluded Jack, "we +must keep moving until after dark. The sun is setting and the ridge is +still a good ways off."</p> + +<p>It soon became manifest that the red men had no purpose of tiring +themselves by walking. They were at the base of the ridge when they came +upon a small stream which dashed down the mountain side with a musical +plash, forming currents, eddies, and cascades, while in the depths of +some pebbly pool it was as silent and clear as liquid mountain air.</p> + +<p>The afternoon was more sultry than the early portion of the day, and +every member of the company quaffed his fill from the refreshing +element. Jack's heart gave a great bound of hope when he saw that +Ogallah meant to spend the night there. He was strongly convinced that +he would gain an opportunity to steal away during the darkness, which +promised to be denser than on the previous night. Although the day had +been clear and beautiful, yet the clouds gathered after the sun went +down, and there were signs of a storm. Low mutterings of distant thunder +and the fitful flashes of lightning showed the interchange of +electricity between the earth and sky, though it might not develop to +any great extent for many hours to come.</p> + +<p>No hunt was made for game, and after the abundant meal earlier in the +day, Jack could not complain if compelled to fast until morning. A fire +was kindled precisely as before, a sturdy oak forming the background, +while the others lolled around it and smoked their long-stemmed pipes.</p> + +<p>When Jack Carleton was invited to retire to his couch by the sullen +warrior, he obeyed as though pleased with the prospect of a full night's +rest. Ogallah stretched out with one of his men, while the ill-tempered +member sat down with his back against the tree, as though desirous of +imitating his leader in every respect.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE INDIAN VILLAGE.</h3> + + +<p>"There's one thing certain," said Jack Carleton to himself, as he +gathered the Indian blanket around his shoulders, like one lying down to +pleasant dreams, "I can keep awake a good deal more easily than I did +last night. I'm pretty tired, but I slept so much toward morning that it +will be no trouble to go twenty-four hours without any more."</p> + +<p>The temperature was milder than at that time, so that the lad found the +thick blanket uncomfortably warm when wrapped closely around him. He +flung out his feet and arms as a child often does with its bed +coverings, and adjusted his body so as to keep his eye on the sentinel, +without (as the captive believed) any suspicion of his intention.</p> + +<p>The other couples sank into refreshing slumber within a few minutes +after lying down, and it certainly was singular that the warrior who +sat half revealed, with his back against the tree, should have +continued as motionless as did the chief Ogallah the evening before. It +was impossible that two scenes should resemble each other more closely +than those named.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he can keep it up as long as the old fellow did. If he +tries it, he will be dreaming, and when he and the rest awake, they will +find I am miles off and going with might and main for home. My gracious! +but I shall have a long distance to travel, and it will be hard work to +keep out of their way."</p> + +<p>Fixing his eyes on the form as it was shown by the flickering camp-fire, +Jack prepared to watch with more patience than he showed in the former +instance. The sound of the splashing brook and the soft stirring of the +night wind were soothing to the tired boy. By-and-by his eyelids +drooped, then closed, and his senses passed from him. Never was he sunk +in sounder sleep.</p> + +<p>Nothing occurred to disturb him, and he slept hour after hour, never +opening his eyes until it was broad daylight and Ogallah and his +warriors were astir.</p> + +<p>Jack was chagrined beyond expression when he found what he had done, +or, rather, what he had failed to do. The opportunity for which he had +sighed so long had slipped irrevocably from his grasp. So convinced was +he of this fact that he gave over all thought of escape while on the +journey.</p> + +<p>"The Indian village can't be far off, and I must now go ahead and take +my chances. But this is getting tiresome."</p> + +<p>The last remark referred to the absence of any preparations for +breakfast. He had made no complaint the evening before, but it was a +hardship to continue his fast. Inasmuch, however, as there was no help +for it, he submitted without a murmur.</p> + +<p>There was now no pretence of treading in each other's footsteps, but the +party straggled up the ridge like a lot of weary pedestrians. No one +seemed to pay any attention to the single captive, most likely because +there was no call to do so. He might desire to make a break for liberty, +but he could not go further than they were willing to permit.</p> + +<p>The top of the ridge was marked by a bare spot, where some charred +sticks showed a fire had been recently kindled. There could be no doubt +that it was there the answering signal had been made to the call of +Ogallah.</p> + +<p>But looking down the western slope of the ridge, Jack Carleton's eyes +rested on a scene more interesting than any that had met his gaze since +leaving home. Less than a mile off, close to the shore of a winding +stream and in the middle of a partially cleared space, stood the Indian +village toward which his footsteps had been tending for nearly two days, +and where he was likely to spend an indefinite captivity.</p> + +<p>The stream was perhaps a hundred feet in width. It shone brightly in the +morning sun, and the current was clearer than that of the river crossed +the day before. It wound its way westward as far as the eye could follow +it, flowing into a tributary of the Osage, thence to the Missouri, and +so on to the Gulf of Mexico.</p> + +<p>The Indian village numbered between twenty and thirty lodges, wigwams or +dwellings as they may be called. Some of them were made of bison and +deer skins, and were of irregular, conical shape; others were mere huts, +covered with grass, leaves, limbs and dirt, while one or two were +mainly composed of stones piled in the form of rude walls and roofed in +the rude fashion described.</p> + +<p>These primitive structures were scattered irregularly over a space of +half an acre, which might be called a clearing, inasmuch as only a few +stumps and broken trees were to be seen. But nothing in the way of corn +or vegetables was growing, and the air of dilapidation, untidiness and +squalor pervading the whole scene, was characteristic of the race, and +was that which robs it of the romance which in the minds of many +attaches to the name of the American Indian.</p> + +<p>Viewed from the ridge, Jack could see figures moving to and fro in the +aimless manner natural to such indolent people. There were children +running and playing among the stumps and dwellings—half naked little +knots of humanity, who in a few years would become the repulsive squaws +or terrible warriors of the tribe. Three of the youngsters were having a +high time with a canoe lying against the shore. They were splashing the +water over each other, plunging into the stream and scrambling out again +without regard to the wear or tear of their clothing, and playing all +sorts of tricks on each other, while a half dozen playmates were +standing on the bank laughing so heartily that a spectator would have +found it hard to understand why the American race is so often described +as of a melancholy temperament.</p> + +<p>Now and then some squaw could be seen trudging along under a load of +sticks, while more than likely her lazy husband was asleep within the +wigwam. A half dozen warriors strolled off toward the woods, rifles in +hand, and most likely with the intention of going upon a hunt. Just +before leaving the clearing, one of them caught sight of the group on +the top of the ridge. Immediately they swung their arms and sent several +ringing whoops across as a salutation to their friends.</p> + +<p>Ogallah answered, and he and his party moved down the slope toward their +homes. Having saluted each other in this fashion, the warriors of the +village speedily vanished in the wood. They must have known that the +returning company had a prisoner with them, but it will be seen they +felt no particular interest in the matter.</p> + +<p>But if such was the fact respecting the hunters, it was far different +with those who were left behind. The moment the five warriors emerged +from the wood, with the captive walking among them, the whole village +was thrown in a turmoil of excitement. Squaws and children rushed +forward, men came to the entrances of their wigwams, and some strolled +out to make a closer investigation of the matter.</p> + +<p>It was a trying moment to Jack Carleton, for it may be said that he had +discounted it during the preceding day. He forced himself to smile, and +when the chattering, grunting, shouting crowd gathered around him so +closely that he was forced to stop walking, he shook, so far as he +could, most of the scores of hands that were pushed against him.</p> + +<p>All this was well enough, but it was not long before their attention +took an unpleasant form. Some of the half grown bucks either feigned or +really were angered because Jack could not give them heed, and struck +him with the flat of their hands about the chest and shoulders. The boy +turned when the first blow was delivered, and the Indian indulged in a +taunting grimace. Jack clenched his fist and was on the point of +striking him in the face when his good sense restrained him. He needed +no one to tell him the consequences of such rashness.</p> + +<p>The attentions soon became so boisterous that Ogallah interfered. He +flung the crowd right and left, commanding them to disperse, and then +beckoned the youth to follow him toward a lodge near the center of the +village. Jack was glad enough to do so, and was speedily relieved of +annoyance.</p> + +<p>The sachem conducted the boy to his own dwelling where none of the +curious dare follow him, though the crowd gathered on the outside and +peeped within, like so many persons seeking a free survey of a circus.</p> + +<p>Suspecting that this was likely to be his new home for an indefinite +time, Jack Carleton was quick to acquaint himself with the interior. The +structure, as I have said, stood near the middle of the village, and was +the largest of the collection. It is rare that an aboriginal building +bears such resemblance to those made by the white men of the border, for +the American race has never shown any aptitude in architecture.</p> + +<p>Ogallah's house was a log cabin, perhaps twenty feet long by half as +many wide. The logs were roughly dovetailed at the corners, but none of +the numerous crevices were stopped by mortar or clay, and daylight +could be discerned through many a rent, which in cold weather admitted +the keen cutting wind.</p> + +<p>A single opening served as a door. Aboriginal ingenuity could not pass +beyond this rude contrivance, so having opened the way for ingress and +egress, the builder was content to hang a bison skin as a curtain. This +could be readily pulled aside by any one, and the door locked by +fastening the corners. Windows are a sinful extravagance to the American +Indian, and there was not one in the village to which Jack Carleton was +taken. When the open door, the burning fire, the hole which answered for +a chimney, and the numerous crevices did not give enough light for the +interior, the occupants went outside to obtain it.</p> + +<p>Having put up the four walls of logs and roofed them with branches, +covered with leaves, dirt and grass, Ogallah was content to lean back, +fold his arms and smoke his pipe in placid triumph. The floor was the +earth, worn hard and smooth by the feet of the family, and the fire was +kindled on the ground at the further end, where the vapor found its way +through the irregular opening made for the purpose. There was nothing in +the nature of a chair or bench in the place. Bison and deer robes +formed the couches, and the pegs driven in the logs held blankets, bows, +and furs of animals (most of the last, however, lying on the ground), +leggings and other articles worn by the chieftain and his wife.</p> + +<p>These two were the only occupants of the place previous to the coming of +Jack Carleton. Ogallah was in middle life, and had been the father of +but a single son, who died while yet a papoose. His wife was tall and +muscular, evidently a woman with a strong will, and well worthy to be +the consort of an Indian chief. She did not rush to her husband and +embrace him the moment she caught sight of him. Indeed, she had not +ventured outside the lodge, though she could not have failed to hear the +unusual turmoil.</p> + +<p>She would not have been human had she not shown some curiosity +respecting her husband's companion. Jack doffed his hat and bowed to her +with elaborate courtesy, after which he leaned his rifle against the +side of the wigwam and folded his arms. The squaw surveyed him for a +full minute, during which he stood as if awaiting her commands, and +then, turning to her husband, the two held a short but vigorous +conversation.</p> + +<p>The wife must have been expecting him, for she was engaged in cooking +some venison in the usual aboriginal fashion, and, to the great relief +of the boy, the two were not kept waiting for their meal. Seating +themselves cross-legged on the ground, the half-cooked meat was taken in +their hands, and, with no other utensils than his hunting knife, each +made his morning meal.</p> + +<p>And so at last Jack Carleton was a captive among a tribe of Indians +whose totem was unknown to him. Whether he was to remain with them until +manhood, or whether he was to be put to death long before that period, +were questions whose answers he did not dare try to conjecture.</p> + +<p>His situation was a most extraordinary one, as every reader will admit. +He knew of more than one instance where children who were captured when +quite small, had become so attached to the rude ways and wild life of +the red men, that they refused to go back to their own people when the +offer presented itself, but it was too late in the day for such an +experience to befall him.</p> + +<p>And now, for a time, we must leave Jack Carleton to himself, while we +give attention to other incidents which are destined to have a bearing +on his fate.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE MOUNTAIN CREST.</h3> + + +<p>The reader has not forgotten the encounter between Jacob Relstaub and +Deerfoot, the Shawanoe, when the former plunged headlong through his own +door in mortal fear that the tomahawk of the youthful warrior would be +sent crashing through his brain; but, much as Deerfoot despised the +German, he had no thought of visiting injury upon him. Shoving back the +weapon to its place in his girdle, he therefore strode off in the +forest, never pausing in his walk until the sun appeared above the +horizon. He was then many miles from Martinsville, his face turned +toward the southwest.</p> + +<p>Throwing himself on his face, he quaffed his fill from a small, clear +stream, whose current was only moderately cool, and then, assuming an +easy posture on the ground, gave himself over to deep thought.</p> + +<p>The question which he was seeking to answer was as to his duty. He had +gone to the settlement to see his young friends, and learned that they +had started some hours before on a hunting expedition. Such a proceeding +was so natural, and, withal, so common, that any one expressing wonder +thereat was likely to be laughed at for his words. The boys of the +frontier learn to handle the rifle when much younger than either Otto +Relstaub or Jack Carleton, and they were sometimes absent for days at a +time without causing any misgiving on the part of their parents.</p> + +<p>Why, then, should Deerfoot be perplexed over the matter, when even the +mother of Jack expressed no fear concerning him?</p> + +<p>Why, indeed? That was the query which puzzled the young warrior. It has +already been said it was the custom of Deerfoot to follow a certain +inexplainable intuition which often came to his help in his moments of +doubt. In the present instance, something seemed to whisper that it was +his duty to look after the boys, but the whisper was so low—as may be +said—that he hesitated to obey it, led to do so by a doubt as to +whether, after all, it was that instinctive prompting which hitherto +had guided him so infallibly in many of his daring enterprises and +undertakings.</p> + +<p>It was characteristic of the warrior that, after spending a long time in +such anxious thought, he should draw his Bible from the inner pocket of +his hunting shirt, and begin looking through its pages for guidance. +There were certain portions that were favorites of his, and, without +searching, the volume opened to one after another of these places; but +seek as much as he chose, he could find nothing that bore on the problem +he wished to solve.</p> + +<p>"The Great Spirit wills that Deerfoot shall settle the question for +himself," was his conclusion, as he returned the treasure to its place.</p> + +<p>It may as well be admitted that the principal cause of Deerfoot's +hesitation cannot be given at this time. There was an urgent reason why +he should make haste to the southwest, and he longed to break into his +easy, loping trot, which he was able to maintain without fatigue from +rise of morn till set of sun. But the same strange impulse which sent +him into the settlement to inquire concerning his friends, still kept +them in his thoughts.</p> + +<p>But he was not the youth to torment himself in this manner, hour after +hour, and he finally compressed his thin lips and muttered:</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot will return in a few days, and then, if his brothers are still +gone, he will hunt for them."</p> + +<p>This was not a satisfactory conclusion, but he followed it with his +usual promptness. He was in the very act of rising from the ground, when +his quick ear caught a faint footfall. Like a flash he raised his head, +and observed a noble buck approaching the water with the purpose of +drinking from it. It was not to be expected that the animal had any fear +of hunters in such a solitary place, and he came forward with a proud +step, as though master of the wilderness.</p> + +<p>The Shawanoe waited until he was within fifty feet, when the buck +stopped short, and threw up his head as though he scented danger in the +air. At that instant Deerfoot bounded to his feet as if thrown upward by +a spring-board, and with a slight whoop, dashed straight at the animal, +swinging his arms and jumping from side to side in the most grotesque +fashion.</p> + +<p>Few animals of the forest are more timid than the deer, which, like the +bear, is found in almost every portion of the American continent. The +buck with one swift whirl on his hoofs, faced the other way, and was off +like an arrow, shooting between the trees, through the undergrowth, and +bounding over obstructions as though they were not worth his notice. The +ordinary hunter might have found time to fire one shot, when the game +would have vanished like a bird on the wing, before he could reload; but +the occasion was a good one for Deerfoot to display his wonderful +fleetness, and he was in the mood to do so. He had made his gestures and +uttered his cries for the very purpose of terrifying the animal into +doing his utmost, and he did it.</p> + +<p>With his head thrown back, so that his antlers almost rested on his +back, he plunged forward with amazing swiftness; but when he had gone +two hundred yards, he saw the same light, willowy figure almost on his +haunch. He even flung up his arms and shouted again, as if urging him to +a higher rate of speed. And such was the truth; Deerfoot was running as +fast as the game, and he was able to run still faster.</p> + +<p>The buck bounded up a steep slope, and with one tremendous leap cleared +a craggy rock in his path. He had barely done so, when the young +Shawanoe was after him, going over with a lightness and grace that +showed no special effort. The pursuer was on his haunches, and the +animal, with glaring eyeballs and a horrified sniff, seemed to bound off +with the speed of the wind. But of what avail? The warrior was not to be +shaken off. With a speed which none of his race could equal, it was only +play for him to outrun the deer. Years before (as I have told in another +place), Deerfoot, for mere sport, pursued one of the fleetest of horses, +and kept it up hour after hour, until he ran down the steed. He was +doing the same to the buck. There was not a moment from the first when +he could not have launched an arrow that would have brought the game to +the ground; he was near enough to drive his tomahawk into the neck, but +he did nothing of that nature. Inasmuch as he was running the race, he +meant it should be a fair one, and neither should take any advantage +over the other.</p> + +<p>What terrifying imaginings took possession of the buck when he awoke to +the fact that it was impossible to escape the dreadful being clinging +to his hips, cannot be understood by any of us, but that which followed, +incredible as it may seem, is an indisputable fact.</p> + +<p>The singular race was kept up for slightly more than a mile, during +every fraction of which the fugitive put forth his highest possible +effort. Such a terrific strain cannot fail to tell upon the most highly +trained animal, and so, despite all he could do, the buck found himself +unable to keep up his prodigious tension. He was losing ground, and he +could not fail to know that escape was out of the question: he was as +much doomed as if surrounded and driven at bay by a dozen hunters and +their hounds. He was still running at his highest bent, when he suddenly +deviated to the right, and, with shocking violence, plunged squarely +against the trunk of a beech, and, falling over on his side, gave a few +convulsive struggles and died. Beyond question, the buck, when awake to +the fact that there was no hope for him, deliberately committed suicide +by breaking his neck.</p> + +<p>The young Shawanoe paused, and looked down upon the quivering form with +feelings of pity.</p> + +<p>"Why did he do that? Deerfoot felt too much sorrow to harm him; he only +sought to show him he could run the faster; but he will run no more, and +Deerfoot will eat."</p> + +<p>The spot was suitable, and, within less time than would be supposed, the +warrior was seated on the ground, deliberately masticating a liberal +slice of broiled venison. Doubtless it would have been improved could he +have hung it in a cellar or tree for several days, but it wasn't +convenient to do so, and Deerfoot therefore ate it as he could obtain +it, and was satisfied therewith.</p> + +<p>No water was within reach, the Indian following the healthful practice +of the wild animals themselves, of not partaking of drink while eating +food.</p> + +<p>The meal finished, Deerfoot did not conduct himself like one who was +still in doubt as to the course he ought to follow. He had solved the +question earlier in the day, and, though the conclusion he reached was +not fully satisfactory, he resolutely forced aside all further thought +respecting it, and gave his attention simply to that which was before +him. His dinner required only a short time, when he resumed his journey, +if such it may be termed. He walked with his usual noiseless gait, in +which could be detected not the slightest weakness or exhaustion +resulting from his terrific run.</p> + +<p>The young Shawanoe was advancing toward the mountainous portion of the +present State of Missouri. The Ozark range, or its spurs, cover one-half +of that large State, and their recesses afford hunting grounds and +retreats such as are surpassed by no other portion of the continent.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot turned his footsteps toward a high promontory some miles +distant. It was the most elevated among many others, and formed a +landmark visible over a very extensive area. The youthful warrior did +not hasten his footsteps, for there was no call to do so, but he +steadily approached the mountain, up which he tramped in his leisurely +fashion, until he paused on the very highest point.</p> + +<p>The journey was long, and when he came to a halt the sun was far down +the western horizon. The summit of the mountain was covered with rocks +and boulders, with here and there a few scrubby pines. Nothing could be +more unattractive than the broken, stony soil, but the view which was +spread out before him who climbed to the top was enough to kindle the +eye of a stoic, and make the heart overflow with love and awe toward the +great Being who made it all.</p> + +<p>But the eye can become accustomed to the grandest scenes, and, although +Deerfoot leaned on the rock beside him, and allowed his keen vision to +wander over the magnificent panorama, it did not cause an additional +pulse-beat. When he had glanced at the mountains, the valleys between, +the broken country, the forests, the diversified scenery in every +direction, his gaze rested on another promontory similar to the one he +had climbed.</p> + +<p>It was several miles distant, in a directly southern course, and was +nearly or quite two hundred feet higher than the one on which he stood. +The latter, like those to which reference has been made, was of the +nature of a ridge, while the one on which his eyes were fixed was a +diminutive Teneriffe as to its form.</p> + +<p>While the manner of Deerfoot indicated very plainly that he expected to +see something out of the usual order of things, yet it looked very much +as if he would have been pleased over his failure to do so. No painter +could limn a more striking picture than that which was formed by +Deerfoot, at the close of that beautiful spring day, when, as the sun +was setting, he stood on the elevation and gazed across the intervening +country.</p> + +<p>His right elbow rested on the top of the rock, and his right leg +supported the weight of his body. The lower half of the left leg was +slung across the other, the toe of the moccasin touching the earth. The +right hand dropped over the side of the rock, and lightly held the long +bow which leaned against the same support. The posture was that of +elegant ease, and the best calculated to bring out in clear relief the +Apollo-like splendor of his figure. The luxuriant black hair streaming +over the shoulders, the gaudy eagle feathers thrust in at the crown, the +lustrous black eyes, the slightly Roman nose, the rows of colored beads +around the neck, the dull yellow of the hunting shirt, the quiver of +arrows behind the right shoulder, the red sash, holding knife and +tomahawk, the gold bracelet on the left wrist, the fringed border of his +hunting shirt about the knees, the brilliant fringes to the leggings, +the pretty moccasins, and the shapeliness of form, limb and +feature—all these made up the poetical Indian, which, sad to say, is +almost as rare among his race as the black diamond is in nature.</p> + +<p>But such was Deerfoot the Shawanoe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>THE RETURN AND DEPARTURE.</h3> + + +<p>Easy and negligent as was the posture assumed by Deerfoot the Shawanoe, +his eyes were never at rest. Resting for a moment on the promontory, +they darted to the right and left down the valley, and even took in the +shifting clouds in the sky above. But it was the peak which riveted his +attention, and which was scrutinized with minute closeness until the +gathering gloom shut it from sight.</p> + +<p>It was not fairly dark when he kindled a fire on the very highest point, +and then placing himself so far from it that the glare could not +interfere with his sight, he looked out in the night. The darkness was +such that nothing could be seen beyond his immediate surroundings, but +he knew where to look for that which he expected and yet did not want to +see. For fully an hour the Shawanoe held his motionless attitude, gazing +as fixedly to the southward as ever an eagle stared at the sun. Then +that for which he was waiting appeared.</p> + +<p>From the very crest of the distant mountain peak, a flaming arrow +suddenly began climbing toward the stars. Up, up it went, as does the +rocket on a summer night, going slower and slower, like an old man +plodding up hill, until, wearied out, it paused, and, for one instant +remained stationary in the air, as if doubtful whether to push on or to +fall back. The flaming point swung over until it pointed toward the +ground, when it shot downward with ever increasing swiftness until it +vanished. It must have struck within a yard of the spot from which it +had been driven upward.</p> + +<p>It was very rarely that Deerfoot showed excitement. He had drawn his +knife and challenged the great Tecumseh to mortal conflict, and he had +faced death a score of times in the most dreadful shapes, but very +rarely, if ever, was his heart stirred as by the sight of the burning +arrow on the distant mountain peak.</p> + +<p>He straightened up with a quick inspiration, and his eyes followed the +course of the fiery missile from the moment of its appearance until it +vanished.</p> + +<p>"<i>They have called for Deerfoot!</i>"</p> + +<p>These were the remarkable words which fell from his lips, as he plunged +down the mountain side like one who knew a question of life and death +was before him. Although Deerfoot had formed a friendship for Jack +Carleton and Otto Relstaub similar to that which he had felt for Ned +Preston and Wildblossom Brown, yet it must be admitted that they were +not the only ones to whom he was strongly attached, and in whose fate he +felt as deep an interest as in that of any human being—all of which +shall be made clear in another place and at another time.</p> + +<p>It was just one week later that Deerfoot made his appearance near the +settlement, and, pausing at a point which commanded a view of the +collection of cabins, he spent several minutes in surveying them and the +pioneers. He had traveled many miles, and been through some singularly +stirring scenes since he last looked upon Martinsville, but the gracious +Being that had protected him all his life, did not desert him in his +extremity, and the frame was as supple and free from weakness or injury +as when he faced the other way.</p> + +<p>When the burning arrow summoned Deerfoot down the mountain side, he was +glad indeed that he had decided the question whether or not he should +hunt for the boys as he did, for, had he done otherwise, the opportunity +that has been described could not have come to him; but, when his duty +was ended, the old doubt came back, until he had been driven to return +in order that he might settle the question forever.</p> + +<p>Looking down on the little settlement of Martinsville, he studied the +curious scene, for he was so close that he could identify every person +whom he knew. The settlement, as the reader has been told, consisted of +two rows of log cabins, facing each other. They numbered about a score, +and the street was fifty feet wide. Besides that, each cabin had the +same space between itself and its neighbor, so that, few as were the +structures, they were scattered over considerable ground.</p> + +<p>This ground, as well as much of it beyond, had been well cleared, and +the earth cultivated. There were horses and oxen to draw plows and help +bear the burdens. Besides the hunters' cabins, there were storehouses, +barns, and structures made for convenience or necessity. From most of +the soil that had been overturned were sprouting corn, potatoes, and +other vegetables. The time was not distant when the wilderness should +blossom as the rose.</p> + +<p>A block-house near the middle of the settlement had been half completed, +when, so far as could be seen, the work was abandoned. The rule with the +frontier settlements was to put up a building in which all could take +refuge, should danger threaten; but often the fort was so hastily and +poorly made that it became a matter of weakness rather than of strength. +Colonel Martin and his brother pioneers reached the conclusion that they +were showing altogether too much haste in rearing the structure, and +they deferred its completion to a more convenient season. Their duty to +their families, as they saw it, justified them in taking such a step, +especially in view of the fact that the Indians of the surrounding +country were not likely ever to cause them trouble.</p> + +<p>The cleared land, as it was called, was still disfigured by numerous +unsightly stumps, around which the rude plow was pulled; but here and +there men were working to remove them, and ultimately all would be +uprooted and destroyed.</p> + +<p>On the edge of the clearing, three woodsmen were swinging their axes and +burying their keen edges in the hearts of the monarchs of the wood. +Deerfoot looked at them several minutes, noticing as he had done before, +with childish wonder, how long it took the sound caused by the blows to +reach him. When one of the choppers stopped to breathe and leaned on his +axe, the sound of two blows came to the listener, and when he resumed +work, the youth saw him in the act of striking the third time before the +sound was heard.</p> + +<p>The scene was one of activity and industry. Even the children seemed to +have work instead of play to occupy them. The women, as a matter of +course, were among the busiest, and rarely did one of them appear at the +door of her cabin. When she did so, it was only for a very brief while.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot was looking fixedly at one of the houses near the middle of the +settlement, when a squatty figure, with a conical hat, a heavy cane, and +smoking a pipe, came out and walked slowly toward a cabin only a short +distance off. The Indian smiled in his momentary, shadowy fashion when +he recognized Jacob Relstaub, whom he had frightened almost out of his +wits a week before. No doubt the German had told the incident many +times afterward, and would always insist he escaped by a veritable +hair's breadth.</p> + +<p>But Deerfoot was troubled in mind, for among all whom he saw he +recognized neither Jack Carleton nor Otto Relstaub. It was not likely +that, if they had returned from their hunt, both would continue +invisible very long; but when minute after minute passed without showing +either, his heart sank.</p> + +<p>The Shawanoe knew a scene would be probable if Jacob Relstaub caught +sight of him, so he avoided the wrathful German. The appearance of the +handsome warrior moving among the cabins, naturally awakened some +interest. Men and children looked at him as he went by, and several of +the latter followed him. Deerfoot saluted all whose eyes met his, +calling out: "Good day; how is my brother?" in as excellent English as +any of them could have employed.</p> + +<p>The Indian, it may be supposed, was known to nearly every one by +reputation. Most of the settlers had heard of his exploits when they and +he lived in Kentucky; they knew he guided Otto Relstaub and Jack +Carleton on their perilous journey from the Dark and Bloody Ground into +Louisiana; they were aware, too, that he could read and write, and was +one of the most sagacious and valuable friends the settlers ever had or +could have. The story which Jacob Relstaub told was therefore received +with much doubt, and no one who listened felt any distrust of the +loyalty of the young Shawanoe. More than one declared on general +principles that Relstaub would have been served right had the warrior +handled him roughly, as it was well known he could have done had he been +so minded.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot walked quietly along the primitive street until opposite the +door of Widow Carleton's cabin. Without hesitation, he pulled the latch +string and stepped within. There was no start or change of expression +when he glanced about the apartment, but that single glance told him the +story.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carleton was standing at the table on the other side of the room, +occupied with the dishes that had served at the morning meal. Her back +was toward the visitor, but she turned like a flash when she heard the +door open. The scared, expectant, disappointed, and apprehensive +expression that flitted over her countenance, like the passing of a +cloud across a summer landscape, made known the truth to the sagacious +Shawanoe.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot's brother has not come back from his long hunt," he said, in +his usual voice, as he bowed and advanced to the middle of the +apartment.</p> + +<p>"O Deerfoot!" moaned the mother, as, with tremulous lip, she sank into +the nearest chair and looked pleadingly toward him, holding her apron +ready to raise to her eyes; "tell me where is my Jack!"</p> + +<p>"My friend told Deerfoot that his brother had gone to hunt the horse +that has wandered off."</p> + +<p>"But that was more than a week ago; he ought to have come back a good +while since. O Deerfoot——"</p> + +<p>"But the horse has wandered many miles, and it will take my brother a +long time to find him," interrupted the visitor, who dreaded the scene +which he saw was sure to come.</p> + +<p>"Do you think they are still hunting for him?" she asked with a sudden, +yearning eagerness that went to the heart of the Indian. He could not +speak an untruth, nor could he admit the great fear that almost stopped +the beating of his heart.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot cannot answer his friend; but he hopes soon to take the hand +of his brother."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that will never be—it can never be. My poor Jack!"</p> + +<p>Her grief could be restrained no longer. The apron was abruptly raised +to the eyes, and as the white hands were pressed against the face her +whole frame shook with emotion. Deerfoot looked steadily at the pitiful +scene, but he knew not what to say or do. It was a vivid illustration of +this strange nature of ours that the youth, who absolutely knew not what +fear was, and who had seen the glittering tomahawk crash its way into +the brain without a throb of pity, now found his utmost self-command +hardly able to save him from breaking down as utterly as did the parent +before him. He hastily swallowed the lump that kept rising in his +throat, blinked his eyes very rapidly, coughed, fidgeted on the bench +whereon he sat, and, finally, looked away and upward at the rude +rafters, so as to avoid the sight of the sobbing woman.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot is a pappoose," he muttered angrily, "that he weeps when he +knows not what for; he is a dog that whines before his master strikes +him."</p> + +<p>A brief but resolute struggle gave him the mastery over his emotions, +though for a few seconds he dared not look towards his hostess. When he +timidly ventured to do so, she was rubbing her eyes with the corner of +her apron. The tempest of grief had passed, and she was regaining +mastery of herself, thereby rendering great help to the valiant warrior.</p> + +<p>"I know that it may be possible that Jack and Otto have gone on a longer +hunt than before, but they did not expect to be away more than three or +four days, and Jack would not willingly bring sorrow to his mother."</p> + +<p>"My brother may have gone so far that he has lost his way, and is slow +in finding it again."</p> + +<p>"Do you think so, Deerfoot?"</p> + +<p>The Indian fidgeted, but he could not avoid an answer.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot does not know; he cannot think right; he is in sore trouble +for his brothers."</p> + +<p>"No one can help them like you. O Deerfoot, won't you find my Jack and +bring him home to me?"</p> + +<p>The youthful warrior rose to his feet, and looking her in the face, +spoke the words, "<i>I will!</i>" Then he turned and strode out of the door.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>A PERPLEXING QUESTION.</h3> + + +<p>Deerfoot, the Shawanoe, had entered upon the most difficult task of his +life. He had undertaken to follow up and befriend the youths who had +disappeared more than a week previous, and who had left not the +slightest clue as to where they had gone, nor what direction they had +taken.</p> + +<p>In these days, when a friend sets out to trace a person who is seeking +to hide himself, he is always able to pick up some knowledge that will +give valuable help in his search. The habits of the individual, some +intentions, or rather wishes, to which he may have given utterance a +long time before, his little peculiarities of manner, which are sure to +betray themselves, no matter how complete the disguise—these, and other +points, are certain to afford the help the hunter through the cities and +towns and country requires.</p> + +<p>But my reader will observe the vast difference between a case such as +occurs every day, and that which confronted the young Indian. Two boys +had gone into the woods more than a week before, on a long hunt, and +were now missing; it was his task to find them. Could it be done?</p> + +<p>Had Deerfoot taken up the pursuit shortly after the departure of the +boys, he could have sped over their trail like a bloodhound. There could +have been no escaping him; but since they left home, rain had fallen, +and even that marvel of canine sagacity could not have trailed them +through the wilderness. It was idle, therefore, for Deerfoot to seek for +that which did not exist; no trail was to be found; at least, none in +that neighborhood. In all his calculations, he did not build the +slightest hope on that foundation. Had he done so, he would have sought +to take up the shadowy footprints from where the boys left the +settlement; but the utmost he did was to learn the general direction +taken by them, when they entered upon one of the wildest expeditions +that can be imagined.</p> + +<p>Hundreds and thousands of square miles of mountain and forest were +spread out before him. The vast territory of Louisiana, as it was then +called, stretched away to the Gulf of Mexico, and spread toward the +setting sun until stopped by the walls of the Rocky Mountains. The youth +could spend his life in wandering over that prodigious area, without +coming upon or gaining the slightest traces of a thousand people whom he +might wish to find. The conclusion was inevitable that he must pursue +some intelligent course, or he never could succeed.</p> + +<p>It should be said that Deerfoot had not the slightest doubt of a grave +misfortune having befallen his friends. Jack Carleton never would +willingly remain from home for so long a period; he was too affectionate +a son to grieve his mother by such a course. He and Otto Relstaub, +therefore, were either prisoners in the hands of Indians, or they had +been put to death.</p> + +<p>Just the faintest possible fear troubled the young Shawanoe. He recalled +the incidents which had marked the journey of himself and the boys from +Kentucky, only a short time before. The Shawanoes, the fiercest and most +cunning of all the Indian tribes, had not only pursued them to the +river's edge, but had followed them across the Mississippi, coming +within a hair's breadth of destroying the two boys who were making such +haste toward Martinsville. Had any of those Shawanoes pushed the pursuit +still further? Had they lingered near the settlement, awaiting just such +an opportunity as was given by Jack and Otto when they went off on their +hunt?</p> + +<p>This was the phase of the question which for a long time tortured +Deerfoot. He felt that it was improbable that danger existed in that +shape. The Shawanoes had no special cause for enmity against the boys. +If they should venture into Louisiana to revenge themselves upon any +one, it would be upon Deerfoot. Nothing was more certain than that he +had not been molested by any of his old enemies, for a good many days +previously, nor had they been anywhere near him during that period.</p> + +<p>But the cunning Indian, like his shrewd white brother, may do the very +thing least expected. Might they not capture and make off with the boys, +for the very purpose of leading Deerfoot on a long pursuit, in which the +advantage would be wholly against him?</p> + +<p>But the field of conjecture thus opened was limitless. Deerfoot might +have spent hours in theorizing and speculating, and still have been as +far from the truth as at the beginning; he might have formed schemes, +perfect in every detail, only to find, on investigation, that they were +wrong in every particular. The elaborate structures which the detective +rears are often builded on sand, and tumble to fragments on the +slightest touch.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot was convinced that the boys either were captives in the hands +of Indians, or they were dead. Had they been slain by red men—and it +was not conceivable that both could have met death in any other way—it +was useless to hunt for their remains, since only fortunate chance could +end a search that might last a century.</p> + +<p>But if the boys had been carried off, there was hope of gaining trace of +them, though that might involve endless wanderings to and fro, through +the mountains and wilderness. Such a hunt, prosecuted on a systematic +plan for a certain time, without any results, would satisfy Deerfoot +that the boys, like many older ones, had met their death in the lonely +depths of the wilderness, where no human eye would ever look upon them +again.</p> + +<p>My reader, who has been let into the secret of the boys' disappearance, +will perceive that Deerfoot was hovering around the truth, though he was +still barred by difficulties almost insurmountable.</p> + +<p>Suppose he should make up his mind that Jack and Otto were at that +moment with the red men, in what manner—except by an almost +interminable search—could he learn what tribe held them prisoners?</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1778, Frances Slocum, a little girl five years old, was +stolen from her home in Wyoming Valley, and carried away by Delaware +Indians. For a period of fifty-nine years the search for her was +prosecuted with more or less earnestness. Thousands of dollars were +spent, scores of persons were engaged at the same time in the hunt, +journeys were made among the Western tribes, friendly Indians themselves +were enlisted in the work, and yet, although the searchers were often +within a few miles of her, they never picked up the first clue. After +the lapse of more than half a century, when all hope had been abandoned +by the surviving friends, the whereabouts of the woman became known, +through an occurrence that was as purely an accident as was anything +that ever took place in this world.</p> + +<p>Admitting the unapproachable woodcraft and skill of the young Shawanoe, +yet he could not do the impossible. Could he be spared a hundred years, +possibly he might make the grand round of his people on the American +continent, but in the meantime, what of his friends for whom he would be +making this extended tour?</p> + +<p>If so it should be that the boys were in the power of the Shawanoes, or +Miamis, or Delawares, they were far to the east of the Mississippi; if +with the Wyandots, they were also east of the Father of Waters, and +probably in the vicinity of Lake Erie; if with the Ojibwas, to the +northward along Lake Huron; if with the Ottawas, they were the same +distance north, but on the shores of Lake Michigan; if with the +Pottawatomies, further south on the same lake; if in the villages of the +Kickapoos, or Winnebagoes, or Menomonies, it was on the southern and +western shores of the same body of water; if with the Ottigamies, or +Sacs, or Foxes, or in the land of the Assinoboine, the hunt must be of +the most prolonged character.</p> + +<p>Still further, the vast bulk of the western continent stretched westward +toward the Pacific. When Deerfoot faced the setting sun, he knew he was +looking over the rim of one of the grandest countries of the globe. He +had fair ideas of the vast prairies, enormous streams, prodigious +mountains and almost illimitable area, which awaited the development of +the coming centuries.</p> + +<p>One other suggestive fact was known to Deerfoot: representatives of the +Indian tribes among the foothills of the Rocky Mountains had exchanged +shots with the white explorers on the banks of the Mississippi. It is an +error to suppose that the American savage confines his wanderings to a +limited space. The majority do so, but, as I have said, the race +produces in its way its quota of venturesome explorers, who now and then +are encountered many hundreds of miles from home.</p> + +<p>Within the preceding few weeks, Deerfoot had met two warriors among the +Ozark mountains, who, he saw at a glance, came from a long distance and +probably had never before been in that section. Neither they nor +Deerfoot could speak a word the other could understand, but the sign +language is universal among the North American Indians, and they were +soon conversing like a party of trained mutes.</p> + +<p>To the amazement of the young Shawanoe, he learned they were on their +way to the Mississippi. They either would not or could not make clear +their errand, but Deerfoot suspected it was that of gaining a glimpse of +the civilization which as yet had not appeared in the West. Though the +strangers were somewhat shy and suspicious, they offered no harm to the +young Shawanoe, who, of course, showed only friendship toward them. From +them he gained not a little rude information of the marvelous region +which has since become familiar to the world.</p> + +<p>The fear, therefore, of Deerfoot was that some wandering band from the +extreme West had captured the boys, and were at that very hour pushing +toward the Pacific with them. It would require a long, long time to +learn the truth, which, in all probability, would prove a bitter +disappointment.</p> + +<p>From what has been said in this fragmentary manner, the reader may gain +an idea of the almost infinite difficulties by which Deerfoot was +confronted. Like a trained detective, however, he saw that much valuable +time had been lost and a start must be made without further delay; and, +furthermore, that the first step must be based on something tangible, or +it would come to naught. The element of chance plays a leading part in +such problems, and it may be questioned whether luck is not often a more +powerful helper than skill.</p> + +<p>After leaving the settlement, Deerfoot naturally climbed to the nearest +elevation which gave a view of the surrounding country, and it was while +he was looking over the scene that his thoughts took the turn indicated +by the preceding part of this chapter.</p> + +<p>It may be said that that for which he was searching was a starting +point. "Where shall I begin?" was the question which remained unanswered +until the sun was half way to meridian.</p> + +<p>The principal view of the young warrior was to the south and west, for +the conviction was strong that thither he must look for the shadowy clue +which he prayed might lead him to success. Several miles southward a +camp-fire was burning, as was shown by the bluish vapor that seemed to +stand still against the clear sky; the same distance to the southeast +was a slighter evidence of another camp-fire, while to the southwest was +still another, the vapor so thin and faint that the experienced eye of +the Shawanoe told him the party spending the previous night there had +gone early in the morning, leaving the fire to burn itself slowly out.</p> + +<p>Evidently the thing for Deerfoot to do was to visit one or all of the +camps in quest of the clue which the chances were a thousand to one he +would never find. Which should he first seek?</p> + +<p>The bravest of men has a tinge of superstition in his nature, and with +all of Deerfoot's daring and profoundly devout nature, he was as +superstitious in some respects as a child. He could not decide by means +of his Bible the precise course to follow, for one of his principles was +that he alone must determine his precise course of action, the Great +Spirit holding him accountable only for the manner in which he did, or +sought to do, that which he clearly saw was his duty.</p> + +<p>The hunting knife was whipped from his girdle, and, holding the point +between his thumb and finger, he flung it a rod above his head. It +turned over and over in going up and descending, and, when it struck +the ground, landed on the hilt. Deerfoot looked down on the implement +and saw that the point was turned toward the camp-fire which was +furthest west.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>TWO ACQUAINTANCES AND FRIENDS.</h3> + + +<p>The question was settled. Nothing short of positive knowledge could have +led Deerfoot to change his mind as to the right course to pursue.</p> + +<p>Stooping over, he picked up his hunting knife, thrust it in his girdle, +and strode down the slope in the direction of the camp, which he knew +was deserted early that morning. It was a long way to travel, but it was +nothing to the lissome warrior, who would have broken into a run could +he have felt any assurance of gaining any benefit by doing so.</p> + +<p>Climbing around the boulders and rocks, leaping over chasms, pushing +through matted undergrowth, and turning aside only when forced to do so, +Deerfoot pressed to the southwest until three-fourths of the distance +was passed. Most of that time the shadowy vapor had been beyond sight, +for he did not take the trouble to look for it when the intervening +vegetation interfered. He could not make any mistake as to the right +course, and it was therefore unnecessary for him to take his bearings; +but now, when he knew he could not be far from his destination, he came +to the surface, as it may be said of a diver in an emerald sea, and +indulged in a deliberate survey of his surroundings.</p> + +<p>The first glance at the camp caused his eyes to sparkle, for it conveyed +an interesting fact: instead of the smoke being so thin that it was +scarcely visible, it was much denser and more plenteous. That simply +showed that the camp was no longer a deserted one. Whoever had gone away +in the morning had returned, and was at that moment on the ground. More +than likely there were several of them, and, as the day was half gone, +they were preparing their noontide meal.</p> + +<p>At any rate the Shawanoe was sure to find some one there, and he +hastened his footsteps, though he could feel but slight hope that +whatever he saw or learned would have a bearing on the business in which +his whole soul was engaged.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot approached the camp with his usual caution, his supposition +being that a company of Indians were resting there for a brief time. If +they were Osages, or, indeed, any other tribe, except Hurons or +Wyandots, he would not hesitate to go forward and greet them, for there +ought to be no danger incurred in doing so. The same would be the case +with the whites, though some care might be necessary to convince them no +treachery was intended.</p> + +<p>The first glimpse showed the Indian that only a single white man was +present. He was preparing dinner, the preliminary step being a stirring +of the smoldering camp-fire, which gave forth the tell-tale smoke. He +was a striking individual, though a stranger to Deerfoot.</p> + +<p>The fire itself was small, and was burning in an open space where the +whole neighborhood served as a chimney. Several feet off was a +half-decayed log, on which the man was sitting, his elbows on his knees, +and a long stick held loosely in his hands. This he used as a poker, and +it served his purpose well. A close approach to the fire was apt to be +unpleasant on account of the heat, so he sat a short distance off, and +managed things in a comfortable fashion. Now and then he poked the +embers until the end of the vegetable poker broke into a blaze, when he +withdrew it and whipped it on the ground till the flame was put out. His +rifle leaned against an adjoining tree within easy distance, and the +short clay pipe in his mouth, from which he sent out an occasional puff, +added to his apparently peaceful frame of mind.</p> + +<p>The striking point about the hunter was his magnificent physical +manhood. He was more than six feet high, with immense shoulders and +chest, an enormous beard of a coal black color, which grew almost to his +keen black eyes, and descended over his chest in a silken, wavy mass. He +was attired in the ordinary hunting costume of the border, and looked as +if he might be one of those men who had spent their lives in the +Louisiana wilderness, hunting and trapping animals for their peltries, +which were sold at some of the advanced posts of civilization.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot suspected the man was the owner of a horse which must be in the +vicinity, for it was hardly likely that he would wander aimlessly around +in the mountains and woods for the mere sake of doing so, but no animal +could be seen, and without speculating long over the matter, the young +Shawanoe walked forward to the camp.</p> + +<p>While doing so, the stranger was giving his full attention to the fire +and his culinary duties. The wood had burned until there were enough +coals, when he arose and raked them apart, so as to afford a surface of +glowing embers. Then he turned back and took up a huge slice of meat, +which had been skewered on the prongs of a long stick. Balancing this +very cleverly, he held the meat down until it was almost against the +crimson coals. He could have done the same with the blaze, but he +preferred this method.</p> + +<p>Almost instantly the meat began to crisp and scorch and shrink, and to +give off an odor which would have tortured a hungry man. The cook +quickly exposed the other side to the heat, reversing several times, +when the venison was cooked in as appetizing a form as could be wished.</p> + +<p>The man gave such close attention to his task that he never turned his +head to observe the figure of an Indian warrior standing only a rod or +two away. Having finished his work, he carefully spread the meat on some +green oak leaves, arranged on the log. Its size was such that it +suggested a door mat burned somewhat out of shape.</p> + +<p>"There," said the hunter, with a contented expression, seating himself +as if to guard the prize against disturbance; "the boys can't growl over +that—hello, where'd <i>you</i> come from?"</p> + +<p>He had caught sight of Deerfoot, advancing noiselessly toward him, and +the man was startled (though he strove to conceal it) by the fact that +the other was nearer to his rifle than was the owner.</p> + +<p>The Indian saluted him in his courteous fashion, and with a view of +removing his fears, walked on until the relative position of him and the +man were changed, and the latter was nearer his gun.</p> + +<p>Then he paused, retaining his standing position, and with a slight +smile, said:</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot is glad that his brother is not ill."</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly that brother was relieved to find in case of dispute he +could reach his gun before the dusky youth, but he could hardly believe +the warrior voluntarily gave up the enormous advantage thus held for a +moment or two. Throwing his shoulders back, he looked straight in the +eyes of Deerfoot, and then rising to his feet, extended his hand. As if +conscious of his superior height, he towered aloft and looked down on +the graceful youth who met his gaze with a confiding expression that +would have won the heart of any one.</p> + +<p>The abundant beard hid the mouth of the white man, but the movement of +the cheeks, the gathering wrinkles under the eyes, and the gleam of his +white teeth through the black meshes, showed he was smiling. Instead of +saluting in the usual fashion, he brought his hand down with a flourish, +and grasping the palm of the youth pressed it with a vigor which made +him wince.</p> + +<p>"So you're Deerfoot, are you? I mean the young Shawanoe that used to +hunt through Kentucky and Missouri."</p> + +<p>The Indian nodded his head to signify that he was the individual whom +the other had in mind.</p> + +<p>"I'm Burt Hawkins—you remember me?" asked he, still pumping the arm of +Deerfoot, who was compelled to admit he had never before heard the name, +nor could he remember ever having looked upon his face.</p> + +<p>"Well, you have done so, whether you remember it or not: three years +ago, which, I reckon, was about the time you began tramping through the +woods for the benefit of the white man, I was on a scout with Kenton and +some of the boys, over in Kentucky. We got caught in a blinding snow +storm, and all came near going under with a rush. Things got so bad that +Kenton said we would have to give up, for, tough as he was, he was +weakening. The snow was driving so hard you couldn't see six feet in +front of you. Cold! Well, the wind was of that kind that it went right +through your bones as though it was a knife. Night was coming on, and we +were in the middle of the woods, twenty miles from everywhere. The only +thing we could do was to let out a yell once in a while, and fire off +our guns. I don't think there was one among the five that had the first +grain of hope. Kenton was leading and I was at his heels; all I could +see was his tall figure, covered from head to foot with snow, as he +plodded along with the grit he always showed.</p> + +<p>"The first thing I knowed some one j'ined us—a young, likely looking +Injin, which his name was Deerfoot. He had heard our guns and dropped +down from somewhere. You're grinning, old chap, so I guess there ain't +much use of telling the rest, 'cause you know it. I'll never forget how +you led us into that cave, where you had fixed up the logs and bark so +that no snow flakes couldn't get in. There was a fire burning, and some +buffalo meat cooking, and we couldn't have been better fixed if we had +been lodged with Colonel Preston at Live Oaks or in St. Louis."</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot has not forgotten," said the smiling Indian, seating himself +beside Hawkins on the log; "but my brother did not look then as he looks +now."</p> + +<p>Again the head of the trapper was thrown back, his white teeth shone +through his immense whiskers, the wrinkles gathered at the corner of his +eyes, and his musical laugh rang out from the capillary depths. Burt was +proud of his beard, as he well might be. Few people in those days wore +such an ornament, and those who did so were sure to attract attention.</p> + +<p>"You talk like a level-headed gentleman, Deerfoot, for all this (here he +stroked the glossy whiskers) has grown since then. I shouldn't wonder if +it <i>did</i> change my looks somewhat. You're a blamed smart redskin, +Deerfoot," added Burt, who seemed to be in high spirits; "but I don't +believe you can beat it."</p> + +<p>It was the turn of Deerfoot to laugh, and he did so with much +heartiness, though without any noise.</p> + +<p>"No; the hair of Deerfoot grows on his head; he would be sad if it +covered his face."</p> + +<p>"So would I, for it would make a confounded queer looking creatur' of +you. I would like to see an Injin got up in that style; just think of +Tecumseh with a big mustache and whiskers! Beavers!"</p> + +<p>The conceit was equally enjoyed by Deerfoot, who fairly shook with +mirth. He recalled the time when he confronted the mighty chieftain, +with drawn knife and compressed lips, and the picture of that terrible +being, with his face covered by whiskers, was a drop from the sublime to +the ridiculous, which would have brought a laugh to any one.</p> + +<p>Burt Hawkins evidently held his visitor in esteem, for, reaching out his +horny hand, he gently passed his fingers over the cheek nearest him, and +then drew it across the chin.</p> + +<p>"No; there's no beard there. It's as smooth as the cheeks of my little +five-year old Peggy at home. It always struck me as qu'ar that Injins +don't have beards, but I s'pose it's because the old fellows, several +thousand years ago, began plucking out the hairs that came on the face, +and their children have kept it up so long that it has discouraged the +industry in them regions. See?"</p> + +<p>To assist Deerfoot to catch the force of his illustration, Burt gave him +several digs in the ribs. This familiarity would have been annoying +under most circumstances, but it was manifest from the manner of the +warrior that he rather enjoyed the effusiveness of the magnificent +fellow.</p> + +<p>"Why is my brother in the woods alone?" he asked, when matters calmed +down.</p> + +<p>"I can't say I'm exactly alone, Deerfoot, for Kit Kellogg and Tom +Crumpet ain't fur off, and that meat thar is gettin' cold waiting for +them to come and gobble it; if they ain't here in a few minutes you and +me will insert our teeth. We've been trappin' all winter down to the +south'rd and have got a good pile of peltries; we've got 'em gathered, +and loaded, too, and are on our way to St. Louis with 'em; warm weather +is comin', and the furs are beginnin' to get poor, so we shall hang our +harps on the willers till cold weather begins agin."</p> + +<p>"My brothers are coming," said Deerfoot, quietly, referring to two other +hunters who at that moment put in an appearance.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE TRAPPERS.</h3> + + +<p>The new arrivals resembled Burt Hawkins in their dress and +accoutrements. They wore coon-skin caps, hunting dress, leggings, coarse +shoes, etc., and each carried a long rifle and hunting knife as his +weapons. They were rugged, powerful fellows, whose long experience in +the wilderness had given them a knowledge of its ways and mysteries, +beyond that of ordinary men. They were hardy and active, with the +faculties of hearing, seeing and smelling cultivated to a point almost +incredible. They contrasted with Hawkins in one respect; both wore their +faces smooth. Although far removed from civilization, they kept +themselves provided with the means of shaving their cheeks. Perhaps +through indifference, their beards were sometimes allowed to grow for +weeks, but they made sure they were in presentable shape when they rode +into the trading post of St. Louis, with their peltries, and, receiving +pay therefor, joined their families in that frontier town.</p> + +<p>The three men had been hunters and trappers for many years. Sometimes +they pursued their work alone, and sometimes in the company of others. +They trapped principally for beavers and otters, though they generally +bagged a few foxes and other fur-bearing animals. A hundred years ago, +there were numerous beaver runs in the central portions of our country, +and for a long time many men were employed in gathering their valuable +furs, hundred and thousands of which were brought from the mountain +streams and solitudes of the West to St. Louis, whence they were sent +eastward and distributed.</p> + +<p>The trapper's pursuit has always been a severe one, for, aside from the +fierce storms, sudden changes, and violent weather, the men as a rule +were exposed to the rifles of lurking Indians, who resented the +intrusion of any one into their territory. And yet there was an +attraction about the solitary life, far beyond the confines of +civilization, which took men from their families and buried them in the +wilderness, frequently for years at a time. It is not difficult to +understand the fascination which kept Daniel Boone wandering for months +through the woods and cane-brakes of Kentucky, without a single +companion and with the Indians almost continually at his heels.</p> + +<p>When Burt Hawkins and his two friends left St. Louis, late in summer or +early in the fall, each rode a mule or horse, besides having two pack +animals to carry their supplies and peltries. They followed some faintly +marked trail, made perhaps by the hoofs of their own animals, and did +not reach their destination for several weeks. When they halted, it was +among the tributaries of the Missouri, which have their rise in the +Ozark range in the present State of Missouri.</p> + +<p>The traps and implements which from time to time were taken westward, +were not, as a matter of course, brought back, for that would have +encumbered their animals to no purpose. When warm weather approached and +the fur bearers began shedding their hair, the traps were gathered and +stowed away until needed again in the autumn. Then the skins that had +been taken from time to time through the winter, were brought forth and +strapped on the backs of the animals, and the journey homeward was +begun. There was no trouble for the trappers to "float their sticks," +as the expression went; for the Northwest Fur Company and other wealthy +corporations had their agents in St. Louis and at other points, where +they were glad to buy at liberal prices all the peltries within reach.</p> + +<p>No trapper was likely to accumulate wealth by the method named, but it +cost him little to live, and frequently during the summer he found some +other employment that brought return for his labor.</p> + +<p>Hawkins, Kellogg and Crumpet were on their way home, having started a +little later than their custom, and they had reached the point referred +to on the preceding night, when they halted and went into camp. In the +morning, when they began to reload their animals, it was found that a +rifle belonging to Kit Kellogg was missing. It had been strapped on the +package which one of the mules carried, but had worked loose and fallen +unnoticed to the ground. It was too valuable to be abandoned, and Kit +and Crumpet started back to hunt for it. They went on foot, leaving the +animals cropping some succulent grass a short distance away.</p> + +<p>The quadrupeds underwent a hard time during the winter, when grass was +scanty, so that such halts were appreciated by them. The spot where they +were grazing was far enough removed to screen them from the sight of +Deerfoot, when he was reconnoitering the camp. While two of the company +were hunting for the weapon, the third remained behind, smoking his +pipe, and, when the time came, prepared dinner against the return of the +other ones. The meat was good, but not so delicate as the beaver tails +on which they frequently feasted during the cold season.</p> + +<p>It has been said more than once that the Indians along the western bank +of the Mississippi were less aggressive than those who so often +crimsoned the soil of Kentucky and Ohio with the blood of the pioneers. +Such was the truth, but those who were found on the very outermost +fringe of civilization, from far up toward the headwaters of the +Yellowstone down to the Gulf, were anything but harmless creatures. As +the more warlike tribes in the East were pushed over into that region, +they carried their vindictive natures with them, and the reader knows +too well the history of the great West to require anything further to +be said in that direction.</p> + +<p>When Hawkins went to the beaver-runs with his friends in the autumn +preceding his meeting with Deerfoot, he had as his companions, besides +the two named, a third—Albert Rushton, who, like the others, was a +veteran trapper. One snowy day in mid-winter, when the weather was +unusually severe, he started on his round of his division of the traps +and never came back. His prolonged absence led to a search, and his dead +body was found beside one of the demolished traps. The bullet hole +through his forehead and the missing scalp that had been torn from his +crown, told plainly the manner of his death.</p> + +<p>This was a shocking occurrence, but the fate of Rushton was that to +which every one of his friends was liable, and they did not sit down and +repine over what could not be helped. The saddest thought connected with +the matter was that one of the three must break the news to the invalid +wife, who lived with her two children in one of the frontier settlements +through which they passed on the way to St. Louis.</p> + +<p>When Deerfoot told Hawkins the others were returning, the trapper +turned his head and saw that Kellogg had found the missing rifle. The +couple looked sharply at the warrior as they advanced, and evidently +were surprised to see him in camp. Kellogg and Crumpet were men in +middle life, strong limbed, sinewy and vigilant.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot rose from the log whereon he was sitting, and extended his hand +to each in turn, as Hawkins pronounced his name. Kit Kellogg scrutinized +him and shook his hand with considerable warmth. Crumpet did the same, +though with less cordiality in his manner. It was plain (and plainer to +none than Deerfoot) that he was one of that numerous class of +frontiersmen who regard the American Indian as an unmitigated nuisance, +which, so far as possible, every white man should do his utmost to +abate. He had been engaged in more than one desperate encounter with +them and his hatred was of the most ferocious nature. It was not to be +expected, however, that his detestation would show itself without regard +to time and place. Kellogg and Hawkins watched him with some curiosity, +as he extended his horny hand and shook that of the handsome Indian +youth.</p> + +<p>"You've heard of Deerfoot," added Burt, as he proceeded to divide the +enormous piece of meat into quarters; "he is the youngster that helped +Colonel Preston and his friends from the Wyandots at the time the +block-house was burned."</p> + +<p>"How should we hear of it," asked Crumpet with a growl, "when we was on +this side of the Mississippi?"</p> + +<p>"Wasn't I over in Kentucky about three years ago? I rather think I was, +and would have been froze to death with Simon Kenton and a few of the +other boys if it hadn't been for this copper-colored rascal—ain't that +so, Deerfoot?"</p> + +<p>And that the young warrior might not err as to the one who was expected +to impart light on the subject, Burt gave him a resounding whack on the +shoulder that almost knocked him off the log. The youth was in the act +of conveying some of the meat to his mouth when saluted in that fashion, +and it came like the shock of an earthquake.</p> + +<p>"Why can't you talk with a fellow," asked Kellogg, "without breaking his +neck?"</p> + +<p>"Whose neck is broke?"</p> + +<p>"Why that fellow's is pretty well jarred."</p> + +<p>"Well, as long as <i>he</i> don't object I don't see what it is to <i>you</i>," +was the good-natured response of Hawkins, who resumed chewing the juicy +meat.</p> + +<p>"Some of these days, somebody will give you a whack in return when you +ain't expecting it, and it will be a whack too that will cure you of +that sort of business. I believe, Deerfoot, that you are a Shawanoe, +ain't you?"</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot is a Shawanoe," was the answer, his jaws at work on the food +just furnished him.</p> + +<p>"I've heard tell of you; you're the chap that always uses a bow and +arrow instead of a gun?"</p> + +<p>The youth answered the query by a nod of the head. As he did so, Tom +Crumpet, who sat further away, vigorously working his jaws, uttered a +contemptuous grunt. Kit turned his head and looked inquiringly at him.</p> + +<p>"Maybe you think he can't use the bow and arrow. I s'pose, Deerfoot, +that's the bow you fired the arrow through the window of the block-house +that was nigh a hundred yards off, with a letter tied around it, and +fired it agin out on the flatboat with another piece of paper twisted +around it—isn't that so?"</p> + +<p>Despite his loose-jointed sentences, Deerfoot caught his meaning well +enough to nod his head in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>"Did you see it done?" asked Crumpet, with a grin at Hawkins.</p> + +<p>"How could I see it when I wasn't there?"</p> + +<p>"I guess no one else was there," growled Tom; "I've noticed whenever +that sort of business is going on it's always a good ways off, and the +people as sees it are the kind that don't amount to much in the way of +telling the truth."</p> + +<p>These were irritating words, made more so by the contemptuous manner in +which they were spoken. Deerfoot clearly understood their meaning, but +he showed no offence because of them. He was not vain of his wonderful +skill in woodcraft, and, though he had a fiery temper, which sometimes +flashed to the surface, he could not be disturbed by any slurs upon his +attainments.</p> + +<p>Kit Kellogg was impatient with his companion, but he knew him so well +that he did not discuss the matter. Had not the beard of Burt Hawkins +hidden his countenance, the others would have perceived the flush which +overspread it. He was angered, and said, hotly:</p> + +<p>"It might do for some folks to say that other folks didn't tell the +truth, but I don't think <i>you're</i> the one to say it."</p> + +<p>Crumpet champed his meat in silence, using his hunting knife for fork +and knife, and drinking water from the tin cup which he had filled a +short distance away, and from which the others, excepting Deerfoot, also +drank. Instead of answering the slur of Hawkins, he acted as though he +did not fully catch his meaning, and did not care to learn. What he had +said, however, rankled in the heart of Burt, who, holding his peace +until all were through eating, addressed the surly fellow:</p> + +<p>"If you doubt the skill of Deerfoot, I'll make you a wager that he can +outshoot you, you using your gun and he his bow and arrow, or you can +both use a gun."</p> + +<p>"He might do all that," said Kellogg, with a twinkle of the eye, "and it +wouldn't prove that Tom was any sort of a marksman."</p> + +<p>Crumpet was able to catch the meaning of that remark, and it goaded him +almost to the striking point.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>DEERFOOT'S WOODCRAFT.</h3> + + +<p>Neither Deerfoot nor the trapper wished to engage in the trial of skill +suggested by Burt Hawkins. Crumpet feared that if such a test took place +he would be worsted, in which event he would never hear the last of it +from his friends. He might well shrink, therefore, from such a contest.</p> + +<p>The Shawanoe knew he could surpass the trapper if he exerted himself, as +he most certainly would do. Crumpet's ill-nature would be embittered, +and matters were likely to take an unpleasant shape. When Hawkins turned +toward him, therefore, expecting him to bound to his feet and invite the +challenge, he shook his head:</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot's arrows are few, and he saves them for game or his enemies."</p> + +<p>"And therein is wise," added Kellogg, shrewd enough to see the situation +in all its bearings.</p> + +<p>Crumpet said nothing, but was greatly relieved, while Hawkins gave a +sniff of disgust.</p> + +<p>"Some folks are very free with their tongues, but when you come down to +business they ain't there; howsumever, let that go; we've got our extra +rifle, and I s'pose we might as well keep up the tramp toward St. Louis. +Deerfoot, can't you go with us?"</p> + +<p>He shook his head, and said:</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot is hunting for two friends who are lost; he must not sleep nor +tarry on the way."</p> + +<p>"How is that?" asked Burt, while the others listened with interest. The +young Shawanoe told, in his characteristic manner, the story which is +already well known to the reader. While doing so he watched each +countenance closely, hoping (though he could give no reason for such +hope) to catch some sign of a shadowy knowledge of that for which he was +seeking, but he was disappointed.</p> + +<p>"One thing is sartin," remarked Burt Hawkins, when the story was fully +told, "them boys ain't dead."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you," said Kellogg, with an emphatic nod of the head, in +which even the surly Crumpet joined. Deerfoot was surprised at this +unanimity, and inquired of Hawkins his reason for his belief.</p> + +<p>"'Cause it's agin common sense; when two young men go out in the woods +to hunt game, both of 'em ain't going to get killed: that isn't the +fashion now-a-days. One of 'em might be hurt, but if that was so, and +the other couldn't get away, the Injins would take him off and keep him. +More than likely the varmints carried away both, and if you make a good +hunt for three or four thousand miles around, you'll get track of 'em."</p> + +<p>"I think I know a better plan than that," said Kellogg, and, as the +others looked inquiringly toward him, he said, "both of them chaps have +been took by Injins who'll keep them awhile. One of these days the boys +will find a chance to give 'em the slip, and they'll leave on some dark +night and strike for home."</p> + +<p>"It isn't likely both 'll have a show to do that at the same time," said +Crumpet, speaking with more courtesy than he had yet shown, and +manifesting much interest in the matter.</p> + +<p>"No; one will have to leave a good while before the other, and then the +one that is left will be watched that much sharper, but all he's got to +do is to bide his time."</p> + +<p>"When one of my brothers comes through the woods to his home, the other +will come with him," said Deerfoot, confident as he was that neither +Jack Carleton nor Otto Relstaub would desert the other, when placed in +any kind of danger.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot was confirmed in his theory of the disappearance of his young +friends, for it agreed with what he had formed after leaving the +settlement that morning. But, admitting it was the correct theory, the +vast difficulty of locating the boys still confronted him. They might be +journeying far southward in the land of the Creeks and Chickasaws, or to +the homes of the Dacotah in the frozen north, or westward toward the +Rocky Mountains.</p> + +<p>Kellogg and Crumpet now fell into an earnest discussion of the question, +for, though agreeing in the main, they differed on minor points, in +which each was persistent in his views. Deerfoot listened to every word, +for, like a wise man, he was anxious to gain all the knowledge he could +from others.</p> + +<p>But he noticed that for several minutes Burt Hawkins took no part in the +conversation. He had sat down again on the log, thrown one leg over +another, and was slowly stroking his handsome beard, while his gaze was +fixed on the ground in front. He was evidently in deep thought.</p> + +<p>Such was the fact, and just as the lull came, he reached his conclusion. +Deliberately rising to his full height, he walked over to where Deerfoot +stood, and with another slap on his shoulder, said:</p> + +<p>"See here, young man!"</p> + +<p>The warrior faced him, earnest, attentive, and interested. Burt shifted +the weight of his body, so that it rested on his right leg; he looked +down in the eyes of Deerfoot, his brow wrinkled as in the case when a +man is about to deliver himself of the most important and original +thoughts of his life. Then he began wabbling the index finger of his +right hand in the face of the warrior, as a man with the important and +original thought is inclined to do. He commenced to wabble quite slowly, +gradually increasing the amplitude of the vibrations, and passing his +finger so close to the countenance of the Shawanoe that it seemed +almost to graze the end of his nose. He spoke slowly, pointing his words +with his swaying finger:</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot, I've got the question answered; listen to me: them boys have +been tooken away by Injins; I know it; now where have the Injins gone? +You ought to know as much about your race as me, but you don't; do what +I tell you; go to the south till you come to some Injin village; make +your inquiries there; if they haven't got the boys, they'll know whether +the tribe that took 'em passed through their country, 'cause they +couldn't very well do so without some of their warriors finding it out. +If none of them don't know nothing about no such party, you can make up +your mind you're barking up the wrong tree; then take an excursion west +and do the same thing; then, if you don't learn anything, try toward the +north; there ain't any use in going eastward, for common sense will +teach you they haint been tooken that way; a chap with your good sense +will pick up some clue that'll show you the way through."</p> + +<p>"My brother speaks the words of wisdom," said Deerfoot, who was much +impressed by the utterances of the trapper: "Deerfoot will not forget +what he has said; he will carry his words with him and they shall be his +guide; Deerfoot says good-bye."</p> + +<p>And with a courteous salute to the three, the young warrior walked a few +steps, broke into a light run, and was out of sight before his intention +was fairly understood. The trappers looked in each others' faces, +laughed, made some characteristic remarks, and then turned to their own +business.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot the Shawanoe had determined to follow the advice given by Burt +Hawkins the trapper. It certainly was singular that such an +extraordinary woodman as the Indian should profit by the counsel of a +white man, even though he was a veteran; but Deerfoot had studied the +problem so long that his brain was confused, and, having fixed his own +line of conduct, he only needed the endorsement of some sturdy character +like the hunter. He had received that endorsement, and now he could not +use too much haste.</p> + +<p>His intention was to journey rapidly southward, in the direction of the +present State of Arkansas, until he should reach some of the Indian +villages that were there a hundred years ago. He would push his +inquiries among them, just as Burt Hawkins had suggested, pressing the +search in other directions, until able to pick up some clue. After that, +it would be an easy matter to determine the line of policy that would +lead to success.</p> + +<p>Any one engaged in such a task as that on which the young Shawanoe had +entered, needs to take all the observations he can, for the knowledge +thus gained is sure to be of great help. The Indian scanned the country +opening to the southward, and, as was his custom, turned his face toward +the first elevation which would give him the view he was so desirous of +obtaining.</p> + +<p>The elevation was similar to those with which the reader became familiar +long ago, and the sun had not yet reached the horizon when the lithe +warrior had climbed to the crest of the ridge, and was scanning the +wilderness which opened to the south and west. He was in a region where +he was warranted in looking for Indian villages, and his penetrating +eyes traveled over the area with a minuteness of search hardly +imaginable by the reader. The country was so broken by mountain, hill, +and wood, that the survey was much less extended than would be supposed. +He was disappointed in one respect, however: he could detect no Indian +village in the whole range of vision.</p> + +<p>But, besides the dim smoke from the camp he had left a short time +before, he observed another to the westward, and a third to the south; +he concluded to make his way to the last, though he half suspected it +was the camp of another party of trappers, from whom he could not gather +the first morsel of information.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot pushed toward the valley, less than a mile distant, from which +the tell-tale vapor ascended, and was quite close to the camp, when he +became aware that an altogether unexpected state of affairs existed. +Despite his usual caution, his approach was detected, and the Shawanoe +found himself in no little peril.</p> + +<p>It is difficult, if not impossible, to make clear how it was Deerfoot +discovered this singular state of affairs; but he was more than a +hundred yards from the camp, which was screened by a dense undergrowth +and rocks, when he stopped abruptly, warned to do so by that subtle +instinct which is like a sixth sense.</p> + +<p>He did not leap behind a tree, nor fall on his face and creep to the +rear of the large boulder on his right, but he stood erect, using the +faculties of hearing and sight with a delicate power and unerring skill +which were marvelous in the highest degree.</p> + +<p>The black eyes glanced around, as he slowly turned his head from side to +side, and he saw everything in front, rear, at his right, left, and +above, among the limbs and on the ground. He heard the silken rustling +of several leaves in the top of a beach overhead, and he knew it was +caused by one of those slight puffs of wind which make themselves known +in that manner.</p> + +<p>The inhalation through his nostrils brought the faint odor of the elm, +the oak, the hickory, the chestnut, the sycamore, and the resinous pine. +He identified them, I say, as well as the peculiar and indescribable +odor given off by the decaying leaves, the mossy rocks, and even the +rotting twigs and branches; but among them all he detected nothing of a +foreign nature.</p> + +<p>But it was his hearing upon which he mainly depended, though his eyes +were forced to their highest skill. When the pinnated leaf of a hickory +was shaken loose by the wind puff it had hardly floated from its stem +before he caught sight of it, and followed it in its downward course +until it fluttered slowly to the ground.</p> + +<p>It may be said that the danger which threatened Deerfoot was "in the +air," if it be conceivable that there is anything in the expression. He +was as certain of it as he was of his own existence, and yet he stood +motionless, displaying an incredible confidence in his ability to +discover the nature of the peril before it could take effective shape.</p> + +<p>Had he leaped lightly behind a tree, he might have placed himself on the +side which would have left him exposed to the stealthy shot; had he +dropped to the ground and crept to one side of the moss-covered boulder, +the same fatal mistake was likely to be made. Therefore he stood as +rigid as iron, until he could learn the direction from which he was +threatened.</p> + +<p>A rustling no louder than that made by the oscillation of a falling leaf +came from a point some distance ahead and on his right. So soft indeed +was the sound that it cannot be explained how the human ear could be +trained to the point of hearing it.</p> + +<p>But it was that for which Deerfoot the Shawanoe was waiting, and it gave +him the knowledge he sought.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>SAUK AND SHAWANOE.</h3> + + +<p>At the instant the almost inaudible rustling struck the ear of Deerfoot +the Shawanoe, he caught sight of a rifle barrel as it was thrust among +the undergrowth and aimed at him. It was the faintest possible sound, +caused by the pushing aside of the leaves which he heard, and which he +was expecting for a full minute to hear. The lightning-like glance cast +toward the point showed him the dark barrel, and the ferocious gleam of +the face of an Indian, crouching on one knee just beyond.</p> + +<p>The warrior who aimed the weapon meant to send the bullet through the +chest of the youth, whose approach, stealthy as it was, he had detected. +The distance was so slight that the briefest possible time was required +to make his aim certain; but while in the very act of doing so, the +sinewy youth vanished like a puff of vapor.</p> + +<p>The savage was dumfounded, for nothing of the kind had ever occurred, so +far as his experience went, and it was unexplainable to him. He had used +the proverbial caution of his people, and he knew from the expectant +position of the youth that his suspicions were excited, but he could not +comprehend by what means he had passed so suddenly from sight. The red +man was in the very act of pressing the trigger when he discovered he +was not aiming at any target.</p> + +<p>If the Indian tongue contained an execration, it may well be imagined +that a most vigorous one escaped the lips of the baffled redskin, who +was shut out from his prize at the moment of closing his fingers upon +it.</p> + +<p>The warrior was a brawny, full-grown Indian, almost in middle life, who +had sunk on one knee and brought his gun to his shoulder, after briefly +studying the form which had approached his lurking place. He had never +seen the stranger until that moment, and he only knew that he belonged +to some totem unknown to him. It was probable that his home was on the +eastern shore of the Mississippi, and he resented the intrusion upon his +hunting grounds as he did that of a white man: consequently he was as +quick to take the life of one as of the other.</p> + +<p>Finding that his intended victim had disappeared beyond all question, +the next step of the fierce assassin was to solve the meaning of the +unaccountable occurrence. He noiselessly straightened up, and craning +his head forward peeped through the undergrowth. All that he saw was the +huge boulder or rock, within a few feet of where the youth had been +standing. It followed, therefore that he had flung himself behind it, +and was hiding there at that moment.</p> + +<p>The painted visage glowed with a baleful light, for he was assured his +triumph was postponed only for a few moments. The boulder might serve as +a shelter while the relative positions of the two were the same, but it +was in the power of the savage to change that by putting forth only +moderate skill.</p> + +<p>Taking care not to reveal himself, he began a guarded movement to the +right, his course being the same as if starting to describe a circle +about the hiding place. It will be seen that if he could accomplish this +without exposing himself to the fire of the other, he would not need to +go far before gaining a view of the opposite side of the boulder, and +necessarily of him who was seeking to screen himself from discovery. To +do this, however, the victim must remain where he was, for manifestly, +if he shifted his position correspondingly, he would continue invisible, +but he counted himself fortunate that he had noticed the peculiar +configuration of the boulder, which rendered such a man[oe]uvre beyond +the power of an ordinary warrior. As for himself, he had no personal +fear, for the trees were so numerous that he could use them to shield +his body while leaping from one to the other, while in many places he +could steal along the ground without the possibility of detection.</p> + +<p>If the fool had but known the woodcraft of the youth against whom he was +so eager to pit himself, he would have turned and fled from the spot as +from a plague; but he had never heard the name of Deerfoot, and little +dreamed of the skill of the extraordinary youth.</p> + +<p>The warrior stooped, crept, leaped, and stole through the wood with a +celerity that was astonishing. Within a very short time after beginning +the movement, he had described one-fourth of the circle and gained the +view he wished. It must be remembered, too, that he had kept the boulder +under such close surveillance as to be morally certain the youth could +not shift his position without being observed.</p> + +<p>But to his amazement he saw nothing of his victim. The flat slope and +the leafy ground were free from anything resembling a human being. He +stood peering from behind the tree, and at his wit's end to know what it +meant. He held his rifle so that the hammer could be raised the moment +the necessity came, and he must have felt that the wiser course was for +him to leave the spot without further search.</p> + +<p>Probably such would have been his course had he not heard a most +alarming sound directly behind him. It was the faint cough of a person +seeking to clear his throat. The Indian turned like a flash, and saw the +dusky youth a rod distant, holding his bow loosely in his right hand, +while his terrible left was drawn back over his shoulder, the fingers +clenching the handle of his tomahawk. His position was precisely that of +one who was on the very point of launching the deadly missile which +would have cloven the skull, as though made of card-board. He had taken +the posture, and then uttered the slight cough with a view of "calling +the attention" of the party of the first part to the fact, and he +succeeded. The elder was in the position of the hunter who while seeking +the tiger awoke to the fact that the tiger was seeking him.</p> + +<p>The warrior, whose face was daubed with red, black and yellow paint, was +literally struck dumb. He had been engaged in many an encounter with +strange Indians, but never had the affray been introduced in a more +favorable manner to himself, and never had he been more utterly +overwhelmed.</p> + +<p>He saw that the youth was merely holding his tomahawk; the very second +it was needed, he could drive it into his chest or brain. He was too +proud to ask for mercy, for he had no thought it would be granted. He +could only face his master and await his doom.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot was not the one to prolong the wretchedness of another, no +matter if his most deadly enemy. He stood with his left foot slightly +advanced and his muscles gathered, so that he did not require the +slightest preparation, and, having held the pose just long enough to +make sure it had produced its full effect, he slowly lowered the +tomahawk, keeping his eyes fixed on his enemy. When the weapon was at +his side, he said:</p> + +<p>"The Sauk is a wolf; he steals behind the hunter that he may leap on his +shoulders when he sleeps; but the hunter heard the sound of his claws on +the leaves and turned upon him."</p> + +<p>These words were uttered in the mongrel tongue of the Sauk, for +Deerfoot, after a careful inspection of the painted warrior, was quite +sure he belonged to that restless and warlike tribe. He had encountered +the people before, though at rare intervals, and he had hunted with a +pioneer who was familiar with the tongue. The youth detected so many +resemblances to other aboriginal languages with which he was familiar +that he quickly mastered it and could speak it like a native.</p> + +<p>The warrior, as has been said, was a brawny savage, well on toward +middle life. He was attired in the usual fashion among the Indians, his +dress looking slouchy and untidy. His straggling black hair, instead of +being ornamented with eagle feathers, was gathered in a knot, so as to +form what is often called a scalp-lock, and to proclaim the fact that +the wearer of the same challenged any one to take it if he could. +Besides his long rifle, he carried his knife and tomahawk, after the +manner of his people. He would have proved a dangerous foe in a +hand-to-hand struggle, but he was deprived of whatever advantage he +might have possessed by being taken at such overwhelming disadvantage.</p> + +<p>He caught every word uttered by Deerfoot, who had not mistaken his +totem. He had no thought that the youth intended to show him mercy, but +believed he was indulging in a little preliminary sermonizing—so to +speak—before claiming his scalp for the ridge-pole of his wigwam.</p> + +<p>The words of Deerfoot served to awaken the Sauk from his paralysis, and, +throwing his head back, he said:</p> + +<p>"The Sauk is no wolf; the Shawanoe is the fox that steals upon the +hunting grounds of the Sauks."</p> + +<p>"The lands that stretch to the rising and setting sun belong not to the +Shawanoe nor Sauk nor Huron, but the Great Spirit, who loves his +children to chase the buffalo and hunt the deer and bear where they can +be found; but why should the Sauk and the Shawanoe be enemies?"</p> + +<p>And to give point to the question, Deerfoot advanced and offered his +hand. The Sauk concealed his surprise and gave the fingers a warm grasp, +but while doing so each looked distrustfully in the face of the other. +The frightful stains on the broad face of the elder did not alarm +Deerfoot, who had seen much more frightful countenances among his own +people. He gazed calmly into the eyes of the warrior, as the two stood +close together with their hands clasped. The Indian is an adept in +concealing whatever emotions may stir him, but Deerfoot saw the savage +was puzzled over his action. He could not but know that the Shawanoes +were the most warlike Indians in the Mississippi Valley, and one of the +last weaknesses of which they could be accused was that of showing mercy +to an enemy.</p> + +<p>One point was necessary for Deerfoot to establish. If the Sauk was +alone, nothing was to be feared from him; but if he had brother warriors +within call, the youth had need to be on his guard.</p> + +<p>"Why does the brother of Deerfoot hunt the woods alone?" asked the +young Shawanoe, introducing himself in this characteristic fashion.</p> + +<p>"Because Hay-uta fears not to go everywhere alone; from the ridge-pole +of his wigwam flutter the scalps of the Shawanoes, the Hurons, the +Foxes, the Osages, and the strange red man whom he has met and slain in +the forest."</p> + +<p>The old nature in Deerfoot prompted him to take this vaunting warrior to +task. The answer of the Sauk was indefinite, but the youth could wait a +few minutes for the information he sought.</p> + +<p>"Hay-uta, the Man-Who-Runs-Without-Falling, has not taken the scalp of +Deerfoot, <i>and cannot do so</i>!"</p> + +<p>The flash of the eye which accompanied these words added to their force. +Before they could receive reply the youth added:</p> + +<p>"Hay-uta is a brave man when he talks to squaws; less than twenty great +suns have passed over the head of Deerfoot, but he is not afraid of the +Man-Who-Runs-Without-Falling."</p> + +<p>Indian nature is quick to resent such taunts, and beyond a doubt the hot +blood flushed the skin beneath the paint. Deerfoot noted the glitter of +the eye, and a twitch of the muscles of the arm whose hand rested on the +knife, as he made answer:</p> + +<p>"The Shawanoe is a dog that crept up behind the Sauk, without giving him +warning; the rattlesnake speaks, but the Shawanoe does not."</p> + +<p>Deerfoot was angered by these words because they were untrue.</p> + +<p>"The Shawanoe was walking through the wood, when the Great Spirit +whispered, 'Take care; a snake is crawling through the grass; he is +called Hay-uta; he will strike his fangs through the moccasin of +Deerfoot, unless he crushes him with his heel; Hay-uta was not brave, +because he hid behind a tree, and he pointed his gun through the bushes, +meaning to shoot the Shawanoe before he could chant a word of his +death-song.'"</p> + +<p>This charge was an exasperating one, and instantly raised the anger of +the warrior to white heat.</p> + +<p>"The dog of a Shawanoe holds his tomahawk and bow; let him lay them +aside as Hay-uta does his weapon, and then it shall be shown who is the +brave warrior."</p> + +<p>It was a curious fact that while this wrathful conversation was going +on, the couple had been steadily backing away from each other. The act +showed that in spite of the token of comity that had just passed between +them, they were mutually so suspicious as to be ready to fly at each +other. The last taunt forced the quarrel to the exploding point. +Deerfoot slipped the cord which held the quiver of arrows in place over +his head, by a motion so quick as scarcely to be perceptible, flung his +bow a rod from him, tossed his tomahawk a dozen feet away, and whipping +out his hunting-knife, grasped it with his left hand, and defiantly +confronted the Sauk, who was scarcely behind him in taking up the gauge +of battle.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>CHRISTIAN AND PAGAN.</h3> + + +<p>The North American Indian is treacherous by nature, and will take any +advantage over a foe, no matter what its nature. The Sauk had failed to +bring down Deerfoot by the same unscrupulous means he had employed in +other instances, but he was on the watch to repeat his tactics.</p> + +<p>When uttering the taunt which brought about the personal collision, he +flung his gun from him, and seized the handle of his tomahawk, as if +with the purpose of throwing that also aside, the manner of his +challenge implying that he meant the battle should be fought with the +knives alone. Even the sagacious Deerfoot did not suspect him for the +moment, when, on the point of grasping his knife, as he did when defying +Tecumseh, the Sauk drew back his tomahawk and hurled it with incredible +swiftness at the head of Deerfoot. There was a vicious spitefulness in +the act which sent the missile as if fired from a gun.</p> + +<p>Nothing could have attested the Shawanoe's miraculous activity and +quickness of eye so clearly as did the ease with which he dodged the +weapon. The flirt of his head was like that of the loon which dives +below the path of the bullet after it sees the flash of the gun. The +tomahawk struck the ground, went end over end, flinging the dirt and +leaves about, and after ricocheting a couple of times, whirled against +the trunk of a small sapling and stopped.</p> + +<p>The act placed the two on the same footing. Each held only his +hunting-knife. The treachery of the Sauk took place without a word being +spoken either by himself or his foe. It was unnecessary, for there could +be nothing to say.</p> + +<p>Having avoided the tomahawk, Deerfoot advanced upon Hay-uta with his +knife grasped in his left hand, while the Sauk did precisely the same +thing as regarded him.</p> + +<p>They were stripped for the fight, and were in deadly earnest. The Sauk +had learned of the panther-like agility of the Shawanoe, and he knew no +light task was before him. It would not be child's play to wrench the +scalp-lock from the crown of the handsome warrior who was not afraid of +any man, but Hay-uta was warranted in feeling a strong confidence in his +own strength and prowess.</p> + +<p>The warriors approached each other with the watchfulness of a couple of +gladiators, seeking each others' lives for the sake of giving amusement +to a Roman populace. Both slightly crouched, with their heads bent +forward, their eyes fixed, while they stepped softly about, seeking an +opening into which the keenly-pointed hunting knife might be driven with +a furious vigor, that would render a second blow useless.</p> + +<p>The situation was one where the slightest forgetfulness or mishap would +prove fatal to him who made it. Both realized the fact, and did their +utmost to guard against it.</p> + +<p>When a couple of yards separated the combatants, they approached no +closer, but began slowly circling around each other in the same stealthy +fashion. The action of the Sauk convinced Deerfoot that his enemy had no +friends in that section, for, if any were within call, he would have +summoned them before the quarrel had gone so far. He could have called +any one to his help by signal, and neglect to do so was proof that there +was none to summon. Had Hay-uta done anything of the kind, Deerfoot +would have leaped upon him and ended the battle in a twinkling.</p> + +<p>Partly around, and then back again, the two seemed to oscillate, their +motions corresponding so closely that it was as if both were moved by +the same delicate machinery between them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Deerfoot feinted, like a skillful boxer, with the hand which +grasped his knife. The vigilant Sauk was equally quick to parry and +counter. He was as spry as a cat, and never once took his burning eyes +from the face of the hated youth. Then he feinted in turn, and the +Shawanoe, by his action, showed he was prepared for any demonstration, +no matter what.</p> + +<p>These preliminaries continued several minutes, when Deerfoot, in moving +to the left, caught the toe of his moccasin in some obstruction and +stumbled. He threw up his arms, as one will instinctively do, and for a +single second was off his guard, though he recovered with incredible +quickness. Any spectator of the strange combat would have given a gasp +of terror, for the instant the stumble took place, the Sauk bounded +forward with upraised knife and brought it down with a sweep like that +of a panther's paw.</p> + +<p>But what seemed an accident on the part of Deerfoot was done with +deliberate intent. He wearied of the idle circling, and, confident of +his own ability to outwit his antagonist, he dropped his guard for the +very purpose of drawing out the other. Hay-uta was so certain of his own +triumph that he made the mistake which the skillful fighter never makes; +he drew upon his own strength and self-poise by emitting a shout of +exultation; but the downward sweeping arm clove vacancy only, and ere he +could recover he was struck in the chest by the head of Deerfoot, who +butted him with the force of a Japanese wrestler, sending the warrior +several feet over on his back. The shock was so unexpected, as well as +tremendous, that the knife flew from his hand, and he nearly fainted +from sheer weakness.</p> + +<p>Inasmuch as Deerfoot was able to butt him in that style, it will be +admitted that it would have been equally easy for him to have buried his +knife to the hilt in the body of his enemy, but he chose not to do so. +Instead, he quietly picked up the weapon and held one in each hand, +while the Sauk was entirely disarmed. The latter had been frightfully +jarred. The blow in the stomach fairly lifted him off his feet and drove +the wind from his lungs. He lay for a moment, with his lips compressed, +his body griped with pain, and with no more ability to defend himself +than an infant. He kept his black eyes fixed on the youthful conqueror +while writhing, and the latter stood off several paces and calmly +confronted him, as though viewing the natural phase of such a contest.</p> + +<p>But the Sauk was quick to recover, and his old enmity seemed to blaze up +with ten-fold intensity.</p> + +<p>"The Shawanoe is a buffalo," said he, from behind his gleaming paint; +"he fights like the buffalo when his foe is stronger and braver than +he."</p> + +<p>Deerfoot flung the knife of the warrior to him.</p> + +<p>"The Shawanoe will fight as a buffalo no more; he will now use his +knife; let the Sauk do what he can."</p> + +<p>A brave warrior could take no exception to this declaration, accompanied +as it was by such significant action; but it cannot be conceived that +the Sauk was free from misgiving, when knowing, as he did, that he held +the position of contestant only through the grace of his youthful +antagonist, who a moment before could have pierced his heart with his +hunting knife.</p> + +<p>Having displayed the character of a battering ram, Deerfoot now assumed +another.</p> + +<p>"The Sauk is afraid of Deerfoot; he dare not attack him until he +stumbles; Deerfoot's heart was oppressed with pity when he saw the fear +of Hay-uta, and he stumbled that it might give Hay-uta the courage the +Great Spirit did not give him."</p> + +<p>These were taunting words, but, convinced they were spoken with the +purpose of disturbing his self-possession, the Sauk only compressed his +lips the tighter, and held himself ready to seize the first chance that +presented itself. His recent experience had taught him a lesson which he +could not forget.</p> + +<p>Bending his knees until he assumed a crouching posture, the Sank +centered his burning gaze on the face of Deerfoot, drew back his lips +until his white teeth showed like those of a wild cat, and uttered a +tremulous, sibilant sound, as if he were a serpent ready to burst with +venom.</p> + +<p>If he meant to frighten Deerfoot he failed, for the mishap of the Sauk +was too recent to allow such impression to be made. The figure of the +crouching warrior was startling in its hideousness, but there was never +a moment from the opening of the singular contest, when the young +Shawanoe did not feel secure in his mastery of the situation.</p> + +<p>The feinting and retreating went on several minutes longer, when all at +once Deerfoot caught an expression, which the paint on the face of his +antagonist could not hide, that showed he had resolved on forcing the +fight to a conclusion. A couple of quick feints followed, and then +Hay-uta leaped forward, meaning to force Deerfoot to the earth. Had the +Shawanoe remained quiet, such would have been the result, but he was too +supple to be entangled in that manner. He withdrew, so that when his +enemy landed on the spot, he found himself still confronted by the +defiant youth, who had recoiled but the single step necessary to escape +the blow. Hay-uta, without a second's pause, bounded toward him again, +and brought down his right arm like a flash; but, as before, it cleft +the empty air, and the youth confronted him with his shadowy smile and +defiant expression.</p> + +<p>Then, as if feeling he had retreated far enough, the Shawanoe advanced +on his muscular foe, who drew back as if to brace himself for the +assault. Deerfoot uttered no sound, but when he bounded lightly from the +ground, Hay-uta knew the crisis had come; the trifling had ended.</p> + +<p>The Shawanoe, when close enough to strike, made a dozen circular sweeps +of his good left hand, as though he had rested it on the rim of a wheel +that was spinning with bewildering swiftness. No eye could follow the +knife in its circlings. There was one smooth gleam like the polished +periphery of the "driver" of a locomotive.</p> + +<p>The foes, as is always the case, looked straight in each other's eyes, +but every limb and portion of the body, being in the field of vision, +was clearly seen. The peculiar act of Deerfoot produced the effect +intended. The vision of Hay-uta became confused and dizzy, and before he +could rally the Shawanoe struck his blow.</p> + +<p>He could have killed the other as easily as he would have slain a bear, +but he chose not to do so. Instead, he brought his fist down on the +upper part of his right wrist with a quick violence, which, for the +second time, knocked the knife from the grasp of the more sinewy +warrior. So deftly was the trick done that the weapon of the Sauk flew a +dozen feet straight up in the air, turning rapidly end over end and +falling between the two.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="ill04" id="ill04"></a> +<img src="images/ill04.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Deerfoot's Victory.</span></h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>If Hay-uta was subject to the will of Deerfoot a minute before, it will +be seen that now he was helpless. He had been again disarmed, while the +lithe youth still grasped his own weapon with the power to drive it home +whenever he so willed.</p> + +<p>The last act of Deerfoot accomplished its purpose. Hay-uta at first was +self-confident; again, he was hopeful; but the latter time he was +disarmed, his confidence vanished. He saw that much as he had despised +the youth whose life he sought, he was his inferior in every respect. He +was no match for him in a fight, nor could he approach him in his +peerless woodcraft. The question of supremacy was settled forever.</p> + +<p>Slowly recoiling a couple of steps, he folded his arms, and, with a +dignity that was touching, said, in a slow, deliberate voice, with his +softened gaze fixed on the countenance of his conqueror:</p> + +<p>"Hay-uta is a dog whose teeth have fallen out; he can fight no more; he +is ashamed to go back to his people; the son of a pale face who is +there, when he learns the truth, will point his finger at him and laugh; +Hay-uta cannot go to his lodge; let Deerfoot bury his knife in his +heart!"</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot seeks not the life of Hay-uta; had he wished it, he could have +had it long ago; but Deerfoot is a Christian; he will do Hay-uta no +harm."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>AN ABORIGINAL SERMON.</h3> + + +<p>If Hay-uta the Sauk had been astonished by the action of his youthful +conqueror, he was now more astonished by his words; but the former in a +measure prepared him for the latter, and he saw why it was the +remarkable warrior had refused to take his life when the opportunity had +been his, and when too he knew that he whom he was fighting would show +him no mercy.</p> + +<p>Hay-uta, like many of his people, had listened to the words of the +missionaries—those strange people who underwent hunger, thirst, and +suffering that they might preach the Word of Life to those who had never +heard of that wonderful Being that died to save a lost world, and who +taught that forgiveness, kindness, and love were the duty of every one. +Hay-uta, I say, had listened to the words of those people, but only to +turn away with a scornful smile, for he was sure the creed was one to +which the American Indian could never give his faith.</p> + +<p>The red man remembered that those priests and missionaries called +themselves Christians, and lo! the most skillful warrior upon whom he +had ever looked, now stood before him and declared that he too was a +Christian. Not only that, but he proved it by his works, for he refused +to tear the reeking scalp from the head of his enemy, when that enemy +was vanquished!</p> + +<p>Once more Deerfoot picked the knife of Hay-uta from the ground and +handed it (the point toward himself) to the Sauk. The latter accepted it +and pushed it back in place behind the girdle that spanned his waist. +Then at a signal from Deerfoot he recovered his rifle and tomahawk, as +Deerfoot did his hatchet and bow and quiver. Without a word, the two +walked the short distance to camp, Hay-uta slightly in the lead.</p> + +<p>The camp was of the simplest character, consisting of a pile of sticks, +leaves, and branches which served as a couch, beside furnishing fuel for +the fire when he cooked his food. A long, heavy blanket was partly +folded and lying on the heap of branches, where it had served as a +pillow for the warrior, who was different from most of his people in +using that artificial help to slumber.</p> + +<p>The water, which is such a necessity for parties halting in the +wilderness, was obtained from a tiny stream that trickled down the rocks +just beyond, after which it sank out of sight in the mountain to +reappear at some point far removed. The wood and undergrowth that +surrounded the camp of the Sauk were very close and dense, so that the +view in every direction was shut off, unless one should climb the +tallest tree and take his survey from that perch.</p> + +<p>When Hay-uta halted in front of his camp-fire he turned about and +extended his hand to Deerfoot.</p> + +<p>"Will Deerfoot tell Hay-uta about the Great Spirit of the white man?"</p> + +<p>"He is the Great Spirit of the red man as well as of the white," replied +the Shawanoe, seating himself on the ground, where he was opposite the +Sauk, who slowly resumed his seat on the pile of sticks and branches. +"He loves all his children—him with the face of the night, the Miami, +the Huron, the Shawanoe, the Delaware, the Sauk and Fox, the white man, +and all those who live far beyond the great water which rolls against +the shores of our land. He loves them all, and He hides his face with +grief when he sees them quarrel and try to kill each other. If His +children will do as He tells them to do, they will be happy in this +world and in the hunting grounds where they shall live forever."</p> + +<p>Hay-uta remembered that this agreed with what he had heard the +missionaries say, but he recalled also that there was something more.</p> + +<p>"Where does the Great Spirit that Deerfoot tells me about live?"</p> + +<p>The Shawanoe pointed reverently upward.</p> + +<p>"Far beyond the clouds, the sun, and the stars; He lives there, and +there all shall go who do His will. A long time ago, before the white +men came across the great water, He sent His Son from Heaven to earth; +the Son went about doing good, and died, to save those He loved from +sorrow and death."</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot tells me what the Great Spirit says to him; how does he hear +the Great Spirit speak?"</p> + +<p>Without changing his half-reclining posture, the Shawanoe drew forth his +small Bible from the inner pocket of his hunting shirt, the other +watching with amazement the action. Opening the sacred volume, he read +in his low, musical voice:</p> + +<p>"'Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.</p> + +<p>"'Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.</p> + +<p>"'Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of +God.</p> + +<p>"'Ye have heard that it has been said, thou shalt love thy neighbor, and +hate thine enemy:</p> + +<p>"'But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do +good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use +you, and persecute you.'"</p> + +<p>Deerfoot read these extracts from the Sermon on the Mount, with which he +was so familiar that he could have repeated it all without looking at +the printed page. Then raising his eyes to the wondering face of +Hay-uta, he added:</p> + +<p>"Let my brother listen, for these are the words of the Great Spirit, +which he speaks to all his children; if they will obey, there shall be +no unhappiness in the world:</p> + +<p>"'<i>Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to +you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.</i>'"</p> + +<p>The Sauk warrior was never so stirred in all his life. He had seen white +men read from books, and he held a misty idea of how it was done, but he +never knew one of his own race who could interpret the meaning of the +curious figures made by some incomprehensible means on paper.</p> + +<p>It was impossible that he should grasp the height and depth of that +sublime utterance, which is of itself the very essence of the Christian +religion; but they were as clear as sunlight to Deerfoot, who had +pondered them many a time since he sat at the feet of good Mrs. Preston, +who presented him with the Word of Life.</p> + +<p>Closing the Book and putting it away, he proceeded to preach his sermon +to the Sauk warrior. Deerfoot assumed the sitting position, and used +both hands in his frequent gestures. Hay-uta reclined on his side, +supporting himself on one elbow, while he fixed his eyes on his teacher +and drank in every word.</p> + +<p>"The Great Spirit made all people—the white, the red, the black man, +and him whose face is the color of the breast of Deerfoot's hunting +shirtfor there are men whose skins are yellow, and others who are +brown. He wishes them to live like brothers, but they do not. More of +the pale faces are evil than good; they use the red men ill, and the red +man loves to fight his enemies, but they grieve the Great Spirit. Let +Hay-uta pray to the Great Spirit; let him never lie down or rise without +talking to Him; let him stay his hand when it would strike a blow in +anger; let him forgive his foes; let him seek to do the will of the +Great Spirit, and a sweet peace shall fill his heart, such as he never +knew before. Let my brother do that; let him tell the good news to his +friends; let him listen to the words of the missionaries and talk to his +people.</p> + +<p>"The father of Deerfoot was a chief of the Shawanoes, who loved to +fight; Deerfoot when a child was a wildcat in his hate of his enemies +and of the pale faces; but the Great Spirit whispered in his ear, and he +became another being. It was the Great Spirit who told him just now that +danger threatened him. Hay-uta knows that Deerfoot could have slain him +had he wished to do so; but he never wished him ill; he first showed him +he was his master, that Hay-uta might listen to his words; will my +brother forget what Deerfoot has said to him?"</p> + +<p>Every being, whether groping in the night of barbarism or walled in by +the skepticism of an advanced civilization, has felt at one time or +another, an irrestrainable longing to draw aside the veil which shuts +out the great hereafter, and solve the mystery of the life that is to +come. Many a time is the heart stirred to its uttermost depths by the +chastening hand of affliction, or when gazing on the glories of the +stars and firmament, or when listening to the meanings of the vast deep, +the soft sighing of the winds in the forest, or the lisping prayer of +infancy. No proof of the immortality of the soul can equal that of its +very yearning for immortality, and dim, strange, half-heard whisperings +of the Beyond become voices more convincing than all the scientific +scoffing and brilliant ridicule of those whose learning carries them +beyond the trusting faith of childhood, and stops just short of the +grandeur of the light of perfect knowledge.</p> + +<p>When Deerfoot addressed his question to the Sauk warrior, the latter did +not answer, but continued gazing into his face as though he heard not +the words, and his thoughts were far away. The Shawanoe was wise enough +to suspect the truth, and refrained from repeating the question. He, +too, held his peace, and for several minutes the strange scene lasted. +The two Indians looked at each other without speaking.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the afternoon was drawing to a close, and darkness was +creeping through the forest. The camp-fire had burned so low that it +gave out no light, and the figures of the warriors began to grow +indistinct.</p> + +<p>Deerfoot felt that he had sowed the seed, and he had only to wait for it +to bear fruit. He arose, and stepping closer to the fire, stirred it +until it gave forth a flame which lit up the surrounding gloom. Still +Hay-uta remained motionless and silent.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it has not escaped the notice of the reader that when the Sauk +stood with folded arms before his conqueror, and asked him to bury his +knife in his heart, he said that the son of the pale face would point +the finger of scorn at him. Deerfoot noticed the curious words, and he +felt that the moment had come when he should learn their full meaning.</p> + +<p>"Where is the village of my brother?" he asked in his gentle way.</p> + +<p>The Sauk aroused himself and slowly rose to his feet. Glancing through +the firelight at his questioner, he pointed to the west.</p> + +<p>"Two suns' journey away is the home of Hay-uta. There are his squaw and +pappoose. He left them two suns ago to hunt for the scalps of his +enemies; but he will hunt no more; he will go home, and on his way will +think of the words that Deerfoot has said to him."</p> + +<p>"It is well he should do so; but my brother spoke of the son of the pale +face. Why is he in the village of the Sauks?"</p> + +<p>"He was brought there in the last moon; the Sauks found two pale faces +in the woods."</p> + +<p>"Where is the other?"</p> + +<p>"Some of the Sauks took him by another path; Hay-uta knows not where he +is."</p> + +<p>"Was harm done him?"</p> + +<p>"Hay-uta cannot answer."</p> + +<p>"Tell me of the pale face that is in the village of the Sauks with my +brother."</p> + +<p>The warrior, assisted by the questions of Deerfoot, who kept down the +deep interest he felt, told all he knew. When he had finished, as the +reader may well suspect, Deerfoot was sure he had gained most important +knowledge. He was satisfied beyond all doubt that the prisoner in the +village of the Sauks was Jack Carleton, whom he had set out to find, and +for whom he feared he would have to hunt for many moons before learning +whether he was alive or dead.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the Sauk rose to his feet and stood in the attitude of +listening, as though he had caught some signal. Deerfoot knew he was +mistaken, for had it been otherwise, he too would have noticed it.</p> + +<p>"Hay-uta bids his brother good bye," was the abrupt exclamation of the +warrior, who caught up his blanket and, without another word, passed +from sight in the wood, leaving the astonished Deerfoot alone.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE LODGE OF OGALLAH.</h3> + + +<p>From what has been told concerning Deerfoot, the reader knows that the +tribe which held Jack Carleton prisoner were Sauks, or Sacs, as the name +is often spelled. They belonged to the great Algonquin division, and, +when first known to Europeans, inhabited the country near Detroit River +and Saginaw Bay, but were driven beyond Lake Michigan by the powerful +Iroquois. They themselves were of a restless and warlike nature and were +the bitter enemies of the Sioux and Iroquois. They were the allies of +the famous war-chief Pontiac who besieged Detroit so long, and, during +the Revolution fought on the side of the English. They were closely +associated with the Foxes, and frequently moved from one section of the +country to another, in which respect they resembled the majority of +American Indians.</p> + +<p>The chief who has been referred to as Ogallah was one of the most +fiery-tempered and quarrelsome members of the Sauk tribe. In one of the +expeditions against the Sioux, he not only performed wonderful deeds of +daring, but tomahawked several of his own warriors, because, in his +judgment, they showed a timidity in attacking the common foe. One of the +Sauks who fell by the hand of the wrathful sachem was the brother of the +leading chief. This precipitated a fierce quarrel between the two, the +upshot of which was that Ogallah, and a number of followers, drew off +from the main tribe and began "keeping house" for themselves. Migrating +southward with the purpose of placing a long stretch of country between +them and the parent tribe, they finally erected their lodges on the +banks of a stream on the Ozark region, in what is now Southern Missouri +and upper Arkansas.</p> + +<p>I have already said the Indians gave the white men little trouble in +that section during the pioneer days. In that respect, no comparison can +be made with Kentucky and Ohio. As early as 1720, the lead deposits in +Missouri attracted notice, and its oldest town, Saint Genevieve, was +founded in 1755. St. Louis became the depot for the fur trade of the +vast region beyond, and at the breaking out of the Revolution, was a +town of considerable importance.</p> + +<p>The warrior Hay-uta with whom Deerfoot had his remarkable interview was +a fair representative of the Sauk nation, and especially of that +division which was under the following of Ogallah. Some of the warriors +were constantly roaming through the wilderness in quest of scalps. While +they were nothing loth to engage in a scrimmage with the hunters and +trappers, yet they preferred those of their own race above all others. +No Sioux or Iroquois could have approached within hundreds of miles +without the certainty of an encounter with the warlike Sauks.</p> + +<p>The Sauk party which appeared so close to the settlement of Martinsville +had been out for several weeks looking for "game" in the form of Sioux, +who lived far to the northward. They had found some of it too, and were +returning home in a leisurely manner. They took a careful survey of the +settlement, and even discussed the wisdom of making an attack on it; but +they saw it could not be destroyed by so small a force, and though they +might have shot several of the settlers before they could know their +danger, they decided to pass on without making any demonstration at +all.</p> + +<p>When Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub walked up to the party, it was no +more than natural that they should be made prisoners. No particular +reason can be assigned for the separation of the party, one division of +which took Jack and the other Otto, except that a survey of the land +passed over could be better made by that means. However, this point will +be dwelt upon more fully in another place.</p> + +<p>Probably no person ever played the part of captive among a tribe of +savages without devoting most of his thoughts to the question of escape. +It is inevitable that he should do so, for the fate is so painful in +every respect that, but for the hope, one would be ready to lie down and +die.</p> + +<p>Jack had turned the question over and over in his mind, and had done his +utmost to give his captors the slip while on the road, but misfortune +attended every venture, and at last he found himself in the lodge of the +chieftain Ogallah himself, where it looked as if he was likely to remain +indefinitely.</p> + +<p>"Well, this beats everything," he exclaimed, after finishing the meal +and seating himself at the side of the lodge, so as to be out of the way +of the housewife, as she moved back and forth and here and there while +attending to her duties; "I've come a long distance through the woods, +and it'll take some time to find my way back to Martinsville, after I +once make a start."</p> + +<p>He could not persuade himself that his captivity might last for months +and possibly for years. He was confident that no matter how vigilant the +watch maintained, he would gain a chance to give the Indians the slip +within two or three days at the furthest.</p> + +<p>"I did my best to make Ogallah and the others think I wasn't anxious to +leave, but the work was all thrown away. These people are not fools, and +no matter how well I may act, they know of a surety that the whole +prayer of my life is to part company with them."</p> + +<p>The conclusion reached by Jack was common sense, though the +story-writers sometimes make it appear that the keen minded American +Indian may be duped in that transparent fashion. The utmost that Jack +Carleton could hope to do was to show his captors that, while he longed +to return to his friends, he saw no means of doing so, and therefore +was not likely to make the attempt. Such he resolved would be his +course.</p> + +<p>The boy was fatigued in mind and body, and, when he bowed his head in +prayer (much to the astonishment of Ogallah and his squaw), and lay down +on the bison robe, he sank into a refreshing slumber, from which he did +not awake until morning, and then, when he did so, he came to his senses +with a yell that almost raised the roof.</p> + +<p>The Sauks, like all their race, were extremely fond of dogs, and the +mongrel curs seemed to be everywhere. Jack had noticed them trotting +through the village, playing with the children and basking in the sun. A +number sniffed at his heels, as he passed by with Ogallah, but did not +offer to disturb him.</p> + +<p>The chief was the owner of a mangy cur, which seemed to have been off on +some private business of his own, when his master returned, inasmuch as +he did not put in an appearance until early the following morning, when +he trotted sideways up to the lodge and entered, as he could readily do, +inasmuch as the "latch string was always out." The canine was quick to +notice the stranger lying on the bison skin with his eyes closed and his +mouth open. With an angry growl he trotted in the same sidelong fashion +across the space, and pushing his nose under Jack's legs gave him a +smart bite, just below the knee, as though he meant to devour him, and +concluded that was the best part of his anatomy on which to make a +beginning.</p> + +<p>The foregoing will explain why Jack Carleton awoke with a yell and +stared around him for an explanation of the insult. The vigor of his +kicks, and the resonant nature of his cries, filled the dog with a +panic, and he skurried out of the lodge with his tail between his legs, +and cast affrighted glances behind him.</p> + +<p>"Confound the cur," muttered Jack, rubbing the injured limb, "is that +the style of these dogs when a stranger calls?"</p> + +<p>Ogallah was entering the door of his home just as the canine was going +out. Suspecting what mischief he had been committing, he placed his +moccasin under the brute and elevated him several feet in the air, with +a force which caused him to turn end over end, with an accompaniment of +yelps and howls which were kept up until he was out of sight and +hearing.</p> + +<p>The wife of Ogallah was preparing breakfast, which was of the simplest +character, consisting of nothing but meat cooked over the coals as on +the evening before. There was nothing in the nature of vegetables, +though something of the kind was growing on the cleared land without.</p> + +<p>Jack longed for the pure, fresh air of the outside. The smoke of the +chieftain's pipe, the smell of burning meat, and the untidiness of the +place and people, left a stale odor, which was nauseating to one +unaccustomed to it.</p> + +<p>He wanted a drink of cold water as it bubbled from the earth, and, +rising to his feet, passed outdoors. The squaw merely glanced up, while +Ogallah addressed several rapidly spoken words to him. Then recollecting +that nothing he said could be understood, he smiled grimly, and turned +his back on the lad.</p> + +<p>Reaching the outside, Jack stood still for a minute, uncertain what +course to take. The warriors, squaws, and children were astir; but no +one seemed to observe him when he paused in front of the chieftain's +lodge.</p> + +<p>"I'll try the river," was his conclusion, as he stepped briskly off, his +heart beating rapidly, for he knew from his experience of the previous +night, that much curiosity respecting him was felt, and he was certain +to attract annoying attention. But he reached the stream, where he +stooped and bathed his face and hands, wiping them on the handkerchief +he carried, and still heard and saw nothing to cause misgiving.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether they drink from this," he said, rising to his feet, +and looking around; "I can't say that I fancy it, for it isn't as clear +as it looked to be when I was further off; then the youngsters bathe and +play in it—helloa!"</p> + +<p>He saw an Indian woman making her way toward one of the wigwams on the +edge of the village, carrying a large gourd of water in her arms. It was +filled almost to the brim, and slopped over the edge, as it was +disturbed by her movement in walking. It was fair to conclude that she +had taken it from the spring for which Jack was looking, and he +immediately moved toward her. She stopped abruptly when she saw him +approach, and stared in such open-mouthed amazement that it was evident +that this was the first glance she had obtained of the captive.</p> + +<p>Jack made signs of comity, and sheered off so as to reach the path +considerably to the rear of the squaw, who, with a grunt, made an +equally wide circuit in the opposite direction, so that the two avoided +each other by a liberal space of ground.</p> + +<p>The boy saw that he was moving over a well-worn path, which he was +confident led to the spring he wished to find. Nearly every step was +marked by the drippings of water from the gourd of the woman he had just +met.</p> + +<p>Sure enough, he had gone less than a hundred yards beyond the village +when he came upon the spring, which bubbled from under the twisted black +roots of an oak, throwing up the sand in a continual fountain-like +tumble of melted silver. The lad looked down at it for a moment, and +then sinking to his hands and knees, pressed his lips against the cold, +crystal-fluid, the most refreshing element in all nature.</p> + +<p>Had not his nose and eyes been so close to the water, Jack Carleton +would have caught the reflection of another face just behind his own—a +face which would have driven all thirst away and caused him to bound to +his feet, as though he had heard the whirr of a coiled rattlesnake at +his elbow.</p> + +<p>But Jack saw and suspected nothing. He had taken three good swallows +when some one gave the back of his head such a smart push, that the nose +was shoved down among the silver sands, which streamed from his face, as +he sprang to his feet, and stared gasping, blinking, and furious.</p> + +<p>"Who the deuce did that?" he demanded, forgetting himself in his anger.</p> + +<p>His own eyes answered the question. Three Indian boys were standing, +laughing as if ready to hurt themselves over his discomfiture. Two of +them were very nearly the height and age of Jack, while the third, who +had played the trick on him, was older and taller.</p> + +<p>The captive was angry enough to assail all three, and it required a +smart exercise of the will to restrain himself. But he saw the folly of +such a step. The affray would quickly bring others to the spot, and very +speedily Jack would find himself attacked by overwhelming numbers, and +possibly would be beaten to death. No; he must use ordinary prudence +and swallow the insult.</p> + +<p>He looked in the grinning faces of the homely youths, and made quite a +successful effort to join their laughter (though precious little mirth +was there in the essay), and then started back toward the lodge of +Ogallah.</p> + +<p>The youth tried to walk with a dignified step, but he was sadly thrown +out by a dexterous trip from one of the moccasins, which sent him +stumbling forward with a very narrow escape from falling on his hands +and knees.</p> + +<p>It was the tallest of the three who had tripped him, and all laughed +like a lot of clowns, as the angered Jack glared at them.</p> + +<p>"I wish I had you alone," muttered the boy between his set teeth; "I +wouldn't need more than five minutes to give you a lesson you'd remember +all your life."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>A ROW.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Carleton saw that he was caught in an exceedingly unpleasant +dilemma. He had a considerable distance to walk to reach the lodge of +Ogallah and was sure to be tormented all the way. He could not feel +certain even, that the wigwam of the chieftain would afford him +protection, while nothing could be more manifest than that this was but +the beginning of a series of numberless persecutions to which he would +be subjected.</p> + +<p>He was allowed to take six or eight steps in peace, when one of the +Indian boys slipped up behind and with his foot struck his heel, just as +it left the ground. This threw the toe behind Jack's other leg and +caused him to stumble again, though, as he was expecting something of +the kind, he recovered himself with more ease.</p> + +<p>A few seconds later, Jack was passing among the different lodges, and +walking rapidly toward that of the chieftain. His presence became known +to the whole village in a very brief time, and the younger portion came +flocking around him, as though he was some wonderful curiosity, which, +under the circumstances, was the fact.</p> + +<p>Ogallah was among those who came to the front of the lodges to learn +what caused the uproar. When he caught sight of Jack, he called out +something and made excited gestures to him. The boy supposed they were +intended to hurry his return, and finding his persecutors closing around +him, he broke into a run.</p> + +<p>Then the stones and clods began to fly. The whole rabble joined in, and +when the poor captive dodged into the wigwam, he was bruised and half +frightened to death. He watched the entrance in terror, but his +tormentors did not dare follow him into the home of their chief, who +would have been quick to resent such an invasion of his dignity and +rights.</p> + +<p>Jack was panting and frightened, but he had received no serious hurts. +What alarmed him, more than everything else, was the foreshadowing thus +made of the treatment in store for him.</p> + +<p>"I can't stand this," was his thought, after he had partly regained his +composure. "I shall have to stay in here altogether or run the gauntlet +every time I go out."</p> + +<p>But all this time, Ogallah kept talking and making vigorous gestures to +him. The chief had followed him to the middle of the lodge, where the +two sat on the ground cross-legged and began eating the meat which the +squaw had prepared. She did not join them, and the boy had little +appetite after his exciting experience. The gestures of Ogallah +continued so long that it was evident he was seeking to say something of +importance to Jack.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what the old fellow means," muttered the lad, ceasing his meal +and studying the gyrating arms and spluttering countenance. The +chieftain was striking the air as if fighting an imaginary foe, and +then, pointing toward Jack he nodded his head vigorously and again +pointed to the outside.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the meaning of the pantomime broke upon the youth.</p> + +<p>"By gracious! if he isn't urging me to sail into those fellows. I say, +Ogallah, will you back me up and see that I have fair play?"</p> + +<p>Jack raised his voice to a loud key, as though that would help the +chieftain understand his words; but it could not be expected that he +would grasp their meaning, as they were not punctuated with any gesture +and accompanied only by an eager expression of countenance.</p> + +<p>But Ogallah probably saw that the youth had caught <i>his</i> meaning, for he +nodded his head and grinned with delight.</p> + +<p>"If he will only keep the crowd off me," said Jack to himself, "I won't +ask anything better than a chance to get even with that big fellow and +after him the other two, if they want to take a hand in the fun."</p> + +<p>The voices and turmoil in front of the lodge showed that the crowd were +there waiting for Jack to come forth, that they might continue the +amusement which was interrupted by his flight. The lad spent a minute or +two in conversing by means of gestures with the chief, whose meaning +seemed plainer now that he had caught the gist of his first proposal.</p> + +<p>"I am quite sure he promises to see that I have fair play," thought +Jack; "but, if I am mistaken I shall get into a pretty scrape. Anything, +however, is preferable to this state of affairs, and it must be ended +one way or another very soon."</p> + +<p>Ogallah showed a childish delight when he saw that the youth had made up +his mind to have a bout with the ringleaders who had started out to make +life a burden to him. Even the squaw partook of the general excitement +and followed the two out doors.</p> + +<p>The chieftain cleared the way for the captive, who was greeted with the +most uproarious cries as soon as seen by the company, which numbered +over a hundred bucks, squaws and children, exclusive of the dogs which +added to the unearthly racket by their barking, yelping and howling.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton kept well under the wing of Ogallah until he could see +what was to take place. The chief talked for a short time with several +of his warriors, who closed around him, the rest holding him in such awe +that they refrained from disturbing the prisoner until permission was +given.</p> + +<p>It was quickly settled: Ogallah and two of his men cleared a space a rod +square and then beckoned to Jack, who walked defiantly to the middle of +it and folded his arms.</p> + +<p>"Something must be done pretty soon," was his thought, as he scanned the +scowling, laughing, shouting mob. "They would like to tear me to pieces, +and, if they come all at once, they will do it too."</p> + +<p>The three Indian youths who had assailed Jack at the spring, leaped +about and were as frantically eager as so many bull-dogs to fly at the +poor fellow, who was never in sorer need of a powerful friend.</p> + +<p>Suddenly one of them received the signal, and, with a whoop of delight, +he lowered his head and ran at Jack like a Japanese wrestler or a mad +bull. The boy saw he meant to butt him in the stomach, and if he did so +he would suffer serious injury. Forewarned was forearmed in his case, +and, leaping aside, he tripped the Indian as he shot by, and sent him +sprawling on his hands and knees. The uproar was deafening, but the +contest, it may be said, had only opened, and the young Sauk bounded to +his feet as if made of India Rubber. His coppery face was aglow with +passion, and, pausing but an instant, he made a second rush, though this +time he kept his head up, and spread out his arms so as to prevent Jack +escaping him.</p> + +<p>Jack did not want to escape. He seized his assailant at the same moment +that the latter grasped him, and in a twinkling they were interlocked +and struggling like tigers. But the dusky youth was not only younger and +slighter than Jack, but he was not so strong. Furthermore, his skill in +wrestling was less than that of the white youth, who, like all the +youths of the border, was trained in the rough, athletic exercise so +popular with every people.</p> + +<p>The contest was as brief as it was fierce. Suddenly a pair of moccasins +kicked the air, and the presumptuous young Sauk went to the earth as if +flung from the top of a church steeple. The shock was tremendous and +caused a momentary hush, for it looked as if he had been killed.</p> + +<p>The mother of the overthrown wrestler ran forward from the crowd, and +with wild lamentations, bent over him. When she saw him move and found +he was not dead, she whirled about, and, with a shriek, made for Jack +Carleton, who dreaded just such an attack; but Ogallah seized her arm +ere she reached the frightened youth, and flung her back with a +violence and a threat which stopped her from repeating the attack.</p> + +<p>This incident gave Jack great encouragement, for it confirmed his belief +that the sachem meant he should have fair treatment, and would allow no +dishonest advantage to be taken of him.</p> + +<p>The second dusky youth, who was slighter than Jack, was signalled to +advance to the attack, but to the surprise of all, he shook his head in +dissent and declined to come forward. The manner in which his companion +had been handled was enough to convince him that the most prudent thing +for him to do was to play the part of spectator only.</p> + +<p>Not so, however, with the larger and older youth, who had arrived almost +at man's estate. He was quite an athlete among his people, and could +scarcely restrain his eagerness to attack the pale face, who had +vanquished an opponent younger and weaker than himself. Ogallah nodded +his head, and, amid a noise which may be called applause, the young +warrior strode forward and laid his hands on Jack, who, realizing the +difficult task before him, was resolute, watchful, and yet confident.</p> + +<p>The young Sauk seemed to be left handed, like Deerfoot, the Shawanoe, +for he placed himself on the right of Jack, and slid his arm over the +boy's neck, while Jack assumed his favorite hold with his right. The +Indian was slightly the taller, and was naked to the waist, which was +encircled by a girdle, containing no weapons, below which were his +breech clout, leggings and moccasins. There was nothing on his arms, his +costume being that of a professional Indian wrestler "stripped for the +fray."</p> + +<p>When he slid his arm over Jack's neck, he bent his head forward so that +he could look down at their feet. Jack thus found the black hair, parted +in the middle and dangling over the coppery shoulders, directly under +his eyes. He noted the large, misshapen nose, the narrow forehead, +immensely broad temples, and uncouth lower jaw, and, during the few +seconds they were waiting, reflected what an ugly warrior the youth was +certain to prove if he lived a few years longer.</p> + +<p>He was the ringleader among Jack's persecutors, and the lad determined +to conquer him if within the range of the most desperate effort. The +style in which he took hold of the pale face told the latter that he +possessed considerable skill, and it would be a mistake to estimate him +too lightly.</p> + +<p>Jack reached over his left hand to grasp the right of his antagonist, +but the latter declined to take it, and the free hands, therefore, were +held, as may be said, in reserve to be used as inclination prompted.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the Sauk kicked one of Jack's heels forward and made a quick +strong effort to fling him backward. It was done with great deftness, +and came within a hair of laying Jack flat on his back. He recovered +himself by a fierce effort, and the attempt was instantly repeated, but +he saved himself in better shape than before.</p> + +<p>Again the two crouched side by side, each with an arm over the other, +and watching like cats for the chance to seize an advantage. As a +feeler, Jack tried the same trick his foe had used, but the Sauk was too +watchful and was scarcely disturbed. All at once the pale face slid his +arm down until it rested on the girdle at the waist of the Indian. Then +joining his two hands and pressing him until he could hardly breathe, +Jack raised him like a flash, clear of his feet, and made as if to +throw him forward on his face. At the instant the Sauk put forth his +frantic efforts to save himself from going in that direction, Jack +reversed the enginery, and sent him backward on his head with a shock +that made the ground tremble.</p> + +<p>The fall was terrific, and looking down at the motionless figure, Jack +believed he had broken his neck.</p> + +<p>"I hope I have," he muttered in the flush of his excitement, "but that +kind are tough—helloa!"</p> + +<p>The prostrate youth began to gasp and make spasmodic movements of his +limbs—enough to prove he was alive.</p> + +<p>While Jack stood surveying him, as if waiting another attack, the mob +broke into the most frightful yells and made a rush for him. He had +overthrown those that had been matched against him, and now they meant +to kill him; but Jack's faith in Ogallah was not misplaced. He and his +brother warriors interfered in such a vigorous manner that not a hair of +the boy's head was harmed, and, turning around, he walked into the lodge +of the chieftain, conscious that he had won a great victory.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE WAR FEAST.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Carleton's triumph over the Indian youth was complete. In a fair +wrestling bout he had flung him to the ground with a force that drove +the breath from his body, and gave him a more vivid idea of the white +man's views of that athletic amusement than he had ever entertained +before. But what was to be the outcome of this affair was more than the +boy could guess. Physical prowess always commands respect whether the +spectators be civilized or savage; but it does not insure against +persecution.</p> + +<p>"I have made them more revengeful than before," was the thought of the +youth, after he hurried back into Ogallah's lodge, and sat panting from +his exertion: "they hate me because I am of another race and am in their +hands. They are afraid of the chief and, therefore, they will be more +careful and I must be the same."</p> + +<p>There could be no mistake as to the sentiments of the sachem and his +squaw. They were delighted with the ability shown by the pale-faced +youth who had evidently overthrown the young champion of the village. +Ogallah grinned and chattered with his wife who grinned and chattered in +turn. Then the former patted Jack on the back and talked very fast. The +boy could not doubt that he was uttering the most high flown compliments +and he did a great deal of smiling and bowing in response. The squaw was +more demonstrative, for, after bustling about the half-expired fire for +awhile, she brought forward a piece of meat which she had taken extra +pains in cooking and placed it at his disposal. Jack was not suffering +from hunger, but he very gladly ate the food and nodded in +acknowledgment.</p> + +<p>The crowd around the entrance became so noisy that the chieftain +suddenly lost patience, and, springing to his feet, he dashed the bison +skin door aside and speedily scattered them.</p> + +<p>As Jack sat on the lodge floor, rapidly recovering from his severe +exertion, he became conscious of a peculiar feeling which manifested +itself at intervals. When he moved, he was slightly dizzy and his heart +gave several throbs that were more rapid and spasmodic than usual. He +remained quiet, wondering what it could mean, but feeling much inclined +to lay it to the exciting scene through which he had just passed. When +he began to feel alarmed it passed off.</p> + +<p>But if Jack counted on finding all the hours dull and monotonous, from +being compelled to stay within the tepee or wigwam of the Sauk +chieftain, he was greatly mistaken. Shortly after eating his +supplementary breakfast, Ogallah went out, leaving the youth alone with +the squaw. This caused Jack some misgiving, for he feared his enemies +might take advantage of the warrior's absence to punish him for his +victory over the Indian youth. For some minutes he was in much +trepidation, and the feeling was not lessened when he caught sight of +several coppery faces peeping through the door. However, they ventured +on no greater liberties and after a time went away.</p> + +<p>All at once a great uproar rose through the village. Shouting, whooping, +screeching and all sorts of unimaginable noises rent the air. The sound +of hurrying feet was heard, and it was evident that something of an +extraordinary character was going on. Jack looked inquiringly at the +squaw, but, though she must have known the explanation, she failed for +obvious reasons to make it clear to the captive.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Ogallah came into the lodge. He uttered a few hurried words to +his wife and then beckoned Jack to follow him. The latter had shoved his +knife back in place, but did not venture to take his rifle which stood +at the other side of the lodge.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what's up now," was the natural thought of the lad, as he +hastened after him; "have they erected a stake in the middle of the +village where I am to be roasted for the amusement of the rest, or am I +to be put to a test which I won't be able to stand?"</p> + +<p>But fortunately the boy was mistaken in both his theories. The hubbub +had no reference to him whatever.</p> + +<p>Beginning the night before, a party of bucks and squaws had been +employed until long after daylight in cooking the carcass of a bear, +that was plump, oily and in the best condition. It was not very large, +but where there was so little waste, it can be seen there must have been +considerable in the way of food.</p> + +<p>The animal was now fairly roasted and the time for feasting had come. +Jack understood that much when he ventured outside the lodge and saw the +numbers gathering around the "festive board." Naturally he clung close +to his protector, but one of the singular features attending his +captivity among this offshoot of the Sauk tribe of Indians, was the +readiness with which they transferred their attention from one object to +another. No one showed any curiosity in him when he appeared on the +street—so to speak—but all pushed their way toward the one point of +interest.</p> + +<p>The shouting and uproar ceased when fourteen warriors marched forth in +Indian file, and, arranging themselves around the brown crisp mass of +meat, made ready to fall to work, the others watching them. They were +all fine looking fellows, their faces painted and their preparations +complete for hostilities, with the exception that their rifles were left +aside, merely for convenience sake, until the end of the festivities.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton knew he was looking upon a war feast, as they are termed +by the Indians, and which were more common among those people at that +time than they are to-day. The bear had been carefully cooked expressly +for them, and looked grotesquely tempting, as the crisped, browned, and +oily carcass dripped over the pile of branches and green leaves to which +the cooks had carried it.</p> + +<p>The American Indian is ridiculously superstitious, and he has as much +terror of an odd number at a war feast, as we have of being one of +thirteen at an ordinary dinner party. Under no circumstances would the +Sauks have permitted such a defiance of fate itself.</p> + +<p>When the fourteen warriors had ranged themselves around the table, they +stood for a minute or two, while the others held their breath in +expectancy. The tallest Indian, who was the leader of the little +company, suddenly whipped out his hunting knife and looked at the +others, who imitated him with military promptness. Then he muttered some +command, and immediately the whole number sprang upon the waiting +carcass, which was carved up in a twinkling. Each cut himself an +enormous slice, and, stepping back, began eating with the voracity of a +wolf, while the others looked admiringly on. The spectators had held +their peace so long that they broke forth again, not so loud as before, +but grunting, chattering, and gesticulating like so many children, while +Jack Carleton, taking good care to keep close to Ogallah his protector, +furtively watched the scene.</p> + +<p>The capacity of the red man for fasting and feasting is almost +incredible. He will go for days without a mouthful, and then, when an +abundance of food is presented, will gorge himself to an extent that +would be sure death to an ordinary human being, after which he will +smoke, blink, and doze for several days more, just as the famous boa +constrictors of Africa are accustomed to do.</p> + +<p>Such, however, is his habit only when driven by necessity. The Sauks +lived too far south of the frozen regions to suffer such hardships, but +one of the requirements of the war-feast was that each one of the party +should eat all that he had cut from the carcass. To fail to do so was a +sign of weakness sure to subject him to ridicule.</p> + +<p>So resolutely did the warriors address themselves to the task, as it may +be called, that they succeeded with the exception of a single one. Two +or three, however, found it all they could do, and another mouthful of +the coarse, oily meat, would have raised a rebellion within their +internal economy, which would have caused general wreck and desolation.</p> + +<p>The youthful warrior who failed was the one who was the most eager at +the first for the feast. He toiled like a hero, and all went well until +he reached the last half pound. The others, grinning queerly through +their grease and paint, watched him as did the group on the outside of +the circle, while he, fully alive to the fact that he was the center of +attention, went to work as if resolved to do or die.</p> + +<p>It took several vigorous swallows to keep down the installment which had +descended, while he held the last piece in his hand and surveyed it with +doubtful eye. It finally rested uneasily on the stomach, and he looked +more hopefully than ever at the remaining portion, suspended on the +point of his hunting knife.</p> + +<p>Evidently he was not afraid of that, if what had preceded it would only +keep quiet. Finally he made a desperate resolve and quickly crammed his +mouth with the oleaginous stuff, upon which he began chewing with savage +voracity. Possibly, if he could have got it masticated enough to force +down his throat with only a few seconds' delay, all would have been +well, but suddenly there was an upward heave of the chest, a sort of +general earthquake; the eyes closed, and the mouth opened with a gape so +prodigious that it seemed to extend from ear to ear, and threatened to +bisect his head. That which followed may be left to the imagination of +the reader.</p> + +<p>General laughter and taunts greeted the failure, in which Ogallah +heartily joined; but the warrior took it in good part, and doubtless +felt better than did any of the others participating in the scene of +gluttony, inasmuch as his stomach was in its normal condition.</p> + +<p>The war feast finished, the fourteen resumed the form of a circle, stood +motionless a few minutes, and, all at once, began dancing in the most +furious manner. The spectators joined, Ogallah as before being among the +most vigorous in the lead, and in a brief while the strange scene was +presented of warriors, squaws, and children bounding about, swinging +their arms and splitting their throats in the wildest excitement.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose it will do for me to be the only idle one," said Jack +Carleton with a laugh and a quick thrill, "so here goes!"</p> + +<p>And with a "loud whoop" he leaped high in air, and began shouting in as +discordant tones as those around him. In truth, there was no more +enthusiastic member of the company than young Carleton, who jumped, +yelled, and conducted himself so much like an irrestrainable lunatic +that a spectator would have supposed he was setting the cue for the +others.</p> + +<p>Ogallah and several of the warriors glanced at the pale face with some +curiosity, and probably a few comments were made upon the performance of +the youth. Their precise tenor, as a matter of course, can only be +conjectured, but Jack was confident they were of a complimentary +character, for the heartiness which he showed must have pleased them.</p> + +<p>While going about in this hilarious fashion, there were many collisions +and overturnings. Once Jack bumped so violently against some one that +both turned their heads and glared at each other. The offender was the +Indian youth whom Jack had beaten so handsomely in the wrestling bout. +For an instant the dusky lad held his hand on the knife in his girdle, +and was on the point of rushing at Jack; but the latter meaningly +grasped the handle of his weapon, and returned his glare with equal +fierceness.</p> + +<p>It was enough, and the revelry continued. Had the Sauks been in +possession of firewater, the excitement would have intensified, until +weapons would have been drawn and a general fight precipitated, +accompanied with loss of more than one life. Such is the outcome of most +of the similar feasts held among the red men all through the west: but +there was not a drop of intoxicating stuff within reach of the village, +and thus the murderous wind-up of the festival was averted.</p> + +<p>The dance lasted until many dropped from exhaustion. Jack Carleton was +compelled to cease from sheer weakness, and staggering to one side, sat +down on what he supposed was a log, but which proved to be a very live +Indian who was also in quest of rest. Being extended on his face, he +threw up his back, much after the manner of a mustang when "bucking," +and Jack was sent sprawling.</p> + +<p>"It don't make any difference," muttered the boy with a laugh, "for I'm +so tired that I can rest in one place as well as another, and I'll wait +here till the show is over."</p> + +<p>And wait he did for the conclusion, which came very speedily.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>AN ALARMING DISCOVERY.</h3> + + +<p>When the war party grew weary of the furious dance, they stopped, formed +themselves in Indian file, and with the leader at the head, marched to +the tepee, where they had left their rifles. They reappeared a moment +later, each bearing his weapon in hand, and quickly reformed as before. +Then all uttered several loud whoops, to which the enthusiastic +supporters responded with equal vim, and they marched in the same file +and with the same steady step toward the forest on the other side the +clearing. Right soon they vanished from view among the trees. They had +gone in quest of scalps, but in the hunt more than one proud spirited +brave was to lose his own natural head-gear, and of those who went +forth, the majority never came back again.</p> + +<p>Now that the main cause of the hullabaloo was removed, the Sauks gained +more time to view their immediate surroundings. When Jack tottered to +one side to obtain the needed rest, he separated himself from Ogallah, +who showed no signs of wearying of the terrific exercise.</p> + +<p>"I guess it will be as well for me to hunt him up," was the decision of +the youth, "for he may need my care."</p> + +<p>But when the boy rose to his feet and looked around he saw nothing of +the sachem, though all the rest of the village appeared to be in the +immediate neighborhood. None of them had offered to molest Jack, but he +felt great misgiving. Fortunately the lodge of the chieftain was not +distant.</p> + +<p>While the dance was going on, an experience befell young Carleton which +has not been told, but which should be given. In the bright glare of the +morning sun, the countenance of every one was distinctly visible, and +Jack was impressed by the fact that one heavy, squat redskin was viewing +him with peculiar interest. He passed in front of the boy several times, +and on each occasion cast a piercing glance at him.</p> + +<p>This of itself might not have been so noticeable but for the impression +which deepened on Jack that he and the warrior had met at some other +time and in some other place.</p> + +<p>He was impatient with himself because he could not recall the +circumstances. Had it been on the other side of the Mississippi, it +would have been no wonder, for, from his earliest boyhood he had been +accustomed to seeing red men, and it would be impossible to remember +them all; but he was convinced he had met the Indian since he and Otto +had immigrated to Louisiana.</p> + +<p>Possibly Jack might have answered the question had he been given time to +think over it without disturbance; but he had scarcely begun to look +around for Ogallah, when he was alarmed by the demonstrations of the +crowd around him. They began pushing forward, and the squaws and +children showed an unpleasant disposition to lay hands on him.</p> + +<p>There was no use of standing on dignity. In a few minutes he would be +hemmed in so he could not move, and the lodge of the chieftain was not +far away. Shoving a little screeching girl from his path, Jack bounded +away like a deer, straight for the shelter. The act was so sudden that +it threw him in advance of the rest, but there were plenty of runners as +fleet as he, and despite the start he gained, several were at his heels, +and one of them came very near tripping him. Jack pressed on, and, +within a rod of the entrance to the kingly wigwam, the Indian who made +the attempt to trip him appeared at his side, and then threw himself +directly in front.</p> + +<p>One glance showed the fugitive that it was the youth whom he had +overthrown in the wrestling bout.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you, is it?" exclaimed Jack; "you haven't had enough yet!"</p> + +<p>And, quick as a flash, he drove his fist straight into the grinning +visage with all the force he could concentrate in his good right arm. +The amazed youth described a back somerset, his moccasins up in the air, +and his ugly nose flattened to the shape of a crimson turnip. Then +leaping over the prostrate figure, Jack made several bounds, and dove +into the lodge just in time to avoid colliding with Ogallah, who had +approached the door from the inside to learn the cause of the new +tumult.</p> + +<p>The chief went far enough to obtain a good view of the audacious youth +who was in the act of climbing to his feet, and groping for his nose and +principal features in a blind way, as though doubtful whether any of +them were left. The clamoring rioters were scattered once more, Ogallah +adding a few words, probably meant as a warning against their +persecuting his ward, for it may as well be stated that from that time +forward the demonstrations against Jack were of a much less serious +nature.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I've got to fight every time I go out of the lodge," said +young Carleton, with a dogged shake of the head; "they mean to kill me +whenever they gain the chance, and more than likely I'll have to go, but +I'll make it cost them more than they count on. When I can't use my +fists I'll use my knife."</p> + +<p>The mistress of the establishment, seating herself at the other end of +the lodge, lit her pipe with as much indifference as though nothing +unusual had taken place. Her mongrel pup came trotting along the space +in his sidelong fashion and lay down with his nose against her slouchy +moccasins, thereby proving his bravery, so far as any offense against +his olfactories was concerned. Ogallah having made his speech and +scattered the rabble, turned about and came slowly after the dog, +seating himself near the middle of the lodge, where he also lit his +long-stemmed pipe.</p> + +<p>Just then some one pushed the bison skin aside, and stepped within the +residence. Despite his sluggish manner, Ogallah flirted his head like a +flash, probably suspecting that one of Jack's tormentors had dared to +follow him within his shelter. But the individual was a full-grown +warrior, who would not have descended to such business, and the grunt of +the sachem was meant as a cordial welcome to him who grunted in return.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton also glanced at him, and was astonished not a little to +observe that he was the same warrior who had scrutinized him so closely +while the war feast was going on, and whom, the youth was well +convinced, he had met elsewhere.</p> + +<p>There could be no mistake as to the interest which the visitor felt in +the captive, for his black, penetrating eyes were not removed from him +during the several minutes which followed his entry into the lodge. Not +only that, but halting in front of the lad, he began talking and +gesticulating with useless vigor, inasmuch as Jack could not gain an +inkling of what was meant. Indeed, had the youth attempted afterward to +describe the gestures, he would have referred to them all as pointless, +excepting the series which consisted of a violent sweep of both arms to +the westward, after pointing his finger at the wondering Jack Carleton. +Altogether at a loss as to their significance, it was fortunate (as will +appear hereafter), that the lad was able to recall and describe the +motions to another, who had a hundred fold more woodcraft and mental +acumen than he.</p> + +<p>Poor Jack could only shake his head and smile sadly by way of reply to +this performance, and, after Ogallah had added something, the warrior +ceased, took his seat beside the chief and employed himself in smoking +and talking.</p> + +<p>"Who <i>can</i> he be? He knows me and I—ah! I remember!"</p> + +<p>Sure enough, and why had he not thought of it before? He was one of the +five Indians who had left the other five and gone off with Otto +Relstaub, on the day that he and Jack Carleton were captured by the band +so near their own home. More than that, Jack had seen the others that +same morning in the village at the war feast, though the recollection of +them was so shadowy that it had not caused him the perplexity produced +by the appearance of the warrior before him.</p> + +<p>With the truth came the startling question—Where was Otto? While his +captors were in the village, he certainly was elsewhere. What had become +of him?</p> + +<p>The question fairly took away the breath of Jack and made him faint at +heart.</p> + +<p>"He can't be at home, for Otto never could have made his escape from +them; <i>he must be dead!</i>"</p> + +<p>The first declaration of the youth my reader knows was true, for the +visit of Deerfoot, several days later to Martinsville, as has been +described, proved it. As to the second theory, that will be investigated +in due time.</p> + +<p>One of the most trying features of this occurrence was the certainty +Jack felt that the Indian visitor was trying to tell him something about +Otto. Those swinging arms, swaying head and apoplectic grunting carried +a message within themselves, which, if translated would be found of +great importance; but alas! the interpreter had not come.</p> + +<p>While the lad sat on the bison robe, reflecting over the matter, he +became aware of the peculiar sensations that alarmed him some time +before. His head was dizzy, a curious lightness took possession of his +limbs, and he felt that if he should undertake to cross the lodge, he +would stagger and fall like a drunken man.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to be ill," he said, pressing his hand to his forehead; +"something is wrong with me."</p> + +<p>The shock which came with the conviction was deepened by the belief that +he was about to go through the experience that had befallen poor Otto +Relstaub.</p> + +<p>"He fell sick while tramping through the woods with the Indians, and +they have either tomahawked or left him to die. These people with all +their Medicine Men and Women know nothing about curing sick folks, and +if I <i>do</i> become ill that will be the end of me."</p> + +<p>The boy was in anything but a cheerful frame of mind, but he faced the +position like a hero. He did not lose heart, though he was sure that his +situation was worse than ever before, and he did not forget any of the +incidents of the journey from Kentucky to Louisiana, when many a time +there seemed not the slightest ground for hope.</p> + +<p>After smoking awhile Ogallah and his visitor got up and went out doors. +The chief was gone but a short time when he came back, and, as he +resumed his seat, grunted out something to his squaw, who immediately +laid down her pipe, tenderly shoved the nose of her dog aside and left +the place.</p> + +<p>While Jack was wondering what the meaning of these movements could be, +the attack of weakness which had alarmed him passed off, like the +fleeing shadow of a cloud. It was followed by a natural rebound of +spirits, and he too rose to his feet and walked toward the door.</p> + +<p>The sachem looked inquiringly at him, but showed no objection to his +departure. The boy placed his hand at his waist to make sure his hunting +knife was there, and at the entrance paused a moment in doubt.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether they will set on me again," he said to himself; "if +they do I will use my weapon—that's certain, and then there will be a +bigger rumpus than before."</p> + +<p>The knowledge that the chief who had served so many times as friend was +near at hand added much to Jack's courage, when he finally let the +bison-skin door drop behind him.</p> + +<p>The explanation of the squaw's departure was manifest at once. She had a +long sharpened stick in her hands, with which she was stirring the earth +around some hills of corn growing on a small plot near their lodge. +Extending his gaze, Jack saw many other squaws engaged in the same +manner, but among them all was not a single man. They were lolling in +their wigwams, smoking or dozing, or hunting in the woods for game or +scalps.</p> + +<p>The younger members of the community seemed to be the happiest of all. A +number were playing by the river, and some were plunging into the +stream, swimming, diving, and disporting themselves like porpoises; +others were deep in some kind of game, on the clearing near the woods, +and all were as shouting and demonstrative as so many civilized +youngsters engaged in a game of ball.</p> + +<p>Anxious to learn whether his last affray with his persecutors was likely +to lessen or increase their hostility, Jack Carleton gradually advanced +from the lodge until he was close to the group playing on the large +cleared space, while those by the river were much nearer his refuge than +he.</p> + +<p>This was assuming considerable risk, as all must admit, but the boy took +it with much caution and with his eyes wide open, meaning to make the +most hurried kind of retreat the instant it might become necessary.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>"GAH-HAW-GE."</h3> + + +<p>Naturally enough, when Jack Carleton found himself standing close to the +frolicking Indian boys on the clearing, he became interested in the game +they were playing, which he saw was systematic, and in which all took +part.</p> + +<p>Like amusements of that sort, it was simple in its character and he +quickly caught its drift. The boys divided themselves into two parties +equal in numbers, one of which was ranged in line at the right of the +clearing near the wood, while the other did the same at the other goal, +which was a stump close to the stream. Each boy held a stick with a +forked end in his hand, that being the implement with which the game is +played.</p> + +<p>When all was ready, one of the youthful Sauks walked out from the party +near the woods, holding the stick with the crotch of a small branch +supported at the point of bifurcation. This crotch was four or five +inches in length, and as it was carried aloft, it looked like an +inverted V, raised high so that all might see it.</p> + +<p>Pausing in the middle of the clearing, the dusky lad with a flirt of the +stick, flung the crotch a dozen feet in air and uttered a shout which +was echoed by every one of the waiting players. Both sides made a +furious rush toward the middle of the playground, where they came +together like two mountain torrents, and the fun began. The strife was +to get the crotch of wood to one of the goals, and each side fought as +strenuously to help it along toward his own, as a side of foot-ball +players struggle to do the opposite in a rough and tumble fight for the +college championship.</p> + +<p>Inasmuch as the only helps to be employed were the long, forked sticks +carried in their hands, it will be seen that the game offered a +boundless field for the roughest sort of play, mingled with no little +dexterity and skill. Some swarthy-hued rascal, while on a dead run, +would thrust the point of his stick under the crotch, and lifting it +high above his head, start or rather continue with might and main toward +his goal. At that time, as, indeed, at every minute, each young American +was literally yelling like so many "wild Indians." Desperately as the +youth ran, others more fleet of foot speedily overtook him, and one, +reaching forward while going like a deer, lifted the crotch from the +other stick, and circling gracefully about, sped for his own goal. But +some youth at his heels leaped in air and with a sweep of his own stick +struck the other and sent the crotch spinning and doubling through the +air. A dozen other sticks were plunged after it, but it fell to the +ground, and then the fight reached its climax. The parties became one +wild, desperate, shouting, yelling, scrambling mob. Legs and arms seemed +to be flying everywhere, and the wonder was that a score of limbs and +necks were not broken. But it rarely hurts a boy to become hurt, and +though bruises were plenty, no one suffered serious harm. After a few +minutes' struggle, the crotch would be seen perched on the stick of one +of the boys, who, fighting his way through the mob, ran with astonishing +speed, with friends and foes converging upon him, and the certainty that +he would be tripped and sent flying heels over head, before he could +reach safety.</p> + +<p>After awhile, when the prize had been gradually worked toward the goal +of the stronger party, some youth, by a piece of skill and daring, +would make a dash for home and bear down all opposition. It followed, of +course, that his side had won, and, after a brief rest, the game was +renewed and pressed with the same vigor as before.</p> + +<p>This Indian boy's game is still played by many Indian tribes. Among the +Senecas it is called "Gah-haw-ge," and I make no doubt that more than +one reader of these pages has witnessed the exciting amusement, which so +thrilled the blood of Jack Carleton that he could hardly restrain +himself from taking part in the fun. But he had no crotched stick, +without which he would have been a cypher, and then, as he had never +attempted the game, he knew he possessed no skill. The venture would +have been rash, for in the excited state of the Indian youths, and armed +as they were with sticks, it is almost certain that at some stage of the +game they would have turned on the pale face and beaten him to death.</p> + +<p>The rough amusement lasted fully two hours, during which Jack Carleton +and many of the warriors were interested spectators. At last the +youngsters became weary and the sport ended. As the stumpy youths +straggled apart, the perspiration on their faces caused them to shine +like burnished copper. All at once one of them emitted a whoop and broke +into a swift run, the rest instantly falling in behind him, and speeding +with the same hilarious jollity.</p> + +<p>The heart of Jack Carleton stood still, for the leading Indian was +coming straight toward him.</p> + +<p>"They're aiming for me," was his conclusion, as he gripped the handle of +his knife and half drew it from his girdle.</p> + +<p>But the whooping youth swerved a little to the right, and was ten feet +away from the terrified captive when he dashed by with unabated speed. +He did not so much as glance at Jack, nor did the procession of +screeching, bobbing moon-faces, as they streamed past, give him the +least attention.</p> + +<p>The lad who set off with the lead, kept it up with undiminished speed, +until he reached the edge of the river. Then he made a leap high upward +and outward. Jack saw the crouching figure, with the head bent forward, +the arms crooked at the elbow, and the legs doubled at the knees, during +the single breath that it seemed suspended in the air. Then describing a +beautiful parabola, he descended, and striking the water, sent the spray +flying in every direction, while the body went to the bottom. The others +followed, so fast that the dusky forms dropped like hailstones, tumbled +over each other, splashed, dove, frolicked, shouted, and acted with the +same abandon as before.</p> + +<p>It is by such sports and training that the American Indian acquires his +fleetness, high health, and powers of endurance.</p> + +<p>But Jack had grown weary of watching the antics of the youngsters, and +turned about and walked homeward. He saw from the position of the sun +that it was near noon, and he was hungry; but he was more impressed by +the change of treatment since his last affray than by anything else. He +walked past five separate wigwams before reaching the imperial +residence, which for the time being was his own. There were warriors, +girls, and squaws lounging near each one. They raised their repellant +faces and looked at the captive with no little curiosity, but offered +him no harm.</p> + +<p>When half way home, the flapping door of one of the conical wigwams was +pushed aside, and the stooping figure of a large Indian boy +straightened up and walked toward Jack, who, with an odd feeling, +recognized him as the youth whom he had overthrown in wrestling, and +afterwards knocked off his feet by a blow in the face.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether he means to attack me?" Jack asked himself, in doubt +for the moment as to what he should do. At first he thought he would +turn aside so as to give the young Sauk plenty of room; but that struck +him as impolitic, for it would show cowardice.</p> + +<p>"No, I won't give him an inch; he is alone, and if he wants another row, +I'm agreeable."</p> + +<p>It was hard for Jack to restrain a smile when he looked at the face of +the Indian. It was exceptionally repulsive in the first place, but the +violent blow on the nose had caused that organ to assume double its +original proportion, and there was a puffy, bulbous look about the whole +countenance which showed how strongly it "sympathized" with the injured +part.</p> + +<p>Although the American Indian, as a rule, can go a long time, like the +eagle, without winking his eyes, this youth was obliged to keep up a +continual blinking, which added to his grotesque appearance, as with +shoulders thrown back and a sidelong scowl he strode toward the river. +Jack returned the scowl with interest, and it scarcely need be said that +the two did not speak as they passed by.</p> + +<p>Feeling some fear of treachery, the captive kept his ears open, and +watched over his shoulder until he reached his own wigwam, where he +stood for a moment and gazed in the direction of the river, which was +partly shut out by one of the intervening lodges. He was just in time to +see the young Sauk of the battered countenance leap into the river, +where, doubtless, he was able to do much toward reducing the +inflammation of his organ of smell.</p> + +<p>When the captive entered his home as it may be called, he saw the +chieftain stretched flat on his back and snoring frightfully. The dog +was asleep on the other side the fire, and the squaw, after toiling so +long in the "corn field," was preparing the mid-day meal. She was a type +of her sex as found among the aborigines, as her husband, even though a +monarch, was a type of the lazy vagabond known as the American warrior.</p> + +<p>At the side of the queen lay the gourd which usually contained water. +Peeping into the round hole of the upper side, she shook the utensil, +and the few drops within jingled like silver. She snatched it up, looked +toward Jack, and grunted and nodded her head. If the lad could not +understand the language of the visitor sometime before, he had no such +difficulty in the case of the squaw. With real eagerness he sprang +forward and hastened out of the wigwam to procure what was needed.</p> + +<p>The one visit which he made the spring in the morning had rendered him +familiar with the route, and it took but a minute or two for him to fill +the gourd and start on his return. He found that a number of young girls +had followed him, and were at his heels all the way back; but, though +they talked a good deal about him, and displayed as much curiosity as +their brothers, they did not molest him. Once, when they ventured rather +too close, Jack whipped out his knife, raised it on high, and made a +leap at them, expanding his eyes to their widest extent, and shouting in +his most terrifying tone, "Boo!"</p> + +<p>It produced the effect desired. The young frights scattered with screams +of terror, and hardly ventured to peep out of their homes at the ogre +striding by.</p> + +<p>When Jack entered the lodge he found Ogallah awake. Evidently he was not +in good humor, for his manner showed he was scolding his much better +half, who accepted it all without reply or notice. No doubt she received +it as part of the inevitable.</p> + +<p>The chief, however, refrained from following the civilized custom of +beating the wife, and when the meat and a species of boiled greens were +laid on the block of wood which answered for a table, his ill-mood +seemed to have passed, and he ate with his usual relish and enjoyment.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton crossed his legs like a tailor at his side of the board, +but before he could eat a mouthful a violent nausea seized him, his head +swam, and he was on the verge of fainting. Ogallah and his squaw noticed +his white face and looked wonderingly at him.</p> + +<p>"I'm very ill!" gasped Jack, springing to his feet, staggering a few +steps, and then lunging forward on the bison skin, where he flung +himself down like one without hope.</p> + +<p>The violence of the attack quickly subsided, but there remained a +faintness which drove away every particle of appetite, and it was well +that such was the case, for had he taken any food in his condition the +result must have been serious.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the squaw had assumed her place at the table by her liege +lord, and both were champing their meal as though time was limited, and +there was no call to feel any interest in the poor boy who lay on his +rude couch, well assured that his last illness was upon him.</p> + +<p>"What do they care for <i>me</i>?" muttered Jack, his fright yielding to a +feeling of resentment, as the violence of the attack subsided. "I wonder +that they spared my life so long. They would have been more merciful had +they slain me in the woods as they did Otto, instead of bringing me here +to be tormented to death, and as I know they mean to do with me."</p> + +<p>Lying on his arm, he glared at the couple with a revengeful feeling that +was extraordinary under the circumstances. A morbid conviction fastened +itself upon him that Ogallah had taken him to his lodge for the purpose +of keeping him until he was in the best physical condition, when he +would subject him to a series of torturing and fatal ceremonies for the +amusement of the entire village.</p> + +<p>In the middle of these remarkable sensations exhausted nature succumbed, +and the captive fell asleep.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>A PATIENT OF THE MEDICINE MAN.</h3> + + +<p>When Jack Carleton awoke, it was night and the rain was falling. He was +feverish and his brain was so overwrought that it was a full minute +before he could call to mind where he was. His slumber had been +disturbed toward the latter part by dreams as wild, vague and +unimaginable as those which taunt the brain of the opium eater.</p> + +<p>When he remembered that he was in the wigwam of Ogallah, the chieftain, +he turned upon his side and raised his head on his elbow. The fire at +the other end of the apartment that had been burning brightly, had gone +down somewhat, but enough remained to light up the interior so that the +familiar objects could be seen with considerable distinctness.</p> + +<p>He observed the figure of the sachem stretched out in the dilapidated +slouchiness peculiar to himself. He did not bother to remove any of his +clothing, and, though the place was quite chilly he drew none of the +bison robes over him. He had lain down on one, but had managed in some +way to kick it half way across the lodge, and his couch, therefore, was +the simple earth, which served better than a kingly bed of eider down +could have done.</p> + +<p>The favorite posture of the queenly consort was not a prone one, but +that of crouching in a heap near the coals, where, with a blanket that +had never been washed since it was put together years before, gathered +about her shoulders, her skinny arms clasping her knees and her head +bowed forward, she would sleep for hours at a time. The reflection of +the flickering flames against her figure caused it to look grotesque in +the fitful light, and the captive gazed at her for a long time, led to +do so by an infatuation which was not strange under the circumstances.</p> + +<p>There, too, was the dog which, could he have been given his way, would +have done nothing all his life but sleep and eat. As was his custom, he +was at the feet of his mistress, a position which he seemed to prefer +above all others. Then the blankets, deer and bison skins, and rude +articles hanging about the room, the two columns in the center +supporting the clumsy roof, the craggy logs and sticks at the side, the +hanging skin which served as a door and was barely visible, the tumble +down appearance of everything, and withal the solemn stillness which +brooded within the lodge: all these made the scene weird and impressive +in a striking degree.</p> + +<p>The fire burned so fitfully that it threw ghostly shadows about the +apartment, sometimes flooding it with light, and again falling so low +that the other end of the lodge could not be seen at all. Without, the +night could not have been more dismal. There was no thunder or +lightning, and the rain fell with that steady patter on the leaves, +which at ordinary times forms the most soothing accompaniment of sleep, +but which to Jack Carleton only added to his dismal dejection of +spirits.</p> + +<p>The roof of the lodge was so thick and diversified in its composition +that the music of the patter on the shingles was lost. At intervals the +wind stirred the limbs, and, though none of the trees were very close, +the lad could hear the soughing among the branches, as the hunter hears +it in early autumn when the leaves begin to fall.</p> + +<p>Could the melancholy croaking of frogs in the distance have fallen on +the ears of the boy, he would have had all the factors that go to bring +on the most absolute loneliness of which a human being is capable. +Unfortunately Jack did not need that addition to render his misery +complete, for it was furnished by his own condition and situation.</p> + +<p>"I am many long, long miles from home," he reflected, as a sharp pain +gyrated through his brain, and the flickering fire seemed to be bobbing +up and down and back and forth in a witches' dance; "and little hope is +there of my ever seeing mother again. Ah, if I was only there now!"</p> + +<p>He let his head fall back and heaved a deep sigh. He recalled his plain +but comfortable bed, which became the most deliciously comfortable the +mind can conceive, when his mother shoved the blankets in about him, or +"tucked him up," as she never failed to do every evening he was at home; +the good-night kiss from those affectionate lips; the magic touch of +those fingers which pushed back the hair from his forehead, ere she +bent over him with the last salute; the loving, caressing care when he +was threatened with the slightest illness, which made the boy long for +illness for the sake of such care: these and other blessed memories came +back with a power which caused the eyes to overflow with sorrow.</p> + +<p>Ah, fortunate is that boy, even though his years carry him to the verge +of full manhood, who has his mother to watch over his waking and +sleeping hours, and her prayers to follow his footsteps through life.</p> + +<p>The pattering rain, the sighing wind, and the ghostly, semi-darkness +soothed the sachem and his wife, but Jack Carleton was as wide awake as +when pushing across the Mississippi in the half overturned canoe, with +the fierce Shawanoes firing at him and his friends. Probably, in the +entire Indian village, he was the only one who was awake. Had a band of +Sioux or Iroquois stolen through the woods and descended on the Sauks +they would have been found defenceless and unprepared.</p> + +<p>Through one of the crevices behind Jack, came a draught of wind which, +striking him on his shoulders, caused him to shiver. He moved a little +distance away, and drew the bison robe closer about him, for though a +raging fever was coursing through his veins, he knew the danger of +subjecting himself to such exposure.</p> + +<p>He was consumed with thirst, and seeing the clumsy gourd by the side of +the sleeping squaw, he crawled forward on his hands and knees in the +hope of finding water in it. Fortunately there was an abundance and he +took a long, deep draught of the fluid, which was not very fresh nor +cold, but which was the most refreshing he had ever swallowed.</p> + +<p>Creeping back to his primitive couch, he continued a deep mental +discussion of the question whether the best thing he could do was not to +steal out of the lodge and make a break for home. There could be little, +if any doubt, as to the ease with which such a start could be made. He +had only to rise to his feet, pass through the deer-skin door, which was +merely tied in position, and he could travel miles before morning and +before his absence would be noted. The falling rain would obliterate his +trail, so that the keen eyes of the Sauks would be unable to follow it, +and he could make assurance doubly sure by taking to the water until a +bloodhound would turn up his nose in disgust. Furthermore, he was +confident that he would be able to obtain possession of his rifle and +enough ammunition with which to provide himself food on the way home.</p> + +<p>This was what may be called the rose-colored view of the scheme, which +had a much more practical side. While under ordinary circumstances Jack +would have been able to take care of himself at a much greater distance +from home, and in a hostile country, yet the alarming fact remained, +that he was seriously ill and such exposure was almost certain to drive +him delirious, with the certainty of death to follow very speedily.</p> + +<p>Though he took such a gloomy view of his own position among the Sauks +(whose tribal name, of course, he had not yet learned), he was not +without a certain degree of hope. He had suffered no harm thus far and +it is always the unexpected which happens. While he had declared to +himself that Ogallah was simply training him for the torture, as it may +be expressed, yet it might be the chieftain being without children, +meant to adopt him as a son. If such was his intention, manifestly, the +best thing for Jack to do was to lie still and prayerfully await the +issue of events. No doubt if you or I were in his sad predicament, that +is the course that would have been followed, but Jack could not bring +himself to submit to such inactivity when the prospect of liberty was +before him. Allowance, too, must be made for the condition of the boy. +He was scarcely himself, when, compressing his lips, he muttered,</p> + +<p>"I won't stay here! They mean to kill me and I may as well die in the +woods! I will take my gun and go out in the night and storm, and trust +in God to befriend me as He has always done."</p> + +<p>Aye, so He had; and so He will always befriend us, if we but use our +opportunities and fly not in His face.</p> + +<p>Carefully he rose to his feet, and, gathering the bison robe around his +fevered frame, glanced at the two unconscious figures, and then at the +form of his rifle leaning against the side of the lodge and dimly +revealed in the flickering firelight.</p> + +<p>As he stepped forward to recover his gun, everything in the room swam +before his eyes, a million bees seemed to be humming in his brain, and, +clutching the air in a vague way, he sank back on his couch with a +groan, which awakened Ogallah and his squaw. The chief came to the +sitting position with a surprising quickness, while the wife opened her +eyes and glared through the dim firelight at the figure. The dog +slumbered on.</p> + +<p>Ogallah seeing that it was only the captive who was probably dying, lay +back again on the bare earth and resumed his sleep. The woman watched +the lad for several minutes as if she felt some interest in learning +whether a pale face passed away in the same manner as one of her own +race. Inasmuch as the sick boy was so long in settling the question, she +closed her eyes and awaited a more convenient season.</p> + +<p>From the moment Jack Carleton succumbed, helpless in the grasp of the +fiery fever, he became sick nigh unto death. Those who have been so +afflicted need no attempt to tell his experience or feelings. Why he +should have fallen so critically ill, cannot be judged with certainty, +nor is it a question of importance; the superinducing cause probably lay +in the nervous strain to which he was subjected.</p> + +<p>He instantly became delirious and remained so through the night. He +talked of his mother, of Deerfoot, of Otto, and of others; was fleeing +from indescribable dangers, and he frequently cried out in his fright. +The chief and his squaw heard him and understood the cause, but never +raised their hands to give him help.</p> + +<p>Jack became more quiet toward morning and fell into a fitful sleep which +lasted until the day was far advanced. Then, when he opened his eyes, +his brain still somewhat clouded, he uttered a gasp of dismay and +terror.</p> + +<p>Crouching in the lodge beside him was the most frightful object on which +he had ever looked. It had the form of a man, but was covered with skins +like those of a bear and bison, and a long thick horn projected from +each corner of the forehead. The face, which glared out from this +unsightly dress, was covered with daubs, rings and splashes of red, +white and black paint, applied in the most fantastic fashion. The black +eyes, encircled by yellow rings, suggested a resemblance to some serpent +or reptilian monster. The figure held a kind of rattle made of hollow +horn in either hand, and was watching the countenance of the sick boy +with close attention. When he saw the eyes open, he made a leap in the +air, began a doleful chant, swayed the rattles and leaped about the +lodge in the most grotesque dance that can be imagined. Ogallah and his +squaw were not present, so Jack had the hideous creature all to himself.</p> + +<p>Enough sense remained with the boy for him to know that he was the +Medicine Man of the tribe, whom the chieftain had been kind enough to +send to his help. Instead of giving the youth the few simple remedies he +required, he resorted to incantation and sorcery as has been their +custom for hundreds of years. The barbarian fraud continued to chant and +rattle and dance back and forth, until Jack's eyes grew weary of +following the performance. The mind, too, which was so nigh its own +master in the morning, grew weaker, and finally let go its hold. +Sometimes the waltzing Medicine Man suddenly lengthened to the height of +a dozen yards; sometimes he was bobbing about on his head, and again he +was ten times as broad as he was long, and hopping up and down on one +short leg. From the other side of the lodge he often made a bound that +landed him on the bison skin, which lay over the breast of the sick boy, +where he executed a final tattoo that drove the last vestige of +consciousness from him.</p> + +<p>It was all a torturing jumble of wild and grim fancies, with occasional +glimmerings of reason, which led Jack to clutch the air as if he would +not let them go; but they whisked away in spite of all he could do, and +a black "rayless void" descended upon and gathered round about him, +until the mind was lost in its own overturnings and struggles, and all +consciousness of being departed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>CONVALESCENCE.</h3> + + +<p>As nearly as can be ascertained, Jack Carleton lay the major part of +four days in the Indian lodge, sick nigh unto death, with his brain +topsy turvy. During that time he never received a drop of medicine, and +scarcely any attention. The chief was gone most of each day, and the +squaw spent many hours out doors, looking after her "farm." When the +patient became unusually wild, she would give him a drink of water and +attend to his wants. A few of the Indians peeped through the door, but +as a whole they showed surprising indifference to the fate of the +captive. Had he died, it is not likely he would have been given even +Indian burial.</p> + +<p>Several times the Medicine Man put in an appearance, and danced and +hooted and sounded his rattles about the lodge, after which he took +himself off and would not be seen again for many hours.</p> + +<p>On the fourth day, while Jack was lying motionless on his bison skin and +looking up to the composite roof, his full reason returned to him. +Indeed, his brain appeared to have been clarified by the scorching +ordeal through which it had passed, and he saw things with crystalline +clearness. Turning his head, he found he was alone in the lodge, and, as +nearly as he could judge, the afternoon was half gone. The fire had died +out, but the room was quite warm, showing there had been a rise of +temperature since the night of the rain. Peering through the crevices +nearest him, he observed the sunlight was shining, and could catch +twinkling glimpses of Indians moving hither and thither; but there was +no outcry or unusual noise, and business was moving along in its +accustomed channel.</p> + +<p>With some trepidation and misgiving, Jack rose on his elbow and then +carefully assumed the sitting position. Every vestige of dizziness had +fled, and his head was as clear as a bell. He was sensible, too, of a +faint and increasing desire for food; but he was equally conscious that +he was very weak, and it must be days before he could recover his normal +strength.</p> + +<p>After sitting for a few minutes, he threw the bison skin from him, and +rose to his feet. Having held the prone position so long, he felt +decidedly queer when he stood erect once more. But he walked back and +forth, and knew within himself that the crisis of his illness had passed +and he was convalescent.</p> + +<p>Of course it was Jack's vigorous constitution and the recuperating power +of nature which, under Heaven, brought him round. The medicine man had +no more to do with his recovery than have many of our modern medicine +men, who, sit beside the gasping patient, feel his pulse, look at his +tongue and experiment with the credulous dupe.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton possessed enough sense to appreciate his condition. Very +little sickness had he ever known in life, but there had been plenty of +it around him, and his mother was one of those nurses, whose knowledge +far exceeded that of the ordinary physician, and whose presence in the +sick room is of itself a balm and blessing.</p> + +<p>The boy knew, therefore, from what he had learned from her, that the +time had come when he must be extremely careful what he ate and how he +conducted himself. Moving over to the unattractive table, he found some +scraps of meat left. They were partly cooked, but likely as good for him +as anything could have been. He ate considerable, chewing it finely, and +finding his appetite satisfied much sooner than he anticipated.</p> + +<p>But that for which Jack longed above everything else was a plunge in the +cool water. His underclothing sorely needed changing, and he would have +been absolutely happy could he have been in the hands of his tidy mother +if only for a brief while.</p> + +<p>However, there was no help for him, and he could only wait and hope for +better things. After he had resumed his seat on the bison skins, a +project took shape in his mind, which was certainly a wise and prudent +one, with promises of good results. Knowing he was recovering rapidly, +he resolved to keep the fact from his captors. While still gaining +strength and vigor, he would feign weakness and illness, on the watch +for a chance that was sure to come sooner or later, and which he would +thus be able to improve to the utmost.</p> + +<p>Convalescence revived with ten-fold force the desire to end his Indian +captivity and return home. Uncertain as he was of the time that had +passed since starting on his hunt, he knew that it was long enough to +awaken the most poignant anguish on the part of his loved mother, who +must suffer far more, before, under the most favorable circumstances, he +could return.</p> + +<p>When it was growing dark, Ogallah and his squaw entered. The latter +quickly had the fire going and, as its glow filled the room, both looked +inquiringly at the patient on the other side the lodge. He in turn +assumed, so far as it was possible, the appearance of a person in the +last collapse, and took care that the expression of his countenance +should show no more intelligence and vivacity than that of an idiot.</p> + +<p>The couple exchanged a few words, probably referring to Jack, but they +seemed to care little for him, and he was glad that he excited so slight +interest, since they were less likely to suspect the deception he was +practicing upon them. The squaw, after cooking the meat, brought a piece +over to Jack, who stared in an absurd fashion before shaking his head, +and she turned about and resumed her place by the table, after which +she lit her pipe and squatted near the fire.</p> + +<p>The patient soon fell into a refreshing sleep, which lasted until it +began growing light, when he awoke, feeling so well that it was hard to +keep from leaping in the air with a shout, and dashing out doors. He was +sure that he could hold his own in a game of <i>gah-haw-ge</i>, if the chance +were only given.</p> + +<p>But he resolutely forced down his bounding spirits, though he could not +suppress the feeling of hunger which was fast assuming a ravenous +intensity. When the squaw offered him a half cooked piece of meat, he +snatched at it with such wolf-like fierceness that the squaw recoiled +with a grunt of dismay. Jack made sure he had secured the prize, when he +devoured every particle, which luckily was enough fully to satisfy his +appetite.</p> + +<p>Whenever the boy saw the chief or his squaw looking at him, he assumed +the role of a dunce, and it must be confessed he played it with +unquestionable fidelity to nature. He probably afforded considerable +amusement to the royal couple who could have had no suspicion that the +hopeful youth was essaying a part.</p> + +<p>When the forenoon was well along, the chief and his squaw went out, the +latter probably to do the manual labor, while the former occupied +himself with "sitting around" and criticising the style in which she ran +the agricultural department of the household. The dog rose, stretched, +yawned and then lay down again and resumed his slumber. Jack was +meditating what was best to do, when the door was pushed aside, and the +frightful-looking Medicine Man crouched to the middle of the lodge and +glared at the patient, who looked calmly back again, as though he felt +no special interest in him or anything else, but all the same Jack +watched him with more entertainment than he had ever felt before.</p> + +<p>First of all, the man with the horns and rattles, took amazingly long +steps on the toes of his moccasins around the apartment between the two +"columns" which supported the roof, as though afraid of awaking the +baby. At the end of each circumambulation, he would squat like a frog +about to leap off the bank into the water, and glare at the boy, the +corners of whose mouth were twitching with laughter at the grotesque +performance.</p> + +<p>When tired of this, the Medicine Man stopped in the middle of the +apartment, and all at once began using his rattles to the utmost, and +dancing with the vigor of a howling dervish. He accompanied, or rather +added to the racket, by a series of "hooh-hoohs!" which were not loud, +but exceedingly dismal in their effect.</p> + +<p>The sudden turmoil awoke the canine, which raised his head, and +surveying the scene for a moment, rose, as if in disgust, and started to +trot outdoors to escape the annoyance. As he did so, he passed directly +behind the Medicine Man, who, of course, did not see him. At the proper +moment he made a backward leap, struck both legs against the dog, and +then tumbled over him on his back, with his heels pointing toward the +roof. The angered pup, with a yelp of pain and rage, turned about, +inserted his teeth in the most favorable part of the body, and then +limped out of the wigwam with a few more cries, expressive of his +feelings. The Medicine Man gave one frenzied kick and screech as the +teeth of the canine sank into his flesh, and, scrambling to his feet, +dashed out of the lodge with no thought of the dignity belonging to his +exalted character.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton rolled over on his back and laughed till the tears ran +down his cheeks and he could scarcely breathe. It was the funniest scene +on which he had ever looked, and the reaction, following his long mental +depression, shook him from head to foot with mirth, as he had never been +shaken before. He could not have restrained himself had his life been at +stake. After awhile, he would rub the tears from his eyes, and break +forth again, until, absolutely, he could laugh no more.</p> + +<p>Laughter is one of the best tonics in the world, and that which +convulsed Jack Carleton was the very medicine he needed. Though still +weak, he felt so well that he could not have felt better.</p> + +<p>"I've no business here," he exclaimed, coming sharply to the upright +position and running his fingers through his hair in a business-like +fashion; "every nerve in my body is just yearning for the cool breath of +the woods, and I feel as though I could run and tumble over the +mountains all day and feel the better for it. But I must keep it up till +the way opens."</p> + +<p>After thinking over the matter, he decided to venture outside. Rising to +his feet, he walked briskly to the door, pulled the skin aside and +passed out, immediately assuming the manner and style of a boy who was +barely able to walk and then only with the greatest pain.</p> + +<p>He expected a crowd would instantly gather around him, but he actually +limped all the way to the spring without attracting any special +attention. It was inevitable that a number should see him, and two +youngsters called out something, but he made no response and they +forebore to molest him further.</p> + +<p>"If I should meet that chap that has found out he can't wrestle as well +as he thought he could, he will hardly be able to keep his hands off me. +Maybe he would find he had made another mistake, and maybe it would be I +who was off my reckoning. However, I've my knife with me, and I will use +that on him if there is any need of it, but I hope there won't be."</p> + +<p>The water tasted deliciously cool and pure, and he bathed his hands and +face again and again in it. He longed to take a plunge into the river, +but that would have been impolitic, and he restrained the yearning until +a more convenient season should offer.</p> + +<p>Jack finally turned about and began plodding homeward, his eyes and +ears open for all that could be seen and heard. It was a clear warm day, +and the village was unusually quiet. Some of the squaws were working +with their primitive hoes, the children were frolicking along the edge +of the wood, where the shade protected them from the sun, and the +warriors were lolling within the tepees or among the trees. More than +likely the major part of the large boys were hunting or fishing.</p> + +<p>Sure enough, Jack was still beyond the limits of the village, when he +saw his old antagonist walking toward him. The Indian lad was alone, but +several squaws and warriors were watching his movements, as though he +had promised them some lively proceedings. Jack noticed that his nose +had assumed its normal proportions, from which he concluded that more +time than was actually the case had elapsed since he himself was +prostrated by illness. The pugnacious youth advanced in his wary +fashion, gradually slackening his gait until nearly opposite the pale +face, who felt that the exigencies of the situation demanded he should +brace up so as to impress the youth with the peril of attacking him.</p> + +<p>While several paces separated the two, the Indian came to a halt, as if +waiting for the other. It would not do to show any timidity, and, +without changing in the least his pace, the pale faced youth partly drew +his knife from his girdle and muttered with a savage scowl:</p> + +<p>"I'm ready for you, young man!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>OUT IN THE WORLD.</h3> + + +<p>It cannot be doubted that the Indian youth intended to make an assault +on Jack Carleton. He must have known of his prostrating illness and +concluded that he was a much less dangerous individual than when they +first met; but there was something in the flash of the captive's eye and +a meaning in the act of drawing his knife part way from his girdle, +which caused the young Sauk to hesitate. Evidently he concluded that +much could be said for and against the prudence of opening hostilities.</p> + +<p>Jack strode forward, with his shoulders thrown back and a scowl, as +though he preferred that the youth should make the attack. He kept his +gaze on the savage until some distance beyond him, the latter turning as +if on a pivot and narrowly watching him to the very door of the lodge. +Jack then withdrew his attention and took a survey of matters in front.</p> + +<p>The same quiet which he had noticed a short time before held reign. The +few Indians moving about paid no attention to the lad, with the +exception, perhaps, of one: that was Ogallah, the chieftain who had just +noticed him on his return from the spring. The noble head of the band +was lolling in the shade of one of the wigwams, discussing affairs of +state with one of his cabinet, when he observed the youth. Summoning all +his latent energy, he rose to his feet and strolled in the direction of +his own home. The moment Jack saw him, he assumed the most woe-begone +appearance it was possible to wear. The defiant attitude and manner, +which were a challenge of themselves, vanished: the shoulders drooped +forward: the step became slouchy and uncertain, and the poor fellow +looked as if about to sink to the ground in a final collapse.</p> + +<p>Pretending not to see the sachem, Jack feebly drew the bison skin aside +and pitched into the lodge. Glancing around, he found he was alone, +whereupon he strode straight across the space, lay back on his couch, +and kicked up his heels like a crowing infant.</p> + +<p>"I must work off some of this steam or I shall burst," he said to +himself, rolling and tumbling about in the very abandon of rapid +convalescence: "It's hard work for me to play sick, but it must be done +for the big prize that is at stake."</p> + +<p>He kept close watch on the entrance, and, when a hand suddenly drew the +skin aside and the bent figure of the chieftain came through and +straightened up within the lodge, young Carleton had the appearance of a +person whose sands of life were nearly run out.</p> + +<p>Ogallah walked forward and examined him closely. He saw a youth who was +unquestionably a "pale face," staring vacantly at him for a few seconds, +and who then rolled on his face with a groan that must have been heard +some distance beyond the lodge. Restless flingings of the limbs +followed, and, when the sachem turned away, he must have concluded that +it would never be his privilege to adopt the young gentleman into his +family.</p> + +<p>Toward night the squaw and dog appeared and the domestic economy of the +aboriginal residence went on as before. When a piece of cooked meat was +brought to Jack, he devoured it with a ferocity which threatened +incurable dyspepsia, and he swallowed a goodly draught of water freshly +brought from the spring.</p> + +<p>Recalling the mistake he made while on the journey through the woods to +the village, Jack Carleton resolved he would not fail through any +similar forgetfulness. He fell asleep at that time on account of his +exhaustion, but now the case was different: he had had enough slumber to +last two days, while his brain was so clear and full of the scheme that +it was impossible for him to rest until after it had been tested.</p> + +<p>Nothing is more weary than the waiting which one has to undergo when +placed in his position. The hours drag by with scarcely moving +footsteps, and before the turn of night comes, one is apt to believe the +break of day is at hand. From his couch, Jack furtively watched how +things went, which was much the same as he had seen before.</p> + +<p>The pup ate until they would give him no more and then stretched out at +the feet of the squaw, who, having finished her meal, lit her pipe and +puffed away with the dull animal enjoyment natural to her race. The +chief himself led in that respect, and the two kept it up, as it seemed +to Jack, doubly as long as ever before. At last they lay down and +slept.</p> + +<p>The captive had noted where his rifle was placed. It leaned against the +side of the lodge where it had stood every time he saw it, so that, if +he could steal out of the place in the night without arousing the +inmates, it would be easy for him to take the gun with him.</p> + +<p>The fire flickered and burned up, then sank, flared up again, and at +last went into a steady decline, which left the room filled with a dull +glow that would have failed to identify the objects in sight had not the +boy been familiar with their appearance.</p> + +<p>When convinced that the two were sound asleep, Jack repeated the prayer +that had trembled so many times on his lips, rose as silently as a +shadow, and began moving across the lodge on tip-toes to where his +invaluable rifle leaned. Lightly would that warrior have need to sleep +to be aroused by such faint footfalls.</p> + +<p>The boy had not yet reached his weapon, when he was almost transfixed by +the vivid recollection of the attempt he made to get away when on the +journey to the village. He believed his liberty was secured, when he +suddenly awoke to the fact that Ogallah and his warriors were trifling +with him.</p> + +<p>Could it be the chief had read in the captive's face the evidence of his +intention?</p> + +<p>This was the question which for the moment held life in suspense, while +Jack Carleton stood in the middle of the dimly lit wigwam and gazed +doubtingly toward the figures near the smoldering fire.</p> + +<p>"Likely enough he is only pretending he's asleep, and, just as I am sure +the way is clear, he will spring to his feet and grab me."</p> + +<p>It was a startling thought indeed, and there were a few moments when the +lad was actually unable to stir; but he quickly rallied and smiled at +his own fears.</p> + +<p>"If I once get my gun in hand, he won't be able to stop me——"</p> + +<p>He was reaching forward to grasp it, when one of the embers fell apart, +and a yellow twist of flame filled the apartment with a glow which +revealed everything. Jack stopped with a faint gasp and turned his head, +sure that the chief was on the point of leaping upon him; but he was as +motionless as a log, and the hand of the boy was upraised again as he +took another stealthy step forward. A half step more, and his fingers +closed around the barrel. The touch of the cold iron sent a thrill +through him, for it was like the palpable hand of Hope itself.</p> + +<p>The powder horn lay on the ground beside the weapon, the Indian having +made no use of either since they came into his possession. The string +was quickly flung over the shoulder of the boy, who then began moving in +the same guarded fashion toward the door, throwing furtive glances over +his shoulder at the king and queen, who did not dream of what was going +on in their palace.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton "crossed the Rubicon" when he lifted the rifle and powder +horn from the ground. Had he been checked previous to that he would have +turned back to his couch, and made the pretense that what he did was the +result of a delirium. But with the possession of his weapon came a +self-confidence that would permit no obstruction to divert him from his +purpose. He would not have fired on the chief or his squaw (except to +save his own life), for that would have been unpardonable cruelty, but +he would have made a dash into the outer air, where he was sure of +eluding his pursuers, so long as the night lasted.</p> + +<p>But the slumber of the couple was genuine. They did not stir or do +anything except to breathe in their sonorous fashion. Jack took hold of +the bison skin to draw it aside, when he found the door was locked. It +was an easy matter, however, to unfasten it, and a single step placed +him outside the wigwam.</p> + +<p>Instead of hurrying away, as his impatience prompted him to do, the +youth stood several minutes surveying the scene around him. The Sauk +village was asleep, and the scrutiny which he made of the collection of +wigwams failed to show a single star-like twinkle of light. The night +was clear, and a gibbous moon was high in the sky. Patches of clouds +drifted in front of the orb, and fantastic shadows whisked across the +clearing and over the wigwams and trees. The dwellings of the Indians +looked unsightly and misshapen in the shifting light, and Jack felt as +though he were gazing upon a village of the dead.</p> + +<p>Turning to the southward, he faced the narrow, winding river. From the +front of the chieftain's lodge, he caught the glimmer of its surface +and the murmur of its flow, as it swept by in the gloom on its way to +the distant Gulf. A soft roaring sound, such as we notice when a +sea-shell is held to the ear crept through the solitude like the voice +of silence itself.</p> + +<p>Jack was impressed by the scene, but when he saw a shadowy figure flit +between two of the wigwams, and was certain he heard a movement in the +lodge behind him, he hastily concluded it was the time for action and +not meditation. With a start that might have betrayed him, he quickly +left his position and hastened away.</p> + +<p>It was natural that the many hours devoted by Jack during his +convalescence, to forming his plan of procedure, should have fixed the +plan he meant to follow. Thus it was that the few minutes spent in front +of the chieftain's lodge were not occupied in debating the proper course +to take, and, when he once made a start, he went straight ahead without +turning to the right or left.</p> + +<p>The reader will readily see how great were the advantages on the side of +the fugitive. He was certain of a fair start, which ought to have made +his position absolutely safe, for if the American Indian is +phenomenally skillful in following the trail of an enemy through the +wilderness, that enemy, if he suspects such pursuit, ought to be able to +throw him irrecoverably from the scent.</p> + +<p>Furthermore, it is scarcely conceivable that the trail of Jack Carleton +could be taken at the door of Ogallah's wigwam and followed as the +warriors trailed a fugitive through the woods; for the ground whereon he +walked had been tramped hard by multitudinous feet, and the faint +impressions of the boy's shoes could not be individualized among the +thousand footprints. It was far different from fleeing from a camp in +the woods, where his trail crossed and was interfered with by no other, +and where the slightest depression or overturning of the leaves was like +the impression on the dusty highway.</p> + +<p>The fugitive's first intention was to take to the woods, and guiding his +course by the moon and sun, travel with all the speed and push at his +command. Fortunately he was enabled to see that such a course was almost +certain to bring disaster. Instead of doing that, he went directly to +the river side, where he had seen the Indians frolicking in the water, +and he himself had so often sighed for the same delicious privilege.</p> + +<p>There were five canoes partly drawn up the bank and waiting the will of +their owner. They were made of bark with curved ends, fantastically +painted, and each was capable of carrying, at least, six or eight +able-bodied warriors. They were so light that the lad found no trouble +in shoving the first clear of the shore, and sending it skimming out +into the stream. As it slackened its pace, it turned part way round, +like a bewildered swan, as if uncertain which way to go. Then it sailed +triangularly down current, much after the manner of Ogallah's dog when +on a trot.</p> + +<p>It was not more than fairly under way, when the second glided out after +it, then the third, the fourth and finally the fifth and last. This +contained Jack Carleton who took the long ashen paddle in hand and began +plying it with considerable skill. He was paying less attention to his +own progress than to the manipulation of the other canoes, which he had +set free for a special purpose.</p> + +<p>He kept the five in the middle of the current until a fourth of a mile +was passed. Then he gave one such a violent push that it ran its snout +against the bank and stuck fast. Some distance down stream he repeated +the man[oe]uvre with the second boat against the opposite shore, +continuing the curious proceeding until he was alone in the single +canoe, floating down stream.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>JOURNEYING EASTWARD.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Carleton reasoned in this wise:</p> + +<p>In the morning Ogallah would notice his absence from the lodge and would +make immediate search for him. He would quickly learn that the entire +navy of his nation had vanished as completely as has our own, and the +conclusion would be warranted that it had either run away with the pale +face or the pale face had run away with the navy: at any rate they had +gone off in company and the hunt would begin.</p> + +<p>A quarter of a mile down stream, the first installment of the fleet +would be found stranded on the southern shore, as though it was used to +set the fashion followed by our country a century later. The conclusion +would be formed that the audacious fugitive had landed at that point and +plunged into the interior; but a brief examination would show the Sauks +their mistake and they would rush on along the banks until the second +craft was discovered, when the same disappointment would follow.</p> + +<p>This would continue until every one of the five canoes had been found +and examined. Inasmuch as the fifth contained Jack himself, it will be +seen that more care was required in his case; but the programme had been +laid out to its minutest details while the enemy was a guest in the +lodge of the king.</p> + +<p>After the fourth canoe had been stuck against the bank, the number lying +on alternate sides, Jack removed his clothing and letting himself over +the stern, plunged into the cool, refreshing current, where he dove, +frolicked, sported, and enjoyed himself to the full—his happiness such +that he could hardly refrain from shouting for very joy. He kept this up +as long as prudent, when he clambered into the boat again, donned his +clothing, floated a short distance further, and shot the craft into land +with a force that held it fast.</p> + +<p>A brief calculation will show that the boy had gone something more than +a mile from the Indian village, and he had secured what may well be +termed a winning lead; but much still remained to be done. He was now +about to leave the element where even the trained bloodhound would be at +fault, and step upon the land, where the keen eye of the Sauk warrior +would follow his footprints with the surety of fate itself. Hence it +depended on his covering up the tell-tale trail, unless chance, against +which no one can guard, should direct his pursuers to it.</p> + +<p>Both shores of the stream were covered with forest which grew to the +edge of the water. In some places there was undergrowth which overhung +the river, but it was not very plentiful. The position of the moon in +the sky was such that most of the time the middle of the stream +reflected its light, while the shores were in shadow. These looked +indescribably gloomy, and but for bounding spirits which set the whole +being of the lad aglow, he would have been oppressed to an unbearable +degree. The course of the river for the first mile was remarkably +straight, but it made a sweeping bend just before Jack ran his canoe +into shore. His aim now was to quit the water without leaving any +tell-tale traces behind. If he stepped ashore and walked away never so +carefully, he would fail to do what was absolutely necessary. He +believed he accomplished his purpose, by running the boat under some +overhanging undergrowth, where he laboriously pulled it up the bank, +until it could not be seen by any one passing up or down stream, and +could be found by no one moving along the shore itself, unless he paused +and made search at the exact spot. The probability of any Indian doing +such a thing, it will be conceded, was as unlikely as it could be.</p> + +<p>But, on the other hand, the first step the fugitive took would leave an +impression which would tell the whole story, and it now depended on the +manner in which he overcame that special danger. Carefully sounding the +water, Jack found it was quite shallow close to land. He therefore waded +a full hundred yards from the canoe before leaving the stream, and then, +with his clothing saturated to his knees, he stepped ashore, took a +score of long careful steps straight away, and his flight, it may be +said, was fairly begun.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I have done so much after all," said he, when he had +reached a point a hundred yards from the stream, "for some one of the +Indians may strike my trail before sunrise to-morrow morning; but I have +done all I can at the start, and if I can have a few miles the lead, +it'll be no fun for them to overtake me."</p> + +<p>There was no reason why such an advantage should not be secured, for, +although the moon was of no help to him in determining his course, he +had studied the whole thing so carefully while lying in the lodge of the +chieftain Ogallah, that he was as sure of the direction as if he held a +mariner's compass in his hand.</p> + +<p>Jack, it will be borne in mind was in the southern portion of the +present State of Missouri, the frontier settlement of Martinsville lying +at no great distance westward from Kentucky, and north of the boundary +line of Arkansas, as it has existed since the formation of that +Territory and State. The Sauk party of Indians who made him captive had +pursued an almost westerly direction, taking him well toward the Ozark +region, if not actually within that mountainous section. It followed, +therefore, that he should pursue the easterly course, for the stream +along which he had been borne, had carried him almost due north, and it +was not necessary for him to diverge in order to leave it well behind.</p> + +<p>The fugitive lost no time, but pushed through the wood as fast as he +could. It was hard to restrain his desire to break into a run, but he +did so, for nothing could have been gained and much was likely to be +lost by such a course. Despite the bright moon overhead, few of its rays +found their way through the dense vegetation and foliage. Though he +encountered little undergrowth, yet he was compelled to use his hands as +well as his eyes in order to escape painful accidents.</p> + +<p>The hours of darkness were valuable to Jack, yet he longed for daylight. +He wanted to be able to see where he was going, and to use what little +woodcraft he possessed. So long as he was obliged to keep one hand +extended in front in order to save his face and neck, he could adopt no +precautions to hide his footprints from the prying eyes of his enemies. +He knew he was leaving a trail which was as easy for his enemies to +follow, as though he walked in the yielding sand. Much as he regretted +the fact, it could not be helped so long as the darkness lasted, and he +wasted no efforts in the attempt to do so. It would be far otherwise +when he should have daylight to help him.</p> + +<p>Fortunately perhaps, he had not long to wait. He had not gone far when +he observed the increasing light which speedily announced the rising of +the sun; but he was shocked to find that despite his care and previous +experience in tramping through the wilderness, he had got much off his +course. Instead of the orb appearing directly in front of him, as he +expected it to do, it rose on his right hand, showing that instead of +pursuing an easterly course he was going north—a direction which took +him very little nearer his home than if he traveled directly opposite.</p> + +<p>As may be supposed, Jack had no sooner learned his mistake than he faced +about and corrected it.</p> + +<p>"I've got my bearings now," he muttered confidently, "and I know too +much about this business to drift off again. Hurrah!"</p> + +<p>He could not deny himself the luxury of one shout and the toss of his +cap in the air. This completed, he strode forward with more dignified +step, and settled down to work, after the manner of a sensible youth who +appreciates the task before him. He calculated that he was two or three +miles from the Indian village, much closer than was comfortable, and he +could not stop to eat or rest until it should be increased. He felt that +this day was to be the decisive one. If he could keep beyond the reach +of his pursuers until the setting of the sun, he would throw them off +his trail so effectively that they could never recover it.</p> + +<p>"And why shouldn't I do it?" he asked, confidently: "Deerfoot taught me +how to hide my tracks, and I never can have a better chance than now, +where everything is in my favor."</p> + +<p>He alluded to the number of streams, the rocky and diversified surface +and the general rugged character of the country through which his +journey was leading him.</p> + +<p>In such a region there must be numerous opportunities for covering his +trail from the penetrating glance of those who had spent their lives in +studying the ways of the woods. The stealthy tread of the shoe or +moccasin over the flinty rock left no impression, but it was hardly +possible to find enough of such surface to prove of value; but when he +caught the gleam of water through the trees, his heart gave a leap of +pleasure.</p> + +<p>"<i>This</i> is what I wanted," he exclaimed, coming to a halt on the bank of +a rapidly flowing creek, some fifty feet wide: "here is something that +will wipe out a fellow's trail."</p> + +<p>The current was fairly clear and rapid. It was evidently deep, and it +seemed to the lad that it was the compression of a considerably wider +stream into a space that added velocity to its flow. Its general course, +so far as he could learn, was eastwardly, and was therefore favorable to +him.</p> + +<p>There was but the one way of utilizing the creek, and that was by +floating over its surface. Jack could have strapped his gun to his back +and swum a considerable distance, but that would have been a useless +exertion attended by many discomforts. His purpose was to build a raft +or float which would allow the current to carry him for a mile or so, +when he could land and continue his journey.</p> + +<p>Better fortune than he anticipated awaited him. While moving along the +shore in search of logs and decayed wood from which to construct his +float, he was astonished to run plump upon an Indian canoe, which was +drawn up the bank beyond the probability of discovery.</p> + +<p>"Well, now that <i>is</i> lucky!" exclaimed the gratified lad, who quickly +added the saving clause, "that is, I <i>hope</i> it is, though where you +find canoes, it is best to suspect Indians."</p> + +<p>He looked for them, but no sign greeted eye or ear. He supposed the boat +belonged to the tribe which he had left the night before, though it was +somewhat singular that it should have been moored such a distance from +home. Possibly this was a much used ferry where something of the kind +was found convenient.</p> + +<p>Nothing was to be gained by speculating about the ownership of the +craft, but the part of wisdom was to make use of the means that was so +fortunately placed within his reach. Without any delay, therefore, he +shoved the frail structure into the water, leaping into it as it shot +from shore. No paddle could be found on or about the vessel, and he used +his rifle for the implement, as he had done more than once before. +Holding it by the barrel, he swung the stock through the current and +found it served his purpose well. A slight force is sufficient to propel +an Indian canoe through or over the water, and the task was easy enough +for Jack Carleton.</p> + +<p>"It may be this boat belongs to some other Indians who do not live very +far off, and if they should come down and find me sailing away with it, +I don't know what would follow."</p> + +<p>However, the opportunity was the very one he was anxious to secure, and +he was too wise to allow any fancy that might cross his mind to frighten +him from turning it to the best account. Guiding the canoe to the middle +of the creek, he faced down current, and used his improvised paddle with +all the skill and strength at his command. The stream, as I have said, +ran rapidly, so that with his exertions he made good progress.</p> + +<p>He was struck with the similarity of the shores to those of the larger +stream which ran by the Indian village. The wood was dense, and at +intervals was so exuberant that it looked difficult for a rabbit to +penetrate. Then came long spaces where the forest was so open that he +could look far into its depths. The course of the creek was so winding +that he could see only a short distance ahead, and several times his own +momentum carried him close into land before he could accommodate himself +to the abrupt curve around which he shot with no inconsiderable speed.</p> + +<p>There remained the comforting thought that every minute thus occupied +was taking him further from his captors, who were without the means of +following his trail; but at the very moment when Jack was felicitating +himself on the fact, he was startled by a most alarming discovery.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>A MISCALCULATION.</h3> + + +<p>The youth had stopped paddling for a few minutes' rest, when he observed +that he was close upon a broad clearing which came close to the water's +edge. He had scarcely time to notice that much when he saw several large +conical objects, and before he knew it, he was floating in front of an +Indian village, numbering some twelve or fifteen wigwams. Squaws, +children, and even warriors were lolling about very much as in the Sauk +village, from which he had fled only a short time before.</p> + +<p>It fairly took away the breath of Jack. In all his fancies he had not +once thought of anything like this, or he would have avoided running +into what promised to prove a fatal trap.</p> + +<p>"My gracious!" he gasped, "this is a little too much of a good thing; +it'll never do at all."</p> + +<p>The settlement was on the right hand bank of the stream, which just +there had a northerly course. It was, therefore, on the shore where the +fugitive desired to land. Dipping his improvised paddle, he drove the +boat ahead with all the power he could command, and drew a breath of +partial relief, when another sweeping curve shut him from sight.</p> + +<p>It was apparent that the Indians failed to grasp the situation in its +entirety. They were accustomed to see white men hunting and trapping in +that region, and they may have felt no wish to molest one of their +number, though tempted so to do by his unprotected situation. At any +rate, they stared at the canoe without offering to disturb its occupant. +The black-eyed youngsters gaped wonderingly, and Jack saw several point +in his direction, while they doubtless indulged in observations +concerning him.</p> + +<p>But it need not be said that he was frightened almost out of his wits, +and filled with self-disgust that he should have gone blindly into a +peril against which a child ought to have mounted guard. The moment he +felt he was out of sight of the redmen, who showed far less curiosity +than he expected, he sprang ashore and shoved the canoe back into the +current, which speedily carried it out of sight. Having landed, Jack +hastened among the trees at the fastest gait possible. He was close to +the village, although beyond sight. Glancing over his shoulder he +expected every minute to see some of the dusky warriors, and to hear +their whoops as they broke in pursuit.</p> + +<p>It must have been that this particular Indian village felt little if any +interest in the white youth who paddled in front of their door, for not +one of the number made a move by way of pursuit.</p> + +<p>When Jack had pushed through the wilderness for a couple of miles he +formed the same conclusion, and dropped to a deliberate walk. The face +of the country was rocky and broken, and he was confident that in many +places he had left no trail at all. But, with that conviction came two +others: he not only was tired but was excessively hungry. He had caught +sight of game more than once while on the march, as it may be called, +but refrained from firing through fear that the report of his gun would +guide others who were hunting for him. At the same time he had twice +heard the discharge of rifles at widely separated points. Probably they +were fired by Indians on the hunt, or possibly some of the trappers of +that section had not yet started on their long journey to St. Louis. At +any rate when the sun had passed the meridian and the afternoon was well +advanced, he made up his mind that he would take the first chance to +secure food, no matter in what shape it presented itself.</p> + +<p>He smiled to himself, when within the succeeding ten minutes he caught +sight of a young deer among the trees less than one hundred feet in +advance. It bounded off affrighted by the figure of the youth, who, +however, was so nigh that he brought it to the ground without +difficulty.</p> + +<p>When he ran forward to dress it, he was surprised to find it had fallen +within a rod of a ravine fifty feet deep.</p> + +<p>This ravine, which had evidently been a cañon or ancient bed of some +mountain stream, was twenty yards or more in width, the rocky walls +being covered with a mass of luxuriant, creeping vines, through which +the gray of the rocks could be seen only at widely separated intervals. +The bottom was piled up with the luxuriant vegetable growth of a soil +surcharged with richness.</p> + +<p>Jack Carleton took only time enough to comprehend these points when he +set to work kindling a fire against the trunk of a tree which grew close +to the ravine. When that was fairly going, he cut the choicest slices +from his game, and it was speedily broiled over the blaze. There was no +water, so far as he knew, closer than the creek, but he did not +specially miss it. Seasoned by his keen hunger, the venison was the very +acme of deliciousness, and he ate until he craved no more.</p> + +<p>Then as he sat down on the leaves with his back to the tree opposite the +blaze, he probably felt as comfortable as one in his situation could +feel. He had pushed his strength almost to a dangerous verge, when rest +became a luxury, and as he leaned against the shaggy bark behind him, it +seemed as though he could sit thus for many hours without wishing to +stir a limb.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," he said to himself in a drowsy tone, "that I ought to keep +on the tramp until night, when I can crawl in behind some log and sleep +till morning. It may be that one or two of the warriors from that last +village are on my trail, but it don't look like it, and a fellow can't +tramp forever without rest. I'll stop here for an hour or two, and then +go ahead until dark. There's one thing certain,—I've thrown Ogallah and +his friends so far off my track that they'll never be able to find it +again."</p> + +<p>If any conclusion could be warranted, it would seem that this was of +that nature, and yet by an extraordinary chain of circumstances the very +danger which was supposed to have ended, was the one which came upon the +fugitive.</p> + +<p>As he had anticipated, the method of his flight was discovered very +early the succeeding morning, and many of the warriors and large boys +started in pursuit. The hunt was pressed with a promptness and skill +scarcely conceivable. It was inevitable that they should be puzzled by +the singular proceeding with the canoes, and the pursuers became +scattered, each intent on following out his own theory, as is the case +with a party of detectives in these later days. The last boat was not +found, but the identical youth who had fared so ill at the hands of +Jack, came upon his trail where it left the river. His black eyes glowed +with anticipated revenge, which is one of the most blissful emotions +that can stir the heart of the American Indian.</p> + +<p>The young Sauk might have brought a half dozen older warriors around him +by uttering a simple signal, but nothing could have induced him to do +so. He had his gun, knife, and tomahawk,—all the weapons he could carry +and all that were possibly needed. He had learned long before to trail +his people through the labyrinthine forest, and in a year more he +expected to go upon his first war trail. He hated with an +inextinguishable hatred the pale face who had overthrown him in the +wrestling bout and then had struck him a blow in the face, which, +figuratively speaking, compelled him to carry his nose for several days +in a sling. Ogallah had protected the sick pale face from molestation, +but now the chief was the most eager for his death.</p> + +<p>The fugitive evidently believed he was safe against all pursuit, and it +would therefore be the easier to surprise him. What greater feat could +the young Sauk perform than to follow and secretly slay the detested +lad? What a triumph it would be to return to the village with his scalp +dangling at his girdle!</p> + +<p>Holding his peace (though it was hard to keep down the shout of joy that +rose to his lips), he bounded away like a bloodhound in pursuit.</p> + +<p>Despite the precautions taken by Jack Carleton, the pursuer found +little trouble in keeping to his trail, until it abruptly terminated on +the bank of the creek, where advantage had been taken of the canoe. +There he paused for a time at a loss what to do.</p> + +<p>Of course he knew of the Indian village at no great distance down stream +and on the other side. Familiar as he was with the creek, he kept on +until he reached a place where it broadened and was so shallow that he +waded over without trouble. The red men whom he visited were friendly +with the offshoot of the Sauk tribe, so that no risk was run in going +among them. When he did so, as a matter of course, he gained the very +information he was seeking; the canoe with the fugitive in it went by +the village early in the morning. The pursuer declined the offer of help +and went on alone. He was hardly outside the village when he struck the +trail again, and, knowing he was at no great distance from the youth, he +followed with a vigor and persistency that would not be denied.</p> + +<p>But during most of the time he was thus employed, Jack Carleton was +similarly engaged, and, despite the energy of the young Sauk, the hours +slipped by without bringing him a sight of the pale face, whose scalp he +meant to bring back suspended to his girdle. The fugitive had about +recovered his usual health, and he improved the time while it was his. +Had he pushed forward until nightfall before halting for food or rest, +he never would have been overtaken.</p> + +<p>But the signs showed the dusky youth that he was close upon the +unsuspicious pale face, and he strode along with the care and skill of a +veteran warrior. Finally his trained senses detected the smell of +burning wood, and a moment later he caught sight of the camp-fire of +Jack Carleton. The Indian stopped, and after some reconnoitering, +concluded he could gain a better view from the other side the camp. With +incredible pains he moved around to that side and was gratified by a +success which glowed in his swarthy countenance and through his +well-knit frame.</p> + +<p>He saw the pale face sitting on the ground, with his back against a +tree, his mouth open, and his eyes closed. His gun rested on the ground +beside him, and the wearied fugitive was asleep, and as helpless as an +infant.</p> + +<p>The Sauk had only to raise his gun, take a quick aim, and shoot him +dead, before he awoke or learned his danger. He could leap upon and +finish him with his knife, but that would involve some risk to himself. +He decided to drive his tomahawk into the skull of his victim, and to +scalp him immediately after.</p> + +<p>As the first step toward doing so, he leaned his rifle against the +nearest tree, so as to leave his arms free, and then, without any more +ado, grasped the handle of his tomahawk and poised himself with the +purpose of hurling it with resistless force and unerring aim. He was not +twenty feet distant from Jack; but while in the very act of raising the +missile above his head, his arm was struck a side blow so violent as +almost to break the bone. The tomahawk flew from his grasp to the earth, +and in a twinkling some one caught him around the waist, lifted him +clear of the ground, ran rapidly the few paces necessary, and flung him +over the rocks into the ravine!</p> + +<p>The Sauk struggled desperately to save himself, but he could not check, +though he retarded his descent. He landed with a force that knocked the +breath from him, but the abundance of vines and vegetable growth saved +his life. After a time he slowly gathered himself together, and seeing +nothing of the enemy who had handled him so ruthlessly, he slowly +climbed to his feet and began picking his way out of the ravine.</p> + +<p>He was compelled to walk a long distance before reaching a place where +he was able to clamber to the level ground above. When at last he +managed to do so, he sat down on a fallen tree to rest and indulge in a +retrospective survey.</p> + +<p>His rifle and tomahawk were irrecoverably gone, and nothing would have +induced him to go back to look for them. If his right arm was not +broken, it was so injured and lamed that a long time must elapse before +he could use it, and altogether his enterprise could only be regarded as +a disastrous failure.</p> + +<p>"It was an Indian that struck the tomahawk from my grasp," reflected the +victimized Sauk; "he was a terrible warrior!"</p> + +<p>The youth was right in each respect, for the name of the Indian who made +such short work with him was Deerfoot the Shawanoe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>CONCLUSION.</h3> + + +<p>Jack Carleton was in the middle of a pleasant dream of home and friends, +when a light touch on his shoulder caused him to open his eyes and look +up with a quick, inquiring glance.</p> + +<p>"Helloa! Deerfoot, is that you?" he exclaimed, springing to his feet and +grasping the hand of his old friend, on whose handsome features lingered +the shadowy smile which told of the pleasure he felt in finding his +beloved friend after such a long search.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot is glad to take the hand of his brother and press it; he has +hunted a good while for him and his heart was sad that he did not find +him."</p> + +<p>"How, in the name of conscience, did you ever find me at all?" demanded +Jack, who slapped him on his back, pinched his arm, and treated him +with a familiarity which few dared show toward him.</p> + +<p>"I've had a very curious time, I can tell you, old fellow—helloa! where +did that gun come from, and that tomahawk?" exclaimed the wondering +youth, catching sight of the weapons.</p> + +<p>"'Twill be well if my brother does not stay here," replied the young +Shawanoe, who, while he felt no particular fear of the Sauk whom he had +flung into the ravine, saw the possibility of his procuring friends and +coming back to revenge himself. Prudence suggested that the two should +secure themselves against such peril. Deerfoot, therefore, picked up the +tomahawk, shoved it into the girdle around his waist, grasped the rifle +in his right hand, and strode forward with his free, easy, swinging +gait. As there was no call for special caution, he told the story of his +encounter with the young Sauk who had raised his tomahawk to brain his +sleeping friend. Deerfoot's first intention was to drive an arrow +through his body, but he chose the method already described of +frustrating his purpose.</p> + +<p>To make his story complete, it was necessary for the young Shawanoe to +begin with his visit to Jack's mother, and to describe the mental agony +of the good parent over the unaccountable absence of her boy. Then he +told of his meeting with the Sauk warrior, Hay-uta, who made such a +determined effort to take his life. From him he learned that a white +youth was a captive in the village, and he concluded, as a matter of +course, that there were to be found both Jack and Otto, though no +reference was made to the latter. The sagacious Shawanoe, however, +discovered an important fact or two which I did not refer to in telling +the incident. The first was that Hay-uta was one of the five Sauks who +separated from the other five directly after the capture of the boys. +With his company was Otto Relstaub, the Dutch youth, while Jack Carleton +was with the other. Hay-uta and his friends were on their way to the +village, and were almost within sight of it, when Hay-uta felt such +dissatisfaction over their failure to bring back any scalps or plunder, +that he drew off and declared he would not go home until he secured some +prize of that nature. His encounter with Deerfoot followed. When he left +the latter he went straight to his village. Deerfoot could have trailed +him without trouble, but, inasmuch as the Sauk had departed in that +manner, and the Shawanoe knew where his village lay, he purposely +avoided his trail, and followed a course that diverged so far to the +right that he first reached the village passed by Jack in his canoe. His +arrival, as sometimes happens in this life, was in the very nick of +time. From the red men, who showed a friendly disposition toward him, he +learned that not only had a pale face youth passed down the stream in a +canoe, but a young warrior aflame with passion was close behind him.</p> + +<p>The wise Deerfoot was quick to grasp the situation, and he set out +hot-footed after the aforesaid flaming young warrior, and followed him +with such celerity that he came in sight of him long before the Sauk +arrived at the camp-fire. Little did the furious young Sauk dream, while +panting with anticipated revenge, and aglow with exultation, that one of +his own race was close upon his heels, ready to launch his deadly arrow +at any moment, and only waiting to decide in what manner the Sauk should +be "eliminated" from the whole business.</p> + +<p>Seated around the camp fire late that night, the two friends talked over +the past. Jack gave full particulars of what befell him since his +capture by the Indians, up to the hour when Deerfoot joined him. The +young Shawanoe listened with great interest to the story, for it will be +admitted that in many respects it was an extraordinary narrative. He +told Jack that the people with whom he had passed more than a week were +Sauks, under the leadership of the chieftain whose lodge had sheltered +the prisoner during his captivity. The Sauks were a brave, warlike +people, and this offshoot, which had located in that portion of Upper +Louisiana, was among the most daring and vindictive of the tribe. Their +leniency toward Jack was remarkable, and could only be accounted for on +the supposition that Ogallah took a fancy to the youth and meant to +adopt him into his family. It was not at all unlikely that Jack's +suspicion that they were "training" him to figure in a scene of torture +was correct. His escape, therefore, could not have been more opportune.</p> + +<p>Let not the reader accuse the two of indifference, because so little has +been recorded in their conversation, concerning Otto Relstaub, the +companion of both in more than one scene of peril, and held by them in +strongest friendship. They had talked more of him than of any one else, +though Jack's heart was oppressed by a great sorrow when he thought of +his mother and her grief over his continued absence. Jack had asked +Deerfoot over and over again as to his belief concerning their absent +friend, but the Shawanoe, for a long time, evaded a direct answer.</p> + +<p>"I can tell you what <i>I</i> think," said Jack with a compression of his +lips and a shake of his head: "Otto is dead."</p> + +<p>"How did my brother meet his death?" calmly asked Deerfoot.</p> + +<p>"Those five warriors started by another route to the village and they +meant to take him there as they took me. After Hay-uta, as I believe you +call your friend, left, they made up their minds that it wasn't of any +use to bother with poor Otto, and so they tomahawked or shot him."</p> + +<p>Having given his theory, Jack Carleton turned toward the young Shawanoe +for his comment, but he sat looking intently in the fire and remained +silent. Resolved that he should say something on the painful subject, +Jack touched his arm.</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot, do you think I am right?"</p> + +<p>The Indian looked in his face and still mute, nodded his head to signify +he agreed with him.</p> + +<p>"Poor Otto," added Jack with a sigh, "I wonder how his father and mother +will feel when they learn that their boy will never come back."</p> + +<p>"They will mourn because the horse was not found," was the +characteristic remark of Deerfoot.</p> + +<p>"You are right," exclaimed Jack, with a flash of the eye; "if old Jacob +Relstaub could get his horse, I believe he and his wife would go on and +smoke their pipes with as much piggish enjoyment as before, caring +nothing for their only child. How different my mother!" he added in a +softer voice: "she would give her life to save mine, as I would give +mine to keep trouble from her. I say, Deerfoot, Otto and I were a couple +of fools to start out to hunt a horse that had been lost so many days +before and of which we hadn't the slightest trace—don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>The young Shawanoe once more turned and looked in his face with a +mournful expression, and nodded his head with more emphasis than before.</p> + +<p>"I knew you would agree with me," assented Jack, "though, to tell the +truth, I had very little hope myself that we would ever get sight of +the animal, but old Jacob Relstaub really drove Otto out of his house +and compelled him to go off on the wild goose hunt. I couldn't let him +go alone and, with mother's consent, I kept him company."</p> + +<p>"My brother pleased the Great Spirit, and Deerfoot will pray that he +shall ever act so that the Great Spirit will smile on him."</p> + +<p>"I shall most certainly try to do so," said Jack with a resolute shake +of his head: "He has shown me a hundred-fold more mercies than I deserve +and I mean to prove that I have some gratitude in me."</p> + +<p>The conversation went on in this fashion until the evening was far +along, when Jack lay down near the fire, intending to sleep for the rest +of the night. Deerfoot assured him there was no danger and as was his +custom, the young Shawanoe brought forth his Bible to spend an hour or +so in studying its pages. Before he had fixed upon the portion, Jack +Carleton came to the sitting position and, with some excitement in his +manner, said:</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot, I forgot to tell you something: I don't know how it came to +slip my mind."</p> + +<p>The Indian looked in his face and quietly awaited his explanation.</p> + +<p>"One of those Sauks that belonged to Otto's party came into the lodge of +Ogallah when I was there, and I think he tried to tell me something +about Otto, but I couldn't understand his words or gestures."</p> + +<p>"Let my brother show Deerfoot what the movements were," said the other, +manifesting much interest.</p> + +<p>They were so impressed on Jack Carleton that, springing to his feet, he +placed himself in front of Deerfoot and reproduced most of the gestures, +the words, of course, being gone. The Shawanoe fixed his eyes on his +friend, and scrutinized every motion with eager eyes. Suddenly he sprang +up with more feeling than he had shown in a long time. And well might he +do so, for he had translated the sign language, as given to him by Jack +Carleton, and it told a far different story than the one which both had +adopted some time before.</p> + +<p>"Otto is alive," was the startling declaration of Deerfoot.</p> + +<p>"He is!" exclaimed the amazed Jack, "I should like to know who told you +that."</p> + +<p>"That was what the Sauk warrior said to my brother; that was what he +tried to tell him, but my brother did not understand his words."</p> + +<p>"Are you really sure Otto is alive?"</p> + +<p>"Deerfoot cannot be sure of that which his eyes do not behold; but such +were the words of Hay-uta the Sauk; they did not kill Otto."</p> + +<p>"Then where <i>is</i> he?"</p> + +<p>"He is a long ways off; we will hasten to the settlement that the heart +of the mother of my brother shall be lightened. Then Deerfoot will lead +his brother on the hunt for him who is so many miles away toward the +setting sun."</p> + +<p>Within the following three days, Jack Carleton arrived home and was +clasped in the arms of his mother, who rejoiced over his return as +though it had been a very rising from the dead. Deerfoot had conducted +him swiftly through the forest and not a hair of the head of either was +harmed.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The limits of this work having been reached, it will be impossible in +these pages to give an account of what befell Otto Relstaub, after his +capture by the little band of Sauk Indians; but all that, as well as +the eventful hunt for him by Deerfoot the Shawanoe and young Jack +Carleton, shall be fully told in "Footprints in the Forest," which will +form <i>Number Three of the Log Cabin Series</i>.</p> + + + +<h3>THE END.</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Famous_Castlemon_Books" id="Famous_Castlemon_Books"></a>Famous Castlemon Books.</h2> + +<p>No author of the present day has become a greater favorite with boys +than "Harry Castlemon," every book by him is sure to meet with hearty +reception by young readers generally. His naturalness and vivacity leads +his readers from page to page with breathless interest, and when one +volume is finished the fascinated reader, like Oliver Twist, asks "for +more."</p> + + +<h3>By Harry Castlemon.</h3> + + +<h3>GUNBOAT SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Frank the Young Naturalist.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frank in the Woods.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frank on the Prairie.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frank on a Gunboat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frank before Vicksburg.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frank on the Lower Mississippi.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>GO AHEAD SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go Ahead; or, The Fisher Boy's Motto.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No Moss; or, The Career of a Rolling Stone.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tom Newcombe; or, The Boy of Bad Habits.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Frank at Don Carlos' Rancho.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frank among the Rancheros.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frank in the Mountains.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>SPORTSMAN'S CLUB SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Sportsman's Club in the Saddle.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Sportsman's Club Afloat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Sportsman's Club among the Trappers.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>FRANK NELSON SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Snowed up; or, The Sportsman's Club in the Mountains.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frank Nelson in the Forecastle; or, the Sportsman's Club among the Whalers.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Boy Traders; or, The Sportsman's Club among the Boers.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>BOY TRAPPER SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Buried Treasure; or, Old Jordan's "Haunt"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Boy Trapper; or, How Dave filled the Order.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Mail Carrier.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>ROUGHING IT SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">George in Camp; or, Life on the Plains.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">George at the Wheel; or, Life in a Pilot House.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">George at the Fort; or, Life Among the Soldiers.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>ROD AND GUN SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Don Gordon's Shooting Box.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rod and Gun.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Young Wild Fowlers.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Algers_Renowned_Books" id="Algers_Renowned_Books"></a>Alger's Renowned Books.</h2> + + +<p>Horatio Alger, Jr., has attained distinction as one of the most popular +writers of books for boys, and the following list comprises all of his +best books.</p> + +<h3>By Horatio Alger, Jr.</h3> + + +<h3>RAGGED DICK SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fame and Fortune; or, The Progress of Richard Hunter.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mark the Match Boy; or, Richard Hunter's Ward.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rough and Ready; or, Life among the New York Newsboys.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ben the Luggage Boy; or, Among the Wharves.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rufus and Rose; or, The Fortunes of Rough and Ready.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>TATTERED TOM SERIES.<br /> (<span class="smcap">First Series.</span>)</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Tattered Tom; or, The Story of a Street Arab.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Paul the Peddler; or, The Adventures of a Young Street Merchant.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Phil the Fiddler; or, The Young Street Musician.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Slow and Sure; or, From the Sidewalk to the Shop.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>TATTERED TOM SERIES.<br /> (<span class="smcap">Second Series.</span>)</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Julius; or, The Street Boy Out West.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Young Outlaw; or, Adrift in the World.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sam's Chance and How He Improved it.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Telegraph Boy.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.<br /> (<span class="smcap">First Series.</span>)</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Luck and Pluck; or, John Oakley's Inheritance.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sink or Swim; or, Harry Raymond's Resolve.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Strong and Steady; or, Paddle Your Own Canoe.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Strive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.<br /> (<span class="smcap">Second Series.</span>)</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Try and Trust; or, The Story of a Bound Boy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bound to Rise; or, How Harry Walton Rose in the World.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Risen from the Ranks; or, Harry Walton's Success.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Herbert Carter's Legacy; or, The Inventor's Son.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Brave and Bold; or, The Story of a Factory Boy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jack's Ward; or, The Boy Guardian.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shifting for Himself; or, Gilbert Greyson's Fortunes.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wait and Hope; or, Ben Bradford's Motto.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>CAMPAIGN SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Frank's Campaign; or, the Farm and the Camp.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Paul Prescott's Charge.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Charlie Codman's Cruise.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>PACIFIC SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Young Adventurer; or, Tom's Trip Across the Plains.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Young Miner; or, Tom Nelson in California.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Young Explorer; or, Among the Sierras.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ben's Nugget; or, A Boy's Search for Fortune. A Story of the Pacific Coast.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h3>ATLANTIC SERIES</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Young Circus Rider; or, The Mystery of Robert Rudd.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Do and Dare; or, A Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hector's Inheritance; or, Boys of Smith Institute.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="By_C_A_Stephens" id="By_C_A_Stephens"></a>By C. A. Stephens.</h2> + + +<p>Rare books for boys—bright, breezy, wholesome and instructive—full of +adventure and incident, and information upon natural history—they blend +instruction with amusement—contain much useful and valuable information +upon the habits of animals, and plenty of adventure, fun and jollity.</p> + + +<h3>CAMPING OUT SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Camping Out. As recorded by "Kit."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Left on Labrador; or, The Cruise of the Schooner Yacht "Curlew." As recorded by "Wash."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Off to the Geysers; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland. As recorded by "Wade."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lynx Hunting. From Notes by the Author of "Camping Out."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fox Hunting. As recorded by "Raed."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On the Amazon; or, the Cruise of the "Rambler." As recorded by "Wash."<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="By_J_T_Trowbridge" id="By_J_T_Trowbridge"></a>By J. T. Trowbridge.</h2> + + +<p>These stories will rank among the best of Mr. Trowbridge's books for the +young, and he has written some of the best of our juvenile literature.</p> + + +<h3>JACK HAZARD SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jack Hazard and his Fortunes.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A Chance for Himself; or, Jack Hazard and his Treasure.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doing his Best.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fast Friends.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Young Surveyor; or, Jack on the Prairies.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lawrence's Adventures Among the Ice Cutters, Glass Makers, Coal by "Wade."<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="By_Edward_S_Ellis" id="By_Edward_S_Ellis"></a>By Edward S. Ellis.</h2> + + +<p>A New Series of Books for Boys, equal in interest to the "Castlemon" and +"Alger" books. His power of description of Indian life and character is +equal to the best of Cooper.</p> + + +<h3>BOY PIONEER SERIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ned in the Block House; or, Life on the Frontier.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ned in the Woods.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ned on the River.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Camp-fire and Wigwam, by Edward Sylvester Ellis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMP-FIRE AND WIGWAM *** + +***** This file should be named 25966-h.htm or 25966-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/9/6/25966/ + +Produced by Taavi Kalju, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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