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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Miners, by Edward S. Ellis
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
-most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you
-will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
-using this ebook.
-
-Title: The Boy Miners
-       The Enchanted Island, A Tale of the Yellowstone Country
-
-Author: Edward S. Ellis
-
-Release Date: December 05, 2020 [EBook #63868]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-Produced by: David Edwards, Jessica Hope and the Online Distributed
-             Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois
-             University Digital Library Nickels and Dimes Collection)
-
-*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY MINERS ***
-
-
-
-
-  TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
-
-  Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
-
-  Bold text is denoted by =equal signs=.
-
-  Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.
-
-
-
-
-  THE BOY MINERS;
-
-  OR,
-
-  THE ENCHANTED ISLAND
-
-  A TALE OF THE YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY.
-
-
-  BY EDWARD S. ELLIS.
-
-
-  NEW YORK
-  BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,
-  98 WILLIAM STREET.
-
-
-
-
-  Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
-  BEADLE AND ADAMS,
-  in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
-
-
-
-
-CONTENTS.
-
-
-  CHAPTER I. “THERE THEY COME!”
-
-  CHAPTER II.
-
-  CHAPTER III.
-
-  CHAPTER IV.
-
-  CHAPTER V.
-
-  CHAPTER VI.
-
-  CHAPTER VII.
-
-  CHAPTER VIII.
-
-  CHAPTER IX.
-
-  CHAPTER X.
-
-  CHAPTER XI.
-
-  CHAPTER XII.
-
-  CHAPTER XIII.
-
-  CHAPTER XIV.
-
-  CHAPTER XV.
-
-
-
-
-THE BOY MINERS;
-
-OR,
-
-THE ENCHANTED ISLAND.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER I.
-
-“THERE THEY COME!”
-
-
-Young Edwin Inwood leaped down from the small tree in which he had
-been perched for the last half hour, and ran swiftly toward the brook
-where his elder brother, George, and a large negro named Jim Tubbs,
-were waiting, ever and anon raising their heads, and looking towards
-the boy who was acting as sentinel, several hundred yards away, as if
-they were expecting some such an alarm as this.
-
-“Quick! they’ll soon be here!” he added in his terrible excitement.
-
-“How many are there?” inquired George, catching up his shovel at the
-same time with his rifle.
-
-“I shouldn’t wonder if there were twenty. I’m sure I saw a dozen, any
-way.”
-
-“More likely dar’s a tousand!” angrily exclaimed Jim, gathering his
-implements together, preparatory to making a move. “Dis yer’s a
-nonsince--jest as we gits in among de gold, dem Injins has to ’gin
-dar tricks.”
-
-“Hurry, Jim,” admonished the young man, beginning to grow nervous.
-“It won’t do to be caught here.”
-
-“Dey hain’t cotched dis pusson yit, an’ if dey undertooks it,
-somebody’ll git hurt. I can swing dat pick kind o’ loose when I
-makes up my mind to do so. I’s ready--now whar does ye pitch to?”
-
-“Into the cane, of course.”
-
-George Inwood, loaded down with his gun and implements, hurried up
-the channel of the brook, for several hundred feet, and then, making
-a sudden plunge to the right, disappeared as abruptly as if the earth
-had opened and swallowed him. The next moment, his brother Edwin, a
-lad some fifteen years of age--whisked after him, and then Jim came
-lumbering along, somewhat after the manner of an ox, when goaded off
-his usual plodding walk.
-
-“Dis yer’s graceful!” he muttered, not deigning to look behind him to
-see whether the envious aborigines were visible, “I never did like to
-trot, s’pecially when an Ingin was drivin’ me, an’ only does it to
-please de boys.”
-
-“Come, Jim, move faster!” called the voice of George Inwood from some
-subterranean point.
-
-“Yas, yas, I’s dar!”----
-
-Further exclamation was cut short, for at this instant the indignant
-African was seized by the ankle with such force, that he fell
-prostrate upon his back, and, despite his struggles and threats of
-dire punishment, was quickly drawn out of sight and hearing.
-
-This was scarcely done, when a dozen Mohave Indians swarmed over
-the ridge of rocks and trees which bounded the northern part of the
-stream, and scattered here and there in quest of the gold hunters,
-whom they had been watching from a distance nearly all the afternoon.
-Each of them was armed with a gun, several displayed tomahawks and
-knives at their girdles, while the majority had large, beautifully
-woven and ornamented blankets thrown over their shoulders.
-
-Running hither and thither, their sharp black eyes darting in every
-direction, they could not be long without discovering traces of the
-interlopers. A sort of halloo, something like the yelp of a large
-dog, when a cow flings him over the fence, told that one of the dusky
-scamps were on the trail. Immediately the whole pack darted up the
-channel, and the next moment, had halted before the mouth of a cave,
-the entrance being of sufficient width to admit the passage of an
-ordinary sized man; but just now a large boulder prevented their
-ingress.
-
-Certain that the gold hunters were immured here, and were within
-their power, the Mohaves indulged in a hop, skip, and dance around
-the cave, flinging their arms aloft, and shouting continually in
-their wild, outlandish tongue. When their clamor had somewhat
-subsided, a gruff voice from within the cave was heard.
-
-“Hullo! dar I say! Hullo! I say! Can’t yese keep yer clacks still a
-minnit when a gemman wishes to speak?”
-
-The singular source and sound of the human voice had the desired
-effect, and instant silence fell upon all.
-
-“Am dar any ob yous dat spoke English? If dar am, please to signify
-it by sayin’ so, an’ if dar ain’t, also signify dat by obsarvin’ de
-same sign.”
-
-Jim waited several minutes for a reply, but, receiving none, he
-became more indignant, and was about to burst out in a tirade
-against them, when George Inwood ventured to suggest that, as in all
-probability they could not speak the English language, as a matter of
-course, they were deprived of the ability of saying so.
-
-“But dey orter to know ’nough to say _no_--any fool know _dat_,”
-persisted the African.
-
-“But how can they understand what _you_ say?”
-
-“Clar--didn’t tink ob dat. What am we to do?”
-
-“Defend ourselves--that is all that is left us.”
-
-“I’ll go take a look at dem,” said Jim, beginning to creep along the
-passage toward the mouth of the cave.
-
-“I insist that you be more careful in your dealings with them. You
-ought to know what a treacherous and untrustworthy set of people they
-are.”
-
-Jim promised caution, as he always did in such matters, and Inwood
-kept close to him to see that he fulfilled his pledge. Reaching
-the mouth of the cave, the African gave a sneeze to proclaim his
-presence, emitted with such explosive vigor, that the Mohaves
-gathered around, startled as though the ground beneath them had
-suddenly reddened with heat. They recoiled a few steps, and then
-waited with some anxiety for the next demonstration.
-
-Jim Tubbs had a voice, composed half-in-half of those tones which
-are heard when a huge saw is being filed, and that which is made by
-the rumbling of the distant thunder. The judicious mixture made from
-these, it may safely be said, was terrific and rather trying to a
-sensitive man’s nerves; and, as he was in rather an indignant mood
-on the present occasion, when he called to the Mohaves, it was more
-forcibly than politely.
-
-“What does yer want?”
-
-When a person has reason to believe that the one whom he is
-addressing has difficulty in understanding his words, he seems to
-think the trouble can be overcome by increasing the loudness of his
-tone. Jim repeated his question each time with greater force, until
-the last demand partook more of the nature of a screech than anything
-else.
-
-By this time, the aborigines had obtained a good view of the black
-face, cautiously presenting itself at the opening made by the partial
-withdrawing of the stone, and one of them, laying down his gun and
-knife, as an earnest of his pacific intention, deliberately advanced
-to the entrance of the cave, and reached out his hand.
-
-“Take it, Jim,” whispered Inwood, “he means that as an offering of
-good will.”
-
-“I hope yer am well,” remarked Jim, as he thrust his immense digits
-through the opening. “I is purty well, an’ so am all ob us--gorry
-nation! what am yer at?”
-
-The Mohave had suddenly seized the hand of the negro in both his own
-with tremendous force, and was now pulling with such astonishing
-power as slowly to drag the unsuspicious African forward.
-
-“I tell ye let go!” shouted the latter, “it won’t do! Wal, if ye
-wants to pull wid dis chile, why pull, an’ see who am de best feller!”
-
-Inwood, in his apprehension for the safety of the negro, seized his
-leg, and endeavored with his utmost strength to stay his forcible
-departure, observing which, the gentleman in dispute turned his head:
-
-“Nebber mind, George, nebber mind if dem darkeys
-
-[Transcriber’s Note: Several lines of text are missing from the
-original here due to a printer’s error]
-
-Jim was six feet three inches in height, and along his limbs was
-deposited an enormous quantity of muscle almost as hard as the bone
-itself; he was not quick, but he was a man of prodigious strength,
-and when he chose to exert it, there were few living men who could
-withstand it. If there could ever be a suitable occasion to exert it,
-that occasion was the present.
-
-And Jim did call it into play. Closing his great fingers around the
-hand of the Mohave, he held it as firmly as if it were thrust into
-the jaws of a Numidian lion, and then bracing his feet against the
-sides of the cavern, he said:
-
-“Now, my ’spectable friend, you pull an’ I’ll pull.”
-
-At the first contraction of that muscular arm, the Mohave was drawn a
-foot forward; and, in dreadful alarm, he uttered a cry which brought
-several of his companions to his relief, and they, seizing him by his
-lower limbs, pulled as determinedly in the opposite direction.
-
-“If yer gets dis feller back agin, I tinks he’ll be about a foot
-taller,” muttered Jim, as he gave another hitch with the hapless
-aborigine, which jerked not only him forward, but those who were
-clinging fast to his extremities. They, in turn, united in a “long
-pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether,” with no effect, except
-to give the subject under debate a terrific strain.
-
-“Yeave ho! here ye go!”
-
-And with amazing power, Jim Tubbs drew the Mohave clear into the
-cave, beyond all reach from his companions.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER II.
-
-
-“Now you keep still, or I’ll come de gold tuch ober you!” admonished
-Jim, as he hurried the captured Mohave to the rear portion of the
-cave, and delivered him in charge of George Inwood and his brother.
-
-“What do you mean by the gold trick?” inquired the latter, as he
-caught up his gun, and placed himself in an attitude to command the
-movements of the captured Indian.
-
-“Why I mean dat--hullo!”
-
-Jim turned and darted up the passage, in which he had detected a
-suspicious noise. He was not a moment too soon. The red men, furious
-at the abduction of one of their number before their eyes, had united
-to force away the stone, and, at the instant the negro returned, one
-of them had shoved his body half through the opening.
-
-“Out ob dar!” shouted Jim, as, with uplifted pick, he made straight
-at the intruder. The latter, fully panic-stricken, turned about
-and whisked out of the cave much more rapidly than he entered,
-his moccasins twinkling in the air, as if the same means had been
-employed to extract him, that had been used to draw his venturesome
-companion in.
-
-The ludicrous appearance of the Mohave, as he scrambled out among
-his friends, exceedingly pleased the ponderous African, who laughed
-loudly and heartily.
-
-“Didn’t fancy de way I swung dat pick round! I was kinder loose wid
-it, an’ if I’d let it drap on him, it would’ve made him dance.”
-
-It looked very much as if our friends, in capturing the Mohave, had,
-to use a common expression, secured an “elephant.” What to do with
-him, was the all-important question, now that he was in their power.
-Being without any warlike implements, he was comparatively harmless,
-and, as there was no escape for him, except through the passage by
-which he had entered, it was hardly to be supposed that, so long as
-he was unmolested, he would indulge in any performances likely to
-bring down the wrath of his captors upon him.
-
-Withdrawing to the opposite side of the cave, (which was not more
-than a dozen feet in diameter) he stood silent and sullen, while
-Edwin Inwood, with his loaded and cocked rifle, watched him with
-the vigilance of a cat. George Inwood, feeling that nothing was
-to be apprehended from the present shape of affairs within their
-subterranean home, passed up the narrow entrance to where Jim was,
-in order to learn how matters stood there.
-
-At the moment of reaching his sable friend, the discharge of a gun
-was heard, and Jim hastily retreated on his hands and knees a few
-feet.
-
-“Are you hit?” inquired Inwood in some alarm.
-
-“Yes, but dey didn’t hurt me; _dey hit me on de head_!”
-
-“Can they not force back the stone?”
-
-“Not if we can git close up behind it.”
-
-The negro spoke the truth; for, when immediately in the rear of the
-immense boulder, they could hold it against the combined efforts
-of any number of men on the outside, and, at the same time, keep
-themselves invisible, while, by remaining in their present position,
-they ran every risk of being struck. Consequently, no time was lost
-in creeping into the proper place, where, for the time being, they
-felt themselves masters of the situation.
-
-Having successfully staved off all danger for the present, the
-question naturally arose, how was this matter to end? The gold
-hunters were walled up in a cave, with plenty of arms and ammunition,
-little food and no water. The Mohaves, if they chose so to do, could
-keep them there until they perished from thirst or starvation.
-
-Edwin Inwood soon grew tired of standing in his constrained position,
-and he cautiously set down his gun, within immediate reach, and
-then sinking down upon one knee, resumed the work which had been so
-peremptorily checked by the entrance of the captured Mohave. A large
-stone, weighing over a dozen pounds, was held firmly in position,
-while he employed both hands in drilling a hole into the center.
-This, as all know, is quite a tedious operation, and, although he
-had the usual tools of the blaster of rocks, he made slow progress.
-Still, he was animated by that great spur to exertion, necessity, and
-he applied himself to his task without intermission.
-
-While his brother and the gigantic African were parleying and
-debating upon their situation, he succeeded in reaching the depth
-desired, and then carefully removing the debris, he thoroughly
-cleaned the cavity, as does the skillful dentist when preparing our
-molar for the golden filling. Into this hollow, the lower portion
-of which he had managed to give a globular shape, he poured several
-handfuls of Dupont’s best, a piece of fuse all the while standing
-upright, while the jetty particles arranged themselves around it.
-Dust and sand were then carefully dropped in, until they reached the
-surface of the stone, when it assumed the appearance of a solid,
-honest fragment of rock, with the odd-looking fuse sprouting from its
-side.
-
-“There!” exclaimed the boy, with a sigh, “it is done, and I think it
-will answer very well.”
-
-As he looked up, he saw the Mohave still standing silent and sullen,
-but with his dark eyes fixed upon the young artisan with a curious
-expression, as though a dim idea of the meaning of all this was
-gradually filtrating through his brain.
-
-“What do you think of it?” asked the youngster, holding up the block
-of stone, with a smile at his own success, and at the whim which
-prompted the query. If the questioned had any idea of the meaning of
-the question, he did not choose to manifest it, but maintained the
-same stolid silence as before.
-
-“I don’t suppose it will suit you very well; at any rate your friends
-will be more astonished than pleased with it.”
-
-The boy called his brother, who immediately made his appearance. It
-took but a few moments to explain his scheme, which pleased the young
-man.
-
-“It can do no harm to us to try it,” he said, as he picked it up and
-carried it to Jim. The latter listened to the explanation a moment,
-and his great eyes rolled with delight at the scheme.
-
-“Fus’ rate, fus’ rate, almost as good as de gold trick.”
-
-“It is as good a time as any to try it, isn’t it?”
-
-“I s’pose so--you kin see dey’re purty thick out dere.”
-
-Inwood produced a match and set fire to the fuse. It burned quite
-rapidly, like the string of a Chinese cracker.
-
-“Throw it out as quick as it reaches the sand!” called Edwin from the
-cave.
-
-“Golly, it’s dar now!” exclaimed Jim, springing up, and preparing
-to toss it out among the Mohaves gathered outside. Unfortunately,
-his elbow struck the side of the entrance, and the bombshell dropped
-at his feet. Believing it about to explode, the negro ran back in
-dismay, when Inwood, with remarkable coolness, drew the huge boulder
-a little to one side, and, catching up the stone, swung it through
-the opening. Before the Mohaves could understand the intent of this,
-the terrible object burst into a thousand fragments, and with wild
-whoops of terror, the red men scattered in every direction, as though
-they themselves were a portion of an immense bombshell which had
-exploded.
-
-The success of Edwin’s scheme, and delight of our friends were
-complete.
-
-“Anybody killed?” asked Jim, and his companion peered cautiously
-around the edge of the boulder.
-
-“I suppose not; but they have been hit and frightened almost out of
-their senses, and that will do as much good as though it had slain
-half a dozen of them. I don’t believe they will come back again.”
-
-“Dunno ’bout dat; dey’re a queer set ob darkeys, am de Injins.”
-
-“I don’t think, from what I have heard, that these Mohaves are the
-bravest tribe of Indians in California, and they are too much afraid
-of us to make much trouble so long as we remain in the cave. And that
-reminds me of our prisoner--what are we to do with him?”
-
-“Kill him,” was the decided response.
-
-“No; that will never do; we cannot murder him.”
-
-“Let me come de gold trick ober him.”
-
-“I haven’t learned what that is.”
-
-“Jes’ come back where he am, an’ I’ll soon larn you.”
-
-Inwood was apprehensive that the “gold trick,” so often referred to
-by his sable friend, meant something cruel, and he concluded it safer
-to restrain him.
-
-“Never mind about it now, Jim; I have a plan of my own.”
-
-“What’s dat?”
-
-“Let him go.”
-
-“You don’t mean dat?”
-
-“Yes, I do; although he is our enemy, and although his own people
-are barbarians, who are none too good to put us to the worst kind of
-torture, if they had us in their power; yet, we are Christians, and
-cannot do such a thing.”
-
-“Dunno but what you are right; fetch out de feller.”
-
-“Besides,” added Inwood, as he moved away, “it may change their
-feelings toward us. They know we have one of their number in our
-power, and, if we let him go unharmed, they will have less reason to
-look upon us as their enemies--this one at least will regard us as a
-friend.”
-
-The decision made, it was carried out without delay. The Mohave was
-led from the cave, carefully along the passage toward the opening.
-He evidently believed he was being conducted to his doom; he was
-as sullen and stoical as his race generally are at such times. Jim
-had rolled the boulder back, so as to afford him free egress, and
-Inwood, first taking him by the arm, motioned for him to retire. The
-aborigine did not comprehend his meaning, when his captor turned his
-face toward the opening, and gave him a gentle shove. This was a hint
-which could not be misunderstood, and he darted out in a twinkling,
-and disappeared.
-
-“Now, I will take a look and see whether there are any of them left,”
-said Inwood, as he stealthily followed the liberated Mohave.
-
-By this time it was growing dark, but objects for a considerable
-distance were quite distinct, and George Inwood made a thorough
-reconnoisance of the bed of the brook for several hundred yards up
-and down. At the end of a half hour, he returned with the pleasing
-word that the Mohaves had taken their departure.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER III.
-
-
-Having given this episode in the history of the gold hunters, it is
-necessary to take a look at events which came to pass a few months
-previous.
-
-One bleak day in the winter of 1857-8, a young man was walking slowly
-down Broadway, humming a lively tune in a mournful voice, and doing
-his utmost to keep up his spirits, which, just then, were at their
-lowest ebb. In the nature of things, the poor fellow could not be
-otherwise. While in the senior class in college, preparing for the
-ministry, and succeeding most brilliantly, he was summoned home to
-New York, just in time to receive his father’s dying blessing; his
-mother having fallen asleep several years before, he was thus left an
-orphan, with a younger brother to provide for. As his father had been
-a leading merchant in the great metropolis, there seemed to be little
-difficulty in this, and he assumed the control of affairs at once.
-
-But the mutterings of that financial storm were already heard in
-the sky, and it soon burst over the land, toppling old, established
-houses, like so many ninepins, and carrying woe and desolation to
-many a hearthstone. George Inwood placed his shoulder to the wheel,
-and toiled manfully; but, where so many thousands of experienced
-merchants were swept away by the current, it would have been almost
-a miracle, had he been able to resist the whelming tide. Finding it
-useless, he threw up his arms, and went down with the multitude. When
-everything was gone, he found that he still owed his creditors many
-thousand dollars.
-
-And so he hummed the lively air in his mournful voice, as he dreamily
-walked down Broadway, and asked himself what was to be done. He was
-poverty-stricken, with his younger brother depending upon him, and
-the big African, Jim Tubbs, who had always lived in the family from
-his childhood, with no means of support.
-
-Naturally, a hundred schemes presented themselves, as they always
-will to a young man, when thrown upon his own resources. He might
-serve as a clerk--that is if anybody wanted him, which was by no
-means likely; he might teach, if any school was in want of such a
-teacher as himself, which was equally improbable. He might do any
-thing, if the opportunity were given him; but, during these “hard
-times,” he soon learned that the worst possible place for a man out
-of employment, is in a large city. When he was turned away again and
-again, his heart failed him, and as he hummed his lively air in his
-mournful voice, he came to a conclusion which he ought to have made a
-considerable time before.
-
-“I must leave New York; I shall soon starve here.”
-
-When he reached his lodgings, where his brother Edwin was staying,
-and where Jim managed to earn his own board, by doing odd jobs around
-the house, he called the two together, and proposed the oft-repeated
-question:
-
-“Where shall we go?”
-
-“Let’s go to Quito,” said Edwin, who had just been studying his
-geography, “they always have spring weather there, and plenty to eat,
-and so they have in several other places in South America.”
-
-“It is hardly the place for us, however.”
-
-“I tells you whar to go,” said Jim.
-
-“Where is that?”
-
-“I’s been tinking about it for free weeks, an’ made all de
-’quiries possible, an’ found out it’s jest de place for us, an’
-dat’s Californy. Dere’s a man stayin’ at this house now--his name
-is _Swill_--no, Mills, an’ he’s jest got back from Californy,
-an’, golly! you orter hear him tell ’bout de country! It’s awful
-splendid,” added Jim, in his enthusiasm.
-
-“It will be quite an undertaking to go to California, and we’ll take
-a day or two to think about it,” said Inwood, feeling at the same
-time that the Golden Gate was the door through which he should pass
-to comfort and wealth. In the evening, he walked out alone to think
-over the matter.
-
-It being nearly ten years since that flood-tide of navigation had
-set in toward California from every part of the world, the charm, in
-a great measure, was now broken, and those who went there, did so,
-very frequently, for other purposes than to dig gold. Yet, Inwood
-concluded that if he went, it should be for the purpose of extracting
-the yellow metal from the rocks and earth. He was twenty-five years
-of age, his heart was set upon being a Christian minister, and he
-felt that if he ever intended to become one, even with the help which
-his church extended to indigent men, he had no time to plod up the
-hill of fortune.
-
-But right here arose the troublesome question, how was California
-to be reached? He had but little over a hundred dollars, barely
-sufficient to pay his own passage, without taking into account the
-necessity of carrying at least Jim with him, and the outfit which was
-indispensable.
-
-But again, kind Providence smiled upon his project. After announcing
-his willingness to go to California, if he possessed the means, Jim
-Tubbs suddenly disappeared, and was gone for a couple of days. When
-he came back again, he was very important, and seemed as well becomes
-a man who carries a mighty secret in his breast.
-
-“Doesn’t make no difference where I’ve been,” he said rather
-savagely, in response to the inquiries of the slip-shod, bulky
-landlady. “I’s been on bis’ness--dat’s whar I’ve been--on very
-_’portant_ bis’ness. Yas, ma’am.”
-
-The tubby landlady lowered her head, as does a cow when about to
-charge, that her spectacles might slip down far enough on her pug
-nose to allow her to look over them. Then she stared at Jim a moment
-in mute amazement.
-
-“A black man off on bis’ness--never heard of such a thing,” and she,
-lifting her skirts rather gingerly, retreated from the apartment,
-leaving Jim alone with the two Inwoods at the tea-table. The two
-latter knew that the African had some news to tell and they forebore
-to question him, choosing to wait until he was ready to unbosom,
-which was just what he didn’t want them to do. He waited and waited
-for them to inquire of him, until he could wait no longer.
-
-“Gorry’ation! why don’t you _ax_ me?” he finally demanded in high
-dudgeon.
-
-“Ask you what?” mildly inquired George, who saw that the secret was
-coming.
-
-“Why, what I’ve got to say.”
-
-“How did I know you had anything to say?”
-
-“’Caus you _did_ know it--dat’s de reason. I’s been an’ seen Captain
-Romaine--mighty glad to see me. ‘_How are you, Jim?--how’s all de
-folks?--how’s George an’ Ned getting ’long? Why don’t dey come down
-an’ see me?_’ Couldn’t do much, stuffed one so full, I liked to
-cracked open from my chin down to my heels.”
-
-“That’s very pleasant, but had you your important business with
-_him_?”
-
-“’Course I had--very _’portant_, but you don’t seem to care much
-about it, so I won’t take the trouble to tell you.”
-
-If the curiosity of Inwood had not been already aroused, he would
-have left the African alone, knowing that he would burst, if
-compelled to hold his secret a half hour longer. So he asked him:
-
-“What was it, Jim? don’t keep us waiting.”
-
-“Wal, the way ob it, you see, was dis way: Arter the Captain had axed
-about my healfh, free, four times, I tells him what had happened, an’
-how we wanted to go to Californy. ‘Is dat so?’ he axed me, in a great
-flurry; ‘how lucky dat are. Old Mr. Inwood was allers a good friend
-ob mine, an’ I’m mighty glad I can do sumfin’ for his children. I’s
-Captain ob dis steamer, Jim,’ said he, ‘an’ we’re going to sail
-on Saturday. Tell George, an’ Ned, an’ yourself to git ready an’
-sail wid me. I’ll land you on de Isthmus, (don’t know whar dat am)
-an’ give you a ticket cl’ar to San Francisco’--dat’s what he said,
-George--cl’ar he did.”
-
-This was as pleasant as unexpected to George and Edwin, who expressed
-their delight to each other, and commended the shrewdness of Jim
-Tubbs.
-
-“How came you to think of the Captain?” inquired the younger.
-
-“Wal, you see I’ve know’d him for a dozen years. When dat steamer
-used to run to New Orleans, ole Mr. Inwood got him de place ob
-Captain on it, an’ before dat, when Captain Romaine’s wife died, an’
-he was too poor to bury her, ole Mr. Inwood done it all for him. Den
-gitten him de place ob Captain right arter dat--why, I tell you it
-was almost more dan de man could stand, an’ he’s mighty glad to do
-anything he can for his children.”
-
-“I’ll go down and see him to-morrow.”
-
-“Yas, dat’s what he said he wanted you to do--you go right off, for
-he wants to see you mighty bad.”
-
-“He sails on Saturday, and to-day is Thursday. We must get ready
-to-morrow. Well, we can do that easily enough, as we are not going to
-take a fortune with us to California, and a few hours are enough to
-get our baggage together.”
-
-“Dar’s plenty ob room on dat steamer. I tell you, she’s a whisker,
-an’ she can take a big lot ob people. De Captain showed me frough
-ebery part ob it, an’ it war a sight to see. I told him I shouldn’t
-go, ’less he’d let me work my passage. He kinder laughed, an’ said if
-I was so anxious to make myself useful, he’d find some little jobs
-for me to do somewhere ’bout de boat.”
-
-The next morning, George and Edwin Inwood went down to the wharf,
-and made a call upon Captain Romaine, who commanded the California
-steamer, “Golden Gate.” The large hearted captain was glad to see
-them, shook them both cordially by the hand, and, having learned how
-matters stood, from the loquacious Jim Tubbs, he soon put his friends
-at ease. They agreed to take passage with him on the following day,
-and then bade him good morning. As they were stepping off the plank,
-the captain touched the shoulder of George, and motioned him aside.
-
-“These are dreadful times, and I know it has gone hard with you. A
-man who is going to California, as you are, needs quite a pile to
-equip him. Now, my boy, if you need anything, I hope you will do me
-the kindness to say so; for nothing would give me greater pleasure
-than to do a favor for the son of the best friend I ever had.”
-
-Inwood thanked him, but assured him that he needed nothing. He felt
-that he could not receive any more favors at the hand of one who had
-already done so much.
-
-On the following day, when the Golden Gate turned her head down the
-Atlantic, and steamed swiftly toward her distant destination, she
-carried with her the brothers Inwood, and the colossal African, Jim
-Tubbs.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IV.
-
-
-There was a strong attraction which drew George Inwood toward the
-golden sands of California, to which we have not even hinted thus
-far; but it is high time it received notice.
-
-Several years before, when the young student had just entered
-college, he was descending the Hudson in the ill-fated Henry Clay.
-On board, he formed the acquaintance of the most engaging young
-lady he had ever met. Intellectual, vivacious and accomplished, he
-felt strengthened mentally and morally when he left her presence--a
-condition far different from that in which one is sure to vacate the
-society of nine-tenths of the fashionable women of the present time.
-
-A mutual interest sprang up between the two, and everything was
-progressing delightfully toward a tenderer state of feeling, when
-that well-remembered calamity burst upon the doomed steamer. In the
-confusion and tumult, Inwood, who was an excellent swimmer, became
-the means of saving Miss Marian Underwood and her father from death
-by drowning.
-
-There can be but little doubt of the result of all this, had
-matters been left to take their natural course, but Inwood had just
-entered college, and the next tidings that reached him relating to
-the Underwoods was, that the father, who was quite wealthy, had
-removed to California, and settled quite a distance to the south
-of San Francisco. After deliberating a long time upon the matter,
-he addressed a respectful but friendly letter to Marian, and then
-anxiously awaited the reply; but it never came, and, concluding that
-her hand was pre-engaged, he did not repeat the experiment, and did
-his best to forget her.
-
-Absorbed in his studies and preparations for his sacred calling, he
-succeeded, not in forgetting her, but in preventing her occupying his
-thoughts so prominently, although this would have been impossible,
-had he known that the letter so carefully written had never reached
-its intended destination, and that the fair Miss Underwood often
-wondered and as often sighed that he did not seem to deem her worth
-the trouble of a letter.
-
-But now that Inwood’s attention was drawn toward California, the
-image of this lady constantly rose before him, and he found himself
-speculating, at all times of day, regarding her. The great question
-was, whether there was “room” for him in her thoughts--that is, the
-room which he wished--that which should exclude everything else.
-He resolved to find out her residence, and make her a call--his
-subsequent course regarding her to be determined by the reception he
-received, and her manner toward him.
-
-The voyage to Aspinwall was without incident worthy of mention, as
-was the trip across the isthmus on the new railroad, which had been
-finished a little over three years. The journey was an unceasing
-delight to Edwin, who was just of that age when everything seen
-and heard make such a weird impression upon the mind. The broad,
-surging Atlantic, the vessels which skimmed like sea-gulls along the
-horizon’s edge, the glimpse of the tropical islands, the majesty
-of the storm, the exuberant vegetation of the isthmus; these, and
-hundreds of other sights, made up a continual banquet for him upon
-which the eye could feast and never become sated.
-
-Captain Romaine presented each of them with through tickets to San
-Francisco, so as to be sure of their reaching their destination
-without further expense.
-
-They waited several days at Panama for the steamer which was to
-carry them the rest of the way, and when they went on board, found
-themselves greatly crowded for room, and obliged to undergo much
-privation in the way of food; but they were as able to bear it as
-were the rest of the passengers, and were none the worse, when, on a
-bright morning in early spring, they landed in San Francisco.
-
-The first step was to secure temporary lodgings, which was done
-without difficulty, and then, while Jim sat on the low porch in front
-of their “hotel,” and smoked his pipe, George and Edwin wandered over
-the new city. The curiosity of both was, perhaps, equal, and the day
-passed rapidly away in gazing at this wonderful giant which sprang so
-suddenly into full grown manhood.
-
-By making careful inquiries, George learned that Mr. Underwood was
-settled to the south some fifty or sixty miles, and was one of the
-wealthiest land-owners and stock-raisers in that section--which was
-anything but pleasant information to Inwood, who would have much
-preferred to hear that they were in destitute circumstances--in
-order that he might call upon them, and feel himself upon something
-like equal terms. The information, indeed, seemed to make our young
-friend reconsider his decision of calling upon the Underwoods until
-he returned from the mines laden with wealth, when he could have no
-hesitation in doing so.
-
-Perhaps, if he passed within the immediate vicinity of Underwood’s
-ranche, as some of the people termed it, he might seek occasion to
-get a glimpse or peep at Marian--but nothing in the world should
-induce him to do more.
-
-George Inwood had about a hundred dollars--not enough to procure him
-the outfit he needed. He had brought three rifles, three revolvers,
-and some cooking utensils with him; but he still needed digging and
-mining implements, cloth for tents--to say nothing of a horse apiece,
-and one or two mules to carry their luggage.
-
-As a matter of course, it was out of the question to think of
-procuring these; and, as the best that could be done under the
-circumstances, he bought a rickety old mule, capable of carrying all
-that could be piled upon his back, and going like a clock when wound
-up, without retarding or increasing his speed, and disposed to walk
-straight over a precipice, if it happened to be in his way, unless
-he was gradually shied off by Jim Tubbs placing his shoulder against
-his, and forcing him to swerve from his course.
-
-“Dat are beast’ll carry all we’ve got to carry, ’cept ourselves, an’
-if thar’s only room for us to get on, he’d carry us too,” remarked
-the negro, when everything was ready, and they were about to start.
-
-“Yes; he will answer for our luggage.”
-
-“And must we walk?” inquired Edwin in dismay.
-
-“I do not see how it is to be prevented,” replied his brother, as
-cheerfully as he could speak.
-
-“Why don’t you buy free hosses?” inquired Jim.
-
-“For the reason that I have not the funds to do it with. I haven’t
-enough money left to buy the poorest animal, in the shape of a horse,
-that walks the streets of San Francisco.”
-
-“_If you hain’t, mebbe somebody else has._”
-
-“What do you mean?” inquired Inwood, in perplexity.
-
-Ah! wasn’t that a moment of triumph for Jim Tubbs? How cool and
-deliberate he tried to be, as he shoved his great hand away down in
-his pantaloons pocket, until it looked as if he were fumbling at
-his shoe string, and finally fished up a huge leathern purse, so
-corpulent that it had very much the appearance of that humble kitchen
-edible known as the dough-nut.
-
-“Dar!” he said, as he flung it carelessly toward the amazed George
-Inwood, “mebbe dar ain’t nofin’ in dat! Mebbe dat’s all counterfeit;
-mebbe Mr. Tubbs hain’t been sabin’ up his money dese five years!
-’Spose you look at dat--p’raps dar may be sumfin’ or other in dar.”
-
-Jim leaned back against the column of the porch, cocked his old wool
-hat on one side of his head, shoved both hands down into his pockets,
-carelessly swung one foot around the ankle of the other, so that it
-was supported on the toe, and then, smoking his little black pipe,
-looked at Inwood, as he opened the purse and counted out the yellow
-gold pieces one after the other, until he had finished.
-
-“How much do you make?” asked Jim, in the same style that he would
-have inquired the time of day.
-
-“Four hundred and seventy dollars. Is this all yours, Jim?” inquired
-Inwood, hardly comprehending the pleasant truth.
-
-“Shouldn’t wonder now if I had sumfin’ to say ’bout it.”
-
-The three withdrew to a more private place, where the money was
-again counted, and it was found to amount to the sum mentioned. Jim
-explained how he had been engaged in saving for the last five years,
-as he had an idea that there would come some “’casion” like this.
-He was shrewd enough to keep its existence a profound secret until
-the crisis in their affairs, well knowing that Inwood would have
-considered that moment of necessity as at hand long before.
-
-And so the three horses were purchased, and a number of articles
-which they needed, and, leaving San Francisco, they took a southeast
-direction toward San Jose and continuing on in the same course,
-struck a pass in the Coast Range near the 37th parallel.
-
-By this time, they were far beyond the limits of civilization, and
-traveling in a wild, savage country, where they occasionally met
-emigrants and miners, but more frequently encountered red men and
-wild beasts.
-
-California then, as now, was rapidly filling up, but among the
-mountains were thousands of miles where the foot of white men had
-never trod, and where, beyond question, the auriferous particles lay
-in glittering masses, only waiting for the spade of the miner, or the
-rock-splitting powder of the blaster.
-
-Before reaching the regions of the mountains, Inwood made careful
-inquiries, and learned that the residence of the Underwoods lay but
-a small distance from San Jose, and that, by a slight deviation from
-his course, he could take it in his path. He did so, neither his
-brother nor the astute African entertaining the slightest suspicions
-of the true object which drew him thither.
-
-They caught sight of the large Mexican-looking building, with its
-low roof, broad wings and extensive outbuildings, its vast droves
-of cattle and sheep, which were scattered here and there over an
-area of many miles; all these signs of the thrift and wealth of the
-owner, and it was with strange emotions that Inwood halted on a small
-eminence a short distance away, and gazed down upon the pleasant
-scene.
-
-He saw no signs of life about the house. Here and there were to be
-seen one or two men passing hither and thither, over the hills or
-among the cattle, but the house itself was as still as death, and the
-thought once occurred to his mind that, perhaps, the proprietor lay
-cold and inanimate within those shaded rooms, or, perhaps, Marian
-herself was stretched in the robes of the tomb.
-
-Jim proposed that they should honor the proprietor of this estate
-by spending the evening with him, but Inwood objected, and they
-encamped in an adjoining piece of wood. When everything had been
-made ready for the night, and the full moon had risen, Inwood left
-his companions, and sauntered toward the house, his heart throbbing
-tumultuously with its varied emotions.
-
-As he walked slowly by, he caught the faint notes of the guitar, and
-heard a low, sweet voice humming a familiar song. He looked in the
-direction whence it came, and, through the interlacing vines, could
-faintly detect the form and outline of Marian Underwood. He knew it
-was _her_--he recognized the voice, and twice he paused and was about
-to enter the gate; but he checked himself by a painful effort of the
-will, and, loitering as long as he dared in the vicinity, he turned
-on his heel and wandered back.
-
-“When I return, I will call!” was the comforting conclusion he gave
-himself.
-
-In a few days, by patient traveling and perseverance, they reached
-the eastern slope of the Coast Range, and found themselves in the San
-Joaquin Valley, where they intended to prosecute their search for
-gold. Carrying out their purpose of getting into a region where there
-was little danger of being disturbed by any of their own race, they
-followed the slope to the southward, keeping among the mountains, and
-guarding every movement.
-
-They “prospected” a long time, and suffered at first for want of
-food, but they soon overcame this difficulty, and prosecuted their
-search for gold with greater vigor than ever. They had poor fortune
-for awhile, but they pushed resolutely forward, and finally came upon
-a small mountain stream, which contained an abundance of the shining
-particles among its sands.
-
-Here they would have pitched their tent, had they not accidentally
-discovered a remarkable cave, which answered their purpose so well,
-that they carried everything within, and at once made it their
-quarters. Their horses were tethered in a dense grove further down
-the stream, where they were visited once a day to see that all was
-well.
-
-They had been here but a few days, when they discovered signs
-of Indians, and Edwin was put on watch, while the others busied
-themselves in “making hay while the sun shone.” The young sentinel
-had been there but a short time, when he descried the troublesome
-visitors approaching along the slope; and what then and there took
-place our good readers have already learned.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER V.
-
-
-The cave which afforded such an opportune retreat to Jim Tubbs
-and the Inwoods, was one of these natural formations which are
-occasionally found, and which have more the appearance of being the
-handiwork of some skillful architect than of nature.
-
-A narrow passage, sufficient to admit an ordinary sized man, extended
-about thirty feet, when it opened into a broad chamber, which was
-lighted by several thin rents in the rocks overhead, they being so
-massive as to exclude all hope of ingress from that direction. The
-only disadvantage connected with this subterranean dwelling was, that
-during rainy weather, it required extreme care to prevent its being
-flooded. Occasionally, they were driven out in this manner; but there
-being a lower portion of the mountain close at hand, the water thus
-gathered, almost as speedily filtrated through the rocks into the
-outlet.
-
-When George Inwood made his reconnoisance, after the departure of
-the Mohave Indians, he was confident of finding some of them dead,
-or desperately wounded; but, to his surprise, he discovered neither.
-He was rather pleased at this; for he had never slain a human being,
-and his teaching and tastes were utterly opposed to it. He more than
-expected that, ere he saw San Francisco again, he would be compelled
-to slay some of the troublesome aborigines in self-defense, but,
-until absolutely compelled so to do, he had resolved to abstain from
-it altogether.
-
-“De next thing, I s’pose, am whedder dem hosses are wisible or
-inwisible. I ’clines to tink dey’re inwisible,” remarked Jim, when
-informed that the red men had taken their final departure.
-
-“They have been undisturbed,” replied Inwood. “I took a look at them
-before I came in.”
-
-“Bless de good Lord for dat; I hopes dey will let dem animals be; for
-if dey tucks ’em away, we’ll hab a mighty hard road to trabbel to get
-back agin--carrying dem big piles ob gold.”
-
-“Ah, Jim, we haven’t got that gold yet----”
-
-“But ain’t we getting it, eh? I s’pose I didn’t get a pocketful dis
-berry arternoon, did I?” he demanded indignantly.
-
-“We have comparatively a small quantity, and there’s no telling when
-that will give out.”
-
-“I tink it’s gibbin’ out all de time, an’ if it only keeps on gibbin’
-out long ’nough, we’ll soon get all we want.”
-
-“I hope we may, but I very much doubt it; and come to think, I
-believe we have nothing for supper. How is that?”
-
-“You’re right--not ’nough to feed a ’skeeter.”
-
-“You ought to have done some fishing for us, Edwin.”
-
-“I would, if you hadn’t put me in the tree, and set me to watching
-for the Indians.”
-
-“Dat is so,” assented Jim, quite emphatically, “couldn’t watch a fish
-at de same time. We’ll have to go widout supper, an’ den make up when
-we get de chance agin; dat’s de way I ginerally fixes it. I can go a
-week widout eatin’ anything, but I tells you Jim Tubbs ’gins to feel
-holler, an’ he makes meat fly when he git de chance.”
-
-“We can then wait until morning.”
-
-By this time, it was completely dark in the cave. The three conversed
-together awhile longer, and then Jim, having finished his pipe, arose
-and said:
-
-“I tinks I takes a look at de hosses.”
-
-“You had better remain where you are. They are all right, and you may
-get yourself into trouble.”
-
-“Ain’t afeerd; who can git me into trouble? Jus’ let me try de gold
-trick on ’em, an’ dey’ll be glad ’nough to cl’ar de track.”
-
-“You haven’t told us what that gold trick is.”
-
-“You’ll hab to wait now till I come back,” said Jim, as he knocked
-the ashes from his pipe, “takes some time to ’xplainify de science ob
-dat movement.”
-
-With which information, he made his way to the mouth of the cavern,
-accompanied by George Inwood, who gave him a parting admonition.
-
-“Be very careful, for some of these dogs may be loitering around, and
-waiting for the chance to cut you off.”
-
-“I’ll be keerful, ob course; look out for yourselves, an’ don’t let
-anybody in till you knows who he am. Some ob dem darkeys may try dere
-tricks on you, an’ you can’t be too keerful.”
-
-“You needn’t be afraid of my getting careless; you’re the one who
-needs the most advice.”
-
-“O, I always _keeps dark_,” laughed the African, with which profound
-witticism, he turned the corner of the cave and disappeared. Inwood
-waited awhile at the opening of the passage, listening and watching,
-but only the murmur of the brook caught his ear, and he could see
-nothing but the dark wall of bank which shut out his view beyond, and
-above these, in the clear sky, floated the full moon. The hour and
-the surroundings were impressive, and he remained a long time in a
-kneeling position, lifting up his heart in silent communion with the
-only One who then saw and heard him.
-
-When he returned, he found his younger brother somewhat apprehensive
-at his continued absence.
-
-“If the Indians should come down upon us when we are separated,” said
-Edwin, “I don’t think we would get off as well as we did to-day.”
-
-“No; if we hadn’t this cave to retreat to, we should have seen
-trouble. As it is, I am a little anxious about Jim.”
-
-“He is careless, but he has been very fortunate. I never saw anything
-so strange as that which happened to him when we were coming through
-the mountains. Don’t you think that was strange, George?”
-
-“Very Providential, indeed, although I did not see it myself.”
-
-“I did; he was only a little ways ahead of us, riding along on his
-horse, when those two Indians sprang out from behind the trees, not
-more than twenty yards off, aimed both their guns straight at him,
-fired, and then run away.”
-
-“And never harmed him?”
-
-“Never touched him; he said he heard both bullets whistle past his
-ears.”
-
-“It was very singular, but not unaccountable. His color and his size
-are such as to startle these superstitious people, and, no doubt,
-when these two aimed at him, their nerves were very unsteady, and to
-this alone their failure is to be attributed.”
-
-“Then he has been in danger several times since we have been here,
-and was scratched a little this afternoon--so he told me--but he
-hasn’t been really hurt.”
-
-“He is great help to us. I don’t know what we could do without him.
-He can do more work in a day than I can in a week, and he has got to
-be a good shot, too. We must arrange that, however, so that you can
-do the hunting for food, while we do the hunting for gold.”
-
-“I am ready to begin at any time, and have wondered why you haven’t
-set me at work before,” said Edwin, with great animation, at the
-prospect of a day’s ramble through the woods.
-
-“It is with some misgiving, as it is, that I consent to this step.
-Remember you are very young, Edwin, and there is a great deal of
-danger for an old hunter in this part of the country.”
-
-“Not if he is careful, and you know I would be careful. I shall
-always keep a sharp look out for grizzly bears.”
-
-“They are dangerous enough, but not so dangerous as the red men.”
-
-“But don’t you think they are easily scared?”
-
-“That may all be, and yet, it isn’t to be supposed that they would
-be much frightened at the sight of a youngster tramping through the
-woods with a gun on his shoulder.”
-
-“I will not wander off beyond call.”
-
-“You must remember that; for if you get lost, I don’t know how you
-would ever find your way back again.”
-
-“I should follow up the stream.”
-
-“But do you suppose this is the only stream in the mountains? There
-are hundreds of such, and you would be a great deal more likely to
-get upon the wrong than upon the right one. I mention these facts,
-because I wish to impress upon you the great necessity of being
-careful. Boys are very seldom inclined to be thoughtful, and you are
-no exception to the general rule.”
-
-Edwin repeated his resolve to take good heed of what he did, and
-appealed to his record since coming into California in support of his
-actions.
-
-“Yes; I am glad to say that you have, but I sometimes tremble to
-think of what we have done.”
-
-“You ain’t sorry, George?”
-
-“No; but I am frightened almost. Just to think that we are entirely
-cut off from the civilized world, and it is known to these Indians
-that we are here.”
-
-“But they can’t harm us.”
-
-“Suppose they took it into their heads to root us out, what is to
-hinder them? They could soon starve us to terms, and then do as they
-pleased with us.”
-
-“You seem gloomy to-night, brother.”
-
-“No; I do not mean to be so--I wish you to understand truly our
-situation.”
-
-“I am sure I do--but isn’t Jim gone a long time?”
-
-“Hark!”
-
-Faintly through the still night air came the far-off exclamation:
-
-“_Hold on dar! hold on dar! or I’ll come de gold trick ober you!_”
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VI.
-
-
-When Jim Tubbs issued from his subterranean domicile, he was rather
-too strongly inclined to act upon the report of Inwood, that is, it
-had been affirmed that there was no visible danger; he believed there
-was none, and, accordingly, he started straight for the tethering
-ground of the horses and mule, to make sure that they had suffered no
-disturbance from the marauding Mohaves.
-
-“Dat are place whar we put ’em, is de place dat _I_ selected, an’
-dar’s no danger ob dere being troubled while dey stay dar,” he
-muttered, as he walked rapidly along, occasionally pausing to make
-sure that no one was following him.
-
-“I always understood hosses,” he added, as he approached the vicinity
-of the dense undergrowth. “Dar ain’t many----”
-
-He paused with unutterable emotion as he drew the bushes aside, and
-there, where they should have been, he saw them not! For a moment he
-was completely stupefied, and stood like one who, from the tangled
-web of a dream, endeavors to form the skein of coherent thought.
-
-But he speedily recovered himself, and was sharp enough to comprehend
-that the animals must have been abstracted very recently, and were
-within the possibility of recovery. With a muttering exclamation of
-impatience, he dashed headlong through the bushes into the open space
-beyond, and stared around. Being at the base of the mountains, he was
-also on the edge of a broad valley, and the bright moonlight gave him
-quite an extended view over the broken, rocky country.
-
-It required but one sharp glance of the African to discover, about
-a quarter of a mile distant, the three horses and one mule, making
-their way among the boulders and patches of broken land, with all the
-deliberation with which they would have answered the call to work.
-Jim paused long enough to see that no one was driving them, when,
-uttering the exclamation which has been given at the close of the
-last chapter, he started on a full run after them.
-
-With his usual thoughtlessness, he had come out without his gun, and
-he was now running at his utmost speed, entirely regardless of his
-personal danger from the hubbub he was creating, and from withdrawing
-so far from his base of operations. There was something so singular
-in the spectacle of these four animals leisurely trotting off over
-the country, that he ought to have hesitated and attempted to explain
-the matter before venturing after them in this open, boisterous
-manner.
-
-It was observable, too, that, immediately after Jim gave the terrific
-outcry referred to, the slow trot of the animals increased to quite a
-brisk gait, a thing so unusual on the part of the mule, as to cause
-no little wonder upon the part of the pursuer.
-
-“Beats all natur’!” he exclaimed, as he struck his foot against a
-stone, and was almost thrown forward upon his hands and knees. “Fust
-time I ebber seed dat ole mule raise a trot; split two, free rocks
-ober his head, smashed all de limbs off a big tree ober his back, but
-no use, couldn’t get him off a walk, an’ dere he goes now swingin’
-’long like a feller on stilts. Beats all natur’!”
-
-It was indeed so curious, that he paused to take a look at them.
-Just at that moment they were ascending a small swell; and, as they
-came in relief against the blue sky beyond, they were as plainly
-visible as at noon day. It was clear that none of them had a rider
-upon his back, nor was any one following, except him who was trying
-so valiantly to recapture them. What then was the explanation of this
-singular movement?
-
-Jim, who had suddenly resumed his running, as suddenly paused, for he
-had discovered something.
-
-“Wal, dere! if dat don’t beat eberything! dar’s an Ingin right
-in among dem hosses, or else dat switch-tailed mare has got six
-legs--one or t’oder!”
-
-It would have required a good pair of eyes to notice this curious
-fact, had not the mare referred to at that moment fallen somewhat in
-the rear, when the singular addition to her means of locomotion made
-the usually large eyes of the African considerably larger.
-
-The fact was apparent that a red man was among the quadrupeds, and
-inciting them to their rapid gait by some outlandish means which
-seems to come natural to the aborigines, and which, up to this time,
-had escaped the attention of the pursuer.
-
-Immediately upon this discovery, Jim broke into a fiercer gait than
-ever after the fugitives, shouting in his tremendous style--
-
-“Drop dat hoss, I tell you! drop that hoss, or I’ll make you!”
-
-Inasmuch as it was hardly possible for the marauder to hold up one
-of the equine specimens, if he choose to tumble, it was not exactly
-clear how he was to obey this command. On the contrary, the animals,
-including the mule, (which, having once got up a loping trot, didn’t
-exactly comprehend how to stop it,) increased their speed, and the
-indescribable whirring howl with which he accomplished it, reached
-the ears of the exasperated pursuer.
-
-“O, if I only had a gun!” he muttered, as he jogged along, “wouldn’t
-I pepper dem legs for him!”
-
-At this juncture, the ground assumed a rougher character, and the
-animals were compelled to deviate to the left to pass a canon,
-where the waters raged with such fury, that the shrewd Mohave did
-not attempt to force them into it. Observing this, Jim took the
-hypotenuse of the triangle, and went sailing down the course in
-magnificent style, gaining so rapidly, that he gave utterance to a
-joyous shout.
-
-“Cl’ar de track! or I’ll run ober you! I’s comin’!”
-
-This startling intelligence did not have the effect expected and the
-copper-colored gentleman evidently concluded that all was not lost,
-for he still maintained his position between the two horses, and,
-just then, striking a fording place, he tumbled them turbulently in,
-and, scrambling up the opposite side, renewed the flight in the same
-admirable fashion.
-
-“Dat ’ere beats all natur’!” he exclaimed in absolute amazement, as
-he witnessed the exploit. “Whoeber dreamed dare was so much _go_ in
-dat mule?”
-
-The chase by this time had become interesting; but, if the Mohave
-had displayed some natural smartness in stampeding the animals, he
-now found himself at fault so far as regarded the mule; for this
-character, as he rattled down the canon with a noise like the charge
-of cavalry, lost his unnatural gait, and, finding himself back into
-his natural one, it was impossible to change it under a furlong,
-seeing which, the charging body dashed forward with such a burst of
-speed, that the Mohave and his body-guard were compelled to leave him
-behind. Five minutes later, Jim vaulted like an avalanche upon the
-saw-like back of the mule.
-
-“Now, ole fellow,” said he, addressing the beast most affectionately,
-“show ’em what you can do.”
-
-But the mule didn’t seem anxious to obey; for, although his
-enthusiastic rider thumped his sides with his huge heels until he
-nearly bounced off, the beast subsided into a moderate walk, as if
-he didn’t exactly comprehend the meaning of all this uproar upon his
-back, and all efforts to change his gait was useless. A man in a
-great hurry has very little patience, and it took but a little while
-for Jim’s to exhaust itself.
-
-“You want de gold trick comed on you--dat’s what you do, an’ you jes’
-wait till I get you home.”
-
-Sliding off the serrated animal, he left him alone, and resumed the
-chase with greater vigor than ever. The few minutes’ halt which he
-had made, were precious moments to the Mohave, who, still keeping his
-body invisible, had improved them to the utmost; but the roughness of
-the ground was against him, and the African gained rapidly.
-
-“Ye’d better drop dem hosses while you got de chance!” he shouted, as
-he came sweeping down with great velocity. A few minutes later, he
-observed a diminution in the speed of the horses, and finally they
-walked, and then stood still.
-
-“You oughter s’rendered sooner, den I might been ’sposed to show you
-some mercy; but I don’t know--hullo! where be you?”
-
-He might well ask the question, for, as he came in among the horses,
-there was nothing to be seen of the aborigine--he had taken the
-occasion quietly to slip away, when he found himself compelled to
-relinquish his prize.
-
-Jim stared all around, but could see nothing of him he sought, and
-concluded, under the circumstances, it was best to make his way back
-as speedily as possible.
-
-“I tinks I’ve run ’nough to ’arn a ride,” he reflected, as he put
-himself astride the back of his own horse, and turned his head
-homeward; “an’, as dat darkey ain’t anywhere’s about, I won’t wait
-for him.”
-
-When the nature of the ground would permit, he put the horses on a
-good swinging gallop, and, in a short time, encountered the mule
-walking leisurely toward him. Before this obstinate animal could be
-induced to take the right direction, Jim was obliged to get off his
-horse, and press his shoulder against that of the mule, until he had
-described a half circle, when he came round right, and was left to go
-without any other direction.
-
-The rider exercised himself awhile in endeavoring to get him off his
-walk, but he speedily gave that over as useless, and rode ahead, well
-aware that so long as he kept a linear direction, the long-eared
-animal would eventually come up with him.
-
-It was not long before he struck the canon, but at a point where it
-looked unsafe to cross. Believing himself above the place he had
-forded, he turned down its bank in quest of it; but, after going
-fully a mile, discovered his mistake, and was about turning back,
-when he caught a glimpse of a broad sheet of water, and suspected
-at once that here was a lake into which the stream flowed. As the
-roaring, compressed canon must end here, he kept steadily on, and
-soon halted at the view of a scene so beautiful and enchanting, that
-his untutored mind was filled with admiration.
-
-The canon suddenly spread out into a broad rapid stream, which flowed
-into a lake of about a half mile in diameter. Under the bright
-moonlight, it had the appearance of “liquid silver”--an expression
-by no means original, but so literally truthful, that we can use
-no other--and in the still summer night there was not a ripple
-upon its surface. In the center rose a small island, so abruptly,
-that, covered as it was with vegetation, it had the appearance of a
-bouquet, and would have reminded a traveler of the famous Lakes of
-Killarney.
-
-Jim noticed that the opposite shore was rocky and fringed with trees,
-and the lake appeared to stand on the edge of a large wood.
-
-“Dat ’ere is nice!” was his reflection, as, from the back of his
-horse, he looked out upon the fairy-like scene. “What a good place
-dat would be for George to build a house. I tink we could run a
-bridge ’cross to de land, or hab a ferryboat to run atween it an’ de
-shore.”
-
-“Hullo! dere goes sombody,” he added, as he saw a canoe put out from
-the shore to his right, and head toward the island. The full moon
-had now sunk toward the horizon, so that the shadow of the trees and
-island were thrown far out upon the lake; and, as the single Indian
-who impelled the canoe, issued from the broad band of darkness which
-lay along the shore, every motion of his dusky, muscular arms was
-plainly seen. He managed his oar with such skill, that his body
-never seemed to incline a hair’s breadth to the right or left. The
-flash of the paddle seemed born of the paddle itself, as he held the
-point in the water, instead of coming from his hand, as the tail of
-a fish is sometimes seen to move in the water, when its body remains
-motionless. The canoe sped forward without the least sound, but
-instead of halting at the island, Jim observed that it passed behind
-it, and immediately disappeared.
-
-The African now drove his horses into the water, and crossed without
-difficulty. As he came out, he halted a moment to take a last view
-of the little gem which rose from the lake. The first glance nearly
-frightened him out of his wits; for, on the nearest point, he saw a
-thin, waving, arrowy point of light rise to the height of five or six
-feet, and then vibrate back and forth, as though held by a hand which
-oscillated from right to left.
-
-While he sat amazed, a second flame, precisely similar, arose from
-another point of the island, and then another, and another, until
-fully half a dozen were visible, every one issuing from that portion
-of the island which touched the edge of the water. It was indeed a
-small representation of what Magellan, the great circumnavigator, saw
-in 1520, when he sailed by Terra del Fuego.
-
-“I tinks it’s ’bout time Mr. Tubbs left dese parts,” chattered Jim,
-as, with a shiver of horror, he started his horses homeward.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VII.
-
-
-Jim had gone but a short distance, when, still fascinated by his
-great terror, he reined up his horses and looked back at the moonlit
-lake and the little island in its center. Could he believe his eyes?
-_Yes; it was moving._ He saw it slowly float toward the wood, until,
-unable to control his excessive fear, he once more gave the rein to
-his animal, and did not pause until he was far beyond sight of the
-lake and its Enchanted Island.
-
-The negro rode a considerable distance, when, as objects around him
-began to wear a singular look, he drew his animals down to a walk,
-and, on the edge of a rocky grove of small trees, came to a dead halt.
-
-“Dis yere looks strange! I disremember dese trees; Ise afeerd Mr.
-Tubbs is off de track, an’ how is he gwine to git on agin, am de
-question.”
-
-The country through which he was journeying, was a broad valley,
-interspersed with streams and canons, trees and open spaces, and huge
-boulders piled promiscuously here and there, and in some places so
-thickly strewn as to become almost impassable. There were acres where
-one could gallop as free as upon the beaten road, and then, for the
-same distance, it was the utmost that a horseman could do to pick his
-way along.
-
-In the hurried manner in which Jim had made headway across the
-desolate tract, it was not to be supposed that he entertained a very
-vivid recollection of the landmarks; but he had quite a memory of
-places, and after he had rested his animal for a few moments, he
-became certain that he was lost. Under these circumstances, his only
-resource was to fall back on general principles, and take the course
-which he believed would eventually lead him to the neighborhood of
-the cave.
-
-By carefully studying the position of the moon, he believed he was
-going too much to the south, and, turning to the right, he followed
-this course at a slow walk, watching carefully for some landmarks
-which could be recognized. Discovering none, and it being well on
-toward midnight, he checked his horses, with the intention of waiting
-until morning.
-
-Jim was pretty tired, and, tying the horses together, he lay down on
-the ground beside a rock, and in a few moments was asleep. He was
-undisturbed until daylight, when he was awakened in a manner which
-brought a howl of terror from him.
-
-Some crushing weight descended upon his foot, and, starting up,
-he gazed about him for the cause. It proved nothing less than the
-baggage mule so frequently referred to, which, in journeying straight
-forward in the path which he had been started upon, had thus come
-directly upon the sleeping African.
-
-“What!” he shouted, placing himself directly in front of the animal,
-and checking him in the same manner that a wall of rock would have
-done. “Dat ’ere is queer!” he laughed, “dat I put myself right afore
-you. Shouldn’t wonder now if you was on de right track; leastways
-we’ll try you.”
-
-The mule was fired up, and, as it moved on again, the negro
-followed on the back of his own horse. To his great surprise and
-gratification, he had gone but a short distance when he caught sight
-of a small clump of trees which he recognized as a point passed by
-him shortly after he had started in pursuit of the Mohave and his
-prey.
-
-He was highly pleased at this, and pressing on until he had reached
-the grove, became convinced that he was on the right track, and would
-rejoin his friends in the course of an hour. Beyond this spot all was
-familiar, and he advanced without hesitation or misgiving. Reaching
-the point where their animals had been tethered, he drove them in
-among the trees, and, first securing them, started out in quest of
-his friends.
-
-Jim had walked but a few yards, when it suddenly occurred to him,
-as he recalled the previous night’s experience, that there might be
-danger in advancing so openly to the cave. It was a very easy matter
-for a party of aborigines to conceal themselves along the banks, and
-rush upon and secure him before he could help himself.
-
-It struck him, too, as he approached the cave, that an unnatural
-stillness reigned around it. The sun was now up, and it was high
-time that his friends were bestirring themselves. A vague fear took
-possession of the African, as he halted some rods away, and looked
-furtively about him. Everything was so quiet--nothing moving except
-the stream, and that made scarcely a ripple as it glided over its
-sandy bed.
-
-Jim was standing in this apprehensive state when a slight noise in
-the rear startled him. Turning his alarmed gaze, he expected to
-behold a whole troop of painted red men about to swoop down upon him;
-but, in the place of that, recognized the smiling face of young Edwin
-Inwood.
-
-“Bress me, but you scart dis chile dat time!” said Jim, his teeth
-fairly chattering at the remembrance of his shock.
-
-“I threw a stone to let you know I was near; I didn’t mean to
-frighten you.”
-
-“It wasn’t de stone dat scart me, it was de thought dat I tink it was
-sumfin’ else. Whar’s George?”
-
-“Inside the cave.”
-
-“Had breakfast?”
-
-“No; we were just going to prepare it. Here he comes!”
-
-At this moment, George Inwood made his appearance above ground, and
-he greeted the negro with great gladness. The latter soon gave an
-account of his pursuit and capture of the horses, and his safe return
-with them.
-
-“You have done very well, Jim, especially when we remember that you
-had no gun with you. There are few men who would have dared to do so,
-even when fully armed.”
-
-“But, dat ain’t all,” added the colored man, as he heaved a great
-sigh, “I seen de most awfulest ting you ever heard tell on.”
-
-In answer to their anxious inquiry, he gave what has already been
-given by us, winding up with the declaration:
-
-“An’ when I looked back de last time, what do you ’spose I seen? Why,
-I seen dat island rise up, flap its wings, an’ fly away!”
-
-“There, Jim, that’s a little too much,” laughed the elder Inwood.
-
-“When it flapped its wings, didn’t it also crow?” asked Edwin, whose
-interest in the narrative was turned into equally intense amusement
-at this culmination.
-
-“You folks can laugh,” retorted Jim, indignantly, “but wait till you
-see what I did, an’ de shivers will run all ober you.”
-
-“It may be possible that it was a _mirage_,” said George, somewhat
-impressed by the earnest manner of his sable friend.
-
-“A _mirage_ by moonlight?” inquired Edwin.
-
-“Such things have been heard of, I believe, although very rarely.”
-
-“What’s a _mirage_?” demanded Jim.
-
-By great perseverance, George succeeded in giving Jim a sort of an
-idea of what he meant, although, in all probability, he would have
-regarded the _mirage_ itself equally mysterious and wonderful as the
-bodily exit of a _bona fide_ island before his eyes.
-
-“All I got to say is, you jes’ go an’ see it, an’ den you’ll stop
-laughing at dem as what undertakes to explanify it to you.”
-
-“Perhaps we shall have the opportunity, as I have concluded to leave
-these quarters.”
-
-“What fur?”
-
-“In the first place, our safety demands it. The Indians have found
-out we are here, and they will hover about and watch us, until some
-time they will pounce down upon us before we know it.”
-
-“What ob dat? Didn’t they do it last ebening?”
-
-“Yes; and Providentially we were able to drive them off; but you
-can see that if a hundred of them should come down here, they could
-keep us in the cave until we died of thirst or starvation, or were
-compelled to surrender, and our end in each case would be the same.”
-
-“But we hadn’t orter leave de gold jus’ as we ’gin to find it.”
-
-“We shall leave a very small quantity of it behind. The supply has
-about run out. You remember that we had a small lot yesterday. The
-reason was that we had gathered about all there was, and so you see
-there is nothing to keep us here, while we have every inducement to
-draw us away.”
-
-As this was undoubtedly the case, there was no gainsaying the
-argument of Inwood, and it was decided to move their quarters without
-further delay. Breakfast was prepared, during which Edwin took his
-station and kept a sharp watch for straggling Indians. None were
-discovered, and he descended and joined them in the morning meal.
-Their baggage was piled on the mule, the five tiny sacks which
-contained the yellow dust, were taken in charge by George, and while
-it was yet early in the day, they took up the line of march.
-
-Very appropriately, Jim led the way, he riding his nag with all
-the dignity of a conqueror at the head of his army. Inwood was not
-so particularly anxious to see the Enchanted Island, as he was to
-make sure that no Mohaves were following or watching them. The most
-vigilant scrutiny failed to detect any of the dreaded creatures, and
-our friends finally ventured to believe that with due prudence they
-could reach a place of safety.
-
-It was past noon, when Jim, who was riding a short distance in
-advance, ascended a small elevation, and then suddenly made a signal
-for his companions to hurry alongside of him. The next moment the
-three were side by side.
-
-“Dere!” said Jim, pointing off to the east, “is de lake an’ de
-island.”
-
-The beautiful, circular sheet of water lay a half mile away, and
-right in the center was an island about fifty feet in length, and
-half that distance in breadth. It was covered with young trees and
-dense vegetation, and in the bright sunlight had a cool, fresh
-appearance, which made it still more pleasant than when viewed under
-the witching rays of the moon.
-
-George Inwood produced a small spy-glass from his pocket, and scanned
-it long and narrowly. There was something about this little island,
-aside from the marvellous stories related of it by Jim, which
-awakened his curiosity. While apparently still and devoid of life, he
-saw signs which convinced him that more than one person was upon it.
-
-In among the leaves he could detect a fluttering, tremulous motion,
-and around the edge of the island were ripples which must have been
-caused by human hands, as the surface of the lake in every other
-portion was as smooth as a mirror. He thought he heard once or twice
-a plashing sound, which came either from the island itself, or from
-directly behind it. He decided to say nothing of his suspicions until
-he had learned more of it, what certainly wore a singular look, to
-say the least.
-
-He was on the point of lowering his glass, when a slight movement
-among the bushes on the eastern shore of the lake caught his eye, and
-he immediately directed his gaze toward that point.
-
-The naked vision would have discovered nothing, but by the aid of
-the lens he discovered a man standing on the very edge of the wood,
-and scrutinizing the party. At first glance, he took him to be
-an Indian, but a continued examination satisfied Inwood that the
-stranger was a white man, dressed and painted as a red man. What gave
-this impression was the fact that his outfit was not complete, being
-deficient about his head. This, instead of being bare, with the long,
-wiry black hair stained and ornamented with eagle feathers, (as is
-the custom of the Mohaves and Apaches) was surmounted by a slouched
-hat which entirely concealed the short hair.
-
-The painted white man gazed long and intently upon the party, from
-which fact Inwood judged that he was displeased at their appearance
-and anxious to keep himself invisible. This, united with the curious
-facts noted regarding the appearance of the island, furnished food
-for speculation, and Inwood lowered his glass and placed it away with
-the conviction that there was some mystery connected with this lake
-and the tiny island resting in the center, which, perhaps, it might
-be well for him to attempt to fathom.
-
-“What you tink ob him?” inquired Jim, much wondering at the continued
-silence of Inwood.
-
-“It is the finest scene I have ever looked upon. Nothing could be
-more beautiful than the lake, and the island, and the green shores
-which surround, and the white mountain peaks away in the distance.”
-
-“Wait till you see it fly away--den I guess you tink it beautifuller
-yet.”
-
-“I am afraid I shall have to wait a good while,” said Inwood.
-
-“Shall we go on?” inquired Edwin.
-
-“I rather like the appearance of the country around here, and I think
-we are as likely to find gold as in any other place. We will hunt up
-some good spot, take up our quarters, and go to prospecting. The best
-plan, I think, is for us to turn square around and start back again.”
-
-“What dat for?”
-
-Edwin, too, looked an inquiry, but George said he had a good reason,
-and accordingly it was done.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VIII.
-
-
-The party turned about as if to retrace their steps; but the moment
-they had descended the hill, so as to be out of sight of the
-Enchanted Island, Inwood dismounted, and said to his friends:
-
-“Now, you walk the horses as slowly as you can, and when you get
-beyond that grove of trees, wait for me, but don’t halt until you are
-there.”
-
-Jim and Edwin looked wonderingly at him, but he waved them
-impatiently away, and trailing his rifle, ran rapidly around the
-brow of the hill from which he had taken his view of the lake, and,
-gaining a position where he could still see it, he screened himself
-from observation, and carefully awaited the confirmation of his
-suspicions.
-
-He had been here about twenty minutes, when he observed an agitation
-in the bushes between the hill and the lake, and the next minute the
-head and shoulders of a man rose to view. One glance identified him
-as the individual whom he had surveyed through his telescope, and it
-is hardly necessary to say that our young friend watched his motions
-with intense interest.
-
-Looking cautiously about him, as if to satisfy himself that he was
-unobserved, the stranger soon came fully to view, and commenced
-ascending the hill with a silent, cautious step. Reaching a point
-almost to the summit, he sank down on his hands and knees, and looked
-over. Watching the horsemen, who, by this time, were a third of a
-mile distant, for a few moments, he laid his rifle across a mound of
-earth, and took a long, deliberate sight.
-
-Inwood felt very uncomfortable as he watched this operation, and he
-was on the point of bringing his own gun to his shoulder to prevent
-this murder, when the piece was discharged, and, glancing at his
-friends, he saw that they were not disturbed enough to cause them to
-look around.
-
-“Try it again!” muttered Inwood, “that is rather too long a range for
-a gun like yours.”
-
-The man, after the failure of his piece, took an upright position,
-and watched the horsemen with an intensity of gaze which showed that
-for some reason or other, he had a deep interest in their movements.
-Finally they rode behind the grove referred to, and the man, with a
-great sigh and some muttered words, turned on his heel and descended
-the hill.
-
-“That man, for some reason or other, doesn’t wish any visitors in
-these parts,” was the reflection of Inwood, “and he has a special
-objection to white men. There is some connection between what I have
-seen and that island out in the lake.”
-
-Having learned all that he deemed it safe to learn, he carefully made
-his way out of his hiding place, and soon after rejoined his friends
-behind the grove. Jim had had some difficulty in controlling the
-actions of the mule, but he had succeeded at last in bringing him to
-a stop by shying him against the trunk of a tree, as he swung round
-his circle.
-
-“Dat’s de way to put de brakes on,” said Jim, “no danger ob de wheels
-slippin’--fotched him up _chock_!”
-
-“I suppose you didn’t understand what I meant,” remarked George, as
-he resumed his horse, “but I discovered a man watching us, and I
-wanted to watch him a little.”
-
-“Did you see him?”
-
-“Yes; but I took good care that he didn’t see me. You heard a gun
-fired shortly after you left. That was done by him, and he took
-deliberate aim at you, but the distance proved too great.”
-
-As might be expected, this announcement created quite a sensation.
-
-“He is a white man,” added George, “although he is disguised as an
-Indian. Why he should do so, I cannot understand, but I suspect
-he does not want any one to know that there are white men in this
-vicinity. It might draw others here, to which he appears to have a
-strong objection.”
-
-“It has sumfin’ to do wid dat ’ere island!” asserted Jim.
-
-“I believe you are correct.”
-
-“An’ dere is _spooks_ about, so’ de best ting we can do is to
-trabble. I--I--I--don’t tink the air around here ’grees wid me.”
-
-“We must find a suitable place and settle down here for a few months,
-or, at any rate, until I understand the mystery about this Enchanted
-Island.”
-
-“Jus’ as you says; I don’t care about Ingins, for I can come de gold
-trick ober dem, but I don’t like _spooks_.”
-
-“Can’t you serve them the same way?”
-
-“No; dey won’t hold still; dey is always oneasy, an’ den I’s afeered
-ob ’em.”
-
-“They have never harmed any one as yet.”
-
-“But dey will carry you off--dat’s what dey will do.”
-
-“Do you think we are going to find any gold?” inquired Edwin.
-
-“We may and we may not; the chances are equally good in almost any
-place in this section.”
-
-“I suppose there is plenty of hunting?”
-
-“Yes; and we will let you range the woods. Jim may look for gold,
-while I keep my eye on this island. I think we shall all find enough
-to interest us.”
-
-“I’s no ’bjection, so long as I don’t have to hunt _spooks_,” replied
-the negro.
-
-“It seems to me,” continued George, pointing to the south, “that off
-yonder must be a good place for our camping ground. Suppose we make a
-search there?”
-
-“Dat’s good,” said Jim, with a pleased countenance, “don’t you see
-dat de mule has got his head turned dat way. Jus’ wait a minute.”
-
-The animal was shoved a little to one side, so as to go clear of the
-tree, when he instantly started off on his long, loping walk, while
-the rest followed.
-
-The point indicated by George Inwood was a mile away, and when they
-reached it, they found themselves on the border of a large wood, with
-an undergrowth of almost impenetrable density. A small stream of
-clear cold water gushed silently forth; and, following up the pebbly
-bed of this for several yards, they made an abrupt turn to the right,
-when they fixed upon their camping ground. A small space was cleared
-off, and their tent erected, when they made search for a grazing
-ground for their horses. This was found without much difficulty, and,
-by the middle of the afternoon, they were fairly settled in their new
-quarters.
-
-They had enough provisions to give them a meal, when they all lay
-down to rest and chat over matters.
-
-“To-morrow, Edwin, you start on your hunt,” said George, “and, as we
-are in a totally new country, you must use extra caution.”
-
-“What shall I bring you?” asked the young hunter, “a grizzly bear or
-an antelope?”
-
-“I prefers an antelope,” replied Jim, “an’ if you comes across a
-grizzly b’ar, you’d better take my advice an’ give him a wide berfh.”
-
-“Yes; fire your gun only when it is necessary; don’t be tempted aside
-by any wish for sport, or any ambition to become a great hunter.”
-
-Edwin had received this advice so often that he did not see the
-necessity of its being repeated. He could only repeat his intention
-to be prudent and careful, as he had been at all times.
-
-“As we have several hours of daylight before us,” continued Inwood,
-“suppose we make a reconnoisance of the lake?”
-
-“Dat ’ere will suit me,” replied Jim, “I want you to see dat island
-fly away. I know you won’t b’lieve it till you see it.”
-
-“That I certainly shall not; you will go with us, Edwin?”
-
-“I would rather take a ramble in another direction, if you are
-willing.”
-
-“Certainly; try and be in before dusk. Come, Jim, if you are ready.”
-
-They stepped into the brook, and, walking on the hard, pebbly bed,
-soon emerged into the open, rocky country, about a mile distant from
-the lake.
-
-“Now, Jim,” said Inwood, “we must be particularly cautious. There are
-other white men in this neighborhood, and I am sure if they knew we
-were here, they would as lief kill us as not, to get us out of the
-way.”
-
-“’Spose so; but den what would _we_ do all dat time?” was the surly
-demand of the African. “While dey was doing dat, we’d have de chance
-to try de _gold trick_. I would just as lieb see dem as not--a little
-lieber, I tink.”
-
-“I would not; if we can get along without trouble, it is our duty
-to do so, and I particularly request you to be cautious in your
-movements. The man that I watched has already fired his gun at us,
-and if he can steal up within a hundred feet, it isn’t likely he’ll
-make such a miss as he did awhile ago.”
-
-“Hang ’em! what do dey wish to shoot us for?”
-
-“That’s the question which I wish to settle.”
-
-“An’ what does he want to make hisself look like one ob dem darkeys
-for, ’stead ob being ’spectable?”
-
-“It is all curious, Jim, but I have hopes that we may penetrate the
-mystery before long.”
-
-All this time the two men were carefully making their way toward the
-lake, both of them constantly gazing about them to discover any signs
-of danger. Inwood saw nothing, and was about to congratulate himself
-upon the secrecy which had attended their entrance into this strange
-section, when Jim suddenly started.
-
-“Dere he is! look dere!”
-
-“Where?”
-
-He pointed a little to the right of the lake; but, as Inwood followed
-the direction of his finger, he saw nothing, and so he said.
-
-“He jest now dropped down--right dere--let’s foller him up,”
-exclaimed the negro, dashing straight at the spot, while Inwood
-speedily followed him, hardly certain whether he was acting prudently
-or not in doing so.
-
-All the time they kept their eyes fixed upon the point, and the
-nature of the ground being such that the stranger could not escape
-without being seen, they were confident of either catching or
-identifying him. Jim made good progress despite his ungainly manner
-of traveling, and, in a few minutes, he came upon the place, which
-consisted of a small rock raised about a foot above the surface.
-Dashing forward, he made a spring over it, his immense feet coming
-down simultaneously and tremendously.
-
-“_Dere, I got you! hold still now, for you is fast!_”
-
-But he wasn’t, no one was there.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IX.
-
-
-Inwood laughed at the look of his sable friend, as he gazed about
-him, as if he did not understand the meaning of all this.
-
-“Where is your man?” he asked.
-
-“Gracious! I don’t know; wonder if I didn’t mash him down into
-de ground,” he said, stepping to one side and reviewing the huge
-footprints which he had made in the sod. “He ain’t dere! wonder where
-he went?”
-
-“I suspect he hasn’t been there at all. You must have been mistaken,
-Jim. Are there any other footprints?”
-
-After strict search they failed to find any, and Inwood was satisfied
-of Jim’s mistake, although the latter was loth to admit it.
-
-“Now,” said Inwood, “I am going to find out all I can about matters
-and things. If you choose you can go home, or you can remain here.”
-
-“If it’s all de same to you, I tinks I’ll retire,” said Jim,
-displaying considerable eagerness to get out of the immediate
-neighborhood. Inwood watched him until he disappeared from view as he
-went crouching among the rocks and hills back to his hiding place.
-
-It was now near nightfall, and our young friend deemed it best to
-make himself invisible until he could reconnoitre with safety in the
-darkness. In this wild, rocky country, it was easy to find a secure
-hiding place, and this he did, first satisfying himself that he was
-not watched in his manœuvres.
-
-Night finally descended upon mountain and lake, and when it was fully
-dark, Inwood crept cautiously forth, and approached the edge of the
-water. The moon did not rise until late, and he was sure that if any
-sentinel was on guard, he had not detected his approach. He had come
-upon the lake at a point several hundred yards removed from the point
-where the canon debouched into it, and he sat down for a few moments
-to meditate upon the best thing to do.
-
-As he sat and listened, he was sure he heard a faint rippling out
-upon the lake near the point where he could just make out the dark
-outlines of the island looming up in the distance; but the gloom
-prevented his discovering anything more. Behind and around him was
-darkness, and in that solemn moment, George Inwood (naturally devout
-and thoughtful) lifted up his heart to the great Being above the
-stars, and sat for a time in blissful communion, such as the men of
-the world can never know.
-
-He felt that this was a strange undertaking upon which he was about
-to venture, and, with the simplicity of a child, he asked that he
-might do that only which was right, and that he and those with him
-might be protected to the end.
-
-He concluded, after fully deliberating upon the matter, to remove his
-clothing, and swim out to the island. By this means he could examine
-it silently and thoroughly, and with more safety than if he remained
-on shore waiting for a suitable opportunity.
-
-His clothing was rolled into a bundle, and placed in a niche among
-the rocks, after which he took his bearings to make sure of no
-difficulty in recovering them. This done, he waded carefully out,
-immediately rushing above his head into the chilly waters. The first
-shock over, the lake felt cool and pleasant, and he struck out slowly
-and easily toward the island.
-
-As he neared the place which had created such wonder, he slowed his
-strokes, until he barely moved through the water, while he kept his
-eyes and ears open. Nothing suspicious rewarded his vigilance, and
-he was on the point of advancing more rapidly, when he detected the
-outlines of a man standing on the very edge of the island nearest him.
-
-Inwood was so close that at first he was sure he had been discovered;
-but, as the stranger gave no evidence of suspecting anything, he
-slowly backed water, and gradually worked his way round to the
-opposite side. Here he dallied awhile, until seeing nothing alarming,
-he began making his way in.
-
-But again, at this very juncture, he caught the glimmer of a light,
-heard the suppressed murmur of a voice, followed by a gentle
-plashing. The next moment he made the startling discovery that,
-while he was not approaching the island, it was approaching him. An
-indescribable thrill ran through him, and he understood the feeling
-which Jim had expressed; but his own sense forbade any faltering, and
-he concluded to wait for the “mountain to come to Mohamet.”
-
-A moment later he touched the edge of the island, and then learned
-that instead of earth, his hands were resting against logs, and that
-they extended several feet below the surface.
-
-“I have learned one thing,” was the reflection of Inwood, “this
-Enchanted Island rests upon logs, and isn’t much more than a
-skilfully covered raft.”
-
-But the question still remained, as to what it all meant. What
-earthly reason could there be for a floating island in the midst of
-a lonely lake? There was some object beyond all question, and he
-resolved, if possible, to ascertain it for himself.
-
-As he floated along with the island, he heard the grating of poles
-upon the bottom of the lake, and it was therefore easy to comprehend
-the means of locomotion. Shortly after he detected shadowy forms
-passing to and fro, as they busied themselves in shoving the craft
-along. The phantom like appearance of things was increased by the
-silence with which these men worked. As yet, he had not heard a
-whisper exchanged between them.
-
-Inwood right speedily appreciated the delicately dangerous position
-in which he was placed. One of the raftmen, as he drove his pole down
-into the water, just missed driving it into his crown, but he was
-an excellent swimmer, and he relied upon his skill in the perilous
-feature which this adventure was putting on.
-
-“The old thing moves rather heavy!” finally remarked one of the men,
-in a gruff voice.
-
-“Yes,” was the response, “it acts as if the logs were becoming
-water-soaked. I’ve noticed for the last day or two that it seems to
-have sunk a few inches.”
-
-“I s’pose maybe it’s carrying a pretty good load.”
-
-This remark seemed to contain some hidden meaning which pleased the
-fancy of the others, for they all indulged in a quiet laugh.
-
-These words, as a matter of course, were overheard by Inwood, who was
-puzzled more and more to understand their meaning; but the men did
-not seem to take up a train of remarks calculated to enlighten him.
-They plied the unwieldy craft for a few minutes longer in silence,
-and then, as one paused to rest a moment, he spoke in this manner to
-him who was standing nearest:
-
-“Too bad that a parcel should come down on us at this time.”
-
-“Yes; and I’m afraid they’re going to stay.”
-
-“We gave the darkey a good enough fright to keep him away, but that
-man doesn’t look as if he could be frightened by any such thing.”
-
-“There’s a youngster, too, I noticed to-day, when I fired at them.”
-
-“Very likely they’ll get far enough away not to trouble us any more.
-It looked to me as though the darkey had brought them back to take a
-look at the lake and island, seeing which, they were satisfied and
-went back.”
-
-“I hope so, for it’s too bad----”
-
-At this juncture, the man thrust his pole into the water, and applied
-his strength to it, as a consequence of which, his words came so
-mutilated through his closed teeth as to be unintelligible to the
-intensely interested person on the other side.
-
-All at once, Inwood felt his feet touch the bottom, and, turning his
-head, saw that they were within a hundred yards of the shore. Whether
-they intended anchoring a short distance from the land, or to lie
-against it, was unknown to him, although he surmised the latter, as
-the depth remained the same, and they still used their poles with
-the same resolve as at first.
-
-If Inwood was right in his conjectures on this point, he saw that he
-must evacuate his position to escape being jammed between it and the
-rock.
-
-Moving carefully along the edge of the raft, he made his way around
-the end, when he became aware of another fact which could not fail
-to give him uneasiness. The moon was rising, and as soon as it came
-above the wood or mountain, could scarcely fail to reveal him; but,
-as a few moments later they would be along the shore, he conjectured
-that if the worst came to worst, he could dart into the wood and take
-his chances of escape.
-
-Shortly after, the Enchanted Island lightly touched the shore,
-and immediately, to the delight of Inwood, the three men whom he
-had noticed, sprang off and disappeared with rather a remarkable
-abruptness--so singular indeed that he believed they intended to
-return, and he therefore maintained his position until this point was
-settled.
-
-Fifteen or twenty minutes passing away, and bringing no sight nor
-sound of them, he hesitated a moment, and then concluded to clamber
-upon the island and satisfy himself, so far as possible, regarding
-it. Still a vague sense or danger restrained him. It did not seem
-improbable that a sentinel was stationed upon this curious piece of
-workmanship, although if such were the case, he took particular good
-care to keep quiet and unobserved.
-
-To satisfy himself, Inwood, with his hands drew himself twice
-entirely around the island. This gave him an accurate idea of
-its size, and showed him that its base was wood. He saw nothing
-suspicious, although a dozen men could have been effectually
-concealed in the dense shrubbery.
-
-Suddenly a whim took possession of him to dive beneath it, and
-examine its construction as he passed along. This plan offered the
-least danger, and the breadth of the island was such that he could do
-it with little or no difficulty.
-
-Sinking softly downward until he reached the lowest point, he struck
-rapidly out, and had taken but one stroke beneath the surface, when
-he came abruptly upward, and as he threw his hands above, felt
-nothing but the water. The next moment, to his unbounded surprise,
-he found that he was in the center of the island, which enclosed him
-on every side. In fact, it was a floating circle, the middle portion
-being open and full of water.
-
-George felt around until he placed his hand upon a support, when
-he came to the conclusion that he had advanced another step in the
-solution of this mystery, but the step had taken him into as blank
-darkness as had the first move he made.
-
-Here was proof that the Enchanted Island, as he had named it from
-his first impression, was the careful work of human hands, although
-why it ever should have been made was totally unexplainable. In the
-midst of his meditation on this point, he was not a little startled
-to observe, by the increasing light of the moon, the figure of a man,
-undoubtedly a sentinel, who, by the nodding of his head, was either
-half or wholly asleep.
-
-Which was a very fortunate thing for Mr. Inwood, otherwise he could
-not have failed of discovering himself to him. Sheltered by the shade
-of the shrubbery, he made as hasty examination as possible of the
-contour of this interior basin, but could discover nothing more than
-that it was oblong in shape, and quite even around its edges.
-
-It was while engaged in this survey that the man arose and looked
-down into the water, as if he saw something suspicious.
-
-“There’s _something_ there!” he muttered in an audible voice, “and
-I’ve heard it more than once. It’s a queer fish, I think.”
-
-The queer fish, at this juncture, deemed it prudent to sink down and
-retreat to the outer surface of the lake, which place he reached just
-in time to see his man standing along shore with a huge pole, as if
-watching for him to rise. Fortunately, he was so close to the shore,
-as to be in shadow, and, feeling his way along, he speedily reached
-land, where he waited until his friend’s attention was called in
-another direction, when he crawled out, somewhat weakened by his long
-habitation in the water.
-
-But the object of his reconnoisance, so far as possible, was
-obtained, and he set out on his return. He experienced some
-difficulty in recovering his clothing, but succeeded at last, and
-started rapidly homeward. He was not a little alarmed upon reaching
-the place to find that neither Jim nor Edwin was there.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER X.
-
-
-Young Edwin Inwood had been deprived so long of his hunt, that he
-determined to improve his time to the utmost. He took a direction
-exactly opposite to the one pursued by his brother, and soon found
-himself in the midst of the wood which contained their new home,
-where it was open and easily traveled.
-
-It was his wish to secure an antelope, which were quite abundant
-in this section, although almost entirely unknown a little further
-south, and he walked very carefully, well aware of the acuteness of
-their hearing. A quarter of a mile or so brought him to a broad, wild
-ravine, and, looking down this, the first object that met his eye
-was a group of Mohave Indians seated around a camp-fire. Three sat
-smoking, and two were engaged in dressing a fine plump antelope, and
-preparing it for their supper.
-
-They were fully a hundred feet below where the boy stood, and several
-hundred yards distant. He watched them for some time with interest.
-Each had around his person or near him, one of those brilliant and
-wonderfully woven blankets, which have made the Indians of the
-distant southwest known all over the country. They were painted and
-daubed up like a lot of children’s toys, their coarse black hair
-hanging loosely over their shoulders, while its usual stiffness was
-intensified by the rainbow-hued stuff smeared among it. It makes a
-fellow look hideously comical to see his face of all colors, and
-there was something in the outlandish look of these Mohaves which
-would have brought a grim smile to the countenance of him who had
-scarcely ever laughed.
-
-They never once raised their heads, although Edwin scrutinized them
-so closely that he was sure they were a portion of the party which
-had attacked them at the cave, and he recognized the very individual
-who was so handsomely vanquished in his attempt to shake hands with
-Jim Tubbs. This being the case, he entertained much less fear of them
-than he would, had they been strangers.
-
-But, recollecting that he had come out for the purpose of obtaining
-food, he turned away and wandered off in another direction. While
-he was asking himself whether it would be prudent to fire his gun
-in their vicinity or not, a fine plump young antelope rushed by him
-with the speed of the wind. Quick as thought his gun was over his
-shoulder, and, with a frenzied leap, the beautiful creature dropped,
-and, after a few frantic struggles, lay dead.
-
-Edwin hurried up to him, and, drawing his knife, commenced dressing
-it and securing the choicest portions for their supper. Absorbed thus
-in his work, he forgot entirely the proximity of the aborigines. He
-had about completed his work, when, with lightning-like suddenness, a
-reflection of his peril came over him, and he rose erect and glanced
-about him.
-
-Providentially his first look was directed toward the proper point,
-and he saw at quite a distance two Indians, standing perfectly
-motionless, and watching him seemingly with great interest. The
-moment he raised his head they darted each behind a tree, evidently
-not through fear, but with a far different object.
-
-Edwin was a boy with an intelligence and perception beyond his years,
-and he immediately saw his danger, and looked furtively around to
-learn the best direction in which to retreat. His first thought was
-to run straight from the red men and, observing that the wood was
-thicker and more broken, he did not hesitate, but started off at once.
-
-Casting one glance over his shoulder, he observed the two aborigines
-after him, although neither of them gave utterance to the “yell,”
-which, with the proverbial “_ugh_,” seems to be about the only
-language which ever emerges from the lips of the North American
-Indian, if the authority of story writers is to be taken.
-
-In a race of this kind, we could not dare risk our reputation in
-saying that the little fellow was anything like a match for his lithe
-pursuers. He hadn’t been in training as long as they, and it was
-impossible that the cowardly Mohaves should not gain upon him with
-sad certainty.
-
-All of which he expected, and he therefore turned all his energies
-toward finding some place in which he could conceal himself. Bounding
-over and among the rough and rugged rocks, he turned at right angles
-to the course he had been following, darted a few rods ahead, and
-then, to his dismay, found himself on the banks of a small, rapid
-stream.
-
-But there was no time for hesitation. He ran along the shore a little
-way, and then rapidly climbed a small tree, dragging his rifle as
-best he could after him. Here he crouched among the branches, and,
-panting and trembling, awaited the result.
-
-As yet, he had not heard a sound, but he did not dare hope that his
-pursuers were off the scent. He had read certain wonderful tales of
-the miraculous prowess of the “red men of the woods,” and had every
-reason to believe that they were perfect bloodhounds in such matters.
-
-Nor was he mistaken; for he had not been in his elevated position
-five minutes, when, through the interstices of the leaves, he saw one
-of them walking along the edge of the stream, carefully examining the
-ground, occasionally pausing and looking about him, and now and then
-making a curious, gyrating motion with his hand over his head, which
-the boy did not understand, but which we suspect was a signal for his
-companion.
-
-It would have been the easiest thing in the world for Edwin Inwood
-to load his gun, and shoot the Mohave who was stealing so cautiously
-upon him; but he hesitated. It is no light thing to take a human
-life, even if it belong to an Indian, and he did not wish to commit
-such a deed, unless his own self preservation demanded it. Whether it
-did or not was the question which the boy considered, and upon which
-he was hardly able to decide.
-
-Suppose he did slay the red man, his companion remained, against
-whom he could do nothing, and who would be sure to visit a cruel
-punishment upon him. No; he decided that the time had not yet come
-for him to do such a thing.
-
-In the meantime, the Mohave was close at hand. Not once did he
-raise his head, but walked slowly along, examining the ground, and
-looking across the stream as though he expected to see the fugitive.
-The heart of the latter gave a throb as he saw him pass beyond the
-tree which contained himself; but the temporary hope thus awakened
-was speedily dispelled by observing the red man suddenly halt, look
-around him as though he failed, for the moment, exactly to comprehend
-things, and then he raised his head and saw the youngster cowering
-among the branches.
-
-The Mohave surveyed him quietly a moment, and then motioned for him
-to descend. The boy could not refuse, as he was entirely in his
-power, and he obeyed without delay. The captor looked into his face
-with a curious expression, but still uttered no exclamation or word.
-Finally, he took him by the arm, led him a short distance down the
-stream of the brook, and then motioned for him to fall behind and
-follow.
-
-On the whole, this struck Edwin as rather a curious proceeding. The
-Mohave had not deprived him of his gun, and did not even take the
-trouble to examine whether it was loaded or not, nor did he once look
-over his shoulder to see whether he was followed by the captive.
-It was a strong temptation to the latter to dart aside, and make
-another effort to get away, but he could hardly bring his mind to the
-“sticking point.”
-
-As a matter of course, Edwin had strong hope of getting out of this
-difficulty, and he therefore paid strict attention to the route which
-they followed, so as not to be lost, when the opportunity should come
-to him. The Mohave literally took the “back track,” going over his
-own footsteps, and turning off from the stream at precisely the point
-where the boy first struck it.
-
-As yet there was nothing seen of the other Indian, and the boy
-was wondering where he could have taken himself, when he made his
-appearance as suddenly as if he had risen from the very ground. He
-seemed to entertain the same constitutional objection to talking as
-did his predecessor, for not a word was exchanged between them. One
-walked in the front and the other in the rear of the boy, so that,
-for the present, he gave over all thoughts of taking abrupt leave of
-them.
-
-The party passed directly by the remains of the antelope slain by
-Edwin, and so on until they reached the gorge where he had first
-descried the Mohaves as they were seated around the camp-fire. This
-led the boy to think that they were a part of those who had besieged
-them in the cave.
-
-Whether this was a matter for congratulation or fear was more than he
-could determine, although it gave him hope that the captured Mohave
-might be among them, who he was sure would not forget the magnanimity
-shown him when he was at the mercy of those whom he sought to injure.
-
-Nightfall was close at hand, and the party made their preparations
-for remaining on the old camping-ground of their former friends.
-They had a portion of the antelope with them, and offered a piece to
-Edwin, who accepted it more for the sake of pleasing them, than on
-account of any hunger he felt. After this, they seated themselves
-upon the ground, and motioned for him to do the same. Their pipes
-were then produced, and then began the longest and dreariest evening
-of Edwin Inwood’s life.
-
-He lay on the ground, looking up at the stars, communing with the
-Great Being who dwelt beyond them, wondering what George and Jim
-thought of his prolonged absence, and speculating as to what the
-morrow would bring forth. Hour after hour wore away, and it was near
-midnight, when his ear detected a faint, regular jarring of the
-ground, and, raising his head, he saw through the gloom a party of
-men close at hand.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XI.
-
-
-“I doesn’t care ’tic’larly ’bout gittin’ ’quainted wid any _spooks_,”
-muttered Jim Tubbs, after bidding good-bye to George Inwood, as the
-latter started on his reconnoisance of the Enchanted Island.
-
-“Dat ’ere George was always a fearsome boy eber since he was a little
-codger, dat used to ride de hosses at home in ole New York--nebber
-could make him b’lebe any stories about ghosts, an’ hobblegoblins,
-an’ spooks. Beats all natur’ how queer some folks be; I don’t care
-much for darkeys, whedder dey be red or black, while he does; but
-when _spooks_ is around, I ’fers to be ’scused, while he don’t.”
-
-Thus did the African commune with himself, as he made his way
-carefully from the lake and its phantom-like island. Not until he was
-far from it, did he pause, look around, and ask himself what was the
-best thing for him to do.
-
-“I has de ’pinion dat when I ’grated to dese parts, I come arter
-_gold_, an’ dat’s what I’m going to hunt for at present. I sometimes
-tinks I orter be de ’prietor ob dis ’stablishment, as I ’wested de
-most money. Howsumeber, Mr. Tubbs, we’ll ’scuse de ’scussion ob dat
-question to some subsequent ’casion.”
-
-Without suspecting it, the African took almost precisely the same
-direction as that followed by Edwin Inwood. As he was looking for
-gold, he went along the margin of a small stream, and began examining
-its banks and current for some signs of auriferous deposit.
-
-“Dey say you’re the most aptest to find gold near de water, ’less you
-find it somewhere else--so I’ll take a peep. O!----”
-
-Jim stopped, absolutely thunderstruck, for there in the water before
-him he saw a large piece of yellow metal, whose nature he divined at
-a glance. Plunging forward the next instant, he seized it in his
-hand, and held it up, and turned it over. It was a piece of pure
-gold, nearly the size of a hen’s egg. It lay imbedded in the sand,
-only a small portion displaying itself.
-
-The dusky fellow could scarcely restrain his delight. He turned it
-over and over again, and danced about, and laughed, and almost cried.
-Finally he sobered down.
-
-“Dat’s de best fish I ebber catched an’ I’ve fished a good deal.
-Shouldn’t wonder if dere’s some more ob ’em ’bout.”
-
-There was some reason, if not much truth, in this conclusion, and he
-fell to work with might and main. The stream was about a dozen feet
-in breadth, some eighteen or twenty inches in depth, with a clear
-current, and a hard, sandy bottom. As he had not his tools with him,
-he laid his rifle on the bank, and procured a heavy stick with which
-he raked the sand hither and thither in his search.
-
-A few minutes’ search revealed another piece considerably smaller
-than the first, but large enough to fill Jim’s heart with joy.
-
-“Talk about _spooks_!” he exclaimed contemptuously, “dat ’ere lump ob
-yaller stuff is more interesting dan all de _spooks_ on de lake or in
-de wood. I tinks I’ll settle here for de present.”
-
-He plied his rude rake with unabated vigor, but nothing more rewarded
-his labor. He gradually worked his way up the channel, so intent on
-his labor as not to observe or care for aught that took place around
-him.
-
-This persevering toil undoubtedly would have continued until
-darkness, had it not been checked in a most sudden and alarming
-manner. Jim’s head was bent down, as he grovelled in the dust, when
-a peculiar, whirring noise caught his ear, and he looked up just in
-time to see a dark, circling ring descending over him, and, ere he
-could dodge, the loop of the lasso dropped to his elbows, and was
-drawn taut with the quickness of lightning.
-
-The huge fellow comprehended his predicament in an instant, and
-exerted his giant strength to the utmost to free himself.
-
-“Dat ’ere will nebber do! My gracious, dey’ll got all my gold!”
-
-So great was his strength, that, in all probability, he would have
-broken the rope which enclosed his arms; but, in the midst of his
-furious struggles, a second lasso, from nearly an opposite point,
-shot up in the air, and, in spite of the attempt he made to dodge it,
-came down with unerring certainty, and helped imprison his arms.
-
-“Dat ’ere is a little too lubbin’,” muttered Jim, toiling like
-a giant in his bonds, but, finding himself unable to accomplish
-anything in this manner, he resorted to different tactics.
-
-“I can _pull_, if I can’t break.”
-
-With which, he made a furious plunge up the bank, thereby entailing
-a rather ludicrous occurrence. The Mohave who had hurled the second
-lasso, simply held it in his hand, he and his companion instantly
-dropping out of sight the moment they threw their ropes. The sudden
-and tremendous strain upon the rope found him totally unprepared,
-and he came scrambling headlong out of the bushes and over the bank
-before he could recover himself, observing which, Jim made a dash at
-him; but, as the first red man had secured his around the point of a
-projecting rock, the doughty fellow was brought up with a round turn,
-and the other made all haste to rectify the mistake which he had
-committed.
-
-“Lucky for you I couldn’t cotch you! If I’d got one ob dem feet ob
-mine on you, I’d have mashed you.”
-
-At this juncture the red men revealed themselves, three of them
-rising to their feet, and all motioning to their captive to come
-ashore. This command he obeyed, all the time puzzling his wits to see
-whether there was not some means by which he could extricate himself.
-The third Indian placed his loop over his arms, and they then mounted
-their horses, fastening the ropes to the saddle, and taking good care
-to keep their sable prey at a respectable distance.
-
-Poor Jim Tubbs was now fairly secured. The three ropes, which encased
-him like a child, were woven of a peculiar thread, which made their
-tenacity almost equal to that of strands of iron. The Mohaves were
-perfect adepts at this kind of business, and, coming upon the African
-unawares, they had effected his capture with rare skill.
-
-“Dey’ve got me dis time, sure,” he reflected, as he walked along
-between their horses, “an’ de ’portant question is, what am dey gwine
-to do wid me, an’ when dey gwine to do it, an’ how dey gwine to do
-it, an’ how it’s gwine to ’gree wid me when dey come to do it.”
-
-He walked along a short distance in silence, but his thoughts were
-busy.
-
-“I remember dat dat gentleman in New York dat put up at my boarding
-house, said de Ingins sometimes roasted de prisoners what dey took.
-Gracious! I hope dey don’t s’pose to do dat wid me.”
-
-He scanned the face of each one for a few moments, and concluded:
-
-“Dey don’t look very awful in de face; don’t b’leeve dey’ll roast me.
-Oh! jus’ hear dem gold pieces clink in my pocket. Wonder if I can’t
-bribe ’em wid one ob ’em to let me off. But den dey don’t know what
-gold am worth; dey’d jus’ as lieb hab my jack-knife, an’ I’d jus’ as
-lieb hab it, too; so I tinks I’ll let it stay in my pocket fur de
-present. Mighty glad dey didn’t tink ’bout my ole gun in de grass,
-for I can go back an’ get it myself arter a while.”
-
-That “after awhile” was the “to-morrow” of the unrepentant--a period
-about which one might reasonably entertain a few grains of doubt.
-Jim was philosopher enough, seeing that there was no help under the
-circumstances to take things as a matter of course. He walked along
-quietly and peacefully, the Mohaves being sharp enough to keep an
-unremitting watch upon his every movement.
-
-Just as night was setting in, they halted near a pile of rocks, where
-one of their number collected sticks, and speedily started a fire. In
-this portion of California during the summer season, it is generally
-very warm and oppressive, but the last few days had been remarkably
-cool, and a fire was by no means unwelcome. The cramped position of
-his limbs made him chilly, and he came as near to the blaze as they
-would permit. No food was prepared, nor did the fellow care for any.
-
-An hour or two after dark, and while the Mohaves were pulling at
-their pipes, and Jim was half asleep on the ground, he heard a
-footstep, and, raising his head, saw near him the identical Indian
-with whom he had shaken hands so emphatically. The African’s
-complexion was such as to make him easily recognizable, and the
-start and glance of the red man told plainly that there was no
-misunderstanding upon his part.
-
-“How do you do?” inquired Jim, with a nod of his head. “If you’ll
-untie my arms, I’ll shake hands with you again.”
-
-The Indian seemed pleased in his way at meeting the man who had
-vanquished him so nicely. He offered no rudeness to the captive but
-came nearer, and, seating himself upon the ground, smoked his pipe.
-
-This was extremely gratifying to the sable individual, for it was
-proof positive that the Mohave had not forgotten the kindness which
-he had received, and that he was well disposed toward the unfortunate
-African.
-
-“How lucky dat he doesn’t know I wanted to come de gold trick ober
-him--don’t b’lebe he’d tink so much ob me. Tank you, I guess I’ll
-smoke.”
-
-He inclined his head forward, and the pipe stem was inserted between
-his teeth, and he puffed at him in a style which showed that there
-was no pretended enjoyment on his part.
-
-“Dat ’ere tastes good, I can tell you,” he said, with an expression
-on his shiny face of genuine pleasure. “I’s much obliged to you, an’
-you needn’t be ’fraid ob ’fending me if you want to offer it to me
-to-morrer agin.”
-
-The Mohave knowing nothing at all of English, and Jim Tubbs
-understanding not the first syllable of Mohave, it is not to be
-supposed that they got along very well in conversation. Jim tried
-increasing the loudness of his voice, but that did not seem to help
-matters, and their communication therefore took the character of
-signs, the African’s words being thrown in by way of embellishment.
-
-After he had smoked awhile, he turned his back so that the Mohave
-might see how his arms were bound, and then said:
-
-“Jus’ cut dem, won’t you? I’ll be much obliged.”
-
-The Indian unquestionably understood the request, but he was not
-satisfied as to the propriety of granting it. He looked at his
-companions, exchanged a few words, when they came up and debated the
-matter.
-
-“I won’t run away--I’ll promise you dat--feller treats me kind, I’ll
-do de same wid him--gib you my word ob honor.”
-
-They seemed disposed to grant his desire, but before doing so, began
-a search to assure themselves that he had not any weapons of offense
-about him. Jim sat motionless, except when he assisted them as much
-as possible, never once thinking of the gold until he heard the two
-pieces jingle together in his pocket. Instantly he started up in
-terror.
-
-“I hain’t got noffin dere--dat am sartin’--no use ob feelin’ dat
-pocket.”
-
-But a coppery-hued hand was already inserted, and the next instant it
-drew out the two yellow pieces.
-
-“Dem ain’t mine,” added Jim, and then, unwilling to tell an untruth,
-he added, “dey ain’t, sartin--’cause I’ve got to divide wid de rest.”
-
-They were passed back and forth, the Indians seeming to care very
-little about them. When they reached the hands of the hand-shaking
-Mohave, he turned them over several times, and then replaced them in
-the pocket of the rightful owner.
-
-“Gracious! but you’re a good feller,” exclaimed Jim, “if it wan’t
-fur de boys, I b’lebe I’d settle down among you, an’ take you fur
-my bruvver chief, if you’ll only let my arms loose, you needn’t be
-afreed dat I’ll swing ’em round careless.”
-
-The obliging Mohaves, at this point removed the lassoes from his
-limbs, and left his body entirely unrestrained--a proceeding like
-the former, the result of the magnanimity showed the Indian, when he
-expected no mercy.
-
-“I ’gin to tink George is right,” mused Jim, “he always told me to
-be kind to ebery one, no matter if he was your enemy. If I had come
-de gold trick ober dis feller, he wouldn’t have been half so cleber.
-Gracious! he wouldn’t have been at all.”
-
-The prisoner was now almost entirely at ease, and had given over all
-fear of his own personal safety. He argued that they would not be so
-lenient and considerate, if they intended any ultimate harm, and he
-endeavored to content himself as well as he could until the morrow,
-which he hoped would see him set at liberty.
-
-As the night wore on, none of the party seemed to be sensible of
-its somniferous tendency. The Mohaves remained wide awake, and Jim
-had had too many things in his mind to feel drowsy. The former kept
-consulting together, and finally, when it was quite late, they all
-arose, and with the prisoner between them, started off.
-
-A half hour later, they came upon the party which held Edwin Inwood.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XII.
-
-
-It was a painful surprise both to Edwin Inwood and Jim Tubbs
-when they met each other in captivity. They conversed together,
-and acquainted themselves with their mutual history after their
-separation during the day.
-
-“Poor George will be anxious enough about us,” said the boy. “I feel
-worse on his account than I do on my own.”
-
-“What’s de matter wid him?” asked the negro, not exactly
-comprehending the force of this remark.
-
-“Nothing, so far as I know; but what will he think when he comes back
-and finds nothing of us?”
-
-“Tink we ain’t dere, I s’pose.”
-
-“I don’t believe these people intend us any harm. They have treated
-us both so kindly that they will let us go to-morrow.”
-
-“Hope so.”
-
-“I see among these who came with you, the same one that we had in the
-cave the other day.”
-
-“Yes; me an’ him are great friends,” replied Jim, with an important
-air. “I kinder tink he always had a notion of me.”
-
-They chatted together until toward morning, when, becoming sleepy,
-both lay down upon the ground, and slept until daylight. The African
-race is proverbial for its drowsy proclivities, and it required
-some hard shaking upon the part of Edwin before he could arouse his
-companion. But once awake, he was thoroughly so, and he arose to his
-feet.
-
-The Mohaves had the camp-fire burning, and a number of birds, which
-resembled quails, cooking, while they had collected quite a quantity
-of mesquite beans, very numerous more south in California, and
-occasionally encountered further north. These furnished an abundant
-and nourishing breakfast, much needed by our friends.
-
-Daylight brought another surprise in the shape of a third prisoner--a
-large, stalwart looking man, dressed in the garb of an Indian--in
-fact, no other personage than he who had guarded the lake and the
-Enchanted Island so zealously. He was sullen and obstinate, and
-his hands had been tied behind him for the purpose of security.
-He scowled at his fellow prisoners, as he was brought up, and
-undoubtedly hated them as thoroughly as he did his captors.
-
-On the other hand, the Mohaves were particularly vindictive toward
-the man, and, from his appearance, had been subjecting him to
-suffering and torture for their own amusement. Only two held him,
-and they must certainly have secured him by strategy, as he was
-almost as muscular as Jim, and would have been an ugly customer in a
-hand-to-hand struggle.
-
-“They’ve got quite a lot of us,” he remarked, addressing Inwood.
-
-“Yes; dar am tree ob us.”
-
-The stranger paid no heed to the negro, but spoke directly to Inwood.
-
-“I s’pose you know what tribe these belong to?” he continued.
-
-Edwin made answer that he did not.
-
-“They are Mohaves--a villainous set of dogs. I consider ’em as bad as
-the Apaches, and you know they are as ugly as ugly can be.”
-
-“They have treated us kindly.”
-
-“Yes,” replied the stranger, with a contemptuous expression, “you
-will find out. You remember the Oatman family that were massacred,
-except a boy and two girls, in ’49, in crossing the plains?”
-
-“Yes; I saw the son in New York, and one of the sisters, with her
-chin all tattooed with India ink, which they said the Indians did
-when they had her with them.”
-
-“Do you know what tribe murdered them?”
-
-“I heard, but I have forgotten.”
-
-“It was these same Mohaves, and there ain’t a more villainous set of
-dogs this side of the Mississippi. You may make up your mind, as I
-have, that you’ll never see that sun go down again.”
-
-This was uttered coolly, but with such an air of conviction as to its
-truth, as to send a chill to the hearts of the hearers.
-
-“Bress de Lord! you don’t mean dat?” asked Jim, fairly quaking with
-terror. The stranger turned toward him, and said:
-
-“There’s no chance for _you_, for I never seen an Indian that didn’t
-hate a nigger, and I’m with ’em there myself. If I could say the
-word, I wouldn’t get _you_ out of this scrape, for you’ve no business
-in these parts.”
-
-“Bress your heart! nobody has axed you to say a word; I’d rather hab
-de ill will ob such a miserable lookin’ darkey as you dan your lub,
-an’ if you doesn’t like it, all I’ve got to say is, dat I’m at your
-sarvice, an’ you can help yourself.”
-
-The stranger glared at Jim like a wild beast, but as his own hands
-were tied, and those of the African’s were not, he was unable to help
-himself.
-
-“O, you needn’t look so lubbin’ at me!” said Jim, “I ain’t afeerd ob
-you; I’ll try an’ coax ’em to ontie your hands, an’ den we’ll hug
-each other, if you want to.”
-
-The stranger’s feelings were inexpressible, and in his supreme
-contempt, he turned his back upon the negro, and addressed himself
-directly to Edwin.
-
-“My name is Gaylor, and I’ve been out in these parts about a year,
-with a lot of others. We’ve had to dodge and fight the Indians all
-the time, and they know me well enough I reckon, and there ain’t any
-great amount of love atween us. I’ve played some purty smart tricks
-upon ’em, but they got ahead of me at last. I was so tired last night
-that I lay down to sleep, and when I woke up, a couple of ’em had me
-fast, sure, and--well, you see I’m here with you.”
-
-Inwood gave the particulars of their own misfortune, and then
-inquired:
-
-“What have you been doing here?”
-
-Gaylor hesitated a moment, showed some confusion, but quickly
-rallying himself, replied:
-
-“The same as yourself, I suppose; we have been looking for gold.”
-
-“You must have found something, or you would not have remained so
-long.”
-
-“Well, yes, we have had tolerable luck--putty good I may say toward
-the last--but what good is it going to do me?”
-
-“Not much, I am afraid, nor us either; but you had a number of
-friends with you, will they not attempt your rescue?”
-
-Gaylor shook his head.
-
-“No use of looking there; they’ll be sure I’ve been rubbed out, and
-won’t take the trouble to hunt me up.”
-
-“How many are there?”
-
-“Three beside myself. They think enough of me, too, and, if they
-thought there was a chance, they would be here in a jiffy; but what’s
-the use? They even don’t know that I’ve been run off with, but
-likely enough imagine that I have gone off on a hunt, and they won’t
-look for me back under a week.”
-
-All three prisoners were seated on the ground close together, the
-Mohaves allowing them opportunity to converse without molestation,
-although several scowled at Gaylor, as if unwilling to grant this
-small boon.
-
-“I see you are dressed as an Indian,” remarked Edwin, in an inquiring
-voice to Gaylor, who smiled for a moment, and did not reply.
-Finally, he looked down at his leggins and stained skin, as if their
-appearance were a new thing to him.
-
-“Well, I don’t see as there is any harm in telling you. This is the
-style of dress we have all adopted. You see we’ve got particular
-reasons for not wishing any white men to know we are here, and it was
-my plan to get ourselves up in this rig, so that if anybody should
-see us, they would think they was looking at Mohave Indians.”
-
-Edwin forebore to ask the reason for all this, for it was
-impertinent, but he concluded that Gaylor and his three companions
-were criminals fleeing from justice.
-
-“I shouldn’t tink such a rapscallion as you would want folks to
-know dat you was white--don’t blame you fur paintin’ ob yourself,”
-remarked Jim Tubbs, who was an attentive listener to the conversation.
-
-“See here,” said Gaylor, fairly white with passion, “I’ve had enough
-of you! I’d like to--I’d like to see these dogs burn you. _I hate
-you!_”
-
-“All right,” replied Jim, and was about uttering some more badinage,
-when Edwin requested him to keep still.
-
-Before the conversation could be resumed, the Mohave who was brought
-so prominently into notice at the beginning of our narrative, walked
-up to Jim and Edwin and motioned to them to stand up. They did so,
-the boy still holding his gun. He then led them about a rod away,
-halted, pointed to the northward, placed his left hand on the back of
-Edwin, and gave him a gentle shove, and then did the same with Jim.
-
-“Golly, dat means _trabbel_, an’ here’s de gemman what’s goin’ to
-frow himself out all kinder loose like!” exclaimed the delighted
-African, as he straightway began what may be termed “tall walking.”
-
-“Hallo!” he exclaimed, abruptly halting after a few steps, “I forgot
-to tank you. Much obliged. Good-bye.”
-
-Edwin expressed his thanks as well as he could by pantomime and
-hurried after his sable friend.
-
-The Golden Rule! Golden, indeed, and the true measure by which to
-mark our steps to Heaven. Here were two lives saved by the one
-“little deed of kindness.”
-
-They walked rapidly some distance, and then Edwin placed his slight
-hand upon the colossal shoulder of the negro.
-
-“Well, what be it?” demanded Jim, looking down in his pale face.
-
-“I’m afraid they are going to kill Gaylor.”
-
-“I hope so----”
-
-“O, Jim, don’t talk that way.”
-
-“I dunno as I hope so, but I don’t care; he’s an ugly darkey, an’
-orter have de gold trick come ober him.”
-
-“I don’t feel right in going off and leaving him this way, _and it
-isn’t right_.”
-
-“Well, what you goin’ do?” asked the African, betraying some
-uneasiness.
-
-“We must go back, and try and get them to let him off.”
-
-“Dey won’t do dat.”
-
-“How do you know they won’t?”
-
-“I don’t tink so.”
-
-“We can try.”
-
-“I’ll wait here while you go.”
-
-The boy ran back, and in a few moments reached the camp. Gaylor was
-standing with his back toward him and did not notice his approach.
-The Mohaves were all standing near him, and in their looks was great
-evil. They all turned inquiringly toward Edwin, who walked rapidly
-up to the prisoner, then dropped on his knees, made a supplicating
-motion, and then, placing his arm within his, started off. A half
-dozen Indians sprang forward to prevent it. He dropped on his knees
-again, and, with tears in his eyes besought his release. He could
-not be misunderstood, but his answer was scowls, and one who was
-quite angry, drew his knife; but before he could do harm, our first
-acquaintance sprang forward and, leading him quite forcibly a few
-steps, pointed earnestly in the direction whence he came.
-
-“You understand that,” said Gaylor, speaking for the first time,
-“it’s no use; I’m much obliged to you for your good will, but these
-dogs don’t like me, and you’re only fooling away your time to bother
-with ’em.”
-
-Edwin’s heart was overflowing, and, unable to speak, he broke into a
-rapid run, and speedily reached the spot where the trembling Jim was
-awaiting him.
-
-“I couldn’t do anything, Jim,” he faltered.
-
-“Sorry--’cause dey’ll be kind ob heavy on him.”
-
-“Jim, you must go try them.”
-
-“Oh! I can’t! I can’t!”
-
-“But you must.”
-
-“What’s de use?”
-
-“That Indian that was in the cave thinks a great deal of you. Go and
-plead with him.”
-
-“But dat ’ere Gaylor said he hated me.”
-
-“What if he did; if you can save his life, don’t you wish to do it?”
-
-Jim was greatly agitated, and rubbed a tear from his eye.
-
-“You’re right Ned; dar’s sumfin’ in me dat tells me I ought to do it,
-an’ by de help ob God _I will_!”
-
-“Be quick then, for there is no time to lose.”
-
-The negro needed no urging, for he was prompted by the most powerful
-of motives--Conscience, the “still small voice,” which, if listened
-to, guides us all aright.
-
-When he reached the camp, matters were about the same as Inwood had
-left them.
-
-“Mr. Gaylor,” said Jim, speaking abruptly, “I’ve come to see if I can
-sabe you.”
-
-The man turned around and looked at him silently for a moment, as if
-unable to comprehend what he meant. Then he slowly shook his head
-from side to side.
-
-“No use; you’d better go back.”
-
-“I’m goin’ to coax these fellers, an’ if dey won’t do it, we’ll pitch
-in an’ fight.”
-
-The Mohaves stood in a sort of irregular circle, their expression
-forbidding enough. Jim walked straight up to his first acquaintance,
-and, leading him to where Gaylor stood, pointed at him, and motioned
-toward Inwood, whose great anxiety had brought him within sight
-and hearing. The Indian shook his head, and looked around at his
-companions in a manner that showed _he_ had no particular objections,
-if they would give their consent.
-
-Jim repeated his request, and he again swayed his head, but he was
-solicited more vehemently than before, whereupon the savage withdrew,
-and began an earnest conference with his friends. The consultation
-was long, earnest and stormy--but the end was victory. The Indian was
-a man of authority--Gaylor was loosed from his bonds, and he and Jim
-walked away side by side, and, rejoining Edwin Inwood, all three took
-their departure.
-
-      “We do not make our thoughts; they grow in us,
-      Like grain in wood; the growth is of the skies,
-      Which are of nature; nature is of God.
-      The world is full of glorious likenesses.”
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIII.
-
-
-The three walked silently forward for a considerable distance, when
-Gaylor paused, and, stepping in front, so as to face the two, he
-spoke as a man speaks when in earnest.
-
-“See here Jim and Ned, as I believe you call each other, I’ve got
-a few words to say to you. I’m a pretty bad man, but when one does
-me a kindness, I’m like an Indian, and don’t forget it. I want to
-thank you Ned, again, for what you tried to do. This here darkey has
-been the means of saving my life, when I’d given up. I spoke mean to
-him awhile ago, I want to ask his pardon for that, and give him my
-thanks.”
-
-“Gorry, don’t say nuffin’ ’bout it,” said Jim, drawing his huge hand
-across his eyes, “’tain’t worth spoken ’bout. It’s all right.”
-
-“I’m glad to hear it. When you hear me speak again as I did of a
-black man awhile ago, it will be when I hain’t got any senses left.
-But see here, I’ve got something I’m going to do for you. You have
-another man with you, haven’t you? One who is the leader.”
-
-“Yes; my brother George.”
-
-“Take me to him.”
-
-“Hold on,” interrupted Jim, “I’d like to get dat gun ob mine. I know
-where I left it up among de grass ’long de creek where dey lassoed
-me.”
-
-“Lead on then.”
-
-The three deviated from their course, and soon afterward reached
-the stream, where Jim had found his gold, and the Mohaves had found
-him. A short search discovered his gun, and they started homeward.
-The distance was considerable, and it was fully an hour before they
-reached the wood, where George Inwood was overjoyed to see them.
-
-A few minutes’ talk made everything plain to him.
-
-“You see, George Gaylor ain’t the man to give a friend the go by,”
-said that personage himself. “And I’ll prove to you that I mean what
-I say. I s’pose you’re in these parts looking for _gold_?”
-
-“That is what has drawn us hither,” replied George, with a smile.
-
-“Have you found much?”
-
-“Not a great deal; we have had middling good fortune.”
-
-“I s’pose maybe now I hain’t got noffin’,” said Jim, as he drew his
-two nuggets from his pocket, and displayed them to the wondering gaze
-of his friends.
-
-“You seem to be made of gold,” said George; “you know how you put
-your hand in your pocket, and brought it out, when we bought our
-horses; but where did you obtain it?”
-
-“Maybe I was digging it out ob de sand when de Ingins slung dere
-ropes ober my neck--maybe I didn’t got it dere.”
-
-“Is there any more?”
-
-“Don’t tink dere is.”
-
-“Whether there is or not, don’t matter,” said Gaylor, “I’ll show you
-more gold to-day than you ever seen before, and all that you will
-ever care about seeing.”
-
-All looked at him with a look which said they failed to take in his
-meaning.
-
-“Just come with me--you will see it is no humbug.”
-
-And the whole party started toward the Enchanted Island, Gaylor
-himself leading the way.
-
-At first sight, George Inwood recognized Gaylor as the man whom
-he had viewed through the telescope, and who had fired his gun at
-their friends. He did not deem it best, however, to refer to these
-circumstances, as he placed full faith in the honesty of the man’s
-intentions.
-
-Reaching the lake, he searched awhile along the shore for a canoe. He
-had great difficulty in finding it, but succeeded at last, and then,
-asking his friends to await his return, he paddled rapidly across
-the lake, and, landing on the shore, entered the thick wood. He was
-undoubtedly with his companions, and remained away a good while.
-While they were watching for his return, Jim exclaimed in great
-excitement:
-
-“See dar! look at de island! I’s agwine to leabe when spooks comes
-about.”
-
-The island, which at first sight was lying along shore, could now
-be seen slowly approaching the center of the lake, and at the same
-moment, the form of Gaylor was distinguished, as he plied his pole.
-This seemed to convince Jim that there was nothing supernatural about
-it, and he consented to remain.
-
-Reaching a point near the middle, the mass of shrubbery came to a
-stand still, and Gaylor then put off in his canoe.
-
-“Jump in,” said he, as it lightly touched the shingle, “it will hold
-you all. I’ll show you something which you have never seen.”
-
-They stepped carefully into the small canoe, and it sank to its
-gunwales with the unusual weight. But Gaylor managed it skilfully,
-and a few minutes later they all stepped upon the Enchanted Island.
-
-“Now, let me tell you a little story,” said their friend. “Some
-months ago a party of five of us came down through these parts
-looking for gold. Reaching this lake we started across it in a boat,
-and near the middle discovered several yellow nuggets lying on the
-bottom. I dove down and brought them up, and found them to be gold.
-We soon found there was any quantity lying around loose, and, of
-course, we determined to get all we could. But while we had come
-upon a fortune, there were several bad things in the way of bringing
-it up. The country was full of Indians, and there were white men
-wandering over the country. If any of them should get news of our
-windfall, it would be all over with us. So, after thinking over it,
-we hit upon a plan. We made a frame-work of logs, and then covered
-it over with green sod, pebbles and trees, so as to make it look
-just like an island. Then we sometimes kindled fires, so as to scare
-any one who saw it. This we floated right over the spot where we
-saw the gold, and began bringing it up. We had to dive for it after
-we had managed to loosen a portion with our poles. We had so much
-trouble in getting it, that one of our men started to San Francisco
-for tools to answer our purpose. But we never heard of him again, and
-we suppose the Mohaves got track of him. Howsumever, we worked away,
-and the amount of it is, we have all made an independent fortune, and
-there is enough left for you. We used to float this ashore at night,
-as we had a good hiding place there. I have started my party north
-to San Francisco, and I expect to join them in half an hour. No one
-knows this secret but you. You can work here as long as you please.
-You seem to have the good will of the Mohaves, but look out for white
-men. Be very careful to let no one see you at work. Now, if you will
-only take me ashore, I will leave you alone.”
-
-George Inwood paddled their friend to land, where they bid farewell
-to each other, and he returned to the Enchanted Island, and began
-work.
-
-Gaylor had not deceived him. They saw large quantities of gold
-shining on the bottom of the lake. George observed that it lay
-directly in the path of the canon, which has been referred to as
-emptying into the lake. This made it seem as if it had been washed
-down by the current, whose tremendous velocity was sufficient to
-hurl boulders of a ton’s weight down its channel as if driven by a
-columbiad.
-
-It is not often that a fortune can be picked up from the bottom
-of a lake, and, even when the inviting auriferous nuggets and the
-glittering sand lay before their eyes, it was found no easy task to
-bring it up to the surface. But what will man not do for gold? A
-bountiful harvest awaited them, and they toiled and labored as they
-never had done before.
-
-Jim was the great machine for procuring the precious yellow
-particles. Neither George nor Edwin could remain under water long
-enough to secure much; but the African took to it as if he was
-amphibious, and rather preferred it to the hard, dry earth, and pure
-mountain air. His great rolling eyes, first located the rich mineral,
-and, poising himself for an instant, down he went like an arrow
-until he touched bottom, where he clawed around with a vigor and
-persistency which were sure to show substantial results.
-
-“When I gits down dar,” said Jim, as he sat on the edge of the
-Enchanted Island resting himself, “I jes’ opens my eyes, an’ I can
-see as well as you can. The water looks kinder yeller, but de gold
-looks yellerer, an’ so I’m sure to see it.”
-
-The negro always plunged in head first.
-
-“Cause you see if I happen to strike de rocks, it’ll be my head, an’
-den dar’s no danger ob gittin’ hurt.”
-
-This was his philosophy.
-
-Our friends had unmistakeably found a prize, and it only remained
-for them to work it up. As Edwin was of comparatively little use, he
-occasionally roamed in the woods in search of game. He was careful
-not to stray far away, as there really was no necessity for doing so,
-and even if he failed in obtaining his food in this manner, the lake
-offered a good supply of fish, which were always at their disposal.
-
-When the first night came, an inventory of their receipts was taken,
-and George Inwood was sure that they were several thousand dollars
-richer than at morning, and so expressed himself to his friends.
-
-“Rather better earnings than we have yet made,” he remarked, with
-some degree of complaisance, as the three sat in the cool of the
-evening, chatting and discussing the matter.
-
-“Yes, I think we ought to be satisfied with that,” replied Edwin.
-
-“I isn’t,” was the sententious observation of Jim, as he quaffed his
-black clay pipe.
-
-“And why not?” inquired George.
-
-“’Cause I ain’t, dat’s de reason. In de fust place, dat ain’t ’nough
-gold, an’ in de next place, it’s too little, an’ den we orter git
-more. Wait till I gits to work to-morrer, an’ I’ll show you sumfin.
-Dar’s a sort ob gineral looseness dat I hab to git frough me, afore I
-can do what I orter.”
-
-“Well, I shall be satisfied if you only do as well as you have
-to-day.”
-
-“I must do better to-morrer, an’ I’s goin’ to.”
-
-There was a fear--a continued apprehension, which made our friends
-quite uneasy--that is, that some prowling band of hunters or miners
-might discover their secret. If such a dreaded contingency should
-occur it would make a fearful time. Unrestrained by any fear of the
-law, and prompted by the great prompter of the majority of human
-actions, such a company would hesitate at no crime to secure the
-booty.
-
-George Inwood’s experience had taught him the value of money in this
-world’s affairs, and he was resolutely determined to resist to the
-bitter end any encroachments upon their rights. There are some things
-more valuable than gold, but they are few, and it cannot be wondered
-that a man should feel some reluctance at parting with it.
-
-Jim verified the boast that he made; for on the morrow he began work
-so soon as it was bright, and toiled with scarcely any intermission
-until nightfall, his net proceeds fully doubling those of the day
-before. Inwood, by this time, had managed to arrange a contrivance
-with the poles which materially assisted him. One of these being
-sharp-pointed, he was enabled to wrench off goodly-sized nuggets,
-while with another arrangement, he was able to grapple and bring
-them to the surface. Still a third had a pan fastened to the end, by
-means of which he scooped up a large mass of sand, all flecked with
-gleaming points, and abounding with riches.
-
-Edwin Inwood’s principal occupation, aside from attending to the
-animals, was to wander through the surrounding woods on the lookout
-for white men, who, as will be easily understood, were more dreaded
-than anything else. On one occasion, he discovered a party of five
-miners encamped within a mile. He instantly made all haste back, and
-acquainted his friends with the startling fact.
-
-Labor was suspended at once, the gold carefully concealed, and all
-three set themselves on the watch. The miners were prospecting, and
-were ignorant of the Enchanted Island and its history. They lingered
-for several days in the vicinity, and then, to the great relief of
-the Inwoods and Jim, they took their departure.
-
-Week after week passed away, and still the little party toiled as
-unceasingly as ever; but when a month had come and gone, they saw
-that the supply was giving out. Still, as all of us would have done
-under the circumstances, they kept to work as long as there was
-anything like a reward to be obtained for their labor.
-
-But the end finally came, and they stopped work, and took an account
-of stock. As nearly as George Inwood could calculate, they were the
-owners of something less than a hundred thousand dollars--all of it
-in _gold coin_. They certainly had reason to be satisfied with this,
-and all were, with the exception of Jim, who, of course, growled
-about it, and proposed that they should hunt up some more “Enchanted
-Islands” before going home; but then, had another proposed the same
-thing, he would have vehemently opposed it.
-
-All the gold they could conveniently carry was distributed about
-their persons, and the rest was concealed among the saddles on the
-backs of their animals. The old mule was not honored with a particle,
-but carried the luggage and personal baggage.
-
-All being ready the little party turned their faces toward San
-Francisco, and on a bright summer morning started homeward.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XIV.
-
-
-One hundred thousand dollars in gold in one sense is a comfortable
-sum, and yet, in another, it is the very reverse. A man who finds
-himself in possession of that amount, and attempts to carry it, will
-find that it weighs several hundred pounds, and is rather awkward to
-manage. If he tumbles a portion of the nuggets into his pantaloons
-pockets, their excessive weight is almost sure to send them through
-the bottom down into his boots, where they are certain to feel still
-more uncomfortable. If he slings the auriferous luggage over his
-shoulder, the burden is too great to be carried for any time; if the
-money is placed upon the strong back of a mule, there is the haunting
-terror of its being lost or stolen during some unguarded moment.
-
-Perhaps the best thing that any of our readers can do with their
-hundred thousand dollars, is to put it in a strong safe, or in a
-good solvent bank, where it can be drawn out piecemeal and devoted
-to charitable objects; but it will be seen at once that neither of
-these plans were practicable for our friends while their cargo was
-_in transitu_ for San Francisco, and when we say that they all felt
-uneasy, we but feebly express their feelings.
-
-“I tell you if it was know’d what a load we’s takin’ frough de
-mountains, dere’d be some fo’ks dat would rather like to git
-’quainted wid us,” remarked Jim, as they toiled laboriously through
-the wild country.
-
-“Yes; we may meet with strangers, and if so, we must be very careful
-that they don’t suspect we have so much gold with us.”
-
-“Yes; I’s been tinkin’ dat I orter caution you an’ Ned ’bout keepin’
-a close mouf when strangers am ’bout.”
-
-“You needn’t be afraid of me,” replied Edwin. “If any one reveals it,
-I am sure it will be you.”
-
-The third night after leaving the Enchanted Island, they encamped
-in a rocky gorge, close by a small running stream, where immense
-precipitous walls rose on either hand, and at mid-day a twilight
-gloom rested upon the ground and stream. Fine, tender green grass was
-growing in profusion; and, picketing the animals within ear-shot, the
-gold was removed with the saddles, and placed close to the camp-fire,
-where it could always be seen by every member of the party. They had
-a fine plump bird shot during the latter part of the afternoon, which
-Jim took in hand, and soon had sputtering and broiling over a small,
-brisk fire--“doing” it with a skill which would have tempted the
-appetite of the most fastidious epicure.
-
-By the time this was disposed of, it was entirely dark, and the three
-gathered more closely about the fire, for there was a chilliness in
-the air which made its warmth pleasant and grateful. Jim found solace
-in his inevitable pipe, while the brothers chatted as usual. George
-lay with his head upon the saddles containing the gold, Edwin sat
-near him, while Jim was upon the opposite side the fire, half sitting
-and half reclining in his listlessness.
-
-“Am dat a soft piller?” he asked of the older brother.
-
-“I can’t say that it is,” was the reply, “but it would be pretty hard
-work to sleep with my head on anything else, so long as I know we had
-the gold with us.”
-
-“I s’pose when folks have a big lot of gold they’re apt to think a
-good deal about. I never yet hefted dat ’ere pile. Jes’ luf me heft
-it.”
-
-The African passed over to where the three saddles lay, and Inwood
-removed his head, picked them up and held them suspended for a few
-moments.
-
-“I tell you gold am purty heavy----”
-
-The next instant, the whole pile dropped from his hand, the nuggets
-giving forth an unmistakeable chink, for there before all stood a
-stranger, his appearance as sudden and unexpected as if he had risen
-from the very earth!
-
-There was several bad things regarding the advent of this man. In
-the first place, he came at a moment when it was certain he had
-discovered that a large quantity of gold was in the possession of the
-little party. The words of the negro, and his sudden dropping of the
-riches, made it impossible that it should be otherwise.
-
-And again, the stranger had an evil look. He was in the costume
-of a hunter, but his scowling features, keen eyes, low forehead,
-flat nose, and cunning expression, were those of an outlaw from
-society--one whom it was exceedingly perilous to encounter, where the
-arm of the law was powerless to protect or to strike terror.
-
-“Good evening, friends,” was the salutation, before the party had
-time to recover from their surprise and indignation.
-
-“Good evening,” returned Inwood, who could not be rude, even when
-under such great provocation.
-
-“Like to know what _you_ want?” demanded Jim, as he seated himself
-upon the saddles, and defiantly looked at the new-comer.
-
-“_Me?_” grinned the other, as he also seated himself as coolly as
-if he were an invited guest, “I can’t say that I want anything in
-particular. Happened to catch sight of your fire a little while ago,
-and I came down to see who you might be. Rather like your appearance.”
-
-“We’re a company journeying alone,” said George Inwood, “and, wishing
-you good speed, you will let us say that we prefer to remain alone,
-and therefore ask you to pass on.”
-
-This was rather a palpable hint, but there seemed no disposition upon
-the part of the stranger to act upon it. He sat still a few moments,
-and then also produced a pipe, which he lit with an ember from the
-fire.
-
-“My name is Muffins,” said he, “and, as I told you a few minutes ago,
-I’m a hunter in this neighborhood. It isn’t often that I see a white
-man, and when I do, I must stick to him and enjoy his society all I
-can. So, of course, I couldn’t think of leaving you just yet.”
-
-It occurred to George Inwood that he had not only been discourteous,
-but had overdone matters altogether in manifesting such a prompt
-anxiety to get rid of Muffins, and he now attempted an impossible
-thing, namely, to undo his mistake.
-
-“Are you alone?” he inquired.
-
-“Yes, sir; nobody goes with me. I live alone in these woods, except
-when I meet a friend, as I have met you to-night; but I never stay
-with them long, so you needn’t be anxious regarding me, ’cause I’ll
-leave you as soon as it is daylight.”
-
-This was intended to be reassuring, but it was anything but that,
-and made Inwood more uneasy than ever. His great fear was that there
-were others close at hand, and the darkness, gloom and solitude gave
-opportunity for treachery. He did not see how he could rid himself of
-his dangerous visitor; but Jim now spoke up:
-
-“See here, Mr. Buffin, I wants to ax you a question.”
-
-“I am at your service, sir.”
-
-“Did you ’serbe me when I dropped dese saddles?”
-
-“I noticed that you let something fall as I came up, but I didn’t
-pay any attention. It was no concern of mine, you know.”
-
-“You didn’t tink--dat is, you don’t tink dere be any gold about dat?”
-
-“Course not; why should I think so?”
-
-“All right, Mr. Buffer, I doesn’t want you to tink so--jes’ ’member
-dat if you please.”
-
-George Inwood was greatly irritated, but there was such an air of
-simplicity about what Jim said, that it was impossible not to be
-amused. When the African received the reply of Mr. Muffin, he seemed
-satisfied, and seated himself upon the saddles.
-
-George saw that their visitor understood the precise condition of
-affairs, and there was no further use of attempting concealment.
-
-“I s’pose you’re miners?” remarked Mr. Muffin, by way of initiating
-the conversation.
-
-“Yes; we have spent several months among the mountains, part the time
-hunting and part the time mining.”
-
-“What luck?”
-
-“Quite good I may say; we have toiled long and hard, and have made
-pretty good wages--so much, that we have concluded to return home.”
-
-“Live in California?”
-
-“No; our home is in the Empire State, where I hope we shall shortly
-be.”
-
-“Going to San Francisco?”
-
-Inwood answered in the affirmative, and then concluded that it was
-about time he asked a few questions.
-
-“Where are your friends?”
-
-But Mr. Muffin was too sharp to be taken off his guard, and, with a
-meaning smile upon his evil countenance, he said:
-
-“The nearest I’ve got, I believe, are a couple of brothers in
-Sacramento City.”
-
-“You hunt alone, do you?”
-
-“I have done so for nigh onto five years--not quite that, howsumever.”
-
-“That is a singular way of managing one’s affairs. A man isn’t apt
-to act in that manner unless he has a strong motive for doing so.”
-
-“What might be a chap’s motives?” demanded the other, removing his
-pipe and glaring upon the speaker with an ugly look.
-
-“Sometimes a man has a natural taste for solitude, but it more
-generally happens that he leaves society for society’s own good.”
-
-“Do you mean to ’sinuate that that’s what I’ve done?”
-
-“I don’t insinuate anything, because I know nothing about you; but I
-strongly suspect that you are some scamp who dare not return to the
-society of your people on account of the crimes you have committed
-against them.”
-
-Mr. Muffin looked very angry, and Jim had strong hopes that he would
-say or attempt something bad, for he was eager to lay his hands upon
-him; but their visitor evidently concluded it unsafe to let his angry
-passions rise just then, and so he held his peace, and smoked his
-pipe harder than ever.
-
-“When a man addresses me as I have addressed you,” said Inwood, “I
-quietly leave his company, and have nothing more to do with him.”
-
-“Dat so,” added Jim, beginning to lose all patience at the impudence
-of their visitor. “If you know what’s best for yourself you’ll _cl’ar
-out_.”
-
-Mr. Muffin smoked in silence a few moments longer, and then rose to
-his feet. Glaring first at Inwood, and then at Jim, he shook his fist
-at each, and said:
-
-“I’ll go, but you’ll hear from me before long. _You haven’t seen the
-last of me._”
-
-And the next moment he strode off in the darkness.
-
-The miners waited until they were sure of being alone, when George
-said:
-
-“I am sorry we saw anything of that man--he has had his eyes on our
-gold, and has made up his mind to have it.”
-
-“Yes; I’m sorry you told him about it,” gravely remarked Jim.
-
-“I think _you_ were the first to give him the hint.”
-
-“How dat?” inquired the African, with profound amazement.
-
-“He saw you drop the saddles, and heard you speak about them
-containing gold.”
-
-“I know dat, but he told me he didn’t tink dere war any gold here,
-while you tole him dat we had had purty good luck, an’ had got
-’siderable.”
-
-“However, there is no need of disputing about it, Jim; he has made up
-his mind to rob us of that gold, if he has to cut our throats to do
-it, and the question with us is, how are we to prevent it.”
-
-“The camp-fire has burned down pretty low,” said Inwood, “let’s pick
-up our traps and change our quarters.”
-
-“No doubt he is watching us.”
-
-“What if he is? It is so dark that we can give him the slip.”
-
-The suggestion of the boy’s seemed to be the best under the
-circumstances, and the two concluded to act upon it at once. Jim
-quietly stole down the bank of the stream, slipped the lariat pegs
-by which the animals were held, and then led them about a half
-mile down the rocky bed of the brook, several times stumbling and
-bruising himself. Finally he reached a spot which _felt right_, where
-he tethered them, and returned to the brothers, who were rather
-impatiently awaiting him.
-
-“I’s found a place,” said he, “you needn’t tumble down more nor a
-dozen times in gitten’ dere.”
-
-The gold was burdensome, but they distributed it among themselves,
-the African taking about nine-tenths, and George very nearly all that
-remained. They then began picking their way down the stream, being
-guided almost entirely by the sense of touch. The negro’s remarkable
-memory of places was found to assist them a great deal. George kept
-so close to him that he could touch him at any moment with his
-outstretched arms, while Edwin did touch his brother continually to
-make sure that he was not losing him. They stumbled quite often,
-and bruised themselves considerably, but not enough to affect their
-progress to any degree, and at the end of something over an hour, Jim
-suddenly came to a stand still, with the whispered exclamation:
-
-“_Here we is!_”
-
-The brothers strained their eyes, but in vain; for the darkness was
-too great for them to perceive anything. The faint neigh of a horse,
-however, told them that Jim was not mistaken.
-
-“Here we stays till mornin’,” said the latter, “an’ if Mr. Buffalo
-finds us, he’ll have to have purty sharp eyes.”
-
-“I think we are safe, unless we have been followed. Be careful and
-speak in low tones, and say only the words that are necessary. Have
-you got your blankets and everything with you?”
-
-Edwin replied in the affirmative, but the negro burst into a low,
-hearty laugh.
-
-“What do you s’pose I’ve done?” he asked.
-
-Of course neither could answer his question.
-
-“I’ve gone an’ left my gun up dere by de camp-fire.”
-
-“Never mind, let it go,” said George, “we cannot be a great ways from
-home, and we can get along without it.”
-
-“No, _sah_; can’t do widout dat; s’pose Mr. Bufton brings down a
-party ob men to-morrer mornin’, where’ll you be den?”
-
-There was reason in this question, and George added:
-
-“We may need it, but you run a great risk in going back. They may be
-there, and you must take great care that you are not seen.”
-
-“Yah, yah, won’t see much ob me--dark a colored man as I am, on such
-a dark night, ain’t apt to be generally visible, an’ what dey can see
-ob me, dey’re welcome to see.”
-
-But Jim promised extra caution, and started on the back track. The
-trouble was that he was in a great hurry; for, by this time, the
-night was well advanced, and he was desirous of securing his usual
-allowance of sleep. It was not such a difficult matter for him to
-make his way, as he had become pretty well acquainted with the
-ground, and the rippling brook was an infallible guide, if he were
-dubious for a single moment.
-
-It seemed a long time before he came upon the dull embers of the
-fire, which were smouldering so low as to be hardly visible at any
-distance; but fortunately, Jim discovered it while several rods
-distant.
-
-At this instant, he recalled that he had promised his young friend
-to be careful, and he therefore hesitated and took a survey as well
-as he could under the circumstances. Nothing was seen to arouse
-suspicion, and he was about to advance, when the embers assumed a
-glow so sudden and bright as to startle and alarm him.
-
-Stepping back, he watched it intently, and, a moment later, saw a
-shadowy form pass in front of it, and then two others, although
-neither of them was heard to speak a word.
-
-“So you’re dere, be you?” muttered Jim, as he sank down to the earth
-to watch his opportunity; “but you don’t find us, an’ don’t see
-noffin’ ob de gold.”
-
-Prudence would have dictated to the negro to withdraw from the
-presence of such danger; but he placed too great a value upon his
-rifle to allow it to leave his hands in this unquestioned manner.
-He remembered while they were busy making their preparations, that
-he had laid it down to one side; where, as yet, Mr. Muffin and his
-friends had seen nothing of it.
-
-Jim was several yards from the brook, where he could hear any words
-spoken. By-and-bye one of the men seemed to become very impatient,
-and, with a profane expletive, said:
-
-“What’s the use? They’ve given you the slip, and we might as well go
-back again.”
-
-“Where’ve they gone?” asked another.
-
-“A pretty question to ask! I s’pose you think we can see ’em a dozen
-miles off on such a bright moonlight night as this.”
-
-This remark was greeted with derisive laughter by the others, and
-the one propounding the question, no doubt was greatly discomfited
-thereby. But, at this point, Jim began to grow apprehensive about his
-rifle and commenced crawling toward the spot where he had left it
-upon the ground.
-
-The African’s complexion was greatly in his favor, and united with
-the extreme darkness of the night, secured his safety so long as
-he kept out of the light of the fire. Unfortunately this had been
-rekindled by one of the strangers, so that the attempt was attended
-with considerable risk.
-
-Still Jim crept stealthily forward, and was already groping over the
-ground in search of his weapon, when it was suddenly snatched from
-the earth, and a voice called out:
-
-“Helloa! here’s a gun anyhow. They left in such a hurry that they
-forgot to take that with ’em, and I guess----”
-
-The speaker was suddenly prostrated by a powerful blow, and the
-weapon violently wrenched from his grasp.
-
-“Quick! there’s one of ’em!” was the lusty cry of the man, as he
-staggered to his feet. The others were bewildered by the unexpected
-assault, but they attempted a pursuit, rushing off blindly in the
-darkness in a direction almost opposite the right one.
-
-“Yaw! yaw!” chuckled Jim, as he stumbled and hurried down the bed of
-the stream. “Won’t have to run fur to git away from the likes ob you.”
-
-A half hour later, the anxious brothers were relieved by the
-appearance of Jim among them, when he gleefully recounted his
-adventure, quite jubilant at his success.
-
-“Won’t they follow you?” inquired Edwin.
-
-“Dey undertook dat, but dey went de wrong way.”
-
-“But they may now go the right one.”
-
-“How dey know dat?”
-
-“We are not sure that they have any suspicion of the truth,” said
-George, “but they would naturally suspect that they had followed the
-course of the brook.”
-
-“Let ’em foller,” was the reply of the African, “an’ if dey do so,
-dey might tumble ober us widout seeing us.”
-
-“Do you know how many there are?”
-
-“Seed tree ob ’em, an’ I tink dey was more around.”
-
-“I don’t fear that so much, as that they may encamp near us, and make
-an attack in the morning.”
-
-“We must move off as soon as it is daylight,” said Edwin, “and get
-all the start we can before they discover us.”
-
-Edwin and Jim finally lay down in their blankets and went to sleep,
-while George maintained watch. He was too nervous and troubled to
-feel any desire for slumber, and too anxious to get out of this
-dangerous neighborhood to allow any advantage to escape him.
-
-More than once, through the lonely hours of the night he was sure he
-heard whisperings and footsteps, and as often he raised the hammer of
-his rifle, and endeavored to pierce the Cimmerian gloom. The faint
-neigh of one of the animals sent a thrill of apprehension through
-him, and he was certain the outlaws were among them, but nothing
-further was heard, and, at the first streak of light, he aroused his
-friends, and told them they must start at once.
-
-Their preparations required but a few moments, when they resumed
-their march. They found that the face of the country materially
-changed as they advanced, and they made much more rapid progress than
-they had dared to hope.
-
-They were constantly looking back, and once Jim’s keen eyes were
-positive that he detected a number of men on a distant eminence,
-evidently watching them; but nothing more was seen of their enemies,
-and when they encamped at night, they were confident that none but
-the All-seeing Eye observed them.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER XV.
-
-
-It was toward the close of a warm summer day, that our friends drew
-rein in a grove within sight of the residence of Mr. Underwood, in
-precisely the same spot that they had encamped a number of weeks
-before.
-
-George Inwood was rather shabby in his appearance, but he determined
-to call upon Marian, and have a chat with her before he returned
-East. He washed himself in a running brook, combed out his hair
-and whiskers, brushed his clothes, and, having made himself as
-presentable as possible under the circumstances, he told his friends
-that perhaps he would not return until late in the evening, and that
-they were by no means to wait for him.
-
-There was a faint moon, as he came up the path made by the passage of
-many animals, and he could discover no human beings near the house.
-He missed the voice of Marian, but he knew she was there, and that in
-a few moments more he would be sitting face to face with her.
-
-Walking forward, he stepped upon the long, low porch which ran along
-the entire front of the house, and, seeing no bell near, or knocker
-upon the open door, he rapped it smartly with his knuckles, and then
-stepped back and endeavored to feel cool and unconcerned.
-
-In a moment a servant appeared, and he said:
-
-“Is Miss Underwood in?”
-
-“_¿Pregunta V. par alguno?_”
-
-Not understanding Spanish, Inwood stood for a moment embarrassed and
-silent.
-
-“_¿Acerca de quien quiere V. informarse? A quien bresca V.?_” said
-the female, quite excitedly.
-
-Seeing little probability of coming to an understanding, Inwood
-repeated the words “Miss Marian Underwood,” and then walked into a
-low broad hall. The servant immediately opened a door on his right,
-and the young man walked into a broad, well-furnished room. Taking
-his seat on a sofa, which he knew had been brought from the East, he
-awaited the coming of whomsoever chose to answer his summons.
-
-He had waited scarcely a minute, when a light step caught his ear,
-and, looking up, Marian stood before him. He saw at once she did not
-recognize him in the dim light, and he concluded not to undeceive her
-for a moment. Rising, and bowing profoundly, he lowered his voice and
-asked:
-
-“Have I the honor to address Miss Marian Underwood?”
-
-“Yes, sir,” was the reply, as she still remained standing.
-
-“I am from the East; Mr. Inwood desires you to receive his kindest
-wishes.”
-
-“Ah! you are acquainted with him?” she said, with great vivacity,
-exceedingly inspiring to the listener, as she seated herself in front
-of him. “When did you leave New York?”
-
-“Several months ago; I am on my return now.”
-
-“Is he well?”
-
-“Never better.”
-
-“I am glad to hear it, indeed, as father will be.”
-
-“His father died last autumn--Inwood was compelled to leave college,
-as he found himself penniless.”
-
-“Is it possible? May I ask what he is doing now?”
-
-“Nothing at all.”
-
-“I wondered that he never wrote to us.”
-
-“I remember very well seeing him put a letter in the office,
-addressed to you.”
-
-“Indeed, I never received it; he must have thought it strange that I
-never answered it.”
-
-“However, he went to California.”
-
-She gave a start.
-
-“And never inquired after us?”
-
-“Yes; he sought your home out with great difficulty, and, Miss Marian
-Underwood, he sits talking with you this minute.”
-
-There was a start, and a slight scream, but no fainting. Sensible
-ladies don’t faint at such times. The light of the lamp was made
-instantly brighter, and Marian, all trembling and excitement, was
-seated beside George, looking earnestly in his face.
-
-“Can it be possible?” she asked, half smiling and half weeping, “I am
-really glad to see you.”
-
-“And I am to see you.”
-
-But it is becoming delicate ground, and we will retire.
-
-Our friends remained several days at Mr. Underwood’s, during which,
-Jim explained that his famous “gold trick” consisted in looking
-upon an opponent as a _gold mine_, and using his pick accordingly,
-and George, having received the strongest confirmation of the true,
-womanly love of Marian for himself, he revealed to her the wonderful
-success which he had met among the mountains, with the Enchanted
-Island, and he assured her of his intention to complete his
-preparatory course, and enter his chosen field--the sacred ministry.
-
-When they parted, they were betrothed, and their future was painted
-in the roseate colors of hope and youth.
-
-A few days later, as the steamer El Dorado steamed through the Golden
-Gate, down the great Pacific, she carried among her motley passengers
-the three who have occupied so prominent a part in these pages. The
-trip to New York was made safely and pleasantly, and without any
-incident worthy of record.
-
-Edwin, as a matter of course, resumed his studies, and Jim Tubbs
-settled down with his old mother, whom he had left behind, and who
-had sustained herself during his absence by weak tea, a strong pipe,
-and tremendous washing and ironing.
-
-George carried out his intentions in every respect; the debts due his
-creditors, with interest, were paid to the last cent; and he and his
-wife are located in the Pacific Slope in the noble young State of
-California, engaged heart and hand in their great Master’s work.
-
-
-THE END.
-
-
-
-
-DIME POCKET NOVELS.
-
-PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY, AT TEN CENTS EACH.
-
-
-    =1=--=Hawkeye Harry.= By Oll Coomes.
-    =2=--=Dead Shot.= By Albert W. Aiken.
-    =3=--=The Boy Miners.= By Edward S. Ellis.
-    =4=--=Blue Dick.= By Capt. Mayne Reid.
-    =5=--=Nat Wolfe.= By Mrs. M. V. Victor.
-    =6=--=The White Tracker.= Edward S. Ellis.
-    =7=--=The Outlaw’s Wife.= Mrs. Ann S. Stephens.
-    =8=--=The Tall Trapper.= By Albert W. Aiken.
-    =9=--=Lightning Jo.= By Capt. Adams.
-   =10=--=The Island Pirate.= By Capt. Mayne Reid.
-   =11=--=The Boy Ranger.= By Oll Coomes.
-   =12=--=Bess, the Trapper.= By E. S. Ellis.
-   =13=--=The French Spy.= By W. J. Hamilton.
-   =14=--=Long Shot.= By Capt. Comstock.
-   =15=--=The Gunmaker.= By James L. Bowen.
-   =16=--=Red Hand.= By A. G. Piper.
-   =17=--=Ben, the Trapper.= By Lewis W. Carson.
-   =18=--=Wild Haven.= By Oll Coomes.
-   =19=--=The Specter Chief.= By Seelin Robins.
-   =20=--=The B’ar-Killer.= By Capt. Comstock.
-   =21=--=Wild Nat.= By Wm. R. Eyster.
-   =22=--=Indian Jo.= By Lewis W. Carson.
-   =23=--=Old Kent, the Ranger.= Edward S. Ellis.
-   =24=--=The One-Eyed Trapper.= Capt. Comstock.
-   =25=--=Godbold, the Spy.= By N. C. Iron.
-   =26=--=The Black Ship.= By John S. Warner.
-   =27=--=Single Eye.= By Warren St. John.
-   =28=--=Indian Jim.= By Edward S. Ellis.
-   =29=--=The Scout.= By Warren St. John.
-   =30=--=Eagle Eye.= By W. J. Hamilton.
-   =31=--=The Mystic Canoe.= By Edward S. Ellis.
-   =32=--=The Golden Harpoon.= By R. Starbuck.
-   =33=--=The Scalp King.= By Lieut. Ned Hunter.
-   =34=--=Old Lute.= By E. W. Archer.
-   =35=--=Rainbolt Ranger.= By Oll Coomes.
-   =36=--=The Boy Pioneer.= By Edward S. Ellis.
-   =37=--=Carson, the Guide.= By J. H. Randolph.
-   =38=--=The Heart Eater.= By Harry Hazard.
-   =39=--=Wetzel, the Scout.= By Boynton Belknap.
-   =40=--=The Huge Hunter.= By Ed. S. Ellis.
-   =41=--=Wild Nat, the Trapper.= Paul Prescott.
-   =42=--=Lynx-cap.= By Paul Bibbs.
-   =43=--=The White Outlaw.= By Harry Hazard.
-   =44=--=The Dog Trailer.= By Frederick Dewey.
-   =45=--=The Elk King.= By Capt. Chas. Howard.
-   =46=--=Adrian, the Pilot.= By Col. P. Ingraham.
-   =47=--=The Man-hunter.= By Maro O. Rolfe.
-   =48=--=The Phantom Tracker.= By F. Dewey.
-   =49=--=Moccasin Bill.= By Paul Bibbs.
-   =50=--=The Wolf Queen.= By Charles Howard.
-   =51=--=Tom Hawk, the Trailer.=
-   =52=--=The Mad Chief.= By Chas. Howard.
-   =53=--=The Black Wolf.= By Edwin E. Ewing.
-   =54=--=Arkansas Jack.= By Harry Hazard.
-   =55=--=Blackbeard.= By Paul Bibbs.
-   =56=--=The River Rifles.= By Billex Muller.
-   =57=--=Hunter Ham.= By J. Edgar Biff.
-   =58=--=Cloudwood.= By J. M. Merrill.
-   =59=--=The Texas Hawks.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
-   =60=--=Merciless Mat.= By Capt. Chas. Howard.
-   =61=--=Mad Anthony’s Scouts.= By E. Rodman.
-   =62=--=The Luckless Trapper.= Wm. R. Eyster.
-   =63=--=The Florida Scout.= Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
-   =64=--=The Inland Trapper.= Chas. Howard.
-   =65=--=Wolf-Cap.= By Capt. Chas. Howard.
-   =66=--=Rattling Dick.= By Harry Hazard.
-   =67=--=Sharp-Eye.= By Major Max Martine.
-   =68=--=Iron-Hand.= By Frederick Forest.
-   =69=--=The Yellow Hunter.= By Chas. Howard.
-   =70=--=The Phantom Rider.= By Maro O. Rolfe.
-   =71=--=Delaware Tom.= By Harry Hazard.
-   =72=--=Silver Rifle.= By Capt. Chas. Howard.
-   =73=--=The Skeleton Scout.= Maj. L. W. Carson.
-   =74=--=Little Rifle.= By Capt. “Bruin” Adams.
-   =75=--=The Wood Witch.= By Edwin Emerson.
-   =76=--=Old Ruff, the Trapper.= “Bruin” Adams.
-   =77=--=The Scarlet Shoulder.= Harry Hazard.
-   =78=--=The Border Rifleman.= L. W. Carson.
-   =79=--=Outlaw Jack.= By Harry Hazard.
-   =80=--=Tiger-Tail, the Seminole.= R. Ringwood.
-   =81=--=Death-Dealer.= By Arthur L. Meserve.
-   =82=--=Kenton, the Ranger.= By Chas. Howard.
-   =83=--=The Specter Horseman.= Frank Dewey.
-   =84=--=The Three Trappers.= Seelin Robbins.
-   =85=--=Kaleolah.= By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N.
-   =86=--=The Hunter Hercules.= Harry St. George.
-   =87=--=Phil Hunter.= By Capt. Chas. Howard.
-   =88=--=The Indian Scout.= By Harry Hazard.
-   =89=--=The Girl Avenger.= By Chas. Howard.
-   =90=--=The Red Hermitess.= By Paul Bibbs.
-   =91=--=Star-Face, the Slayer.=
-   =92=--=The Antelope Boy.= By Geo. L. Aiken.
-   =93=--=The Phantom Hunter.= By E. Emerson.
-   =94=--=Tom Pintle, the Pilot.= By M. Klapp.
-   =95=--=The Red Wizard.= By Ned Hunter.
-   =96=--=The Rival Trappers.= By L. W. Carson.
-   =97=--=The Squaw Spy.= By Capt. Chas. Howard.
-   =98=--=Dusky Dick.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
-   =99=--=Colonel Crockett.= By Chas. E. Lasalle.
-  =100=--=Old Bear Paw.= By Major Max Martine.
-  =101=--=Redlaw.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
-  =102=--=Wild Rube.= By W. J. Hamilton.
-  =103=--=The Indian Hunters.= By J. L. Bowen.
-  =104=--=Scarred Eagle.= By Andrew Dearborn.
-  =105=--=Nick Doyle.= By P. Hamilton Myers.
-  =106=--=The Indian Spy.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
-  =107=--=Job Dean.= By Ingoldsby North.
-  =108=--=The Wood King.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
-  =109=--=The Scalped Hunter.= By Harry Hazard.
-  =110=--=Nick, the Scout.= By W. J. Hamilton.
-  =111=--=The Texas Tiger.= By Edward Willett.
-  =112=--=The Crossed Knives.= By Hamilton.
-  =113=--=Tiger-Heart, the Tracker.= By Howard.
-  =114=--=The Masked Avenger.= By Ingraham.
-  =115=--=The Pearl Pirates.= By Starbuck.
-  =116=--=Black Panther.= By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.
-  =117=--=Abdiel, the Avenger.= By Ed. Willett.
-  =118=--=Cato, the Creeper.= By Fred. Dewey.
-  =119=--=Two-Handed Mat.= By Jos. E. Badger.
-  =120=--=Mad Trail Hunter.= By Harry Hazard.
-  =121=--=Black Dick.= By Frederick Whittaker.
-  =122=--=Kit Bird.= By W. J. Hamilton.
-  =123=--=The Specter Riders.= By Geo. Gleason.
-  =124=--=Giant Pete.= By W. J. Hamilton.
-  =125=--=The Girl Captain.= By Jos. E. Badger.
-  =126=--=Yankee Eph.= By J. R. Worcester.
-  =127=--=Silverspur.= By Edward Willett.
-  =128=--=Squatter Dick.= By Jos. E. Badger.
-  =129=--=The Child Spy.= By George Gleason.
-  =130=--=Mink Coat.= By Jos. E. Badger.
-  =131=--=Red Plume.= By J. Stanley Henderson.
-  =132=--=Clyde, the Trailer.= By Maro O. Rolfe.
-  =133=--=The Lost Cache.= J. Stanley Henderson.
-  =134=--=The Cannibal Chief.= Paul J. Prescott.
-  =135=--=Karaibo.= By J. Stanley Henderson.
-  =136=--=Scarlet Moccasin.= By Paul Bibbs.
-  =137=--=Kidnapped.= By J. Stanley Henderson.
-  =138=--=Maid of the Mountain.= By Hamilton.
-  =139=--=The Scioto Scouts.= By Ed. Willett.
-  =140=--=The Border Renegade.= By Badger.
-  =141=--=The Mute Chief.= By C. D. Clark.
-  =142=--=Boone, the Hunter.= By Whittaker.
-  =143=--=Mountain Kate.= By Jos. E. Badger Jr.
-  =144=--=The Red Scalper.= By W. J. Hamilton.
-  =145=--=The Lone Chief.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
-  =146=--=The Silver Bugle.= Lieut. Col. Hazleton.
-  =147=--=Chinga, the Cheyenne.= By Edward S. Ellis. Ready
-  =148=--=The Tangled Trail.= By Major Max Martine. Ready
-  =149=--=The Unseen Hand.= By J. Stanley Henderson. Ready
-  =150=--=The Lone Indian.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. Ready
-  =151=--=The Branded Brave.= By Paul Bibbs. Ready
-  =152=--=Billy Bowlegs, the Seminole Chief.= Ready April 20th.
-  =153=--=The Valley Scout.= By Seelin Robins. Ready May 4.
-  =154=--=Red Jacket, the Huron.= By Paul Bibbs. Ready May 18th.
-
-
-BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.
-
-
-
-
-  TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
-
-  The Table of Contents has been created by the transcriber.
-
-  The original spelling of “reconnoisance” has been retained wherever
-  it occurs in the text.
-
-  Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
-  corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the
-  text and consultation of external sources.
-
-  On page 12, “eparture” has been changed to “departure”: “stay his
-  forcible departure”
-
-  On page 16, “skillfu” has been changed to “skillful”: “as does the
-  skillful dentist” and “his his” has been changed to “his”: “a few
-  moments to explain his scheme”
-
-  On page 27, “Marion” has been changed to “Marian” for consistency:
-  “get a glimpse or peep at Marian”
-
-  On page 28, “be” has been changed to “he”: “‘Dar!’ he said, as he
-  flung it”
-
-  On page 42, “boquet” has been changed to “bouquet”: “it had the
-  appearance of a bouquet”
-
-  On page 55, “despite, his ungainly manner of traveling” has been
-  changed to “despite his ungainly manner of traveling”
-
-  On page 59, “unwieldly” has been changed to “unwieldy”: “plied the
-  unwieldy craft”
-
-  On page 60, “some” has been changed to “same”: “with the same resolve
-  as at first”
-
-  On page 63, “childrens’” has been changed to “children’s”: “daubed up
-  like a lot of children’s toys”
-
-  On page 66, “beseiged” has been changed to “besieged”: “who had
-  besieged them in the cave”
-
-  On page 75, “tatooed” has been changed to “tattooed”: “her chin all
-  tattooed with India ink” and “their” has been changed to “there”:
-  “there ain’t a more villainous set of dogs”
-
-  On page 77, “bandinage” has been changed to “badinage”: “was about
-  uttering some more badinage”
-
-  On page 79, “promted” has been changed to “prompted”: “for he was
-  prompted by the most powerful”
-
-  On page 99, the original text represented here by the word “office”
-  is obscured: “seeing him put a letter in the office, addressed to
-  you” and “thought strange” has been changed to “thought it strange”:
-  “he must have thought it strange”
-
-*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY MINERS ***
-
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