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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..051eb9f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68931 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68931) diff --git a/old/68931-0.txt b/old/68931-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2a6ee1c..0000000 --- a/old/68931-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4142 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Colonel Crockett, the Texan trailer, -by Chas. E. Lasalle - -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: Colonel Crockett, the Texan trailer - Beadle's pocket novels No. 99 - -Author: Chas. E. Lasalle - -Release Date: September 7, 2022 [eBook #68931] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, James Allan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern - Illinois University Digital Library) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COLONEL CROCKETT, THE TEXAN -TRAILER *** - - - - - - COLONEL CROCKETT, - THE TEXAN TRAILER. - - - BY CHAS. E. LASALLE. - - - NEW YORK: - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by - BEADLE AND COMPANY, - In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - -THE TEXAN TRAILER. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -COLONEL CROCKETT ON A BEAR-HUNT. - - -"I say, stranger, did you see any thing of a confounded big b'ar -passing this way?" - -The question was uttered by Davy Crockett, the renowned bear-killer -of Tennessee, as, dashing at full speed through the dense forest, he -suddenly emerged into a small clearing, where a big Dutchman sat on a -log eating his dinner. The latter stared at the glowing hunter for a -moment, and with his mouth crammed so full that he could hardly speak, -he said: - -"Hooh! vat you said?" - -"Did you see a b'ar pass this way, a few minutes ago?" - -"Vat kind of a bear vas he?" - -"A black bear and a regular whopper." - -"Vas he goin' py hees legs, or vas he flyin' mit his wings?" - -Crockett stared at the Dutchman, as if meditating whether to bring him -to his senses or not by breaking his gun over his head; but there was -such an appearance of honesty in his countenance, that, despite his -hurry, he paused to exchange a word or two with him. - -"Dutchy, did you ever see a bear?" - -"Yaw, I vos." - -"Did you ever see one fly through the air?" - -"Yaw--more as goot many times." - -"When?" - -"I see'd one only next day after yisterday. He had wings so big as -never vos, and had von sheep dat he hold fast mit his toes." - -Crockett laughed. - -"You old Dutch blunderbuss, you mean an _eagle_." - -"Yaw; vot kinds does I means?" - -"A _bald-headed_ eagle, I suppose." - -"Yaw--dat's him; ef he _bald_-headed, den he _bare_-headed, ain't he?" - -"I suppose." - -"Den he eagle vot was _bare_--hooh? vot you call him?" - -"Yes." - -"Den he _bear_ mit wings." - -And the Dutchman laughed, as though he had said something extremely -funny, while Crockett was amused in spite of himself. - -"Vos he great pig bear, mit four legs?" inquired the Hollander, -suddenly becoming serious again. - -"Yes--a ring-tailed roarer." - -"And he hop along so?" he continued, dropping on his hands and feet and -hopping along like a frog. - -"Something like that," assented Crockett. - -"And his mouth open, mit his tongue hanging in?" - -"Yes--yes: which way did he go?" - -"Yaw; I hash not seen notting of him!" - -And again the Dutchman laughed until he was ready to fall off the log, -all the while cramming his mouth with food. - -There was no little humor in Colonel Crockett, and the round fat -Dutchman, shaking with laughter, like so much jelly, was more then he -could stand, and throwing back his head, he made the forest ring with -his own mirth. - -This made Hans Bungslager go it harder then ever, till finally he -capsized--and tipping over the log backward, the last Crockett saw -of him, as he moved away, was his dumpy legs beating the air, as he -sought to complete his partial summerset so as to rise to the standing -position again. - -But Colonel Crockett was seeking the trail of the most enormous bear he -had seen since coming into Texas, and as he had a special anxiety to -secure and take it back to camp, he was fearful of losing too much time. - -So, without cultivating the acquaintance of Bungslager any further, he -turned his back upon him and struck into the woods, making for a point -where he believed there was a good prospect of finding his prey. - -I may say, to relieve all anxiety of the reader, that Hans finally -succeeded in turning over on his face, and regaining his feet. He was -very nearly choking, however, from the food which had gone the "wrong -way," and, when he finally recovered his self-command, and looked -around for the American hunter, he had vanished like a phantom. - -All this was some thirty odd years ago. The eccentric Colonel Crockett, -who had served several terms in Congress, had been disappointed of a -reëlection, and had left Tennessee and gone off to the territory, or -rather republic, of Texas, there to join the Texans who were gallantly -struggling for their independence against Santa Anna, and the hordes of -Mexicans that were overrunning the country. - -Crockett was a born hunter, and when he reached this part of the world, -he found there was an abundance of game--so much that he was tempted to -linger by the way, and delay his visit to the Alamo, which was doomed -to make such a wonderful struggle against the overwhelming forces that -were marshaling against it. - -He, with several friends, was therefore off on a several days' hunt in -the wilds of eastern Texas. He had joined a party on their way to the -Alamo, but while they halted at a small village some miles back, he had -gone on with several others to take part in a grand hunt. - -In that vast State, as is well known, are found buffaloes, deer, pumas, -ocelots, jaguars, wild-cats, black bears, wolves, foxes, raccoons, -opossums, rabbits, hares, squirrels, antelope, mountain goats and -moose; besides, prairie-hens, wild geese, wild turkeys, brant, teal, -canvas-back ducks, pheasants, quails, partridges, grouse, woodcock, -pigeons, turtle-doves, rice-birds, and numerous others--to which may -be added murderous Mexicans, and equally murderous and more daring -Comanches, Apaches and other tribes, so that there was a good -prospect of Crockett and his friends securing all the sport that they -could possibly wish. - -Starting off together, they had gone but a short distance when they -discovered a dozen buffaloes grazing on the slope of a hill, about a -quarter of a mile distant, and the whole parted, dashed away in pursuit. - -The buffaloes took the alarm, and while yet a good ways off, thundered -away at full speed, leading the hunters on quite a long chase. They -were in full tilt after them, when the keen eye of Colonel Crockett -detected an immense bear on his right, making for the cover of a dense -tract of forest. - -Davy Crockett had a weakness for bears; he had slain his hundreds in -the wilds of Tennessee, and he preferred hunting them to any species of -game known. So the instant he caught sight of this monster, he shouted: - -"Go ahead after the buffaloes, and I'll chase the bear." - -With which he turned his mustang to the right, and sped away in pursuit -of his favorite prey. - -But bruin had a good start, and made such good time that he plunged -into the wood several hundred yards in advance of Crockett, who -strained every point to catch up with the frightened brute. - -It was of no avail, however, and hurrying in a short distance among the -trees, Crockett found the wood too dense to continue the pursuit on -horseback; and, determined not to lose his sport in this way, he leaped -to the ground, hastily fastened his bridle to a limb, and continued the -pursuit on foot. - -His skill enabled him to keep on the trail of the bear, without -trouble, until, while running at full speed, he dashed into the -clearing, where Hans Bungslager was eating his dinner on the log. The -particulars of their interview have been given. - -In his great haste, and in dodging in and out among the trees and -undergrowth, Crockett had gotten off the trail of the bear, and was -hunting for it when he ran against Hans Bungslager. He knew that he -could not be far from his game, and that by running across the general -direction he had been following he was certain of intersecting it. - -This he did, and, as he anticipated, met with success, almost -immediately. Such a large animal as a bear, and especially this one, -could not fail to leave a perceptible trail, which the keen eyes of -Crockett were quick to detect. - -The hunter was deprived of one great advantage. When hunting in the -Tennessee canebrakes, he was always accompanied by a number of dogs, -that were sure to "tree" their game very quickly and to afford the -greatest assistance in the hunt. But now he had not a single yelper -with him, and was compelled to rely on himself entirely. - -Hark! He heard the crackling of twigs and brush ahead--evidence that he -was gaining rapidly upon his prey. He bent to the pursuit with renewed -ardor, and, although he could not see the bear, he knew that he was -close upon him. - -On, on dashed the hunter, tearing through the underbrush, with scarcely -a halt to turn aside, until a wild scream of agony made his blood -tingle, and leaping into a small clearing the next instant, he beheld a -scene so exciting in its character that it almost stopped the beating -of his heart. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -IN CLOSE QUARTERS. - - -The bear seemed to know that a dangerous enemy was upon his track, and -was not only frightened but infuriated by the fact. In his aimless -flight, he came directly upon a small clearing, in the center of which -stood a log-cabin cottage, surrounded by a small patch of cultivated -ground. - -At the very moment of his appearance, a lithe, handsome young lady was -passing across this clearing with a pail of water in her hand. Catching -sight of the bear, she uttered a shrill scream of terror, that caught -Crockett's ear, and ran at full speed for the open door of her cabin, -while the exasperated brute, with a growl of fury, made for her. - -The girl was fleet of foot, and seemed to run with the speed of the -wind; but the bear was so close upon her, that, when she darted into -the door she had not time to close it behind her. - -As Davy Crockett sprung into the clearing he caught a glimpse of the -girl as she vanished through the door, and saw the huge brute lunging -after her. As quick as thought his rifle was at his shoulder, and he -blazed away at his hind quarters, so rapidly disappearing from view. - -It would have been better if the shot had not been fired, for, striking -the monster in the haunch, it did not inflict even a dangerous wound, -and only succeeded in adding to the fury of the animal, whose rage was -already at the boiling-point. - -The hunter saw him twitch from the stinging pain, as, with an ominous, -cavernous growl, he disappeared in the cabin, from whose interior were -heard the heart-rending shrieks of the terror-stricken girl. - -Crockett became desperate. His rifle was of no further use, and -throwing it aside, he threw his arm back of his neck, and drew forth an -awful-looking knife--a genuine Bowie, presented to the hunter by the -daring little inventor himself. - -"Panthers and wildcats!" he exclaimed, as he ran like a deer across -the clearing; "that bear has got into the wrong pen, and ef he isn't -got out in a hurry, he'll raise the biggest kind of a rumpus, which I -rather reckon he's doing now!" - -In a twinkling, he was at the door, and without hesitation sprung -within. Only a glance was needed to understand the situation. - -The fair fugitive, upon reaching the interior of the cabin, had felt -instinctively that there was no safety upon the lower floor, and had -gone up the stairs in the corner, in a more expeditious manner than she -had ever done before. - -The bear evidently had not seen her, and was nosing around for her in -the lower apartment. When the hunter bounded into the room, he was the -very man he wanted to see and he "went for him." - -Crockett had been in a hand-to-hand struggle before with these -creatures and he knew what they were. He wasn't particularly anxious to -be caught at a disadvantage, so when the brute made a plunge at him, -he dodged and slipped aside, the bear striking with such force against -the door that it was banged to, and the two contestants were thus shut -together. - -"Come up-stairs! quick!" shouted the same voice that had uttered the -screams. "Come quick or you will be killed! he will have you sure, if -you don't hurry!" - -Now, if this same voice had only remained quiet, it is not at all -improbable that Crockett might have retreated up-stairs; but, with -his characteristic stubbornness, he determined to pay no heed to this -appeal, while at the same time he was actuated by a suspicion that -perhaps the bear might invade this retreat, and thus endanger the young -lady whom he was so anxious to befriend. - -"Never mind me," he called out, as he dodged to the other side of the -room and kept his eyes fixed keenly upon his antagonist. "I've been -in this kind of business afore, but look out the brute don't find out -where you are, for I don't blame him for wanting to swaller such a -purty piece." - -The girl didn't appeal to him any more: doubtless she concluded she was -only wasting her breath. - -The lower floor, I should remark, was like the ordinary apartments of -the log-cabins on the frontier. One large room occupied the lower part -of the building, and here were the fire-place, closet, table, chairs -and various domestic articles. - -Crockett glanced at the fire-place in the hope of finding some -embers there, but one look showed that the young lady had made her -preparations for kindling a fire, but the light had not yet been -applied; so that means of defense was thereby rendered unavailable. - -But he still grasped his huge Bowie, all-potent in his hands, and he -concluded it was time his formidable enemy was made to feel its point. - -The bear did not permit him to remain idle long, but turning with -wonderful quickness for such a lumbering animal, he reared on his hind -legs, and with his red mouth open and growling voice, came in a direct -line toward him. - -Every thing was now to be sacrificed for defense, and catching up the -table, Crockett slammed it full in the face of the bear, and then -darting nimbly forward, plunged his knife half-way to the hilt in -his body. He would have driven it to the handle, had not the point -encountered a bone. - -Having no time to repeat the blow, he withdrew the weapon, and leaped -backward, just in time to escape the furious lunge of the brute. The -blood poured in a stream from the frightful wound made, but the bear -seemed to feel no loss of strength and to be unconscious of the hurt he -had received. - -A few more such blows, however, were only needed to "settle the hash" -of the creature, and Crockett now endeavored to inflict them as -speedily as possible, without receiving any return. - -The bear was awkward in his movements, but there was also a certain -swiftness that made it exceedingly dangerous to his antagonist. At -the same time, his size compelled more dexterity upon the part of -Crockett, who leaped and danced about the room like an acrobat on -exhibition. - -Finding himself in a corner, the hunter was forced to dart so close to -the bear that its descending paw grazed his back and tore off a few -strips from his hunting-shirt, and a twinge or two of pain, reminded -him of what was in store for him, if the brute once got him in his -embrace. - -Again the knife sunk deeply into the body of the bear, being driven -this time from the back, and sent in with such vigor, that it produced -a sensible effect upon the raging monster. - -But such a mass of vitality was not easily destroyed, and for the time -the bear was more furious than ever. Crockett was kept so continually -dodging and leaping about, that he found it utterly impossible to get -in another blow; and as he circled around the room, he was in imminent -peril of being thrown down by some of the articles of furniture that -were continually in his way. - -Moving thus, too, he caught a glimpse of a pair of eyes, peering down -from the stairs, while the fair owner held a rifle in her hands as if -awaiting the opportunity to use it. - -"Shall I shoot?" she finally asked, in a suppressed voice, as he passed -near her. - -"When you're sartin of plugging him," replied Crockett, never once -removing his eyes from the glowing orbs of the beast. - -It was plain that if the hunter was going to escape with his life, -something must be done to weaken the bear, that was pressing him so -close that a collision could not be postponed much longer. - -Any man who has ever met Colonel Davy Crockett knows that when fairly -aroused he had a fearful temper, and was reckless in what he did. His -blood was now fairly up, and he determined that he had retreated about -long enough. - -"Confound you!" he muttered, as he steadied himself against the side of -the wall, preparatory to making his charge, "do you think I am afeard -of you?" - -And then uttering a yell, such as he had heard escape the throats of -the Creek Indians at the massacre of Fort Mimms, he bounded toward his -foe. - -The bear at this minute was reared on his hind legs, with paws up. -Crockett, as he reached these formidable weapons, ducked his head, so -as to pass beneath them, and as quick as thought buried his knife into -the side of the brute. - -It was a terrible blow, and gave the creature such a spasm of pain that -his paws dropped almost involuntarily, and Crockett was compelled to -extricate himself in such haste, that he was unable to withdraw his -knife and take it with him. - -This made his situation ten-fold more perilous. He had no weapon at all -with which to defend himself, and it was only left for him to await -the fierce onslaught of the terrible foe. Thoroughly aroused, he was -determined on recovering his knife, even though at the imminent risk of -his life. - -"Come up-stairs!" shouted the terrified girl, who was vainly seeking a -chance to fire upon the bear, "he will kill you _now_, sure!" - -"Let him kill me then!" was the stubborn reply of Crockett. "I am going -to git that knife ag'in, or he's going to git me." - -Believing he had a chance, the hunter made a lunge for it. He struck -the handle, but he could not retain his hold, and, as his hand slipped -off, he received a staggering blow from the bear, that knocked him to -the floor. - -A gasp of terror escaped the girl, but Crockett recovered himself and -made another attempt to regain his property. - -Again his hand grasped the handle, and the brute made for him. Had -the hunter let the knife go, and sprung out of the way, he would have -escaped easily; but, mad with rage, he held fast to it, refusing to -loosen his grip, even when he felt the weight of the paws upon his -shoulders. - -With a desperate effort, he jerked the Bowie loose, the blood gushing -after it in a copious stream. Then he attempted to pull away, but -it was too late, and the two went down together, locked in a death -embrace, Crockett believing that his last day had come! - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE ALARM! - - -Certain that the hunter was doomed to death, the fair stranger, whose -own escape had been so narrow, could restrain herself no longer. With -rifle in hand, she leaped down the stairs, and made her way toward the -combatants upon the floor. - -Colonel Crockett was in great extremity, for, in spite of the terrible -wounds the bear had received, he still possessed tremendous strength, -and now that he had got his foe in his arms, he was bent on giving him -the "death-hug," without any unnecessary delay. - -But the hunter now had the Bowie in his powerful right hand; he used it -with all the strength and skill at his command. While his own face was -in such proximity to the terrible snout of the wood monster, he plunged -his knife again and again into his side, with a frequency and power -certainly sufficient to kill any animal but a Texan bear. - -Still the fearful gripe of those immense fore legs, grew more rigid -each moment, until Crockett felt the breath of life leaving his body, -and was certain that the walls of his breast were being caved in. - -"Fire! quick!" he managed to gasp, as he saw the girl with the gun -standing near them. - -"I am afraid of hitting you!" - -"Never mind if you do--don't wait." - -Placing the muzzle directly against the head of the monster, the girl -pulled the trigger of her rifle. - -The most vital part of the bear was pierced. The ball went crashing -through his brain, and with a sort of sigh, his great strength failed -him; he rolled heavily over upon his side, and breathed his last. - -As quick as a flash, Colonel Crockett disengaged himself and sprung to -his feet. - -"Oh, you are killed!" wailed the girl, as she sunk upon the edge of -one of the overturned chairs, "you can not live with such frightful -wounds!" - -The hunter was indeed a distressing object to look upon. The blood from -the beast covered him almost from head to foot, and, scattered over his -face, it made him look as if he had been lacerated by the claws of the -brute. - -"Me!" exclaimed the delighted Crockett, "I have not been harmed a bit: -I've only had a good squeezing, but, I'm gradually getting my breath -back again. Howsumever, I've been hugged before, and I've no doubt -such a good-looking gal as you have been hugged, too. If I hadn't a -blue-eyed little wife, down in Tennessee, I'd be tempted to play the -bear to you." - -"Oh! how can you jest at such a terrible time?" said the girl, her face -blanched with terror. - -"I know I ought to be ashamed of myself," said Crockett, as he looked -down and realized what a plight he was in, "but it was always a -weakness of mine to be joking when I hadn't oughter. If I ain't too -impertinent, may I ax your name?" - -"Katrina Duncan." - -"Where is your father and mother?" - -"I have none." - -"What! you don't live here all alone?" - -"Oh, no! I live with my uncle and aunt." - -"Where might they be just now?" - -"My aunt has gone to the village." - -"That is a dozen miles away." - -"The creek runs near the house, and she used the canoe. She can easily -get back by nightfall." - -"And your uncle--I haven't seen any thing of him." - -"He is in the woods at work." - -A sudden suspicion entered the head of Crockett. - -"What is his name?" - -"Bungslager." - -"Ah! I see'd him in the woods--the jolliest Dutchman I ever sot eyes -on. When do you expect--" - -"Doonder and blitzen!" - -Turning their heads, the two saw the very man of whom they were -speaking, standing in the door. Short, fat, sturdy, with his round, -moon-like face lit up by a pair of round eyes that were the embodiment -of wonder and amazement. - -"What dis mean, eh? Vot hash somepody peen doin', eh?" - -"You have visitors, uncle." - -"Yaw, as I sees, but when my visitor brings von pig pear mit him, I -vish he leaf him inside de out doors." - -"He didn't bring him, uncle; the bear came himself, and this gentleman -rushed in to prevent him from killing me." - -"Oh, yaw, and got killed himself. I ish glad to see you," said Hans, -advancing and offering his hand; "dis ish your gun vat I picks up." - -"It looks like the critter," said Colonel Crockett, advancing and -taking his weapon. "I see'd I couldn't make no use of it, so I dropped -it and sailed in with my Bowie, and ef it hadn't been fur Katrina here, -it would have been the last of old Davy Crockett." - -Hans Bungslager stopped and looked at the hunter with a curious -expression. - -"What your name ish?" - -"Colonel Davy Crockett." - -"From Tennessee?" - -"Exactly." - -The Dutchman burst into a laugh that nearly shook him to pieces. - -"You ish dat pig fool, eh, dat went to Congress and didn't know noffin. -I heerds 'pout you, and dinks you de piggest fool as never vas." - -This was not very complimentary to Crockett, but the good nature of -Hans Bungslager was irresistible, and he laughed to see him laugh. - -Katrina was somewhat embarrassed, and thought it her duty to apologize -for the rudeness of her uncle. - -"He doesn't mean any thing," said she, turning toward the hunter; "it's -a way he has. He got some papers that told about you in Congress, and -he was so pleased that he staid home two or three days, and did nothing -but sit in his chair and laugh." - -"He's a lucky dog to be able to laugh so much," replied Crockett, with -a serious air. "I have done a good deal of laughing in my time, but I -reckon I've felt like crying as many times. Howsumever, I s'pose you -want to get this carcass out the room." - -Katrina replied that such was her wish, and Crockett and his host laid -hold and managed to drag the huge creature outside the door. He was -pulled some distance away, when the hunter, taking his Bowie in his -hand, ran his finger along the edge. - -"Go way with yer buffalo-steaks and venison, when I can git b'ar meat," -said he, as he began operating upon it. "I'm going to stay to supper -with you. I s'pose you've eat b'ar-steak?" - -"Oh, yaw!" replied Hans; "I eats him once." - -"How did you like him?" - -"A Mexican--one greaser, gif him me to _p'ison_ me; ef I had eat but -lettle I would died; but I eat so much dat I spit him up ag'in." - -"Get out! wait till I cook ye a hunk of it; you'll like it better than -any sourkrout you ever saw." - -Bungslager shook himself with laughter at the thought of his finding -any thing in the way of food that could please his palate better than -that savory article; but he stood by and watched Crockett, as he -handled his knife with a skill that was really admirable. - -The bear was in prime condition, and, after laying his shaggy hide -back, the hunter cut out several slices that looked quite tempting, and -which he asserted would tickle the tongue of any one, when properly -cooked and placed upon the table. - -The hide was carefully taken from the entire body, and then the carcass -was rolled into the creek to float away, as being of no further use, -while Crockett carefully washed the stains from his own person. Then -bearing the hide over his arm, and the clean-looking meat, the two -returned to the cabin. - -During their absence, Katrina had improved the time to the utmost. The -furniture, except where irreparably injured, had been placed to rights, -the floor scrubbed up, and the fire kindled, and every preparation made -for preparing a meal. - -Looking at the bright, cheerful room, one could scarcely believe that a -few minutes before it had been the scene of such a frightful contest as -I have described. - -When Crockett explained his wishes, the really charming, rosy-cheeked -girl yielded her place to him at the fire, and he commenced the -preparation of his bear-steaks. The savory odor soon filled the room, -and placing some fresh butter and snowy bread upon the table, the three -sat down to their meal. - -But they were doomed to an interruption. The first mouthful was not yet -tasted, when through the open door the figure of a young man was seen -approaching, walking with a rapid stride across the clearing. - -As he came nearer, it was easy to see from his blanched face and -excited manner, that he was the bearer of some important and alarming -tidings. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE FLIGHT. - - -The individual who was seen hastening across the clearing, showed in -his actions that he was an acquaintance of Bungslager and his niece. - -"Well, Sebastian, what is it?" asked the latter, while the quick flush -that overspread her face told Colonel Crockett at once what relation -existed between them. Even in that moment of excitement the young man -had time to cast one admiring glance upon the maiden. - -"I've bad news! the worst news!" - -All turned away from the table and looked expectantly toward him. - -"What is it?" - -"Three runners reached Brownston, a couple of hours ago, with the news -that a big war-party of Comanches are approaching!" - -"Ish dat all?" exclaimed Hans, with a sigh. "I dinks my cow has tumbled -over a log, and hurts herself." - -"But they will be there by to-night." - -"Does my frow know it?" - -"Yes; she besought me to hurry to you, and urge you to come at once, -without a moment's delay. As soon as I learned it, I prepared to come, -although several urged me against it, as they thought I would be -intercepted before I could get back; but I have made all haste." - -"From what p'int are they coming?" asked Crockett, who had the sense to -perceive that this was a serious peril that threatened the Dutchman and -his niece. - -"From the north-east," replied Sebastian, turning toward Crockett, who -had risen to his feet. - -"How do you know that they intend attacking the village?" - -The young man looked at the hunter a moment without replying. - -"I suppose you are a stranger in these parts, for if you wasn't, you -would know that Brownston has been attacked several times before, -although never by such a large force as now threatens it. A good many -of our men are off in the Texan war, and a good many more are going; -but, we've had so many of these raids by the Comanches, that we've got -used to them. We're better prepared than we used to be." - -"Do you think the village is in danger itself?" - -"No," was the prompt reply. "As we have been warned, I do not see as -there is any danger at all." - -"Then if we can get _there_, we shall be safe?" - -"Undoubtedly." - -"It is about a dozen miles away," added Crockett, in a voice which -showed he was considerably relieved; "it ain't likely that the -red-skins will be there before night." - -"No; we do not fear for Brownston itself, now that we have been -notified, but it is the outlying houses, that are in such danger, and -quite a number of the folks have gone out to warn them." - -"Then let's set down and make a meal on b'ar-steaks, and all go to the -village together," setting the example, by taking his place at the -table again. - -The coolness with which this was uttered had a most reassuring effect -upon the others. Sebastian, (as the young Texan was called,) was a -volunteer in the war of independence of the Lone Star State, and was -home in his native village of Brownston for a short time to see his -friends, when this alarm reached his ears. - -Knowing full well the ferocious character of the Comanches, and that -in their wars, they made no discrimination between Mexican, Texan or -American, the tidings filled him with the gravest alarm, concerning the -beautiful Katrina and her uncle. - -He was glad to find a guest there whose appearance showed him to be a -man of knowledge, skill and daring, and who could not fail to prove a -most valuable auxiliary in escaping the peril which had descended so -suddenly upon them. He advanced and offered his hand. - -"I am Sebastian Carsfield, a Texan, fighting against Santa Anna. I am -glad to make your acquaintance." - -"And I am on my way to the Alamo," replied Crockett, warmly shaking his -hand. - -"Then we are brothers: I join you at the meal." - -"I dinks you ain't so much hungry as I vas," said Hans, who was quite -impatient at the delay, and who attacked the viands with renewed -appetite. Katrina was so flustered by the exciting news and the -presence of her lover, that she became quite thoughtful and ate very -little. - -Crockett seemed to have forgotten entirely that such a thing as a -hostile force was threatening them, and joked and jested in his usual -manner. He related many of his adventures in Tennessee, in hunting -bears, and some incidents of his eventful career in Congress, and his -memorable tour through the northern States. - -In this way the afternoon wore rapidly away, the dinner was lengthened, -and by the time that the party rose from the table, the latter part of -the day was half gone. - -As the "frow" of Bungslager had gone to the village of Brownston in -the canoe, there was no means of making the journey by water, so it -was arranged that the dozen intervening miles should be made overland. -Hans owned a sturdy horse, not very fleet, but tough and enduring, upon -which he proposed to load every thing necessary, while he and Katrina -walked. - -Sebastian had come on foot, not pausing to procure a horse, and -Crockett offered to yield his mustang to her, as the animal was at no -great distance, and he intended to procure him before setting out for -the village. - -But she declined. None of the party were more able to walk than she, -and in the labyrinths of the woods, she had more confidence in her own -limbs than in those of any quadruped or biped. - -It was agreed that Crockett should go after his mustang and then follow -a bridle-path that he could easily find, which struck the creek about -a mile below the cabin of Bungslager, and there await the coming of -his friends. At the same time Sebastian was to descend the river some -distance below, to see whether any thing more could be discovered -regarding the Comanches, and then was to return to the point mentioned, -where it was believed that all would rendezvous at the end of a couple -of hours. - -With this understanding the parties separated--Crockett taking the -trail made by the bear, while he was pursuing it, as the speediest way -of reaching the point where he had left his mustang tied. Sebastian -located the bridle-path with such exactness that he was certain of -finding it without any delay. - -The Texan, with his heavy rifle slung over his shoulder, strode off -in an eastern direction, following the course of the creek. As he -looked up to the sky, and saw how near the sun was setting, a shade -of anxiety crossed his face. He felt that they had lingered too long -in the cabin, after the danger became known. It was now impossible to -get fairly started for Brownston, before night was closing in, and the -probabilities were that the place would not be reached before daylight. - -These hours of darkness would be hours of the greatest peril to his -friends. He had no doubt that the vigilant, ferocious Comanches would -be between them and the village before the night was half gone. Such -a large party could hardly hope to make their way through the lines -without discovery--especially with the blundering Hans Bungslager, who -seemed incapable of comprehending the grave character of the danger -that menaced them. - -"I am afraid we shall see the worst kind of trouble, before many hours -come and go!" muttered the Texan, as he strode thoughtfully through the -forest. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -A SLIP OF THE MEMORY. - - -Colonel Crockett was also equally thoughtful. He felt that a mistake -had been made through his agency, and that the gravest consequences -might be the result. - -"Them b'ars have always got me into trouble," he muttered, impatiently. -"I s'pose if I git into a fight with a greaser and a b'ar comes along, -I'll leave him and put for the b'ar." - -He had easily found the trail of the brute, and kept it without -trouble. The way back seemed much longer than when he was pursuing the -beast with so much zeal; but he traveled very fast, and reached the -open prairie before the sun had set. - -In one hand he carried his long, reliable rifle, and over the other was -hung the huge shaggy hide of the black bear. Its size and character -made it too valuable for him to leave until it could become dried, and -so he took it to make sure of having so valuable an article. - -Reaching the edge of the prairie, he found that his mustang had managed -to disengage his bridle and was cropping the grass near at hand. -Crockett was on the point of emerging from the woods, when his quick -eye detected something out upon the plain. - -Scarcely a half-mile distant, and almost precisely upon the spot where -he had left his companions to pursue their buffaloes, he saw fully a -hundred mounted Comanche Indians. - -"By hokey-pokey!" muttered the hunter, as he stood and watched the -sight, "that means business, sure enough!" - -The band of red-skins seemed to be holding a sort of council. They were -gathered in a large circle, the heads of their horses pointed inward, -while a dozen or two on foot stood in the center, apparently debating -together upon some proposed scheme, while their devoted followers were -waiting until their leaders were ready to give their orders. - -Colonel Crockett stood almost fascinated at the sight. The Comanches -were fine-looking men, gayly dressed in bright colors, all mounted on -magnificent horses, and, as is well known, they are among the finest -horsemen in the world. Sitting as motionless as carved figures, they -would have formed a capital scene for a painter. - -The question that naturally occurred to the hunter was whether these -made up the entire force of Comanches that were marching against -Brownston. If they did, the town being forewarned, certainly had little -to fear from them; but the settlers who dwelt in the surrounding -country were as powerless to resist this band, as though all the -red-skins west of the Rio Grande should descend upon them. - -Crockett felt that time was important, and that he endangered the -safety of others by waiting; but, he was so anxious to watch their -movements that he determined to wait awhile at least, and try to -discover their intentions. - -His experience among the Creek Indians had given him a good knowledge -of Indian character and ways, and he was not long in understanding that -was a sort of council--those in the center of the large circle, having -all to say in the matter. - -Crockett first carefully approached his own mustang, and securing him, -sprung upon his back, and then held himself in readiness to flee in -case the red-skins should turn their faces toward him. - -Some fifteen minutes passed in this painful suspense, when a -simultaneous shout arose from the group, and they were seen turning -their horses about, and brandishing their weapons about their heads. - -The conclusion had been reached! - -The Comanches were now ready to march! - -And just at this moment, Colonel Crockett became aware that the faces -of the Indians were turned toward him, and their horses were galloping -at full speed directly at the point in the wood where he stood. - -"Be sure you're right, then go ahead," growled Crockett, as he wheeled -his mustang about, "and I think it's right for me to kick gravel." - -The proximity of the trees was such that, as I have shown before, the -hunter dismounted and continued the pursuit on foot; but now, under the -influence of fear, his mustang seemed to shoot in and out among the -trees like a swallow in its flight. - -"I wonder if they see'd me," muttered Crockett, as he ducked his head -to avoid being swept off his horse or having his head swept off his -shoulders. "I don't think they did, or they wouldn't have sent so -many after me. Howsumever, maybe they've heard that I am a member of -Congress." - -Unconsciously Crockett had turned the head of his horse toward the -path, for which he ought to have searched, and his horse suddenly -plunged into it, and wheeled off to the right, and followed it at the -same headlong speed. - -This made traveling a great deal easier, and the mustang plunged along -at a really swift gait, his rider every now and then casting his head -around, in the expectation of catching a glimpse of those fearless dogs -yelping upon his track. - -"If they can ride through this wood any faster than me," exclaimed -Crockett, as a limb knocked his coon-skin cap from his head, "then I'd -like to stop and see them." - -He kept up this break-neck pace for some time longer, and hearing -nothing of his enemies, he paused and listened. The sound of a leaf -that rustled through some branches overhead and fluttered down upon his -shoulder was all that reached his ear, besides the hurried breathing of -his animal. - -"Sartinly if they war coming I'd hear them," he concluded, after -listening for a few minutes, and every thing was still as the grave. - -Dismounting from his mustang, he knelt down and placed his ear upon the -ground. Had there been horsemen anywhere in the neighborhood, the tramp -of their feet would have been heard, but to his surprise Crockett heard -nothing at all. - -"There's one thing sartin," said he, "them Comanches ain't on my trail, -so I'll give the hoss a little rest." - -With which he drew his animal down to a moderate walk. - -By this time it was growing dark, and despite the speed with which -Crockett had ridden, he was yet a great deal behindhand, on account of -waiting to watch the movements of the red-skins. He ought to have been -at the rendezvous long before this. - -All through the tumultuous excitement Crockett had clung to his -bear-skin with almost the tenacity that he grasped his rifle. He had -done it almost unconsciously, even after his cap was swept from his -head. - -He was on the point of starting ahead again when his quick ear detected -something suspicious. The sound was very slight, but such as it was, it -convinced him that there was some one coming along the path. - -Not knowing what it meant, the hunter drew his horse aside out of the -path, and then waited and watched. The obscurity was so great that he -could not see very distinctly, but in the gloom he discovered two men, -who passed by on a rapid run. He could see that they were Indians, and -that they were moving very fast. - -What struck Crockett as singular was that these red-skins were pursuing -the opposite direction from him. Either they must have passed by the -rendezvous toward which he was hurrying, or they had gone dangerously -near it. - -"What does it mean?" the Tennessean asked himself, beginning to feel -a little puzzled at the action of the red-skins; "these are queer -critters--these Comanches--they don't do business like the Creeks and -Choctaws. Now how did them two rapscallions get round on t'other side -of me? They couldn't have passed me in the path, for I was riding too -blamed fast." - -He returned to the path again, and, as his horse walked along, he -thought seriously upon the situation of himself and friends. - -Suddenly he started. - -Could it be that there was another band of Comanches on the other side -of Hans Bungslager's cabin? Or were these scouts who were scouring -through the country in search of victims, and having discovered the -flight of the fugitives, had they made all haste to the main body that -the whites might be cut off before there was a chance of escape? - -The more he reflected upon what he had seen, the more serious alarm did -he feel. It was not for himself that he feared, but it looked to him as -though the gentle Katrina Duncan was in greater danger than she or her -friends imagined. - -He continued riding forward, his horse on a moderate walk, until in the -moonlight he caught the glimmer of water ahead, and he knew that he was -drawing near the rendezvous. - -Feeling it his duty to be suspicious on all occasions, he dismounted -again, and fastening his horse beside the path, crept stealthily -forward and looked about him. The creek was broad and deep, but he saw -no person or boat visible. - -Where was Sebastian? was the question he asked himself, as he looked -furtively about. "Can it be that those two Comanches have slain him, -and his dead body is somewhere at hand?" - -He stood irresolute a moment, debating whether to begin the search or -not, when a low, cautiously-uttered whistle reached his ear. Suspecting -that it was a signal from some Indian to another, he stepped further -back in the shadow, and cocked his rifle, determined to shoot the first -red-skin that showed himself. - -The whistle was repeated, and finally Crockett ventured to answer it. -He had scarcely done so when a figure appeared in the path before him -whom he at once recognized as Sebastian, the Texan. - -The two met and clasped hands in the moonlight like old friends. - -"Where are they?" was the first whispered question of Crockett. - -"I do not know; I have seen and heard nothing of them since I left -there this afternoon." - -"How long have you been here?" - -"Over an hour. What kept you?" - -The hunter gave a concise account of what I have already made known to -my readers, and then asked him his experience. - -"I reached here as quick as I could, after leaving you," replied the -young Texan, "but the boat I expected to find here was gone, so I went -down the creek about a mile, where I found it caught in some bushes." - -"How did it get there?" - -"It must have got loose and drifted down there; I remember the prow -only rested against the bank, and it might have done it very easily." - -"Have you seen any of the Comanches?" - -"Not one," replied Sebastian. - -"That's blamed queer," muttered Crockett; "there's a strange look about -things that don't suit. What can keep Bungslager?" - -"He may be in trouble--" - -"Hello! there he comes!" interrupted Crockett, as he saw the pursy -form of the Dutchman emerge from the wood, leading his horse that was -heavily loaded with his domestic utensils and food. - -The two men stood until he advanced to where they were, and then with a -blanched face Sebastian asked the question: - -"_Where is Katrina?_" - -Hans Bungslager turned about and looked at the back of his horse a -moment, as if in a maze of perplexity, and then exclaimed: - -"+Doonder and blitzen! I Forgot her!+" - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -ALL WRONG. - - -"Forgot her!" exclaimed the astounded Sebastian; "how did you do that?" - -"I dinks at first she drops off de hoss--but afore I starts she goes -back to look fur de cow, and I forgits about her till I gots here, and -den I dinks, 'cause you ax me." - -"This is a serious business," said the young Texan, turning toward -Crockett. "I think Bungslager is a little the biggest fool I ever saw. -It won't do to go on to the village and leave the girl alone in the -woods." - -"I rather guess not--'specially when she's such a purty piece of -calikar as that. I'd be very glad to go back arter her, but, as she'd -be a blamed sight gladder to see you, and you'd be gladder yet to see -her, why I ain't the man to interfere." - -The Texan coughed, and pretended not to comprehend the meaning of -Crockett hastily replying: - -"Suppose, then, you and Hans go on toward the village while I go back -after her." - -"I'm agreeable." - -"The path follows the creek all the way, and Hans has traveled it often -enough to know it, so you won't be delayed on that account. Good-by and -good-luck to you!" - -"'Bass," called out Hans, as he saw the young man start off. - -"Well, what is it?" was the quick, business-like response. - -"You goes arter Katrina, eh?" - -"Yes; I do not propose to desert her." - -"Ef she hain't found te cow, you can help her looks for him, and den -you drives her into de village, and we has protein and milk for supper." - -"We'll see to that," replied Carsfield, who had no wish to dispute with -the Dutchman, "but, of course, I will look after Katrina first." - -"Yaw; te cow has got a bell on her neck, so dat it will be easy fur to -find her and den--" - -He paused as the young man had vanished in the wood, and turning back -to Crockett asked: - -"Do we waits here till dey don't come, or do we don't go on till arter -dey don't come?" - -"I think so," replied Crockett, not exactly certain whether his answer -was any more luminous than the question itself. - -"Yaw; dat ish all right--I allers dink so." - -"Sebastian advises us to keep on toward the village; we won't be able -to travel very fast, as your horse has got about ten wagon-loads on -his back, and if you're going to ride on top, he'll have to set down -and rest about every hundred yards. So they will overhaul us, afore we -can reach the village. Are you going to ride your hoss? If not you're -welcome to straddle mine." - -"No; I rides my hoss--you see he expects me, and I dush not disapp'ints -him." - -"All very well," replied Crockett, "but how the hokey-pokey are you -going to get on top?" - -"I shows you." - -Hans Bungslager, as I have said, had his horse so loaded down that he -was almost invisible. The pillow-bed "lapped" on each side so much -that his head and a little of his neck could be seen. On this was -placed another bulging tick, while numerous articles were adjusted and -balanced with a skill which showed that the delicate hand of Katrina -had borne a share in the task. These necessarily projected from the -side of the horse, but she had remembered that the path they expected -to follow was quite narrow, and the "breadth" was principally upward. - -Having walked to this point, Hans concluded that he was entitled to -ride, and indeed in loading his horse, care had been taken to arrange -the articles so as to make him a nice comfortable seat. - -Hans displayed his innate sagacity by leading the horse beside a -short stunted tree with a projecting stumpy limb, upon which, with -considerable "boosting" by Crockett, he managed to climb, and then, -thanks to the gentleness of his horse, he safely "located himself upon -his back." - -"Now I ish ready," he called out, hitching about a little, so as to -make sure he was firmly seated; "drive ahead." - -Crockett pressed forward, and in the gloom saw a well-defined path -before him, running parallel with the creek. This was the one referred -to by Sebastian, and he took it at once. - -Hans Bungslager succeeded in riding his horse better than would have -been expected. By keeping in the center of the path, the trees and -shrubbery at the sides did not interfere with his movements. The only -difficulty was that by being elevated so much, he got his face pretty -well scratched and occasionally was compelled to duck and dodge rather -vigorously. - -Crockett's native humor now and then manifested itself, when he turned -about and saw the ludicrous figure in the rear; but, at the same time, -he could not help feeling that they were threatened by a danger so -serious that it ought to demand their entire thought. - -The sky was clear, and the bright moonlight here and there penetrated -through the tree-tops, lighting up the path and occasionally giving -birth to frightful grotesque figures, that to a man's excited -imagination would be apt to assume the form of reality. - -But Colonel Crockett had been through too many trying scenes to be -frightened by shadows. He dreaded not them--but he did dread the -Comanches, that certainly could be at no great distance, and through -whose lines it would be very difficult to pass in order to reach the -village. - -Had his own convictions been acted upon, the whites would not have -attempted to make the settlement at all. In the dense woods which -surrounded the cabin, there were any number of places where they could -have concealed themselves, and waited until the danger had passed; but -others had the right to decide upon their course of action, and his -generous nature would not permit him to forsake them so long as they -were in peril. - -The two horses walked silently through the wood, the only sound being -the faint clamp of their feet, and the rustling of the shrubbery -against the baggage of Hans Bungslager. Occasionally he spoke to -Crockett, but not often, as the Dutchman, reckless as he was, could not -fail to see that it was no time for conversation. - -So they progressed for a mile or so, when Crockett suddenly heard a -furious gasping. - -"Whoa! doonder and blitzen! whoa." - -Checking his own horse and turning his head, he could see that Hans -was in trouble. His obedient animal had instantly stopped upon being -appealed to, but he was still in difficulty. - -"What is it?" inquired the colonel. - -"Doonder! dish limb has cotch my nose under de shin, and I can't gets -my neck loose. Back!" he commanded to his horse, that, moving back a -step or two, enabled him to free himself from the snare into which he -had run his head. - -"Can I help you any?" asked the hunter, who was not certain whether he -was still in trouble or not. - -"Yaw; you can help me as never vas." - -"How?" asked Crockett, springing from his mustang, and hurrying back -beside him. - -"You goes pack to de capin, and up-stairs in my room, under te bed, -yer finds some bear-grease; if you rubs dat on my chin here I feels -goot." - -"I'll see you hanged first," growled the hunter, as he hurried back to -his horse. "If you ain't the greatest Dutchman in Texas, or the United -States, then I'll go back to Tennessee and run for Congress ag'in." - -Had there been no one beside himself and the Hollander concerned, -Crockett would not have attempted to keep him company; but the -beautiful Katrina, and the gallant young Texan had already won a warm -place in the heart of the grizzled adventurer, and he was willing -to incur any personal risk for them. As it was, he saw that, under -Providence, all depended upon his watchfulness, and he therefore -determined to assume the part of master, so long as he was compelled to -keep company with Hans. - -Nothing of Indians yet. - -Crockett had scarcely thought this, when he heard the reports of three -guns in rapid succession, but a short distance to the right of them in -the wood, and not a little startled, he reined up and listened, Hans -from necessity being compelled to do the same. - -They waited five or ten minutes, when, hearing nothing more, the -journey was resumed, Colonel Crockett feeling a conviction that some -sort of trouble was at hand. - -A hundred yards or so further on the horse of the hunter stopped, and -leaning forward, the rider saw that the path divided, a branch turning -off quite sharply to the right, while the other kept almost directly -ahead. - -Being an utter stranger, of course he appealed to Hans. - -"Which do we take, the right or left?" - -"De right," was the instant reply. - -"You're sartin of that?" - -"Yaw." - -"Then we will go ahead." - -And the famous Tennessean acted upon the motto, which has been quoted -so many times, both during and after his life, his animal walking -forward in quite a lively, business-like fashion. - -Crockett began to think that it was time the young Texan and his -lady-love put in an appearance. He felt a longing for the society of -such a daring, chivalrous young man, as he knew Carsfield to be, and -he thought that at the tardy rate pursued by him and Hans, the two -fleet-limbed lovers ought to be somewhere in the vicinity. - -But fully another mile was now passed and nothing was heard of them. -Once again the report of a gun had been heard, but this time it was in -another direction, and so far away, as to be quite a relief. Neither of -the alarms had come from the rear, so there was no reason to fear that -Carsfield and Katrina were in any difficulty. - -"I say, hilloa!" suddenly called out Hans, in the husky, eager tones of -one who is alarmed and excited. "I say, hilloa!" - -"Wal, what's the matter, man?" inquired the hunter, reining up his -mustang until the horse of the Dutchman could approach no closer. - -"I hash sumfin' to dells you." - -"Let me hear it then." - -"It ish a good joke." - -And thereupon Hans began shaking with laughter, until it really seemed -as if he would fall from the back of his animal. He made several -attempts to speak, but before he could make himself intelligible -he broke off into immoderate laughter again. Finally Crockett lost -patience. - -"You can stay there and laugh, while I go on." - -"Hold on! hold on, Mister Crockett--ain't it fooney--but I made--haw! -haw! haw!--one great mistake--haw! haw!--_dish is de wrong path, and -we're furder away from de settlement dan when we shtarted! haw! haw! -haw! haw! haw! haw!_" - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -JOURNEYING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. - - -Hans Bungslager certainly had a remarkable appreciation of a joke, and -although something like anger rose in Crockett's breast at the thought -of the stupid mistake that had been made, he could only grin and wait -in silence until his outburst of merriment was ended, when he inquired: - -"Are you sartin that we ain't right after all?" - -"Dish ish de path dat goes round, and come back of my house shust in -front of it, and if we keeps on, te cabin will run ag'inst us." - -"Then we may as well turn back." - -Crockett guided his horse carefully around the other so as still to -hold the lead, and after considerable trouble, Hans succeeded in -imitating him, and the return was begun. - -It is never a very pleasant thing to find you have taken the wrong -road, and Colonel Crockett felt somewhat ruffled that his companion -should have misled him; but, after all, he did not see as any thing was -lost thereby. - -He felt very grave doubts in his own mind of the wisdom of this -attempt to reach the settlement, when it was as good as certain that -the Comanches were ahead of him. At any rate, there was no wisdom in -seeking to do so, supported only by Hans Bungslager. - -Sebastian was as keen and skillful as he was brave. He was intimately -acquainted with every crook and turn of the forest-paths, he had fought -Comanches and Mexicans, and some reliance could be placed upon him in -an emergency like this. - -Pretty Katrina was far more valuable in the hour of danger than was -her thick-headed uncle; and by turning back, there was the probability -of joining them the sooner, provided they had not already come up and -passed the point where the two paths joined. - -This seemed so probable as to cause Crockett considerable misgiving, -and he turned about to make a proposition to the Dutchman. - -"You're so heavily-loaded, Hans, that it won't be safe for your hoss -to undertake to git up a trot, if he was able, which I don't believe -he is. So I'll gallop on ahead to meet the folks, while you take your -time. Are you agreeable?" - -"Yaw." - -Without waiting for any thing further, Crockett struck his mustang into -a gallop, his hoofs sounding upon the earth with a dangerous loudness, -when there was such necessity for silence in all their movements. - -A few minutes only were necessary to bring him back to the main path, -where he looked keenly about in the gloom for some sign of his young -friends; but none was to be seen, and he heard only the sigh of the -winds and the soft flow of the creek. - -Had they already passed? - -The question was so important that Crockett thought himself justified -in taking rather imprudent means to answer; so he galloped some -distance down the path, and then reining up, shouted: - -"+Hilloa!+" - -He repeated the call several times, and his voice echoed among the -trees with a startling force, but no welcome response came back in the -shape of a signal from Sebastian. Then he dismounted from his horse, -and advancing to where the moonlight shone upon the ground, carefully -scrutinized it as an Indian does when looking for the signs of the -passing of a foe. - -But he was unable to detect any thing at all, and so he retraced his -steps to the "junction," convinced that the lovers were still between -him and the cabin. - -"Whoa! whoa! Doonderation! Why you don't shtop?" - -As these excited words reached the ears of the hunter he became -sensible of a furious tearing forward of some animal, and while he was -looking up the path to see what it meant, the horse of Hans Bungslager -came forward on a trot, that threatened to displace every thing upon -her back, and jolting the rider like so much jelly. - -"Whoa! shtop him!" he called out, seeing Crockett. - -"What's the matter?" asked the latter, with a laugh, as he turned his -horse so as to head him off. - -"He got scared at a pig bear back in te woods, and I can't shtop him." - -The animal was certainly frightened at something, and instead of -stopping before the obstruction placed in his path, he shied sharply to -the right. Hans was unprepared for this movement, and he rolled over to -the other side, bringing himself to the ground, with the feather-bed -upon top of him. Leaving him to disengage himself as best he could, -Crockett made a dash for the horse just in time to catch his bridle. - -"Doonder blitzen!" muttered Hans, as he staggered to his feet, "what -made you shtop de hoss so _chook up_?" - -"That's the only way I see'd to do it. Are you hurt any?" - -"I dinks I am," replied the Dutchman, as he began feeling of different -parts of his person, "I prokes my pipe, and I bu'sted two buttons off -my coat behind, and I feels pad all over of myself." - -"If you will take my advice you'll strip off all there is on this hoss." - -"Vot I does shmit it?" - -"Leave it here till you kin come back and get it; if you keep it on the -horse, and try to get it into the settlement, you'll lose it and your -scalp, too." - -"Can't lose my skelp, 'cause I hain't got none to lose," replied -Hans, lifting his hat and showing his pate, white and shining in the -moonlight. - -Crockett urged his proposition, and his comrade seemed quite struck -with it. He debated and hesitated awhile, but finally consented, and, -as the horse had become soothed and quieted by this time, he stood -still, while the different articles were taken from his back. - -They were carefully deposited under a large tree, standing back some -distance from the path, and then Hans remounted his animal and took the -reins in his hand. - -By this time, Crockett began to feel some apprehension about the -lovers, who ought to have been on the spot before this. - -He made numerous inquiries of Hans, but learned very little. The -stolid Dutchman seemed certain that it was all well with both of them, -and that there was no cause for anxiety about either. - -"Sebastian--he so shmart de Injins can't cotch him." - -"But Katrina?" - -"She so purty dat nobody never didn't hurt her, and so nobody won't -never say nottin' to her--so she's all right." - -"She's never had a pack of red-skins chasing her," replied Crockett, -who was any thing but satisfied with the situation of things. - -"Dat is why dey won't do it, den, no more." - -"But, why are they hanging back so?" - -"Dey ain't hangin' pack--dey hang forward. I dinks Katrina ish -lookin' fur de cow, Sebastian ish lookin' fur Katrina, and te cow ish -lookin' fur me, and we ish lookin' fur all dem, and so we all keeps -lookin'--yaw! yaw!" - -"It seems to me we may as well wait here till they come--there ain't -any other way they can get to the settlement is there?" - -"Yaw." - -"How?" - -"Dey kin go down into Mexico, and den come round frough de Mulf of -Gexico, and come dat way--but den it ish furder dan dis way isn't?" - -"Is there any other straight path?" - -"Dey kin go on t'oder sight de creek." - -"I didn't know there was another path. Just as like as not they -have taken that and are several miles ahead." - -"I don't dinks so." - -"Why not?" - -"Cause we hain't heard de cow-bell--dat go jingle-jingle." - -"Let's go ahead, for I don't see any use in waiting here." - -The hunter felt some impatience at the belief that he had dallied away -so much time, when it was more than probable that the parties for whom -he was waiting had long since passed by on the other side. - -Accordingly he started his horse along the path again, Hans Bungslager -following close in the rear. - -"So his animile was skeared by a b'ar," mused the Tennesseean, as he -rode along and recalled the fright of the horse ridden by his friend. -"I wonder if he was as big a critter as I shot yesterday? If he was I'd -like to get a shot at him." - -He held up his rifle in front of him, as he passed through a small -patch of moonlight, to make sure that the priming was in good condition. - -"She's allers ready," he mused, as he still held it. "I don't like -Injins, and I do like b'ars, and I'd a blamed sight rather shoot one of -the four-footed than one of the two-legged critters, and if one should -come 'long just now--" - -"Hilloa!" called Hans again, in an unusually cautious voice. - -"Well, what now?" asked Crockett, turning his head; "don't speak too -loud." - -"My hoss is skeart ag'in." - -"What by?" - -"I dinks dat bear ish follerin' me," replied Hans, looking affrightedly -over his shoulder. - -"Where is he?" was the excited demand of Crockett, who thought no more -of lovers or Indians. "Do you see him?" - -"No, but I hears him valk, and the hoss he don't like it; I dinks he -pig bear or else he be Injin dat is trying to shteal me." - -"I guess it's more likely to be a red-skin than any thing else," -replied the Tennesseean, instantly becoming very circumspect in his -movements, "and whichever it is, I've got to use my gun on 'em!" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -HEMMED IN. - - -When young Sebastian Carsfield started in quest of Katrina Duncan, it -is not to be supposed that he would permit any thing to delay him on -the way. - -The fact that she was alone, at such a dangerous time as this, was -enough to give wings to his feet, and in a short time he crossed the -clearing and stood in front of the cabin from which they had departed a -few hours before. - -The thought that possibly there might be some of the Indians here -caused him suddenly to check his steps and spring back to the cover of -the wood, where he stood for several minutes carefully scrutinizing the -building and listening. - -All was still, and satisfied that none of the Comanches had yet reached -the spot, he advanced boldly, and, drawing the latch-string, entered. -All was dark and quiet within, and he called the name of his beloved -several times without receiving any response. - -"She has not returned from looking after the cow," he concluded, as he -came out of the building again, and looked anxiously around, uncertain -what way to turn. - -The thought that possibly danger threatened the house caused him to -leave the cabin, and, passing across the clearing, take shelter in -the shadow of the wood, where he could watch without being watched in -return. - -He recollected that a cow of Hans Bungslager generally wore a bell, the -better to indicate her whereabouts in the woods, and he listened in the -hope of detecting that. Once or twice he fancied he heard the _tinkle, -tinkle_, but it was so faint that he could not locate it, nor make -certain that he was not mistaken. - -In the mean time he was growing more anxious. Time was of the utmost -importance to him; there was little doubt in his mind but that all -these exposed houses of the settlers would be visited by the Comanches, -who moved with wonderful celerity, and struck blows as quick and -powerful as they were merciless. - -"Surely she will return to the building," he concluded, referring to -Katrina, "and finding her uncle gone, will hurry on after him. Then -what could have caused her delay?" - -He was in this distressing anxiety when he started as he saw a couple -of figures advance from the wood, at no great distance from where he -was standing, and start directly across the clearing toward the house. - -A second glance only was needed for him to identify them as -Indians--Comanches who had left their mustangs somewhere near at hand, -and were paying this visit to the cabin. - -The Texan watched them as eagerly as a cat watches a mouse, and at the -same time he was filled with the gravest apprehension about Katrina, -for this proved that the location of Bungslager's cabin was known to -the Comanches, and it looked very probable that she had already fallen -into their hands. - -The two Indians walked at a leisurely gait, and upon reaching the -cabin, knocked at the door, and in the stillness he could distinctly -hear the words, in broken English: - -"White man, let brother in." - -Then they knocked again. - -"Poor Injin come long way--he tired--white brudder, let him come -in--won't stay long." - -No response being made, one of the savages lifted the latch and -entered, and as a matter of course, was not long in discovering -that the cabin was deserted. The moonlight, too, told the story of -precipitate flight, as the red-skins could see that their coming had -been expected and prepared for. - -Learning that much, there was nothing left for the Comanches to do, -except to come out again. Carsfield could see them very distinctly, -standing side by side, and the guttural mumble of their voices was -plainly audible, as they discussed some point in their own tongue. - -The Texan supposed it was as to whether they should burn the building -or not. He made up his mind that if they attempted to do it, he would -shoot the one who made the first move, relying upon his knife and -pistol to deal with the other. - -As it was, by changing his own position somewhat, he could get both -of them in range, and he nervously grasped his rifle, asking himself -whether he should make the shot or not. Two considerations only -restrained him. - -It was probable that a large body of Comanches were within call, and -that the shot would be the signal for them to swarm to the spot. If -Katrina were still wandering somewhere in the woods, her danger would -be greatly increased, and so he held the shot which, had he fired, -would have changed the whole course of succeeding events. - -For something like fifteen minutes the red-skins occupied their -position, and then they walked away with the indifference that had -characterized their coming. - -Carsfield had fought these daring marauders before, and it was a great -trial for him to permit them to walk away unmolested when he had it in -his power to punish them so well for their temerity. - -"However, they have spared the cabin, and if they will go and stay -away, I shall not trouble them," he muttered, as he lowered his piece, -and wondered what the next development was to be. - -All at once he heard the tinkle of the cow-bell! - -It was unmistakable, and he started up, his heart fluttering with fear -and hope, for he concluded right away that Katrina was driving the cow -home, and the departing Indians had not got far enough away to miss -hearing it. - -Fortunately it was from the opposite side of the clearing, from where -they disappeared, and it was approaching. - -"She will soon be here," he added to himself, as he advanced to -meet her; "the unsuspicious creature has no idea of the danger that -threatens." - -It never occurred to the Texan, in his excited condition, that he -was the one who ought to be suspicious, inasmuch as the sound of the -cow-bell had broken upon his ear too suddenly to have been caused by -the gradual approach of a cow. - -He was too desirous of meeting Katrina Duncan to observe those -"points," which at another time, would have been certain to have roused -his alarm. - -The bell showed that the wearer was close to the edge of the wood, -and from some whim which he could not explain himself, the young man -stepped back into the shadow and waited for the cow to appear. - -Fortunate indeed was it for him that he did so, for he had scarcely -taken refuge in the shelter of the wood, when a tall, sinewy Comanche -stepped into view, and in his hand he held the identical cow-bell that -had struck so pleasantly upon the ear of the lover! - -The latter could scarcely repress an exclamation of amazement as -he witnessed this, for he had not the remotest thought of any such -strategy as it signified. The Indian had been the first to discover the -cow, and after killing her, the bell had been taken from her neck with -the purpose of using it as a decoy in drawing the owners on to their -destruction. - -Could it be possible that Katrina had taken the alarm in time? - -This was the question, Sebastian asked himself, as he narrowly watched -the dusky dog who was attempting this piece of shameless deception. -Dark as was the prospect, he began to feel some hope that such might be -the case. - -Like a true lover, he believed the mental abilities of his favorite -unequaled by any one else, and taking lesson from the stupidity of her -uncle, she might have detected the nearness of the Indians before they -discovered her. - -While these thoughts were passing through his mind, he was watching the -movements of the decoy. With the jingling bell held in one hand, and -his rifle in the other, he walked across the clearing, turning his head -expectantly toward the cabin, as if expecting some response from that. -He even circled entirely around it, and then as if disgusted with the -failure of this enterprise upon his part, he, too, took his departure -into the woods, and the Texan was once more left alone. - -Alone and wrought up to a high pitch of excitement. Several hours had -already passed since the departure from the cabin, and the party of -four was separated into three companies, hardly one knowing where to -look for each other, and not more than one understanding how great a -danger menaced them. - -The young man was naturally filled with the greatest anxiety to do -something for his beloved, and with a desire to get the rest away from -the perilous spot, but his hands seemed really to be tied. - -He could only stand still as it were, and see the procession go by -without taking part in it. - -To add to his discomfort, he now began to be haunted by the thought -that she had already discovered her danger, and had followed after the -party, starting at such a time as to miss him. - -So strong did this conviction become, that he had decided to do the -same, and make _that_ point clear, when his acutely sensitive ear -caught the sound of a footstep directly behind him. - -It was so soft and stealthy, that he was certain at once of its being -made by an Indian, and he sprung behind a tree to protect himself. - -"_Sebastian, it that you?_" - -There was no mistaking _that_ voice, and, trembling with joy he moved -forward in the gloom, calling out, in a fond but cautious voice: - -"My own Katrina, where are you?" - -"Here, right before you." - -And the next instant she was clasped in his arms. - -"Safe and unharmed!" he exclaimed, as he kissed her cold forehead. "I -was in despair about you." - -"Where are uncle and Colonel Crockett?" - -"Gone on toward the village." - -"And why are you here?" - -"Do you suppose I could desert _you_ when in danger, my dearest one? -Have I ever given you cause for such a suspicion?" - -"No, dearest Sebastian; but what shall we do?" - -"Let us follow them at once." - -"We can not take the path, for I tried to do so twice, and each time -was forced to turn back." - -"Why so?" - -"The Comanches are watching for us there!" - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -A GLEAM OF HOPE. - - -"If that is the case," said the Texan, "we must take a roundabout way -to get out of here. The Indians seem to be getting plentier every -minute." - -"You must be careful about making any noise, for you know what keen -ears they have." - -"Never fear about me," replied the Texan; "keep close and walk quietly -as I do." - -They began stealing around the edge of the clearing in search of -another path very rarely traveled, and which, it was reasonable to -suppose, was unknown to the Indians. They had taken scarcely a dozen -steps, however, when the young man heard a rustling footstep just in -front of him, and instantly stopped. - -The next second he discovered several figures coming toward him, and -self-preservation made him wheel on his foot so rapidly, that it was -impossible to avoid making a little noise. - -Slight as it was it caught the ear of the Comanches, one of whom -uttered a "woofh!" and moved rapidly toward him. - -"Run for the house!" exclaimed Sebastian to Katrina, when he saw the -shape affairs had assumed; "hold the door ready for me, and I'll follow -in a minute." - -There was no time for hesitation, and the light-footed girl started -for the house, running as she did when pursued by the ravenous bear. -Discovery was inevitable, and the instant she emerged into the -moonlight, two Comanches, repeating the "woofh!" dashed out after her. - -But a lion appeared in the way, in shape of the Texan, who, brandishing -his terrible Bowie over his head, leaped in front, with a regular -screech of a yell, and made a murderous lunge with the weapon at the -nearest Comanche, who dodged it with the nimbleness of an athlete. - -Sebastian made a sort of back-handed sweep at the other red-skin, who -avoided the blow with the same astonishing dexterity, and drew back to -a respectful distance. - -This demonstration on the part of the Texan had the effect of checking -the rush after Katrina, who continued on her way, without pausing, -until, reaching the cabin, she dashed in, and holding the door, so that -she could close it in an instant, looked out upon the thrilling scene. - -While the defensive, defiant attitude of the brave defender kept the -two Comanches from him, it did not "neutralize" their abilities by any -means. They too had knives, but the two together were not the equal of -the Bowie, in the hands of the wiry Texan; but their voices remained -to them, and the two set up some whoops and yells of such a peculiar -character, that the young man knew at once that they were intended as -signals, and they would be certain to bring others speedily to their -assistance. - -So he began retreating toward the cabin, walking backward, and -presenting a defiant attitude to his enemies, who, following close, -still permitted a safe gap between them and him. - -Now and then the Texan threw a quick glance over his shoulder, to make -sure that none of the treacherous red-skins were stealing upon him. He -was within a rod or so of the house, when he saw what he dreaded. - -Some half a dozen Indians were hurrying to the spot, coming almost -directly from the rear, so that, if he remained where he was, he was -quite sure to be surrounded, and cut off entirely from reaching the -house. - -Such a thing would have been madness upon the part of Sebastian, who -instantly turned, and ran at the top of his speed toward the house, -both parties of Indians converging in swift pursuit. - -Katrina was on the look-out for him, and the instant he reached the -door, it was drawn open to admit him, and then closed as quickly. -She was prepared for such a crisis as this, and swift as came the -Comanches, by the time they threw themselves against the door, the -massive fastenings were in their place, and it presented as immovable a -front to the assault, as the side of the cabin itself. - -There was only one window upon the lower floor, and as soon as the -Texan was certain of the door, he ran to this, reaching it scarcely a -moment too soon; for the head and shoulders of a sinewy Indian were -already through the opening. - -The next minute, the body of the savage dropped back to the ground, as -limp and lifeless as a log of wood. - -The Bowie-knife had done its work! - -This decided repulse of the Comanches had the result of making them -more cautious. The whole party, numbering nearly a dozen, scattered -like a covey of partridges across the clearing until they reached the -wood, where they gathered together to consult how this fearful man was -to be routed out and their fallen companion avenged. - -Sebastian gazed after them and saw one of the men as he skurried away, -bearing the body of the victim upon his shoulders. - -Confident that they would speedily return to the assault, the Texan -stationed himself in the lower room, rifle in hand, ready to pick off -the first savage that exposed himself, while Katrina went to the upper -story, which, having a window upon each side, gave a better outlook -than from below. - -As yet, the lovers had scarcely exchanged a word since entering the -building, except that he gave a few hurried directions, during the -first five minutes. The common danger was too great for wooing and -winning at such a time. - -The respite now granted by the Comanches gave the young man a little -time to collect his thoughts and take in the "situation." - -When he came to reflect upon what he had done, the conviction came to -him that a mistake had been made. By taking to the woods, he could -have vanquished the two red-skins who attacked, and then got away with -Katrina in the darkness before the others could come up. Thus clear of -all danger, and in the protecting shadows of the wood, he could easily -put her out of the reach of her foes before the dawn of morning. - -But what had they done? - -Nothing less than shut themselves in the cabin, where the red-skins, if -they chose to wait, could "gobble" them up at their leisure. - -Sebastian reflected that there was not a mouthful of food in the -house, nor a drop of water, as it had been cleared of both, before the -principal furniture was removed. If the Indians chose to remain were -they were for a few days, their prey would drop like ripe fruit into -their hands. - -But suppose, as was most probably the case, that they did not intend to -make a siege, what then? - -There was only a single gun in the house, while there were so many on -the outside, Indian ingenuity could devise a safe means of getting so -near the cabin, that it would be about impossible to use this or any -other weapon, and then they could go to work, make their preparations -and burn down the structure. - -As to the prospect of a rescue, the Texan saw none at all. These was no -military force at all in this part of the Republic, and of those who -were able to reach the settlement, it was not to be supposed that any -would venture out, while there was any reason to believe the Comanches -were anywhere within striking distance. - -The situation was desperate at the best, but like a brave man he had no -thought of surrender, so long as he had a hand to raise in the defense -of himself and of her who was dearer to him than his own life. - -Fully an hour passed, and not the slightest sign of an Indian was seen. -Sebastian grew tired of watching alone, and ascended to the upper room -to join Katrina. - -The moonlight which entered the different windows, made it quite light -here, and he saw her at once as she came forward to meet him. He -pressed her to his heart, and imprinting a kiss upon her cheek, led her -back to the window at which she was standing when he entered. - -"We are in a bad fix," he said. - -"There is hope, I trust." - -"I can not see any, or very little at least." - -"Will they not leave after such a repulse?" - -"I see no hope of it." - -"They are moving very rapidly, and will not linger long in this -neighborhood. You know the Comanches go as quickly as they come." - -"Not always; we have slain one of their number, and they will get even -with us if possible. If they can manage to put me out of the way, I -have no doubt they will be satisfied to take you and go." - -"Oh, Sebastian!" she exclaimed, in a reproving, tender voice, "why do -you speak so lightly of so terrible a thing? Do you think I could live -after your death?" - -"I don't doubt your love, dearest, and I shall stay here and fight to -the death for you; but, at such a time as this, there is nothing to be -gained by shutting our eyes to the truth." - -"And you think the chances are against our escape?" - -"Decidedly so; indeed, I see no prospect at all. I would rather fight -fifty Mexicans than a half-dozen of these Comanches. They are so -nimble, that it is the hardest thing in the world to hit one of them, -and they know how to strike out for themselves, and have got ten times -the courage of a greaser." - -"And have they no mercy?" - -"Mercy! I should like to see a red-skin with such a thing as mercy. I -have never come across one as yet. I am only sorry that I didn't pitch -into those two fellows, and then take to the woods with you, before the -others came up; but, as it is, we must fight it out to the bitter end -with them." - -Katrina started. - -"Oh, I have thought of something!" she exclaimed, in an eager and glad -voice. - -"What is it?" - -"I think I see a way of escape." - -Her tones and manner showed that she was in earnest, and a slight -flutter of hope came to her lover at the thought. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -A STRANGE DELIVERANCE. - - -There was contagion in the manner of Katrina, and her lover wondered -very much what she could mean. She replied by leading him to the window -and pointing toward the edge of the woods, opposite to the side upon -which the Comanches had retreated. - -"I see nothing," he said, "except the cellar, where your uncle has been -in the habit of keeping his potatoes and cabbage." - -"That's just what I want you to see; for there is our means of -escape--at least I _hope_ so." - -Sebastian looked at the girl in amazement. - -"I don't understand you; if you have any thing to tell me, Katrina, -don't speak in riddles." - -"What I have to ask is this; if there was any way by which we could -reach that mound, do you think we could get off unobserved from there?" - -The young man scanned the hillock of earth very closely for a few -moments. - -"It might be done," he replied, a moment later. "I notice a lot of -bushes just back of it, which seem to reach almost to the woods." - -"They do so entirely; they are currant bushes, planted by me several -years ago. They reach entirely to the forest." - -"Under their shadow, one might manage to steal to the woods. At any -rate, I think I could do it; but why talk of such a thing?" he asked, -somewhat impatiently, "when from here to the potato cellar, the ground -is as hard and level as a door, and they could see a cat stealing -along." - -"Between the house and the cellar there is an _underground -communication_, which uncle Hans made last summer. Why he did it I can -not tell, but I have been through it several times." - -Sebastian sprung to his feet in delight. - -"Is it possible? Why didn't you tell me of it before? We will try it at -once; we will make it a success." - -"Suppose the Comanches come before we get away, will they not be likely -to find out where we have gone?" - -"Possibly they might. Suppose you go first, and I will keep watch until -you are ready for me." - -Another difficulty presented itself at this point, although it did not -amount to a great deal. The door which opened above-ground into the -cellar, was on the side toward the house, and opening outward, would be -pretty certain to attract the notice of the vigilant Indians. - -"How thick are the walls?" asked Sebastian. - -"They are lined with boards." - -"They can be easily displaced, I have no doubt, and, as we shall have -to make a new opening, I will go into the cellar with you." - -"Let us do so then without any delay." - -The Texan concluded to make a survey from each window before going, and -he did so, scrutinizing every part of the clearing and wood with all -the care possible. - -It seemed to the Texan that perhaps the Comanches while waiting had -gained the idea that the defenders of the house were off their guard -and asleep; so, to prevent any action from any such presumption, he -fired his gun toward the wood, and then reloading his piece turned to -Katrina. - -"I don't think they will disturb the house for some time; let us go at -once." - -Down-stairs they went, and then into the cellar beneath the lower -floor. Here, of course, every thing was of pitchy darkness, and -Sebastian was led by the hand by Katrina, who was familiar with every -step of the way. - -The passage leading from the main cellar to that where the potatoes -and cabbage (their bulk generally being too great to admit them beneath -the house) was about thirty feet in extent, and its excavation must -have caused Hans Bungslager a great deal of labor. - -As they walked through the cool passage, both were compelled to stoop -quite low to prevent striking their heads; but the passage required but -a few minutes, when they came within the large cavern-like opening used -for storage-room, but which at this season was almost empty. - -"Well, here we are!" said the young man. "There's the door, for I can -see the moonlight shining through it, and right opposite is where we -must dig ourselves out." - -"Will it not be safe to use the door? I am afraid it will delay us too -much." - -"It is running too much risk; I think we can shortly dig our way out." - -Groping around with his hands, he speedily got hold of the planking, -and only a little exertion was necessary to draw it loose. Then nothing -but a mass of soft earth was between them and the outside. - -The Texan used the plank as a shovel, and driving it into the earth, -speedily loosened so much that an alarming yawn occurred--much larger -than was anticipated and such that both were afraid it would attract -the attention of their enemies. - -They paused and listened, but, hearing nothing, Sebastian cautiously -peered out. Every thing was quiet, and he could not see any evidence -that suspicious eyes were turned upon them. Then telling Katrina to -wait until he reached the wood, he as carefully drew himself out, and -lay flat upon the ground. - -Fortunately he was directly beside the vigorous currant bushes, which -interposed an effectual screen against the observation of those upon -the other side, while its heavy shadow gave him enough obscurity to -prevent his being seen by any foes from the other direction unless -their attention was especially directed to the spot. Both were dressed -in dark clothes, and their hearts beat high with hope. - -Sebastian had replaced his Bowie down his back, and holding his rifle -in his left hand, he began the perilous journey. - -He had almost fifty feet to travel, and he did it with the skill of a -veteran scout of the plains--creeping along foot by foot, pausing and -listening and looking on every side of him. As he neared the somber -and welcome shadow of the wood, he was strongly tempted to hasten his -progress, and had he been alone he might have done so. - -But the last yard of the dangerous trip was made with the same -deliberation and care as the others. He breathed more freely when he -passed the clearing, but his anxiety still remained, as Katrina was yet -to follow. - -She had kept her eyes fixed upon his form, so long as she was able to -see him. At times his progress was so slow or was checked that she -feared he had been discovered; but, when about in despair, she could -see that he was moving again. By and by her strained eyes failed to -identify him in the gloom, as he gradually receded, and she could only -conjecture when he got to the wood. She listened for some signal, but -hearing none, concluded every thing favorable, and then she began her -task. - -As may be supposed, Sebastian stood in the edge of the wood watching -her movements with an intensity of interest which can scarcely be -understood. He could see her as she emerged from the cabin, when the -same shadow that enveloped him, hid her from view, until she had -advanced quite a distance along the path. - -"If any Comanche wants to commit suicide, let him interfere with her," -muttered the Texan, as he stood with rifle in hand, watching her -progress. - -But fortune favored them. The red-skins were indeed keeping a watch, -but it was a watch upon the house, in which, of course, they supposed -the whites were still at bay. - -Katrina accomplished the whole distance in safety, and, at length, -entered the wood, rose to her feet and stood beside her lover. - -"Thank Heaven!" he exclaimed, as he clasped her in his arms. "I was in -an agony of fear until this moment." - -"We are not safe yet," she whispered, looking affrightedly round in the -darkness, "they must be somewhere near us." - -"Come on," said the young man, taking her hand, "I think we can avoid -them." - -Instead of making directly for the path, he led her by a circuitous -route, and struck it at a point a couple of hundred yards distant. - -From this place they moved stealthily forward, and soon found that it -was free from their foes. They advanced with great care, and not until -they had gone fully a half-mile did they converse with any thing like -freedom. - -"I think we are safe from _them_," said the young man, somewhat -exultingly, referring to the red-skins whom they had left behind them. - -"How long will they wait there?" - -"Perhaps they will stay a day or two in the hope of starving us out, or -they may make an assault in force and discover the trick that has been -played upon them." - -"And then what will they do?" - -"Set fire to the cabin and leave." - -"I suppose so," replied Katrina with a sigh. "It is sad, but I am -thankful that we are not included in the ruin." - -"How was it you kept out of their way so well, before we met?" asked -the Texan, with some curiosity. - -"I was searching for the cow, and I was not long in finding her dead, -killed by a bullet. Then of course I knew the Comanches were close at -hand, and I hurried to the house to warn uncle Hans of his danger, but -found he had already gone. As he had a heavy load on the horse, and -could move only very slowly, I knew I could overtake him, whenever I -wished to do so. So I remained to see what the Indians were going to do. - -"I felt able to keep out of the way, and was doing so, when I thought -I saw you. I managed to approach near enough to be sure, and I made -myself known, and you know the rest." - -"Yes," replied the lover, squeezing her hand in his. "I know the rest -indeed. We have been spared by Providence, and have made a remarkable -escape from the beleaguered cabin. The Comanches are still abroad, and -there must be many of them between us and Brownston; your uncle Hans is -not the sharpest woodman in the world, but I trust that when we all get -together, as I hope we shall speedily do, a way will be opened for all -of us to reach a place of safety." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -IN THE WOOD. - - -It will be recollected that Colonel Crockett and Hans Bungslager were -left under the conviction that a bear was close behind them in the -path, and that the Tennesseean, true to his instincts, dismounted and -started back rifle in hand in quest of the game. - -"I dinks I goes, too," muttered the Dutchman, as he slid off the back -of his beast. "I would rather fight mit a bear, den haf te hoss run -away mit me, and catch a limb under my chin, and take off my head -off--yaw, dat so." - -Hans held his gun in hand, and he resolved, if he could gain the -chance, to shoot the bear in advance of his companion. He thought it -would be a good joke to play upon him. - -So as Colonel Crockett moved stealthily along the path, the corpulent -Hollander did the same to the best of his ability; stepping so lightly -and rapidly, that it made it quite a task for him, and he puffed and -panted like a tired dog. - -"Confound it!" growled Crockett, turning his head. "Can't you keep -still?" - -"Dat ish what I is doing," was the reply. "I doesn't make no noise." - -"You will frighten away the game." - -"Dat ish a lie--" - -"'Sh! there it is." - -Hans caught sight of something dark, moving along the path, and -instantly raised his blunderbuss and fired, narrowly missing taking off -the head of Colonel Crockett in front of him. He did not strike the -object, or come anywhere near it, but he produced a response, like a -six-pounder. - -"There! that will do; we don't propose to hurt you." - -It was the voice of Sebastian, the Texan, and, as may be supposed, was -a surprise and delight to the others. - -"Where did I hit you? In te head, or in te heart?" inquired Hans -Bungslager, with some solicitude. - -"It is hard to tell precisely where I was hit," was the laughing reply; -"at any rate, I am not dangerously hurt, as far as I know. Your slugs -struck in the tree overhead like a hail-storm." - -"Where ish Katrina?" - -"Here she is, uncle," replied the buxom girl herself, hurrying forward, -and giving the old fellow a good embrace and kiss. - -"You must be more careful," said Hans, in an impressive voice. "S'pose -I hit you, instead of Sebastian? You couldn't stand it petter as he -does." - -"We were very careful; how could we do differently?" - -"Te next time dat you ish coming in front of us behind, you must come -on peforehand and tells us dat you ish comin'--den we knows it, and we -no shoot de next time. Understand?" - -"Yes," replied Katrina, in a dazed sort of way, as she turned and took -the hand of Colonel Crockett, who was heartily glad to see her. - -"We were gittin' a little anxious about you," said he, as he warmly -shook the hand; "we heard the noise of guns and there was no telling -where the varmints war, or what they was doing. I've fout the Creek -Injins under old Gineral Jackson, and I've fout Old Hickory himself -in Congress, and got licked by him too, so you can see I've been -through some purty rough scrimmages in my time; but they say these -Comanches are a little worse than all, and that being the case, you can -understand why I'm so glad to see you." - -Katrina modestly thanked him, while the Texan gave a brief summary of -their experience during the last few hours. - -The question now arose as to what course should be taken by the -fugitives. Crockett believed that an attempt to push on into the -village would result in the capture of the entire party, while to stay -where they were would be equally fatal, as there was the strongest -evidence that the Comanches were very near them. - -Indeed, the wonder was that they were unmolested at that very moment, -for some of the red-skins had passed over that very spot, and how the -whites had escaped detection and capture so long was a mystery to -Crockett. - -"I ain't particular what we do," said he; "I only know we've got to get -out of this part of creation." - -"Let's go on further, any way," replied the Texan, starting on foot, -with Katrina. - -"Where ish te cow?" suddenly inquired Bungslager, just after he had -laboriously climbed back upon his animal. - -"We couldn't bring her very well," replied the Texan; "I think she will -wait where she is till we come back." - -"Dat is goot ash never vos," replied the contented Hollander; "she wash -always a goot cow and shtood shtill, only when she kicked te pail over, -and dat wash every time we milked, 'ceptin Sundays, when she kicked te -pail and me over bofe." - -The young man being thoroughly acquainted with the path, and having -fought Comanches before, very properly took the lead, Katrina following -close behind him, while Crockett came next, and Hans Bungslager brought -up the rear. - -In this order they started, and, as the horse of the Dutchman was -relieved of his bulky load of furniture, the party progressed at a good -pace, and without any unusual clatter or noise. - -Stupid, thoughtless and reckless as Hans Bungslager naturally was, with -his love for fun and jollity outrunning every thing else, he still had -a perception (such as it was) of the danger that menaced them all, and -he showed a spasmodic discretion at times. - -His little pony, as fat, round and well-preserved as himself, seemed to -comprehend the situation, and walked along with a steady, quiet step, -that was not heard as often as the quicker and more nervous tread of -Crockett's mustang. Hans himself was still, a rather unusual thing for -him. - -Once or twice he started up a whistle, without thinking, but he -suddenly recalled himself to his senses, and preserved his peace as -well as the others. - -He was subject to one annoyance, rather curious in its way. Every now -and then a conviction came over him that something was following him. -Sometimes he fancied that a Comanche was stealing on tip-toe, with -tomahawk in hand, ready to hurl it at his bald pate. More than once he -turned his head suddenly, expecting to confront the ugly phantom, but -it seemed to whisk out of sight before he could fix his vision upon it. - -Then he was certain it was a huge black bear, lumbering along, and only -waiting for the opportunity to leap upon the haunches of his horse and -claw them both to pieces. - -This was curious, as Hans Bungslager was one of the least imaginative -of men, and was rarely troubled with nightmare or phantoms of the -brain, but the feeling followed him like his own shadow, and would not -be shaken off. - -He determined to wait until sure of what it was, and then to turn -suddenly and shoot it. There was no danger now of hitting Katrina, -Sebastian or any of his friends, for they were all in front of him. It -must be an enemy beyond all question, and therefore it was his duty to -put a ball through it at the very first opportunity. - -The party had gone some distance, when a light was observed in the -sky, of so lurid a character, as to show that there was some large -conflagration. - -"See what we have escaped," whispered the Texan, as he turned to look -at it, and ventured to press the hand of the girl beside him. - -"Have they found out that we have fled?" - -"Perhaps so, and perhaps not; they wouldn't hesitate to roast us in -such a bonfire, if they could only get the opportunity." - -"It is then our house that is burning?" - -"There can be no doubt of it. There is no other building near it, and -the light is in precisely the same spot. It is good-by to your home -now." - -"Uncle Hans will mourn its loss, but how can I, when Heaven has been so -merciful to me?" - -"He will have to build another; _you_ will not!" - -"But I will assist him." - -"But there's a little cottage in Brownston, already finished, around -which the honeysuckles and woodbine clamber, that is to be _your_ home." - -As the lover spoke, he leaned over in the darkness, and kissed the -cheek that was not turned away from him. - -Beyond the danger and darkness that enveloped them both, he saw the -rainbow of hope. There was a sky all sunshine that was only a short -distance away, and with the darling beautiful, loved Katrina by his -side, there was nothing that could cloud or make him unhappy. - -Hans Bungslager saw the light, but he had no suspicion that it was his -own building that was on fire, else he would not have been so quiet, as -he rode upon his horse. - -The whites paused but a few moments, when they resumed their journey, -moving with the same caution that had characterized their actions from -the first. - -They were rapidly nearing a large clearing, where stood another -settler's house, and where there was reason to fear that some of -the wandering Comanches had made their appearance. No light in the -sky betrayed the work of the torch, but that was no proof that the -destroyer was not there that minute. - -The Texan gave a word of caution to those in the rear, and when the -lighting up of the spaces between the trees tokened their approach to -the clearing, he requested all to remain still while he advanced and -made a reconnoissance. - -This was done, and he stole along as softly and timidly as when making -his way from the cabin of Hans Bungslager. - -Reaching the clearing, he saw the settler's house, standing as quiet -and undisturbed as though no danger had ever threatened it. No sounds -were audible, but there were no lights to be seen. Sebastian came to -the conclusion that the owner and his family had taken the alarm in -time and had fled to Brownston. - -Still it was important that no mistake should be committed, and he -made his reconnoissance complete, by advancing up to the very house, -and even peering into the interior. The result confirmed his first -impression. There were no whites in them, and he returned to his -friends with his report to that effect. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. - - -The Texan having rendered his report, the party made ready to move on -again, when a rather alarming discovery was made. - -Hans Bungslager was nowhere to be found! - -There stood his horse, as quiet and unconcerned as though nothing -extraordinary had happened, but his rider was missing. - -What did it mean? - -This was the question which the three asked each other, and which no -one was able to answer. - -"He came up and talked with us a few minutes, while you were gone," -said Katrina, who was more alarmed than the others, "and then said he -would go back and get on his horse so as to be ready to start if all -should prove right, and that is the last we saw of him." - -"Did he say nothing about going away?" asked the Texan. - -"Not a word." - -"What did he talk about?" - -"Nothing in particular," said Katrina, trying to recall his words. - -"I remember," put in Colonel Crockett, "that he said that he believed -something was follerin' him--either a bear or red-skin." - -"That makes it look serious," remarked Sebastian, in an undertone. - -"Why so?" - -"Because probably something was following, and that something has been -the means of his disappearance." - -"I don't see as there's any thing in that," added Colonel Crockett, -"for he talked the same way when you and Katrina came up." - -"Exactly, and he was right, for we were in his rear, and he detected -us." - -"But what could it be?" asked his alarmed niece. "No Indian could have -come anywhere near without our detecting him." - -"Not unless he wanted us to do so; then it would have been easy enough. -I tell you," added the Texan, more earnestly than ever, "I believe -there has been some sharp trick played upon us." - -Carsfield was firm in his belief, but he could give no definite -conjecture as to what the trick he referred to really was. - -"I have had dealings with the Comanches before," he continued, "and -when they go to scheming and playing at strategy, they are a little the -sharpest fellows I ever saw." - -"But I can see no object in this," said Katrina. "Uncle Hans is not -such a tempting prize that they should steal him and leave us." - -"That is it," laughed Crockett; "when _you_ are here, any red or white -man would pass by us for _you_; you are right, Katrina." - -"That is not what I meant," the blushing girl hastened to say; "but he -is the last man, as I look at it, that a party of Indians would seek to -capture." - -"Our turn, _your_ turn, my dearest one, will soon come. They have -experimented on him; they have succeeded so well that their next -attempt will be upon us." - -The words of Sebastian struck both Crockett and Katrina as full of -meaning, and they began to believe that he was right, although the -whole thing had a look which, neither of the three could explain or -understand. - -When the Comanches were in such force, that an assault upon the -whiles could not but result in their capture or destruction, it -seemed incredible that they should take the pains and time to work -by artifice; but by what other means could the disappearance of the -Dutchman be accounted for? - -"How was it done?" asked the perplexed girl, who was in a tremor of -anxiety about her uncle. - -"That is a question which can only be answered by a guess," was the -reply. "I think one of the red scamps has followed us some distance, -and showed himself in some way or in some shape to Hans, so that he has -been led to follow after and attempt to capture him, and that's what -he's after now." - -This at best was a very unsatisfactory explanation, and it did not suit -the originator of it himself. - -"Must we leave him to his fate?" asked the girl, scarcely able to -restrain her tears of sympathy; "must he be left to perish?" - -"I dislike the idea of leaving you again," replied Sebastian, "when -we are all in such danger; but, if you wish it, I will take the back -track, and make a short hunt for him." - -"Oh! do," pleaded Katrina, taking one of his hands in both of hers and -pressing it; "do it for my sake. Colonel Crockett will wait here with -me, won't you?" - -"Sartinly--any thing to please you," was the gallant reply. "I think, -howsumever, that it is all time lost." - -But the affectionate girl would hear no refusal, and the Texan prepared -to obey. - -"You must promise me that you will not leave this place, and that you -will not fire again unless you have to do so to save yourself," he -said, addressing himself to Colonel Crockett, who, of course, gave the -promise. - -"You are now standing in the path," added the Texan. "Perhaps it will -be safer to withdraw a little to one side, so as to be out of the way -of any that may come along." - -This was a good advice, and was acted upon at once. Crockett led the -horses some distance into the woods and fastened them to trees, where -they were beyond the sight of the keenest-eyed Comanche, and then their -friend took his departure. - -Katrina was in a tremor of alarm, and seating herself beside the -Tennesseean, wept like a child. The grizzled wanderer did his best to -comfort her, but there was little he could say to soothe her alarm, and -so he let her have her cry out. - -When something like a calm came back to her, it struck him that -something ought be done by way of diverting her attention from the -gloomy subject. - -"Let's go to the edge of the clearing, and see whether any of the -varmints are about?" - -She arose, and the two advanced to the open space, where the low, broad -deserted cabin could be seen, standing as quiet in the moonlight as -when they first cast eyes upon it. - -"Hallo! there's something now!" whispered Crockett, touching the arm of -the girl, "and by the hokey-pokey, if it ain't a big bear!" - -A large lumbering animal could be seen, shambling awkwardly over the -clearing near the house, as though he were searching for something to -eat. - -The great bear-hunter impulsively raised his gun. - -"What are you going to do?" she asked. - -"Just wait a moment, and see how nice I will drop that chap." - -"No; you mustn't," she interrupted, drawing down his arm. "Remember the -promise you made to Sebastian." - -"But he didn't mean bears," plead Crockett, very loth to forego the -pleasure of picking off the noble game. - -"He meant every thing; he meant that you mustn't make the least noise -to bring the Comanches down upon us, and _you mustn't do it_!" - -By this time the bear had disappeared around the house, and the hunter -reluctantly lowered his piece. - -"Would thar be any harm," he asked, entreatingly, "in me slipping after -the critter, and chasing him away off in the woods, and then dropping -him?" - -"And leaving me alone?" - -"Ah, me!" sighed Crockett, "I s'pose you're right, but b'ars is my -weakness, and when I see one, thar's such an itching in my hands, that -it's mighty hard work to keep still, but I'll stick to you, till we get -out of this muss." - -He asked as a boon, however, that she would consent to his standing -where he was so as to _look_ at the bear, if he should put in an -appearance again. - -Katrina could not well refuse this, but she took good care to remain -with him, for after what she had witnessed, it was plain that he could -not be trusted, in the matter of bears. - -Crockett stood faithful at his post for half an hour, carefully -scanning the clearing, forgetful of the absent Bungslager, and -Sebastian, and of his own danger, and intent only upon seeing the -animal which he had hunted with so much zest in the years past in the -wilds of his own Tennessee. - -But nothing more of the huge creature was seen, and turning -disappointedly away, he and Katrina walked back in the wood, resumed -their seats, and awaited the coming of the young Texan. - -About an hour had passed, and they were beginning to feel some -solicitude for the safety of the Texan himself, when he reappeared as -silently as an Indian hunter. - -But he was alone. - -"Have you learned nothing of him?" inquired the trembling Katrina, -hastening to her lover. - -"Nothing at all," was the reply, as he took her two hands, and kissed -her face. "I went back for nearly a mile, and called to him a dozen -times, but heard and saw nothing at all that could give me the least -clue to his disappearance." - -The poor girl covered her face and gave a wail of despair. - -"Did you see nothing of the varmints?" inquired Crockett. - -"No; I hardly know what to make of it; I am quite puzzled at the turn -affairs have taken." - -So were they all, and the question remained: - -"What shall we do?" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -BY THE CREEK. - - -The general opinion among the whites was that nothing was to be gained -by pushing on toward Brownston, at the present time. - -They were now within a few miles of the village, and were pretty well -satisfied that they would have to run a regular gantlet to pass the -Comanches. Such a proceeding was not to be thought of so long as it -could be avoided. - -"It won't do to turn back, nor to go forward, nor to stay here," -remarked the young man, after quite a lengthy discussion. - -"Isn't there some place, further in the woods," asked Crockett, "where -the varmints ain't likely to look for us?" - -They were silent a few minutes, and then Katrina suddenly spoke: - -"Do you remember that cavern, Sebastian, where we once halted when we -went fishing in the canoe?" - -"The very spot," exclaimed the Texan, "and we can't be far from it. We -will leave our horses here and go to it." - -"But tell me," she added, in a low voice, intended for his ears only, -"what about Uncle Hans? Is he to be left to perish?" - -He turned his face toward her and spoke in the tenderest manner: - -"You know, Katrina, that there is nothing in the world that I would -refuse to do for you; and you will believe me, when I tell you that -nothing in the world can be done for him. We are powerless to aid him -in the least." - -"But what do _you_ think of it?" - -"I have a strong belief that he will turn up all right in spite of the -bad look it has now. It is painful to you, but it can not be helped." - -"You will hear nothing more from me about it," she replied, "so long as -other matters command your thoughts." - -It was deemed best to unfasten the horses and lead them still deeper -into the wood, so as to make certain of their being out of sight of -any Indians who might appear in the path or clearing. Then they were -fastened to the limbs of trees, so as to prevent their straying, and -then, under the leadership of the Texan, they pushed on for the retreat -to which reference has been made. - -A half-mile or thereabouts brought them the creek beside which the path -led for some distance, and then a few hundred yards to the right and -the refuge was reached. - -Crockett saw an irregular pile of rocks, jutting out over the creek, -but no sort of entrance was visible. - -Katrina, however, sprung nimbly upon the first bowlder and walked -rapidly up and over the mass, followed by the others, until she had -gone about twenty feet, when she leaped down a distance about equal to -her own hight, and their destination was reached. - -It did not prove to be much of a cavern, but the rocks jutted and -lapped over each other in such a way as to make a hollow extending -about a half-dozen feet back. - -The advantages of this retreat were, first, that it was not likely to -be visited by the Comanches, and in case it was, the occupants were -capable of making a successful defense for some time. They could not be -injured by fire, and the means of approach prevented any mass swarming -into and overwhelming them. - -Hunger and thirst were the only effectual agents that could be brought -against them, and, under the circumstances, there was not much -probability of these being employed. - -Accordingly, so far as they were concerned themselves, the three felt -warranted in considering themselves perfectly safe. - -Then it remained for them to await the withdrawal of the Comanches, -which it was possible would occur within twenty-four hours. - -As the Texan had remarked, these Indians strike quick, sharp blows, and -then vanish in time to avoid the recoil. They own the swiftest mustangs -of the south, and are among the finest horsemen in the world. - -Their bravery is unquestioned, and the hunters of Texas, at any time, -would rather fight a score of Mexicans than a half-dozen of these -Comanches. - -The whites had scarcely reached their retreat, when they heard the -sounds of guns in the direction of the village, proving that fighting -was going on there. - -The sound of guns was incessant, and now and then the well-known -Comanche yells could be distinguished, proving that serious fighting -was going on between them and the settlers, who ought to be safe, -however, on their own ground. - -It was only an illustration of the reckless bravery of these red-men, -who were not afraid to be the attacking party, when the odds were -against them. - -The rattling fire lasted for full an hour, and then the shots became -dropping and scattering and the fighting evidently assumed a more -desultory character. - -As the three whites stood leaning against the wall of rocks behind -them, and looking across the moonlit creek into the gloomy woods -beyond, they became aware of a gradual lighting up of the sky overhead, -with a glare which they soon saw reflected upon the leaves before them. - -"Another fire!" exclaimed Sebastian, in an undertone. - -"Close by, too," added Crockett. - -"What can it be?" asked Katrina. - -"It is the building which we saw, and where we were certain there was -no danger at all from the Indians," replied the Texan. - -"Indeed, our escape has been wonderful," added the astonished girl; "we -have been walking and wandering about in the woods, with the Indians on -every side of us, and yet not a hair of our heads has been harmed." - -"We have been wonderfully protected," responded her lover, "and I only -hope the same care will be continued to us." - -"But others have not been so fortunate." - -"No," said Sebastian, with a sigh, "such a raid as this must always -accomplish something. Where there are so many exposed, some of them -must fall. More than one house will be rendered desolate by this -incursion of the Comanches." - -It was on the tongue of Katrina, as the thought of her uncle entered -her mind, to say that one home had already been made so; but she -recalled the promise made to her lover and held her peace. - -By this time the night was more than half gone, and the three began to -look for the appearance of day. - -The opinion of the Texan was that there would be a good deal of -fighting on the morrow, as the Comanches would be likely to scatter in -small bands through the country, seeking out the exposed settlers, and -wreaking their revenge upon them, for the repulse they were sure to -receive at the hands of the villagers. - -This day would prove the dangerous one for the fugitives hiding beside -the creek. - -Through all the hurry and bustle of danger, Crockett had held fast -to the bear-skin, which he had stripped from the body of the monster -with whom he had such a hard combat upon entering the cabin of Hans -Bungslager. - -He now spread this upon the rock, as far back as they could penetrate, -and invited Katrina to lie down and rest. - -Her lover urged her to do the same, but she waited until his blanket -was laid upon it, and then she reclined, and owing to her great fatigue -almost immediately dropped asleep. - -The two men advanced to the outer edge of rocks and sat down to consult -a few moments upon the situation, and to speak without restraint -regarding the disappearance of Hans Bungslager. - -"I feel some hope regarding him," said the Texan, "but I can not call -up any _reason_ for such a hope." - -"I believe he's gone under _sure_," replied Crockett; "they've managed -to git him away from us and then knifed him so quick that he hadn't any -time to make any noise about it." - -"Poor Katrina! it will be a hard blow for her, for she dearly loved her -uncle, who as dearly loved her." - -"It didn't look much like it, when he come away and forgot her." - -"He told the truth when he said he forgot her; he is the most -absent-minded man I ever saw. He sometimes forgets where he is, and -until I asked him where she was, he had no idea that he had such a -thing in the broad world as a niece named Katrina Duncan." - -"Perhaps he has wandered away in one of his absent spells." - -"It may be, but I hardly believe it." - -All this time, while the two were talking, each had been listening to -something on the opposite side of the stream. - -Neither had made any reference to it, as he wanted to avoid any -mistake, but while holding converse, their eyes kept wandering across -the stream in quest of the cause of the disturbance. - -The disturbance itself was in the shape of a slight rustling of the -bushes. At first, it seemed to be caused by the wind; but when it was -continued and repeated for several minutes, it was manifest that there -was some definite cause for it. - -More than one glance had been cast across the creek, but nothing at all -was discerned for some time, that could explain what it meant. - -Instinctively reading the thoughts of Crockett, the Texan said: - -"I guess it's a wild animal." - -"I think so; very likely a bear," was the characteristic reply. - -"'Sh! look!" - -At that juncture the dark form of the creature was discerned in the -bushes on the other side of the creek. - -Crockett caught up his rifle, but the Texan interposed. - -"Hold on a minute; do you think that is a bear?" - -"I'm sartin of it." - -"It looks like a bear," replied young Carsfield, the Texan, "but, _my -opinion is that it is a Comanche warrior_!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -HANS BUNGSLAGER. - - -I have spoken of the feeling, or rather conviction, that came over -Hans Bungslager that some one or some thing was following him. This -conviction became more settled, and when he dismounted on the edge of -the clearing not a particle of doubt remained. - -He walked forward where Katrina and Crockett were standing, and -referred to the annoyance, and then something else coming into his -head, he forgot all about it. - -Walking back where his horse was standing, he was about to elevate -himself to his seat, when he heard a pattering upon the leaves, and -looking down the path, saw what appeared to be a huge bear cavorting -about fifty rods distant. - -"Doonder and blitzen! I dinks dat vos you!" he muttered, the instant he -saw the creature, "and I gets you now!" - -Rifle in hand, he started on a heavy run, determined to give the -audacious brute his _quietus_ for his attempts to disturb him. - -The bear seemed to take fright at his coming, and danced further away. -Several times the Hollander raised his gun, but ere he could make his -aim sure, the creature managed to get a tree between him and his foe, -who lowered his piece, and, with an exclamation of impatience, hurried -forward to get a better position. - -This game at bo-peep continued for a long time, and Hans Bungslager -was drawn much further away from his friends than he supposed. He was -determined to shoot the intruder when he started, and the oftener he -was baffled the more determined did he become. - -Once he had the aim exactly, and pulled the trigger with such vigor -that he came nigh breaking it, but found he had not raised the hammer, -and when he lowered his piece to rectify the error, and raised it -again, the aim was lost. - -"Dat ish bad as never vas!" growled the angered Dutchman, as he panted -forward again, rapidly gaining on the creature. - -By and by he was sure of a chance; he saw the bear sitting on his -haunches near the path, and resting his rifle on the crotch of a dead -limb, he took deliberate aim at the body of the brute. - -His dumpy finger was pressing the trigger again, when he discovered -that he was aiming at a stump, and the bear was tumbling along a -hundred feet in advance. - -"Doonderation!" gasped Hans Bungslager, almost dropping his gun in -amazement, "dat bear must have shpit dat stump up ag'in." - -Nothing daunted, however, he resumed his pursuit, and was gaining quite -rapidly on the creature, when he saw something that alarmed him. - -In hurrying along the path it was frequently only barely discernible, -and then when reaching a place where the moonlight streamed down upon -it, it could be distinguished with great distinctness. - -On one of these occasions Hans saw the bear run on its hind feet in -a style such as no bear in the world could be trained to do, and in -just such a posture as a man would take who was tired of running in a -stooping position on his hands and knees. - -The conclusion was inevitable; he was chasing an Indian disguised as a -black bear. - -"Doonder and blitzen!" muttered Bungslager, as a cold chill of terror -ran through him at the discovery, "dat ish--dat ish--_fooney_!" - -Obtuse and reckless as he was at times, the Hollander had brains enough -to perceive the deadly peril into which he had run. The Comanche -had adopted this artifice to draw him away from his friends, and to -encompass his destruction. - -He was in a quandary as to what he should do. - -If he kept on his pursuit, one result was inevitable, and if he turned -to retreat, following the path back again, the cunning red-skin would -know that his stratagem had been detected, and he in turn would become -pursuer and assailant. - -Hans was never a good shot with a rifle, and he was pretty certain -that this bear was protected in some such a way that he could not be -injured by any rifle however well aimed, so he gave over all thought of -injuring the savage by means of his gun. - -He could see only one thing that offered any hope, and that was to -give the Indian the slip. He was now quite a distance ahead, and still -seeking to allure him on. They were entering a part of the wood that -looked quite dense and dark, and here Hans resolved to make the effort -to get out of an exceedingly bad scrape. - -So he followed along, trotting in his elephantine style, and to carry -out the illusion, he called out: - -"Hold on, you pig coward bears; I got you now, and I shoots you sure, -in one minnit." - -The bear, somewhat alarmed, trotted so rapidly ahead that it was nearly -lost to view in the darkness. - -Now was his time. - -Dropping as suddenly as if he was shot, he crawled on all fours, as -rapidly as his bulky form would admit, until he had gone something like -a hundred feet, when, panting and tired, he paused and listened. - -The darkness around him was too great for him to see any thing of the -"bear," but the sound of a faint, muffled whoop told him that he had -been none too soon in his movement, and his foe was signaling to some -confederate, and they were both endeavoring to remedy the slip upon -their part. - -"Yaw; lets 'em look!" chuckled Hans. "I dinks dey won't find me purty -soon as never vos." - -Waiting until he was thoroughly rested and could hear no more, he arose -to his feet, and resumed his flight, taking good care to continue on in -the direction upon which he had started, and going further and further -away from the dangerous vicinity of his enemy, who had shown so much -ingenuity in endeavoring to draw him on to his own destruction. - -So far as he could do so, Hans Bungslager advanced without making any -noise, for he knew how sharp the sense of hearing was upon the part of -the Indians. He plodded along in this manner, for the better part of an -hour, when his further progress was checked by his coming upon the bank -of the creek, to which I have made frequent reference. - -Here he paused in a quandary. - -"I dink I kin wades across dat," he mused, as he surveyed the calmly -flowing stream, "and den I gits on de oder side, and den I dinks I -ought to be on dis side, so I won't stay here nor goes to de oder side." - -This perhaps was a sage conclusion, but rather difficult of -fulfillment. Very naturally he felt safer upon the other bank of the -creek, further away from the plotting Indians: but he was well aware -that the stream was quite deep in some places. - -He stood undecided some minutes, and then the point was settled by -hearing the report of a gun at no great distance behind him. - -"Doonder!" he exclaimed with a start, "mebbe dey shoots dat at me! I -dink I leaf!" - -Anxious as he was to advance, and warm as was the summer night, he -preferred to reach the other shore in dry clothes; so he sat down upon -the bank and carefully removed his shoes and pants, and tying them into -a bundle, slung them over the barrel of his rifle, which rested over -his shoulder, and then ventured into the stream. - -"Dish ish nice," he murmured, as the cool water crept up about his -bulky calves, "dish ain't deep." - -Step by step he felt his way along, until he had reached the center of -the stream, where the water was not more than eighteen inches. - -"Dish ish bettrish goot," he continued, "dish ish de way to cross de -brooks. I dinks dat I alway does--" - -Despite his care, at this juncture he went into a hole, up to his neck. -As he sunk down, he gasped: - -"Oo--oo!" - -At the same time, he threw up both arms with such an involuntary -suddenness that the bundle dropped from his gun and began floating away -from him. - -"Doonder and blitzen!" he exclaimed, as he plunged after it, still -grasping his gun, with a vice-like grip. - -He managed to secure the bundle just as it was sinking, but it was only -a partial success. The indispensables remained in his hands, but the -shoes, with the carefully knit stockings wadded in them, vanished from -his view. - -He groped around in the water some time for them, but they were not -to be found, and not a little disappointed, he made his way to land, -narrowly escaping a total submerge ere he succeeded. - -He concluded that this way of crossing was not without its -disadvantages, and he was not clear in his mind that he could recommend -its adoption to his friends. - -But, Hans was a sort of philosopher, and donning his pants, put himself -in the best condition possible. - -At this juncture it occurred to him that perhaps Katrina would be -somewhat concerned at his absence, and he regretted that he had not -made known his intention before he started in pursuit of his bear. - -He debated the matter awhile, but saw no practical way of remedying the -matter, and resolved to give it no further attention. - -Child-like, he still felt the desire to keep moving, under the -impression that he was getting further and further away from his peril. - -He had not accomplished any considerable distance, when he found that -he was unequal to the task of what would have been but sport in his -boyhood. He was not walking upon a carpet, nor anything like it. In the -darkness he could not pick his way, and the part of prudence was for -him to stop. - -"I dinks I takes a nap, and shtarts when de morning comes to-morrow," -he murmured, as he selected a suitable spot and stretched himself upon -the ground, where, for the present, I leave him sleeping the sleep of -innocence and health. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE COMANCHE BEAR. - - -The declaration of Sebastian Carsfield that the object seen by him -and Crockett across the creek, instead of being a bear, was an Indian -gotten up in that shape, let in a flood of light upon both. - -"I wouldn't shoot!" added the Texan; "let us go back, where he can't -hit us, and we will watch it." - -They carefully withdrew a few paces, and lying down flat upon the rock, -peered over at the suspicious object. - -They discovered little or nothing more. The dark huge figure of the -animal was seen for a few minutes, groping around in the undergrowth, -when it took itself off and did not come back. - -"That's the bear I see'd on the clearin'," remarked Crockett; "and that -Katrina wouldn't let me shoot." - -"Yes; it would have been a good thing if you could have put a ball -through it. I think it has been by some such means that Hans Bungslager -has been led on into the woods to his own destruction." - -The night was so clear and still that the two men, almost -unconsciously, fell asleep, as they lay stretched out upon the rock. - -The hours passed on, and when it began to grow light, Katrina awoke -and advanced to the front of the cavern, and paused beside the two men -stretched out there. - -Both were sleeping soundly, and she looked at them for a few minutes -with feelings of commiseration. - -"They are tired out and wearied," she murmured; "they will need sleep, -and I will let them be until I return." - -Very carefully she came down from among the rocks, and advancing to -the edge of the creek bathed herself in it. The water was so cool and -refreshing that she plashed her hands it for several minutes. - -No thought of danger entered her head, as she believed the place so -secluded that there was scarcely a possibility of their being disturbed -by the foes they dreaded so much. Had she known what her friends had -seen during the previous night, she would have been more careful in her -movements. - -She was about a hundred yards from where the men were sleeping, and -sat down on the mossy bank of the stream for a few minutes to enjoy a -slight breeze that was fanning her face and that made music among the -rustling leaves. - -The sky was clear, and the sunlight penetrated the woods with its -revivifying influence; but for the disappearance of her uncle she would -have been in the best of spirits. The cabin had been swept away, but -she and the two men had escaped with their lives, and to her, it seemed -that scarcely any danger had passed. - -She had sat thus some ten minutes or thereabouts, when a crackling of -the bushes across the stream caused her to raise her head, and she -caught sight of what appeared to be a large black bear. - -It was only a partial glimpse that she obtained, and the animal seemed -to be going away from her further into the wood. - -"I guess he hasn't seen me," she concluded, as something warned her -that she had already remained away from the cavern too long. - -So she concluded to wait a few minutes longer, as she felt a reluctance -to awake the hunters, who so badly needed sleep. - -A short time after, she heard a ripple in the water above her, and she -looked up-stream, but saw nothing. - -For the reason she was a moment too late. Had she been a little more -prompt, she would have detected that same "Comanche bear," carefully -wading across the creek, and using his hind legs in such a manner that -he stood upright like a man. - -Katrina was unusually short-sighted to-day. Even when the water in -front of her flowed by dark and discolored, she failed to take warning, -and sat some time longer in a sort of dreamy reverie, hardly conscious -of what was going on about her. - -But after awhile she roused herself to her situation and with a sigh -rose to her feet, and started on her return. - -Her senses were now on the alert, and so, when she had taken a dozen -steps or so, she caught a glimpse of the bear, she had seen some time -before, and it was now directly between her and the rocks she was -seeking to reach. - -This was bad, as she still had no gun in hand, and could not therefore -defend herself if attacked. - -The manner of the brute seemed to indicate that he was not aware of her -proximity, and she leaped lightly behind a tree, for the purpose of -concealing herself. - -She stood thus some ten minutes, debating whether she should call to -Carsfield or Crockett, or wait until they should awake themselves, or -the bear should withdraw. - -It looked as if the latter were about to be the case, as the bear -seemed to be browsing around in an aimless way, constantly on the move, -and therefore he would be likely soon to move far enough to one side to -permit her to reach her refuge. - -For this she waited, now and then growing impatient at the tardy -movements of the bear. The latter was constantly stirring about, but -somehow or other, it appeared to be back and forth, between her and the -rocks, and never once so much to one side, as to tempt her to make the -effort. - -Furthermore, Katrina could not shut her eyes to the fact, that the -brute was gradually approaching her. - -This, in the course of a few minutes became so apparent, that the -girl felt that her situation was becoming critical. A terror of alarm -shook her frame, and she was on the point of uttering a call to her -lover, when the bear shied off to one side so much as to give her the -"opening," so ardently desired. - -Katrina stood trembling and hesitating for a moment, and then with one -ejaculated prayer, started like a fawn for the rocks. - -She did not look to the right nor left, but she had scarcely started, -when she became aware that the bear had risen on his hind feet and was -seeking to intercept her. - -Faster she ran, until she seemed to fly over the ground, but the -bear was more fleet of foot than she, and scarcely a dozen steps had -elapsed, when it became certain that she was to be intercepted by her -enemy. - -Then Katrina turned her affrighted gaze upon her foe, and instead -of a bear saw a Comanche warrior, with a bear-skin thrown over his -shoulder, and its frightful head upon top of his own, directly in front -of her. - -Still she sought to escape him; but the next instant his brawny arm -was thrown around her, and as he turned to flee with his captive, her -terrified scream rung through the woods and she swooned away. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -COLONEL CROCKETT'S LAST BEAR-HUNT. - - -"Surely I heard some one call me," muttered Sebastian Carsfield, -the Texan, as he roused himself up and rubbed his eyes. "What does -this mean? Crockett and I have both been asleep. What a warning to a -sentinel not to lie down or give way to drowsiness. But was that voice -a dream or a reality--" - -He turned his head and saw that Katrina was gone. - -With a dreadful, chilling horror at his breast, he sprung to his feet, -looked around and called out, "_Katrina!_ +Katrina!+ KATRINA!" - -That voice penetrated far through the woods and reached the ears of -her who was being carried so swiftly away in the grasp of the painted -Comanche. She sought to reply, but the brute checked her utterance, and -the shrieks died out into a gasping sob. - -"What's up now?" demanded Crockett, awakened by the tumult of his -comrade. - -"God knows what's become of Katrina," was the despairing reply; "she -has vanished, gone or been stolen." - -"Maybe she's somewhere about," replied the Tennesseean, rousing himself. - -"No; I am sure it was her calling to me that awoke me a few minutes -ago." - -"Then we oughter be on the move," added Crockett, leaping to his feet. -"What direction did it come from?" - -"Coming to me in my sleep, I can hardly tell; but it strikes me that it -was from off yonder." - -Crockett, led by some indefinable impulse, snatched up the bear-skin, -and with it over his arm, sprung down from among the rocks into the -woods below. - -"We must take the trail," he added to the Texan, who had already -discovered it on the ground, and answered: - -"There it is, leading toward the creek. She has gone there to bathe -herself." - -A few moments sufficed to take them to the spot, where she had spent -a half-hour or so, early in the morning, and then they observed the -circuitous route back again, which suggested that she had discovered or -was seeking to avoid some danger. - -There was no difficulty in tracing the footsteps to the point where the -Comanche bear had seized and borne her away. The prints on the ground -perplexed them for a few minutes. - -"They were made by an Indian without a doubt," said the Texan. - -"And that Indian," said Crockett, "was the bear that we saw last night -on t'other side of the creek." - -"That's it! that's it!" fairly gasped young Carsfield; "it's their old -tricks over again. He can't be far away anyhow, and we will run him -into the ground before he can reach his confederates." - -The Tennesseean was satisfied that this was the true course, and the -two started forward at once, the trail over the dead and rumpled leaves -being such that it was easily followed. - -"He is running very fast," added Sebastian, when they had progressed -something like a hundred yards upon their way. - -"But he can't carry the gal and outrun us besides." - -"He'll make her do her own running after awhile." - -"Is she good on the jump?" inquired Crockett. - -"She runs very swiftly," said the lover, "and you may be sure that dog -will make her do her best." - -"It strikes me that them varmints are tryin' to take prisoners, instead -of raisin' the ha'r of the settlers through these parts." - -"That's it," was the reply, uttered on the run. - -Such indeed seemed to be the case, when the past actions of the -Comanches were considered, for, it can be seen that more than once they -had it in their power to pick off the whites by deathly shot from the -wood, but had refrained, and resorted to strategy to secure them. - -Hans Bungslager had been "operated" upon in this way, and had only -escaped through a providential gleam of prudence that flashed through -his brain at the right moment. - -The trail followed by the Texan and Tennesseean, for a long distance, -went straight forward into the woods, as though aiming at no particular -point, but seeking to get as far away from pursuit as was possible. - -They were still following hard after the abductor, when they crossed -the path leading to Brownston, and over which they had passed a few -hours before. - -They paused an instant, looking to the right and left, but nothing was -to be seen, and the trail of the flying Indian was seen to cross the -path at right-angles. - -"That is encouraging," exclaimed Sebastian. - -"Why?" asked his companion. - -"It looks as if he were going it alone, instead of hunting up his -companions." - -"Don't be sartin of that. He ain't an Injin, if he don't know what -place his nose is p'intin' at, and he'll find some other scamps afore -long to help him." - -Crockett proved right in this instance, for they had gone but a short -distance further, when they came in sight of the camp-fire. Their skill -in trail-hunting was not sufficient for them to make certain of the -time that had elapsed since the passing of the Comanche and his prize; -but they knew they could not be very far behind the scamp, and they -kept their eyes on the look-out that they did not run blindly into any -danger. - -So they detected the faint curling smoke on the bank of a small stream -in time to prevent exposing themselves, and they made a careful -reconnoissance. - -Four Comanche Indians were seated around a small fire, every one -smoking. The smell of cooking food was in the air, showing that they -had finished a good breakfast. Around them were scattered the contents -of several feather-beds, linen, calico and clothing, attesting very -plainly that they had "gone through" somebody's establishment in a most -effective manner. - -Upon a heap of blankets sat Katrina Duncan, her face covered and her -head bent in despair. The Indians were eagerly discussing some matter, -and paid no attention to their helpless captive. - -The Texan and Tennesseean withdrew a few paces to consult as to what -they should do. As there were five of their foes, it was hardly -practicable to make an attack upon them. From their concealment, -the whites could pick off two. The course of the other three in all -probability then would be to kill Katrina as quick as a flash, so as to -prevent the possibility of her rescue, and then to turn and attack the -two whites, with a very good prospect of finishing them off in the same -manner; for no living Indians can out-dodge, out-shoot or out-wit, or -out-fight these same Comanches of the South-west. With an odd man, they -would be certain to get into the rear of the whites, and when that was -done, it would be a long and last good-by to them. - -"I don't see the bear," remarked Carsfield; "he may have thrown off the -skin, but I was unable to see it upon the ground." - -"He's gone back, thinkin' we're at the rocks, to try and fool us." - -Carsfield was strongly inclined to believe this. - -"Where is Bungslager?" - -"That is hard to tell," said Crockett; "we can think only of _her_ at -present." - -The Texan turned suddenly upon his companion. - -"See here, you have a bear-skin with you; isn't it possible for you to -play the bear too?" - -Colonel Crockett took at once. - -"I'll do it." - -And straightway he began arraying himself in the costume of the animal. -He succeeded in making quite a resemblance, but when it was finished -both saw that the thing could not be done during daylight. - -The only way by which they could hope to succeed was by Crockett -actually _taking the place of_ the Comanche who had been playing -the part of bear. Any critical scrutiny of the counterfeit by the -Indians would be certain to result in their detection of the trick. -If they could be made to believe that Crockett was their own comrade -frolicking about the camp, they would not be apt to bestow much -attention upon him. Still, as it was certain that the trick would be -discovered sooner or later, it was all-important that they should have -the darkness of night in which to work. - -Accordingly the two withdrew to a safe distance, and the Texan went on -a little foraging expedition of his own, managing to secure enough food -for present purposes. - -One or two of the Comanches was constantly going and coming, and they -kept the Indians under surveillance. Katrina was furnished with food, -but the camp was not broken and it was evident they intended to spend -the night where they were. - -Late in the afternoon the "Comanche Bear" walked into camp, carrying -his hide thrown over his shoulder. He remained for an hour or two and -then departed, and, as it was now fully dark, Crockett prepared to -venture upon his dangerous experiment. - -Young Carsfield approached as near the camp as prudent, and then -Crockett went sidling and galloping toward it, approaching gradually, -and yet concealing his identity as much as possible. - -When he came within the circle of light, all five of the Indians looked -at him, and then paid no further heed, evidently believing it to be -their comrade, practicing to improve himself. - -Nearer and nearer he approached the spot where Katrina was sitting, she -looking at him with a look of terror, as if uncertain whether he was -watching her or not. This was what Crockett wished, and he managed, -unseen by the Indians, to give her a sign which put her on her guard. - -One of the Comanches looked suspiciously at him, but he advanced until -he was within a few feet of Katrina, when he called out to her in a -husky whisper: - -"_Now run, right by me!_" - -Having no thought of any such thing, her captors had not bound her, -and the girl darted off like a deer, leaping directly by Crockett, who -immediately followed hard after her. - -It looked as if she had started in affright at the approach of the -bear, and all ought to have gone well, had not the genuine Comanche -bear, at this critical moment, put in an appearance. - -This exposed the whole thing, and in an instant the Indians were on -their feet, in full pursuit, with their tricky companion at their head. - -But Katrina had gained a good start, and had scarcely entered the real -gloom of the wood when her lover was beside her, holding her hand, and -they fled with all the speed at their command. - -A few sharp turns, and they got beyond all danger; but the Comanche who -had played the part of bruin, followed so hard after Crockett that he -could not elude him. - -"_Wal, if I must, I must!_" muttered the Tennesseean, drawing his -fearful Bowie and turning upon the red-skin. - -The contest was over in a second almost. As the Indian sunk before the -fearful knife, Crockett was just in time to turn and elude the others, -who were coming up with much rapidity. - -He had a hard time of it, and but for the shelter of the wood, would -not have succeeded in getting away; but he soon ceased from his great -exertions, and after an hour's cautious signaling managed to rejoin the -lovers, remarking, as he related his experience: - -"Somehow or other I sorter feel this is the last b'ar-hunt I'll ever -take a hand in!" - -They endeavored to laugh at his depression, and he purposely changed -the conversation, as he wished to cast no gloom over their happiness. - -It was now deemed best to approach as near Brownston as possible, so -as to be ready to enter the village, if it could be done, early in the -morning. - -They accordingly resumed their cautious way through the woods, but had -not gone far when they heard approaching footsteps. - -The whites instantly halted, and the two men grasped their rifles, -ready for friend or foe. - -"Doonder and blitzen! I's been valkin' ever sin' to-morrow mornin', and -I ain't so fur off te village as I would be yesterday ef I had started -next week!" - -It was Hans, and the next minute all three were around him, grasping -his hands, Katrina weeping and embracing him, and all demanding what it -meant. - -He explained, in his characteristic way, what had happened to him since -his separation, and adding that he was nearly famished with hunger; but -as there was no means of relieving him, the journey was continued until -they were in sight of the gleaming lights of the settlement. - -As a careful reconnoissance failed to discover any thing of the -Comanches, they moved on and entered Brownston, where they learned that -the marauding Indians had taken their departure during the afternoon, -and the memorable raid was ended. - - * * * * * - -A few days later, Crockett and his friends, who were awaiting his -return in the village, started for the Alamo, where, as it is well -known, this extraordinary man was inhumanly killed, with the remnant of -the garrison who had surrendered to the perfidious Santa Anna. - - * * * * * - -The little cottage at Brownston became the home of Katrina Duncan when -she married the gallant Sebastian Carsfield, after the independence of -Texas was acknowledged by Mexico. - -Hans Bungslager had a comfortable little sum stowed away where no -Comanches could lay their hands upon it, and with this he rebuilt his -cabin, bought a new cow, and he and his frow spent many days together -upon the same ground that had been the witness of so many fearful -scenes in their history. - - -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.= By Edward S. Ellis. - =7--The Outlaw's Wife.= By 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 Raven.= 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.= By Edward S. Ellis. - =24--The One-Eyed Trapper.= By 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.= By 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 Iliff. - =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.= By Wm. R. Eyster. - =63--The Florida Scout.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - =64--The Island Trapper.= By 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.= By "Bruin" Adams. - =77--The Scarlet Shoulders.= By Harry Hazard. - =78--The Border Rifleman.= By L. W. Carson. - =79--Outlaw Jack.= By Harry Hazard. - =80--Tiger-Tail, the Seminole.= By R. Ringwood. - =81--Death-Dealer.= By Arthur L. Meserve. - =82--Kenton, the Ranger.= By Chas. Howard. - =83--The Specter Horseman.= By Frank Dewey. - =84--The Three Trappers.= By Seelin Robbins. - =85--Kaleolah.= By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N. - =86--The Hunter Hercules.= By 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 Nick.= 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.= By 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 E. S. Ellis. - =148--The Tangled Trail.= By Major Martine. - =149--The Unseen Hand.= By J. S. Henderson. - =150--The Lone Indian.= By Capt. C. Howard. - =151--The Branded Brave.= By Paul Bibbs. - =152--Billy Bowlegs, The Seminole Chief.= - =153--The Valley Scout.= By Seelin Robins. - =154--Red Jacket.= By Paul Bibbs. - =155--The Jungle Scout.= Ready - =156--Cherokee Chief.= Ready - =157--The Bandit Hermit.= Ready - =158--The Patriot Scouts.= Ready - =159--The Wood Rangers.= - =160--The Red Foe.= Ready - =161--The Beautiful Unknown.= - =162--Canebrake Mose.= Ready - =163--Hank, the Guide.= Ready - =164--The Border Scout.= Ready Oct. 5th. - - -BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. - -Transcriber's Note: Changes have been made where the transcriber -perceived there to be typographical errors. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COLONEL CROCKETT, THE TEXAN -TRAILER *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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E. Lasalle.—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} -h1, h2 {line-height: 2em;} -h1 span {font-size: .8em;} -h2 span {font-size: .8em;} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -.p140 {font-size: 1.4em;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } - -.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; -} /* page numbers */ - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Colonel Crockett, the Texan trailer, by Chas. E. Lasalle</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. 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. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Colonel Crockett, the Texan trailer</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>Beadle's pocket novels No. 99</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Chas. E. Lasalle</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: September 7, 2022 [eBook #68931]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: David Edwards, James Allan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois University Digital Library)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COLONEL CROCKETT, THE TEXAN TRAILER ***</div> - - - -<h1>COLONEL CROCKETT,<br /> -<span>THE TEXAN TRAILER.</span></h1> - - -<p class="center p140">BY CHAS. E. LASALLE.</p> - - -<p class="center">NEW YORK:<br /> -<span class="p140">BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,</span><br /> -98 WILLIAM STREET. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p class="center">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by<br /> -BEADLE AND COMPANY,<br /> -In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. -</p> - -</div> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p class="center">THE -TEXAN TRAILER. -</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.<br /> -<span>COLONEL CROCKETT ON A BEAR-HUNT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p>"I say, stranger, did you see any thing of a confounded -big b'ar passing this way?"</p> - -<p>The question was uttered by Davy Crockett, the renowned -bear-killer of Tennessee, as, dashing at full speed through the -dense forest, he suddenly emerged into a small clearing, where -a big Dutchman sat on a log eating his dinner. The latter -stared at the glowing hunter for a moment, and with his -mouth crammed so full that he could hardly speak, he said:</p> - -<p>"Hooh! vat you said?"</p> - -<p>"Did you see a b'ar pass this way, a few minutes ago?"</p> - -<p>"Vat kind of a bear vas he?"</p> - -<p>"A black bear and a regular whopper."</p> - -<p>"Vas he goin' py hees legs, or vas he flyin' mit his wings?"</p> - -<p>Crockett stared at the Dutchman, as if meditating whether -to bring him to his senses or not by breaking his gun -over his head; but there was such an appearance of honesty -in his countenance, that, despite his hurry, he paused to exchange -a word or two with him.</p> - -<p>"Dutchy, did you ever see a bear?"</p> - -<p>"Yaw, I vos."</p> - -<p>"Did you ever see one fly through the air?"</p> - -<p>"Yaw—more as goot many times."</p> - -<p>"When?"</p> - -<p>"I see'd one only next day after yisterday. He had wings -so big as never vos, and had von sheep dat he hold fast -mit his toes."</p> - -<p>Crockett laughed.</p> - -<p>"You old Dutch blunderbuss, you mean an <i>eagle</i>."</p> - -<p>"Yaw; vot kinds does I means?"</p> - -<p>"A <i>bald-headed</i> eagle, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"Yaw—dat's him; ef he <i>bald</i>-headed, den he <i>bare</i>-headed, -ain't he?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose."</p> - -<p>"Den he eagle vot was <i>bare</i>—hooh? vot you call him?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Den he <i>bear</i> mit wings."</p> - -<p>And the Dutchman laughed, as though he had said something -extremely funny, while Crockett was amused in spite -of himself.</p> - -<p>"Vos he great pig bear, mit four legs?" inquired the Hollander, -suddenly becoming serious again.</p> - -<p>"Yes—a ring-tailed roarer."</p> - -<p>"And he hop along so?" he continued, dropping on his -hands and feet and hopping along like a frog.</p> - -<p>"Something like that," assented Crockett.</p> - -<p>"And his mouth open, mit his tongue hanging in?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—yes: which way did he go?"</p> - -<p>"Yaw; I hash not seen notting of him!"</p> - -<p>And again the Dutchman laughed until he was ready to -fall off the log, all the while cramming his mouth with food.</p> - -<p>There was no little humor in Colonel Crockett, and the -round fat Dutchman, shaking with laughter, like so much -jelly, was more then he could stand, and throwing back his -head, he made the forest ring with his own mirth.</p> - -<p>This made Hans Bungslager go it harder then ever, till -finally he capsized—and tipping over the log backward, the -last Crockett saw of him, as he moved away, was his dumpy -legs beating the air, as he sought to complete his partial -summerset so as to rise to the standing position again.</p> - -<p>But Colonel Crockett was seeking the trail of the most -enormous bear he had seen since coming into Texas, and as he -had a special anxiety to secure and take it back to camp, he -was fearful of losing too much time.</p> - -<p>So, without cultivating the acquaintance of Bungslager -any further, he turned his back upon him and struck into the -woods, making for a point where he believed there was a -good prospect of finding his prey.</p> - -<p>I may say, to relieve all anxiety of the reader, that -Hans finally succeeded in turning over on his face, and -regaining his feet. He was very nearly choking, however, -from the food which had gone the "wrong way," and, when -he finally recovered his self-command, and looked around -for the American hunter, he had vanished like a phantom.</p> - -<p>All this was some thirty odd years ago. The eccentric -Colonel Crockett, who had served several terms in Congress, -had been disappointed of a reëlection, and had left Tennessee -and gone off to the territory, or rather republic, of Texas, there -to join the Texans who were gallantly struggling for their independence -against Santa Anna, and the hordes of Mexicans -that were overrunning the country.</p> - -<p>Crockett was a born hunter, and when he reached this part -of the world, he found there was an abundance of game—so -much that he was tempted to linger by the way, and delay his -visit to the Alamo, which was doomed to make such a wonderful -struggle against the overwhelming forces that were -marshaling against it.</p> - -<p>He, with several friends, was therefore off on a several days' -hunt in the wilds of eastern Texas. He had joined a party -on their way to the Alamo, but while they halted at a small -village some miles back, he had gone on with several others to -take part in a grand hunt.</p> - -<p>In that vast State, as is well known, are found buffaloes, deer, -pumas, ocelots, jaguars, wild-cats, black bears, wolves, foxes, -raccoons, opossums, rabbits, hares, squirrels, antelope, mountain -goats and moose; besides, prairie-hens, wild geese, wild turkeys, -brant, teal, canvas-back ducks, pheasants, quails, partridges, -grouse, woodcock, pigeons, turtle-doves, rice-birds, and numerous -others—to which may be added murderous Mexicans, and -equally murderous and more daring Comanches, Apaches and -other tribes, so that there was a good prospect of Crockett -and his friends securing all the sport that they could possibly -wish.</p> - -<p>Starting off together, they had gone but a short distance -when they discovered a dozen buffaloes grazing on the slope -of a hill, about a quarter of a mile distant, and the whole -parted, dashed away in pursuit.</p> - -<p>The buffaloes took the alarm, and while yet a good ways -off, thundered away at full speed, leading the hunters on quite -a long chase. They were in full tilt after them, when the -keen eye of Colonel Crockett detected an immense bear on -his right, making for the cover of a dense tract of forest.</p> - -<p>Davy Crockett had a weakness for bears; he had slain his -hundreds in the wilds of Tennessee, and he preferred hunting -them to any species of game known. So the instant he -caught sight of this monster, he shouted:</p> - -<p>"Go ahead after the buffaloes, and I'll chase the bear."</p> - -<p>With which he turned his mustang to the right, and sped -away in pursuit of his favorite prey.</p> - -<p>But bruin had a good start, and made such good time that -he plunged into the wood several hundred yards in advance -of Crockett, who strained every point to catch up with the -frightened brute.</p> - -<p>It was of no avail, however, and hurrying in a short distance -among the trees, Crockett found the wood too dense to -continue the pursuit on horseback; and, determined not to -lose his sport in this way, he leaped to the ground, hastily -fastened his bridle to a limb, and continued the pursuit on -foot.</p> - -<p>His skill enabled him to keep on the trail of the bear, -without trouble, until, while running at full speed, he dashed -into the clearing, where Hans Bungslager was eating his dinner -on the log. The particulars of their interview have been -given.</p> - -<p>In his great haste, and in dodging in and out among the -trees and undergrowth, Crockett had gotten off the trail of the -bear, and was hunting for it when he ran against Hans Bungslager. -He knew that he could not be far from his game, and -that by running across the general direction he had been following -he was certain of intersecting it.</p> - -<p>This he did, and, as he anticipated, met with success, almost -immediately. Such a large animal as a bear, and especially -this one, could not fail to leave a perceptible trail, which -the keen eyes of Crockett were quick to detect.</p> - -<p>The hunter was deprived of one great advantage. When -hunting in the Tennessee canebrakes, he was always accompanied -by a number of dogs, that were sure to "tree" their -game very quickly and to afford the greatest assistance in the -hunt. But now he had not a single yelper with him, and was -compelled to rely on himself entirely.</p> - -<p>Hark! He heard the crackling of twigs and brush ahead—evidence -that he was gaining rapidly upon his prey. He -bent to the pursuit with renewed ardor, and, although he could -not see the bear, he knew that he was close upon him.</p> - -<p>On, on dashed the hunter, tearing through the underbrush, -with scarcely a halt to turn aside, until a wild scream of agony -made his blood tingle, and leaping into a small clearing the -next instant, he beheld a scene so exciting in its character that -it almost stopped the beating of his heart.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.<br /> -<span>IN CLOSE QUARTERS.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The bear seemed to know that a dangerous enemy was -upon his track, and was not only frightened but infuriated by -the fact. In his aimless flight, he came directly upon a small -clearing, in the center of which stood a log-cabin cottage, surrounded -by a small patch of cultivated ground.</p> - -<p>At the very moment of his appearance, a lithe, handsome -young lady was passing across this clearing with a pail of water -in her hand. Catching sight of the bear, she uttered a shrill -scream of terror, that caught Crockett's ear, and ran at full -speed for the open door of her cabin, while the exasperated -brute, with a growl of fury, made for her.</p> - -<p>The girl was fleet of foot, and seemed to run with the speed -of the wind; but the bear was so close upon her, that, when -she darted into the door she had not time to close it behind -her.</p> - -<p>As Davy Crockett sprung into the clearing he caught a -glimpse of the girl as she vanished through the door, and saw -the huge brute lunging after her. As quick as thought his -rifle was at his shoulder, and he blazed away at his hind quarters, -so rapidly disappearing from view.</p> - -<p>It would have been better if the shot had not been fired, -for, striking the monster in the haunch, it did not inflict even -a dangerous wound, and only succeeded in adding to the fury -of the animal, whose rage was already at the boiling-point.</p> - -<p>The hunter saw him twitch from the stinging pain, as, with -an ominous, cavernous growl, he disappeared in the cabin, -from whose interior were heard the heart-rending shrieks of -the terror-stricken girl.</p> - -<p>Crockett became desperate. His rifle was of no further -use, and throwing it aside, he threw his arm back of his -neck, and drew forth an awful-looking knife—a genuine -Bowie, presented to the hunter by the daring little inventor -himself.</p> - -<p>"Panthers and wildcats!" he exclaimed, as he ran like a -deer across the clearing; "that bear has got into the wrong -pen, and ef he isn't got out in a hurry, he'll raise the biggest -kind of a rumpus, which I rather reckon he's doing now!"</p> - -<p>In a twinkling, he was at the door, and without hesitation -sprung within. Only a glance was needed to understand the -situation.</p> - -<p>The fair fugitive, upon reaching the interior of the cabin, -had felt instinctively that there was no safety upon the lower -floor, and had gone up the stairs in the corner, in a more expeditious -manner than she had ever done before.</p> - -<p>The bear evidently had not seen her, and was nosing -around for her in the lower apartment. When the hunter -bounded into the room, he was the very man he wanted to -see and he "went for him."</p> - -<p>Crockett had been in a hand-to-hand struggle before with -these creatures and he knew what they were. He wasn't particularly -anxious to be caught at a disadvantage, so when the -brute made a plunge at him, he dodged and slipped aside, the -bear striking with such force against the door that it was -banged to, and the two contestants were thus shut together.</p> - -<p>"Come up-stairs! quick!" shouted the same voice that had -uttered the screams. "Come quick or you will be killed! -he will have you sure, if you don't hurry!"</p> - -<p>Now, if this same voice had only remained quiet, it is not -at all improbable that Crockett might have retreated up-stairs; -but, with his characteristic stubbornness, he determined to -pay no heed to this appeal, while at the same time he was actuated -by a suspicion that perhaps the bear might invade this -retreat, and thus endanger the young lady whom he was so -anxious to befriend.</p> - -<p>"Never mind me," he called out, as he dodged to the other -side of the room and kept his eyes fixed keenly upon his antagonist. -"I've been in this kind of business afore, but look -out the brute don't find out where you are, for I don't blame -him for wanting to swaller such a purty piece."</p> - -<p>The girl didn't appeal to him any more: doubtless she concluded -she was only wasting her breath.</p> - -<p>The lower floor, I should remark, was like the ordinary -apartments of the log-cabins on the frontier. One large room -occupied the lower part of the building, and here were the -fire-place, closet, table, chairs and various domestic articles.</p> - -<p>Crockett glanced at the fire-place in the hope of finding -some embers there, but one look showed that the young lady -had made her preparations for kindling a fire, but the light -had not yet been applied; so that means of defense was -thereby rendered unavailable.</p> - -<p>But he still grasped his huge Bowie, all-potent in his hands, -and he concluded it was time his formidable enemy was made -to feel its point.</p> - -<p>The bear did not permit him to remain idle long, but turning -with wonderful quickness for such a lumbering animal, -he reared on his hind legs, and with his red mouth open and -growling voice, came in a direct line toward him.</p> - -<p>Every thing was now to be sacrificed for defense, and catching -up the table, Crockett slammed it full in the face of the -bear, and then darting nimbly forward, plunged his knife -half-way to the hilt in his body. He would have driven it to -the handle, had not the point encountered a bone.</p> - -<p>Having no time to repeat the blow, he withdrew the weapon, -and leaped backward, just in time to escape the furious lunge -of the brute. The blood poured in a stream from the frightful -wound made, but the bear seemed to feel no loss of -strength and to be unconscious of the hurt he had received.</p> - -<p>A few more such blows, however, were only needed to -"settle the hash" of the creature, and Crockett now endeavored -to inflict them as speedily as possible, without receiving -any return.</p> - -<p>The bear was awkward in his movements, but there was -also a certain swiftness that made it exceedingly dangerous to -his antagonist. At the same time, his size compelled more -dexterity upon the part of Crockett, who leaped and danced -about the room like an acrobat on exhibition.</p> - -<p>Finding himself in a corner, the hunter was forced to dart -so close to the bear that its descending paw grazed his back -and tore off a few strips from his hunting-shirt, and a twinge -or two of pain, reminded him of what was in store for him, if -the brute once got him in his embrace.</p> - -<p>Again the knife sunk deeply into the body of the bear, -being driven this time from the back, and sent in with such -vigor, that it produced a sensible effect upon the raging monster.</p> - -<p>But such a mass of vitality was not easily destroyed, and -for the time the bear was more furious than ever. Crockett -was kept so continually dodging and leaping about, that he -found it utterly impossible to get in another blow; and as he -circled around the room, he was in imminent peril of being -thrown down by some of the articles of furniture that were -continually in his way.</p> - -<p>Moving thus, too, he caught a glimpse of a pair of eyes, peering -down from the stairs, while the fair owner held a rifle in -her hands as if awaiting the opportunity to use it.</p> - -<p>"Shall I shoot?" she finally asked, in a suppressed voice, -as he passed near her.</p> - -<p>"When you're sartin of plugging him," replied Crockett, -never once removing his eyes from the glowing orbs of the -beast.</p> - -<p>It was plain that if the hunter was going to escape with his -life, something must be done to weaken the bear, that was -pressing him so close that a collision could not be postponed -much longer.</p> - -<p>Any man who has ever met Colonel Davy Crockett knows -that when fairly aroused he had a fearful temper, and was -reckless in what he did. His blood was now fairly up, and -he determined that he had retreated about long enough.</p> - -<p>"Confound you!" he muttered, as he steadied himself -against the side of the wall, preparatory to making his charge, -"do you think I am afeard of you?"</p> - -<p>And then uttering a yell, such as he had heard escape the -throats of the Creek Indians at the massacre of Fort Mimms, -he bounded toward his foe.</p> - -<p>The bear at this minute was reared on his hind legs, with -paws up. Crockett, as he reached these formidable weapons, -ducked his head, so as to pass beneath them, and as quick as -thought buried his knife into the side of the brute.</p> - -<p>It was a terrible blow, and gave the creature such a spasm -of pain that his paws dropped almost involuntarily, and Crockett -was compelled to extricate himself in such haste, that he -was unable to withdraw his knife and take it with him.</p> - -<p>This made his situation ten-fold more perilous. He had -no weapon at all with which to defend himself, and it was -only left for him to await the fierce onslaught of the terrible -foe. Thoroughly aroused, he was determined on recovering -his knife, even though at the imminent risk of his life.</p> - -<p>"Come up-stairs!" shouted the terrified girl, who was -vainly seeking a chance to fire upon the bear, "he will kill -you <i>now</i>, sure!"</p> - -<p>"Let him kill me then!" was the stubborn reply of Crockett. -"I am going to git that knife ag'in, or he's going to git -me."</p> - -<p>Believing he had a chance, the hunter made a lunge for it. -He struck the handle, but he could not retain his hold, and, -as his hand slipped off, he received a staggering blow from -the bear, that knocked him to the floor.</p> - -<p>A gasp of terror escaped the girl, but Crockett recovered -himself and made another attempt to regain his property.</p> - -<p>Again his hand grasped the handle, and the brute made for -him. Had the hunter let the knife go, and sprung out of the -way, he would have escaped easily; but, mad with rage, he -held fast to it, refusing to loosen his grip, even when he -felt the weight of the paws upon his shoulders.</p> - -<p>With a desperate effort, he jerked the Bowie loose, the -blood gushing after it in a copious stream. Then he attempted -to pull away, but it was too late, and the two went -down together, locked in a death embrace, Crockett believing -that his last day had come!</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.<br /> -<span>THE ALARM!</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Certain that the hunter was doomed to death, the fair -stranger, whose own escape had been so narrow, could restrain -herself no longer. With rifle in hand, she leaped -down the stairs, and made her way toward the combatants -upon the floor.</p> - -<p>Colonel Crockett was in great extremity, for, in spite of -the terrible wounds the bear had received, he still possessed -tremendous strength, and now that he had got his foe in his -arms, he was bent on giving him the "death-hug," without -any unnecessary delay.</p> - -<p>But the hunter now had the Bowie in his powerful right -hand; he used it with all the strength and skill at his command. -While his own face was in such proximity to the terrible -snout of the wood monster, he plunged his knife again -and again into his side, with a frequency and power certainly -sufficient to kill any animal but a Texan bear.</p> - -<p>Still the fearful gripe of those immense fore legs, grew -more rigid each moment, until Crockett felt the breath of life -leaving his body, and was certain that the walls of his breast -were being caved in.</p> - -<p>"Fire! quick!" he managed to gasp, as he saw the girl -with the gun standing near them.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid of hitting you!"</p> - -<p>"Never mind if you do—don't wait."</p> - -<p>Placing the muzzle directly against the head of the monster, -the girl pulled the trigger of her rifle.</p> - -<p>The most vital part of the bear was pierced. The ball -went crashing through his brain, and with a sort of sigh, his -great strength failed him; he rolled heavily over upon his -side, and breathed his last.</p> - -<p>As quick as a flash, Colonel Crockett disengaged himself -and sprung to his feet.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you are killed!" wailed the girl, as she sunk upon -the edge of one of the overturned chairs, "you can not live -with such frightful wounds!"</p> - -<p>The hunter was indeed a distressing object to look upon. -The blood from the beast covered him almost from head to -foot, and, scattered over his face, it made him look as if he -had been lacerated by the claws of the brute.</p> - -<p>"Me!" exclaimed the delighted Crockett, "I have not been -harmed a bit: I've only had a good squeezing, but, I'm gradually -getting my breath back again. Howsumever, I've been -hugged before, and I've no doubt such a good-looking gal as -you have been hugged, too. If I hadn't a blue-eyed little -wife, down in Tennessee, I'd be tempted to play the bear to -you."</p> - -<p>"Oh! how can you jest at such a terrible time?" said the -girl, her face blanched with terror.</p> - -<p>"I know I ought to be ashamed of myself," said Crockett, -as he looked down and realized what a plight he was in, -"but it was always a weakness of mine to be joking when I -hadn't oughter. If I ain't too impertinent, may I ax your -name?"</p> - -<p>"Katrina Duncan."</p> - -<p>"Where is your father and mother?"</p> - -<p>"I have none."</p> - -<p>"What! you don't live here all alone?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! I live with my uncle and aunt."</p> - -<p>"Where might they be just now?"</p> - -<p>"My aunt has gone to the village."</p> - -<p>"That is a dozen miles away."</p> - -<p>"The creek runs near the house, and she used the canoe. -She can easily get back by nightfall."</p> - -<p>"And your uncle—I haven't seen any thing of him."</p> - -<p>"He is in the woods at work."</p> - -<p>A sudden suspicion entered the head of Crockett.</p> - -<p>"What is his name?"</p> - -<p>"Bungslager."</p> - -<p>"Ah! I see'd him in the woods—the jolliest Dutchman I -ever sot eyes on. When do you expect—"</p> - -<p>"Doonder and blitzen!"</p> - -<p>Turning their heads, the two saw the very man of whom -they were speaking, standing in the door. Short, fat, sturdy, -with his round, moon-like face lit up by a pair of round eyes -that were the embodiment of wonder and amazement.</p> - -<p>"What dis mean, eh? Vot hash somepody peen doin', -eh?"</p> - -<p>"You have visitors, uncle."</p> - -<p>"Yaw, as I sees, but when my visitor brings von pig pear -mit him, I vish he leaf him inside de out doors."</p> - -<p>"He didn't bring him, uncle; the bear came himself, and -this gentleman rushed in to prevent him from killing me."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yaw, and got killed himself. I ish glad to see you," -said Hans, advancing and offering his hand; "dis ish your -gun vat I picks up."</p> - -<p>"It looks like the critter," said Colonel Crockett, advancing -and taking his weapon. "I see'd I couldn't make no use of -it, so I dropped it and sailed in with my Bowie, and ef it -hadn't been fur Katrina here, it would have been the last of -old Davy Crockett."</p> - -<p>Hans Bungslager stopped and looked at the hunter with a -curious expression.</p> - -<p>"What your name ish?"</p> - -<p>"Colonel Davy Crockett."</p> - -<p>"From Tennessee?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly."</p> - -<p>The Dutchman burst into a laugh that nearly shook him to -pieces.</p> - -<p>"You ish dat pig fool, eh, dat went to Congress and didn't -know noffin. I heerds 'pout you, and dinks you de piggest -fool as never vas."</p> - -<p>This was not very complimentary to Crockett, but the good -nature of Hans Bungslager was irresistible, and he laughed to -see him laugh.</p> - -<p>Katrina was somewhat embarrassed, and thought it her duty -to apologize for the rudeness of her uncle.</p> - -<p>"He doesn't mean any thing," said she, turning toward the -hunter; "it's a way he has. He got some papers that told -about you in Congress, and he was so pleased that he staid -home two or three days, and did nothing but sit in his chair -and laugh."</p> - -<p>"He's a lucky dog to be able to laugh so much," replied -Crockett, with a serious air. "I have done a good deal of -laughing in my time, but I reckon I've felt like crying as -many times. Howsumever, I s'pose you want to get this carcass -out the room."</p> - -<p>Katrina replied that such was her wish, and Crockett and -his host laid hold and managed to drag the huge creature outside -the door. He was pulled some distance away, when the -hunter, taking his Bowie in his hand, ran his finger along the -edge.</p> - -<p>"Go way with yer buffalo-steaks and venison, when I can -git b'ar meat," said he, as he began operating upon it. "I'm -going to stay to supper with you. I s'pose you've eat b'ar-steak?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yaw!" replied Hans; "I eats him once."</p> - -<p>"How did you like him?"</p> - -<p>"A Mexican—one greaser, gif him me to <i>p'ison</i> me; ef I had -eat but lettle I would died; but I eat so much dat I spit him -up ag'in."</p> - -<p>"Get out! wait till I cook ye a hunk of it; you'll like it -better than any sourkrout you ever saw."</p> - -<p>Bungslager shook himself with laughter at the thought of -his finding any thing in the way of food that could please his -palate better than that savory article; but he stood by and -watched Crockett, as he handled his knife with a skill that was -really admirable.</p> - -<p>The bear was in prime condition, and, after laying his -shaggy hide back, the hunter cut out several slices that looked -quite tempting, and which he asserted would tickle the tongue -of any one, when properly cooked and placed upon the table.</p> - -<p>The hide was carefully taken from the entire body, and -then the carcass was rolled into the creek to float away, as -being of no further use, while Crockett carefully washed the -stains from his own person. Then bearing the hide over his -arm, and the clean-looking meat, the two returned to the cabin.</p> - -<p>During their absence, Katrina had improved the time to -the utmost. The furniture, except where irreparably injured, -had been placed to rights, the floor scrubbed up, and the fire -kindled, and every preparation made for preparing a meal.</p> - -<p>Looking at the bright, cheerful room, one could scarcely believe -that a few minutes before it had been the scene of such -a frightful contest as I have described.</p> - -<p>When Crockett explained his wishes, the really charming, -rosy-cheeked girl yielded her place to him at the fire, and he -commenced the preparation of his bear-steaks. The savory -odor soon filled the room, and placing some fresh butter and -snowy bread upon the table, the three sat down to their -meal.</p> - -<p>But they were doomed to an interruption. The first mouthful -was not yet tasted, when through the open door the figure -of a young man was seen approaching, walking with a rapid -stride across the clearing.</p> - -<p>As he came nearer, it was easy to see from his blanched -face and excited manner, that he was the bearer of some important -and alarming tidings.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.<br /> -<span>THE FLIGHT.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The individual who was seen hastening across the clearing, -showed in his actions that he was an acquaintance of Bungslager -and his niece.</p> - -<p>"Well, Sebastian, what is it?" asked the latter, while the -quick flush that overspread her face told Colonel Crockett at -once what relation existed between them. Even in that moment -of excitement the young man had time to cast one admiring -glance upon the maiden.</p> - -<p>"I've bad news! the worst news!"</p> - -<p>All turned away from the table and looked expectantly toward -him.</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Three runners reached Brownston, a couple of hours ago, -with the news that a big war-party of Comanches are approaching!"</p> - -<p>"Ish dat all?" exclaimed Hans, with a sigh. "I dinks my -cow has tumbled over a log, and hurts herself."</p> - -<p>"But they will be there by to-night."</p> - -<p>"Does my frow know it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; she besought me to hurry to you, and urge you to -come at once, without a moment's delay. As soon as I learned -it, I prepared to come, although several urged me against it, -as they thought I would be intercepted before I could get -back; but I have made all haste."</p> - -<p>"From what p'int are they coming?" asked Crockett, who -had the sense to perceive that this was a serious peril that -threatened the Dutchman and his niece.</p> - -<p>"From the north-east," replied Sebastian, turning toward -Crockett, who had risen to his feet.</p> - -<p>"How do you know that they intend attacking the village?"</p> - -<p>The young man looked at the hunter a moment without -replying.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you are a stranger in these parts, for if you -wasn't, you would know that Brownston has been attacked -several times before, although never by such a large force as -now threatens it. A good many of our men are off in the -Texan war, and a good many more are going; but, we've had -so many of these raids by the Comanches, that we've got used -to them. We're better prepared than we used to be."</p> - -<p>"Do you think the village is in danger itself?"</p> - -<p>"No," was the prompt reply. "As we have been warned, -I do not see as there is any danger at all."</p> - -<p>"Then if we can get <i>there</i>, we shall be safe?"</p> - -<p>"Undoubtedly."</p> - -<p>"It is about a dozen miles away," added Crockett, in a -voice which showed he was considerably relieved; "it ain't -likely that the red-skins will be there before night."</p> - -<p>"No; we do not fear for Brownston itself, now that we -have been notified, but it is the outlying houses, that are in -such danger, and quite a number of the folks have gone out -to warn them."</p> - -<p>"Then let's set down and make a meal on b'ar-steaks, and -all go to the village together," setting the example, by taking -his place at the table again.</p> - -<p>The coolness with which this was uttered had a most reassuring -effect upon the others. Sebastian, (as the young -Texan was called,) was a volunteer in the war of independence -of the Lone Star State, and was home in his native village of -Brownston for a short time to see his friends, when this alarm -reached his ears.</p> - -<p>Knowing full well the ferocious character of the Comanches, -and that in their wars, they made no discrimination between -Mexican, Texan or American, the tidings filled him -with the gravest alarm, concerning the beautiful Katrina and -her uncle.</p> - -<p>He was glad to find a guest there whose appearance showed -him to be a man of knowledge, skill and daring, and who -could not fail to prove a most valuable auxiliary in escaping -the peril which had descended so suddenly upon them. He -advanced and offered his hand.</p> - -<p>"I am Sebastian Carsfield, a Texan, fighting against Santa -Anna. I am glad to make your acquaintance."</p> - -<p>"And I am on my way to the Alamo," replied Crockett, -warmly shaking his hand.</p> - -<p>"Then we are brothers: I join you at the meal."</p> - -<p>"I dinks you ain't so much hungry as I vas," said Hans, -who was quite impatient at the delay, and who attacked the -viands with renewed appetite. Katrina was so flustered by -the exciting news and the presence of her lover, that she became -quite thoughtful and ate very little.</p> - -<p>Crockett seemed to have forgotten entirely that such a thing -as a hostile force was threatening them, and joked and jested -in his usual manner. He related many of his adventures in -Tennessee, in hunting bears, and some incidents of his eventful -career in Congress, and his memorable tour through the -northern States.</p> - -<p>In this way the afternoon wore rapidly away, the dinner -was lengthened, and by the time that the party rose from the -table, the latter part of the day was half gone.</p> - -<p>As the "frow" of Bungslager had gone to the village of -Brownston in the canoe, there was no means of making the -journey by water, so it was arranged that the dozen intervening -miles should be made overland. Hans owned a sturdy -horse, not very fleet, but tough and enduring, upon which he -proposed to load every thing necessary, while he and Katrina -walked.</p> - -<p>Sebastian had come on foot, not pausing to procure a horse, -and Crockett offered to yield his mustang to her, as the animal -was at no great distance, and he intended to procure him before -setting out for the village.</p> - -<p>But she declined. None of the party were more able to -walk than she, and in the labyrinths of the woods, she had -more confidence in her own limbs than in those of any quadruped -or biped.</p> - -<p>It was agreed that Crockett should go after his mustang -and then follow a bridle-path that he could easily find, which -struck the creek about a mile below the cabin of Bungslager, -and there await the coming of his friends. At the same time -Sebastian was to descend the river some distance below, to see -whether any thing more could be discovered regarding the -Comanches, and then was to return to the point mentioned, -where it was believed that all would rendezvous at the end of -a couple of hours.</p> - -<p>With this understanding the parties separated—Crockett -taking the trail made by the bear, while he was pursuing it, -as the speediest way of reaching the point where he had left -his mustang tied. Sebastian located the bridle-path with -such exactness that he was certain of finding it without any -delay.</p> - -<p>The Texan, with his heavy rifle slung over his shoulder, -strode off in an eastern direction, following the course of the -creek. As he looked up to the sky, and saw how near the -sun was setting, a shade of anxiety crossed his face. He felt -that they had lingered too long in the cabin, after the danger -became known. It was now impossible to get fairly started -for Brownston, before night was closing in, and the probabilities -were that the place would not be reached before daylight.</p> - -<p>These hours of darkness would be hours of the greatest -peril to his friends. He had no doubt that the vigilant, ferocious -Comanches would be between them and the village before -the night was half gone. Such a large party could -hardly hope to make their way through the lines without -discovery—especially with the blundering Hans Bungslager, -who seemed incapable of comprehending the grave character of -the danger that menaced them.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid we shall see the worst kind of trouble, before -many hours come and go!" muttered the Texan, as he -strode thoughtfully through the forest.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.<br /> -<span>A SLIP OF THE MEMORY.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Colonel Crockett was also equally thoughtful. He felt -that a mistake had been made through his agency, and that -the gravest consequences might be the result.</p> - -<p>"Them b'ars have always got me into trouble," he muttered, -impatiently. "I s'pose if I git into a fight with a -greaser and a b'ar comes along, I'll leave him and put for the -b'ar."</p> - -<p>He had easily found the trail of the brute, and kept it -without trouble. The way back seemed much longer than -when he was pursuing the beast with so much zeal; but he -traveled very fast, and reached the open prairie before the -sun had set.</p> - -<p>In one hand he carried his long, reliable rifle, and over -the other was hung the huge shaggy hide of the black bear. -Its size and character made it too valuable for him to leave -until it could become dried, and so he took it to make sure -of having so valuable an article.</p> - -<p>Reaching the edge of the prairie, he found that his mustang -had managed to disengage his bridle and was cropping the -grass near at hand. Crockett was on the point of emerging -from the woods, when his quick eye detected something out -upon the plain.</p> - -<p>Scarcely a half-mile distant, and almost precisely upon the -spot where he had left his companions to pursue their buffaloes, -he saw fully a hundred mounted Comanche Indians.</p> - -<p>"By hokey-pokey!" muttered the hunter, as he stood and -watched the sight, "that means business, sure enough!"</p> - -<p>The band of red-skins seemed to be holding a sort of council. -They were gathered in a large circle, the heads of their -horses pointed inward, while a dozen or two on foot stood in -the center, apparently debating together upon some proposed -scheme, while their devoted followers were waiting until their -leaders were ready to give their orders.</p> - -<p>Colonel Crockett stood almost fascinated at the sight. The -Comanches were fine-looking men, gayly dressed in bright -colors, all mounted on magnificent horses, and, as is well -known, they are among the finest horsemen in the world. -Sitting as motionless as carved figures, they would have formed -a capital scene for a painter.</p> - -<p>The question that naturally occurred to the hunter was -whether these made up the entire force of Comanches that -were marching against Brownston. If they did, the town -being forewarned, certainly had little to fear from them; but -the settlers who dwelt in the surrounding country were as -powerless to resist this band, as though all the red-skins west -of the Rio Grande should descend upon them.</p> - -<p>Crockett felt that time was important, and that he endangered -the safety of others by waiting; but, he was so anxious -to watch their movements that he determined to wait awhile -at least, and try to discover their intentions.</p> - -<p>His experience among the Creek Indians had given him a -good knowledge of Indian character and ways, and he was -not long in understanding that was a sort of council—those in -the center of the large circle, having all to say in the matter.</p> - -<p>Crockett first carefully approached his own mustang, and -securing him, sprung upon his back, and then held himself in -readiness to flee in case the red-skins should turn their -faces toward him.</p> - -<p>Some fifteen minutes passed in this painful suspense, when -a simultaneous shout arose from the group, and they were -seen turning their horses about, and brandishing their weapons -about their heads.</p> - -<p>The conclusion had been reached!</p> - -<p>The Comanches were now ready to march!</p> - -<p>And just at this moment, Colonel Crockett became aware -that the faces of the Indians were turned toward him, and -their horses were galloping at full speed directly at the point -in the wood where he stood.</p> - -<p>"Be sure you're right, then go ahead," growled Crockett, -as he wheeled his mustang about, "and I think it's right for -me to kick gravel."</p> - -<p>The proximity of the trees was such that, as I have shown -before, the hunter dismounted and continued the pursuit on -foot; but now, under the influence of fear, his mustang seemed -to shoot in and out among the trees like a swallow in its -flight.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if they see'd me," muttered Crockett, as he ducked -his head to avoid being swept off his horse or having his head -swept off his shoulders. "I don't think they did, or they -wouldn't have sent so many after me. Howsumever, maybe -they've heard that I am a member of Congress."</p> - -<p>Unconsciously Crockett had turned the head of his horse -toward the path, for which he ought to have searched, and his -horse suddenly plunged into it, and wheeled off to the right, -and followed it at the same headlong speed.</p> - -<p>This made traveling a great deal easier, and the mustang -plunged along at a really swift gait, his rider every now and -then casting his head around, in the expectation of catching a -glimpse of those fearless dogs yelping upon his track.</p> - -<p>"If they can ride through this wood any faster than me," -exclaimed Crockett, as a limb knocked his coon-skin cap from -his head, "then I'd like to stop and see them."</p> - -<p>He kept up this break-neck pace for some time longer, and -hearing nothing of his enemies, he paused and listened. The -sound of a leaf that rustled through some branches overhead -and fluttered down upon his shoulder was all that reached his -ear, besides the hurried breathing of his animal.</p> - -<p>"Sartinly if they war coming I'd hear them," he concluded, -after listening for a few minutes, and every thing was still as -the grave.</p> - -<p>Dismounting from his mustang, he knelt down and placed -his ear upon the ground. Had there been horsemen anywhere -in the neighborhood, the tramp of their feet would have been -heard, but to his surprise Crockett heard nothing at all.</p> - -<p>"There's one thing sartin," said he, "them Comanches ain't -on my trail, so I'll give the hoss a little rest."</p> - -<p>With which he drew his animal down to a moderate walk.</p> - -<p>By this time it was growing dark, and despite the speed -with which Crockett had ridden, he was yet a great deal behindhand, -on account of waiting to watch the movements of -the red-skins. He ought to have been at the rendezvous long -before this.</p> - -<p>All through the tumultuous excitement Crockett had clung -to his bear-skin with almost the tenacity that he grasped his -rifle. He had done it almost unconsciously, even after his cap -was swept from his head.</p> - -<p>He was on the point of starting ahead again when his quick -ear detected something suspicious. The sound was very slight, -but such as it was, it convinced him that there was some one -coming along the path.</p> - -<p>Not knowing what it meant, the hunter drew his horse -aside out of the path, and then waited and watched. The -obscurity was so great that he could not see very distinctly, -but in the gloom he discovered two men, who passed by on a -rapid run. He could see that they were Indians, and that -they were moving very fast.</p> - -<p>What struck Crockett as singular was that these red-skins -were pursuing the opposite direction from him. Either they -must have passed by the rendezvous toward which he was -hurrying, or they had gone dangerously near it.</p> - -<p>"What does it mean?" the Tennessean asked himself, beginning -to feel a little puzzled at the action of the red-skins; -"these are queer critters—these Comanches—they don't -do business like the Creeks and Choctaws. Now how did -them two rapscallions get round on t'other side of me? They -couldn't have passed me in the path, for I was riding too -blamed fast."</p> - -<p>He returned to the path again, and, as his horse walked -along, he thought seriously upon the situation of himself and -friends.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he started.</p> - -<p>Could it be that there was another band of Comanches on -the other side of Hans Bungslager's cabin? Or were these -scouts who were scouring through the country in search of -victims, and having discovered the flight of the fugitives, had -they made all haste to the main body that the whites might -be cut off before there was a chance of escape?</p> - -<p>The more he reflected upon what he had seen, the more -serious alarm did he feel. It was not for himself that he -feared, but it looked to him as though the gentle Katrina -Duncan was in greater danger than she or her friends -imagined.</p> - -<p>He continued riding forward, his horse on a moderate walk, -until in the moonlight he caught the glimmer of water ahead, -and he knew that he was drawing near the rendezvous.</p> - -<p>Feeling it his duty to be suspicious on all occasions, he -dismounted again, and fastening his horse beside the path, -crept stealthily forward and looked about him. The creek was -broad and deep, but he saw no person or boat visible.</p> - -<p>Where was Sebastian? was the question he asked himself, -as he looked furtively about. "Can it be that those two -Comanches have slain him, and his dead body is somewhere -at hand?"</p> - -<p>He stood irresolute a moment, debating whether to begin -the search or not, when a low, cautiously-uttered whistle -reached his ear. Suspecting that it was a signal from some -Indian to another, he stepped further back in the shadow, and -cocked his rifle, determined to shoot the first red-skin that -showed himself.</p> - -<p>The whistle was repeated, and finally Crockett ventured to -answer it. He had scarcely done so when a figure appeared in -the path before him whom he at once recognized as Sebastian, -the Texan.</p> - -<p>The two met and clasped hands in the moonlight like old -friends.</p> - -<p>"Where are they?" was the first whispered question of -Crockett.</p> - -<p>"I do not know; I have seen and heard nothing of them -since I left there this afternoon."</p> - -<p>"How long have you been here?"</p> - -<p>"Over an hour. What kept you?"</p> - -<p>The hunter gave a concise account of what I have already -made known to my readers, and then asked him his experience.</p> - -<p>"I reached here as quick as I could, after leaving you," -replied the young Texan, "but the boat I expected to find -here was gone, so I went down the creek about a mile, where -I found it caught in some bushes."</p> - -<p>"How did it get there?"</p> - -<p>"It must have got loose and drifted down there; I remember -the prow only rested against the bank, and it might have -done it very easily."</p> - -<p>"Have you seen any of the Comanches?"</p> - -<p>"Not one," replied Sebastian.</p> - -<p>"That's blamed queer," muttered Crockett; "there's a -strange look about things that don't suit. What can keep -Bungslager?"</p> - -<p>"He may be in trouble—"</p> - -<p>"Hello! there he comes!" interrupted Crockett, as he saw -the pursy form of the Dutchman emerge from the wood, -leading his horse that was heavily loaded with his domestic -utensils and food.</p> - -<p>The two men stood until he advanced to where they were, -and then with a blanched face Sebastian asked the question:</p> - -<p>"<i>Where is Katrina?</i>"</p> - -<p>Hans Bungslager turned about and looked at the back of -his horse a moment, as if in a maze of perplexity, and then -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Doonder and blitzen! I Forgot her!</span>"</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.<br /> -<span>ALL WRONG.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>"Forgot her!" exclaimed the astounded Sebastian; "how -did you do that?"</p> - -<p>"I dinks at first she drops off de hoss—but afore I starts -she goes back to look fur de cow, and I forgits about her till -I gots here, and den I dinks, 'cause you ax me."</p> - -<p>"This is a serious business," said the young Texan, turning -toward Crockett. "I think Bungslager is a little the biggest -fool I ever saw. It won't do to go on to the village and -leave the girl alone in the woods."</p> - -<p>"I rather guess not—'specially when she's such a purty -piece of calikar as that. I'd be very glad to go back arter -her, but, as she'd be a blamed sight gladder to see you, and -you'd be gladder yet to see her, why I ain't the man to interfere."</p> - -<p>The Texan coughed, and pretended not to comprehend the -meaning of Crockett hastily replying:</p> - -<p>"Suppose, then, you and Hans go on toward the village -while I go back after her."</p> - -<p>"I'm agreeable."</p> - -<p>"The path follows the creek all the way, and Hans has -traveled it often enough to know it, so you won't be delayed -on that account. Good-by and good-luck to you!"</p> - -<p>"'Bass," called out Hans, as he saw the young man start -off.</p> - -<p>"Well, what is it?" was the quick, business-like response.</p> - -<p>"You goes arter Katrina, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I do not propose to desert her."</p> - -<p>"Ef she hain't found te cow, you can help her looks for -him, and den you drives her into de village, and we has protein -and milk for supper."</p> - -<p>"We'll see to that," replied Carsfield, who had no wish to -dispute with the Dutchman, "but, of course, I will look after -Katrina first."</p> - -<p>"Yaw; te cow has got a bell on her neck, so dat it will be -easy fur to find her and den—"</p> - -<p>He paused as the young man had vanished in the wood, -and turning back to Crockett asked:</p> - -<p>"Do we waits here till dey don't come, or do we don't go -on till arter dey don't come?"</p> - -<p>"I think so," replied Crockett, not exactly certain whether -his answer was any more luminous than the question itself.</p> - -<p>"Yaw; dat ish all right—I allers dink so."</p> - -<p>"Sebastian advises us to keep on toward the village; we -won't be able to travel very fast, as your horse has got about -ten wagon-loads on his back, and if you're going to ride on -top, he'll have to set down and rest about every hundred -yards. So they will overhaul us, afore we can reach the village. -Are you going to ride your hoss? If not you're welcome -to straddle mine."</p> - -<p>"No; I rides my hoss—you see he expects me, and I dush -not disapp'ints him."</p> - -<p>"All very well," replied Crockett, "but how the hokey-pokey -are you going to get on top?"</p> - -<p>"I shows you."</p> - -<p>Hans Bungslager, as I have said, had his horse so loaded -down that he was almost invisible. The pillow-bed "lapped" -on each side so much that his head and a little of his neck -could be seen. On this was placed another bulging tick, -while numerous articles were adjusted and balanced with a -skill which showed that the delicate hand of Katrina had -borne a share in the task. These necessarily projected from -the side of the horse, but she had remembered that the path -they expected to follow was quite narrow, and the "breadth" -was principally upward.</p> - -<p>Having walked to this point, Hans concluded that he was -entitled to ride, and indeed in loading his horse, care had -been taken to arrange the articles so as to make him a nice -comfortable seat.</p> - -<p>Hans displayed his innate sagacity by leading the horse beside -a short stunted tree with a projecting stumpy limb, upon -which, with considerable "boosting" by Crockett, he managed -to climb, and then, thanks to the gentleness of his horse, he -safely "located himself upon his back."</p> - -<p>"Now I ish ready," he called out, hitching about a little, -so as to make sure he was firmly seated; "drive ahead."</p> - -<p>Crockett pressed forward, and in the gloom saw a well-defined -path before him, running parallel with the creek. -This was the one referred to by Sebastian, and he took it at -once.</p> - -<p>Hans Bungslager succeeded in riding his horse better than -would have been expected. By keeping in the center of the -path, the trees and shrubbery at the sides did not interfere -with his movements. The only difficulty was that by being -elevated so much, he got his face pretty well scratched and -occasionally was compelled to duck and dodge rather vigorously.</p> - -<p>Crockett's native humor now and then manifested itself, -when he turned about and saw the ludicrous figure in the -rear; but, at the same time, he could not help feeling that -they were threatened by a danger so serious that it ought to -demand their entire thought.</p> - -<p>The sky was clear, and the bright moonlight here and -there penetrated through the tree-tops, lighting up the path -and occasionally giving birth to frightful grotesque figures, -that to a man's excited imagination would be apt to assume -the form of reality.</p> - -<p>But Colonel Crockett had been through too many trying -scenes to be frightened by shadows. He dreaded not them—but -he did dread the Comanches, that certainly could be at no -great distance, and through whose lines it would be very difficult -to pass in order to reach the village.</p> - -<p>Had his own convictions been acted upon, the whites would -not have attempted to make the settlement at all. In the -dense woods which surrounded the cabin, there were any number -of places where they could have concealed themselves, and -waited until the danger had passed; but others had the right -to decide upon their course of action, and his generous nature -would not permit him to forsake them so long as they were -in peril.</p> - -<p>The two horses walked silently through the wood, the only -sound being the faint clamp of their feet, and the rustling of -the shrubbery against the baggage of Hans Bungslager. Occasionally -he spoke to Crockett, but not often, as the Dutchman, -reckless as he was, could not fail to see that it was no -time for conversation.</p> - -<p>So they progressed for a mile or so, when Crockett suddenly -heard a furious gasping.</p> - -<p>"Whoa! doonder and blitzen! whoa."</p> - -<p>Checking his own horse and turning his head, he could see -that Hans was in trouble. His obedient animal had instantly -stopped upon being appealed to, but he was still in difficulty.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" inquired the colonel.</p> - -<p>"Doonder! dish limb has cotch my nose under de shin, and -I can't gets my neck loose. Back!" he commanded to his -horse, that, moving back a step or two, enabled him to free -himself from the snare into which he had run his head.</p> - -<p>"Can I help you any?" asked the hunter, who was not -certain whether he was still in trouble or not.</p> - -<p>"Yaw; you can help me as never vas."</p> - -<p>"How?" asked Crockett, springing from his mustang, and -hurrying back beside him.</p> - -<p>"You goes pack to de capin, and up-stairs in my room, -under te bed, yer finds some bear-grease; if you rubs dat on -my chin here I feels goot."</p> - -<p>"I'll see you hanged first," growled the hunter, as he hurried -back to his horse. "If you ain't the greatest Dutchman -in Texas, or the United States, then I'll go back to Tennessee -and run for Congress ag'in."</p> - -<p>Had there been no one beside himself and the Hollander -concerned, Crockett would not have attempted to keep him -company; but the beautiful Katrina, and the gallant young -Texan had already won a warm place in the heart of the -grizzled adventurer, and he was willing to incur any personal -risk for them. As it was, he saw that, under Providence, all -depended upon his watchfulness, and he therefore determined -to assume the part of master, so long as he was compelled to -keep company with Hans.</p> - -<p>Nothing of Indians yet.</p> - -<p>Crockett had scarcely thought this, when he heard the reports -of three guns in rapid succession, but a short distance to -the right of them in the wood, and not a little startled, he -reined up and listened, Hans from necessity being compelled -to do the same.</p> - -<p>They waited five or ten minutes, when, hearing nothing -more, the journey was resumed, Colonel Crockett feeling a -conviction that some sort of trouble was at hand.</p> - -<p>A hundred yards or so further on the horse of the hunter -stopped, and leaning forward, the rider saw that the path -divided, a branch turning off quite sharply to the right, while -the other kept almost directly ahead.</p> - -<p>Being an utter stranger, of course he appealed to Hans.</p> - -<p>"Which do we take, the right or left?"</p> - -<p>"De right," was the instant reply.</p> - -<p>"You're sartin of that?"</p> - -<p>"Yaw."</p> - -<p>"Then we will go ahead."</p> - -<p>And the famous Tennessean acted upon the motto, which -has been quoted so many times, both during and after his life, -his animal walking forward in quite a lively, business-like -fashion.</p> - -<p>Crockett began to think that it was time the young Texan -and his lady-love put in an appearance. He felt a longing for -the society of such a daring, chivalrous young man, as he -knew Carsfield to be, and he thought that at the tardy rate pursued -by him and Hans, the two fleet-limbed lovers ought to be -somewhere in the vicinity.</p> - -<p>But fully another mile was now passed and nothing was -heard of them. Once again the report of a gun had been -heard, but this time it was in another direction, and so -far away, as to be quite a relief. Neither of the alarms had -come from the rear, so there was no reason to fear that Carsfield -and Katrina were in any difficulty.</p> - -<p>"I say, hilloa!" suddenly called out Hans, in the husky, -eager tones of one who is alarmed and excited. "I say, -hilloa!"</p> - -<p>"Wal, what's the matter, man?" inquired the hunter, reining -up his mustang until the horse of the Dutchman could -approach no closer.</p> - -<p>"I hash sumfin' to dells you."</p> - -<p>"Let me hear it then."</p> - -<p>"It ish a good joke."</p> - -<p>And thereupon Hans began shaking with laughter, until it -really seemed as if he would fall from the back of his animal. -He made several attempts to speak, but before he could make -himself intelligible he broke off into immoderate laughter again. -Finally Crockett lost patience.</p> - -<p>"You can stay there and laugh, while I go on."</p> - -<p>"Hold on! hold on, Mister Crockett—ain't it fooney—but -I made—haw! haw! haw!—one great mistake—haw! haw!—<i>dish -is de wrong path, and we're furder away from de settlement -dan when we shtarted! haw! haw! haw! haw! haw! haw!</i>"</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.<br /> -<span>JOURNEYING UNDER DIFFICULTIES.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Hans Bungslager certainly had a remarkable appreciation -of a joke, and although something like anger rose in Crockett's -breast at the thought of the stupid mistake that had been made, -he could only grin and wait in silence until his outburst of -merriment was ended, when he inquired:</p> - -<p>"Are you sartin that we ain't right after all?"</p> - -<p>"Dish ish de path dat goes round, and come back of my -house shust in front of it, and if we keeps on, te cabin will -run ag'inst us."</p> - -<p>"Then we may as well turn back."</p> - -<p>Crockett guided his horse carefully around the other so as -still to hold the lead, and after considerable trouble, Hans succeeded -in imitating him, and the return was begun.</p> - -<p>It is never a very pleasant thing to find you have taken the -wrong road, and Colonel Crockett felt somewhat ruffled that -his companion should have misled him; but, after all, he did -not see as any thing was lost thereby.</p> - -<p>He felt very grave doubts in his own mind of the wisdom -of this attempt to reach the settlement, when it was as good -as certain that the Comanches were ahead of him. At any -rate, there was no wisdom in seeking to do so, supported only -by Hans Bungslager.</p> - -<p>Sebastian was as keen and skillful as he was brave. He -was intimately acquainted with every crook and turn of the -forest-paths, he had fought Comanches and Mexicans, and -some reliance could be placed upon him in an emergency like -this.</p> - -<p>Pretty Katrina was far more valuable in the hour of danger -than was her thick-headed uncle; and by turning back, there -was the probability of joining them the sooner, provided they -had not already come up and passed the point where the two -paths joined.</p> - -<p>This seemed so probable as to cause Crockett considerable -misgiving, and he turned about to make a proposition to the -Dutchman.</p> - -<p>"You're so heavily-loaded, Hans, that it won't be safe for -your hoss to undertake to git up a trot, if he was able, which -I don't believe he is. So I'll gallop on ahead to meet the -folks, while you take your time. Are you agreeable?"</p> - -<p>"Yaw."</p> - -<p>Without waiting for any thing further, Crockett struck his -mustang into a gallop, his hoofs sounding upon the earth with -a dangerous loudness, when there was such necessity for silence -in all their movements.</p> - -<p>A few minutes only were necessary to bring him back to -the main path, where he looked keenly about in the gloom -for some sign of his young friends; but none was to be seen, -and he heard only the sigh of the winds and the soft flow of -the creek.</p> - -<p>Had they already passed?</p> - -<p>The question was so important that Crockett thought himself -justified in taking rather imprudent means to answer; so -he galloped some distance down the path, and then reining -up, shouted:</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Hilloa!</span>"</p> - -<p>He repeated the call several times, and his voice echoed -among the trees with a startling force, but no welcome response -came back in the shape of a signal from Sebastian. -Then he dismounted from his horse, and advancing to where -the moonlight shone upon the ground, carefully scrutinized it -as an Indian does when looking for the signs of the passing -of a foe.</p> - -<p>But he was unable to detect any thing at all, and so he retraced -his steps to the "junction," convinced that the lovers -were still between him and the cabin.</p> - -<p>"Whoa! whoa! Doonderation! Why you don't shtop?"</p> - -<p>As these excited words reached the ears of the hunter he -became sensible of a furious tearing forward of some animal, -and while he was looking up the path to see what it -meant, the horse of Hans Bungslager came forward on a trot, -that threatened to displace every thing upon her back, and -jolting the rider like so much jelly.</p> - -<p>"Whoa! shtop him!" he called out, seeing Crockett.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?" asked the latter, with a laugh, as he -turned his horse so as to head him off.</p> - -<p>"He got scared at a pig bear back in te woods, and I can't -shtop him."</p> - -<p>The animal was certainly frightened at something, and instead -of stopping before the obstruction placed in his path, he -shied sharply to the right. Hans was unprepared for this -movement, and he rolled over to the other side, bringing himself -to the ground, with the feather-bed upon top of him. -Leaving him to disengage himself as best he could, Crockett -made a dash for the horse just in time to catch his bridle.</p> - -<p>"Doonder blitzen!" muttered Hans, as he staggered to his -feet, "what made you shtop de hoss so <i>chook up</i>?"</p> - -<p>"That's the only way I see'd to do it. Are you hurt -any?"</p> - -<p>"I dinks I am," replied the Dutchman, as he began feeling -of different parts of his person, "I prokes my pipe, and I -bu'sted two buttons off my coat behind, and I feels pad all -over of myself."</p> - -<p>"If you will take my advice you'll strip off all there is on -this hoss."</p> - -<p>"Vot I does shmit it?"</p> - -<p>"Leave it here till you kin come back and get it; if you -keep it on the horse, and try to get it into the settlement, -you'll lose it and your scalp, too."</p> - -<p>"Can't lose my skelp, 'cause I hain't got none to lose," replied -Hans, lifting his hat and showing his pate, white and -shining in the moonlight.</p> - -<p>Crockett urged his proposition, and his comrade seemed -quite struck with it. He debated and hesitated awhile, but -finally consented, and, as the horse had become soothed and -quieted by this time, he stood still, while the different articles -were taken from his back.</p> - -<p>They were carefully deposited under a large tree, standing -back some distance from the path, and then Hans remounted -his animal and took the reins in his hand.</p> - -<p>By this time, Crockett began to feel some apprehension -about the lovers, who ought to have been on the spot before -this.</p> - -<p>He made numerous inquiries of Hans, but learned very -little. The stolid Dutchman seemed certain that it was all -well with both of them, and that there was no cause for anxiety -about either.</p> - -<p>"Sebastian—he so shmart de Injins can't cotch him."</p> - -<p>"But Katrina?"</p> - -<p>"She so purty dat nobody never didn't hurt her, and so -nobody won't never say nottin' to her—so she's all right."</p> - -<p>"She's never had a pack of red-skins chasing her," replied -Crockett, who was any thing but satisfied with the situation -of things.</p> - -<p>"Dat is why dey won't do it, den, no more."</p> - -<p>"But, why are they hanging back so?"</p> - -<p>"Dey ain't hangin' pack—dey hang forward. I dinks -Katrina ish lookin' fur de cow, Sebastian ish lookin' fur Katrina, -and te cow ish lookin' fur me, and we ish lookin' fur -all dem, and so we all keeps lookin'—yaw! yaw!"</p> - -<p>"It seems to me we may as well wait here till they come—there -ain't any other way they can get to the settlement is -there?"</p> - -<p>"Yaw."</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"Dey kin go down into Mexico, and den come round frough -de Mulf of Gexico, and come dat way—but den it ish furder -dan dis way isn't?"</p> - -<p>"Is there any other straight path?"</p> - -<p>"Dey kin go on t'oder sight de creek."</p> - -<p>"I didn't know there was another path. Just as like as -not they have taken that and are several miles ahead."</p> - -<p>"I don't dinks so."</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"Cause we hain't heard de cow-bell—dat go jingle-jingle."</p> - -<p>"Let's go ahead, for I don't see any use in waiting here."</p> - -<p>The hunter felt some impatience at the belief that he had -dallied away so much time, when it was more than probable -that the parties for whom he was waiting had long since -passed by on the other side.</p> - -<p>Accordingly he started his horse along the path again, Hans -Bungslager following close in the rear.</p> - -<p>"So his animile was skeared by a b'ar," mused the Tennesseean, -as he rode along and recalled the fright of the horse ridden -by his friend. "I wonder if he was as big a critter as I -shot yesterday? If he was I'd like to get a shot at him."</p> - -<p>He held up his rifle in front of him, as he passed through -a small patch of moonlight, to make sure that the priming was -in good condition.</p> - -<p>"She's allers ready," he mused, as he still held it. "I don't -like Injins, and I do like b'ars, and I'd a blamed sight rather -shoot one of the four-footed than one of the two-legged critters, -and if one should come 'long just now—"</p> - -<p>"Hilloa!" called Hans again, in an unusually cautious voice.</p> - -<p>"Well, what now?" asked Crockett, turning his head; -"don't speak too loud."</p> - -<p>"My hoss is skeart ag'in."</p> - -<p>"What by?"</p> - -<p>"I dinks dat bear ish follerin' me," replied Hans, looking -affrightedly over his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Where is he?" was the excited demand of Crockett, who -thought no more of lovers or Indians. "Do you see him?"</p> - -<p>"No, but I hears him valk, and the hoss he don't like it; -I dinks he pig bear or else he be Injin dat is trying to shteal -me."</p> - -<p>"I guess it's more likely to be a red-skin than any thing -else," replied the Tennesseean, instantly becoming very circumspect -in his movements, "and whichever it is, I've got to use -my gun on 'em!"</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.<br /> -<span>HEMMED IN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>When young Sebastian Carsfield started in quest of Katrina -Duncan, it is not to be supposed that he would permit any thing -to delay him on the way.</p> - -<p>The fact that she was alone, at such a dangerous time as -this, was enough to give wings to his feet, and in a short time -he crossed the clearing and stood in front of the cabin from -which they had departed a few hours before.</p> - -<p>The thought that possibly there might be some of the Indians -here caused him suddenly to check his steps and spring -back to the cover of the wood, where he stood for several -minutes carefully scrutinizing the building and listening.</p> - -<p>All was still, and satisfied that none of the Comanches had -yet reached the spot, he advanced boldly, and, drawing the -latch-string, entered. All was dark and quiet within, and he -called the name of his beloved several times without receiving -any response.</p> - -<p>"She has not returned from looking after the cow," he concluded, -as he came out of the building again, and looked anxiously -around, uncertain what way to turn.</p> - -<p>The thought that possibly danger threatened the house -caused him to leave the cabin, and, passing across the clearing, -take shelter in the shadow of the wood, where he could watch -without being watched in return.</p> - -<p>He recollected that a cow of Hans Bungslager generally wore -a bell, the better to indicate her whereabouts in the woods, and -he listened in the hope of detecting that. Once or twice he -fancied he heard the <i>tinkle, tinkle</i>, but it was so faint that he -could not locate it, nor make certain that he was not mistaken.</p> - -<p>In the mean time he was growing more anxious. Time -was of the utmost importance to him; there was little doubt -in his mind but that all these exposed houses of the settlers -would be visited by the Comanches, who moved with wonderful -celerity, and struck blows as quick and powerful as they -were merciless.</p> - -<p>"Surely she will return to the building," he concluded, referring -to Katrina, "and finding her uncle gone, will hurry on -after him. Then what could have caused her delay?"</p> - -<p>He was in this distressing anxiety when he started as he -saw a couple of figures advance from the wood, at no great -distance from where he was standing, and start directly across -the clearing toward the house.</p> - -<p>A second glance only was needed for him to identify them -as Indians—Comanches who had left their mustangs somewhere -near at hand, and were paying this visit to the cabin.</p> - -<p>The Texan watched them as eagerly as a cat watches a -mouse, and at the same time he was filled with the gravest -apprehension about Katrina, for this proved that the location -of Bungslager's cabin was known to the Comanches, and it -looked very probable that she had already fallen into their -hands.</p> - -<p>The two Indians walked at a leisurely gait, and upon -reaching the cabin, knocked at the door, and in the stillness -he could distinctly hear the words, in broken English:</p> - -<p>"White man, let brother in."</p> - -<p>Then they knocked again.</p> - -<p>"Poor Injin come long way—he tired—white brudder, let -him come in—won't stay long."</p> - -<p>No response being made, one of the savages lifted the latch -and entered, and as a matter of course, was not long in discovering -that the cabin was deserted. The moonlight, too, -told the story of precipitate flight, as the red-skins could see -that their coming had been expected and prepared for.</p> - -<p>Learning that much, there was nothing left for the Comanches -to do, except to come out again. Carsfield could -see them very distinctly, standing side by side, and the guttural -mumble of their voices was plainly audible, as they discussed -some point in their own tongue.</p> - -<p>The Texan supposed it was as to whether they should burn -the building or not. He made up his mind that if they attempted -to do it, he would shoot the one who made the -first move, relying upon his knife and pistol to deal with the -other.</p> - -<p>As it was, by changing his own position somewhat, he could -get both of them in range, and he nervously grasped his rifle, -asking himself whether he should make the shot or not. Two -considerations only restrained him.</p> - -<p>It was probable that a large body of Comanches were within -call, and that the shot would be the signal for them to swarm -to the spot. If Katrina were still wandering somewhere in -the woods, her danger would be greatly increased, and so he -held the shot which, had he fired, would have changed the -whole course of succeeding events.</p> - -<p>For something like fifteen minutes the red-skins occupied -their position, and then they walked away with the indifference -that had characterized their coming.</p> - -<p>Carsfield had fought these daring marauders before, and it -was a great trial for him to permit them to walk away -unmolested when he had it in his power to punish them so well -for their temerity.</p> - -<p>"However, they have spared the cabin, and if they will go -and stay away, I shall not trouble them," he muttered, as he -lowered his piece, and wondered what the next development -was to be.</p> - -<p>All at once he heard the tinkle of the cow-bell!</p> - -<p>It was unmistakable, and he started up, his heart fluttering -with fear and hope, for he concluded right away that Katrina -was driving the cow home, and the departing Indians had not -got far enough away to miss hearing it.</p> - -<p>Fortunately it was from the opposite side of the clearing, -from where they disappeared, and it was approaching.</p> - -<p>"She will soon be here," he added to himself, as he advanced -to meet her; "the unsuspicious creature has no idea -of the danger that threatens."</p> - -<p>It never occurred to the Texan, in his excited condition, -that he was the one who ought to be suspicious, inasmuch as -the sound of the cow-bell had broken upon his ear too suddenly -to have been caused by the gradual approach of a cow.</p> - -<p>He was too desirous of meeting Katrina Duncan to observe -those "points," which at another time, would have been -certain to have roused his alarm.</p> - -<p>The bell showed that the wearer was close to the edge of -the wood, and from some whim which he could not explain -himself, the young man stepped back into the shadow and -waited for the cow to appear.</p> - -<p>Fortunate indeed was it for him that he did so, for he had -scarcely taken refuge in the shelter of the wood, when a tall, -sinewy Comanche stepped into view, and in his hand he held -the identical cow-bell that had struck so pleasantly upon the -ear of the lover!</p> - -<p>The latter could scarcely repress an exclamation of amazement -as he witnessed this, for he had not the remotest thought -of any such strategy as it signified. The Indian had been -the first to discover the cow, and after killing her, the bell -had been taken from her neck with the purpose of using it -as a decoy in drawing the owners on to their destruction.</p> - -<p>Could it be possible that Katrina had taken the alarm in -time?</p> - -<p>This was the question, Sebastian asked himself, as he narrowly -watched the dusky dog who was attempting this -piece of shameless deception. Dark as was the prospect, he -began to feel some hope that such might be the case.</p> - -<p>Like a true lover, he believed the mental abilities of his -favorite unequaled by any one else, and taking lesson from -the stupidity of her uncle, she might have detected the nearness -of the Indians before they discovered her.</p> - -<p>While these thoughts were passing through his mind, he -was watching the movements of the decoy. With the jingling -bell held in one hand, and his rifle in the other, he walked -across the clearing, turning his head expectantly toward the -cabin, as if expecting some response from that. He even -circled entirely around it, and then as if disgusted with the -failure of this enterprise upon his part, he, too, took his departure -into the woods, and the Texan was once more left -alone.</p> - -<p>Alone and wrought up to a high pitch of excitement. -Several hours had already passed since the departure from the -cabin, and the party of four was separated into three companies, -hardly one knowing where to look for each other, and -not more than one understanding how great a danger menaced -them.</p> - -<p>The young man was naturally filled with the greatest anxiety -to do something for his beloved, and with a desire to -get the rest away from the perilous spot, but his hands seemed -really to be tied.</p> - -<p>He could only stand still as it were, and see the procession -go by without taking part in it.</p> - -<p>To add to his discomfort, he now began to be haunted by the -thought that she had already discovered her danger, and had -followed after the party, starting at such a time as to miss -him.</p> - -<p>So strong did this conviction become, that he had decided -to do the same, and make <i>that</i> point clear, when his acutely -sensitive ear caught the sound of a footstep directly behind him.</p> - -<p>It was so soft and stealthy, that he was certain at once of -its being made by an Indian, and he sprung behind a tree to -protect himself.</p> - -<p>"<i>Sebastian, it that you?</i>"</p> - -<p>There was no mistaking <i>that</i> voice, and, trembling with joy -he moved forward in the gloom, calling out, in a fond but -cautious voice:</p> - -<p>"My own Katrina, where are you?"</p> - -<p>"Here, right before you."</p> - -<p>And the next instant she was clasped in his arms.</p> - -<p>"Safe and unharmed!" he exclaimed, as he kissed her cold -forehead. "I was in despair about you."</p> - -<p>"Where are uncle and Colonel Crockett?"</p> - -<p>"Gone on toward the village."</p> - -<p>"And why are you here?"</p> - -<p>"Do you suppose I could desert <i>you</i> when in danger, my -dearest one? Have I ever given you cause for such a suspicion?"</p> - -<p>"No, dearest Sebastian; but what shall we do?"</p> - -<p>"Let us follow them at once."</p> - -<p>"We can not take the path, for I tried to do so twice, -and each time was forced to turn back."</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"The Comanches are watching for us there!"</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.<br /> -<span>A GLEAM OF HOPE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>"If that is the case," said the Texan, "we must take a -roundabout way to get out of here. The Indians seem to be -getting plentier every minute."</p> - -<p>"You must be careful about making any noise, for you -know what keen ears they have."</p> - -<p>"Never fear about me," replied the Texan; "keep close -and walk quietly as I do."</p> - -<p>They began stealing around the edge of the clearing in -search of another path very rarely traveled, and which, it was -reasonable to suppose, was unknown to the Indians. They -had taken scarcely a dozen steps, however, when the young -man heard a rustling footstep just in front of him, and instantly -stopped.</p> - -<p>The next second he discovered several figures coming toward -him, and self-preservation made him wheel on his foot -so rapidly, that it was impossible to avoid making a little -noise.</p> - -<p>Slight as it was it caught the ear of the Comanches, one of -whom uttered a "woofh!" and moved rapidly toward him.</p> - -<p>"Run for the house!" exclaimed Sebastian to Katrina, when -he saw the shape affairs had assumed; "hold the door ready -for me, and I'll follow in a minute."</p> - -<p>There was no time for hesitation, and the light-footed girl -started for the house, running as she did when pursued by the -ravenous bear. Discovery was inevitable, and the instant she -emerged into the moonlight, two Comanches, repeating the -"woofh!" dashed out after her.</p> - -<p>But a lion appeared in the way, in shape of the Texan, who, -brandishing his terrible Bowie over his head, leaped in front, -with a regular screech of a yell, and made a murderous lunge -with the weapon at the nearest Comanche, who dodged it -with the nimbleness of an athlete.</p> - -<p>Sebastian made a sort of back-handed sweep at the other -red-skin, who avoided the blow with the same astonishing dexterity, -and drew back to a respectful distance.</p> - -<p>This demonstration on the part of the Texan had the effect -of checking the rush after Katrina, who continued on her way, -without pausing, until, reaching the cabin, she dashed in, and -holding the door, so that she could close it in an instant, -looked out upon the thrilling scene.</p> - -<p>While the defensive, defiant attitude of the brave defender -kept the two Comanches from him, it did not "neutralize" -their abilities by any means. They too had knives, but the -two together were not the equal of the Bowie, in the hands -of the wiry Texan; but their voices remained to them, and -the two set up some whoops and yells of such a peculiar character, -that the young man knew at once that they were intended -as signals, and they would be certain to bring others -speedily to their assistance.</p> - -<p>So he began retreating toward the cabin, walking backward, -and presenting a defiant attitude to his enemies, who, -following close, still permitted a safe gap between them and -him.</p> - -<p>Now and then the Texan threw a quick glance over his -shoulder, to make sure that none of the treacherous red-skins -were stealing upon him. He was within a rod or so of the -house, when he saw what he dreaded.</p> - -<p>Some half a dozen Indians were hurrying to the spot, coming -almost directly from the rear, so that, if he remained where -he was, he was quite sure to be surrounded, and cut off entirely -from reaching the house.</p> - -<p>Such a thing would have been madness upon the part of -Sebastian, who instantly turned, and ran at the top of his -speed toward the house, both parties of Indians converging in -swift pursuit.</p> - -<p>Katrina was on the look-out for him, and the instant he -reached the door, it was drawn open to admit him, and then -closed as quickly. She was prepared for such a crisis as this, -and swift as came the Comanches, by the time they threw -themselves against the door, the massive fastenings were in -their place, and it presented as immovable a front to the assault, -as the side of the cabin itself.</p> - -<p>There was only one window upon the lower floor, and as -soon as the Texan was certain of the door, he ran to this, -reaching it scarcely a moment too soon; for the head and -shoulders of a sinewy Indian were already through the opening.</p> - -<p>The next minute, the body of the savage dropped back to -the ground, as limp and lifeless as a log of wood.</p> - -<p>The Bowie-knife had done its work!</p> - -<p>This decided repulse of the Comanches had the result of -making them more cautious. The whole party, numbering -nearly a dozen, scattered like a covey of partridges across the -clearing until they reached the wood, where they gathered -together to consult how this fearful man was to be routed out -and their fallen companion avenged.</p> - -<p>Sebastian gazed after them and saw one of the men as he -skurried away, bearing the body of the victim upon his shoulders.</p> - -<p>Confident that they would speedily return to the assault, the -Texan stationed himself in the lower room, rifle in hand, -ready to pick off the first savage that exposed himself, while -Katrina went to the upper story, which, having a window -upon each side, gave a better outlook than from below.</p> - -<p>As yet, the lovers had scarcely exchanged a word since entering -the building, except that he gave a few hurried directions, -during the first five minutes. The common danger was -too great for wooing and winning at such a time.</p> - -<p>The respite now granted by the Comanches gave the young -man a little time to collect his thoughts and take in the "situation."</p> - -<p>When he came to reflect upon what he had done, the conviction -came to him that a mistake had been made. By taking to -the woods, he could have vanquished the two red-skins who -attacked, and then got away with Katrina in the darkness before -the others could come up. Thus clear of all danger, and -in the protecting shadows of the wood, he could easily put -her out of the reach of her foes before the dawn of morning.</p> - -<p>But what had they done?</p> - -<p>Nothing less than shut themselves in the cabin, where the -red-skins, if they chose to wait, could "gobble" them up at their -leisure.</p> - -<p>Sebastian reflected that there was not a mouthful of food -in the house, nor a drop of water, as it had been cleared of -both, before the principal furniture was removed. If the Indians -chose to remain were they were for a few days, their -prey would drop like ripe fruit into their hands.</p> - -<p>But suppose, as was most probably the case, that they did -not intend to make a siege, what then?</p> - -<p>There was only a single gun in the house, while there were -so many on the outside, Indian ingenuity could devise a safe -means of getting so near the cabin, that it would be about impossible -to use this or any other weapon, and then they could -go to work, make their preparations and burn down the -structure.</p> - -<p>As to the prospect of a rescue, the Texan saw none at all. -These was no military force at all in this part of the Republic, -and of those who were able to reach the settlement, it was -not to be supposed that any would venture out, while there was -any reason to believe the Comanches were anywhere within -striking distance.</p> - -<p>The situation was desperate at the best, but like a brave -man he had no thought of surrender, so long as he had a hand -to raise in the defense of himself and of her who was dearer -to him than his own life.</p> - -<p>Fully an hour passed, and not the slightest sign of an Indian -was seen. Sebastian grew tired of watching alone, and -ascended to the upper room to join Katrina.</p> - -<p>The moonlight which entered the different windows, made -it quite light here, and he saw her at once as she came forward -to meet him. He pressed her to his heart, and imprinting a -kiss upon her cheek, led her back to the window at which she -was standing when he entered.</p> - -<p>"We are in a bad fix," he said.</p> - -<p>"There is hope, I trust."</p> - -<p>"I can not see any, or very little at least."</p> - -<p>"Will they not leave after such a repulse?"</p> - -<p>"I see no hope of it."</p> - -<p>"They are moving very rapidly, and will not linger long in -this neighborhood. You know the Comanches go as quickly -as they come."</p> - -<p>"Not always; we have slain one of their number, and they -will get even with us if possible. If they can manage to put -me out of the way, I have no doubt they will be satisfied to -take you and go."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Sebastian!" she exclaimed, in a reproving, tender -voice, "why do you speak so lightly of so terrible a thing? -Do you think I could live after your death?"</p> - -<p>"I don't doubt your love, dearest, and I shall stay here and -fight to the death for you; but, at such a time as this, there -is nothing to be gained by shutting our eyes to the truth."</p> - -<p>"And you think the chances are against our escape?"</p> - -<p>"Decidedly so; indeed, I see no prospect at all. I would -rather fight fifty Mexicans than a half-dozen of these Comanches. -They are so nimble, that it is the hardest thing in the world -to hit one of them, and they know how to strike out for -themselves, and have got ten times the courage of a greaser."</p> - -<p>"And have they no mercy?"</p> - -<p>"Mercy! I should like to see a red-skin with such a thing -as mercy. I have never come across one as yet. I am only -sorry that I didn't pitch into those two fellows, and then take -to the woods with you, before the others came up; but, as it -is, we must fight it out to the bitter end with them."</p> - -<p>Katrina started.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I have thought of something!" she exclaimed, in an -eager and glad voice.</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"I think I see a way of escape."</p> - -<p>Her tones and manner showed that she was in earnest, and -a slight flutter of hope came to her lover at the thought.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.<br /> -<span>A STRANGE DELIVERANCE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>There was contagion in the manner of Katrina, and her -lover wondered very much what she could mean. She replied -by leading him to the window and pointing toward the edge -of the woods, opposite to the side upon which the Comanches -had retreated.</p> - -<p>"I see nothing," he said, "except the cellar, where your -uncle has been in the habit of keeping his potatoes and cabbage."</p> - -<p>"That's just what I want you to see; for there is our means -of escape—at least I <i>hope</i> so."</p> - -<p>Sebastian looked at the girl in amazement.</p> - -<p>"I don't understand you; if you have any thing to tell me, -Katrina, don't speak in riddles."</p> - -<p>"What I have to ask is this; if there was any way by -which we could reach that mound, do you think we could get -off unobserved from there?"</p> - -<p>The young man scanned the hillock of earth very closely -for a few moments.</p> - -<p>"It might be done," he replied, a moment later. "I notice -a lot of bushes just back of it, which seem to reach almost to -the woods."</p> - -<p>"They do so entirely; they are currant bushes, planted by -me several years ago. They reach entirely to the forest."</p> - -<p>"Under their shadow, one might manage to steal to the -woods. At any rate, I think I could do it; but why talk of -such a thing?" he asked, somewhat impatiently, "when from -here to the potato cellar, the ground is as hard and level as a -door, and they could see a cat stealing along."</p> - -<p>"Between the house and the cellar there is an <i>underground -communication</i>, which uncle Hans made last summer. Why -he did it I can not tell, but I have been through it several -times."</p> - -<p>Sebastian sprung to his feet in delight.</p> - -<p>"Is it possible? Why didn't you tell me of it before? -We will try it at once; we will make it a success."</p> - -<p>"Suppose the Comanches come before we get away, will -they not be likely to find out where we have gone?"</p> - -<p>"Possibly they might. Suppose you go first, and I will -keep watch until you are ready for me."</p> - -<p>Another difficulty presented itself at this point, although it -did not amount to a great deal. The door which opened -above-ground into the cellar, was on the side toward the house, -and opening outward, would be pretty certain to attract the -notice of the vigilant Indians.</p> - -<p>"How thick are the walls?" asked Sebastian.</p> - -<p>"They are lined with boards."</p> - -<p>"They can be easily displaced, I have no doubt, and, as -we shall have to make a new opening, I will go into the cellar -with you."</p> - -<p>"Let us do so then without any delay."</p> - -<p>The Texan concluded to make a survey from each window -before going, and he did so, scrutinizing every part of the -clearing and wood with all the care possible.</p> - -<p>It seemed to the Texan that perhaps the Comanches while -waiting had gained the idea that the defenders of the house -were off their guard and asleep; so, to prevent any action -from any such presumption, he fired his gun toward the wood, -and then reloading his piece turned to Katrina.</p> - -<p>"I don't think they will disturb the house for some time; -let us go at once."</p> - -<p>Down-stairs they went, and then into the cellar beneath -the lower floor. Here, of course, every thing was of pitchy -darkness, and Sebastian was led by the hand by Katrina, who -was familiar with every step of the way.</p> - -<p>The passage leading from the main cellar to that where the -potatoes and cabbage (their bulk generally being too great to -admit them beneath the house) was about thirty feet in extent, -and its excavation must have caused Hans Bungslager a -great deal of labor.</p> - -<p>As they walked through the cool passage, both were compelled -to stoop quite low to prevent striking their heads; but -the passage required but a few minutes, when they came -within the large cavern-like opening used for storage-room, -but which at this season was almost empty.</p> - -<p>"Well, here we are!" said the young man. "There's the -door, for I can see the moonlight shining through it, and right -opposite is where we must dig ourselves out."</p> - -<p>"Will it not be safe to use the door? I am afraid it will -delay us too much."</p> - -<p>"It is running too much risk; I think we can shortly dig -our way out."</p> - -<p>Groping around with his hands, he speedily got hold of -the planking, and only a little exertion was necessary to draw -it loose. Then nothing but a mass of soft earth was between -them and the outside.</p> - -<p>The Texan used the plank as a shovel, and driving it into -the earth, speedily loosened so much that an alarming yawn -occurred—much larger than was anticipated and such that -both were afraid it would attract the attention of their enemies.</p> - -<p>They paused and listened, but, hearing nothing, Sebastian -cautiously peered out. Every thing was quiet, and he could -not see any evidence that suspicious eyes were turned upon -them. Then telling Katrina to wait until he reached the -wood, he as carefully drew himself out, and lay flat upon the -ground.</p> - -<p>Fortunately he was directly beside the vigorous currant -bushes, which interposed an effectual screen against the observation -of those upon the other side, while its heavy shadow -gave him enough obscurity to prevent his being seen by any -foes from the other direction unless their attention was especially -directed to the spot. Both were dressed in dark -clothes, and their hearts beat high with hope.</p> - -<p>Sebastian had replaced his Bowie down his back, and holding -his rifle in his left hand, he began the perilous journey.</p> - -<p>He had almost fifty feet to travel, and he did it with the -skill of a veteran scout of the plains—creeping along foot by -foot, pausing and listening and looking on every side of him. -As he neared the somber and welcome shadow of the wood, -he was strongly tempted to hasten his progress, and had he -been alone he might have done so.</p> - -<p>But the last yard of the dangerous trip was made with the -same deliberation and care as the others. He breathed more -freely when he passed the clearing, but his anxiety still remained, -as Katrina was yet to follow.</p> - -<p>She had kept her eyes fixed upon his form, so long as she -was able to see him. At times his progress was so slow or -was checked that she feared he had been discovered; but, -when about in despair, she could see that he was moving -again. By and by her strained eyes failed to identify him in -the gloom, as he gradually receded, and she could only conjecture -when he got to the wood. She listened for some signal, -but hearing none, concluded every thing favorable, and -then she began her task.</p> - -<p>As may be supposed, Sebastian stood in the edge of the -wood watching her movements with an intensity of interest -which can scarcely be understood. He could see her as -she emerged from the cabin, when the same shadow that -enveloped him, hid her from view, until she had advanced -quite a distance along the path.</p> - -<p>"If any Comanche wants to commit suicide, let him interfere -with her," muttered the Texan, as he stood with rifle in -hand, watching her progress.</p> - -<p>But fortune favored them. The red-skins were indeed -keeping a watch, but it was a watch upon the house, in -which, of course, they supposed the whites were still at bay.</p> - -<p>Katrina accomplished the whole distance in safety, and, at -length, entered the wood, rose to her feet and stood beside -her lover.</p> - -<p>"Thank Heaven!" he exclaimed, as he clasped her in his -arms. "I was in an agony of fear until this moment."</p> - -<p>"We are not safe yet," she whispered, looking affrightedly -round in the darkness, "they must be somewhere near us."</p> - -<p>"Come on," said the young man, taking her hand, "I think -we can avoid them."</p> - -<p>Instead of making directly for the path, he led her by a -circuitous route, and struck it at a point a couple of hundred -yards distant.</p> - -<p>From this place they moved stealthily forward, and soon -found that it was free from their foes. They advanced with -great care, and not until they had gone fully a half-mile did -they converse with any thing like freedom.</p> - -<p>"I think we are safe from <i>them</i>," said the young man, -somewhat exultingly, referring to the red-skins whom they -had left behind them.</p> - -<p>"How long will they wait there?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps they will stay a day or two in the hope of starving -us out, or they may make an assault in force and discover -the trick that has been played upon them."</p> - -<p>"And then what will they do?"</p> - -<p>"Set fire to the cabin and leave."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so," replied Katrina with a sigh. "It is sad, -but I am thankful that we are not included in the ruin."</p> - -<p>"How was it you kept out of their way so well, before we -met?" asked the Texan, with some curiosity.</p> - -<p>"I was searching for the cow, and I was not long in finding -her dead, killed by a bullet. Then of course I knew the -Comanches were close at hand, and I hurried to the house -to warn uncle Hans of his danger, but found he had already -gone. As he had a heavy load on the horse, and could move -only very slowly, I knew I could overtake him, whenever I -wished to do so. So I remained to see what the Indians -were going to do.</p> - -<p>"I felt able to keep out of the way, and was doing so, -when I thought I saw you. I managed to approach near -enough to be sure, and I made myself known, and you know -the rest."</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied the lover, squeezing her hand in his. "I -know the rest indeed. We have been spared by Providence, -and have made a remarkable escape from the beleaguered -cabin. The Comanches are still abroad, and there must be -many of them between us and Brownston; your uncle Hans -is not the sharpest woodman in the world, but I trust that -when we all get together, as I hope we shall speedily do, -a way will be opened for all of us to reach a place of safety."</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.<br /> -<span>IN THE WOOD.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>It will be recollected that Colonel Crockett and Hans -Bungslager were left under the conviction that a bear was -close behind them in the path, and that the Tennesseean, true -to his instincts, dismounted and started back rifle in hand in -quest of the game.</p> - -<p>"I dinks I goes, too," muttered the Dutchman, as he slid -off the back of his beast. "I would rather fight mit a bear, -den haf te hoss run away mit me, and catch a limb under -my chin, and take off my head off—yaw, dat so."</p> - -<p>Hans held his gun in hand, and he resolved, if he could -gain the chance, to shoot the bear in advance of his companion. -He thought it would be a good joke to play upon -him.</p> - -<p>So as Colonel Crockett moved stealthily along the path, -the corpulent Hollander did the same to the best of his ability; -stepping so lightly and rapidly, that it made it quite a -task for him, and he puffed and panted like a tired dog.</p> - -<p>"Confound it!" growled Crockett, turning his head. "Can't -you keep still?"</p> - -<p>"Dat ish what I is doing," was the reply. "I doesn't -make no noise."</p> - -<p>"You will frighten away the game."</p> - -<p>"Dat ish a lie—"</p> - -<p>"'Sh! there it is."</p> - -<p>Hans caught sight of something dark, moving along the -path, and instantly raised his blunderbuss and fired, narrowly -missing taking off the head of Colonel Crockett in front of -him. He did not strike the object, or come anywhere near -it, but he produced a response, like a six-pounder.</p> - -<p>"There! that will do; we don't propose to hurt you."</p> - -<p>It was the voice of Sebastian, the Texan, and, as may be -supposed, was a surprise and delight to the others.</p> - -<p>"Where did I hit you? In te head, or in te heart?" inquired -Hans Bungslager, with some solicitude.</p> - -<p>"It is hard to tell precisely where I was hit," was the -laughing reply; "at any rate, I am not dangerously hurt, -as far as I know. Your slugs struck in the tree overhead -like a hail-storm."</p> - -<p>"Where ish Katrina?"</p> - -<p>"Here she is, uncle," replied the buxom girl herself, hurrying -forward, and giving the old fellow a good embrace and -kiss.</p> - -<p>"You must be more careful," said Hans, in an impressive -voice. "S'pose I hit you, instead of Sebastian? You couldn't -stand it petter as he does."</p> - -<p>"We were very careful; how could we do differently?"</p> - -<p>"Te next time dat you ish coming in front of us behind, -you must come on peforehand and tells us dat you ish -comin'—den we knows it, and we no shoot de next time. -Understand?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Katrina, in a dazed sort of way, as she -turned and took the hand of Colonel Crockett, who was -heartily glad to see her.</p> - -<p>"We were gittin' a little anxious about you," said he, as -he warmly shook the hand; "we heard the noise of guns and -there was no telling where the varmints war, or what they -was doing. I've fout the Creek Injins under old Gineral -Jackson, and I've fout Old Hickory himself in Congress, and -got licked by him too, so you can see I've been through some -purty rough scrimmages in my time; but they say these Comanches -are a little worse than all, and that being the case, -you can understand why I'm so glad to see you."</p> - -<p>Katrina modestly thanked him, while the Texan gave a -brief summary of their experience during the last few hours.</p> - -<p>The question now arose as to what course should be taken -by the fugitives. Crockett believed that an attempt to push -on into the village would result in the capture of the entire -party, while to stay where they were would be equally fatal, -as there was the strongest evidence that the Comanches were -very near them.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the wonder was that they were unmolested at that -very moment, for some of the red-skins had passed over that -very spot, and how the whites had escaped detection and capture -so long was a mystery to Crockett.</p> - -<p>"I ain't particular what we do," said he; "I only know -we've got to get out of this part of creation."</p> - -<p>"Let's go on further, any way," replied the Texan, starting -on foot, with Katrina.</p> - -<p>"Where ish te cow?" suddenly inquired Bungslager, just -after he had laboriously climbed back upon his animal.</p> - -<p>"We couldn't bring her very well," replied the Texan; "I -think she will wait where she is till we come back."</p> - -<p>"Dat is goot ash never vos," replied the contented Hollander; -"she wash always a goot cow and shtood shtill, only -when she kicked te pail over, and dat wash every time we -milked, 'ceptin Sundays, when she kicked te pail and me over -bofe."</p> - -<p>The young man being thoroughly acquainted with the path, -and having fought Comanches before, very properly took the -lead, Katrina following close behind him, while Crockett came -next, and Hans Bungslager brought up the rear.</p> - -<p>In this order they started, and, as the horse of the Dutchman -was relieved of his bulky load of furniture, the party -progressed at a good pace, and without any unusual clatter or -noise.</p> - -<p>Stupid, thoughtless and reckless as Hans Bungslager naturally -was, with his love for fun and jollity outrunning every -thing else, he still had a perception (such as it was) of the -danger that menaced them all, and he showed a spasmodic -discretion at times.</p> - -<p>His little pony, as fat, round and well-preserved as himself, -seemed to comprehend the situation, and walked along with a -steady, quiet step, that was not heard as often as the quicker -and more nervous tread of Crockett's mustang. Hans himself -was still, a rather unusual thing for him.</p> - -<p>Once or twice he started up a whistle, without thinking, -but he suddenly recalled himself to his senses, and preserved -his peace as well as the others.</p> - -<p>He was subject to one annoyance, rather curious in its way. -Every now and then a conviction came over him that something -was following him. Sometimes he fancied that a Comanche -was stealing on tip-toe, with tomahawk in hand, ready -to hurl it at his bald pate. More than once he turned his -head suddenly, expecting to confront the ugly phantom, but -it seemed to whisk out of sight before he could fix his vision -upon it.</p> - -<p>Then he was certain it was a huge black bear, lumbering -along, and only waiting for the opportunity to leap upon the -haunches of his horse and claw them both to pieces.</p> - -<p>This was curious, as Hans Bungslager was one of the least -imaginative of men, and was rarely troubled with nightmare -or phantoms of the brain, but the feeling followed him like -his own shadow, and would not be shaken off.</p> - -<p>He determined to wait until sure of what it was, and then -to turn suddenly and shoot it. There was no danger now of -hitting Katrina, Sebastian or any of his friends, for they were -all in front of him. It must be an enemy beyond all question, -and therefore it was his duty to put a ball through it at -the very first opportunity.</p> - -<p>The party had gone some distance, when a light was observed -in the sky, of so lurid a character, as to show that there -was some large conflagration.</p> - -<p>"See what we have escaped," whispered the Texan, as he -turned to look at it, and ventured to press the hand of the -girl beside him.</p> - -<p>"Have they found out that we have fled?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps so, and perhaps not; they wouldn't hesitate to -roast us in such a bonfire, if they could only get the opportunity."</p> - -<p>"It is then our house that is burning?"</p> - -<p>"There can be no doubt of it. There is no other building -near it, and the light is in precisely the same spot. It is good-by -to your home now."</p> - -<p>"Uncle Hans will mourn its loss, but how can I, when -Heaven has been so merciful to me?"</p> - -<p>"He will have to build another; <i>you</i> will not!"</p> - -<p>"But I will assist him."</p> - -<p>"But there's a little cottage in Brownston, already finished, -around which the honeysuckles and woodbine clamber, that is -to be <i>your</i> home."</p> - -<p>As the lover spoke, he leaned over in the darkness, and -kissed the cheek that was not turned away from him.</p> - -<p>Beyond the danger and darkness that enveloped them both, -he saw the rainbow of hope. There was a sky all sunshine -that was only a short distance away, and with the darling -beautiful, loved Katrina by his side, there was nothing that -could cloud or make him unhappy.</p> - -<p>Hans Bungslager saw the light, but he had no suspicion -that it was his own building that was on fire, else he would -not have been so quiet, as he rode upon his horse.</p> - -<p>The whites paused but a few moments, when they resumed -their journey, moving with the same caution that had characterized -their actions from the first.</p> - -<p>They were rapidly nearing a large clearing, where stood another -settler's house, and where there was reason to fear -that some of the wandering Comanches had made their appearance. -No light in the sky betrayed the work of the -torch, but that was no proof that the destroyer was not there -that minute.</p> - -<p>The Texan gave a word of caution to those in the rear, and -when the lighting up of the spaces between the trees tokened -their approach to the clearing, he requested all to remain still -while he advanced and made a reconnoissance.</p> - -<p>This was done, and he stole along as softly and timidly as -when making his way from the cabin of Hans Bungslager.</p> - -<p>Reaching the clearing, he saw the settler's house, standing -as quiet and undisturbed as though no danger had ever threatened -it. No sounds were audible, but there were no lights to -be seen. Sebastian came to the conclusion that the owner and -his family had taken the alarm in time and had fled to -Brownston.</p> - -<p>Still it was important that no mistake should be committed, -and he made his reconnoissance complete, by advancing up to -the very house, and even peering into the interior. The result -confirmed his first impression. There were no whites in -them, and he returned to his friends with his report to that -effect.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.<br /> -<span>A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The Texan having rendered his report, the party made ready -to move on again, when a rather alarming discovery was -made.</p> - -<p>Hans Bungslager was nowhere to be found!</p> - -<p>There stood his horse, as quiet and unconcerned as though -nothing extraordinary had happened, but his rider was missing.</p> - -<p>What did it mean?</p> - -<p>This was the question which the three asked each other, -and which no one was able to answer.</p> - -<p>"He came up and talked with us a few minutes, while you -were gone," said Katrina, who was more alarmed than the others, -"and then said he would go back and get on his horse so -as to be ready to start if all should prove right, and that is -the last we saw of him."</p> - -<p>"Did he say nothing about going away?" asked the Texan.</p> - -<p>"Not a word."</p> - -<p>"What did he talk about?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing in particular," said Katrina, trying to recall his -words.</p> - -<p>"I remember," put in Colonel Crockett, "that he said that -he believed something was follerin' him—either a bear or red-skin."</p> - -<p>"That makes it look serious," remarked Sebastian, in an -undertone.</p> - -<p>"Why so?"</p> - -<p>"Because probably something was following, and that something -has been the means of his disappearance."</p> - -<p>"I don't see as there's any thing in that," added Colonel -Crockett, "for he talked the same way when you and Katrina -came up."</p> - -<p>"Exactly, and he was right, for we were in his rear, and he -detected us."</p> - -<p>"But what could it be?" asked his alarmed niece. "No -Indian could have come anywhere near without our detecting -him."</p> - -<p>"Not unless he wanted us to do so; then it would have been -easy enough. I tell you," added the Texan, more earnestly -than ever, "I believe there has been some sharp trick played -upon us."</p> - -<p>Carsfield was firm in his belief, but he could give no definite -conjecture as to what the trick he referred to really was.</p> - -<p>"I have had dealings with the Comanches before," he continued, -"and when they go to scheming and playing at strategy, -they are a little the sharpest fellows I ever saw."</p> - -<p>"But I can see no object in this," said Katrina. "Uncle -Hans is not such a tempting prize that they should steal him -and leave us."</p> - -<p>"That is it," laughed Crockett; "when <i>you</i> are here, any -red or white man would pass by us for <i>you</i>; you are right, -Katrina."</p> - -<p>"That is not what I meant," the blushing girl hastened to -say; "but he is the last man, as I look at it, that a party of -Indians would seek to capture."</p> - -<p>"Our turn, <i>your</i> turn, my dearest one, will soon come. They -have experimented on him; they have succeeded so well that -their next attempt will be upon us."</p> - -<p>The words of Sebastian struck both Crockett and Katrina as -full of meaning, and they began to believe that he was right, -although the whole thing had a look which, neither of the -three could explain or understand.</p> - -<p>When the Comanches were in such force, that an assault -upon the whiles could not but result in their capture or destruction, -it seemed incredible that they should take the pains -and time to work by artifice; but by what other means could -the disappearance of the Dutchman be accounted for?</p> - -<p>"How was it done?" asked the perplexed girl, who was in -a tremor of anxiety about her uncle.</p> - -<p>"That is a question which can only be answered by a -guess," was the reply. "I think one of the red scamps has -followed us some distance, and showed himself in some way -or in some shape to Hans, so that he has been led to follow -after and attempt to capture him, and that's what he's after -now."</p> - -<p>This at best was a very unsatisfactory explanation, and it -did not suit the originator of it himself.</p> - -<p>"Must we leave him to his fate?" asked the girl, scarcely -able to restrain her tears of sympathy; "must he be left to -perish?"</p> - -<p>"I dislike the idea of leaving you again," replied Sebastian, -"when we are all in such danger; but, if you wish it, I -will take the back track, and make a short hunt for him."</p> - -<p>"Oh! do," pleaded Katrina, taking one of his hands in -both of hers and pressing it; "do it for my sake. Colonel -Crockett will wait here with me, won't you?"</p> - -<p>"Sartinly—any thing to please you," was the gallant reply. -"I think, howsumever, that it is all time lost."</p> - -<p>But the affectionate girl would hear no refusal, and the -Texan prepared to obey.</p> - -<p>"You must promise me that you will not leave this place, -and that you will not fire again unless you have to do so to -save yourself," he said, addressing himself to Colonel Crockett, -who, of course, gave the promise.</p> - -<p>"You are now standing in the path," added the Texan. -"Perhaps it will be safer to withdraw a little to one side, so -as to be out of the way of any that may come along."</p> - -<p>This was a good advice, and was acted upon at once. -Crockett led the horses some distance into the woods and fastened -them to trees, where they were beyond the sight of the -keenest-eyed Comanche, and then their friend took his departure.</p> - -<p>Katrina was in a tremor of alarm, and seating herself beside -the Tennesseean, wept like a child. The grizzled -wanderer did his best to comfort her, but there was little he -could say to soothe her alarm, and so he let her have her cry -out.</p> - -<p>When something like a calm came back to her, it struck -him that something ought be done by way of diverting her attention -from the gloomy subject.</p> - -<p>"Let's go to the edge of the clearing, and see whether any -of the varmints are about?"</p> - -<p>She arose, and the two advanced to the open space, where -the low, broad deserted cabin could be seen, standing as quiet -in the moonlight as when they first cast eyes upon it.</p> - -<p>"Hallo! there's something now!" whispered Crockett, touching -the arm of the girl, "and by the hokey-pokey, if it ain't a -big bear!"</p> - -<p>A large lumbering animal could be seen, shambling awkwardly -over the clearing near the house, as though he were -searching for something to eat.</p> - -<p>The great bear-hunter impulsively raised his gun.</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Just wait a moment, and see how nice I will drop that -chap."</p> - -<p>"No; you mustn't," she interrupted, drawing down his -arm. "Remember the promise you made to Sebastian."</p> - -<p>"But he didn't mean bears," plead Crockett, very loth to -forego the pleasure of picking off the noble game.</p> - -<p>"He meant every thing; he meant that you mustn't make the -least noise to bring the Comanches down upon us, and <i>you -mustn't do it</i>!"</p> - -<p>By this time the bear had disappeared around the house, -and the hunter reluctantly lowered his piece.</p> - -<p>"Would thar be any harm," he asked, entreatingly, "in -me slipping after the critter, and chasing him away off in -the woods, and then dropping him?"</p> - -<p>"And leaving me alone?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, me!" sighed Crockett, "I s'pose you're right, but b'ars -is my weakness, and when I see one, thar's such an itching in -my hands, that it's mighty hard work to keep still, but I'll -stick to you, till we get out of this muss."</p> - -<p>He asked as a boon, however, that she would consent to -his standing where he was so as to <i>look</i> at the bear, if he -should put in an appearance again.</p> - -<p>Katrina could not well refuse this, but she took good care -to remain with him, for after what she had witnessed, it was -plain that he could not be trusted, in the matter of bears.</p> - -<p>Crockett stood faithful at his post for half an hour, carefully -scanning the clearing, forgetful of the absent Bungslager, -and Sebastian, and of his own danger, and intent only upon -seeing the animal which he had hunted with so much zest in -the years past in the wilds of his own Tennessee.</p> - -<p>But nothing more of the huge creature was seen, and turning -disappointedly away, he and Katrina walked back in the -wood, resumed their seats, and awaited the coming of the -young Texan.</p> - -<p>About an hour had passed, and they were beginning to feel -some solicitude for the safety of the Texan himself, when he -reappeared as silently as an Indian hunter.</p> - -<p>But he was alone.</p> - -<p>"Have you learned nothing of him?" inquired the trembling -Katrina, hastening to her lover.</p> - -<p>"Nothing at all," was the reply, as he took her two hands, -and kissed her face. "I went back for nearly a mile, and -called to him a dozen times, but heard and saw nothing at all -that could give me the least clue to his disappearance."</p> - -<p>The poor girl covered her face and gave a wail of despair.</p> - -<p>"Did you see nothing of the varmints?" inquired Crockett.</p> - -<p>"No; I hardly know what to make of it; I am quite -puzzled at the turn affairs have taken."</p> - -<p>So were they all, and the question remained:</p> - -<p>"What shall we do?"</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.<br /> -<span>BY THE CREEK.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The general opinion among the whites was that nothing -was to be gained by pushing on toward Brownston, at the -present time.</p> - -<p>They were now within a few miles of the village, and were -pretty well satisfied that they would have to run a regular -gantlet to pass the Comanches. Such a proceeding was not -to be thought of so long as it could be avoided.</p> - -<p>"It won't do to turn back, nor to go forward, nor to stay -here," remarked the young man, after quite a lengthy discussion.</p> - -<p>"Isn't there some place, further in the woods," asked -Crockett, "where the varmints ain't likely to look for us?"</p> - -<p>They were silent a few minutes, and then Katrina suddenly -spoke:</p> - -<p>"Do you remember that cavern, Sebastian, where we once -halted when we went fishing in the canoe?"</p> - -<p>"The very spot," exclaimed the Texan, "and we can't be far -from it. We will leave our horses here and go to it."</p> - -<p>"But tell me," she added, in a low voice, intended for his -ears only, "what about Uncle Hans? Is he to be left to -perish?"</p> - -<p>He turned his face toward her and spoke in the tenderest -manner:</p> - -<p>"You know, Katrina, that there is nothing in the world -that I would refuse to do for you; and you will believe me, -when I tell you that nothing in the world can be done for -him. We are powerless to aid him in the least."</p> - -<p>"But what do <i>you</i> think of it?"</p> - -<p>"I have a strong belief that he will turn up all right in -spite of the bad look it has now. It is painful to you, but it -can not be helped."</p> - -<p>"You will hear nothing more from me about it," she replied, -"so long as other matters command your thoughts."</p> - -<p>It was deemed best to unfasten the horses and lead them still -deeper into the wood, so as to make certain of their being out -of sight of any Indians who might appear in the path or -clearing. Then they were fastened to the limbs of trees, so -as to prevent their straying, and then, under the leadership of -the Texan, they pushed on for the retreat to which reference -has been made.</p> - -<p>A half-mile or thereabouts brought them the creek beside -which the path led for some distance, and then a few hundred -yards to the right and the refuge was reached.</p> - -<p>Crockett saw an irregular pile of rocks, jutting out over -the creek, but no sort of entrance was visible.</p> - -<p>Katrina, however, sprung nimbly upon the first bowlder -and walked rapidly up and over the mass, followed by the -others, until she had gone about twenty feet, when she leaped -down a distance about equal to her own hight, and their destination -was reached.</p> - -<p>It did not prove to be much of a cavern, but the rocks jutted -and lapped over each other in such a way as to make a -hollow extending about a half-dozen feet back.</p> - -<p>The advantages of this retreat were, first, that it was not -likely to be visited by the Comanches, and in case it was, the -occupants were capable of making a successful defense for -some time. They could not be injured by fire, and the -means of approach prevented any mass swarming into and -overwhelming them.</p> - -<p>Hunger and thirst were the only effectual agents that could -be brought against them, and, under the circumstances, there -was not much probability of these being employed.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, so far as they were concerned themselves, the -three felt warranted in considering themselves perfectly safe.</p> - -<p>Then it remained for them to await the withdrawal of the -Comanches, which it was possible would occur within twenty-four -hours.</p> - -<p>As the Texan had remarked, these Indians strike quick, sharp -blows, and then vanish in time to avoid the recoil. They -own the swiftest mustangs of the south, and are among the -finest horsemen in the world.</p> - -<p>Their bravery is unquestioned, and the hunters of Texas, -at any time, would rather fight a score of Mexicans than a -half-dozen of these Comanches.</p> - -<p>The whites had scarcely reached their retreat, when they -heard the sounds of guns in the direction of the village, proving -that fighting was going on there.</p> - -<p>The sound of guns was incessant, and now and then the -well-known Comanche yells could be distinguished, proving -that serious fighting was going on between them and the -settlers, who ought to be safe, however, on their own ground.</p> - -<p>It was only an illustration of the reckless bravery of these -red-men, who were not afraid to be the attacking party, when -the odds were against them.</p> - -<p>The rattling fire lasted for full an hour, and then the shots -became dropping and scattering and the fighting evidently assumed -a more desultory character.</p> - -<p>As the three whites stood leaning against the wall of rocks -behind them, and looking across the moonlit creek into the -gloomy woods beyond, they became aware of a gradual lighting -up of the sky overhead, with a glare which they soon -saw reflected upon the leaves before them.</p> - -<p>"Another fire!" exclaimed Sebastian, in an undertone.</p> - -<p>"Close by, too," added Crockett.</p> - -<p>"What can it be?" asked Katrina.</p> - -<p>"It is the building which we saw, and where we were certain -there was no danger at all from the Indians," replied the -Texan.</p> - -<p>"Indeed, our escape has been wonderful," added the astonished -girl; "we have been walking and wandering about in -the woods, with the Indians on every side of us, and yet not -a hair of our heads has been harmed."</p> - -<p>"We have been wonderfully protected," responded her -lover, "and I only hope the same care will be continued to -us."</p> - -<p>"But others have not been so fortunate."</p> - -<p>"No," said Sebastian, with a sigh, "such a raid as this -must always accomplish something. Where there are so -many exposed, some of them must fall. More than one -house will be rendered desolate by this incursion of the Comanches."</p> - -<p>It was on the tongue of Katrina, as the thought of her uncle -entered her mind, to say that one home had already been -made so; but she recalled the promise made to her lover and -held her peace.</p> - -<p>By this time the night was more than half gone, and the -three began to look for the appearance of day.</p> - -<p>The opinion of the Texan was that there would be a good -deal of fighting on the morrow, as the Comanches would be -likely to scatter in small bands through the country, seeking -out the exposed settlers, and wreaking their revenge upon -them, for the repulse they were sure to receive at the hands -of the villagers.</p> - -<p>This day would prove the dangerous one for the fugitives -hiding beside the creek.</p> - -<p>Through all the hurry and bustle of danger, Crockett had -held fast to the bear-skin, which he had stripped from the -body of the monster with whom he had such a hard combat -upon entering the cabin of Hans Bungslager.</p> - -<p>He now spread this upon the rock, as far back as they -could penetrate, and invited Katrina to lie down and rest.</p> - -<p>Her lover urged her to do the same, but she waited until -his blanket was laid upon it, and then she reclined, and -owing to her great fatigue almost immediately dropped asleep.</p> - -<p>The two men advanced to the outer edge of rocks and sat -down to consult a few moments upon the situation, and to -speak without restraint regarding the disappearance of Hans -Bungslager.</p> - -<p>"I feel some hope regarding him," said the Texan, "but I -can not call up any <i>reason</i> for such a hope."</p> - -<p>"I believe he's gone under <i>sure</i>," replied Crockett; "they've -managed to git him away from us and then knifed him so -quick that he hadn't any time to make any noise about it."</p> - -<p>"Poor Katrina! it will be a hard blow for her, for she -dearly loved her uncle, who as dearly loved her."</p> - -<p>"It didn't look much like it, when he come away and forgot -her."</p> - -<p>"He told the truth when he said he forgot her; he is the -most absent-minded man I ever saw. He sometimes forgets -where he is, and until I asked him where she was, he had no -idea that he had such a thing in the broad world as a niece -named Katrina Duncan."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he has wandered away in one of his absent -spells."</p> - -<p>"It may be, but I hardly believe it."</p> - -<p>All this time, while the two were talking, each had been -listening to something on the opposite side of the stream.</p> - -<p>Neither had made any reference to it, as he wanted to -avoid any mistake, but while holding converse, their eyes -kept wandering across the stream in quest of the cause of -the disturbance.</p> - -<p>The disturbance itself was in the shape of a slight rustling -of the bushes. At first, it seemed to be caused by the wind; -but when it was continued and repeated for several minutes, it -was manifest that there was some definite cause for it.</p> - -<p>More than one glance had been cast across the creek, but -nothing at all was discerned for some time, that could explain -what it meant.</p> - -<p>Instinctively reading the thoughts of Crockett, the Texan -said:</p> - -<p>"I guess it's a wild animal."</p> - -<p>"I think so; very likely a bear," was the characteristic reply.</p> - -<p>"'Sh! look!"</p> - -<p>At that juncture the dark form of the creature was discerned -in the bushes on the other side of the creek.</p> - -<p>Crockett caught up his rifle, but the Texan interposed.</p> - -<p>"Hold on a minute; do you think that is a bear?"</p> - -<p>"I'm sartin of it."</p> - -<p>"It looks like a bear," replied young Carsfield, the Texan, -"but, <i>my opinion is that it is a Comanche warrior</i>!"</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.<br /> -<span>HANS BUNGSLAGER.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>I have spoken of the feeling, or rather conviction, that -came over Hans Bungslager that some one or some thing was -following him. This conviction became more settled, and -when he dismounted on the edge of the clearing not a particle -of doubt remained.</p> - -<p>He walked forward where Katrina and Crockett were standing, -and referred to the annoyance, and then something else -coming into his head, he forgot all about it.</p> - -<p>Walking back where his horse was standing, he was about -to elevate himself to his seat, when he heard a pattering upon -the leaves, and looking down the path, saw what appeared to -be a huge bear cavorting about fifty rods distant.</p> - -<p>"Doonder and blitzen! I dinks dat vos you!" he muttered, -the instant he saw the creature, "and I gets you now!"</p> - -<p>Rifle in hand, he started on a heavy run, determined to give -the audacious brute his <i>quietus</i> for his attempts to disturb him.</p> - -<p>The bear seemed to take fright at his coming, and danced -further away. Several times the Hollander raised his gun, -but ere he could make his aim sure, the creature managed to -get a tree between him and his foe, who lowered his piece, -and, with an exclamation of impatience, hurried forward to -get a better position.</p> - -<p>This game at bo-peep continued for a long time, and Hans -Bungslager was drawn much further away from his friends -than he supposed. He was determined to shoot the intruder -when he started, and the oftener he was baffled the more determined -did he become.</p> - -<p>Once he had the aim exactly, and pulled the trigger with -such vigor that he came nigh breaking it, but found he had -not raised the hammer, and when he lowered his piece to -rectify the error, and raised it again, the aim was lost.</p> - -<p>"Dat ish bad as never vas!" growled the angered Dutchman, -as he panted forward again, rapidly gaining on the creature.</p> - -<p>By and by he was sure of a chance; he saw the bear sitting -on his haunches near the path, and resting his rifle on the -crotch of a dead limb, he took deliberate aim at the body of -the brute.</p> - -<p>His dumpy finger was pressing the trigger again, when he -discovered that he was aiming at a stump, and the bear was -tumbling along a hundred feet in advance.</p> - -<p>"Doonderation!" gasped Hans Bungslager, almost dropping -his gun in amazement, "dat bear must have shpit dat stump -up ag'in."</p> - -<p>Nothing daunted, however, he resumed his pursuit, and was -gaining quite rapidly on the creature, when he saw something -that alarmed him.</p> - -<p>In hurrying along the path it was frequently only barely -discernible, and then when reaching a place where the moonlight -streamed down upon it, it could be distinguished with -great distinctness.</p> - -<p>On one of these occasions Hans saw the bear run on its -hind feet in a style such as no bear in the world could be -trained to do, and in just such a posture as a man would take -who was tired of running in a stooping position on his hands -and knees.</p> - -<p>The conclusion was inevitable; he was chasing an Indian -disguised as a black bear.</p> - -<p>"Doonder and blitzen!" muttered Bungslager, as a cold chill -of terror ran through him at the discovery, "dat ish—dat ish—<i>fooney</i>!"</p> - -<p>Obtuse and reckless as he was at times, the Hollander had -brains enough to perceive the deadly peril into which he had -run. The Comanche had adopted this artifice to draw him -away from his friends, and to encompass his destruction.</p> - -<p>He was in a quandary as to what he should do.</p> - -<p>If he kept on his pursuit, one result was inevitable, and if -he turned to retreat, following the path back again, the cunning -red-skin would know that his stratagem had been detected, -and he in turn would become pursuer and assailant.</p> - -<p>Hans was never a good shot with a rifle, and he was pretty -certain that this bear was protected in some such a way that -he could not be injured by any rifle however well aimed, so -he gave over all thought of injuring the savage by means of -his gun.</p> - -<p>He could see only one thing that offered any hope, and that -was to give the Indian the slip. He was now quite a distance -ahead, and still seeking to allure him on. They were entering -a part of the wood that looked quite dense and dark, and here -Hans resolved to make the effort to get out of an exceedingly -bad scrape.</p> - -<p>So he followed along, trotting in his elephantine style, and -to carry out the illusion, he called out:</p> - -<p>"Hold on, you pig coward bears; I got you now, and I -shoots you sure, in one minnit."</p> - -<p>The bear, somewhat alarmed, trotted so rapidly ahead that -it was nearly lost to view in the darkness.</p> - -<p>Now was his time.</p> - -<p>Dropping as suddenly as if he was shot, he crawled on all -fours, as rapidly as his bulky form would admit, until he had -gone something like a hundred feet, when, panting and tired, -he paused and listened.</p> - -<p>The darkness around him was too great for him to see -any thing of the "bear," but the sound of a faint, muffled -whoop told him that he had been none too soon in his movement, -and his foe was signaling to some confederate, and -they were both endeavoring to remedy the slip upon their part.</p> - -<p>"Yaw; lets 'em look!" chuckled Hans. "I dinks dey -won't find me purty soon as never vos."</p> - -<p>Waiting until he was thoroughly rested and could hear no -more, he arose to his feet, and resumed his flight, taking good -care to continue on in the direction upon which he had -started, and going further and further away from the dangerous -vicinity of his enemy, who had shown so much ingenuity -in endeavoring to draw him on to his own destruction.</p> - -<p>So far as he could do so, Hans Bungslager advanced without -making any noise, for he knew how sharp the sense of -hearing was upon the part of the Indians. He plodded along -in this manner, for the better part of an hour, when his further -progress was checked by his coming upon the bank of -the creek, to which I have made frequent reference.</p> - -<p>Here he paused in a quandary.</p> - -<p>"I dink I kin wades across dat," he mused, as he surveyed -the calmly flowing stream, "and den I gits on de oder side, -and den I dinks I ought to be on dis side, so I won't stay -here nor goes to de oder side."</p> - -<p>This perhaps was a sage conclusion, but rather difficult of -fulfillment. Very naturally he felt safer upon the other bank -of the creek, further away from the plotting Indians: but he -was well aware that the stream was quite deep in some -places.</p> - -<p>He stood undecided some minutes, and then the point was -settled by hearing the report of a gun at no great distance -behind him.</p> - -<p>"Doonder!" he exclaimed with a start, "mebbe dey shoots -dat at me! I dink I leaf!"</p> - -<p>Anxious as he was to advance, and warm as was the summer -night, he preferred to reach the other shore in dry clothes; -so he sat down upon the bank and carefully removed his -shoes and pants, and tying them into a bundle, slung them -over the barrel of his rifle, which rested over his shoulder, -and then ventured into the stream.</p> - -<p>"Dish ish nice," he murmured, as the cool water crept -up about his bulky calves, "dish ain't deep."</p> - -<p>Step by step he felt his way along, until he had reached -the center of the stream, where the water was not more -than eighteen inches.</p> - -<p>"Dish ish bettrish goot," he continued, "dish ish de way -to cross de brooks. I dinks dat I alway does—"</p> - -<p>Despite his care, at this juncture he went into a hole, up -to his neck. As he sunk down, he gasped:</p> - -<p>"Oo—oo!"</p> - -<p>At the same time, he threw up both arms with such an involuntary -suddenness that the bundle dropped from his gun -and began floating away from him.</p> - -<p>"Doonder and blitzen!" he exclaimed, as he plunged after -it, still grasping his gun, with a vice-like grip.</p> - -<p>He managed to secure the bundle just as it was sinking, -but it was only a partial success. The indispensables remained -in his hands, but the shoes, with the carefully knit -stockings wadded in them, vanished from his view.</p> - -<p>He groped around in the water some time for them, but -they were not to be found, and not a little disappointed, he -made his way to land, narrowly escaping a total submerge -ere he succeeded.</p> - -<p>He concluded that this way of crossing was not without -its disadvantages, and he was not clear in his mind that he -could recommend its adoption to his friends.</p> - -<p>But, Hans was a sort of philosopher, and donning his pants, -put himself in the best condition possible.</p> - -<p>At this juncture it occurred to him that perhaps Katrina -would be somewhat concerned at his absence, and he regretted -that he had not made known his intention before he started -in pursuit of his bear.</p> - -<p>He debated the matter awhile, but saw no practical way of -remedying the matter, and resolved to give it no further attention.</p> - -<p>Child-like, he still felt the desire to keep moving, under the -impression that he was getting further and further away from -his peril.</p> - -<p>He had not accomplished any considerable distance, when -he found that he was unequal to the task of what would have -been but sport in his boyhood. He was not walking upon -a carpet, nor anything like it. In the darkness he could not -pick his way, and the part of prudence was for him to stop.</p> - -<p>"I dinks I takes a nap, and shtarts when de morning comes -to-morrow," he murmured, as he selected a suitable spot and -stretched himself upon the ground, where, for the present, I -leave him sleeping the sleep of innocence and health.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.<br /> -<span>THE COMANCHE BEAR.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The declaration of Sebastian Carsfield that the object seen -by him and Crockett across the creek, instead of being a bear, -was an Indian gotten up in that shape, let in a flood of light -upon both.</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't shoot!" added the Texan; "let us go back, -where he can't hit us, and we will watch it."</p> - -<p>They carefully withdrew a few paces, and lying down flat -upon the rock, peered over at the suspicious object.</p> - -<p>They discovered little or nothing more. The dark huge -figure of the animal was seen for a few minutes, groping -around in the undergrowth, when it took itself off and did -not come back.</p> - -<p>"That's the bear I see'd on the clearin'," remarked Crockett; -"and that Katrina wouldn't let me shoot."</p> - -<p>"Yes; it would have been a good thing if you could have -put a ball through it. I think it has been by some such -means that Hans Bungslager has been led on into the woods -to his own destruction."</p> - -<p>The night was so clear and still that the two men, almost -unconsciously, fell asleep, as they lay stretched out upon the -rock.</p> - -<p>The hours passed on, and when it began to grow light, Katrina -awoke and advanced to the front of the cavern, and -paused beside the two men stretched out there.</p> - -<p>Both were sleeping soundly, and she looked at them for a -few minutes with feelings of commiseration.</p> - -<p>"They are tired out and wearied," she murmured; "they -will need sleep, and I will let them be until I return."</p> - -<p>Very carefully she came down from among the rocks, and -advancing to the edge of the creek bathed herself in it. The -water was so cool and refreshing that she plashed her hands -it for several minutes.</p> - -<p>No thought of danger entered her head, as she believed the -place so secluded that there was scarcely a possibility of their -being disturbed by the foes they dreaded so much. Had she -known what her friends had seen during the previous night, -she would have been more careful in her movements.</p> - -<p>She was about a hundred yards from where the men were -sleeping, and sat down on the mossy bank of the stream for -a few minutes to enjoy a slight breeze that was fanning her -face and that made music among the rustling leaves.</p> - -<p>The sky was clear, and the sunlight penetrated the woods -with its revivifying influence; but for the disappearance of -her uncle she would have been in the best of spirits. The -cabin had been swept away, but she and the two men had escaped -with their lives, and to her, it seemed that scarcely any -danger had passed.</p> - -<p>She had sat thus some ten minutes or thereabouts, when a -crackling of the bushes across the stream caused her to raise -her head, and she caught sight of what appeared to be a large -black bear.</p> - -<p>It was only a partial glimpse that she obtained, and the -animal seemed to be going away from her further into the -wood.</p> - -<p>"I guess he hasn't seen me," she concluded, as something -warned her that she had already remained away from the -cavern too long.</p> - -<p>So she concluded to wait a few minutes longer, as she felt -a reluctance to awake the hunters, who so badly needed sleep.</p> - -<p>A short time after, she heard a ripple in the water above -her, and she looked up-stream, but saw nothing.</p> - -<p>For the reason she was a moment too late. Had she been -a little more prompt, she would have detected that same "Comanche -bear," carefully wading across the creek, and using -his hind legs in such a manner that he stood upright like a -man.</p> - -<p>Katrina was unusually short-sighted to-day. Even when -the water in front of her flowed by dark and discolored, she -failed to take warning, and sat some time longer in a sort of -dreamy reverie, hardly conscious of what was going on about -her.</p> - -<p>But after awhile she roused herself to her situation and -with a sigh rose to her feet, and started on her return.</p> - -<p>Her senses were now on the alert, and so, when she had -taken a dozen steps or so, she caught a glimpse of the bear, -she had seen some time before, and it was now directly between -her and the rocks she was seeking to reach.</p> - -<p>This was bad, as she still had no gun in hand, and could -not therefore defend herself if attacked.</p> - -<p>The manner of the brute seemed to indicate that he was -not aware of her proximity, and she leaped lightly behind a -tree, for the purpose of concealing herself.</p> - -<p>She stood thus some ten minutes, debating whether she -should call to Carsfield or Crockett, or wait until they should -awake themselves, or the bear should withdraw.</p> - -<p>It looked as if the latter were about to be the case, as the -bear seemed to be browsing around in an aimless way, constantly -on the move, and therefore he would be likely soon to -move far enough to one side to permit her to reach her refuge.</p> - -<p>For this she waited, now and then growing impatient at -the tardy movements of the bear. The latter was constantly -stirring about, but somehow or other, it appeared to be back -and forth, between her and the rocks, and never once so -much to one side, as to tempt her to make the effort.</p> - -<p>Furthermore, Katrina could not shut her eyes to the fact, -that the brute was gradually approaching her.</p> - -<p>This, in the course of a few minutes became so apparent, that -the girl felt that her situation was becoming critical. A terror -of alarm shook her frame, and she was on the point of uttering -a call to her lover, when the bear shied off to one side -so much as to give her the "opening," so ardently desired.</p> - -<p>Katrina stood trembling and hesitating for a moment, and -then with one ejaculated prayer, started like a fawn for the -rocks.</p> - -<p>She did not look to the right nor left, but she had scarcely -started, when she became aware that the bear had risen -on his hind feet and was seeking to intercept her.</p> - -<p>Faster she ran, until she seemed to fly over the ground, -but the bear was more fleet of foot than she, and scarcely a -dozen steps had elapsed, when it became certain that she was -to be intercepted by her enemy.</p> - -<p>Then Katrina turned her affrighted gaze upon her foe, and -instead of a bear saw a Comanche warrior, with a bear-skin -thrown over his shoulder, and its frightful head upon top of -his own, directly in front of her.</p> - -<p>Still she sought to escape him; but the next instant his -brawny arm was thrown around her, and as he turned to flee -with his captive, her terrified scream rung through the woods -and she swooned away.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.<br /> -<span>COLONEL CROCKETT'S LAST BEAR-HUNT.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>"Surely I heard some one call me," muttered Sebastian -Carsfield, the Texan, as he roused himself up and rubbed his -eyes. "What does this mean? Crockett and I have both -been asleep. What a warning to a sentinel not to lie down or -give way to drowsiness. But was that voice a dream or a -reality—"</p> - -<p>He turned his head and saw that Katrina was gone.</p> - -<p>With a dreadful, chilling horror at his breast, he sprung to -his feet, looked around and called out, "<i>Katrina!</i> <span class="smcap">Katrina!</span> -KATRINA!"</p> - -<p>That voice penetrated far through the woods and reached -the ears of her who was being carried so swiftly away in the -grasp of the painted Comanche. She sought to reply, but -the brute checked her utterance, and the shrieks died out into -a gasping sob.</p> - -<p>"What's up now?" demanded Crockett, awakened by the -tumult of his comrade.</p> - -<p>"God knows what's become of Katrina," was the despairing -reply; "she has vanished, gone or been stolen."</p> - -<p>"Maybe she's somewhere about," replied the Tennesseean, -rousing himself.</p> - -<p>"No; I am sure it was her calling to me that awoke me a -few minutes ago."</p> - -<p>"Then we oughter be on the move," added Crockett, leaping -to his feet. "What direction did it come from?"</p> - -<p>"Coming to me in my sleep, I can hardly tell; but it strikes -me that it was from off yonder."</p> - -<p>Crockett, led by some indefinable impulse, snatched up the -bear-skin, and with it over his arm, sprung down from among -the rocks into the woods below.</p> - -<p>"We must take the trail," he added to the Texan, who -had already discovered it on the ground, and answered:</p> - -<p>"There it is, leading toward the creek. She has gone -there to bathe herself."</p> - -<p>A few moments sufficed to take them to the spot, where -she had spent a half-hour or so, early in the morning, and -then they observed the circuitous route back again, which -suggested that she had discovered or was seeking to avoid -some danger.</p> - -<p>There was no difficulty in tracing the footsteps to the point -where the Comanche bear had seized and borne her away. -The prints on the ground perplexed them for a few minutes.</p> - -<p>"They were made by an Indian without a doubt," said the -Texan.</p> - -<p>"And that Indian," said Crockett, "was the bear that we -saw last night on t'other side of the creek."</p> - -<p>"That's it! that's it!" fairly gasped young Carsfield; "it's -their old tricks over again. He can't be far away anyhow, -and we will run him into the ground before he can reach his -confederates."</p> - -<p>The Tennesseean was satisfied that this was the true course, -and the two started forward at once, the trail over the dead -and rumpled leaves being such that it was easily followed.</p> - -<p>"He is running very fast," added Sebastian, when they had -progressed something like a hundred yards upon their way.</p> - -<p>"But he can't carry the gal and outrun us besides."</p> - -<p>"He'll make her do her own running after awhile."</p> - -<p>"Is she good on the jump?" inquired Crockett.</p> - -<p>"She runs very swiftly," said the lover, "and you may be -sure that dog will make her do her best."</p> - -<p>"It strikes me that them varmints are tryin' to take prisoners, -instead of raisin' the ha'r of the settlers through these -parts."</p> - -<p>"That's it," was the reply, uttered on the run.</p> - -<p>Such indeed seemed to be the case, when the past actions -of the Comanches were considered, for, it can be seen that -more than once they had it in their power to pick off the -whites by deathly shot from the wood, but had refrained, and -resorted to strategy to secure them.</p> - -<p>Hans Bungslager had been "operated" upon in this way, and -had only escaped through a providential gleam of prudence -that flashed through his brain at the right moment.</p> - -<p>The trail followed by the Texan and Tennesseean, for a -long distance, went straight forward into the woods, as though -aiming at no particular point, but seeking to get as far away -from pursuit as was possible.</p> - -<p>They were still following hard after the abductor, when -they crossed the path leading to Brownston, and over which -they had passed a few hours before.</p> - -<p>They paused an instant, looking to the right and left, but -nothing was to be seen, and the trail of the flying Indian was -seen to cross the path at right-angles.</p> - -<p>"That is encouraging," exclaimed Sebastian.</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked his companion.</p> - -<p>"It looks as if he were going it alone, instead of hunting -up his companions."</p> - -<p>"Don't be sartin of that. He ain't an Injin, if he don't -know what place his nose is p'intin' at, and he'll find some -other scamps afore long to help him."</p> - -<p>Crockett proved right in this instance, for they had gone -but a short distance further, when they came in sight of the -camp-fire. Their skill in trail-hunting was not sufficient for -them to make certain of the time that had elapsed since the -passing of the Comanche and his prize; but they knew they -could not be very far behind the scamp, and they kept their -eyes on the look-out that they did not run blindly into any -danger.</p> - -<p>So they detected the faint curling smoke on the bank of -a small stream in time to prevent exposing themselves, and -they made a careful reconnoissance.</p> - -<p>Four Comanche Indians were seated around a small fire, -every one smoking. The smell of cooking food was in the -air, showing that they had finished a good breakfast. Around -them were scattered the contents of several feather-beds, -linen, calico and clothing, attesting very plainly that they -had "gone through" somebody's establishment in a most -effective manner.</p> - -<p>Upon a heap of blankets sat Katrina Duncan, her face -covered and her head bent in despair. The Indians were -eagerly discussing some matter, and paid no attention to their -helpless captive.</p> - -<p>The Texan and Tennesseean withdrew a few paces to consult -as to what they should do. As there were five of their -foes, it was hardly practicable to make an attack upon them. -From their concealment, the whites could pick off two. The -course of the other three in all probability then would be to -kill Katrina as quick as a flash, so as to prevent the possibility -of her rescue, and then to turn and attack the two whites, -with a very good prospect of finishing them off in the same -manner; for no living Indians can out-dodge, out-shoot or -out-wit, or out-fight these same Comanches of the South-west. -With an odd man, they would be certain to get into the rear -of the whites, and when that was done, it would be a long -and last good-by to them.</p> - -<p>"I don't see the bear," remarked Carsfield; "he may have -thrown off the skin, but I was unable to see it upon the -ground."</p> - -<p>"He's gone back, thinkin' we're at the rocks, to try and -fool us."</p> - -<p>Carsfield was strongly inclined to believe this.</p> - -<p>"Where is Bungslager?"</p> - -<p>"That is hard to tell," said Crockett; "we can think only -of <i>her</i> at present."</p> - -<p>The Texan turned suddenly upon his companion.</p> - -<p>"See here, you have a bear-skin with you; isn't it possible -for you to play the bear too?"</p> - -<p>Colonel Crockett took at once.</p> - -<p>"I'll do it."</p> - -<p>And straightway he began arraying himself in the costume -of the animal. He succeeded in making quite a resemblance, -but when it was finished both saw that the thing could -not be done during daylight.</p> - -<p>The only way by which they could hope to succeed was -by Crockett actually <i>taking the place of</i> the Comanche who -had been playing the part of bear. Any critical scrutiny of -the counterfeit by the Indians would be certain to result in -their detection of the trick. If they could be made to believe -that Crockett was their own comrade frolicking about -the camp, they would not be apt to bestow much attention -upon him. Still, as it was certain that the trick would be -discovered sooner or later, it was all-important that they -should have the darkness of night in which to work.</p> - -<p>Accordingly the two withdrew to a safe distance, and the -Texan went on a little foraging expedition of his own, managing -to secure enough food for present purposes.</p> - -<p>One or two of the Comanches was constantly going and -coming, and they kept the Indians under surveillance. Katrina -was furnished with food, but the camp was not broken and -it was evident they intended to spend the night where they -were.</p> - -<p>Late in the afternoon the "Comanche Bear" walked into -camp, carrying his hide thrown over his shoulder. He remained -for an hour or two and then departed, and, as it was -now fully dark, Crockett prepared to venture upon his dangerous -experiment.</p> - -<p>Young Carsfield approached as near the camp as prudent, -and then Crockett went sidling and galloping toward it, -approaching gradually, and yet concealing his identity as -much as possible.</p> - -<p>When he came within the circle of light, all five of the -Indians looked at him, and then paid no further heed, evidently -believing it to be their comrade, practicing to improve -himself.</p> - -<p>Nearer and nearer he approached the spot where Katrina -was sitting, she looking at him with a look of terror, as if -uncertain whether he was watching her or not. This was -what Crockett wished, and he managed, unseen by the Indians, -to give her a sign which put her on her guard.</p> - -<p>One of the Comanches looked suspiciously at him, but he -advanced until he was within a few feet of Katrina, when he -called out to her in a husky whisper:</p> - -<p>"<i>Now run, right by me!</i>"</p> - -<p>Having no thought of any such thing, her captors had not -bound her, and the girl darted off like a deer, leaping directly -by Crockett, who immediately followed hard after her.</p> - -<p>It looked as if she had started in affright at the approach of -the bear, and all ought to have gone well, had not the genuine -Comanche bear, at this critical moment, put in an appearance.</p> - -<p>This exposed the whole thing, and in an instant the Indians -were on their feet, in full pursuit, with their tricky companion -at their head.</p> - -<p>But Katrina had gained a good start, and had scarcely entered -the real gloom of the wood when her lover was beside -her, holding her hand, and they fled with all the speed at -their command.</p> - -<p>A few sharp turns, and they got beyond all danger; but -the Comanche who had played the part of bruin, followed so -hard after Crockett that he could not elude him.</p> - -<p>"<i>Wal, if I must, I must!</i>" muttered the Tennesseean, drawing -his fearful Bowie and turning upon the red-skin.</p> - -<p>The contest was over in a second almost. As the Indian -sunk before the fearful knife, Crockett was just in time to -turn and elude the others, who were coming up with much -rapidity.</p> - -<p>He had a hard time of it, and but for the shelter of the -wood, would not have succeeded in getting away; but he -soon ceased from his great exertions, and after an hour's cautious -signaling managed to rejoin the lovers, remarking, as he -related his experience:</p> - -<p>"Somehow or other I sorter feel this is the last b'ar-hunt -I'll ever take a hand in!"</p> - -<p>They endeavored to laugh at his depression, and he purposely -changed the conversation, as he wished to cast no gloom -over their happiness.</p> - -<p>It was now deemed best to approach as near Brownston as -possible, so as to be ready to enter the village, if it could be -done, early in the morning.</p> - -<p>They accordingly resumed their cautious way through the -woods, but had not gone far when they heard approaching -footsteps.</p> - -<p>The whites instantly halted, and the two men grasped their -rifles, ready for friend or foe.</p> - -<p>"Doonder and blitzen! I's been valkin' ever sin' to-morrow -mornin', and I ain't so fur off te village as I would be yesterday -ef I had started next week!"</p> - -<p>It was Hans, and the next minute all three were around -him, grasping his hands, Katrina weeping and embracing him, -and all demanding what it meant.</p> - -<p>He explained, in his characteristic way, what had happened -to him since his separation, and adding that he was nearly -famished with hunger; but as there was no means of relieving -him, the journey was continued until they were in sight -of the gleaming lights of the settlement.</p> - -<p>As a careful reconnoissance failed to discover any thing -of the Comanches, they moved on and entered Brownston, -where they learned that the marauding Indians had taken their -departure during the afternoon, and the memorable raid was -ended.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>A few days later, Crockett and his friends, who were awaiting -his return in the village, started for the Alamo, where, -as it is well known, this extraordinary man was inhumanly -killed, with the remnant of the garrison who had surrendered -to the perfidious Santa Anna.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The little cottage at Brownston became the home of Katrina -Duncan when she married the gallant Sebastian Carsfield, after -the independence of Texas was acknowledged by Mexico.</p> - -<p>Hans Bungslager had a comfortable little sum stowed away -where no Comanches could lay their hands upon it, and with -this he rebuilt his cabin, bought a new cow, and he and his -frow spent many days together upon the same ground that -had been the witness of so many fearful scenes in their history. - - -</p> - - -<p>THE END.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="DIME_POCKET_NOVELS">DIME POCKET NOVELS.</h2> -</div> - -<p>PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY, AT TEN CENTS EACH.</p> - - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>1—Hawkeye Harry.</b> By Oll Coomes.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>2—Dead Shot.</b> By Albert W. Aiken.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>3—The Boy Miners.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>4—Blue Dick.</b> By Capt. Mayne Reid.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>5—Nat Wolfe.</b> By Mrs. M. V. Victor.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>6—The White Tracker.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>7—The Outlaw's Wife.</b> By Mrs. Ann S. Stephens.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>8—The Tall Trapper.</b> By Albert W. Aiken.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;"><b>9—Lightning Jo.</b> By Capt. Adams.</span><br /> -<b>10—The Island Pirate.</b> By Capt. Mayne Reid.<br /> -<b>11—The Boy Ranger.</b> By Oll Coomes.<br /> -<b>12—Bess, the Trapper.</b> By E. S. Ellis.<br /> -<b>13—The French Spy.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.<br /> -<b>14—Long Shot.</b> By Capt. Comstock.<br /> -<b>15—The Gunmaker.</b> By James L. Bowen.<br /> -<b>16—Red Hand.</b> By A. G. Piper.<br /> -<b>17—Ben, the Trapper.</b> By Lewis W. Carson.<br /> -<b>18—Wild Raven.</b> By Oll Coomes.<br /> -<b>19—The Specter Chief.</b> By Seelin Robins.<br /> -<b>20—The B'ar-Killer.</b> By Capt. Comstock.<br /> -<b>21—Wild Nat.</b> By Wm. R. Eyster.<br /> -<b>22—Indian Jo.</b> By Lewis W. Carson.<br /> -<b>23—Old Kent, the Ranger.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.<br /> -<b>24—The One-Eyed Trapper.</b> By Capt. Comstock.<br /> -<b>25—Godbold, the Spy.</b> By N. C. Iron.<br /> -<b>26—The Black Ship.</b> By John S. Warner.<br /> -<b>27—Single Eye.</b> By Warren St. John.<br /> -<b>28—Indian Jim.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.<br /> -<b>29—The Scout.</b> By Warren St. John.<br /> -<b>30—Eagle Eye.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.<br /> -<b>31—The Mystic Canoe.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.<br /> -<b>32—The Golden Harpoon.</b> By R. Starbuck.<br /> -<b>33—The Scalp King.</b> By Lieut. Ned Hunter.<br /> -<b>34—Old Lute.</b> By E. W. Archer.<br /> -<b>35—Rainbolt, Ranger.</b> By Oll Coomes.<br /> -<b>36—The Boy Pioneer.</b> By Edward S. Ellis.<br /> -<b>37—Carson, the Guide.</b> By J. H. Randolph.<br /> -<b>38—The Heart Eater.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>39—Wetzel, the Scout.</b> By Boynton Belknap.<br /> -<b>40—The Huge Hunter.</b> By Ed. S. Ellis.<br /> -<b>41—Wild Nat, the Trapper.</b> By Paul Prescott.<br /> -<b>42—Lynx-cap.</b> By Paul Bibbs.<br /> -<b>43—The White Outlaw.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>44—The Dog Trailer.</b> By Frederick Dewey.<br /> -<b>45—The Elk King.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>46—Adrian, the Pilot.</b> By Col. P. Ingraham.<br /> -<b>47—The Man-hunter.</b> By Maro O. Rolfe.<br /> -<b>48—The Phantom Tracker.</b> By F. Dewey.<br /> -<b>49—Moccasin Bill.</b> By Paul Bibbs.<br /> -<b>50—The Wolf Queen.</b> By Charles Howard.<br /> -<b>51—Tom Hawk, the Trailer.</b><br /> -<b>52—The Mad Chief.</b> By Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>53—The Black Wolf.</b> By Edwin E. Ewing.<br /> -<b>54—Arkansas Jack.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>55—Blackbeard.</b> By Paul Bibbs.<br /> -<b>56—The River Rifles.</b> By Billex Muller.<br /> -<b>57—Hunter Ham.</b> By J. Edgar Iliff.<br /> -<b>58—Cloudwood.</b> By J. M. Merrill.<br /> -<b>59—The Texas Hawks.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.<br /> -<b>60—Merciless Mat.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>61—Mad Anthony's Scouts.</b> By E. Rodman.<br /> -<b>62—The Luckless Trapper.</b> By Wm. R. Eyster.<br /> -<b>63—The Florida Scout.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.<br /> -<b>64—The Island Trapper.</b> By Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>65—Wolf-Cap.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>66—Rattling Dick.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>67—Sharp-Eye.</b> By Major Max Martine.<br /> -<b>68—Iron-Hand.</b> By Frederick Forest.<br /> -<b>69—The Yellow Hunter.</b> By Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>70—The Phantom Rider.</b> By Maro O. Rolfe.<br /> -<b>71—Delaware Tom.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>72—Silver Rifle.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>73—The Skeleton Scout.</b> Maj. L. W. Carson.<br /> -<b>74—Little Rifle.</b> By Capt. "Bruin" Adams.<br /> -<b>75—The Wood Witch.</b> By Edwin Emerson.<br /> -<b>76—Old Ruff, the Trapper.</b> By "Bruin" Adams.<br /> -<b>77—The Scarlet Shoulders.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>78—The Border Rifleman.</b> By L. W. Carson.<br /> -<b>79—Outlaw Jack.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>80—Tiger-Tail, the Seminole.</b> By R. Ringwood.<br /> -<b>81—Death-Dealer.</b> By Arthur L. Meserve.<br /> -<b>82—Kenton, the Ranger.</b> By Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>83—The Specter Horseman.</b> By Frank Dewey.<br /> -<b>84—The Three Trappers.</b> By Seelin Robbins.<br /> -<b>85—Kaleolah.</b> By T. Benton Shields, U. S. N.<br /> -<b>86—The Hunter Hercules.</b> By Harry St. George.<br /> -<b>87—Phil Hunter.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>88—The Indian Scout.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>89—The Girl Avenger.</b> By Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>90—The Red Hermitess.</b> By Paul Bibbs.<br /> -<b>91—Star-Face, the Slayer.</b><br /> -<b>92—The Antelope Boy.</b> By Geo. L. Aiken.<br /> -<b>93—The Phantom Hunter.</b> By E. Emerson.<br /> -<b>94—Tom Pintle, the Pilot.</b> By M. Klapp.<br /> -<b>95—The Red Wizard.</b> By Ned Hunter.<br /> -<b>96—The Rival Trappers.</b> By L. W. Carson.<br /> -<b>97—The Squaw Spy.</b> By Capt. Chas. Howard.<br /> -<b>98—Dusky Dick.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.<br /> -<b>99—Colonel Crockett.</b> By Chas. E. Lasalle.<br /> -<b>100—Old Bear Paw.</b> By Major Max Martine.<br /> -<b>101—Redlaw.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.<br /> -<b>102—Wild Rube.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.<br /> -<b>103—The Indian Hunters.</b> By J. L. Bowen.<br /> -<b>104—Scarred Eagle.</b> By Andrew Dearborn.<br /> -<b>105—Nick Doyle.</b> By P. Hamilton Myers.<br /> -<b>106—The Indian Spy.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.<br /> -<b>107—Job Dean.</b> By Ingoldsby North.<br /> -<b>108—The Wood King.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.<br /> -<b>109—The Scalped Hunter.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>110—Nick, the Scout.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.<br /> -<b>111—The Texas Tiger.</b> By Edward Willett.<br /> -<b>112—The Crossed Knives.</b> By Hamilton.<br /> -<b>113—Tiger-Heart</b>, the Tracker. By Howard.<br /> -<b>114—The Masked Avenger.</b> By Ingraham.<br /> -<b>115—The Pearl Pirates.</b> By Starbuck.<br /> -<b>116—Black Panther.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.<br /> -<b>117—Abdiel, the Avenger.</b> By Ed. Willett.<br /> -<b>118—Cato, the Creeper.</b> By Fred. Dewey.<br /> -<b>119—Two-Handed Mat.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.<br /> -<b>120—Mad Trail Hunter.</b> By Harry Hazard.<br /> -<b>121—Black Nick.</b> By Frederick Whittaker.<br /> -<b>122—Kit Bird.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.<br /> -<b>123—The Specter Riders.</b> By Geo. Gleason.<br /> -<b>124—Giant Pete.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.<br /> -<b>125—The Girl Captain.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.<br /> -<b>126—Yankee Eph.</b> By J. R. Worcester.<br /> -<b>127—Silverspur.</b> By Edward Willett.<br /> -<b>128—Squatter Dick.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.<br /> -<b>129—The Child Spy.</b> By George Gleason.<br /> -<b>130—Mink Coat.</b> By Jos. E. Badger.<br /> -<b>131—Red Plume.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.<br /> -<b>132—Clyde, the Trailer.</b> By Maro O. Rolfe.<br /> -<b>133—The Lost Cache.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.<br /> -<b>134—The Cannibal Chief.</b> Paul J. Prescott.<br /> -<b>135—Karaibo.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.<br /> -<b>136—Scarlet Moccasin.</b> By Paul Bibbs.<br /> -<b>137—Kidnapped.</b> By J. Stanley Henderson.<br /> -<b>138—Maid of the Mountain.</b> By Hamilton.<br /> -<b>139—The Scioto Scouts.</b> By Ed. Willett.<br /> -<b>140—The Border Renegade.</b> By Badger.<br /> -<b>141—The Mute Chief.</b> By C. D. Clark.<br /> -<b>142—Boone, the Hunter.</b> By Whittaker.<br /> -<b>143—Mountain Kate.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.<br /> -<b>144—The Red Scalper.</b> By W. J. Hamilton.<br /> -<b>145—The Lone Chief.</b> By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.<br /> -<b>146—The Silver Bugle.</b> Lieut. Col. Hazleton.<br /> -<b>147—Chinga, the Cheyenne.</b> By E. S. Ellis.<br /> -<b>148—The Tangled Trail.</b> By Major Martine.<br /> -<b>149—The Unseen Hand.</b> By J. S. Henderson.<br /> -<b>150—The Lone Indian.</b> By Capt. C. Howard.<br /> -<b>151—The Branded Brave.</b> By Paul Bibbs.<br /> -<b>152—Billy Bowlegs, The Seminole Chief.</b><br /> -<b>153—The Valley Scout.</b> By Seelin Robins.<br /> -<b>154—Red Jacket.</b> By Paul Bibbs.<br /> -<b>155—The Jungle Scout.</b> Ready<br /> -<b>156—Cherokee Chief.</b> Ready<br /> -<b>157—The Bandit Hermit.</b> Ready<br /> -<b>158—The Patriot Scouts.</b> Ready<br /> -<b>159—The Wood Rangers.</b><br /> -<b>160—The Red Foe.</b> Ready<br /> -<b>161—The Beautiful Unknown.</b><br /> -<b>162—Canebrake Mose.</b> Ready<br /> -<b>163—Hank, the Guide.</b> Ready<br /> -<b>164—The Border Scout.</b> Ready Oct. 5th.<br /> -</p> - - -<p>BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.</p> - -<p>Transcriber's Note: Changes have been made where the transcriber -perceived there to be typographical errors.</p> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COLONEL CROCKETT, THE TEXAN TRAILER ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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