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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames es required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Lea cartas, planches, tabiaeux, etc., peuvent Atra filmfo A des taux da rMuction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul ciichA, ii est film* A partir de i'angle supArieur geuche, de gauche A droKe, et de haut en bas, an prenant le nombrs d'imeges nAcessaira. Las diagrammes suivants iliuatrent la mMhoda. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 oi o o o w z AFAR IN THE FOREST. f ^ ^alc of Jlibenturc in |lorth Jlmetica. BY THE LATE Z IF. H. G. KINGSTON, AUTiiou or "old jajjk," "in the kahtern hbar,^ "on TUE banks of the AMAZON," ETC. ETC, WITH 41 FULL-PAOB UiLUSTRATIONa J^onlJon: T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW. EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK. 1886. Ki Is 6'ti y<? ^"otttcntB. CHAPTER I. OUR OABITATION IV THE FORCST — MY BHAJRI OF THB SPOIM OF THB DAT'I OBASB— UXOLE MARK OOMMENCEii BI8 MARRATITB — WHT MY UHOLBB DECIDE TO EMIORATB — LANDIMO IN bAVETY, THEY START UP OOOlfTRT — THEIR MEETIMO WITH SIMON YEAR8LEY, AN OLD SETTLER — THB SETTLEMENT IS FOUND IN RUINS — LILY AND I RESCUED — UNCLE MARK PROMISES TO RESUME HIS NARRATIVE ON THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY — Ut LOVE OF NATURAL HISTORY — UNCLE MARK CONTINUES HIS NARRA- TIVE— VEARSLBY GOES IN PURSUIT OF THE INDIANS — TJIB BURIAL OF LILY'S MOTHER — THE RETURN TO THE WAOQON — THEY REACH THB NEAREST SETTLEMENT — ALARM OF THE SETTLERS UPON HEARINO OF THB OUTRAGE COMMITTED BY THB INDIANS — UNCLE STEPHEN'S MARRIAGE — CONCLUSION OF UNCLE MARK'S NARRATIVE — LILY AND I GO BERRYING — WB ABE ATTACKED BY A WOLF — KEPENAU SAVES OUR LIVES — HIS PRESENT OF VENISON TO AUNT HANNAH — KBPENAU'S BELIEF IN THB GOODNESS OF THB GREAT SPIRIT — THB INDIAN'S ADVIOB. 11-40 CHAPTER II. GREENFORD SETTLEMENT — THE FLYING SQUIRRBLS— MIKE LAFFAH AKD TOM QUAMBO — THEIR DOGS, YELP AND SNAP — A RACCOON-HUNT — MIKE HAV- ING SEBN A BEAR, WE GO IN CHA8B OUR DOGS SCENT BRUIN — QUAMBO IN DANGER — THE BEAR IS KILLED, AND QUAMBO RELEASED — WB KBTUKW TO THB HUT — THE LOGGING BEE — UNCLB STEPHEN'S HOUSE — DTDIAIT SUMMER — MIKE LAFFAN'S CREMONA — THB NIGHT ATTACK OF THB WOLVES — WE DBTBRMINB TO GO LUMBERING FOR THB WINTBR — MIKB AND I GO ON AHEAD— UNCLB MARK IS ATTACKED BY A WOLF— MIKB BAVB8 HIM, AND WE PROCEED ONWARDS 41-71 CHAPTER III. A TBRBIFIO SNOWSTORM— KBPENAU'S TIMELY APPEARANCE— WE VISIT KKPB- HAU'S CAMP— HIS HOSPITALITY— AN INDIAN'S DREAD OF THB " FIRB Vlll CONTENTS. WATKR"— WB BID ADIKC TO OUR IXDIAN rBIBMOS— OUR ARRITAL AT THE LOGOINO urOAMPlf KNT— JACQURS MIOHAUO TAKR8 A FAKOT TO MIKE— JAOQUR'8 RAIT 8TORT— MY UNCLB AMD I START ON OUR RRTURK — WK ARB ATTACKBD BY A FIBRCB PACK OF WOLTBS, AND ARB SAYBD BY KBPBITAU AKD HM MEN — MIKB LAPFAN IN A DIFFICULTY — WE RB80UB HIM — ABHATEA, KEPENAU's DAUQHTBR — MY VISIT TO LILY— MR. AKD MRS. OLAXTOir — DORA AND REUBEN — REUBEN VISITS OUR HUT — THE MARTEN AND PORCUPINE — AM OPOSSUM-HUNT 72-110 CHAPTER IV. UNCLE mark's GOOD OPINION OF REUBEN — MIKB LAFFAN'B FIDDLE — THE BEAVER — REUBEN'S DESIRE TO TURN TRAPPER— QUAMBO TAKES A PIPE — KEPBNAU'S CANOE — ASHATEA PADDLES REUBEN HOME— KEPENAU'S SAGACITY — UNCLE MARK WELCOMES KEPBNAU AND HIS DAUGHTER — THB OLD TRAPPER — REUBEN CARRIES SAMSON'S PACK — ASHATEA 18 TAUGHT ENGLISH BY LILY AND DORA — MARTIN GODFREY'S VISIT TO THE SETTLEMENT — KEPBNAU AND ASHATEA's DEPARTURE — BANDY m'coLL, THB HALF-BREED — A VISIT TO KEPBNAU — PORTAGING 111-161 CHAPTER V. AN INTRUDER — WE ARRIVE AT KEPENAU'S CAMP — ASHATKA INQUIRES KINDLY AFTER LILY AND DORA — DEER-HUNTING — THB STRANGE INDIANS — KEPE- NAU'S PRECAUTIONS — MIKE AMUSES THE CAMP WITH HIS FIDDLE — CUR FAREWELL — KAKAIK'S ADVICE WITH REGARD TO RAPID-SHOOTING — THE TREACHEROUS INDIAN ON SHORE — MIKE AND I PADDLE DESPERATELY — THE CANOE IS UPSET — CARRIED DOWN THB STREAM— A NATURAL PLACE OF CONCEALMENT IN A HOLLOW TRUNK — MY TERROR ON PERCEIVING THE INDIANS — FORCED BY HUNGER TO LEAVE MY CONCEALMENT, I AM TAKEN PRISONER BY FOUR INDIANS 162-188 CHAPTER VI. MY INDIAN CAPTORS COMMENCE THEIR HOMEWARD JOURNEY — ARRIVAL AT THE CAMP — AGUSKC9AUT THE CHIEF — HIS KINDNESS TO ME — MY ASTONISHMENT ON SEEING MIKE A PRISONER — HIS LUDICROUS FIDDLING — HIS COMICAL ACCOUNT OF HIS CAPTURE — RETURN OF THB WAARIORS FROM THE WAR-PATH — MIKB AND I JOIN THE BUFFALO-HUNTERS — THB HERD — EXCITING SPORT — THB BISON — ITS IMPORTANCE TO THB INDIANS — MY HOPE OF ESCAPE — I AM IN GREAT DANGER FROM THB HERD — MIKB RESCUES Mr — OUK RETURN TO CAMP 184-220 CHAPTER VII. mike's PRECAUTION — WE AGAIN GO BUFFALO-HUNTING — THE PRAIRIE ON FIRB — A RIDE FOR LIFE — OUR ESCAPE FROM THB FIRE AND THB INDIANS— CONTENTS. ix ROSDLINO HOBtiKi— THK FIRE H HTOPPBO BT TBB RIVER— '. BRIEr BLEEP —OUR riSHIMO TACKLE— MIKE CATCHES A CAT-PIKR — OUR LEAN-TO — MIKE L08B8 BH BOOK — THE VIRIT OP BRUIN — A HEARTY MEAL — DEATH or mike's horse — I am taken sick — mike's CAREPUL watch — MY HORSE IS DROWNED — OUR VISIT TO TBE BIOK LAKE— WE FIND LILY AND DORA TIIKRE, WITH ASHATEA, IN A CANOE, OATHERINO RICE — LILT's ACCOUNT or manilick, the youno chiep, ashatea'h lover— kepenau's ADDRBHH —AGAIN TAKEN ILL— HOW I RECOVER 2tl-l57 CHAPTER VIII. UNCLE mark's canoe— our START POR BOMB- THE RATTLESNAKES— MIR R LONOS POR BIS riUDLE — OUR NIOBT ENCAMPMENT— JACQUES LEROCQUE's riSBINO JOKE— mike's TERROR AT THE SUPPOSED INDIAN AMBUSCADE — THE PBANTOM BEAR— OUR ARRIVAL AT BOMB — KAKAIK AND THE FIDDLE — mike's DELIOHT — KEPENAU'S SECOND VISIT — REUBEN'n CHAORIN — MR. SIMON SPARK'S ADVENT — HIS GLOWING DESCRIPTION OP THE PAR NORTH-WEST — THE FOREST ON FIRE— OUR HUT DESTROYED — OUR ESCAPE 258-288 CHAPTER IX. THR SETTLERS DETERMINE TO ACCEPT MR. SPAKKS' OPrEUS — LILY'.S SORROW AT LEAVING THE OLD SETTLEMENT — MODE or ADVANCE — SABBATH OBSERV- ANCE ON THE MARCH — WE ARE LEFT BEHIND, IN CONSKQUENCE OF OUR WAGGON BREAKING DOWN — OUR GREAT WANT Or WATER — A DANGER- OUS DESCENT — THE BORRID SPECTACLE OF THE WOLVES — OUR OXEN FLAGGING, I PROCEED FORWARD ALONE IN TAB DIRECTION Ol A FIRE IN TBE DISTANCE — MY JOY UPON DISCOVERING OUR FRIENDS — REUBEN OFFERS TO AOCOMPAJfY ME BACK — WE GET LOST— FAITBFUL MIKE FINDS US— STRANGE HORSEMEN — MIKE, REUBEN, AND I TAKEN PRISONERS BY TBE SIOUX 289-319 CHAPTER X. MY SPRAINED ANKLE — MIKE's DEVOTION — REUBEN BROUOBT TO TBE CAMP — TBE INDIANS BIND US TO TREES — TBE DEBATE ON OUR FATE — I AM RELEASED BY SANDY m'cOLL — OLD MAMSON AGAIN — TBE SECRET CAVERV —SAMSON IS VERY KIND AND ATTENTIVE TO ME — BIS CLOSE ATTENTION TO MY ACCOUNT OF THE BURNING OF THE SETTLEMENT, AND TBB RESCUE OF LILY AND I WHEN CHILDREN— I RECOVER, AND SAMSON AND I LEAVE THE CAVERN TO RECONNOITRE — THE INDIAN MASSACRE — SANDY, REUBEN, AND MIKE ARE HOTLY PURSUED — OUR FORTHB88 BESIEGED — WE BOLD OUT, AND BEAT OFF UUR BESIBOBRS — OUR START —THE BI.K S20-862 Tifl C0NTE?n'8. CHAPTER XI. MAUHON'S ADTIOB about BUFFALO-RUNTINO — I HRK Bl'FFALO IN THE DIM- TANCB — OVBRTAKKX BT A TERRIFIC 8TORM — BBNiailTED OH THE PLAIX — BCMOBR-aTRICKBir, I AtLOW MY HOR8B TO TAKE iII8 OWN WAT— I SWOON AWAY— THE 8PANIAIID8 FIND MB — PABLO, THE COOK — THE PRAIRIE ON FIKR— INDIANS APPROACHINO, I DASH THROUOH THE FLAMES— MY POOR HORSE IS FRIORTFULLY SCORCHED — THE WOLVES IN PITRSUIT — I TAKE KEFUOE IN A TRKli — MY HORSE IS DEVOURED BY THE WOLVES — THE WOLVES DEPART IN CHASE OF BUFFALO — I DESCEND, AND BAT THE LOATHSOME WOLF-FLEHH IN MY HUNOER— LIOHTINO A FIRE, I CAMP FOR THE NIOHT — BHOOTIMO A BEAVER 855-375 CHAPTER XII. I FIND POOR PABLO, AND ASSIST HIM — ROASTED SQUIRREL — PABLO's REASON FOR DESIRING TO JOIN THE ENOLISH — WE STALK A BUFFALO — PABLO's TERROR AT THE APPROACH OF INDIANS — MY SURPRISE AT BEING WEL< COMED BY MANILICK — MIKE's JOY AT SEEING MB ALIVE — WE AGAIN START IN THE DIRECTION OF THE WAGGON-TRAIN — OLD SAMSON, REUBEN, AND SANDY NEARLY ROASTED ALIVE BY THE APACHES- QUAMBo'S CARE OF " DE PIDDLK "— LILY'S RELATIONSHIP TO OLD SAMSON— KEPENAU AND MANILICK— OONOLUSION.. 876-88S Vr^jk of ^EUustnitions. •**- U OUX CABIir IN THE WOODH, .. .. .. BOOEB AT WORK, Air CMWBLOOMB VISITOR THK VXa OF THE FOREST, IV THE FOREST, SQUIRRELS CROS8INO A STREAM, .. .. A RACCOON-HCMT BY MIGHT, OARRTINO HOME THE PRIZE, TISITBD BT WOLVES, .. LCKBERERS AT WORK, IK PURSUIT, .. CHARMING THE WOLVES, FIGHT BETWEEN A MARTEN AND A PORCUPINE, .. OPOSSUM-HUNTING, A BEAVER DAM, BEAVER HOUSES, DESCENDING THE RAPIDS, SAMSON AND SANDY STARTING ON THEIR EXPEDITION, MAKING A PORTAGE, .. THE DEER AT BAT, DEEK-HUNTINO ON THE LAKE, .. SETTING OUT FROM THE SETTLEMENT, REUBEN IN DANGER, .. THE DISCOVERY OF THE FOOTPRINTS, INDIANS AT HOME, THE CHIEF'S INTERCESSION, FRONTIEPIBO f • • • 28 « • •• 83 • • • • 87 * ■ • • 43 • • •• 47 ■ • •• 51 .. 67 * • • • 65 ■ . ■ . 79 • * • • 80 • • 05 . . 103 • • ■ • 107 • • • • 117 • • • • 121 . f 127 • • 146 . * 140 . 167 . . 161 167 .. 171 . . 170 . . 191 • t • • 201 : • • r I •1 xtt LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. BUFFALO CROB8INO A IlIVER, A BUFFALO-HUNT, THB WARNING, A RACE FOR LIFE, KEPENAV PREACBINO TO "HE INDIA NH, ,. CROSSING THE LAKE, .. FISHING ONDER DIFFICULTIEN, .. THE LAND AGENT, TRAVELLING UNDER DIFFICULTIBH, A DREADFUL SCENE, .. THE EMIGRANT-TRAIN ATTACKED IIT INDIANS, ON THE WATCH, .. .. i, A TEMPTING PRIZE, THB FAITHFUL STEED, .. AT KEPENAU'S CAMP, .. vn ns 223 227 2&S 261 280 281 206 801 815 887 868 861 386 IN THE FOREST. h 1.1 CHAPTER I. OVn HABITATION IN THB FOREST — MY SHARE OF THE 8F0ILB OF THE DAV'S CHASE— UNCLE MARK COMMENCEM BIS NARRATITE — WHY MY UNCLES DECIDE TO EMIGRATE — LANDING IN SAFETY, THEY START UP COUNTRY — THEIR MEETING WITH SIMON YEAR8LEY, AN OLD S3TTLER — THE SETTLEMENT IS FOUND IN RUINS — LILY AND I RESCUED — UNCLE MARK PROMISES TO RESl MB HIS NARRATIVE ON THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY — MY LOVE or NATURAL HISTORY — UNCLE MARK CONTINUES HIS NARRA- TIVE — YEAIISLEY GOES IN PURSUIT OF THE INDIANS— THE BURIAL OF lily's mother — THE RETURN TO THE WAGQON — THEY REACH THB NEAREST SETTLEMENT — ALARM OF THE ilETTLERS UPON HEARING OF THB OUTRAGE COMMITTED BY THE INDIANS — UNCLE STEPHEN'S MARRIAGB — CONCLUSION OF UNCLE MARK'S NARRATIVE — LILY AND I OO BERRYING — WE ARE ATTACKED BY A WOLF — KEPENAU SAVES OUR LIVES — HIS PRKSENT OF VENISON TO AUNT HANNAH — KBPSNAU'S BELIEF IN TBB GOODNESS OF THE GREAT SPIRIT — THB INDIAN'S ADVICE. *S Lily not Uncle ' -tephen's daughter, then ? " I asked. The question was put to my uncle, Mark Tregellis, whom I found seated in front of our hut as I returned one evening from a hunting excursion — it having been my duty that day to go out in search of game for our larder. Uncle Mark had just come in from his day's work, which had been that of felling the tall trees surrounding our 'i " ' ' ', f IJ^ m " i»<*i 12 OUR FOREST-HOME. jy habitation. He and I together had cleared an acre and a half since we came to our new location. It was a wild region in which we had fixed our- selves. Dark forests were on every side of us. To the north and the east was the gi*eat chain of lakes which extend a third of the way across North America. Numberless mountain-ranges rose in the distance, with intervening heights, — some rugged and precipitous, others clothed to their summits with vegetation. Numerous rivers and streams ran through the country ; one of which, on whose banks we purposed building our future abode, passed close to our hut. Besides the features I have described, there were waterfalls and rapids, deep valleys and narrow gorges penetrating amid the hills; while to the south-west could be seen, from the higher ground near us, the wide prairie, extending away far beyond human ken. Wild indeed it was, for not a single habitation of white men was to be found to the west- ward; and on the other side, beyond the newly- formed settlement in which Uncle Stephen resided, but few cottages or huts of the hardy pioneers of civilization, — and these scattered only here and there, —existed for a hundred miles or more. Uncle Mark, having lighted the fire and put the pot on to boil, had thrown himself down on the ground in front of the hut, with his back to the wall, and was busy contemplating the dark pines which towered up before him, and calculating how long it would take, with his sharp axe, to fell them. I had brought home a haunch of venison as my UNCLE MARK S NARRATIVE. 18 share of the spoils of the chase (in which I had joined Uncle Stephen) ; and it was in consequence of a remark made by him while -ve were out hunting, that I had somewhat eagerly asked at Uncle Mark the question with which this story opens. "No; Lily is not Stephen's daughter, — nor even related to him," he answered. "But we will cut some steaks off that haunch and broil them; and while we are discussing our supper, I will tell you all about the matter." The slices of venison, and flour-cakes baked on the fire, were soon ready ; and seated at the door of our hut, with a fire burning before us to keep off the mosquitoes, we commenced our repast, when I re- minded my uncle of his promise. " It is a good many years ago, but even now it is painful to think of those days," he began. " We came from Cornwall, in the 'old country,' where your Uncle Stephen, your mother, and I were born. She had married your father, Michael Penrose, however, and had emigrated to America, when we were mere boys; and we were just out of our apprenticeship (Stephen as a blacksmith and I as a carpenter) when we received a letter from your father and mother inviting us to join them in America, and setting forth th(, advantages to be obtained in the new country. We were no^ long in making up our minds to accept the invitation ; and in the spring of the next year we crossed the sea, with well nigh three hundred other emigrants, — some going out to relatives and friends, others bent on seeking their fortunes, trusting alone b- 11 14 A JOURNEY UP COUNTRY. to their own strong arms and determined will for success. " We found, on landing, that we had a journey of some hundred miles before us; part of which could be performed in boats up the rivers, but the greater portion was along 'corduroy' roads, through dark forests, and over mountains and plains. Our brother- in-law, a bold, determined person, had turned back- woodsman, and, uniting himself with a party of hardy fellows of similar tastes, had pushed on in advance of the old settlers, far to the westward, in spite of the difficulties of obtaining stores and pro- visions, and the dangers they knew they must en- counter from hostile Indians whose territories they were invading. We did not, however, think much of these things, and liked the idea of being ahead, as it seemed to us, of others. The forest was before us. We were to win our way through it, and establish a home for ourselves and our families. " We had been travelling on for a couple of weeks or so, following the directions your father had given us in order to find his new location, but greatly in doubt as to whether we were going right, when we were fortunate enough to fall in with a settler who knew him, and who was returning with a wag- gon and team. He readily undertook to be our guide, glad to have our assistance in making way Arough the forest We provided ourselves with crowbars to lift the waggon out of the ruts and holes and up the steep ascents; for we had left the ' corduroy * roads — or. indeed, any road at all — far THROUGH THE POREST. 15 behind. Our new acquaintance seamed to be some- what out of spirits about the prospects of the new settlement ; but, notwithstanding, he had determined to chance it with the rest. The Indians, he said, had lately been troublesome, and some of them who had been found prowling about, evidently bent on mischief, had been shot. ' We have won the ground, and we must keep it against all odds,' he observed. "Everything in the country was then new to us. I remember feeling almost awe-struck with the still- ness which reigned in the forest. Not a leaf or bough was in motion ; nor was a sound heard, except when now and then our ears caught the soughing of the wind among the lofty heads of the pine-iirees, the tapping of the woodpeckers on the decaying trunks, or the whistling cry of the little chitmonk as it ran from bough to bough. "I had expected to meet with bears, wolves, raccoons, lynxes, and other animals, and was surprised at encountering so few living creatures. * They are here, notwithstanding,* observed our friend; 'you will get your eyes sharpened to find them in time. In the coui-se of a year or two you tnay become expert backwoodsmen. You can't expect to drop into the life all at once.' By attending to the advice our friend gave us, and keeping our senses wide awake, we gained some knowledge even during that journey. "We were now approaching the settlement — Wcatherford, it was called. It was a long way to the eastward of where we are now, with numerous towns n 16 A FEARFUL DISCOVERY. I M and villages in the neighbourhood. The waggon had gained the last height, from the top of which, our guide told us, we should be able to catch sight of the settlement. We had been working away with our crowbars, helping on the wheels, — our friend being ahead of the team, — and had just reached level ground, when we heard him utter a cry of dismay. Rushing forward, we found him pointing, with dis- tended eyes, into the plain beyond us, from which could be seen, near the bank of a river, thick volumes of smoke ascending, while bright flames kept flicker- ing up from below. " * The settlement has been surprised by Indians ! ' he exclaimed, as soon as he could find words to speak. *I know the bloodthirsty nature of the savages. They don't do things by halves, or allow a single human being to escape, if they can help it. Lads, you will stick by me ; though we can do nothing, I fear, but be revenged on the Redskins. I left my wife and children down there, and I know that I shall never see them alive again. "He spoke quite calmly, like a man who had made up his mind for the wont. "'We cannot leave the waggon here, or the Indians will see it, — if they have not done so already, — and know that we are following them. We will take it down to yonder hollow, and leave it and the oxen. There is pasture enough for them, and they will not stray far. Then we will follow up the Indians' trail ; and maybe some of their braves won't get back to boast of their victory, if you will only do as I tell you.* (027) IN THE VILLAGE. 17 "Of course, we at once agreed to accompauy Simon Yearsley — such was our friend's name — and follow his directions. Quickly turning the waggon round, we got it down to the spot he had indicated, where the oxen were unyoked, and left to crop the grass by the side of a Fcream flowing from the hill above. Then taking our rifles, with a supply of ammunition, and some food in our wallets, we again set off, Yearsley leading the way. " We next descended the hill, concealing ourselves as much as possible amonj the rocks and shrubs until we gained the plain. Although Simon moved at a rapid rate, there was nothing frantic in his gestures. He had made up his mind, should he find his loved ones destroyed, to follow the murderers with deadly vengeance, utterly regardless of the con- sequences to himself. As none of the intervening country had been cleared except a straight road through the forest, where the trees had been felled, and the stumps grubbed up here and there to allow of a waggon passing between the remainder, we were able to conceal ourselves until we got close to the settlement. "We now saw that, though the greater number were in flames, two or three huts on one side remained uninjured. Still, not a sound reached us, — neither the cries of the inhabitants nor the shouts of the savages. Nothing was heard save the sharp crackling of the flames. " ' The Indians have retreated, and the settlers are following. We shall be in time to join them ! * ex- (627) 2 ♦I f<*i 18 THE MASSACRED SETTLERS. claimed Yearsley, dashing forward. 'But we must first search for any who have survived.* His pre- vious calmness disappeared as he. spoke, and he rushed, through the burning huts, towards one of the buildings. "Stephen and I were about to follow, when we heard a cry proceeding from one of the huts at hand, which, though the doorway was charred and the burning embers lay around it, had as yet escaped de- struction. Hurrying in, I stumbled over the corpse of a man. His rifle lay on the ground, while his hand grasped an axe, the blade covered with gore. I gazed on his face, and recognized, after a moment's scrutiny, my own brother-in-law. He had fallen while defending his hearth and home. Close to him lay a young boy, who, I guessed, was his eldest child, shot through the head. " My poor sister ! where could she be ? "Again a cry reached my ear. It came from an inner room. It was Martha, your mother, who had uttered the cry. She was stretched on the ground, holding you in her arms. Her neck was fearfully wounded, her life-blood ebbing fast away. " I endeavoured to stanch it, tolling her meanwhile who I was. " ' Stephen and I have come at your invitation,* I said. "'Heaven, rather, has sent you, to protect my Roger,* she faintly gasped out, trying to put you in my arms. * His father and brother are dead ; I saw them fall. Hearing voices which I knew to be those of white A BRAVE ACT. 19 men, I cried out, that they might come and protect him. Mark ! I am dying. You will ever be a father to him?' "The blood continued to flow; and soon she breathed her last, her head resting on my arm. Your dress and little hands were stained with her blood ; but you were too young to understand clearly what had hap- pened, although, as I took you up to carry you from the hut, you cried out lustily to be taken back to your poor mother. " Thinking it possible that the Indians might re- turn, I hurried out to look for Stephen, so that we might make our escape. I was resolved at all costs to save your life. I tried to comfort you, at the same time, by telling you that I was your uncle, and that your mother had wished me to take care of you. " Going on a little way, I found another hut, the door of which was open, and smoke coming out of it. The savages had thrown in their firebrands as they quitted the village, and the front part was already on fire. " While I was shouting for Stephen he rushed out of the hut, with a blanket rolled up in his arms, the end thrown over his own head. " * I have saved this child, and thank Heaven you are here to take her !' he exclaimed, unfolding the blanket, and putting a little girl into my arms. * I must try and preserve the mother ;' and again throw- ing the blanket over his head, he dashed in through the flames. " In another minute he reappeared, struggling i^i ,«,.- 20 "MY LITTLE LILY." along under the heavy burden of a grown-up pei'son wrapped in the blanket. As he reached me he sank down, overcome by the smoke, and I noticed that his clothes and hair were singed. " On opening the blanket I saw a young woman, her dress partly burned. She too was wounded. The fresh air somewhat revived her ; and on opening her eyes and seeing the little girl, she stretched out her arms for her " * Lilias ! my little Lily ! she's saved,' she whis- pered, as she pressed her lips to the child's brow. * May Heaven rev/ard you ! " It was the final effort of exhausted nature, and in a few minutes she breathed her last. "The flames, meantime, had gained the mastery over the building, and we saw that it was impossible to save it. " But it's time to turn in, Roger," said Uncle Mark. " I'll tell you more about the matter to-morrow." As Uncle Mark always meant what he said, I knew that there would be no use in trying to get him to go on then, eager as I was to hear more of what had, as may be supposed, so deeply interested me. I accordingly turned into my bunk, and was soon asleep. I dreamed of shrieking Indians and burning vil- lages ; and more than once I started up and listened to the strange unearthly sounds which came from the depths of the forest. These noises, I may here say, were caused by the wolves ; for the savage brutes occasionally came near A LOVE OF NATURAL HISTORY. 21 the settlement, attracted by the sheep and cattle which the inhabitants had brought with them. A bright look-out being kept, however, it was seldom that any of our stock was carried off. Bears also occasionally came into the neighbourhood; and we had already shot two, whose skins supplied us with winter coat. Our intention was to kill as many more as we could meet with, that their skins miglit serve us for other purposes — especially as coverlets for our beds. And, besides, their tlesh was always a welcome addition to our larder. Next morning we went about our usual work. My uncle with his bright axe commenced felling the trees round our hut — working away from sunrise to sun- set, with only an hour's intermission for dinner. I aided him, as far as my strength would allow, for a certain number of hours daily. But my uncle encouraged me to follow the bent of my inclina- tion, which was to get away and observe the habits of the creatures dwelling in the surrounding forest. I had been a naturalist from my earliest days. The study had been my poor father's hobby — so my uncle told me — and I inherited his love for it. It had, moreover, been developed and encouraged by a visit we had received, some few years back, from a scien- tific gentleman, who had come over to America to make himself acquainted with the feathered tribes, the quadrupeds, and the reptiles of the New World. It had been my delight to accompany this gentle- man on his excursions while he was with us; and i prized a couple of books he had left with me more »*j 83 BIRD-STUFFING. than I should have done a lump of gold of the same weight. From him I learned to preserve and stuff the skins of the birds and animals I killed ; a know- ledge which I turned to profitable account, by my uncle's advice — as they were sent, when opportunity occurred, to the Eastern States, where they found a ready market. "It pays very well in its way, Roger," observed Uncle Mark ; " but work is better. If you can com- bine the two, I have no objection ; but you are now too old to play, and, for your own sake, you should do your best to gain your own living. While you were young, I was ready to work for you ; and so I should be now, if you could not work for yourself. I want you, however, to understand that it is far nobler for a man to labour for his daily bread, than to allow others to labour for him." I fully agreed with Uncle Mark. Indeed, my am- bition had long been to support myself. I had an Idea, nevertheless, that the skins I preserved brought more immediate profit than did the result of his labours with the axe. But, everything considered, we got on very well together ; for I was grateful to him for the affection and care he had bestowed on me during my childhood. I was hard at work that day preparing a number of birds I had shot in the morning ; and when dinner- time came. Uncle Mark, telling me to continue my task, said he would get our meal ready. Having quickly prepared it, he brought out the platters, and set himself down near me. I washed my hands, and he samo tid stuff I know- by my )rtunity found a bserved m com- re now should ile you nd so I self. I ' nobler allow tiy am- lad an rought of his idered, ful to ed on imber inner- le my avinfif 3, and , and 'if. 4 % i ROOER AT WORK. ml ai ai THE NARRATIVE RESUMED. 25 speedily despatched my dinner; after which I re- turned to my work. " Will you go on with the account you were giving me last night?" I said, observing that he did not seem inclined to move. " You have more than half an hour to rest, and 1 will then come and help you." "Where was I? Oh! I remember," said my uncle. " In the middle of the burning settlement, with you and Lily in my arms. " We were wondering what had become of Yearsley, when we caught sight of him rushing out from amid the burning huts. " ' They are all killed !— all, all, all !' he shrieked out. 'Follow me, lads;' and he pointed with a significant gesture in the direction he supposed the Indians had taken. "'But these children, Mr. Yearsley! You would not have us desert them! And my brother is too nmch injured, I fear, to accompany you,' I observed. " He looked at the children for a moment. "'You are right,* he answered. 'Stay by them; or rather, make your way back eastward with them. Ignorant as you are of the habits of the savages, you could aid me but little. If I do not return, the waggon and its contents, with the team, will be yours.' "Before I had time to reply, or to ask him the name of the poor young woman who lay dead at my feet, he had dashed across the stream, and soon disappeared amid the forest beyond. He had doubt- less discovered the trail of the Indians, or of the band .t \i':\ .1 26 A SOLEMN TASK. of settlers who had gone in pursuit of them ; although we at that time werg quite unable to perceive what was visible to his more practised eye. " I told Stephen how I had dir.covered our sister's house; so we agreed to return to it, and to carry there the body of the poor young woman, that we might bury it with those of our own family. The hut was one of the very few which had escaped the flames, and we found some spades and a pickaxe within. Not knowing how soon we might be inter- rupted, we at once set to work and dug two graves under a maple-tree at the further end of the garden. One was large enough to hold our brother-in-law and sister, and their boy ; and in the other we placed the poor young lady — for a lady she appeared to be, judging from her dress, her ear-rings and brooch, and a ring which she wore on her finger. These trinkets we removed, in order to preserve them for her little daughter ; as also a miniature which hung round her neck, — that of a handsome young man, who was doubtless her husband. Stephen told me that the cottage from which he had rescued her, as far as he had time to take notice, seemed to be neatly and tastefully furnished. "We concluded that her husband, if he had not been killed when the village was surprised, had followed the savages along with the rest; and he would be able on his return to identify his child, while we should know him by his portrait. " Before beginning our sad occupation, we had got some water and washed the stains from your hands OUR RETURN TO THE WAGGON. 27 and clothes, and left you in a room playing with little Lily ; and on our return we gave you both some food which we found in the house. By this time, too, you seemed perfectly at home with us. "At first we thought of remaining in the house until Mr. Yearsley and the settlers whom we supposed had gone in pursuit of the savages should return ; but Stephen suggested that this might be dangerous, as we should not know what was happening outside. The Indians might come back and surprise us, when we should to a certainty share the fate which had befallen so many others. We agreed, therefore, that our safest course would be to make our way back to the waggon, where we had abundance of provisions, and where we could find shelter for the children who hpd been committed to us, we felt sure, by Providence. "They were now our chief care. While I took charge of them, Stephen hurriedly examined the other huts which had escaped destruction; crying out in case any one should be concealed, in order to let them know that we were ready to help them. No answer came, however, and we were soon convinced that every person in the settlement, with the excep- tion of those who had gone in pursuit of the savages, had been slaughtered. " As soon as we were satisfied as to this, we began our retreat, hoping to get back to the waggon before nightfall. Our intention was to wait there for Mr. Yearsley, as we felt sure that, after he had punished the Indians, he would come and look for us where he had left the waggon. •SI ■' (t 28 ON THE WATCH. li!iii: " The sun was setting as we reached the top of the ridge ; but we were too far off to distinguish any one moving in the settlement, although we made out the smouldering fire, from which thin wreaths of smoke alone ascended in the calm evening air. On reaching the waggon, we found the cattle grazing quietly beside it. Having removed some packages, among which was one of new blankets, we made up beds for the two children; and after giving them some supper, we placed them, sleeping, side by side. " We agreed that one of us should watch while the other slept. We also resolved ihp±, in the event of our being attacked by Indians, we should show them fight; for we had a good store of ammunition, and knew well how to handle our weapons. Although we hoped they would not come, yet we knew that they might possibly fall upon our trail and discover our whereabouts. Indeed, had we not thought it our duty to wait for Mr. Yearsley, we should have harnessed the cattle, and endeavoured to make our way down the mountain in the dark. " After we had put you and Lily to bed, and had refreshed ourselves with some supper, I climbed again to the top of the ridge; but I could see no object moving in the plain, nor could I hear the slightest sound to indicate the approach of any one. I therefore returned. " While Stephen lay down under the waggon, I kept watch, walking up and down with my rifle ready in my hand, and resting occasionally by leaning against the wheel of the waggon. After I had watched thus i-, ANOTHER VISIT TO THE SETTLEMENT. 29 for about four hours, I called Stephen, who took my place. " I was again on foot by daybreak, and once more climbed to the top of the ridge to look out. But I had the same report as before to give. The fire had burned itself out, and I could see no one moving. We waited all that day — and might have waited for several more, until our cattle had eaten up the herbage — without being discovered; but Mr. Yearsley did not appear, nor could we see any signs of the other settlers. " We did our best to amuse you and Lily. You asked frequently after your poor mother ; and it went to my heart to tell you that you would never see her airain. " Stephen proposed that we should the next morning set out on our journey eastward ; but as I thought it possible that Mr. Yearsley would by that time have got back to the settlement, I undertook to go and search for him — or to try and find any of the jther people, and learn what had become of him. Stephen agreed to this ; undertaking to look after the children and guard the waggon during my absence. " At daybreak I set out, keeping myself concealed, as much as possible, behind bushes and trunks of trees, until I got back to the scene of the catastrophe. I Hstened ; but all was still as death. Excepting the two or three huts around my brother-in-law's abode, the whole ground where the settlement had stood presented only black heaps of ashes, surrounded by palings and trunks of trees charred by the flames. I ■till ^ 30 WATFIELD. could see no one moving across the river, either ; and the dreadful idea seized me that the settlers who had gone in pursuit of uhe foe had been cut off, and that Mr. Yearsley had in all likelihood shared the same fate. Had it not been for Stephen and the children, I would have watched all day, in the hope of our friend's return ; but I had promised not to be longer than I could help. " I again visited my poor brother-in-law's hut, and packed up such clothes as I saw belonging to you. I also brought away a few other articles, to remind us of your mother ; for I thought it probable that the settlement would be revisited by the savages, who would take good care to finish the work they had begun. I then set off on my return to the waggon, looking back every now and then, lest I might be followed by any of the foe. "On reaching the waggon, Stephen agreed with me that we might safely wait till the next morning. We did so; and poor Yearsley not then appearing, we proceeded with the waggon along the road we had taken in coming, until we reached Watfield, a large settlement which had then been established for three or four yeara. " The account we gave of what had happened caused the inhabitants considerable anxiety and alarm. The men at once flew to arms; stockades were put up; and sentries were posted at all points, to watch for the possible approach of the Indians. " Stephen and I having now no wish to go further east, we determined to remain where we were. As .»c UNCLE STEPHEN S MARRIAGE. 31 for the waggon and team, though we had no written document to show that Yearsley had given them to us, our statement was believed; and it was agreed that we should be allowed to keep them,^-especially as we consented to give them up should the original owner return. But nothing was ever heard of him, or of the other settlers who had gone in pursuit of the retreating foe; and it was generally believed that the whole had been surrounded and murdered by the savages. "As we could not spare time to look after the children, one of us agreed to marry. Stephen there- fore fixed upon your Aunt Hannah, who was, he had discovered, likely to prove a good housewife, and was kind-hearted and gentle-mannered. A true mother, too, she has ever proved to our Lily." Uncle Mark only spoke the truth when he praised Aunt Hannah; for she had been like an affectionate mother to me, as well as to Lily, and much I owed her for the care she had bestowed upon me. I need not describe my own early days; indeed, several years passed without the occurrence of any incidents which would be especially interesting to othera. Gradually the border-village grew into a town, although even then the country continued in almost its original wild state within a mile or two of us. Both Lily and I got a fair amount of schooling ; and in the holidays I was able to indulge my taste, by rambling into the forest and increasing my know- ledge of the habits of its denizens. Occasionally I r J 32 ATTACKED BY A WOLF. got leave for Lily to accompany me, although Aunt Hannah did not much approve of her going so far from home. One day I had persuaded our aunt to let her accompany me — Lily herself was always ready to go — for the sake of collecting some baskets of berries. " I promise to come back with as many as I can carry, to fill your jam-pots," said L There were whortle- berries, and thimble-berries, blue-berries, raspberries, and strawberries, and many others which, I reminded her, were now in season. "If we do not get them now, the time will pass. Lily's fingers, too, will pick them quicker than mine, so that we shall get double as many as I should get by myself," I observed. My arguments prevailed, and Lily and I set out, happy as the red-birds we saw flying in and out among the trees around us. We had nearly filled our baskets, and I was on my knees picking some strawberries which grew on the bank of a small stream running through an open part of the forest, when Lily, who was at a little distance from me, shrieked out. I was about to spring to my feet and hurry to her assistance — supposing that she had been frightened by some animal — when what was my horror to see, close to me, a huge wolf, with open jaws, ready to seize me ! My stick, the only weapon I carried, lay just within my reach ; so I put out my liand and instinctively grasped it, determined to fight for my own life and Lily's too — knowing how, if the wolf killed me, it would next attack her. As I moved the creature snarled, but did not AN UNWELCOME VISITOR. it~ adi to Th at if PRESERVED BY AM INDIAN. 85 advance any nearer. So, grasping the stick, I sprang to my feet and swung the weapon round with all my might, despair giving energy to my muscles. The savage creature retreated a few paces, astonished at the unexpected blow, snarling, and eying me, as if about to make another attack. Again Lily shrieked. "Run, run!" I cried; "I will tackle the wolf." But she did not move; indeed, she saw that the creature was more likely to come off victor than I was. I stood ready to receive the animal, doubtful whether I ought to make tho atttick ; Lily, in the meantime, continuing to cry aloud for help. The wolf at length seemed to get tired of waiting for his expected prey, and giving a fierce howl, he was on tlie point of springing at rae, when a bullet fired by an unseen hand laid him dead at my feet. Lily sprang towards me, exclaiming, "You are safe! you are safe, Roger!" and then burst into tears. She scarcely seemed to consider how I had been saved. All she saw was the dead wolf, and that I was un- hurt. On looking round, I observed an Indian advancing towards us from amonof the trees. "That must be the man who killed the wolf," I exclaimed. " We musii thank him, Lily." Lily had ever a great dread of Indians. "We must run I we must run, Roger ! " she cried. " He may kill us as easily as he did the wolf, or carry us away prisoners." 86 FINDING A FRIEND. " We cannot escape him, Lily ; and I do not think he will hurt us," I answered in an encoura^'inf' tone. "I will go forward and thank him for saving my life. It will not do to show any fear ; and if he is disposed to be friendly, he would think it ungrateful if we were to run oft* without thanking him." I took Lily's hand as I spoke, and led her towards the Indian. He was dressed in skins, with an axe hangine: from his belt, and had loufj black hair stream- inir over his shoulders, — unlike most of the Indians I had seen, who wear it tied up and ornamented with feathers. A small silver medal hung from his neck, and I guessed from this that he was a friend to the white men, and had received it as a token for some service he had rendered them. He madv. a friendly sign as he saw us approach, and put out his hand. " We come to thank you for killing the wolf that was about to spring upon me," I said in English, for though I knew a few words of the Indian tongue, I could not at that time speak it sufficiently well to express what I wished to say. " Kepenau is glad to have done you a service," lie answered in English. "I heard the young maiden cry out, and guessed that she would not do so with- out cause, so I hurried on to help you. But why are you so far from home ? It is dangerous for unarmed people to wander in this forest." " We came out to gather berries, and were about to return," said Lil3\ " You will not detain us ? " "Not if you wish to go," answered the Indian. \ I THE KING OF THE FOREST thil aiw hii wil A PRESENt OF VENISON. 39 " But come with me, and you shall return with some- thing of more value than these berries." I felt sure that the Indian would not injure us, so Lily and I followed him, hand in hand. He moved through the forest faster than we could, and presently stopped near some rocks, amid which •lay the body of a deer with huge antlers. Placing himself across the carcass of the animal, he exclaimed with a look of exultation, " See ! I have overcome the king of these forests. Once, thousands of these animals wandered here, but since the white man has come they have all disappeared ; and now that I have slain him, we must go likewise, and seek for fresh hunting-grounds. Still, Kepenau bears the White- skins no malice. He was ever their friend, and in- tends to remain so. You must take some of the meat and present it to your friends." Saying this, he commenced skinning the deer, in which operation I assisted him. He then cut off several slices, which he wrapped up in some large leaves and placed in my basket. " Take the venison to your mother, and say that Kepenau sends it," he observed. " He has no mother," said Lily. " Is he not your brother ? " asked the Indian. " No ! " said Lily. " His mother was killed by the Redskins long, long ago." Lily at that time did not know that her own mother had been murdered when mine was. " You do not bear the red men any malice on that account, I trust ? " said Kepenau, turning to me. ■ 1 :M-: 40 THE INDIAN S ADVICE. "The Great Spirit tells us to forgive our enemies; and there are good and bad Indians." "You are a good Indian, I am sure," said Lily, looking up at him with more confidence in her manner than she had before shown. " I wish to become so," he said, smiling. " I have learned to love the Great Spirit, and wish to obey him.* But it is time for you to return liome. Wait until I have secured the flesh of the deer, and then I will accompany you." Kepenau quickly cut up the animal, and fastened the more valuable portions to the bough of a tree — out of the reach of the wolves — by means of some lithe creepers which grew at hand; then loading himself with as much of the venison as he could conveniently carry, he said, " We will move on." Having accompanied us to the edge of the forest, he bade us farewell. " Should there be more wolves in the forest, they will not follow you further than this," he said ; " but if they do, remember that it will be better to sacrifice some of the venison, than to allow them to overtake you. Throw them a small bit at a time ; and as in all likelihood they will stop to quarrel over it, you will thus have time to escape." I remembered the Indian's advice, although we did not need to practise it on this occasion. We reached home before dark, and greatly sur- prised Aunt Hannah with the present of venison. She had, she told us, been veiy anxious at our pro- longed absence. CHAPTER II. : ', n^ *\xi onEKNrORD SETTLEMENT — THE FLYING SQUIRRELS — MIKE LAFFAN AMD TOM QUAHBO — THEIR DOGS, YELP AND SNAP — A RACCOON-HUNT — MIKE HAV- ING SEEN A BEAR, WE GO IN CHASE — OUR DOGS SCENT BRUIN — QUAMBO IN DANGER — THE BEAR IS KILLED, AND QUAMBO RELEASED — WE RETURN TO THE HUT — THE LOGGING BEE — UNCLE STEPHEN'S HOUSE — INDIAN SUMMER — MIKE LAFFAN's CREMONA — THE NIGHT ATTACK OF THB WOLVES — WE DETERJIINE TO GO LUMBERING FOR THE WINTER — MIKE AND I GO ON AHEAD — UNCLE MARK IS ATTACKED BY A WOLF — MICE SAVES HIM, AND WE PROCEED ONWARDS. 'E bad only lately, as I have already said, arrived at our new location. My uncles bad been imbued witb tbe restless spirit of backwoodsmen, and Aunt Hannali was ready to do whatever Uncle Stephen wished. So, having grown weary of the life at Watfield, where we had at first been located, they had resolved, along with several other inhabit- ants of that place, to push westward ; and after mak- ing their way through forests, rivers, and swamps, and over hills and plains, had formed the new settlement where Uncle Stephen now was, and which they had named Greenford. To the hut where Uncle Mark and I lived no name had been given; but he expressed his belief that it would one dav become the centre of a sfreat city. " Before that day arrives, however, you and I, 42 FLYING SQUIKRELS. Roger, will have moved far away westward," he observed. I used to exercise diligence while I was at work, in order that I might have more time to attend to the study of natural history. My great delight was to get away into the forest and observe the habits of its various inhabitants. Often would I sit on the root of an old tree watching the playful squirrels at their gambols. When I spied a hole in which I knew that a family were likely to have taken up their abode, I would hide myself; and before long I was generally rewarded by seeing a " papa " squirrel pok- ing out his nose. Soon he would give an inaudible sniff, sniff, sniff, then out would come his head, and he would look round to ascertain whether danger was near. Presently I would catch sight of his thick furry body and lovely brush, the tail curling over his head. Then anoth3r nose would appear, and large shining eyes; and out aaother would pop; followed in rapid succession by the whole family. Then, how delightful it was to watch them frolicking about, darting round the trunks, sending the bark rattling down as they chased each other ; whisking their tails ; darting along the boughs, and bounding fearlessly from branch to branch. One, reaching the end of a bough, would spread out its arms and tail, exhibiting the white fur beneath, and fly down to a lower branch, or to the earth below, followed by its companions; then away they would go along the logs or swinging vines, tmd up another trunk, quick as lightning. Sometimes I would catch them at -'^/■i^'''/ Wrx-?i V .' ^ V ^. , . i ' . \^- . •>■ 9 /; ai- • ^psra i '~ |- ^T' ^ - ■k. ^ ■ ---Hi^:^ Tf- ' ■ IN THE FOREST. thei had shar A Itsc shor The tiigli J 'f^m HOW THEY CROSS A RIVER. 45 ■ h their supper, nibbling away at the nuts which they had plucked, or had dug out of the ground with their sharp little paws. A flying squirrel is indeed a beautiful creature. Its colour is a most delicate gray ; the fur thick and shoi-t, and as soft as velvet ; the eyes large and full. The membrane by which it is enabled to take its flights is of a soft texture, and white, like the fur of the chinchilla. The tail greatly resembles an elegantly-formed broad feather. One day, as I was wandering along the banks of a stream, for the purpose of observing the habits of a family of beavers that had lately made their abode there, I caught sight of a number of squirrels. They were evidently about some important operation, since they were moving steadily along the branches, and refraining from their usual frisking and playing. Hav- ing concealed myself from their view, in order that they might not be disturbed by my presence, I noticed that they went on until they reached the branch of a tree overhanging the stream, at the extreme end of which one, who appeared to be their leader, took post, looking eagerly up the current. In a short tune a small log floated near, with a tendency to move over to the opposite side. As it came beneath the leader of the party he dropped down upon it, at the same time uttering a sharp cry. Quick as light- ning some others followed his example ; and by hold- ing on to the lower twigs they arrested its progress until the whole party were seated on board, when the log was allowed to float, as they sagaciously ■" H < : ^1 46 MY CHIEF COMPANION, knew it would, towards the opposite bank. It seemed to me as if some of them were steering it with their tails; but of that I am not positive. In a short time, after floating some way down the sU'cam it was guided to the shore ; when one after the other leaped off, and quickly running along the boughs of the trees, gained a point exactly opposite to that from which they had started; after which they went away into the forest, — bent, I doubted not, on some predatory expedition. They would soon make their presence known, when they reached the pumpkin-grounds or maize-fields of the settlers. I was not always alone in my rambles through the forest. Lily would have been only too happy to accompany me, but Aunt Hannah judged it prudent to keep her at home ; and, indeed, she had plenty of occupation there. My chief companion, therefore, was one of Uncle Stephen's labourers — an Irishman, Mike Laffan by name. Althoufdi Mike had no fjreat knowledije of natural history, he was as fond of searching for animals as I was, and consequently was always ready to ac- company me when he had the chance. He was an honest fellow ; a thorough Patlander in look, manners, language, and ideas. When he could, he used to press Tom Quambo, an old free negro, into the service ; and Quambo enjoyed the fun as much as Mike did. Each possessed a dog, of which they were very proud, ugly as the animals were to look at. " Den, you see, massa, if Yelp not 'ansome, he know eberj^tino-," Quambo used to remark. " He braver dan It t i SQUIRRELS CROSSING A STREAM. pain ligh It was oftl I cert;^ I RACCOON-HUNTING. 49 painter [meaning the puma], and run like greased lightning." It was difficult to say whether Yelp or Mike's dog was the ugliest ; but both masters were equally proud of their canine friends. I too had a dog, which, if not a beauty, was certainly handsomer than either of his two ac- quaintances. He was clever enough in his way, but more useful in watching the hut than in hunting; indeed, when I went out by myself for the purpose of observing the habits of the denizens of the forest, I never took him, knowing that he would only interfere with their sports. On one occasion I had been over to see my Uncle Stephen, and as I was returning home Mike Laffan met me. " Would you loike to be afther looking for a 'coon to-night, Masther Roger ? " he asked. " Quambo says he can come ; and Yelp and Snap are moighty ager for the sport." I at once agreed to meet my two friends, accom- panied by my dog Pop. Accordingly, at the time appointed, the day's work being over, Mike and Quambo made their appearance at the hut; -while running at their heels were their two dogs, who were soon warmly greeted by Pop. Setting out, we took our way along the banks of the river, near which we fully expected to fall in with several raccoons. We had our guns, and were provided with torches and the means of lighting them. We had not gone far before we heard voices, 1 » 50 A COON TREED. and soon we were joined by three lads from the settlement, who had got notice of the expedition. As they had brought their dogs, we had a full pack of mongrels of high and low degree, but united by one feeling, — that of deadly enmity to raccoons. On we went, while the dogs, who had just then scented one of their foes, yelled in chorus. Over huge logs and rotten trunks, through the brush and dead trees and briers, we went at full speed ; and some- times wading across bogs, sometimes climbing up banks, and occasionally tumbling over on our noses, we continued to make our way at the heels of the dogs, until old Quambo, waving his torch above his head, and suddenly stopping short, shouted out, " De 'coon's treed ! " He had made a mistake, however, for the dogs bayed loudly and continued their course. "Dat a mighty old 'coon," cried Quambo. "He know what he about." The raccoon, if it had got up the tree, had come down again, and was still ahead. Some of the party were almost in despair ; but I knew the habits of the creature too well not to feel sure that we should get it at last, so I encouraged my friends, while we dashed on as before. Yelp and Snap, having kept well ahead of the other dogs, were now heard baying under a big tree, and no doubt remained that the raccoon had taken refuge amid its branches. Our difficulty was to get it down. As the others hesitated to encounter the fierce little animal amid the boughs, Mike, for the \ I "4. A RACCOON-HUNT BY NIQHT I'illi! ^!il'*' ! li i;i 1 honou Witho sprang lost to "I bark, while Presen compe once n them, dogs, a fire, w gnashii upon i the firs voices anothei in theii to finis skin to Such took ps The its cole bushy, on a g: or sits, but wh toes. ] devoun mm i I ABOUT THE RACCOON. 63 honour of " Old Ireland," offered to make his way up. Without more ado, then, he got on Quambo's shculders, sprang to a branch within his reach, and was soon lost to sight among the foliage. "I see him!" he shouted at last; and bits of bark, leaves, and rotten twigs came rattling down, while the loud whacks of his stick reached our ears. Presently there was a " flop ; " the raccoon had been compelled to evacuate its stronghold. The dogs once more gave chase ; and I, torch in hand, followed them. In less than a minute I came up with the dogs, and found the creature at bay, its eyes flashing fire, while it bravely faced the pack, which, with gnashing growls and savage yells, were about to dash upon it, though each seemed unwilling to receive the first bite from its sharp teeth. But, hearing the voices of their masters, they gained courage, and in another instant had the poor animal struggling vainly in their midst ; while our blows came rattling down, to finish its sufferings, and prevent them tearing its skin to pieces. Such was one of several raccoon-hunts in which I took part. The raccoon is about the size of a spaniel, and its colour is a blackish gray. Its tail is short and bushy, and is marked with five or six blackish rings on a gray ground. When the animal walks slowly, or sits, it plants the soles of its feet upon the ground; but when in a hurry it runs along on the tips of its toes. It hunts for its prey chiefly at night, when it devours any small animals it can catch. It has no ..^Si 04 LOOKING FOR A BEAR. lililii! i|!!i i R'^ili. 11;'';. ':l''l! Ill!lll I, i 11 lllli. !l' ' lil i'liiillil objection, however, to a vegetable diet ; and, indeed, its testh show that it is capable of feeding on both descriplions of food. I once caught a young raccoon, which soon became domesticated — being quite as tame as a dog. It pos- sessed, however, a habit of which I could not cure it ; that of seizing any fowls it set eyes on, and biting off their heads. It having treated two or three of Aunt Hannah's in this way, I was compelled to carry it into the forest and set it at liberty. It enjoyed its freedom but a short time, however, as it was soon afterwards hunted and killed by some of our boys. Having got so far from home, our party were not inclined to return without something in addition to the unfortunate animal we had slaughtered. Mike, too, announced to us that he had seen a brown bear at a spot a little further on ; so it was at once agreed that we should " knock up the quarters of Mr. Bruin." It was necessary to proceed with caution; for though the "musquaw" or brown bear will seldom attack a human being unless first assaulted, our friend, if unceremoniously dirturbed at night, would probably not be in a good humour. Our three weU- trained dogs kept at our heels, but the other curs went yelping away through the forest; nor could their mastera* voices succeed in calling them back. We feared, therefore, that they would rouse up the bear, and thus give it time to escape before we could reach its dwelling " Faix, though, I am not suro that the noise outside won't make the old gentleman keep quiet in hi.s den," BRUIN FOUND AT HOME. M observed Mike. " He will be after saying to bis wife, 'Sure, what would be the use, Molly, of turning out to ffo hunting thim noisy spalpeens of dogs ? I'll sit snug and quiet till they come to the door; and thin, sure, it will be toime enough to axe thim what they want.* " Mike's notion encouraged us to go on; and at length Pop, Snap, and Yelp gave signs of uneasiness, and showed a decided inclination to rush forward. "Let dem go!" exclaimed Quambo. " Off with you ! " we cried at once ; and the dogs darted on, barking furiously, until they stopped before the decayed trunk of a huge tree, round which several smaller trees, once saplings, had grown up — a well- selected natural fortification. As the light of our torches fell on it, we fully expected to see Mr. Bruin stalk forth and inquire what we wanted. Quambo proposed that we should light a fire in the neighbourhood, so that, did our enemy appear, we might be better able to attack him and defend our- selves. We followed the black's advice; but still nothing appeared. The dogs, however, showed they were convinced that some animal or other was con- cealed within the trunk. At last, growing impatient, we approached and thrust our long sticks into the hollow, feeling about in every direction. " I am sure that mine has struck something soft ! " I exclaimed ; and scarcely had I uttered the words when a low growl reached our ears. A dark body next appeared for an instant among the stems of the trees surrounding the hollow trunk, and then out * , 41 ■ ~4 , J,' 5G A FIGHT WITH A BEAR. ruslied a bear through an opening which we had not perceived. The dogs gave chase, and so did we. Bruin had but a short start ; and although he must have been well acquainted with the locality, we, scorning all impediments, soon overtook him — the dogs having already commenced biting at his hind feet. This was too much for his equanimity, so, suddenly turning round, he struck two or three of them with liis fore paws, sending them sprawling to a distance. » As he did so the glare of our torches dazzled his eyes, and so perplexed him that he seemed not to know Avhat to do. Of one thing only he must have been convinced, — that he was in for a fight; and, brave bear as he was, he sat up on his hind legs and prepared to receive us. . Mike fired, but only wounded him in the should'". This stirred up Bruin's anger to a pitch of fury, ana, with a growl like thunder, he dashed forward at his opponent. Mike, however, nimbly skipped on one side, and the bear's eye fell on Quambo, who had lifted his rifle to fire. But scarcely had he pulled the trigger when the bear was upon him, and both rolled over together. For an instant I thought that the black was killed, but his vcice shouting to us to drag oft' the bear re- assured me; and Mike's hunting-knife quickly finished the animal, which was struggling in the agonies of death. Happily, his teeth had only torn Quambo's jacket; and on our dragging away the dead body the black sprang to his feet. 4 OARRYINQ HOME THE PRIZE. CARRYING HOME THE PRIZE. 59 ** " Berry good sport," he observed, shaking himself. " I'se wonder wedder Mrs. Bear not remain behind ! and piccaninny bears too, perhaps ! We look as we go by. Howeber, we now make ready diy gen'leman to carry home." He and Mike then fastened the bear's feet together, and hung the animal to a long pole, which they cut from a sapling ^^i owing near. Then having placed it on their shoulders, with short pieces at right angles at either end to prevent it slipping, they announced that they were ready to set otf ; so, while they led the way with our prize, we commenced our homeward journey. Whether Mrs. Bruin had occupied part of the trunk, we could not positively ascertain. Quambo expressed his belief that she had been there, but had taken the opportunity, while we went in chase of lier spouse, to make her escape with her offspring. We possibly might have found her; but, with her young to defend, she would have proved a dangerous foe, and, as our torches were almost burnt out, we should have had to encounter her in the dark. We therefore considered it prudent to proceed on our way. I remained at the hut while the rest of the party went back to the settlement. Aunt Hannah was well pleased to obtain so valuable a prize ; and she sent us, some weeks afterwards, a smoked bear's ham as our share of the spoil. I can give but a very brief account of the adven- tures of those days; indeed, sometimes weeks went by during which 1 was hard at work without inter- \ * *4 ■ ■■■ * V • } I ;: 4- 60 (< LOGGING BEE. mission, either assisting Uncle Mark, or joining in one or other o^ the "bees" got up fov various purposes — when we went to help others, as our neighbours, when required, came to help us. Sometimes we joined what was called a " logging bee," which I may explain thus : — When a new hut was to be erected, we and others united to drag c-he logs out of the forest, and to hew them into proper lengths to form the walls of the hut. These are placed, not upright, but horizontally, one above another. The length of the outside walls is first determined ; where- upon the lowest log is let a little way into the earth, and a groove is cut on the upper side with a deep notch at each end. The next log is placed on the top of it, each end being so cut as to dovetail into the others at right angles; thus one log is placed upon another until the destined height of the wall is reached. Doors and windows are afterwards sawed out; and the rafters are fixed on in the usual fashion. The roof is formed of rough slabs of wood called shingles; the interstices being filled up with clay. A big iron stove, the flues running from one end to the other, keeps the hut thoroughly warm in winter; while the thickness of the walls causes it to be cool in summer. Many of the settlers had large houses of this description : but stores, and buildings where warmth was not of so much consequence, had their walls merely of planks nailed on to the framework. Uncle Stephen's house was built of logs raised on a platform above the fjround. with steps leading to it. and a THE •' INDIAN SUMMER. ei b»"oad verandah in ti'ont. It contained a sitting- room, several bedrooms, and a kitchen ; the verandah being painted a bright green, with stripes of pink, while the window-frames and doors were yellow. I used to think it a beautiful mansion, but perhaps that was on account of those who lived within. The abode of Lily was of necessity, tc my mind, cliarminj]:. \ » M The autumn of that year was now approaching its close. There is in North America, at that period of the year, what is called the " Indian summer." The air is balmy, but fresh, and mere existence to those in health is delightful ; a light gauze-like mist pervade * the atmosphere, preventing the rays of the sun, beam- ing forth from an unclouded sky, from proving over- oppressive. Already the forest has assumed its parti- coloured tints. The maple has put on a dress of every hue, — of yellow, red, pink, and green. The leaves of the beeches become of a golden tinge, and those of the oak appear as if turned into bronze, while numerous creepers present the richest reds. We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground would be covered with a sheet of snow. Not that we were then doomed to idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during^ the winter, in felling trees ; and, as soon as the snow liad hardened, dragging them over it, — either to form II U^<^' ea MIKE AND Ills " CREMONA." huge heaps, where they could be burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for putting up buildings or fences. Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands, — who, being fresh from the " old country," were unwill- ing, as they were unfit, to go further into the forest, — allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us. We there- fore r,ut i;p a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by the same stove. We were thu.s able to get on much more rapidly with our task of ■ learing the ground. Mike, indeed, was a great acquisition to our party ; for, besides singing a ^'ood Irish song, he had learned to play the fiddle, — and, of course, he had brought his " Cremona," of which he was justly proud, along with him. He beguiled the long winter evenings with many a merry tune, and not unfrequently set old Quambo dancing. Sometimes we would look in ; and we found it great fun to see Quambo, in the confined space of the cabin, coming the " double shuffle " — bounding up and down, and whirling round and round, snapping his fingers and stamping his feet, until the perspiration streamed dov/n his sooty cheeks. Mike would con- tinue bobbing his head, meanwhile, ard fij:)plauding with voice and gesture, though keeping his counte- nance, and looking as grave as a judge while listening to the counsel for a prisoner. We had now made an opening which enabled us to Gee ilie river from our Imt; and Mike declared tiiat we were gettin^^ quite civilized, and were begin- f VISITED BY WOLVES. 63 ning to look like being in Uie midst of a great city, barring the houses, and streets, and people. " Sure, they'll bo afther coming one of these days," lie added. "When that happens, it will be time for us to think of moving further westward," observed Uncle Mark. A violent storm, which sent the boughs and leaves Hying about our heads, brought the "Indian summer" to a conclusion, and the frost set in soon afterwards,, One evening, after the day's work was over, and supper had been finished, we were sitting in ou^ hut employed ir. various occupations before turning in for the night, when a low howl reached our ears. " What is that ? " I exclaimed. Before Uncle Mark could make answer, the howl was answered by another; and presently, others join- ing in, the whole forest reverberated with a melan- choly and spirit-depressing chorus. "Wolves!" said Uncle Mark. "The frost has driven them from the high ground, and they are contemplating a raid on our porkers and cattle. Wo must send them to the right-r,bout, or they will become audacious." Calling to Mike and Quambo, we put on our coats and sallied forth, armed with guns and sticks. The moon was shining brightly, so we required no torches. We made our way over the fallen trunks and rough rocks which formed the bank of the river, but after a while the howls appeared to come from a still greater distance than before. • % '..V- 64 AT A SAFE DISTANCE. Uncle Mark now called a halt " The brutes hear us, and are retreating," he said. " Keep silence for a few minutes, and maybe we shall catch sight of them." Under his directions I seated myself on the trunk of a tree, while he and the two men stayed near. Presently I caught sight of a pair of glaring eyeballs, and soon another wolf came into view. " Get your rifles ready," whis|)ered Uncle Mark. " You, Koger, shoot the one to the left. I will aim at the next. ^like and Quambo, you take two others. Unless they run off, we may give a good account of the whole pack." As he finished speaking I fired, followed by Uncle Mark and the othev men ; and, as tlie result, four wolves rolled over dead. The rest of them, however, disappointed us by turning tail and scampering oH to a safe distance, from whence only their howL, reached us. Uncle IMai'k, however, did not consider it prudent to follow them. Indeed, had they heard us approaching they would probably have reti'eiifed out of shot; for wolves, though they will follow a fugitive, like other savage animal.S; will generally try to esea})e when pursued. So, having secured the skins of tliose we had killed, although they were of no great value, we returned homewards. After this we luid alternately rain and frost, witli a few fine days, till the snow came down, and the winter commenced in earnest. lint we were all pretty w^ell inured to it. Indeed, except when the < I VISITED BY WOLVES. wirul forest found mi where and si berers river " boss whom "A: able," ( We'll s We ear after tl I wa a man mornin during unable them w At d breakfa sibtinff o panniki his necl "Itv put a i a wink the WO] sharpen AN EXPEDITION PROPOSED. 67 wind blew, we were in the habit of hewing in the forest with our coats off; and even then we often found it hot work. Wike came back one day from tlie settlement — where he had been sent for a few stores and powder and shot — with the information that a party of lum- berers had coniraenced operations some miles up a river which ran into the great lake, and that the "boss" had sent a ganger to hire hands, more of whom were wanted. " A few dollars of ready cash would be very accept- able," observed Uncle Mark. " What say you, Roger? We'll start away, and spend a month or so with them. We can take Mike with us, while Quambo \vill look after the hut, the cattle, and pigs." I was ready, of course ; and so, as my uncle was a man of action, he determined to set off the next morning. We were all good skaters ; and although, during the first part of our journey, we should be unable to make use of our skates, we settled to carry them with us. At daybreak, then, we were up, and having taken breakfast, were ready to start, — our provisions con- sisting of flour-cakes and cold pork, with a pot and pannikins. Mike also carried his fiddle hung around his neck. " It will help to amuse the gossoons — and maybe put a few dollars in my pocket," he remarked with a wink. " Bedad ! I'll keep their feet going, when the work is over for the day, and they are afther sharpening their axes." i - ?•■ 1 ]n 68 A GOOD HIOHWAY. We had but one gun with us, which Mike carried, as we wislied to travel with as little encumbrance as possible. But just as we were starting off, Uncle Mark recollected that he had forgotten to write to Uncle Stephen upon a matter of importance. "You, Roger, and Mike, can go on ahead," he said, "while I finish my letter, which I will leave with Quambo to be forwarded; and I will soon overtake you." As there was now light enough for us to see our way through the forest, we commenced our tramp. There was no risk of our takin^: the wronnr road, seeinfj there was but one — along the course of the stream, which ran into the larger river ; and it was now frozen in sucii a manner as to afford us a good highway. Mike was always amusing, and I was glad of his company; besides which, as we had had a good start of my uncle, I was in hopes that we might have time to get a shot at something. We had accomplished three or four miles, and I had begun to wonder why Uncle Mark had not over- taken us, as he was a quick walker, and intended to carry only his axe, and a small skin bag over his shoulder containincr some necessaries. We were looking about us, in the hope of catching sight of Ji raccoon or opossum, or some larger game, when ii howl, such as had aroused us one night a short time before, sounded through the forest. " Sure, that comes from a pack of woh'es," observed Mike. " But no! I belave one of the brutes is capable f/iy^-^-^i AT BAY. 69 of making that noise. We have heard the echoes among the trees. I hope that there are not many of them, as they might take it into their heads to attack us, and that would not be pleasant." We went on, however, troubling ourselves very little about the wolf, for I felt sure that there was only one, or a couple at the most. The stream, as we proceeded, became wider, running round the foot of some hills, with larches scattered on either side, their boughs bent down by the snow which had frozen hard on them. The sky had become cloudy by this time, too, and there was every appearance of a fresh fall. " Surely Uncle Mark will be up with us soon, Mike !" I observed. But scarcely had I spoken when I heard my uncle shouting to us. He was in the middle of the frozen stream, and was hurrying towards us, axe in hand. He had good reason to keep it there, for just then we saw a huge wolf rush out from behind a clump of trees close at hand. He stopped to receive his assail- ant, which, probably well nigh famished, seemed bent on his destruction. Mike, without saying a word, had unslung the gun and dropped on his knee, for there was not a moment to be lost. In another instant the fierce wolf would have sprung at my uncle's throat, and might have taken his life; or, at all events, have severely injured liim, and that before we could get n sar enough to render him any assistance. It all depended on Mike's steady aim, therefore; and although I was * *,,y 70 GOOD SFRVICE. a good shot, still I was thanknil that he had the We gun. He fired ; and the brute, the moment that it was making its spring, fell over, snarling and hissing, with its shoulder broken. A blow on the head from my uncle's axe finished its existence. " You have rendered me good service, Laffan," said my uncle, when we got up to him. " Had you not taken steady aim, that brute's fangs would have been at my throat in another moment." "Faix, thin, Mr. Mark, it is only what I would have wished to be done," answered Mike. " And if you ever catch sight of a bear about to give me a hug, or such a brute as this at my heels" — and he gave the dead wolf a kick — " you will be afther shoot- ing him, sure enough!" " Well, Mike, we shall then be quits. In the mean- time I am your debtor," answered my uncle, laughing. Notwithstanding the danger he had been in, he was quite unmoved. His cheek had not lost its ruddy glow, nor did a limb tremble. We quickly skinned the wolf, and hung the hide up to the branch of a tree a little way from the bank, M^here it would be concealed from any passers-by. We did not wish to encumber ourselves with it in the meantime, and we hoped to find it on our return. We were not likely to forget the spot, any more than those boys in the " old country " would do, who, as I have heard, are taken to certain landmarks and whipped, in order that they may afterwards bear them duly in mind. GLIDING ALONG. 71 We wore thankful that the wolf which had attacked my uncle was alone, as it would have been unpleasant to find ourselves followed by a howling pack ; and we now regretted that we had not all of us brought our guns. Trudging on some miles further, we cfime upon a part of the river which had not been frozen over until after the snow fell. Here, the ice being clear, we put on our skates, and glided merrily along towards the spot where Ave understoc 1 the lumberers were at work. % ♦ K » fl CHAPT^T^ III. A. TERRIFIC SNOWSTORM — KEPENAU'S TIMELY APPEARANCE — WE VISIT KKPK KAU'S CAMP — HIS HOSPITALITY — AN INDIAN'S DREAD OF THE "fIRE water" — WE BID ADIEU TO OUR INDIAN FRIENDS — OUR AUKIVAL AT THE LOOaiNO ENCAMPMENT— JACQUES MICHAUD TARES A FANCY TO MIKE — JACQUE'S raft STORY— MV UNCLE AND I START ON OUR RETURN — WE ARE ATTACKED BY A FIERCE PACK OF WOLVES, AND ARE SAVKI) BY KEPENAU AND HIS MEN — MIKE LAFFAN IN A DIFFICULTY — WE RESOIK i.i — ASHATEA, KEPENAU'S DAUGHTER — MY VISIT TO LILY — MR. AND MRS. CLAXTON — DORA AND REUBEN — REUBEN VISITS OUR HUT -THE MARTEN AND PORCUPINE — AN OPOHSUM-HUNT. [HE snow had for some time been falling lightly, but the wind which had arisen blew it off the ice, and thus it did not impede our progress ; but that same wind, which was now bv a turn of the river b^'^ught directly ahead of us, soon mcreased in strenp;th, and drove the particles of snow, sharp as needles, into our faces. Indeed, the cold every instant became more intense, while the snow fell more thickly. " Faix, and it's m eighty loike a shower of pen- knives, mixed with needles and pins ! " cried Mike. " It's a hard matther to keep the eyes open. What will we be afther doing, Mr. Mark, if it gets worse ? " "We'll go on t^1l it does get worse," said Uncle Mark. " It would not do to turn back now." » ' ■* ■ A TERRIFIC SNC)WSTORM. 73 Mike said no more, but, bending down his head, worked away manfully with might and main. I did my best to keep up, but I may say that seldom have I endured such suffering. At last I felt that I could stand it no longer ; so I proposed to my uncle that we should make for the shore, and there build a hut, light a fire, and wait till the storm was over. He was, however, bent upon going on. "We should be half-frozen "before we could get up a wig- wam," he answered. Just then I heard a voice hailing us in gruff tones, and I guessed it was that of an Indian ; but we liad no reason to dread the Indians of these parts. As we looked about to see from whence it proceeded, I caught sight of the tops of two or three wigw^ams just peeping out from a cedar-bush at a little distance from the shore. "Friends, come here!" exclaimed some one, and we observed an Indian making towards us ; whereupon we turned round and skated up to him. " Ah, friends ! I know you," he said. " You cannot fsce the storm, which will soon blow stronger still. Come to my wigwam, where you shall have shelter till it has passed by." As he spoke I recognized my old friend Kepenau, whom I had not seen since we had come to our present location. I had so grown, too, that he did not at first recognize me. Having taken olf our skates, we followed him to his camp, where he introduced us to several other \ » »*** ■'^ 74 KEPENAU S WIGWAM. among whom were Indians and their squaws, number of children of all ages. The thick cedar-bushes sheltered the spot com- pletely from the wind, and the fire which burned in the centre afforded us a welcome warmth; for, in spite of the exercise we had gone through, our blood was chilled by the piercing snowstorm. The Indians were dressed partly ir skins, and partly in garments made of blankets, received from the white men; most of the squaws wore a large blanket over their heads, forming a cloak in which they were shrouded. The wigwams were constructed of long thin poles, fastened at the top, and spread out in a conical form, the whole being covered thickly with slabs of birch-bark. Our red-skinned ho.-^/s put us at once at our ease; and I asked Kepenau how i 3 came to be in that part of the country. " The white men compelled us to move westward," he answered. " Tliey have planted on our lands, and shot the game on which \/e subsis'^ed ; and though I should have been content to remain among them and adopt their customs, yet my people wished to live is our fiithers have lived ; and I would not desert them. My desire is to instruct them in the truths I liave myself learned; and it h only by dwelling with tliem, and showing them tJiat I love them, that I can hope to do that." We had much interesting conversation w4tli Kepe- nau, and I was surprised at the amount of informa- tion on religious subjects which he possessed; indeed I confess that he put us all to shame. i ':-?#ll'l COMFORTAPLE QUARTERS. 75 Uncle Mark looked grave, and sighea, " I used once to read my Bible, and listen gladly to God's Word read and preached, when I lived with my good father and mother in the 'old country,' though I have sadly neglected it since I came out here," he said ; " but I will do so no longer. You have reminded me of my duty, friend Kepenau." "What you say makes me glad. Keep to your resolve, for you cannot do God's will without read- mcr his Word, to know what that will is," remarked Kepenau. Our host gave up one of the wigwams for our special use, in the centre of which a fire burned, ])re vented from spreading by a '^,ircle of stones. The fTound around the sides was covered with thick o rushes which served as our beds, and we lay with our feet towards the fire. Severe as was the cold outside, and thin as appeared the walls, the heat from the fire kept us thoroughly warm ; and I never slept mofe soundly in my life, for, although our hosts were Redskins, we felt as secure as in our own hut. Notwithstanding that the storm raged without, the wigwams were so well protected by the cedar-bushes that the fierce wind failed to reach us. In the morning, when we came out of our wig- wam we found that the squaws had prepared break- fast; which consisted of dried venison, cakes made from Indian corn, and fish which had been caught before the frost set in, and had remained hard-frozen ever since. "You can now continue your journey, for the \ * "W 76 A FEAK OF " FIRE WATER. storm lias ceased; and may the Great Spirit prcoct you ! " observed Kepenau, looking up at the ■ y, across which the clouds were now scarcely movinp Uncle Mark inquired why he did not bring liis camp nearer the settlement. "1 w U tell you," answer'^d Kepenau. "Though! hav<5 been ever friendly with the white men, and ^ !;;. Uie advantages to be obtained from them, there is one ' Iig for which I fear them, — theij accursed 'fire water.' Already it has slain thousands of my people, or reduced them to a state lower than t!ie brutes which perish ; and I know not whether my young men would resist the temptation were it placed in their way." •'But all the white men do not sell the 'fire water' of which you speak," observed Uncle Mark. " I have none in my hut." "But while one omong you possesses the poison, and is ready to barter it with my people, the harm may be done," answered Kepenau. " Until I am sure that none of the 'fire water' exists in your settlement, I will not allow my people to come near it." "I am afraid, then, that you will fail to civilize them, as you desire," observed Uncle Mark. " Do you call it civilizing them, to teach them the vices of the white men?" exclaimed the Indian in a tone of scorn. " If so, then I would rather that they remained savages, as you call them, than obtain knowledge at such a price." "I believe that }ou aro right," answered Uncle THE LUMBERERS CAMP. 77 M;ivk, as \"0 bade onr host and his family good-bye ; "a.ir^ I iiave learned more tiian one lesson from you." Kepenau accompn.iied us to the bank of the river; where we put or our skates, and continued our course with lit interruption till we caught sight of several thin wreaths of smoke above the tops of the trees. " Sure, that smoke must come from the lumberers' tires," observed Mike. " Such is pr< >bab]y the case ; but it is ;* "'st possible that it may jiroceed from a camp of i . d^ vs, who ini^ht not be so friendly as those we left v ''s i. v.rning," said my uncle. Still we were not to be stopped, and ou we skated. Even should we meet enemies, we ia not much cause to fear them, unless they possessed firearms. On we went, I say, gliding along at the rate of ten ci twelve miles an hour; and as I had never before had an opportunity of performing so great a distance, I enjoyed it amazingly. As we advanced we caught sight of numerous logs of timber hauled out into the middle of the stream. Shortly afterwards the sound of voices reached our ears, and we saw a number of men scattered about — some engaged, with gleaming axes, in felling trees ; others with horses dragging the trunks, placed on sleighs, over the hard snow on to the ice. They were tliere arrantjed alonfjside each other, and bound together so as to form numerous small rafts. Here thoy would remain until the giving way of the frost ; when, on the disappearance ol the ice, they would be tluated down towards the mouth of the river, and 78 MODE OF TRANSPORTING LOGS. towed across the lake to the various saw-mills on ib; banks. We were glad to be welcomed by the " boss ; " who at once engaged Uncle Mark and Mike to hew, while I was to undertake the less onerous task of drivinrr a team. The shores of the river had been already pretty well cleared of large timber, so that I had to brinir the trunks from some distance. Uncle Mark and Laffan soon showed that thev were well practised axemen. Our companions were to spend some months en- gaged in the occupation I have described: till the return of spring, in fact, when, the rafts being put together, they would descend the river till rapids or cataracts were reached. Tlie rafts would then be separated, and each log of timber, or two or three to- o-ether at most, would be allowed to make their wav as they best could down the fall, till they reached calm w^ater at the foot of it ; when thev would be again put together, and navigated by the raftsmen guiding them with long poles. In some places, where rough rocks exist in the rapids by which the timber might be injured, slides had been formed. These slides ai:e channels, or rather canals, as they are open at the top ; and are constructed of thick boards — just as much water beinfj allowed to rush down them as will drive on the logs. Some of these slides are two hundred feet long; others reacli even to the length of seven hundred feet. The timbers are placed uii \ i j I cribs - a coup they down risk of a o Wh( hiicfe s of the bunks, was ke to wan tables, meals ; cate, — I the me quarrel expecte On t attract€ asked t " Wh pleasuri you gin an'1 wii of . . , .ec to scraj" head an was ele the sid( "boss" (C27) THE LUMBKKKKS SIIANTV. 81 cribs, — which are frames to fit the slides, — tlien, with a couple of men on them to guide their course, when tliey get through they shoot .away at a furious rate down the inclined plane, and without the slightest risk of injury. When evening approached we all assembled in a huge shanty, which had been built under the shelter of the thick bush. Round it were arranged row^s of bunks, with the cooking-stove in the centre, which was kept burning at all houi-s, and served thoroughly to wtirni our abode. On each side of the stove were tables, with benches round them. Here we took our meals ; which, although sufficient, were not too deli- cate, — salt pork being the chief dish. Rough as were the men, too, they were tolerably well-behaved ; but quarrels occasionally took place, as might have been expected among such a motley crowd. On the first evening of our arrival Mike's fiddle attracted universal attention, and he was, of course, asked to play a tune. "Why thin, sure, I will play one with all the pleasure in life," he answered. " And, sure, some of you gintlemen will be afther loiking to take a dance;" ari'l without more ado he seated himself on the top of <: I >ench at the further end of the shanty, and began to scr.'ine away with might and main, nodding his head and kicking his heels to keep time. The ettect Mas electrical. The tables were quickly removed to the sides of the shanty; and every man from the "boss" downwards, began shuftiing away, circling (t527) 6 '^1 H V » 5' ■ * e M 82 THE GOOD-NATURED LUMBERER. round his neighbour, leaping from the ground, and shrieking at the top of his voice. When Mike's fiddle was not ffoingr, our lumberinc companions were wont to spin long yarns, as we sat at the supper-table. Several of them had worked up the northern rivers of Canada, where the winter lasts much longer than it does in the district I am describ- ing ; and among these was a fine old French Canadian, Jacques Michaud by name, who had come south with a party, tempted by the prospect of obtaining a pocket- ful of dollars. He stood six feet two inches in his stockings ; and his strength was in proportion to his size. At the same time, he was one of the most good- natured and kind-hearted men I ever met. Among our party were several rough characters; and it happened that one evening two of them fell out. They were about to draw their knives, when Jacques vsoized each uf tliom in his vice-like grasp, and, holding them at arm's-length, gradually lifted them off the ground. There he kept them ; mildly expostulating, — now smiling at one, and now at the other, — till they had consented to settle their dispute amicably ; he then set them on their legs again, and made them shake hands. This man took a great fancy to Mike. " Ah, I do wish all j^onr covmtrymen were like you," he ob- served, smiling benignantly on him ; " but they are generally very different, especially when they get the grog on board : then they often lose their lives, — and all tlieir own fault, too. " I liad come down the Ottawa with several rafts, A FEAllFUL ACCIDENT. 83 some two hundred miles or more. My own raft was manned by Canadians, — steady boys, who stuck to our laws, whatever they do to those of other people, and kept sober till they brought their raft safe into (lock. Another raft was manned chiefly by Irishmen, — who, although I warned them, would indulge in strong drink. We were nearing the Chaudiere Falls, and I had brought my raft safe to shore, where it was taken to pieces, so that the logs might be sent down the slide. I had gone on to a point where I could watch this being done, when I heard loud cries; and on looking up the river I saw that part of another raft, with four men on it, had got adrift, and, to my horror, was hurrying towards the most dan- gerous part of the rapids. I saw at once that in a lew moments it must be dashed to pieces, and, as I thought, the fate of the four unfortunates on it was .surely sealed. 'On it hurried, whirling round and round amid the foaminf' waters. The next instant dashinff against the rocks, it separated into as many fragments as there were timbers, each of which was whirled down towards the ftills. Three of the poor wretches soon clisa])peared among the tossing waves; but the fourth chmg to the end of a piece of timber with tlic grasp of despair — to that end which reached nearly to the edge of the cataract. A fearful position ! kStill, the Ivisluiuin lield on. I was almost sure that the next moment would be his last; but just then the current turned the log, so that the opposite end pointed to the fall. On it went, with even greater rapidity 84 A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE. than at first; then balancing for an itistant on tlie brinlc, the end to which he held was lifted up high in the air, and he was sent from it as from a catapult, far out into the calm water below the caldron ! 1 never expected again to see him, but he rose unin- jured to the surface; and being a good swimmer, struck out boldly till he was picked up by one of several canoes which put off instantly to his assist- ance. Tim Nolan, I have a notion, was the first man who ever came over those terrific falls and lived; and I w^ould not advise any of you young fellows to try the experiment, for, in my opinion, he is the last who will ever do so and escape destruction." Such was one of the many anecdotes I heard from the lips of old Jacques and our other associates. I was not sorry when, after some weeks. Uncle | Mark told me that he had made up his mind to return home. Mike had agreed to finish a job which would occupy him a day or so longer ; but as Uncle Mark was anxious to be off, it was settled that he and I should start together, leaving the rifle with Mike, as he w^ould have to come on alone. We believed that no .animals were likely at tliat season to attack two people ; besides, Uncle Mark had purchased a pair of pistols from Jac(j[ues Micliaud, which he considered would be sufficient for uur defence. Accordingly, pocketing our dollars and sling- ing our wolf-skin knapsacks over our backs, we put on our skates and commenced our journey. We got on famously, for the air was calm, althoiigli HOMEWARD BOUND. 85 the cold was intense. We found our friend Kepenau, too, encamped wliere we liad left him ; and stopping for a short time, we took our riid-day meal with him. As we had made such good j)rogress during the morning, we hoped to reach the hut before mid- night, for the moon was up, and we could not miss our way. Uncle Mark was in good spirits, well satisfied with the result of our expedition, and we hiiifhed and chatted as we Mided over tlie smooth ice. " We must not forget our wolf-skin," I observed. "We shall get up to the spot before daylight is over, and I would rather cany it on my back than leave it beliind." " I shall not let you do that," answered my uncle. "It will weigh less on my shoulders than on yours." We v.ere approaching a part of the river where, the ice having formed before the snow fell, we should be compelled to take off our skates and travel on foot. I had just remarked that I supposed the wolves had gone off to some other district, where game was more abundant than with us, when a howl reached our ears, coming down the stream, from the very direction in which we were sroinf;. Another and anothev followed. Presently we heard the full chorus of a whole pack, and soon we caught sight of numerous dark spots on the white snow in the distance. Iincle Mark watched them for an instant or two. "We must beat a retreat, Roger, or the brutes will bo upon us. We cannot hope to tight our way throuj^h them. Off we go!" and turning round, we skated ■' ! K 86 PURSUED BY WOLVES. away for dear life in tlie direction from whence we had come. We hoped soon to distance the savage creatures ; in which case, losing siglit and scent of us, they might turn off into the forest and leave the road clear. As we went on, however, av) lieard their cries becominf; more and more distinct ; and castini; a f'lance over our shoulders, we saw, to our horror, that they had already gained considerably on us; for with their light bodies they ran very quickly over the hard-frozen snow. Forward Ave dashed, faster than I had ever skate<] before ; but nearer and nearer grew those terrible sounds. When once, however, the wolves reached the smooth ice, they were no longer able to run so fast as before; still, they gradually gained on us, and we felt sure that ere long they must be at our heels, as they were not now likely to give up the chase. " Never give up Avhile life remains! Keep on, keep on, Roger ! " cried Uncle Mark. " My pistols will do for two of their leaders ; our sticks must knock over Bome of the others ; and we must hope that th^ rest of the pack will stop to devour their carcasses." It might have been a quarter of an hcui iifte^' this, although the time appeared longer, when, looking' round, I saw a dozen wolves at least within tAventv yard:5 of us. " We must try a dodge I have heard of," said Uncle Mark. " When they get near us Ave must Avho<4 rapidly round, and as they cannot turn on tiic ice ;;0 fast as w'e can, Ave shall gain on them." times, object. Uncle skated dead. We th( several As > began enabled was in feast, ai loner ov able Iio cominor As w lii.s pist same ga well." A DESPERATE ENCO'jNTER. 87 "'AS We waited until tlie wolves were almost up to us^ tlien we followed the proposed plan. The brutes, after rushing on a short distance, tried to turn also. In doing so, those behind tumbled over their leaders, and we skated on as before. We did tliis several times, until the cunning wolves, perceiving our object, instead of turning kept straight forward. Uncle Mark now drew one of his pistols, and as he skated round shot the leading wolf It rolled over dead. The next he treated in the same manner. \Vc then brought our sticks down on the heads of several others. As we had expected, their followers instantly began tearing away at the dead bodies, and this enabled us to get some distance ahead of them. I was in hopes that they would be content with this feast, and allow us to proceed unmolested. ; but before long orr ears were again saluted with their abomin- able liowls, and we saw the survivors of the pack comino- aloncr in full chase. As we skated on Uncle Mark delibern ■ y reloaded his pistols, observing, "We shall have o play the same game over again, and I hope we sli.ill play it as well." The wolves, however, seemed resob i not to let us escape. They nearly overtook us; ;ind though we turned, skating away now to the right and now t^ the left bank of the river, they declined imitating our example. ''Our best chance is to keep strai';ht on," said Uncle Mark. " Don't give in, whatever you do. » «- 88 RESCUED BY OUR INDIAN FRIENDS. Our legs are as strong as theirs, and they will begin to get tired at last." I was not so sure of that till, looking back for a moment, I saw that the pack was drawn out into a long line, showing that some, at all events — probably the younger animals — were losing wind. If, however, only one brute had succeeded in catching hold of our legs, it would have been all up with us. Fearfully depressing indeed were their howls; as they sounded close behind us, they almost took tlie life out of me. Two of the largest of the brutes were not five yards from us, and I was already beginning to feel as if their sharp fangs were fixed in tlie calves of my legs, when I saw several figures in the distance, and faint shouts were borne on tlie breeze towards us. "Courage, Roger courage ! cried Uncle Mark. " Put forth all your strength, and \ve shall be saved. Those are friends." As w^e moved on we perceived Kepenau and a number of Indians rushing towards us, flourish- ing sticks, and sliouting at the top of their voices. Kepenau himself, and three others, were armed with rifles. "Turn on one side," he shouted, "and let us aim at the wolves." We followed his advice ; when four rifle-shots sent over as many of the howling brutes. The rest. frightened by the shouts of the Indians as much probably as by the death of their companions, turned off on one side, and allowed us to escape. Instead, i I' M , s sent rest, much turned istead, ^4 \ * however do^\'n t\ tliat (lir We ^^ loiig-coii liave sn ^katos, t caiu}). \'m\ we nib'>e(l ( Will miiiiitel\ we were It wa- reiir*ain \ to ascerl wolves, s falling ir Kepeii visions,— next da^ eveiythi] We sl( niorninir I did no of the ai M'rk W.I longer re The I HOSPITABLE TREATMENT. 91 however, of going back, they continued tlieir course down the river. Probably they had been bound in that direction when they first winded us. We were saved ; but so overcome were we by our loni;-continned violent exertions, that, had not our Iiiiii.ui friends caught us in their anus, we should Iiavc sunk exhausted on the ice. Taking off our skates, they supported us between their arms to their cami>. Here, seated on mats, with our feet before the tire, we were kindly tended by the squaws, who rub' mm] our ankles and legs, and bathed our feet in wai Some vvaihu broth — we did not examine too tiiiiiutcly the ingredients — quickly restored us ; and wo were able to give an account of our adventure. It was now too late to think of continuing our joiuHoy that night, so the Indians pressed us to refnain with them till the next morning ; promising to ascertain the direction taken by the pack of wolves, so that we micfht not run the ri.sk of again falling in with the hungry brutes. Kepenau would not allow us to use our own pro- visions, — observing that we might want them the next day, — and he insisted on supplying us with eveiything needful. We slept soundly, but when I tried to get up nex': morning I felt little able to continue the journey. 1 did not so much feel the effects of the exercise as of the anxiety I had so long endured. Even Uncle ^^ ""k was very stiff, and seemed inclined to enjoy a 10 litter rest. Tile Indiana told us that during the night the 92 FEARS FOR MIKES SAFETY- wolves had como back; prob.ably to rlGvoui' tlie car- casses of their slain companions. It wris tliougln probable that they liad returned up the river. One of the men went out to ascertain this, and on coining back told us that the first surmise was correct — that the pack had indeed gone up the river, but tliat it liad afterwards gone down again, as was evident from the bloody marks left by tlieir feet. Suddenly my uncle exclaimed : " By-the-by, Mike will be on his way home some time to-day; and if so, it is more than ])ossible that he may fall in with the wolves ! Though he has a gun, it will go hard with him should they follow his trail." My uncle accor< lingly expressed h is fea i s t Kepenau. "Then we must set out to meet your white friend," said the Indian; "for should he becoming over the ice to-day, the wolves are certain to espy him." Mike had told me that he would visit our Indian friends on the way, and spend the night with them, should he start too late to perform the whole distance in one day. The recollection of this increased my apprehension for his safety. Kepenau said that he and four of the best-armed of his people would set out early in the afternoon to look for our friend. Of course, we insisted on accom- panying them ; and being pretty well rested, we started at the hour proposed. We put on our skates, but the Indians kept pace with us by running. We went on and on, but no sign could we see of Mike. It wa.s already getting dusk when K*^penau stopped and examined the ice. A SEARCH. 93 " A man has passed this way," he said, " and lias turned off to the right." Telling on j of his people to follow up the trail, be prucecded on^vards, narrowly scrutinizing the ice. "It is as I thought," he observed ; " he was coming alone on foot when ho saw a pack of wolves follow- in-^ liini, and instead of continuing on the ice he made his way for the shore, to try and reach a tree into which he could climb — the wisest tiling he could do." Having made this remark, he led the w .ly in the direction the other Indian had taken. He soon over- tuuk him; but as darkness was increasing we had to proceed slowly, so as not to lose the trail, which I wiis utterly unable to perceive. The banks here were of a low, marshy nature, so that there were few trees about up wdiicli the fugitive could have escaped. I did not confidently expect to meet Mike on this occasion, for he, [ thought, would have come along on liis skates, whereas this person, the Indian said, was uU foot. We had not gone flir wdien Kepenau stopped. " That is the howl of wolves," he observed ; " but it is accompanied by a curious sound, and they are not howlino- in their usual fashion." Advancins: further, I could clearlv distinfjuish the howling of the wolves, accompanied by another sound. "Why, as I am alive, t'lose are the tones of Mike Laffan's fiddle!" exclaimed Uncle Mark. " He is safe, at all events — that is one comfort; but it is a curious place to be playing in." Kepenau now told us that the path we were follow- ^ J^ ^ \<^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^/ ^>. 1.0 1.1 III III 1.25 iaK8 2.2 us SI u UO 2.0 y: V niotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WnSTIR.N.Y. MSM (716)I72-4S03 7 94 CHARMING THE WOLVES. ing would lead us to the ruins of an old fort, erected by the early French settlers, and that he had little doubt our friend had found his way to it for refuge from the wolves ; but they had followed him, and were certainly not far off. We hurried on, and as the sounds of the fiddle became more distinct, the full moon rose from beliind a dark mass which proved to be a ruined wall of the building; and immediately afterwards, directly in front of us, we discovered Mike Laffan seated on one of the time-worn and rickety beams which had once formed part of the fort. There he was, bow in hand, fiddling with might and main ; while below him were a whole pack of wolves, their mouths open, singing an inharmonious chorus to his music. So entranced were they, that the brutes actually did not discover us; nor, so far as we could see, were they making any attemj)t to reach Mike. At a sign from Kepenau we stopped ; but Mike, though he had perceived us, went on fiddling. Pres- ently he changed the tune to one of extraordinary rapidity : this evidently astonished his vulpine audience, which began to leap about. Suddenly he exclaimed, " Now ! shout, friends, shout ! and we shall put the spalpeens of wolves to flight." As we raised our voices he made his instrument produce the most fearful shrieks and cries, while he uttered at the same time a true Irish howl. Mike's plan had the desired effect. The wolves, bewildered by the strange sounds, were seized with terror, and off they scampered like a pack of curs, iim were CHARMINQ THE WOUVEa \ i i i li howlin* toward! Mike mrr Ilea liis assi; had V V matters worse ft "Son miglity long; b Sayir we reti were aU our frit assured our foot My u and inv promisii also to { that no exehano think al One c sent was she be<r superior and altl any of olive, th (627) PUT TO FLIGHT. 97 howling and biting at each other as they rushed along towards the forest, in which they soon disappeared. Mike on this jumped down from his perch, laugh- in^ heartily, and thanked us all for having come to liis assistance. Of course, our opportune appearance had V \j much astonished him; but we soon explained matters, and expressed o ir hope that he was none the worse for his adventure. "Sorra a bit," he answered, "except that I am miglity cowld, sitting up there among the snow for so long ; but I'll soon be afther warming my limbs." Saying this he set off with us, and at a rapid rate we retraced our steps to the Indian camp. We were all glad enough to turn in ; and next morning our friends, after examining the country around, assured us that the wolves were not likely to follow our footsteps. My uncle had taken a great liking to Kepenau, and invited him to come and pitch his camp near us; promising to supply him with powder and shot, and also to assist him in trading with the white men so that no risk might be run of whisky being given in exchange for game and furs. Kepenau said he would think about the matter. One of the young squaws who happened to be pre- sent was his daughter. On hearing of the invitation, she begged her father to accept it. She was far superior to the other Indian women in appearance; and although not so old as Lily, she was taller than any of them. Her complexion was of the liglitost olive, through which rich colour could be seen on her (027) 7 ii-U. % * / f ••■ i \- y t \:: X 98 THE chief's daughter. cheeks. She was, indeed, fairer than many Euro peans. Her figure was extremely graceful, too. I did not, however, observe this when I first saw her, for she was then dressed in her thick blanket robe. Her name was Ashatea, or " White Poplar ; " a ver}- suitable name, as I thought. She had seen Lily, I found, two or three timjs, before they had moved westward ; and she lonr;ed, she told me, to meet her again, and begged that I would tell Lily so when I returned home. It was this that made her so anxious that her father and his tribe should come and camp near us. Before we started, Kepenau had almost promised to come, though he would not bind himself to do so. "Circumstances might change," he observed. "He was well located where his camp was pitched, and it was trying work to change quarters at that season of the year." Ashatea accompanied us, with her peoph , down to the ice. " Do not forget," she said, " my message to your sister Lily." "You may trust me," I answered, making her a bow — for I felt that she was a ladv, althoufjh an Indian squaw ; then off we set, hoping this time to reach home before nightfall. Having completely recovered from our fatigue, we got on famously. Mike did not forget to secure the wolf-skin ; and just as the sun sank behind the trees, we were saluted by the sharp, joyous barking of Snap, Yelp, and Pop, and by the gruffer tones of Quambo, v/ho ruslied out of the hut to welcome us home. rice was A VISIT TO MY RELATIONS. 99 We had plenty of work to do after we returned home, but I managed to make a run over to the settle- ment to pay a visit to my uncle and aunt and Lily. I did not fail to give her Ashatea's message ; and she was much pleased to hear of her. "I do hope they will come into our neighbourhood; I sliould be so glad to see her again," said Lily. " Ashatea promised to take me out in her canoe ; for, you know, she is as expert as any of the men in paddling one. She wished to show me how the Indians catcli fish. And then she said that when the lice was ripe we should go to the rice-lake to collect it. I hope that Aunt Hannah won't object. It would be very interesting; and there could be no possible danger, as all the Indians in this part of the country are friendly. But, to tell you the truth, Roger, I am (juite jealous of you, as you are now able to go out into the forest by yourself, and meet with all sorts of adventures; whilst I, alas! am compelled to stay at home, with no other amusement than occasionally a ' sewing ' or an ' apple bee.' " I, of course, sympathized with Lily, Lnd said that I wished Aunt Hannah would let her come out with me, and that I should take very great care of her. " I am afraid that she thinks we are now too old to run about together as we used to do, when you were a boy and I was a girl," she answered. " I wish, then, that we were young again ! " I ex- claimed ; " although I should not then oe able to take as much care of you as I can now. I would sooner die, Lily, than allow any harm to happen to you." \ « k *i^' i.V -^1 100 A NIGHT-WALK THROUGH THE FOREST. "That I am sure you would, Roger," she said; " and I should not be afraid to trust myself with you anywhere." We were not very old even then, 1 should remark; but I was feeling myself a man, and was ready to du all sorts of manly things. " By-the-by," observed Lily, " we have become in- timate with a family among the settlers who arrived last fall, — Mr. and Mrs. Cl.axton, and Dora their daughter, a very nice girl of my age, and a great friend of mine. Dora has a brother called Reuben, and I think you will like him. Although he is younger than you are, he seems to be a fine fellow, and has your taste for natural history and sporting." "I shall be very glad to meet with him; but I have not time to look him up now, as I must get back to the hut. But you may tell him about me , and say that, if he will come over, I shall be happy to take him out into the forest, where we can have a hunt together." Although I had said that I must go immediately, I lingered for some time with Lily, for I never was in a hurry to leave her. It was consequently quite dark before I got half-way to the hut ; still, I knew the path — indeed, there was only one. The snow, however, thickly covered the ground, and I had to guide myself by feeling the scores on the trunks of the trees. Had every tree been thus marked, there would have been no great difficulty ; but, of course, they were scored only at intei'vals, and sometimes I was uncertain whether I had not somehow srot out of t A NEW FRIEND. 101 , ♦ the direct line. I knew that, did I once go wrong, it would be a hard matter, if not impossible, to find my way back .again. There might be wolves prowl- iii(T about, too; or I might by chance find myself in the grasp of a hungry bear, bent on a visit to the hog- j)uns in the settlement. Intending to return early, I liad left without my gun — an act of folly I resell ved not to repeat. Should I lose myself, I should have no means of making a signal, and I might very possibly be frozen to death before the morning. I had gone some distance without finding a score, and I began to fear that I really had lost myself; but it would not do to stand still, so I walked on ; and •^aeatly to my relief, as I touched tree after tree, 1 at length felt a scored one, and knew that I was in the right direction. Presently a light appealed ahead. I ran towards it, shouting at the top of my voice. A welcome halloo came from Mike, who was standing, with a pine torch in his hand, at the door of the hut. *t Two days after this, a tall lad, of fair complexion, made his appearance at the hut, gun in hand, and introduced himself as Reuben Claxton. "Miss Lily, who is a great friend of my sister Dora, told me that you would be glad to see me ; and so I have come, and I should mujch like to have a hunt with you m the forest," he said abruptly. It was his way, I found. He always went directly to the point, whether in talking or in doing anything; and I liked him the better for that. Uncle Mark invited him to stay with us. f It 102 A CIRIOUS CONTEST. "I said that I would if you asked me, so tliey will not be expecting me at home again," lie answered. In ten minutes we were on as friendly terms as if we had known each other all our lives. Next day we started with our guns, accompanied by Mike and Quambo, and our three dogs. The sky was bright, the air calm, and, except for the snow and the leafless trees, we might have supposed ourselves to have been in the middle of summer. We had not sjfone far v/hen we cau^jht si<jht of an animal making its way along the trunk of a fallen tree. I soon recognized it to be a marten, and was just going to fire, when I perceived another creatine coming out of a hole hard by. The former animal was evidently bent on attacking the latter. The marten immedifitely stopped, and carefully eyed the hermit, the character of which I could not at lirst make out on account of the distance it was from us. Quambo would probably have known, but he and Mike were some way behind us. Of the marten I had no doubt ; I recognized it by its agile and grace- ful movements, by its length, which was about a foot and a half, with a bushy tail somewhat under a foot long, and by its dark tawny coat and white throat, its pointed muzzle, and bright and lively eyes. We stopped to watch what v/ould take place, keeping back the dogs, which were about to rush forward and seize the animals. The marten soon made up its mind to assault its opponent, which, instead of retreating into its hole, came boldly forward and ascended the fallen trunk FIQHT BETWEEN A MARTEN AND A PORCUPINE. I at or althouf animal, the En fully t\ hair of and itH powerfi strong ( wards » The] a minii showing forward porcupii till ther all at ( marten seize tl sudden] dous bl darts, a: the snc The by the ran aloi once m( agility midable the per feated DOTH COMnATANT?: KILLED. 105 1 at once Scaw that it was an "urson," or porcupine; although my companion supposed it to be another animal, as lie could not see the long quills with which the English porcupine is armed. This creature wa.s fully two feet long. Its back was covered with thick hair of a dusky brown colour; its head was short, HTul its nose blunt; it had small round ears, very powerful teeth, short limbs, and feet armed with strong crooked claws. These particulars 1 was after- wards .able to exhibit to him. The porcupine stood eying its opponent for nearly a minute ; then the marten began the attack by showing its teeth, erecting its hairs, and springing forward with graceful bounds. At the same time the ])orcupine, erecting an armour of quilis, which had till then been concealed under its thick hair, appeared all at once to become twice its foimer size. The marten liad too much impetus to stop its attempt to seize the porcupine by the snout; but the latter, suddenly whisking round, dealt the marten a tremen- dous blow with its tail, filling its body with short darts, and sending it off the trunk sprawling am^ng the snow. The marten was now animated by rage as well as by the desire to capture its foe. It again sprang up, ran along the boughs of the fallen tree, and advanced once more towards the porcupine ; but its courage and agility did not avail it. Another blow from that for- midable tail cast it once more into the snow ; while the porcupine looked down with contempt on its de- feated antagonist. Reuben, taking good aim with his ! ■! 106 OPOSSUM-HUNTING. rifle, put the irarten out of misery; while I killed tlie victorious porcupine. The dogs then ruslied forward; but Snaj), the most eager, had reason to repent liis eagerness, as before we could keep him off the animal he had received several sharp quills in his jaws. These we immediately extracted, but he never again attempted to seize cither a living or a dead porcupine. We killed another marten and some squirrels, and were returning home just at sundown, when we met Uncle Mark, who had followed our trail — no difficult thing to do over the snow, even for a white man. He had just before caught sight of an opossum, which had escaped him. It had evidently paid a visi\ to our poultry-yard a short time previously, and hav- ing succeeded in carrying off one of the inhabitants, was making its way with its prey to its mate or hungry ftimily when Uncle Mark overtook it. He had knocked it over with his stick, and supposed it dying or dead, as it lay with open mouth, extended tongue, and dim eyes. At that moment he had caught sight of a marten or some other animal moving through the forest. The creature thereupon proved that it was only "possuming;" for the instant his eye w<as withdrawn it sprang up, and set off at a rate which showed that its powers of locomotion, at least, had not been impaired by the blows it had received. He was telling: us this, when the dog's begfan to yelp, and presently right ahead of us appeared a creature of the size of a large cat. " Dere a 'possum," exclaimed Qu.ambo ; and wo hurried after it with the doffs. ^f -^ : V «,» m OPOSSUM-HUNTINa " :Masti easily, h( lust to sij around i\ "The( "No f find him Then : collect a] the snoM when Qu and the way alor about, an self on tl: for the rr nimbly i: watching on this 1 rifle. H The dc extinct. Irishman otf the d over his risk of i< well con It was we had i the retur ing. It CAUGHT AT LAST. 109 "Master 'Possum" was not going to be caught so easily, however. In an instant it was up a tree, and lost to sight amid the branches, while the dogs yelped around it. " The creature is lost," cried Reuben. " No fear ob dat," answered Quambo. " We soon find him out." Then he and Mike, with the rest of us, began to collect all the decayed branches to be found above the snow. We soon had enough wood for a fire ; when Quambo striking a light, it quickly blazed up, and the flames exhibited the opossum making its way along one of the branches. The dogs leaped about, and yelped loudly. Quambo had thrown him- self on the ground to watch the animal's proceedings ; for the moment we had attempted to take aim, it had nimbly sprung round to the dark side, apparently watching us as eagerly as we were watching it. Mike on this hurried off to a little distance and lifted his rifle. He fired, and down came the opossum. The dogs seized it, and in a few moments life was extinct. There was no shamming now, though the Irishman gave it anothei blow, after we had taken otf the dogs, just to make sure. He having slung it over his back, we put out the fire to prevent the risk of igniting the trees, and proceeded homewards well content with our evening's sport. It was the last idle day we had for some time, for we had an abundance of work to get through before the return of spring, which was now rapidly approach- ing. It was the least pleasant time of the year, too ; no THE END OF WINTER. for we had thaws of two or three days at a time, during which the hardened snow was turned into slush. Then frost would come on again, and hold the timber with such a grasp that we could not move it. We occupied the time in putting up sheds, tend in such other work as could be done before the ground was clear. No one, however, complained; for we knew that the snow would soon disappear, that tlie leaves would again come forth, and that the rivers would be open, when we should be able to move about much more rapidly in our canoes than we had done over the frozen ground. ¥ \ « CHAPTER IV. ONCLK MAIlK'a GOOD OPINION OF REUBEN — MIKK LAFFAN'H KIOOLK TDf BEAVER — Reuben's desire to turn trapper — quambo takes a pipk — KEPENAU'8 CANOE— ASHATEA PADDLES REUBEN DOME— KEPENAU's SAGACITY — UNCLE MARK WELCOMES KEPENAU AND HIS DAUGHTER — rirE OLD TRAPPER — REUBEN CARRIES SAMSON's PACK— ASHATEA IS TAUGHT ENGLISH BY LILY AND DORA — MARTIN OODPREY's VISIT TO THE SETTLEMENT — KEPENAU AND ASHATEA's DEPARTURE — SANDY h'COLL, THE HALF-BREED— A VISIT TO KEPENAU — PORTAQINQ. HE summer had now come. Tlie trees were decked with their rich and varied foliage ; the notes of the feathered inhabitants were heard in the forest; and numerous animals which had either gone south during the win- ter, or had concealed themselves in sheltered places, were moving about. There had been too much plough- ing and sowing to allow of my indulging in my favour- ite pursuits. All I could do was to run over and pay my uncle and aunt a visit ; but it may be that Lily was tlie chief attraction. I found her friend Dora with her one day. She was certainly a ver^^ nice girl, although not equal to Lily by a long way, in my opinion. They inquired whether we had seen anything of Kepenau and his daughter Ashatea. "They have not yet appeared," I answered; "nor have we received any tidings of them." i, ■'. 112 REUBEN VISITS OUR HUT. " Dora wants to make the acquaintance of a real Indian girl, fit to be a heroine," said Lily, laughing. " She has hitherto only seen the wretched squaws who appear in the Eastern States. She can scarcely believe that Ashatea is tlie interesting creature I describe her." I said that I would try to communicate with Kepenau, if I could learn his whereabouts from any passing Indians. "Oh do 1" said Lily; "and let him understand how glad we shall be to see him and his daughter again." While we were talking Reuben came in, and offered to accompany me back to the hut. He, like me, had been very busy all the spring. He certainly did not look well suited for hard labour; bu. his face was more bronzed than heretofore, and he seemed perfectly well. Wishing the girls good-bye, we shouldered our guns, and commenced the walk tu the hut. There was no risk of losing our way at this time, for the days were long, and there was a bright moon that evening. Uncle Mark welcomed Reuben, whom he liked for his straightforward character and honesty. " I am glad you have got such a companion as that young fellow," he said to me. "W^hen two harum-scarum fellows associate, they are sure to get into trouble ; but you two will help each other out of difficulties, should you unexpectedly fall into them." Mike amused us that evening with a tune on his fiddle; and Quambo diverted us still more by a dance A FOREST RAMBLE. 113 •.L he performed to the music, wliicli made Reuben, who was not addicted to laughing, almost split his sides. We agreed to have a long ramble into the forest next day, my uncle giving me leave of absence. He could not spare Mike, but he allowed Quambo to accompany us. "We can cook our dinner without him," I said; " tliough, to be sure, we cannot expect to dress it as well as he would." " All ! Massa Mark, poor black fellow do one t'ing well; you do ebery t'ing well," observed Quambo, with a grimace, by which he intended to show that lie was paying a deserved compliment. We carried our guns, with provisions in our knap- sacks to last us for a day, although we expected to kill more game than we should want. As we wished to make a long excursion, we started at daybreak ; that is to say, Reuben, Quambo, and I, with the dogs. Reuben had a great desire to see a beaver settlement which I had once visited when we first came into that part of the country ; and I thought that I could lind my way to it. Quambo amused us, as we walked along, with all sorts of tales about beavers, raccoons, opossums, bears, and other animals, with the habits of which he was well acquainted. The beaver is a good-sized animal, being two and a half feet long exclasive of the tail, which is one foot more. It is of a deep chestnut colour; the hair very fine, smooth, and glossy. The Indians use its incisor teeth, which are very large and hard, to cut the bone or horn with which they tip their spears. It is a rodent, or (627) 8 1 ■ 114 THE BEAVRR DESCRIBED. gnawing animal. It has a broad, horizontal, flattened tail, nearly of an oval form, which is covered witli scales. The hind feet are webbed, and, with the aid of the tail, which acts as a rudder, enable it to swim through the water with ease and rapidity. Except in one respect, I do not know that it can be considered a sagacious animal ; but it is a marvellous engineer, its faculties being employed in building houses, and in forming dams for the protection of its village. One of its chief characteristics is the power it pos- sesses of producing a substance termed "castor,"— which is contained in two bags, each about the sizu of a hen's egff. This castor is peculiarly attractive to beavers. They scent it at a distance, and inva- riably make their way towards it. No sooner does the beaver discover the delicious odour than he sits upright, sniffs about in every direction, and squeals with excitement until he can get up to it. The trap- per, knowing this, always carries a supply of castor, or bark-stone; and when he reaches a stream or anv other water near which he believes beavers may be found, he sets his trap, about six inches under the water. He then chews the end of a twig, dips it in the castor, and sticks it in with the scented end uppermost, just a little above the water. The nearest beaver, on discovering the scent, hurries up to the spot; and, if a young animal, is nearly certain to be caught by the trap. The older beavers are more knowing and cautious, and frequently bite oft* the end of the twig without entangling themselves. Another curious circumstance connected with this BARK-STONE. 115 " castoreum " is, that as soon as one beaver has de- posited any of it on the ground, the beavers from anotlier lodge go to the spot, and after covering it witli earth and leaves, deposit their own " castoreum " on it. When they have gone away, others in turn perform the same operation; and thus the process nroes on till a heap four or five feet i height has been raised. No one has as yet been able to ascertain the object of this proceeding. It gives the trapper, how- ever, the means of catching the poor creatures — means which they would undoubtedly withhold, if they had the power. Like human beings, they are sufferers from their own acts. The teeth of the beavers are sharp and powerful, and their jaws possess an extraordinary amount of strength. Tliis enables them to bite through wood, tear the bark from trees, and chew vegetable substances of all sorts. During summer they regale themselves on fruits and plants of various descriptions; but their winter stock of food consists of the bark of the birch, plane, and other trees — and even of the young wood itself, which they steep in water before devour- ing it Their favourite resort is a stream or a pool near trees. Here they will assemble to the number of some hundreds, living in communities, and working together. They select, w^hen they can, a stream with a current, because it affords them the means of con- veying wood and other materials for their habita- tions. They choose such parts as will afford them depth of water sufficient to resist the frost in winter, 4 116 BEAVER DAMS. and prevent it freezing to the bottom. "Wlien, how- ever, they find that there is not depth enougli for this purpose, they build a dam across the stream, at a convenient distance below their habitations. If the current is gentle, the dam is made perfectly straight; but if rapid, it is constructed with a con- siderable curve, the convex side being towards the upper part of the stream. The materials employed are drift wood, green willows, birch, and poplar; these are placed horizontally, and kept down by mud and stones. So stronjj do these dams become, that tliev are capable of resisting a considerable force both of water and ice ; for generally the wood, taking root, shoots upwards, and forms ultimately a thick hedge. In some cases even trees sprout up, in the branches of which the birds form their nests. Beavers build their houses of the same materials as their dams, and of various sizes, according to the number of the inmates. These, however, do not often exceed four or eight old ones, and from six to fourteen young ones. The houses are of a circular form, elevated some feet above the surface of the water ; but the entrance is always low down beneath it. They are more rudely constructed than the dams, too. The wood is laid nearly horizontally, and crosswise; the branches, which project inwards, they cut off with their teeth. First there is a layer of wood, and then one of mud and stones ; and so they work on till a sufficient height is gained, when the roof, of rough branches, is placed on the cop, and plastered down with mud and stones. It /. BEAVER 0AM. Such j^ave us No e our wall .sj)ot for I was cautious ning ab( fiway ai which tl we mit^'h have (lis o{)j)ortui on, conc( At lei we migli I therefc and look 1 have H] side to Though were no carried given th( saves til probably Aller letii'e an but Qua shout, ^v scampere A COLONY OF BEAVKKH. 119 Sucli was the interesting account whicli Quambo crave us as we walked along. No event worthy of description occurred during our walk, though it took us some hours to reach the spot for which I was directing our course. I was not disappointed. As we ap[)roached it cautiously, we caught sight of several beavers run- ning about on the banks of the stream, some nibblin<j away at the trunks of saplings and small trees whicli they were engaged in felling. Had we fired, we might have killed two or three; but the rest would have disappeared, and we should then have lost the o})i)ortunity of observing them. We therefore crept on, concealing ourselves among the thick underwood. At length I was afraid, should we get closer, that we might make some noise and alarm the animals, I therefore made a sign to my companions to stop ; and looking down, we could discern one of the dams 1 have spoken of carried across tlie stream from one side to the other, and apparently not quite finished. Tliough several beavei's were running about it, they were not at work ; indeed, all tlieir operations are carried on during darkness. Nature, of course, has given them the instinct to work at this time, which saves them the destruction that would otherwise probably overtake them, both from men and beasts. After watching them for some time, I wished to retire and let them amuse themselves undisturboti ; but Quambo took it into his head to give a loud shout, when in an instant the startled creatures scampered off and dived under the water. Our ■ > 1 < 120 BEAVER DWELLINGS. chance of seeing more of them was gone ', they were evidently on the watch for us, for now and then I saw a snout popping up above the surface, to ascer- tain if we had taken our departure. We made our way along the banks of the stream for some distance, till we saw before us a broad ex- panse of water; and we discovered that it was a shallow lake or pond, bordered by reeds, and with numerous dead trees rising up out of the water near its shores. It struck me that this lake had been produced by the beaver-dams ; and on our proceeding downwards tov^ards what appeared to be its outlet, we found what had the appearance of being a long bank, of a convex form, stretched directly across the stream. This, on further examination, I had no doubt was the work of beavers. Alders and willows, and other water-loving trees of considerable size, were growing out of it ; and digging down to a sliglit depth, we found that it consisted of lengths of the trunks of young trees, now rapidly decaying and turning into a vegetable mould, thus affording nour- ishment to all sorts of plants. Above the surface of the lake were numerous beaver-houses, and after we had concealed ourselves for some time we caught sight of the inhabitants coming forth and swimming about; while one or two knowing old fellows climbed to the roof of their houses, to keep a look-out, as we suj)posed, and give notice of approaching danger. We might have shot several, but without the dogs we should not have been able io recover them. Indeed, their skins would have been ■I* )n)ing )wiM a n > < n s z c V l' of much watchinc oufjht to tainly be eti-sily en to do so "I sIk Reuben a good d tine old i his way tiie fur-ti " I sus you woul "As tc to the li{ Ijut I wc my own and sell ] friend ha^ horse, and had six 1 called his his appea costume ' orn;iment( •same ma hanging t moccasins his head. liis left si; REUBEN S FRIEND THE TRAPPER. 123 of much less value than those caught in traps. After watching them for some time, then, we agreed that we ouf^ht to be on our homeward way, or we should cer- tainly be benighted. Though we had found the path eii.sily enough in daylight, it would be a hard matter to do so in the dark. " I should very much like to turn trapper," said Reuben to me as we walked along. " I once heard a good deal about the lives the trappers lead, from a tine old man who stopped at our house one night, on his way to dispose of his packs of skins at one of the fur-traders' posts." "I suspect that it must be a very hard life, and you would soon get tired of it, Reuben," I answered. " As to that, I fancy that when I got accustomed to tlio hardships I should like it more and more ; ijut I would be a trapper on my own hook — have my own animals and traps, hunt where I chose, and sell my peltries to whom I pleased. Our old friend had a horse and two mules. He rode the hoi"se, and the mules served to carry his packs. He had six traps, which he carried in a leathern bag called his trap-sack. I was particularly struck by his appearance as he rode up to our cottage. His costume was a hunting-shirt of dressed buckskin, ornamented with long fringes ; pantaloons uf the same materia), decorated with porcupine quills lianging down the outside of the leg. He wore moccasins on his feet, and a tiexiblo felt hat upon his liead. Under his right arm, and suspended from his left shoulder, hung his powder-horn and bullet- «' 124 REUBEN S NOTION. pouch, in which he ean-ied balls, flint, and steel. His long knife, in a sheath of buffVilo, hung from a belt round his waist — made fast to it by a steel chain. Also, he carried a tomahawk; and sluna over his shoulder was his long heavy rifle; wliile from his neck hung his pipe-holder, garnished with beads and porcupine-quills. "He had come many hundreds of miles from the W'est, having trapped as far off' as the Rocky Mountains, and had met with all sorts of adventures amon;: the Indians, from whom he had often narrowly escaped with his life. He said that he would take me with liim, as he much wanted a companion, and wonlil answer for my life with his own; though I sliuukl run no more risk than he did, if I only followed lii> directions. But my father would not hear of it, and was quite angry with the old man for putting thu idea into my head; so, of course, I had to give it up. " * Well, Reuben, my boy,' he said as he rode away, ' should your father change his mind, and you liold fast to yours, when I come back I will take you with me.' " But he never has come back since." I laughed at Reuben's notion; for, knowing him as I did, I saw that he was utterly unfit for the sort of life he proposed to lead, and would be heartily sick of it before lons^. He had a fertile imao-ination, ani had pictured a trapper's life as something very de- lightful, although / was sure he would in reality hate it. And I believe that is the case with many other narrowmj. v.j; A PATTERN OF POLITENESS. 12.) IjQYS —especially with those who take it into their head to go to sea, and who have never been on board a ship, and know nothing whatever of sea- life. We had now performed the greater part of our journey home, and had reached the bank of the larger river, where it extended into lake- like dimensions, narrowing again shortly to its former width. Here several rocks were seen rising out of it — the waters rusliinsr between them with i;reat force, and forminsr a cataract, down which I should have thought it impossible for the strongest boat to make its way witliout being dashed to pieces. At this point we sat down on the bank to rest and take some refreshment, when Quanibo pulled out his pipe. " You no smoke, young gen'lemen ; but ole neegur, he fond of baccy, and you no object," said Quambo. Quambo was always a pattern of politeness. We befjo-ed him to smoke as much as he liked, althou<xh we had not taken to it ourselves. When Quambo was enjoying his pipe, he was never in a hurry to move, so we sat on longer than we should otherwise have done. I considered, at length, that it was time to move; when, looking up the stream, across the broad expanse I have mentioned, I cauglit sight of a light canoe skimming rapidly over the surface. It was approaching us; so, prompted by curiosity, we agreed to wait its arrival at the shore — for it did not occur to us it could possibly descend the rapids. It kept, however, in the middle # 126 DESCENDING THE RAPIDS. of the current, and before we had got far from where we had been sitting I saw that it was about to make its way amid the tumbling waters. "These people must be strangers, and cannot be aware of the danger they are running," I observed. " Their canoe will be destroyed, and we must do our best to save them." We accordingly hurried back. As the canoe ap. proached, I saw that there were four people in hei': one in the stern, and two in the bows paddling ; the other, who appeared to be a female, sitting near the after end, was also dexterously using a paddle, now on one side and now on the other. On looking airain, I felt nearly sure that the Indian in the stern was our friend Kepenau, and that the female was his daughter Ashatea. I shouted, but it was too late to warn him to turn back ; indeed, from the calm way in which he sat, I was convinced that he well knew where he was going : and almost before I had time to think much about the danger my friends were running, they had passed it, and their canoe was floating in the calm water at the foot of the rapids. My shout attracted the notice of Kepenau, wlio at once recognized me, and steered his canoe for the bank. He and Ashatea stepped on shore, and seemed much pleased at seeing me. I introduced Reuben, who made as polite a bow to the Indian girl as he would have done to a princess. She put out her hand, and in her broken language inquired if he had a sister. On his replying that such was the case, Ashatea pxpresse her, as I Kepcr visit oui tliouglit (Jisbmce, of a stre. ri vol's ar tion wit) iiiterveni not likel tiie ' tire On hej offered t could .stc( the distal be lono: walerf{ill« voyage c served. Reuben place, say the river. "Buty " Not V " Then the canoe, sit perfect Reuben '"ind appei: having a -^ (62?/ THE CHIEF AND HIS DAUGHTER. 129 expressed a hope that she would become a friend to her, as Lily was. Kepenau told me that they were on their way to visit our settlement, according to his promise. "I thought it wisest," he said " to keep my people at a (listiince, so we have fixed our camp on the banks of a stream some miles to the westward ; and as the river's are now open, we can easily hold communica- tion with you. At the same time, as there are several intervening rapids and waterfalls, the white men are not likely to find their way often to us, or to bring the ' tire water ' which I so much dread." On hearing that we were on our way home, he offered to accompany us; observing that Ashatea could steer the canoe as well as he could, and though the distance by the river was greater, she would not be long after us. "There are no more rapids or walerfalls to be passed, so that the remainder of the voyage can be performed without danger," he ob- served. Reuben, on hearing this, asked leave to take his place, saying that he should much like the trip by the river. " But you cannot use a paddle," said Kepenau. " Not very well," answered Reuben. "Then don't make the attempt, or you may upset the canoe, or lose your paddle. If you go, you must sit perfectly quiet," said Kepenau. Reuben promised to obey orders. Ashatea smiled, and appeared to be highly amused at the idea of having a white man as her passenger. (62t; 9 130 ASIIATEA S PASSENGER. As wc had no time to lose, Ashatea resumed her jieat in the stern of the canoe. " Now, take care," she said, laughing, as she saw Reuben about to step in, " else you will tumble over on the other side, or make a hole in the canoe and 20 through it." Reuben looked somewhat alarmed, and in his eajrer- ness was very nearly doing both the things against which he was being warned. Kepenau, however, taking his arm, helped him in. " Now, don't move till you reach the end of your voyage," said the Indian. "Perhaps we shall be tiiere to help you out." Ashatea gave a flourish with her paddle as a fare- well signal, and striking the water, away the canoe shot down the stream. We meanwhile took the path homewards, and as we were anxious to arrive before the canoe we hurried forward. Kepenau told me that liis daughter had so mucli wished to see Lily, — or my sister, as he called her,— iiiat hr nad consented to bring her, and to leave her for two or three days, if my friends would allow it. I said that I was sure they would. He desired, he told me, to make some trade arrange- ments for disposing of the peltries which he and his people obtained ; his object, at the same time, being to keep them away from the white men, for fear of the "fire water." This subject was continually on his mind. He had seen it prove the destruction of so many of his countrymen, that he dreaded its intro- duction among his own tribe, who had hitherto been F0OTSTKP8. ISl kept free from it. However, as my uncles and iVIr. Claxton were men who never touched liquor, he was not afraid of dealing with them. I remarked, as we walked along, that his eyes were constimtly turning in every direction, — now on the .rround, now on the trees and bushes on either side. — as if lie was on the look-out for game, or fancied that an enemy was lurking near. I at last inquired why lie did this. "It is the habit of my people," he answered. "We never can tell whether our foes may be before us or tracking our footsteps. I noticed that some one be- sides you and your young friend and the black has passed this way lately. He wore moccasins, and may therefore be a red man and an enemy; but I liave just discovered that he is one of your people, and has a load on his shoulders. Observe that soft ground ; his feet sank deeper into it than would have been the case had he been unencumbered. He is either an old man, or overcome with fatigue. He cannot be very far before us, and is going in the direction of your hut." Kepenau pointed as he spoke to some mossy ground, where I could just distinguish a faint outline of the footsteps of a man; but I should liave been unable to read anything beyond that fact from the marks left behind. Quambo, who saw them, thought that they might iiave been, after all, oidy the footsteps of Uncle Mark or Mike, who miglit have come out thus far in search of game ; but Kepenau laughed when this was said. 132 THE TRAPPER. " No, no," lie answered; "these are moccasins. You will see that I am right." We hurried on, for the sun was getting lov, .ind already the gloom had settled down in the recesses oi the forest. As we emerged into more open ground near the banks of the river, the rays of the sun glancing aloni: it sparkled on the flakes of foam, as the stream hurried rippling along the banks. Nearing the hut, we caught sight of three figures standing in front of it. " I told you so," observed Kepenau. " Yonder is the man whose trail I discovered. A trapper, who has come east with his peltries. He is an old man, too, as I thought, and carried a heavy load." Before even our friends saw us, the canoe shot into view down the stream ; and after helping Asliatea and Keuben to land — or rather the latter, for the Indian girl sprang lightly on shore without assistance — we proceeded to the hut. Uncle Mark advanced to meet uj. " All friends are welcome," he said, taking Kepenau 's hand, and then greeting the young girl in his kind, friendly way. " You will, however, have to submit to pretty close stowage, if, as I hope you intend to do, you will remain the niajht with us." " We can quickly put up sufficient shelter for this time of the year for ourselves, so that we need not crowd you, my friend," answered the Indian. " And our aged brother there, I doubt not, is as well accus- tomed to the open air as we are." " Many days and nights have passed since I slept TWO OLD FRIENDS. 133 under a roof," observed the old liunter, wlio, hearing himself mentioned, now came forward. " We have met before, brother," he added, looking at the Indian ; "ay, and fought and hunted togotlier ! Don't you recollect me ?" "Ay, that I do. You saved my life when the Apaches were about to take my scalp, and enabled me to reach my horse and escape," answered Kepenau. " Ah ! I have a faint recollection of that ; but I remember more clearly how, when I was hunted by a party of Araphoes, you and your people came sweep- ing down to my assistance, and put them to Hight," replied the old trapper. " I recollect the event," observed Kepenau ; " but I have long since buried the war-hatchet, and now strive to live at peace with my neighbours, if they will let me. While the Indian and the old trapper had been speaking, I had been looking at the latter. I had no doubt, from the description Reuben had given of the visitor to his father's house, that this was the same person ; and I was therefore not surprised to see him and Reuben shaking hands as old acquaintances. Quambo, knowing that food would be required for our guests, lost no time, with the assistance of Mike, in lighting a fire, and immediately set about cooking whatever his larder supplied. Though we had killed but little game on our excursion, Uncle Mark and Mike had been more fortunate during our absence, and there was no lack of food. In the meantime Kepenau had called up his people » ♦ 134 OUR JXDIAN GUESTS. from tlie canoe, and they set to work to collect materials for two small wigwams, which, though tliev were more rudely constructed than usual, served the purpose intended. One was for the accommodation of Ashatea, and the other for the chief — his men con- tenting themselves with a rough lean-to. The whole party joined us in the hut at supper, which, thanks to the diligence of Mike and Quambo, was (juickly prepared. The old trapper had many anecdotes to tell, and many a wild adventure to re- count, which, I saw, was greatly interesting to Reuben. Ashatea spoke but little, though I could see, by her quick glance, that she understood nmch, if not all, that was said. At night the chief and his daughter retired to their wigwams, -while the old trapper accepted a shake- down in the corner of our hut. He smiled when Uncle Mark offered him a bed. " For many a long year I have not slept in one," he an>;wered ; " and 1 possibly may never again put my head on a pillow softer than my saddle or a pack of skins." Without taking off his clothes, and merely un- buckling his belt, he lay down, and was soon last asleep. Reuben and I, after a few minutes' talk, did the same. Before I closed my eyes, however, 1 saw that Uncle Mark was sitting at the table, resting his head upon his hands, apparently lost in thought. At break of day the next morning our Indian friends were on foot, and we turned out to receive them. As our hut was close, we had our breakfast spread on a grassy spot beneath the trees, where we could enjoy THE TRAPPER S OFFER. 135 fresh air, which was certainly more suited to their taste. Ashatea looked handsomer than ever. She was eaf^er to oet out to see Lily. Reuben offered to ac- company her, and show the way : at which Kepenau lauf^hed, observing that an Indian never required a (^uicle through his own country ; but, for all that, he should be happy to have the white stranger's society. Kepenau had brought several packages of skins, which it was his object to dispose of. "My friend," said the old trapper, touching him on the shoulder, " let me sell them for you. I know how the white men will treat you if they think that they are yours : they will offer a third of the value, and then insist on your taking articles you do not require." " I wish to open a fair trade with the white men," answered Kepenau. " I will let them understand that I have more skins to bring." " The greater reason they will have for putting a small value on them," observed the old trapper. ** I would advise you to accept Samson Micklan's offer," said Uncle Mark, turning to the Indian. Kepenau considered the matter for some time. " I will do as you advise," he said at length. " I know that I can trust you. When you have fixed a price, I will not consent to sell under it. I intend, never- theless, to go to the settlement." ^ Tiie old trapper, whose name I now for the first time heard, appeared to be in no hurry to continue his journey. When at length he declared that he 13G REUBEN AND THE PACK. was ready to start, Reuben oflered to carry hi& pack. Old Samson smiled. "It may make your youn" shoulders ache more than you suppose," he observed. " Let me try," answered Reuben ; and I helped him to place it on his shoulders. In doing so I was able to judge of its weight. "If my uncle can spare me, I will assist you," I said ; " for I doubt very much whether you will be able to carry it all the way." Reuben, however, had made up his mind to fulfil his promise. I saw a twinkle in the old man's eyes when he trudged off trying to look as if he did not feel the weight. My uncle told me I might go too, so "we set off. Kepenau and Samson led the way, talking together. Reuben, as I expected, dropped alongside Ashatea; and I followed. The other Indians brought up the rear, carrying Kepenau's paclvS. Before long, I saw that Reuben was walking with difficulty, and putting his hands behind his back to try and lift the pack off his shoulders. I ranged up to him. " You had better let me carry tliat a little way for you," I said. " Or suppose we sling it on our sticks ! wo shall then get along more easily, and neither of us will feel the weight too much." Still Reuben declared that he could carry it. Ashatea looked at him, evidently understandiua the matter as well as I did. " You better let your friend do as he says," she observed. At length Reuben, who was getting very hot, ami 13 >?^ ■ '■* ASHATEA AND LILY. 137 had stumbled more than once, said, " Well, I do think it will be the best way. I am much obliged to you, Roger." We soon had the pack slung to the sticks, and poor Reuben stepped along much more easily than hei'ove. We soon reached Uncle Stephen's house, when the old trapper turned round to Reuben. " You are a brtave lad," he said ; " I like your pluck. In a few years, when you get more nuiscle in your limbs, you will laugh at a pack twice the weight of that." Lily was delighted to see Ashatea; and we left them tOLi^ether while we went on to Mr. Claxton's, where old Samson intended to stay. He had arranged with Kepenau to sell his peltries, and the next day they were all disposed of at a price which greatly aston- ished and delighted our Indian friend. He made an arrangement with Uncle Stephen to sell all the pro- duce of the chase which he might bring, and to pur- chase for him such articles as he required. Reuben brought his sister Dora over to see Ashatea, and the three girls seemed very hap})y together. The Indian mv\ was as enQ-er to learn Enfjlish as Lily and Dora were to instruct her ; and she got on rapidly. Old Samson had suffered more from his long tramp on foot than he was at first willing to confess, and a tit of illness was the consequence. He was well cared for, however, by the Claxtons, who treated him as kindly as if he had been a relation. He was jj'tateful in his way ; but it struck me that there was Wv%\ 138 THE OLD TRAPPER S ILLNESS. Bomething hard and unsympatliizing in his character. He spoke of his fights with the Indians, of the scalps he had taken, of his hairbreadtli escapes ; but he never uttered a word which showed that he had any religious feeling. Indeed, he seemed to me to be as much of a heathen as the Indians among whom he had lived so long. It appeared strange to me tliat an old man should be so hardened. I was not aware, at the time, that when people once begin to give up trusting God they go further and further from him; and thus, of course, as they advance in years they think less and less of their souls, and, in fiict, become more dead with regard to all spiritual matters. I had been accustomed to see Uncle Stephen read the Bible to his family, and offer up prayers morning and night ; while he never did any work, except such as necessity demanded, on the Sabbath. Uncle j\hirk had been less exact in these respects, although even he was accustomed to read the Bible on tliC Sabbath, and to refrain from work ; and occasionally we went over to Uncle Stephen's on that day and joined his family at worship. Most of the people of the settle- ment, however, paid but little attention to the day, though they ceased from all rough work, and made a sort of holiday of it. There was no churcli or chapel of any description in the neighbourhood, and few paid any attention to what are called religious duties. The day after I went to stay with Uncle Stephen, some little time before sunset I saw a horseman aj)- proaching the house from the eastward. He was a n ■■ A NEW VISITOR. 139 middle-aged man, dressed in a suit of dark gray, with his legs encased in strong leather gaiters, and a broad- lirimmed hat on his head ; a pair of huge saddle-bags, too, were thrown across the hardy-looking mustiing he bestrode. He had neither gun over his shoulder uor sword by his side ; but he carried a thick staff of considerable length in his hand. "Canst tell me, young friend, if yonder house is the abode of Stephen Tregellis ? " he asked as I ad- Viinced towards him. " Yes, sir. He is my uncle," I answ'ered, offering to hold his nag's head while he dismounted. He threw himself from the saddle with the activity of a young man. " I hope, th«n, that I shall not intrude, for I have L'ome far, and should like to spend a few days with one who, if I am not wrongly informed, will receive me as a brother Cliristian," he said. "Uncle Stephen will be glad to see you, sir," I uuswered, feeling sure that I was only saying what was the case. " Well, then, young man, go in and tell him that Martin Godfrey has come to claim his hospitality." As my uncle had just reached home, I hurried in and gave him the message. He immediately came out and welcomed the stranger, with whom he had a short conversation, which I did not hear, as I was holding the pony at a little distance. I only caught the words, uttered by my uncle, " We w411 make ready a small upper room, and to that you shall be welcome as long as you remain in these parts." 140 THE BACKWOODS PKEACHER. He then told me to take the mustang round to tlie stable, to rul) him down, and feed him well, and to bring the minister's saddle-bags into the house. When I returned, after having obeyed these orders, I found the stranger seated at table — on which Aunt Hannah and Lily had spread supper — talking cheer- fully; and from what he said I gathered that he had visited a number of outlying settlements, accompanied by several young ministers, one of whom he had left at each. " I had no one to brin<jf on here, and was unwilliii'^ to leave you without the * bread of life,* so I was fain to come on myself," he observed. I wondered what he could mean. Aunt Hannah explained, after he and Uncle Mark had gone out, that he was one of those energetic Gospellers uho had done so m-uch for the back settlements of America ; that he was an overseer among them — his duty being to move from place to place to form new- congregations where none existed, and to strengthen and encourage the older ones. Hb had much conversation with Kepenau and Ashatea, with whom he could converse in their own language. They were evidently deeply interested in what he said, and I saw him frequently produce his Bible and refer to it to strengthen what he was saying. Kepenau had, as I have already said, some knowledge of Christianity, and he and his daughter very gladly received the instruction which the mis- sionary afforded them. Uncle Stephen went out and succeeded in bringing RELIGIOUS SERVICES. 141 in three or four of our neighbours, among whom were Mr. Claxton and Reuben, and we had a regular service in the cottage, — the first of the sort I can recollect. The Bible was read, prayers were offered up, and the missionary gave an address ; after which some of Wesley's hymns were sung by Lily and Dora — Asliatea occasionally joining in, with a very sweet voice, although she had never heard them before. Mr. Claxton afterwards begged the missionary to come and visit old Samson. He gladly complied; but I heard him next day tell Uncle Stephen that he feared no impression had been made ou the old trapper's heart. " Still, I do not despair," he added. "It may be as hard as iron, or stone; but iron can be melted by the fire, and stone worn away by the constant dripping of water. One thing I know, — that nothing is too difficult for God to accomplish ; though we, his instruments, are obliged to confess our own weakness." I must not, however, dwell further on the various events which took place at this time. Martin Godfrey spent some days wuth Uncle Stephen, preaching every evening in the open air, and three times on the Sabbath ; and he promised the people, if they would put up a chapel, that he would ere long find a minister for them. Havinj;; distri- buted some Bibles and other books contained in his saddle-bags, he at length mounted his mustang and went his way. I remember Uncle Stephen asking him if he was not afraid of travellin<r without firearms. : m ' ■hi 142 OUR GUESTS LEAVE US. "I trust to One well able to protect me," lie answered, smiling. "Whenever I have to employ the arm of flesh, I find my trusty stick sufficient to defend myself against hostile Indians or savage beasts ; " and as he whisked it round his head with a rapidity which dazzled the eyes, I could easily understand how it would prove a formidable weapon against either bears or wolves — a tap of it on their skulls being sufficient to stun them ; while it seemed to me that he might be able to ward off* either the arrows or the tomahawks of hostile Indians. Kepenau and Ashatea returned to their settlement; and the old trapper, who had now recovered, began to make preparations for his departure. He had again invited Reuben to join him, but Mr. Claxton, very wisely, would not hear of his son going away with the old man. "It is more than likely we shall never see him again," he observed. "Wliatever his fate may be, you would probably share it; either to be killed by Indians, or starved, or drowned, or frozen to death, or born to pieces by bears or wolves." Reuben was inclined to complain. " Father thinks I cannot take care of myself," he said to me. "As old Samson has spent so many years out trapping by himself, why should not I have as good a chance of escaping from danger ? " "There is an old saying, 'That the water-pot which goes often to the well, gets broken at last,' " 1 observed. "Such may be the case wi'h regard to old Samson ; and you know nothing of the country, THE OLD TRAPPER S COMPANION. 143 or of the cunning of the Kedskins, and would be very sure to lose your life if he lost his." The old man, who had set his heart on obtaining a companion of some sort, succeeded in persuading a half-breed to accompany him. This was a man named Sandv M'CoU, whose father was a Scotchman and his mother an Indian, and who had long been accus- tomed to the wild life of the prairies. He had come to the settlement intending to' rr^nain, and had built a hut and begun to cultivate a garden, with the intention, as was supposed, of taking unto liimself a wife ; but the damsel on whom he had set his affections had refused him. Sandy after this became very downcast ; he neglected his garden, and spent most of his time wandering about gun in hand, shooting any game he could come across. He had few associates, and was of a morose disposition. People, indeed, whispered that he had been guilty of some crime or other, and was forced to leave the part of the country where he had before resided. Uncle Stephen, who occasionally exchanged a few words with him, did not believe that this was the case, and de- clared that Sandy, m spite of his taciturnity and love of solitude, was an honest fe low. Be th^f r„s it may, Samson was satisfied with him, and the two agreed to start together. Soon after the old man's arrival, he had asked Reuben and me to make a journey to the place where he had left his other packs of skins hidden away; ami he described the spot so exactly, that we believed we should have no difficulty in finding it. My uncle 144 SAYING GOOD-BYE. said I might go with Mike La-ffan. Reuben, too, rrot leave from his father; and Sandy volunteered to accompany us. Without him we should, I believe, have lost our way, for he knew the country much better than we did. We had to proceed cautiously during the hatter part of the journey for fca^ of Indians, as we were far in advance of the territory claimed by the white men. But I do not give an account of the expedition, be- cause, in reality, we met with no adventure worthy of notice. Thanks to Sandy, we discovered the packs, and succeeded in bringing them back safe to their owner; for which Samson was very grateful, and rewarded us handsomely. With the proceeds he purchased two mustangs, six beaver- traps, a supply of powder and shot, and other articles. Sandy had the means of obtaining another mustang, and such supplies as he required. After this old Samson quickly recovered. As soon as he was well enough he and Sandy mounted their ponies, reserving a third animal to carry their goods; and having bidden us all good-bye, they set off into the wilderness — going to the westward, intending to push forward to the spurs of the Rocky Mountains, where, they said, game in abundance was to be found. Reuben, who was really a very good fellow, soon got reconciled to remaining at home and attending to his duty. Kepenau had made me promise to come and visit him, and had agreed to send one of his people with ;i canoe to take me to his lodges ; and at last the Indian arrived at our hut. Kep« we mi< stream, to go I kn excursi< could e( leave, a and mc set. B hi roll -bf Ashatea constant to empl Mike Ln we mad( We a m^n's k some tir coloured any pelt: tion was the thou, expected with a skins. The Ir the"Sm{ '1 great Ii as we un( we could A CANOE-EXPEDITION. U7 Kcpenau, he said, had sent but a smalJ canoe, as we might thus more easily make our way up the stream, and pass the several portages we should have to go over. I knew that Reuben would take delight in the excursion, so I hurried to the settlement to see if he could come. His father was very willing to give him leave, as it might turn his thoughts from the wilder and more dangerous adventures on which he was set. He had, tjome time before this, obtained a birch-bark canoe, which Kepenau, and sometimes Ashatea, had taught him how to use ; and as he was constantly practising, he was by this time well able to employ his paddle. We obtained leave to take Mike Laffjin with us, too ; and thus, with the Indian, we made a party of four in the two canoes. We carried our guns and axes and the usual wood- man's knives, a pot and pan for cooking our meals, some tin cups, and a few small bales of cloths and coloured calicoes with which to pay the Indians for any peltries they might have to sell — for our expedi- tion was on business as well as pleasure. We enjoyed the thoughts of it all the more on that account. We expected also to get some hunting, and to come back with a supply of dried venison, as well as some skins. The Indian told us that his name was Kakaik, or the " Small Hawk ;" he let us understand that he was a great hunter, but as he could speak no English, and as we understood but a few words of his language, we could not carry on much conversation with him. 148 MAKING A " PORTAGE." However, we managed to understand each other very well by means of signs. The first part of the voyage was along the main river, with which we were well acquainted. We afterwards struck off up one of its tributaries, whicli varied greatly in width ; sometimes it expanded into a lake-like form, and at other parts it contracted into narrow dimensions, where the current ran with great force, and we had hard work to stem it. At length we reached a waterfall of nearly thirty feet in height, where the river rushed over the rocks and fell down perpendicularly in masses of foam. Kakaik made signs to us that we must land and cari'y our canoes for some distance through the wood. This is what is called making a " portage." Accord- ingly we unloaded them, and piled up our goods at the foot of the fall. We then lifted the canoes out of the water; Kakaik taking one bottom upwards on bis shoulders and walking off with it. Mike imitated his example, as one man could get between the trees better than two, and the canoes were so light that they could be carried with ease. Reuben, shoulder- ing a portion of the goods, followed the Indian ; and I, witli another bale on my shoulders and the paddles and gun under my arm, kept close after Mike — leaving the remainder of the things for a second trip. The ground was rough in the extreme, and it was seme way up a steep b'lnk among rocks. My fear was lest Mike should knock the canoe against the branchr-s of the overhanging trees and make a hole in her bottom, so I sung out to him to be cautious. MAKING A PORTAQE. .*, THE CANOES LAUNCHED. 161 •' Faix ! Masther Roger, it's that same I intind to be," he answered. " I have no fancy to walk all the way back again, or forward either, if this is the sort of ground we should have to pass over." We had to traverse a quarter of a mile or more till we saw the stream ahead of us, running placid as before. Kakaik, going down into the water, placed his canoe gently on the surface, and then helped to take Mike's off his shoulders. The goods we had brought were next placed in them, and the Indian sat down on the bank to watch them while we went back for the remainder. "Suppose some hostile Indians or prowling bear should have paid a visit to the landing-place, and carried off our property," said Reuben. " We will hope for the best," I answered, laughing ; " bu* T will take my gun, in case of accidents." CHAPTER V. kH TNTUUDER — Wl? ARRIVE AT KKPKNAU'S CAMP — ASHATKA INQiriREH KINDLY AFTER LILY \ND DORA — DEER-HUNTING — THE STRANGE INDIANS — KEPE- NAU'S PRECAUTIONS — MIKE AMUSES THE CAMP WITIi HIS KIDDLE — OUR FAREWELL — KARAIK'S ADVICE WITH REGARD TO RAPID-SHOOTING— THK TREAOHBROU8 INDIAN ON SHORE— ?lIKE AND I PADDLE DEHPEKATKLY— THE CANOE IS UPSET — CARRIED DOWN THE STREAM— A NATURAL I'LACB OF CONCEALMENT IN A HOLLOW TRUNK — MY TERROR ON PEUCElVIXa THE INDIANS — FORCED BY HUNGER TO LEAVE MY CONCEALMENT, I AM TAKEN PRISONER BY FOUR INDIANS. pN arriving at the foot of the falls we found our goods safe; but just as we were about to shoulder them we heard a rustlinf; amonjjf the bushes. Advancing cautiously towards the spot, not knowing what might be there, I caught sight of a dark hairy form. It was a brown bear, which in another minute would in all likelil] ood have been examining our property with no delicate fingers. I hesitated to fire, for I was sure that I should be unable to hit any vital part; and as even a brown bear, if wounded, will turn furiously on his pursuers, before I could have reloaded tlic beast might have been upon me. In another instant Bruin had plunged in among the thick underwood, and was concealed from view ; but I heard him mak- ing his way rapidly from us, doubtless considering that discretion was the better part of valour. OUR VOYAGE CONTINUED. 153 Having taken up our goods, and looked carefully round to see that nothing was left behind, we set off towards the canoes. Kakaik by this time had them both secured alongside the bank, so that we quickly reloaded them and recommenced our voyage up the stream. I asked Mike to sing one of his Irish songs : this he was never loath to do, and he soon made the banks echo with his melody. As soon as he had ceased, the Indian took up the strain with one of his native songs. It was melancholy in the extreme, and con- trasted greatly with Mike's joyous notes. " Faix ! if it's tears he wants to draw from our eyes, 1 can bate him there," observed Mike, when Kakaik had ceased; and he began one of those sad ditties descriptive of the death of some Irish heroine. Though the Indian could not understand the meaning, he appeared to be much affected, and it was some time before he be^an another sonor. From the few words we could make out, we supposed him to be recount- ing the misfortunes of his people, and their departure from the hunting-grounds of their fathers. Mike had brought his fiddle, but of course he could not play it while paddling. " When we get to Kepenau's, I'll show the people what I can do, and set them all jigging away, and laughing till they split their sides," he observed. The scenery amid which we passed was wild in the extreme. Not a sign of a human being, or a habita- tion of any sort, was visible. Sometimes dark rocks rose up in precipitous cliffs on both sides of us, and 154 KEPENAUS CAMP. al other times the trees of the forest overhung tlie water. We had several portages to make, as it was easier to carry the canoes over the land than to drac them up the rapids, but Kakaik signified that on our return we might shoot them without danger. At last, in the far-off distance, we caught siglit of a wreath of smoke ascending from near the bank, and from the gestures of the Indian we understood that we were now approaching Kepenau's camp. In a short time shouts were heard, and we saw several wigwams erected on the greensward in a recess of the forest, surrounded by trees which sheltered them completely from the wind. A canoe immediately put off and came paddUng out towards us ; then turned round and accompanied us back to the bank, on which Kepcnau, with Asha- tea and other members of his family, stood ready to receive us. As we shook hands he told us how glad he was to see us ; and Ashatea had many questions to ask about Lily and Dora. ' I have been longing to come and visit them again," she said. " Now that the rice is ripe, I want to take them down to the lake where it grows, that we may gather our canoe full." Kepenau said that his people would be very glad to receive the goods we had brought, and would be ready to purchase them with their beaver-skins and other peltries, of which they had a considerable store. When we talked about hunting, he assured us that we need have no fear of obtaining plenty of sport, as, DEER-HUNTINO. 165 with our rifles, we should be certain to kill the game much more easily than his people could do with their bows and arrows. A hunting-party was accordingly aiTanged for the next day, on the shores of a lake some miles off. He had already transported a couple of cnoes to it, so that, should any of the deer take to the w.iter, we might be able to pursue them. Ashatea was much inclined to come with us, but her father told her that she would be acting more like an English girl if she would stay at home and attend to house- hold affairs. We started the next morning with Kepenau, Kakaik, and several other Indians, who carried long spears as well as bows and arrows. We were also accompanied by a pack of dogs, well trained by the Indians for chasing the deer, though they were noisy, ill-looking curs. We commenced our hunt at some distance from the shores of the lake, but for an hour or more we saw no signs of deer, and Reuben and I began to fancy that we should have to return home without venison. We had separated from Kepenau, but now we heard his voice, and immediately afterwards the dogs gave tongue. We were looking about to ascertain in what direction to bend our steps, when a fine deer started out from among the trees on our right into the open glade. My gun being ready, I fired, and felt sure that I had wounded the deer; but the animal still continued its course. The next instant the dogs appeared from the same direction, in hot chase after the deer. 15G THE DEER IN SIGHT. We followed, joined by Kepenau and the other men. Marks of blood on the grass showed us that the deer had been wounded. Still, it might run, should the dogs not overtake it, for several miles, and might escape us after all. It was too valuable a prize to be lost, so we continued the pursuit. The country now became much more open, and we saw^ that the deer hr.d made its way across the plain. On tlic further side there were some lofty pines, towards which the animal appeared to have directed its course. We had been running on for several minutes, when, before I could distinguish anything, the excla- mations of the Indians showed me that the deer was in sight ; and presently I saw it standing at bay under the trees, with the dogs yelping round it and preventing it from proceeding further. When I got within gun-shot, I stopped for a moment to reload my ritle ; and crying out to my friends not to get in the way, I again fired, and the noble beast rolled over. Kakaik then dashed for- ward with his hunting-knife, and quickly put an end to the creature's sufferings, while the rest beat oti the dogs. The deer was soon cut up, and each mm loading himself with as much as he could carry, the venison was conveyed to the spot selected for an iencani])- ment; w^here two of them remained to take care of it while we went in search of more game. We had been for some time beating about, when once more we heard the do^s giving tongue ; and \. '— it and THE DEER AT BAY. after ma ing tlie I a herd o: speed, V all of us ert'ect nc directing faster th tunity oj tliL'm in -I to tlie rin overtakir lake. Kakail^ iiic to ac liad left .signify tl til mini: b into it, ai with a fc lake. Ko tlie deer, liarkiiiif 1 people wli poor anin then anotl tlie except «ut in diti bank. Kakaik t'jwarfls it A CHASE ON THE LAKE. 159 after making our way through the forest, and reach- ing the borders of an open gLade, we caught sight of a herd of eight or ten deer scampering along at full speed, vnth tlie pack of dogs at their heels. We all of us fired, but although two or three shots took eti'ect none of the deer stopped. We saw them ilirecting their course towards the lake; but they ran taster than we did, and did not allow us an oppor- tunity of firing. We managed, however, to keep them in view, and saw that they did not turn cither to tiie right hand or to the left, so that we felt sure of overtaking them when they reached the shore of the lake. Kuknik, who was on my left hand, made signs to me to accompany him towards the spot where we had left oni; of the canoes. I also understood him to signify that the dogs would prevent the deer from turning' back. On reachin<x the canoe he lifted me into it, and siepping after me, seized a paddle, and with a few strokes sent it skimming out into the liike. Hounding a point, we soon caught sight of the deer, which stood on the shore with the dogs harking behind them. The shouts of some of the [leople who now came up increased the terror of the poor animals. First one plunged into the water, then another, and another; till the whole herd, with the exception of two which had fallen, were striking out in different directions, making for the opposite hank. Kiikaik pointed out one fine deer, and paddled towards it, I might have shot the animal, but my 160 FRIENDS OR FOES f Indian companion made si^^ms to me to use a spoai which lay at the bottom of the canoe ; so, stincliii,' up, I grasped the weapon with both my hands, arni drove it with all my force into the creature's skull. In an instant its head went down, and its feet rising, it lay dead on the surface. Kakaik liandf.l me a ro})e to cast round its antlers, and we forth- with towed it in triumph to the shore. This dorif, we made chase after a second deer, which was swim- ming across the lake towards a spot some little wav off. Greatly to my satisfaction, I succeeded in strik- ing this animal as I had done the first. In the meantime the other canoe was paddliii" away in chase of two more deer, which had ma<lo towards the further end of the lake. While we were occu})ied as I have described, I saw a third canoe, paddled by two strangers, dart- ing out from behind a point in pursuit of another deer. Whether the people were friends or foes, I could not tell; but as soon as Kakaik saw them he declared that they were the latter, and that we mu>t be prepared for an attack should they have many companions in the neighbourhood. "Then let us at once tow our deer up the lake towards the camp, where we can obtain assistance,' I said. I now observed that those who had been unablf to embark in the canoe were making their way in that direction. They had probably caught sight of the strange Indians. My fear was that Kepenaii and Reuben might be attacked on their return. I OEER-HUNTINO ON THE UAKt made si< deer anc Reuben were pi keep th( they ve canoes, < bullets, ' As wi we foun ready tc Mike Roger," «nd th( they'll n hurry." He an they im paddled our friei capturin it was t into the Seein< consider showino; have he{ thus pre or not 1 the deer We n FULL OF FIGHT. 163 made signs to my companion that we would land the (leer and then go to the assistance of our friends. As Reuben and I had our rifles, and the strange Indians were probably without firearms, we might easily keep them in check or put them to flight; or should they venture to attack us, we might sink their canoes, even if we did not kill them with our rifle- bullets, before they got up to us. As we reached the shore at the end of the lake, we found Mike and several of the Indians standing ready to receive us. Mike was full of fight. " Arrah ! be aisy, Masther Roger," he said. "Sure, if the inimy come, I will sind them to the rightabout wid me firelock, and they'll not be afther taking our venison from us in a hurry." He and the Indians taking charge of the deer, which they immediately set about cutting up, Kakaik and I paddled off" again down tiie lake to the assistance of our friends. The strange Indians had succeeded in capturing one of the deer ; but as we considered that it was their lawful prize, although we had driven it into the water, we did not interfere with them. Seeing another deer still swimming, though at a considerable distance, I fired at it, for the purpose of showing the strange Indians, in case they should not have heard our other shots, that we liad firearms, and thus probably prevent them attacking us. Whether or not my shot had taken effect I could not tell, as the deer continued to swim on towards the bank. We now directed our course for our friends, wlio 164 A SUCCESSFUL EXPEDITION. had killed the two deer of which they had gone in chase. I told them of the strangers we had seen; and Kakaik, in his own language, gave a long account to Kepenau of che matter. " We will let them alone, if they do not molest us," answered Kepenau, after expressing his approval of my conduct. Having secured the bodies of the two deer to ropes, — Kepenau and Reuben towing one, and Kakaik and I the other, — we began to paddle back towards the end of the lake from which we had come. As we passed the part of the shore near which I had shot the last deer, we observed several Indians, who had seized the animal as it landed, and were now employed in cutting it up. They had evidentb only one canoe with them, and were therefore afraid of coming off to attack us, whatever may have been their disposition. We might, therefore, consider our- selves masters of the seas. Kepenau was well pleased with the success of our expedition, and having made up his mind to live at peace with his neighbours, he was very glad to avoid a collision with the strangers, even though we miglit come off victorious. " We must, however, be on the watch for them as we return homewards," he ob- served. " They may possibly greatly outnumber our party ; and though our firearms will keep tbem in check, they may try to overcome us by stratagem. " The deer we had first killed were so m cut up, and all the best pai-is made ready for transportation to the camp. Those we had now towed on sliore were we aiTiV' -m^', OUR RETURN TO KEPENAU S 1.ODGES. 165 on tlio he ob- number p tbein :,afrem." treated in the same manner; and each man being loaded with as much as he could possibly carry, we set otf for the camp. Here we found a blazing fire ready for cooking the venison, of which our friends ate an enormous quantity — with the exception of Kepenau, who was as moderate as we were. Knowing that we had foes in the neighbourhood sentinels were posted, two of whom kept watch all the night round the camp; but the strangers, see ng us prepared, did not make their appearance, and on the following morning we started, an hour before dawn, on our return. Kepenau kept in the rear, turning round very frequently to ascertain if we were followed. He also gave his people directions to keep a look-out on either hand. Once he cauofht siyht of a warrior's plume in the distance, but although his eyes were of the sharpest he could not discover whether his foe approached nearer. Before evening we arrived safely at his lodges ; the ample supply of food we brought affording great satisfaction. Tlie chief, however, did not fail to send out scouts to bring word whether the enemy had ventured into the neighbourhood. As no traces of them could be seen, Kepenau came to the conclusion that the strangers had gone off* again *o the westward, content with the game they had obtained. Still, he thought it prudent, in case of treachery, to keep on the watch ; and day and night two or '^hree of the party were constantly scouring the country round, in search of tracks made by strange Indians. The time had now arrived for us to return. Mike 1G6 PREPAIIATIOXS FOR DEPARTURE. had made himself a universal favourite ; the Indians, notwithstanding their general gravity, delighting in the merry tunes he played on his fiddle. He frequenUv set them jigging ; and Reuben and I showed them how white people danced — though neither of us lia<l any exact notions on the subject. Ashate*^ ..onetimes joined us, and moved about very gracefully, perform- ing figures of her own invention, which I have since discovered greatly resemble those of the minuet of Europe. She often told me ho\v much she lonwd to "o O o back and stay with Lily. Native of the Avilds as she was, she had gained a taste for civilized life, slie told Reuben and me. We assured her that Lily and Dora would be delighted to see her, and that, if her father would allow her to accompany us, we sliould be glad to take her at once. This, however, Kcpenau refused. He did not tell us why; only saying tiiat he could not let her go unless he went with jer, anJ for the present he must not leave his peop^?, who had to hunt and fish, so as to lay in a store of provisions for the winter. 1 should have said that at the back of the lodges were several piecf^"^ of cleared ground, on which Indian corn was growing and potatoes had been planted, This showed that Kepenau and his people were in advance of the huntincc Indians, who trust onlv totlie chase for subsistence, and are thereby frequently re- duced to a state of starvation. All the inl abitants of the camp turned out to wish us farewell, and ofieied up prayers for our safety a.' SFTTiNQ OUT FROM THE SETTLEMENT we ste the wa other, : well SI rapidl} Havinc home I "I'm saw th will ta skih3, a ' Wh "Siir they k] enough "We answere look as : have to though, shall nol We p? and the] tiilk witi " Oh ! he answ( drive th( noses." We w( ran betv almost pe ON THE WATCH. 169 we stepped into our canoes. Kakaik and Reuben led the way in one canoe, and Mike and I followed in the other, flourishing our paddles over our heads as a fare- well salute. We plied them diligently, and, gliding rapidly down the stream, were soon lost to sight. Having the current with us, we expected to reach home before nightfiill, should no accident happen. " I'm afther hoping that none of those Indians we saw the other day are lurking about, or maybe they will take a fancy to our packs of dried venison and skih3, and stop us," observed Mike. ' What put that idea into your head ? " I asked. " Sure, because they are cunning spalpeene ; and as they know the way we must take, they aie likely enough to be on the watch for us," he replied. "We must be on the watch for them, then," I answered, laughing. "If any of them appear, and look as if they intended to interfere with us, we shall have to show them the muzzles of our rifles; al- though, as I never have shot a man, I trust that I shall not be obliged to do so." We paddled on for some time after this, and now and then we caught up Reuben's canoe and had a tiilk with him. I told him what Mike had said. " Oh ! I don't think there is much chance of that," he answered, lightly. " A few ritle-bullets will soon drive the fellows into the woods, if they show their noses." We were now entering a part of uie stream which ran between broken cliffs; on one side rocks rose almost perpendicularly from the water, their summits 170 DESCENDING THE RAPIDS. shaped J ike the p.'irapots of ruined castles, while on the otlier the trees came down to the river's hrink. Kakaik reminded iis tliat we were approaching a series of rapids; and lie exphiined by signs that he would lead tlie wav, and advised Mike and ine to keep exactly ' \ his >ur-ie. He and Reuben paddied on, thei Jbre, vviM]i> we lollowed at a little distance, We saw theui flr'sc'-i-'i one of the first ra})ids. Iin- mediately below this, i^i *; turn of the river, was an- other, the fall in which being probably about four or five feet, was not sufficient to endanger the safety of the canoes if cnrefully handled. We were approaching the highest of the rapids, which, as 1 have said, tiie other canoe had just de- scended, wlien we saw an Indian dart out from behiml the trunk of a tree growing Cxose to the water, and point his arrow at the first canoe, aiming at Reuben. The arrow flew from the bow, but whether my friend was hit or not I could not say, as the canoe, darting down the rapid, was lost to sight. We were too near the rapid to paddle back, for in turning round we should have run the risk of upset- ting the canoe, when it would have been carried down sideways, and probably dashed to jdeces. Our only safe course, therefore, w\as to dash forward; and we hoped to pass the Indian before he could perceive us, or have time to fix another arrow in his bow. Had we been in still water I might have lifted my ritle and shot the Indian, but I dared not leave my paddle for a moment. Down the rapid we dashed, then, paddling with might and main to turn the canoe su REUBEN IN OANQER. 1 as to had d we su wards bank seen u A si danger shot it slioiild now, h( seized side on along \v " Pad fearinor only ch not stop all risks Mike thing to calendar I don' in the sa We da foaming ] when I 1 The nexi ■seethinor dear life. glance of DANGER AHEAD. 173 as to be ready for the next descent. The Indian liad disappeared, but we heard his voice, calling, as we supposed, to his companions, — and directly after- wards we caught sight of him running along the bank among the trees; but he could not have seen us. A short way below this was another and still more dangerous rapid. Kakaik ^^ignified that he had often shot it, but he at the same time advised that we sliould land and make a portage. To do this was now, however, out of the question, as we should be seized by the Indians on shore did we land on the side on which they were; the only practicable one alonjx which we could make our way. " Paddle, Mike ! paddle 1 " I said in a low voice, fearinjo: that I miofht be heard should I shout. " Our only chance is to dash down the rapid. We can- not stop to look out for rocks ahead, and must run all risks." Mike saw this as well as I did. " Sure, it's the only tiling to be done, any way. May all the saints in the calendar help us ! " he exclaimed. I don't think, however, that Mike had much faith in the saints, although he uttered the expression. We dashed on, the water hissinf:^ and bubblinfj and foaming round us, and had almost reached the bottom, when I felt the bow of the canoe strike something. The next instant I found mj'self struggling in the seething waters, and instinctively striking out for dear life. Looking down the stream, I caught a glance of the canoe being rapidly hurried downwards, 174 THE CANOE UPSET. with Mike clinging to it. The next moment, he and the canoe had disappeared. I had been carried down some distance, when, on more perfectly recovering my senses, I discovered that I was happily near the side opposite to that on which I had seen the Indians. I scrambled up on the bank, therefore, hoping to find some place of conceal- ment before they could discover me. I had not gone far, however, before I recollected that my foot- prints would certainly betray me. I therefore retraced my steps and threw myself backwards into the water; and as I looked up towards the bank, I clearly per- ceived the marks I had left. The river in this place was narrow, but though the current ran strong it was smooth, and I felt sure that I could swim across it and hide myself among some thick bushes which I saw growing over the water. It was my only hope of saving myself, and I determined to run the risk; but no time was to be lost, as the Indians might look up the stream and discover me. I struck out boldly, and found that I could stem the current, though it certainly required all the strength I possessed. I looked down the stream every now and then, to ascertain whether the Indians were returning, which I thought they miglit do when they saw only one person clinging to the canoe ; otherwise I kept my eye as steadily as I could on the bushes for which I was making. Of course, I might have crossed the stream much more easily by allowing myself to be carried down with the current, but then I should have landed much below the place A SWIM FOR LIFE. 175 vv'liere I hoped to find concealment. I could distin- guish for some time, even amid tlie roar of the waters, tlie voices of the Indians as they shouted to each other; but they gradually became fainter and fainter, and this gave me encouragement, as it informed me that they were getting further off. Even then I thought of poor Mike. What might be his fate, should he be captured by the Indians ? His fiddle, and probably everything else in the canoe, would be lost, and he would have no means of soften- iiifr their sava^je hearts. With his fiddle in his hand, I felt that lie might succeed in saving his life. It may seem strange that such tlioughts entered my mind at that time ; but the truth is, I was less anxious iibout myself than I was about him. I had got more than half-way across when I began to find my strength failing me. It seemed that I should never reach the shore ; still, I struck out, straining every nerve. I was afraid at length that I should be obliged to allow myself to be carried down bv the current, and be glad to clinor to the first rock or bough I could reach. My eyes were growing dim, and I could scarcely see the bushes on which they had so long been fixed. Still I stru(:'o-led on, deter- mined if possible to icceed. Suddenly I felt myself caught by an eddy, and the next instant I was carried close under the bank. I was about to grasp one of the branches, when I recollected that the sharp eyes of the Indians would discover wliere my hand liad crushed the leaves, so I resisted the temptation, turn- ing myself on my back for a minute to rest ; then I 176 A CUNNING HIDING-PLACE. dived down, and came up again in the very middle of the bush. I now without fear drew myself out of the water, and climbing up, discovered a thick trunk hollowed out by age, the larger portion of which had been broken off either by a storm or lightning, the boughs having sprung out of the remainder — forming, in- deed, a natural pollard. No concealment could have been more perfect; for even an Indian's eye would fail to penetrate through the bark. By slipping down I was concealed on all sides, while at the same time a slit in the trunk afforded me a " look-out " through the boughs in the direction oi the river. Here, therefore, I considered that I was safe for the present. The difficulty would be to got away ; although I might remain concealed as long as I should desire, hunger would at length compel me to leave my hiding-place in search of food. I re- mained crouched down, listening anxiously for any sounds which might indicate the whereabouts of the Indians. Mike, I felt sure, had he escaped drown- ing, would be captured by them; but I had liope:^ that Reuben and his companion, by being so much ahead, might escape altogether. The ground was excessively rough ; numerous high rocky ridges, and intervening spaces filled by trees and dense underwood, abounded. The fact that the Indians had been so long shout- ing to each other convinced me that they had not uy to that time captured the first canoe. As I hoard no one approaching, I should not have been afraid ui A DISCOVERY. 177 leaving my hiding-place ; but tlien I knew that my footsteps would betray me. I must have remained an hour or more, when I heard voices in the distance. The sounds came nearer, and I knew tliat the Indians were returning. I scarcely dared to draw breath. They ])assed close to the tree in which I lay concealed; but I did not venture to look out, lest they should discover me. I was sure as they went along that they were trying to discover my trail. I knew, too, by the voices, that there was only a small party. What had become of the rest ? I calculated, by the direction their voices came from, that they were making their way up the stream. Some distance off, the low cliffs between which the river forced its way were surmounted by trees, which formed a natural bridge. I knew, therefore, that should they wish to get to the opposite side they might easily pass over. Nearly another anxious hour went by, when I again heard their voices coming across the stream ; and looking through the slit, I saw three painted savages standing together in the shallow water, nar- rowly examining the br.nk on both sides. Presently one of them stopped and pointed at the marks which my feet had made as I sprang up the bmk. I saw them standinfj consulting eagerly together, but whether their sagacity would enable them to decide if I had gone forward across the country, or lea])ed hack into the water, I could not tell. I anxiously watched, in order to ascertain to what de- 178 DISAPPEARANCE OF THE INDIANS. cision they had come. At length one of them climbed up the bank and looked about ; then the others fol- lowed, and walked for some distance, closely scrutiniz- ing the ground. At first I hoped that they were ;it fault. I had noticed that the bank was composed, a little way on, of hard stones, which could scarcely, I til on gilt, receive any impression from my feet. They went on for some distance ; and then I sfiw from their gestures that they were fairly puzzled. At length they came back to the bank, and gazed down at the raiiidly-fiowing stream. They were evi- dently of o])ini()n that I could not have swam across it. Greatly to my relief, I saw them continuing their course down the river, examining the bank as they went alonrr, under the belief that I must liave landed again further down, or else have been swept away by the current. This greatly relieved my mind. I sincerely hoped that they would give me up as lost, and abandon the idea that they should have the pleasure of exhibiting me to tlieir squaws, and torturino' me. On and on they went, until they disappeared among the trees which orew on the bank. Whether or not they would again cross the stream I could not tell, or if indeed they had the means of doing so. They liad come from the rii>'lit bank, so I concluded that they must know of some way or other to get back to it. Still, I was anxious to be certain that they had done this before I left my shelter. I had made up my mind to swim back, and to descend the stream on the left bank, following it down till I reached THE OISOOVERY OF THE FOOTPRINTS. home. sorts starvi I Si pose a be oti aftc r ]] the nc searcli: SijllilTC really into 111 turiiiir have ei came a^ At I have, .sv\im f Iiulians iherefo] them. across, i tloat do could rr a assisted I ner^ that it \ the hole then, rrc there w, lower d( ALMOST STARVED. 181 home. There were by this time ripe fruits of all sorts to be found, I knew, so that I had no fear of starving. I sat crouched down, feeling very much as I sup- pose a hare does, listening for the hunters — eager to be otl', yet not daring to leave her cover. Hour after hour passed by, but I could hear no sounds except the notes of the birds in the trees, the woodpeckers searching for insects in the bark, and the cries of the s([uirrels as they skipped from branch to branch. I really wished tliat one of them would poke his nose into m}' nest, that I might have the ch.ance of cap- turing him, for I was getting very hungry, and would liave eaten him raw without compunction ; but none came within my grasp. At last I could bear it no longer. Food I must liave, or strenrrtli sufficient would not be left me to swim across the river. I fully believed that the Indians had gone to a distance, and that I might iherefore make the attempt without being seen by them. However, I did not intend to swim directly across, as I had done before, but to allow myself to tloat down with the stream, paddling ejisily till I could gain the opposite bank. I should tlms be assisted rather than impeded by the current. I nerved myself up for the enterp-rise. 1 believed tliat it would be more eiify to make my way out of tlie hole through the branches on the land-side, and then, going round them, take to the water whore there was no bac^k eddy. I had observed, a little lower down, that the current set directly across to 182 DISCOVERED ! the opposite bank, and it was this ^vliich had caused me so much trouble to reach the spot where I now was. Popping up my head, I was about to climb out of the hole, when what was my horror to see four Indians sitting silently smoking their pipes, directly in front of me ! To escape was impossible, for I knew that they had perceived me by the loud grunts tliey uttered, and by one of them immediately springing to his feet and rushing forward towards the tree. Endeavouring to conceal my fears, I leaped down and advanced toAvards them, putting out my hand. Instead of taking it, the man who was advancing grasped me by the shoulder ; while the others burst into a loud guttural laugh, as much as to say, "You thought yourself very clever, young master, but we have outwitted you." How they cam.e to know that I was in the tree, I could not divine ; perhaps they only suspected that 1 Wcv3 in the neighbourhood, from not finding my dead body lower down, and had taken their seats on that spot by chance. One of the men now addressed me, but I could not understand a word he said. I answered him, how- ever, in English, inters[)ersed with such Indian expres- sions as I could recollect. He on this rose to his feet, patted me on the shoulder, and pointed to the tree; intimating, as I ftincied, that I had been very clever to conceal myself as I had done, but that he and lii> companions were cleverer still to discover me. As I was famishing, for my anxiety had not taken CAPTURED BY INDIANS. 183 away my appetite, I thoaght it as well to let them understand that I wanted something to eat. Espy- ing some berries growing on bushes near at hand, 1 pointed to them ; and the man wdio held me letting nie go, I sprang forward and ravenously devoured a number. They quenched my thirst, though they did not much tend to appease my hunger. One of the Indian?., suspecting that this was the case, produced some dried buflalo meat from his pouch, and offered it to me. I thanked him by signs, and showed how I appre- ciated his gift by immediately eating it up. He and liis companions, on observing how hungry I was, again laughed. One of them now pointed to the suii, which was getting low, and made me understand that I must accompany them. As I knew tliat I had no chance of escaping, I nodded, — as much as to say that I was ready to go if they wished it, — and tried to look as cheerful as possible. Their leader, the man who had first spoken to me, pointed to the west and stalked off; and two of the others seizing me by the arms, one on each side, we followed him. U .11 CHAPTER VI. MY INUIAN CAPTORS COMMENCE TIIKIK nOMEWARD JOURNEY — ARRIVAL. AT THE CAMP — AOUSKOOAUT THE CHIEF — HIS KINDNESS TO MK— MV ASTONISHMENT ON SEEING MIKE A PRISONER — HIS LUDICROUS FIDDLISd - HIS COMICAL ACCOUNT OF HIS CAPTURE — RETURN OF THE WARKIuKS FROM THE WAR-PATH — MIKE AND I JOIN THE BUFFALO-HUNTERS- THE HKIID— EXCI'^'NO SPORT — THE BISON — ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE INDIANS — MY HOPE OF ESCAPE — I AM IN GREAT DANGER FROM THE HERD — MIKE RESCUES ME— OUR RETURN TO CAMP. 'Y captors led me along at a rapid rate over the rough ground ; nimbly climbing the rocks, and dragging me after them with- out much consideration as to whether 1 was hurt or not. Of course, I had made up my mind to attempt escaping on tlie first opportunity. Perhaps they suspected this, for they took good care not to afford me the chance. On we v/ent due west, as I knew by the position of the sun, scorning all impediments — up hills ami across valleys, through streams and marshes. They were, I knew, in an enemy's country, and were in a hurry to get out of it. Their leader did not fail to keep a look-out on every side — sometimes hiu'rying on ahead to the top of a rock, from whence lic could take a glance over the country around to ascertain whether any one was moving ; still they did not appear to be very anxious, and they must have been aware of the A CONSTANT WATCH. 185 exact spot in which Kcjienau anrd his tiibe were encamped, while they knew that they were not likely to encounter other foes. We must have traversed a good many miles before the sun set; and a thick grove now appearing ahead, with a stream running by its side, they hurried towards it. Having entered the grove, they imme- diately began stripping oti' the bark from some of the older trees, and collecting tirewood. With the li;irk they formed a lean-to; and igniting the wood, they soon had a fire l)lazii>g. While the daylight lasted t"hey allowed me to >r;irch for beiTies ; one of the party helping me, but keeping a constant watch on my movements. The ivst, in the meantime, toasted on sticks some dried biirt'alo meat, a small portion of which they gave to Mie. Having sati-slitxl my hunger, and feeling very tiled, I lay down before the fire, glad of the warmth ; :"i' my clothes^ though partly dry, were still damp, and I every now and then gave a shiver, which made me ffear that I was jxoino: to be seized with illness. From the way in which my captors had hitherto iiehavt-d towards me I hoped that I should not be ill- treated, and believing that I should some day or other make my escape, I determined not to be unhappy. I was s<)on, therefore, fast aj^leep. Just liefore I closed my eyes I saw the Indians fitting round the fire smok- ing their pipes, and !agerly discussing some subject or other — probably, wnat they should do with me — but, in spite 'A' my precarious |)osition, 1 never slept so 186 LONGTNG TO ESCAPE. soundly in my life as I did for some liours. When I at length awoke, I saw that a few embers alone of tlie fire remained. One of the Indians was wnlkinc up and down, acting as sentry; while the others lav, with their feet towards the fire, wrapped in their buffalo robv"!S. I was nearly certain that tluy were the same men who had discovered my footprints, anil they probably had then lef\ their robes concealed somcwliere wh'lc they searclied for me in the river, and had afterwards resumed tliem. How I wished that that sentinel would sit down and go to sleep ! If he should do so, I had determineil to get up and run away. They would be unable tu follow my tracks in the dark, so that I should have a long start of them; and I thought that I might pos- sibly reach the river before they could overtake mo, and either swim down it, or get floated down on a lug of timber or a raft of rushes. I had still my axe in my belt, which the Indians had not taken from me, as also my hunting-knife. I was nearly throwing aw\ay the first when crossing the river, but, feeling its value, 1 resolved to keep it as long as I could, and was very glad I had done so. Once the thought came into my mind that, should the sentry at last go to sleep, I might kill a^^ the Indians wdth ray axe before they could awake. I rememberetl a story I had heard of a white woman who had been made prisoner thus killing all her captors while sleep- ing, and ultimately escaping; but I put the idea from me as a tem}>tation of Satan, and felt more happy when I had done so. They had unjustly made me A JOUHNF.Y WITH INDIANS. 187 c, ptivc, it is true, but thoy were only following the instincts of tli<^ir savage nai urc ; and it would be a dreadful tiling to think of afterwards, should I deprive them of life. As the sentry kept his post, and presently brought some more wood, which he threw on the embers, I felt sure that he wns not likel} to neglect his duty; tliercfore, closing my eyes, I again went oti* to sleej). When I next awoke the Indians were yawning and stretching themselves. One got up, and then another, iind I saw that day had broken. I sprang to my feet, and the idea came into my head to pretend that I was not awari^ I was their cap- ive; so, putting out my hand, I signiiicd that I v.ould wish them a good morning and taku my way homewards. They shook their heads — laughing, however, as if they thought the idea a good joke; and two of them walking on either side of me, we set off in the same order as before. We travelled on all day, till, leaving the hilly country and ciossing several streams, we saw the wide prairie stretching out before us, beyond some thick clumps of trees. Towards one of these clumps the Indians advanced, when I heard the neigh of a horse. In a few minutes we saw a couple of Indians, who had charo;e of several steeds tethered anionf; the trees. A few words were exchanged between my captors and them, after which they immediately set to work to build a lean-to and light a fire. From this I knew that they were going to pass the night in the wood. Again the hope rose in my breast that I might IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) . ^O <^.^^!^ ,v F.^ ^A ^ 1.0 I.I Iii|2j8 |25 ■^ lii 12.2 ^ 11° 12.0 U£ 1.25 III 1.4 III 1.6 ^ 6" ► <^ '^ ^l ^>' y Hiotographic Sdaices Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STRUT WEBSTH.N.Y. MSN (71«)t72-4S03 188 DISAPPOINTED. have a chance of escaping, but I tried to put on m unconcerned an air as possible. The Indians we had found in the wood exhibited the carcass of a deer, which they had, I supposed, killed during the day. This was quickly, cut up in large pieces, and placed before the fire to roast. " I only hope, my friends, that you will gorge your- selves till you are unable t-o move," I thought. " Then, if I can but get on the back of one of those horse«, I will gallop off to the hills, and not let you see my face again if I can help it." I was not sorry, however, to eat some of the venison which the Indians gave me; and then I lay down and pretended to go to sleep. They sat up feeding for some time after this ; then, greatly to my disappoint- ment, one got on his feet and began to walk back- wards and forwards, while the rest stretched them- selves on the ground, as they had done the night before. I watched and watched, and at last believing that they were too cunning to allow me to escape, I closed my eyes and went to sleep. I awoke twice, and on each occasion observed that one of them wa.s on the watch. When daylight appeared they all rose, and after shaking themselves, the horecs were caught and they got on horseback ; their leader making a sign to me to mount one of the spare animals, of which there were several. This done, we immediately set oft' at full gallop across the plain, taking a south-westerly direction. We stopped twice during the day, to allow our animals to crop the grass ; while we took MY CAPTORS LODGES. 189 some food, a stream near at hand supplying us with water. Towards evening I espied several wigwams partly concealed by the wood before us. On approaching nearer, I saw that they were very different from those to which I had been accustomed further east, where the Indian dwellings are constructed of birch-bark. These were, however, much larger ; the framework, consisting of long poles tied together at the top in a conical shape, was covered with the tanned skins of buffalo and deer, and was ornamented with figures of animals and men, — apparently hunting scenes There were five or six of these wigwams pitched close together. Several women were moving about, or sitting on the ground. In front of one stood a tall man wrapped in a buffalo robe, with a spear in his hand, whom I at once guessed to be the chief. He contemplated us, as we drew near, without mov- ing, or seeming in any way interested. This manner was, I suspected, put on to show his own importance, when he discovered that a white person was among our party. Getting still nearer, another Indian, who had been, I concluded, sleeping, and just awakened by the tramp of our horses, crawled out of the tent to ha -e a look at us. It was a perfect scene of Indian domestic life. Near the chief, his wife sat on the ground playing with her child, a fat little urchin ; a second woman was busy chopping wood ; a third was coming in, axe in hand, with a huge bundle of sticks on her back, and a child clinging round her neck; ; 4 190 KINDLY TREATMENT. while a dog was too busy gnawing a bone to turn round and bark at us. On drawing near, our leader got off his horse, an.'. ordered us also to dismount. We then approached the chief, to whom he described, as I concluded, the mode in which I had been taken prisoner. Tlie clever way in which I had hidden myself, and the efibrts I had made to escape, elicited no small aniount of admiration from the chief I could, of course, only guess at what he said, but I caught a word here and there ; and he looked down on me and smiled with such benignity as his stern features were eapal)le of assuming. At all events, I thought that these people, whatever they might do, would not torture me or put me to death. My captors having unsaddled their horses, turned them adrift to pick up food on the surroundin;' prairie, where the grass grew with unusual luxuri- ance. The men then went to their lodircs, leaving; me with the chief He !?eemed to have tjiken a fancy to me from the first, and now invited me into his lodge, where his wife brought me a mess of brotli, which, hungry as I was, I found very palatable. The floor of the greater part of the lodge was covered with buffalo-skins, and a sort of divan, com- posed of stufied cushions, v/as arranged round the walls; while in the centre burned a large fire, fn •in which ascended volumes of smoke through tlie aper- ture [it the top, though no small quantity pervaded the wigwam. Though disagreeable, it had the eti'oct of driving away mosquitoes and other Hying things. to turn )rse, ainl "»roaclie(l ided, the er. The and the I anioiint ivse, only here and iled with apaltle of se people, re me or ps, turned Toundin;' il luxuri- leaving taken a me into of broth, iLle. odge wiis van, com- ound the tire, frnin the aper- pervaded lectroctof lnn<,'s. II could prese tribe live e the b ffener; make and c They the la could iliscoV( to giv( Not I set t of my ready iiig me with what a could i object of thei] The of deer iitid a be of with w ^ve mig (627) SJ LKAHXIXG Tin: LAX(iL'AGK. 103 I had not expected to be so well treated ; still, I could not tell how long the chief might remain in his jiresent good humour. The chief's name was, I found, Aguskogaut. The tribe into whose hands I had fallen were Sioux, who live entirely on the prairies, and subsist by hunting the buffalo. They had come further east than they generally venture, in order that their warriors might make predatory excursions against the more pacific and civilized Indians living near the white men. They seemed to have no fear of being attacked by the latter, as, being well supplied with horses, they could beat a rapid retreat to the westward; and I iliscovered that they had scouts out in all directions to give notice of the approach of a foe. Not knowing how long I might be kept a prisoner, I set to work at once to try and learn the language of my captors. The women, especially, were very ready to teach me; and my willingness to learn gain- ing me their friendship, they supplied me plentifully with food. I wjis puzzled, however, to know on wliat account they had carried me off, as I certainly could in no way benefit them. I concluded that one object might be to hold me as a hostage, in cavse any uf their party should be taken prisoners. The chief took me out riding with him, in search of deer or other game. He was armed with his bow inid a long spear; and knowing that a bow would be of little use in my hand ., he gave me a spear, with which to defend myself or attack any animals ^ve might come across. He kept a sharp look-out on (627) I a ^ « 194 MIKK A PRISONKIl. me, however, in case I niij^'ht tiy to e.sca})e ; but 1 well knew that, under present circumstances, it wouM be useless to make the attempt. We were successful the first day in running down a young deer, with which we returned to the caiiiii. As we a])proached, what was my surprise to bear tht- sound of a tiddle ! Surely those tones could be pro- duced by no one but Mike Lati'an ! Could lie have escaped ? There, sure enough, as we rode up to tlie lodges, was Mike himself, standing in the midst of a group of Indians ; while he was fiddling away with might and main, they were dancing to the ])(\st of their ability, and keeping very good time too. On seeing me he shouted out, " Good luck to yt-, Masther Roger ! Sure my lieart was nigh breaking, when I thought ye had been drownded or shot tu death by these rid gintlemen ; but it would not do to show me gi'afe, lest it would make them think manely of me, so thinks I to meself, I'll fiddle away as long as me elbow can move." All the time he was speaking, he continued to play as furiously as at first; most of those surrounding him jumping and whirling round and round, or keeping time with their hands. The Indians, we knew, must have been aware that we were friends, and therefore it would be of no use to pretend tliat we were strangers to each other. Mike was at length obliged to stop playing; upon which the chief ordered that he should be brouglit before him, and inc^uired how he had been captured. What account those who liad taken him gave, I A STRANGE STORY. 195 could not make out; but Mike told me how, after the canoe had been upset, he had floated some way down the stream clinging tightly to it. Most of the articles were soon thrown out. The guns, of course, liad at once gone to the bottom, but the bales floated down. At last he saw his beloved fiddle washed out. •' Faix ! it would have broken me heart to lose it," he observed ; "so I made a grab and caught it and the bow, and held them tight, although the wetting, to be sure, was doing them no good. Down I went, fa.stlier and fasther. I could hear the roar of the lower cataract. Thinks I to meself. If I go over that I shall be done for, and just then I found the canoe carried by the current towards the shore. 1 struck out with me feet to help it; and glad I was when, as I let them dhrop, I felt them touch the ground. I sprang up the bank, but, to me sorrow, the canoe floated off, and it was more than I could do to get a hold of it again. I climbed to the top of a cliff, hoping to catch sight of you, or of Reuben and the Indian; but no one could I see. And grieving from the bottom of me heart at the thought that you were lost, I scrambled down again, and made me way through the wood, guided by the sound of the waterfall. "I went on and on till I had passed it, looking out for our friends ; but not a glimpse of them could I see. At last, as I was getting pretty tired, I thought to meself that I would climb up into a tree to get some rest, and hide away in case the inimy 19G A SAD SRAKCH. should be looking for me. Scarcely had I stowej meself away among the branches when I heard voices. I dared not look out, but I guessed they were those of the Indians, who had \>y some means or other missed me tracks, and having gone down the l)aiik before me, were now returning. They ])asse(i hv without seeing me, which shows that tiiey are not always so sharp-sighted as is supposed. I stayed iiji in the tree all niglit; but next morning, l)eiiig very hungry, I came down to make me breakfast off the berries I had seen growing about. Tliere wa.s iiu lack of them, and 1 was lucky enough to kuoek down two young squirrels with a stick I had picked up. "I was not happy in me mind all the time at going away without looking for you, so, thinks 1 to myself, I'll try and find him. 1 started up tlic stream again to the j)lace where the canoe was upset. Not a trace of you could I discover; so with a sad heart I began to make me way back again. It struck me that, somehow or other, I must have wandered away from the river; and after trudgiiiL: along all day I could nowhere find it. I felt stili more unhappy than I had done before, and so, think- ing to solace myself, I sat down on a rock, and putting me fiddle to me chin, began playing away. I tried one tune and then another, and a mighty dale of good it seemed to do me. I was playing the * Groves of Blarney,* when half a dozen rid-skiuned savages jumped out of the bushes and looked nie full in the face. CHARMINT. THK INDIANS. 197 " ' Whoo!* says I. ' Wliaugh !' says they, in chorus. •Whoo!' says I again. On wliich they came nearer, flourishing their ugly-h)oking scalping-knive.s. "'Is that wliat you're going to be al'ther?' said I, feeling uncomfortable on the top of me liead. ' Keep off, me beauties, till I give you another tune.' And putting up me fiddle to me chin — for I had let it drop, and small blame to me ! — I began scraping away as if I would be afthcr sh.aking me arm off. " ' Whaugh !' says they again, beginning to skip and leap about. "On this I played faskr and faster; and the faster I played, the higher they bounded. ' It's all right,* thinks I to mesolf ; ' they will not be doing me any lijimi if I can keep them at that game.' So I thought 1 had best give them a tune with me voice into the Kirgain ; and I sang, and scraped, and shook me head, till thev all burst out into tits of laucjhter. " On this I got up and made them a low bow ; though I clapped my hat on again | retty quick, in case of accidents. And says 1 — ' If you will all sit down, and behave yourselves like dacent men, I'll tell vou a tale which will astonish vou.' " Whether or not thev understood me, I could not for the life of me tell ; but, sure enough, down they ill squatted. And I began to recount to them how Daniel O'Rourke one nii^ht, returning from wakinjj Widow Casey at Ballybotherem, and having taken a drop more than usual of the ' crayther,* saw the fairies come dancing round him; and I went on to d?scribe what Daniel said, and what the fairies did. 'And 198 TIIK END or MIKE.S 8T0KY. now,* says I, 'just sit quiet where you are till I come back and finish me story.' And on this, givin<? another whoop, and a hop, skip, and a jumj), 1 was making me w.ay back to the river, when up spran^^ the Ridskins and came bounding afther me. 'Sure, thin,' says I, stopping short, and beginning to scrape away as before on me fiddle, ' you don't understand me.' And, by me faith, indade they did not; for without more ado they got round me, and susjiecting that 1 had been bamboozling them, began to prick me with their spears behind, as a gentle hint that I was to march forward. " Seeing that there was no use trying to make me escape — for, of course, six men can run ftister than one — I took their hints, which were not to be mis- taken, and stepped out in the direction they pointed, now and then playing a tune to keep up me spirits and put them in good-humour. "The long and the short of it is, that they made me prisoner, and brought me along with them ; until we found some horses, on which — stopping a night or two on the way — we galloped along till we reached this place. •' And here I am, Masther Roger ! well pleased to find that you're alive, and to bear you company." And so Mike concluded his story. The Indians allowed Mike and me to talk together without interfering with us. I told him that I would try to escape as soon as I could. " Sure, and that is what I'll be afther," he answered. " But it's more easily said than done, I am afraid. ARRIVAI, OK WAURIORS. 199 Howovcr, wliere tliere is a will there is a way ; and cunning as the Ridskins think theniselvrs, maybe we'll he even witli tliem." VVhiio we were tiilkinj,' we had observed some commotion among the inhabitants of the lodges; and presently we caught sight of a band of horsemen scouring across the prairie towards us, antl nourishing their spears as they came along. At first 1 thought they might be enemies; but as no j)rcparations were made for the defence of the camp, I knew that they must be friends. In a few minutes they galloped up; and the leading warriors, decked in war-})aint and feathers, dismounted, each of them carrying one or more scalps hanging to the end of his spear. Our chief, Aguskogaut, who had put on his finest robes, advanced to meet them while they ste})ped forward ; and their leader l)egan a long harangue, which sounded very fine, although I could not make out what it was all about. Mike and I stood on one side, thinking it cOs well to keep out of the way. The new-comers, however, after a time began to point towards who-e we were standing; and I guessed they were talk), g abouc us, and inquiring how we happened to be there. Aguskogaut then, jus we supposed, gave them an account of what bad occurred ; to which (as 1 judged from their gestures) they replied, that we ought to have been killed, and our aciilps taken to adorn their lodges. On this Aguskogaut — who was, ha})})ily, our friend — made another speech; and lifting up his hand to heaven, appeared to be inv(jking the Great Spirit, M 200 THE CHIKFS PROTKCTION. and letting his countrymen understand that wc were under his protection, and that no harm must hapjien to us. So successful was his eloquence, tluit tlie warriors appeared to be satisfied. At all events, we were allowed to move about within sight of the camp, no one molesting us. The next day there was a great feast in honour of the victory which had been gained. Mike and I were generally kept apart ; but wo occasionally found opportunities for meeting, wlicn we did not fail to discuss plans for escaping. Wo were, however, too narrowly watched to allow at present of any of them being feasible : vhcrever wo went, an Indian, apparently appointed for the pur- pose, had his eye on us. Had we managed to mount any of the horses tethered near the lodges or feeding around, we should have been immediately tracked and followed. Still, it kept up our spirits to talk of what we would do. We were not otherwise ill-treated, and were amply supplied with dried bufialo meat. Sometimes the hunters brought in a deer or a bear; but as there was alwa3^s on such occasions a grand feast, the fresh meat did not last lonj:. At last, one morning the Indians turned out at daybreak, and innnediately began taking dov->n the tents and packing up their goods. The coverings fur the tents were divided and done up in bales, and then secured to the backs of horses. The ])oor women were loaded Avith as much as they could carry, in addition to the younger children. The chief's squaws weie allowed to mount; but their animals were also loaded THE CHIEF'S INTERCESSION. like t their their in doi perfor other ciiimsi Wli conclu to CODG "Be at all, anythl just ge word, mount( of the several Urgi riors, v from 01 us, and panions for we ' Thes moved 1 we wen wiien V further diminisl "No ON THE MARCH. 203 like the rest of the horses. The men carried cly their arms, and spare buffalo robes strapped on to their saddles. Mike and I were compelled to assist in doing up the bales, the squaws showing us how to perform the operation; sometimes scolding us, at other times laughing at what they considered our chimsiness. When all was done, we were left standing ; so we concluded that it was the intention of the Indians to compel us to march on foot. "Begorra," exclaimed Mike, "I don't like this fun at all, at all ! See, there are two mustangs without anything on their backs ! Small blame to us if we just get astride them." And suiting the action to the word, he leaped on to one of the ponies, while I mounted the other. Whether they belonged to any of the Indians, we could not tell, but there were several spare animals besides. Urging on our steeds, we joined the throng of war- riors, who were already forming at a little distance from our late camp. Tlie chief laughed when he saw us, and exchanged remarks with some of his com- panions. We concluded that these were in our favour, for we were allowed to retain our steeds. The signal was now given to advance, and the tribe moved forward in a south-westerly direction. Though we were glad to be on horseback, yet our spirits sank when we found that we were fjettintr further and further from home, and saw our chances of escape diminishing. " No matter," cried Mike ; " the longer we stay 204 MIKES PHILOSOPHY. with these Indians, the more we shall know of tlieir ways, and be the better able to desave them. Wc must appear to be perfectly continted and happy, and try to spake their language — though it gives me a pain in me jaws whenever I utter one of their lonfr words." " You are right, Mike ; I will try to practise your philosophy," I answered. We marched on all day, stopping only for a short time to take our scanty meals. We could proceed but slowly. On account of the women and loaded animals ; but the warriors scoured over the plain on both sides of our line of march, either looking out for an enemy or in search of game. Mike and I, liowever, were kept with the main body. At night we en- camped either near a wood or by the side of a stream, where there were always trees to afford us fuel for our fires. Thus we went on for several days. The Indians were, we guessed, making for a region frequented by buffalo, which had not this year come so far east as usual. At last we reached the spot at which they considered it desirable to remain ; there being a full stream from which water could be ob- tained, and plenty of wood to afford fuel for our tires. In every other direction, as far as we could see, the country was nearly level, with little or no timber ot any size growing on it. The women immediately set about their usual avocations. But as our meals were very scanty, it was evident that there was a scarcity of meat in the camp. Early next morning a band of twenty men raounteJ BUFFALO IX SIGHT. 205 their best horses to set out, as we concluded, in search of buffalo. Without asking leave, Mike and I got on our steeds and joined them. They did not object to this; probably supposing that we should not attempt to make our escape so far from home. We each of us obbiined a bow and a quiver full of arrows besides a long spear. None of the tribe possessea tirearms. We rode on for some distance, the main body keep- ins together, while scouts were sent forward to look out for buffalo. At last we reached a Jbroa.'. stream, and were proceeding along the bank, when my com- panions became greatly interested ; and looking out to the left, I saw the whole plain covered with a dense mass of dark objects, which I at once guessed to be buffalo. It was evident that they were making fur the river. The Indians, urging on their horses, dashed forward to try to intercept the herd before they could cross it. It seemed to me, however, that we should be too late to do that. I could see the scouts galloping along the flank of the herd nearest us, trying to find an opening iimong them into which they might penetrate ; while every now and then they let fly one of their arrows into the neck of an animal. As to turning the herd, or preventing it from crossing the stream, they might as well have attempted to stop the falls of Niagara in their downward course. With a tramp which shook the earth, and terrific bellowings sounding far across the plain, onward rushed the seemingly mad- dened creatures, tossing their heads, throwing higli ! 1 !, 1 J 206 ATTACKIVG THE HERD. their tails, and turning up the earth in their course. The river was reached before we could get up to them ; and their leaders plunging in, tliey bewail to swim across, the animals in the rear driving those in front into the water. The former would have treated the latter in the same way had they reached the edi,'t' of a precipice, when all would have gone over togetlier. As it was, they proved themselves good swinimoi-s, quickly gaining the opposite bank, and rushing fur- ward as at first. Before wo got within shot of them, the greater number had crossed ; but the hunters, urging on their well-trained steeds, rode boldly up, shooting their arrows Avithin a few feet of the creatures. Three or four only fell ; others seemed to take no notice of their wounds ; and several, springing out of the herd, with heads lowered to the ground, plunged forward furiously at their assailants. The nimble horses wheeled as they approached, and escaped the attack made on them ; their riders never failing to discharge one or two arrows in return at the infuriated buffalo. Had we possessed firearms, many more would have been killed. The Indians had no intention of giving up tlie pur- suit. Where the herd had crossed the river, the water was too deep to allow us to wade over. At a signal from their leader, however, the hunters turned their horses, and galloped back in the direction from whence we had come ; soon we reached a ford, where we all crossed, though tlie water almost covered the backs 1 their it up to egjin to :liose ill treatcMJ :he edgf ooretlier. ■iininoi-s, uwf fur- greater on their ng their rhree or lotice of Jie herd, Ibrward horses le attaciv ischarge buffalo, lid have tlie pur- le M'ater signal Hed their whence .•e we all le biieks 1 of our seen ii on to ( Tho] of is r on its toward makes really i the bo( neath i tuft; w to the matted tuft at a unifoi appear deed, it it, and tiie aeti In SI by crop the fires lies. Ii starve, by toug snow ar below, greater is coven (627) THE BUFFALO DESCRIBED. 209 of our short-legged ponies. TIm herd could still be seen in the far distance, so we immediately galloped on to overtake it. ft Tliough called buffalo, the animal I am speaking of is really the bison. It has a protuberant hunch on its shoulders, and the body is covered, especially towards the head, by long, tine, woolly hair, which makes the animal aj)pear much more bulky than it really is. That over the head, neck, and fore part of the body is long and shaggy, and forms a beard be- neath the lower jaw, descending to the knees in a tuft ; while on the top it rises in a dense mass nearly to the tops of the horns, and is strongly curled and matted on the front. The tail is short, and has a tuft at the end — the general colour of the hair being a uniform dun. The legs are especially slender, and appear to be out of all proportion to the body ; in- deed, it seems wonderful that they are able to bear it, and that the animals can at the same time exhibit the activity they seemed possessed of In summer the buffalo finds an abundance of food by cropping the sweet grass which springs up after the fires so frequent in one part or other of the prai- ries. In winter, in the northern regions, it would starve, were it not possessed of a blunt nose, covered by tough skin, with which it manages to dig into the snow and shovel it away, so as to get at the herbage below. In winter, too, the hair grows to a much greater length than in summer, when the hinder part is covered only by a very short fine hair, smooth as (627) 'l4 210 VALUE OP THE BUFFALO. velvet. Many thousands of these magnificent animals congregate in herds, which roam from north to south over the western prairies. At a certain time of the year the bulls fight desperately with each other, on which occasions their roaring is truly terrific. The hunters select, when they can, female buf- falo, as their flesh is far superior in quality and ten- derness to that of the males. The females are, how- ever, far more active than the males, and can run three timcB as fast, so that swift horses are required to keej) up with them. The Indians complain of the destruc- tion of the buff*alo — forgetting that their own folly in killing the females is one of the chief causes of the diminution of their numbers. Huge and unwieldy as is the bufialo, it dashes over the ground at a surprising rate, bounding with large and clumsy-looking strides across the roughest country, plunging down th^ Voken sides of ravines, and trying the mettle of hors is and the courage uf riders in pursuit of it. To the Indians of the prairies the buffalo is of the greatest possible value, for they depend on these animals for their food, tents, clothing, and numerous other articles. They dress the skins with the hair on, and these serve as cloaks or coverings at night. The horns are converted into powder-flasks; the hides, when tanned, serve to cover their tents ; and the wool makes a coarse cloth. When the flesh is eaten fresh, it is considered superior in tenderness and flavour tu that of the domestic ox ; the hump especially being celebrated for its delicacy. It is also cut into strips KXCITINO SPORT. 211 and dried in the sun; or it is pounded up with the fat and converted into pemmiean. The hides are used also for leggings, saddles, or, when cut into strips, form haltere. With the sinews, strings are made for their bows. From the bones they manufacture a variety of tools — of the smaller ones making needles, and using the finer sinews as threads. From the ribs, strengthened by some of the stronger sinews, are manufactured the bows which they use so dexter- ously. The bladder of the animal is used as a bottle; and often, when tlie Indian is crossing the prairie where no water is to be found, he is saved from perishing of thirst by killing a buffalo and extracting the water which is found in its inside. To resume : In spite of the rate at which the buf- falo were going, we soon overtook them on our swift mustangs; and now began the most exciting part of our day's sport. The leading portion of the herd kept close together ; but in the rear the animals were separated — some lagging behind, others scattering on either side. The Indians, with their bows drawn or their spears couched in their hands, dashed in among them, shooting right and left, or plunging their wea- pons into the shoulders of the brutes — so dexterously aiming the blows, that many of their victims fell pierced to the heart. Mike and I, though good horsemen, were but little accustomed to the Indian weapons ; and although we did our best, many of the buffalo at which we rode either escaped being wounded, or galloped off with 212 A WKLLTHAIVEI) STKKI). our arrows stickin;,' in tlieir bodies. WV* raeh of us however, managed to kill an animal, and were i^MJlot,. ing on, closely following one of the }>rincij)al lumtois when a huge bull, after which th«' Intlian was riding', turned suddenly round, and with its head to tli.- ground rushed madly at him. His horse for a moment stood stoi'k-still, watching the butlalo, wliil.' the Indian shot his ari-ow. It struck the animal dn the neck, but failed to kill it. 1 expected that the next moment F should see both horse and rider roll- ing on the ground ; but the wdl-trained steed sprani: nimbly on one side, and the now infuriated hutl'aln dashed towards Mike and me. I shot my last arrow, but it glanced off the skull of the creature, which now came towards me, looking the [)icture of savagoness. I endeavoured to make my steed spring on oiir side, but barely in time to escape the tremendous batterinfj-ram — for to nothini; else can I liken the buffalo's head. The creature went rushint; on till it was met by two Indians, one of whom shot his arrow, while the other struck his spear so exactly in the buffalo's breast that the hufje creature inmiediatelv fell over dead. Such was the l)eginning of our day's hunt. I was completely carried away by the excitement of the chase, and was as eafjer to kill buffalo as anv Indian amono'st them. As I had exhausted all my arrows, I had now oidy my spear to trust to. Had I been dependent on my own skill, I should have been quickly overthrown, and probably gored to death; but my well-trained mustang knew far more about of US, iiintt'r> riilin*r, to tlu' ' tor a ), wiiilt' iiiial oil hilt tlif ik'r roll- I spraivj I \)urtiil.i ■^t aiTn\V, licli now loeiiess. k on oiif ineinlous ken tlie on till il lis arrtAv, V in till' nediiitelv t. I ^vas it of the Indian ly arroNVN V d I been ave Ito )re been death ; about the way thou I from able speai of tl sjjrin the 1 befor to ri steed all m was sprar nearl some W escaf near looki wliei: hole the f liead, the plouo loudl befo in tli( V CHARGED BY A BUFFALO. 215 the matter than I did, so I let him get out of the way of any of the animals wliich attacked me as he thought best. I had singled out a young bull which turned off from the herd, and I followed it up, expecting to be able to get ahead of it, so that I might point my spear full at its breast in the way I had seen several of the Indians do, knowing that my mustang would sjjring on one side should it be necessary. Suddenly the bull stopped; then turning round and seeing me before it, came rushing towards me. I endeavoured to run my spear into its breast, and then make my steed spring out of the way. I thrust my spear with all my force ; but before I could let go my grasp it was whisked out of my hand, after which my horse sprang clear of the animal with a bound which very nearly threw me from the saddle, and had galloped some distance away before I could stop it. What a glorious opportunity this would be for escaping ! I thought to myself Had Mike been near me, I should have proposed doing so. I was looking round, to try and ascertain where he was, when down came my steed — having stepped into the liole of a prairie dog, numbers of which honeycombed the ground around — and I was thrown right over his head. As I lay half-stunned, I saw to my horror the whole herd of butfalo tearing along towards me, ploughing up the turf with their hoofs, and bellowing loudly. I fully expected to be trampled to death before many minutes had passed, or to be tossed liigh in the air over their shaggy backs. My horse, looking 216 A NARROW ESCAPE. % ^ up, saw his danger, and seemed to understand the state of affairs as well as I did. He made desperate struggles to rise ; and I endeavoured to get on my feet and seize the reins, hoping to mount before the herd was upon me. I might thus gallop off, and keep ahead of them till I could find an opportunity of turning on one side. I rose, but fell again before I could reach the reins which hung over my steed's neck. Already I could almost see the eyes of the infuriated beasts; but I was not going to give up my life if I could help it. I therefore made another desperate effort, and reach- ing the rein, patted the animal's nose, turning his eyes away from the approaching foe ; then in an instant — I scarcely know how I did it — I was on his back. I was fully aware that the same accident which had brought me to the ground might again occur; but of that I must run the risk. Before, however, my horse could spring forward, the herd was close upon us. Digging my heels into his flanks, I urged him on, shrieking at the top of my voice. The sound of the tramping hoofs behind him, the bellowing of the bulls, and the expectation every instant of being probed by their horns, made him strain every muscle to keep ahead of them. His speed was far greater than theirs, and he soon distanced them; but still, the danger of airain fallinor was imminent, for as we flew along I could see in every direction the burrows of those abominable little prairie dogs, though the in- habitants had taken o-ood care to ensconce themselves CHARGED BY A BUFFALO. 217 far down out of the way of the hoofs of the buffalo Looking over my shoulder, I saw tliat by turning to the right I might soon get clear of the herd, which did not extend far on that side. I accordingly pulled the right rein, so as to ride almost across the course the herd was taking; and observed, as I did so, a num- ber of the Indians galloping along by the side of the buffiilo, and shooting their arrows. I was congratulating myself on the prospect of escaping, when down came my steed once more ; and as I was as unprepared for the accident as before, I wa.s thrown over his head, and more severely injured than at first. Still, though partly stunned, I could see what was taking place. I fancied that I was, at all events, sufficiently to the right of the herd to escape being trampled to death, when just then a huge bull, who must have had his eye upon me, wheeled from his companions, and, putting his head to the ground, made, as I thought, towards me. To escape by mounting my horse was now out of the question, for I had been thrown too far to seize the reins, and the poor animal still lay struggling to get his feet out of the hole. Any other than a prairie horse would have broken his legs, or sprained him- self irretrievably. Just wdien I expected to be trampled to death, or gored by the bull's horns, I saw that the savage creature was making towards my horse instead of me ; but as it reached the mustang, the latter drew his feet out of the hole, and throwing up his heels at the bull's nose, scampered off, followed by his enemy, while the rest of the herd swept by r^-^f. 218 MIKE TO THE RESCUE. \ ^ like a toiTent, not ten yards from where I lay. Some stragglers, however, caught sight of me ; and another big bull was rushing on to give me a taste of his horns and hoofs, when a loud " Whallop-a-hoo-a-boo ; Erin go bragh !" sounded in my ears. "Don't be afraid, Masther Roger, me darlinc!" shouted Mike, for it was he who had uttered the cry; and dashing forward with spear in rest, he struck tlie bull behind the shoulder with such force tliat lii.s weapon must have pierced the animal's heart. It swerved on one side, thereby enabling Mike to avoid trampling on me, and the next moment fell over per- fectly dead. A number of Indians passing at the moment, ap- plauded Mike's achievement. I managed at the same time to get on my feet, and pointed to my horse. "Ay, to be sure; I'll be afther him," cried Mike, as soon as I can git me shtick out of this haste's carcass. He tugged and tugged till he liberated his speav, then galloped off in the direction my horse had taken, leaving me by the dead bull. I had no longer any fear of being knocked over by the buffalo, as all, except a few laggards, had passed by, and w^ere further away to the left. I could just see Mike attacking with his spear the animal which had pursued my horse ; but a faintness again came over me, and I was obliged to sit down on tlie ground. I had no fear of being deserted, as I Avas sure that the Indians would come to look after the animals they had killed ; and in a few minutes Mike A FIELD OF SLAUGHTER. 219 returned, leading my horse, who appeared none the woi*se for his falls or his encounter with the buffalo. We had by this time reached a part of the country where woods and hills could be seen rising here and there above the plain. The rearmost of the buffalo had become separated, and many of the Indians, having ex- hausted their arrows, were now attacking them with their spears ; two hunters generally singling out one animal, and riding alongside it till they had wounded it to death. As far as I could see, on either side, the country exhibited an animated scene, — the buffalo scampering along in every direction, with Indians riding after them, tl)eir robes wildly flying in the air, while they flourished their speai*s above their heads. On the ground over which we had come could be distinguished numerous dark spots, — the bodies of tire buffalo we had slain. Indeed, our com- paratively small party had, I afterwards found, killed upwards of two hundred animals ; which will give some idea of the numbers annually slaughtered by the Indians. At length they gave over the chase, and com- menced the operation of skinning their victims, leav- ing most of the carcasses a prey to the wolves. The tongues and humps, however, were generally secured, as well as the flesh of the cows, which is, as I have said, far superior in tenderness to that of the bulls. The horses loaded with skins and meat, we returned at night to the camp ; and as our captors had now an abundance of provisions, they were in an unusually good humour. 220 FFASTIN'O. " Sure, thin, but this wouldn't be a bad opportunity for us to git away from these rid gintlemen," observed Mike, as we watched them feasting on the produce of the day's hunt — stuffing such huge quantities of flesh into their insides, that it seemed impossible, were they long to continue the operation, that they would be able to move. Ml '■Ik ' J* CHAPTER VII. 4,. XJKr'S I'RHCAUTION — WK AGAIN OO BUFFALO-HUNTING — THK PRAIRIE ON FIKB —A RIDE FOR LIFE — OUR ESCAPK FROM THE FIRE AND THE INDIANS — HOBBLINO HORSES — THE FIRE IS STOPPED BY THE RIVER — A BRIEF SLEEP —OUR FISHING TACKLE— MIKE CATCHES A CAT-FISH— OUR LEAN-TO — MIKE LOSES HIS HOOK — THE VISIT OF BRUIN— A HEARTY MEAL — DEATH OF hike's horse — I AM TAKEN SICK — MIKE'S CAREFUL WATCH — MY HORSE IS DROWNED — OUR VISIT TO THE BICE LAKE— WE FIND LILY AND DORA THERE, WITH ASHATEA, IN A CANOE, OATHKRtNU RICE — LILY's ACCOUNT OF MANILICK, THE YOUNG CHIEF, ASHATEA'S LOVER — KKPENAU's ADDRESS -AGAIN TAKEN ILL— HOW I RECOVER. 'IKE and I were on the watch for an oppor- tunity of mounting our horses and gallop- ing off unperceived by the Indians; but, though they feasted for several successive days, that opportunity never came. Un- fortunately, so far as our entei'prise was concerned, they had no whisky in the camp, and were therefore able to watch our movements. In a few days the hunters again set out, to obtain a further supply of buffalo robes ; not that these were required for their own use, but they intended to exchange them with the traders for whisky and other articles — especially firearms and ammunition. The chief and two or three of the leading men had already procured weapons, although as ycx> they were by no means expert in their use. i % I 222 ANOTHER BUFFALO- HUNT. " They'll soon give us a chance, if they get huwld of the whisky," observed Mike; "so we must liav.,- patience till that happy time comes." As we had proved ourselves such expert huntt r> on the previous occasion, the Indians decided to tako us with them, and allowed us to select two capital horses, as also some tough spears and a supjily of arrows. We likewise stowed away, at Mike's sur- gestion, as much dried buffalo meat as our pouclics would hold. " There is no harm in having it," In- observed ; "and it may just come in convanient ifw.- get the chance of giving our rid-skinned frinds the slij). I was glad to find that the Indians were directiiii: their course to the north-west of the camp, towards a plain on which, the scouts had brought word, butialo had been seen feeding the previous evening, and it was supposed that they were not yet likely to liavf got far off. When we reached the ground, however, it was found that they had gone away further b the northward, so chase was immediately made after them. The herd must have gone on at a somewhat rapid rate, for we forded several streams, and entered on a part of the prairie across which, after riding a few miles, we could see nothing but the waving gras,s on every side. The chief had of late been friendly, and kept Mike and me near him. He was evidently pleased with the good-humour we exhibited, and probably thouglit that we were contented with our lot. At last we came in sight of the rear-guard of tlie herd, when the Indians at once gave chase. et howld ust liavt- I to take '<> capitiil iupply of ' pOUcllts g it; lu- lent if w.- i tbesli]). ' directiiii: towards a xl, buti'alo \\l, and it r to liavf lowever, urther tci ade after omewhat il entered ridini:j a 'ing grass ept Mike ised with thought rd of the "-^1^.1 THE WARNINa m evide undet was c round Icoul if he ( "Si answe that n He looked above I sa' stirrup perfect ascerta prairie in ord( their li forwar Whi who hi "There north-€ for sur several shall b( wather "But directic (627 •( THE PRAIRIE OS FIRE. 225 We had been riding on for some time, the buffalo evidently moving at a greater speed than they do under ordinary circumstances, when the chief, who was on the right of the party, stopped, and looking round him, shouted to those who were within hearing. I could not understand what he said, and asked Mike if he could. "Sure, it's something not altogether plisant," he answered. " Look there, Masther Roger. What does that mane ? " He pointed, as he spoke, to a long line of what looked like gray mist, forming wreaths, and rising above the horizon to the westward. I saw several of the Indians standing up in their stirrups and gazing in the same direction. They knew perfectly well what it was, but they were trying to ascertain a point of vital importance to us all. The prairie was on fire! Of that there was no doubt; but, in order to give themselves the best chance of saving their lives, it was necessary to settle, before galloping forward, what course to take. While the Indians were discussing this point, Mike, who had been looking about him, exclaimed to me, — "There is one way we want to go, and that is to the north-east. Never mind if we do get singed a little, for sure, as we came along, I remember that we passed several 3wamps. If we can get into one of them we shall be safe, as the fire won't be afther crossing the wather." "But the Indians will probably take the same direction," I observed. (627) 15 22e A GALLOP FOR LIFE. "Sure, if they intinded doing that same, thev would liave been off' at once," he ansn^ered. "Tluv have some raison for what they tliink of doiiiLr, Jin.l we liave another for what we will do ; so come alonf Ma.sthor Roger. There's only one thing I mourn for, and that is me fiddle; but no matther; maybe I will be afther getting that another time. Whallup-alioo- aboo! Erin go bragh !" Then digging his heels into his horse's Hanks, he set off in the direction lu- pro posed ; and I, seeing that the Indians were too nuicli occupied to notice us, galloped after him. As I turned my head I saw them scampering alon;' towards the north-west. The fire having approiiclied with far greater rapidity than I could have supposed possible, I began to fear that they were right and wc. were wrong, when I saw the flames catching the dry grass and flaring up furiously, with dense masses of black smoke above them, and already scarcely ;i mile behind us; indeed, they looked very much nearer. Onward came the . Dntlagration, faster than any liorse could gallop. Happily we had the start of it, but we must, we knew, keep our steeds at the utmost stretch of their powers to maintain a safe distance. As our course diverged more and more from tliat of the Indians, they soon discovered our object, ami shouted to us to accompany them. " Bawl away, me boys ! " answered Mike. " It is not convanient just now to attind to you." When our intention became clearly evident, the chief despatched two of his people in pursuit of us; me, thev " Tliev oing, anil me alonf' lourn for, rbe I will llop-alioo- heels into n lu' pi'u- too nuicli ring alDni; pproaclied suppose" 1 ht and wo [cf the (Irv masses of scarcely a ery much aster than the stirt eds at the ain a safe from that object, and ce. " It is ^ident, the suit of us; A RACE FOR LIFE. Il but fearii and I ;ifter "I agair sign ( All not a^ us. as we of thi galloj been faces, taken in wl] whole flame, taken direct shoulc them, us or ( to no interf( I a covere that t from could OUR ESCAPE FROM THE INDIANS. 229 but we kept well ahead of our pursuers, and they, fearing that the fire would overtake them, turned and took the same direction as the main body. Soon ; fter this we lost sight of our late companions. " I would be well con tint never to set ej'^es on you again, me jewels," said Mike, shaking his spear as a siffn of farewell. Although my companion kept up his spirits, I could not avoid fearing that, after all, the fire would overtake us. Happily our horses were fleet and in good wind, as we had not exhausted them during the early part of the day ; and all we could do at present was to gallop on. The wind, of which there had hitherto been very little, now got up, and blew almost in our faces, driving the fire in the diiection the Indians had taken, and at the same time keeping it back from that in which we were going. Still on came the fire, the whole country in our rear apparently one mass of flame. Even now, did we stop, we should be over- taken. Happily for us, there were no buffalo in the direction from which the fire was coming, or we should have run the danger of being overwhelmed by them. Smaller animals, however, came rushing by us or close at our heels, but too much frightened even to notice us ; and we were in too great a hurry to interfere with them. I am almost afraid to say how many milos we covered in a couple of hours, but certainly not till that time had elapsed did we get to a safe distance from the fire; and even then, on looking back, we could see it raging along the whole verge of the n. . ! 230 WE RKACH A RIVER. \ .» horizon to the westward and southward. It was clear to me that Mike was mistaken about the swamps, and had not the wind, providentially for us, changed, we should probably have fallen victims. We now slackened our speed a little, hoping to meet with some broad river which mighf prove a ban-ier to the flames, should another change of wind drive them towards us, as there was nothing, so far as we could see, to stop the fire from quickly overtaking us. Our horses, too, were already suffering from wnnt of water, and so were w^e. We therefore cagerlv looked out for a pool or stream at which we might slake our thirst. At length, greatly to our joy, as evening was approaching, we caught sight in the far distance of a silvery line of water glittering in the rays of the western sun. It was a river running from the north-west to the south-east, and as we approached we saw that it was of considerable widtli. Should it not prove fordable, we resolved to swim across. With infinite satisfaction we reached the bank of the river, and descending quickly, allowed our horses to drink; while, stooping down by their sides, we lapped up the water eagerly with our hands. It seemed as if we could never drink enough. When we had some- what slaked our thirst, we looked about for a place at which to cross. From the appearance of the current a little lower down, we hoped that we should there find the river fordable ; we accordingly agreed to lead our horses to it. On climbing up the bank we observed that the tire ON THE OPPOSITE SiDE. 231 was still raging in the direction from whence we had come ; and it was evidently very much nearer. We had wished to allow our animals to rest and recover their strength before attempting to cross; but on ao^ain lookincj back we saw that there was no time to be lost. We accordingly at once mounted, and urged our steeds into the water, keeping their heads up the stream. As we advanced it grew deeper and deeper, and we expected every moment to have our horses taken off their legs; still it wo^^ldnot do to turn back. Our great- est chance of safety lay in pushing forward. Tlie cool water restored strength to our beasts, and, sagaciously leaning over against the current, they soon got across the deep part. We had now no further difficulty, and iu a few minutes landed safely on the opposite side. Fortunately there was plenty of fresh herbage, and we allowed the animals tc^ crop it, while we sat down and discussed some of the pemmican with which, hy Mike's forethought, we had provided ourselves. Without it we should have starved ; for we could find nothing eattsble anywhere around. As night was iipproaching, and our horses were too much knocked up to go further, we resolved to remain ra the bank of the river till the morning. We accordingly hobbled the animals, and then looked about for some phice which might afford us shelter. Our search was rewarded by the discovery of a hollow made by the stream in tlie bank during tiie spring floods. Here we hoped that we might rest secure from danger. Indians were not likely to be A". m 232 APPROACH OF THE FIRE. % 4i passing at that time of the evening, and no wolves would find their way, we believed, into our cave. Our horses were, of course, more exposed to risk than ourselves ; but we were obliged to let them take their chance, for unless they were allowed to feed durinf the night they would be unable to carry us the next day. After leaving our horses to pick up their supper, we were about to return to our cave, when, on looking to the eastward, we observed that the fire was making most rapid progress in our direction. We felt thank- ful indeed that we wer** on the right side of the river. On came the conflagration, the heat sensibly in- creasing every minute, while dark wreaths of smoke filled the air, below which the burning grass and shrubs hissed and crackled. The darkness of ni^lit added to the fearful character of the scene. As far as the eye could reach there appeared a long unbroken line of fire : now, as it caught some thick bush or clump of trees, forked flames rose high in the air ; in other places it came along maintaining the same height, but ever advancing, till it reached the bank of the river, when every shrub and tree was enveloped in a slieet of fire ; and notwithstanding the width of the river, we expected e\ery instant to see some of the sparks carried across, and the whole country on our side given over to destruction. We might save our own lives, but our horses would inevitably be lost. We sat anxiously >vatching the conflagration as it raged along the entire bank : now the sparks, wafted UTTER DESOLATION. 233 by the wind, flew high into the air; now burning branches fell hissing into the water. " It's all very fine," observed Mike, after watching it for some time; " but I would rather be afther going quietly to slape." I felt quite as tired as did Mike, but I sat up till my eyes began to close and my head to droop, and I could not for the life of me tell what I was looking at. I had just sense enough left to lie down along- side Mike, when I was almost directly asleep. I do not think I ever slept more soundly in my life than I did on that occasion. So thoroughly wearied out was I, that I forgot all about the fire raging within a few hundred yards of us; or prowling wolves, or Indians, or rattlesnakes, which might have made their holes in the bank. When I awoke I found Mike sitting up, dawn having JKSt broken. The fire had burned itself out, a few burning embers alone appearing on the opposite .side, with here and there a blackened stem of some tree which had resisted the flames. One side of the river presented a scene of utter desolation, while the other was still green, and glittering with the dew of early mom. We knelt down and returned thanks to God for our preservation, and offered up a petition that he would still take care of us. We then ate a little more pemmican, and took a di'aught of water from the river ; though, to do so, we had to drive back the burned twigs and black scum which came floating down the stream. We then caught our horses, which, 234 IN GOOD SPIRITS. \ % ill consequence of being hobbled, had not strayed far; and after leading them down to drink we mounted and rode on to the north-east. Reaching some ele- vated ground whence we could obtain an extensive view, we looked round to ascertain if any Indians were in sight. Not a human being could we discover ; and we therefore, with increased hopes that we miglit escape, continued our journey. 1 asked Mike how many days he thought it would take us to reach home, that I might see if his com- putation agreed with mine. I calculated, recollecting the distance we had come with our captors, that it would occupy us a week at least, or perhaps ten days. He was of the same opinion. " But will our pemmican last us as long ? " 1 asked. " Sure, that depinds upon how much we take of it each day," he answered. " The berries are now ripe, and by good luck I have found a couple of fish-hooks in me pocket. Maybe, also, I can manage to manu- facture some traps in which to catch birds or small animals; and though we have no ariuws, if we are hard pressed we may make some ; and we have got our spears. If we could only meet with a young bear, we should have flesh enough to last us for many a day. Sure, we'll not be fearing harm till it comes upon us." I agreed with Mike that we were not so badly off after all, and wc rode forward in good spirits. There was still, of course, the danger of being overtaken by the Indians ; but on that score Mike thought that we OUR JOURNEY PURSUED. 235 need not trouble ourselves. They would probably suppose that we had been destroyed by the fire; or they themselves might have met with the fate from which we had so narrowly escaped. The sun shone brightly from the unclouded sky; the atmosphere was clear, and we could see objects at a great distance. We looked out, as we rode along, for any of the natives who might be passing either on the war-path or engaged in hunting, as we resolved to endeavour to avoid them rather than risk an encoun- ter. They might prove to be friends ; but if enemies, we knew that we should have a poor chance of com- ing off' victorious. Whenever the country was open, we galloped across it as fast as we could venture to push our horses without over-fatiguing them ; but when we came to woody districts we kept as much as possible under shelter of the trees, so as to avoid being seen. We did not forget that, should enemies cross our trail, they would probably follow us. We therefore very frequently looked about us, to ascertain if we were pursued. We agreed that, in that case, we would run for it, trusting to the mettle of our horses for escape. It may seem strange, but I enjoyed the excitement, and should not have been alarmed had we caught sight of a dozen Redskins, provided they were on foot, and we had a fair start. Mike did not quite enter into my feelings, however. "Sure it would be betther, Masther Roger, if we could get along asily, and just stop and enjoy our dinner and supper without the feeling that at any 236 UNDER SHELTER. 1, << moment our scalps might be taken off our headh," he observed. "We have kept them on througli much gi-eater dangers than we are now likely to meet with," I answered ; " and while we have fleet horses under us, we may laugh at the Indians. They won't know that we are without firearms, and they are terribly afraid of bullets." For all this, I should have been glad had we pos- sessed a good rifle and a brace of pistols apiece. Though our speai-s might serve us in a close encounter with a bear, or even with wolves, we were but ill able to protect ourselves against the arrows of a party of Kedskins. Whenever we reached a height we surveyed the country both before and behind us, to make sure, in the first place, that no Indians were following; aim, in the second, that none were encamped ahead, or, as I have before said, moving; about. Durinc: the dav we met with several small streams at which we could water our horses and slake our own thirst; and the first night we encamped under shelter of a wood, where there was plenty of grass for our steeds. We con- tented ourselves with forming a lean-to, but did not light a fire lest it should betray our whereabouts. Having eaten a little more pemmicj.i, we formed our beds of spruce-fir tops, and lay down to rest " Do you slape as sound as you like, Masther Roger; I'll jist keep one eye open, in case any unwelcome visitor should take the throuble to poke his nose into our palace," observed Mike. " When you think you mike's style op watching. 237 have had rest enough, you can jist wake up and let me take a snooze till morning." I thanked my honest friend for his kind intentions, and in less than half a minute my eyes were closely shut. When I awoke it was already dawn, but Mike, instead of keeping watch, was as sound asleep as I had been. "Hallo, Mike!" I exclaimed; "I thought that you intended to rest with one eye open all night." " Sure, Masther Roger, haven't I done so, barring the last few minutes," he answered. " I did my best, thinking that every moment you would be getting up ; and small blame to me if at last I dramed that you did get up, and told me that you would take a turn at watching." " Never mind, since no harm has happened," I said. " Now let us mount our horses and ride forward till we can get some cold water for breakfast." Our animals, who now knew us, came at our call ; and throwing ourselves on their backs, we galloped forward as we had done the day before. Not a human being did we meet with during the whole day, and in the evening we encamped by the side of a broad stream overshadowed by trees. From the appearance of several deep holes close under the bank, we hoped that fish might be found in them. As soon, therefore, as we had secured our horses, we set to work to manufacture lines for the two hooks which Mike had found in his pocket. Some people might have been puzzled how to get the lines, but we were not to be defeated in our r 238 FISHING. object. We procured them by cutting off a small portion of the two hobbles, which consisted of lon^ strips of deer-hide, and plucking some hairs out of our horses* tails. The deer-hide we cut into thinner strips, which served for the upper part of the lines, while the lower were formed of the hair platted together. We thus in a short time had two good lines, to which we carefully secured the hooks. Having caught some grasshoppers, we determined to try them for bait; while our spears served us for fishing-rods. Hunger made us keen sportsmen, and never had I felt so anxious for success. My line had not been long in the water when I felt a bite. I almost trembled with eagerness as I gave a gentle jerk, sufficient to hook the unwary fish. It tugged pretty hard, and I was sure that I had it fast ; but still I was afraid that it might break my line. Carefully I drew it along till I got it sufficiently near the surface to ascertain its size. To my satis- faction, I saw that it was not more than two or three pounds* weight. After playing it for some time I drew it towards the bank, when Mike, who had hitherto not got a bite, left his rod and rushed into the water to secure our prize, exclaiming, — " Faix, thin, we'll have this darlint for our supper to-night ; and, bedad ! there is another at my line. Hurrah ! good luck to us ! '* Throwing the fish to me, which proved to be a gold-eye, he sprang off, just in time to catch his rod, the end of which was nearly oflT the bank. " Och, murther,** he cried out, " but it's a big one !" MIKE CATCHES A CAT-FISH. 239 and he rushed along the shore, jumping over all impediments ; shrieking out in his eagerness in a manner which would have made a sedate Indian fancy that he had gone out of his mind. I could not help laughing as I watched him. " Come along, Masther Roger, and lend me a hand, or the baste will be afther getting away." Securing our first prize, I followed Mike as he rushed along down the bank, afraid of breaking his line, which was by this time stretched to the utmost. Now he gently pulled it in, now he allowed it to go oft* again, as he felt the strain increase. By thus dexterously managing the fish for some minutes, he at length brought it close to the shore, and I caught sight of an ugly-looking dark monster. " Sure, it's a cat-fish, and mighty good ateing too, though it's no beauty," exclaimed Mike. "Get howld of him, Masther Roger; get howld of him, or he will be off'." Following Mike's example, I dashed into the water and grasped the huge creature, although, covered as it Wcos with slime, it was no easy matter to do so. Giving it a sudden jerk, I threw it on shore, rushing after it to prevent its floundering back again into its native element. It proved to be a prize worth having, being at least seven or eight pounds in weight. It was a wonder how, with such slight tackle, Mike had contrived to hold it. We agreed that, as we had now an ample supply of fish for one day at least, we would not run the risk of losing our hooks ; and accordingly, carrying our two prizes, we made our way back to the part of the bank 240 A QUIET NIGHT. \ve had selected for our camp. It was under a wide- spreading tree, which extended over the water, and would materially serve to hide a fire, which we agreed to light on a piece of flat ground, almost level with the water. We soon collected a sufficient supply of sticks, and had our fire blazing and our fish cookincr. The cat-fish, in spite of its ugly name and uglier looks, proved excellent, though son.'^what rich — tastincr very like an eel. Having eaten a hearty meal, and cookou the re- mainder of our fish for the next day, we put out our fire, and then arranged our dwelling for the night It consisted simply of branches stuck in the ground, and extending about six feet from the trunk of the tree. We closed the entrance, so that no wolves or bears could pay us a visit without some warning; and kept our spears by our sides, to poke at their noses should they make their appearance. The night passed quietly away, and the next morn- ing at daylight, having caught our horses, we swam them across the stream. The sun soon dried our clothes, and as we had no fear of starving for that day, we rode merrily onward. Next day we w^ere as successful in fishing at a stream we reached a short time before sundown; but we were not so prudent, for after each of us had caught a couple of fish we continued our sport, when Mike's hook was carried off". He looked as if he was going to burst into tears, while he surveyed the end of his line with an utterly comical expression of countenance. OUR PROVISIONS EXHAUSTED. 241 "No, bedad ! it's not there," he exclaimed; "the baste of a fish has got it — ill luck to him ! But we shall liave the consolation of ateing his brothers; and may- be some day we will come back and hook him." We h.'id now but one liook left, and this it was necessary to .secure with the greatest care. What a value we set upon that little crooked bit of steel ! Our lives might depend on it, for though Mike ht\d set several traps of various descriptions, no animals would consent to be caught by them. Two days more we travelled on, catching sight of what we believed to be Indian encampments in the distance, but, according to our resolution, carefully avoiding them. Our fi^li had come to an end, our last handful of pemmican was exhausted, and for a whole day we had no food except a few berries. Towards evening we reached a wood. As there was a stream not far from it, while Mike was engaged in forming our camp I endeavoured to hook a fish. My efforts were vain; for some time none would bite. At last I felt a tug, and I was sure that I had hooked a fish. Eagerly I drew it towards tlie bank. It seemed to come willingly enough at first, but there was another tug, and m}'- line almost flew out of the water. I cast a blank look at the end. The hook was gone ! Feeling very disconsolate, I returned to the camp. Mike endeavoured to comfort me for our loss, but he could not supply us with food. We therefore lay ilown to rest, keeping our spears as usual by our sides, and Mike offering to wateli while I slept. (027) IG 242 VISITED BY A BEAR. \ ft Whether or not he had done so I could not tell, but suddenly I was awakened by feeling the branches at my side roughly shaken; and looking up, what was my dismay to see, by the moonlight streaming through the wood, a big brown bear poking his nose through the bushes, and not five feet from us ! Giving Mike a nudge with my elbow, I grasped my spear, and rising on my knee, without a moment's considera- tion as to what might be the result, I thrust the spear with all my might into the bear's chest. With a fierce growl and open jaws it rushed at me, — as it did so, driving the spear still further into its body; whilst I, expecting the movement, sprang to the inner end of oui arbour. Mike in a moment was on his knees, — he had not time to rise to his feet, — and seizing his weapon, drove it into the bear's neck. Still the creature, though thus desperately wounded, broke through the branches we had put up; but the thick leaves pre- vented it from seeing us as clearly as it would otherwise have done. The life-blood was flowing from its wounds. Mike managed, as I had done, to get out of Bruin's way ; and before the creature could turn to pursue either of us, over it fell, on the very ground on which we had been sleeping. It struggled for a few seconds, gnashing its teeth, and I had to retreat through the branches to avoid it. Mike, who had managed to escape at the other end, now joined me^ and getting liold of the handle of his spear, endeavoured to pull it out of the bear's body. After a few tugs he succeeded in regaining possession of WE KILL AND EAT OUR VISITOR. 243 his weapon ; and the first thing he did with it was to plunge it again into the animal's breast. " I did it just to make sure," he remarked. " These bastes have as many lives as a cat ; and maybe he would have come to again, and taken to ateing us instead of our ateing him, as I hope we will be afther doing before long." Whether or not the last thrust was necessary I do not know, but the bear ceased struggling ; and Mike, springing on the body, exclaimed, — " He's dead enough now, anyhow ! And we'll take the liberty of cutting him up, and getting our teeth into his flesh ; for, sure, he has spoilt our rest for the nifflit." The centre of the hut was by this time a pool of blood; we therefore dragged out the bear, and while Mike began scientifically to flay the carcass, I col- lected sticks for a fire. We soon }\ad a good one blazing up, and some of the slices of the bear toasting before it. We were too hungry to wait until the morning. "Sure, the bear was sent to us to be aten," ob- served Mike ; " and suppose we get nothing else till we reach home, it will serve to keep us alive till then." Having satisfied the cravings of hunger, 'e cooked some more slices of the best portions of the meat, to serve for our breakfast before starting; and the remainder we cut into thin strips to smoke over the lire, and afterwards to dry in the sun. As both we and our steeds were tired, we agreed not to start 244 DEATH OP MIKE S HORSE. X ♦■ till a later hour than usual. There was a risk in remaining, but still it was better to run it, rather than knock up our horses or ourselves. Mike faithfully kept watch, and the sun was already high in the sky when I awoke. We hung up the strips of bear's flesh, to give them a drying before we packed them to carry with us. We also did up a portion of the fresh meat, which would, we calculated, last us for some time. Then, having taken a late breakfast, we mounted our horses and continued our journey. It would take toe. much time, were I to describe the events of the next few days. After continuinf^ on for the time we supposed it would occupy us in reach- ing home, we were still uriable to recognize any of the features of the country. Mike, however, remarked that as forests and hills and rivers were all much alike, it was no wonder that we could not make out where we were. I proposed directing our course eastward, as we should thus certainly come to some of the settlements, Mike thought that we had not got sufficiently far to the north, ajid advised that we should continue on in that direction. I gave in to him. Our horses had hitherto held out well, but sud- denly Mike's began to stagger, and, almost before lie could throw himself from its back, down the poor ani- mal fell. What had been the cause of the horse's death we had not knowledge sufficient to iiscertain; only one thing was certain, — that it was dead, and that we must take it by turns to ride, and thus get on at a AN ATTACK OF ILLNESS. 245 much slower pace. There was no use stopping to mourn our loss, so, having taken oflf the saddle and bridle, we did them up in a package, and placed them on the back of my steed. We did this lest the dead horse should be recognized as having belonged to the Indians, and some of their friends might discover it and pursue us. We had, shortly afterwards, a river to cross. True, we might have made a raft, but as we were both good swimmers we determined to trust to our own arms and I'^gs for getting to the other side. After some persuasion we induced the horse to go in ; and then, 3like taking the rein, we each of us put a hand on the saddle and swam over, I on one side and Mike nn the other. Though swept down for some distance, we got safe on shore at last, but we had to trudge on IP. our wet clothes. Not only were we wet, but so was our imperfectly dried meat; the consequence was, that when we came to cook it in the evening it was scarcely eatable. Our clothes, too, were damp when we lay down at night. I awoke shivering the next morning, though the tire was still blazing near me; and when I tried to get up I was unable to stand. Mike was in a state of great distress. The remainder of our provisions had become worse ; but even had the food been of the most delicate description, I could not have touched it. Mike, faithful fellow that he was, immediately set to work to build a hut, so that I might be sheltered from the heat of the sun as well as from the wind. As soon as it was completed he carried me into it, ■f: 246 LIVING OX FROGS. and closing the entrance, said be would set out in search of food. In a short time he returned with some delicious strawberries, which greatly refreshed me. For several days he tended me with the greatest care, and was fortunate in trapping several youncr birds, which, though not very fat, served to restore my strength. I asked him how he had managed t^ eat the dried bear's meat, being very sure that he had not touched any of the birds he had caught. " Bedad, Masther Roger, it's not the mate at all I've been ateing," he answered. " I found no lack of big fellows with four legs hopping about in the marsh down there, and, fur want of better food, I took the liberty of cooking them. They are not so bad, afther all ; only the idea of the thing was not plisant at first.'' Mike had been living on frogs, I found out, during all my illness ; and as for a whole day he was unable to catch any birds, I begged that he would let me taste the frogs. I confess that I had no reason to complain of the food, for he gave me the hinder legs alone, which I should have supposed to have been those of small birds, had he not told me what tliev were. I was at last strong enough to move about, and I proposed that we should at once continue our journey. Mike agreed, therefore, that we slioukl start the next morning. When daylight arrived, he left the hut to look for the horse while I prepared breakfast. He was a long A SERIOUS LOSS. 247 time absent, and I began to grow anxious, wondering wliat could have become of him. I waited and waited till I could bear the suspense no longer, so, going to a height at a little distance from the wood in which we had formed our encampment, I gazed around on every side. Should any accident have befallen him, how fearful would be my fate ! I was also deeply grieved at the thought of losing him ; but I confess that selfish feelings for the time predominated. There was a river, I should have said, in the distance, and on lookincj in that direction I at length saw a figure moving towards me. It might be Mike, or it might be an Indian, and perhaps an enemy. Still, I did not think of concealing myself Great was my joy when, as the person drew nearer, 1 recognized Mike. I rushed down to meet him; but 1 saw that there was something wrong, by the expres- sion of his countenance. " What is the matter, Mike ? " I asked. " I was terribly afraid that you were lost." " Sure, a great deal is the matther," he answered. "That baste of a horse has been afther drowning iiimself ; and you will have to walk the rest of the journey on foot, except when I carry you on me shoulders — and that I will do, as long as I have the strength, with the greatest pleasure in the world." I .assured Mike that I was so glad to see him, that 1 cared little in comparison for the loss of the horse, tor I felt perfectly able to walk any distance. "Well, that is one comfoi^; and seeing that we have 248 A DUCK CHASE. nothing to carry except our spears, which will help us along, matthers might have been worse," he answered. Both of us were determined to make the best of what had happened; so, having eaten our breakfast, and packed up the remainder of our provisions, we recommenced our march forward. Mike insisted on our encamping early in the day, so that he might search for food; and before dark he had procured a supply of the same description as that on which we had been living for several days. The next morning we went on as before, and I felt my strength considerably restored. Soon after noon, having reached the summit of a height, we saw before us a wide river, connected with a series of small lakes, their borders apparently deeply fringed with tall grass. This, Mike said, he believed must be rice, and it would afford us a change of diet if we could procure some; Ave accordingly made our way down towards the nearest. We thought, also, that we might catch some unwary ducks, if they were not accus- tomed to the sight of human beings. On getting close to the borders, we fancied we heard some sounds from a brood of ducklings. We therefore crept cautiously along the shore, when, to our infinite satisfaction, we caught sight of a couple of ducks, and not one, but two broods. We had got almost near enough to catch hold of the hindermost, when the cries of the mother-ducks warned their young ones to make the best of their way from us, Eager to seize our prey, we dashed into the water A HAPPY MEETING. 249 after them ; when, to escape us, they endeavoured to make their way through the high gi-ass. We had each of us caught a couple, when what wtis our astonishment, on pressing aside the grass, to see directly before us a canoe with three girls in it! Two of them were busily employed in beating out the rice into their canoe, while tiie one who sat in the bow, on hearing the noise we made, turned her head with an inquiring but somewhat alarmed glance towards us. Yes! I could not be mistaken; it was Lily ! Just before her sat Dora, while Ashatea occupied the stern. "Lily, Lily ! " I exclaimed. "Don't you know me?" "Yes, yes! I do. O Dora, Dora! there is Roger and Mike Laffan. They were not drowned, or killed by the Indians ! I always said so," she cried. In a moment their paddles were out, and, guided by Ashatea, they were making their way towards us. " Come into the canoe ! " they exclaimed in chorus. " There is room for you ; and we will take you to our friends. They will be so glad to know that you are alive, though you both look sadly tired and thin." " No wonder, Misthress Lily," observed Mike ; and he gave an account of my illness. They were ail eager to hear how we had escaped ; aiid as the canoe skimmed lightly over the .smooth surface of the lake, urged by their paddles, I told them all that had happened to us, from the time we left the camp of our Indian friends. I then asked if Reuben and his companion had ever been heard of. " Yes ; it was they who told us that you had either 1% 250 AT KEPENAU S VILLAGE. \ » been drowned or made prisoners by the Indians," said Lily. " They escaped by running through the rapids at a place where no canoe had ever before ventured. And Reuben has undertaken to come up here and escort us back to the settlement. W^ have be.m pav- ing our long-promised visit to Ashatea; and I can assure you she received us in the most hospitable manner. You will like to see the beautiful dome- shaped wigwam her people built for us, with a divan all round, and the floor covered tliicki}^ with matting. We felt quite like In ian princesses, when she escorted us into it. It is divided by a curtain into two portion.s. The inne^ serves as oui bedroom, and the outer as our drawingroom. As there is space for a fireplace in the centre, we agreed that we should not object to spend the winter in it ; while at the present season it is delightfully cool and pleasant." " Ah, but it is not equal to one of your comfortable houses," observed Ashatea, who understood all that Lily said, and had, I found, improved greatly in her knowledge of English, having spent a considerable time at the settlement with Lily and Dora. We had some distance to go, I found, before we could reach the spot where Kepenau and his people were noAv encamped. The chief had, lii^y told mo, spent several months there ; and had, besides, made a tour with our mission{..ry friend, Martin Godfrey, for the purpose of being instructed in gospel triitli, which he was most anxious to iranart to his country- men. The chief had, some time before, learned to read, and had devoted al] his attention to the studv T. -4 NEWS OF HOME. 251 of the Scriptures, so that he was well able to carry tlie gospel to others. My uncles and aunt had been greatly gi'ieved at my supposed loss, and it had made them less con- tented with the settlement than they had before been; Uncle Mark especially missed the assistance of Mike, though honest Quambo had done his best to supply his place. Various schemes were afloat for occupying fresh territory, far to the westward. Some speculators had visited our settlement, and my uncles had listened to their descriptions of the advantages to be gained with far more interest than they might otherwise have done. " I had hoped that we should remain where we are," said Lily. " I am attached to the place, and should be content to spend the remainder of my days here." " You have not got over many of them as yet, Lily," I said, looking up in her face. " They may be many, in comparison with those which are to come," she answered gravely, and I thought mournfully. " I hope to see you grow into a dear old woman, Hke Aunt Hannah. I like to think of the future, and I want my future to be ha[)py. However, it will be a long, long time before you grow old, Lily." " I alrei;-dy feel old," she said ; " or I did, at least, when they told me that you were lost, Roger, though 1 did not believe it; but perhaps I shall now feel young again. I have been very sorry, too, about poor 252 ASIIATEA S SORROWS. Asliatea," she continued in a whisper; "she hns lior troubles, though she does not show what she feels by her countenance as much as we white people do. A young Indian, who is said to bo superior to most of his people, has long wished to marry her ; but as she is a Christian and he is still a heathen, thoui;li I believe she likes him very much, neither she nor Ikm- father will consent. This has produced a feud be- tween them; and tlie conduct of Manilick — for tli;it is his name, which, I believe, means a ' pine-tree ' — has caused them a great deal of anxiety. Kepenaii fears that Manilick will try to carry off his daughter by force, and he is therefore obliged to keep scouts constnntly watching the movements of the young chief. Indeed, wdien you appeared through the rice grass I fancied that you were Manilick, and that y(iu might have come to carry us all off together; not that I believe he would venture to injure any white people, since he professes to be our friend." I was much interested in wh/it Lily told me, for I fancied that Reuben had lost his heart to tlie Indian girl. Still, superior as she was in many re- spects to those of her race, she would scarcely have made a fitting wife for a well-educated young man; though the rough traders and hunters of the Far West frequently marry Indian wives, who make tlicin as happy as they wish to be, but are seldom able to bring up their children properly, the chief objeetinii to such alliances. While Lily was talking to me, Mike was recount- ing to Dora and Ashatea, in his rich Irish brogue, KEPENAU PREACHING TO THE INDIANS- our tim laki Mi COU] by othe tea ' on a and on a rapt whil the preai way W tent us. the I sav bytl I poi glad truth As Ke concli seat. A MATTER OF IMPORTANCE. 255 our various adventures with the Indians. Thus the time was passed while the girls paddled across the lake and up the river till we reached Kepenau's lodges. As we neared the shore, we observed a large con- course of people assembled near the wigwams. Many by their costume appeared to be strangers, wliile others were Kepenau's own people. I saw that Asha- tea was regarding them with great interest. In front, on a rock, sat Kepenau; and I judged by his attitude and the tone of his voice that he was addressing them on a matter of importance, while they listened with rapt attention. His right hand pointed to the sky, while his left was directed towards the earth ; and by tlie words which reached me I knew that he was preaching the gospel — setting before the people the way of eternal life. We all stopped at some distance to listen, and so in- tent were he and his auditors that none perceived us. Ashatea, who stood next to Lily, was regarding the scene with even greater interest than we were. I saw her eye directed towards a young Indian, who by the ornaments on his dress I guessed was a chief. I pointed him out to Lily. " Yes," she said, " that is Manilick. I am very glad to see him here, as I hope he is receiving the truths which Kepenau is endeavouring to impart." Ashatea was, I had no doubt, hoping the same. Kepenau had nearly brought his address to a conclusion when we arrived. Now, rising from his seat, he took Manilick 's hand, and spoke to him ■J. 256 ASIIATEA S LOVER. affectionately, as it seemed to me. The younw chief hung down his head, and answered only in monosyllables. Kepenau, after speaking in the same way to others, offered up a prayer, in which several of his own people joined. Not till then did he discover us. With a look of surprise he at once advanced to greet J,like and me, his countenance as w ell as his words exhibit- ing his satisfaction. He afterwards turned again to the young chief, and addressed him. He had, until now, I found, suspected that Manilick had instigated the attack on us, if !ie had not taken part in it, and he wished openly to exonerate him. Kepenau ques- tioned me as to the dress and appearance of the Indians who had made us prisoners. From my de- scription he was satisfied that they were really Sioux, and that Manilick had nothing to do with them. We were anxious to return as soon as possible to the settlement, to relieve the minds of our relatives; but that evening, in consequence of the fiitigue and hardships I had endured, I was again taken ill. Kepenau had a wigwam carefully built for me, in which Lily and Dora assisted Mike in watching over me. Good food, however, was all I needed ; and as our Indi.an friends had abundance of fish and s^nie, I was soon well again. Just as I had recovered, we one evening saw a large canoe approaching the Cvamp. Who should step out of it but Uncle Mark, accompanied by Reu- ben, Quambo, and several men ! They had brought a quantity of goods to su})ply their Indian friends. AN" UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL. 257 As may be supposed, Uncle Mark was delighted to find that I was alive; and Quambo, in the exuberance of liis joy, embraced Mike. "But where de fiddle?" he exclaimed, after their salutations had ceased. " Just play one tune. It do iny heart good, and we set all de camp jigging." " Och, botheration ! but the Ridskins have got it — bid luck to the spalpeens ! and sorra a one of thim cm play a tune, or I would not mind it so much," answered Mike. "But you must try to got him back," observed Quambo; "if dey not play on him, dey not want im. " I'm mighty afraid it's burned, though," said Mike with a sorrowful countenance. Wlien Uncle Mark heard of Mike's loss, he told KepL'uau and Manilick. The latter had that day paid a visit to the chief They were both of opinion that, should the fiddle be in existence, it might, by proper iliplomatic proceedings, be recovered ; and, greatly to Mike's joy, Manilick undertook to ascertain what had become of it, and, if possible, to restore it to its owner. (0-J7) 17 CHAPTER VIII. DVOLS mark's canoe — OUtt START FOR HOME — THE RATTLK8NAKE8- MIKE L0N09 FOR HIS FIDDLE — OUR NIGHT ENCAMPMENT — JACQUES LEROCQLE's FISHING JOKE — MIKE's TKllROR AT THE SUPPOSED INDIAN AMBUSCADE — THE PHANTOM BEAR — OUR ARRIVAL AT HOME — KAKAIK AND THE FIDDLE — mike's DELIGHT — KEPKNAU's SECOND VISIT - RF.LBEN's CHAGRIN — MR. SIMON SFARK'S AUVKNT^ — HIS GLOWING UESCRI'TION OF THE FAR NORTH-WEST — THE FOREST ON FIRE- OUR HUT UESTROYKD— OUR ESCAPE. [HE canoe in which Uncle Mark had come up had been built by some Indians on the lake, who intended to dispose of it to the fur- traders; but, in consequence of some di.sputi', they had refused to let them have it, and had thereafter sold it to my uncles at a reduced price. It was of far superior construction to those we had hitherto seen used, though of the same materials. Formed of large sheets of birch-bark, kept in shape by delicate ribs of lance-wood or willow, it was nearly forty feet in length, and sharp at both ends; and the sean^s where the bark was sewn togetner were covered by a thick resinous gum, which became hard in the water. Like the small canoes, it required careful handling ; for, having no keel, it was easily turned over. It was impelled by six or eight paddles, — three or four on one side, and the same number on AT THE BANK OP THE RIVER. 259 the other; one man steering with a paddle, as well as paddling. Uncle Mark had come down one river, then across the lake, and up another river, instead of the shorter route along the course of several narrower streams with rapids, which necessitated the same number of portages. By this means he was able to bring a cargo of cottons, cutlery, and other heavy articles. He purposed returning by the samp route, though it might have been possible to carry the canoe across the portages, as the bales of peltries occupied less space than the cargo he had brought. There was sufficient room, too, for the four additional people the canoe had nosv to carry. The day before we were to start, Ashatea appeared to be very unhappy. It was, I concluded, at the thouglit of parting from Lily ; but Lily afterwards told nie that it was more on account of Manilick, who still refused to embrace Christianity. " We must pray for him," said Lily. " Kepenau has taken every opportunity of speaking to him, and putting the truth plainly before him ; but though he would very gladly make Ashatea his wife, he still remains firm in his heathen belief" We could no longer delay our return home, as the autumn was advancing, and before long we might expect storms and frosts, which would make our pro- posed voyage in the canoe both trying and dangerous. The whole tribe came down to the bank of the river at early dawn to see us off, as Uncle Mark wished to cross thj lake before sunset. We should have to i^ 260 THE VOYAGE ON THE LAKE. encamp for the nigbt, and continue our voyao-e up tlie river next morning. We made good progress down the stream, havincr the current with us, and entered the lake just as tlie sun rose above what appeared like a sea horizon. though we knew that the shore w.- not far off' on the opposite side. The calm lake shone like a burnislied mirror. The shore we were leaving was tinted with various colours, the higher ground here crowned by groups of spruce firs, and in other places rocky and barren, but still picturesque in the extreme. I took a paddle and sat by Lily. Reuben and Mike also made themselves of use ; while Uncle Mark sat with Dora at the bottom of the canoe. It was tlie first voyage I had ever taken on the lake, and Lily and I agreed that it would be very pleasant to have a canoe or small vessel of our own, and io cui^e round the shores, exploring every inlet and creek. As the sun rose the lieat beca. ^e intense ; not u breatli of air stirred the surface ''f the lake, and Li]\'. who had taken off* her hat, was very glad to put it on again. After paddling for some distance we landed to breakfast, or rather to dine ; ftjr we did not intf^nd to stop again till we went ou shore to encamp for the night. Wild rocks fringed the shore, and we had to exer- cise great caution in approaching it, for the slightest touch would have knocked a hole in the bow of our canoe, and we should very soon have had the water ruthing in. We had, therefore, to look out for some opening into which we could slowly paddle till we lyage up 1, havincj ist as the horizon, iff' on the Durnished ited with )wned by I'ocky anil and Mike Mark sat [t was thi,' , and Lily it to have to cuioe I creek, ise ; not a , and Lily, . to put it istance ^ve ^)V we dill n shore tn id to exer- le slifjhtest bow of our I the \vater at for some die till we found ineffec with i could Imr to col] groun( unded which lion CO Hanna Uncle duties Just seated exclain snakes Scar venonn had he In ano ately a and wi the hci cried oi instant rattle spring to my t Whe many BREAKFAST ON SHORE. 263 found a landing-place. After making two or three ineffectual attempts, we succeeded in finding a bank with an almost perpendicular side, on to which we could at once step from the canoe. Immediately after landing, all hands set to work to collect wood for a fire. An abundance lay on the ground, driven there by the wind. Lily and Dora undertook to cook the breakfast, the materials for which consisted of eggs, fish, maize cakes, and dande- lion coffee — the roots having been prepared by Aunt Hannah. We soon had a fire blazing up, when, as Uncle Mark declared, Lily and Dora performed their duties in a most efficient manner. Just as we had finished, one of ^ he nien, who were seated at some little distance frcm us, started up, exclaiming, " Take care ! take care ! there are rattle- snakes near us." Scarcely had he spoken when I saw one of the venomous creatures, the sound of whose tail the man had heard, rearing its head not five feet off from Lily. In another moment it might spring on her. Fortun- ately a long thin stick lay close to me, which I seized, and with all my might struck the snake a blow on the head which brought it to the ground, while I cried out to Lily to run to a distance. Almost in an instant the snake recovered itself, and sounding its rattle as it moved forward, made an attempt to spring at me. Again I struck it ; and Mike coming to my assistance, it was c^uickly despatched. Where one rattlesnake is found, there are generally many more. Scarcely two minutes had passed V . m I*' 264 A COLONY OF RKl'TILKS. \ k ere another made its ap])earance, crawling out of a hole under a tree. While Mike and Reuben went to attack it, Uncle Mark advised that we siiould all get on board without delay. Our breakfast ami cooking things were quickly })acked up ; an<] ^he secou' vatfl ,ia) e being destroyed, Mike and Reuben iollov/ed Oh ^ito uhe canoe. Scarcely had we shoved off' wiiC. . ibrc'^ nr four more rattlesnakes were seen, and we felt thaiil.iul that none of us had been bitten by them. We had literally encamped in the mid>|: of a colony of the venomous re})tiles. We had to exercise the same caution in going out of the harbour as on entering it ; after whicli w^' continued our course to the eastward at a moderate distance from the shore. "The day was, Masther Roger, when you and I would have been very happy to have fallen in with as many of those same snakes as we could have caught, " observed Mike to me. "They're mighty good ateing, barring the head and tail. At laste, the Ridskins hold to that notion." I was, I confess, very thankful that we had not been compelled to eat the creatures; though I did not know what huno-er minrht have induced me to do. As we paddled on, Uncle Mark asked Lily and Dora to sing. They were not girls to offer excuses, and declare that they were out of voice. " What shall it be ? " said Lily. " An3^thing you like," replied Doi'a ; and immedi- ately they commenced a melody which, although I had heard it before, sounded very sweet on the calm water. TIIK VOYAGE CONTINUED. 265 Reuben .irid T joined in chorus ; and the men, as well they might, applauded henrtily. Then one of them commenced a c?iioe-song, in which they all jjined. As soon aj they ceased, Lily and Dora gave ns r third; and so we went on, singing and paddling over the calm water. "Ocli ! but it's a sad ])ity that them Ridskins have (rot me beautiful fiddle ! " exclaimed Mike. " Would I not have been gi> ing you all a tune! Sure 5 T do not recover it I will be breakinc: me heart irt.iC' " He said this in so melancholy and yc^ on^ical a tone, that Reuben and I burst out laugaii ; We reminded him that oi«r Indian friend ha^ promised t. try and recover his beloved insirumcu, and by degrees he regained his spirits. The weather continued line, and the water smooth as before. As I gazed over the vast expanse spread out on our left, I could scarcely fancy myself navi- gating an inland lake, small though it was compared to many in that region. I thought, too, vof how it would appear should a storm arise, and the now tran- quil surface be turned into foaming billows by the furious wind. Our canoe, with sides not much thicker than a few sheets of brown paper, would hf^ve been a frail bark for navii^atinfj the lake under such circumstances. Evening was approaching, and though we had paddled on all day we could not as yet see the inouth of the river, near which we intended to camp, We redoubled our efforts, therefore, to gain it during daylight. 266 SPINNING YARNS. ^ ti * . The sun had almost reached the watery horizon to the west, when we espied a clump of tall trees which marked the spot towards which w^e were directinr^ our course. Having rounded a point, we ran into a bay with a grass-covered shore ; and here we were able to land without difficulty. We unloaded the canoe, and carried our packages up to a grassy spot underneath the trees. The men immediately set tc work to collect bark with wliicli to form a wigwam for Lily and Dora ; we contenting ourselves with a lean-to, which would afford us pro- tection from the night wind. The usual fire was lighted, and as we were all very hungry, no time was lost in cooking supper. As soon as it was over Lily and Dora retired to their abode, as they had been up and ready to start some time before dav,'ii. We sat round the fire spinning yarns, as the sailors say, and singing songs. We were speaking of the necessity of trying to get some more fresh fish, as our stock was nearly exhausted, and Mike had told the party how successful we had been till our hooki were bitten off*. " But there is a place not far from here where we can catch fish without hooks," was the answer. " Sure, and I should like to see it! " exclaimed Mike. " But how is it to be done ? " " Why, with nets, to be sure," said the canoeman. " And if you like to come with me, I will show you how I do it." Mike at once agreed to the proposal. Hearing that some nets which would suit the pur- A FISHING EXPEDITION. 267 pose bad been left en cache with other articles close at hand, Reuben and I and another man agreed to accompany them. Jacques Lerocque, Mike's friend, was an amusing fellow, and fond of practical joking. It struck me at the time that he was up to some trick; but he put on so grave a face, and spoke so earnestly, that my suspicions were banished. On reaching the cache, which was close to the camp, I found that the nets were something in the form of hand-nets, only larger. We were also pro- vided with a lantern containing a thick tallow candle. "You see how to use these nets!" said Jacques. "We put them into the water, and then hold the candle at the further end. When the fish .see the light, they swim towards it and are caught." The plan seemed very feasible, and Mike declared that he thought it was a mighty convenient way of obtaining a supper. We were to fish in twos ; one man to hold the net, and the other the light. Reuben agreed to accom- pany Mike, and I was to take the other man ; while Jacques said he would superintend operations, pro- mising us an abundance of sport if we would follow his directions. Going on for half a mile over hard ground, -ve reached a marsh which was connected with the lake. "It is very full of fish, which come in to feed on the insects clinging to the reeds," observed Jacques. " But you must not mind wetting your feet." However, having so recently recovered from a 268 INTERRUPTED SPORT. fiovere illness, I thought it wiser, when it came to the point, not to do this ; so Jacques took my in- tended companion with him. "Here, Master Reuben, you take one bit of candh and I the other," said Jacques, cutting the .piece in the lantern in two. Reuben and Mike at once plunged into the marsh, and made their way through the rushes. I heard their voices, although from where I stood I could not see them. Presently Mike exclaimed, — " Here comes a big one ! Howld the light furder back, Masther Reuben, and, bedad, we'll have him. Sure, though, he's gone oft"; come a little furder. There he is now ; this time he'll be afther getting caught, sure enough." Then the sound of splashing and the crackling of the reeds reached my ears, when presently Mike cried out, — "Och! murther, but what are these bastes about ? They'll be biting off our noses, and bunging up our eyes ! But we must have the lish, though. Och ! murther, murther ! " Reuben's voice joined in chorus, though with varied exclamations. I ran to a point near the spot which my friends had reached, and there I saw Mike bending down, holding the net in one hand, while he endeavoured to beat off with his hat a swarm of mosquitoes which were buzzing thickly round bim. Reuben stood near holding out the candle, and a second net in his other hand, which prevented him from defending his face from the venomous bites of his persevering FI8HINQ UNDER DIFFICULTIES ■sevcnn^^ ^\ til tc tl w th ce ha of ov p!. Ro IlK we are MIKE AND THE REDSKINS. 271 assailants. Still, though his countenance exhibited the sufferings he was enduring, he manfully kept his post. Just then the most fearful shrieks and cries rent the air, sounding like the war-whoop of a band of savage Indians. " Och, but the Ridskins are upon us ! " cried out Mike. " We must run for it, Masthcr Reuben dear. Niver mind the nets, or the fish, or the mosquito bastes. It's too much for any mortal man to stand, with the savages into the bargain. Come along a»s fast as your legs can carry you ; but we will find Masther Roger first. We must not lave liim behind to be scalped ; and as to Jacques and Tom Hodges, if they liave not taken care of themselves, it's more than we can do for them." Mike was rapidly uttering these expressions while, floundering along, he made his way up to where I was standing. Whether or not Reuben was aware of the true state of the case I could not tell, but he was certainly following much more leisurely than might have been expected. I had that moment caught sight of the grinning countenances of Jacques and Tom over the rushes, and guessed that the former was pitying off one of his tricks. When Mike saw me, he exclaimec], ' Run, Masther Roger, vuii ! sure, don't you hear the shrieks of the Indians ? They will have the scalj^s off our heads, if we don't show them our lieels, before many minutes are over." I burst out laughing, and pointed to our two coni' 272 JACQUES ACTS THE BEAR. panions, who, however, at tliat inument bobbed Uov/n and liid themselves among the rushes. Mike now began to suspect that a trick had been played him; but nothing ever made him angry, so, laughing as I was doing, he exclaimed, — " Come out of that, ye spalpeens ! It will be many a day before you get me to go fishing with you agani. Jacques, having had liis joke, recovered the nets, and being well experienced in the style of sport, in a short time caught half a dozen fine fish, with which we returned to the camp. I was glad to roll myself up in my blanket, and go to sleep under the shelter of our lean-to ; but the rest of the party sat up cook- ing and eating one of our prizes. I was awoke before long by the sound of loud growlings, which made Uncle Mark and several of the party start to their feet, with guns ready to receive the l)eav from whom they expected an attack. lleeoUeet- ing Jaccjues' propensity to practical joking, I lay quiet; and I heard my uncle come back soon afterwards, growling almost as much as the supposed bear, and observiuij: that the brute had got off, thoufjh it must liave ])een close to the camp. I said nothing, though I suspected who had performed the part of the bear. The next morning I looked about, but could discover no traces of such an animal. Jacques, if he had represented it, kept his own counsel; and after we had started I heard him complaining that his night's rest should have been so disagreeably disturbed. Lily and Dora had been awakened, but they, trust- WINTER ONCE MORE. 273 ing tx) the vigilance of their protectors, had wisely gone to sleep again, being very sure that, did any savage animal approach the camp, we should soon give a good account of it. We had a long paddle up the river, and had again to encamp, but no event worthy of mention occurred ; and the next day, late in the evening, we reached the aettleraent. Lily and Dora and Reuben went to their respective homes; and after we had paid a visit to Uncle Stephen and Aunt Hannah, to convince them that we were still alive notwithstanding our perilous adventures, we returned to the hut, where we were welcomed by our three canine friends, which had been left to guard it under charge of one of Uncle Stephen's men. The autumn soon passed by, and once more the winter was upon us. We had plenty of work in felling trees, and either burning them or dragging them over the snow to places where we intended to cut them up. Occasionally we paii a visit to the settlement ; indeed, I was always glad of an excuse for piissing a few hours with Lily when I could spare the time. I looked in, also, on my friends the Claxtons. Jjotli they and my uncles, as Lily had told me, were, I observed, becoming more and more discontented with the settlement, as were likewise a number of other people, and the attractions of the new regions of the far west were the constant subject of conversation. We at the hut troubled ourselves much less about such niatters than dia our friends. We had plenty (627) 18 274 A MYSTERIOUS PARCEL. of hard work, and were pretty well tired when tlie day's labours were over. Mike declared that the only drawback to his happiness was the loss of liis fiddle, which he never expected to see again. " Dat am de cause ob my grief," observed. Qiiambo, putting his hand to his heart. " If you did get it. would not we hab a dance! We would kick up dt.' heels all night long, to make up for lost time." It was some days after this that we one evenin;;,' saw an Indian coming through the opening wliicli had now been made down to the river, walking on snow-slioes, and with a package of some size on hi.s back. "Here comes Kakaik ! I wonder what him brinir!" exclaimed Quambo, running forward to meet cur visitor. Kakaik having made signs that he had got some- thing valuable, Mike advanced with open mo itli an<i outstretched hands. An idea had occurred to him. " What is it, me friend?" he a.sked eagerly. The Indian began a long speech. "Och, man alive! just tell us what it's all about," cried Mike, who coald no lonorer restrain his curiosity By this time Uncle Mark had come out of the hut. The Indian, however, would go on with his address, of which we did not undei'stand a word. Mike kept all the time pointing to tlie package, and entreating him to undo it. At ien.'.yuh the Indian stopped and commenced untying the thongs wliich secured the mysterious AiiriE RECOVERS HIS FIDDLE. 275 parcel, and exposed to the delighted eyes of Mike — his tiddle and bow. " Sure, I thought so ! " exclaimed the Irishman, eagerly grasping his treasure. " Erin go bragh ! — long life tu yese, me jewill" and clapping the instru- ment to his chin, he made an attempt to play on it ; but it required, as may be supposed, no small amount of tuning. Mike at once set to work, however, turning the keys and drawing the bow over the strings, all the time uttering expressions of gratitude to the Indian, and to all concerned in the recovery of the tiddle. The moment he had tuned it to his satisfaction, he began playing one of the merriest of jigs, in unison with his own joyous spirits. Quambo on hearing the sounds started up, snapping his fingers, kicking up his legs, and whirling round and round in time to the tune. The Indian, gravo as was liis exterior, forthwith joined him, outvying him in his leaps, and adding the wildest shrieks and shouts. I could not long resist their example, and in i few minutes even Uncle Mark was dancing ;i y as vigorously as any of us; Mike all the time eking his heels, and bobbing his head with a rapidii which seemed to threaten the dislocation of his 'k. It was the wildest scene imaginable, and any < ;it; observ- ini'' us would have suppose^! that we had al; j:'^ne mad. At last we had to stop from sheer want of breath, ;iii(i on entering the hut Kakaik iiifoi'med us that it was throuixh the exertions of Manilick that the tiddle ^>ad been recovered. He had paid half'a-dozen yards of cotton, the same number of strings oi beads, \ h 276 THE irishman's gratitude. a looking-glass, and a frymg-pan, for the treasure. It had been regarded with reverential awe b) the possessors. He sent it, however, as a gift to the rightful owner, and declined to receive anything in return. "Faix, thin, I will be grateful to him till t^>e end of me days," answered Mike ; " and I hope that you will receive, for your throuble in coming, Masther Kakaik, my 'baccy-box, and half-a-dozen red cotton handkerchiefs for your wife and clulder, all of them bran-new, except one which I wore as a niglit-cap when I last had a cowld, and another which has been in use for a matther of a week or so." Kakaik accepted tlie proffered gifts with due gratitude, and further informed us that the Indians from whom Mike and I escaped had succeeded in regaining their encampment, though the fire had been close to their heels ; and until Maniliok's ambas- sador visited them they had supposed that we were destroyed. By the manner in wliich we had got pvWay from them, we were very much raised in their opinion ; though they threatened, should they ever catch hold of us, to have our scalps ofi* our heads. "Much obliged to the gintlemen," remarked Mike; " but we will not let them do that same if we can help it, and we'll show them that the Palefaces have as much brains in their skulls as the Ridskins, cunning as they think themselves." Kakaik consented to stop with us for the niglit, and we had several more tunes from Mike's fiddle, and another dance, almost as boisterous as the first. KEPEXAU S VISIT. 277 Kakaik, after remaining a day with us, took his departure, loaded with as many articles as he could well carry ; some forced on him by Mike and Quambo, others being given by my uncle and myself as pre- sents to our friends. I should have said that Kakaik also told us that Manilick was frequently at Kepe- nau's camp, and appeared to be favourably received by Ashatea. Mike's fiddle was a constant source of amusement to us during the remainder of the winter. Spring returned, whereupon Kepenau paid us another visit. He said that he and his people had determined to move farther westwar.J, *nto an un- occupied territory, and he feared tLit some time would pass before he could again see our faces, but that he hoped occasionally to come with the peltries he and his people might obtain. I accompanied him to the settlement. Lily was much grieved to find that she and Ashatea were not likely to meet again for a long time. " I thought that she would have become like one of us," she said, " and live in a comfortable house, and adv pt our habits." " A tiower of the forest cannot bloom on the moun- tain top ; nor can one born in the wilderness live happily in a city," answered Kepenau " Though she may not ad<)pt the habits of the Palofaces, she loves them, and the true faith they have taught her, and will ever pray to the same God they worship to pro- tect them from dauir^r." m T' I 278 A HOT SUMMER. Reuben scarcely attempted to conceal his disappoint- ment, and even offered to accompany Kepenau back to his lodges ; but the chief shook his head. " If it is not well for my daughter to dwell amonf your people, still worse would it be for you to live with us, natives of the land," he answered. "Slav with your parents, and support and |)rotect them, and you will be blessed, and made for happier than were you to follow the desires of your heart." After spending some days with us, Kepenau took his departure. We were, as usual, very busy getting in the crops on our newly cleared ground, and carrying on other agricultural pursuits. Tlie summer was intensely hot, — far hotter than 1 ever recollected it. The crops had come up early, but the locusts appeared and destroyed every growing thing which had risen above the surface. This greatly disappointed those who had looked forward to an early harvest. About this time a stranger arrived at the settle- ment. He quickly made himself known as Mr. Simon Sparks ; and said, moreover, that he was the chief land agent of a new territory far to the west, which wonderfully surpassed our settlement in richness of soil, and fertility, and abundance of game. His accounts were eagerly listened to, and my uncles were completely carried away, as were a large portion of the community. Still, some of the older people were of the opinion that well should be let alone; and that if we took as much pains in cultivating the ground as we s'nould have to do were we to make a lonj^ THE LAND AGENT. 279 jouiTiey, we should prove, notwithstanding the dif- ficulties which might beset us, as successful in the end. Mr. Sparks, however, was not a man to be defeated in his object; he continued arguijig the point till he had won over a good many adlujrents. Still, he had not gained a sufficient number to suit his purpose. " Well, friends," he said, mounting his horse one evening, as a large number of the inhabitants were assembled in the chief open place in the village, which was designated the Square, "do 1 look like a man who would misl'cad you, or fail to carry out my promises ? I have slain many a bear, hunted the buffalo across the pi-airies, and, single-handed, fought and defeated scores of Redskins. With such fellows as vwu at mv back, even if ten thousand were to attei^pt to stop us we would force our way onward, an<:l sei'bd them to the right-about. What are you afraid of ? If rivers are to be crossed, we can form rafts and swim our cattle over. There is grass on the plains, and game in the forests to supply all our wants ; and a glorious country at the end of the journey, where happy homes can be established, i.nd wealth obtained for ourselves and our children. I ask you again — Do you take me for a man who would bamboozle you ; or do I look like one who will prove true as steel, and fulfil all his engagements, as an honest man should do ' Those who believe that I speak the truth, h(»ld up their hands; and those who don't, keep them tl iwn, and we part friends notwithstanding." Few of us could help confessing that, as Mr. Simon 280 THK FORKST ON FIIIE. Sptarks, with liis tall sinewy figure, firm-set lips, av.d keen eyes, sat there on his strongly-built mustan^, his rifle held across his saddle, he did look like a man very capable of doing what he said he had done, and what he said he would do. Nearly all hands were raised up. "Thank you, friends,'* he said; "I will stay another day with you, and we will talk the matter over again. If a fair number are determined to move, we will l'o together; if not, I shall soon find others who know their interests better than you seem to do." Saying tliis, he dismounted, and went to spend tlie evening with Mr. Claxton, who was one of his chief adherents. I returned home to report to Uncle Mark what ^Ir. Sparks had said ; but he was doubtful about moving till he had secured a purchaser for the land we had cleared with so much labour. We were about to turn in for the night, when Quambo, who had been to look after the cattle and pigs, reported that he observed a peculiar glare through the opening towards the west, though no camp-tire was likely to be burning in that direction. We all hurried out to look at what the black, had described, and saw the brilliancy of the gla^e rapidly increasing. " It is such a tire as it will take many bucketfuls of water to put out!" exclaimed Uncle Mark. "As I live, bo3's, the forest is in flames! And they are likely to extend pretty rapidly, too, with the wood dry as ii now is." " What had we better do ? " I asked. :^■^.-^ ',"C.C^ THE LAND AGENT IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I Li 128 US m m ^ U£ 12.0 2.2 11.25 ■ 1.4 I 11.6 FhotogFaphic Sciences CorporaSon ^^^>/^ ^.V^ \ 23 WIST MAIN STMIT WHSTIR.N.Y. 14SM (716)I73-4S03 '«^ o'^ «^ ^S9^ and of t Ciiln hav( notl tion for t tlier nn Ir set i and asm oxen W fores from belt I Hagn beinr pi rat the V direc open we m Th in th( and t two l landsi A RKTREAT. 283 "Collect our cattle, pigs, and poultry, take our guns and ammunition, and a supply of food, and get out of the wood as fast as possible," he answered, quite cjilmly. " In a few minutes, if I mistake not, we shall have the forest blazing away all round us ; and nothing that I know of can save the hut from destruc- tion. It will 1)0 fortunate if tlie village itself esciipes, for the forest comes close up to it on two sides ; and tliere will be no time to clear away the trees, and put an open belt between the houses and the fire." Influenced by Uncle Mark's spirit, we immediately set to work to drive in the cattle, st't the pigs free, jind collect the poultry. We loaded the waggon with as many articles as it could carry ; and harnessing the oxen, commenced our retreat. We were not a moment too soon, for already the forest to the westward was in a blaze, extending from the river far away to the north. A narrow belt of trees alone remained between us and the con- flagration, the dense smoke, curling in thick wreaths, being sent by the wind towards us, and making res- piration difficult. While Uncle Mark took charge of the waggon, the rest of us drove on the other animals, directing our course to the settlement by the only open road. We knew, indeed, that in a short time we might have the fire on both sides of us. The flames rose up high above the tops of the trees in the rear. The crackling of the burning branches, and the loud reports as the thick \runks were split in two by the heat, sounded alarmingly near — the whole landscape before us being lighted u]) by the glare \ » .•♦ • I' * ! i 284 A FEARFUL THOUGHT. shed from the burning forest. We might, we believed, escape with our lives, were we to leave the waggon and the cattle, but that was very far from Uncle Mark's thoughts. By voice and whip we urged on tht oxen, and shouting, shrieking, and ..,-,Ing our thick sticks, we endeavoured to drive W rward our refrac- tory charges. The inhabitants of the village mu.st have seer the conflagration long before this, and would, we hoped, be preparing for their escape. I remembered the fire on the prairie. Then only the grass was burning, but now we should soon have the tall trees in flames on both sides of us. In a few minutes the flaminfj mas.ses mi^jht be tuml)lin<' down on our heads, and overwhelming us. The thought of this prevented us from relaxing our eflbrts. We nin here and there flourishing our sticks, shouting and bawling till we were hoarse ; still, we kept ahead of the fire, although it was advancing rapidly in our track. The hut, outbuildings, and enclosures must already, we knew, be reduced to a mass of cinders ; but there was no use thinking about that. We should be fortunate, did we preserve the more valu- able part of our property. At length the road became wider, and we got anioni,' clearings, which would somewhat stop the progress of the flakes, did they not impede them altogether. We dared not halt, however, but pushed on, directini; our cour.se to the south side of the village, where tlie country was completely open, and no trees left stand- ing. The river, too, ran in that direction, and some THE VILLAGE IX DANOKR. 285 flat marshes on the banks would afford security to all fugitives. I was thinking all the time of Lily, and my uncle and aunt; and had not my duty compelled me to remain with the cattle, I would certainly have hur- ried on to warn them, in case they should not have discovered their danger. However, I felt sure that Uncle Mark would not have forgotten them, and that he wjis satisfied they would take the necessary steps to escape. Uncle Stephen had also a waggon in which to convey his household goods out of the way of danger. As we got near the village, we were satisfied that the inhabitants were aroused ; for already several wagforons were moving forward in the direction we were going, while we heard the shouts of the men driving others in the rear. Fortunate, indeed, were those who had waggons, as the rest of the people would have to carry on their shoulders everything they wished to save. The wind, which had increased, hunied forward the fire with terrific rapidity, and drove the smoke in dense masses round us, so tliat, bright as were the flames, we could often see but a short distance ahead. The shouts and cries of the terrified settlers increased in loudness. All hope that the village would be pre- served must by this time have been aliandonud. The fire was coming up from the west and north-west, leaping at a bound, as it seemed, over the clearings ; tlie burning branches, driven by the wind, (juickly igniting all combustible matters amid which they fell. 286 A SEMICIRCLE OF FLAME. V ; » ■,'. U' 'I'i I We at last reached the ground I have .sj)oken of; but not witljout the loss of some of our hogs, wliich had got away from us, in spite of our eftbrts to drivo them forward. Having early taken tlie alarm, wo were the first to arrive, but othei-s from the vilia-^t; quickly followed; when we immediately s6t to work to cut down every bush and blade of gi-ass wliiili might catch fire. In a short time I heard Uncle Stephen's voico, and thankful indeed was I to see Lily and Aunt Hannah safe. They had found time to load tliuir waggon with the most valuable ])art of their proju-rtv and a store of ])rovisions. The Claxtons direciK afterwards arrived, and reported that there were .still several persons remaining in the village, who bolieved that the confiagration would not reach it, and tliat thev would be perfectlv safe. We were, however, ft/ 1 »/ 7 1 too busily engaged in clearing the ground to think of anything else. It was fortunate that these piecautions had beiii taken. In a short time, as we looked towards tlif village, we saw the fiames rising up in all direc- tions. The fire came working its way along; in some places in thin lines, in others like a wave r-)!)- ing over the sandy beach, and consuming everything in its course. Before the nifjht was half over a semicircle of tlanic was blazing up round the spot we occupied ; the river, which was here very broad, preventing the progress of the fire in that direction. Still, a burning brand, driven across a narrow part by the wind, might set THE SETTLERS ENCAMPED. 287 some dry grass or bushes on fire ; and it was impos- sible to say how far it miglit then extend. Frequently the stifling smoke almost prevented our breathing, and we had to throw ourselves on the ground to escape it. All night loner did the fire rage round us. The heat was intense, and the smoke and fine black dust blown over us was most oppressive. Happily, we had water near to quench our thirst, blackened though it was with ashes ; and we had rea.son to be thankful that we had reached a place of safety — the only one near the settlement where we could have escaped destruction. The women an<l children were placed in tlie waggons, where they endeavoured to obtain some rest. The irround was too wet for the men to lie down ; and we therefore either leaned against the wheels of the waggons or walked about. Indeed, we had ample occupation in beating out the fire, which ran along the most dry portions of the ground we occupied, wherever there was herbage of any description. Morning came : but the fire raged on ; and there was but little chance of our being able to move for some days to come. We had, however, no lack ot meat; for, besides the i)igs and poultry, several deer and numerous small anin>als ruslunl for safety towards our c mp— only lo meet the fate they were attempt- ing to avoid. Two or three bears, also endeavouring to escape fi'om the flames, were shot. No wolves or foxes came near us : they had probably, exercising \ I ii"'-- 288 A SCENE OF DESOLATION. their cunning, made tlieir esca])e from the burning forest asrainst the wind. Daylight showed us sucli a scene of dc^sohition as I hojKJ never again to look on. Not a vestige of tlie village remained ; while hlackenod trunks — some with a few of their stouter limbs still branching from them, others reduced to mere black poles, and many burned down to stumps — appeared in every direction. The crops had disappeared ; and not even a fence was standing. Thus the settlers, with sorrowful countenances, be held the labour of yeai-s destroyed. ;.vi CHAPTER IX. IHF SKTTLKKS DETRHMINK TO ACCKI'T MK. HPAKKh' OPrKRH — LILT'h SORROW AT LKA VINO THE OI,I» METTLEMKNT MuDK or AI/VASCE^MABBATII OBSERV- ANCE ON THE MAIM'll — WE AllE LEKT BKIIIN(<, IN CONHEQUENCE OF OUR WAOUON IIKEAKINO IiOWN — nVR OIIEAT WANT OK WATER — A DANORR- OUH DESCENT — THE lIORRIt) SPECTACLE oT THE WOLVES — OL'R OXEN FLAdOING, I l*KOCEEI> FnllWAKU AI.ONK IN THE DIRECTION OP A PIKE IN THE DISTANCE MV .loV UPON DISCOVEUiVU olR PKIENIS — UEl'BKN OPPEIIS TO ACCUMI'ANV ME BA(;K- WE «ET LOST--- PAITHPUL MIKE PINDS IS STRANOE HORSEMEN — MIKE RKI'BEN, AND I TAKEN PRISONERS BV THE SIOL'X. [HE fire i^ave more support to the schemes of Mr. Sparks than did all liis arguments and glowing descriptions. Mr. Claxton,my uncles, ^^ri« and most of the settlers who possessed the ^ J means of transport, resolved to accept his ortors, and at once prepared for the journey. Those wlio had no waggons made up their minds to remain where they were, and to cultivate the gi'ound, which tlie ashes would render more fertile than before. The grass, after the first rain, would spring up and afford a rich pasture for their cattle ; and the charred trunks would enable them to rebuild their log-huts and put up tVnces. I had reason afterwards to believe that they chose the wisest coui*se; though at the time I was well pleased at the thought of the long journey we were to take, and the adventures we might expect to meet with. mi) 19 \W jf. t I t J * t ' i»W: i 290 TlIK JOURNEY rOMMKNCEO. I was surprised to find tliat Lily did not enter into my feelings. "I would far rather have stayed wiiirc we were," she sjiid. " The trees would soon havf Im-- oome <^reen again, and we could have cultivated the ground as hefore, and the river and hills would have rem.ained the same; though, as Uncle Stephen and aunt, and you, Roger, wish it, I am ready to go." My uncles had saved a bag of dollars, an<l the Claxtons and others were provided with cash. Then'- fore, as soon as the country was sutiiciently cool {.» enable the waggons to move, two were sent otf to th-- eastward to bring back such stores as were re«juire<l . while the main body began to move southward, alon:^' the bank of the river, to a spot where we intenili>l to cross. Our course for some distance was to be to the southward ; after which we were to turn to the south- west till we reached the prairie. I cannot doscril>e each day's journey. In front marched a bod}' of ;i dozen men, with their axes, to clear the road. The waggons, drawn by long teams of oxen, followed ; ami the loose cattle, driven by the younger men and boys, brought up the rear. While no fears existed of an attack from the Indians, the axemen generally marched a day in advance of us, to cut a road through the woods. Another party, acting as liunters, ranged on one side or the other of the line of march in search of deer, bears, or any other animals, and birds ; and they contrived, when possible, to reach the eamping-gi'ound an hour or two before the waggons, so that they might get the tins OUR MOnK OF CAMPING. 2ta lighted, and have the game tliey had killed cooking on the spits, in readiness for the women and children. Reuben and I undertook to hunt, since we were .is good shots JUS any of the emigrants. We always went together, and seldom failed to bring in game of some sort. As evening ap])roached we made our way towards the spot fixed on for the encampment. Before night- fall the main body usually arrived, and the waggons were arranged in a circle, so as to form a sort of fortification in case of attack from the Indians : though we had no great reason to apprehend such an event at that period of our journey. No time was lost in commencing supper; and as soon as it was over the women and children went to rest inside the waggons, while the men not on guard lay down either under them or in the neighbourhood of the tires. A spot was always chosen — either by the side of a stream or near some pool — where the cattle could find water anc good grass. They were then turned out to graze, under charge of a few armed men. Of course, we all kept our rifles by our sides, so that we might be ready to defend ourselves at a moment's notice. We met with very few Indians, and those we fell in with .seemed disposed to be frien<lly. They saw that we were merely passing through their hunting- grounds, and had apparently no objection to our kill- ing the comparatively small amount of game we met with. Had we shown any intention of settling, the case might have been difterent. f 1 ( j: , 1 l-v i 202 CROSSING A DKSERT REGION. We thus pusljcd on for mnny days togetlier, luiltin" only on the Sahhath, to obtain tlie rest wliicli h(,Mi we and our cattle refjuired. This was a diiy we all enjoyed. One of the elders conducted a servitu, and the wilderness we were traversing resounded fur thf time with praise and prayer. Thus we travelled on day after day ; hut wc made but slow progress through the densely- woodtd country, having sometimes to ( it our way amid the trees, though we were generally able to tind a pa.ssajjff without felling them. Occasionally, however, wr were compelled to do even that, and to drag the Im;;!' trunks out of the road, before the waggons could j»iu- ceed. We had also irequently to cn^ss rivers. Wlini no ford could be found, we built larj:e rafts, on whitli the wagjxons were ferried over, while the own f'aint'il the oi)|)()site bank by swimming. They were accus- tomed to the undertaking ; and, stninge as it may seem, we never lost any by this means. At length we gained an open but more de>stMt region. The ground was stony and uneven, and wc liad rocky hills to ascend and dark gorges to pass through. Water was scarce, and we had often U) carry sufficient to supply our wants for a couj)le of days; while our cattle suftered greatly from thirst. We could no longer hunt in small parties, for fear uf encountering hostile Indians ; but we were able to kill game without going to any great distance from the camp, as we found several species of deer inliabit- inii those wilds. My uncle's waggon was one day bringing up the rear A BREAK-DOWN. 293 of the train; and our water being nearly cxliaustecl, we were pusliing forward as fast as tlie oxen coidd move, in the liope of reaching a stream before dark, wlien one of the wheels came off, and the waggon, in falling over, suflered considerable damage. Under other circumstances, the train would have stopped till our waggon was i)ut to rights ; but as most of the oxen were suffering from thirst, and many of the party had no water remaining, it was important for them to push forward without delay. We were tiierefore compelled to remain by ourselves; but no Indians had as yet been seen in this part of the country, and we hoped that we should escape with- out being attacked. My uncles were not men to be frightened by diffi- culties. They and Mike, with Quambo and I, im- Tiiediately set to work to do \\liat w.as necessary. We unloaded the waggon, and commenced repairing tlie damage it had received. This, liowevcr, took us some time, and it was (piite dark before we got the wheel on again and the waggon reloaded. Having been more pro^ dent tlian the rest of the party, we were able to wet our beasts' muzzles, and still have sufficient water to hist ourselves for a few houi*s. As we wished to overtake our com})anions .'is soon as possible, we immediately pushed forward, and soon got into a somewhat more level country than we had lately been passing through ; but the ground was very hard, and in the darkness we could not perceive the tracks made by those in advance. Had an Indian guide been with u.s, he would un- 294 OFF THK TRACK. • . f doubtcdly have discovered them; Imt we had to trust to our own sagacity, and we had not gone far when we found that we had got out of tlie riglit r«.;i(l. We did our utmost to regain it, but in vain. Still, believing that we were going in tlie [iropor djivc- tion, we proceeded onwards. Tlie stars came out brightly from the sky, and we shaped our course m^ directly as w^e could by them. While Uncle Stephen drove, Uncle ^Fark .mkI j, with Mike and Quambo, marched on either side, our faithful dogs following at our heels. We kept a look- out in every directic.i, lest we should chance to !••■ observed by a band of Indians, who, seeing a small party, might pounce down upon us; still, we weie all accustomed to look on the brii^ht side of thini:s, ami though we were aware of the jiossible danger, we were not unnecessarily alarmed. Our chief anxiety arose from a fear of not finding water for our thirsty beasts. They might hold out during the cool liouis of night; but should they not be supjdied with the necessary iluid, they must in a short time suceunii), and dreadfrd indeed would ho the consequences to ourselves. When I occasionally went u\) to the waggon, I found Aunt Hannah and Lily awake. They kept ujt their spirits very well, and naturally ii .: lired whether we had as yet discovered the track of those who had gone before. " Not yet," I answered in as clieerful a voice as I could command; "but we soon shall, I dare say; and, at all events, we are going in the right direction. St€ the be fori we sha had we was stof .sign cont A arri tlioi dow taki or ti Wo by I fore shor susp tracl W the and whic STILL FORWARD. 297 The stars are shining brightly, and by them Uncle Stephen can guide the waggon as well as if we had the train of our friends in view. But we shall soon V)e up with them, I hope, and find them all com- fortably encamped." " I trust that we may," said Aunt Hannah, ** if not, we shall find water, I suppose, in a few hours, and we shall certainly overtake them to-morrow." This showed what was passing in her mind. She had begun to suspect — what really was the case — that we had widely deviated from our course. One thing was very certain, — that it would be destruction to stop; so, although our oxen were beginning to show signs of fatigue, and we felt our own legs aohing, we continued to move forward. At length, about a couple of hours before dawn, we arrived at the edge of a ravine, the sides of which, though not precipitous, apjoeared to be very steep, and down which it would have been madness to attempt taking the waggon in the dark. We nmst either stoj), or try to find a passage across to the north or south. We had observed that the valleys already passed by us were shallower to the southward ; we there- fore turned our waggon in that direction, hoping shortly to discove» a practicable path, though we suspected that it would lead us even further from the track of our friends. We went on and on, fancying that we could discern the bottom of the valley more clearly than at first, and hoping soon to discover a sufficiently gentle slope which we might be able to descend. But we were N; \ » ili- I ■ if- 298 WATER FOUND. deceived, and though Uncle Mark and I made our way down in several places, we saw that the wa<^'^on would certainly be upset should we attempt to f'ot it down. We ivere almost in despair of success, for the ravine appeared to run on to the southward with equally rugged sides as at first. The pantiii<' oxen, too, could scarcely drag on the waggon, and wc began to fear that they would fall unless water should be found. We urged them on, however, for stoppinrj to rest would not avail tlieni, and might prove our destruction. Morning at length broke, when we saw a hill before us which seemed to be the termination of the ravine ; and as the light increased, to our joy wc caught siijht of a silvery line of water makin<: its way along tiie course of the valley. Our eagerness to reach the bottom was now greater than evei- ; au<l we could with difficulty restrain the oxen from rush- ing down the bank. We had to keep at their heads, indeed, to prevent them attempting so mad a per- formance. On we went, till we saw before us what we had so long been looking for, — a gentle slope which it would be easy to descend, while on the opposite side the ground was equally favourable for again asccndiui^^ to the same elevation as before. Putting the drai; on the wheel, we commenced the undertaking ; ami though I more than once feared that the waggon would be upset, we reached the bottom in safety. Then, immediately unyoking the tired oxen, we hurried to the fountain-liead to obtain water, while A HALT IN THE VALLEY. 299 they rushed to a pool close below it, where they could more easily drink. Near at hand was an aVjundance of fresh grass, with which they quickly recruited their strength. Aunt Hannah and Lily offered to watch while we lay down and took the slc( > we so much required. " I will keep a look-out all round, and if I see any suspicious Indians approaching I'll scream loud enough to wake you all," said Lily, half in joke, as if she were not at all anxious on the subject. " One thing is very certain, — if they do come, we cannot run away from them," observed Uncle Mark. " We must hope that they will prove friendly, for if not we shall have to beat them or be cut to pieces. However, we will trust to your watchfulness, and pick up a little strength to continue our journey." We accordingly lay down under the waggon, and in less than a minute were fast asleep. We rested till about ten o'clock, when Aunt Hannah, as Uncle Stephen had desired, awoke us. Not a human being had approached the valley, though she said that she had seen some creatures moving along on the top of the heights ; but what they were she could not make out, though they did not look, she thought, like deer. Having taken a hurried meal, we again yoked the oxen; and going behind with crowbars to assist, we commenced the ascent of the hill. It was harder work than we expected, but, by making a zigzag course, in about half an hour we got to the top. Looking ahead, the country appeared to be pretty H r i i * i < H> 1 . k « .^ls iui W' li»-; ■f 1 . 300 STILL LEFT BEHIND. level, with rocky hills rising out of it in various directions, but we expected to have no difficulty in making ^mr onward way. We had filled all our skin- bottles with water, and even should we meet with no more till the following day the cattle would not materially suffer. My uncles were of opinion that we had crossed near the source of the stream at which the rest of tlio party must have stopped, and that by verging to the right we should fall upon their tracks, although we did not expect to meet with them till the close ot the (lay, owing to the direction we were takiiiL,'. They might possibly have sent back to help us; but as they had : ^i many men to spare, it was more likely that they would push forward, expecting us ultimately to overtake them. We kept a look-out for water as we went along, that we might allow our animals to drink, and thus be able to continue our journey the next day. although none should be found at the camping-ground. Still, though we went on and on, no signs could we discover of our friends. Already the sun was sinking towards the west. I had gone on ahead, and made my way up a hill over which we should have to pass, that I might obtain before sunset a wide view around, when I saw some w.ay before me a number of creatures moving about. They seemed to be very busy, but what they were doing I could not make out. Some objects lay near them on the ground. I hastened on, and when I got nearer I perceived that the objects were broken t «• \ i piec tlie wer me; mac to t( Qua the thei on t on 1 they and Y The and the J lion( T be o "( U with He vet dead keef fa A nREADFCL SPECTACLE. 303 pieces of waggons, — several wheels, and portions of the woodwork, — while the animals, I had no doubt, were wolves, from the horrid sounds which reached nie ; a mixture of snarling, yelping, barking, and j^a'owling, fur I cannot otherwise describe the noise made by the creatures. Not wishing to approach closer by myself, I returned to tell my uncles what I had seen. Uncle Mark and Quambo accompanied me back, and as we got nearer tlie wolves hjoked u\) and snarled at us, and continued their occupation ; but what was our horror, on advanc- ing a little further, to discover that they were feeding on the dead bodies of a number of persons stretched on the ground ! A dreadful fear seized us. Could they be those of our late companions ? I shuddered, and burst into tears. Yes ! there could be no doubt about it, I thought. There lay those we had lately parted from in health imd strength, cruelly murdered, and now the prey of the savacre wolves. Our friends the Claxtons ! — Dora i iionest Reuben ! and their parents ! Then the fearful thought that such might ere long be our fate came over me. "Can none have escaped?" I exclaimed. Uncle Mark advanced a few paces nearer the w^ol ves, with his gun, ready to fire should they attack him. He was looking at a man whom the wolves had not yet torn to pieces. Apparently he was only just dead, and had probably defended himself to the last, keeping his assailants at bay. " That man did not belong to our party," I heard 1' » r .■ 4 ♦ ' 1 , ; ti 304 SAD FATE OF AN EMIGRANT-PARTY, Uncle Mark cry out. " Those ])eo|)le must have formed part of another emigrant-train." Quambo and I ran up to him. We tlien sliuuted together, and some of tlie wolves nearest to us, startled by our approach, left their i)rey, when wu were convinced, by the dresses of the corpses, that Uncle Mark's surmise was correct. This dis- covery somewhat relieved our minds. Our frieinis might have escaped ; but at the same time it was too evident that hostile Indians were scouring that part of the country, and that we ourselves might ere long be attacked, and share the fate of the unhappy persons we saw l)efore us. We now slowly retreated, shouting as we <lid so to keep the wolves at bay, and turning every fe\v paces to face them ; for had they seen us fly, they might have been induced to follow. They were now, however, h ippily for u.s, too much engaged in their dreadful feast to ttike further notice of us. Having told Uncle Stephen what we had seen, we turned the heads of the oxen away from the s})ot, directing our course to the right, where the ground appeared to be more even than any we had yet gone over. We agreed not to let Aunt Hannah and Lilv know of the dreadful scene we had witnessed ; but it w^as important to get as far as possible from the spot, and we determined, if the oxen could drag the waggon, to continue on all night. " Do you think it likely that the wolves, when thev have finished their horrible feast, will track U6 out ? " I said to Uncle Mark. TRAVELLING BY NIGHT. 305 "I hope not," he answered. "Were they starv- ing, tliey might do so ; but only the younger animals, wliich would have been ju'evented by their eldei*s from joining in the feast, may possibly follow us. If they do, we can keep them at a dis- tance, for they are more easily frightened than the older brutes." The stars, as on the previous night, were very bright, and we were able, by them, to keep a direct course. Our chief desire now was to rejoin our friends, and next to that to find water. We, of course, as we moved along, kept a strict watch, as before ; but the scene I had witnessed made me feel much more anxious than usual, .and every moment I expected to see a band of Indians start up from behind the rocks which here and there rose above the plain, or to hear a flight of arrows whistling through the air past our eai*s — perhaps to feel one sticking in my body. Uncle Stephen had advised Aunt Hannah and Lily to lie down in a space left vacant for them in the middle of the waggon, where they would be pro- tected by the luggage piled up on both sides. We had now gone on many hours without water, and our cattle began to show signs of being very thirstv. All we could do was to wet their muzzles with a little of the water we had brought with us ; but our lives might depend upon our pushing on. As we generally marched apart — two of us on either side of the waggon — we had no opportunities for conversation, and were left, consequently, to our (627) 20 306 A CAMP-FIRE SEEN. ( I 4... ■i f I'l i* ' ■ .. 1 own meljincholy thoughts. Had I been by mysolf, or with male companions only, I should not havo cared so much ; but my mind was troubled by tlie idea of what might be dear Lily's fate, and that of Aunt Hannah, should we be attiicked, or should our cattle break down and we be unable to proceed. The oxen went slower and slower, notwithstand- ing every effort of Uncle Stephen to make tht'in move at their usual pace. At last they came to n stand-still. Mike and Quambo, who at the time were ahead, endeavoured in vain to induce them to move on. Uncle Mark and I ran forward to assist tlicni. As I was about to do so I caught sight of a ruddv spot in the distance, away somewhat to the left. That must be a tire, I thought, and I pointed it out to Uncle Mark. "It may be the camp-fire of our friends," he ob- served ; " but we must not be too sure, for it may be that of a band of Indians." He asked Uncle Stephen what he thought. " The Indians generally take care to have their fires in places where they cannot be seen from a distance, so that is much more likely to be what you at first supposed," he answered. "At all events, we will try and find out." " If the oxen cannot be got to move, I will go on and ascertain," I said. " I can direct my course by the fire, and will approach cautiously. Should 1 discover that Indians are encamped there, I will hurry back and let you know. We must then try and make our way in some other direction." RECONNOITRING. 307 "I am afraid, Roger, that in such a case our hope of escape will be very small," said my uncle in a grave tone. " Unless we can find water in some hollow in which it will be possible to conceal our- selves, at the return of day, the Indians are sure to see us. Should they cross our track, they are equally certain to come ujxin us before long. We must, how- ever, hope for the best. Go forward as you propose, and may Heaven protect you, my boy." Without stopping to bid Lily and my aunt good- bye I hurried on, keeping my gaze on the fire, which, growing brighter as I advanced, enabled me without difficulty to direct my course for it. The ground was tolerably even, but sloped slightly down- wards in the direction I was taking. The fire, indeed, when I first saw it, appeared to be in a hollow, or at all events at a lower elevation than that where we were standing. I looked back once or twice, and quickly lost sight of the waggon. So far I was satisfied that, should the people who had made the fire be Indians, they would not discover the waggon until daylight, by which time I hoped we should be able to conceal ourselves among the hills in the neighbourhood. I hurried on as fast as I could venture to move, ignorant of what was before me. It would be useless, I knew, to attempt concealing my trail, but as I did not intend to go nearer the camp-fire than was neces- sary to make out who were there, I hoped some time would elapse after I had retreated before the Indians could discover that any one had been near them. *♦ %\ ^\ 308 APPROACHING THE CAMP. t I Now and then, when crossing a hill, I lost si"-ht of the fire, and had to direct my course by the stais overhead. Aojain I saw it before me, blazinof brinflitlv I hoped that Uncle Stephen was right in his conjec- tures. The fire, however, was further off* than I had supposed, and the greater part of an hour was con- sumed before I cfot close enoucjh to see the fi^mres moving about it. I now crept on as noiselessly as I could, for I knew that the least sound would be conveyed to the quick ears of the Redskins. Fortunately there were a number of bushes in the neighbourhood, behind which I could conceal myself. As I was going on I heard voices, and stopped breathlessly to listen. They did not sound like those of Indians, and presently I saw a couple of figures pass in i iit of the fire. I almost shouted for joy as I distinguished by their outlines against the bright blaze that their dress was that of Avliite men. I felt sure that the people I saw before me were our friends ; still, caution was necessary, for it was possible that they were prisoners of the Indians, saved from the caravan lately destroyed, only to meet with a more cruel death by torture. There might be a large party of Indians encamped. Presently two other fires came into view, which had been hitherto concealed by the thick bushes surrounding the hollow in wliich the camp was formed. I crept on and on, crouching down like i\ panther about to spring on its prey. The voices became more and more distinct, and at last I found A PLEASANT DISCOVERY. 309 myself on the top of tlie bank, with only a few bushes intervening between me and those encamped below. On pushing aside the branches my eyes were greeted by the pleasant siglit of waggons, cattle, and a number of people; some cooking before the fires, others preparing their resting-places for the night. Not far off, at the lower part of the hollow, for it could scarcely be called a valley, was a pool reflect- ing the stars overhead. Feeling sure that I saw my friends before me, I now rushed down the slope towards them. Th< first person I met was Reuben Claxton. " Why, Roger ! where have you come from ? " he exclaimed. " We were very anxious about you, and my father had determined, should you not appear soon, to return with a party to your relief" I quickly told him what had occurred, several others gathering round to hear my account. They were greatly alarmed at the description I gave of the remains of the emigrant train we had discovered. I pointed out that their own camp was formed with less care than usual ; of which fact they were con- vinced, but excused themselves on the })lea that they had arrived very tired just at dark, having had a rough country to traverse, and that their cattle had suffered from want of water since the last place they had stopped at. T\.^ way I had approached showed them how easily they might liave been surprised by a party of hostile Indians. I told them that I must be ofi' again at once, as I l!fi ' H * \ I ;.«. « t; M • . ■} 310 THE RETURN TRIP. was anxious to get back to our waggon, in order that we might join them without delay. Reuben offered to accompany me, and I was very glad to have him. We therefore set off immediately. It was necessary to be careful, however, to keep a direct course ; and this could only be done by watch- ing a star which I had marked, overhanging the spot where I had left the waggon. By any deviation to the right hand or to the left we might easily pass it. Reuben told me that many of the emigrants had become very anxious, and the account I had brouglit would make them still more so. Could they venture back alone, he thought they would be willing to return to the settlement. " For my own part, I like the wild sort of life we are leading ; but I should be happier if I knew^ that Lily and my aunt were in safety, whereas they are exposed to as much danger as we are," I observed. More than once I thought that we had gone wrong, as it was impossible to distinguish objects clearly in the gloom of night. I fancied that we must have performed the distance; still I could nowhere see the waggon. The dreadful thought occurred to me that some prowling Indians might have pounced upon it, and carried it off. "I hope not," said Reuben, when I told him my fears. "We may not have gone far enough j^et; or we are perhaps too much on one side or the other." We went on a little further, trying to pierce the gloom. Then we stopped to listen, but could hear no sounds. HOW WE FOUND MIKE. 311 " We must have gone wrong," I said ; " for I am certain that we should otherwise have got up to the waggon by this time." Still Reuben thoudit that I mij^jht be mistaken. "Let us shout, and perhaps they will hear us;" and before I could stop him, he cried out at the top of his voice — "Hallo ! Mr. Tregellis, whereabouts are you?" Thinking it too probable that Indians w^ere not far off, I dreaded lest the shout might be heard by them, and I advised Reuben not to cry out again. I was still fearing that we had missed the waggon, when a voice reached our ears. It was that of Mike. " Is that you, Masther Roger ? If you are yourself, come on here ; but if not, I'll throuble you to stop where you are, or I'll be afther sliooting you through the head." " All right, Mike ! " I exclaimed, as we made our way in the direction from whence the voice came. He had grown anxious at my long delay, and had got leave from my uncles to try and find out what had become of me. We soon got back to the waggon ; and by giving the patient oxen the remainder of our water, they having in the meantime cropped some grass, we were able to move forward. The road, in tlie dark, was difficult; but we managed to reach the camp without any accident, and were heartily welcomed by our friends. Those who washed to return had, we found, sum- moned a meeting, and it wan settled that the matter 312 THE MARCH UECOMMENCED. t I I t should be decided by the majority of votes. My uncles tur..ed the scale in favour of going on. Thev pointed out that it would be as dangerous to retreat as to advance. Mr. Sparks urged tliat it would be madness to give up the enterprise. Water, he assured us, would be found at the end of every day's march, or even oftener; and though Indians might be met, witli our rifles we could without difliculty keep them at bay, as none of them were likely to possess firearms — their only weapons being bows and arrows and spears. His remarks prevailed ; and it was agreed that after a day's rest, which the cattle greatly required, we should recommence our march. Once more we were making our toilsome way across the desert. For two days we had moved on without interruption, keeping scouts out as usual on either side to give notice should any Indians approacli. Reuben and I, and other young men, performed that necessary duty for several hours each day. Early in the morning of the second day we caught sight in the distance of a couj)le of horsemen with long spears in their hands. They galloped towards us, apparently to ascertain who we were ; then, wheeling round, they (ifuickly disappeared, and though we were on the watch we saw no more of them. When we halted vJc noon, we of course re- ported the circumstance. As it showed that Redskins were in the neighbourhood, several more men were told off to act as scouts, with orders to retreat towards '♦ INDIANS I INDIANS ! " 313 the train the moment they might see any Indians, whether few or many. Reuben, Mike, and I were advancing as I have described, somewhat ahead of the train, when towards evening we entered a valley, the liills sloping away on either side of it. At the further end we expected to find a stream, at the side of which we could encamp. I was leading, Mike was next to me, and Reuben was nearest the train. The ground I was traversing was somewhat rough, and I was leaping from one rock to another, when I fell niid sprained my ankle. Just as I got up — being th^ii on higher ground than my companions, and having a more extensive view — I saw a largre band of horsemen approaching at full gallop. I knew at once that they were Redskins. « Indians! Indians!" I shrieked out to Mike. " Tell Reuben to run and let our friends know that the enemy are upon us." Mike shouted at the top of his voice, as I had desired him. I saw Reuben set otf, and Mike follow- ing him. Presently Mike stopped and looked back to see what had become of me. I endeavoured to run, but found it impossible to move. Before I had made a second step, I sank to the ground. "Sure, you are not coming, Masther Roger," cried Mike, on seeing me fall. The pain I endured prevented me speaking. Mike rushed back towards me, cryinix out all the ti'iie, "Come along! come along!" But move I could not. 314 OUR TRAIN ATTACKED. \ t He was still at some distance from me, when, looking round, I saw that the Indians were rapidlv approaching. I made signs to him to save himself, but he either did not, or would not, understand them. " Go back ! go back ! " I at length cried out. " Arrah ! and sure, not till I've got you on me back," he answered, still making his way towards me. I felt very certain that, with me to carry, he could not })ossibly reacii the train before the Indians would be up with us, and he could scarcely have failed to know this. "Cling to me back, Masther Roger, and I'll show the Ridskins how a bog-trotter can get over the ground;" and stooping down, he seized my arms and threw me on his back. "Now, here we go!" he cried out, and began leaping over the ground with as much agility as if he had had no burden to carry. But his eflbrts, as I feared they would be, were in vain. A wild whoop sounded in my ears, and looking back I saw upwards of a dozen Indians in their war- paint — their feather-plumes and cloaks flying in tlie air, as they galloped forward on their mustangs over the rocky ground, sending the stones and dust Hying away from their heels. I expected every instant to feel one of those ugly-looking spears plunged into my back. One of the painted warriors was just about to finish my career, when I heard a loud voice shout- ing in an authoritative tone ; and instead of trans- fixing me, he let the point of his spear fall, then, seizing me by the collar, dragged me up on his steed. and laid me across his saddle in front of him. An- m THE EMIGRANT-TRAIN ATTACKED BY INDIANS. 1 f ■■■ ! ( 1 1 MIKF AND I CAPTURED. 31' other treated Mike in the same manner, in spite of his struggles to free himself. I made no resistance, knowing it was useless to do so. The two Indians wlio liad captured us wheeled their horses round and galloped away, and we met crowds of other warriors galloping at full speed in the track of the first. I got one glance round, which enabled me to see that the enemy were close up to the waggons, while the puffs of smoke and the report (jf rifles showed that my friends were determined to defend themselves. Several of the Indian saddles were emptied in a minute, but still a whole host of the savages appeared charging down on the train. Whether or not Reuben had succeeded in gettinfj under shelter of the wa^cixons, I could not tell. I saw no more, for my captor galloped off with me round the hill, and they were concealed from view, though I could still hear the sound of the shots and the shrieks and shouts of the combatants. I had no hope of escaping with life, .and believed that I was reserved to suffer the fearful tortures to which the Redskins so frequently subject their prisoners. After going some distance the Indian stopped, and lifting me up from the painful position in which I lay, placed me behind him ; fastening me l)y a leather strap round his body, and so securing my arms that I could not move. He had previously deprived me of my rifle, which I had hitherto held firmly m my grasp, hoping against ho])e that I might liavo an opportunity of using it. I saw Mike not far ofl*, he having been treated much in the same manner, though VbIB T ^ ' 't ■ 1 i \ t ■ ». f t i • 1 ' t ^ ' , » 318 THE INDIANS DEFEATED. not without the assistance of another Indian, wlio had accompanied the one on whose horse he was placed. Having secured us, the Indians again galloped forward. After going some distance, I saw that we were approaching a more wooded region than the one we had left, with a stream or river runniii" through it; and I thought that I could distinguish clili's, below which the river, in part of its course, made its way. I could manage to turn my head, and as I did .so I fancied that I discerned tinother horseman coniiiif' up behind us, with a prisoner, whom I naturally feared was Reuben. Further off were numerous Indians, but whether they formed the whole of the '. ody which had attacked the train or not I could not make out. If they were, I had great lioj)es that the Redskins had been defeated, althougVi they would probably wreak their vengeance on us, their unfor- tunate captives. Still, in either case I felt sure that we should be put to death — though I rejoiced in the belief that Lily and my other relatives and friends had escaped; for as none of the Indians I had .seen had tirearnis, I had good reason for hoping that our party had gained the victory. Should Mr. Sparks prove equal to his professions, by leading them well and taking the necessary precautions against sur- prise, they might still figlit their w\ay through the hostile territory. My mind being relieved of anxiety about mv friends, I was able to think more about myself and Reuben and Mike. Had we any chance of escaping ? .;» >-\i IN TUK INDIAN CAMP. 319 I was determined, at all events, to make the attempt ; and I was very sure that thoy would do likewise. I resolved, could I get near enough to Mike, to tell him of my intention, and to advise him to keep up his spirits; and before long I had an opportunity. " Bedad ! it's what I have been aftlier tliinkinj; about," lie answered. "I'll let young Reuben know me thoughts, too. We've outwitted the Ridskins once before, and, sure, we'll thry to play them another trick." He spoke in a tone of voice which showed that no coward fears had overcome him. We galloped on until we reached the wood, wliere our captors dismounted, aided by tlie tliird Indian I have mentioned. I had scarcely thought about my foot during my ride, but when I was cast loose and attempted to move by myself, I found that I could not stand, and presently sank to the ground. Mike, on finding himself at liberty, hurried to my assistance, and, taking off my shoe, examined my ankle. " It's a bad sprain," he observed; " but maybe these rid gintlemen will just let me get some cowld watlier. I'll bathe it and bind it up, and in the course of a few days, or in less time than that, it will be all to rights afjain." I could only smile, not believing thdt I should be allowed many days to get well. He then carried me under the shade of a tree, against the trunk of which I reclined. The pain rapidly went off, and I was better able to consider our position, and the possibility of escape. 1 I • . t CHAPTER X. Xy SPRAINED ANKLK— mike's DHVOTION —REUBEN BROfC IIT TO T!IK CAMP THE INOIASS IlIND IH TO TURKS— THE DEBATE OX OL'K FATK I AM RELEASED HY SANDY m'C0I,L — OLO SAMSON AdAIS— THE SECRET CAVElIN — SAMSON IS VERY KIND AND ATTENTIVE TO ME -HIS CLOSE ATTENTION TO MY ACCOUNT OK THE HL'UNINO OK THE SETTLEMENT, AM) THE UESCIE OK LILY ANI> I WHEN CHILDREN— I RECOVER, AND SAMSON AND I LEAVE THE CAVERN TO RECONNOITRE — THE INDIAN MASSACRE — SANDY, RKCBRN, AND MIKE ARE IIOTLV VLRSUED— OCR FORTRESS BESIEriED- WE HOLD OUT, AND BEAT OKF OIK BESIEOERS— OUR START — THE ELK. [HE Indians, instead of binding Mike, as I expected they would do, alloA/ed him to come and sit by me under the tree; nar- rowly watching him, however, though they did not interfere with us. "Fai\, thin, Masther Roger, I don't think these Ridskin mntlemcn can be intendiiif; to do us much harm, or they would not be afther letting us sit so quietly by ourselves," he observed, " I am not so confident of that, Mike," I answered. " We must wait till the rest come up, to judge how they will treat us ; at all events, I would advise you, when you get the chance, to mount one of their best horses and gallop off. I am afraid that I shall be unable to make the attempt, or I would try it." " Why, thin, Masther Roger, would you be afther belavintj that I would fjo and desart vou ? Even if MIKKS DEVOTIOS. 321 they were to bring me a horse, and tell me to mount and he oft', it would break me heart intirely to think that I had left you to their tinder mercies. Whativer they do to you, they may do to me; and I'll stop iod share iverything with you." " I deeply feel your generosity, Mike," I said ; " but you might have saved yourself and got back to the waggons, had you not attempted to carry me oft* and I therefore wish you to try and escape if you have the opportunity." Mike laughed and shook his head; and when I still urged him to escape if he could, he put on that look of stolidity which an Iri.shman so well knows how to assume, and refused to reply to any of my remarks. While we had been talking, the Indian I had seen following us approached, having slowly walked his horse, which had ai)parently been lamed. I now caught sight of the person behind him, and with much concern recognized my friend Reuben. One of our captors a.ssisted him to dismount; and Reuben, with his hands bound, was dragged forward to a short distance from us, where he was compelled to sit down on the ground, the Indians intimating by signs that he must not move. He looked very melancholy, evidently imagining that he was soon to be put to death. I tried to cheer him up by telling him that we had not been ill-treated. " That may be," he answered ; " but I know their treacherous nature. Depend upon it, when they all get together, and talk over the number of their warriors who have been slain, they will wreak their (627) 21 322 GLOOMY FOREBODINGS. •i ,. vengeance upon us. Are you prepared to die, Rof'er? We must make up our minds for tliat, and we may consider ourselves fortunate if we are not scalped and flayed first. I have often read, with very little concern, of the dreadful tortures the Redskins inflict on their prisoners, little dreaming that I should ever have CO suff'er the same." " It is not wise to anticipate evil," I said. " Let us liope for the best; and perhaps means may be ofl'ered us, that we do not now think of, to make our escape." "I don't see where they can come from," he replied. "These fellows keep too sharp a look-out on us to give us a chance. Look there ! here come the whole tribe of savages, and they will soon settle our fate." He pointed as he spoke to a large number of horsemen galloping across the country from differ- ent directions, towards us. They halted outside the wood, and several of them appeared to be wounded; but they did not allow themselves to exhibit any sign of suffering. Having taken the saddles and bridles from tlieir horses, the greater number led them down towards the water to drink ; while six, who, from their more ornamental dresses, appeared to be chiefs, advanced towards us. Their principal man, or head chief, spoke to us ; but as w^e could not understand what he said, we knew th.at it would be useless to reply. He then pointed to Mike and me, and ad- dressed a few words to his companions. They nodded, and we were led to separate trees, to which we were bound, with our hands secured behind us in a very unpleasant fashion. THE DEBATE ON OUR TATE. 323 Matters now began to look more serious than at first. Darkness was coming on, and our captors lighted a large fire near to the spot where we were bound, and those among them who acted the part of cooks began dressing the evening meal. They then sat down to discuss it — an operation which was soon concluded. We in the meantime were left bound to the trees, watching what was going on. After supper, a similar fire having been lighted near where we were bound, the principal Indians took their seats round it and began to smoke their long pipes, while, as I sus- pected, they deliberated on our fate. They were some little distance off, but the flames from the fire cast a red glow on their figures, and enabled me to observe the expression of the countenances of those turned towards me, from which, with painful anxiety, I endeavoured to learn how they were disposed towards us. Though I could hear their voices, I could not understand a word that was said. After talking for some time, one of them, whose back, however, was towaiJc me, got up and addressed his companions. He spoke at some length, and I would have given much to know what he was saying. His spear he held with one hand ; with the other he pointed, now to the sky, now to some unseen distant object, now he waved it in the air. The other Indians gazed up at his countenance, as if greatly moved by his address ; but whether he was pleading for us or advocating our death, I could by no means discover. In vain I listened to catch any words I might understand. 324 IN FEARFUL SUSPENSE. 1 I At last he brought bis address to a conclusion, and sat down; when another slowly rose and commenced a harangue which was equally unintelligible to me. Still, I felt very sure that the discussion was one on which our lives depended; and, judging from the countenances of the Indians, I was nearly certain that they intended to kill us. The next speaker was even more long-winded than the first. I thought that he would never bring hi.s address to a conclusion. A fourth man got up. His face was also turned away from me. His action was more vehement than that of his predecessors, and the tones of his voice afforded me but very little hope of mercy from his hands. While he was speaking, another Indian, whom I had not hitherto seen,, stalked into the circle, and regard- ing the speaker with a fixed and, as I thought, some- what contemptuous look, sat himself down among the others. His appearance evidently created a con- siderable amount of astonishment, little as the natives are accustomed to show their feelings. So soon as the last had ceased speaking, he rose and addressed the assembly. As he did so, it struck me that he bore a strong resemblance to Manilick, though he was much more gaudily dressed than I had ever seen that young chief All eyes were turned towards him as he spoke, and scarcely had he comn.cnced when I heard a voice whisper in my ear, " Trust to me ! " At the same moment I felt that the thonirs which bound me Mere Kit II- A FRIEND IN' NEED. 32f> being cut, and the next instant I was at liberty; but^ recollecting my sprained ankle, I feared that it would not avail me. To my surprise, however, when I tried to move I found that I could do so without much pain. I slipped round the tree, when I felt my hand grasped by that of my deliverer, who, discovering that I could move but slowly, stooped down and lifted me on his back. The darkness prevented me from seeing who he was, but I felt convinced, from his dress and the tone of his voice, that he was a white man. He moved along cautiously under the trees towards the bank of the river. " Can you swim ? " he asked in a low voice. " Yes — like a fish," I answered. "Then we will take to the river at once. There are horses waiting on the opposite side, lower down. We can float with the current till we reach them," he continued. We were not more than three or four mniutes in reaching tho bank, and we at once glided in so as to create no splash. "Strike out towards the middle of the river," he whispered ; "but do so as gently as possible." I followed his directioixS, and found that I could swim without any pain to my ankle. " Now throw yourself on your back, and we will float down with the current," he said. We could all this time hear the voice of the Indian addressing the assembly of warriors. So intent were they in listening to what he was saying, that they had evidently not discovered my escape. 326 FREE ! ( t i "Can nothing be clone to save my companions ?" 1 asked, thinking of the dreadful fate which might await Reuben and Mike. " Others will look after them," he answered. " Don't speak, lest the water should convey your voice to the shore." After we had gone some distance he told me to turn round again and swim, so that we might make more progress. " Now make for the shore," he said. In i. short time we gained a. spot where the trees grew close down to the bank. Climbing up there, he led me through the wood. On the further side I found a man holding three horses. " Glad to get you out of the clutches of the Indians, my son Reuben," he said. " I am not Reuben," I answered ; " but I heartily wish that he had escaped. I am Roger Penrose." "Why, Sandy M'Coll, I told you to try and set Reuben at liberty; though I am glad to see you, Roger," said the speaker, whom I now recognized as the old trapper, Samson Micklan. " I should have been discovered if I had attempted to reach the two others, for they were much nearer the fire : and, in truth, I could not distinguish one from the other," said Sandy. "Well, we must see what can be done to rescue Reuben and the Irishman," said old Samson. " Our friend Manilick promised to plead for you and Mike, and, should he fail, to come and let me know ; and he will, I trust, exert his influence in favour of THE OLD TRAl'PEK. 327 Reuben, when he finds that you have got off. At all events, the Indians will not put their prisoners to death till they get back to their lodges, and we must try and set them at liberty before then. Though they have vowed to have my hair, I fear them not, for I have outwitted them a hundred times — and in- tend to outwit them as many more, if I have the chance. But we must not delay here, for when they find that you have got away they will suspect that you took to the river, and will scour the banks in search of you." Anxious as I was to save my friends, I had no wish again to fall into the hands of the Indians. I therefore very readily mounted one of the horses. " If you, Snmson, will go on to the cave with this young man, I will return and try to help the others," said Sandy. " Maybe, while the Indians are looking for me, tliey may leave them unguarded, and I may have a chance of carrying out my object." " That's what we'll do, then," answered old Samson. "I needn't tell you to be cautious, because I know that you will be so." As he spoke, Samson threw himself on one of the horses, and took the rein of the third. " We shall better deceive the Iledskins if we take this one with us," he observed. " They may possibly discover that it has no rider; but it will puzzle them, jit all events, if they come ujwn our trail, and they will be less likely to suspect that you are watching thcni." " Don't fear for me," answered Sandy. " I'll keep my wits about me; and if the other two can make f , 328 A GALLOP FOR LIFE. V good use of their legs, we will overtake you before long, should I manage to set them free, If I am caught, why, I shall only sutler the fate I have often thought would be my lot." Saying this, Sandy again plunged into the wood out of which we had come ; while Samson and I galloped away across the country. It was too dark to discern objects at any distance, but my companion seemed to be thoroughly acquainted with the ground. At last I saw before me a hill, rising out of the plain. As I got nearer, I observed that the sides and summit in many places were covered with trees; in others, it was barren and rocky. We directed our course towards a gap in the hillside, up which we wound our way. *' Can you walk ? " asked old Samson. "I will try," I answered, imitating his example and dismounting — when I soon found that I could get on better than I should have supposed possible. He led two of the horses, while I followed with the third; but, passing amid the trees, the animals had to lower their heads to enable them to creep under the boughs. On getting out of the wood, I found that we were proceeding up a steep zigzag path, along which two people could not make their way abreast. At last we reached a narrow terrace, with a few trees growing on it. We made our way between them till Samson entered a cavern, the mouth of which would admit only a horse, or, at the utmost, a couple of persons at a time. I followed; and having SAMSON S FORTRESS. 329 L-eep gone through this narrow archway, Samson told me to stop. He then, using his flint and steel, lighted a torch, and by the flame I discovered that we were in a large vaulted chamber. On one side there were some rude stiiUs, and litter for horses ; on the other, a couple of rough bunks, and a table and some stools, showed that it was used as a human habitation. " This is my home and fortress," said Samson. " I come to it occasionally when tired of hunting; and I always krop here a store of provisions. At the further end is a spring of water, so that I might hold it for any length of time against a host of foes. I have never as yet been attacked, for the Indians know that they could not attempt to drive me out with impunity, and think it wiser to leave me and my companion unmolested." I asked him how he came to know that we had been captured by the Indians. "Because I witnessed with my own eyes what happened," he answered. "I was on the hillside overlooking the train, but had no time to warn you of the approach of the enemy, nor could I at first help you ; but I saw you three carried off*, and then made my way here to get the assistance of Sandy, who had remained at home, as well as the tiiree horses." I asked him if he thought that our friends had escaped. " I know that the Indians were beaten off"," he answered ; " but whether any of the emigrants weie killed or wounded, I cannot say. Tliey continued y ' 330 A VERY RIGHT SPIRIT. \ t t : their course, and must liave encamped shortly after- wards by the side of the river. They will there have formed a strong camp, which the Indians will not venture to attack. Their road will lead them not far from this, when you can rejoin them, and I will pay them a visit." " But I could not show my face among them with- out Reuben and Mike. I should feel as if I had deserted my friends, without attempting to rescue them," I said. " A very right spirit, my lad," answered old Sam- son ; " but you could have done nothing, and would only have lost your life if you had made the attempt. Sandv has a lon^j head on his shoulders, and a brave heart ; and if any man can circumvent the Redskins, he can. He has a good drop of their blood in his veins, with the brains of a white man, and knows all their vrays." These assurances somewhat relieved my mind. The exertions I had made, however, had brought on the pain in my foot; and after having eaten some food which Samson gave me, I was thankful, by his advice, to lie down in Sandy's bunk. I slept, but not soundl}', for I fancied that I heard the voices of the Indians consulting as to our fate; and then, in my dreams, 1 saw them approaching with their scalping-knives to take the hair off my head. Such being the character of my dreams, I was glad to awake and f. nd myself in comparative safety. Old Sauison was listening at the entrance of the cave. He had, I found, tlie means of barricading it GROWING MISFORTUN'ES. 331 with stout timbers, so that no foes could force their way in without paying dearly for tiie attempt. 1 rose from the bunk, intending to join him, but he told me to lie quiet. I obeyed, and was soon asleep; and when I again awoke daylight was streaming through the entrance. I looked round, but Samson was not to be seen. On attempting to get up, I found that my ankle was much swollen, and that I could not walk. With a groan I sank back again on the bunk, and waited anxiously for Samson, wondering what had become of him. The horses were still there, munching their fodder, so he was not likely to have gone far. At last I saw him at the entrance. " Well, lad, you may get up now% and have some breakfast," he said. I told him that I could not walk, as I was suffering severely from my ankle. " That's a bad job," he observed ; " I intended to have moved away from this. There are more Red- skins in the neighbourhood than I like, as no game can be got while they are here." I asked if Sandy had appeared, and brought any tidings I r Reuben and Mike. "No," he answered; "for the reason I have given, they could not make their way across the country in daylight. But that is no reason why Sandy should not have succeeded. He may have set them at liberty, and concealed them and himself in some other place. There are several caves like this in diti'orent directions, which seem to be made bv natui'e 332 A SAGE OPINION. I ' • as refuges from the Indians. The only difficulty is to get to them without being tracked, as it is always a hard job to escape the keen eyes of the Redskins, although the horsemen of the plains are not so clever in tracking a foe as those who go on the war-path on foot. That makes me hope that we shall hear of our friends, though it may be some time hence." These remarks of old Samson again somewhat relieved my mind. I then asked him when he thought that the emigrant- train would pass by ; and whether he could manage to let me join it on horseback, for I thought that I could ride although I could not walk. " I much doubt whether it will pass this way at all," he answered. " It will either turn back, or, if the leader is a man of judgment, he will conduct it by a different route, further to the south. Your uncles, Mr. Claxton, and their companions are brave men, but they will not wish to encounter the savage hordes who have assembled to stop their progress on the road they intended taking." I was very glad to hear this opinion from one who was so well able to judge rightly, and I felt more reconciled than I otherwise should have been at remaining inactive ; for, as to moving, unless I was placed on horseback, I knew that was impossible. As far as I could tell, it might be many days before I could recover, as a sprain, I was aware, is frequently as difficult CO cure as a broken bone ; still, I did not like to keep old Samson in the cave, should he wish to go out for the purpose of ascertaining what had CONFINED TO THE CAVE. 333 become of Sandy. I told him tliat I should not be at all afraid of staying by myself, if he could manage to close the entrance behind him. " I have no desire to show myself on the plain, or I should have a dozen Redskins galloping after me ; and though I should not fear to meet twice Jis many, provided I could take shelter behind some big trees, I would rather not meet them where I should be exposed to their arrows," he answered. " We must make up our minds to be prisoners for some days to come ; and keep a constant watch, too, lest they should get upon our trail, and find their way up here." " But how can you manage to keep watcli alone ? You will require some sleep," I observed. " Two or three hours are quite sufficient for me ; and they are not likely to attack us for the firet hour or two before and after midnight," he answered. " If they come at all during the night, it will be soon after dark, or just before dawn. I know their ways, and have thus been frequently enabled to get some necessary rest, even when I knew that they were on my trail." " But you would surely be better for more than two or three hours of sleep; and if you will drag my bunk to the door, I will keep watch while you rest." To this he would not agree. " You require all the sleep that you can get," he said. " No enemy, either, is able to brealc in on us unawares. I have made arrangements in case of an attack, as you would have seen, had you examined the entrance. There 334 now THE CAVE WAS FORTIFIED. 1 t • . I I) V • is a thick door which can be slid across it; and in the door several loopholes, so that Sandy and I could hold it against any number of Indians who might manage to make their way up the hill." From what old Samson had said, I fully expected that the cave would be attacked; for I did not suppose that the Indians, scouring the country, would fail to observe our trucks. The entrance was always kept closed, and we should have been in darkness had it not been for a rude lamp, fed by bear or deer fat, which stood on the table. The old hunter and his companion had stored up a large supply of dried grass for the horses, so that it was not necessary to turn them out to feed. He allowed me to sleep as much as I could, and when I was awake he generally seemed disposed to enter into conversation. He told me many of his adven- tures and escapes from Indians, and appeared to like to have me talk to him, and to hear all about my uncles. Aunt Hannah, and Lily. One day I began repeating to him the history Uncle Mark had given me of his and Uncle Stephen's arrival in America. As I went on, I saw that he was listening with more and more interest ; and when I described hov.-, on reaching the village where my parents had lived, they found it burnt to the ground, 9nd discovered Lily and me, and our murdered mothers, he exclaimed, — " Did your uncles learn the name of the little girl's mother ? " " No," I answered ; " she died before she had time SAMSON S NAUHATIVE. 335 to utter it, and could only commit her infant to their charj'e." " Strange ! " exclaimed the old man. " I had a daughter, my only child, living in that village; and she, with her husband and babe, were, I had every reason to suppose, slaughtered by the savages who attacked the place. Yet it is possible that their infant may be the very one your uncles saved ; but, alas ! I can never be sure of that." " But I think that you may have very satisfactory proofs whether or not Lily is your daughter's child," I answered, "for Aunt Hannah has carefully preserved her clothing, and some ornaments which her mother wore, and which you may be able to recognize." " That I certainly should," said old Samson, " for I had but a few days before parted from my daughter to-^roceed eastward. On hearing of the massacre, I returned; but finding the whole village a mass of blackened ashes, and being unable to gain any tid- ings of the beings I loved best on earth, I had no doubt left on my mind that they had all perished. Having thus no one to care for, I took to the life 1 have since led — which I had before only occasionally followed, after the death of mj"- wife and the marriage of my daughter, for the sake of the sport it afforded me." From this time forward old Samson constantly spoke about Lily; and, persuaded by his own hopes that she was his grand-daughter, he seemed to bo fully convinced that such w^is the case. His anxiety to see her, and to examine the clothes and ornaments 336 WHERE ARE OUR FRIENDS 1 '. i n which Aunt Hannah had preserved, increased every day; but how were we to find Lily and Aunt Hannah ? Had our friends turned back ; or 1 ad they pushed forward, fighting their way successfully towards the fertile region to which they were bound ? Neither he nor I cr uld bring ourselves to contemplate what might otherwise have happened — had they been overwhelmed by the hordes of savages, and met the fearful fate which had overtaken the smaller band whose remains we had discovered ? The old trapper went out every day to ascertain if the Indians had moved away from the plain below us — should he find the country open, he intended, he said, to go in search of Sandy, and those he might have rescued — but he as often returned with the in- formation that the Indians still occupied the country. I, of course, greatly hampered him, for he would not leave me in the cavern for long together. Had he been by himself, he could easily have started at night and made his escape. Gradually my ankle regained strength, and Samson now made me get up and walk about to try it. Unwill- ing longer to detain him, I at last declared that it was quite well, making light of the pain I still felt when I walked, and begged to accompany him the next time he went out. He consented. " But you must not go without a weapon ; and you can use it well, I know," he observed, as he drew a rifle from under his bunk. He produced also a powder-horn, which I slung over my shoulder, and a bag of bullets. The great draw- back to our Diace of concealment was, that although every Aunt : lad sfuUy <^ >und ? nplate ^been et the band tain if below- led, he might the in- mntry. lid not lad he t night damson Jnwill- t it was when I Kt time not go know," i bunk, ng over t draw- ithough ON THE WATCH. THE INDIANS AND THE WAGGON. 339 well hidden from the sight of those in the plain, we had to go some distance before we could obtain a view of the surrounding country. Leaving the horses in the stable, and the entrance open, we set out. Then going some distance down the hill, we made our w^ay through the thick wood which covered its sides, and were just emerging into the open space, when, through the bushes, I Ccaught siglit of several hoi*semen galloping across the country. I made a sign to my companion to keep concealed, and crept forward on my hands and knees. As I looked out, I discovered the object of the Indians. A solitary waggon had just come into view, and they were about to attack it. I drew cautiously back, for though the Indian warriors were probably intent on the business in hand, their keen eyes might have detected me. I asked Samson if we could assist the unfortunate people in the waggon. "I fear not," he answered. "We might kill a few of the Redskins ; but unless the travellers possess a number of rifles, and make a bold stand, we cannot help them. We will, however, be ready to take a part if we have opportunity." As the horsemen approached, three rifles alone opened fire upon them from behind the waggon. One of their number fell, but .several dashed for- ward; while others, circling round, prepared to attic': the devoted emigrants from the opposite side. The affair, which was a short one, was dread- ful to witness. We should, I saw well enough, lose 340 AN EXPLOSION. ! I t. I our lives did we show ourselves. Indeed, before we could have got up to the waggon, all its defenders were killed by the savages surrounding it ; and we knew too well that those inside must, according to their cruel custom, have been put to death, whether women or children. The Indians of the plains have no compassion either for age or sex. The dreadful thought occurred to me that those we had seen slaughtered might be our own friends. It was evident, however, from his calmness, that the idea of such a thing had not crossed old Samson's mind. After plundering the waggon of everything they considered of value, the savages set it on fire. While it was burning, and they were still gathered round it, a dreadful explosion took place, scattering destruction among them. Panic-stricken, and not knowing what might next happen, the survivors mounted their horses and galloped off. A keg of powder, which they must have overlooked, had probably exploded. "They deserve their punishment," said the old man, " and they will not come back again in a hurry ; so we may now descend into the plain, and see if we can learn who the unfortunate people were." This was what I was wishing to do. We accord- ingly left the wood and made our way down the hill, towards the remains of the waggon. We had not got far, however, when we caught sight of three horsemen galloping across the plain towards us. My companion scrutinized them narrowly. *' If they are friends, they have reason for their OUR FRIENDS PURSUED. 341 ore we fenders md we cording death, of the or sex. bose we ids. It hat the iamson's ng they While round it, truction ng what ir horses ley must the old a hurry; see if we 3 accord- the hill, had not of three us. My for their hurry; and if enemies, the sooner we get under cover the better," he observed. " We must not now attempt to reach the waggon. Aii ! I understand all about it. See! ouo there come a dozen or more horsemen. They must be Indians in pursuit of the first — who, if I mistake not, are our friends. Come on, Roger ! they will reach the hill as soon as we do." As he said this we retreated to the foot of the hill, and began to climb it as rapidly as w^ could. " But, if these are our friends, will they find their way to the cave ? " I asked. " Yes, yes ! Sandy knows it as well as I do," he answered, without stopping. We were just approaching the entrance of the cave, when the war-whoops of the Indians, and their loud cries, as they shouted to each other, reached our ears. "They are making their way up the hill," said Samson. " Get inside, lad, and prepare to close the entrance when I tell you." The loud rustling sound of persons making their way through the brushwood was heard, and presently Sandy, accompanied by Reuben and Mike, sprang out from among the trees, and rushed towards the mouth of the cavern. " No time to be lost," sang out Sandy. " The Red- skins are at our heels ! " In a moment they were all three witliin the cave. Old Samson was still outside, and I saw him lift his rifle and fire. At the same moment two arrows flew past his head — one sticking in the woodwork, tlie other entering the cavern — and just then I caught 342 THE CAVERN BESIEGED. I I h. <■! ' ' sight of the fierce countenances of half-a-dozen red war- rlors who were makincj their way between the trees. Their leader, springing forward tomahawk in hand, nearly reached Samson; when, with the agility of a far younger man, he sprang through the opening, and I immediately closed the door —the slmrp blade of the weapon burying itself deep in the wood. " Now, we'll give it them ! " exclaimed Samson, as he and Sandy opened three of the concealed loopholes, through which we thrust the barrels of our rifles and tired on our assailants. Their leader fell dead, shot through the heart by Samson. Two otheis were severely Avounded, but numbers were following them, and rushing forward with their hatchets, dealt des- perate blows on the door. " You may cut away pretty hard, my laddies, before you break that in," observed Sandy, as he reloaded his rifle. Samson and I were doing the same, and again we fired ; but most of the Indians, knowing the time we should take to do that, sprang aside, and only one of them was hit. "You Tvill find two more rifles in yonder chest," said Samson to Reuben and Mike. " Quick ! load them, and we'll astonish the Redskins." While he was speaking, the blows on the door were redoubled, and in spite of its strength it appeared every instant as if it would give way. Samson was, in the meantime, ramming down his charge, and again his rifle sent forth its deadly contents. Instead of tiring together, we now followed each other, allow- ing a few seconds to elapse between each shot, thus ti ■ A HESOLLTK DKFKN'CE. 343 making our assailants afraid of approaching the door. We guessed that tlicy were collected on either side, where our riHes could not reach them. In a couple of minutes or so Reuben and Mike had found the rifles, and loaded them. " Now ! " said Samson, " you two and Roger fire together ; and then Sandy and I will take your places, and try what we can do." We waited till the savages, losing patience, again attacked the door with their axes, in a way which threatened each instant to bring it down, when we all three ran out the nmzzles of our r'flcs and fired. Another savage was, at all events, hit ; but they had been on the watch, and liad acti\ely sprung, some on one side and some on the other, so that we could not be certain what execution had been done. The moment, however, that our rifles were withdrawn, as many as could attack the door leaped forward, and began hacking away with greater fury than before. Scarcely had the first strokes been given when Samson and Sandy fired into their midst, killing two of the most determined — the bullets passing through the bodies of the first and wounding others behind them. Five rifles, however, were more than they were prepared to encounter. They must have guessed that we had increased our number, for, with cries of rage and disappointment, they deserted the door and got under shelter. " Hurrah I we have beaten them," I cried out, and was turning iu Reuben to shake liands, and to iisk how he and Mike had escaped, when Samson observed, — • 344 BURNING THE DOOR. " We must not be too sure tliat they will not make another attempt, for they r.ve up to all sorts of tricks, and will not give in so easily." " What are they likely to do ? " I asked. '■Try to burn us out," answered Samson. "But we must be prepared, and show them that five well- handled rifles can cope with all the arrows and liatchets among them. We do not lack ammunition, and might stand the siege for a month or more." Samson's surmises were correct. Thouorh we could .lot see the Indians, we heard their voices, and the sound of chopping, rnd presently a bundle of fjigots was thrown dov>'n in front of the door. " Stand ready," said Samson, " and fire, if we can catch sight of one of them through the loopholes." Another and another fagot followed, but as yet so carefully had they been thrown that we could not get a shot. It appeared to me that they were dropped from above. The pile was increasing, and soon rising higher than the loopholes, prevented us from seeing any one. Presently we heard the sound of crackling, and the flames rapidly caught the pile. " Clo.se the loopholes," said Samson, " We'll keep out the smcke as long as ,ye can. The door is tough, too, and will stand tl.\e flames better than our enemief suppose." W^i all stood with our rifles in our hands, readj foi any enicrgency. " Should tliC door burn through and the cavern fill with flames, we must rush out, lads, rather than be stifled ; and we may be pretty sure of knocking SAMSON S PREPARATIONS. 345 keep over four or five Redskins, if they stop to give us the chance," said Samson, who had not for a moment lost his calm manner. " It may be the smoke won't be more than we can bear. See ! I am prepartu for everything." He pointed to a mass of woodwork, which leant against the wall of the cavern. It was longer than the width of the door, and of a height which would enable us to fire over it. " This will serve as a barricade," he said. " When the Indians fancy that they are going to get ir .vithout difficulty, they will find themselves stopped in a way they little expect." The crackling sound of the flames increased, and thin wreaths of smoke found their wav in throujrh the crevices between the woodwork and the rock ; still the stout door resisted the fire, which we began to hope might bum itself out without igniting our defences. We could hear the voices of the Indians outside. They were, we guessed, piling up more fagots, as the others had burned down. Sandy put his hand to the door. " It's getting very hot," he said. " Well, then," exclaimed old Samson, " we must get our barricade ready, should the door give way, and then crouch dov/n behind it. The nearer we are to the ground, the less we shall suff*er from the smoke." We accordingly dragged the heavy piece of wood- woik from the place where it had been standing, to the position it was to occupy, where we laid it flat on the ground. It was at the proper moment to be lifted up, and supported by stout pieces of timber, 3i6 UN KX PKCTED RES I STANCE. •■ I hi i serving as props, on tliu inner side. It would tlius shelter us, and prevent our enemies from entering. The door t(jok even longer than we had expected to burn through ; but at last, here and there, the forked flames were seen making their way through it, and after this its complete destruction was rapid. JJown the U})per part came with a crash, followed by the shouts of the Indians, and a shower of arrows — which, however, flew over our heads. No further attempts were made to increase the pile of fagots ; our foes supposing that their work was accomplished, and that, even were we not suffocated by the smoke, we should speedily become their victims. We knew that the Indians were not likely to rush through the flames; we therefore waited concealed en either side, behind the rock, till they had somewhat L>ubsided. Old Samson listened eagerly for any sounds which might indicate that the attack was abou . to be re- commenuoih "Now, lads! up with tlic bairicade!" he shouted out; and with one united eflbrt we lifted it from the ground, directly across the doorwa\'. Scarcely was it securely fixed before the Indians, who had not perceived wdiat we were about, leaped over the burning; embers and came rushin<:j on. Our five rifles rang out together, and as many Redskins bit the dus^. The rest found themselves stopped by the barricade; and with the crowbars which we had used to get it in position we struck furiously at their heads, beating them back into the hot embers, where several of them, stunned by our blows, were cjuickly FLIGHT OF THE INDIANS. 34: suftbcated, or burned to death. Tlie remainder, believing succe.ss hopeless, fled i'roni the spot, and made their way down the hill to where they had left their horses. On this we dashed out and followed them, picking off several more. We stioald have pursued them furtlier, had not their numbers made it prudent for us to remain under shelter of the wood. On reaching their steeds they mounted and galloped off. In their haste to attack us, they had not taken the trouble to destroy the horses which Sand}^ Reuben, .and Mike had ridden, and w^hich were grazing at a little distance. Havinjj caught them witliout much difficulty, we returned with them to the cave. " This will no longer be a secure hiding-place for us," observed Samson, " for the Indians are sure ere long to come back and attempt to revenge tliemselves. They will watch day after day for weeks together, till they see some of us go out in search of game; and they will then manage to get betv/een us and the cave, so as to cut us off. I can pretty well guess the sort of tricks they will try to play us ; and it is not always easy to circumvent them." Samson's advice was not to be despised. The Indians, however, were not likely to come back that day, so that we might take some hours' rest before preparing for our departure — our wish being to try and ascertain the course followed by the emigrant- train, which we would then endeavour to overtake. This, as we had horses, we might hope to do in the course of a week or ten days, even supposing that it had pushed forward without any stoppages. 348 QUITTING THE FORTRESS. 1 ► With such ammunition and provisions as wc could carry, we stjirted on our journey just after the sun had gone down, as Samson thought it prudent to get some distance ahead during the hours of darkness, so that, should our enemies be on the look-out for us, we might escape unobserved. Well armed and well mounted as we were, we did not fear any ordinary band, possessed only of bows and arrows, we were likely to encounter while on the road. Our chief danger would lie in being at- tacked while encamped at night. To guard as much as possible against surprise, we chose a spot difficult of access, or one by the side of a broad stream, with a few trees which might afford us shelter, without con- cealing the approach of our foes ; or else we threw up a breastwork of logs and branches, behind which we could be protected from the arrows of our assail- ants. The old trapper and Sandy were adepts at making arrangements of this kind, and were never at a loss. Of course, one of the party, or sometimes two, kept guard ; our horses being hobbled near, as we always chose localities where there was an abundance of grass. We could thus, in case of alarm, immediately bring them in under such protection as we had formed for ourselves. They, of course, ran a greater risk of being shot than we did, but that could not be helped. I had naturally been curious to know how Reuben and Mike had escaped from the Indians. Heuben told me that he had given himself up for lost when he heard the chiefs discussing, as he supposed, what now 3IY FRIENDS WERE RESCUED. 349 they should do with us. Each in succession made a long speech, becoming more vehement as they pro- ceeded. He fully expected to be flayed alive, or roasted over a slow fire, or shot to death with arrows aimed so as to avoid vitiil parts. He had not recog- nized Manilick, and was therefore not aware that we had a friend in the council. The warriors at last ceased speaking, when he saw one approaching with uplifted tomahawk, which he fully expected would be buried in his brain. What was his surprise to find, instead, the thongs which bound him severed, and to feel himself at liberty! He stood for a moment or two irresolute, not knowing what to do. "Run! my friend, run!" said the Indian; "make for the river, and you will escape." He was not slow to obey the command, but before doing so he looked wistfull'^ at Mike, wl.ose bonds were also cut, as his had been, and by the .same friendly Indian. Mike immediately started oil' with him, but they had not got far when they met Sandy, who had been on the watch for them ; and all three slipping noiselessly into the stream, swam across it. On landing, Sandy led them on foot at a rapid pace to a rocky hill some five or six miles away from the river. Having proceeded along it, the nature of the ofround beinfj such that even an Indian could not discover their trail, Sandy led them to a cave veri- similar to the one we had occupied. Here, he assured them, they would run little risk of being discovered. Sandy supplied them with game, and finally succeeded in getting possession of three horses, which ho man- .•-a? f ! ) •* I 350 OUR JOURNEY WESTWARD. aged to carry off from the Indians. He did not call it "stealing" them, observing that they had all doubt- less been taken from white men. On these they had finally made their escape and joined us, though, as we had seen, hotly pursued. I asked Reuben if he liked the sort of life we were leading. "I shall be very thankful to find myself safe in some settlement where the war-whooi)s of the Indians are not likely to be heard," he answered. " I used to like to hear about such adventures as we are going through, but I confess that I consider them very un- pleasant I'ealities." I was very much inclined to agree with Reuben. One thing, however, was certain — for the present we must make up our minds to go through whatever cam.e in our way. Day after day we travelled on, encamping as I have previously described at night, or sometimes pushing forward during the hours of darkness and halting in the day-time. By doing this we saved ourselves the labour of forming defences, as we could in a moment mount and be in readiness to encounter a foe. We had, however, greatly exhausted our stock of provisions, and it became necessary to look after game with which to replenish our store. This we had hitherto avoided doing, as when hunting we should of necessity be separated, and if discovered by enemies we might bo cut oft' in tletail. We agreed, A MAGNIFICENT DEKR. 351 at last, that hunt we must ; for we had all been on a very slender allowance of food, and were beginning to feel the i)angs of hunger. Our horses, too, from being constantly on the move, now showed signs of fiitigue. We accordingly halted earlier than usual one day, on the side of a tree-covered knoll, from which we could obtain a good look-out over the sur- rounding country. Here we resolved to remain for a couple of days, for, having seen no signs of Indians, we hoped to be unmolested. After putting up the framework of a lean-to, to afford us shelter at night, we ate the remainder of our provisions ; and while Sandy took the horses down to a stream which flowed below us, we hiy down to rest, keeping our rifles by our sides. I liad been dreaming of venison, and buffalo humps, and other prairie luxuries, when I heard Reuben whisper,- " See ! Roger, see ! There's a magniticent deer within easy shot." I instinctively rose to my knees, with my rifle in my hand, and levelled it at the animal. It was a flne elk, as I knew by the thick bran ;hy horns. At the same moment old Samson sat up. Reuben, know- ing that he was not so good a shot as I was, did not attempt to Are. I felt somewhat nervous lest I might miss, though old Samson was not likely to let the deer escape eve/^ if I did so. I pulled the trigger, however, and the deer, giving one bound from the earth, fell over, sliot through the heart. Tlie sound awoke Mike, and we all rushed down to take posses- 352 AGAIN OX THE MARCH. »* I sion of oui,% prize. We very quickly cut it up, and shouldering the better portions, carried them to oui encampment. Here we soon had a fire blazing, and some rich steaks before it. Though we had now obtained sufficient food to last us for some days, yet we remained for the time we had determined on, in order to dry the venison, so that we might Ciire it, and prevent its becoming unfit for use. We were fortunate in killing another deer almost in sight of our camp; so, with renewed strength after our long rest, we again set out, hoping before long to gain tidings of our friends, whom Samson still persisted in believing were ahead of us. I had my doubts on the subject, but felt that I ought Ui yield to his better judgment. m TJ H Z O •0 29 N m z V -i z o ■0 J> N Ijl^'f CHAPTER XI. SAM.SOV'S ADVICE ABOUT BUFFALO-nUNTINQ — I HEK BUFFALO IN TIIR DIH- ^ ANCE — OVKRTAKEN BY A TEIIRIFIC STORM — BENIQMTEU ON THE PLAIN— HUNOEE-hTRICKEN, I ALLOW MY UORSE TO TAKE HIS OWN WAY — I 8WOOH AWAY— THE 8PANIAKD8 FIND HE — PABLO, THE COOK — THE PRAIUE ON FIRE — INDIANS APPROACUINO, I DASH THKOUOH THE FLAMES— MY POOR HORSE IS FRIGHTFULLY SCORCHED— THE WOLVES IN PURSUIT — I TAKE Rl-.FUOE, IN A TREE — MY UORSE IS DEVOURED BY THE WOLVES — THE WOLVES DEPART IN CHASE OF BUFFALO — I DESCEND, AND EAT THE LOATHSOME WOLF-FLESH IN MY HINOER — LIGHTING A FIRE. I CAMP FOB THE NIOUT — SHOOTING A BEAVER. 'N vain we searched for the trail of our friends. We ought to have caught them up by this time, even Samson acknowledged, unless they had pushed on more rapidly than ox- trains generally travel. Our provisions again ran short, and it was neces- sary to replenish our larder. Though we saw deer in the distance, they scented us, and we could not get up to them ; but we were in the region where buffalo might be found, and we hoped to fall in with a herd. I had gained experience, when with the Indians, in hunting these creatures, and both Samson and Sandy were well acquainted with their habits, but Reuben had. never even seen them, Hur ger, however, compelled us to follow a course on which we should not otherwise have ventured. 356 SAMSON S ADVICE TO REUBEN. •' t I . t Old Samson advised our inexperienced companion how to act. " One thing remember, my boy — do not shoot any of us," he observed; "and take care that the buffalo do not run their horns into you or your horse. The chances are that it is better acquainted with the habits )f the buffalo than you are, so let it have its own way. It will generally manage to carry you out of danger, if you give it the rein. Don't fire till you can aim at the animal's shoulder or chest ; and the moment you fire, load again. Pour in the powder, and drop the ball after it ; you ought to be able to do so at full gallop. If you fancy you can manage this, you may try your hand, should you get near any buffalo; otherwise, just keep out of their way. If you manage to sight any, bring me word. A single fat cow is all we want, but they are harder to get up to than the bulls," I saw that Reuben was not very confident of his skill. He therefore undertook to act as a scout, keeping an eye on Samson's movements. Sandy and I agreed to ride to some distance : he was to go to the north, I to the south ; and we were afterwards to meet under a hill we saw in the distance. In case of the appearance of Indians, we were immediately to try and reunite. These arrangements being made, I galloped off" in the direction proposed. I had ridden for some time, when, on mounting a slight elevation, I saw afar off" a number of black dots sprinkling the plain, and knew that they must be buffalo, though I waa BUFFALO IN THE DISTANCE. 367 unable to determine in what direction they were heading. I therefore galloped on in order to ascertain this point, as it was necessary to do so before returning to inform Samson of m^ discovery. On descending to the lower ground they were lost to view; but I hoped, by moving forward, again to catch sight of them. On I galloped, without observ- ing the sudden change which had taken place in the weather, so eager was I to get up with the buffalo. Not till I had gone much further than I had sup- posed necessary, did I begin to suspect that, instead of feeding, as I had at first fancied, they were going at full rate, and that I must push my liorse at his ut most speed to come up with them ; still I did not liice the idea of allowing them to escape me, without ascertaining whereabouts they were to be found. I forgot at the momciit that all I had to do was to come upon their trail, and that we could then easily foUov/ them up, however far tliey might go. On I went, however, looking out for some higher ground, from which I might again catch sight of them and mark their course. Eager in the pursuit of the animals, I did not notice how time went by, or how far I was going, and thought not of the danger to which I should be exposed if I encoun- tered hostile Indians, nor of the difficulty I might experience in regaining my companions. I believed that I was pushing due south, but it did not occur to me that I was running any risk of losing myself Once again I caught sight of the buffalo; but though I had gained on them, they were 358 oveiitakp:n by a storm. ' ! still a long way off. I knew, ther -^ore, that they must be moving rapidly; but yet > wished to ,'T<^t nearer to them, and if possible to kil^ one of Hi rear of the herd, and return with the i; at, i*. case m^ friends should have been la s si.ccessful. Bein<^ al' o de'peratt^y hungry, I contemplated eating a slice, even though I might not have time to cook it first. I had, of course, flint and steel, and should not have been long in lighting a fire. I was first made aware of the storm which had for some time been brewing, by a bright flash of light- ning which almost blinded me, followed quickly by a rattling peal of thunder; makiii^" my horse give a start, which, had I not had a firm hold of ihe saddle with my knees, would have unseated me. Another and still brighter flash was quickly followed by a yet louder peal. My horse stood still, trembling violently, and afraid to move. In a wonderfully short time the whole sky was overcast with a dense mass of black clouds ; and then, after a succession of almost blinding flashes of lightning and terrific peals of thunder, down came the rain in torrents, completely concealing from view all objects at a distance. Had I remained perfectly still, I might have ascer- tained the direction in which I was going, but when I attempted to make my horse move on he wheeled round and round, and the rain quickly obliterated the track I had previously made. I was thus utterly unable to determine what course to pursue. There was no wind, even, to guide me, and the rain came down perpendicularly, so that I was in a few minutes BKMGHTKD ON THK PRAIiilK. 359 wet to the skiu. I thought that perl 'ps my horse's instinct would lead him back to his eq ne associates; or, if he was an old buffalo-hunter, ^nat he might follow the trail of the herd we had been pursuing. I was anxious to obtain both food and slielter. If I could overtake the buffalo, I might satisfy the cravings of hunger; but how to find shelter, wiis a more difficult point to settle. I tlierefore gave my steed the rein, and for some time he went in what 1 supposed was a si. yg t course. Again, however, the lightning burst ^rti vith even more fearful flashes than before, w^' 3 "he thunder rattled like peals of artillery fired clost to my ears. My steed again stood stock-still; ar • vlen I attempted to urge him on, he, as before, wheeled round and round. Every moment I expected to be struck by the lightning, which, coming down from the clouds in forked flashes, ran hissing over the ground like fiery serpents. I was aware, from the time I had been out, that evening must be approaching, but, more suddenly than I had calculated on, darkness came down upon me, and I found myself benighted on the open plain, without the slightest means of guiding my course. Still, I might perish if I remained where I was, so I thought that the bcot thing I could do was to move on, if I could get my horse to carry me. The thunderstorm, however, continued to rage with un- abated fury, and while it lasted I could not induce my steed to move. I got off and tried to lead him, but he plunged so much that I was afraid he would break away, so I therefore mounted again. He went 3G0 LOST : •■ I m on at first slowly, but suddenly, for what reason 1 could not tell, he broke into a gallop, and with all my efforts I was unable to check him. The darkness, too, prevented me from seeing the features of the country, and I was thus utterly unable to ascertain in what direction I was going. All night long he continued ; sometimes stopping to regain breath, and then going on again, in spite of the tlmnder and lightning. The rain had ceased, and the water gradually drained out of my clothes, but I felt very damp and uncomfortable. At last dawn broke, and the storm gradually died away, but not a gleam of ruddy light indicated in what direction the sun was to be found. Although not thirsty, I was suffering greatly from the pangs of hunger, and felt myself growing weaker and weaker. The appearance of the country was strange, and I could not discern any object which could enable me to determine what course my horse had taken. Although I could not obtain food for myself, I got off, and loosening the bridle, allowed my steed to crop the grass, in order that he might recruit his strength; for my life would depend, I knew, on his being able to carry me back to my companions, or to go in chase of game. After he had fed for a couple of hours I again mounted and let him go on, when he at once took the course he had before been pursuing. I looked about on every side, in the hope of seeing some bird or animal that I might shoot. The small- est would have been welcome, but neither large nor small appeared. I was now becoming very faint: RESCUED DY SPANIARDS. 363 whilo my head felt giddy and my eyes dim. I eu- deavoured to rouse myself, but in vain. Trying to stand up in my stirrups to look round, I fancied I saw before me a wood. CouLd I but reach it, I might shoot a bird or squirrel, or .«ome other of its inhabitants. Another evening was approaching, as I calculated, when I neared the wood. I have a faint recollec- tion of reaching it; then, utter)y exhausted, I felt myself slip from the saddle. I disengaged my foot, and was aware that I had reached the ground, on which I stretched myself, trying to hold the rein in my hand. The next instant I must have swooned. There I lay, utterly unable to help myself — my faith- ful horse standing over me. How long I had thus lain, I cannot say. Certain it is that, providentially, no wild beasts came near me, or I should have become an easy prey. When I returned to semi-consciousness, I found several people standing round me, one of whom had poured some brandy down my throat, while others were rubbing my feet and hands. I again closed my eyes, unable to make out who the strangers were. They gave me, I believe, more brandy, diluted with water, and then some broth, the effect of which was that I speedily regained a little strength. In half an hour I was able to sit up. I then dis- covered that the Samaritiiua who had relieved me were Spaniards, whu, having encamped under shelter of the wood, had, while in search of game for break- fast, discovered me at eariy dawn. When I was !1 364 PABLO THE COOK. sufficiently recovered, they moved me to their camp^ where they intended remaining for a day to dry their clothes and packages, which had been saturated by the rain. They formed a large party, bound across the continent with goods for traffic ; for only a strong body of well-armed men could venture to travel, with the certainty of meeting bands of hostile Indians, who would be restrained from attacking so formidable a force through dread of their rifles. The day's rest, and the careful treatment I received from the Spaniards, quickly restored my strength. They had al) been in the States, and consequently many of thdn could speak English ; but I had no wish to live long amongst them, for, though kind to me, many of them were fierce, desperate char- acters, long accustomed to savage warfare with the Indians, and held life at a remarkably cheap rate. The ore who was especially attentive to me was old Pablo, — who acted as cook, — and he was con- stantly bringing me the most delicate messes he could concoct. By the time they were ready to start I was well able to sit my horse. The question now was. In what direction should I proceed ? They assured me that; were I to attempt to make my way back to my friends, I should cevtainly be cut off by the Indians, who were tracking their footsteps, looking out for stragglers, and ready to pounce down upon them should they be found un]>repared. They advised me to accompany them, and afterwards to try and make my way northward with any party of white AN ESPECIAL AVERSION. 365 trappers or hunters who might be going in that direction. Pablo strongly urged me to take this course. He had his reasons, he said, for wishing to go to the northward, and would accompany me. Though his appearance was not attractive, — for he looked more like an old Jew pedlar than a iion of the prairies, as he called himself, — I had confidence in him. I should have said that my new friends were accompanied by a small party of Indians, who acted as guides. To these people Pablo had an especial aversion, the cause of which he did not divulge to me; but I bfilieve that his reason for wishing to quit the party was to get arvay from the Indians. The Spaniards remained a day longer than they intended; but we started at dawn, and made con- siderable progress during the cooler hours of the morning. TJie sun then came out with withering heat, and the air appeared to me to be unusually op- pressive; while, notwithstanding the rain, the grass rapidly became as dry as before. A brown hue per- vaded the landscape. We halted at night by the side of a stream, which, though very small, afforded water for our horses. By this time I felt quite myself again, and capable for any exertion. The next day, about noon, I observed the Indian chief, who acted as our principal guide, standing up in his stirrups and looking anxiously towards the south-west. He exchanged some words with our ^ white leader ; but still they advanced. H:\ 366 THE PRAIRIE ON FIRE, 11 n * ml* I now noticed a long thin line of what appeared like mist rising above the horizon, but rapidly increas- ing in height and extending on either hand. The rest of the party also began to look anxious. I re- membered the appearance of the prairie fire from which I had before so narrowly escaped, and I now became convinced that we were about to encounter a similar danger. The clouds of smoke rose higher and higher, and extended further both east and west. Here and there, however, there were gaps, and our leaders seemed to consider it possible that we might make our way through them. At all events, we continued to advance. The Spaniards began to talk vehemently to each other, evidently not liking the appearance of things. The gaps, towards the broadest of which we had been directing our course, now began to close up, and presently a number of deer came scampering by, only turning slightly aside to avoid us. Whole herds followed — their instinct telling them it was time to make their escape from that region. Our leaders thought likewise; so, turning our horses, we galloped back in the direction from whence we had come. The whole party had been riding in somewhat less compact order than usual, and they now became widely scattered. I was on the extreme right, and ahead of most of them. Pablo was near me. I urged on my steed to its utmost speed, for I knew how rapidly the fire would spread over the tall, dry grass through which we had passed. Before us was what, in the PURSUED BY THE FLAMES. 367 each winter season, would have been a marsh. It was now mostly solid, and here the grass grew even more luxuriantly than in other places. By keeping to the right, I avoided it. In our rear I heard a thundering sound, intermixed with loud bellowing, and glancing round for a inoment I caught sight of a herd of buffalo, which, mad with fright, were dashing on to escape the flames, the crackling and hissing sound of which, I fancied, could now be heard. Another glance showed me the horse of the chief plunging in the marsh, and the frantic herd bearing down directly upon him and several of the Spaniards, who, it seemed to me, must inevitably be overwhelmed ; but I had to take care of myself, though I would gladly have gone to their assistance had I been able to do so. Recollecting how Mike and I had before escaped, I kej)! verging more and more to the right, where the country was higher, and the grass would, I knew, though equally dry, be much shorter. The lire too, in that direction, seemed to be advan "ng much more slowly than it was behind us. I therefore shouted to Pablo to follow me, but was uncertain whether he heard my voice. I at length lost sight of my companions, but as I without difficulty kept well ahead of the flames, I was satisfied that I liad followed the wisest course. On looking round I saw a number of animals followinfj me : straofcjlins buffalo, deer of several descriptions, wolves, and many smaller quadrupeds. It would not do, however, to stop for a moment; so I pushed on as fast as my horse could go, and after lill 3C8 HOSTILE INDIANS. I. L««»*? galloping several miles I was satisfied that I had gained considerably on the fire. Looking to the right, it appeared to me that I might double on it, as it seemed not to be extending in that direction. I was therefore about to change my course with that object, when I saw scampering along the plain a band of Indians, who, I guessed, from the tall plumes on their heads, their long spears, and general appearance, were on the war-path, and would not hesitate to take the scalp of a white man for the sake of adding to their trophies. Were I to continue as I had been going, I should ride almost into their midst. Of one thing, however, I felt sure — they would not willingly adv.'\nce nearer the ap- proaching fire. They soon espied me, and several detached them- selves from the mair body and galloped forward. Should they come near me, my fate, I felt sure, would be sealed. I had not a moment to deliberate. I would rather rush throuo^h the flames t)ian trust mvself to their tender mercies ; so, turr'ng my horse's head, 1 galloped back towards the advancing fire. Directly in front of me was a spot where the flames reached to a much less height than in other places, and the belt of fire seemed also much narrower. Unstrapping the blanket I carried on my saddle, vnt), desperate energy I tore ofl' a broad strip and fastened it over my horse's eyes. The larger portion I threw over my own head, fastening the ends round my body. Before I had finished this operation I ne^rd the wild whoops of the Indians directly behind me. THROUGH THE FLAMKS. 369 that I had I me that I »e extending t to change scampering , I guessed, long spears, ir-path, and 1 white man Were I to ride almost r, I felt sure arer the ap- iched them- )ed forward. b sure, would ite. I would st myself to irse's head, 1 re. Directly mes reached iceSj and the Unstrapping t). desperate ened it over '. threw over my body. I lietird the behind me. Tightening the rein, I dug my heels into my horse's Hanks and urged him forward, steering him between the numberless animals escaping from the fire. My poor horse knew not where he was going. I waited till the smoke began to curl round my head, then drawing the blanket over my face and chest, in total darkness I dashed forward into the midst of the flames. The heat was intense, and I felt th.tt i .y boots were scorching, but the blanket kept the smoke from my mouth and nostrils, and I was able, though with difficulty, to breathe. I could feel the tlames round me, and hear their crackling sound, so my only hope of safety de})ended on my horse keep- in<T his lefjs. Should he fall, I must be destroyed. He kept up wonderfully, and at length I knew that the worst was past. I tlirew the bhmket from my head, for I had begun to fear that I should be suffocated. I was able to draw a free breath, tliough the air was full of smoke. I had passed safely through the fire, but my r-lothes were scorched, and my poor steed was fearfi v buint. The ground, too, over which I was pa> ig was still strewed with smoulder- ing embers, wl a my horse's hoofs threw up behind him at every ^ >. The fire w^ir rolling on. As I looked down my poor steed's i eck and shoulders, I saw that the liair had been com} letely singed ^ff. A plunge in cold water, theref )r. , could alone restore him. A dread- ful thirsi, besides, had seized me. I knew by the course the fire had taken, that away to the eastwai'd I should find i. oroad stream or marsh. I therefore (027) 24 370 ATTACKKD BY AVOLVES. rode towards it, and tlie instinct of my steed showed him that I was proceeding to where he could obtain relief from his sufferings. After galloping along for some distance, having to hold him up with all the strength I could nmster, I saw before me the bright vater shinin^; between the scorched trees. As I neared it, notliing could restrain the suffering animal. Springing down the bank, he plunged in, carrying me with him. I had not time to stop him; but after a minute I got him into shal- low water, and was able to leap off his back on to the shore. Scarcely had I dismounted, when a chorus of howls saluted my ears ; and looking up, I saw a score or more of wolves, which had observed me as they were followincr in the rear of the fire, accordinfj to their custom, to feed on the carcasses of the animals which had fallen victims to the flames. Some had sprung into the water, and were swimming towards me ; others came along the bank. I fired at the nearest and knocked him over — the others I attacked with my gun barrel, keeping the cowardly creatures at bay ; but their sentinels, who remained on the upper part of the bank, were all the time uttering the fear- ful howls they make to summon their companions to attack a living animal, or to feed on the carcass they have discovered. I knew that in a few minutes I should be surrounded by a whole army of the savage creatures, and though I might keep a few at bay, I should be unable to resist the numbers which would ere Ions: surround me. SEEKING FOR SAFETY. 371 owed btain ng to iter, I n the strain ik, he , time I shal- on to howls ore or J were i their which ipriing s me; learest d with ires at upper e fear- ions to Bs thev lutes I sa\age bay, I would My horse seemed aware of his danger. Di-iving back the wolves, I reloaded my ritle, and then shout- incj and tirinfi: at the most darinff, while the howling pack retreated I mounted and dashed forward. The wolves sprang up round my liorse's legs, trying to seize his neck, but I beat them off; ar I, maddened with terror, he galloped on, sending those his heeis reached right and left. Scorched and suffering from the flames though he was, he strained every nmscle to keep ahead of the yelping pack, and soon com- pletely distanced them ; siill, their horrid yelps told me that they were continuing the pursuit. As 1 looked over my shoulder I could see a long line of fresh ani^;r.ls joining from all sides. On ail I Oil we went, till we left behind the region blackened by the fire, and I saw before me a wood which the flames had not reached. I made for it, hoping that the wolves would not follow; or, if they did, then I might climb a tree, and defend my horse with my rifle as I sat amid the branches. I reached the wood, and discovered on the very borders just such a tree as I desired. The poor animal was trembling all over, and looked in a wretched plight. My first aim was to make a tire, through which I knew that the wolves would not venture to pass. While engaged in collecting fuel, their yelps again sounded in my ears, and before I could produce a flamo I saw them coming on. My only chance now was to mount the tree. Springing on to my horse, I climbed froui his back into the fork of the tree, where I was out of the reach of my foes, /■.*f 372 A PllEY TO THE WOLVES. This was the last service my faithful horse rendered ine. On looking towards the wolves, I perceived, to my dismay, that there were several large white ones among them, the most savage of their tribe. I now knew that I must abandon all hope of sav- ing my horse. I fired at the nearest white wolf and knocked the creature over, but this did not avail my poor steed, for in an instant he was surrounded and pulled to the ground, where the dreadful brutes quickly destroyed him. I loaded and tired, in revenge, as fast as I could ; and though at each shot I killed a wolf, it appeared in no way to diminish their numbers, while the living lost no time in devouring their dead companions. Directly I killed a white wolf, the yelling brutes set upon him and t^^i"^ him to pieces. Strange as it may seem, I felt an extraordinary pleasure in thus destroying the most savage animals of those wilds; but fortunutelv I remembered in time that if I continued my sport I might exhaust my ammunition. 1 therefore only tirt'd when I was certain of brinfjincr down one of the larijer animals. Darkness was coming on, but still the wolves showed no inclination to take their departure. As far as I could tell, they might :irarve me to death. Not a particle of my horse was by thih time left, for they had torn even tlie saddle and bridle to threads, and, excepting the wood and ironwork, had dev )ured the whole. Matters were becoming serious, for I was already MASTER ( '^ THE SITUATION. 373 >ured desperately liungr}-. Could I have discovered even a small bird or any creature in the tree, I might have satisfied the gnawings of my stomach, and held out longer. At length, when I was beginning to despair of relief, my ear caught the same yelping, yelling sound which had warned me of the approach of the wolves when I was in the river. On looking out, I saw a couple of bufi'alo bulls galloping across the prairie, with a pack of wolves on their trail. The animals still surrounding the tree also heard the sounds. They looked up wistfully at me, making a few desperate efforts to reach the branch on which I was seated ; but finding that all their attempts were vain, first one started off in the direction the other pack had taken, then another and anothe*- went away. In a few minutes only three hungry animals remained, jjjnawinor at the bones of the white wolves and some of their own nearer relatives whom I had shot. These I did not fear to encounter. Killing one from where I sat, and then reloading, I jumped down from my perch. The brutes snarled, and one of them made a spring at me; but I shot him, and knocked the other over with the butt of my rifle, thereby .saving a charge of powder and lead. Hunger induced me to cut a slice out of one of the wolves, although it was with no pleasant feelings that I did so. For some minutes I gnawed away at the unsavoury morsel, till nausea compelled me to stop. I then set to work to collect sticks and branches, the waning daylight scarcely affording me suflicient time 374 AGAIN SURROUNDKl) V.\ 'AOLVKS. \ii , to pick up as many as I required. With those ] could obtain I lighted a fire, spreading it in a circle; then, satisfied that it would burn brightly for a couple of hours, and tliat no wolves would venture to break through it, 1 lay down to obtain the rest I so much neeaed. When I awoke, a circle of hot embers alone re- mained. As I had a small supply of wood yet un- consumed, I began to throw on stick after stick, to keep up the fire as long as possible, when I again heard that horrid yelping close to me, and tlirough the darkness I could see the glaring eyeballs of num- berless wolves gathering round. They dared not, how- ever, pass the fiery boundary, ,nd I knew that I was safe as long as I could keep up even a slight blaze ; still, my stock of wood was gro^vang less and less, and should a black gap appear in the circle, some of the most savage miijht break throufjh. Having exhausted the last twig, I saw that I must do something to rid myself of my foes. Seizing a burning branch, the end of which remained uncon- sumed, I waved it round and round in the faces of the wolves, shouting at the same time at the top of my voice. It had the efiect I wished ; for, a panic seiz- ing them, away they all scampered, leaving me once more alone. I lost no time in springing over the fire and collecting a sufficient quantity of wood to enable me to keep it blazing till the morning. The wolves did not return ; and at dawn, having cut some more slices from one of the wolves which I had drawn inside the circle, I set oti', with my face to A SOLITARY JOURNKY. 375 the northward, hoping almost against liope that 1 might fall in \vith some c»f my late companions, or that I might find the means of supporting existence till I could strike the trail of old Samson and mv other friends, — or the emiiirant-train, should thev have got so far south. Hap]>ily 1 saw no more of the wolves, and by keoi)ing along the bank of the river, which here ran north and south, I avoided the district ravaged by the fire Through not falling in with any of the Sj)aniards, I began to fear that they must have perished. The first day I fortunately shot a beaver; and having cooked it, 1 made a. hearty meal — stowing away the rest in my wallet. Tliat night I slept up among the branches of a tree, which were so placed that I had no fear of falling down; and next morning, greatly refreshed, I pushed forward on my solitary journey. ihl IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I I.I .25 itt lU i2.2 gf as. 12.0 /: /W W Ftiotograj^ Sciences Corporation i^s <«^. V ^^^V 23 WIST MAM STIHT WnSTIt.N.Y. 14SM (7I*)I72-4S03 ^^^2- ° ^5> ^ ^ ;\ CHAPTER XII. I riMD rOOIl PABLO, AND A4HIRT HIM — nOAMTKD SQUIRREL — PAMLO'S REAHON rOK DKHIRINU TO JOIN THE EN'iLIHII — WE flTALK A BUFFALO — PABLO'a TERROR AT THE APPROACH OP INDIANS — MY SURPHISE AT BEING WBt- OOMKD BY MANILICK — MI^E'h JOY AT HEEINO ME ALIVE — WE AGAIN BTART IN THE DIRECTION OK THE WAOOON-TRAIN — OLD HAMHON, REUBEN, AND )ANDY NEARLY ROASTED ALIVE BY THE APACHEH— QUAMBO'h CARE or " DE piddle"— LILV'S RELATIONtiHIP TO OLD ItAMMON— KEPENAU AND MANILICK — CONOLUHION. HAD been trudging on for some hours, di- recting my course by the sun, which shone jbrigbtly from an unclouded sky, when, feel- ing weary, I sat down to rest under the shade of a tree not far from the river's brink. Scarcely had I stretched out my legs, when I heard a voice, in a tone of suflering, calling to nic ; and going in the direction from whence it proceeded, what was my surprise to see, among the branches of a tree, my late companion Pablo ! " Misericordia, Sefior Roger !" he cried out. " I am starving, and too weak to get down of myself." I climbed up and gave him some of the beaver- flesh, which soon revived him. He told me how he had been frightened up the tree by the wolves, and thao, having lost his gun and his flint, he had no means of defending himself, or of lighting a Are, and should certainly have perished had I not come to his aid. PABLO S WISHES. 377 Having assisted him down, I led liim towards the liver, where lie quenched his thirst. We made but little progress that day, for Pablo was ill able to walk ; so, having reached a spot where we could obtain sufficient bark and wood to build a hut and keep up a blazing fire all night, we encamped. Leaving Pablo to finish the hut, I set ofi* in search of game. I brought down two black squirrels; and I afterwards came upon several bushes of berries, which would add a variety to our meal. On my return to the camp, I found that Pablo had finished all the arrangements, and we soon had one of the squirrels roasting before the fire. Pablo opened his heart to me. I had been the means, he said, of saving his life, and he should ever be grateful. The reason, he told me, of his being so anxious to join the English, was, that he had met with a missionary — who proved to be no other than our friend Martin Godfrey — and that his object, therefore, was to live with those who held the same opinions, for he v/as sure that they were the right ones. He cared nothing for all the fatigue and danger he might have to go through, provided that he gained his wishes at last. We travelled on for several days, sometimes having to encamp in the open prairie, where we were more especially exposed to the risk of being attiicked by wolves, or run over by a stampede of buffalo — though we did not trouble our heads much on that score. Our chief risk lay in encountering any bands of hostile Indians who might be travei-sing the open prairie, as 378 CROSSING TIIK I'HAIRIE. l'% it would be scarcely possible to conceal ounselves from them. I could only hope that, in the event of our being seen, they would not attack two wayworn tmvellers who could not injure them. Pablo, how- ever, observed that there were some tribes who would murder us for the sake of our scalps, so as to be able to boast that they had killed two enemies in battle. He had no affection for the Indians, and was inclined to doubt whether they possessed any good qualities. How we should have got across the wide extent of prairie we traversed I know not, had we not been able to stalk a buftalo, by getting well to leeward of it, whereupon I brought it down with my rifle. Its stomach was full of water, with which we quenched our thirst ; and the flesh aftorded us food for many days — partly eaten fresh, and partly dried in the sun, and turned into a coarse description of pemniican. We were hoping soon to strike another river, where we could obtain water. This kept up our spirits; and we certainly needed something to do that, for we were gi'owing weary of our long tramp across the open country. As may be supposed, too, we kept our eyes about us as we walked along; for should we espy any suspicious horsemen, our best chance of escaping, we agreed, would be to fall flat on the ground, where we might be hidden by the grass. The sun was already verging towards tne west, when Pablo, who happened at the moment to be looking eastward, exclaimed, " Here come Indians : here come Indians ! Down — down !" We both dropped to the ground, hoping that wo INDIANS IN SIGHT. 370 had not been seen, and that they would ptvss by on one side or the other. I could catch sight, as I lay, of their feather, met.'ii, and shell ornaments glittering in the sun, and of their spear-heads with lon^ tufts waving in the wind. They were pushing rapidly across the prairie; but at the distance they still were from us I could not distinguish the tribe or nation to m hich they belonged They might be Apaches or Comanches, deadly foes; or a tribe keep- ing up a friendly intercourse with the white men. At first I was doubtful in what direction they were going, but I was soon convinced that they were rid- ing directly towards the spot where we lay, and that our chance of escape from their eagle-eyes was small indeed. I observed their leader at length stand up in his stirrups and gaze around. From this I felt nearly sure that we had been seen, and that he was looking for us. " We are sure to be discovered," I whispered to Pablo. " Our wisest mode of proceeding will be to stand up and face them boldly. It will be better to die on our feet, than to be speared like skulking foxes." " Do as you think best," answered Pablo. I immediately rose, and, with outstretched hand, advanced towards the Indians. Their leader galloped forward, then, greatly to my surprise, threw him- self from his horse as he got up to me, and putting out his own hand, took mine. " 1 have been searching for you ! Don't you know mc ?" he exclaimed. .. r ■-Mni 'hi I I ( 380 AN UNEXPECTED ALLY. As he spoke I recognized Manilick, the young chief, Ashatea's lover. " I happily met the friend of my tribe, Samson Micklan, who, with his companions, are anxious about you," he continued. " Confident of your courage and hardiliood, ther would not believe that you were lost; and they u.*ged me to make a circuit to the south, in the possibility of coming on your trail. Glad I am to have fallen in with you, for I had almost given you up jis lost. Right heartily will our aged friend rejoice that you have been found." I thanked Mrnilick warmly for the interest he had taken in me, and inquired whether the waggons had turned back or continued their course west- ward, and whether they had been overtaken. He replied that Samson had discovered their trail, but, in his search for me, he had lost so much time, that he had not yet been able to come up with them. As the party had several spare horses, Pablo and I were at once provided with steeds. We then pushed on at a quick rate, Manilick observing that he wished to reach the camp of a friend the following day. I inquired who the friend was. " Kepenau," he answered. " He has, with his whole tribe, moved westward, under my protection. He has buried the hatchet with all mankind, and has induced me to follow his example, provided we are not attacked ; for should we be, even he allows that it is both lawful and right to defend ourselves. The good preacher, Martin Godfrey, has accompanied him, for the purpose of instructing his people and TRAVELLIXG WITH FRIENDS. 381 inino ; and he afterwards intends to visit the Pale- faces settled in other parts of the country." "And has his daughter accompanied him?" I asked, looking at the young chief. "Yes," he answered, with a smile; "and she is shortly to become my wife, as she is satisfied that I am now a believer in the same faith she has long held. I bless the day, too, when she won me over, though I had not before supposed it possible that I could abandon the religion of my forefathers." I told Manilick how glad I was to hear this, and wished him every happiness. We encamped that night in a wood near a stream, which we reached just before dark. The same pre- cautions were taken against surprise which our small band had considered necessary; for, Manilick told me, should the Apaches discover his trail, they would be certain to attack him. " However," he observed, " we have hitherto been preserved by the Great Spirit, and we have no fear of the result of a fight." " Then you cannot be said altogether to have buried the hatchet," I observed. " We have resolved to attack no one, and the sin will lie with those who attack us," he answered; " while it is possible, we will avoid a quarrel, and pro- ceed peaceably on our way." As Manilick's party was nume'^ous and well-armed, they were calculated to inspire respect; and if any foes did approach the camp, they probably thought it prudent to retire to a distance. i > 382 AX IRISH WELCOME. The next morning we continued our march, and towards evening came in sight of a thick wood. I saw that Manilick's eagerness increased as we rode on. We were still at some little distance from the wood, when I observed a man with a gun in his hand issuing from under the shelter of the trees. He looked towards us, apparently suspicious as to who we were. I had no doubt, from his appearance, that he was a Paleface; and as we got still nearer to him, to my infinite satisfaction I recognized Mike Laffan. He knew me almost at the same moment, and throwing up his cap, and giving vent to an Irisli shout of joy, he ran forward. " Sure ! is it you, Masther Roger dear, alive and well ?" he exclaimed. " It brings back joy to me heart, for it was mighty throubled at the thoughts that you were lost intirely." I jumped from my horse to receive the greetings of the honest fellow. He had, I found, overcome with the poignancy of his feelings at the thought of my death, been knocked up, and had remained with Kepenau, whose camj) he told me was concealed within the wood. He led the way round to a narrow opening, where Manilick dismounted. Proceeding through it, we soon reached an open spot on which Kepenau had pitched his tents. He himself was the first person who .advanced to greet us. Behind him stood Ashatea, a lovely specimen of an Indian girl, her countenance beaming with that intelligence which education could alone have given her. Though she met Manilick with a bashful reserve, I had little AT KEPENAUS CAMP. 383 doubt that she had at length bestowed on him the heart he sought. Still I recollected honest Reuben's admiration. Yet I was very glad that it was so ; for, charming as lie might deem her, she was still a child of the desert, — and one of our fair countrywomen would, I was very sure, make him a far more useful and companionable wife than Ashatea would prove. Kepenau told me that he intended to pitch his tents in the neighbourhood of the proposed settle- ment — remarking that he should now have no fear of his people being seduced by the terrible " fire water " — and that he hoped to change his skin-tents into substantial dwellings like those of the Palefaces, and to cultivate the ground instead of depending on the chase for subsistence. In the meantime, however, he and his people must hunt the buffalo and deer to obtain support for themselves and their families; and he was only awaiting the arrival of Manilick and his tribe to set out with that object, as provisions were already running short in the camp. Though I had borne the journey, I felt too much exhausted and weak to accompany him; and as both Mike and Pablo were much in the same condition, they insisted on taking care of me and themselves without troubling the Indians, who had plenty to do in guarding the camp and looking after the horses. Mike and Pablo soon became great friends; and though I had no real authority over either of them, they took a pleasure in serving me. " Sit still and be aisy for once in your life, Masther Roger," said Mike, as he brought a bundle of stick:* M' 384 THE HUNTERS UETURN. P" . and piled tliem up on the fire he liad lit. "Sure, Pablo and I can do all the work, without you throubling yourself. There's Misthress Ashatea and the young chief billing and cooing at her tent-door like two turtle-doves; and if they were to see you moving about, maybe they'd think it necessary, out of courtesy, to come and help you — and it would be a pity to disturb them." Mike's arguments prevailed, and for once in my life, as he advised, I did sit quiet, — and very glad I was to do so, — while I watched the Indians through the trees making preparations for their departure. The young chief, after a short rest, started off with some of his best hunters in search of a herd of buffalo which had been seen in the neighbourhood; and before the end of the next day they returned with an ample supply of meat. After remaining a couple of days to dry what was not required for immediate consump- tion, the camp was broken up, and we proceeded in the direction it was said the waggon-train had taken. We were, however, not able to travel very much faster than the steady-going oxen, and we therefore had little hope of overtaking it before it had reached its destination. As trails were discovered which were pronounced to be those of Apaches, I felt some anxiety lest old Samson and his companions might have been attacked and overpowered. " He is too well acquainted with their ways to be caught," observed Kepenau. I remembered, howev^er, the eagerness the old man AT KEPENAU'S CAMP ATTACKKO BY APACIIKS. 38; had sliown to ovortnkc tlie train, in order tluit he might ascertain whether Lily was, as he liad lioped, his grand-daughter; and he niiglit tlius push forward, wljen his usual prudence would have induced him to remain concealed, or to have retreated from his foes. We advanced like an army in an enemy's country — with scouts ranging on either side, so that there was no probability of our being taken by surprise; while our main body was too numerous to have invited an attack. We had made good progress for several days, when the sound of riHe-shots reached oiu* ears throuirh the still air of a warm summer noon. Directlv after- wards tlie scouts came in with the intelligence that 51 lariTO num])er of Indians were collected in the neighbourliood of what ]o(»ked like a log-hut, on the bank of a stream in the plain below us. W(; were, at the time, a])proaching the edge of a j)lateau over which we had been travelling. In the far di.stance rose some blue hills, spurs of a still more lofty range of mountains. It was at the foot of these hills that the new settlement was, I understood, to Ik ibrmed. While our main body advanced slowly ft» • the sake of the women and children, Manilick, with a chosen band of warrioi*s, rode rapidly forward. lie at once expressed his opinion that a small party of white men had taken refuge in the hut, to defend them- selves against the Apaches, and that it was our duty to hasten to their relief. We waited among the trees on the upper ]>ortion of the slope, to give time to our main body to appear just before we should 388 THE RESCUE CI' OUR FRIENDS. ili \f r i> I reach the enemy — wlio, finding themselves menaced by superior numbers, would in all probability take to flight. At the proper moment Manilick shouted " Forward ! " and we rapidly descended the hill. We did not arrive a moment too soon, for 'the fire of the little garrison h.ad begun to slacken, and the besiegers were preparing to scale the walls. On seeing us approach, and observing the large number of armed men who at that moment reached the edge of the height, they took to flight, and endeavoured to make their escape to the southward. We gained a bloodless victory, for Manilick would not allow them to be pursued. No sooner had the enemy retreated than the door of the hut was thrown open, and old Samson, followed by Reuben and Sandy, rushed out, while the hut burst into flames — the savages having just before set fire to it in several jilaces. " You have come just in time to save us from roasting!" exclaimed the old trapper, recognizing Manilick, but not seeing me. " Wo caught sight of the Apaches bctaring down upon us, and had just time to tfike shelter in the hut and barricade the dooi*s and windows, before they reached it. They carried off" our good steeds, but we have secured our packs and arms." At length catching sight of me as I rode out from among the men, he expressed his satisfaction with a vehemence I had never before seen him exhibit — almost bursting into teal's as he shook my hand. " I should have grieved if you had been lost, Roger, TUE SETTLKMENT REACHED. 389 from and I had had to announce the sad tidings to my young grand-daughter; for that your Lily is my grand-daughter, I feel as sure as I do of my o\. n exist- ence. I have dreamed about her every night since you told me her history, and something tells me I must be her grandfather. Nothing must now stop us. Our friend Manilick will supply us with horses, and we shall reach the settlement before nightfall. They are all safe there long ago, for I came upon their trail ; and they were strong enough to beat off any of the Redskins who may have attempted to interfere with them." Notwithstanding Samson's eagerness, we had to wait till the m.ain body came up, when, horses having been supplied to my three friends, they, with Mike and I, and six of Manilick's tribe, set forward at a rapid rate in the direction of the new settlement. The sun had not yet set when we saw before us, on the banks of a clear stream backed by a wood, some white tents, and the canvas covers of a number of waggons. My heart began to beat with the antici- pation of once more meeting Lily, my uncles and aunt, and other friends. As we approached the bank we were observed by the inhabitants, who at once pisembled, rushing from all quarters with arms in tlicir hands. On our drawing still nearer, however, they recognized us, and coming down to the water, pushed off on a large raft, which they propelled with long poles to the side on which we stood. The first to spring on shore was Uncle Mark. He received Reuben, Mike, and me as people risen from M ' 390 WARM (?UEETINGS. I I I IF , ' IB III the dead. Quambo lol lowed closely, and, taking me in his arms, gave me a hug, in his joy, which almost squeezed the breath out of my body. Mike came in for the same sort of greeting. " Och, sure ! do you take me for a baby ?" ex- claimed Mike — " though you would have squeezed the life out of me if I had been one. But I am moighty plased to see you ; and, bedad, we'll be footing it away to the sound of me fiddle, I am hoping, before many hours arc over. You have got it all safe ?" "Yes. I keep de fiddle all right, and let no one play on it — not even myself," observed Quambo. " True for you, Quambo," said Mike, laughing ; " for the best of raisons — there's no one else but meself could make the music come out of it." Our Indian escort having set off to return to the camp, according to orders, we crossed the river to the opposite bank, where our relatives had collected to receive us. Lily looked somewhat pale. Though she had not abandoned all hope, she had been fearfully anxious about me ; and she made me promise not to go wander- ing again over the wilds, if I could help it. Mr. and Mrs. Claxton and Dora had been equally anxious about Reuben, and were proportionably thankful to get him back safe. Old Samson stood gazing at Lily while I was tiilk- ing to her. He then hastened up to Aunt Hannah. " You have been a mother to that sweet child, and I will bless you for it as long as there is breath in my old body," he said. "But J want to take her from you. LIIA S GRANDFATHER. 391 She is mine by right, for I am, 1 believe, her on)'^ living relative. You have got the proofs ; and if you do not wi.sh to try the feelings of an old man, which he thought were long ago dead and gone, show me the things you have taken care of since she was com- mitted to your charge." Aunt Hannah looked very much surprised at fii*st ; but the truth quickly dawned on her. " You shall see them, Mr. Micklan, for they are safe in my box in the waggon ; and if you recognize them, as you expect to do, Lily shall call you 'Grandfather;' but as to giving her up- - No, no ! you will not ex- pect that of us. For sixteen years she has been our child, and we have loved her, and love her still, as if she were our own. You would not be so hard-hearted, even if you have the right, as to dei)rive us of her !" " Well, well — I cannot gainsay you ; but only let me know that I have got some one to love, and I will give up my wandering life and come and settle down among you." Lily and I accompanied Uncle Stephen and Aunt Hannah, with the old hunter, to the waggon, where the baby-dress and the ornaments she had worn were soon produced. Samson gazed at them, without speaking, for some seconds. Then he exclaimed, " Yes, yes ! there is no doubt about it. — Come, Lily, do not be afraid of your old grandfather. I will not run away with you ; but just let me love you, and watch over you, and take care of you, and I shall be content, and end my days more happily than I had ever hoped to do." 392 FOUMIDABLK ALLIKS. : I .1 Lily came forward and put. her hand into that of the old man, wlio, stoo[)ing down, kissed her fair brow, and pressed her to his heart. After this a change seemed to come over Samso:^ Micklan. He was no longer the rough old trapper he had hitherto appeared — though he worked as liard as any one in the camp, and took especial delight in assisting to build the house Lily was to occupy. Every one, Jis may be supposed, was busy from sun- rise to sunset, and a village soon sprang up in that hitherto desert spot. Our Indian friends rendered us important assistance, by supplying us with the meat they obtained in their hunting expeditions, as also by acting tis our guardians; for they were con&tJintly on the watch, and no foes would venture to attack us while supported by such formidable allies. The set- tlement tiourished and rapidly increased, for we were soon joined by other parties from the east\vard ; and even my uncles acknowledged that they had no desire to make another move — j^reatlv to Aunt Hannah's satisfaction. Lily, in course of time, became my wife ; and Mr. Micklan, loved and res})ected by the whole of the community, lived to hear the prattle of his great- grandcliildren. Our friends Reuben and Dora both married happily, and we, who wcie once hardy backwoodsmen, became quiet and contented citizens. I own that though the life we had led i)ossessed its attractions, our j)resent condition was on many accounts jn'eferable. ;ll CONCLUSION. 393 Mike and Quambo purchased a lot between them at a short distance from the settlement, and became prosperous farmers; but they remained bachelors to the end of their days — Mike declaring that the sound of his fiddle was more satisfactory to his ears than the scolding of a wife or the squalling of chil- dren. Albeit, he never failed to bring it on his fre- quent visits, to the infinite delight of my youngsters, who invariably began to dance and snap their fingers when they caught sight of him and his sturdy nag approaching our door. Kepenau and Manilick, having become civilized themselves, laboured incessantly in the civilization of their people — aided by our revered friend, Martin Godfrey, who eventually settled down among them. We were not altogether without some trials and troubles, but we had also much to make us happy ; and I can honestly say that we had good reason to be thankful — though we could never be sufliciently so — to that Merciful Being who had preserved us amid the many dangers we had passed through during the period I have described. Kingston Library for Boys. — ♦♦ — In the Eastern Seas; or, The Regions of the Bird of Paradise. With 111 Ilhistratiuns. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, gilt edges. I'rice Gs. A tale of voyage and adventure antong the islands of the Maliy Archi- pelago, with descriptions of scenery and objects of natural history. In the Wilds of Africa. With upwards of 70 Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, gilt edges. Price (J.s. An interesting account of adventures by a sliipwreckcd party who ara landed on the west coast of Africa, and make their way to tiio south through many dangers. In the Rocky Mountains. A Tale of Adventure. With 41 Engravings. Post 8vo, cloth extra. Price .'is. 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A party of school-boys spend some of their half-holidays in relating to one another stories of adventure in search of wild animals. These stories, though often full of romantic and stirring incidents, are all true. They cannot fail to be attractive to young readers. Pictures of Travel in Far-off Lands.— A Companion to the Study of Cleography.— Ckntual Amkkica. With 50 Engravings. Post Svo, cloth. Price 2s. Pictures of Travel in Far-off Lands.— South Amkrk a. With .50 Engravings. Post Svo, cloth. I'rice 2s. These volumes do not consist of mere dry gcographi«al details. With the description of each country tlierc are given interesting narratives of travel and adventur'i connected witl: the regions described. T. NELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINDUIIGII, AND NEIV YORK. Ballantyne Library for Boys. -**- Witli Illustrations. i< , The Dosr Crusoe and His Master. l\).st .Svo, clnth. Tliio Hh. (i<l. A story of advciituru union); Indiiuis, and the L'X]iluits of a dog in hunting bears and woIvch. The Coral Island. With 8 Illustnitions. Post 8vo, cloth. Prion lis. 0(1. Kal|th Hover's adventures when cast away in tlic Soutli Seas. The Youngr Fur-Traders. With 8 illustrations. Post 8vo, cloth. I'rico ',\h. <>d. The adventures of a family on Lake Winnipeg, canoeing and hunting bears, deer, and iitarniigan. Ungava. With 8 IlUhstrations. Post 8vo, cloth. Price Ss. G»l. A story of tlie traders of the Hudson ISay ('onipany in the north of Labrador. Martin Rattler. With S Illu.strations. P.)st 8vo, clotii. ;?s. (id. A boy's adventures hunting and Hgliting with Indians in brazil. The Gorilla Hunters. With Illu-strations. Post 8vo, cloth. Price 3s. (jd. The adventures of Ealpli Rover in the wilds of Africa. The World of Ice. ^Vith 7 Engravings. Post 8v> , cloth. Price 3s. Cd. A whaling crui.se, and adventures in tlie Polar Regions. Hudson Bay ; or, Everyday Life in the ^^'ilds of North America, during a Si.x Years' Residence in thi; Territories of the Hon. Hud- son Bay Conijiany. With 4(5 Illustrations drawn V)y H.WAl'.l) and other Artists, from Sketches hy the Author. Crown 8vo, cloth extra. Price as. ■* In this volume much useful information is cnninnniirated, in the most fascinating narrative style, about everyday life in tlie wilds of North America. Man on the Ocean. A Book about Boats and Ships. Pictorial and Descriptive. By K. M. Ballantvnk and K. Richardson. With (58 Illustrations. Post 8vo, cloth extra. Price 3s. A boolc which will be attractive to all who taice interest in tlie subject of navigation ; describing its progress from tlie rudest first attempts at raft or boat building to the days of the (ireat Eastern, etc. T. Nh'LSON AXD SOXS, LONVOX, EDIXUl'liUlf, AXD XEW YORK. story Books of Natural History. -♦♦- By the Inte W. H. G. KINGSTON. ILLUSTRATKD BT HARRISON WEIR. Stories of the Sasracity of Animals. Tiik ITorhe and Othkii Animalh. With 27 IlluHtratioiiH. Vmi 8vo, cluth extra. Price 2rt. Stories of the Sagacity of Animals. c;.\rs anu Docs. With 27 Ilhistrations. PoHt Svo, cl(»th extra. Price 2h. stories about animals, told in an cony anil graphic style, with a moral to each anecdote. By Mrs. SURR. ILLUSTRATED BY HARRISON WEIR AND GIACOMELU. Stories about Dogs. With 12 Tinted Engravings. Illuminated Side. 4t<>, cloth -xtra. Price Sh. Stories about Cats. With P2 Tinted Engravings. Illuminated Hide. 4to, cloth extru. I'rice 3ri. Charming hooks for little rcoilers, beautifully got up ; in largo type, and with a variety of pictures. In tlicni is provided a ricli store of interest and amusement for young people, who will And their knowledge and love of animals increa.sed by their iHsrusal. Sea-Birds and the Lessons of their Lives. With 24 II luHtrations. Post Hvo, cloth extra, rrico Is. Very pleasantly iloes tlic author describe tlie birds and their habits, and gossip about them for the entertainment and instniction of the young. By Mrs. HUGH MILLER. Stories of the CAT and Her Cousins thk Liov, tiik Tioek, AND THE Lkoi'.\ki>. With numerous Engravings. Iloyal ISmo, cloth extra. I'rice l.s. Od. Stories of the DOG and His Cousins thk Wolf, thk Jackal, AND THK Hy.kna. With numer«»U8 Engravings. Koj-al IHino, cloth extra. Price 1h. Gd. Two pretty volumes, well illustrated by numerous engravings, with much information, and with stories full of interest. By Mrs. GEORGE CUPPLES. Talks with Uncle Richard about Wild Animals, w ith numerous Engravings. Koyal 18nio, cloth extra. Pricti Is. (>d. A book full of valuable information on natural history. Many of the stories abound in adventure, and will please youthful readers. Mamma's Stories about Domestic Pets. With numerous Engravings. Koyal ISmo, cloth extra. Price Is. Gd. These stories arc full of entertaining information. They cannot fail to interest children, and to teach them to be kind to dumb animals. T. NELSOX AND SOyS, LOyDON, EDINDUIiGH, AND NEIV YORK. Is to ^ > % BOOKS FOR YOUNG MEN. -•♦- <• By JOSEPH JOHNSON. Self-Effort ; or, The Tnic Method of Attaining Success in Life. Post Hvo. Price 3h. M. " A uatsful book, full of wise pnictical co\xnM\»" —Timet. Living in Earnest. I^'ssons and Tncidcnts from the Lives of the Great and (I<mk1. PoHt Hvo. I'rici! 2«. M. Counielg as to study, health, aiuuseineDt, antl many practical examiiles and illustrations. Living to Purpose ; or, Araking the Best of Life. Post 8vo. I'rice 2h. Gd. An earnest, practical book; shows how some of the greatest and most gifted men of the past have lived, and links counsels to their examples. Self-Taugllt Men : A Series of Biographies for the Young. 20 Plates. Post 8vo. Price 28. This book sets before the reader the groat ends that may be attained by patient perseverance. Evertj hume and achoul library ahou'i contain it. Success in Life. A Book for Young Men. Post 8vo. Price 38. The great principles of action which, under God, secure " success in life" —perseverance, industry, integrity, economy, &c.— illustrated by many examples. The Boy Makes the Man : A Book of Example and Encour- agement for Boys. Royal ISnio. Price Is. Gd. A capital book to put in tiie hands of a youth, to awaken in him a deter- mination to overcome by steady perseverance every obstacle to success. Youthful Diligence and Future Greatness. Royal i8mo. Price 28. Short biographies of eminent men, whose diligent youth was a prepara- tion for success in later life— Pascal, Canova, Reynolds, &c. Home Principles in Boyhood. Foolscap Svo. Price 2s. The story of a lad who held firmly to the principles in which he had been instructed by Christian parents. What Shall I Be? or, A Boy's Aim in Life. Post Svo. Price 2s. An interesting story for young lads. By the late Rev. W. K. TWEEDIE, D.D. Seed-Time and Harvest; or, Sow Well and Reap Well. A Book for the Young. Post Svo. Price 28. This book is eminently a practical one. It sliows the reader, by illustra- tion and example, the results of good and bad conduct, and invites him to choose the right course. T. HELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINrriiGII, AND NEW YORK. EN. !88 in Life. Lives of cal exaniiilei Post 8vo. st and most lamples. te Young. attained by Miain it. Price 38. ^688 in life" id by many 1 £ncour« him a deter- success. yal 18mo. IS a prcpara- he had been Price 2s, Well. A by illustra- I'ites him to fiW YORK.