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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 
 
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 : • • 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- 
 
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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 
 

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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 
 
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 til 
 
 tc 
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 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. 
 
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 THE LAND AGENT 
 
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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 
 

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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. 
 
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li .■ t 
 
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 LI 
 
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EN. 
 
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 ^688 in life" 
 id by many 
 
 1 £ncour« 
 
 him a deter- 
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 IS a prcpara- 
 
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